Inflammation: The Unifying Theory of Disease

Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is now considered the “unifying theory” for the cause of disease. Over the past 20 years, a plethora of scientific literature has shown inflammation to be the underlying pathology to nearly all diseases and illnesses.

Inflammation is involved in the development and progression of age-related degenerative diseases such as diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular disease, muscle wasting, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Inflammation is the primary causal pathology underlying all autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), systemic lupus, and others. It is also at the very core of the aging process.

Inflammation: The Cause of Cancer

Now, the most recent scientific research is also showing chronic inflammation to be a primary risk factor and causative agent for cancer. A variety of cancers including cancers of the prostate, breast, cervix, esophagus, stomach, liver, colon, pancreas, and bladder are associated causally with chronic inflammation.

Inflammation typically results in the generation of free radicals and the stimulation and release of pro-inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) and various cell growth factors that stimulate cell proliferation and increased blood supply to the developing cancer. Free radicals not only damage the local tissues by oxidation reactions but also directly damage DNA and the DNA repair machinery. This enhances the genetic instability of affected cells and thus contributes to the first stage of cancer (neoplastic) transformation and development known as "initiation". Cytokines and growth factors also enhance the metastatic potential of later stage cancers. Finally, the tumor cells themselves may promote an inflammatory state by producing inflammatory mediators that further promote the neoplastic process.

Antioxidants: Natural Anti-Inflammatories as Cancer Prevention

Antioxidants: Most naturally occurring antioxidants are also strong anti-inflammatory agents in nature and in our bodies. Oxidation is a natural process of energy production in cells but when it is out of control it can damage our tissues and our DNA. This free radical damage plays a major role in aging and inflammation and the development of cancer as discussed above.

Preventing out of control oxidation reactions in your body with adequate intake of antioxidants can slow the aging process and, as we can see from the information above, reduce our risks for the development of cancer. Many of the naturally occurring, plant-based antioxidants are also strong anticancer compounds based on the scientific studies. Some of the most active of these compounds and certainly my favorites include:

Curcumin (the yellow pigment from the root of the herb Turmeric)

Turmeric: a Natural Antioxicant

Curcuminoids are strong anti-inflammatory compounds that have been well studied in the scientific literature. They are able to inhibit major pro-inflammatory chemicals in our bodies that not only cause pain and swelling but also stimulate cancer induction, initiation and vascularization. These chemicals include the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) family of transcription factors and cyclooxygenase type 2 enzyme (COX-2). Curcuminoids block the NF-kB mediated gene expression responsible for the chain of events leading to tumor development, progression and expansion. These chemicals are also involved in the promotion of inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis.

Many pioneering Investigational New Drug studies have been granted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the investigation of curcumin and its derivatives in treatment of patients with cancer. Some of the leading cancer research centers in the United States, including M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, TX, are involved in pre-clinical and clinical research of the anti-cancer mechanism and applications of curcuminoids.

Green Tea Polyphenols

Green Tea: a Natural Antioxicant

Tea polyphenols are known to be strong antioxidants. Observational, and clinical human studies suggest that green tea can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, dental cavities, kidney stones, and cancer, while improving bone density and cognitive function. Dietary polyphenols from green tea, turmeric, soybeans, broccoli and others have shown to possess multiple cell-regulatory activities within cancer cells. More recently, researchers have begun to understand that some of the dietary polyphenols may exert their chemopreventive effects in part by modulating various components of the genetic machinery in humans.

Studies in animal models of cancer formation have shown that green tea and EGCG can inhibit the developments of tumors during the initiation, promotion and progression stages of cancer development. Prevention of oxidative stress, modulation of the metabolism of cancer-causing chemicals, and prevention of DNA damage have been suggested as possible cancer preventive mechanisms for green tea and green tea polyphenols as well as induction of the antioxidant systems in normal tissues that offer protection against carcinogenic insult.

Resveratrol (the polyphenol in red wine)

Resveratrol: the best part of red wine

Resveratrol, a naturally occurring polyphenol from the plant kingdom, has been shown to have multiple beneficial health effects, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, cardioprotective and neuroprotective activities. A number of preclinical findings suggest resveratrol is a promising nature's weapon for cancer prevention and treatment. Remarkable progress has been made in the last few years in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer properties of resveratrol. Many studies focus on its antioxidant capacity as well as on its ability to trigger and favor the cell self-destruction (apoptotic cascade) in malignant cells. In addition to these important functions, resveratrol is reported to exhibit several other biological/biochemical protective effects on heart, circulation, brain and age-related diseases. 

Sulphoraphane (sulfur-containing antioxidant from broccoli and cabbage family)

Discovered in 1992 at Johns Hopkins, sulphoraphane now has over 500 scientific papers published on it. It is one of the most potent inducer of detoxification and antioxidant enzymes in the human body. It is an indirect antioxidant in that it induces specific antioxidant systems in our bodies and by so doing, dramatically reduces the overall oxidative stress to our bodies It also acts as a strong anti-inflammatory and anticancer agent. It has been shown to inhibit various phases of cancer development, protect against the development of cardiovascular disease, retinal diseases, Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. It also slows the aging process and the development of age-related degenerative disorders. The list of cancers for which it has shown protective effects and for which it is being researched as possible anticancer drug include cancers of the: colon, prostate, bladder, breast, skin, mouth, ovaries, lung, kidney, liver, pancreas and stomach. 

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (DHA and EPA)

Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) have long been shown to be active anti-inflammatory compounds through their inhibition of the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals know as prostaglandins. Currently, the Western diet contains a disproportionally high amount of n-6 PUFAs and low amount of n-3 PUFAs, and the resulting high n-6/n-3 ratio is thought to contribute to cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and cancer.

Studies in human populations have linked high consumption of fish or fish oil to reduced risk of colon, prostate, and breast cancer as well as other inflammatory diseases. The available epidemiological evidence, combined with the demonstrated effects of n-3 PUFAs on cancer in animal and cell culture models, has motivated the development of clinical interventions using n-3 PUFAs in the prevention and treatment of cancer, as well as for nutritional support of cancer patients. When used supportively in patients with cancer the n-3 PUFAs reduce weight loss and modulate the immune system.

Take-aways...anti-inflammatory compounds are available in supplements and when you eat a diet rich in color

New research is being done into the role antioxidants and anti-inflammatories as anti-aging and anticancer agents. The results are quite promising. Be ahead of the game. Start now to prevent cancer and slow the aging process by supplementing your diet with some of the natural anti-inflammatory compounds discussed above. Also, eat a diet full of colorful vegetables and fruits with special focus on berries and cabbage family vegetables.

Our Most Popular Anti-inflammatories - TheDispensaryOnline.com

AR-Encap
AR-Encap supplies the recommended daily dose of glucosamine in combination with other anti-inflammatory and joint-protecting nutrients and botanicals.

ArthrogenX
ArthrogenX is a synergistic blend of nutrients designed to nutritionally support joint health and function and regeneration of joint connective tissue reducing symptoms of pain and stiffness from overwork and inflammation.

Meriva-SR
Meriva-SR is a unique, patented time-release curcumin product.

Salici-Vis
Natural pain relief for lifes aches and pains.

MediClear
The MediClear program is an easy-to-implement, affordable 3-week program that emphasizes dietary changes coupled MediClear supplementation, necessary for optimal liver detoxification.

BCQ
Powerful botanical antioxidants and anti-inflammatories for your gut and joints.

Wobenzyme
Potent anti-inflammatory enzymes.

Polyresveratrol-SR
Pure resveratrol with synergistic ingredients.

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Resveratrol as an Anti-Influenza Drug

Resveratrol (available here as Res-Vis-Atrol), is a chemical found in grapes and other fruits.  

Resveratrol is a member of a large group of naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds called flavonols or flavonoids. These compounds are some of the strongest antioxidants known and provide much of the color we see around us in the natural world particularly the blues, reds, purples and violets.

New research by Anna T. Palamara and colleagues at the University of Rome, published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, has shown resveratrol to inhibit the reproduction of influenza viruses in cell culture and in mice by blocking host-cell functions that are essential for viral replication rather than attacking the virus itself. Quoting the researchers, "Resveratrol acts by inhibiting a cellular, rather than a viral, function" and due to this they went on to say "resveratrol could be a particularly valuable anti-influenza drug."

Resveratrol was also shown to significantly improve survival and decrease pulmonary viral titers in influenza virus–infected mice. No toxic effects were observed in either the cell cultures or with the mice.

In cell-culture experiments, treatment with resveratrol was shown to reduce flu virus replication by up to 90% without damage to the cells. 

Treating cell cultures early after infection (3 hours after infection) resulted in an 87.5% reduction in viral growth. However, if treatment began 9 hours or greater after infection, resveratrol treatment had no significant benefit. Researchers concluded from these findings that resveratrol interferes with the manufacture of proteins made late in the viral replication process and limits the transport of viral ribonucleoproteins from the cell nucleus to the cytoplasm.

The authors also determined that the molecular mechanism for resveratrol's effects has to do with the inhibition of protein kinase C activity and its dependent pathways. In the tests on mice, the researchers found that resveratrol treatment increased survival by 40% in treated mice. Further, the level of virus found in the lungs of the treated mice 6 days after infection was 98% lower than in the placebo treated group.

According to Dr. Palamara's team, resveratrol's ability to block host-cell functions needed by flu viruses to replicate, gives resveratrol an advantage over other existing anti-flu drugs. Resveratrol would be less likely to induce resistance by flu viruses and would be more likely to be effective for all types and strains of flu virus. The research team therefore concuded, "For these reasons, resveratrol merits further investigation as a potential weapon for combating the growing threat of influenza."

Commentary

Resveratrol is an antioxidant that is found in at least 72 plant species. It is known to help protect the heart and nervous system and help prevent cancer. It also has strong anti-aging effects on cells via its antioxidant activity. Its common concentration in red wine is 1.5-3.0 mg/L. The higher concentrations are found in those wines produced in the traditional or "old world style" where stems and seeds are included in the press. Although drinking red wine is a wonderful way to get your dose of resveratrol, the alcohol component can undermine its benefits when trying to fight the flu or prevent some cancers such as breast cancer.

Therefore, we suggest supplementing with a pharmaceutical-grade, standardized concentrate of resveratrol on a daily basis throughout the flu season at levels that can successfully ward off infection and/or reduce infective symptoms and pathology. This should be an integral part of your flu treatment and prevention in concert with standard and conventional therapies prescribed by your health care provider.

An additional note from Dr. Patrick Donovan of TheDispensaryOnline: 

As a Naturopathic Physician, I find the most interesting aspect demonstrated by this research article is the value realized by stimulating host defense mechanisms over just trying to "kill the virus." There are two aspects to the infection equation: the strength of the infective agent (virility and dose) and the level of host resistance. If the level of host resistance is greater than the strength of the infective agent, the morbidity and mortality of the host is significantly reduced and/or prevented. This is the foundation of naturopathic medicine. It is the typical naturopathic approach to all illness i.e., optimize host resistance and vitality... optimize your health. 

Our Most Popular Resveratrol - TheDispensaryOnline.com

Resveratrol plus Flavinoids
Red wine in a capsule.

Res-Vis-Atrol
So much more than a glass of wine.

Polyresveratrol-SR
Pure resveratrol with synergistic ingredients.

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