Ultrasound gives proof that GliSODin protects the walls of arteries

French researchers used a high definition ultrasound to evaluate the level of plaque on the walls of the carotid arteries. These arteries are critical and supply the head and brain with blood and oxygen. The patients enrolled in the study were high risk for developing cardiovascular disease; they smoked, or were obese, and had high blood pressure. They ranged in age between 30 and 60. A group of these high risk patients were given GliSODin. The supplement improved the thickness of the carotid artery lining in both the intima and media layers demonstrating a protective effect for the cardiovascular system. The study is published in the February 2007 issue of journal Allergy and immunology.
Turmeric has been clinically studied in a wide array of illnesses with successful results
Turmeric supplying Curcumin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancerous effects. In phase I human clinical studies it has been used in doses as high as 3600mg to 8000mg daily for 4 months without toxicity. The effects of Turmeric were studied in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory eye diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, chronic pancreatitis, psoriasis, hyperlipidemia (high levels of blood fats), and with various cancers. The preliminary results supported the efficacy of Turmeric in these diseases in these clinical studies. The study review is published in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 2007;595.

Curcumin may be an attractive addition to the treatment of ovarian cancer even when chemotherapy works poorly

Nutrition News; Scientists at the School of Medical sciences, RMIT University in Victoria Australia have analyzed the green lipped muscle known as Perna Canaliculus, and have discovered that it contains 3 newly discovered, novel, omega 3 fatty acids that have significant anti-inflammatory activity. The research is published in the April 2007 issue of Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part B, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Researchers at the Department of Gynecological Oncology, the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center note that Curcumin from Turmeric has been shown to suppress inflammation and the improper formation of new blood vessels that feed tumors largely by suppressing the immune system component known as NF-kappa B.
In their new study Curcumin was added to various forms of ovarian cancer either in the laboratory or implanted in animals. The Curcumin was given either alone or in conjunction with the chemotherapeutic drug docetaxel (Taxotere). Docetaxel is a taxane drug just like paclitaxel (Taxol). Some animals were left untreated as a control group to measure effectiveness of the herb and drug.
In the laboratory study, Curcumin inhibited NF-kappa B and suppressed cancer cell growth. In the animals, large doses of Curcumin inhibited NF-kappa B and suppressed factors that promote the creation of a blood supply that nourishes the cancerous tumor.
In two different cell types of ovarian cancer in the animals, Curcumin used alone strongly reduced average tumor growth by 49% and 55%. When Curcumin was combined with docetaxel it significantly and strongly reduced the average growth of the same tumors by 96% and 77%. When used in animals with chemotherapy drug resistant ovarian cancer Curcumin alone reduced the average tumor growth by a significant 47%, and when both agents were used the chemotherapy resistant cancers average growth was inhibited by 58%.
Based on significant effectiveness in preclinical models, Curcumin-based therapies may be attractive in patients with ovarian cancer. The study is published in the June 1st, 2007 issue of Clinical Cancer Research, an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

Curcumin from Turmeric has a great influence on many skin conditions

Scientists at the Uniformed Services, University of Health Sciences in Bethesda state that Curcumin, the active compound derived from the herb Turmeric has many different activities and is very safe even when given at higher doses. There is existing data showing its benefit for skin diseases including use for scleroderma, psoriasis, and skin cancer. It works in many ways including as a potent antioxidant and it also reduces inflammation.
Curcumin reduces the healing time of wounds, enhancing healing in both normal and impaired wound-healing (as in a diabetic). The studies reviewed suggest the beneficial effects of Curcumin and the potential of this compound to be developed as a potent nontoxic agent for treating skin diseases. It is also an attractive agent for further research in treating tumors of the colon, duodenum, pancreas and breast. The research review is published in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 2007;595.

Curcumin ameliorates many autoimmune diseases

The immune system has evolved to protect us from infection; nevertheless, a breakdown in the immune system often results in cancer, infection, and autoimmune diseases. An autoimmune disease occurs when our own immune system misidentifies a part of our own body and attacks it resulting often in a dangerous, even sometimes fatal outcome. Multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases, myocarditis, thyroiditis, uveitis, lupus, and myasthenia gravis are organ-specific autoimmune diseases that afflict more than 5% of the population worldwide.
The use of herbal supplements is on the rise in patients with autoimmune diseases, mainly because they are effective, inexpensive and relatively safe. Curcumin from the herb Turmeric has traditionally been used for pain and wound-healing. Recent studies have shown that Curcumin ameliorates multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease. In human or animal studies Curcumin helps by regulating chemical messengers that control or provoke the immune system. The research review was performed by scientists at the Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Methodist research Institute in Indianapolis, and is published in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 2007;595.

Protection from acute and chronic lung disease by Curcumin

Scientists at the Faculty of Medicine, UMR-7561, Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France crunched data from studies examining the benefits of Curcumin from the herb Turmeric in treating sudden-acute or chronic-longstanding lung diseases. Occupational and environmental exposures to mineral dusts, airborne pollutants, cigarette smoke, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy (radiation) injure the lungs, resulting in lung diseases.
Although major advances have been made in treating lung diseases, no drug treatment modifies the condition. Current drug therapy offers only marginal benefit. Over the years, there has been increasing evidence that Curcumin from the herb Turmeric, has a wide spectrum of therapeutic properties, and a remarkable range of protective effects in various diseases. Several experimental animal models have found that Curcumin reduces lung injuries and scarring (fibrosis) caused by radiation, chemotherapeutic drugs, and toxins. The growing pile of data from pharmacological and animal studies also shows that Curcumin plays a therapeutic or protective role in COPD, acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome (a fatal condition where the lungs air sacs fill with blood and fluid making breathing difficult), and allergic asthma. Curcumin’s therapeutic action is due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The review is published in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 2007;595.

Curcumin protects the kidneys and liver

Curcumin from Turmeric has a wide spectrum of therapeutic effects including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antispasmodic activity. Curcumin is changed into metabolites that can protect the kidneys and improve creatinine and urea clearance. Curcumin also protects the kidneys from toxic chemicals and has an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effect in the kidneys. These metabolites, especially tetrahydrocurcumin (or THU1- one of the things the body changes Curcumin into) help protect diabetics from developing kidney damage and nerve damage.
In the liver, Curcumin helps protect from drugs, cancer causing chemicals, mold in foods, and solvents, reducing the risk of DNA damage and possibly even liver cancer. Curcumin may even protect the liver from the toxic effects of alcohol. The research review was performed at Nagoya University Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences in Japan and is published in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 2007;595.