The incidence of head and neck cancer caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) has tripled since the 1970s and could reach epidemic levels in the future, say healthcare experts. However the work of a group of Ohio researchers may bring hope for a safer, more effective therapy for these cancers.

They have discovered how the human papilloma virus (HPV) causes head and neck cancer and designed a drug to block that mechanism.

The research, which focused on head and neck cancer cells, shows that a protein produced by the HPV virus blocks a protein made by the host cell. The cell protein, called p300, regulates a gene called p53. This gene both controls cell division and protects the body against cancer by causing cells to die before they become malignant.

The prospective new drug, called CH1iB, prevents the viral protein from binding with the cell protein. This restores the function of the p53 “tumor-suppressor” gene and triggers the death of the cancer cells.

Currently the standard of care for HPV-positive head and neck cancer uses high-dose cis-platinum, a chemotherapy drug that causes serious side effects that are difficult for patients to tolerate.

Although further testing is necessary, combining CH1iB with a low dose of cis-platinum might one day provide an alternative.

Head and Neck Cancer Awareness

As part of Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week®, April 21-27, we want to share important information about these cancers and promote early detection through free screenings.

Quick Facts:

• Oral, Head and Neck Cancers includes cancer in the nasal cavity, sinuses, lips, mouth, thyroid glands, salivary glands, throat, or larynx (voice box).
• The sixth-most-common form of cancer in the world.
• Over 100,000 cases (including thyroid) diagnosed annually in the United States.
• Many dentists conduct an oral cancer screening as part of your annual checkup.
• While symptoms may not always be present, see a doctor if you have:
  • A sore in your mouth that doesn't heal or that increases in size
  • Persistent pain in your mouth
  • Lumps or white or red patches inside your mouth
  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing or moving your tongue
  • Soreness in your throat or feeling that something is caught in your throat
  • Changes in your voice
  • A lump in your neck
• Risk factors for Oral, Head and Neck cancers include: tobacco use, family history, and HPV infection.
• Every adult should get screened, even non-smokers.

Sources:

Ohio State University

Head and Neck Cancer Alliance

The U.S. National Institutes of Health is spearheading a multi-billion dollar collaborative project to map the billions of neurons in the human brain. The goal is to discover the mysterious inner workings of the brain to better understand mental illnesses and brain disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and autism.

Scientists hope that the effort will have the same wide-reaching effect on brain research and knowledge that the Human Genome Project had on genetics. Completed in 2003, the 13-year Human Genome Project mapped all of the genes in human DNA. The project cost $3.8 billion, but had an $800 billion return on investment by 2010—more than paying for itself in terms of dollars and lives saved.

The brain mapping project is estimated to take about 10 years and cost at least as much as the Human Genome Project.

Big Buzz

Experts believe the Brain Activity Map project holds great promise and is critical to making greater advances in neuroscience.

"This initiative has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of neural circuits, providing the fundamental knowledge that is critical for developing treatments for a host of neurological and psychiatric disorders," said Dr. David Fitzpatrick, scientific director and chief executive officer of the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience.

"Unbiased approaches such as this and such as the Human Genome Project are most useful in revealing 'unknown unknowns' -- information that we would never learn through standard logic and hypothesis-testing because these connections would never cross our minds," said Dr. Sam Gandy, associate director at the Mount Sinai Alzheimer's Disease Research Center in New York City.

Protecting Your Brain

While new research continues to give us hope, you may be asking, what can I do to support a healthy brain right now? In honor of Brain Awareness Week, we hope you find these recent posts helpful:

• Monitor Blood Pressure to Protect Your Brain
• Key Nutrients Linked to Brain Health
• Physical Exercise My Trump Mental Exercise for Brain Health
• How Green Tea Supports Brain Function
• Berries: A Brain’s Best Friend
• Thinking Your Way to a Better Brain
• Bad Fats are Bad for Your Brain Too

Source:

Health Finder

You might just want to give the nearest tree a giant bear hug when you read the latest research on the link between human health and the health of trees.

When the emerald ash borer, a beetle that kills ash trees, infested the Eastern and Midwestern United States killing over 100 million trees, the U.S. Forest Service had a unique opportunity to study its effect on human health.

In many of these communities, city streets once lined with trees became barren expanses of concrete and asphalt.

The researchers analyzed 18 years of data from 1,296 counties in 15 states. The data included demographics, human mortality, and forest health data at the county level between 1990 and 2007.

The data came from counties in states with at least one confirmed case of the emerald ash borer in 2010.

They found that Americans living in areas affected by the emerald ash borer had an additional 15,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease and 6,000 more deaths from lower respiratory disease when compared to uninfected areas.

Even after the researchers accounted for other confounding factors such as the levels of income or education of people in the affected regions, they had no other explanation for the higher mortality rates. They saw the same pattern repeated over and over in counties with very different demographic makeups.

Furthermore, this study is not without support from multiple scientific fields. There is growing evidence that trees can have a profound effect on our physical and emotional health. Other research has found other benefits:

• Trees produce oxygen and help clean the air, reducing pollution that can damage our lungs or trigger asthma attacks
• Hospitals have found that patients with views of trees and green space recover from surgery or illness faster.
• Greenscapes reduces stress and promotes a more hopeful, positive mood
• Children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder, or ADHD, experienced a significant reduction in symptoms after they participated in activities in green settings

And, let’s not forget all the medicines made from trees—aspirin from willow bark and Taxol from yews just to name two. So go ahead, hug a tree—they’ve earned it.

Sources:

U.S. Forest Service

University of Illinois

Science Daily

Scientific American

According to Spanish researchers, regular consumption of gazpacho soup may help reduce high blood pressure by as much as 27%. High blood pressure is a key risk factor for heart disease and the main risk factor for stroke in both men and women.

The study analysed the effect of gazpacho consumption on cardiovascular risk factors in nearly 4,000 people. In addition to finding a reduction in overall blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were inversely associated with gazpacho consumption.

The Gazpacho Effect

A staple of Spanish cuisine, gazpacho is a cold soup containing fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and cucumbers, as well as garlic, herbs, and vinegar.

The researchers noted that previous clinical and population studies have linked consumption of gazpacho’s main ingredients – tomato, cucumber, garlic, olive oil – to reductions in arterial blood pressure. This study confirms that together, these ingredients still pack a healthy punch.

Gazpacho’s healthy kick comes from high amounts of antioxidants including lycopene, Vitamin C, polyphenols as well as healthy fats.

Try this delicious, refreshing gazpacho soup recipe:

Classic Gazpacho

2 lbs. ripe tomatoes, peel cut into quarters, remove seeds
2 cloves of garlic
1 slice of bread with crust removed
1/2 cup low sodium tomato juice
2 Tbsp. tomato paste
2 tsp. white distilled vinegar
1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Pinch of cumin or cayenne pepper (optional)
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup chopped peeled cucumber
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1 /2 cup croutons
Reserve some finely chopped cucumber, bell pepper and onion for garnish

In blender, pulse tomatoes and garlic to a coarse puree. Tear bread into 1 inch pieces and add to tomatoes. Add tomato juice, tomato paste, vinegar, oil, and cumin. Blend the soup to the desired consistency—from a coarse chop to a smooth puree. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer soup to a glass container, cover, and chill 3-4 hours or overnight. Consume within two days.

To serve: Divide chilled soup among four bowls. Garnish with a few croutons and a tablespoon of diced cucumber, pepper and onion.

Source:

NutraIngredients

The first ever population study seeking to determine the prevalence of fibromyalgia (FM) in the general population indicates that the disorder may be underdiagnosed, especially in men.

The study used a survey to determined prevalence based on self-reported symptoms that meet the newly updated diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia.

The researchers, led by Ann Vincent, MD, director of the Mayo Clinic’s Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Clinic found that FM prevalence in the study population was 6.4%. However, the prevalence of diagnosed FM was only 1.1%

Vincent said that other published literature supports their observation that fibromyalgia is not always recognized or diagnosed correctly when a patient is evaluated.

Some Surprises

The researchers were surprised by two findings from their study:

• A borderline association of higher prevalence with younger age groups
• FM prevalence in women was not significantly higher than in men

Dr. Vincent said the higher rates among younger people could be related to a low survey response rate in this age category, with only sicker people responding.

As for the unexpectedly “equal opportunity” prevalence among men and women, the researchers believe that the old diagnostic criteria for FM had some inherent gender bias since women are more sensitive to pain and will have more pronounced symptoms.

The older criteria required the presence of at least 11 “tender points” which are no longer required in the new criteria used in this study.

More Questions

Other experts commenting on the study said the next step will be to compare the genetic and physiological factors in patients who are positive for FM, according to the survey criteria, with patients who have been clinically diagnosed with FM. Until then, they say, we won't know whether they actually have the same disease.

Source:

MedNews

With so many supplement brands on the market, we are often asked what differentiates CNCA Health supplements from other brands. There are several factors that set us apart, but the two most important are: science-backed formulas and extensive quality testing.

As an example of what we mean, we’ll use a recent ConsumerLab review of several brands of Green Tea Extract to illustrate how CNCA Health provides a superior product. (ConsumerLab is an independent testing lab that helps consumers identify the best health and nutritional products.)

Among the 13 green tea supplements selected for testing, two did not contain as much of the active compound, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), as stated on the label. Several contained far less EGCG—only 22 to 78 mg--than what is typically used in clinical studies. And finally, one contained more caffeine than listed on the package.

Expert Formulas

In sharp contrast, two capsules of CNCA Health Green Tea Extract delivers a minimum of 220 mg of EGCG, almost 10 times the amount of the EGCG found in some of the products ConsumerLab tested. Why the difference? CNCA determines product potency--the amount of the active ingredient(s) in a single dose--based on clinical research. That way you can be sure you're getting an optimal amount for maximum effectiveness.

Moreover, the caffeine content on a recent lot of CNCA Green Tea Extract was 0.482%, delivering only 2.6 mg of caffeine per serving. (The caffeine content claimed on the CNCA label is less than 1% per serving.) Other brands had as much as 84 mg of caffeine per serving. That’s twice as much caffeine as the average soda.

CNCA Health products are also concentrated so you can take fewer capsules. Unlike other brands, who standardize to 40% active compounds. CNCA's Green Tea Extract is standardized to 80% active ingredients to provide twice the potency.

Proven Quality

Like all of our products, every lot of CNCA Health Green Tea Extract is carefully analyzed to ensure potency and purity.

A single serving of CNCA's Green Tea Extract is guaranteed to deliver much more EGCG than most other brands (220mg - 275mg of EGCG). This single serving amount is the equivalent of drinking five to six cups of green tea - but with very little caffeine.

Purity tests also ensure maximum freedom from: heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, aflatoxins, bacteria, yeasts and molds.

What This Means for You

We go to extraordinary lengths to ensure our products are based on good science, made with ultra-pure ingredients and deliver superior potency because, in our opinion, it's simply the right thing to do.

This is also why our supplements are used in top hospitals, pharmacies, and by thousands of people across the US who demand nothing less than the highest quality nutritional supplements available.

Source:

ConsumerLab – membership required for full report

In recent years, reports have raised concern regarding a potential adverse effect of calcium supplements on the risk of heart attack. For the millions of people who take calcium supplements to support bone health, it raises the question: Should I stop taking calcium supplements?

If you take calcium supplements, you’ll be relieved to know that a new study has addressed this critical question and found no correlation between calcium intake and an increased risk of arterial calcification.

Study Details

The researchers used data from the Framingham Heart Study, the longest running medical study in history. They measured the amount of calcification in the arteries of over 1,300 men and women using CT scans and then compared these scores to each participant’s calcium intake via diet or supplements.

Study participants who had the highest calcium intake from diet or supplements or both had the same coronary artery calcification score as those who had the lowest calcium intake. There was no increased risk of calcified arteries with higher amounts of calcium intake from food or supplements.

Concurring Opinions

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) also concluded that evidence from clinical trials does not support an adverse effect of calcium intake on risk of cardiovascular disease. They recommended the following guidelines for calcium intake considered safe and effective for bone health:

• 1,200 mg per day of calcium for women over 50 and men over 70
• 1,000 mg per day for men between 50 and 70.

The guidelines say supplementation can be used if the minimum requirements are not being met through diet.

It is important to note that these are only general guidelines; each individual should discuss with a healthcare provider whether the recommendations are appropriate given his or her personal medical history.

Source:

Science Daily

A team of scientists from Tulane University reviewed evidence from 13 clinical trials studying the effectiveness of CoQ10 to promote healthy cardiovascular function.

According to their findings published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, CoQ10 supplements supported the heart’s ability to pump blood, as well as general heart health scores.

What is CoQ10?

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a naturally occurring substance in nearly every cell in your body that helps convert food into energy. It is also a powerful antioxidant that helps protect your body from free radicals.

In addition to cardiovascular health, CoQ10 has been studied for its role in cognitive function and healthy aging.

CoQ10 Sources

CoQ10 is primarily synthesized by the body and is also found in some foods. However, CoQ10 supplementation can be helpful as our levels decline with age and when taking certain drugs including statins, which are commonly prescribed for high cholesterol.

There are two primary forms of CoQ10 found in the body as well as in supplement form: Ubiquinone (CoQ10 in its oxidized state) and Ubiquinol (active antioxidant state). For over 30 years, only ubiquinone was available in supplement form. A few years ago, after a decade of research, scientists were able to stabilize the active antioxidant form of CoQ10, ubiquinol, for use in supplements.

As ubiquinol supplements are pre-converted to the active form of CoQ10, they are easily assimilated and utilized by the body. However, traditional CoQ10 supplements (ubiquinone) will continue to be an important supplement for those who want to maintain good health. Once ingested, a healthy body can absorb and convert ubiquinone to ubiquinol.

Sources:

NutraIngredients

University of Maryland Medical Center

Linus Pauling Institute

Much of current cancer research is focused on what is often called “personalized medicine” or “targeted therapies.” In short, this means that doctors and researchers are often collaborating with drug companies and genetic labs to identify unique characteristics and potential weaknesses of individual cancers in order to develop drug therapies aimed at these vulnerabilities.

For example, British researchers studying a particularly deadly form of lung cancer called Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) made a significant breakthrough by locating the cancer’s “Achilles heel.” They found that SCLC cells grown from human tumors rely on a protein called Aurora kinase for survival.

In their report, they suggest that 'targeted' therapeutic strategies should focus on testing Aurora kinase inhibitors, several of which have already been developed by pharmaceutical companies for other types of cancer.

The researchers also went on to show that Aurora kinase inhibitors are also effective in killing SCLC cells with high levels of the “MYC” cancer gene. About 7% of patients diagnosed with SCLC have MYC gene amplification.

Currently chemotherapy for SCLC kills both cancerous cells and non-cancerous cells indiscriminately and results in often severe side effects. The researchers hope that new clinical trials will bear out the effectiveness of Aurora kinase inhibitors to target SCLC’s weaknesses, while sparing healthy cells.

Source:

Science Daily

 

Building on previous research that suggested there may be a more meaningful way to distinguish different types of multiple sclerosis, a new study has defined two categories of MS based on differences in RNA transcription sequences. The researchers hope this novel screening method may help steer clinicians toward more effective therapies.

After analyzing RNA extracted from blood cells of patients with multiple sclerosis, they found distinct sets of RNA molecules in the patient samples. These unique sets distinguished two types of multiple sclerosis, MSa and MSb, based on the level of disease activity. Patients in the MSa category have a higher risk for relapse.

Knowing the category a person with multiple sclerosis is in may help doctors make more informed treatment decisions. For example, if you fall into the MSa category and are more likely to experience relapse, your doctor may consider a stronger treatment.

"These results motivate us to improve these distinctions with further research so that we may reach our goal of identifying the best treatment for each individual who has multiple sclerosis," said lead researcher Philip De Jager, MD, PhD with Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

This study, say researchers, is an important step towards the goal of personalized medicine in MS. But much work remains to be done to fully understand under which circumstance and in combination with which other information these different sets of RNA signatures may become useful in a clinical setting.

About MS

About 400,000 Americans have MS, a chronic, sometimes disabling autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. The central nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves so symptoms are often widespread and may include fatigue, numbness in the limbs, balance and coordination problems, bladder or bowel dysfunction, vision problems, pain, or even paralysis.

Sources:

Brigham and Women’s Hospital

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

In separate studies, researchers found that antioxidant compounds in certain berries helped reduce blood pressure, an important marker for cardiovascular health.

Researchers at the University of Mississippi conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a compound, pterostilbene, found in blueberries, cranberries, lingonberries and grapes. Patients who received 250 mg per day of pterostilbene experienced significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Other animal studies indicated that pterostilbene may also lower triglycerides and LDL cholesterol and inhibit cancer via its effect on an enzyme, cytochrome P450.

A second study using low-calorie cranberry juice also resulted in significantly lower blood pressure (BP) values. On average BP fell 3 points among the 56 participants who drank cranberry juice daily for eight weeks versus placebo.

More Berry Benefits

We’ve reported on the health benefits of berries in this space on more than one occasion. Just in case you missed them, here are more reasons to enjoy berries:

• Berries: A Brain’s Best Friend
• Have You Hugged a Blueberry Today
• This Whole Fruit May Prevent Colon Cancer

Sources:

Science Daily

Agriculture Research Service - USDA

NutraIngredients

Last year, we reported on research that said antibiotics are useless for most sinus infections because the condition is usually caused by a virus, for which antibiotics are of no use. Now a new study says the popular intranasal corticosteroids may not be the answer either. With allergy season upon us, this begs the question: “So what am I supposed to do now?”

According to the authors of this study, acute sinusitis strikes about 31 million Americans every year, usually as a result of the common cold virus. However allergies or a secondary bacterial infection can lead to sinusitis.

The resulting nasal inflammation and blockage can cause painful facial pressure and headaches that can be debilitating. Researchers believe the need for relief and the difficulty in diagnosing the root cause of the infection has spurred both the over-prescribing of antibiotics and intranasal corticosteroids.

Study Details

The researchers randomly assigned 200 adult patients with acute rhino sinusitis to receive either 30 milligrams of the corticosteroid prednisolone each day for a week, or a placebo.

All the patients were asked to keep a symptom diary to track the status of their condition for the ensuing two weeks.

By the end of the week, the subjects reported little difference in symptoms. Nearly 63 percent of those treated with a corticosteroid experienced full relief of their prior facial pain or pressure, compared with nearly 56 percent among those given a placebo -- a difference that was not deemed clinically significant.

Also, there was little difference between the two groups in quality-of-life measurements or symptom relief (including nasal, cough and congestion issues, as well as pain and discomfort).

"We strongly recommend physicians refrain from treatment with antibiotics and corticosteroids, and advocate symptomatic treatment [acetaminophen and xylometazoline nose drops] in patients with mild to moderate acute rhino sinusitis," the study authors said.

However, in the small minority of cases where a bacterial infection is present (about 10%), some experts say a short course of steroids may provide relief in the short term.

For the remaining 90 percent of sinusitis caused by a viral infection, oral decongestants and Tylenol are the answer, not corticosteroids.

Source:

Health Finder

Separate studies have found that aspirin and tamoxifen, a drug initially developed for breast cancer, may be effective treatments for prostate cancer.

One study found that among men with prostate cancer, those who took aspirin for other medical conditions were nearly half as likely to die of their cancer as the men who didn’t take aspirin.

The study involved nearly 6,000 men of which about one-third were taking aspirin or other anticoagulants. Over 10-years, the researchers calculated, the prostate cancer death rate for those taking aspirin was 3 percent, compared with 8 percent for those who did not.

The aspirin users were also significantly less likely to experience a recurrence of prostate cancer or have the disease spread to the bones.

This research adds to the growing body of evidence that aspirin may be effective for many types of cancer throughout the body. Aspirin use has already been found to have an effect on colon cancer.

As for how aspirin works on cancer, Dr. Otis Brawley of the American Cancer Society said he believes that aspirin’s anti-inflammatory properties may play a role in the prevention of both heart disease and cancer.

“Inflammation may not cause a cancer, but it may promote cancer — it may be the fertilizer that makes it grow,” Dr. Brawley said.

Tamoxifen for Side-Effects

In the tamoxifen study, researchers analyzed the results of four independent clinical trials that examined the use of tamoxifen to manage the side effects of a common prostate cancer treatment, androgen-suppression therapy.

Androgen-suppression, which blocks testosterone activity, can slow the progression of advanced prostate cancer. But these drugs can cause side effects such as breast enlargement and pain that may stop men from undergoing the treatment.

During the one-year study, the researchers found that tamoxifen reduced the risk of breast enlargement and breast pain in men at quarterly exams compared to men who did not take tamoxifen. The drug was also minimized painful breast symptoms better than radiation therapy or treatment with the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole, which is also used to treat breast cancer.

As a result, few of the men treated with tamoxifen stopped taking their medication during their year of treatment. And there were no significant side effects of tamoxifen reported.

Sources:

PubMed

New York Times

BMC Medicine

Herbal medicine, also called Herbalism, has a long history in many cultures around the world. Ancient Chinese and Egyptians used plants for medicinal purposes as early as 3,000 BC. In the last century herbs have gained wider acceptance by mainstream medicine as modern chemical analysis and clinical studies have confirmed their benefits.

Herbalism: Coming of Age

With the advent of chemical analysis in the early 19th century, scientists began to study herbs, extracting and modifying the active ingredients. Later, chemists began making synthetic versions of plant compounds and, over time, the use of herbal medicines declined in favor of drugs. Still, almost one fourth of pharmaceutical drugs are derived from botanicals.

That doesn’t mean that herbs are no longer widely used. On the contrary, according to a World Health Organization estimate, 80% of people worldwide rely on herbal medicines for some part of their primary health care. In Germany, about 600 - 700 plant based medicines are available and are prescribed by some 70% of German physicians. In the United States, the popularity of herbs has ebbed and flowed.

In the last 20 years public dissatisfaction with the cost of prescription medications, combined with an interest in returning to natural or organic health support, has led to an increase in herb use. Unfortunately, some of the lure of herbs is also a cause for concern.

Separating Facts from Fiction

While many people may be dissatisfied with conventional medicine, the thinking that herbs can replace a prescription medication can be extremely dangerous. Yet that is what some unscrupulous supplement manufacturers promote with claims that their product can “cure cancer” or “works better than prescription medications.” These types of claims are not only irresponsible, they are forbidden (illegal) per the FDA.

Apart from claims of “miracle cures,” you may want to try herbs or supplements for everyday health maintenance or the occasional added nutritional support. In which case, you probably have lots of questions about an herb before you put it in your body, such as:

• Will it work as indicated?
• Is it safe?
• Will it interact with my prescription medication?
• Can I take it when I’m pregnant or nursing?

What we tell our customers is this, before taking any supplement, speak with your doctor. You might also consider doing a little research on your own. Here are some reputable sources:

Medline – a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, this database contains information about drugs and supplements including:  uses, how it works, interactions and precautions.

University of Maryland Medical Center – This website contains a wealth of information on Complementary Medicine including specific nutrients, herbs and other health topics.

The Linus Pauling Institute’s Micronutrient Information Center – A well-respected authority on alternative medicine.

PubMed – a database of medical research maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Simply enter the name of the herb or other compound in the search box.

Top Well-researched Herbs

Here are seven of the most popular and well-researched herbs and their uses:

1. Garlic

• Supports cardiovascular health
• Promotes the development of normal cells
• Supports your immune system

2. Ginkgo Biloba

• Supports your metabolism and promotes circulation
• Helps maintain brain function—including cognition, attention and memory
• Contains antioxidant properties that may help protect your body from free radical damage
• Supports lung function

3. Echinacea

• Supports your immune system

4. Milk Thistle

• Contains silymarins, potent antioxidants that support liver function and detoxification
• Supports glutathione synthesis. Glutathione is one of the body’s primary antioxidants.

5. Astragalus

• Supports your immune system
• Astragalus is known as an “adaptogen” as it helps your body adapt to physical and emotional stress.
• Promotes cardiovascular function.

6. American Ginseng

• Also an adaptogen, this herb helps you manage stress by promoting healthy energy levels, mental functioning and supporting your immune system.
• American Ginseng also contains antioxidant properties that may help protect your body from free-radical damage.
• Supports your cardiovascular system

7. Curcumin

• Contains antioxidants that may help protect the body from free radicals
• Supports inflammatory balance and a healthy immune response
• Promotes the development of normal cells
• Supports joint function and mobility

Quality Matters – Especially with Herbs

One final word about herbs: because they are a natural, cultivated product, purity and potency can be affected. Therefore, be sure to purchase supplements from a company that conducts extensive purity and potency testing.

Purity testing on herbs should look for herbicide, fungicide and pesticide residue as well as heavy metals. Potency testing will insure that the strength of the herbal extract or active compounds stated on the label actually exists in the product.  

To understand the rigorous testing needed to provide a safe and effective herbal product, learn how CNCA protects you with some of the most stringent quality standards in the industry.

Sources:

University of Maryland Medical Center

Science Direct

PubMed

UCLA

Brain Research Institute

USDA

When chemotherapy fails for cancer patients with solid tumors, it is usually because the cancer has developed a resistance to chemotherapy. A new study may have found one of the mechanisms by which some cancers may continue to grow and spread despite repeated rounds of chemotherapy.

Researchers led by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center discovered that the microenvironment surrounding a tumor can play a role in spurring cancer growth and resistance to chemotherapy.

Specifically, a normal, noncancerous cell called a fibroblast located near a tumor can sustain DNA damage when exposed to chemotherapy. This drives the production of a broad spectrum of growth factors that stimulate cancer growth.

Normally, in a healthy person, fibroblasts help maintain the structural integrity of connective tissue, and they play a critical role in wound healing and collagen production. But when chemotherapy damages the DNA of fibroblasts, they pump out a protein called WNT16B within the tumor microenvironment. High levels of this protein enable cancer cells to grow, invade surrounding tissue and resist chemotherapy.

The researchers detected up to a 30-fold increase in WNT production, a result that both stunned and surprised them. It was known that WNT genes and proteins play a role in normal development and the development of some cancers, but it was not known to play a significant role in treatment resistance.

"Cancer therapies are increasingly evolving to be very specific, targeting key molecular engines that drive the cancer rather than more generic vulnerabilities, such as damaging DNA. Our findings indicate that the tumor microenvironment also can influence the success or failure of these more precise therapies." said senior author Peter S. Nelson, M.D., a member of the Hutchinson Center's Human Biology Division.

The researchers believe the next step will be to find a way to block this response to chemotherapy in the tumor environment, and hopefully eliminate this path of drug resistance.

Sources:

Healthy Day

Medical News Today

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center