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You are here: Home / Archives for Anti-Inflammatory

Miracle from the Tropics: The Amazing Healing Power of Papaya

November 17, 2016 By Dr. Al Sears Leave a Comment

Benefits of Papaya

Part of what I do as an anti-aging and alternative medicine doctor is travel the world in search of natural cures. And one of my favorite places to visit is Bali.

Not just because it’s beautiful. What makes Bali so special to me is their centuries-old tradition of using the island’s plants and herbs as “medicine.” The Balinese know so much about harnessing nature’s power to cure disease, and they’ve passed this knowledge down from generation to generation.

Some of Bali’s incredible healing plants and herbs are rare in the West, but others – like the papaya – can be found in farmer’s markets and grocery stores all across America.

Papaya is native to South America, but it’s been part of Bali’s landscape – and healing tradition — for generations. The Balinese people use this tasty fruit (as well as the other parts of the papaya tree) to treat everything from diarrhea to malaria. They may not know the science of why papaya is so powerful as a healing agent, but they can see the results.

And in fact, science proves they know what they’re doing.

The papaya fruit is a potent pain reliever and anti-inflammatory, thanks to an enzyme called papain. Papain increases your body’s pain threshold, helps you recover more quickly from injury and reduces the free radicals that lead to inflammation.

One study showed that papain was particularly effective at reducing inflammation in people with arthritis.[1]

Papaya BenefitsPapaya has also been shown to:

  • Reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer
  • improve blood glucose control in diabetics
  • lower blood pressure
  • improve wound healing
  • decrease the risk of macular degeneration
  • protect the prostate
  • slow tumor growth (papaya leaf extract)

But as an anti-aging doctor, I’d have to say that one of my favorite things about the papaya is its powerful anti-aging properties – thanks to its extremely high levels of vitamin C.

You see, in recent years, we’ve made a game-changing breakthrough in understanding how the aging process works. And it all comes down to a tiny “endcap” on each strand of DNA in your body. These endcaps are called telomeres, and they keep your DNA from unraveling.

Each time your cells divide, your telomeres get shorter. And as they get shorter, your cells get weaker and act older.

What many people don’t know is that most of the “diseases of aging” — like cancer, diabetes and heart disease — are associated with shorter telomeres.

Research shows that with longer telomeres, you have a better chance to avoid almost every illness and disease.

That’s where papaya’s vitamin C comes in – it protects telomeres. One Japanese study found that high levels of vitamin C slow down the shortening of telomeres up to 62%.

Another study found vitamin C slowed telomere shortening in the DNA of skin cells. That means they kept their youthful, firm shape.[2]

Papaya is also packed with other compounds that have a dramatic anti-aging effect on the skin, like the carotenoids beta carotene and lycopene. These antioxidants protect your skin from free radicals in the environment and from damage caused by UV radiation.

How to Make the Most of Papaya

Lucky for us, papaya is widely available. And it’s pretty easy to grow papaya trees of your own if you live in a frost-free climate. I grow them in my backyard in South Florida.

Papaya Smoothie RecipeI pick them right off the tree and slice them up as a snack, but one of my favorite ways to use papaya is in a tropical smoothie packed with other health-boosting ingredients.

Here’s my recipe:

  • 1 1/2 cups frozen ripe papaya cubes
  • 1 small ripe banana, peeled, sliced and frozen
  • 1-2 tsp minced ginger (to taste)
  • 2 limes, juiced (or about ¼ cup)
  • 1/2 cup coconut water
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • optional:1-2 Tbsp Manuka honey to sweeten

Throw everything in the blender together and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

 

 

 

1 – B Rose, et al. Dose-dependent induction of IL-6 by plant-derived proteases in vitro. Clin Exp Immunol. 2006 Jan; 143(1): 85–92.

2 – Yokoo S, et al. Slow-down of age-dependent telomere shortening is executed in human skin keratinocytes by hormesis-like-effects of trace hydrogen peroxide or by anti-oxidative effects of pro-vitamin C in common concurrently with reduction of intracellular oxidative stress. J Cell Biochem. 2004;93(3):588-97.

3 – Otsuki N, Dang NH, Kumagai E, Kondo A, Iwata S, Morimoto CAqueous extract of Carica papaya leaves exhibits anti-tumor activity and immunomodulatory effects. J Ethnopharmacol. 2010 Feb 17;127(3):760-7.

4 – Li ZY, Wang Y, Shen WT, Zhou P. Content determination of benzyl glucosinolate and anti-cancer activity of itshydrolysis product in Carica papaya L. Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2012;5(3):231-3.

Filed Under: Healthy Eating Tagged With: Anti-Inflammatory, Lower Blood Pressure

Benefits of Fish Oil

October 4, 2016 By Dr. Adrienne Youdim Leave a Comment

Fish Oil Benefits

It’s been called a “wonder drug.” Of course, fish oil is not a drug at all.  It’s simply a supplement derived from the tissues of oily fish, like salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, and sardines. But the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil have been associated with a wide range of health benefits. The essential nutrients EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), components of omega-3 fatty acids, have been touted for health benefits related to their anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant and anti-oxidant properties. Let’s get into the details.

Omega 3 fatty acids have been associated with positive effects on blood flow and the cardiovascular system and may have protective effects against heart disease. In fact, research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids decrease the risk of arrhythmias. These abnormal heartbeats can lead to sudden death.  Omegas 3 fatty acids have also been shown to improve remodeling and repair of the heart after a heart attack. Omega-3 fatty acids may decrease triglyceride levels and slightly lower blood pressure. When incorporated as part of a heart healthy Mediterranean-style diet, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce the chance of heart attack and stroke.

The American Heart Association says increasing omega-3 fatty acids through food consumption is preferred (2 servings per week). But, patients with heart disease may not get enough in their diet, so they should consult a doctor to find out if supplements are right for them.

It’s not only the heart that benefits from fish oil and the fatty acids it contains. Omega-3 fatty acids are also an important building block of the brain and nervous system, and are associated with optimal brain function and mood. Neurologists will tell you that the human brain is 60% fat, and omega-3 fatty acids are the fatty acid of choice for certain parts of brain cell membranes and brain intercellular nerve connections.  In fact, it is the DHA component of omega-3s that has the most neurological benefits. DHA is a major building block in your brain, and research has shown that omega fats help with memory and may hold promise for delaying cognitive aging. DHA may also stimulate neuron growth and the development and repair of synapses, the area where nerve impulses are transmitted and received.

Omega-3s may also improve mood. The Alzheimer’s Association has found that the DHA found in omega-3s may promote focused attention and calmness during stressful situations by supporting optimal dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine helps regulate emotional responses. And fish oil consumption helps support the levels of serotonin in the body, which is often termed the “feel-good” hormone.

The anti-inflammatory effect of omega-3s has made them an attractive option when looking to supplements for arthritic conditions. In a large scale meta-analysis which combined results of 17 high quality studies, supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids was shown to reduce patient-reported pain, morning stiffness, and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories for pain.

If you’re not convinced yet about the wonders of fish oil, there’s more.   Fish oil may improve bone health. Studies have looked at the implications of fatty acid intakes on the bone density and calcium balance in menopausal women, and have found that those who do take in higher levels of fatty acids may have healthier bones. Omega-3 fats, specifically the DHA in them, were shown in a NASA study to increase bone mineral content and produce healthier, stronger bones in rats. Further study is needed to confirm the results in humans.

Health and wellness is of primary concern when considering your fish oil intake, but it also has its beauty benefits. Omega fats have been shown to create beautiful hair and skin. Omega-3 fatty acids nourish your hair follicles for stronger, shinier hair. Fatty acids can act as natural moisturizers that revitalize dry skin from the inside out.

Fish oil and all of its components are being studied with hopes that they can be used in the treatment of ADHD, cancer, diabetes, weight loss, eye disorders and immune compromise.  Fish oil may even play a role in improving fertility. There is an abundance of information regarding the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids but supplementation may not be right for everyone. The decision to supplement must be made between a patient and a health care professional, taking into consideration medical history, medication usage and health status.

Filed Under: Healthy Eating Tagged With: Anti-Inflammatory

The Pleasures and Health Benefits of Greek Mountain Tea

July 19, 2015 By Steve Raftopoulos Leave a Comment

Greek Mountain Tea and Health Benefits of Drinking It

The tiny country of Greece, geographically the size of Louisiana, is blessed with a disproportionate variety of native herbs. By some estimates there are in excess of 8,000 varieties. Their abundance, diversity and quality are perhaps one of Greece’s “best kept” secrets. The ancient Greeks, an enlightened people, recognized the health benefits of these herbs and since the time of antiquity they have featured heavily in the healthy Mediterranean diet, both in culinary form and as herbal teas.

One of the most famous and widely consumed herbal teas in Greece is Greek Mountain Tea (“Tsai Tou VouNou” in Greek and meaning “tea of the mountain”). It is also known as Shepherd’s Tea because the Greek shepherds would brew it while tending to their flocks high in the mountains.  Greek mountain tea is made from a native herb called Sideritis. It is very pleasant tasting, mild, and naturally caffeine free. It is also a potent source of antioxidants and has many healing properties. There are many varieties of Sideritis in Greece, differing typically by region or mountain range.

Health Benefits of Greek Mountain Tea Sideritis and other aromatic herbs are cultivated and flourish in the wild in the rocky hillsides and mountains at elevations higher than 3,000 feet where they subsist in thin, moisture deficient soils. It is this rather inhospitable environment, to which they have genetically adapted over the millennia, that their distinctive flavor, aroma and potency are attributed; a perfect confluence of geology, elevation, climate, sunshine and adapted plant genetics that uniquely favors herbs.

Hippocrates, the great philosopher and father of modern medicine, praised Greek mountain tea for its positive effect on the immune and respiratory systems. And for thousands of years, Greeks have been drinking this tea for its abundance of health benefits such as a positive effect on colds, respiratory problems, digestion, the immune system and anxiety. More recently, modern science has begun to delve into better understanding the health benefits of Greek mountain tea. And some of the resulting studies indicate that it may have promise in the prevention of osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s and even cancer and as well as a positive effect on a myriad of different ailments including colds, fevers, respiratory problems, digestion problems, and anxiety.

A recent research report by Brunswick Labs, a leading bio-analytical testing lab, noted a range of biological effects such as antioxidant, oxidative stress reduction, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and gastro-protective activities1. One study that this report referenced showed that Greek mountain tea is as potent as the highly revered Green tea at inducing cellular antioxidant defenses and preventing oxidative stress2.

An Alzheimers study by a German university, using transgenic AD mice, found that Greek mountain tea extract enhanced their memory skills significantly versus control groups of untreated mice and mice treated with a Gingko biloba extract, which is used as an off-label cognition enhancer in elderly and AD patients3.

The health benefits of Greek mountain tea are attributable to its rich phyto-nutrient content. Phyto-nutrients are organic compounds found in plants, which protect them from things like pests, ultra-violet rays and disease. And phyto-nutrients are believed to play a significant role in optimizing our health, and protecting us from age related disease. That is one of the reasons it is important to include a broad variety of plants in our diet. Certain herbal teas, like Greek mountain tea, can provide a boost to our daily intake of phyto-nutrients.  Greek mountain tea is a potent source of two important classes of phyto-nutrients – polyphenols and flavonoids, both of which contain significant antioxidants. Other important phyto-nutrients found in Greek mountain tea include caffeic acid (not to be confused with caffeine), luteolin, quercitin and apignen.

Greek mountain tea is brewed using all parts of the herb (flowers, leaves and stems), however, the Sideritis herb does not give up its many benefits easily. It must be briefly boiled as part of the steeping process in order to extract the full flavor and benefits. It is only fitting that such an ancient beverage would be prepared the same way today as it was thousands of years ago by the likes of Socrates and Hippocrates, as they debated the weightier matters of life on the steps of the Parthenon.

Perhaps what makes Greek mountain tea so special is that it is a pleasure to drink, if not slightly addictive. Like anything, aroma and flavor are in the senses of the beholder. It has been described as “redolent of the Greek countryside in the summertime, when the intoxicating scent of wild thyme and oregano fill the air”. For those desiring a more precise synopsis – it has a light, slightly earthy taste, with subtle floral notes and a hint of lemon and mint. It pairs with honey in a way that no other tea does – a duo seemingly intended by Mother Nature.

While the Greeks sip their mountain tea primarily as a hot beverage, it also makes an excellent iced tea during these warmer months. Who needs synthetically infused vitamin water when a natural beverage full of antioxidants, phyto-nutrients and history is at hand?

To learn more about Greek mountain tea, please visit www.kliotea.com.

  1. Jasenka Piljac Zegarac, PhD. Greek Mountain Tea (Sideritis L.): Functional Components and Biological Activity
  2. Danesi F, Saha S, Kroon PA, et al. Bioactive-rich Sideritis scardica tea (mountain tea) is as potent as Camellia sinensis tea at inducing cellular antioxidant defences and preventing oxidative stress. J. Sci. Food Agric. 2013;93: 3558-3564.
  3. B Feistel, B Walbroel, J Pahnke. Extract preparation from Sideritis scardica enhances memorizing skills of mice in Morris water maze

Health


Filed Under: Healthy Eating Tagged With: Anti-Inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Oxidative Stress, Stress Reduction

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