A new study just published in the journal Postgraduate Medicine has good news about a way to help fight a potential flu pandemic, naturally. Researchers found that a specific strain of probiotics, which are beneficial microorganisms similar to the "friendly" bacteria found naturally in the body's digestive system, increases the body's immune response to the flu virus -- specifically, to influenza A. And the currently much hyped and much feared so-called swine flu, also known as H1N1, is a variant of influenza A.
Although many mainstream medical doctors as well as natural health practitioners have long recognized that probiotics can often help people with digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea, gas, and bloating, the idea that taking probiotics could help healthy people stay that way has been controversial. But the new study could change that notion. It shows that taking probiotics regularly can boost the immune system in a specific way which helps the body give influenza A the boot. The probiotics strain, which has the scientific tongue-twister name of Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, PTA-6086, was found to cause significant increases in T-cell production of TNF-alpha, a key immune system activity marker, when health adults were exposed to influenza.
Researcher Mira Baron, MD, measured changes in blood TNF-alpha levels in 10 healthy adult volunteers before and after they took doses of the probiotic strain Bacillus coagulans (which is marketed under the trade name GanedenBC30 and found in various dietary supplements) daily and then were exposed to an influenza A virus. Results showed a huge 1709 percent increase in TNF-alpha levels upon viral challenge after the research participants had taken the probiotic for about a month. Dr. Baron noted in her study that the initial, dramatic increase in the body's production of TNF-alpha in response to viral exposure shows a heightened immunological response aimed at protecting against infection.
The study did not evaluate an immune response to the specific swine flu virus, H1N1, currently causing much worry. However, there's certainly reason to think that Bacillus coagulans could boost the body's natural defenses to fight a variety of flu viruses, including swine flu. "These results demonstrate the ability of GanedenBC30 to boost the immune system of healthy adults against viruses that cause some of the most common human illnesses," Dr. Baron said in a statement to the press. "The study helps support the long-suspected belief about the beneficial effects of GanedenBC30 on the immune system and adds to the emerging body of evidence that probiotics can benefit healthy people as well as those with specific health issues."
Dr. Gary Huffnagle, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Michigan, and author of the book The Probiotics Revolution reviewed Dr. Baron's findings and concluded the research adds to the growing body of scientific data that show probiotics boost the immune function of healthy adults to defend against infection and lessen the symptoms of disease. "I think it is a wise move to include the consumption of probiotics, such as Sustenex (a supplement that contains Bacillus coagulans), along with good diet, frequent hand washing and other recommendations by the CDC in the battle against flu. While more research is needed to demonstrate whether this translates into reduced hospitalization and/or deaths, it's a healthy, low-cost, proactive thing that people can do that has no risks associated with it."
This article is a reprint of http://www.naturalnews.com/026265_probiotic_health_probiotics.html The time or date displayed reflects when an article was added to Google News May 14
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is the inability or insufficient ability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which is produced by the cells lining the small intestine. Lactase breaks down lactose into two simpler forms of sugar called glucose and galactose, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream.
Not all people with lactase deficiency have digestive symptoms, but those who do may have lactose intolerance. Most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate some amount of lactose in their diet.
People sometimes confuse lactose intolerance with cow milk allergy. Milk allergy is a reaction by the body’s immune system to one or more milk proteins and can be life threatening when just a small amount of milk or milk product is consumed. Milk allergy most commonly appears in the first year of life, while lactose intolerance occurs more often in adulthood.
What causes lactose intolerance?
The cause of lactose intolerance is best explained by describing how a person develops lactase deficiency.
Primary lactase deficiency develops over time and begins after about age 2 when the body begins to produce less lactase. Most children who have lactase deficiency do not experience symptoms of lactose intolerance until late adolescence or adulthood.
Researchers have identified a possible genetic link to primary lactase deficiency. Some people inherit a gene from their parents that makes it likely they will develop primary lactase deficiency. This discovery may be useful in developing future genetic tests to identify people at risk for lactose intolerance.
Secondary lactase deficiency results from injury to the small intestine that occurs with severe diarrheal illness, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or chemotherapy. This type of lactase deficiency can occur at any age but is more common in infancy.
Who is at risk for lactose intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is a common condition that is more likely to occur in adulthood, with a higher incidence in older adults. Some ethnic and racial populations are more affected than others, including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, and Asian Americans. The condition is least common among Americans of northern European descent.
Infants born prematurely are more likely to have lactase deficiency because an infant’s lactase levels do not increase until the third trimester of pregnancy.
What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?
People with lactose intolerance may feel uncomfortable 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming milk and milk products. Symptoms range from mild to severe, based on the amount of lactose consumed and the amount a person can tolerate.
Common symptoms include
•abdominal pain
•abdominal bloating
•gas
•diarrhea
•nausea
Not all people with lactase deficiency have digestive symptoms, but those who do may have lactose intolerance. Most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate some amount of lactose in their diet.
People sometimes confuse lactose intolerance with cow milk allergy. Milk allergy is a reaction by the body’s immune system to one or more milk proteins and can be life threatening when just a small amount of milk or milk product is consumed. Milk allergy most commonly appears in the first year of life, while lactose intolerance occurs more often in adulthood.
What causes lactose intolerance?
The cause of lactose intolerance is best explained by describing how a person develops lactase deficiency.
Primary lactase deficiency develops over time and begins after about age 2 when the body begins to produce less lactase. Most children who have lactase deficiency do not experience symptoms of lactose intolerance until late adolescence or adulthood.
Researchers have identified a possible genetic link to primary lactase deficiency. Some people inherit a gene from their parents that makes it likely they will develop primary lactase deficiency. This discovery may be useful in developing future genetic tests to identify people at risk for lactose intolerance.
Secondary lactase deficiency results from injury to the small intestine that occurs with severe diarrheal illness, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or chemotherapy. This type of lactase deficiency can occur at any age but is more common in infancy.
Who is at risk for lactose intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is a common condition that is more likely to occur in adulthood, with a higher incidence in older adults. Some ethnic and racial populations are more affected than others, including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, and Asian Americans. The condition is least common among Americans of northern European descent.
Infants born prematurely are more likely to have lactase deficiency because an infant’s lactase levels do not increase until the third trimester of pregnancy.
What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?
People with lactose intolerance may feel uncomfortable 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming milk and milk products. Symptoms range from mild to severe, based on the amount of lactose consumed and the amount a person can tolerate.
Common symptoms include
•abdominal pain
•abdominal bloating
•gas
•diarrhea
•nausea
Friday, October 23, 2009
Thermogenic fat burners
Thermogenic fat burners
Dietary supplements that work to help your body get rid of excess body fat fall into the category known as fat burners. The idea behind these types of fat burning supplements is they help move fat deposits out of storage and then allow the body to burn it as energy throughout the day. One of the best supplements for this type of weight loss are called thermogenic fat burners and when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise plan your weight loss goals can be more readily met.
So just what are thermogenic fat burners or thermogenic diet pills?
It's a dietary supplement that works to increase your body's metabolism, which is your own internal fat burning engine. As your metabolism increases so does your body temperature and it takes fuel for this to happen. Excess body fat is the fuel that your body needs to keep its metabolism going. This does a couple of things that are conducive to weight loss.
The first is the obvious increased metabolic rate that helps burn up excess fat deposits. The second is an increase in energy which leads to more physical activities or more intense exercise sessions which further burn more fat.
There are different types of thermogenic fat burners on the market. All of them work to boost your metabolism through different combinations of ingredients. Many use caffeine in relatively high doses to accomplish this effect but much like drinking to much coffee there can be some less then desirable side effects. These can include jittery nerves, anxiety, and an inability to sleep. There are also a wide variety of fat burners that do not use caffeine and instead use herbal ingredients to accomplish a metabolic increase. These normally do not cause the side affects caused by caffeinated fat burners.
Dietary supplements that work to help your body get rid of excess body fat fall into the category known as fat burners. The idea behind these types of fat burning supplements is they help move fat deposits out of storage and then allow the body to burn it as energy throughout the day. One of the best supplements for this type of weight loss are called thermogenic fat burners and when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise plan your weight loss goals can be more readily met.
So just what are thermogenic fat burners or thermogenic diet pills?
It's a dietary supplement that works to increase your body's metabolism, which is your own internal fat burning engine. As your metabolism increases so does your body temperature and it takes fuel for this to happen. Excess body fat is the fuel that your body needs to keep its metabolism going. This does a couple of things that are conducive to weight loss.
The first is the obvious increased metabolic rate that helps burn up excess fat deposits. The second is an increase in energy which leads to more physical activities or more intense exercise sessions which further burn more fat.
There are different types of thermogenic fat burners on the market. All of them work to boost your metabolism through different combinations of ingredients. Many use caffeine in relatively high doses to accomplish this effect but much like drinking to much coffee there can be some less then desirable side effects. These can include jittery nerves, anxiety, and an inability to sleep. There are also a wide variety of fat burners that do not use caffeine and instead use herbal ingredients to accomplish a metabolic increase. These normally do not cause the side affects caused by caffeinated fat burners.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
What is celiac disease?
Having celiac disease means a person can’t eat gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, or barley. Gluten may also be found in some medicines. Celiac disease is hereditary, meaning it runs in families. The treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet. Other names for celiac disease are celiac sprue and gluten intolerance.
In people with celiac disease, the body’s immune system responds to gluten by damaging the lining of the small intestine. This lining has small finger-like growths called villi. The villi normally absorb nutrients from the foods we eat. When the villi are damaged, the body can’t get the nutrients it needs.
People with celiac disease don’t always know they have it because they don’t feel sick. Or if they feel sick, they don’t know celiac disease is the cause.
What are the symptoms of celiac disease?
Symptoms of celiac disease include
gas
diarrhea
stomach pain
feeling very tired
change in mood
weight loss
a very itchy skin rash with blisters
slowed growth
Most people with celiac disease have one or more symptoms, but not all have digestive problems. And some people with the disease don’t have any symptoms. Having one or more of these symptoms does not mean a person has celiac disease because many other disorders include these symptoms.
In people with celiac disease, the body’s immune system responds to gluten by damaging the lining of the small intestine. This lining has small finger-like growths called villi. The villi normally absorb nutrients from the foods we eat. When the villi are damaged, the body can’t get the nutrients it needs.
People with celiac disease don’t always know they have it because they don’t feel sick. Or if they feel sick, they don’t know celiac disease is the cause.
What are the symptoms of celiac disease?
Symptoms of celiac disease include
gas
diarrhea
stomach pain
feeling very tired
change in mood
weight loss
a very itchy skin rash with blisters
slowed growth
Most people with celiac disease have one or more symptoms, but not all have digestive problems. And some people with the disease don’t have any symptoms. Having one or more of these symptoms does not mean a person has celiac disease because many other disorders include these symptoms.
Friday, October 9, 2009
What I need to know about Hepatitis C
What is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a liver disease. Hepatitis * means inflammation of the liver. Inflammation is the painful, red swelling that results when tissues of the body become injured or infected. Inflammation can cause organs to not work properly.
What causes hepatitis C?
The hepatitis C virus causes hepatitis C. Viruses are germs that can cause sickness. For example, the flu is caused by a virus. People can pass viruses to each other.
Who gets hepatitis C?
Anyone can get hepatitis C, but some people are at higher risk, including
people who were born to a mother with hepatitis C
people who have had more than one sex partner in the last 6 months or have a history of sexually transmitted disease
people who had a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992
people with hemophilia who received blood products before 1987
people who have used illegal injection drugs
How could I get hepatitis C?
You could get hepatitis C through contact with an infected person’s blood.
You could get hepatitis C from
being born to a mother with hepatitis C
having sex with an infected person
being tattooed or pierced with unsterilized tools that were used on an infected person
getting an accidental needle stick with a needle that was used on an infected person
using an infected person’s razor or toothbrush
sharing drug needles with an infected person
How could I get hepatitis C?
You could get hepatitis C through contact with an infected person’s blood.
You could get hepatitis C from
being born to a mother with hepatitis C
having sex with an infected person
being tattooed or pierced with unsterilized tools that were used on an infected person
getting an accidental needle stick with a needle that was used on an infected person
using an infected person’s razor or toothbrush
sharing drug needles with an infected person
You cannot get hepatitis C from
shaking hands with an infected person
hugging an infected person
sitting next to an infected person
Hepatitis C is a liver disease. Hepatitis * means inflammation of the liver. Inflammation is the painful, red swelling that results when tissues of the body become injured or infected. Inflammation can cause organs to not work properly.
What causes hepatitis C?
The hepatitis C virus causes hepatitis C. Viruses are germs that can cause sickness. For example, the flu is caused by a virus. People can pass viruses to each other.
Who gets hepatitis C?
Anyone can get hepatitis C, but some people are at higher risk, including
people who were born to a mother with hepatitis C
people who have had more than one sex partner in the last 6 months or have a history of sexually transmitted disease
people who had a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992
people with hemophilia who received blood products before 1987
people who have used illegal injection drugs
How could I get hepatitis C?
You could get hepatitis C through contact with an infected person’s blood.
You could get hepatitis C from
being born to a mother with hepatitis C
having sex with an infected person
being tattooed or pierced with unsterilized tools that were used on an infected person
getting an accidental needle stick with a needle that was used on an infected person
using an infected person’s razor or toothbrush
sharing drug needles with an infected person
How could I get hepatitis C?
You could get hepatitis C through contact with an infected person’s blood.
You could get hepatitis C from
being born to a mother with hepatitis C
having sex with an infected person
being tattooed or pierced with unsterilized tools that were used on an infected person
getting an accidental needle stick with a needle that was used on an infected person
using an infected person’s razor or toothbrush
sharing drug needles with an infected person
You cannot get hepatitis C from
shaking hands with an infected person
hugging an infected person
sitting next to an infected person
Monday, October 5, 2009
Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
What is GERD?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a more serious form of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), which is common. GER occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens spontaneously, for varying periods of time, or does not close properly and stomach contents rise up into the esophagus. GER is also called acid reflux or acid regurgitation, because digestive juices—called acids—rise up with the food. The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. The LES is a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that acts like a valve between the esophagus and stomach.
When acid reflux occurs, food or fluid can be tasted in the back of the mouth. When refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus it may cause a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn or acid indigestion. Occasional GER is common and does not necessarily mean one has GERD. Persistent reflux that occurs more than twice a week is considered GERD, and it can eventually lead to more serious health problems. People of all ages can have GERD.
What are the symptoms of GERD?
The main symptom of GERD in adults is frequent heartburn, also called acid indigestion—burning-type pain in the lower part of the mid-chest, behind the breast bone, and in the mid-abdomen. Most children under 12 years with GERD, and some adults, have GERD without heartburn. Instead, they may experience a dry cough, asthma symptoms, or trouble swallowing.
What causes GERD?
The reason some people develop GERD is still unclear. However, research shows that in people with GERD, the LES relaxes while the rest of the esophagus is working. Anatomical abnormalities such as a hiatal hernia may also contribute to GERD. A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach and the LES move above the diaphragm, the muscle wall that separates the stomach from the chest. Normally, the diaphragm helps the LES keep acid from rising up into the esophagus. When a hiatal hernia is present, acid reflux can occur more easily. A hiatal hernia can occur in people of any age and is most often a normal finding in otherwise healthy people over age 50. Most of the time, a hiatal hernia produces no symptoms.
Other factors that may contribute to GERD include
•obesity
•pregnancy
•smoking
Common foods that can worsen reflux symptoms include
•citrus fruits
•chocolate
•drinks with caffeine or alcohol
•fatty and fried foods
•garlic and onions
•mint flavorings
•spicy foods
•tomato-based foods, like spaghetti sauce, salsa, chili, and pizza
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a more serious form of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), which is common. GER occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens spontaneously, for varying periods of time, or does not close properly and stomach contents rise up into the esophagus. GER is also called acid reflux or acid regurgitation, because digestive juices—called acids—rise up with the food. The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. The LES is a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that acts like a valve between the esophagus and stomach.
When acid reflux occurs, food or fluid can be tasted in the back of the mouth. When refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus it may cause a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn or acid indigestion. Occasional GER is common and does not necessarily mean one has GERD. Persistent reflux that occurs more than twice a week is considered GERD, and it can eventually lead to more serious health problems. People of all ages can have GERD.
What are the symptoms of GERD?
The main symptom of GERD in adults is frequent heartburn, also called acid indigestion—burning-type pain in the lower part of the mid-chest, behind the breast bone, and in the mid-abdomen. Most children under 12 years with GERD, and some adults, have GERD without heartburn. Instead, they may experience a dry cough, asthma symptoms, or trouble swallowing.
What causes GERD?
The reason some people develop GERD is still unclear. However, research shows that in people with GERD, the LES relaxes while the rest of the esophagus is working. Anatomical abnormalities such as a hiatal hernia may also contribute to GERD. A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach and the LES move above the diaphragm, the muscle wall that separates the stomach from the chest. Normally, the diaphragm helps the LES keep acid from rising up into the esophagus. When a hiatal hernia is present, acid reflux can occur more easily. A hiatal hernia can occur in people of any age and is most often a normal finding in otherwise healthy people over age 50. Most of the time, a hiatal hernia produces no symptoms.
Other factors that may contribute to GERD include
•obesity
•pregnancy
•smoking
Common foods that can worsen reflux symptoms include
•citrus fruits
•chocolate
•drinks with caffeine or alcohol
•fatty and fried foods
•garlic and onions
•mint flavorings
•spicy foods
•tomato-based foods, like spaghetti sauce, salsa, chili, and pizza
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