Pages

Friday 29 June 2012

The Holy Land Virtual Tour by Leen Thobias

From an email received from Tony Tong on 17 June 2012

The Holy Land Virtual Tour by Leen Thobias| p4panorama


360 degree interactive VR(virtual reality)photography by Leen Thobias,panorama photographer from kerala, India.


This is just awesome! Hope you enjoy. 

MOVE THE MOUSE AROUND AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

Here is an amazing bit of technology that you would never see in person, as you would NEVER be alone in the room.

It is ALWAYS VERY CROWDED and of course you can't see  HOLYLAND close up as you can here.

This is especially spectacular if you have a large high-definition screen! Too many details to view on an iPhone/ipad.

TO VIEW EVERY PART OF THE HOLYLAND, JUST CLICK AND DRAG YOUR ARROW IN THE DIRECTION YOU WISH TO SEE.

In the buttons, click on the plus (+) to move closer, on the minus (-) to move away. KEEP  SOUND ON.

MOVE THE ARROW AND YOU WILL SEE EVERY PART OF HOLYLAND .

You can use shift/ctrl keys to zoom.

This virtual tour of the HOLYLAND is incredible. created by leen Thobias and crew of P4panorama.


CLICK BELOW:-

http://www.p4panorama.com/panos/HOLYLAND/index.html

Every Cancer Can be Cured in Weeks - Video


Information
From: iHealthTube AdminAdded: 7/13/2011
Time: 6:55 Views: 93054
Dr. Leonard Coldwell states that all cancers can be cured within four months. Listen to his reasons behind that statement and how it may be done. Dr. Coldwell also says that you need salt, even if you have high blood pressure. Find out why that is and why sea salt is better for you.
 
Contributor(s): Coldwell, Leonard Dr.
Tags: salt, cancer, calcium, water, eggs, vitamin c, blood pressure, raw foods, vegans, raw food

http://www.ihealthtube.com/aspx/viewvideo.aspx?v=3c2bb4f600fe586b

Thursday 28 June 2012

Curing the Incurable with Vitamin C - Video


Health Videos - Curing the Incurable with Vitamin C

Information
From: iHealthTube AdminAdded: 3/4/2010
Time: 3:29 Views: 59186
Dr. Thomas E. Levy discusses how he became interested in vitamin C, and the positive effect it can have on your body.

http://www.ihealthtube.com/aspx/viewvideo.aspx?v=b5799b47c730ae38

Robust Octogenarians’ Genes Seen Holding Secrets to Aging

By Ryan Flinn - Jun 20, 2012 12:01 PM GMT+0800

Exactly why James Markam is alive and well is a bit of a mystery. The octogenarian has lost four siblings to cancer, heart disease and emphysema, all before they reached the age of 62.

Yet the retired airline executive recalls only one bout of sickness, culminating with a chest cold, 50 years ago.

Scientists are taking a deep look at Markam’s genetics to see if there’s something protecting him from illnesses that affect others his age, such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Markam, 83, is one of more than 1,300 individuals identified as having what Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Translational Science Institute, called “Teflon-coated” genes.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enlarge imageRobust Octogenarians’ DNA Seen Holding Secrets to Aging

Robust Octogenarians’ DNA Seen Holding Secrets to Aging

Robust Octogenarians’ DNA Seen Holding Secrets to Aging
David Paul Morris/Bloomberg
A laser light sequences slides in a lab.
A laser light sequences slides in a lab. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

June 20 (Bloomberg) -- Retired San Diego resident James Markam talks with Bloomberg's Ryan Flinn about his participation in a study to see if genetics are protecting him from illnesses. The 83-year old lost four siblings to cancer, heart disease and emphysema, all before they reached the age of 62. Yet the retired airline executive recalls only one bout of sickness, culminating with a chest cold, 50 years ago. (Source: Bloomberg)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“We think it’s in the genome in these individuals,” said Topol, who is leading research of healthy older people called the Wellderly Study at the La Jolla, California-based institute.“You don’t see any environmental thing that would be explaining this.”

The study, the first focused on healthy aging, expects to have the first set of participants’ genes sequenced by the end of the year, said Cliff Reid, chief executive officer ofMountain View, California-based Complete Genomics Inc. (GNOM), which is doing the work for free.

Scientists and pharmaceutical companies are closely watching Scripps’ research project and others like it, eager for clues that may help them develop new treatments to ward off diseases that have long afflicted the elderly. For drug companies such as Merck & Co. (MRK) and Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY), the hope is that the research will lead to the creation of new billion-dollar blockbuster therapies.

Human Genome

The human genome is a transcript of an individual’s DNA code containing the instructions for making cells in the body. Scientists say the genome may provide keys to understanding health and disease.

The projects reflect researchers’ evolving views of how genetic mutations cause disease. While scientists once thought common genetic variants were responsible for many common diseases, recent research has changed that view. Instead, combinations of the millions of rare variants are the more likely culprits behind wide-spread ailments, making them difficult to identify.

Creating a clean map of a healthy genome that can be quickly compared to DNA that makes a person vulnerable to illness, the thinking goes, will allow researchers to more readily search for the roots of disease.

“What it does is accelerate discoveries of the basics of human disease,” Reid said. “The Wellderly data set promises to offer a superior set of harmless variations, that will enable researchers to more effectively separate the harmless variations from the disease-causing variations.”

 Cheaper Sequencing

Such potentially groundbreaking studies are only now becoming possible because of the rapid decline in the cost of sequencing. Translating an entire human genome required more than a decade of research and billions of dollars by the government’s Human Genome Project, which completed the first sequence in 2003. Now, the same work can be done in days for thousands of dollars, and the price continues to decline.

A majority of seniors have at least one chronic condition, and many have multiple illnesses, such as hypertension, heart disease, cancer and diabetes, according to the U.S. Administration on Aging. Alzheimer’s affects about 45 percent of Americans 85 or older, the Alzheimer’s Association says.

Seeking Mechanism

In healthy individuals, “you might be able to find a mechanism that is either turning something on or off in a genetic profile that may convey protection against disease,”Winifred Rossi, deputy director of the National Institute on Aging’s geriatrics and clinical gerontology division, said in an interview. “If you find a mechanism that does that, then you could potentially create an intervention that mimics that protection.”

While it’s too early to tell whether the Wellderly Project will result in successful treatments, other continuing genetic studies of elderly individuals has led to some drug developments. Her institute is also studying the genetics of healthy elderly people in several projects, including one that tries to identify families of long-agers.

Nir Barzilai, director of the Longevity Gene Project at Yeshiva University’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, has found several mutations that seem to aid healthy living in the centenarian Ashkenazi Jewish population.

Finding Variants

“We’re finding just as many variants for diseases in the centenarians as the rest of the population,” said Barzilai, who is also taking advantage of advances in genetic sequencing.“They have something else that is relatively rare, that overrides or allows all those disease genes to be there.”

One mutation he found affects the way the body regulates insulin-like growth factor 1, a substance involved with metabolism. Another variant controls the amount of beneficial cholesterol in their bodies.

Drugmakers have been trying to capitalize on these findings with mixed results. Pfizer Inc., the world’s largest drugmaker, and Roche Holding AG, the biggest global maker of cancer drugs, abandoned development of medicines meant to raise good cholesterol based on the research because they weren’t working. Merck, the second-biggest drugmaker, and Indianapolis-based Lilly are still forging ahead with their version of these therapies. High-density lipoprotein, or good cholesterol, is thought to protect against heart disease.

These efforts may be in vain, according to a study last month. The report, in the U.K. medical journal The Lancet, found that people with a genetic condition that causes high HDL have the same heart-attack risk as the general population.

Gene Strategies

Still, Barzilai said more developments are on the way.

“This is what we’re excited about -- there is a way to find a gene and then strategize and develop a therapy,” he said.

Many in the Wellderly study have a range of reasons they think they’ve been so healthy, said Sarah Topol, a registered nurse and clinical trials coordinator for the Scripps Translational Science Institute. Topol, the daughter of the study’s director, has interviewed all of the more than 1,300 participants over the phone and met many in person to take their blood or saliva samples. Participants must be in their 80s, with the average age about 87.

She said they have a wide range of personal habits from those who smoke and drink, to those who abstain and run marathons. The one link she sees is a positive attitude.

Optimistic Personalities

“There’s nothing in their lifestyle that could explain it,” she said. “I think that the most common theme is that people are upbeat, have a good sense of humor and just see the positive in life.”

Most resist visiting doctors and taking their advice, Sarah Topol said. Many take supplements and will change their diets instead of taking prescription medicines, such as a 103-year-old woman in Riverside, California, who swears by a mushroom compound and an extract from lion’s mane.

“She was feisty. I sat down with her and she said, ’I think I can fight you. I can fight anybody,’” Topol said. “She wanted to teach me how to shoot a bow and arrow.”

Markam, the 83-year-old San Diego resident, also takes supplements containing fish oil, red yeast and glucosamine. He doesn’t think his genes are anything special but feels lucky to have survived World War II and, later, being run over by a truck. He spends most of his time now running errands and tending a small garden of roses and a lemon tree in his backyard, as well as cracking jokes about his long and healthy life.

“They’re trying to figure out how I could live so long and be so ugly,” he said.
To contact the reporter on this story: Ryan Flinn in San Francisco at rflinn@bloomberg.net

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-20/robust-octogenarians-genes-seen-holding-secrets-to-aging.html

Pine for H. pylori

Sunday June 24, 2012

A nutraceutical originating from Russia might prove useful in treating a common stomach infection.

WOMEN are often the ones tasked with preparing meals on a daily basis, caring for the wellbeing of their families, and being responsible for maintaining a clean, well-balanced, peaceful and welcoming home.

And yet, while so much time and care goes into carrying out this most important role, research has shown that women are likely to be the main culprits in transmitting a bacterium that has been labelled a carcinogen by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

This bacteria is called H. pylori.

More than 50% of the world’s population are infected with H. pylori, which is usually acquired in early childhood, making it the most widespread infection in the world.

This means that at least one in every two people have this bacterium residing in them.

Whilst the prevalence of H.pylori infection is about equal amongst men and women, research is clarifying that infected mothers are likely to be the main source for childhood H. pylori infection.

As H. pylori infection commonly occurs via the oral route — that is, through the exchange of saliva, food and water — overcrowded conditions, especially in developing countries, create closer contact between mothers and children, and between siblings.

This might be the main reason for the high infection rates reported.

Tummy problems

The problem with having H. pylori is not so much the infection itself, but the consequences of its presence in our bodies.

Australian scientist and natural-source medicine specialist Dr Vagif Soultanov says: “Infection by Helicobacter pylori is the most common link to gastritis and gastric ulcers.”

He adds that it is also a major risk factor for stomach cancer. Left untreated, those infected with H. pylori are six times more likely to develop stomach cancer.

H. pylori infection is linked to chronic gastritis, a long-lasting inflammation of the stomach, which can lead to atrophic gastritis, a precursor to stomach cancer.

Gastritis is one of the most common afflictions of the stomach.

It can occur suddenly or gradually. Symptoms vary among individuals, and more often than not, the condition doesn’t produce any symptoms at all.

Those who do show symptoms usually experience stomach pain, usually described as a burning sensation in the central upper abdomen. It may be associated with bloating, burping, and loss of appetite.

The symptoms often occur after eating, and many patients wake up in the early morning hours with abdominal pain.

Chronic inflammation can lead to the development of gastric or stomach ulcers.

An ulcer is a serious condition referring to an open sore that develops on the inner lining of the stomach. It is like having an open wound in the stomach.

Left untreated, a patient’s digestive processes are impaired, and the patient is at risk of internal bleeding.

When a patient’s stomach lining is injured, these “weak spots” became a fertile area for cancerous cells to grow, hence, the link to stomach cancer.

A natural option

Now that we have identified the main culprit of gastritis, we can take active measures to overcome it.

Besides lifestyle changes (eg maintaining regular meals), H. pylori treatment is an essential step towards recovery from gastritis.

While medical practitioners mostly agree that these infections must be treated in order to prevent gastritis from developing complications like ulcers and cancer, the current standard care regimens are not without their challenges. For example:

·Antibiotic resistance — with increasing antibiotic usage, effectiveness is compromised as the bacteria develops defences to overcome the drugs.

·Poor patient compliance — with some treatment regimens requiring the intake of up to 17 tablets daily, as well as the occurrence of side effects, patients either shy away or drop out from treatment.

However, new research has unveiled the potential of a conifer pine needle extract named Bioeffective® A, as a natural-treatment option or daily protectant against gastritis.

Originating from the pine forests of Russia, this extract is produced from the green needles of Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies. It is a nutraceutical, and has been shown to be a safe and effective dietary supplement in the treatment of H. pylori infections.

A randomised double-blind clinical study demonstrated the ability of this extract to treat H. pylori infection, improve stomach functioning, and also reduce pre-cancerous lesions of the stomach in patients with atrophic gastritis.

The research programme for the pine extract dates back some 80 years.

Although it has been listed in the Russian pharmacopoeia since the 1950s, this nutraceutical was a closely-guarded national secret within the shrouds of the tightly-regulated former Soviet Union.

It was only through an inter-government scientific exchange programme with Australia, and the fall of the old USSR, that it was introduced to the rest of the world.

Dr Soultanov has been intimately involved in researching this extract.

Speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur recently, he described it as an important nutritional substance, which has the potential to revolutionise the way we treat illness and disease today.

He adds: “Clinical research aside, I am humbled daily by the experience of witnessing first-hand the amazing impact Bioeffective A has on the lives of patients in my naturopathic practice”.

http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2012/6/24/health/11502863&sec=health

Wednesday 27 June 2012

What You Need to Know about Adrenal Glands - Video




Health Videos - What You Need to Know About Adrenal Glands


Information
From: iHealthTube AdminAdded: 6/13/2012
Time: 2:24 Views: 1867
Dr. Lena Edwards covers some of the basics about the adrenal glands. She talks about where they are found and what their role is. Also, find out what happens if there's too much stress in your lives and environment.

http://www.ihealthtube.com/aspx/viewvideo.aspx?v=01bcbc43b586ac36


Less vitamin D, more fat

Sunday June 24, 2012

A study suggests a link between children’s body fat and vitamin D insufficiency in their mothers.

CHILDREN are more likely to have more body fat during childhood if their mother had low levels of Vitamin D during pregnancy, according to scientists at the Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit (MRC LEU), University of Southampton, UK.

Low vitamin D status has been linked to obesity in adults and children, but little is known about how variation in a mother’s status affects the body composition of her child.

Low vitamin D status is common among young women in the UK, and although women are recommended to take an additional 10ÎĽg/day of vitamin D in pregnancy, supplementation is currently not routine.

In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition last month, scientists at the MRC LEU compared the vitamin D status of 977 pregnant women with the body composition of their children.

The findings showed that children born to mothers with low vitamin D status in pregnancy had more body fat when they were six years old.

These differences could not be explained by other factors such as the mother’s weight gain in pregnancy, or how physically active the children were.

The 977 women are part of the Southampton Women’s Survey, one of the largest women’s surveys in the UK.

Study lead Dr Siân Robinson says: “In the context of current concerns about low vitamin D status in young women, and increasing rates of childhood obesity in the UK, we need to understand more about the long-term health consequences for children who are born to mothers who have low vitamin D status.

“Although there is growing evidence that vitamin D status is linked to body fatness in children and adults, this research now suggests that the mother’s status in pregnancy could be important too.

“An interpretation of our data is that there could be programmed effects on the fetus arising from a lack of maternal vitamin D that remain with the baby and predispose him or her to gain excess body fat in later childhood.

“Although further studies are needed, our findings add weight to current concerns about the prevalence of low vitamin D status among women of reproductive age.”

This study is part of a wider body of work by MRC LEU into how factors during pregnancy might have a long-term influence on childhood growth and development.

The unit’s director, Prof Cyrus Cooper, comments: “This is a wonderful example of multi-disciplinary research using the unique clinical and biochemical resource provided by the Southampton Women’s Survey.

“The observations that maternal vitamin D insufficiency might be associated with reduced size at birth, but accelerated gain in body fat during early childhood, add to the considerable amount of evidence suggesting that vitamin D status during pregnancy may have critical effects on the later health of offspring.”

http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2012/6/24/health/11528385&sec=health

Problems of a large prostate

AGE WELL
By Assoc Prof Dr CHRISTOPHER C.K. HO

Sunday June 24, 2012

Aside from urinary problems, benign prostate hyperplasia can also affect a man’s sex life.

BENIGN prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition seen in middle-aged and elderly men. It is an enlargement of the prostate gland, which — although not cancerous — may cause problems, as it may impede the flow of urine out of the bladder.

It may also cause bleeding during urination, and predispose to infection of the urine.

If urine is totally obstructed from passing out of the bladder, it will cause a build-up of pressure and urine in the bladder, which when severe, may cause back-pressure, as well as reflux of urine into the kidney. This will eventually cause renal failure.

BPH and sex

Aside from all the problems described above, BPH may also affect a man’s sexual life.

Multiple studies have shown that BPH and sexual dysfunction are inter-related.

Sexual dysfunction refers to sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction (unable to maintain satisfactory erection of the penis for sexual intercourse), ejaculatory dysfunction (failure to expel semen), and low sexual desire.

BPH has been found to be a risk factor for erectile dysfunction, independent of age.

BPH has also been found to be a stronger predictor of sexual dysfunction compared to diabetes, heart disease or hypertension. In fact, erectile function has been shown to deteriorate in tandem with worsening symptoms of BPH.

How does BPH cause worsening of sexual function?

There are a few theories, which include the nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway, rhokinase, overactivity of the autonomic pathway, and pelvic organ atherosclerosis.

All these theories have one thing in common — failure of relaxation of the smooth muscle.

Relaxation of the smooth muscle in the erectile tissue of the penis is needed for engorgement of the penis with blood.

Similarly, relaxation of the smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder neck is needed for urine to pass out of the bladder through the penis.

When there is failure of relaxation of the smooth muscle in the penis, this leads to erection difficulties; while in the prostate and bladder neck, urination difficulties occur.

Treating BPH

Treatment of BPH consists of medical, as well as surgical interventions.

So, does treating BPH improve the symptoms of BPH?

It depends on the medication given. There are basically two groups of medication for BPH, ie alpha blockers and the 5α reductase inhibitors.

Examples of alpha blockers include terazosin, doxazosin, alfuzosin, tamsulosin and silodosin.

There are only two types of 5α reductase inhibitor in the market, ie finasteride and dutasteride.

Alpha blockers have been shown to improve erectile function. Those with worse erectile function had better improvement with alpha blockers.

However, not all the alpha blocker drugs have similar effects on ejaculation. Alpha blockers that act more specifically on the prostate (uroselective), like silodosin, have been shown to have detrimental effects on ejaculation. There is no effect on sexual desire.

The 5α reductase inhibitors act by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.

Dihydrotestosterone is the potent hormone that causes growth of the prostate. It is also commonly known as the male hormone responsible for male characteristics.

Therefore, it is no surprise that 5α reductase inhibitors are associated with a decrease in sexual desire and erectile dysfunction. It is also detrimental to ejaculatory function as well.

However, these sexual dysfunctions are seen mainly during the first year of treatment. The incidence of these problems decreases with longer duration of therapy.

Sometimes, both the alpha blockers and 5α reductase inhibitors are used in combination to treat BPH.

Although symptoms of BPH show better improvement with combination therapy, the incidence of sexual dysfunction increases as well. In fact, the incidence of sexual dysfunction is much worse compared to using either medication alone.

What about surgical treatment?

The gold standard for treatment of BPH is still transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

The evidence for sexual dysfunction after TURP is debatable. There are studies which show that it worsens sexual function, but conversely, there are also other studies that show otherwise.

However, what is consistent is the evidence that minimally-invasive treatment of BPH like transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT) and transurethral needle ablation (TUNA), is less detrimental to sexual function compared to TURP.

Unfortunately, the long-term success rate for treatment of BPH symptoms with these minimally-invasive therapies are not well established, and may be lower than TURP.

Restoring sexual ability

All is not lost if sexual dysfunction occurs as a result of BPH or its treatment.

If erectile dysfunction occurs, phosphodiestaerase-5 inhibitor medications like vardenafil, tadalafil and sildenafil, can be used.

However, there is a higher risk of postural hypotension (drop in blood pressure) when it is taken together with alpha blockers.

In this situation, the alpha blocker used should be a more uroselective drug (like tamsulosin), which has less complications of hypotension.

Other treatments include intracavernosal prostaglandin injections (injecting a medication known as prostaglandin into the penis), vacuum pump devices, as well as penile prostheses (implanting a medical device into the penis).

If ejaculation is a problem, the alpha blocker can be switched to one that has been proven to have less ejaculatory side effects (like alfuzosin).

There are also other modalities of treatment. However, all these problems are best managed by urologists.

BPH may cause sex-related problems. Similarly, its treatment may also cause sexual dysfunction.

There are treatments available to help alleviate these sexual problems. Consultation with a urologist would be the best step to take.

References:

1. Braun MH, Sommer F, Haupt G, Mathers MJ, Reifenrath B, Engelmann UH. Lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction: co-morbidity or typical ‘Aging Male’ symptoms? Results of the ‘Cologne Male Survey’. Eur Urol 2003; 44: 588–94.

2. Rosen R, Altwein J, Boyle P et al. Lower urinary tract symptoms and male sexual dysfunction: the Multinational Survey of the Aging Male (MSAM-7). Eur Urol 2003; 44: 637–49.

3. Mirone V, Sessa A, Giuliano F, Berges R, Kirby M, Moncada I. Current benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment: impact on sexual function and management of related sexual adverse events. Int J Clin Pract. 2011;65(9):1005-13

4. AUA Practice Guidelines Committee. AUA guideline on management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (2003). Chapter 1: Diagnosis and treatment recommendations. J Urol 2003;170:530-47.

5. Mebust WK, Holtgrewe HL, Cockett AT, Peters PC. Transurethral prostatectomy: immediate and postoperative complications. A cooperative study of 13 participating institutions evaluating 3,885 patients. J Urol 2002; 167: 999–1003

6. Jadaine M et al. Effect of TURP on Erectile Function: A Prospective Comparative Study. Int J Impot Res 2010; 22: 146-51

7. Mishriki SF et al. TURP and sex: patient and partner prospective 12 years follow up study. BJU Int 2011; 109: 745-50

8. Hoffman RM, Monga M, Elliot SP, Macdonald R, Wilt TJ. Microwave thermotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007; CD004135

9. Bouza C, LĂłpez T, Magro A, Navalpotro L, Amate JM. Systematic review and meta-analysis of transurethral needle ablation in symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. BMC Urol 2006; 6: 14

http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2012/6/24/health/11502873&sec=health

Tuesday 26 June 2012

Lung Cancer - Medicine for a mutation

Sunday June 24, 2012

A new class of drugs offers hope to lung cancer patients who have a specific mutation in their tumour cells.

LG LAU was in her mid-thirties when she was first diagnosed with lung cancer. She had caught a “normal” cold, and her early symptoms included persistent coughing, shortness of breath, loss of weight and a hoarse voice.

When her cough worsened and wouldn’t go away for several weeks, she went to see a doctor, who diagnosed her condition as tuberculosis.

After taking the prescribed medication for about two weeks, there was no improvement in her condition.

A Filipino girl watches as a male smoker walks by with a lighted cigarette. Asian female non-smokers who develop lung cancer are more likely to have a mutation that is sensitive to treatment by EGRF-TKI drugs.

In fact, her health gradually worsened, and by the end of the third week, she had difficulty eating and started losing weight.

By the end of the month, she became too weak to move around on her own and had to get about in a wheelchair.

Her husband finally couldn’t bear to watch her suffer any longer, and in spite of her protests, brought her to see a specialist, who ordered a chest X-ray and CT scan.

The results were conclusive; although she had never smoked in her life, she was diagnosed with Stage 3B non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Her doctor insisted that she go for a follow-up biopsy to determine if she was EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) mutation positive. EGFR is a cell membrane receptor found on tumour cells, which shows increased activity in cancer cases.

The results came back positive, so her doctor put her on drugs that inhibit EGFR (called EGFR-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors, or EGFR-TKI) for a month as part of her first-line treatment.

The results were remarkable; when she came back after a month for her follow-up, Lau’s symptoms were gone.

She had regained most of her lost weight, and was able to speak clearly as she no longer suffered from a hoarse voice.

She had even regained enough strength to walk into the clinic on her own!

A follow-up CT scan showed significant regression in her cancer.

She stayed on EGFR-TKIs for two years after the biopsy. As she only had to take one pill a day, Lau was able to carry out her daily activities with minimal disruption.

She was able to continue working while she completed her treatment course, and today, remains tumour-free and has a beautiful little girl.

Not just smokers

Dr Chong... The ideal aspects to look out for in personalised medicine are effectiveness, minimal or no side effects, conveniences and affordability. With the advent of personalised medicine, we have managed to fulfil the first three criteria.

Lau’s battle with lung cancer is not uncommon by today’s standards.

Lung cancer is often mistaken as a “smokers-only” disease that affects mainly the male population.

According to her obituary in The Telegraph, actor Kathryn Joosten, who died earlier this month of the disease, once said that lung cancer “is far more lethal, and a bigger killer of women than all the other cancers combined”.

As such, most stories seldom have such a happy ending. Hardly surprising, as lung cancer is ranked as the number one killer cancer in Malaysia, and also, worldwide.

While it is true that a large percentage of lung cancer patients are smokers, the number of non-smokers who fall victim to the disease is rising substantially.

The 2006 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) showed that the number of non-smokers afflicted with lung cancer had increased to almost 15% of the total number of lung cancer cases in Malaysia, compared to only 10% in the previous NHMS.

Unfortunately, as Joosten also said, lung cancer has a stigma because of the relationship to smoking — “you did it to yourself” — and therefore, the belief that somehow it is something to be ashamed of.

But despite the grim prognosis, it is critical that patients diagnosed with lung cancer do not give up hope, and most importantly, the opportunity to live life to the fullest.

The development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting the EGFR in the past couple of decades has brought the promise of longer survival rates for patients with NSCLC.

Targeting a mutation

Lung cancer can be divided into two major types; one of it, NSCLC accounts for 85-90% of all cases.

“Data from recent studies like the Iressa Pan-Asia Study (IPASS), and other supporting phase II and phase III trials have emphasised that you really need to send the biopsy specimens from patients with NSCLC for EGFR gene mutational analysis before deciding on treatment, as is done in breast cancer,” says Prof Dr Liam Chong Kin, a professor of medicine at the Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC).

The idea behind targeting the EGFR is to block the growth signal initiated by it. One of the components in the receptor involved in signal transmission is the tyrosine kinase enzyme.

Prof Liam is quick to add that patients with EGFR-mutated tumours are the “more fortunate” patients. Having an EGFR mutation means that patients have the option to skip the rigours of chemotherapy and opt for the newer oral drug treatment. They are also more likely to survive longer and enjoy a better quality of life.

With the EGFR-TKIs, the natural history of EGFR-mutated tumours is being changed as these drugs allow for personalised medicine. This is a form of medicine that uses information about a person’s genes, proteins and environment to prevent, diagnose and treat disease.

“This strategy has more benefits than chemotherapy, and the focus of personalised medicine is on improving the quality of life of these patients as much as possible, thus enabling them to lead normal and fulfilling lives, just like Ms Lau’s,” he explains.

The IPASS also confirms the benefit of the EGFR-TKI called gefitinib, as the front-line therapy in patients with EGFR-mutated tumours.

It was also discovered that the EGFR mutation is present in tumours from over 40% of patients with the non-small cell type of lung cancers.

Out of this group, the incidence of EGFR mutation was higher among those who had never smoked before, compared to those who have smoked. EGFR mutation was generally highest among the adenocarcinoma subtype of NSCLC.

A PET scan showing the presence of tumours in the lung and a nearby lymph node.

Go for the test!

Both Prof Liam and Dr Chong Kwang Jeat, an oncologist at the Radiotherapy & Oncology Department in Mahkota Medical Centre, Malacca, agree that regardless of their phenotype, lung cancer patients should find out whether or not their tumours are EGFR-mutation positive, as this is very common among the Asian population.

Prof Liam says: “Physicians now know that they need to screen their patients for EGFR mutations, and if mutations are detected, patients should be started on a TKI, such as gefitinib, depending on the standard of care at each institution.

“Generally, around 30%-40% of NSCLC patients are EGFR-mutation positive.”

He adds: “The trend for never-smokers to develop lung cancer is also increasing, and among this group, easily 60% of them have lung cancers that are EGFR-mutation positive.

“Patients with EGFR-mutation positive lung cancer frequently enjoy significantly longer cancer progression-free periods when treated with EGFR-TKI drugs.”

According to Prof Liam, EGFR-TKI drugs have been proven to halt the progression of the cancer, as well as cause significant cancer shrinkage in patients who respond very well to treatment.

“In many cases, the patients were able to lead reasonably normal lives without having to suffer the usual side-effects brought about by cytotoxic chemotherapy.”

Dr Chong says that a patient’s characteristics allows them to guess with some accuracy whether they are likely to be EGFR-mutation positive or not.

Prof Liam... Lung cancer patients with EGFRmutated tumours are more fortunate as they have the option of taking oral medication, as well as have a better prognosis, compared to other lung cancer patients.

“An Asian never-smoker with adenocarcinoma has a 60-70% chance of being EGFR-mutation positive, while an Asian with adencarcinoma, who was a light smoker and has quit smoking, has about a 47% chance of being EGFR-mutation positive.

“Even a current smoker with adenocarcinoma has up to a 30% probability of harbouring the EGFR mutation.

“Hence, the only sure way of finding out is to actually do the EGFR-mutation test on all adenocarcinoma patients, as we aim to use an EGFR-TKI as the first-line treatment for all patients. If they are EGFR-mutation negative, then chemotherapy would be indicated.”

He explains that although EGFR-mutation positive patients also respond well to chemotherapy, he prefers the oral drug as it is more effective, has fewer side effects, and is extremely convenient — patients need only take one tablet a day at home, compared to frequent intravenous injections of chemotherapy at the hospital.

“All these factors combined would tremendously improve the quality of a patient’s life, which is one of the most important goals of any cancer treatment!” he says.

Targeted therapy

Dr Chong explains: “Personalised medicine is to customise a treatment to suit an individual patient. We know cancer is a heterogenous disease and a one-size-fits-all treatment cannot be an ideal approach.

“Imagine if an ineffective treatment is given to a patient, and he or she suffers the adverse effects without any improvement in the disease. This is a double whammy!

“In fact, not only is this a waste of resources, one might also squander the opportunity to control the cancer.”

He says: “Previously, the mainstay of treatment was standard cytotoxic chemotherapy, but with the advent of personalised medicine, we can now use the right drug for the right patient at the right time.

“As we are able to identify the right patient for the right drug, we can now tailor the drug for the patient.

“In fact, nowadays, even standard cytotoxic chemotherapy is slowly evolving to become more personalised.”

However, most importantly, Dr Chong adds: “Where previously lung cancer patients only had chemotherapy to choose, and often suffered unnecessarily due to the blunderbuss approach of chemotherapy, now they have an option of taking approved first-line treatments that contain EGFR-TKIs to address their cancer without killing healthy cells as well.”

Both doctors were concerned that while most healthcare professionals who specialise in cancer are aware of EGFR mutation and the approved first-line treatments available, there are still many non-cancer specialists who are not.

Hence, the reason why a lot of effort is being put into educating the public and healthcare professionals on the topic, via public service announcements and continuing medical education (CME) programmes throughout the nation.

Regardless of whether the patient fits the description of a typical EGFR-mutation positive candidate or not, getting tested for EGFR mutation is very important. Giving up the fight now means abandoning any chances for recovery.

http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2012/6/24/health/11502622&sec=health

Outsider oestrogens

WOMEN'S WORLD
By DR NOR ASHIKIN MOKHTAR

Sunday June 24, 2012

What you need to know about xenoestrogens.

IN ONE of my earlier articles, I wrote about hormone imbalances in women. In the article, I described how oestrogen dominance can lead to a lot of uncomfortable, and sometimes, debilitating symptoms in women who suffer from chronic hormone imbalance.

I received a lot of feedback from women who were particularly concerned about the issue of xenoestrogens, which I touched on briefly in the article.

Xenoestrogens are chemicals — mostly industrial compounds — that mimic natural oestrogen when we are exposed to it through the use of these chemicals.

The presence of xenoestrogens in our daily lives is a cause for concern, as they are believed to produce oestrogenic effects in our bodies and cause the symptoms of oestrogen dominance, not only in women, but also in men and children.

Foreign oestrogens

It comes as a surprise to most people that oestrogens are not only found in our bodies, but are present in some form in our environment as well.

A lot of these chemicals are found in our homes and workplaces, such as pesticides, detergents, petroleum products, plastic products and cosmetics.

These chemicals produce oestrogenic effects in our bodies, compounding the imbalance of oestrogen against progesterone, and causing the body to react by producing problematic symptoms.

Oestrogen dominance is thought to increase the risk of endometriosis, uterine fibroids, polycystic ovaries, breast cancer, uterine cancer and thyroid imbalances.

Unfortunately, we live in a world today where we cannot escape exposure to these xenoestrogens, as our everyday habits and routines depend on a lot of industrial items. Even our cleaning products, carpeting, furniture, toiletries and plastic products may contain these compounds.

I will explain more about some of the common products containing xenoestrogens found in our daily lives, and how we can try to reduce our exposure to these compounds.

Pesticides

Some of the pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilisers used in agriculture contain compounds that have a chemical structure similar to oestrogen, and thus, are believed to contribute to hormone imbalance.

These xenoestrogen-containing pesticides find their way onto our dinner table through fruits, vegetables, grains and animal meats.

The solution is not to cut out these foods completely, of course. Instead, we just have to be more circumspect when doing our grocery shopping.

As much as possible, buy organic produce and foods, because organic farming reduces the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, while using natural pest control and fertilisation.

If you are unsure of the origins of your food, be sure to clean them thoroughly to rid them of any possible traces of pesticides.

Wash and soak all your produce, and discard the water before cooking or eating them.

Try to use natural pest control products and organic fertilisers in your own gardens.

If you must use chemicals at all, follow all the safety precautions, such as wearing gloves and masks, and using very precise amounts.

Store these products away from your house, garden and water supply.

Plastics

Apart from being bad for the environment, plastics are also getting a bad reputation for health because of the components found in many plastic products.

Two of the most notorious compounds are Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, both of which have recently appeared in the news.

The Health Ministry recently banned polycarbonate baby milk bottles containing BPA, while a number of Taiwanese food products were taken off the shelves after they were found to contain diethylhexy phthalate (DEHP).

Both BPA and phthalates are believed to be xenoestrogens, and have been linked to many health problems.

BPA is not only found in polycarbonate plastic bottles, but also in the lining of canned foods, which is worrying because the BPA could leach from the containers into the foods.

To reduce your exposure to BPA and other xenoestrogens found in plastic products and canned foods, try to avoid using plastics or buying canned foods.

Is this easier said than done?

If you make an effort, you can do it. Instead of eating canned foods, buy frozen or fresh foods, or foods in glass containers.

Try to avoid buying food that uses plastic packaging, or at least eliminate the use of plastic at home. Instead of buying meat that is packaged in styrofoam trays and plastic wrap, buy fresh meat from the market.

If you do need to use plastic wrap, bags or containers for storing food, look for plastic products that are BPA-free. Some plastic bottles and containers have “#7” or “PC” on the bottom, which indicates that they may contain BPA.

Heat is thought to be a particularly bad combination with plastic, as it can increase the leaching of BPA into food. So, do not microwave food in plastic containers or store hot liquids in plastic boxes and bottles.

Food and drinks

Am I about to tell you that even the food we eat every day could contain xenoestrogens?

Well, this is partly the case, although there are also some foods that are important in helping us counter the effects of xenoestrogens.

As we have seen above, foods that are grown using synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, and animals that are fed with these produce, have a high chance of containing xenoestrogens as these compounds carry on into the food chain.

Certain foods also contain oestrogen-like compounds, called phytoestrogens.

These are plant-based foreign oestrogens, but have a much weaker effect on the body, compared to xenoestrogens. Examples of food containing phytoestrogens are soy products, beans, whole grains, and dark green, leafy vegetables.

There are different opinions about the benefits of phytoestrogens on the body. Some experts believe that phytoestrogens can protect the body from excessive oestrogen stimulation by binding to oestrogen receptor sites, so that xenoestrogens cannot attach to the receptors.

Other studies, however, have shown that some phytoestrogens should not be taken excessively as they may boost oestrogen levels in the body.

A study on coffee consumption in women found that drinking more than two cups of coffee daily may boost oestrogen levels in women. The study suggests that such an imbalance in oestrogen could exacerbate or increase the risk of conditions such as endometriosis and breast pain.

Until there is definitive evidence to support claims about the risks and benefits of phytoestrogens, it would be best to eat everything in moderation.

Do not drink more than two cups of coffee per day, and eat a variety of foods, instead of excessive amounts of one type of food.

Be more conscious of the food, plastic products and pest control products that you buy — it is the best way to ensure that you are not damaging the sensitive hormone balance in your body.

http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2012/6/24/health/11502663&sec=health

Monday 25 June 2012

Iron in pregnancy

Sunday June 24, 2012

Some so-called ‘normal’ symptoms of pregnancy might actually be indications of iron-deficiency anaemia.

FEELING tired, sick, irritable or weak during pregnancy is a common occurrence for most women.

Often, women are generally told to ignore these symptoms as they are a “normal” part of the hormonal and bodily changes during pregnancy.

But for one in three women, these conditions could indicate a more severe disorder — iron-deficiency anaemia.

Although more common than most women may be aware of, this health problem is not normal; and it often goes undiagnosed and untreated, leaving many mothers and babies grappling with long-term health consequences.

Dr Premitha addressing members of the media during a briefing on the topic of anaemia in pregnancy.

Lack of iron

Iron comprises a vital component of our red blood cells, delivering vital oxygen through our body to ensure our continued survival.

According to consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Premitha Damodaran, women who are considering pregnancy and at risk of anaemia, need to start planning for their pregnancy and afterbirth period by taking the necessary measures to ensure that they have an optimal red blood cell count.

When the number of red blood cells falls below normal levels, less than 12-15mg/dL, women are at risk of developing the most common form of anaemia — iron-deficiency anaemia.

This condition arises when the body lacks iron as a result of an iron-poor diet; poor absorption by the body; side effects of certain medications; genetic conditions; heavy loss of blood; and pregnancy.

During pregnancy, women require additional iron to make more red blood cells to support the nutritional and oxygen needs of themselves and their baby.

It is estimated that a woman requires approximately 50% more iron during pregnancy, increasing the daily standard requirement from 15 to 27mg/dL per day.

Unfortunately, many women begin their pregnancy without having sufficient stores of iron to meet their body’s increased demands, leading to iron-deficiency anaemia, which continues even after delivery.

Those who are at the highest risk of iron-deficiency anaemia after pregnancy include pregnant women diagnosed with iron-deficiency anaemia; those who have experienced excessive blood loss during delivery; women who have experienced multiple births; and those who are breastfeeding.

Because the symptoms of anaemia resemble common conditions encountered during pregnancy, like paleness, tiredness, fatigue, and shortness of breath, most women often disregard these symptoms, and think it as a normal part of carrying a baby to term.

However, if not identified and treated, iron-deficiency anaemia can lead to severe complications like miscarriage, premature delivery, low birth weight, and increased maternal mortality.

Diagnosis and treatment

Anaemia during pregnancy is easily established by first determining the levels of haemoglobin in the body via a blood test.

It is recommended for a woman to speak to her doctor prior to pregnancy, and assess the level of haemoglobin in her body. (See Anaemia in pregnancy)

Unfortunately, women often only see their doctor when they are already pregnant, and by the time their blood test is done, most are already found to be suffering from mild anaemia.

In more severe cases, medical attention is required as these groups of women are at risk of having a premature delivery and having a baby with low birth weight.

Depending on the severity and cause of anaemia, treating this condition requires little more than following your doctor’s advice and making some simple diet and lifestyle changes.

To boost iron supplies when you are trying to conceive, as well as during pregnancy and breastfeeding, women are encouraged to increase intake of iron-rich foods such as poultry, green leafy vegetables, nuts, liver, whole grains, dried fruits such as prunes and raisins, beans, melons, seeds like sesame, and tofu.

Doctors also routinely prescribe iron supplements to treat anaemia.

Patients are recommended to choose an iron formulation that their body can tolerate in order to optimise absorption of iron into the body, as well as helping to reduce common side effects like constipation.

Women can also consider choosing iron supplements with flavoured coatings that help mask the metallic taste of the iron.

To optimise the effectiveness of iron therapy, it is also recommended that mothers consume iron, folate, copper and zinc supplements, with food to reduce inhibitory effects.

A vitamin C supplement is recommended to be taken with meals as it is known to increase iron absorption, whereas tea and coffee reduce iron absorption if consumed one to two hours before taking the iron supplement.

A calcium supplement is also recommended to be taken separately from iron, such as during bedtime, to reduce inhibition of iron absorption.

Women should continue to take iron-rich food and supplements until they stop breastfeeding, or for six months after delivery, whichever comes later.

In severe and life-threatening aneamia, a woman may require hospitalization, blood transfusions, and iron injections.

“Women should always also ensure that their blood is healthy by taking blood tests when they plan to get pregnant, during pregnancy, and four to six weeks after delivery.

“They can always stay on top of their game by acquiring a sufficient amount of iron from their daily diet, as well as supplementation that helps increase blood haemoglobin levels,” says Dr Premitha.

She adds that women should seek immediate medical assistance if they experience symptoms like paleness, tiredness, fatigue, and shortness of breath, which might indicate anaemia.

References:

1. Zulkifli A, Rogayah J, Hashim MH. Anaemia during pregnancy in rural Kelantan. Mal J Nutr. 1997; 3: 83-90.

2. Sandstrom B.Micronutrient Interactions: Effects on absorption and biovailability.British Journal of Nutrition 2001; 85(2):181-185

3. Stolzfus RJ, Dreyfuss ML. Guidelines for the use of iron supplements to prevent and treat iron deficiency anemia. International Nutritional Anemia Consultative Group (INAGG). http://www.who.int/nutrition/ puloblications/micronutrients/guidelines_for_iron_supplementation.pdf

4. Clinical practice guidelines. The management of anemia in pregnancy and chronic kidney disease. Academy of Medicine of Malaysia. 2007.

http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2012/6/24/health/11519927&sec=health

Malaria vaccine candidate 'could be grown at home'

Rachel Mundy
24 May 2012 | EN


Algae grown in a laboratory
Algae could cheaply produce molecules needed to vaccinate against malaria
Flickr/kaibara87

A potential malaria vaccine produced by genetically-engineered algae could allow people to grow their own vaccine at homes, and would be especially useful in rural parts of the developing world, say its developers.

The vaccine works by blocking the reproduction of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, which causes malaria when transmitted to humans by mosquito bites.

There is still no effective vaccine against the disease, although several are in development.

But some of these vaccine candidates are complex proteins and difficult and expensive to produce in bacterial or mammalian cell cultures.

Now a team of US scientists have reported in PLoS ONE this month (16 May) that vaccine candidates could be produced cheaply in algal cells, and that they could halt transmission of malaria from mosquitoes to humans. 

Stephen Mayfield, of the San Diego Center for Algae Biotechnology at the University of California, engineered an edible green microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to produce the protein Pfs25, normally produced by the malaria parasite during its life stage in the mosquito gut.

Joseph Vinetz, a professor of medicine at the University of California San Diego, then showed that injecting mice with these proteins stimulated the production of antibodies that can block the parasite's reproductive cycle in a mosquito's gut, preventing the transmission of the parasite from mosquitoes to others hosts.

The vaccine would be given to humans, but it would only act once inside the mosquitoes.
"You can think of humans as antibody delivery devices to mosquitoes," said Vinetz.

"This research is a complete game-changer for the developing world, because … the vaccine could be manufactured locally, at minimal cost, and orally self-administered," said Mayfield.

The researchers say people could grow the vaccine in their backyards by putting a bag of algae into a water tank and allowing it to grow in sunlight. The vaccine-containing algae could then be eaten, for example by adding it to cakes, said Vinetz.

Edible algae are already cultivated in many regions of the developing world, including Africa, China and India.

This would bypass the problems of delivery, distribution, production, and refrigeration that are associated with conventional vaccines, added Vinetz.

Colin Sutherland, from the UK-based London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said that the algal system looks "very promising" in solving the technical challenge in producing these proteins.

But Peter Seeberger, director of the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Germany, cautioned that there is a possibility of resistance developing.

"The best strategy would be to develop a vaccine that combines different modes of action, targeting different aspects of the parasite at once," he told SciDev.Net. "The prime problem is whether the protein will actually work — not cost or production issues".

The next step is to test the safety and efficacy of giving the protein to mice in their food. With adequate funding, the first clinical trials in humans could begin as early as summer 2013.


Link to full article in PLoS ONE [1.24MB]
See below for a University of California in San Diego video about the findings:

References

PLoS ONE doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037179 (2012)

http://www.scidev.net/en/health/malaria/news/malaria-vaccine-candidate-could-be-grown-at-home-.html

Sunday 24 June 2012

Protecting our nerves

By MENG YEW CHOONG
starhealth@thestar.com.my

Sunday June 24, 2012

Tocotrienols, a form of vitamin E, might be the key to protecting our nerves from further neurological damage.

OUR nervous system is a complex and delicate structure of nerve cells, also known as neurons, and support cells that governs every part of our body.

Everything that we feel and everything that we do, is transmitted and interpreted through this intricate informational highway that connects every cell within us.

Therefore, you can imagine that any insult or injury to it could result in devastating consequences.

Prof Sen is the highest cited author in scientific work involving tocotrienols and neu roprotection.

Neuroprotection refers to the mechanisms and strategies used to protect against injury to nerve cells, or degeneration in the central nervous system (CNS).

These injuries could be the result of acute disorders such as stroke, or any other form of injury or trauma to the nervous system, as well as from chronic neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and multiple sclerosis.

The aim of neuroprotection is to limit the level of damage or death of neurons after a CNS injury, as well as to maintain the highest possible integrity of cellular interactions in the brain for undisturbed neural function as we age.

There are a wide range of products touted as having possible neuroprotective abilities, with some claiming to have the potential to be used in more than one disorder, based on the premise that many of the underlying mechanisms of damage to neural tissues are similar.

Currently, there is a high level of interest in applying neuroprotective principles in the prevention and treatment of diseases involving the CNS, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, schizophrenia, and stroke.

Strokes are of particular concern, considering that they are the number one cause of disability, and number three killer disease, in the United States.

It is also the third-ranked killer disease for Malaysia, estimated to afflict around 40,000 each year.

A stroke occurs when a blood clot, or ruptured artery or blood vessel, interrupts blood flow to an area of the brain, causing it to be starved of oxygen and nutrients.

Looking into vitamin E

A researcher at the Ohio State University Medical Center, United States, Prof Chandan K Sen first started to look seriously into tocotrienols — a natural form of vitamin E found in abundance in palm oil — and neuroprotection since 1998.

Having spent more than a decade studying tocotrienols’ potential neuroprotective abilities against stroke-induced injuries, he began receiving funding from the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) for his research involving palm tocotrienol complexes from 2004.

With over 250 publications under his name, Prof Sen is the highest cited author in scientific work involving tocotrienols and neuroprotection.

In a lengthy interview hosted on a health-focused educational video channel called iHealthTube.com, Prof Sen talks about the possible role of tocotrienols in neuroprotection in a manner that would be of interest to anyone currently pursuing or intending to pursue medical research using tocotrienols.

In the portion of the 13-part video interview on stroke, Prof Sen shares how he started the NINDS-funded stroke prevention research, and the direction of his investigations into the role tocotrienols can play in stroke protection and post-stroke rehabilitation.

“While the burden of stroke on the survivor, caregivers and the healthcare system is enormous, there is very little study being done on this disease, especially when it comes to nutritional supplementation.

“And when you analyse the situation closely, you will see that there is no single category of drug — for example, neuroprotectants — that are able to give adequate protection against strokes.

“Hence, it seems that the ideal treatment for stroke would have to be multi-targeted, and as of now, there are lots of studies in this regard,” he says.

Nerve rescue

Prof Sen adds that initial observations from his teams’ work on tocotrienols show that nerve cells can be rescued from injury after being insulted, or in simpler terms, the cells could fully recover after suffering damage caused by a stroke.

“Lots of compounds have been shown to have neuroprotective abilities.

“However, the concentrations at which tocotrienols can work to protect someone is as low as nanomolars.

“There is nothing else as far as I know in the nutritional industry that can rescue neural cells at nanomolar levels,” he says in the video.

Being able to partly rescue nerve cells for stroke survivors could mean a lot.

“It could mean that someone who cannot talk, could now talk. Or if he cannot lift his left hand, he could do so now,” says Prof Sen.

He is nonetheless careful to add that all these potentially positive effects of tocotrienols have only been seen so far in animal studies.

However, Prof Sen’s team is now well underway in their work to prove the efficacy of tocotrienols in humans.

With a grant from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, the researchers are now into Phase II of a two-year US-based study to look at the value of supplementation with tocotrienols in reducing the volume of stroke-induced lesions, and/or stroke incidence, mortality and quality of life.

The study, when completed, will hold much value for those who have suffered from a transient ischaemic attack (TIA).

A TIA is defined as a temporary episode of neurologic dysfunction caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, but does not result in permanent damage to the brain.

The symptoms are very similar to those of a fullblown stroke, but normally resolve within a short time (from an hour up to 24 hours).

“Those who had a TIA are at a higher risk of having a bigger stroke, and the data on the recurrence is already out there.

“The study will provide these patients with tocotrienols, and look at the recurrence rate. If there is a stroke, we will look at lesion size,” shares Prof Sen.

http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2012/6/24/health/11467350&sec=health

Turmeric - Curry goodness


ART OF HEALING
By DR AMIR FARID ISAHAK

 Sunday June 24, 2012


Scientific studies show that turmeric provides more benefits than just making our food tasty.

I AM an ardent believer and promoter of natural and nutritional therapies over drug-based therapies for most of the health problems that we may face.

However, most natural and nutritional therapies have not been scientifically proven to be effective as claimed, even though there are enough experience and testimonials for us to believe and continue using these therapies.

In this scientific age, it becomes incumbent upon us to validate these claims with scientific studies. So I am happy to share with you today, some of the studies that prove the effectiveness of natural and nutritional therapies.

Although most of these studies are small, and therefore, do not have the same level of validity or confidence as the large-scale drug studies — often done concurrently in many research centres worldwide, they are still important because we now have some objective proof of the validity of the observations and experience of our forefathers who have passed on their knowledge to us.

Unfortunately, it is unlikely that large-scale studies will be done on these natural and nutritional therapies, because such studies will cost millions of dollars; and no company is willing to spend on something they cannot patent and reap profits from thereafter.

Our only hope is if government institutions and universities come forward and take up the challenge.

Some of the studies have only been done on animals, but the positive results tell us that human studies should be done, and hopefully, give equally positive results too.

Spicing up RA treatment

Today, I shall start with the goodness of curcumin, the supernutrient found in the common spice turmeric.

Studies have shown that curcumin has strong anti-inflammatory activity. Since inflammation is also known to be the underlying cause for many chronic degenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, arthritis, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancers), scientists began to look into the effect of curcumin on these diseases.

In a study involving 45 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), patients given curcumin (500mg) showed significantly better improvement compared to patients given a common anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic drug, diclofenac sodium (50mg).

More importantly, curcumin treatment was found to be safe and did not cause any adverse effect, whereas the drug, like all drugs, has a long-list of known side effects.

This paper, published as A Randomized, Pilot Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Curcumin in Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis in the journal Phytotherapy Research on Mac 9, provides evidence for the safety and superiority of curcumin over drug treatment in patients with active RA.

The researchers recommend that more studies be done to assess the effectiveness of curcumin in the treatment of RA and other arthritic conditions.

Prior to this study, there were many other studies that showed the effectiveness of curcumin used with drugs in mitigating the pain and other symptoms (eg swelling, stiffness, immobility) associated with RA and other forms of arthritis; but none directly compared curcumin with a drug head-on.

In fact, in this study, curcumin alone was better than the drug with curcumin.

Some doctors may argue that the drug dose used here was low (50mg), and that they usually prescribe the 100mg (long-acting) dose.

Well, the curcumin dose used here was also low, because other studies have used doses up to 2,000mg per day.

It has been determined that even 8,000mg per day is safe! The average curry-lover gets about 100mg per day in his diet.

Healing our cells

The level of homocysteine in the blood is an independent risk indicator of heart disease.

Patients with high homocysteine levels have been found to have endothelial cells that do not function properly.

Endothelial cells line the inside of our blood vessels. They release nitric oxide, which dilate the vessels, and other chemicals, which prevent blood from clotting and plaques from forming.

Curcumin has been found to prevent this dysfunction, and therefore, is useful in the treatment of patients with high homocysteine levels.

Another independent marker of the risk for heart disease is the level of C-reactive protein (CRP).

CRP is a protein that the body produces in response to inflammation, and has been shown to damage endothelial cells. This results in increased vascular disease and blood clotting.

Curcumin treatment has been shown to completely inhibit the effect of CRP on these endothelial cells.

Studies on rabbits have also shown that curcumin treatment resulted in a significant decrease in oxidized LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and early atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits fed high fat and high cholesterol diets.

Although the studies quoted above are on animals, the results are encouraging, especially when the current drug therapies for cancer are so damaging by themselves.

Thus far, curcumin has been found to kill or inhibit the growth and spread of many types of cancer cells, including human head and neck squamous cancer cells, oral cancer cells, liver cancer cells, lung cancer cells, melanoma cells, breast cancer cells and colon cancer cells.

Curcumin also inhibits pre-cancerous polyps in the colon, and improved the sensitivity of chemotherapy in some cases.

Other health effects

Research at the Medical Univer-sity Graz in Austria showed that curcumin delays liver damage that can eventually lead to cirrhosis.

Kansas State University research found that adding turmeric, and some other spices too, can reduce the levels of heterocyclic amines — carcinogenic compounds that are formed when meats are barbecued, boiled or fried — by up to 40%.

The high consumption of turmeric by Indians is suspected to be the reason why the rate of Alzheimer’s disease in India is less than a quarter that of the US. A study showed that curcumin destroys the amyloid plaques.

An overview published in the reputable publication Advanced Experimental Medical Biology (2007) stated that: “Curcumin has been shown to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities, and thus, has potential against various malignant diseases, diabetes, allergies, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and other chronic illnesses.”

Five years later, more evidence has accumulated attesting to the goodness of this nutrient commonly available in our diet.

In the meantime, we can continue to benefit from its goodness as told to us by our forefathers. Some of the “home” uses of turmeric/curcumin are as:

·A natural antiseptic, useful for disinfecting wounds and burns.

·A natural painkiller.

·An aid in weight loss.

·A remedy for depression.

·A natural remedy for arthritis and rheumatism.

·An aid for wound healing.

·A natural treatment for psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases.

How to take it

If you are healthy, and would like to benefit from the goodness of turmeric/curcumin, then you should make sure turmeric is part of your daily diet.

If you are a curry lover, that is not a problem. You can also sprinkle turmeric on many other dishes to add to the flavour.

If you have any of the health problems listed above that have been shown to benefit from curcumin, then you will need turmeric or curcumin supplements.

Turmeric supplements contain less than 10% of curcumin, but being a whole food, it contains other nutrients that may work in synergy with curcumin.

Turmeric also contains vitamins B6 and B3, folic acid, potassium, iron, manganese, fibre, and essential omega-3 fatty acids.

In our diet, spices are rarely taken just by themselves. They are usually taken with other foods, which may contain other spices as well.

For example, Indian cuisine commonly uses turmeric and pepper together.

A recent study found that the absorption of turmeric and curcumin is enhanced by piperine, a constituent of black pepper.

So, while chefs combine the two spices for better taste, we also get better health benefits.

Without piperine, the absorption of turmeric/curcumin is poor. So, even if you take the supplement form, you should look for supplements that also contain piperine or black pepper.

If this combination is not available, then you should take the supplement together with a little bit of black pepper.

From the research available, you will need at least 500mg of curcumin supplement per day to reduce any of the existing problems (arthritis, high homocysteine, high CRP, etc) as listed above.

If the results are not satisfactory after about three months of consumption, you can increase the dose without any worry of side effects.

I hope this article gives encouragement to those who have faith in natural remedies that it is just a matter of time before scientific research will unveil the goodness of the remedies already available in nature all this while, which were ignored because we were too busy looking for drugs to solve our health problems.

I hope to share the proven health benefits of other natural and nutritional therapies in future.

http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2012/6/24/health/11533925&sec=health

Saturday 23 June 2012

Peaches, Plums, Nectarines Give Obesity, Diabetes Slim Chance

By Staff Editor
Jun 19, 2012 - 2:04:09 PM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - COLLEGE STATION – Peaches, plums and nectarines have bioactive compounds that can potentially fight-off obesity-related diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to new studies by Texas AgriLife Research.

The study, which will be presented at the American Chemical Society in Philadelphia next August, showed that the compounds in stone fruits could be a weapon against “metabolic syndrome,” in which obesity and inflammation lead to serious health issues, according to Dr. Luis Cisneros-Zevallos, AgriLife Research food scientist.

“In recent years obesity has become a major concern in society due to the health problems associated to it,” said Cisneros-Zevallos, who also is an associate professor at Texas A&M University. “In the U.S., statistics show that around 30 percent of the population is overweight or obese, and these cases are increasing every year in alarming numbers.”

While he acknowledged that lifestyle, genetic predisposition and diet play a major role in one’s tendency toward obesity, “the major concern about obesity is the associated disease known as metabolic syndrome.

“Our studies have shown that stone fruits – peaches, plums and nectarines – have bioactive compounds that can potentially fight the syndrome,” Cisneros-Zevallos said. “Our work indicates that phenolic compounds present in these fruits have anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties in different cell lines and may also reduce the oxidation of bad cholesterol LDL which is associated to cardiovascular disease.”

What is unique to these fruits, he said, is that their mixture of the bioactive compounds work simultaneously within the different components of the disease.

“Our work shows that the four major phenolic groups – anthocyanins, clorogenic acids, quercetin derivatives and catechins – work on different cells – fat cells, macrophages and vascular endothelial cells,” he explained. “They modulate different expressions of genes and proteins depending on the type of compound.

“However, at the same time, all of them are working simultaneously in different fronts against the components of the disease, including obesity, inflammation, diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” he explained.

Cisneros-Zevallos said this is believed to be the first time that “bioactive compounds of a fruit have been shown to potentially work in different fronts against a disease.”

“Each of these stone fruits contain similar phenolic groups but in differing proportions so all of them are a good source of health promoting compounds and may complement each other,” he said, adding that his team plans to continue studying the role of each type of compound on the molecular mechanisms and confirm the work with mice studies.

The studies on the health benefits of stone fruit are funded by the California Tree Fruit Agreement, The California Plum Board, the California Grape and Tree Fruit League and the Texas Department of Agriculture. The Cisneros-Zevallos lab team in this study included Freddy Ibanez, Paula Castillo, Paula Simons and Dr. Congmei Cao.


http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Diabetes_Issues_640/Peaches_Plums_Nectarines_Give_Obesity_Diabetes_Slim_Chance.shtml


Alzheimer's Expert Explains Its Causes, Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment


By American Psychological Association
Jun 20, 2012 - 10:51:58 AM


Email this article
Printer friendly page

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic brain disease that gradually erodes an individual’s memory, intellectual abilities and personality. As of 2012, an estimated 5.2 million Americans -- one in eight people age 65 or older -- have Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. And this number is expected to increase rapidly as America’s baby boomers reach retirement age. Psychologists play an important role in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this disease, which is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

Glenn E. Smith, PhD, is a consultant in the Division of Neurocognitive Disorders, Department of Psychiatry & Psychology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He is associate director of Clinical and Translational Sciences Education Programs at the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research and clinical director of Alzheimer’s disease resources on MayoClinic.com. Smith received his PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Nebraska. He completed an internship in neuropsychology-geropsychology at UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute and a post-doctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology and rehabilitation at the Mayo Medical School. He is past president of APA’s Div. 40 (Clinical Neuropsychology) and the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology.

APA recently asked him the following questions:

APA: News about Alzheimer’s frequently focuses on the use of medications to treat the disease. Are there behavioral treatments that can help without medication?

Dr. Smith: Outcomes of clinical trials with medications for treating Alzheimer’s have been disappointing. Historically, these clinical trials involved patients with dementia because the presence of dementia was required for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. There is a growing concern that by the time dementia is present, the brain may be so ravaged that treatment at that point cannot be effective. Recently, substantial progress has been made in the ability to detect Alzheimer’s before dementia is present. For example, we can now reliably diagnose mild cognitive impairment. This ability has given rise to secondary prevention strategies that seek to prevent or delay progression to full dementia. A variety of behavioral treatments show promise as secondary prevention strategies. At the Mayo Clinic, we have launched an intensive multi-component intervention that combines daily physical activity, cognitive exercise, a memory compensation strategy, wellness education and support groups. We’ve observed that this intervention produces short-term improvement and longer-term stabilization of a patient’s ability to function.

APA: What is early-onset Alzheimer’s and do the symptoms differ between early-onset and when it occurs at a later age?

Dr. Smith: In normal aging, processing speed declines and word finding may worsen, but memory is relatively spared. By contrast, the hallmark first sign of Alzheimer’s disease is forgetting. Indications of the illness first appear in brain structures that are critical for new learning and delayed recall of information. The disease soon spreads to regions supporting more complex understanding of language and executive function, which covers basic mental tasks such as planning, strategizing, organizing and setting goals. Simple attention (including processing speed), visual-spatial reasoning and other aspects of speech and language are generally spared early on. In distinction, with another form of dementia known as Lewy Body disease, organizing visual information and understanding how it can change if movement occurs and other aspects of attention are impaired early. Attention is also compromised early in vascular-based cognitive impairment. By recognizing these cognitive differences, neuropsychological assessment can contribute to early diagnosis among the various types of dementia.

Early-onset dementia is a label applied when the diagnosis is before age 65. Clinically, Alzheimer’s disease presents pretty much the same at age 63 as at age 83. But Alzheimer’s disease is highly associated with advancing age. For other causes of dementia, like fronto-temporal dementia and Lewy Body disease, peak incidence is at a younger age. So, early-onset dementia has a greater probability of not being caused by Alzheimer’s. Thus, differences between early- and late-onset dementias are based more in the different age-specific incidences of the various causes for dementia.

APA: If someone has parents and grandparents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, is it inevitable that person will someday also suffer from the disease? In other words, what is the role of genetics in the development of Alzheimer’s?

Dr. Smith: There are three major genes known to cause dementia and these genes follow what is known as the Mendelian inheritance pattern, in which the genetic trait displayed results from one parent's gene dominating over a gene inherited from the other parent. But these three genes are present in less than 5 percent of all dementia cases. There are also genes that increase susceptibility to develop Alzheimer’s. The most notable of the susceptibility genes is the Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene. Carrying one copy of the ε4 form of the ApoE gene increases your risk up to four times. But you can carry the risky form of this gene and still not develop dementia, and many people develop the disease without carrying the ε4 gene. Finally, a family history of Alzheimer’s irrespective of ε4 status does increase your risk of developing the disease. Yet even with a family history, the chances are still greater that you will die without developing Alzheimer’s disease than with the disease, provided you do not carry a causative gene.

APA: What are the most important steps a person can take to prevent onset of the disease?

Dr. Smith: Physical and mental inactivity, smoking, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and depression (each modifiable by behavioral intervention) have been shown to be risk factors for the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Barnes and Yaffee, (Lancet Neurology, 2011) suggest that 25 percent improvement in these conditions among the general population would prevent as many as 16.5 percent of Alzheimer’s disease cases in the United States.

APA: How will the Obama administration’s National Alzheimer’s Plan incorporate behavioral health as part of a strategy to bring about a cure for Alzheimer’s disease?

Dr. Smith: The National Alzheimer’s Plan, released in May, involves five major strategies:

· prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease by 2025

· optimize care, quality and efficiency

· expand support for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families

· enhance public awareness and engagement

· track progress and drive improvement

Each strategy is associated with several actions. With smoking, eating unhealthy foods and not getting enough physical or mental exercise among preventable risk factors for development of Alzheimer’s, behavior change strategies will play a critical role in the development and implementation of prevention programs. These treatment programs will include daily physical activity, cognitive and memory exercises and support groups.

To ensure timely and accurate diagnoses, psychologists, especially those who specialize in aging or cognition science, are particularly well positioned to recognize, formally assess and explain the implications of cognitive changes associated with the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment. Additionally, as more people find themselves in the role of caregiver for a family member with Alzheimer’s, psychologists are responding by developing state-of-the-art interventions to enhance caregiver resilience.

The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists. APA's membership includes more than 137,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a profession and as a means of promoting health, education and human welfare.


http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Alzheimer_Issues_680/Alzheimer_s_Expert_Explains_Its_Causes_Prevention_Diagnosis_and_Treatment.shtml