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
