Photo © Fesus Robert

The new report, “Environmental and Policy Strategies to Increase Physical Activity Among Adults With Arthritis,” provides a resource that aims to motivate health agencies, businesses, recreation facilities, and others to provide physical activity opportunities that meet the needs of people with arthritis.

“Effectively educating people about the important role of physical activity in managing arthritis is an urgent task,” Dr. John H. Klippel, president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation said. “This report will lead to greater collaboration with our colleagues across a number of professions to make physical activity safe and accessible for adults with the condition.”

Arthritis is America’s leading cause of disability and affects 50 million adults in the United States — more than 20 percent of the adult population. And this number is expected to grow as the population of older Americans continues to increase. Yet despite the known benefits of physical activity, people with arthritis are less likely to be active, often due to pain, fear of injury, or lack of knowledge about the best type and amount of exercise.

Six sectors can influence physical activity among adults with arthritis. They include parks, recreation, and sports; business; public health; health care; and transportation. The report includes practical examples for how each of these sectors can make a difference.

“Educating people about the role of physical activity in managing arthritis is an urgent task,” said Klippel. “This report will lead to greater collaboration with our colleagues across a number of professions to make physical activity safe and accessible for adults with the condition.”

View Environmental and Policy Strategies to Increase Physical Activity Among Adults With Arthritis online at www.arthritis.com/physical-activity.

SOURCE Arthritis Foundation

Learn about natural solutions for arthritis: Arthritis – The Botanical Solution: Nature’s Answer to Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Gout and Other Forms of Arthritis

The researchers also confirmed findings of other research that have found that vitamin D levels tend to drop as we age.

The researchers, from the University of Cantabria’s Medical School and led by Dr. Victor Manuel Martinez-Taboada, tested three groups of healthy adults: young adults (ages 20-30), middle-aged adults (aged 31-59) and elderly persons (aged 60-86).

The study found that higher levels of blood serum vitamin D (25OHD) were associated with lower viral infection rates, especially during the wintertime. The elderly adults showed the greatest association between vitamin D levels and wintertime viral infection rates.

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin because it is produced when UVB light hits the skin. It is then processed through the liver to produce the serum 25OHD. Because UVB radiation decreases in the winter, vitamin D levels go down, just as viral infection rates increase.

“There are numerous studies showing the benefits of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels. As more and more research into vitamin D is conducted, we are learning that it is extremely important for human health. Our study is no different, and vitamin D supplements should be considered one of many tools that might help when conventional therapies are not enough,” said Dr. Martinez-Taboada.

The research found that increased viral immunity appears to be related to vitamin D’s ability to increase the expression of a key immune marker called the toll-like receptor-7 (TLR7). This expression increases the ability of macrophages and lymphocytes to counteract viral infections.

Circulating 25OHD levels were determined through ELISA, and they found serum 25OHD levels were decreased with age.

Other toll-receptors were also found to correlate with vitamin D. These included TLR2, TLR4 and TLR5, which also increase immunity against various bacterial infections.

Learn more about safe sunbathing and the myriad of benefits from sunshine and vitamin D.

REFERENCES:

Alvarez-Rodriguez L, Lopez-Hoyos M, Garcia-Unzueta M, Amado JA, Cacho PM, Martinez-Taboada VM. Age and low levels of circulating vitamin D are associated with impaired innate immune function. J Leukoc Biol. 2012 May;91(5):829-38.

Adams C. Healthy Sun: Healing with Sunshine and the Myths About Skin Cancer. Logical Books, 2012.

Photo © Alexmax

Scientists from Spain’s University Rovira i Virgili Medical School have determined that a traditional Mediterranean diet with either a high proportion of olive oil or nuts significantly lowers the risk of heart disease and the hardening of the arteries.

The researchers tested 551 people between 55 and 80 years old who already had signs of cardiovascular disease and hardening of the arteries. They were randomly split into three groups. The first group ate a low-fat diet for three months. The second group ate a traditional Mediterranean diet with 15 liters of virgin olive oil over the three-month period, and the third group ate a traditional Mediterranean diet plus 30 grams of walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts per day.

The research found that the two groups that ate traditional Mediterranean diets had significantly reduced levels of cardiovascular disease as indicated by the subjects’ Apo levels and ratios. The women’s risk dropped by nearly 17%, while the men’s cardiovascular risk dropped by 5%.

The apolipoproteins are key markers the risk of cardiovascular disease because they relate directly to the hardening of arteries as a result of LDL oxidation. ApoA-1 is critical to HDL (good) cholesterol levels, while ApoB is a key constituent of LDL (bad) cholesterol.

The study showed that both traditional Mediterranean diet groups had an increase in ApoA-1 levels and decreased levels of ApoB. The Apo ratio – also called the total ApoB/ApoA-1 ratio – was also reduced among the two traditional Mediterranean diet groups.

The traditional Mediterranean diet emphasizes eating more fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and other plant-based foods. It has been acclaimed as one of the most beneficial diets for weight loss and increased longevity.

The diet has also been shown to reduce heart disease risk more effectively than pharmaceutical medications.

This was stressed by Dr Miguel Angel Martínez-González, one of the researchers and a professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Navarra. Dr. Martínez-González stated that the research has shown that, “a modification in the entire diet pattern managed to achieve, in just one year, results that pharmaceutical drugs did not – even after two years of treatment.”

Written by Case Adams PhD

Learn more about the perfect diet for weight loss and cardiovascular health.

REFERENCE:
Solá R, Fitó M, Estruch R, Salas-Salvadó J, Corella D, de La Torre R, Muñoz MA, López-Sabater Mdel C, Martínez-González MA, Arós F, Ruiz-Gutierrez V, Fiol M, Casals E, Wärnberg J, Buil-Cosiales P, Ros E, Konstantinidou V, Lapetra J, Serra-Majem L, Covas MI. Effect of a traditional Mediterranean diet on apolipoproteins B, A-I, and their ratio: a randomized, controlled trial. Atherosclerosis. 2011 Sep;218(1):174-80.

The research found that diallyl trisulfide inhibited the growth of leukemia by generating a special type of reactive oxygen species that took apart the leukemia cells.

Diallyl trisulfide is a key active compound of garlic, and it is commonly extracted from garlic oil. Other research has found both garlic and diallyl trisulfide to have antimicrobial effects against a variety of infective agents, including both bacteria and fungi. Garlic has also been shown to reduce cholesterol and reduce the risk of thrombosis – the major cause of strokes and heart attacks. Garlic has also been shown to inhibit the growth of other types of cancer cells.

The unique mechanism involved in garlic’s killing of leukemia cells surprised the researchers. Reactive oxygen species are often produced by toxins and unstable foods, and these can be destructive to the body’s tissues. But the garlic extract produced a type of intercellular reactive oxygen species (or free radical) that destroyed the mitochondria of the leukemia cells. As mitochondria are essential for the survival of the cell, the leukemia cells died.

This mechanism might be compared to a smart bomb, which has the ability to take out a specific target without blowing everything else up.

Interestingly, when the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) was added to the leukemia cell system prior to the garlic extract, garlic’s inhibitory effects of leukemia were reduced. The researchers found that the NAC was able to shut down the garlic-produced ROS before they could damage the leukemia cells.

This would indicate that using garlic for leukemia or other anticancer therapy may be more effective when not taking antioxidants.

Written by Case Adams PhD

REFERENCE:

Choi YH, Park HS. Apoptosis induction of U937 human leukemia cells by diallyl trisulfide induces through generation of reactive oxygen species. J Biomed Sci. 2012 May 11;19(1):50.

Natural Gas Rig in Rifle Colorado (Photo DOE)

Fracking has become controversial over the past decade due to news reports of fracking operations contaminating wells with chemicals that have made residents sick and well-water flammable.

Natural gas lobbyists worked hard to prevent the bill from being passed, but sentiment among congressmen and the people of Vermont was too difficult to overcome.

Much of the controversy has been a result a 2005 Bush/Cheney Bill that exempted natural gas drilling operations from having to comply with the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act, giving natural gas drillers the ability to not disclose the chemicals they use, and allowing the Environmental Protection Agency little jurisdiction over natural gas drilling operations.

As a result, many states have sought to fill the gap of governance. Both New York and Maryland have placed moratoriums on fracking, awaiting full environmental impact reports. And three states, Wyoming, Texas and Michigan, have passed legislation requiring natural gas drillers to disclose the chemicals used for their drilling operations.

More recently, Ohio Governor John Kasich is seeking to limit fracking wastewater dumping, after several earthquakes hit near Youngstown, OH. Scientists determined that the earthquakes were most likely caused by a fracking wastewater well 9,000 feet deep.

Earthquake associations aside, natural gas companies argue that they drill far below the water table levels, and their drill casings are tight enough to prevent the chemicals they use from contaminating wells. Their shale drilling operations will go up to 8,000 feet, while the water tables are typically about 1,000 feet. Environmental groups argue that cracks and leaks in the well casings contaminate wells.

According to experts, a natural gas drilling operation will utilize from one to eight million gallons of water with up to 300 tons of chemicals. Less than 50% of the water is recovered from the well. There can be more than 500 chemicals used in a horizontal fracking operation.

Some of these chemicals have been identified as VOCs – volatile organic compounds. VOCs are readily toxic to the environment and can cause major health disorders if consumed with either water or air. Others include rust-prevention and antimicrobial chemicals.

Real Natural reported previously on a Texas community that may have become sickened by fracking operations. Other reports of well contaminations have been documented by the 2010 film, Gasland.

Written by Case Adams PhD

Annually, about 300,000 concussions are caused by sports in the U.S. Among the 15 to 24 year-old age group, only automobile accidents cause more concussions.

The data was determined by sampling athletic trainers from high schools from around the country for the school years of 2008 through 2010. The research covered 20 different sports.

The data found that 1936 concussions occurred from a 7,780,064 possible risk events. This equates to an injury rate of 2.5 concussions per 10,000 possible events. The rate of injury was more than double for competition events, at 6.4 per 10,000.

Behind football and girl’s soccer, boys’ wrestling (5.8%) and girls’ basketball (5.5%) were the third and fourth highest rates by count.

The researchers also compared the proportion of concussions to total injuries among the different sports. Ice hockey had the highest proportion of concussions, at 22% of injuries. This was higher than all the other 19 sports combined, for which 13% of the injuries were concussions.

The researchers and trainers found that weak neck muscles were a likely culprit among many concussions. Because girl’s necks often tend to be less developed than boys, the rate of concussions per incident can be higher.

The preventive recommendation – besides avoiding sports that cause concussions – is to strengthen the neck muscles. Stronger neck muscles can better cushion a blow to the cranium.

Any type of bump or jolt to the head can cause a concussion. Concussions are typically caused when the brain is shaken within the cranium. As the head moves rapidly from the blow, the brain gets injured inside the skull.

Concussion signs include being dazed and stunned, being confused, moving awkwardly or clumsily, slow speech, loss of consciousness, forgetfulness, and any type of mood or behavioral changes.

Symptoms of a concussion include nausea, headache, vomiting, blurry vision, dizziness, noise or light sensitivity, feeling groggy or sluggish, feeling confused or feeling down. These can occur immediately, or hours and even days after a concussion.

According to concussion experts, a person receiving a head bump should be removed from play immediately and evaluated. The recommendation is: If there is any suspicion of a brain injury, err on the side of caution. And it is suggested that if avoiding a risky sport is not an option, safe headgear should be used in any sport with high concussion risk.

Written by Case Adams PhD

REFERENCE:

Marar M, McIlvain NM, Fields SK, Comstock RD. Epidemiology of concussions among United States high school athletes in 20 sports. Am J Sports Med. 2012 Apr;40(4):747-55.

The research was conducted at the Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. The researchers randomly selected 313 cases of childhood admission into the hospital where the admission was gauged as an apparent life-threatening event.

Out of the 313 life-threatening event admissions, 154 of them, or 49%, were diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by hospital physicians.

The results of the study were a surprise to the researchers and to hospital staff, who weren’t aware of the prevalence of GERD among children, let alone how likely GERD can produce a life-threatening event.

The average (mean) age of the children was two months, and the average (mean) stay in the hospital after admission was two and a half days. Of the 154 children, 14 had recurrent life-threatening event admissions, while only five had new disorders develop.

Childhood acid reflux disease is not only growing, but its cause is puzzling researchers. Nearly a third of the entire population among western countries will suffer periodically from acid reflux.

Learn more about the real causes and natural solutions to acid reflux disease.

REFERENCES:

Doshi A, Bernard-Stover L, Kuelbs C, Castillo E, Stucky E. Apparent life-threatening event admissions and gastroesophageal reflux disease: the value of hospitalization. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2012 Jan;28(1):17-21.

Adams C. Heartburn Solved: How to Reverse Acid Reflux and GERD Naturally. Logical Books, 2012.

Photo © Slava Valitov

A research team from the Ilam University of Medical Sciences has discovered that extracts from acorns are antibacterial against a number of lethal infective microorganisms.

The researchers tested acorn extract against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a series of laboratory studies. They found that extract concentrations as low as 5 micrograms per milliliter inhibited some of the infectious bacteria species, while 10 and 15 microg/ml inhibited others.

Each of the bacteria tested have been implicated in recent pandemic infections. Pneumonia, MRSA infections, and foodborne outbreaks of E. coli, Salmonella and Klebsiella have resulted in many deaths throughout the world over recent years.

And the acorn extract inhibited (killed) all of them.

Each of the bacteria tested have also become resistant to a number of antibiotics in the past few decades, due in part to the overuse of antibiotic medications. Many strains of E. coli, for example, have become resistant to as many as 12 different antibiotics. And resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus such as MRSA have also become resistant to multiple antibiotic medications. In tests for resistance among antibiotic-resistant strains, the researchers determined that none of the strains of bacteria tested were resistant to the acorn extract.

The researchers concluded that their research “revealed that acorn extract has great potential as antimicrobial compounds against pathogenic microorganisms. Thus, acorn extract can be used in the treatment of infectious diseases caused by resistant bacteria.”

Acorns grow from oak trees. They are also thus called oak nuts by some. The Valley Oak, the Blue Oak and other species (Quercus sp.) grow throughout the world, but significantly so in the Western U.S. Acorns were used as medicines for centuries by Southwestern North American Indians and traditional doctors who used them for gum infections (and for tightening the gums), stomach infections, skin infections, fevers and inflammation. The nut contains a number of potent tannins and polyphenols that provide for its antibacterial properties.

Acorns have also been a major foodstuff in many cultures. Soaking the ground nut or flour in warm or hot water removes many of the tannins, leaving a nutty, cereal grain-like flavor. Acorns have as much as 6% protein and contain all the essential amino acids. They are especially rich in vitamin A. About 27 grams of ground acorn can contain as much as 5,000 IU of vitamin A. They are also a substantial source of vitamin C, and contain many minerals and trace elements due to the fact that oak tree roots dive deep into the soil.

Learn more about other natural antibacterial and cleansing strategies.

Written by Case Adams PhD

REFERENCES:

Mohebi R, Ghafourian S, Sekawi Z, Khosravi A, Galehdari EA, Hushmandfar R, Ranjbar R, Maleki A, Mohammadzadeh M, Rahbar M, Sadeghifard N. In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity of acorn herbal extract against some Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol. 2011 Oct-Dec;70(4):149-52.

Bainbridge DA. Use of Acorns for Food in California: Past, Present, Future. Presented at the Symposium on Multiple-use Management of California’s Hardwoods, November 12-14, 1986, San Luis Obispo, California.

The research tested sixty infants with asthma. They were randomly split into two groups of 30 patients each, and given either standard suspended moxibustion to six points or moxibustion with the moxibustion-massage apparatus to the same six points. The treatments were given daily for a period of three months.

After the three months, the moxi-massage apparatus group had a “total effective rate” of 90% (27 out of 30 patients), while the moxibustion-only treatment resulted in a total effective rate of 83%.

The acupoints used by the researchers were Fengmen (BL 12), Feishu (BL 13), Geshu (BL 17), Pishu (BL 20), Juque (CV 14) and Zhongwan (CV 12).

Total effective rate was gauged on whether the treatment resulted in a significant reduction of asthma attacks and asthmatic symptoms.

The researchers concluded that: “It is held that the combination of new moxibustion-massage apparatus and Chinese medicine for infantile asthma in remission stage has obvious therapeutic effect, which can reduce the attack of asthma and alleviate symptoms. The result is better than suspended moxibustion.”

The treatment also resulted in no adverse side effects. This is typical for acupuncture and moxibustion.

Moxibustion is a process whereby a ‘cigar’ or ‘cone’ of rolled mugwort herb is burnt and after it smolders, it is pressed against the skin at acupuncture meridian points. Burning the skin is prevented by using a variety of protective devices, making it completely safe.

Moxibustion can also be used by heating acupuncture needles with lit mugwort herb before using the needles. Suspended moxibustion does not incorporate the needles.

Moxibustion has a great track record of success in Chinese Medicine, and has been the subject of thousands of clinical trials.

Learn more about natural solutions for asthma, including Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Written by Case Adams PhD

REFERENCES:

Tian XF, Xu ZL. [Treatment of infantile asthma in remission stage with Chinese medicine and new moxibustion-massage apparatus]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2012 Feb;32(2):163-5.

The research analyzed and tracked 9,115 adolescents during three periods – 1996, 2001 and 2008 – as part of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.

The data found that overweight adolescents were more likely to live in disadvantaged (socioeconomically poor) neighborhoods, and their rate of weight gain is significantly higher over time than children from non-disadvantaged neighborhoods. Children from disadvantaged neighborhoods also had a higher likelihood of being obese during adulthood. Weight determination was gauged by measuring body mass index (BMI).

The research also found that children from Black and Hispanic neighborhoods were more likely to be obese and had a higher rate of weight gain.

The researchers concluded that “the neighborhood environment during the critical period of adolescence appears to have a long-term effect on BMI in adulthood. Policy interventions focusing on the neighborhood environment may have far-reaching effects on adult health.”

This finding correlates with another study reported by Real Natural in 2011. This study found that fast food corporations placed a disproportionately higher number of fast food restaurants in disadvantaged neighborhoods, and this was found to contribute directly to higher rates of obesity among these neighborhoods. French fries for breakfast anyone?

This research is also critical because more and more Americans are becoming obese. Currently about a third of American adults are obese and two-thirds are overweight. A new report announced at the second annual Weight of the Nation conference estimates that by 2030, 42 percent of U.S. adults will be obese. Obesity is linked to numerous disorders along with early mortality.

Written by Case Adams, PhD

REFERENCE:

Burdette AM, Needham BL. Neighborhood environment and body mass index trajectories from adolescence to adulthood. J Adolesc Health. 2012 Jan;50(1):30-7.