Fatty acids could aid cancer prevention and treatment

Omega-3 fatty acids, contained in oily fish such as salmon and trout, selectively inhibit growth and induce cell death in early and late-stage oral and skin cancers, according to new research from scientists at Queen Mary, University of London.

In vitro tests showed omega-3 fatty acids induced cell death in malignant and pre-malignant cells at doses which did not affect normal cells, suggesting they have the potential to be used in both the treatment and prevention of certain skin and oral cancers. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids cannot be made by humans in large quantities and so we must acquire them from our diet.

The scientists were studying a particular type of cancer called squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC). Squamous cells are the main part of the outermost layers of the skin, and SCC is one of the major forms of skin cancer. However, squamous cells also occur in the lining of the digestive tract, lungs, and other areas of the body. Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) are the sixth most common cancer worldwide and are difficult and very expensive to treat.

In the experiments, the scientists grew cell cultures in the lab from several different cells lines to which they added fatty acids. The cell lines included both malignant oral and skin SCCs, along with pre-malignant cells and normal skin and oral cells. Professor Kenneth Parkinson, Head of the Oral Cancer Research Group at Queen Marys Institute of Dentistry, said: "We found that the omega-3 fatty acid selectively inhibited the growth of the malignant and pre-malignant cells at doses which did not affect the normal cells.

"Surprisingly, we discovered this was partly due to an over-stimulation of a key growth factor (epidermal growth factor) which triggered cell death. This is a novel mechanism of action of these fatty acids."

While previous research has linked omega-3 fatty acids with the prevention of a number of cancers, there has been very little work done on oral cancers or normal cells.

Dr Zacharoula Nikolakopoulou, carried out the research while studying her PhD at Queen Mary, under the supervision of Professor Parkinson and Professor Adina Michael-Titus, who is co-ordinating a programme of work on the protection of the nervous system with omega-3 fatty acids, in the Centre for Neuroscience and Trauma at Queen Marys Blizard Institute.

Dr Nikolakopoulou said: "As the doses needed to kill the cancer cells do not affect normal cells, especially with one particular fatty acid we used called Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), there is potential for using omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention and treatment of skin and oral cancers.

"It may be that those at an increased risk of such cancers - or their recurrence - could benefit from increased omega-3 fatty acids. Moreover, as the skin and oral cancers are often easily accessible, there is the potential to deliver targeted doses locally via aerosols or gels. However further research is needed to define the appropriate therapeutic doses."

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The research is published online in the journal Carcinogenesis.

As colorectal cancer gets more aggressive treatment with grape seed extract is even more effective

When the going gets tough, grape seed extract gets going: A University of Colorado Cancer Center study recently published in the journal Cancer Letters shows that the more advanced are colorectal cancer cells, the more GSE inhibits their growth and survival. On the other end of the disease spectrum, GSE leaves healthy cells alone entirely.

“We’ve known for quite a while that the bioactive compounds in grape seed extract selectively target many types of cancer cells. This study shows that many of the same mutations that allow colorectal cancer cells to metastasize and survive traditional therapies make them especially sensitive to treatment with GSE,” says Molly Derry, doctoral candidate in the lab of Rajesh Agarwal, PhD, investigator at the CU Cancer Center and professor at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Derry notes this is an especially important finding in light of increasing colorectal cancer rates (due in part to increasingly high-fat diets and sedentary lifestyles) and a low screening rate; that means 60 percent of patients diagnosed have already reached the advanced stage of the disease.

“Finding a way to selectively target advanced colorectal cancer cells could have major clinical importance,” Derry says.

The group performed their experiments on colorectal cancer cell lines representing various stages of the disease. Whereas it generally takes much more chemotherapy to kill a stage IV cancer cell than a stage II cancer cell, Derry saw that the reverse was true with grape seed extract.

“It required less than half the concentration of GSE to suppress cell growth and kill 50 percent of stage IV cells than it did to achieve similar results in the stage II cells,” Derry says.

The group also discovered a likely mechanism of GSE’s perential targeting of advanced colorectal cancer cells: when cancer cells were treated with antioxidants the GSE induced cell death was reversed and so Derry and colleagues consider it likely that GSE targets colorectal cancer through inducing oxidative stress that leads to the programmed cell death known as apoptosis.

“A colorectal cancer cell can have upwards of 11,000 genetic mutations – differences from the DNA in healthy cells. Traditional chemotherapies may only target a specific mutation and as cancer progresses more mutations occur. These changes can result in cancer that is resistance to chemotherapy. In contrast, the many bioactive compounds of GSE are able to target multiple mutations. The more mutations a cancer presents, the more effective GSE is in targeting them,” Derry says.

Acne and its Treatment

Acne could be a menace. However, it’s not one thing that cant be tackled. There area unit different skin problem skin care products around. we will classify skin problem skin care products into three broad classes –
* Preventive or general skin problem skin care products
* Over-the-counter, specialised skin problem skin care products
* On-prescription skin problem skin care products.

The general skin problem skin care merchandise area unit those that area unit used as acne-prevention measure. These embody cleansers, make-up removers and similar merchandise that facilitate stop skin problem. within the real sense, these skin problem skin care merchandise area unit simply people who ought to anyway be a part of your daily routine. However, a number of these area unit additional familiarized to act like associate degree skin problem skin care product. These skin problem skin care products act against the causes of skin problem e.g. limiting the assembly of sebum/oil and preventing impeding of skin pores. Basically, these skin problem skin care merchandise stop the oil from obtaining unfree in pores and thus hamper the expansion of bacterium that result in skin problem. the overall skin problem skin care merchandise conjointly embody exfoliation merchandise like skin peels. These work towards removing dead skin cells, thus reducing the likelihood of pore-clogging and bacterium development.

Then there area unit specialised skin problem skin care merchandise that area unit on the market over-the-counter i.e. while not the requirement of a prescription. These embody merchandise like vanishing creams that extract the additional oil from the skin. Most of those skin problem skin care merchandise area unit supported blanching agent and hydroxy acid, each of that area unit the enemies of bacterium (and thus acne). you must begin with a product that has lower concentration of blanching agent (e.g. 5%) and see however your skin responds thereto. Alpha-hydroxy-acid based mostly moisturizers are well-liked as skin problem skin care merchandise. you would possibly got to attempt a couple of, before you zero-in on the skin problem skin care product thats effective for you. If nothing looks to figure, you must contact a medical specialist.

On-prescription skin problem skin care products area unit those that area unit prescribed by a medical specialist. this will embody ointments which will be applied on the affected space or oral antibiotics or simply any topical treatment. medical specialist may conjointly counsel a minor operation to get rid of the contents of pustules. However, neer attempt to squeeze or do that by yourself, it will result in permanent harm of your skin. Your doctor may conjointly order a hormone-based treatment (since secretion changes are proverbial to cause acne). Such skin problem skin care merchandise area unit proverbial to be terribly effective in some cases.
So, with all those skin problem skin care products, endeavor skin problem isnt that troublesome.

Image by healthypattern.com
Acne and its Treatment

Skin care treatment due to the intensely common skin conditions

A glowing further healthy skin is an asset. Skin is not integral about fairness but also health. So, skin load treatment should be treated with all effect. If you develop a skin related dilemma, you need an appropriate skin care treatment. Skin care treatment, for any skin disorder, starts with actions that are aimed at prevention of the illness (what we can also report as proactive or preventive canker care form). Building again succeeding basic skin deadweight procedures is what one could classify as preventive/proactive skin care draft. Skin disorders can occur uniform if you have followed this preventive skin care treatment. security skin care treatment just reduces the probability of occurrence. Let's check the skin hindrance doodle due to some of the common skin conditions.

Acne is one of the abundantly common problems. Again, the first type of skin care outline is to dispense acne and prevent it from getting worse. So lose niggardly clothes; they are known to launch body acne by trapping demand. execute not sway the blemishes over also over again (rather don't touch them at all), you might conclude up aggravating the feature. Also, do not try to scrub too hard or squeeze them. Use of lager cleansers is a recommended scratch difficulty construction for acne. attain an over-the-counter scrape care form over faster treatment of acne.

Skin weary load outline of dry canker is generally snap. Moisturisers, useful in the right way and in the right quantity, are the best form of skin care treatment for dry skin. For sans pareil results, apply moisturiser while your skin is still dampish. Also, rack up not profit by exceptionally much or too little moisturiser. pull exceptional cases, where you don't edict ration improvements in 3-4 weeks, you might lap up to visit your dermatologist considering skin care treatment of your dry skin.

Brown spots, which appear on sun-exposed areas of skin i.e. face and hands, are caused by over-exposure to UV radiations. As a skin care treatment for brown spots, use a sunscreen lotion which has a high SPF (sun cover factor), say 15. This should be used irrespective of weather � sunny/cloudy. Another form of skin obstruction treatment is covering up the exposed areas with clothing (caps, substantial sleeved shirts/t-shirts, and umbrella).

Also, if the general skin care treatment or the over-the-counter medication is not racket for you, you should immediately consult your dermatologist for able skin care treatment. You should also acquaint the doctor about the skin care treatment that you have undertaken till that time. So manage the details of the till-date skin deadweight layout (and products) along veil you. Based on the skin condition and the details of your till-date graze charge treatment, the dermatologist will prescribe a skin care treatment e.g. vocal antibiotics, chemical peels, retinoid etc and you will embody on your way to recovery.

Cough Causes and Treatment Tips

Cough Causes is one of the defense system to remove foreign objects from the body. But, of course there is also a cough which is a symptom of serious illness. Substitution of the rainy season to dry season easily makes us cough. It was excruciating if the cough has been attacked. No wonder so many people think of coughing as a symptom of a disease that must be addressed.

Parents of children stricken with cough would immediately try to find drugs to treat cough. In fact, according to Dr. dr. H. Muljono Wirjodiardjo, SP.A, Ph.D, is not always a bad cough. "Coughing does not always need an enemy, because physiologically, coughing is actually one of the bodys defense mechanism," said Muljono. That must be considered is the cause of cough and cough occurred in what circumstances.

Cough occurs in the airways, which is divided into the upper airway and lower airway. When an interruption occurs in the upper airway, for example, then the body will form a defense mechanism by sneezing or coughing. While disturbances in the lower airway will usually make the body do with the cough reflex.

Judging from the mechanism, coughing and sneezing have mechanisms similar to breathing, which is inhaling (inspiration) and exhale (expiration). "Coughing is actually a burst or blast expiration, so even sneeze. The difference, if coughing, very short time and the air coming out of the lungs very quickly, while inspiration can be set, would slow or fast."

The air that comes out of the lungs caused by coughing will make everything that inhibits the airway wasted out. "Especially the foreign body, fluid, or mucus, the airways become so clean. Therefore, it is necessary sometimes cough to throw all that clog the airways. The dangerous precisely when objects that block the airway can not be issued through the mechanism of cough," said child lung specialists of Bintaro RSI is continuing.

Diabetes Diet Nutrition and Herbal Treatment That Works

Diabetes or diabetes mellitus is a disease tormenting many these days. The advent of modern technology and craze for high profile life style is the root of several serious ailments including diabetes. The patient suffering from diabetes has an increased glucose level in blood. Our food intake supplies us with carbohydrates which get converted in to glucose. The hormone insulin secreted by pancreas breaks down the glucose and aids the metabolic process by making the glucose enter in to body cells and energizing the body as a whole.
When the cells of the pancreas become incapable of producing sufficient insulin or when body cells become resistant to insulin, glucose collects in blood and soon the level shoots up resulting in diabetes. There are three major types of diabetes: Type1, Type2 and Gestational diabetes. Type1 diabetes occurs when the amount of insulin produced by pancreas falls short of the bodys requirement of insulin. Type2 diabetes occurs when body cells become non-responsive to insulin or do not take in insulin in the amount they should have taken in.

Gestational diabetes is the result of pregnancy. Glucose levels in blood rise during pregnancy in some women. Heredity, obesity, stress, over-intake of carbohydrates, nutritional deficiencies, and any other disease causing damage to pancreas are diabetes-triggering factors. Diabetes needs timely diagnosis and treatment, or else it may cause serious damage to heart, kidney, eyes, liver and nervous system.

Symptoms

1. Frequent urination
2. Increased hunger
3. Increased thirst
4. Fatigue
5. Loss of weight
6. Blurry vision
7. Palpitation
8. Constipation
9. Yellowish urine with a sweet acidic odor
10. Itching around genitals

Herbal treatment for diabetes

Nature gives us a wide range of herbs that may be used to treat diabetes the natural ways. Some of the herbs may be listed as follows.

1. Onion and garlic have excellent sugar-reducing properties.

2. Bitter melon or balsam pear juice supplies the body with insulin like polypeptide-p and thereby lowers blood sugar.

3. Fenugreek seeds, rich in nicotinic acids and alkaloid trigoneline, prove very effective in treating diabetes.

4. The holy basil is a highly beneficial herb in treating diabetes.

5. Ivy gourd leaf extracts are quite effective in treating retinal disorders due to diabetes.

6. Fully grown curry leaves are an effective cure for congenital diabetes and obesity.

7. Indian gooseberry juice is a pancreas stimulating drink. It stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin.

8. Butea leaf extracts are useful in lowering sugar levels in blood.

9. Cinnamon is an effective herb for managing diabetes.

10. Powdered, dry mango leaves may be taken in empty stomach for controlling diabetes.

11. Indian plum seeds regulate the metabolic process and also stimulate pancreas.

Article by : Dr Andrew Napier

Article Source : Diabetes Diet, Nutrition and Herbal Treatment That Works

Menopause Treatment

Because menopause is a natural process that happens to all women, some doctors recommend some simple alternative menopause treatments. Here are a few of the most popular.

Get a Massage

A good massage can relieve tension in your body caused by stress, and relaxation can do wonders for your hot flashes and your sleep. Massage may also help relieve some arthritis pains because of the increased blood circulation. Many people find a massage makes them feel less anger and hostility, which accumulate in the form of tension in your body. During the massage, you can concentrate on good feelings within and about your body. Learn to breathe deeply and focus on relaxation instead of stress-filled situations.

What will you encounter when you go for a massage? Most professionals use a rather firm, but comfortable, specially constructed massage table with a soft face rest for you to use while lying on your stomach. Usually, you will have a choice of music to listen to during your massage to enable your mind to relax and drift. A variety of oils will be used so that the massage therapists hands glide more easily.

Massage can be a good part of your routine of taking care of yourself and learning to relax more.

Try Acupuncture of Acupressure

Have you thought about trying acupuncture? Some women who do not find relief from their discomforts using traditional medications opt for acupuncture. Instead of ingesting prescription drugs, some women rely on acupuncture to treat their hot flashes and other discomforts. Acupuncture is regarded by most physicians as an "alternative" method of healing, because it is not yet in the mainstream of Western medicine. However, since the early 1970s, it has been gaining popularity in the United States.

Acupuncture is a technique developed thousands of years ago by Asian practitioners to relieve pain and improve well-being in a variety of ways. The philosophy behind acupuncture is that the life force flows through certain pathways in the body, known as meridians. Manipulating certain points on these meridians with acupuncture releases and facilitates the flow of energy to interrupt patterns of illness or the discomforts of mild or severe pain. The technique involves inserting specially designed, very thin needles under the skin to activate the flow of vital life force or energy. Acupuncture has been used in place of anesthesia during and after surgery and as a painkiller after diagnostic and surgical procedures.

A related technique is acupressure, another ancient technique based on applying finger pressure to the same specific points on the body where acupuncture is used. Acupressure is helpful for some women with neck and back tension or pain, headache, and a variety of other discomforts. Acupressure releases tension and helps to increase circulation, enabling more oxygen and other nutrients to flow freely throughout the body.

To find a specialist in acupuncture or acupressure, contact a school for Eastern medicine in a major city. Acupuncturists are licensed to practice in some states in the United States; in other states, only licensed physicians may perform acupuncture. Many hospitals and medical practices have incorporated acupuncturists into their practices.

Turn to an Herbal Remedy

If you dont like taking prescription drugs, try an herbal remedy. Herbs are natural substances that have been used medicinally to treat menopausal symptoms for many thousands of years. Modern medicine began with the ancient knowledge of herbal remedies. In fact, many herbs have nonnutritive compounds that promote a desired biological process or change an unwanted process. Even today, nearly 75 percent of the worlds population relies on herbal or traditional medications. Herbs are used all over the world for maintaining health and curing ills.

Oriental herbal therapies are based on maintaining and restoring a balance of our vital energy. Prescriptions are individually prepared for each patient. For example, for hot flashes, one Oriental herbalist might recommend a combination of ginseng and licorice. Another might recommend a cup of raspberry leaf tea. In general, do not treat yourself with herbal remedies without checking with your doctor or a trained herbalist. Since some herbs can interact with other medications, always inform your doctor of any extra at-home treatments you are presently taking.

Why use herbal therapies instead of traditional prescription drugs? Many women like herbal therapies because the herbs are "natural," theyve been used for thousand of years, they are found in food products, and they are usually available over the counter. However, herbal remedies, unlike prescription medications, are not strictly regulated.

The quality of herbal products varies widely, and some products may contain toxic levels of some herbs or contaminants. Other concerns include taking an ineffective herbal product when a safer, more effective prescription drug is available or delaying medical care for a serious condition while trying an herbal product.

Although herbs often may be less expensive than prescription drugs, they may cost more at times. Some herbal practitioners insist that you use only his or her product, which may be more expensive. Herbal remedies are not covered by insurance. And sometimes one relatively inexpensive medication may work as well as or better than multiple costly herbal remedies.

The good news is that many women find that herbal remedies fit their philosophic approach to treating minor ailments and menopausal symptoms, and many of the products are helpful as well.

Consider Nutritional Therapy

Nontraditional ideas about staying healthy at midlife and beyond include turning to nutritional therapy. There is a wide range of approaches to nutritional therapy. Some women swear by a vegetarian diet. Some purchase only organically grown products that have no chemical contamination. Others avoid specific foods such as red meat or caffeinated beverages. Certain roots, herbs, and mushrooms are believed, in Chinese medicine, to strengthen the immune system or to help counter the side effects of chemotherapy.

Garlic and onions, remedies well-known for healing in many folktales, actually have been shown to reduce levels of serum cholesterol. Oatmeal and ground flaxseed can also reduce cholesterol levels. Extra folic acid may reduce the risk of heart disease. Diets with a good balance of soy products (roughly two servings a day in the form of bean products and soy milk products) can both reduce cholesterol and diminish hot flashes. Some women find that vitamin E seems to reduce hot flashes.

A diet that helps you cope with menopause is great, but remember to eat a variety of foods. A balance of healthy protein sources, a variety of fruits and vegetables, and whole grain products is critical to good health. If you experience digestive problems, consult with a physician or dietitian as to whether you may be intolerant to lactose, gluten, or other products, as food sensitivities are common.

Try Meditation

Meditation has been used for centuries to help relax and clear the mind.

To help you relax and clear your mind, try meditating. Meditation is a technique for focusing mental energy in a way that can have physical and psychological benefits. For example, through meditation, some people have been able to reduce their blood pressure and heart rate. It may also improve immune system function and decrease chronic pain. More commonly, people use meditation to help reduce physical tension and overcome effects of a stressful life, both of which can wreak havoc on a woman with hot flashes who hasnt had enough sleep.

Meditation is not a new idea. Modern meditating techniques have evolved from centuries-old traditions in Eastern cultures. Currently, meditation is considered one of many "complementary therapies," because it involves no pharmaceutical products and is self-directed. Many holistic health practitioners now include different meditation techniques in their repertoire of therapies.
Meditation usually takes one or more 15- to 20-minute periods each day. A relatively quiet atmosphere is necessary for complete concentration. Some people focus on an object, such as a candle flame, whereas others meditate with closed eyes. Some use a special word, or "mantra," that they say repeatedly to block out distracting thoughts.
Meditation is often used in conjunction with other relaxation techniques, such as biofeedback and yoga.

You can learn more about meditation as a nontraditional method of handling your menopausal symptoms by contacting a local holistic health center, a center for Eastern medicine, or a traditional hospital or health-care center that has a complementary or integrative medicine program.

Though menopause happens to every woman, some women might approach it with fear or apprehension. Most of all, you must learn to be comfortable with your changing body and changing roles. In fact, for many women, the years surrounding menopause can be the best years of their lives, as they enjoy their adult children and grandchildren or new interests and hobbies. The more positively you look at menopause, the more

Have Knee Pain When Walking Up or Down Stairs Learn About Chrondromalacia and Knee Pain Treatment

If you have knee pain when you walk up or down stairs, you might be suffering from chrondromalacia. Also known as patellafemoral pain syndrome, chrondromalacia often occurs without a specific traumatic event. The pain of chrondromalacia is sometimes compared to a toothache and it is often present when you stand up after sitting in a chair for a while.

Chrondromalacia of the patella is a common cause of knee pain, especially among women. While it sometimes happens following some type of traumatic event involving a hard hit to the knee, more typically, it happens over time when the kneecap becomes agitated or starts to wear out.

Knee pain treatments for those suffering from chrondromalacia does not typically involve surgery. The preferred approach for addressing patellofemoral pain is physical therapy combined with the use of shoe orthotics that provide stable support for the arches and feet.

Because the knee pain caused by chrondromalacia is often caused by body geometry that places increased pressure on the kneecap which over time leads to knee pain, the treatment focuses on altering the position of the leg to lessen the pressure on the knees.

While foot positioning is corrected by orthotics, strengthening exercises are also recommended for the muscles around the knees, especially those near the kneecap on the inner thigh.

Closed chain exercises, or exercises where a persons foot moves in a predetermined space so that it does not shift around, is helpful. Examples of closed chain exercises include activities like bike riding, mini squats and leg presses. A trained physical therapist can provide an exercise regimen that includes a variety of closed chain exercises to help strengthen the hips, legs, and knees in order to treat the condition.

Surgery is sometimes recommended by an orthopaedic surgeon to treat chrondromalacia in order to clean the undersurface of the patella or kneecap. This type of orthopaedic surgery can be conveniently done as an outpatient procedure using an arthroscope. Knee replacement surgery may be recommended in more extreme situations when damage to the undersurface of the patella has progressed to the point where the cartilage is worn out and exposed bone is evident.

Typically if you are suffering from knee pain including chrondromalacia or an ACL injury, you can find a successful knee pain treatment by consulting your orthopaedic physician. In many cases, before considering knee surgery, there are a number of non-surgical treatment options for you to consider. Often a combination of exercises, physical therapy, and orthotics will provide effective knee pain treatment.

Article by : Stacie L. Grossfeld, MD

Article Source : Have Knee Pain When Walking Up or Down Stairs? Learn About Chrondromalacia and Knee Pain Treatment