Time Magazine: Inflammation Part 8 of 8

Asthma Without Allergies? 

One of the most intriguing questions in immunology today is why everyone doesn't suffer from asthma. After all, the air we breathe is full of germs, viruses and other irritants. Since half of the 17 million Americans with asthma are hypersensitive to common substances like cat dander or pollen, it stands to reason that their allergic reactions trigger the chronic inflammation in their bodies. Yet the people who develop asthma as adults — one of the most rapidly growing segments of the population — often don't have allergies. Doctors still don't know what's driving their disease, but the signs of inflammation are every bit as present in their lungs.

Many treatments for asthma are designed to control inflammation, although they still don't cure the disease. "It may mean that the inflammatory hypothesis is not entirely correct or the drugs that we use to treat inflammation aren't fully potent," says Dr. Stephen Wasserman, an allergist at the University of California at San Diego. "There are a lot of gaps to fill in."

Everywhere they turn, doctors are finding evidence that inflammation plays a larger role in chronic diseases than they thought. But that doesn't necessarily mean they know what to do about it. "We're in a quandary right now," says Dr. Gailen Marshall, an immunologist at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. "We're advancing the idea to heighten awareness. But we really can't recommend specific treatments yet."

That may soon change. Researchers are looking beyond aspirin and other multipurpose medications to experimental drugs that block inflammation more precisely. Any day now, Genentech is expecting a decision from the FDA on its colon-cancer drug, Avastin, which targets one of the growth factors released by the body as inflammation gives way to healing. Millennium Pharmaceuticals is testing a different kind of drug, called Velcade, which has already been approved for treating multiple myeloma, against lung cancer and other malignancies. But there is a sense that much more basic research into the nature of inflammation needs to be done before scientists understand how best to limit the damage in chronic diseases.

In the meantime, there are things we all can do to dampen our inflammatory fires. Some of the advice may sound terribly familiar, but we have fresh reasons to follow through. Losing weight induces those fat cells — remember them? — to produce fewer cytokines. So does regular exercise, 30 minutes a day most days of the week. Flossing your teeth combats gum disease, another source of chronic inflammation. Fruits, vegetables and fish are full of substances that disable free radicals.

Apply What We Learned:

So, how do we avoid all the inflammation that we have learned about that causes such long-term damage to our bodies... capitalize on the natural things we can do everyday to maximize our health and increase the quality of our years here on Earth! What helps us do that? Look for items in the grocery store that advertise ' RICH IN ANT-OXIDANTS'! From there, flip over the package, If the ingredients do not read that the top 3 ingredients is where the anti-oxidants come from, it is not worth the buy. If you already experiencing some of the disease and inflammation already, take advantage of Sonoran Bloom Nopalea! This is going to flush the toxins from the body naturally and quickly! I challenge you to try it! If you see no results or are not 100% impressed then get your money back! Give yourself the chance to feel better and be better!

Time Magazine: Inflammation Part 6 of 8

Asprin for Alzheimer's Disease? 

When doctors treating Alzheimer's patients took a closer look at who seemed to be succumbing to the disease, they uncovered a tantalizing clue: those who were already taking anti-inflammatory drugs for arthritis or heart disease tended to develop the disorder later than those who weren't. Perhaps the immune system mistakenly saw the characteristic plaques and tangles that build up in the brains of Alzheimer's patients as damaged tissue that needed to be cleared out. If so, the ensuing inflammatory reaction was doing more harm than good. Blocking it with anti-inflammatories might limit, or at least delay, any damage to cognitive functions.

The most likely culprits this time around are the glial cells, whose job is to nourish and communicate with the neurons. Researchers have discovered that glial cells can also act a lot like the mast cells of the skin, producIt appears that some people are more sensitive to plaques and tangles than others. Perhaps they have a genetic predisposition. Or perhaps a long-running bacterial infection, like gum disease, keeps the internal fires burning and tips the balance toward chronic inflammation.

Preliminary research suggests that low-dose aspirin and fish-oil capsules — both of which are known to reduce inflammatory cytokines — seem to reduce a person's risk of Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, most of these preventive measures need to be started well before any neurological problems develop. "What we've learned with dementia is that it's very hard to improve people who already have it," says Dr. Ernst Schaefer, a professor of medicine and nutrition at Tuft's Friedman School of Nutrition in Boston. "But it may be possible to stabilize people and to prevent disease."

Inflammatory cytokines that call additional immune cells into action. "The glial cells are trying to return the brain to a normal state," explains Linda Van Eldik, a neurobiologist at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. "But for some reason, in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, the process seems to be out of control. You get chronic glial activation, which results in an inflammatory state.

Time Magazine: Inflammation Part 2 of 8

"....At least that's the theory. For now, most of the evidence is circumstantial. (A few researchers think chronic inflammation can in some cases be good for you.) But that hasn't stopped doctors from testing the anti-inflammatory drugs that are already on pharmacy shelves to see if they have any broader benefits. What they've found is encouraging:

— In 2000 researchers concluded that patients who take Celebrex, a prescription drug from Pfizer that was originally designed to treat inflammation in arthritis, are less likely to develop intestinal polyps — abnormal growths that can become cancerous. Now there are dozens of clinical trials of Celebrex, testing, among other things, whether the medication can also prevent breast cancer, delay memory loss or slow the progression of the devastating neurodegenerative disorder known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

— As cardiologists gain more experience prescribing cholesterol-lowering statins, they are discovering that the drugs are more effective at preventing heart attacks than anyone expected. It turns out that statins don't just lower cholesterol levels; they also reduce inflammation. Now statins are being tested for their anti-inflammatory effects on Alzheimer's disease and sickle-cell anemia.

DeCode Genetics, an Icelandic biotech firm, announced last week that it is launching a pilot study to test whether an anti-inflammatory drug that was under development for use in treating asthma might work to prevent heart attacks.

— Of course the granddaddy of all anti-inflammatories is aspirin, and millions of Americans already take it to prevent heart attacks. But evidence is growing that it may also fight colon cancer and even Alzheimer's by reducing inflammation in the digestive tract and the brain.

This new view of inflammation is changing the way some scientists do medical research. "Virtually our entire R.-and-D. effort is [now] focused on inflammation and cancer," says Dr. Robert Tepper, president of research and development at Millennium Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, Mass. In medical schools across the U.S., cardiologists, rheumatologists, oncologists, allergists and neurologists are all suddenly talking to one another — and they're discovering that they're looking at the same thing. The speed with which researchers are jumping on the inflammation bandwagon is breathtaking. Just a few years ago, "nobody was interested in this stuff," says Dr. Paul Ridker, a cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital who has done some of the groundbreaking work in the area. "Now the whole field of inflammation research is about to explode."

To understand better what all the excitement is about, it helps to know a little about the basic immunological response, a cascade of events triggered whenever the body is subjected to trauma or injury. As soon as that splinter slices into your finger, for example, specialized sentinel cells prestationed throughout the body alert the immune system to the presence of any bacteria that might have come along for the ride. Some of those cells, called mast cells, release a chemical called histamine that makes nearby capillaries leaky. This allows small amounts of plasma to pour out, slowing down invading bacteria, and prepares the way for other faraway immune defenders to easily enter the fray. Meanwhile, another group of sentinels, called macrophages, begin an immediate counterattack and release more chemicals, called cytokines, which signal for reinforcements. Soon, wave after wave of immune cells flood the site, destroying pathogens and damaged tissue alike — there's no carrying the wounded off the battlefield in this war. (No wonder the ancient Romans likened inflammation to being on fire.)

Doctors call this generalized response to practically any kind of attack innate immunity. Even the bodies of animals as primitive as starfish defend themselves this way. But higher organisms have also developed a more precision-guided defense system that helps direct and intensify the innate response and creates specialized antibodies, custom-made to target specific kinds of bacteria or viruses. This so-called learned immunity is what enables drug companies to develop vaccines against diseases like smallpox and the flu. Working in tandem, the innate and learned immunological defenses fight pitched battles until all the invading germs are annihilated. In a final flurry of activity, a last wave of cytokines is released, the inflammatory process recedes, and healing begins.

Problems begin when, for one reason or another, the inflammatory process persists and becomes chronic; the final effects are varied and depend a lot on where in the body the runaway reaction takes hold. Among the first to recognize the broader implications were heart doctors who noticed that inflammation seems to play a key role in cardiovascular disease."

Time Magazine: Inflammation Part 1 of 8

     A friend of mine who is a strong advocate for Trivita as well as the world's health and wellness sent me this article from Time magazine! It is pretty long, so I broke it up for an easy read because it is such pertinent information in the world today! With the leading killers in America having such relation to inflammation, you can't afford not to know!

"What does a stubbed toe or a splinter in a finger have to do with your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, suffering a heart attack or succumbing to colon cancer? More than you might think. As scientists delve deeper into the fundamental causes of those and other illnesses, they are starting to see links to an age-old immunological defense mechanism called inflammation — the same biological process that turns the tissue around a splinter red and causes swelling in an injured toe. If they are right — and the evidence is starting to look pretty good — it could radically change doctors' concept of what makes us sick. It could also prove a bonanza to pharmaceutical companies looking for new ways to keep us well.

Most of the time, inflammation is a lifesaver that enables our bodies to fend off various disease-causing bacteria, viruses and parasites. (Yes, even in the industrialized world, we are constantly bombarded by pathogens.) The instant any of these potentially deadly microbes slips into the body, inflammation marshals a defensive attack that lays waste to both invader and any tissue it may have infected. Then just as quickly, the process subsides and healing begins.

Every once in a while, however, the whole feverish production doesn't shut down on cue. Sometimes the problem is a genetic predisposition; other times something like smoking or high blood pressure keeps the process going. In any event, inflammation becomes chronic rather than transitory. When that occurs, the body turns on itself — like an ornery child who can't resist picking a scab — with aftereffects that seem to underlie a wide variety of diseases.

Suddenly, inflammation has become one of the hottest areas of medical research. Hardly a week goes by without the publication of yet another study uncovering a new way that chronic inflammation does harm to the body. It destabilizes cholesterol deposits in the coronary arteries, leading to heart attacks and potentially even strokes. It chews up nerve cells in the brains of Alzheimer's victims. It may even foster the proliferation of abnormal cells and facilitate their transformation into cancer. In other words, chronic inflammation may be the engine that drives many of the most feared illnesses of middle and old age.

This concept is so intriguing because it suggests a new and possibly much simpler way of warding off disease. Instead of different treatments for, say, heart disease, Alzheimer's and colon cancer, there might be a single, inflammation-reducing remedy that would prevent all three.

Chronic inflammation also fascinates scientists because it indicates that our bodies may have, from an evolutionary perspective, become victims of their own success. "We evolved as a species because of our ability to fight off microbial invaders," says Dr. Peter Libby, chief of cardiovascular medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. "The strategies our bodies used for survival were important in a time when we didn't have processing plants to purify our water, when we didn't have sewers to protect us."

But now that we are living longer, those same inflammatory strategies are more likely to slip beyond our control. Making matters worse, it appears that many of the attributes of a Western lifestyle — such as a diet high in sugars and saturated fats, accompanied by little or no exercise — also make it easier for the body to become inflamed."

... to be continued.

World's Best Vitamin! B-12!

     Okay, so B-12 has earned that title from me by being my favorite vitamin. I think it is the coolest eva because of all the amazing things it does for us! God always amazes me with things like this, how our world has everything we could ever need or want! Then 10x's that because we are still discovering uses for it all! I love it. I love science. I love understanding they 'why' behind something. Here is why I as well as some other cool people think B-12 is soo amazing!

B-12..... History

• 1824- Dr. Combe records that a lack of vitamin B causes digestion problems.

• 1926- Dr. Minot & Dr. Murphy discover raw liver will restore red blood cells and help those deficient of vitamin B.

• 1948- British & U.S. discover vitamin B is in meats. Dr. West proves B-12 injections will benefit patients with pernicious anemia.

• 1955- Vitamin B-12 is synthesized.

• 1979- Dr. Libby theorizes that B-12 can be just as effective taken as a sublingual than injections.

• 1980- Dr. Libby creates a sublingual B-12 and clinical testing begins.

• 1984- Dr. Libby gets a patent for her sublingual B-12.

• 1985- Folic Acid & B-6 are added to the sublingual supplement and more clinical testing is done.

• 1999- TriVita's sublingual B-12, B-6, & Folic Acid are manufactured to Dr. Libby's specifications.

• 2008- TriVita now features a super sublingual B-12. Faster acting, longer-lasting, and more potent.

• 2010- More than a 11 million boxes have been sold of TriVita's sublingual B-12.

B-12..... Who should use it!

     We are what we eat, and unfortunately it has its side effects. It is our body's of saying, you're doing a lousy job taking care of me. So, it begins as a subtle pain or irritation when something isn't working properly, but gradually progresses. Before we realize it, everything seems to be bothering us!

Common Complaints People Have:

• Weakness/Tiredness

• Bleeding Gums

• Depression

• Lack of Balance

• Memory loss

• Headache

• Confusion/Dementia

• Loss of Appetite

• Numbness/Tingling in hands or feet

Not to sound like a commercial, but if you are suffering from a few of the symptoms above, those are signs of a B-12 deficiency. Consult your physician. 

B-12..... Facts

• As early as age 30, B-12 deficiency can lead to brain erosion.

• After the age 40, your ability to absorb B vitamins through food begins to diminish.

• Your brain needs vitamin B to work properly.

• Those deficient in vitamin B tend to age prematurely and become more susceptible to disease.

B-12..... What it does for you!

• Provides Sustainable Energy- no crashing

• Improves Memory

• Reduces Heart Disease Risk- prevents homocysteine which is linked to heart disease

• Alzheimer's Protection

• Relief from B-12 Anemia- common is vegetarians, vegans, and those who have had gastro bypass or suffer from pancreatic issues.

B-12..... How it's most effective!

     Sublingual is a funny word, and if you aren't sure just what exactly it means, I'm sure you are very frustrated. Sublingual means you put it under your tongue. The reason this was such a discovery and is different from swallowing vitamins, the typical way. Dr. Libby used what 

he knew about the large veins under our tongue. If you let the supplement dissolve underneath the tongue, the B vitamin absorbs right into the blood stream for fast acting relief of those common complaints/symptoms.

B-12..... Where you can get it!

     There is only one way (to my knowledge) of how you can get quality B-12, all of it to be absorbed into your system, and not do injections from your doctor. TriVita has the best vitamin B you can get. Check out the link by clicking the word 'Trivita' to learn more or click on the picture.

B-12..... How it has helped me!

     I am a fish eating vegetarian. My lifestyle leaves me quite defiencient in vitamin B. I began having migraines off & on for the last 3 months. It ended up being to the lack of vitamin B in my diet. A friend, health consultant for TriVita encouraged me to try it. It seemed expensive, and I was already taking vitamin B so I didn't need her vitamin  B. I tried it anyway. Oh my goodness, what a difference. 

     If I woke up before 9am, I use to need a nap by 2pm. I was so sluggish; working out wasn't even an option. I had no energy. I take 1 or 2 depending on the schedule of my day. I take my first at noon or so, and I am able to keep going all day long! I love how I feel! I love that I am able to stay up late if I want. I am more productive, and it feels good! The energy is sustainable energy. It isn't like chugging a red bull; there is no crash. It's the best vitamin I have ever purchased!

B-12..... How I get it!

     I order mine off the website, but it is super easy to call and order it, too! If you are interested in trying it, you can e-mail me. I will give you a code so that when they ask, you can tell them who referred you! My e-mail is kelkins@elkinsgroup.com

Sources: Trivita's Vita Journal