Aspirin and Vitamin C

Aspirin and Vitamin C
by Dr. Leo Galland

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) has been around for over a hundred years and can be a useful drug for treating pain. Millions of people take low dose aspirin every day in an effort to prevent heart attacks or strokes. But aspirin can erode the lining of the stomach or intestines, causing internal bleeding, even at low doses.

Research on Aspirin and Vitamin C

Research studies done in Germany demonstrate that aspirin interferes with absorption of vitamin C and regular use of aspirin can deplete the gastrointestinal lining of vitamin C.

German researchers have shown that taking vitamin C along with aspirin can decrease the amount of stomach damage that aspirin produces in healthy humans and in patients with inflammation of the stomach caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that causes ulcers.

No dietary supplement is guaranteed to prevent aspirin-induced gastrointestinal damage.

If you are taking aspirin, ask your doctor whether vitamin C might be good to take along with it.

REFERENCES AND ABSTRACTS

Eur J Pharmacol. 2004 Dec 15;506(2):169-77.Effect of vitamin C-releasing acetylsalicylic acid on gastric mucosal damage before and after Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. Konturek PC, Kania J, Gessner U, Konturek SJ, Hahn EG, Konturek JW. First Department of Medicine, University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.

Natural Anti- Inflammatory Foods and Supplements That Help Arthritis

Natural Anti- Inflammatory Foods and Supplements That Help Arthritis
by Dr. Leo Galland

Here’s a look at some alternative natural remedies for inflammatory arthritis. There are natural anti-inflammatory foods that can help with arthritis, as well as supplements.

Arthritis—inflammation of the joints—is the most common cause of disability in the U.S., affecting 43 million people and limiting physical activity in almost 19 million every year. (1).

Arthritis medications are among the most highly prescribed drugs in the world. The most commonly used over the counter drugs for arthritis, called NSAIDs, examples of which include Advil, Motrin, Aleve and aspirin, also have serious side effects. For more on this, see my article Why Medication Can Be Dangerous to Your Health "According to the CDC, NSAID’s account for an estimated 7,600 deaths and 76,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. every year. (2)

Foods that help arthritis and supplements are under-utilized weapons in the battle against this painful inflammatory condition.

First, there are anti-inflammatory supplements like fish oil and borage oil that have been shown to allow reduction of NSAID use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, one of the most crippling types of arthritis. Fish oil works even better in combination with extra-virgin olive oil to reduce inflammation, as I explain below.

Second, there are supplements like colostrum and glutamine (an amino acid) that have been shown in research studies to help decrease the risk of stomach damage in people taking NSAIDs. Detailed research on how these supplements may help protect against NSAID side effects can be found at Pill Advised, a free web application that I’ve created to bring important research findings to a wider audience.

Nutrition is another vital tool in fighting inflammatory arthritis. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths about what to eat, and what to not eat, to help arthritis. I’ll try to dispel some of these and present the science.

On November 5, 2010 I presented a review of the scientific data on the relationship between diet and inflammation at Morristown Memorial Hospital’s Fourth Annual Symposium on Nutrition and Supplements in Clinical Practice.

Because I’ve found these natural anti-inflammatory principles extremely beneficial for my patients with arthritis, I’m providing a summary here.

Natural Anti-Inflammatory Foods That Help Arthritis

1. Eat at least 8 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

Choose those with bright or deep colors like cherries and berries and sweet potatoes that contain natural anti-inflammatory nutrition. Don’t believe the old saw that citrus fruits and “nightshade” vegetables like tomatoes and peppers cause arthritis. Oranges and tomatoes have been shown to have significant anti-inflammatory effects in some people. NOTE: Food allergies can trigger arthritis for some people, and if there is a food that makes your joints hurt or swell, you should avoid it, no matter how healthy it would be for someone who’s not sensitive to it. Most of the patients I’ve seen do better eating lots of vegetables and fruits. Tomatoes, incidentally, seem to have more of anti-inflammatory effect when they’re cooked or juiced, but most other vegetables and fruits are better if they’re fresh.

2. Choose your oils wisely.

Extra-virgin olive oil has natural anti-inflammatory benefits, whether raw or cooked. Recent research has identified the antioxidant called oleocanthal, which is only found in extra-virgin olive oil. Oleocanthal is a natural anti-inflammatory with potency strikingly similar to that of the drug ibuprofen in inhibiting an enzyme that causes pain and inflammation. Studies have shown that people with inflammatory arthritis experience a decrease in pain and stiffness of their joints when treated with fish oil. Even better pain management results have been observed when, in addition to fish oil, extra-virgin olive oil is part of the natural anti-inflammatory diet.

Flaxseed oil and flaxseed meal (ground flaxseed), also have significant anti-inflammatory effects, but should not be cooked, because cooking destroys some of the beneficial omega-3 fats. Other vegetable oils, like corn, safflower or sunflower oils, can increase inflammation and counteract the benefits of anti-inflammatory nutrients in your diet.

3. Eat fish 3 times a week.

Especially wild salmon, if it’s available and affordable, but don’t fry your fish; frying interferes with the benefits. Supplement your diet with the natural anti-inflammatory, fish oil. The amount of fish oil you need is not fixed; it varies from about a teaspoon (4000 milligrams) to a tablespoon (12,000 milligrams) each day, depending upon what else is in your diet. The more meat, poultry, egg yolk or dairy fat you eat, the greater your need for fish oil, because these foods contain arachidonic acid, a pro-inflammatory omega 6 fatty acid. The more you use vegetable oils other than extra virgin olive oil, the more fish oil you need.

4. Avoid sugar and foods with added sugar and refined carbohydrates

Reduce inflammation by cutting out white flour products, white rice and white potatoes. Several studies have shown that consuming foods of this type aggravates inflammation. Instead eat high fiber foods like whole grains and legumes. Studies have shown that high fiber diets are anti-inflammatory. Don’t worry about carrots. All the publicity given to the Glycemic Index of foods (the tendency for a food to raise blood sugar) has given carrots a bad rep. The carotenoids in carrots, anti-oxidants that create the orange color, and the fiber, make carrots an anti-inflammatory food. Carrots, like tomatoes, are also more nutritious cooked than raw.

5. Drink tea, black or green.

The notion that green tea is healthier than black tea has not been borne out by clinical trials in humans. Green tea may have anti-cancer effects, but black tea has a better track record in fighting inflammation. You need at least 3 cups a day, unless you’re a smoker, in which case no amount of tea will work for you.

6. Use anti-inflammatory spices in preparing your food.

Ginger and turmeric have excellent anti-inflammatory effects, although human clinical trials with these spices are much more limited than for the other principles listed.

References:

The information here is based upon principles in my upcoming article being published in print in the scientific journal, Nutrition in Clinical Practice, (http://ncp.sagepub.com/ ) December issue, where a list of scientific references supporting the principles listed above can be found.

1) US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/arthritis.htm)

2) Robyn Tamblyn, PhD; Laeora Berkson, MD, MHPE, FRCPC; W. Dale Jauphinee, MD, FRCPC; David Gayton, MD, PhD, FRCPC; Roland Grad, MD, MSc; Allen Huang, MD, FRCPC; Lisa Isaac, PhD; Peter McLeod, MD, FRCPC; and Linda Snell, MD, MHPE, FRCPC, "Unnecessary Prescribing of NSAIDs and the Management of NSAID-Related Gastropathy in Medical Practice," Annals of Internal Medicine (Washington, DC: American College of Physicians, 1997), September 15, 1997, 127:429-438.

Why antioxidants are good for us

We all know that oxygen is essential for our bodies to function. But scientific studies have shown that oxygen can produce toxic substances as well. Some examples of these toxins are peroxide, superoxide, hydroxyl radicals, and something called “excited stage oxygen.”

When these substances combine with other molecules in the body, “free-radicals” are formed. These are high-energy chemical substances that can damage our healthy cells and cause diseases like inflammation and infections, degenerative arthritis, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. This free-radical damage is also known as oxidization.

Antioxidants work by preventing excessive oxidization and repairing the damage to the cells. Normally, our bodies can supply its own antioxidants. But when there is rapid production of free-radicals (from exercise, smoking, exposure to radiation or other metabolic processes like the breaking down of food), our bodies will need an additional supply of antioxidants from external sources.

Here’s an experiment you can do right in your kitchen. Cut an apple until it begins to turn brown. This discoloration is due to oxygen reacting with the apple, creating free-radicals. This is oxidization at work. Then, dip the apple in some lemon juice or orange juice, which contains vitamin C (an antioxidant), and watch the discoloration slow down. The vitamin C in the juice decreases the rate of free-radical activity taking place in the apple.

A recent study conducted by researchers from London found that 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily can reduce the risk of stroke by 25 percent. Antioxidants may also enhance immune defense and therefore lower the risk of cancer and infection.

Boost your body’s antioxidant level by consuming these foods:

Examples of Antioxidants	Food Sources
Carotenoids	broccoli, spinach, squash, melon, sweet potato, carrots
Vitamin C	citrus fruits, green peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, tomatoes
Vitamin E	nuts and seeds, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oil and liver oil
Vitamin A	carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, peaches, sweet potato, melon, squash, cabbage, pechay, watermelon
Selenium	fish and shellfish, red meat, grains, eggs, chicken, garlic
Lycopene	tomatoes, watermelon, guava
Lutein	corn, mango, broccoli, kiwi, spinach, melon, cabbage, egg yolks, peas
Lignan	oatmeal, sesame seeds, cashew, broccoli
Flavonoids/Polyphenols	coffee, tea, soy, red wine, purple grapes, onions, apples

Coffee, in particular, is an important and common source of antioxidants in many people’s diet throughout the world. Unlike food types that we can sometimes tire of, coffee remains a constant in our daily routine, ensuring that we receive antioxidants on a daily basis. So go ahead and enjoy a cup of antioxidants with NESCAFÉ and make it part of your daily habit!

Sources:
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/antioxidants.htmlhttp://www.healthcastle.com/antioxidant.shtml
www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/home_9660_ENU_HTML.htm
www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/home_4634_ENU_HTML.htm
www.nestle.com.ph/nescafe/positivecoffeenews/topics_wellness_howantioxidants.htm

Thyroid disorders - Yahoo! Philippines News

MANILA, Philippines - A slowing down of the physical or mental functions is usually accepted as the normal course of old age, rather than being diagnosed as an illness or condition that may be treated with proper nutrition, hormones, exercise, or a change of lifestyle. Perhaps one of the under-diagnosed health problems in old age is hypothyroidism, an insufficient production or absorption of the thyroid hormone that won't allow our metabolism to function at its peak efficiency.

What is the thyroid?

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, over the trachea, or windpipe, just below the larynx. The thyroid has tremendous responsibilities, as it is the gland that affects virtually all metabolic processes and is vital for the normal function of every cell in the body. It does this by releasing certain hormones known as thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which in turn regulate the body's metabolism, temperature, and heart rate. Should it produce too little or too much, all kinds of bad things begin to happen.

How do you make thyroid hormone?

In order to be sure you're getting all the thyroid hormone your body needs, it's helpful to understand how your body makes it. The whole process begins with the hypothalamus, the body's "thermostat," which regulates many hormonal activities. When the hypothalamus determines that the blood levels of thyroid hormone (TH) have fallen too low, it sets a chain of activity in motion by discharging thyroid releasing hormone (TRH). TRH signals the pituitary to release a second hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Finally, TSH tells the thyroid gland to get to work, and the thyroid gland produces thyroid hormone. When the thyroid hormone have risen high enough for the body to function properly, the pituitary responds by ceasing to release TSH and the process stops, until the hypothalamus determines that it's time to start again.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is not diagnosed often enough. There are many people who are tired, restless, chronically constipated, overweight, and with falling hair, women whose menstrual flow is too heavy, with dry skin. Identifying hypothyroidism requires a high index of suspicion by you and your physician, followed by blood tests that measure how much thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is being produced by the brain and how much thyroid hormone is actually circulating in your body.

There are two ways that the body can come to suffer from insufficient thyroid hormone. One is the thyroid itself has difficulty producing it. Lack of iodine, a tumor, or some other thyroid problem may result in a gland that doesn't properly carry out the orders given by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. This is known as primary hypothyroidism. The other way that the thyroid hormone levels can fall is when the hypothalamus and/or the pituitary aren't functioning properly. This is known as secondary hypothyroidism.

The thyroid itself needs iodine to function. Lack of iodine will cause the thyroid to swell, a condition known as goiter, a visibly enlarged thyroid gland on the front and side of the neck. You need a very tiny amount of iodine, however - a daily dose of 100 micrograms (mcgs) for women and 120 mcgs for men. Most people get that in iodized salt or seafoods.

Hypothyroidism, sometimes called myxedema, is caused by underactivity of the thyroid gland. It can be due to one of several causes, or it can occur for no apparent reason. One occasional cause is treatment for hyperthyroidism, which carries a significant risk that the overactive gland may later become underactive.

Less often is a condition called "Hashimoto-thyroiditis" - a defect in the immune system that leads not only to hypothyroidism but also to enlargement of the thyroid and the formation of goiter. The other reason people develop hypothyroidism is as a result of surgery with radioactive iodine for the treatment of Graves disease, which is also an autoimmune disorder.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of hypothyroidism develop slowly, taking months or even years. Underactivity of the thyroid gland slows down the chemical reactions in the body, causing the following:

* Weight gain - most patient gain from five to ten kilograms, although your appetite is normal or less than normal.

* Sensitivity to cold - you'll feel the cold very badly. You may suffer from muscle stiffness and spasm.

* Mental problems - feel tired or sleepy, and slow down intellectually. Your reactions get slower. Some older people experience depression and paranoia.

* Slurred speech - voice becomes slow and husky.

* Heart problems - pulse rate is slow, some people develop high blood pressure, and chest pain could be the first symptom of hypothyroidism.

* Constipation - as a result of the general slowing down of the body's processes.

* Heavy periods - menstrual periods become heavier (hemorrhagic).

* Skin and hair problems - skin is likely to be rough and dry and to flake readily. It tends to be pale and your eyelids, hands and feet swell. Hair becomes dry and brittle and the outer part of the eyebrows may be missing.

* Loses of interest in sex.

* Nervous system disorders - you may become a little deaf and have trouble with your balance.

* Emotional instability - mood swings, easily upset, irritable, easily angered, nervous and anxious.

What should be done?

Many people feel tired and generally down at some time or other. However, most of them do not have hypothyroidism.

Depression mimics many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Your physician will probably ask for some blood analysis to determine the level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), T3 and T4. If your physician suspects that you have an underactive thyroid gland, tests reveal low levels of the hormone T3 and T4 and high levels of TSH in your blood.

What is the treatment?

Whatever the cause, the treatment of hypothyroidism is straightforward. You will take medication containing artificially made thyroid hormones every day for the rest of your life. After a few days of treatment, you will feel much better, and after a few months you should return to normal health. Treatment is with thyroxine, which is available as 50 and 100 microgram tablets. Normally, thyroxine treatment begins slowly and you'll be prescribed a daily dose of 50 micrograms for three to four weeks, increasing to 100 micrograms daily. You'll then have another blood test some three months after starting treatment to assess whether any further minor adjustment of dose is necessary.

Hyperthyroidism

An overactive thyroid, hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis, results from the overproduction of the thyroid hormones, T4 and T3, by the thyroid gland. In 75% of patients, this is the result of the presence of an antibody in the blood that stimulates the thyroid not only to secrete excessive amounts of thyroid hormones, but also to increase the size of the thyroid gland. This type of hyperthyroidism is called Graves disease. The cause of the antibody production is not known but it runs in the families; hence genes must play a role. There are some environmental factors that trigger the start of the disease in genetically susceptible individuals.

What are the symptoms?

An overactive thyroid gland causes the chemical reactions in the body to speed up, producing mental as well as physical symptoms.

* Weight loss - result because of the "burning off" of calories caused by the high levels of thyroid hormones in the blood.

* Heat intolerance and sweating - as the metabolism increases the body produces excessive heat, which it then gets rid of by sweating.

* Palpitations - aware of your heart beating faster than normal. In severe cases, particularly in more elderly people, there may be an irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, and even heart failure.

* Irritability - you may find yourself increasingly unable to cope with stresses, sometimes bursting into tears with no apparent reason at all.

* Breathlessness - you get easily exhausted after climbing two or three flights of stairs.

* Tremors - handwriting may deteriorate, difficulty inserting a key into the lock.

* Changes in bowel movement - increase in frequency, softer than normal stool two to three times daily. Diarrhea can occasionally be a problem.

* Muscle weakness - thigh muscle becomes weak.

* Irregular periods - menstrual period becomes irregular, light or even absent. Women may find it difficult to conceive until the hyperthyroidism has been properly and adequately treated.

* Eye problems - excessive watering made worse by wind and bright light, pain and grittiness as if there is sand in the eyes, double vision and blurring of vision. Many sufferers develop exophthalmos (protruding eyes).

* Skin, hair, and nail problems - itchiness of the whole body, hair will probably become thinner and finer, nails will be brittle and become unsightly.

What should be done?

Similarly to the diagnosis of hypothyroidism, blood test is done and high levels of T3 and T4 and low levels of TSH can confirm overactive thyroid gland. Your physician may also request for thyroid scan to determine and obtain more information about the cause of the hyperthyroidism as this may affect the type of treatment that you will need.

What is the treatment?

Hyperthyroidism can be treated in one of three ways. The first possible treatment is to prescribe medication that contains antithyroid drugs. In most people the disorder is brought under control in about 8 weeks by this method, although you will have to continue to take medication for a prolonged period, sometimes for at least a year.

The second treatment is surgery. Surgery cures the disorder in about 90% of these cases. In a few cases, however, either the disease recurs or the thyroid becomes underactive as a result of surgery leading to hypothyroidism.

The third form of treatment consists of taking a dose of radioactive iodine in a form of a clear, slightly salty drink. Iodine is essential component of the thyroid hormone. There it acts on the glandular tissue to control the cellular overactivity slowly without exposing the rest of the body. If too much radiation is administered, the thyroid gland may become underactive, and you may have to take medication to compensate.

Each form of treatment has its advantages and disadvantages, and your physician will help you determine which is most appropriate for you.

Heart disease

Heart disease, any of several abnormalities of the heart and its function in maintaining blood circulation. Among the most common causes of heart disease are degenerative changes in the coronary blood vessels, infectious diseases, and congenital heart disease. Congenital defects result from abnormal development of the fetal heart, commonly in the valves or septa. Such defects can be precipitated by environmental conditions in the uterus, such as the presence of the rubella virus, or they can be inherited. Infectious diseases acquired after birth, such as rheumatic fever, syphilis, and endocarditis, can also damage the valves of the heart. In addition, the heart muscle itself can be affected: hypertensive heart disease (see hypertension) can cause it to enlarge, and it can become inflamed by rheumatic fever. Arteriosclerotic depositions in the coronary arteries result in the narrowing of these vessels, causing insufficient blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle, a condition known as coronary artery disease. The characteristic radiating chest pain, angina pectoris, is the most prominent symptom of this condition. Coronary arteries already narrowed by arteriosclerosis are made susceptible to blockage by a clot (coronary thrombosis), causing the death of the heart muscle supplied by the affected artery, a life-threatening event called a myocardial infarction, or heart attack. Hypertensive, coronary, congenital, and other forms of cardiovascular disease, either singly or in combination, can lead to a state in which the heart is unable to expel sufficient blood for the metabolic demands of the body, ultimately resulting in congestive heart failure. Disturbances in the normal heartbeat, called arrhythmias, can occur by themselves or in conjunction with other heart problems, for example infarction affecting the area of the heart that controls the heartbeat.