FAME Pharmaceutical, a local company based in Yangon, has successfully produced a A(H1N1) vaccine, Flower News reported on March 2.

The medicine was produced using Shikimic acid extracted from the Chinese star anise. The acid helps prevent the spread of the A(H1N1) virus, said U Tin Maung Aye, a director of Fame Pharmaceutical.

Roche, an international pharmaceutical company, produces the Tamiflu vaccine based on the Oseltamivir compound derived from the Chinese star anise.

“The [production] method will be different. But we are producing a similar formula to Tamiflu. It can be used even before A(H1N1) symptoms are diagnosed as a preventative measure,” U Tin Maung Aye said.

Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar is a condition characterized by an abnormally low level of blood sugar (glucose) in the blood.

Many people with diabetes have hypoglycemia. However, there are rare cases where people who are not diabetic have hypoglycemia. For those people, the condition may be caused by:

- Certain Medications

- Alcohol

- Certain types of Cancer

- Other Critical Illnesses that Result in Excess Insulin Production

Insulin is the hormone secreted by your pancreas that regulates your blood sugar level. Signs & symptoms of hypoglycemia include:

- Confusion

- Abnormal Behavior

- Visual Disturbances

- Seizures (uncommon)

- Loss of Consciousness (uncommon)

The signs & symptoms listed below can related to hypoglycemia but may not be as well:

- Heart Palpitations

- Tremor

- Anxiety

- Sweating

- Hunger

Having your blood sugar level measured is the only sure-fire way to know if hypoglycemia is the cause of the symptoms listed above.

The main cause of hypoglycemia is an over production of insulin within the body. Some foods that a person consumes contain sugar molecules called glucose, which is the primary source of energy for the body. After a person eats, the glucose is absorbed directly into your bloodstream, but it cannot enter the cells without insulin, which is a hormone secreted by your pancreas.

The pancreas is located behind the stomach. When blood glucose levels rise, the pancreas releases insulin, which unlocks the cells so that glucose can enter. It also reduces glucose production by your liver. This results in a reduced amount of glucose in the bloodstream and prevents it from reaching dangerously high levels. The secretion of insulin decreases as the blood sugar level returns to normal.

Sometimes, the pancreas can produce and release too much insulin into the blood. This is a condition known as hyperinsulinemia, which is not a disease but more of a symptom of an underlying health problem. When too much insulin is released by the pancreas, even more glucose enters the cells, and the liver cannot release glucose into the bloodstream. This is how low blood sugar develops.

Aside from regulating the blood sugar level directly, insulin also influences your blood sugar indirectly because it affects the liver, which also plays a key role in maintaining normal blood sugar levels. The liver accepts extra sugar and stores it in the form of glycogen after a person eats. As insulin levels drop between meals, glycogen is broken down by the liver (glycogenolysis). The liver then releases glucose into your bloodstream, which maintains a normal blood sugar level.

Insulin isn’t the only factor that plays a role in the process by which your body attempts to regulate blood sugar levels. These levels can also become too low if your body’s gluconeogenesis is disrupted. Gluconeogenesis is the body’s natural ability to to manufacture glucose.

Foe people who do not have diabetes, possible causes of hypoglycemia include:

- Certain Medications (Here’s another reason to avoid prescription med’s folks)

- Alcohol

- Long-Term Starvation

- Excessive Production of Insulin

- Endocrine Deficiencies

- Non-Beta-Cell Tumors

Most cases of hypoglycemia occur in a fasting state but sometimes, it can occur after meals as a result of the body producing more insulin than is needed. This type of hypoglycemia is known as reactive or postprandial hypoglycemia.

To accurately diagnose hypoglycemia, a professional health care practitioner may perform a glucose tolerance test (GTT). But even with this test, the results can be within normal limits and a person can still have symptoms of hypoglycemia.

To better diagnose the condition, try following a healthy regimen outlined below and see if your symptoms improve.

First off, pay attention to the way you feel. If symptoms start surfacing, you can treat a sudden (acute) episode of hypoglycemia by consuming some form of sugar to restore your blood sugar back to normal range.

Drink fruit juice, a non-diet soda or eat a piece of high-sugar candy immediately. Also make your friends and family aware of the situation so they will know what steps to take in the event of a reaction. Tell them to call 911 immediately if you become sleepy or unconscious.

Do not drink any alcoholic beverages. Your diet should consist of high-fiber, starchy foods. Eat smaller meals more frequently and begin and maintain a regular exercise program.

Some natural supplements that a person with hypoglycemia may find to be beneficial are:

Chromium Picolinate (300-600 mcg daily) – Vital for glucose metabolism.

Brewer’s Yeast (take as directed on label) – Aids in stabilizing blood sugar levels.

Garlic (take as directed on label) – Relieves low blood sugar when an attack occurs.

Glutathione (take as directed on label) – Aids in breaking down glucose into energy.

Pancreatin (take as directed on label) – Important for proper protein digestion.

Zinc (50 mg daily) – Necessary for proper release of insulin.

Vitamin C with bioflavonoids (3,000-8,000 mg daily in divided doses) – For adrenal insufficiency, which is common in people with hypoglycemia.

Quercetin (take as directed on label) – Aids in stopping allergic reactions.

Vitamin B Complex (50 – 100 mg of each B vitamin daily & up) – Aids in carbohydrate & protein metabolism. Helps the body tolerate foods the produce low blood sugar reactions.

Dandelion Root – Supports the liver and pancreas.

Licorice – Aids the body in responding well to stress. Don’t use for more than seven days and avoid if you have high blood pressure.

Bilberry and Wild Yam – Aids in controlling insulin levels.

Published by Henry Sapiecha 11th March 2010

Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant that is found in curry powder and used in traditional Indian cooking. The blending of curcumin with other spices has made this seasoning appeal more to the European pallet and has made the ingredient a popular and healthy choice for seasoning many different dishes. However, more than just your taste buds will benefit from curry. Curry, and more specifically curcumin, has been found to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

The preventative quality of curry goes beyond its basic antioxidant function. Curcumin has been found effective in slowing or stopping the formation of protein fragments in brain cells. It is able to do this so effectively because it has such a low molecular weight. This enables it to seep into the blood stream better and bind to the beta amyloid plaque that forms on the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. So curry is good at not only preventing Alzheimer’s disease, but it removing some plaques of those already in the early stages.

If you don’t think that curry can do all that it claims, consider the fact that adults between the ages of 70-79 in India had a four times lower rate of Alzheimer’s disease in one 2003 study. The conclusion that researcher drew is that the difference is in the curry. The yellow, powdery food preservative, curcumin, found in curry, is found in abundance in the traditional Indian diet.

Here are some great uses for curry that will spice up your diet and put this strong antioxidant to work in cleaning up brain plaque that may already be forming. Curry can be a very strong flavor that some people just don’t like. For those who don’t care for it, the flavor can be played down as in the following recipes, keeping all of the nutritional benefits in.

1. Sprinkle some curry powder on your chicken salad. Adding halved red grapes and green onions balances the strength of the curry flavor. It’s also great with toasted almond slivers. You can serve it on a bed of dark green spinach or in half a tomato to add to the nutritional value.
2. Vitamins A and C are abundant in a traditional Bombay rice dish that has both curry powder and cumin. Use brown rice as your base adding chick peas, apricots, zucchini, onion, and any other vegetables you like such as carrots and red pepper. This can be cooked in a vegetable or fat-free chicken broth until the rice is cooked through. Just a tablespoon of curry powder and a teaspoon of cumin to 1 ½ cups uncooked rice balances the recipe.
3. Try adding 1/8 teaspoon of curry powder to low-fat or fat-free mayonnaise to spice up your next turkey sandwich. Load on the fresh lettuce, raw spinach, tomatoes, and peppers and put the balanced meal into a whole-wheat pita pocket.
4. 
   Curry can be added subtly into many different recipes eliminating the need for salt. Check to be sure that your curry seasoning does not have added salt, or use just plain cumin in its place. You’ll spice up your meals while protecting your brain.

Sourced and published by Henry Sapiecha 17th March 2010

5 Easy Ways to Lower Blood Pressure Using 1 Great Fruit

Have you had your lycopene today? If you ate a green salad with fresh chopped tomatoes, then you not only got a healthy dose of this powerful antioxidant, but you have also taken significant action toward lowering your blood pressure. A recent double-blind study conducted in Israel has confirmed what hearth-healthy Italians have enjoyed for centuries – tomatoes (and tomato sauce) lower blood pressure and the risk of heart disease.

The Israeli study was led up by Dr. Esther Paran, head of the hypertension division of Soroka Medical Center. It involved patients who were already being treated for hypertension, but were not responding well to the medications. Dr. Paran had patients take a supplement of tomato extract. The results were a significant drop in blood pressure after just four weeks.

Tomatoes are so effective at lowering blood pressure because they contain lycopene. This potent antioxidant is even the focus of some hybrid tomatoes grown by the Israeli company, Lycomato, in order to have higher concentrations of lycopene in each piece of fruit. Other antioxidants found in tomatoes make this one super-food in the prevention of heart disease. It can even help keep LDL cholesterol from oxidizing which makes it stick to the arteries and narrow the passage way causing blood pressure to increase.

Even during the peak growing season it can be difficult to consume four whole tomatoes each day, which is the recommended amount for having a positive impact on blood pressure. Here are some ways to get the benefits of tomatoes without having to eat them straight off the vine.

1. Make Chili. Using tomato puree, which is a concentrated form of tomatoes, as the base for your chili utilizes the antioxidants without the bulk of a whole tomato. Add some ultra-lean and high protein ground bison and kidney beans with minced garlic and onions, and cayenne pepper and you have a heart-healthy main course and a full day’s allowance of tomato.
2. Since using olive oil with the tomatoes enhances the curative quality, make your pasta sauce red with tomatoes, tomato paste and olive oil to sauté the garlic and onion. Tomato paste used in making sauce contains more than 10 times the nutrients of a single tomato.
3. Have a fresh salad as a side dish to either of these entrees and cut one whole tomato on top. You’ll get one-quarter of you tomato intake right there.
4. 
5. Drink tomato juice. It is better to make your own fresh juice so that you can control the sodium. Store bought juices can be high in sugar and sodium-based preservatives. If you have a juicer, you can make some incredible veggie juices to suit your own tastes by adding carrots, celery and some low-sodium seasonings.
6. Take a tomato supplement. If you just can’t stomach tomatoes, then a 200 mg supplement provides the equivalent of more than the recommended four tomatoes.
7. 

Adding tomatoes to your diet can reduce systolic blood pressure by 10 points and diastolic pressure by 4 points as was evident in the Israel study. Whatever way you slice it, tomatoes will  strengthen your immune system and lower blood pressure.

Enjoy your tomatoes and live a healthier life

Sourced and published by Henry Sapiecha 17th March 2010

1899 : Bayer patents aspirin

On this day in 1899, the Imperial Patent Office in Berlin registers Aspirin, the brand name for acetylsalicylic acid, on behalf of the German pharmaceutical company Friedrich Bayer & Co.

Now the most common drug in household medicine cabinets, acetylsalicylic acid was originally made from a chemical found in the bark of willow trees. In its primitive form, the active ingredient, salicin, was used for centuries in folk medicine, beginning in ancient Greece when Hippocrates used it to relieve pain and fever. Known to doctors since the mid-19thcentury, it was used sparingly due to its unpleasant taste and tendency to damage the stomach.

In 1897, Bayer employee Felix Hoffman found a way to create a stable form of the drug that was easier and more pleasant to take. (Some evidence shows that Hoffman’s work was really done by a Jewish chemist, Arthur Eichengrun, whose contributions were covered up during the Nazi era.) After obtaining the patent rights, Bayer began distributing aspirin in powder form to physicians to give to their patients one gram at a time. The brand name came from “a” for acetyl, “spir” from the spirea plant (a source of salicin) and the suffix “in,” commonly used for medications. It quickly became the number-one drug worldwide.

Aspirin was made available in tablet form and without a prescription in 1915. Two years later, when Bayer’s patent expired during the First World War, the company lost the trademark rights to aspirin in various countries. After the United States entered the war against Germany in April 1917, the Alien Property Custodian, a government agency that administers foreign property, seized Bayer’s U.S. assets. Two years later, the Bayer company name and trademarks for the United States and Canada were auctioned off and purchased by Sterling Products Company, later Sterling Winthrop, for $5.3 million.

Bayer became part of IG Farben, the conglomerate of German chemical industries that formed the financial heart of the Nazi regime. After World War II, the Allies split apart IG Farben, and Bayer again emerged as an individual company. Its purchase of Miles Laboratories in 1978 gave it a product line including Alka-Seltzer and Flintstones and One-A-Day Vitamins. In 1994, Bayer bought Sterling Winthrop’s over-the-counter business, gaining back rights to the Bayer name and logo and allowing the company once again to profit from American sales of its most famous product.

Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha 17th March 2010

Papaya Leaf contains a remarkable protein-dissolving enzyme called papain, and if you suffer from indigestion or heartburn, give Papaya Leaf a try!   The enzyme in Papaya Leaf also breaks down wheat gluten and carbohydrates for extra digestive protection.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein  is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any leaf matter, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

History:
Papaya is an herbaceous tree with a stem of spongy, soft wood that is hollow in the center and bears melon-like fruit.  It is an interesting tree, in that the male and female parts exist in different trees, and trees may grow to a height of twenty to thirty feet. The Papaya Tree needs a tropical climate that is dry when cold and wet when warm; consequently, its greatest success appears in the equatorial zone with its warm wet season and cool dry season.  It is extremely sensitive to frost, and water-logging will kill the taproot within forty-eight hours. The Papaya is especially susceptible to parasites, pests and diseases. This fussy plant needs a lot of water but must have good drainage, and it bears most fruit in light, porous, slightly acidic soils that are rich in organic matter.

Said to be a native of the Caribbean and Central America, the Papaya is the true papaw that now grows abundantly throughout tropical America, Hawaii and many other tropical climates throughout the world.  Although grown to some extent in south Florida, the true papaw is not related to the North American papaw.  The fruits, leaves and latex are all used medicinally. The delicious fruit is usually pear-sized and has a central cavity filled with edible, pea-sized seeds. Generally, the fruit is melon-like, oval to nearly round, and the skin is waxy and thin but fairly tough.  As the fruit ripens, it becomes yellow externally, and the thick wall of flesh becomes aromatic, yellow, orange or various shades of red.

Papaya Fruit is eaten as a melon, included in salads and when unripe, it is cooked as a vegetable.  The seeds are said to have a similar flavor as capers.  The green fruit, stems and leaves are a rich source of a gummy, milky, white latex that contains the powerful enzyme, papain (in latex and exudate).  This protein-dissolving substance has not only been widely used for stomach and digestive disorders, but it is also included in commercial preparations as a meat tenderizer, chewing gum and as a stabilizing agent that is used to clarify beer. The fruit is usually pear-sized and has a central cavity filled with edible, pea-sized seed, which are said to have a similar flavor as capers.

Papaya Leaves are cooked and considered a green vegetable and are a rich source of a gummy, milky, white latex that contains the powerful enzyme, papain.  This protein-dissolving substance is an excellent remedy for stomach and digestive disorders.  Papain is so powerful that Papaya Leaves have been wrapped around meats to break down the fibers and tenderize them.  It is included in commercial preparations as a meat tenderizer and often used for that purpose in restaurants, and it also used commercially in chewing gums and as a stablizing agent that is used to clarify beer.

Papaya Leaves were even fed to animals to tenderize their flesh.  Some of Papaya Leaf’s constituents include the fermenting agent myrosin, alkaloids, rutin, resin, tannins, carpaine, dehydrocarpaines, pseudocarpaine, flavonols, benzylglucosinolate, linalool, malic acid, methyl salicylate, another enzyme, chymopapain (latex and exudate), calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, beta-carotene, B-vitamins and vitamins A, C and E.

Beneficial Uses:
Papaya Leaf is an excellent treatment for digestive disorders and extremely useful for any disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract.  Papain, the powerful enzyme in Papaya, helps to dissolve and digest protein, thus easing stomach ailments and indigestion.  (Because papain breaks down tough meat fibers, it is often used in restaurants and is the major ingredient in commercial meat tenderizers!)  Papaya has been effective in easing heartburn and is given to treat dyspepsia and gastric catarrh.  Papaya also stimulates the appetite.

Papaya Leaf’s enzyme, papain, not only digests protein, but it extends its activity to digesting carbohydrate. Papain also breaks down wheat gluten, which may be helpful for those suffering from Celiac disease; and those who have difficulty digesting starchy foods, such as breads, cereals and potatoes, might find great relief in including Papaya in their diets.

The papain in Papaya is thought to relieve acute prostate inflammation and may be very helpful in cases of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).  Clinical studies in Russia found that papain treatment reversed rectal lesions induced by extreme prostate enlargement in over 97 percent of the men treated.

The papain in Papaya is currently undergoing studies to investigate its efficacy in treating the herpes simplex virus and herpes zoster (shingles).

Another papayan enzyme, chymopapain, has been used in the treatment of slipped spinal disc and pinched nerves.

Since many stomach problems are the direct result of indigestion, use of Papaya appears to help prevent many ailments.  It stimulates digestive acids and the production of bile, which may also lead to a healthier liver and pancreas.

Papaya is said to stimulate the bowels in times of constipation and is also believed to be useful in treating inflammatory bowel disorders.

In many areas of the world, Papaya is used as a vermifuge, anthelmintic and amoebacide that eliminates worms and other parasites, and it is thought that the papain content digests the invaders, and Papaya’s latex also works as a dewormer by its purgative actions, increasing the movement of intestinal contents.

Contraindications:
People who take blood medication (Sulfinpyrazone) or blood thinning medication (Coumadin, aspirin, etc.) should consult with their physicians before taking this herb, as it may have anticoagulant properties.

Pregnant women should avoid Papaya, as it can be a uterine stimulant (papain apparently dissolves a protein(s) responsible for adhering the newly fertilized egg to the wall of the uterus).  Papaya in all its forms should never be taken by people with a latex allergy (causing anaphylactic shock).  Inhaling Papaya powder (high in the enzymes, papain and chymopapain, can induce allergies. Although papain digests carbohydrates, potato protein may cause papain to not work as well when taken at the same time.

If you wish to purchase some organic fresh or dried leaf/seeds please forward an email to us.

admin@acbocallcentre.com

Sourced and published by Henry Sapiecha

]]> http://www.newcures.info/2010/02/paw-paw-fruitor-papaya-could-be-the-answer-to-your-condition/feed/ 0 http://www.newcures.info/2010/02/cancer-bush-treats-aids-cancer/ http://www.newcures.info/2010/02/cancer-bush-treats-aids-cancer/#comments Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:06:11 +0000 Editor http://www.newcures.info/?p=335 Sutherlandia frutescens
Cancer Bush

An odd, South African shrub with fine, grey-green foliage and showy, bright scarlet flowers and curious, inflated seedpods. Its common name, Cancer Bush, comes from the fact that the tea of the dried leaves and twigs have been used for treating the side effects of cancers and HIV / AIDS. In great demand as a decorative garden plant. Grows to 3 feet in height. Very uncommon.

Sourced and published by Henry Sapiecha 21st Feb 2010

Datura stramonium Photo: Australian National Botanic Garden

The family’s common name ‘deadly night shade’ reflects a precautionary note about the toxic nature of many of its members. This name is derived from the herb called deadly nightshade, Atropa belladonna, which contains a potent narcotic extract called Atropine. This is used medicinally as an eye dilating drug and sedative.

Another plant with toxic properties is the foetid smelling thorn apple, Datura stramonium, commonly found in India. Even today Indian thieves and assassins are consistently administering high doses to their victims in order to render them insensible. However, it also contains beneficial alkaloids, which alleviate asthma and act as a pre-anaesthetic in childbirth and surgery.

Of the well known family members, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is a very hazardous plant. Less known are the allergies encountered by some regular consumers of potatoes, tomatoes, capsicum and/or aubergines. To illustrate their potency, a world-renowned ballet dancer became crippled with muscular and joint pains and was unable to dance. Following a diagnosis of intolerance to these foods she resumed her distinguished career within a month of excluding them from her diet. Other users report that within a short time of eating them they have difficulty in relaxing and/or sleeping. Vivid dreams are symptomatic of this intolerance.

Sourced and published by Henry Sapiecha 21st Feb 2010