Medicina Natural y Complementos de la Dieta: Huesos y Articulaciones (I)

(Extraído de alma-espiritulibre.blogspot.com.es)

1ra Parte: http://alma-espiritulibre.blogspot.com.ar/2013/12/medicina-natural-y-complementos-de-la_27.html
Medicina Natural y Complementos de la Dieta: Huesos y Articulaciones
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Bambú (Bambousa arundinacea)
El alimento remineralizante
El bambú es un arbusto exótico que puede crecer 20 centímetros al día, pudiendo llegar a alcanzar los 10 metros de altura. En medicina natural, se utiliza el exudado procedente de los nudos de los tallos que recibe el nombre de "bamboosil" o "tabashir" en India y China. En su composición destaca la presencia de sílice, de beneficiosas propiedades para el sistema conjuntivo y las articulaciones. La sílice interviene en la síntesis del colágeno contenido en el tejido óseo y conjuntivo, participando favorablemente en la reconstrucción del cartílago destruído en el caso de las enfermedades articulares. Por su composición remineralizante puede ser beneficiosa en la menopausia.
Consejos de utilización: 3 cápsulas (de 270 mg) en desayuno y cena con un vaso de agua.

Calcio-Magnesio (Dolomita)
Un aliado de los huesos
Los hábitos alimenticios actuales encierran ciertas carencias en nutrientes, entre las que se encuentran las de calcio y magnesio. Los actuales "fast-food" y la cocina precocinada y enlatada son ciertamente socorridos pero contienen un alto índice de grasas, azúcares, además de estar elaborados con harinas refinadas que aportan un bajo grado de magnesio. El consumo de alcohol, el abuso de laxantes, la toma de algunos medicamentos, también son responsables de pérdidas importantes de este mineral cuyas necesidades aumentan con la edad y con la presencia del estrés y la actividad física. Su déficit repercute negativamente en la salud, pues cumple numerosas funciones en el organismo, entre las que se encuentra la de ayudar a fijar calcio al hueso. En estados carenciales de calcio y magnesio la dolomita es un mineral, facilmente asimilable que se encuentra en estado natural y que proporciona ambos minerales a la vez.
Consejos de utilización: 2 cápsulas (de 300 mg) en desayuno y cena con un vaso de agua.

Cola de caballo (Equisetum arvense L.)
El remineralizante natural
La cola de caballo es una planta sin flores que crece en los lugares húmedos. Su aspecto hace que sea asi denominada. Es muy rica en minerales, potasio y principalmente sílice. Es un remineralizante muy útil en los casos de fatiga, fracturas o en el embarazo. Es además diurética por lo que se emplea para estimular las funciones renales. La sílice y algunos minerales estimulan el tejido conjuntivo, facilitando la reconstrucción del cartílago en el curso de las enfermedades articulares. En este caso debe asociarse el Harpagofito (Harpadol). También actúa sobre la flexibilidad de los tendones y de las paredes vasculares. Es un notable producto para los deportistas que someten sus tendones a duras pruebas: tenistas, ciclistas, corredores, futbolistas… La cola de caballo es la gran planta medicinal de los deportistas.
Indicaciones terapéuticas: Remineralización ósea. Cabellos y uñas quebradizos. Tendinitis y dolores articulares. (reconstrucción de los cartílagos)
Posología recomendada: 2 cápsulas (de 190 mg) en desayuno, comida y cena con un vaso de agua.

Fresno (Fraxinus excelsior L.)
Contra la gota
En Europa existen numerosas especies de Fresno. Sin embargo, la variedad utilizada por sus virtudes medicinales es la llamada "Fresno elevado". El empirismo popular, trasmitidopor numerosos médicos, ha resaltado sus propiedades antiinflamatorias, antirreumáticas, antiartriticas y diuréticas. Gracias a estas propiedades, las hojas del fresno son utilizadas eficazmente en el reumatismo gotoso, artritis y gota. La actividad diurética se debe a su contenido en manitol y sales de potasio. La presencia de mucílagos le proporciona una acción laxante muy suave. El reciente descubrimiento de la química del fresno ha confirmado que sus principios activos (compuestos polifenólicos, ácido ursólico, esteroides) poseen los efectos terapéuticos atribuidos por la tradición.
Indicaciones terapéuticas: Gota, dolores articulares. Artrosis, artritis. Tendinitis y esguinces. Retención de agua, edema: facilita lapérdida de peso.
Posología recomendada: 1 a 2 cápsulas (de 250 mg) en desayuno, comida y cena con un vaso de agua.Se puede aumentar la dosis a 3 cápsulas por toma si fuera necesario.

Grosellero Negro (ribes nigrum L.)
Aliviar los dolores articulares
El grosellero negro es un arbusto originario de los países nórdicos. Los "gourmets" lo conocen muy bien por sus deliciosos frutos de color negro. Sin embargo, lo mas importante en fitoterapia son sus hojas por poseer flavonoides de propiedades antiinflamatorias. En medicina tradicional, se frotaba las hojas sobre las picaduras de insectos para aliviar el dolor y la inflamación. Las hojas del grosellero negro ejercen una importante acción antiinflamatoria sobre la artrosis y los reumatismos en general, sin tener los inconvenientes gástricos de los medicamentos tradicionales. El efecto antiinflamatorio, ligado a una acción diurética y eliminadora de los desechos del organismo, permite que sea aconsejado también en los tratamientos de fondo de la gota.
Indicaciones terapéuticas: Tratamiento de manifestaciones articulares dolorosas. Reumatismo, gota. Diurético.
Posología recomendada: 1 a 2 cápsulas en desayuno, comida y cena con un vaso de agua.

Harpagofito (harpagophytum procumbens)
Encontrar el bienestar articular
El harpagophytum es una planta del sur del continente africano. Crece en estado salvaje en el desierto de Kalahari. Sus frutos están cubiertos de espinas ganchudas y aceradas que le ha valido el nombre popular de garra del diablo. Sin embargo,en medicina sólo interesa su raíz. Utilizada desde hace largo tiempo en Africa del sur para tratar los reumatismos fue traída a Europa a principios de siglo. Desde entonces los estudios realizados demuestran su clara acción antiinflamatoria comparable a la de la cortisona y fenilbutazona, pero sin sus efectos secundarios. También son destacables sus efectos analgésicos y espasmolíticos. El harpagofito reperesenta un excelente tratamiento de sustitución de las terapéuticas antirreumáticas químicas.
Indicaciones terapéuticas: Reumatismos degenerativos en general. Artrosis, artritis. Dolores articulares del deportista Gota.
Posología recomendada: Tratamiento de ataque: 3 cápsulas (de 330 mg) en desayuno, comida y cena. Tratamiento de mantenimiento: 2 cápsulas en desayuno, comida y cena. Tomar con un vaso de agua.

Humagón (Erigerón canadensis L.)
La planta del dolor articular
El humagón es originario de América del Norte El estudio de la composición de ésta planta revela la presencia de flavonas y de taninos que le confieren propiedades diuréticas y antiinflamatorias. Por este motivo está indicado en el tratamiento de fondo de los reumatismos y la artrosis, pues alivia los dolores articulares debidos a la inflamación. Su acción antirreumática se ve potenciada en asociación con harpagofito (harpadol) o grosellero negro. Además previene las crisis de gota y ejerce una acción diurética que ayuda a la reabsorción de edemas.
Indicaciones terapéuticas: Reumatismo, artrosis. Dolores articulares. Edema, gota.
Posología recomendada: 2 cápsulas (de 170 mg) en desayuno, comida y cena con un vaso de agua. Se puede aumentar la dosis a 3 cápsulas por toma si fuera necesario.

Fiber-Rich Foods May Cut Your Risk of Heart Disease

(Extraído de medlineplus.gov)

International study looked at fiber from wide range of sources

By Robert Preidt

THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Boosting the amount of fiber in your diet may lower your risk for heart disease, a new study finds.

"With so much controversy causing many to avoid carbohydrates and grains, this trial reassures us of the importance of fiber in the prevention of cardiovascular disease," said one expert not connected to the study, Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, a preventive cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital, in New York City.

In the study, researchers led by Diane Threapleton, of the School of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Leeds, in England, analyzed data from the United States, Australia, Europe and Japan to assess different kinds of fiber intake.

Her team looked at total fiber; insoluble fiber (such as that found in whole grains, potato skins) soluble fiber (found in legumes, nuts, oats, barley); cereal; fruits and vegetables and other sources.

The study also looked at two categories of heart disease. One, "coronary heart disease" refers to plaque buildup in the heart's arteries that could lead to a heart attack, according to the American Heart Association. The second type of heart trouble is called "cardiovascular disease" -- an umbrella term for heart and blood vessel conditions that include heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other problems, the AHA explains.

The more total, insoluble, and fruit and vegetable fiber that people consumed, the lower their risk of both types of heart disease, the study found. Increased consumption of soluble fiber led to a greater reduction in cardiovascular disease risk than coronary heart disease risk. Meanwhile, cereal fiber reduced the risk of coronary heart disease more than the risk of cardiovascular disease, researchers found.

For every additional 7 grams per day of fiber consumed, there was a significantly lower risk of both types of disease, according to the study published online Dec. 19 in BMJ.

Sports dietitian Dana Angelo White said the findings are in line with what nutritionists have long known about the importance of a high-fiber diet.

"The tricky part is finding ways to get Americans to eat more [fiber]," said White, who is also an assistant clinical professor at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn. "The daily recommendation ranges from 20 to 38 grams per day. This may seem like a tall order for most folks, but can be achieved by making some small dietary changes."

The British study found that adding just 7 grams per day of fiber to the diet boosts heart health. According to White, people can get that amount of fiber from the following:

• 1 1/2 cups of cooked oatmeal (7 grams)
• 1 1/4 cups of shredded wheat cereal (8 grams)
• Two slices of whole-wheat bread (6 to 7 grams)
• One large pear (8 grams)
• 1 cup raspberries (8 grams)
• 1/2 cup black beans (7.5 grams)

The study authors said their findings support current recommendations for increased fiber intake and that the reduced heart disease risk associated with consuming more fiber could potentially benefit "many thousands" of people, according to a journal news release.

Steinbaum added that "it's critical that people understand that whole grains -- such as barley, bulgur, millet, quinoa, brown rice, rye, oats and whole wheat, along with fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds -- are part of a heart-healthy diet."

SOURCE: Suzanne Steinbaum, M.D., preventive cardiologist, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City; Dana Angelo White, M.S., R.D., sports dietitian and assistant clinical professor, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Conn; BMJ, news release, Dec. 19, 2013

La homeopatía como alternativa

(Extraído de lashorasylossiglos.blogspot.com.es)

Por José Manuel Martínez Sánchez

Muchos son los debates que se originan en torno a la sostenibilidad del planeta y sobre qué medios son las más adecuados usar para contribuir a que el mundo en que vivimos mejore con nuestras actuaciones humanas sin que lo deterioremos continuamente. Las energías renovables se ven como una solución a largo plazo que ayudaría a satisfacer nuestras necesidades de transporte, consumo, alimentarias, tecnológicas, etc., al tiempo que no dañaríamos los recursos vitales del organismo terrestre. El petróleo, por ejemplo, que es la sangre del planeta, no puede ser continuamente succionado de la tierra, ya que ponemos en peligro y desequilibramos esa estructura orgánica que nos sostiene, lo cual aumenta la probabilidad de terremotos u otros desastres naturales, por ejemplo; al tiempo que es altamente contaminante. El uso de este combustible, sin duda, es eficaz, funciona para el fin que se le emplea, y permite que un coche se mueva o que una casa disponga de calefacción en invierno y así no se pase frío. Pero este principio activo, esta eficacia en su función no quita los enormes riesgos y daños colaterales, efectos secundarios, que produce.

En estos días el Ministerio de Sanidad ha regulado la homeopatía, y sin duda es una noticia positiva. Pero el debate no ha tardado en iniciarse y la Organización Médica Colegial (OMC) se ha posicionado en contra de esta medicina natural. Uno de los argumentos que declaran es que los médicos "están obligados por las normas del Código de Deontología Médica a emplear preferentemente procedimientos y prescribir fármacos cuya eficacia se haya demostrado científicamente" y añaden que no son éticas las prácticas carentes de base científica que prometen la curación. Como dijimos antes, no es lo mismo eficacia aplicada a algo en concreto –a corto plazo- que lo que conlleva esta aplicación en un nivel más profundo y sus efectos secundarios. Habría que plantearse si es ético atajar síntomas, bloquear y matar expresiones patológicas y llamarlo a eso curación. El paradigma científico actual, sería humilde afirmarlo, no tiene toda la verdad, y no debe llamar solamente ciencia a sus métodos, pues la ciencia es algo mucho más que un estudio estadístico –que también es, sin duda, una buena herramienta- o meras comprobaciones de causa y efecto: hay mucho más implicado. Para restablecer la salud –equilibrio- hay que actuar con medidas que equilibren, no que ataquen al organismo aunque silencien temporalmente sus síntomas. Quizá no sea ético el uso de ciertos medicamentos “oficiales” y con “base científica”, que todos sabemos producen multitud de efectos secundarios y que abren una cadena de nuevas patologías, en muchos casos cronificando las presentes, haciendo del medicamento, no un remedio puntual, sino una dependencia progresiva para paliar lo que no se ha sabido curar.

Albert Einstein escribió que “podemos considerar la materia como constituida por zonas de espacio en las que el campo es sumamente intenso… No hay lugar en este nuevo tipo de física para el campo y la materia a la vez, porque el campo es la única realidad.” La materia, en definitiva, es energía; lo que vemos, es, a su vez, un misterio invisible. La pila, materia, se recarga con fuerza invisible. Y la fuerza vital de nuestros cuerpos es otro misterio que anima lo que somos. Quizá conviene mirar otros caminos, e investigar en nuevas direcciones. Llevando una mirada más profunda, no sólo paliativa, sino con voluntad sanadora, integral y, por supuesto, verdaderamente ética.

"La Tribuna" de Albacete, 18-12-2013

Ear Acupuncture May Hold Promise for Weight Loss

(Extraído de medlineplus.gov)

TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Placing five acupuncture needles in the outer ear may help people lose that spare tire, researchers report.

Ear acupuncture therapy is based on the theory that the outer ear represents all parts of the body. One type uses one needle inserted into the area that is linked to hunger and appetite, while the other involves inserting five needles at different key points in the ear.

"If the trend we found is supported by other studies, the hunger acupuncture point is a good choice in terms of convenience. However, for patients suffering from central obesity, continuous stimulation of five acupuncture points should be used," said lead researcher Sabina Lim, from the department of meridian and acupuncture in the Graduate College of Basic Korean Medical Science at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, South Korea.

According to Lim, the effectiveness of acupuncture on obese patients is closely related to metabolic function. "Increased metabolic function promotes the consumption of body fat, overall, resulting in weight loss," she said.

The report was published online Dec. 16 in the journal Acupuncture in Medicine.

Dr. David Katz, director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center, said, "We must avoid rushing to judge that a treatment is ineffective just because we don't understand the mechanism. Rather, if a treatment is genuinely effective, it invites us to figure out the mechanism."

But this study does not prove the effectiveness of acupuncture, he said. "Placebo effects are strong, particularly when they involve needles. The evidence here falls short of proof," Katz said.

According to the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, results from the few studies on acupuncture and weight loss have been mixed.

In one study, researchers examined the effect of ear acupuncture with sham acupuncture on obese women. "Researchers found no statistical difference in body weight, body-mass index and waist circumference between the acupuncture group and placebo," said Katy Danielson, a spokeswoman for the center.

For this latest study, Lim and her colleagues compared acupuncture of five points on the outer ear with one-point acupuncture. They randomly assigned 91 overweight people to five-point acupuncture, one-point acupuncture (hunger) or sham (placebo) treatment.

During the eight weeks of the study, participants were told to follow a restrictive diet, but not a weight-loss diet. They were not supposed to increase their exercise.

Those who received five-point acupuncture had needles placed 2 millimeters deep in one outer ear taped in place and kept there for a week. Then the same treatment was applied to the other ear. The process was repeated over eight weeks.

Other patients received similar treatment with one needle or with sham acupuncture where the needles were removed immediately after insertion.

Over the course of the study, 24 patients dropped out, 15 of whom were receiving sham treatment, the researchers noted.

Among those who completed the study, there were significant differences in weight loss among the groups. At four weeks, those receiving five-point treatment had an average reduction in weight of 6.1 percent, compared with a 5.7 percent reduction among those treated with one needle and no weight loss among those receiving sham therapy, the researchers found.

The largest drop was seen in waist size with the five-point treatment, compared with sham therapy; however, this difference disappeared after taking age into account, the investigators noted.

Percentage of body fat also dropped, but only in those receiving the five-point treatment, the study authors added.

"Both five- and one-point approaches showed significant effects on treating the obese patients and notable reduction in the values closely related to obesity, such as waist circumference measurements and weight, compared to the sham group," Lim said.

"But yet, the five-point approach caused the largest decrease in waist circumference, indicating that the method should be considered as a primary treatment to reduce central obesity, rather than the hunger acupuncture point or temporary stimulation of the five acupuncture points," she pointed out.

According to the Acupuncturecost.org, treatments range in cost from $75 to $125 and are covered by some, but not all insurance companies.

SOURCES: Sabina Lim, department of meridian and acupuncture, Graduate College of Basic Korean Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul; David Katz, M.D., M.P.H., director Yale University Prevention Research Center, New Haven, Conn.; Katy Danielson, spokeswoman, U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Dec. 16, 2013, Acupuncture in Medicine, online

Un nuevo Omega 5 extraído de la Granada.

(Extraído de quieromedicinanatural.com)

Omega 5 de la Granada, todos estamos escuchando ahora el omega 5 por medios publicitarios, pero ¿en qué consiste? ¿Dónde se ha descubierto?

Es un ácido graso esencial que principalmente se encuentra en la semilla de Granada, por ello ha comenzado con gran éxito a comercializarse como complemento.

También se le llama Ácido Punicic, proveniente de su nombre en latín Punica Granatum.

Químicamente hablando se parece al CLA (ácido derivado de la serie omega 6) aunque se diferencia que en vez de tener enlaces dobles, tiene 3.

Funciones del omega 5

Tiene un gran efecto antioxidante y por ello disminuye los Radicales Libres del organismo y ralentiza el envejecimiento celular.
Se ha demostrado que es capaz de inhibir la formación de enzimas que hacen que las células sanas muten y se descontrole su crecimiento.
Al igual que el Omega 3, disminuye la producción de Prostaglandinas inflamatorias, reduciendo así las respuestas inflamatorias especialmente crónicas.
Mejora las células dañadas y regula el transporte de glucosa desde el exterior de la membrana hacia el interior.
Un estudio realizado por el Dr. John Mathias hizo un estudio con mujeres que presentaban endometriosis, menarquía y menopausia y los síntomas mejoraron mucho junto con un equilibrio hormonal.
¿Donde se encuentra?
Por ahora no he encontrado de manera fiable otros alimentos que contengan Omega 5, a excepción de las semillas de Granada, de hecho todos estos estudios realizados han sido a partir de estas semillas.

¿En qué situaciones podría ayudar la toma de omega 5 extraído de la granada?
En casos de sensibilidad de la insulina, ya que mejora el transporte a través de la membrana celular.
En casos de inflamaciones crónicas en el organismo, por ejemplo artritis crónica, fibromialgia, reuma, etc.
Sintomatología de la menopausia y endometriosis.
Como es un antioxidante muy potente en casos de envejecimiento prematuro, tratamientos muy fuertes y degenerativos como la quimioterapia o la radioterapia, personas con una alimentación con muchos aditivos alimentarios.
A nivel estético mejora el estado de la piel y la regeneración de ésta.
Contraindicaciones
No se conocen interacciones ni efectos secundarios tras la toma continua de Omega 5.

Curiosidad: este Omega 5 como cualquier otro omega para que sea de calidad y se pueda aprovechar ha de ser prensado en frío.

Gut Bacteria Shift Quickly After Changes in Diet, Study Shows

(Extraído de medicinenet.com)

By Brenda Goodman

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- If you were to switch from vegetarianism to meat-eating, or vice-versa, chances are the composition of your gut bacteria would also undergo a big change, a new study suggests.

The research, published Dec. 11 in the journal Nature, showed that the number and kinds of bacteria -- and even the way the bacteria behaved -- changed within a day of switching from a normal diet to eating either animal- or plant-based foods exclusively.

"Not only were there changes in the abundance of different bacteria, but there were changes in the kinds of genes that they were expressing and their activity," said study author Lawrence David, an assistant professor at the Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy at Duke University.

Trillions of bacteria live in each person's gut. They're thought to play a role in digestion, immunity and possibly even body weight.

The study suggests that this bacterial community and its genes -- called the microbiome -- are extraordinarily flexible and capable of responding swiftly to whatever is coming its way.

"The gut microbiome is potentially quite sensitive to what we eat," David said. "And it is sensitive on time scales shorter than had previously been thought."

David said, however, that it's hard to tease out exactly what that might mean for human health.

Another expert agreed.

"It's nice to have some solid evidence now that these types of significant changes in diet can impact the gut microflora in a significant way," said Jeffrey Cirillo, a professor of microbial and molecular pathogenesis at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine in Bryan, Texas. "That's very nice to see, and it's very rapid. It's surprising how quick the changes can occur."

Cirillo said it was also intriguing how fast the microbiome seemed to recover. The study found that gut bacteria were back to business as usual about a day after people stopped eating the experimental diet.

For the study, researchers recruited six men and four women between the ages of 21 and 33. For the first four days of the study, they ate their usual diets. For the next five days, they switched to eating either all plant-based or all animal-based foods. They then went back to their normal eating habits before switching to the other diet pattern.

The animal-based diet resulted in the biggest changes to gut bacteria. It spurred the growth of 22 species of bacteria, while only three bacterial species became more prominent in the plant-based diet.

The researchers don't fully understand what the shifts mean, but, they said, some made sense. For example, several types of bacteria that became more prevalent with the animal-based diet are good at resisting bile acids. The liver makes bile to help break down fat.

Another type of bacteria, which became more common in the plant-based diet, is thought to be sensitive to fiber intake.

The researchers speculated that the bacterial shifts might explain why fatty diets have been linked to diseases like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. More studies are needed, however, before they can say for sure.

SOURCES: Lawrence David, Ph.D., assistant professor, Duke Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy, Duke University, Durham, N.C.; Jeffrey Cirillo, Ph.D., professor, microbial and molecular pathogenesis, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Bryan, Texas; Dec. 11, 2013, Nature

Low Vitamin B-12 Levels Tied to Bone Fractures in Older Men

(Extraído de healthfinder.gov)

Study followed Swedish seniors for six years.

FRIDAY, Dec. 13, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Older men with low levels of vitamin B-12 are at increased risk for bone fractures, a new study suggests.

Researchers measured the levels of vitamin B-12 in 1,000 Swedish men with an average age of 75. They found that participants with low levels of the vitamin were more likely than those with normal levels to have suffered a fracture.

Men in the group with the lowest B-12 levels were about 70 percent more likely to have suffered a fracture than others in the study. This increased risk was primarily due to fractures in the lumbar spine, where there was an up to 120 percent greater chance of fractures.

"The higher risk also remains when we take other risk factors for fractures into consideration, such as age, smoking, [weight], bone-mineral density, previous fractures, physical activity, the vitamin D content in the blood and calcium intake," study author Catharina Lewerin, a researcher at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, in Sweden, said in a university news release.

It is not known, however, if consuming more vitamin B-12 -- which is found in eggs, fish, poultry and other meats -- can reduce the risk of fractures in older men.

"Right now, there is no reason to eat more vitamin B-12, but rather treatment shall only be applied in confirmed cases of deficiencies and in some cases to prevent deficiencies," Lewerin said. "For anyone who wants to strengthen their bones and prevent fractures, physical activity 30 minutes a day and quitting smoking is good self care."

Although the study tied lower vitamin B-12 levels to a higher risk of fracture in older men, it did not establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

This study -- published online in the journal Osteoporosis International -- is a part of an international research project initiated by the U.S. National Institutes of Health that includes 11,000 men.

More information

The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about vitamin B-12.

SOURCE: University of Gothenburg, news release, Dec. 12, 2013

EL APIO (Apium graveolaens)

(Extraído de mednatursagradafamilia.blogspot.com.es)

EL APIO

Fuente: “ Alimentos medicina milagrosa”

El apio tiene una larga y prestigiosa historia de uso, primero como medicina y luego como un alimento. La mención inicial de las propiedades medicinales de las hojas de apio se remonta al siglo IX A.C, cuando el apio hizo una aparición en la Odisea, la obra del poeta griego Homero.

El Apio ya resulta mencionado por griegos y egipcios que utilizaban esta planta para adornar los sepulcros.

Tal vez fue el hambre que azotó la Edad Media la que hizo que perdiera esta función ornamental y pasara a ser definitivamente una planta alimenticia. Los árabes la apreciaban por sus cualidades medicinales y no sin razón ya que es un gran tónico nervioso que contribuye a la remineralización del organismo

A partir de la Edad Media el uso del apio pasó de ser medicinal a incorporarlo a la cocina.

Lo podemos tomar cocinado en sopas o guisos, también en ensalada  y en jugo.

USO MEDICINAL

El apio es de gran importancia porque goza de propiedades diuréticas, estimulantes, expectorantes, tónicas, aperitivas, carminativas, febrífugas, antipalúdicas, emenagogas, etc., y además es de mucho valor por su riqueza en vitaminas y sales minerales.

Es un poderoso alcalino que neutraliza los ácidos del organismo, algunos de los valiosos elementos orgánicos que se encuentran en el apio son: sodio, potasio, hierro, magnesio, calcio, cloro, azufre, silicio, fósforo y aun cobre.

De todos los alimentos comunes, el apio ocupa el lugar más alto en contenido de sodio, pues éste disuelve las toxinas del cuerpo, ayuda a formar las secreciones de la boca, la vesícula biliar y el páncreas.

Un déficit de sodio en la sangre, dificulta la absorción de suficiente oxígeno para quemar el carbono de los alimentos, y esto conduce a la diabetes.

El sodio ayuda a formar la bilis, también la mantiene liquida, y por esto es ayudado el hígado perezoso. Por medio del sistema linfático filtra las sustancias venenosas fuera de la corriente sanguínea, y por esta razón ha sido llamado “el más grande neutralizador de productos de desecho”, que conoce la ciencia.

Además de la vitamina B, el apio es rico en la vitamina A que protege contra las enfermedades de los ojos; de la vitamina C que previene el escorbuto, y regular en la vitamina G que defiende de la pelagra.

El apio es esencialmente diurético y ha sido encomiado por algunos científicos contra el reumatismo y la gota, y para ello puede usarse en caldo o sopas.

El apio comido crudo en ensaladas, o cocido junto con otros alimentos, constituye un alimento vigorizador y fortificante de los nervios, en los casos de debilidad.

Cortado y macerado el apio en agua fría, constituye una buena bebida depurativa y aperitiva, para los artríticos, tomada entre las comidas.

Para hacer disminuir la secreción láctea en las mujeres, se suministrara como remedio infusión de apio, la cantidad de 200 gramos por litro de agua, en la dosis de una taza pequeña cada 3 horas. También se puede usar con este mismo propósito la raíz, haciendo una infusión con 30 o 40 gramos por litro de agua.

Combination of preventive and therapeutic moxibustion has beneficial effect for Alzheimer's disease

(Extraído de news-medical.net)

An increasing number of clinical and animal studies have confirmed that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Moxibustion is reported to be more effective than electro-acupuncture for improving space-recognizing memory ability in aged mice, suggesting that moxibustion is another alternative or complementary therapy used to treat Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Yanjun Du and team from Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, China only used suspended moxibustion (also named warming moxibustion, scarring moxibustion, or herb-partition moxibustion) on Baihui (GV20) and Shenshu (BL23) acupoints to observe the action of pre-moxibustion on preventing apoptosis in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease.
The pre-moxibustion group was treated with moxibustion for eight courses (each course lasting for 6 days) prior to the exposure and 14 days after Aβ1–42 exposure. Results showed no evidence of apoptosis in hippocampal neurons, a significantly reduced apoptosis rate of neurons and improved learning and memory abilities were observed in the Alzheimer's disease model. In particular, moxibustion prior to Aβ1–42 exposure was more effective than moxibustion after Aβ1–42 exposure in protecting the neuronal structure and lowering the apoptosis rate. Their findings, published in the Neural Regeneration Research (Vol. 8, No. 30, 2013), indicate that a combination of preventive and therapeutic moxibustion has a beneficial effect for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease development.

Source: Neural Regeneration Research

Homeopathy in the paediatric population

(Extraído de cps.ca)

 

Principal author(s)

L Spigelblatt; Canadian Paediatric Society, Community Paediatrics Committee

Paediatr Child Health 2005;10(3):173-7

Today, more and more Canadians, including children, are being exposed to a wide variety of alternative health care products and services. Nationally, we spent $3.8 billion on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and natural health products between 1996 and 1997 [1]. In 2001, 75% of Canadians used one or more natural health products and 19% consulted a CAM practitioner [2][3]. Homeopathy is one of the more popular alternative therapies used in children [4]. The present statement reviews the principles of homeopathy and the evidence, or lack thereof, for its use in specific paediatric conditions. Its purpose is to enable physicians, health care workers and families to make appropriate patient-management decisions. A systematic review of the current literature was performed using PubMed, CAM on PubMed, the Cochrane Library and Health Canada’s Web sites (search terms used: homeopathy, alternative and complementary medicine, children, paediatrics, infants and teens). Due to the paucity of studies in the purely paediatric population, some articles cited included adult data. No trials analyzing the effects of over-the-counter paediatric homeopathic preparations were found.

Historical perspective

Homeopathy, a word derived from the Greek omeos, meaning similar, and pathos, meaning suffering, was developed at the end of the 18th century by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann [5][6]. It soon spread to other European countries and the United States, in part because conventional medical remedies at that time were often more dangerous or painful than the diseases they were meant to treat. In this century, some patients have turned to alternative medicine, including homeopathy, because of a growing dissatisfaction and disenchantment with a ‘high-tech’, depersonalized medical system [6][7][8]. In addition, homeopathy, by virtue of its purported nontoxic nature, appeals to those with legitimate concerns about conventional drugs [9]. Homeopathy is one of the most popular CAM therapies worldwide, especially in Europe [7][10]. In the United States, its use has increased fivefold since 1990, largely through the sale of over-the-counter products [11]. Homeopathy and homeopathic medicines should not be confused with herbal remedies.

Principles of homeopathy

A major tenet of homeopathy is the law of similars or ‘like cures like’ (ie, a substance can ‘cure’ in a patient the same set of symptoms it can induce in a healthy individual) [7]. A plant, mineral or other product is chosen on the basis that it would, if given to a healthy volunteer, cause the presenting symptoms of the patient [12]. When given in a very diluted form, the chosen homeopathic remedy should alleviate these symptoms. Currently, there are over 2000 substances known as remedies in the homeopathic materia medica [13]. For example, a homeopathic preparation derived from cockroaches may be used to treat a form of asthma characterized by suffocation with an accumulation of mucus [14]. Another manifestation of asthma might be treated with a different preparation. Choosing remedies based on the symptoms rather than the disease itself is an integral part of the holistic approach to treatment by homeopathic practitioners [6].

As the remedy in its pure form would likely have some degree of toxicity, it is diluted and shaken (succussed) in a 1:10 (X or D for decimal) or 1:100 (C for centesimal) dilution in a water-alcohol solution. The higher the dilution is, the more potent the medicine. Insoluble substances are pulverized and formed into pellets with sucrose and/or lactose [15]. Highly diluted preparations are greater than Avogadro’s number and no longer contain the original molecule. The precise mechanism of action of homeopathic medicines on biological symptoms is still unexplained [5]. For many, the lack of a scientific explanation for homeopathic treatments raises questions about its legitimacy [5][6][10][12][15]. Some believe that complex interactions occur during dilutions that impart a ‘memory’ of the original substance to the water molecule [12][13]. The ongoing debate over its mechanisms of action is beyond the scope of this article.

Clinical practice

The practice and scope of homeopathy are varied. Homeopathic medicines can be bought over the counter without any medical advice or, sometimes, with only the recommendations of a pharmacist (eg, camilia for teething). Homeopaths (who are rarely licensed physicians in Canada) may use varied approaches to treatment. One method is ‘classical’ homeopathy, where a long, detailed description of symptoms, often very different in scope to a traditional medical history, will result in the administration of a single remedy given in infrequent doses [6]. ‘Clinical’ homeopathy uses combinations of remedies to treat variations of a clinical condition. Some practitioners may also use other devices, such as electronic instruments [6]. Such variability in the methods of practising homeopathy is one of the reasons that trials involving homeopathy are difficult to conduct, analyze, compare and reproduce [16].

Regulation and safety of homeopathy

The Canadian Natural Health Products Directorate, a branch of Health Canada, deals with the concerns of stakeholders involved with homeopathy and aspects of its regulation [17]. As of January 2004, approved homeopathic products receive a drug identification number (DIN-HM). The criteria for the regulation of these medicines can be accessed at the Health Canada Web site <http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodnatur/legislation/docs/ehmg-nprh-eng.php>.

Properly prepared homeopathic medicines are generally considered to have few side effects because they are so dilute [13]. For the same reason, they are unlikely to interact with conventional medicines. There is, however, a phenomenon described by homeopathic practitioners as ‘aggravation of symptoms’, whereby a small number of patients may have initial worsening of their symptoms for a few hours after taking the preparation [18]. A review [18] of English-language articles retrieved from biomedical databases, homeopathic journals and symposia from 1970 to 1995 on adverse effects of homeopathic medicines and products was published in 2000. The authors found that the quality of information on adverse effects was poor and lacking in important details to assess causality. They concluded that there was a very small risk of toxicity of homeopathic medicines when compared with placebo [18]. However, they noted that there are reservations to drawing that conclusion because the mode of assessment of adverse effects was not usually described. Homeopathic products (combinations of often-undiluted homeopathic medicines with herbal or other ingredients) have been shown to be potentially harmful.

One case report [19] of contact dermatitis (baboon syndrome) due to the ingestion of a homeopathic preparation of mercury was reported in Spain. A second report [20] of mercury intoxication requiring chelation therapy was reported in an infant treated for diaper dermatitis with homeopathic mercury. It is difficult to link possible adverse effects to homeopathic remedies because they are often obtained over the counter.

Although there are relatively few concerns with the safety of properly prepared homeopathic products, there are some issues with homeopathy’s belief system and its practitioners. In some cases, homeopaths do not refer children for conventional care, whereas in other situations, parents may delay seeking medical attention while awaiting results from homeopathy [8][21].

Another area of major concern is the negative attitude toward immunizations disseminated by some homeopathic practitioners. In Quebec, a study [22] found that 40% of nurses who administer vaccines agreed with the statement that homeopathy can eliminate the need to vaccinate. Another study [23] conducted in Germany among medically qualified homeopathic and non-homeopathic physicians showed that while classical vaccines, such as the diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and poliomyelitis vaccines, are well accepted in both groups, others are less accepted by homeopathic physicians. A survey of 42 homeopaths in Massachusetts [21] discovered that only 35% recommended vaccinations and 9% actively opposed them. Several other surveys on the attitudes of homeopaths toward vaccination have reported similar results [24][25]. In England, a study [26] found that homeopathy was the most common reason cited for parental nonadherence with immunization regimens.

Homeopathy use in children

How often is homeopathy used to treat childhood illness and conditions? A 1992 study [4] conducted in a paediatric ambulatory department in Montreal, Quebec, found that of the 11% who had used CAM, homeopathy ranked second in overall use. In a survey conducted in England [27], it was demonstrated that of the 18% of children who had used a complementary therapy, homeopathy was one of the most popular treatments for dermatological; ear, nose and throat; respiratory; and emotional disorders. In two British paediatric studies [28][29], 15% of children with asthma and 35% of children with atopic dermatitis who had tried CAM used homeopathy. In Norway, children are visiting homeopaths in ever increasing numbers: from 10% in 1985 to 25% in 1998 [30]. A 1999 survey of Italian children [31] revealed that 7.7% had used homeopathy.

Efficacy of homeopathy

Overall, the quality of the clinical trials of homeopathy do not compare favourably with those of conventional medicine [32]. Nonetheless, attempts have been made using meta-analyses of the available data to determine whether homeopathy is more effective than placebo. In 1991, Kleijnen et al [33] conducted a meta-analysis of 105 trials with analyzable results. They concluded that there was sufficient evidence to indicate a statistically positive result in favour of homeopathy, although many of the trials were of poor methodological quality. This result came with several important caveats and concerns, not the least of which was a call for larger, rigorous, double-blind studies.

The next meta-analysis done in 1997 by Linde et al [34] reviewed 89 trials that the authors judged acceptable. They concluded (using an OR) that it was unlikely that the clinical effects of homeopathy were completely due to the placebo effect. There was not enough evidence to conclude that homeopathy was effective for any specific condition. However, their method of choosing studies has been questioned, with some detecting a bias toward studies with positive results [35][36]. Another meta-analysis by Linde and Melchart [37] compared individualized homeopathy with another treatment, placebo or no treatment. In the 19 trials that yielded sufficient data, homeopathy was significantly more effective than placebo. When the trials were restricted to those with the soundest methodology, no significant effect could be seen. Firm conclusions of general efficacy cannot be made due to the poor quality of the trials, the high attrition rates and the unknown role of publication bias [32][38]-[40].

Because of the inconclusive nature of the data thus far, the belief system of the individual will most likely influence the interpretation of the results – opponents of homeopathy are unlikely to be swayed by a tendency toward positive trials, whereas its adherents are more likely to be dismissive of negative results.

Homeopathic treatment of specific conditions in children

Table 1 summarizes homeopathic treatments in paediatric patients that have been reported in the literature. It provides information on the type of study, a brief description of the study, followed by treatment outcome and specific comments. While parents frequently use homeopathic remedies for colic and teething, no studies were found in the medical literature search on the use of these preparations for these conditions.

TABLE 1 Homeopathic treatment of specific conditions in children
Condition	Type of study	Study description	Results	Comments	References
Otitis media	Observational trial	Comparison of homeopathic versus conventional treatment	No difference in pain, recurrence or tympanogram	Poor study design	[41]
	Randomized, double- blind, placebo- controlled trial	Comparison of homeopathic treatment versus placebo	No difference in treatment failure, but fewer symptoms in homeopathy group	Small sample size	[42]
	Nonblinded, randomized controlled trial	Comparison of homeopathic versus standard treatment	No difference in hearing loss or antibiotic use	Small sample size	[43]
	Uncontrolled trial	Homeopathic treatment only	72% achieved pain control by 12 h		[44]
	Pilot study	Treatment with 10 different homeopathic remedies	Issues for a proper study were defined		[45]
Adenoid hypertrophy	Randomized, double- blind trial	Comparison of homeopathic treatment versus placebo	No difference in need for adenoidectomy		[46]
Asthma	Randomized, double- blind, placebo- controlled trial	Homeopathic and conventional treatment versus placebo and conventional treatment	No difference between adjunctive homeopathic treatment versus placebo		[47]-[52]
	Uncontrolled trial	Individualized homeopathy	No difference in forced expiratory volume or exhaled nitrous oxide	Very small sample size	[53]
	Cochrane review		Not enough evidence to assess role of homeopathy		[54]
Allergies	Patient as own control	Homeopathic with conventional treatment	Conventional medication use decreased	Many problems with the study	[55]
Cold/flu	Nonblinded trial	Comparison of homeopathic treatment versus placebo	No decrease in symptoms or need for antibiotics or tonsillectomy/ adenoidectomy		[56]
	Cochrane review in prevention/ treatment of flu	Homeopathic treatment only	Small reduction in symptoms	Review cannot recommend use of treatment	[57]
Diarrhea	Randomized trial (and meta-analysis done by same authors)	Comparison of homeopathic treatment versus placebo	Significant decrease in number of stools on day 3 and duration of diarrhea	Well-designed studies	[58]-[60]
	Meta-analysis	Comparison of homeopathic treatment versus placebo	Positive effect of homeopathy		[61]
Warts	Randomized, nonblinded trial	Comparison of homeopathic treatment versus placebo	No difference between groups	Reference 64 is a review of other dermatological conditions	[62]-[64]
Chemotherapy- induced stomatitis	Randomized, blinded trial	Comparison of Traumeel (BHI Inc, USA) versus placebo	Statistically significant difference favouring homeopathy	Multiple design problems	[65]
Postoperative agitation	Nonrandomized, nonblinded trial	Comparison of homeopathic treatment versus placebo	Homeopathy provided greater relief	Major methodological and reporting flaws	[66]
ADHD	Nonrandomized, noncontrolled trial	Treatment with various homeopathic remedies	75% of ADHD improved with homeopathic treatments	Major methodological problems	[67]
ADHD Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Summary

Homeopathy is a common form of CAM used to treat paediatric conditions. Based on the available evidence, adverse effects from properly prepared homeopathic medicines seem to be uncommon, although they may be under-reported. However, a major concern is the reluctance on the part of those who practice homeopathy to support vaccinations. As well, delays in seeking conventional medical therapies while waiting for results from homeopathic treatments may jeopardize the child’s health.

Questions about the use of homeopathy and other CAM therapies or products should be a routine part of the paediatric history, especially for children with chronic conditions. As with all CAM therapies, physicians should be prepared to respond to parents’ questions on homeopathy in an informed and nonjudgemental manner. There are only a few good studies [42][58][60] showing possible benefits of homeopathy when prescribed by trained practitioners for a selected number of specific conditions in children. Therefore, more rigorous studies showing efficacy need to be completed before it can be recommended as a credible complementary or alternative therapy for the paediatric population.

Acknowledgements

The Community Paediatrics Committee thanks their colleagues from the Drug Therapy and Hazardous Substances Committee for their feedback during the development of this statement.

COMMUNITY PAEDIATRICS COMMITTEE

Members: Cecilia Baxter MD (1998-2004); Mark Feldman MD; William James MD (2002-2004); Mia Lang MD; Denis Leduc MD (chair, 1998-2004); Cheryl Mutch MD; Michelle Ponti MD (chair); Linda Spigelblatt MD; Sandra Woods MD (1998-2004); David Wong MD (board representative)
Liaison: Richard Haber MD, Community Paediatrics Section, Canadian Paediatric Society
Principal author: Linda Spigelblatt MD

 

References

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Disclaimer: The recommendations in this position statement do not indicate an exclusive course of treatment or procedure to be followed. Variations, taking into account individual circumstances, may be appropriate. Internet addresses are current at time of publication.