For HIV/TB patients, hope floats on Tamil Nadu shores

Chennai’s research institute claims antibiotic made with soil from coral reef off Rameswaram coast is first of its kind; may be up for human use in 6 yrs. It’s being touted as an indigenous “wonder drug” which offers hope to those who have tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and have tuberculosis (TB).

Scientists at Chennai’s Tuberculosis Research Centre have come out with a new antibiotic they say is effective against these deadly diseases.

The antibiotic is derived from a micro-organism called Streptomyces. It is taken from a soil sample collected from a coral reef off the Rameswaram coast in Tamil Nadu.
The drug, claim the scientists, is the first such which helps those who are HIV-positive and have TB. Patients who are HIV-positive develop a tendency to contract TB due to the body’s immunity to fight diseases.

Patent rights filed: “The antibiotic, named Transitmycin, will be a boon, especially for patients who have both tuberculosis and HIV”, said Dr. Vanaja Kumar, Principal Investigator and Head of Department of Bacteriology, Tuberculosis Research Centre.

Kumar said that the group of anti-HIV antibiotics that is presently available cannot be taken along with anti-TB drugs as the two counter-acts.

Following tests carried out on the microorganism, the Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh has vouched for its novelty and that it’s a new microorganism not reported anywhere earlier.

The report by the Chennai-based institute is the first such on bacterium found in Indian marine life which helps fight TB, says the institute. It has filed an Indian patent for the antibiotic through the Intellectual Property Rights section. This has been done under the aegis of the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Wait for another six years: Pre-clinical researches, including animal studies, are to be taken up prior to testing this compound in human clinical trials. If completed successfully, the “wonder drug” will be available for human use. Kumar said it could take up to six years for the drug to be available for human use.

July – August, 2011 Biotech Bulletin

The Alexander Technique: An Alternative Therapy for Chronic Back Pain

If you have chronic back pain and you find that pain medication, physical therapy and regular exercise don't provide you with sufficient long-term relief, you may want to consider an alternative movement therapy called the Alexander technique. 

Developed in the 19th century by Frederick M. Alexander, the Alexander technique consists of a series of postural exercises designed to relieve tension in the head, neck and spine. Though it is traditionally used by actors, musicians and others to enhance artistic performance, small studies have reported that the Alexander technique can improve respiratory function, provide relief from pain and stiffness associated with Parkinson’s disease, steady balance in the elderly and reduce postural fatigue among surgeons. It may be particularly helpful for treating people with chronic back pain.  

The basic premise of the Alexander technique is that the way you hold yourself as you accomplish everyday movements causes or exacerbates chronic back pain. As the Alexander technique theory goes, the position of your neck while you sit or the sagging of your hips while you walk, for instance, puts excess strain on your spine. The trick, Alexander technique proponents claim, is to become aware of your unhealthy postural habits and replace them with healthy habits. 

During a typical Alexander technique lesson, an instructor will observe you in action -- as you get out of a chair, pick something up or walk across the room, for example. Then, he or she will use verbal cues and subtle hand guidance to gently correct your posture and movements. Through modeling, feedback and practice, you will learn to correct your posture to move more fluidly and efficiently. Theoretically, this helps decompress your spine, limits pain and muscle spasms, strengthens your postural muscles and improves flexibility and coordination.    

Bottom line: Think of the Alexander technique as another potential tool along with exercise to proactively manage your back pain, but not as a cure-all or substitute for any other treatments your doctor may have recommended. To find a certified instructor of the Alexander technique in your area, contact the American Society for the Alexander Technique at www.amsatonline.org 

www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com

Secrets of nutritious food

Even thought what makes food nutritious? Scientists have found that bees and animal-pollinated crops contain the majority of the available dietary lipid, vitamin A, C and E, and a large portion of the minerals calcium, fluoride, and iron worldwide. The team showed that in the global crop supply, several key vitamins and other minerals that can lower the risk of cancer and heart disease are present predominantly in crops propagated by pollinators. These include the carotenoids lycopene and β-cryptoxanthin, which are found in brightly colored red, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables.

July 16-31, 2011 Down To Earth

Revealed: how drugs ‘beat malaria’

Scientists claim to have for the first time revealed the exact mechanism by which anti-malarial drugs kill the malaria parasite. A team at La Trobe University says its research also helps in understanding how these drugs are developing worrying resistance to a pathogen that kills more than 800,000 children worldwide each year.

Team leader Prof Leann Tilley says that the research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science’ journal, points to new ways of boosting the action of antimalarial drugs to overcome this drug resistance problem.
Plasmodium falciparum is the most pathogenic human malaria parasite.

It afflicts more than 200 million people worldwide. Treatment relies heavily on combination therapies, including artemisinin drug, extracted from the wormwood herb.

“Recent reports of decreased clinical effectiveness artemisinin – based drugs are extremely concerning. It is therefore critical to understand the way artemisinin works so we can overcome the pathogen’s resistance to drug”, she said.
As it grows it consumes the haemoglobin of the red blood cell and releases an iron-containing pigment, called ‘haem’, Prof Tilley said. The research also found that supplies of this haemoglobin-derived iron are essential if artemisinin is to destroy the parasite.
“Decreasing the production of this iron renders the parasites resistant to artemisinin. We have also shown that the parasite can slow its growth and reduce its hemoglobin uptake rate in response to artemisinin treatment.

July – August, 2011 Biotech Bulletin    
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Is calcium is good or bad?

What you’ve always heard: calcium is good especially for women, who can lose up 20 per cent of their bone mass in the decade after menopause. The mineral can help prevent osteoporosis and has also been linked to better blood pressure, lower risk of colorectal cancer, and easier weight loss.

What research says: calcium might be bad for your heart, at least if you get if from a pill. A recent analysis of seven years of date from more than 36,000 postmenopausal woman found that starting daily supplements (1000 mg of calcium plus 400IU of vitamin D) increased the risk of heart problems by up to 22 percent. The numbers were shocking. When combined with other data, they suggest that if 1000 people began taking calcium supplements, the pills would prevent three fractures – but cause as many as six heart attacks or strokes.

What you must do: calcium supplements have lost some of their luster (through no one doubts the benefits of high calcium foods). What’s more, it seems that people are doing a better job of getting the mineral in their diet than previously thought. To keep your bones strong and your body healthy, do lots of weight-bearing exercise and eat plenty of product and low fat dairy, says cardiologist Nieca Goldberg, author of Dr Nieca Goldberg’s Complete Guide to Women’s Health. And get enough vitamin D (it helps you absorb calcium). The bottom line according to Aurelia Nattiv.MD, Director of a leading US osteoporosis centre: The best way to get calcium is through food- and if a supplement is needed, most people should take no more than 600 mg daily.

November, 2011 Health Action

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Glenmark finds molecule for treating Blood Cancer

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals said it has discovered a new drug molecule which can treat blood and lymph cancer, besides inflammatory disorders.
        The novel biological entity (NBE) ‘GBR 401’ was discovered by the company’s Switzerland-based arm Glenmark Pharmaceuticals SA, the company said in a statement. “Glenmark will file for phase-I trials in the fourth quarter of FY 2011-12”, it added. The disease areas primarily targeted by GBR401 are lymphoma and leukemia of B-cell origin. Leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow and lymphoma is a form of cancer in lymphatic cells of the immune system. GBR 401 also holds the potential to treat disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.

May – June, 2011 Biotech Bulletin
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Integrative medicine after the age of 40

Within the last 100 years medicine has become a science – based profession. Modern medicine turned to be an Evidenced Based Medicine, and methods that aren’t proved experimentally are not considered medicine. However, traditional treatment methods integrating human body and mind as a whole have yet remained. These methods flourish and prosper as more and more conventional physicians adopt and use them while treating their patients.

Based on its good results, Integrative Medicine grows and develops using methods from what was formerly known as Complementary Medicine and Alternative Medicine, and integrates them into the conventional medical treatment. This phenomenon (bearing economical and medical consequences) will influence physicians’ and therapists’ daily work and will project on local health systems in many countries.

The International Conference on Integrative Medicine brings together physicians and therapists from all over the world for a scientific meeting and dialog on the methods, techniques and progress of integrative medicine.

The conference will focus on various fields of Integrative Medicine such as: Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Naturopathy, Chiropractic Medicine, Herbalism, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Meditation, Yoga, Biofeedback, Hypnosis, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Nutritional-Based Therapies and many more.

The interesting outcomes (and public demand) have led Acupuncture, as well as many other holistic methods, to become an inseparable part of the legitimate health system in many countries. We witness today pharmacists specializing in herbs and medical plants, and physicians participating in continuing education programs in therapy techniques that are not taught in medical schools at universities.

www.mediconvention.com

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Vitamin pills not good for health

Women taking multivitamin don’t live longer than those who get nutrients from food alone, according to a US study that found they in fact appear to have slightly higher death rates.

About half of adult US resident take dietary supplements, and the industry now boasts of annual sales as high as $20 billion. Yet research suggests that some of the largely unregulated substances, such as vitamins A and E, could be harmful in high doses. “There is very little evidence showing that common dietary supplement would be beneficial in prevention of major disease,” said Jaakko Mursu of the University of Minnesota in minneapolls. “Unless you are deficient, there is no reason to take them,” he said.
Mursu and his colleagues used data from nearly 39,000 older women who participated in the Iowa Women’s Health Study and fill out questionnaires starting in 1986. The survey asked about use of multivitamins, vitamin A, C, D, and E as well as beta-carotene.B vitamins and minerals such as calcium, copper, magnesium and zinc.
During the study, supplements became increasingly popular. Between 1986 and 2004, the proportion of women who said they took one or more jumped from 63% to 85%. Only calcium supplements were linked to a lower risk of death over 19 years of follow up. That link held up even after considering that women taking supplements had a healthier lifestyle than the rest. By contrast, women taking other supplements did not live longer.

November, 2011 Health Action

Herbal warfare against malaria – Nichinda leaves can combat dengue and filariasis

Use of insecticides to get rid of mosquitoes is known to be detrimental to the environment and human health. A finding on how larvae of mosquitoes which cause dengue and filariasis can be killed in an eco-friendly way, therefore, holds significance.

Researchers at the Annamalai University in Tamil Nadu have found the secret in the leaves of Nichinda tree (Vitex trifolia), a coastal shrub. Extracts of its leaves attack the gut of the larvae’s epithelial cell. Methyl-para-hydroxy-benzoate present in the leaves accomplish this task.
        In 2007, researchers had exposed the larvae of dengue- and filariasis- causing mosquitoes to the leaf extracts of different species of Vitex. It was the leaf extract of Nichinda that killed the larvae of both mosquitoes.
        In the recent study, researchers found the compound in the leaf responsible for the larvicidal activity. They used different organic solvents to separate chemicals in the leaf extract. The fraction that had the maximum larvicidal activity was found to contain methyl-para-hydroxybenzoate.
        Researchers have also isolated the crystalised form of methyl-para-hydroxybenzoate. “The compound has been reported in many plant species but its crystal structure was never isolated,” says lead researcher V Venkatesalu. Knowing the crystal structure will help identify the exact structure of methyl-para-hydroxybenzoate responsible for the leaf extract’s larvicidal property.
        The compound belongs to a class of organic compounds known as phenols. It can be used after further toxicological evaluations on non-target organisms, he adds.              

October 1-15, 2011 Down To Earth

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For a healthier life

Green tea: Cholesterol (both total cholesterol and the bad LDL kind) inches down when people have two or more cups of green tea daily, an analysis of 14 studies showed.
Apples and beans: People who ate more soluble fibre (found in fruit, beans, and oats, among other foods) over a five-year period gained less belly fat- the most dangerous fat for health. For every ten grams of soluble fibre added to a person’s diet, he or she slowed midsection spread by close to 4 per cent.

November, 2011 Health Action

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Top 5 Foods for Healthy Hair

While external care (shampoo, conditioner, keeping the scalp clean etc.) are a must for keeping the hair healthy, a balanced diet containing hair-friendly nutrients is also of paramount importance.
Minerals like iron, calcium, potassium, selenium, magnesium etc. play a vital role in keeping the hair and scalp healthy. Protein is also crucial for ensuring good healthy hair growth. Protein deficiencies or low-quality protein can produce weak and brittle hair, and can eventually result in loss of hair color.

Let’s take a look at five super foods for hair:

Whole Grains: It is widely known that whole grains have more nutrients per unit than their refined counterparts. Add to this the large quantities of fibre they have which makes them really good for our digestive system. They can be easily digested, contain a lot of antioxidants and help keep chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, obesity and constipation at bay. All these qualities also make them ‘super-foods’ for healthy hair.
Vitamin C Foods: Vitamin C is brimming with collagen, a protein which helps in maintaining hair follicles, blood vessels and scalp. Fruits like oranges, lemons, pineapple, strawberries, guava etc are great sources of vitamin C. Green leafy vegetables also contain vitamin C and iron which is another great nutrient for healthy hair.
Brown Rice: It is a good source of protein and it gives your hair the shine you’ve always wanted. Apart from this, it makes you feel full for longer durations and helps suppress your hunger pangs. Brown rice is also rich in vitamins and fibre.
Dal: Legumes are widely accepted as rich sources of protein. An ½ cup serving of dal can easily offer about 6 gm of protein. Besides, dals are rich in minerals like potassium and magnesium. However, you should not solely depend on dal for your daily protein intake.

Calcium-rich Foods: Calcium is also a key nutrient for maintaining hair health. Now a lot of calcium is used up by daily wear and tear and one needs to consume adequate calcium-rich foods to replenish lost calcium. Dairy products are excellent sources of calcium, so are grains. Calcium also makes your hair shine and not to forget that it also gives you healthy, stronger bones. (Grooming, MensXP.com)

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Vegetables, grain cut stroke risk in women

Woman eating an antioxidant-rich diet suffered fewer strokes independently of whether they had past history of cardiovascular disease or not, a new study reveals.

Eating antioxidant-rich foods may reduce your risk of stroke by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation,” said doctoral student Susanne Rautiainen at the Karolinska institute in Sweden, who lead the study. “This means people should eat more food such as fruits and vegetables that contribute to total antioxidant capacity,”

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the production of cell damaging free radicals and the body’s ability to neutralize them. It leads to inflammation, blood vessel damage and stiffening, the Journal of the American Heart association: Stroke reported.

Researchers categorized the women according to their total antioxidants capacity (TAC) levels – five groups without a history of cardiovascular disease and four with previous cardiovascular disease, according to a university statement.

TAC measures the free radical reducing capacity of all antioxidants in the diet and considers mutually beneficial effects among these substances.  For women with no history of cardiovascular disease and highest TAC, fruits and vegetables contributed about 50 percent.

December 14, 2011 The Hitavada

How stress hurts DNA

At last, scientists have discovered a mechanism that explains how stress damage DNA. Researchers say when people experience stress; they release adrenaline – a fight or flight chemical – that damages genes, resulting in aging looks and higher risk of diseases like cancer. They gave lab mice an adrenaline-like compound. It activated a receptor, which triggers biological pathways that lower production of a protein called p53. The protein is known to prevent genomic abnormalities and tumor formation.

September 16-30, 2011 Down To Earth

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Natural remedies for Diabetes

Diabetes is among the most debilitating of lifestyle diseases, often the precursor to many other types of health disorders such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases and chronic illnesses of the eye. Most diabetics tend to depend upon taking medications, many of which include hormone supplementation injections and drugs for controlling the sugar levels. Though these aids are often critical for managing cases where diabetes seems to have turned into an incurable condition, it is always better to seek natural cures. These natural remedies don’t put forth the kind of side-effects associated with stronger medications and can be resourced from our everyday supplies.

               

 Using Methi Seeds: Fenugreek or Methi seeds are considered the most effective of natural cures that can help alleviate typical symptoms of diabetes. Methi seeds should be soaked in water overnight. The water concentrated with the seeds’ juices should be consumed early in the morning on an empty stomach. For making this natural concoction stronger, you can crush the seeds and sieve them through a cloth or filter paper.

Using Natural Juices: Some juices have been found to be effective in controlling high sugar levels that can prove fatal for diabetics. These are juices of fruits and vegetables that are further enriched with antioxidants and many rare micronutrients. The most recommended variety here is the Bitter Gourd or Karela juice. Other options include grape juice or the juice-like extract made from boiling mango leaves in water.

Aloe gel remedy an effective, natural concoction for diabetes can be prepared by adding a few teaspoons of ground Bay leaf (Tejpatra) with one teaspoon of turmeric. This mixture should be mixed with an equal amount of aloe vera gel and consumed daily, before lunch and dinner.
            Using chapattis to your advantage another useful way of managing diabetes is increasing the daily intake of fiber in the natural form. This includes increasing the fiber content in chappatis that tend to be eaten with regularity in Indian homes. The refined flour should be mixed with a combination of flours procured from different cereals, particularly those high in soluble fiber. This includes flours of barley and lentils like Chana Dal and soya bean.
            Using Jarul or Banaba Diabetics can use Banaba or Jarul plant extract. Banaba is among the lesser known of herbal plants in India. The herbal powder of Banaba extract can be used to make herbal tea. This plant contains high concentrations of contains Corosolic acid—the most potent of biochemical compounds that stimulate faster glucose metabolism and help to regulate blood sugar and insulin levels that is very useful for combating diabetes.
            Easy Natural Remedies for Diabetes Jamun is one of the rarest plants where nearly each part, the leaves, berry and seeds are known to help in controlling blood sugar levels. Neem leaves are useful in a similar manner. Amla or the Indian goose Berry is similarly effective in managing sugar levels. Instead of using only Neem leaves, you can also add leaves of Tulsi and Bel Patra. All these leaves can be boiled together for increasing the potency of the filtered extract.

http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com

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Raw is right

Studies have shown that eating broccoli can help protect against heart diseases and cancer. But if you want to capitalise on the beneficial phytochemicals and vitamins present in broccoli you should eat it raw or lightly steamed rather than in supplement form. Those who consume the broccoli supplement absorb significantly less nutrients. The reason: a necessary enzyme called myrosinase is missing from most of the supplement forms. Without this enzyme the body absorb five times less of one important compound and eight times less of another. Intensive cooking does the same thing.

November 1-15, 2011 Down To Earth

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Frog skin can help treat cancer

Scientist have accidentally discovered some key proteins from the skin of a little known frog which they say could be a potential treatment for up to 70 diseases including cancer, diabetes and strokes, reports PTI. Researchers at the Queen’s university in Belfast stumbled upon some unusual properties in its skin’s secretions while doing research on the Waxy Monkey Frog from South America. The properties were found to be either stimulating or inhibiting the growth of blood vessels, an ability which can be used in a controlled and targeted way to treat a number of diseases, the researchers said: “The aim of our work is to unlock the potential of the natural world – in this case the secretion found on frog and toad skins – to alleviate human suffering. “We are absolutely convinced that the natural world holds the solution to many of our problems. We just need to pose the right question to find them,” Professor Shaw was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.
            The researchers were testing a range of proteins taken from secretions from frogs and toads. They soon realized that the proteins taken from the secretion from frog and toads. They soon realized that the proteins in the secretions—which the frog and toads use as protection from predators—also control the growth of blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis.

Professor Shaw said: “The proteins that we have discovered have the ability to either stimulate or inhibit the growth of blood vessels.”

“By switching off angiogenesis and inhibiting bold vessel growth, a protein from the waxy monkey frog has the potential to kill cancer tumors.” “Stopping the blood vessels from growing will make the tumor less likely to spread and may eventually kill it,” he said. The discovery could allow surgeons to remove tumors, and that the protein from the frog could be used to stop remaining cancer cells from growing further, he said. “It wouldn’t cure the cancer but it would stop it from developing any further and allow the person to live a normal life,” he added.
            According to the researchers secretions from the toad were also found to have the opposite effect—they stimulate blood vessel growth.
            “This has the potential to treat conditions that require blood vessels to repair quickly, such as wound healing, organ transplants, diabetic ulcers and damage caused by strokes or heart conditions,” Prof Shaw said.

July - August, 2011 Biotech Bulletin

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