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October 2000 Newsletter
Natural Remedies For Sinusitis
Sinusitis occurs when the mucous membranes become inflamed. Sinusitis
is usually categorized as acute or chronic depending on its duration.
Acute sinusitis is most frequently a complication of a viral upper respiratory
infection. The therapeutic goal for acute sinusitis is to reestablish
proper sinus drainage, and for this doctors commonly prescribe antibiotics.
This practice is being scrutinized because most cases of acute sinusitis
are viral and therefore not responsive to antibiotics. A better strategy
is to strengthen the immune system so it can counteract the underlying
respiratory infection. Several nutrients may be helpful:
Vitamin A, called the anti-infective vitamin because of its vital role
in immune function, reduces morbidity associated with respiratory infections.
It also supports the health of the tissues lining the sinuses.
In clinical studies vitamin C reduced the duration and severity of
respiratory infections, and with bioflavonoids may help shrink sinus
membrane swelling by decreasing vascular permeability.
Vitamin E studies show that supplementing with vitamin E can help improve
immune response to infection.
Zinc is an immune-supporting nutrient that inhibits growth of infectious
viruses while enhancing growth and function of a variety of immune cells.
Clinical trials show zinc effectively fights upper respiratory infections.
Three botanicals stimulate immune function and can be taken at the
first signs of infection.
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris), supports immune function and has antimicrobial
action that prevents bacteria from adhering to epithelial tissues.
Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia, E. palida, E. purpurea) is an effective
remedy against infectious diseases by boosting immune cell performance.
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) also is an effective anti-allergy herb.
One double-blind clinical trial conducted at the National College of
Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, OR showed stinging nettle helped
reduce allergic symptoms in a group of 69 hay fever sufferers. Participants
took 330 mg of an encapsulated, freeze-dried form of the herb two to
three times daily for one week.
A study showed that bromelain could help clear the mucus associated
with sinusitis, stimulate immune function, and reduce headaches.
Removing food allergens from the diet also can be an important factor
in alleviating sinusitis, according to James C. Breneman, M.D., a pioneer
in food allergy study.
Reference: American Journal of Medicine 1999;106(5A):38S-47S.
Zinc Flu Therapy
Every day we are being exposed to infectious viruses, bacteria, and flu.
The only defense that we have against these health invaders is our body’s
immune system. One of the keys to maintaining a powerful immune defense
system lies in providing it with the optimum nutrition it needs.
Minerals provide significant support to the immune system. Zinc, iron,
selenium, copper, magnesium manganese, chromium, iodine, calcium, and
sulfur are all known to have some effect on the immune system. In particular,
one mineral stands out from all the rest in helping the immune system
work against flu and colds.
Zinc is the only mineral that has been found to play a key role in every
component of the body’s immune system. Mechanisms in which zinc affects
our susceptibility to infection have been studied for several decades.
In fact, a zinc deficiency is characterized by depressed immune function
and frequent infection. Zinc’s effects on the development, function and
effectiveness of T and B lymphocytes in fighting infection has been very
well studied.
Zinc is concentrated in the cell membranes of white cells, and helps
maintain their integrity.
There have been 10 clinical studies on the use of zinc lozenges and
the treatment of the common cold. Some studies have yielded positive results
from the use of zinc in treating the signs, symptoms, and duration of
the common cold. The minimum effective dose appears to be 13 mg of elemental
zinc every two hours during the cold’s duration.
In successful studies on the use of zinc lozenges, the duration of cold
symptoms were reduced from a mean of 7.6 days to 4.4 days.
Reference: Can Fam Physician 44:1037-42, May 1998.
Natural Relief For Children’s Sore Throats
Strep accounts for about 15% of all sore throats, and during some times
of the year up to half of children’s sore throats. Signs and symptoms
of strep pharyngitis include a fever, tender lymph nodes, headache, and
stomach ache. These symptoms, however, predict a positive throat culture
only 50% of the time. Standard medical treatment for strep involves antibiotics.
When strep isn’t the culprit, then viruses that produce colds and flu
usually are. This means a child will also sneeze, cough, and sniffle.
A runny nose and cough usually indicate a viral respiratory tract infection
and rarely accompany a strep infection.
When in doubt, parents should always consult a health care practitioner.
Parents can also consider giving their children herbal teas to ease non-strep
throat tenderness. Good candidates for a throat-soothing herbal tea include
marshmallow (Althaea officinalis), licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), slippery
elm (Ulmus rubra), and mullein (Verbascum thapsus). Several herbal tea
formulas are made especially for sore throats. Herbal throat sprays are
also available which include the roots of echinacea, Oregon grape, licorice,
and marshmallow.
Echinacea has anti-inflammatory action and when sprayed directly on
the throat in extract form, has a numbing effect. Echinacea is safe and
nontoxic for people of any age when taken as recommended, except for those
allergic to plants in the daisy family.
Garlic and onions both have antiviral and antibacterial activity. Parents
can cook with plenty of both. Children can also take liquid extracts of
garlic.
Remember that viruses cause most sore throats. Herbs can help by soothing
discomfort, reducing inflammation, boosting immunity, and directly inhibiting
viruses. When strep bacteria are to blame, seek appropriate medical care.
References: Mcisaac WJ, et al. Reconsidering sore throats. Part 2:
alternative approach and practical office tool. Can Fam Physician 42:495-500,
1997.
Soy Strengthens Heart And More
Last October the FDA authorized the use of a health claim stating that
soy protein, as part of a low saturated fat diet, is effective in lowering
blood cholesterol. There is an extensive and impressive body of research
available that shows soy’s promising results in the prevention and treatment
of many chronic and degenerative diseases.
Two separate studies investigated the ability of soy isoflavones to
delay bone loss that occurs with aging. Researchers at the University
of Illinois found that subjects who were fed soy isoflavones had enhanced
bone density as compared to those that were not. A separate study at the
University of Cincinnati discovered reduced bone turnover in postmenopausal
women who consumed a diet of soy foods containing 60 to 70 milligrams
total isoflavones each day for 12 weeks.
A double blind, one-year study conducted at Michigan State University
found that consumption of 39 grams per day isolated soy protein reduced
cell proliferation in men at risk for colon cancer. The men consuming
soy developed fewer tumors and the tumors they previously had were smaller
in size than the men in the control group.
Recent studies indicate that soy may have a protective effect against
prostate cancer. The Prostate Cancer Research and Education Foundation
found that males with prostate cancer who consumed a fermented soy drink
had a lower rise in PSA: prostate-serum antigen, an enzyme that leaks
into the bloodstream when the prostate becomes enlarged.
New research shows that there may be additional mechanisms by which
soy decreases the incidence of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease,
including reduced blood pressure. Soy protein isolate, particularly isoflavones,
has been shown to be an antioxidant, reducing oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
Soy protein isolate has also been shown to inhibit constriction of the
heart vessels, thus allowing the heart to receive an adequate supply of
blood.
Research has shown that the specific amino acids present in soy protein
may have some effect on lipid levels. Studies indicate that the amino
acid lysine increased serum cholesterol levels, while arginine counteracts
this effect. Compared with casein (milk protein), soy protein provides
more arginine in relation to its lysine content.
The more favorable arginine to lysine ratio in soy protein supports
the theory that the relative amounts of these amino acids in the diet
may help explain soy protein’s cholesterol lowering effect.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, people should "get on the bean the
soybean to reap the health benefits of soy."
Reference: Am J Clin Nutr 68 (suppl):1418S-1425S, 1998.
Ginger Is Hot
In modern China, ginger is used in nearly 50% of all herbal prescriptions,
and is an essential ingredient in almost every meal. Ginger was listed
in the first herbal—The Chines Shen Non Ben Coa—written more than 2,000
years ago.
Ginger is an important part of Ayurveda, the traditional ancient medicine
of India. One Indian government health guide suggests one to two teaspoons
of ginger juice with honey as a cough suppressant. It is also recommended
to relieve gas from the digestive system, relieve pain and inflammation,
stimulate appetite, and as a digestive aid.
Modern Western herbalists use ginger to improve circulation, treat stomach
disorders, and ease motion sickness. Six clinical studies have examined
ginger’s ability to reduce motion sickness, with some reporting better
results with ginger than using Dramamine®.
Add ginger to salads and vegetable dishes for a healthful zing of flavor.
Ginger is also available in capsule and extract forms for supplementation.
Reference: American Botanical Council, HerbClip.
Proven Benefits For Probiotics
All human studies of probiotic bacteria over a 10-year period were recently
reviewed to assess the state of the knowledge about health-promoting bacteria.
The 49 studies included in the review focused on the prevention or treatment
of diarrhea, cancer, lowering cholesterol levels, and immune enhancement.
There are many types of bacteria that have a potentially beneficial effect
on human health. This review found that the most common strains studied
in scientific literature were Lactobacillus GG, Lactobacillus acidophilus,
Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Enterococcus faecium.
Lactobacillus GG was consistently found to shorten the length of diarrhea
infections. Some studies showed L. acidophilus to lower cholesterol; and
two studies found a smaller recurrence of bladder tumors by those taking
Lactobacillus casei.
Finnish researchers have been studying probiotics and allergies. A recent
study has found that probiotic bacteria can help control the inflammation
that can be caused by a reaction to allergic food.
One study showed that simply eating yogurt led to a lower frequency
of allergies. In infants with an allergy to cow’s milk, the addition of
probiotics alleviated the intestinal inflammation related to the food
allergy.
Reference: Am J Clin Nutr 71:405-11, 2000.
Health Tip
According to research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,
foods rich in the carotenoid lutein-spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli,
and oranges-could decrease the risk of developing colon cancer. The protective
effect of lutein appears to be stronger in colon cancers that occur at
a younger age, says this new study that compared the diets of adults who
had colon cancer with the diets of cancer-free adults.
Reference: Am J Clin Nutr 71:575-82, 2000.
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