Submitted by Doc Georgie Porgie
Cranberry juice, obtained from the berries of the plant Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.,[Ericaceae] has long been advocated by folklorists for the prevention of urinary tract infections [UTI’S].
Originally, it was thought that the juice acted by increasing the acidity of the urine. However, it is currently thought that cranberry possesses “anti-adherence “properties, which prevent bacteria from attaching to the lining of the urinary tract. Two compounds have been isolated from cranberry , which inhibit the adhesion of E. coli to cells of the urinary tract. In addition, an as yet unidentified compound [found only in cranberry and blueberry juice] along with fructose [which is found in all fruit juices ] have been shown to inhibit E.coli fimbrial adhesions.
In a recent randomized, double – blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 153 elderly women who ingested 300 mL of commercially available cranberry or placebo daily for 6 months it was demonstrated that the frequency of bacteriuria with pyuria was significantly decreased [after 4 to 8 weeks] in the cranberry group in comparison with the placebo group. In addition, there was a decrease in the rate of antibiotics prescribed by doctors to treat UTI’S in the cranberry group, suggesting a relevant effect of ingesting cranberry juice. Another small,[n=7] randomized, controlled cross-over trial confirms these findings.
Although no side effects, contraindications or drug interactions are associated with the use of cranberry juice, it is imperative to note that cranberry juice should not be used as a substitute for antibiotics in the treatment of acute urinary tract infections
For the prevention of urinary tract infections cranberry juice may be given in a dose of 150 mL to 600 mL daily or as 300 to 400 mg concentrated cranberry juice capsules twice daily
TURMERIC [Curcuma longa Linn ] Family Zingiberacea
Turmeric is a member of the ginger family which has been used historically for both its flavour [it is a major ingredient in curry powder] and its colour [it is used in the preparation of mustard ].
The primary and secondary rhizomes have been used traditionally in China and India for flatulence, jaundice menstrual difficulties bruises and colic. The active agent in turmeric which is responsible for its characteristic yellow colour and pharmacological activity is curcumin, a phenylpropanoid derivative Circumin is reported to be a potent anti-inflammatory agent, to have significant anti-oxidant activity,to increase bile secretion and flow and to have a variety of other direct effects including inhibition of leukotriene formation,and platelet aggregation as well as increasing the breakdown of fibrin and promoting liver function in many ways.
Among the mechanisms postulated for the action of tumeric as an anti-inflammatory agent are that 1 it has an indirect action via the adrenal cortex, 2- it inhibits cortisone metabolism in the liver, thus increasing the amount of circulating cortisone 3- it inhibits 5-lipoxygenase and 4 it inhibits lipopolysaccharide induced production of tumour necrosis factor [ TNF ] and interleukin-1b[IL-1]..
With respect to its use in rheumatoid arthritis, one clinical study which used the postoperative inflammation model for evaluating NSAIDS found that 400 mg of curcumin was as effective as 100 mg phenylbutazone. Another found that symptoms such as joint swelling, walking speed and morning stiffness were improved to the same degree in patients taking either curcumin 1200 mg daily or phenylbutazone 300mg daily
Tumeric has been traditionally used for a number of liver diseases. Although there are no available human clinical studies which have investigated the efficacy of tumeric in these indications, evidence from experimental studies on animals reveal that it increases bile flow and may play a role in protecting the liver from toxins and that it also provides protection from hepatoxin-induced liver damage
Several animal studies have demonstrated that curcumin may have an inhibitory effect on a variety of experimentally induced cancers because of curcumin’s antioxidant action by inhibition of superoxide production, but the clinical significance of these findings remains uncertain.
Circumin has been reported to decrease cholesterol and lipid levels as well as to have antioxidant properties in animal studies
No drug interactions or adverse effects have been found when tumeric has been used in a dose of 400 mg curcumin three times daily or 1.5 to 3 g tumeric daily. However, prolonged use may sometimes cause gastrointestinal upset, and safety in pregnancy and lactation has not yet been established Individuals with blockage of the common bile duct or gallstones are advised not to use tumeric, because of its reputed ability to increase bile flow. It is note worthy that the German Commission E has approved the use of tumeric as an effective cholagogue and digestive aid
A WORD OF CAUTION
Clinical studies on humans have clearly demonstrated that tumeric has a potent inflammatory action comparable to that of phenylbutazone ,a pain killer which has been discontinued in most countries for almost twenty years. It would seem that tumeric can safely be used in the recommended doses as an adjunct to prescribed arthritis pain killers. Perhaps one can use the tumeric as the mainstay, since it is not reported to have any adverse effects or drug interactions and add your prescribed painkillers only when the pain is unbearable even with the use of tumeric. However it does not seem that there is any clinical evidence which suggests that tumeric can be used for the other indications as advocated in the publications emitting from the folklorists.
One has always to consider a few things when using any extract. What are the active ingredients in the extract ? What are the other constituents of the extract ? Are these ingredients all safe ? What are there adverse effects ? Will they interact with prescribed drugs ? “
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