Hidden Health Science

Archive for the ‘Medical Alternatives’ Category

by Dr. Mercola

Marijuana was a popular botanical medicine in the 19th and 20th centuries, common in U.S. pharmacies of the time.

Yet, in 1970, the herb was declared a Schedule 1 controlled substance and labeled as a drug with a “high potential for abuse” and “no accepted medical use.”

Three years later the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) was formed to enforce the newly created drug schedules, and the fight against marijuana use began.

The Huffington Post has a concise history of marijuana prohibition, and the struggle for legalization, that is well worth reading — but the most successful movement to date, and the one that is set to produce the first legal marijuana market in decades, is the medical marijuana movement.

Unfortunately, the feds have recently announced a blatant reversal on their previous pro-medical marijuana stance — a move that is threatening to stop the industry cold.

Why are the Feds So Concerned About Medical Marijuana?

Fifteen states plus the District of Columbia have laws allowing medical marijuana.

In other words, in those states it is considered legal to consume, possess or distribute marijuana for medical use.

Up until 2009, the U.S. Justice Department essentially told federal prosecutors to lay off Americans producing and using medical marijuana in accordance with state laws.

But despite marijuana’s legal status at the state level, historically it was common for the DEA to raid medical marijuana suppliers and even arrest patients.

This is because federal law overrides state law, defining the possession or distribution of marijuana as a criminal offense.

According to The State of the Medical Marijuana Markets 2011, the national market for medical marijuana is now worth $1.7 billion — and could grow to close to $9 billion in the next five years — if not for a stunning reversal by the Obama administration. In October 2011, the Obama administration released a letter to clarify their earlier position, which, as Seattle Weekly reports, indicates, “The only people safe from arrest were the “seriously ill” patients and their caregivers… Everyone else? Be forewarned.”

The Obama administration has long been supportive of the medical marijuana movement, evenstating during the presidential campaign that, “The basic concept of using medical marijuana… [is] entirely appropriate.” However the Feds now appear to be launching a full-fledged attack against this legitimate industry, not only by threatening prosecution and arrest, but also by intimidating and coercing banks, land and store owners, as well as other business entities, that help keep the medical marijuana industry alive.

Feds Attempt to Force Medical Marijuana Industry Out of Business

In recent months there have been several blows to the various industries who support the medical marijuana market. Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, reported in U.S. News & World Report Opinion, these disturbing changes:

• “The Department of Justice sent letters this past spring to state lawmakers that were debating legislation to allow for the licensed distribution of medical cannabis, threatening prosecution of those involved with said efforts if the measures went forward;
• The IRS has assessed crippling penalties on taxpaying medical cannabis facilities in California by denying these operations the right to file standard expense deductions;
• The Department of Treasury has strong-armed local banks and other financial institutions into closing their accounts with medicinal cannabis operators;
• The Drug Enforcement Administration has rejected a nine-year-old administrative petition that called for hearings regarding the federal rescheduling of cannabis for medical use, ignoring extensive scientific evidence of its medical efficacy;
• The National Institute on Drug Abuse rejected an FDA-approved protocol to allow for clinical research assessing the use of cannabis to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, stating, “We generally do not fund research focused on the potential beneficial medical effects of marijuana.”
• Most recently, Deputy Attorney General James Cole, along with the four U.S. attorneys from California, announced plans for a coordinated effort against operations in California that provide above-ground access to cannabis for those patients qualified to use the substance in accordance with state law.”

The war on marijuana is indeed a strange one, considering the legality of cigarettes and alcohol — products that have vastly greater potential to harm public health, without any of the medicinal benefits. Not to mention that the FDA approves drugs, prescribed by doctors every day, that kill over 100,000 Americans a year.

Moreover, by shutting down reputable marijuana dispensaries, it will only force those who legitimately depend upon it to alleviate their suffering to enter the (sometimes dangerous) black market.

As Seattle Weekly wrote:

“Landlords, worried the feds will steal their property, will tell dispensaries to move out. Banks won’t handle money for pot-themed businesses. Dispensaries will be taxed so heavily they won’t be able to cover the payroll or pay the electric bill.

… An estimated one million people in California have obtained a doctor’s recommendation to grow and use marijuana legally. Patient estimates in Washington are hazier, but the number is thought to be around 100,000.

If the feds shut down every dispensary in the country, all these people will still be able to legally possess marijuana—no matter where they bought it—under their state laws. The only difference is they’ll be forced to go back to buying their weed from Mexican drug cartels, rather than from Americans who provide jobs and pay taxes.”

What are the Medical Uses for Marijuana?

In order to really comprehend the movement behind medical marijuana, you must first understand that this herb truly does show outstanding promise as a medicinal plant. The studies conducted so far show significant potential for the use of cannabis in the prevention and treatment of a wide range of health conditions, including cancer.

For instance, in 2009 a study in the journal Cancer Prevention Research found that marijuana smokers have a lower risk of head and neck cancers than non-marijuana smokers.

Harvard researchers also found that THC in marijuana cuts tumor growth in lung cancer while significantly reducing its ability to spread. There is also a wealth of research linking marijuana with pain relief and improved sleep. In one recent study, just three puffs of marijuana a day for five days helped those with chronic nerve pain to relieve pain and sleep better.

Americans for Safe Access also has links to research studies suggesting that cannabis may help in the treatment or prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, while the International Association for Cannabis as Medicine highlights the following medical uses:

Nausea	Vomiting	Anorexia	Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome)
Spasticity	Movement Disorders	Pain	Glaucoma
Epilepsy	Asthma	Dependency and Withdrawal	Psychiatric Symptoms
Autoimmune Diseases	Inflammation	High Blood Pressure	Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

 

Lastly, the research site GreenMedInfo.com lists over 126 potential therapeutic applications for marijuana in disease prevention and treatment, further illustrating just how voluminous the scientific evidence really is in support of the medical marijuana movement.

Your Body is Hard-Wired to Respond to Cannabinoids in the Marijuana Plant

There are more than 60 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids in the marijuana plant. Cannabinoids interact with your body by way of naturally occurring cannabinoid receptors embedded in cell membranes throughout your body. There are cannabinoid receptors in your brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, immune system and more; both the therapeutic and psychoactive properties of marijuana occur when a cannabinoid (such as the THC produced by the cannabis plant) activates a cannabinoid receptor.

Your body also has naturally occurring endocannabinoids that stimulate your cannabinoid receptors and produce a variety of important physiologic processes, far beyond that of the traditional “highs” associated with THC.

What is amazing is that your body is actually hard-wired to respond to cannabinoids through this unique cannabinoid receptor system; research is still ongoing on just how extensive their impact is on our health, but to date it’s known that cannabinoid receptors play an important role in many body processes, including metabolic regulation, cravings, pain, anxiety, bone growth, and immune function.

A report by Dr. Manuel Guzman in the journal of Nature Reviews suggests that these active components of cannabis and their derivatives are potential anti-cancer agents:

” … these compounds [cannabinoids] have been shown to inhibit the growth of tumour cells in culture and animal models by modulating key cell-signaling pathways. Cannabinoids are usually well tolerated, and do not produce the generalized toxic effects of conventional chemotherapies.”

A report by the American College of Physicians (ACP) further notes that:

“Marijuana has been smoked for its medicinal properties for centuries. It was in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia until 1942 when it was removed because federal legislation made the drug illegal … Still, the overwhelming number of anecdotal reports on the therapeutic properties of marijuana sparks interest from scientists, health care providers, and patients.

Over the past 20 years, researchers have discovered cannabinoid receptors: CB1, which mediates the central nervous system (CNS), and CB2, which occurs outside the CNS and is believed to have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity.

These scientific developments have revealed much information supporting expansion of research into the potential therapeutic properties of marijuana and its cannabinoids.”

Why Isn’t Marijuana Being Studied?

This is the burning question, as even a quick review of the data suggests that cannabis deserves more than a passing glance as a potential treatment for various diseases. But in the United States – primarily for political reasons — these studies are not being performed.

According to a report by Americans for Safe Access:

“In the past three decades, there has been an explosion of international studies designed to investigate the therapeutic value of cannabis (marijuana).

However, drastic restrictions on research in the U.S. have meant that few clinical trials are being conducted domestically and none are being conducted as part of a sponsor-funded drug development plan aimed at obtaining Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the prescription use of the botanical plant itself.

Meanwhile, research teams in Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Israel, and elsewhere have confirmed – through case studies, basic research, pre-clinical, and preliminary clinical investigations – the medical value of cannabis … “

Of course, in the United States marijuana is so heavily controlled that even if you wanted to conduct a clinical trial, you would have a hard time getting a supply for research purposes. As the Safe Access report states:

” … the federal monopoly on the supply of cannabis has fundamentally limited FDA-approved clinical research to investigate its safety and efficacy in controlling symptoms of serious and chronic illnesses.

In the United States, research is stalled, and in some cases blocked, by a complicated federal approval process, restricted access to research-grade cannabis, and the refusal of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to license private production of cannabis for use exclusively in federally approved research.”

The DEA appears to be behind many puzzling restrictions concerning the marijuana plant, including the fact that it is even illegal to grow hemp in the United States.

Contrary to popular opinion, hemp and marijuana are not the same. Both are members of the Cannabis sativa plant species, but they are two distinct varieties, with hemp generally being too low in THC (the compound responsible for the plant’s notorious psychoactive effect) to create a “high.” In fact, the THC is intentionally bred out of the plant in order to maximize its fiber, seeds and oil — the constituents for which it is most commonly used.

Ironically, despite these differences, the DEA classifies all Cannabis sativa varieties as “marijuana.” This is why the United States is the only industrialized nation in the world where growing industrial hemp is next to impossible. To do so requires a permit from the DEA — and it is reportedly almost impossible to get one.

Could it be that the DEA has its own agenda for keeping marijuana a controlled substance?

Seattle Weekly speculates:

“Ignorance, false propaganda, and rank political posturing tend to be the foundation of the anti-marijuana argument. (Throw in bureaucratic turf protection as well. The DEA, for example, would need fewer agents if pot was decriminalized nationwide.)”

Many Americans Have an Open Mind About Legalizing Marijuana

A new Gallup poll found that a record high number of Americans — 50 percent — favor legalizing marijuana use, which suggests that public pressure will continue to build for a (pun-intended) grassroots legislative overhaul of U.S marijuana laws…

Of course, there are certainly some downsides to marijuana use that need to be addressed, particularly if you are thinking of smoking it for recreational purposes.

Marijuana use can be addictive, and no doubt resources have been squandered, families have been broken up and jobs lost over its use. In the short-term, marijuana use can cause trouble with your ability to think clearly and may impair memory. Marijuana also leads to motor skill impairment and may adversely affect alertness, coordination and reaction time, which is why it should never be used prior to driving.

There is also some evidence that marijuana use can exacerbate psychotic symptoms in those with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, as well as serve as a “gateway” drug that eventually leads to the use of “harder” drugs like cocaine and heroine, although this is still a matter of debate.

Marijuana use among children and teens can also have dire consequences, as drug use of any kind may encourage risky choices and irresponsible behaviors.

Furthermore, while the vast majority of marijuana use is through the act of smoking it, it is worth noting that anytime you heat materials and inhale them you run the risk of introducing toxic elements into your system. Because of this it is always best to use an organic version; any pesticides that are on the material that is burned and inhaled will dramatically increase its toxicity.

It is possible to avoid these risks entirely by either using cannabis in hemp oil form or, as many medical marijuana patients advocate, by using a vaporizer. The device allows for the ingestion of marijuana without any combustion byproducts, eliminating rightful concerns about the cumulative harms associated with smoking it. It is also possible to minimize harm by eating marijuana (along with some fat, as THC is fat-soluble and will not dissolve in water).

It is important to note that in the United States today using marijuana for any reason is still considered an illegal activity that can result in serious legal consequences, including imprisonment.

Sadly, it is not the scientific evidence — but rather politics and an increasingly insatiable privatized industrial-prison complex in need of more drug-convicted “criminals” — which maintains the stranglehold on our freedom to choose wild growing plants as our medicine rather than soley FDA-approved drugs.

I think Willie Nelson said it well in the following quote:

I think people need to be educated to the fact that marijuana is not a drug. Marijuana is an herb and a flower. God put it here. If He put it here and He wants it to grow, what gives the government the right to say that God is wrong?

by Aaron Turpen, CannaCentral

A new study shows that smoking cannabis increases production levels of known appetite hormones in HIV-infected adult men. The study, now an accepted manuscript to be published in the journal Brain Research, was pre-published online on November 7.

Headed by researchers at the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center (HNRC), the Department of Pediatrics, and the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of California, San Diego, the pilot study was completed in July of this year. It was a placebo-controlled trial of smoked medical cannabis to see its direct relation to appetite hormone changes. It was conducted in concert with a THC study for pain reduction.

The double-blind cross-over study exposed subjects to active cannabis and a placebo. It showed that cannabis users had significant increase in plasma levels of ghrelin and leptin (appetite hormones) and decreases in Peptide YY but no change in insulin.

This shows that modeulation of appetite hormones through endogenous cannabinoid receptors is real and independent of glucose metabolism. In other words: when you smoke pot, you get hungry but don’t have the usual hunger trigger of lower insulin levels. Therefore, HIV and other patients with appetite problems may benefit from cannabis use.

The pilot study is a preliminary look at this interaction and paves the way for more in-depth studies along the same vein. One thing researchers would like to see is a measure of the amount of Delta-9 THC required to bring about changes in order to facilitate the possibility of controlled dosing.

from NCCAM

Relaxation Training

Scientific Evidence

• One review article noted that relaxation training significantly reduced headache activity compared to other forms of therapy.

Side Effects and Cautions

• Relaxation techniques are generally considered safe for healthy people.
• There have been rare reports that certain relaxation techniques might cause or worsen symptoms in people with epilepsy or certain mental illnesses, or with a history of abuse or trauma. People with heart disease should talk to their doctor before doing progressive muscle relaxation.

Biofeedback

Scientific Evidence

• A review article reported that adding biofeedback to a combination of an antidepressant and high blood pressure medication was more effective in treating tension-type headaches than medication alone.
• Results from one study indicated that biofeedback provided no additional benefit over relaxation therapy in reducing headache frequency and severity.

Side Effects and Cautions

• Biofeedback is generally thought to be safe; however, it may not be appropriate for certain people.

Acupuncture

Scientific Evidence

• In a review of two large trials in people with tension-type headaches, researchers found that adding acupuncture to the use of pain relievers was more effective than using pain relievers alone.
• A review that analyzed results from two large and three small trials comparing true acupuncture with sham acupuncture (in which needles were either inserted at incorrect points or did not penetrate the skin) demonstrated a slightly better effect for true acupuncture in treating tension-type headaches.
• Results of another review article determined that adding acupuncture to acute treatment or routine care may be beneficial in reducing migraine frequency and intensity.

Side Effects and Cautions

• Acupuncture is considered safe when performed by a qualified and competent practitioner using sterile needles.
• Few complications have been reported.
• Serious adverse events related to acupuncture are rare, but include infections and punctured organs.

Tai Chi

Scientific Evidence

• Results from a small clinical trial suggested that a 15-week program of tai chi was effective in reducing the impact of tension-type headaches when compared to a wait-list control group.

Side Effects and Cautions

• Tai chi is a relatively safe practice; however, some health care providers may advise their patients to modify or avoid certain tai chi postures due to acute back pain, knee problems, bone fractures, sprains, and osteoporosis.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Scientific Evidence

• It has been suggested that cognitive-behavioral therapy may offer additional relief when combined with medication used for preventing migraines.

Massage

Scientific Evidence

• Only a few studies have rigorously examined the role of massage as a headache treatment.
• A 2008 pilot study involving 16 participants suggested that massage may be beneficial in reducing the frequency of tension type headaches as well as the intensity and duration of pain.
• In another small study, researchers observed that a specific type of massage called craniosacral therapy, which involves light touch and manipulation of the skull and spine to release restrictions in tissues, was more effective than no treatment in relieving pain from a tension-type headache but suggested that larger studies are needed to determine the efficacy of massage as a headache treatment.
• Researchers are also investigating whether massage therapy may help prevent migraines. In a 2006 study, researchers randomly assigned 24 people with migraines to receive six 45-minute massages that focused on the muscles of the back, shoulders, head, and neck while 24 people without migraines acted as a control group. Although there was no change in the average intensity of migraines experienced, the researchers observed a significant reduction in migraine frequency among those who received massages.

Side Effects and Cautions

• Massage therapy appears to have few serious risks—if it is performed by a properly trained therapist and if appropriate cautions are followed. The number of serious injuries reported is very small.
• Side effects of massage therapy may include temporary pain or discomfort, bruising, swelling, and a sensitivity or allergy to massage oils.
• Cautions about massage therapy include the following:
  • Vigorous massage should be avoided by people with bleeding disorders or low blood platelet counts, and by people taking blood-thinning medications such as warfarin.
  • Massage should not be done in any area of the body with blood clots, fractures, open or healing wounds, skin infections, or weakened bones (such as from osteoporosis or cancer), or where there has been a recent surgery.
  • Although massage therapy appears to be generally safe for cancer patients, they should consult their oncologist before having a massage that involves deep or intense pressure. Any direct pressure over a tumor usually is discouraged. Cancer patients should discuss any concerns about massage therapy with their oncologist.
  • Pregnant women should consult their health care provider before using massage therapy.

Spinal Manipulation

Scientific Evidence

• Literature reviews suggest that spinal manipulation (a technique often practiced by chiropractors) may offer some benefit for tension-type headaches and that it also may prevent migraines as well as the medication amitriptyline.

Side Effects and Cautions

• Except for high-speed neck manipulation, which is associated with the very rare but serious risk of arterial tearing or stroke, spinal manipulation is not likely to be harmful.
• Side effects from spinal manipulation can include temporary headaches, tiredness, or discomfort in the parts of the body that were treated.

Riboflavin, Coenzyme Q10, and Magnesium

Scientific Evidence

• Some research suggests that the supplements riboflavin and coenzyme Q10 may be helpful headache treatments.
• Studies using magnesium to prevent migraines were inconclusive.

Side Effects and Cautions

• Riboflavin and coenzyme Q10 are generally well tolerated, but magnesium supplements may cause diarrhea.
• Riboflavin supplements are not recommended for pregnant women.

Feverfew and Butterbur

Scientific Evidence

• The herbs feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) and butterbur (Petasites hybridus) have been used historically for headache relief.
• Study results have indicated that feverfew and butterbur may help reduce migraine frequency.

Side Effects and Cautions

• In clinical trials, use of feverfew was associated with mild side effects such as open sores in the mouth and upset stomach.
• Butterbur is generally well tolerated but may cause mild gastrointestinal upset.
• Some butterbur products contain potentially harmful chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). If seeking a butterbur product, look for one labeled or certified as PA-free.
• Feverfew and butterbur are not recommended for pregnant women.

New research published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine shows Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) packs a powerful immune punch. The study uses human blood samples to demonstrate the ability of a specific form of Modified Citrus Pectin to very significantly induce and enhance the benefits of T-cytotoxic cells and human Natural Killer (NK) cells. The NK-cell’s cancer killing activity was demonstrated in live leukemia cancer cells, uncovering yet another mechanism of MCP’s powerful anti-cancer actions. Immune researchers at the Dharma Biomedical LLC (Miami, FL) and the Department of Pathology at Miami Children’s Hospital are excited: “The Modified Citrus Pectin we researched has potential for altering the course of certain viral diseases such as the common cold or other upper respiratory tract viral infections based on the mechanisms of action that were observed in this study,” says lead researcher Steve Melnick. He continues, “We also found that MCP significantly outperformed other known immune enhancing agents such as medicinal mushrooms.” The study includes an analysis performed by the United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) that suggests the unique structural components of the MCP induced the selective response in the immune cell subsets.

MCP’s Multiple Cancer-Fighting Properties

This significant increase in T-cytotoxic and NK-cell activation, together with a remarkable increase in NK-cells’ ability to identify and destroy human leukemia cells, demonstrate that the tested MCP is a powerful immune enhancing agent. Specifically, this study highlights MCP’s ability to selectively increase cytotoxic immune activity against cancer and infections. MCP expert Dr. Isaac Eliaz, who is one of the study’s authors, says, “With this new data on Modified Citrus Pectin’s powerful immune effects, together with the extensive research on its ability to block cancer-promoting galectin-3 molecules, we now have a much greater understanding of MCP’s extensive benefits in fighting and protecting against cancer.”

Ongoing Research Explains MCP’s Numerous Health Benefits

Dr. Eliaz says, “As an holistic physician focused on treating cancer and chronic illness, I have been using MCP in my clinical practice for over 15 years. Because Modified Citrus Pectin safely and powerfully addresses so many serious health concerns, it is an ideal tool in integrative medicine. This is particularly true for integrative cancer therapy, where the disease must be attacked simultaneously from multiple angles. By blocking galectin-3?s cancer-promoting effects, reducing inflammation, chelating heavy metals, and — as we now know — providing powerful selective immune benefits including active NK cell induction, MCP is quickly becoming known as one of the most important nutrients in the fight against cancer and other serious health conditions.”

Source: Ramachandran, C., Wilk, B.J., Hotchkiss, A., Chau, H., Eliaz, I., Melnick, S.J. Activation of Human T-Helper/Inducer Cell, T-Cytotoxic Cell, B-Cell, and Natural Killer (NK)-Cells and induction of Natural Killer Cell Activity against K562 Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cells with Modified Citrus Pectin. BMC Complem. Altern. Med.2011, 11:59.

Cannabinoids (marijuana) administration after experiencing a traumatic event blocks the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like symptoms in rats, according to a new study conducted at the University of Haifa and published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

“We found that there is a ‘window of opportunity’ during which administering synthetic marijuana helps deal with symptoms simulating PTSD in rats,” said Dr. Irit Akirav of the University of Haifa’s Department of Psychology, who led the study.

In the study, which Dr. Akirav conducted with research student Eti Ganon-Elazar, the researchers set out to examine how administering cannabinoids (synthetic marijuana) affects the development of PTSD-like symptoms in rats, whose physiological reactions to traumatic and stressful events is similar to human reactions.

In the first part of the study, the researchers exposed a group of rats to extreme stress, and observed that the rats did indeed display symptoms resembling PTSD in humans, such as an enhanced startle reflex, impaired extinction learning, and disruption of the negative feedback cycle of the stress-influenced HPA axis.
The rats were then divided into four groups. One was given no marijuana at all; the second was given a marijuana injection two hours after being exposed to a traumatic event; the third group after 24 hours and the fourth group after 48 hours.

A week later, the researchers examined the rats and found that the group that had not been administered marijuana and the group that got the injection 48 hours after experiencing trauma continued to display PTSD symptoms as well as a high level of anxiety.

By contrast, the PTSD symptoms disappeared in the rats that were given marijuana 2 or 24 hours after experiencing trauma, even though these rats had also developed a high level of anxiety.

“This indicates that the marijuana did not erase the experience of the trauma, but that it specifically prevented the development of post-trauma symptoms in the rat model,” said Dr. Akirav, who added that the results suggest there is a particular window of time during which administering marijuana is effective. Because the human life span is significantly longer than that of rats, Dr. Akirav explained, one could assume that this window of time would be longer for humans.

The second stage of the study sought to understand the brain mechanism that is put into operation during the administering of marijuana. To do this, they repeated stage one of the experiment, but after the trauma they injected the synthetic marijuana directly into the amygdala area of the brain, the area known to be responsible for response to trauma. The researchers found that the marijuana blocked development of PTSD symptoms in these cases as well. From this the researchers were able to conclude that the effect of the marijuana is mediated by a CB1 receptor in the amygdala.

Rachel Feldman
University of Haifa

The results of a recent study by National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that a daily diet of Omega-3 fatty acids should be incorporated for the young and healthy individuals, since it has reduced their symptoms of anxiety and inflammation, a process that plays a role in many other diseases.

A 12 week, double-blind, study that included 68 healthy young medical students (38 men, 30 women), not only suggests that omega-3 fatty acids reduced the symptoms of Anxiety, but consistent with the previous studies of NCCAM, Omega-3 diet is suggested for reducing depressive symptoms in “clinically” depressed subjects, young or old. However, the case may not be for less severely depressive individuals.

In previous studies, Anna-leila Williams, M.P.H., of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, reviewed evidence on Depression and Omega-3 in the general population. Out of five randomized controlled trials, all but one of these trials found some improvement from using Omega-3 for symptoms of Depression. (1)

The interest in Omega-3, as a clinical diet, dates back to 3 decades ago, when the Biological Psychiatry published the very first study setting apart the general vitamin diet from an Omega-3 diet, even though originally Omega-3 was considered to be a vitamin (Vitamin F). (2)

The first study incorporating an Omega-3 diet together with a Pharmaco-therapy was reported about a decade ago by the American Medical Association, in which 70 patients with persistent Depression, despite their current pharmaco-therapy, when a diet consisting of one (1) gram/per day of Omega-3 was added for a period of 12 weeks, 69% of the patients showed a 50% reduction in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD). (3)

Additionally, the role of Polyunsaturated fatty acids of Omega-3 in moderating stress has been well reported by The NIH and amazingly, in all age categories, the conclusion has been that the DHA of Omega-3 had unequivocal beneficial properties for Depression / Anxiety, young or old.

Notwithstanding this recent study on young medical student, but also, another recent study presented by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) of NIH linked the stress to lack of DHA of Omega-3 in the active service members and, like this study, made the recommendation of an Omega-3 diet. (Our Press Release of 8/27/11)

Stress, be it psychological or physiological (age-related) produces a hormone called cortisol. Clinical studies have shown, going back to 1966, that cortisol increases the activity of an enzyme called “tryptophan pyrrolase”, which degrades tryptophan. (4)

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, which is the raw material for the mood hormone (Serotonin). Lack of Serotonin has been implicated in Depression, bipolarity and anxiety. (5,6,7)

In addition to stress, higher inflammatory bio-markers have been associated with the degradation of tryptophan, as well. (8)

1. Journal of Affective Disorders, May 2006
2. Biological Psychiatry 1981 Sep;16(9):837-50.
3. Archives of General Psychiatry, Vol. 59, Oct. 2002.
4. Biochemical Journal. 1972 November; 130(2): 74P.
5. Current Medicinal Chemistry. 2011 Aug 24
6. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2011 Aug 16.
7. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2009 Jan;112(1-3):267-72.
8. Biological Chemistry Hoppe-Seyler. 1987 Oct; 368(10):1407-12.

by Brigid Shaw, NaturalNews

Add anaphylactic shock to the long list of disastrous effects of vaccinations. A recent article in Vactruth.com identifies the potentially fatal allergic reaction as one of the consequences of polysorbate 80, a chemical found in many vaccines, including the flu and HPV vaccines (http://vactruth.com/2011/05/18/is-t…).

German researchers have identified polysorbate 80 as the cause of an anaphylactic reaction in a patient. Pubmed.gov cited the study, which concluded that “polysorbate 80 is a solubilizing agent that can cause severe nonimmunologic anaphylactoid reactions” (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/…). In other words, this agent can suppress yourimmune systemand cause a severe allergic reaction, which could kill you.

Found in creams, soaps and multiple medical preparations includingvaccines, vitamin oils, and anticancer agents, in addition to common foods like ice cream, polysorbate 80 has been linked to much more than severe allergic reactions.

As far back as 1993, scientists were aware that polysorbate 80 causesinfertilityin mammals. Baby female rats were injected with the substance and experienced accelerated maturation, hormonal changes, decreased weight of the uterus and ovaries, and degenerative follicles (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/…).

Catherine J. Frompovich, the author of the Vactruth.com article, informs us that the University of Georgia is developing avaccinethat deliberately damagesfertilityas a method of contraception. It contains, of course, polysorbate 80. In fact, the chemical is a “preferred” ingredient. Little wonder, considering the damage it does to the female reproductive system. So shouldn’t the Food and Drug Administration remove polysorbate 80 from vaccines, shampoos, and food products?

Polysorbate 80 is only one of a plethora oftoxic ingredientsfound in vaccines. Thimerosal is a widely-used vaccine preservative made withmercury, a known neurotoxin. A multi-doseflushot contains mercury levels 250 times higher than legally classified hazardous waste (http://www.naturalnews.com/024624_f…).

Adjuvants (added to vaccines to stimulate the immune system’s response) used in vaccines are derived from aluminum, apoisonthat can cause bone, bone marrow and brain degeneration. Formaldehyde (embalming fluid) is a documented carcinogen. To make matters worse, the destruction caused by the combination of these poisonousingredientsis magnified when they are used together.

According to the International Medical Council on Vaccination, diseases that have documented associations with vaccines includeautism, cancer, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and many neurological and autoimmune diseases, to name a few.

Though publicly denied by governmentalhealth“authorities,” the evidence is mounting that vaccinatedchildrensuffer a significant decline in health compared to unvaccinated children. The International Medical Council on Vaccination cites a study of 17,674 children. Those vaccinated had 120% more asthma, 146% more autism, and 317% more ADHD than their unvaccinated counterparts.

With such toxic ingredients like polysorbate 80, is it any wonder that researchers are finding links betweenvaccinationsand skyrocketingdiseaserates? Furthermore, perhaps the infertility rates that increase every year in this country are caused by an ingredient known to damage reproductive organs–one that is found in vaccinations and common household products.

To protect your family’s health, inform yourself about the dangers of vaccinations. In the U.S., you have the right to refuse vaccines. Learn more athttp://exemptmychild.com/10752.

[Editor's Note:NaturalNewsis strongly against the use of all forms of animal testing. We fully support implementation of humane medical experimentation that promotes the health and wellbeing of all living creatures.]

Additional source for this article:
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Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/033406_vaccines_polysorbate_80.html#ixzz1WOzmYSco

I was sent a copy of this ebook by a friend who thought I’d be interested in it.  I haven’t read all 111 pages, but I have gone through the majority of it.  It’s great information, though not exactly professionally written.  It reads like a blog that’s been pulled together into one book.  I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s not the case.

Regardless, it’s got some excellent information about natural healing and health and some of the less common herbs that are often overlooked in the literature.  Specifically, it tends to focus on Native American remedies and folklore (despite the Greek mythology reference in the title) and focuses heavily on cancer.

Overall, it’s worth a read, but honestly I wouldn’t use it as my only source of information on the subject.

The book was written by Alan Holman, about whom there is a lot of info online, but it’s hard to pin down what’s myth and what’s fact.  A Facebook page claiming to be his 2012 presidential campaign is up, though it hasn’t had an update since April.  His (apparently) actual Facebook profile is more useful.  Those who are familiar with alternative news sources like GCN Radio will recognize Holman’s name.

Regardless, it appears that Holman is at least accessible and therefore more believable than some of the questionable quacks from whom I’ve seen $99 “informative books” offered.  The alternative cancer cures industry is, sadly, thriving mostly on bunk sold by these con artists.  Given that Holman is both giving away the book for free and is making himself accessible to people online, I wouldn’t lump him in with those others.

Anyway, the book can be downloaded for free from numerous Web sources, but to simplify thing, I’ve added another to the bunch.  You can get it by clicking here (no signups, no gimmicks, no “adding to a list” or anything – just click and it will download).

As always, I present this as-is without warranty or guarantee.  If you try to sue me for giving you this book, you’ll definitely burn in hell and be forced to eat genetically modified corn for eternity and wash it down with fluoridated water.

from The Health Freedom Network Newsletter #379

by George Hunka, American Friens of Tel Aviv University (AFTAU.org)

Tel Aviv University (TAU) researchers discover a cinnamon extract to inhibit progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s, the degenerative brain disorder that disrupts memory, thought and behavior, is devastating to both patients and loved ones. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, one in eight Americans over the age of 65 suffers from the disease. Now Tel Aviv University has discovered that an everyday spice in your kitchen cupboard could hold the key to Alzheimer’s prevention.

An extract found in cinnamon bark, called CEppt, contains properties that can inhibit the development of the disease, according to Prof. Michael Ovadia of the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University. His research, conducted in collaboration with Prof. Ehud Gazit, Prof. Daniel Segal and Dr. Dan Frenkel, was recently published in the journal PLoS ONE.

Taking a cue from the ancient world

Prof. Ovadia was inspired to investigate the healing properties of cinnamon by a passage in the Bible. It describes high priests using the spice in a holy ointment, he explains, presumably meant to protect them from infectious diseases during sacrifices. After discovering that the cinnamon extract had antiviral properties, Prof. Ovadia empirically tested these properties in both laboratory and animal Alzheimer’s models.

The researchers isolated CEppt by grinding cinnamon and extracting the substance into an aqueous buffer solution. They then introduced this solution into the drinking water of mice that had been genetically altered to develop an aggressive form of Alzheimer’s disease, and fruit flies that had been mutated with a human gene that also stimulated Alzheimer’s disease and shortened their lifespan.

After four months, the researchers discovered that development of the disease had slowed remarkably and the animals’ activity levels and longevity were comparable to that of their healthy counterparts. The extract, explains Prof. Ovadia, inhibited the formation of toxic amyloid polypeptide oligomers and fibrils, which compose deposits of plaque found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

In the test-tube model, the substance was also found to break up amyloid fibers, similar to those collected in the brain to kill neurons. According to Prof. Ovadia, this finding indicates that CEppt may not just fight against the development of the disease, but may help to cure it after Alzheimer’s molecules have already formed. In the future, he says, the team of researchers should work towards achieving the same result in animal models.

Adding a dash of cinnamon

Don’t rush to your spice cabinet just yet, however. It would take far more than a toxic level of the spice — more than 10 grams of raw cinnamon a day — to reap the therapeutic benefits. The solution to this medical catch-22, Prof. Ovadia says, would be to extract the active substance from cinnamon, separating it from the toxic elements.

“The discovery is extremely exciting. While there are companies developing synthetic AD inhibiting substances, our extract would not be a drug with side effects, but a safe, natural substance that human beings have been consuming for millennia,” says Prof. Ovadia.

Though it can’t yet be used to fight Alzheimer’s, cinnamon still has its therapeutic benefits — it can also prevent viral infections when sprinkled into your morning tea.

A new study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine shows evidence of glucosidase inhibition by two common herbal remedies.  The study used two commonly-indicated herbal remedies, extracts of the Gnidia glauca and Dioscorea bulbifera plants (commonly called thymeleaceae or African thyme and the Air potato yam, respectively).

The study, conducted by Sougata Ghosh and Mehul Ahire of the Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology at the University of Pune in India, and others, found evidence of efficacy for the extracts in treating post-prandial hyper-glycemia (PPHG), one of the complications of diabetes.

From the abstract: This is the first report of its kind that provides a strong biochemical basis for management of type II diabetes using G. glauca and D. bulbifera. These results provide intense rationale for further in vivo and clinical study.

The study is published under an open Creative Commons license and is freely available online. Although it is not conclusive, it is an excellent first step in testing these common herbs of Africa and Asia for efficacy in treating diabetic symptoms.  The world’s largest populations of diabetic patients are in Africa and Asia, which expect to see 2x or more cases by 2030.