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Can You Prevent Chemotherapy Side Effects with All Natural Herbs?

Jul 24

Leucozepin

Build your immune system-increase white blood cells-

Natural ingredients-reishi mushroom & astragalus

*******************************************************************

When someone gets diagnosed with cancer, it’s not only that person who suffers. It’s everyone around them, too! Watching someone you know and love go through chemotherapy is frustrating! You want to help but don’t know what can be done to make the other person happier and healthier. You would do anything in your power to help them get through this difficult time in their life NOW and put it in their past.

By : Dr. Donna Schwontkowski

Certainly there must be something that can be done to help your friend or loved one with cancer.

One solution is all natural herbs that can be used to strengthen the immune system and help regulate blood cell counts. These can be used as an adjunct to chemotherapy and in many cases used the same day that chemotherapy is given.

Just as drugs can affect many of the body systems, so can herbs. For example, one herb, cat’s claw from the Amazon rainforest, boosts white blood cell count and function both 34%, but also has chemical constituents in it for improving depression. In Peru, herbalists sometimes recommend placing the herb underneath the pillow and say that the next morning, a new attitude will be found.

Because of the ability of all natural herbs such as cat’s claw to affect the mind as well as the immune system, this herb is frequently found in all natural herb combination for chemotherapy patients.

Reducing Chemotherapy Side Effects Strengthens the Body

One particular herbal combination I have found recently that has been tested and researched has actions that include activating the natural killer cells that fight against cancer, relieving fatigue and boosting energy levels of those on a treatment program of chemotherapy. What a wonderful combination of benefits from something natural.

This is a major feat in itself because chemotherapy drugs are good at killing cancer cells, but during the process, normal cells are also damaged. When cells are damaged, they need to be repaired and the process can leave one feeling fatigued, weak and also susceptible to infection.

Nausea, vomiting and even pain are also common side effects. About half of chemotherapy patients report that they feel queasy even before the chemotherapy treatment session begins! It’s as if the body remembers feeling nausea from the last treatment session and is getting ready to start feeling the same thing again!

Natural herbal medicine is one of the best choices to reduce chemotherapy side effects because natural herbs often work on multiple body systems simultaneously, supporting the body functions holistically.

One proprietary formula of 15 all natural herbs has shown clinical results in an average of 7 days. The formula has a surprisingly pleasant taste and is reported by many cancer sufferers to change their condition from being bedridden to leading normal lives and even getting back to work.

The herbs included in this formula are:

Ligustrum Lucidum (fruit)

Polygonatum (root)

Poria (seed)

Codonopsis (root)

Psoralea (fruit)

Lycium (fruit)

Astragalus (root)

Dong Quai (root)

Tangerine (fruit peel)

Dendrobium (stem)

Chinese Licorice (root)

Spatholobus (stem)

Rehmannia (root)

Bai-zhu Atractylodes (root)

Reishi Mushroom (whole)

Dozens of research studies have reported that many of the all natural herbs in formulas like this are well known immune stimulators and have anti-cancer properties. They repair cellular damage, important when someone has cancer. Bai-zhu Atractylodes stimulates the two component parts of the immune system, the T cells and the B cells, producing more antibodies and more interferon and is known for its anti-cancer properties. Reishi Mushrooms promote the production of natural killer cells. Because of the actions of these all natural herbs, many cancer patients taking a combination such as this notice relief of anemia, relief of chronic fatigue, and relief from abnormal blood counts.

One of the big keys to recovering from cancer is regaining strength. Once this happens, the cancer patient feels better both physically and mentally and hope sets in.

For more info on herbal formulas that may help reduce chemotherapy side effects, see the website http://www.immuneenhance.com

Dr. Donna Schwontkowski is a master herbalist and a retired chiropractic physician. She is internationally known for her work in the field of herbs. Her website is http://www.drdonna.info

Popularity: 21% [?]

Influenza And Bacterial Pneumonia Make For Harmful Super-infection

Jul 23

ENERhance

Boost and Restore Energy: natural herbs, vitamins & minerals

Secondary Benefits

  • Strengthen the immune system
  • Helps individuals speed recovery from illnesses
  • Contains Astragalus, Poria seed, Ginseng, Reishi Mushroom
**********************************************

Influenza And Bacterial Pneumonia Make For Harmful Super-infection

ScienceDaily

Influenza, or flu, is an unpleasant affair with fever, cough, as well as head and body ache.
When this illness is further complicated by a
bacterialpneumonia, a harmful super-infection develops. Until now, researchers thought
that the flu facilitates an infection with pneumonia bacteria because it leads
to a decrease of immune cells in the blood and thus impairs the body's
defenses.
A joint venture from researchers from the Helmholtz-Centre for Infection
Research (HZI) in Braunschweig, the Otto-von-Guericke-University in Magdeburg,
and the Karolinska institute in Sweden have taken an in-depth look at the
connection between flu infection and pneumonia. Their results have disproven a
common theory about flu-like pneumonia.

Some viral infections trigger a decrease of immune cells in the blood – a
so-called "lymphopenia". The reasons behind it and whether this is
the case with influenza are unknown. To investigate the latter, HZI researchers
infected mice with flu viruses and measured the amount of immune cells in the
animal's blood every day. Some days later, flu-infected mice received a dosage
of pneumonia bacteria usually harmless for healthy mice. While the flu-infected
mice did develop a superinfection & subsequently died, surprisingly, they
were not suffering from lymphopenia. The healthy, non-flu-infected mice
defeated the bacteria successfully and recovered.

To discover whether a lack of immune cells encourages an infection with
pneumonia bacteria in general, an artificial drug-induced lymphopenia was
established in the mice. Without infecting these lymphopenic mice with flu
viruses, they received pneumonia bacteria. Despite a severe lack of immune
cells, the mice recovered completely.

With these results, the researchers could show that influenza facilitates
and intensifies an infection from pneumonia bacteria, while disproving the
common idea that this is caused by a lack of immune cells. "This result
was an enormous surprise for us because it directly contradicts widespread
assumptions", says Sabine Stegemann, researcher in the groups "Immune
regulation" at the HZI and "Molecular Immunology" at the
Otto-von-Guericke-University in Magdeburg.

"Now we want to understand the reasons for the increased
susceptibility", says Matthias Gunzer, head of the group in Magdeburg.
"It could be interplay of weakened mucous membranes and scavenger cells
that induce ideal conditions for pneumonia bacteria to create a deadly lung infection.
Another reason may be a reaction of the host immune system: It disables
hyperactive flu-fighting immune cells to inhibit destruction of healthy lung
tissue. "The immune system keeps itself under control and that makes it
easy for pneumonia bacteria to infect the lung", says Gunzer.
Increased Susceptibility for Superinfection with Streptococcus pneumoniae
during Influenza Virus Infection Is Not Caused by TLR7-Mediated Lymphopenia 2009; 

Adapted from materials provided by Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres,
via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.



Popularity: 13% [?]

Healthy Immune System – Boost It Now & Avoid Illness & Disease

Jun 24

Immune System Booster. Natural Herbal Product
___________________________________________________________________
If you want a healthy immune system this article is for you as the advantages include, more energy, more resilience to getting illnesses and quicker recovery time. Looking after your immune system is important, so here are some simple tips to help you achieve a stronger immune system.
A healthy immune system will protect your body against minor ailments and even more serious ones,, that can be fatal.

You need to eat the right foods for a healthy immune system. If you do, not only will you have see improvements in your skin and also receive an energy boost.

Here are your 10 simple tips to keep your immune system healthy.

The key to a healthy immune system is a regular supply of raw natural foods and detoxification of the body and these diet changes will help.

1. Garlic

The garlic bulb has gained recognition as a medicinal remedy in Chinese and Western cultures and has often been referred to as a “Wonder drug among all herbs”

Garlic’s active ingredient allicin, destroys, and inhibits various bacteria and fungi, growing in the body

When allicin combines with the enzyme allinase, which then acts as an antibacterial agent.

1. Effective in lowering the risk of heart disease

2. Enhances the resistance of the immune system

3. Protects the liver from damage induced by pollutants.

4. Helps in the treatment of digestive disorders.

5. Helps in the treatment of high blood pressure, bladder infection, flu, liver and gallbladder problems.

2. Chew your food

Chewing your food will help the absorption of nutrients

1. Get Plenty of fruit and vegetables

You need three to five portions a day. If you are always on the juice them for a pick me up drink or get a green plant supplement

2. Diet

As an occasional treat fine but they contain refined carbohydrates which simply are stripped of nutrients and have the added disadvantage of making you fat. Try and eat food as naturally as you can to get essential nutrients.

Vitamins A, C and E are antioxidants: they slow down the aging process and protect the body from cancer, heart disease and pollution and a raw unprocessed diet will ensure you get them.

3. EPA -Omega 3

EPA is a nutrient extracted from omega 3 fatty acids; these “good fats” are found in oily fish salmon mackerel, herring’s pilchards and sardines.

Omega 3, and in particular EPA, is believed to be of particular importance for eye and brain function.

Extensive clinical studies over the past 40 using omega 3 fish oil conclude it can help with the following ailments and diseases:

1. Depression

2. M.E,

3. Bipolar disorder

4. Huntington’s

5. Chronic fatigue syndrome

6. OCD

7. Schizophrenia.

4. Echinacea

Echinacea is a bought mainly by people wishing to prevent colds.

It is also reported to boost immunity for battling upper respiratory infections.

Laboratory testing shows that it contains echinacoside, an ingredient that HAS antibiotic effects.

Another ingredient, echinacein, is seen as a preventative property to stop infectious viruses or bacteria invading the body tissue. Health Benefits include:

1. Has anti-viral properties and as an effective antibiotic

2. Enhances the body’s immune system

3. Has anti-inflammatory properties which is used to treat arthritis and lymphatic swelling

4. Used in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome, indigestion, gastroenteritis, and weight loss

5. Used to treat respiratory illnesses, mononucleosis, ear infections, septicemia (blood poisoning), and bladder infections.

The above is a positive start!

The above are 4 simple ways to boost the immune system but boosting the immune system does not just rely on diet.

You also need to do adequate moderate exercise ( A brisk 30 minute walk each day will do ) remove stress from your life and finally, adopt a positive attitude ( these are covered in our other articles ) and you will have all round protection.

The immune system is your defense against illness disease and death so everyone needs to look after it for optimum health and happiness.

More info: On all aspects of health and more on visit our website for a huge resource of articles, features and downloads and at http://www.net-planet.org/index.html


By sacha tarkovsky

Popularity: 6% [?]

Four Reasons Why Chemotherapy Patients are Tired-And What to Do About It

Jun 05

ENERhance

Boost and Restore Energy: natural herbs, vitamins & minerals

Secondary Benefits

  • Strengthen the immune system
  • Helps individuals speed recovery from illnesses
  • Contains Astragalus, Poria seed, Ginseng, Reishi Mushroom

____________________________________________________________If you are undergoing chemotherapy treatments, you certainly have noticed that you’re tired. Not just tired where you can go take a nap and wake up refreshed, but so tired from the chemotherapy that you have no energy to do anything. You’re drained and it feels as if there’s not much you can do about it. What a challenging state to be in!

There are four reasons why chemotherapy patients are tired and fatigued, and the good news is that there is a solution that doesn’t require much effort to make a difference.

1. Low levels of white blood cells. This can result naturally from the cancer or from the cancer treatments themselves. Low levels of white blood cells mean that your army of immune system cells is dwindling, and the ones left to fight are taking on all the work themselves! That’s why you end up with fatigue.

2. Low levels of red blood cells. This can result naturally from the cancer or results from the cancer treatments as well. When you don’t have enough red blood cells, the oxygen can’t get to the tissues and the result is that you get tired. It’s the same type of fatigue noticed in those with iron deficiency anemia.

3. Abnormal growth of tumors. When tumors start growing faster, the growth spurt is draining on the body.

4. Side effects of cancer treatments. This is the most common reason that chemotherapy patients and radiation patients feet fatigued and tired.

The big question is this – is there something that can help alleviate the fatigue that chemotherapy patients and radiation patients feel? And if there is, why hasn’t my doctor told me?

What many chemotherapy patients have done is turned to the use of safe, natural herbal combinations that help boost their immune system and simultaneously combat the fatigue they feel. One specific herbal combination created specifically for chemotherapy patients increases the natural killer cell counts, increases the white blood cell and red blood cell counts, and helps restore energy levels pretty quickly. The average time that results were seen was about seven days according to a recent clinical study. The study also found that patients who were so fatigued that they were bedridden were able to get out of their bed, and even start back at work on a limited schedule after using this herbal formula to combat fatigue in chemotherapy patients.

The reason why it works is that the herbal combination contains 15 herbs that address the diminished white blood cell and red blood cell count, and have anti-cancer properties that address the growth of the tumor. Herbs are known also to help restore the body after strong cancer treatments, and according to Chinese medical journals, they have been used as adjunct therapy for cancer patients for decades.

Find out more information on how to combat fatigue in chemotherapy patients at http://www.immuneenhance.com/products

Leucozepin bestseller

Strengthen Immune System

Secondary Benefits

  • Regulates blood cell counts
  • Boosts energy
  • Activates NK cells
  • Stimulates macrophages
  • Relieves fatigue

Popularity: 17% [?]

Why Some People Shake Off The Flu In A Couple Of Days, While Others Suffer Longer, Or Die

Jun 05

ENERhance: Boost and Restore Energy: natural herbs, vitamins & minerals

**************************************************************

ScienceDaily (Mar. 30, 2009) — For some people it is a certainty: as soon as the annual flu season gets underway, they are sure to go down with it. It is little comfort to know that there are other people who are apparently resistant to flu or overcome the illness after just a couple of days. It is this phenomenon that is now being investigated by researchers at the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, using various strains of mice.

“Where there are many scientific works dealing solely with the flu virus, we have investigated how the host reacts to an infection,” says Klaus Schughart, head of the Experimental Mouse Genetics research group. In infection experiments the researchers have now discovered that an excessive immune response is responsible for the fatal outcome of the disease in mice. This overreaction has genetic roots.

For their investigations the researchers injected seven different inbred mouse strains with the same quantity of type Influenza A flu viruses. All of the animals within one mouse strain are genetically identical, like identical twins. However, one strain differs from another just like different individuals in the human population. To their surprise, the researchers were able to identify strong differences in the progression of the influenza between the seven strains. In five of the strains the illness was mild: the animals lost weight, recovering completely after seven to eight days. However, in two of the mouse strains the animals lost weight rapidly and died after just a few days.

The researchers looked for reasons for these differences: they investigated how the immune system of the animals responds to the virus. “The mice die from their own immune defences, which are actually supposed to protect them against the virus. The immune system produces too many messengers, which have a strong activating effect on the immune cells. These cells then kill tissue cells in the lungs that are infected with the virus,” says Schughart. At the same time, these overactive cells also destroy healthy lung tissue. In mice that died the researchers also found one hundred times more viruses than in animals that survived. “It appears that the animals have specific receptors on their cells that make them more receptive to a severe viral infection.” Flu infections in humans could take a similar course, here too, genetic factors could favour a severe progression of the illness. “It is only now that we are beginning to understand the role played by the genetic factors of the host and what increased receptiveness means in the case of influenza,” says Schughart.

Every year between 10,000 and 30,000 people in Germany die from influenza, the majority via pathogens of the Influenza A type. There are various sub-types of the main type A, in which the composition of the virus envelope differs. H1N1 and H3N2 are the most widely-distributed flu strains amongst humans, H5N1 the familiar avian flu virus. The H stands for the protein haemagglutinin, with which the virus latches onto the cells of the airways, infecting them. In order for the newly-created flu viruses to leave the host cells, in turn, they require neuraminidase (N). To evade an immune response the virus changes the H and N characteristics constantly. Sometimes light, sometimes heavy: the result is a completely new virus type with a new number, with the consequences generally a severe global flu pandemic.

Journal reference:

1. Srivastava et al. Host Genetic Background Strongly Influences the Response to Influenza A Virus Infections. PLoS ONE, 2009; 4 (3): e4857 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004857

Adapted from materials provided by Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.


Popularity: 8% [?]

High White Blood Cell Count

Jun 05

Leucozepin bestseller
Strengthens & Balances the Immune System

Secondary Benefits

  • Regulates blood cell counts
  • Boosts energy
  • Activates NK cells
  • Stimulates macrophages
  • Relieves fatigue
White Blood Cells are an important part of the body’s defense system. But too much is not always good. Read on to know why a high count of blood cells is a sign of alarm…

Blood circulates through the body providing nutrients and oxygen to all the cells in the body and similarly removes the waste products. When you go in for a complete physical test, you will probably undergo a series of tests to evaluate the composition and concentration of all the cellular components of blood. This test is known as the Complete Blood Count (CBC) and consists of tests to evaluate Red Blood Cell (RBC) count, White Blood Cell (WBC) count, the platelet count, measurement of hemoglobin, mean red cell volume and a few more.

The Complete Blood Count helps evaluate the blood and the bone marrow and is usually performed to ensure oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, identify infections, diagnose anemia and leukemia and also gauge the effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy on blood production cells.

White Blood Cells

The white blood cells are also known as leukocytes. In the absence of any disease, they form just about 1% by volume of the total blood in the body. When produced by the bone marrow the ‘immature’ white blood cells are released into the peripheral blood and are called bands or stabs. They are destroyed in the lymphatic system 13 to 20 days after they are produced by the bone marrow.

White blood cells help fight infection through a process known as ‘phagocytosis’ wherein they surround the foreign organisms and then destroy it. Along with fighting infection, white blood cells also help produce, transport and distribute antibodies to build the body’s immune system. In case of acute infection, the white blood cells produce a substance known as the colony-stimulating factor (CSF), which stimulates the bone marrow to increase the white blood cell production. The production of the cells can be doubled within a few hours.

White Blood Cell Count

The complete blood count provides a count of the white blood cell and also an automated differential count that determines the percentage of the five types of mature white blood cells present in the human body. The five types of white blood cells are neutrophils, lympocytes, basophils, eosinophils and monocytes. Neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils have a multi-lobed nucleus. These are differentiated based on the color of the cytoplasm, size and the color of the nucleus and lastly, the size and color of the granules present in the blood cells. The white blood cell count helps provide information about various illnesses and also help monitor the patient’s recovery once treatment is started. The differential blood count indicates as to which kind of blood cells are the most affected.

The normal white blood count is between 4500 and 10000 cells per micro-liter depending on the sex and age of the individual with each type of white blood cell representing:

  • Neutrophils: 50 – 70%
  • Lympocytes: 25 – 35%
  • Basophils: 0.4 – 1%
  • Eosinophils: 1 – 3%
  • Monocytes: 4 – 6%

A high blood count (above 30000 cells per micro-liter) indicates is not a specific disease by itself but indicates infection, systemic illness, inflammation, allergy, leukemia and tissue injury caused due to burns. The count of white blood cells also increases when certain medicines like antibiotics or anti-seizure drugs. Smoking and too much of mental stress also increases the count of the white blood cells in the body. Also, once the count of white blood cell is on the higher side, the risk of cardiovascular mortality also increases. It turns into a vicious circle. On the other end, a low count of white blood cells indicates viral infections, low immunity and bone marrow failure. A severely low white blood count that is the count of less than 2500 cells per micro-liter is a cause for a critical alert and possess a high risk of sepsis.

The white blood count is an easily available, inexpensive and a reliable test which enables the doctors to arrive at better prognosis regarding the patient’s well being. However, researchers believe that a cause and effect link between the higher white blood cell count and illness has not been established and they continue to evaluate if the elevated count helps trigger a serious disease or if the cells count rises naturally after an illness.

It is very important to undergo annual physical checkups and insist on a complete blood count analysis, especially as you grow older. Diseases like cancer if detected early can be treated very easily when compared to detecting it at an advanced stage. Exercise regularly and take care of your physical and mental well being. Eat healthy and lead a long and full filling life.


By Anju Shandilya
Published: 1/2/2008

Popularity: 15% [?]

Natural Immune Booster Drink: Provides Energy & Immunity

May 27

ENERhance
Boost and Restore Energy: natural herbs, vitamins & minerals

Secondary Benefits

  • Strengthen and protect the immune system
  • Helps individuals speed recovery from illnesses
  • Contains Astragalus, Poria seed, Ginseng, Reishi Mushroom

ENERhance Energy Drink is designed to restore and enhance energy as well as strengthen the immune system. Specifically, it helps individuals during recovery from chemotherapy and other illnesses.
Maintaining a healthy immune system, while increasing resistance to virus, flu, colds, and infections is a challenge to everyone young and old. Strong enough for chemotherapy patients-strong enough to fight off what might be coming your way!

The combinations of astragalus, reishi mushroom, ginseng, vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, green tea polyphenols and oligosaccharides are helpful in this challenge.

Benefits of ENERhance®

* Boosts and Strengthens the immune system
* Increases low blood cell counts
* Boosts energy
* Alleviates and Relieves fatigue
* Increase activity of white blood cells
* Promotes healthful digestion with fiber
* Provides anti-oxidants nutritionally

Ingredients found in ENERhance®

The formulation consists of the following natural ingredients:
Click each herb to see a photo and learn about its natural healing properties.
Vitamin C Vitamin B6 Folic Acid
Vitamin B12 Pantothenic Acid Calcium
Zinc Selenium Dietary Fiber
Green Tea Polyphenols Oligosaccharides Ginseng (root)
Astragalus (root) Reishi Mushroom (whole) Poria (root)

Each ingredient in ENERhance™ has been carefully selected for its unique property to produce a perfectly balanced supplement:

* Vitamin B is known to assist energy and amino metabolism.
* Folic acid assists the formation of red blood cells in the body (proper usage of folic acid has also been shown to reduce the chances of developing certain types of cancer and heart disease).
* Selenium is an essential mineral and an antioxidant. Scientific evidence suggests that consumption of selenium may reduce the risk of certain cancer.
* Green tea polyphenols protect cells and body chemicals against damage caused by free radicals.
* Dietary fiber has been linked to a lower risk of colon cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, diverticular disease and constipation.
* Astragalus stimulates immune activity. Administration of astragalus was reported to act as a potent immune stimulant in cancer patients.
* Reishi mushroom has been shown to have effect in the increase of monocytes, macrophages and T-cells.
* Ginseng is known for its effects on immune, energy and mental function enhancement.

Visit http://www.immuneenhance.com/products/enerhance

Also see : http://www.immuneenhance.com/products/leucozepin

* Boosts and Strengthens the immune system
* Increases low blood cell counts

* Boosts energy
* Alleviates and Relieves fatigue

Popularity: 2% [?]

Chemical From Medicinal Plants May Be Used To Fight HIV

Apr 30

leucozepin

Leucozepin bestseller
Strengthen Immune System: contains Astragalus

Secondary Benefits

  • Regulates blood cell counts
  • Boosts energy
  • Activates NK cells
  • Stimulates macrophages
  • Relieves fatigue

____________________________________________________

Chemical From Medicinal Plants May Be Used To Fight HIV

ScienceDaily — Like other kinds of cells, immune cells lose the ability to divide as they age because a part of their chromosomes known as a telomere becomes progressively shorter with cell division. As a result, the cell changes in many ways, and its disease fighting ability is compromised.But a new UCLA AIDS Institute study has found that a chemical from the Astragalus root, frequently used in Chinese herbal therapy, can prevent or slow this progressive telomere shortening, which could make it a key weapon in the fight against HIV.

“This has the potential to be either added to or possibly even replace the HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy), which is not tolerated well by some patients and is also costly,” said study co-author Rita Effros, a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and member of the UCLA AIDS Institute.

A telomere is a region at the end of every cell chromosome that contains repeated DNA sequences but no genes; telomeres act to protect the ends of the chromosomes and prevent them from fusing together — rather like the plastic tips that keep shoelaces from unraveling. Each time a cell divides, the telomeres get shorter, eventually causing the cell to reach a stage called replicative senescence, when it can no longer divide. This seems to indicate that the cell has reached an end stage, but, in fact, the cell has changed into one with new genetic and functional characteristics.

A great deal of cell division must take place within the immune system for the system to function properly. For example, the so-called “killer” CD8 T-cells that help fight infection have unique receptors for particular antigens. When a virus enters the body, the killer T-cells whose receptors recognize that virus create, through division, versions of themselves that fight the invader.

Generally, the telomeres in cells are sufficiently long that they can divide many times without a problem. Moreover, when fighting infections, T-cells can turn on an enzyme called telomerase, which can prevent the telomeres from shortening.

“The problem is that when we’re dealing with a virus that can’t be totally eliminated from the body, such as HIV, the T-cells fighting that virus can’t keep their telomerase turned on forever,” Effros said. “They turn off, and telomeres get shorter and they enter this stage of replicative senescence.”

Previous studies have shown that injecting the telomerase gene into T-cells can keep the telomeres from shortening, enabling them to maintain their HIV-fighting function for much longer. This gene-therapy approach, however, is not a practical way to treat the millions of people living with HIV.

For the present study, rather than utilizing gene therapy, the researchers used a chemical called TAT2, which was originally identified from plants used in traditional Chinese therapy and which enhances telomerase activity in other cell types.

They tested TAT2 in several ways. First, they exposed the CD8 T-cells from HIV-infected persons to TAT2 to see if the chemical not only slowed the shortening of the telomeres but improved the cells’ production of soluble factors called chemokines and cytokines, which had been previously shown to inhibit HIV replication. It did.

They then took blood samples from HIV-infected individuals and separated out the CD8 T-cells and the CD4 T-cells — those infected with HIV. They treated the CD8 T-cells with TAT2 and combined them with the CD4 T-cells in the dish-and found that the treated CD8 cells inhibited production of HIV by the CD4 cells.

“The ability to enhance telomerase activity and antiviral functions of CD8 T-lymphocytes suggests that this strategy could be useful in treating HIV disease, as well as immunodeficiency and increased susceptibility to other viral infections associated with chronic diseases or aging,” the researchers write.

In addition to Effros, researchers were Steven Russell Fauce, Beth D. Jamieson, Ronald T. Mitsuyasu, Stan T. Parish, Christina M. Ramirez Kitchen, and Otto O. Yang, all of UCLA, and Allison C. Chin and Calvin B. Harley of the Geron Corp.

The Geron Corp., TA Therapeutics Ltd., the National Institutes of Health and the Frank Jernigan Foundation funded this study.


Journal reference:

1. . Telomerase-Based Pharmacologic Enhancement of Antiviral Function of Human CD8+ T Lymphocytes. Journal of Immunology, Nov. 15, 2008 [link]

Adapted from materials provided by University of California – Los Angeles.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Boosting Your Immune System to Rocket Propulsion:Flu & Virus Protection

Apr 27

Leucozepin bestseller
Strengthen Immune System

Secondary Benefits

  • Regulates blood cell counts
  • Boosts energy
  • Activates NK cells
  • Stimulates macrophages
  • Relieves fatigue
After cancer is discovered, chemotherapy and radiation may or may not be part of the treatment. The purpose of these two treatments is to destroy the cancer cells, and thousands of cancer patients can agree firsthand to the negative effects of chemotherapy and radiation on the body’s immune system. Boosting the immune system is not considered a primary strategy of medical practitioners in the U.S.

It’s well known among these same health practitioners treating cancer patients that chemotherapeutic drugs and the steroids that follow them can easily predispose the body to develop opportunistic infections because the immune system function is low.

Countless cancer patients develop Aspergillus infections that then require additional drugs, drugs that can and often do have harmful side effects on the liver, kidney, and other organs. It’s only after cancer patients develop these horrible infections that they often wonder later what they could have done to fight cancer naturally.

There are certain signs that occur that indicate the body’s immune system needs a boost because it is suppressed or depressed: constant fatigue, low levels of white blood cells, cuts and wounds don’t heal quickly, fungal infections, a cold or the flu lingers for weeks and complications develop, frequency of colds or the flu has increased, cold sores or genital herpes outbreaks, shingles, and lymph glands that are swollen. These signs are the same in both cancer patients and also those without cancer.

Although many physicians tell their cancer patients that vitamins and mineral supplements and herbs should not be used during chemotherapy, many cancer patients have proven that the additional vitamin and mineral supplements and herbs help ease their side effects from chemotherapy and radiation. They simply feel better when they take them. They also realize there is something that they can do to fight cancer naturally and that these supplements boost the immune system. These patients did not arbitrarily decide to take a Centrum Senior MultiVitamin or one single herb, but generally take a combination of vitamins and minerals or a combination of herbs that is specifically designed to support the body of a cancer patient during his or her most difficult times. They may also consult with a nutritionist who understands the role of vitamins and minerals in cancer or a master herbalist who understands the role of herbs in cancer.

What these supplements do is provide some basic nutrients that the body needs to continue operating at least on a minimal level. In a way, the supplements are a crutch to help the cancer patient get through the hard times and start healing sooner. Chinese research studies have reported for years that adding herbal combinations can make a significant difference in the success of cancer treatments; American physicians are behind the times when it comes to acknowledging some of these proven methods.

After chemotherapy and radiation, the real healing begins. That’s when cancer patients need to boost their immune system function the most. White blood cells that kill microbes and cancer cells are activated to action with the use of certain herbs. When the herbs are used, it’s as if the cells have the chance to “blast off” like a rocket and do exactly what they are meant to do in the body.

One of these “blast off” immune system boosting formulas I have found is a proprietary formula of 15 herbs. I do not sell it; I do recommend it, though. The combination regulates the entire immune system, activating natural killer cells, stimulating white blood cells to engulf bacteria, viruses and fungi, and activates the T and B cells that are so important to the immune system. Clinical results are seen in an average of 7 days and patients reported less fatigue and restoration of normal blood cell counts.

The all-natural herbal immune system boosting formula raises the energy level and combats fatigue. There have been cases where cancer patients who are bed ridden are able to get up, go to work, and lead normal lives simply because they were taking it. The herbal formula clearly increases quality of life and clearly boosts the immune system.

Some of the herbs in the immune system boosting formula include Astragalus, Reishi mushroom, tangerine, lycium, Chinese licorice, Rehmannia, Dong quai, and bai-zhu atractylodes. Many of the herbs in this formula have been highly researched by Chinese physicians and herbalists for decades. It’s because of the research that the combination was able to be effective in boosting the immune system.

If you or a loved one is suffering from cancer, boosting the immune system is absolutely one of the strategies needed to help speed up recovery. Check out more info at : http://www.immuneenhance.com/products/leucozepin

Popularity: 13% [?]

Hot Drinks Help Fight Cold And Flu

Apr 27

ScienceDaily — A hot drink may help reduce the symptoms of common colds and flu, according to new research by Cardiff University’s Common Cold Centre.

New research at the Centre has found that a simple hot drink of fruit cordial can provide immediate and sustained relief from symptoms of runny nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat, chilliness and tiredness.

Published in the December 2008 edition of the clinical journal Rhinology, the research compared the effects of a commercially produced cordial apple and blackcurrant drink either ‘hot’ or at room temperature in 30 volunteers with common cold symptoms.

The Centre’s Director, Professor Ron Eccles, is urging people suffering from colds or flu to have a hot drink to help reduce their symptoms.

Professor Eccles said: “It is surprising that this is the first scientific research on the benefit of a hot drink for treating cold and flu symptoms.

“With temperatures falling and Christmas just round the corner, cold viruses love this time of year. Having a bottle of fruit cordial in the cupboard and making a hot drink could help fight off the symptoms of festive cold and flu. The big advantage of this type of treatment is that it is cheap as well as safe and effective.”

The Common Cold Centre is the world’s only centre dedicated to researching and testing new medicines for treatment of the symptoms of flu and the common cold. It is based in Cardiff University’s School of Biosciences.


Adapted from materials provided by Cardiff University.

Popularity: 7% [?]

 
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