Green Tea Antioxidant May Help Prevent Alzheimer's

(HealthDay News) -- An antioxidant found in green tea appears to prevent the development of amyloid fibrils, a toxic protein associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, a new study finds.

Amyloid plaque is commonly seen in the brains of Alzheimer's patients and appears to disrupt the function of cells. Strategies to prevent the development of amyloid plaque are one avenue being explored in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's.

Now, a German team says the tea antioxidant, called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), has potent anti-plaque ability.

"We can use small molecules like EGCG to convert certain misfolded structures of a protein into a new type of molecule, which is less toxic or not toxic for cells," said lead researcher Erich Wanker, from the Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin.

The findings are published in the May 30 online edition of Nature Structural & Molecular Biology.

The accumulation of amyloid plaque in Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's, are thought to be caused by the misfolding of certain proteins, which then become toxic to cells. The way proteins fold is key to their function, the researchers explained.

In experiments in the laboratory, the German team found that EGCG seems to change potentially harmful proteins into proteins that are not detrimental to brain cells. "We are able to convert a toxic structure into a less toxic structure," Wanker explained.

Because EGCG binds to unfolded proteins -- which are not associated with Alzheimer's -- the discovery could lead to medications that recognize the more troublesome proteins and convert them to harmless substances.

"This method could be more generally used to get rid of or remove the concentration of misfolded proteins in cells," Wanker said. "This strategy should be tested with patients. If treated early on, it could prevent the formation of amyloid plaque," he speculated.

Whether this type of treatment could reverse plaques that have already formed in the brain isn't known, Wanker said.

He noted that the study remains basic science, and he was cautious about recommending green tea as a way of preventing Alzheimer's disease. "I don't want to do a lot of speculating which could point people in the direction that could be harmful," Wanker said. "We have to go step-by-step."

One expert believes the approach could yield real results, however.

"Red wine, yellow curry and green tea have suspected health benefits because of high content of antioxidants," said Greg M. Cole, a neuroscientist at the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System, and associate director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. He was not involved in the study.

"This study provides evidence that a compound called EGCG, one of the major polyphenols in green tea, may be useful for diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, because it can block the formation of the filament-forming protein aggregates implicated in causing disease," Cole said.

One novel aspect of the study is the authors' demonstration that EGCG prevents toxic filament formation by redirecting the aggregating proteins to make non-toxic proteins, Cole said.

"This is surprising, because similar protein aggregate spheres called amyloid oligomers can be highly toxic to neurons and synapses," Cole said. "It will be important for the authors to prove that the EGCG-directed proteins also lack toxicity to synapses which were not present in the systems used to test toxicity," he said.

Assuming that the green tea compound has a stable effect and chronically blocks toxicity to real neurons and synapses, it could have genuine potential for Alzheimer's patients, Cole said.

"The major caveat is the very poor absorption and delivery of EGCG seen in some studies," Cole said. The fact that EGCG isn't available for patenting by pharmaceutical companies might be a problem, too, he said, since it could "limit the investment needed for clinical trials of sufficient size to prove that it really works."

In related research, a team of American scientists said that interrupting a key signaling pathway in immune system cells allowed those cells to enter the brain and attack and remove amyloid plaque.

Reporting May 30 in Nature Medicine, a team led by research scientist Terrence Town, of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, conducted their study in genetically engineered mice. The group blocked a molecule that typically suppresses a portion of the immune response. Once the system was freed up, immune cells called macrophages made their way to the brains and devoured up to 90 percent of amyloid plaques, the team said.

"If these experimental animals are representative of the clinical syndrome of Alzheimer's disease, we may have a therapeutic target that we did not have before," study co-author Dr. Jun Tan, of the University of South Florida, said in a statement.

More information
For more about Alzheimer's disease, visit the Alzheimer's Association.

How to Protect Yourself From the Most Toxic Places in Your Home

By Ross Weale

We like to think of our homes as clean, safe places. But you may be surprised to learn about the harmful toxins that lurk in some of the most innocuous spaces in and around your house.

Health magazine’s Samantha Heller joined NBC’s Lester Holt on the Today show to discuss the most toxic places in your house—from your child’s toy box to your home office—and how to make them safe.

Chemotherapy After Breast Cancer Surgery Effective for Older Women, Too

HealthDay News) -- It's clear that chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery increases survival rates. But many older women aren't being offered this potentially lifesaving treatment.
But, age shouldn't be a deciding factor -- an older woman's general health appears to be a better predictor of positive results after chemotherapy, according to a study published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

"Age alone should not be a contraindication to the use of optimal chemotherapy regimens in older women who are in good general health," the study authors said.

About half of all breast cancers in the United States occur in women older than 65. Past studies have shown that chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery increases the odds of disease-free survival in women between the ages of 50 and 69. But little information has been available for treating women over 70, the study authors said.

One important concern is that older women may experience more toxic side effects from chemotherapy. That's because the kidneys often function less effectively with age, and there's not as great a bone marrow reserve for generating new blood cells in older people.

"There's always been a concern that older women with breast cancer might be under-treated," said Dr. Yelena Novik, an oncologist at New York University Medical Center in New York City. "In clinical trials, the proportion of women over 70, and especially over 75, is very small, so it's hard to know the benefits and the risks. It's understood that older women are more likely to have other medical problems, such as heart disease, hypertension and diabetes, so the question is, should they be offered the same treatment as younger women?"

To answer that question, researchers from cancer centers around the country reviewed data from four previous trials that included almost 6,500 women with lymph-node positive breast cancer. Five hundred and forty-two of the women in the studies were over 65, and 159 were over age 70.

Each of the studies looked at various doses and regimens of chemotherapy, including regimens considered to be potentially more toxic than the others.

A number of factors influenced survival rates, including smaller tumor size, fewer positive lymph nodes, having more chemotherapy, and using the breast cancer drug tamoxifen. Age alone, however, didn't appear to influence survival rates, the study authors found.

Women over 65 were more likely to die of causes other than breast cancer. And they were slightly more likely to die as a result of the treatment than younger women were. Overall treatment-related mortality was 0.5 percent, and 1.5 percent for those women over 65.
"What this study basically showed is that we shouldn't prejudice our treatment decisions based on chronological age," said Dr. Jay Brooks, chairman of hematology and oncology at Ochsner Health System in Baton Rouge, La. "We have a lot of very healthy, older individuals, and to simply preclude someone from taking potentially lifesaving therapy because they've reached some chronological age is just wrong. Would you tell someone who's 68 with coronary vessel disease not to get a bypass?"

Both Novik and Brooks said that recent advances in tailoring breast cancer treatments to the individual patient have likely made the age disparity less of an issue.

"We're hopefully getting smarter in understanding cancer behaviors, which gives us better insight into which drugs to use," Novik said.

Brooks advised older women with breast cancer to "sit down and talk with their doctor about what their individualized risk of recurrence is. We have good tools to offer individualized treatment options, whatever your age."

More information
To learn more about chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, visit the American Cancer Society.

Smallest Air Pollution Particles Hurt Heart Most

(HealthDay News) -- The tiniest bits of air pollution from your vehicle's exhaust may be the most dangerous to your heart's health, suggests a new U.S. study.

Particles that are about one-thousandth the size of a human hair, cause plaque build-up in the arteries, according to a University of California, Los Angeles-led study. This condition, called atherosclerosis, can lead to heart attack and stroke.

These particles also contribute to hardening of the arteries by shutting down the protective qualities of so-called "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, according to the study, which appears in the Jan. 17 online edition of Circulation Research.

Over five weeks, researchers exposed mice with high cholesterol to larger fine pollution particles (2.5 micrometers in size) or ultrafine particles (less than 0.18 micrometers), then compared them to mice exposed to filtered air. The mice exposed to ultrafine particles had 25 percent more arterial plaque development than the mice exposed to fine particles and 55 percent more than mice that breathed filtered air.

"This suggests that ultrafine particles are the most toxic air pollutants in promoting events leading to cardiovascular disease," study author Dr. Jesus Araujo, an assistant professor of medicine and director of environmental cardiology at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, said in a prepared statement.

While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates fine pollution particles, it doesn't monitor ultrafine -- or nano-sized -- particles, according to background information in a news release about the study.

"We hope our findings offer insight into the impact of nano-sized air pollutant particles and help explore ways for stricter air quality regulatory guidelines," principal investigator Dr. Andre Nel, UCLA's chief of nanomedicine, said in a prepared statement.

More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about the possible health effects of air pollution.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Alcohol Intake on Cardiovascular Health Reviewed

News Author: Laurie Barclay, MD
CME Author: Charles Vega, MD

The latest American Heart Association guidelines caution people not to start drinking alcohol if they do not already drink alcohol, according to a review of the advantages and disadvantages of alcohol intake on cardiovascular health published in the August 23 Online First issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

"Accumulating scientific evidence indicates that light to moderate drinking done on a daily basis may significantly reduce the risks of coronary heart disease (CHD) and all-cause mortality," write James H. O'Keefe, MD, FACC, and colleagues from the Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Missouri. "In contrast, excessive alcohol intake and binge drinking are toxic to both the heart and overall health and are the third leading cause of premature death among Americans.

The purpose of the present review is to:
1) outline the specific benefits and risks of alcohol, and the threshold of intake at which drinking becomes a health danger rather than an advantage;
2) detail the mechanisms whereby alcohol confers cardioprotection; and
3) discuss the ideal quantities, drinking patterns, and beverages, and which individuals are most likely to benefit."

Research to date has shown J-shaped relationships between alcohol consumption and several adverse health outcomes, including all-cause mortality, CHD, diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, stroke, dementia, and Raynaud's phenomenon.

Some cardioprotective benefits have been demonstrated for light to moderate alcohol consumption (up to 1 drink daily for women and 1 or 2 drinks daily for men). Most studies have shown that light to moderate drinking is associated with risk reductions for CHD of approximately 30% to 35%.

Alcohol consumed in moderation seems to have an antiatherosclerotic effect, with decreased incidence of peripheral arterial disease and decreased atherosclerotic burden shown by coronary angiography, computerized tomography-detected coronary calcium, and carotid ultrasound.
Like exercise, alcohol consumption seems to be most cardioprotective when done daily and in moderation. However, increasingly excessive consumption is associated with proportional worsening of outcomes.

Because of the beneficial effects on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, insulin action, and inflammation, light to moderate alcohol intake may be particularly helpful for patients with abnormal glucose metabolism and/or insulin resistance. Light to moderate alcohol intake may be associated with reductions in the prevalence and incidence of diabetes, and a large meta-analysis with 12-year follow-up showed a 30% reduction in new diabetes in those who consumed 1 to 2 drinks daily.

The cardiovascular benefits associated with alcohol consumption protection are thought to be mediated by improvements in insulin sensitivity and HDL cholesterol. The major protective component seems to be the ethanol itself, and not the other ingredients found in different types of alcoholic beverages.

In a meta-analysis incorporating data from more than 1 million participants, consumption of 1 drink daily by women and 1 or 2 drinks daily by men was associated with an 18% reduction in total mortality, but daily intakes of more than 2 drinks in women and 3 drinks in men were associated with dose-dependent increased mortality.

Although low-dose, daily alcohol consumption has been linked to better health than less frequent use, binge drinking increases cardiovascular events and mortality, even in otherwise light drinkers.

"Alcohol should not be universally prescribed for health enhancement to nondrinking individuals owing to the lack of randomized outcome data and the potential for problem drinking," the study authors note. "Alcohol (ethanol) consumption is analogous to the proverbial double-edged sword, and perhaps no other factor in cardiovascular (CV) health is capable of cutting so deeply in either direction depending on how it is used."

Guidelines from the United Kingdom suggest that middle-aged or elderly men and postmenopausal women who drink seldom or never might consider the possibility that light drinking would benefit their health. On occasion, the reviewers have made a similar recommendation to patients who do not smoke and who have no personal or family history of substance abuse and no history of depression or bipolar disorder. However, they argue that light to moderate drinking should not be universally recommended to the general public or even to patients with cardiovascular disease.

As an analogy, they point out that observational data and findings from randomized trials using surrogate endpoints suggested that hormone replacement therapy for women and antioxidant vitamins improved cardiovascular outcomes, whereas later randomized trials with larger samples led to the opposite conclusions. They note that no randomized trials of alcohol for improving clinical outcomes have yet been performed. In observational studies, residual unmeasured confounding factors could be contributing to apparent benefits that seem to be associated with light to moderate drinking.

The investigators further note that heavy drinking has caused significant individual and societal problems and morbidity. In the past 15 years, the rates of alcohol abuse and binge drinking have been increasing, according to the findings of some studies. Alcohol abuse causes 100,000 deaths each year in the United States, and it has been deemed the third largest preventable cause of death.

Excessive alcohol consumption has been associated with increased risks for all-cause mortality, motor vehicle crashes, stroke, cardiomyopathy, cardiac dysrhythmia, sudden cardiac arrest, suicide, cancer (particularly of the breast and gastrointestinal tract), cirrhosis, fetal alcohol syndrome and sleep apnea.

"Sobering statistics warn that moderate daily drinking is a slippery slope that many individuals cannot safely navigate," the study authors conclude. "The latest American Heart Association guidelines caution people not to start drinking if they do not already drink alcohol, because it is not possible to predict in which people alcohol abuse will become a problem. Until we have more randomized outcome data, and tools for predicting susceptibility to problem drinking, it would seem prudent to encourage physicians and patients to focus on more innocuous interventions to prevent CHD."

J Am Coll Cardiol. Published online August 23, 2007.
2007;50:1009-1014.

Ozone machine for car OZZON 53

We have the Technology to stop the Virus Spreading and Eliminate any future outbreaks.
Ozone is a naturally occurring component of fresh air.

It can be produced by the ultraviolet rays of the sun reacting with the Earth's upper atmosphere, which creates a protective ozone layer, or it can be created artificially with an ozone generator.

The ozone molecule contains three oxygen atoms whereas the oxygen molecule contains only two. Ozone is a very reactive and unstable gas with a short half-life before it reverts back to oxygen.

Ozone is the most powerful and rapid acting oxidizer man can produce, and will oxidize all bacteria, mould and yeast spores, organic material and viruses.

As based on the specific (medical and physiological) effects of ozone, we find the indications listed in the following table:
Gas and gas pains
See also: The story of ozone

Why Ozone?
Cost effective Installation
High Oxygen transfer rates
Minimal Maintenance as there is only one moving part in the system. Either an Air-blower when an Air disk supplies Ozone.
Injector supplies the Ozone
Makes clear and healthy water.
Increases the Oxidation power of the Water
Removes toxic Nitrite by 90%
Reduces decay processes in wastewater, fishponds and other organic contaminated ponds or Canals.

Improves the filter efficiency by 80%
Removes yellow substances from the water which putting strain on living creatures in the water.

Increases the Redox potential.
Supports biological filtration.
Reduces the B O D and C O D by 80%.
Promotes continues aerobic conditions therefore no bad smell.
Reduces heavy metal concentrations by oxidizing the metals in to sulfates.
Eliminates eutrophication in Lakes and Rivers.
Reduces Algae growth or eliminates the growth of Algae complete.
Depresses the growth of water born parasites like Mosquitoes, Tsetse Flies and other water-born deceases

Reduces Water treatment costs more than 35% savings depend on what kind of water to treat.
Place the ozone machine in the car room, the machine will generate ozone and spread out the whole vehicle room area. After testing for ten minutes the smell was eliminated. First ozone will deodorize the Contaminated Air giving the Fresh Smell of Ozone. Bad smell or undesirable smell was 100% eliminated. Ozone was known in a form of 3 oxygen atoms denoted as ozone molecule and is very high sensitive deodorize element. It destroys the undesirable molecule's structures.

more info: http://www.dreddyclinic.com/ozone_machine_for_car.htm

• Ozone machine for our patients at home
• Multi Purpose Ozonizer for home use
• Ozone machine for car
• Home use Ozonizer
• Ozone machine for Health Care Provider
• Ozone machine for car
• Colon Hydro Therapy Instrument
• Microscope Equipment
• our zapper
• Terminator II-Parasite -Zapper
• UV lamp and Ozone lamp
• Ozone steam sauna
• Infrared heat sauna

Constipation and Acne

Constipation and acne are two problems affecting hundreds of thousands of people on a daily basis.

One hits you on the inside and the other on the outside. Could it be that more is going on with this unlikely pairing than you would first imagine?

When most people become constipated, they assume it’s just a momentary thing and they’ll soon become “regular” again. Likewise, when someone discovers a pimple or rash on their body, they usually throw some kind of drugstore cream on it and hope it goes away.

Usually, after a few days, the skin clears up and life turns back to normal. But it could very well be that constipation is leading to your skin blemishes, and that includes acne!

Constipation and Acne May Indicate Trouble
The human body is comprised mainly of water, about 55 to 60% in most adults. We already know it’s best to drink at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water a day.

If your body isn’t getting enough water, one of the first signs is constipation and acne or other skin blemishes.

Waste hardens within your colon and there are no fluids to lubricate its easy passage out of the body. You may also notice your skin begins to feel dry and cracks in certain places.

The lips, elbows and fingers are some of the first locations to notice the change. Spread all the moisturizer you want, but it’s not going to solve the problem because you must first hydrate from within.

Effects of Constipation
Another reason constipation and acne go hand in hand is the toxic effect constipation has on the body. When you’re constipated, your body isn’t getting rid of all the poisonous toxins normally expelled with a bowel movement. The toxins have nowhere to go, and they begin to accumulate before being reabsorbed into the bloodstream.

Then the toxins course through the body it goes into a state of emergency. The body senses these nasty poisons and begins trying to fight them off, trying to discover a way to detoxify itself. As a failsafe option, the toxins are expelled through the skin; but the acidic nature of the toxins causes the skin to become inflamed and thus develop acne.

If these toxins were left in the body indefinitely, they could eventually intensify to detrimental levels. Some signs you may be poisoning your system include bad breath and excess gas, bloating, depression, headaches, and “brain fog” or feeling like you can’t think clearly, and the aforementioned constipation and acne difficulties.

If your body is functioning properly and you are having regular bowel movements and eating the right foods, there is a very good chance acne can be reduced if not eliminated. Of course, the first step to changing your lifestyle involves becoming better educated. So, what foods, products or advice should one take to begin the transformation to better skin?

Positive Lifestyle Changes
Changing the way you look at food can be difficult, but it can be the most beneficial lifestyle shift you can make. Some foods aid in digestion and some can seize up the process. A high fiber colon healthy diet, with plenty of water consumption for the fiber to absorb in the colon, is one of the keys to controlling constipation and acne.

Foods Good for the Digestive System:
Fiber-rich fruits like apples, prunes, peaches, and raspberries
Fiber-rich vegetables like raw broccoli, cauliflower, kidney and lima beans, carrots, spinach, and Brussels sprouts
Whole grain cereals and breads (not enriched or bleached)
Protein-rich foods like fish, chicken, tofu, nuts, yogurt, and beans
Foods to Avoid:
You can’t have a good list without a bad list, so here are a few things you should avoid:
Caffeinated drinks
Foods with white flour or refined sugar (such as ice cream, cheese, processed foods, pizza, potato chips, etc.)
Heavy meats such as beef or pork
Alcohol
Chocolate

Cleansing the Colon
In order to regain control of your body, you need to clean it out and start fresh. The best way to accomplish this is with a thorough colon cleanse. Cleaning the colon, while it’s not a topic of everyday conversation, is one of the most important things you can do to help maintain your health and allow your body’s immune system to rebuild its strength. With a clean colon, your body can rid itself of the poisonous toxins causing constipation and acne as well as other health problems and skin conditions.

Oxy-Powder® is one of the most widely used colon cleansers; it gently cleans the colon with a unique formula of oxygenated magnesium, citric acid, and germanium-132. It thoroughly cleanses out deep-seated fecal matter, mucous, and sludge, leaving you feeling like a weight has been removed from your body. After removing all the garbage with Oxy-Powder®’s all-natural formula, your body can begin to rebuild a healthy environment within your colon for allowing good bacteria to grow in your digestive system.

As powerful as Oxy-Powder® is, it works gently enough so you don’t have to practically live in the bathroom. Once you finish the initial 7-day cleanse, you can help maintain your colon’s optimal health by following a regular maintenance program.

Helping to keep your body clean from the inside out offers many health benefits—mainly, reducing conditions such as bloating, excess gas, persistent fatigue, blurry vision, feeling heavy or lethargic, being overweight due to the accumulation of waste in the colon, and even chronic constipation.

So follow a healthful diet, stay well hydrated, get plenty of exercise, and be alert for signs such as constipation and acne symptoms as possible indicators something is not right in your normal digestive process.

more info at: http://www.dreddyclinic.com/products/oxypowder.htm

Constipation and Bowel Movements

By: Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, Ph.D, DACBN





Have You Had Your Bowel Movement Today?
Many people are under the impression they need to have only one bowel movement a week or fewer. Bowel disease, constipation, colon cancer, and stomach pain are all disorders that are leading to what I call the "Silent Killer in America". Colon health and colon problems are the most over-looked health problems in today's society.

Due to the poor diet in America, 200 million people suffer from constipation and do not have the required two to four bowel movements daily. The average person, by the time they are 30 years old, in America, has between 10 to 15 pounds of hard compacted fecal matter in their bowel.

The intestinal tract is composed of the small intestine which is attached to the lower part of the stomach then moves into the large intestine and finally the colon. Whatever you eat has to be properly digested and then move its way through a long, approximately 35 feet in length, intestinal lining to finally exit the rectum. So don't you think the most important area to keep clean in your body would be that 35 feet of food processing wasteland?

Constipation and Bowel Movements
It's important to understand how the digestive track breaks down food into smaller particles and then ultimately into the vitamins, minerals and nutrients you need to survive. As we age, we develop a thick coating along the sides of the intestinal walls as hard as wood and even harder to eradicate.

When this coating adheres to the walls of your intestinal lining and your food tries to move through, it's difficult for your body to absorb the proper amount of nutrients.

These nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream so the blood can carry them to all the organs and tissues in your body. This is why it is essential to not only clean the colon but to purify and keep the whole intestinal lining clean at all times and free from any plaque or debris. You must have a minimum of one bowel movement a day but we recommend having two a day.

After years of research and studying bowel habits, especially constipation and bowel movements in general, we discovered keeping the bowel clean will not only reduce or prevent most types of disease but will also eliminate chronic bloating, symptoms of fatigue, headaches, nausea and a whole list of other symptoms. We recommend and use a product called Oxy-Powder® that will focus on cleansing and keeping clean your whole intestinal tract.

By using Oxy-Powder® every other evening you can ensure that you will have regular bowel movements and keep your intestinal lining clean and functioning properly. You must have regular bowel movements to prevent toxic chemicals from leaking through the walls of the intestinal tract into the blood. I also recommend drinking at least 64 ounces of purified water daily to help the intestinal tract move the toxic residue out of the body.

Constipation and bowel movements irregularity is a sneaky, undiagnosed, disabling epidemic that is sweeping America as we speak. Perhaps all of this doesn't surprise you.

Let's take a look at the following categories of disease and disorders that can be related either directly or indirectly to the colon and constipation: heart disease, high blood pressure, fatigue, irritability, varicose veins, gas, heart burn, bloating, obesity, diabetes, arthritis and more.

Some of these side effects or symptoms are a hundred times worse than the constipation itself. So if your doctor is treating you with traditional drugs or surgery he is most likely covering up your symptoms and possibly making your condition worse.

I recommend the following to ensure a healthy clean colon, easily and naturally without any drugs, surgery or toxic side effects: colon hydrotheraphy, a good diet, lots of live foods, a lot of pure water, the product Oxy-Powder® and exercise.

Constipation and bowel movements have a contradictory relationship--to have the latter on a regular basis the former condition must be eliminated (no pun intended). With a little diligence and common sense, you too can enjoy the benefits of a clean, healthily functioning digestive system!

more info at: oxypowder

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B Vitamin Shows Potential in Cancer Prevention

Folic acid supplements may prevent cancer progression and promote regression of disease, according to a new study.
Published in a recent issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the small study found that 31 of 43 patients with the precancerous laryngeal lesion called leucoplakia demonstrated 50% or greater reduction in the lesion size after six months of taking folate supplements. In 12 of 31 responders, there was no evidence of the original lesion. Folate levels in the patients' blood also increased significantly from baseline while homocysteine levels decreased significantly. This study provides data to support the hypothesis that folate insufficiency is a risk factor for cancer progression.
Folate deficiency is the most common vitamin deficiency in the United States. Folate is a naturally occurring B vitamin (B-9) found abundantly in fresh vegetables and fruits. Folic acid is its more stable synthetic form found in dietary supplements and fortified foods. At the biochemical level, folate is incorporated into coenzymes that are essential in facilitating a variety of reactions in nucleic acid and amino acids metabolism. Some of which are critical to healthy life, such as DNA synthesis, DNA repair, and converting homocysteine to methionine. The latter is particularly important because excess homocysteine is linked to chronic health problems, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Animal and human studies have increasingly demonstrated associations between folate deficiency, serum homocysteine elevations, and a variety of cancers. Some studies have suggested folate supplementation or at least a high folate dietary intake may protect against some cancers. This body of evidence suggests folate to be an effective chemopreventive drug. Other chemopreventive drugs are being tested, and while the retinoids demonstrate the most promise, they are highly toxic. Giovanni Almadori, MD of the Institute of Otolaryngology, Universit & #224; Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico A. Gemelli in Rome, Italy and colleagues investigated the efficacy of folic acid dietary supplementation to treat precancerous lesion and prevent cancer.
The investigators enrolled 43 patients with untreated laryngeal leucoplakia and treated them with folic acid (5mg three times a day) and evaluated the progression of leucoplakia every 30 days for six months.
Over six months of treatment, 12 patients (28%) had complete resolution of their leucoplakia lesions; 19 patients (44%) had reduction of 50% or more in the size of their lesions and 12 patients (28%) had no response. Mean folate levels increased and mean homocysteine levels decreased significantly. There were no moderate or severe adverse events reported.
Comparison to another promising chemopreventive drug regimen that includes a retinoid, "our complete response rate is lower than the one reported in a smaller population," the authors write. Nevertheless, folate "is characterized by a lower grade of toxicity," and there was no progression of disease.
These results suggest, according to the researchers, "folate supplementation, alone or in combination with other chemopreventive drugs, could effectively reduce the risk of progression in an already genetically altered mucosa, especially in patients with hypofolatemia." This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.
To see more of the NewsRx.com, or to subscribe, go to http://www.newsrx.com.
Date: June 30, 2006© 2004 NewsRx.com. All Rights Reserved.;;©Copyright 2006, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com

First of all, it stimulates the production of white blood cells and increases the production of interferon, interleuken-2, and tumor necrosis factor

"First of all, it stimulates the production of white blood cells and increases the production of interferon, interleuken-2, and tumor necrosis factor, which the body uses to fight infections and cancer.

It is anti-neoplastic, which means that it inhibits the growth of tumors. One study performed at Baylor University in Texas, in 1962, determined that ozone can help to kill tumors and enhance the effect of different types of anti-tumor drugs. Ozone kills bacteria and viruses. In addition, it increases the amount of oxygen in the blood and helps deliver oxygen to all of the cells in the body. It also helps degrade petrochemicals.

This includes different toxins that one might have in the body due to the environment or food eaten. It helps dissolve and eliminate them from the body, and hence, lightens the body's toxic load. It also increases red blood cell membrane distend ability, making it more flexible. This is one way it is used in the treatment of heart disease.

The administration of ozone changes the blood formation and helps the blood flow more effectively. In Cuba, for example, there is an ozone generator in every major hospital emergency room. It helps heart patients and stroke victims recover much quicker. It also increases the effectiveness of the antioxidant enzyme system, which scavenges excess free radicals in the body. These are just some of the things that it does."

THE DANGERS OF TOXIC METALS

Toxic metals comprise a group of minerals that have no known function in the body and in fact are harmful. Today mankind is exposed to the highest levels of these metals in recorded history, thanks to their industrial use and burning of coal, petroleum and incineration of waste material. They affect everyone and are a major cause of illness, aging and even genetic defects.

The study of toxic metals is part of nutrition and toxicology, areas not emphasized in medical schools. For this reason, these important causes of disease are accorded little attention in conventional mainstream medicine. This article focuses on the extent of toxic metal problems ≠ sources of toxic metals, symptoms and how to remove them.
by Dr. Lawrence Wilson

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Cinnamon for Cholesterol, Blood Sugar Control?

Provided by: DrWeil.com

Q: I have been reading that several studies have shown that a daily dose of cinnamon may delay the onset of type II diabetes and help regulate blood sugar levels of existing type II diabetics. I've also heard that taking a half-teaspoon of cinnamon a day can help to lower cholesterol. -- Besty B.

A: Some recent research does suggest that cinnamon may have a beneficial effect on blood sugar and may also help lower cholesterol, but the study in question was small and its findings need to be confirmed before we can start recommending cinnamon to patients.

The news about cinnamon's effect on blood sugar and cholesterol came from a small study in Pakistan. Results were published in the December 2003 issue of Diabetes Care. The study ran for only 40 days and included 60 patients with type 2 diabetes. It showed that one, three or six grams of cinnamon daily, divided into two doses (that amounts to between a quarter of a teaspoon to 1 teaspoon a day), lowered fasting glucose by 18 to 29 percent, triglycerides by 23 to 30 percent, LDL cholesterol by 7 to 27 percent, and total cholesterol by 12 to 26 percent.

Cinnamon's effect on blood sugar is believed to be due to a proanthocyanidin, an active ingredient that increases sensitivity of receptors to insulin.

A word of caution: cinnamon in large doses may be toxic, so don't assume that if the relatively small amounts used in the study help, larger amounts will work better. There's also the possibility that adding cinnamon to your diet will change the dose of medication you need, so you should monitor your blood sugar carefully.

As for cholesterol control, the effects seen in the Pakistani study don't equal those of better-studied statin drugs. So if your cholesterol is high and you're taking a statin, don't assume that you can substitute cinnamon. The results of the Pakistani study are very interesting, but we need to know more. In the meantime, there's no harm in sprinkling cinnamon on your oatmeal or using it in cooking.
Andrew Weil, MD

Cure for Hangovers?

Cure for Hangovers?
Provided by: DrWeil.com

Q: This past Friday morning, I got out of bed to find myself with quite a splitting reminder of the night before. Is there anything that can help cure the common hangover? -- Anonymous

A: Alcohol is a strong toxin to both the liver and the nervous system, and it irritates the upper digestive tract and urinary system as well. The morning after a binge, you also feel the effects of dehydration. It certainly seems that everyone has a cure for a hangover: Sailors claim saltwater is the antidote; the Egyptians ate boiled cabbage as a preventive; today, many folks claim it's the "hair of the dog" that'll stop the hammering. Believe what you will.

I probably don't need to say that moderation is the best way to avoid hangovers. It makes sense to imbibe as much water as possible while you're drinking alcohol, to avoid dehydration. Taking aspirin before drinking, though popular, doesn't help. The best and only sure-fire remedy is time: As your body metabolizes the toxic overdose, symptoms subside.

If you have access to pure oxygen in a canister you can try inhaling some to see if it speeds recovery, but I doubt this is practical for most people. I recommend taking a B-complex vitamin supplement plus extra thiamine (100 mgs) to counter the B-vitamin depletion caused by alcohol. But I really don't know of any hangover treatment that works as well as putting time between yourself and the night before.

Be aware that you should pick your poison wisely. Since alcohol is exempt from most labeling requirements, it may contain additives that can trigger asthma, migraines, and other reactions. Whenever possible, choose quality brands. The extra money you pour out for a premium cocktail may tax your wallet, but your liver will thank you.

Some distilled beverages are rich in substances called congeners, toxic impurities that can greatly add to your woes. Bourbon, rum, and cognac are particularly "dirty." Champagne and some sweet wines are also notorious causes of hangovers. Vodka, being just pure alcohol and water, is the cleanest. It's always a good idea to pace yourself, and to eat if you have more than a drink or two.

My drink of choice is sake, which seems pretty clean to me. I don't get a hangover from it, even when I drink more than normal. Kampai!

Andrew Weil, MD

Aching with Arthritis?

Aching with Arthritis?
Provided by: DrWeil.com

Q: What is polyarthritis, and what tests are needed to diagnose it? -- Anonymous

A: Polyarthritis means inflammation of more than one joint and is most often associated with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease (one that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues). Polyarthritis is also associated with lupus, polymyalgia rheumatica, and sarcoidosis. All of these autoimmune disorders can be triggered by infection, tissue injury, or emotional trauma in people who are genetically predisposed to these conditions.

Polyarthritis, as well as its underlying cause, can be diagnosed by physical exam (the affected joints are swollen, stiff, painful or tender, and may feel warm and appear reddened) as well as by a variety of blood tests. These would include a measure of your erythocyte sedimentation rate (sed rate).

A high sed rate suggests the presence of acute inflammation and occurs with rheumatoid arthritis and other immune-mediated connective tissue diseases such as lupus. Conventional medicine treats autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis with steroids and other immunosuppressive medications, most of which are toxic when used long-term.

Patients dependent on these strong drugs are less likely to respond to natural treatments, which can moderate autoimmunity and help control symptoms.

Here are my recommendations:
Follow a low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet; minimize consumption of foods of animal origin.
Eliminate milk and milk products including commercial foods made with milk.

Avoid polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine, vegetable shortening and products made with partially hydrogenated oils of any kind.

Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids (eat more cold water fish, walnuts or freshly ground flaxseeds). Consider taking a fish oil supplement to help keep your protein intake low.
Eliminate or reduce intake of coffee and tobacco - both have been linked to an increased risk for rheumatoid arthritis.

Get regular aerobic exercise (swimming is best for those with rheumatoid arthritis).
Practice relaxation techniques. In addition, visualization can help moderate autoimmune responses, and psychotherapy can help alter emotional states that keep the immune system off balance.
Try hypnotherapy or guided imagery. Look for a therapist willing to take on an autoimmune disease. Meditation and yoga can help, too.

Avoid health care practitioners who make you feel pessimistic about your condition.
Take aspirin and other over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs to help relieve symptoms.
Take the anti-inflammatory herbs ginger and turmeric. I recommend Zyflamend, made by New Chapter Company, which includes both. You can safely take these herbs indefinitely.
Andrew Weil, MD

Monthly Migraine Misery?

Monthly Migraine Misery?
Provided by: DrWeil.com

Q: Every month I get horrible migraine headaches during my menstrual period. Is there anything that can help? -- Elizabeth A: You're not alone. Nearly one in five women has migraines and about half of those who seek treatment report that their headaches are associated with their menstrual periods. Typically the headaches begin anywhere from two days before the start of menstruation to the first three days after the onset. Results of a recent British study published in the July 27, 2004 issue of Neurology showed that menstrual migraines are 71 percent more likely to occur during the two days before periods start.
The same issue of Neurology also included results of a study showing that taking the migraine drug frovatriptan (Frova) starting two days before the anticipated start of migraines associated with menstruation can prevent the headaches in some women and diminish their severity and duration in others. The study (which was sponsored by the drug's manufacturer) involved 443 women with menstrual migraines who took Frova. Menstrual migraines continued to occur in 67 percent of the women who took a placebo. Of the women who took Frova twice a day, 59 percent no longer got the headaches; of those who took the drug once a day, 48 percent no longer got headaches. That's something, but hardly a miracle cure.
Tennis great, Serena Williams recently announced that she suffers from menstrual migraines, takes Frova to prevent them and is now heading an educational campaign to raise awareness among women that treatment is available for menstrual migraines. (You can learn more about the campaign at www.menstrualmigraine.org.)
Frova is one of several drugs called triptans designed specifically to relieve migraines (they don't work for other types of pain). They are not free of side effects, some of which are serious. Many alternative treatments are available, both to relieve and prevent these headaches. For example, a new study indicates that the herb butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is effective in preventing migraines. Patients who took two 75 mg tablets of butterbur extract cut headache occurrence by an average of 48 percent (compared to 26 percent among patients who got a placebo). The study was published in the December 28, 2004 issue of Neurology. When buying butterbur, be careful to choose extracts guaranteed to be free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) that are toxic to the liver. The supplement should be taken with meals.
Other alternatives include dietary measures as well as vitamin B-2. A Belgian study published in the February 1998 issue of Neurology found that 400 mg of B-2 reduces the frequency and duration of migraines. You'll need a doctor's prescription to get that dosage.
Biofeedback can also help. I urge you to experiment with these alternatives before seeking a prescription for Frova.
Andrew Weil, MD
Last Reviewed: May 2005

A Funny-Looking Tongue?

A Funny-Looking Tongue?
Provided by: DrWeil.com

Q: We adopted a 15-month-girl from China who was only fed formula. She is now 21-months, and she has a geographic tongue. What can we do for this condition? -- Maureen A: Geographic tongue (also known as benign migratory glossitis) is a condition in which the tongue has a map-like appearance due to irregular smooth patches that have lost the tiny, finger-like projections that characterize the surface of a normal tongue. The patches may be red, can change location from day to day and, in some cases, can be sore. Although it can be uncomfortable, geographic tongue is not a serious disorder. Some people worry that it is a sign of oral cancer. It definitely is not.

Unfortunately, we don't know the cause of this problem. In some cases, it may be due to an allergy, and it seems to occur more often in people with psoriasis - in one study, 10 percent of psoriasis patients were affected compared to about 2.5 percent of people without psoriasis. Some cases seem to be triggered by irritation from hot or spicy foods, alcohol, or tobacco, and some may occur in response to stress. There is no specific treatment for geographic tongue. It tends to go away on its own, usually within a month, but may come back periodically. Different areas of the tongue may be affected at different times.

I wouldn't worry about your daughter's geographic tongue. Chances are it will disappear as her nutritional status improves or, if it is stress related, as she becomes more settled and comfortable in her new surroundings. Conventional treatment, if necessary, is topical prednisone, but I would first try DGL powder, a much less toxic licorice derivative.
Andrew Weil, MD

Bugged by Bugs?

Bugged by Bugs?
Provided by: DrWeil.com

Q: I am going camping soon in a variety of damp, wooded areas. Do you have any suggestions for warding off critters? -- Jeff A: Whenever you're outdoors in bug infested areas, it is best to protect yourself with insect repellents and with clothing that covers your arms and legs. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently expanded its list of mosquito repellents, adding to its long-standing recommendation of products containing DEET. While they are effective, I find these repellents nasty and toxic. The CDC now lists oil of lemon eucalyptus, a plant-based product registered with the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA). Registration indicates that the active ingredients in the repellent have been reviewed and approved for efficacy and human safety when used as recommended on the label. When oil of lemon eucalyptus was tested against mosquitoes found in the United States, it provided protection similar to repellents with low concentrations of DEET.
The other new repellent ingredient recommended by the CDC is picaridin, which is reputed to be as effective as DEET but is light, odorless and, reportedly, more pleasant to use. Picaridin has been widely used elsewhere in the world since 1998 and is recommended by the World Health Organization as the best protection against malaria. According to the EPA, picardin presents about the same toxicity risks as DEET.
As an alternative to the repellents described above, I recommend the following natural products:
Repellents containing geraniol: some research suggests that this natural plant-derived substance is effective.
Neem oil, from an Indian tree, Azadirachta indica, that can provide significant protection.
I suggest that you also follow the precautions below recommended by the EPA whenever you use insect repellents:
Never apply them over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
Don't apply them to eyes or mouth and apply sparing around ears; never spray repellents directly on your face. Spray your hands and then apply to the face.
Don't let children handle repellents; apply the products to your hands and then put it on children; don't apply them to children's hands.
Use just enough to cover exposed skin or clothing; add more only if insects are not discouraged by the first application.
Apply repellents only to exposed skin or to clothing (not under clothing).
Wash repellents off with soap and water when you come indoors.
Stop using any repellent that gives you a rash or other reaction. Wash it off with soap and water and then call a poison control center for further advice. If you go to the doctor because of a repellent-caused rash, take the product with you.
Andrew Weil, MDLast Reviewed: October 2005

Enterocolitis in Children With Developmental Disorders

Enterocolitis in Children With Developmental Disorders


Wakefield AJ, Anthony A, Murch SH, Thomson M, Montgomery SM, Davies S, O'Leary JJ, Phil D, Berelowitz M and Walker-Smith JA.

Introduction
We have recently described a characteristic pattern of intestinal inflammation in a cohort of children with developmental disorders (1). In these children, the majority of whom had autism,
a period of initial normal development was followed by developmental regression and loss of acquired skills, sometimes occurring precipitously over a period of days to weeks. Long-standing intestinal symptoms, as described previously (1), were typical of this group of children. These symptoms had often started at around the same time as the behavioral changes.

Ileocolonic lymphoid nodular hyperplasia (LNH) was a consistent feature of this condition, an observation that has been reported subsequently in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and non-IgE-mediated food allergy (2). There is an anecdotal impression that LNH is a common finding in children undergoing ileocolonoscopy, although this has not been subjected to systematic analysis in a controlled study.

It cannot be assumed that LNH is a normal finding in children, as aymptomatic children are not subjected to ileocolonoscopy, and LNH may produce symptoms in its own right (3). Chronic intestinal LNH is a feature of either congenital or acquired immunodeficient states (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) and has been described in congenital B cell abnormalities (5, 6), and common variable immunodeficiency (7, 8). In its persistent acquired form, ileal LNH has been reported in association with infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) before the development of AIDS (10).

The other consistent feature of the intestinal lesion was a mild-to-moderate colitis that lacked the specific diagnostic features of either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (1). This combination of features, i.e., LNH and nonspecific colitis, indicates the possibility of chronic mucosal and/or systemic immune dysregulation. Systemic immunological abnormalities are not infrequent in children with autistic spectrum disorders (11, 12, 13, 14), although the origin and significance of the findings are uncertain. These immune changes, plus the presence of myelin basic protein (MBP) antibodies (15) and inhibition of macrophage migration to MBP (16), have led some workers to suggest that the behavioural syndrome may be associated with cerebral damage due to an autoimmune response to myelin or other structural components of the CNS (15, 16).

As part of our initial study (1) we undertook cerebral magnetic resonance imaging, EEG, and biochemical analysis of cerebrospinal fluid; none of these investigations indicated cerebral inflammation that would be consistent with autoimmune demyelination, although a more subtle lesion remains a possibility. Alternatively, others have proposed that some forms of autism may arise from the toxic effects of intestinal products on the developing brain (17, 18, 19), a situation that may have some overlap with hepatic enephalopathy. An early childhood enterocolitis would be more consistent with the latter mechanism.
This study sought to describe some of the characteristic endoscopic and histopathological features of this syndrome in a larger cohort of children with developmental disorders and intestinal symptoms, and to compare the findings with those in developmentally normal children undergoing ileocolonoscopy.

Materials and Methods
This study involved the analysis of data from 60 consecutive children with developmental disorders (affected children) including those 12 children described in a preliminary report (1). The median age of the children was 6 yr (range 3-16 yr) and 53 were boys, consistent with the male bias of developmental disorders (20). Developmental diagnoses in the affected children were autism (50 patients), Asperger's syndrome (five), disintegrative disorder (two), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (one), and schizophrenia (one). The latter child was the oldest in the cohort, at 14 yr of age. The remaining child in this cohort, a girl 8 yr of age, had dyslexia and learning difficulties: she underwent developmental regression from approximately 54 months of age, which was associated with mouth ulcers, conjunctivitis, and severe constipation. Her developmental status is currently under investigation.

Autism is a behavioral syndrome that consists of qualitative impairments in social interaction and communication, with restrictive, repetitive, and stereotypic patterns of behavior. Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of these areas occurs before the age of 3 yr. Asperger's syndrome is a high-functioning autistic spectrum disorder, and disintegrative disorder is a regressive condition occurring at age >3 yr in a previously normal child. Loss of acquired skills may occur precipitously or over a period of months. The behavioral features are similar to those of autism but may be accompanied by loss of bowel and bladder control (20).

The majority of affected children were white (57), but two were of Middle-Eastern origin, and one child had an Indian father and a white mother.

All but three affected children had a developmental disorder that was associated with a clear history of regression, with loss of acquired skills after 1 year of documented normal development (general practitioner/health visitor records).

In three cases, affected children who had been developmentally normal failed to progress beyond a certain point, but did not regress. All but one of the affected children had current intestinal symptoms consisting of abdominal pain pain, constipation, diarrhea (or alternating constipation and diarrhea), and bloating.

The one affected child who did not have current intestinal symptoms was investigated at his parents' and general practitioner's request. Affected children were consistently fastidious in their eating habits, with a diet limited largely to cereals, potato crisps, and bread. Despite this, they typically seemed well nourished, with anthropomorphic indices within normal limits. Certain foodstuffs such as dairy products were reported by parents to produce deterioration in behavior, whereas withholding such foods apparently produced behavioral improvement -- in particular, for aggression, eye contact, and sleep pattern. According to parental reports, recognizably undigested food was often seen in stools.

Discussion
These data both confirm and extend our original observations (1), and indicate a subtle and consistent pattern of intestinal pathology in this cohort of consecutively referred children. The combination of ileocolonic LNH and colitis in children with developmental disorders distinguished them from developmentally normal children with similar symptoms (including abdominal pain and constipation) in whom LNH and histopathological change were uncommon. These observations, in a broader diagnostic group of children with developmental/psychiatric disorders, and the recent report of Sabra et al. (2) of similar intestinal pathology in children with ADHD, suggests that the findings may be relevant more widely to childhood developmental disorders.

This study provides a quantitative assessment of a qualitative interpretation of histopathological changes in the ileocolonic mucosa. We have previously reported the quantitative assessment of cellular infiltration of the mucosa in biopsies from these children, employing immunohistochemistry and cell counting (22). That study confirmed the presence of a statistically significant increase in mucosal macrophage infiltrate and cells expressing class-II MHC antigen in biopsies from affected children, compared with normal controls.

Further quantitative studies have shown a statistically significant excess of CD3+, CD8+, and T cells, and of Syndecan-1+ plasma cells in the lamina propria, and evidence of increased epithelial proliferation in affected children compared with both normal children and those with chronic constipation (R. Furlano et al., submitted for publication). The pathology seems to reflect a subtle new variant of inflammatory bowel disease that lacks the specific diagnostic features of either Crohn's disease (e.g., granulomata) or ulcerative colitis (e.g., contiguous distal to proximal colonic inflammation).

The inflammatory features were accompanied by endoscopic changes and included a patchy, mild-to-moderate pancolitis, where (with the proviso that only mucosal biopsies were studied) they were confined to the upper lamina propria/epithelium. It is of possible clinical relevance that active disease in the ileum and colon was reflected systemically in a raised ESR and a neutrophil leucocytosis, respectively.

In view of the presenting symptoms in the affected children, the majority underwent ileocolonscopy rather than investigation of the upper gastrointestinal tract. However, Horvath et al. have recently reported compelling evidence of inflammatory changes in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum in a majority of autistic children with symptoms similar to those described here (23). Where it is indicated, we have included upper endoscopy and biopsy in our protocol. Our initial findings are consistent with those of Horvath et al. and will be reported later.

The median age of affected children was lower than that in either of the two control groups. However, within the controls groups there was no relationship between age and either endoscopic or histopathological features of disease, indicating that the comparisons made here are valid. The natural history of this condition -- autistic enterocolitis -- is not known; because Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are rare in this age group, it is too soon to say whether or not the pathology will progress to a typical IBD phenotype.

It is notable that 68% of affected children had a lymphopenia. Immunological abnormalities are a recurring feature in studies of children with autism (25, 26), and detailed immunological studies of affected children will be reported as a follow-up to this report. Reactive follicular hyperplasia is an antigen-driven response (9). In a preliminary study, we have reported evidence of measles virus nucleocapsid protein in follicular dendritic cells of the reactive ileal lymphoid tissue and raised serum measles IgG immunoreactivity in some affected children (26). An association between measles virus, immunodysregulation, and autism was also suggested by the recent study by Singh et al. (27). Measles virus is recognized not only for its ability to establish persistent infection, but also to induce prolonged T helper cell, type II immune skewing and immunosuppression (28). The follicular dendritic cell would be an ideal location from which to mediate such a response (29).

It is tempting to suggest that a gut-brain interaction may be responsible for some of the behavioral features of this syndrome. Although the opioid excess hypothesis for autism was first proposed by Panksepp (17) in 1979, and reiterated independently by Reichelt et al. (18) and Shattock et al. (19), it has only recently found increasing acceptance in the pediatric psychiatry community. Opioid peptides of dietary origin, i.e., gliadomorphine and bovine casomorphine, have been identified in the urine of some of these children with autistic enterocolitis (unpublished observations), and the possible significance of these findings is under investigation.
In summary, an endoscopically and histologically consistent pattern of ileocolonic pathology has been identified in a cohort of children with developmental disorders. Reactive follicular hyperplasia, particularly prominent in the ileum, provides a focus for investigating the nature of antigen(s) that may be driving the intestinal inflammation in these children. This syndrome may reflect a subset of children with developmental disorders with distinct etiological and clinical features.
American Journal of Gastroenterology September 2000; 95: 2285-2295.

The Fear of Losing Your Job Can Harm Your Health Far More

Emotions are very complicated and fragile things. When channeled positively, they can do wonderful things for your health. Unfortunately, when you're feeling down and out, those negative emotions can be quite harmful to your mind and body.

Few pursuits in life offer more potential for risk and reward than your job. Although it's a fact unemployment hurts your health -- just like a death or divorce can -- the risk of losing your job can be much more damaging, according to a University of Michigan study.

Based on reports from patients about their mental and physical conditions, scientists concluded a chronic feeling of job insecurity had more influence on one's health than facing a life-threatening illness or true job loss.

Continuing, uncontrolled insecurity fuels chronic and toxic stress that can eventually damage your immune system and open the floodgates to serious illness, experts said. And, if you do nothing to deal with the real problem -- handling the stress of uncertainty better -- your brain may be affected too.

Your best bet is to learn how handle the stress in a healthy way. Before you waste money on an antidepressant that may not only toxic but useless, however, consider learning the Emotional Freedom Technique, one of the most effective energy psychology tools available to treat stress and depression.
Washington Post April 4, 2006

DrEddyClinic.com

Would You Take a Toxic Flu Shot That Works Half The Time?

Remember that warning I posted about two drugs -- Tamiflu and Relenza -- that were found to be ineffective against the avian flu, an imaginary problem that just won't go away.

The New England Journal of Medicine jumped into the avian flu mess today with a new study (free article link below) that measured the efficacy of a vaccine on humans. Hope it bothers you as much as it does me that researchers could claim the trial was successful at all after learning their vaccine worked about 50 percent of the time.

And, that's not all folks. The vaccine only works when it's given in a total dose, says the lead researcher, or 12 times what you'd typically receive in a seasonal flu vaccine...

Different dosages of the Sanofi-Aventis vaccine earmarked for the H5N1 virus -- ranging from 7.5-90 micrograms -- were given to more than 400 patients (ages 18-64). Only half of the patients in the group receiving two doses of 90 micrograms four weeks apart made enough antibodies to match the effect of a standard flu shot.

Besides a flu outbreak, there's are more relevant outcomes that require your attention: You run the real risk of receiving a vaccine loaded with thimerosal (the mercury-based preservative) or one that was improperly made.

New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 354, No. 13, March 30, 2006: 1343-1351 Free Full Text Article
USA Today March 30, 2006

more info at: www.dreddyclinic.com