Alternative Health Related Articles and Research Information

The Natural Way to Keep the Prostate and Ovaries Healthy

by D. Graeme Shaw, M.D.

Almost every day I’m faced with a male patient complaining of urinary frequency, reduced stream, difficulty initiating his stream and interrupted sleep from having to get out of bed two to four times a night to urinate. These are symptoms of BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia).

I also get calls from female patients who are prone to problems of single cysts and multiple cysts of the ovary (polycystic ovarian disease). While the response from conventional medicine would be to treat the symptoms, natural programs support the underlying cause. For example, I’ve had many female patients whose bodies were able to eliminate their cysts after being on a three-month course of supportive natural supplementation.

It’s also been my pleasure to see male patients show consistent improvement in their symptoms while using natural programs that support the body and address the underlying causes of BPH.

Negative Factors Induce Organ Changes

All cells need a certain combination of nutrition, oxygen, water and detoxification to sustain life. If any of these cellular needs are deficient, the cells work less efficiently. To compensate for this lowered function, the body responds with adaptive changes.

In the real world, when a large job needs to be done, the usual response is to get more or stronger workers. Cells make the same response when they are faced with stress – they get bigger or they multiply. These compensatory changes can be enlargement of the cells (hypertrophy) and/or an increase in the number of cells (hyperplasia). A secondary result of these changes can be the formation of cysts.

In relation to the health of the prostate and ovaries, there are a number of factors that can induce these changes. Nutritional deficiencies, toxicity, hormonal imbalances (especially estrogen dominance), nicotine, infections, inflammatory reactions, physiologic and psychological stress reactions or low energy states can all affect organ health. These negative factors can harm the prostate and ovaries with conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Diet, Behavior and Complementary Therapies for Ovary and Prostate Health

We all face the frightening possibility of being diagnosed with ovarian or prostate cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer is estimated to have affected nearly 22,430 women last year. The National Prostate Cancer Coalition (NPCC) estimates almost ten times as many men (approximately 218,890) were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007.

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the advantages of herbal supplements and alternative medicines in the prevention of both ovarian cancer and prostate cancer continue to be widely studied. The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI)Complementary and Alternative Medicine CAM) office coordinates and enhances NCI’s activities in this area. CAM’s lists approximately 2,000 abstracts of trials focused on complementary and alternative medicine and publishes the comprehensive guide, "Thinking about Complementary and Alternative Medicine."*

Diet and Behavior Could Lower Cancer Risk

The U.S. Government’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes on their Fruits and Vegetables Benefits webpage that, "Compared with people who consume a diet with only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts as part of a healthful diet are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers."
The National Prostate Cancer Council (NPCC) agrees. On their Prostate Cancer Prevention webpage they advise men, "You can't prevent prostate cancer just by taking vitamins or supplements, but growing evidence says changing your diet and behavior could lower your risk . . . It is hard to determine the impact of a single food in a complex diet, but more large and long term studies are underway to confirm that consuming certain substances actually fights cancer . . . Many prostate cancer patients adopt a cancer-fighting diet, high in foods like soy and tomatoes, low in dairy and animal fats, and with appropriate doses of dietary supplements. While this is a form of complementary medicine, the overall health benefits of a high fruit, vegetable and antioxidant and low fat diet are well established."*

Complementary Therapies for Women

In addition to a healthy diet, The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition NOCC) website’s Treatment section notes that, "Some women with ovarian cancer turn toward the whole-body approach of complementary therapy to enhance their fight against the disease, as well as to relieve stress and minimize side effects such as fatigue, pain and nausea. Complementary therapies are diverse practices and products that are used in conjunction with conventional medicine. Many women have tried and benefited from the following complementary therapies:

• Acupuncture – An ancient Chinese method of healing in which small sterilized needles are inserted into the body’s energy centers to promote healing.
• Aromatherapy – The use of essential oils from flowers, herbs and trees to promote health and well being.
• Herbal Medicine - Use of remedies using plant parts to treat symptoms and illnesses. (Consult your healthcare professional prior to using herbal medicine).
• Massage – Manipulating the body’s muscle and connective tissue through rubbing, kneading and patting to promote relaxation and well being.
• Meditation – Conscious relaxation and focused breathing to relax the mind and body.
• Qi Gong (chee-GUNG) – A type of Chinese medicine that combines movement, meditation and breathing to enhance the flow of qi (an ancient term given to what is believed to be vital energy) in the body, improve blood circulation and enhance immune function.
• Yoga, Tai Chi – Postures, movements and breathing exercises to strengthen and heal the body, mind and spirit.
  

At Get Well Natural, we support you in your effort to live a long and healthy life. And we agree with The Whole Grains Council that, "The gradual measures that we take to maintain our health should match our will to live a full and charismatic life. The complexities of our bodies that help keep us healthy can certainly be supported by a natural form of prevention formulated with a specific purpose in mind—to provide an all-natural foundation for our well-being."

Magnesium Bioavailability from Magnesium Citrate and Magnesium Oxide

Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol 9, Issue 1 48-55, Copyright © 1990 by American College of Nutrition (CLINICAL TRIAL) by J. S. Lindberg, M. M. Zobitz, J. R. Poindexter and C. Y. at Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235

ABSTRACT

This study compared magnesium oxide and magnesium citrate with respect to in vitro solubility and in vivo gastrointestinal absorbability. The solubility of 25 mmol magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide was examined in vitro in solutions containing varying amounts of hydrochloric acid (0-24.2 mEq) in 300 ml distilled water intended to mimic achlorhydric to peak acid secretory states. Magnesium oxide was virtually insoluble in water and only 43% soluble in simulated peak acid secretion (24.2 mEq hydrochloric acid/300 ml). Magnesium citrate had high solubility even in water (55%) and was substantially more soluble than magnesium oxide in all states of acid secretion. Reprecipitation of magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide did not occur when the filtrates from the solubility studies were titrated to pH 6 and 7 to stimulate pancreatic bicarbonate secretion. Approximately 65% of magnesium citrate was complexed as soluble magnesium citrate, whereas magnesium complexation was not present in the magnesium oxide system. Magnesium absorption from the two magnesium salts was measured in vivo in normal volunteers by assessing the rise in urinary magnesium following oral magnesium load. The increment in urinary magnesium following magnesium citrate load (25 mmol) was significantly higher than that obtained from magnesium oxide load (during 4 hours post-load, 0.22 vs 0.006 mg/mg creatinine, p less than 0.05; during second 2 hours post-load, 0.035 vs 0.008 mg/mg creatinine, p less than 0.05). Thus, magnesium citrate was more soluble and bioavailable than magnesium oxide.

The Aqueous Extract from Artemisia Capillaris

Thunb. inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response through preventing NF-κB activation inhuman hepatoma cell line and rat liver. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, pp. 717-720, 2004, May. Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute of Oriental Medicine, Dong-Eui University, Busan 614-052, South Korea

ABSTRACT

Artemisia capillaris Thunb. has been used for the remedy of liver diseases such as hepatitis, jaundice and fatty liver in traditional oriental medicine. However, despite extensive pharmacological studies, the molecular mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. has hardly been studied. In the present study, we investigated the pharmacological action mechanism on LPS-induced liver inflammation in HepG2 human hepatocarcinoma cells and rat liver. Aqueous extract from Artemisia capillaris Thunb. (AEAC) inhibits expression of inflammatory proteins including iNOS, COX-2 and TNF-alpha. Also, nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB and degradation of I-kappaBalpha are blocked by AEAC pretreatment. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of AEAC on the expression of inflammatory proteins involves suppression of NF-kappaB activation.

Oral Artemisinin prevents and delays the development of 7,12-dimethylbenz- [a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced breast cancer in the rat 

Cancer Letters , Volume 231 , Issue 1 , Pages 43 – 48, 2005, H . Lai , N . Singh

ABSTRACT

Artemisinin, a compound isolated from the sweet wormwood Artemisia annua L., has previously been shown to have selective toxicity towards cancer cells in vitro. In the present experiment, we studied the potential of artemisinin to prevent breast cancer development in rats treated with a single oral dose (50mg/kg) of 7,12-dimethylbenz [a]anthracene (DMBA), known to induce multiple breast tumors. Starting from the day immediately after DMBA treatment, one group of rats was provided with a powdered rat-chow containing 0.02% artemisinin, whereas a control group was provided with plain powdered food. For 40 weeks, both groups of rats were monitored for breast tumors. Oral artemisinin significantly delayed (P<.002) and in some animals prevented (57% of artemisinin-fed versus 96% of the controls developed tumors, P<.01) breast cancer development in the monitoring period. In addition, breast tumors in artemisinin-fed rats were significantly fewer (P<.002) and smaller in size (P<.05) when compared with controls. Since artemisinin is a relatively safe compound that causes no known side effects even at high oral doses, the present data indicate that artemisinin may be a potent cancer-chemoprevention agent

Magnesium in cardiovascular and other disorders

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. 61(15):1569-1576, August 1, 2004. by Gums, John G.

ABSTRACT

Purpose. The physiological role and metabolism of magnesium, the causes of magnesium deficiency, clinical data on the benefits of magnesium supplementation, and the management of magnesium deficiency are discussed.
Summary. Magnesium is an often overlooked electrolyte that is essential to life. Magnesium plays a role in more than 300 enzymatic reactions and is critically involved in energy metabolism, glucose utilization, protein synthesis, fatty acid synthesis and breakdown, ATPase functions, and virtually all hormonal reactions. Magnesium is closely involved in maintaining cellular ionic balance through its association with sodium, potassium, and calcium. Deficiency of magnesium is becoming more common in the U.S. population and may be attributed to decreased dietary consumption and the use of diuretics; in the elderly, magnesium deficiency may be a consequence of reduced appetite, decreased mitochondrial respiratory activity, and increased myocardial collagen. Conditions that may be associated with magnesium deficiency include hypertension, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, and preeclampsia; in many of these, magnesium supplementation has been found beneficial in clinical studies. Supplementation should be considered for patients with risk factors for deficiency and should be instituted for patients showing symptoms of deficiency. In addition to instituting supplementation when appropriate, the clinician should identify and correct the underlying cause of the deficiency.

Conclusion. Magnesium deficiency may contribute to pathological processes. Clinicians should consider using magnesium supplementation to prevent deficiency in patients at risk and to treat deficiency when it occurs.

Randomised, cross-over, placebo controlled trial of magnesium citrate in the treatment of chronic persistent leg cramps

Med Sci Monit, 2002; 8(5): CR326-330, by Christine Roffe, Sheila Sills, Peter Crome, Peter Jones

SUMMARY

Nocturnal leg cramps are common and distressing. The only treatment of proven effectiveness is quinine, but this has a number of side effects. Magnesium salts have been shown to reduce leg cramp distress in pregnancy. This study tests whether magnesium citrate is effective in the treatment of leg cramps in non-pregnant individuals by conducting in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over placebo-controlled trial.

Conclusion: The results suggest that magnesium may be effective in treatment of nocturnal leg cramps. Further evaluation is recommended.
Source: http://journals.indexcopernicus.com/fulltxt.php?ICID=420841

Hepatoprotective effect of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) against acute liver injury induced by Carbon tetrachloride in Sprague-Dawley rats

The FASEB Journal. 2007; 21:862.8, by Chungmu Park, Yusi Zhou and Youngsun Song at the Center of Smart Foods & Drugs, Obang-dong, 607, Kimhae, Korea, Republic of

ABSTRACT

The present study is to investigate the protective effect of dandelion hot water extract (DWE) on liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Dandelion samples were extracted by hot water and lyophilized. The freeze-dried DWE was dissolved in third distilled water and administered to rats by gavage at 500mg/kg, 2g/kg respectively for 7 consecutive days. The acute liver injury was induced by carbon tetrachloride (500ul/kg. p.o.) on the eighth day and 24 hours later all rats are sacrificed. The DWE supplement significantly decreased the serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT and AST) activity. Comparing with the CCl4 intoxicated group, the contents of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase increased dose, dependent manner, and mRNA and protein expression levels of cytochrome p450 2E1 significantly decreased in the dandelion administered group. These results indicate that DWE has protective effect on acute liver inflammation induced by CCl4 in rats.

Other Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications of Interest:

"Refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: An integrated approach to treatment", by Ba Hoang, MD, PhD, D. Graeme Shaw, MD. (2003) J. Orthomol. Med. 18, 77-82

by Ba Hoang, MD, PhD, D. Graeme Shaw, MD. Stephen A. Levine, PhD., Cuong Hoang, MD and Pham Phuong, PhD.

"New approach in asthma treatment using excitatory modulator", by Ba Hoang, MD, PhD, D. Graeme Shaw, MD. Stephen A. Levine, PhD., Cuong Hoang, MD and Pham Phuong, PhD. (2007) Phytotherapy Research (Feb 13;)

"Restoration of cellular energetic balance with L-Carnitine inneuro-bioenergetic approach for cancer prevention and treatment", by Ba Hoang, MD, PhD, Pham Phuong, PhD., D. Graeme Shaw, MD. Stephen A. Levine, PhD (2007) Med Hypotheses

"Bronchial epilepsy or broncho-pulmonary hyper-excitability as a model of asthma pathogenesis", by Ba Hoang, MD, PhD, D. Graeme Shaw, MD. Stephen A. Levine, PhD., Cuong Hoang, MD and Pham Phuong, PhD. (2006)  Med Hypotheses 67, 1042-1051.

"A. Neurobiological effects of melatonin as related to cancer", by Ba Hoang, MD, PhD, D. Graeme Shaw, MD. Stephen A. Levine, PhD., and Pham Phuong, PhD. (2007) European Journal of Cancer Prevention

"A. Neuro-bioenergetic concepts in cancer prevention and treatment" by Ba Hoang, MD, PhD, D. Graeme Shaw, MD. Stephen A. Levine, PhD., and Pham Phuong, PhD. (2007) Med Hypotheses. 68, 832-843

"Hypothesis of the cause and development of neoplasms", by Ba Hoang, MD, PhD, D. Graeme Shaw, MD. Stephen A. Levine, PhD., and Pham Phuong, PhD. (2007) European Journal of Cancer Prevention, 16, 55-61