Posts Tagged ‘cytokines’
What happens when the body’s defence system turns against its own components?
(This article appeared in Star Health on January 17, 2010)
SUFFERERS of lupus, eczema, psoriasis, allergy dermatitis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have different, yet related, conditions. This article will explain how diseases that are so different share a common thread.
In order to do this, you need to understand the origin of these diseases.
Each is a chronic disease that manifests as inflammation of a particular organ. Treatment of these diseases is typically focused on relieving the symptoms of the affected organs, e.g. skin and joints.
It may surprise some of you to learn that the symptoms of skin rash, skin plaques, skin lesion, inflamed joints, and frozen shoulders are actually related and have something in common.
Psoriasis is thought to be an autoimmune disorder.Each of the diseases listed occurs as a result of hypersensitivity of the human immune system to external substances (allergies, dermatitis, and eczema) or reaction to normal body tissues (psoriasis, lupus, and RA).
What is the immune system?
Continue reading What happens when the body’s defence system turns against its own components?
Is there a Cure for Psoriasis?
This is Article FIVE in our series on “The Heartbreak of Psoriasis”.
It may be strange for a company marketing OLIVENOL livin’ – a product aimed at psoriasis sufferers – to say this. Unfortunately, there is NO psoriasis cure but there are psoriasis treatments. It is that simple.
Anybody claiming to have a psoriasis cure is misleading and is not able to substantiate with medical evidence. Nothing you do causes psoriasis, it is also that simple.
A psoriasis diet will not magically cure psoriasis, neither will steroids or powerful vitamin derivative type drugs that alter your immune system.
In this article, we offer an unequivocal answer to this single question as we receive many hundreds of emails on our website each month asking us for a psoriasis cure.
Continue reading Is there a Cure for Psoriasis?
Discovering How OLIVENOL livin’ Works
Doctors who are using OLIVENOL livin’ as adjuvant and adjunctive therapy continues to observe good results in their patients. Inevitably, they share this with their peers.
In the last 6 weeks, we have been inundated with enquiries from more doctors who are skeptically fascinated but yet curious how natural molecules from olives is able to deliver results on indications that is difficult to treat with conventional drug therapy. So we receive many request from doctors to explain how OLIVENOL livin’ actually works.
We have compiled a library of published research on olive polyphenol and hydroxytyrosol (HT) that is conducted around the world. We share this with doctors and pharmacists in our network. With these information, the professionals are able to understand how the anti-inflammatory properties of OLIVENOL livin’ is activated. Understanding this gives them confidence to introduce the product in their case management of chronic indications such as eczema, psoriasis and arthritis.
We believe the general public may also benefit if they understand the science behind the product they consume. Therefore, we shall be making available relevant publications on this blog.
The first article we want to share with you is a recent paper explaining how Hydroxytyrosol (HT) inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Hydroxytyrosol, the active ingredient in OLIVENOL livin'
Abstract
Hydroxytyrosol (HT), isolated from extra-virgin olive oil, possesses a marked antioxidant activity and is a good radical scavenger. In this study, our aim was to examine the anti-inflammatory mechanism of HT through measuring the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, TNF-α formation, and nitric oxide (NO) release in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human monocytic (THP-1) cells. Results showed that HT remarkably suppressed the LPS (1 μg/ml) induction of NO release. It also significantly attenuated the LPS-induced transcription of TNF-α, iNOS, and COX-2 in a dose-dependent manner.
Furthermore, it was also found that HT in a concentration-dependent manner inhibited the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in THP-1 cells treated with 1 μg/ml LPS using Western Blot. Taken together, these results suggest that HT exerts anti-inflammatory effects probably through the suppression of COX-2 and iNOS expression.
Xiaomei Zhang, Jun Cao, Laifu Zhong, Hydroxytyrosol inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines, iNOS, and COX-2 expression in human monocytic cells, Naunyn-Schmied Arch Pharmacol (2009) 379:581–586
The full article is available for download >> HERE <<
Psoriasis, Eczema and Allergy Dermatitis – What do they have in common?
Apart from the obvious commonality that psoriasis, eczema, and allergy dermatitis are diseases that affect the human skin, we will discuss what other commonalities, if any, exist between them.
In our ongoing series of My Untold Stories – The Heartbreak of Psoriasis, we shared with you stories about Mr KH Ng a psoriasis sufferer and Michelle Shiew, a mother of a child with chronic eczema. In both stories, we learn how their respective pain, anguish and heartbreak were replaced by joy and relieve when they found a natural solution for their skin ailment.
In this article, we share a new story by Lisa Lee who made an entry in OLIVENOL livin’ Facebook Fan Page on July 12, 2009:
My mom has very bad skin allergy that causes her face to erupt with horrible red swells. It itches and oozes some sort of liquid. She can’t cook because of the smoke and oil. She can’t go under the sun because of the heat and can’t eat countless types of food.
Doctors prescribed anti-histamine to control her condition, but we all know that’s not the cure.
I started my mum on OLIVENOL livin’ since May (two months ago). She’s so much better now”.
Lisa Lee, USJ
(original Facebook entry edited for spelling and punctuation).
Another obvious commonality in Lisa, Michelle and Mr Ng’s stories is their discovery that OLIVENOL livin’ helped sooth their heartache caused by skin allergy, eczema and psoriasis, respectively.
Yale researchers have found that natural killer T cells (NKT), a combination of T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells, are involved in the formation of skin allergies such as poison ivy and contact sensitivity to chemicals and metals like nickel in jewelry. (Reference: Journal of Experimental Medicine, Vol. 198, No. 12, Dec. 15, 2003)
Allergies are abnormal or hypersensitive responses of the immune system to relatively harmless environmental antigens. Some people are genetically predisposed to hypersensitivity. When they are exposed to skin allergens like poison ivy, the initial exposure leads to a state of hypersensitivity; the body produces an exaggerated reaction the next time skin comes into contact with the allergen.
The resulting skin inflammation and severe itch such as those described by Lisa, are caused by over-reaction of effector T cells, white blood cells that migrate to the skin when re-exposed to an allergen.
Conventional therapy such as steroid cream only controls plaques and lesions that are the results of inflammation but it does not stop the inflammation from triggering.
Anti-histamine on the other hand, only controls itching sensation and discomfort which are the outcome of an underlying inflammation that the immune system fails to regulate.
Clearly, a better solution is required. The three stories in our series so far suggest that perhaps a better solution already exists.
In all three cases of psoriasis, eczema and allergy dermatitis, T cells (which normally help protect the body against infection) become active, migrate to the dermis and trigger the release of cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha TNF-a, in particular) which cause inflammation and the rapid production of skin cells. T cells are put into action by mistake. They become so active that they set off other immune responses.
Recent research on hydroxytyrosol (HT) an olive polyphenol have found it to exhibit biologic response modifying activities that modulates the effect of hyperactivated T cells.
These studies in different parts of the world have shown HT is able to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines, iNOS, and COX-2 expression in human monocytic cells. Scientist believe they have found a non-toxic agent for the control of pro-inflammatory genes.
If these findings are confirmed in further research, it is possible that Ng’s, Michelle’s and Lisa’s experiences are not mere anecdotal coincidence.
Psoriasis, eczema and allergy dermatitis sufferers may also have a scientifically supported common solution to their conditions in OLIVENOL livin’.
The Agony of Arthritis – Stopping Chronic Pain at Its Roots
In our continuing series of The Agony of Arthritis – My Untold Stories, we hear story number 4 from Ms Chris Ng, who shared with us the experience of her mother who had suffered chronic pain on her fingers for more than 10 years.
My mother Julie ( 73 years old) was in her early 60s when she started having pain in her fingers. It started with a nagging pain occasionally, but after a while, the pain became quite persistent and constant. The joints on her fingers started to swell, and she had difficulty bending them. She was only in the 60s then, but yet her movement were hampered by the pain and discomfort of this disability severely impacted her quality of life. She became disheartened. When she had the pain, even simple things like buttoning, cooking and opening doors became a challenge.Worse of all the pain caused her mental frame of mind to be demotivated and her jest for life was affected. She didn’t feel like doing anything. I felt for her very much.I chanced upon this product called Olivenol livin, recommended by my neighbourhood pharmacist. She told me that my mum’s symptoms sounds like rheumatoid arthirits and ask me to consider trying this product. Since this is a natural product made out of olives, I did not hesitate to get it for mum. Anything for her to ease that pain and regain her quality of life.
After 2- 3 weeks of consuming Olivenol, she started to notice that her pain is almost gone. Her fingers were much more flexible and she could bend them with no discomfort. It sounds unbelievable, but it’s true. The persistent pain was gone! Mum has been taking Olivenol for almost a year now, and is so happy that the pain hasn’t come back once since the day she started her first bottle of Olivenol livin. The added bonus is her hair has become bouncier, and healthier looking too!
Thank you so much for giving mum this gift of a pain free life. The days where she sits at home, miserable and suffering in despair, are a thing of the past!
Chris Ng, Klang
Continue reading The Agony of Arthritis – Stopping Chronic Pain at Its Roots
When Glucosamine and Chondroitin Does Not Work for You…
In the past week since we reported the story of Mr and Mrs Chan in this article, we received hundreds of emails and phone calls from arthritic sufferers with a common theme of enquiry.
Majority of you were diagnosed RA and OA sufferers and have relied on the prevalent supplementation of glucosamine-chondroitin for pain relief. Your collective experience were that your supplementation regime even at the highest dosage of 1500mg glucosamine and 1200 chondroitin daily provided little or no relieve to your pain. Could OLIVENOL livin serve as an effective replacement for your current treatment, you wanted to know.
Before we answer this question, I wish to draw your attention to 2 recent publications which may shed some light on the efficacy (or lack thereof) of glucosamine-chondroitin therapy (GCT) for arthritis.
Study 1: Daniel O. Clegg, Domenic J. Reda, et.al., “Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, and the Two in Combination for Painful Knee Osteoarthritis“, The New England Journal of Medicine, February 23, 2006, Volume 354:795-808, Number 8.
The link to the publication can be found here http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/354/8/795
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are used to treat osteoarthritis. The multicenter, double-blind, placebo- and celecoxib-controlled Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) evaluated their efficacy and safety as a treatment for knee pain from osteoarthritis. It involved 1583 patients one of the largest study of this kind.
I quote the conclusion from this study:
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate alone or in combination did not reduce pain effectively in the overall group of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Exploratory analyses suggest that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may be effective in the subgroup of patients with moderate-to-severe knee pain. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00032890 [ClinicalTrials.gov] .)
Study 2: R.M. Rozendaal, B.W. Koes, et.al., “Effect of Glucosamine Sulfate on Hip Osteoarthritis. A Randomized Trial.” Annals of Internal Medicine, Feb 2008, (volume 148, pages 268-277).
The link to this second study can be found here: http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/summary/148/4/268
The second study examined 222 patients with hip arthritis receiving either 1500 mg of glucosamine sulfate or a placebo pill daily for 2 years.
The conclusion made by the examiners, I quote:
Pain, ability to do normal activities, and joint space narrowing did not differ between patients who received glucosamine and those who received placebo.
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
 
B. J. Epstein and J. R. Taylor Osteoarthritis: An Update on Data Currently Reshaping Practice Journal of Pharmacy Practice, February 1, 2009; 22(1): 75 – 85.
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
 |
|
All you need to read in the other general journals BMJ, March 1, 2008; 336(7642): 472 – 473.
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
 |
|
J. W.J. Bijlsma and F. P.J.G. Lafeber Glucosamine Sulfate in Osteoarthritis: The Jury Is Still Out Ann Intern Med, February 19, 2008; 148(4): 315 – 316.
|
|
|
|
|||||
Why Doesn’t GCT Work For Me?
To understand why GCT does work for everyone, you need to first understand the principle behind GCT. Glucosamine is supposed to be effective to promote regeneration of damaged cartilage in human joints. Glucosamine is a natural compound that is found in healthy cartilage. Glucosamine sulfate is a normal constituent of glycoaminoglycans in cartilage matrix and synovial fluid, according to the Mayo Clinic. Doctors widely prescribe it for patients hoping to slow or prevent cartilage loss.
However, cartilage regeneration can only occur if the patient has sufficient cartilage to promote regeneration. Little of no regeneration will take place for those above 60 years of age, where cell/tissue regeneration is typically retarded due to aging.
Read more: “Glucosamine Doesn’t Work, Study Finds” – http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/02/glucosamine.html#ixzz0FeZ8RlUk&A
Understanding How OLIVENOL livin’ Works
Unlike GCT, the OLIVENOL livin’ delivers efficacy in a different way. OLIVENOL livin’ is a cost effective class of phenolics that acts as biologic response modifier. Its active ingredient, Hydroxytyrosol, reduces hs-CRP, CRP and acts as a non-toxic agent to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines.
There is a wide body of medical publication of studies and control trials showing evidence that OLIVENOL livin’ is effective treatment for indications associated with RA and OA.
For Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
The source of pain in RA patients does not come from damaged tissues such as cartilage. Instead, pain arises from inflammatory attacks at mobile joints such as knees, lower back, neck, shoulders and elbows. GCT is therefore worthless to RA patients. OLIVENOL livin’ on the other hand, is effective to regulate immune system signaling reducing frequency and severity of attacks.
For Osteoarthritis (OA)
For OA patients, the blocking of inflammation episodes is one immediate benefit from OLIVENOL livin. Adding OLIVENOL livin to the regular GCT has been found to promote synergistic bio chemistry in the body that promotes cartilage regeneration.
In 2005, the Arizona State University conducted a clinical trial to evaluate the effects of OLIVENOL™ livin’ on 100 patients aged from 55 to 75 years, suffering from Osteoarthritis (OA) & Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The trial employed a double blind placebo protocol where patients were not aware of what they were consuming.
The summary findings showed OLIVENOL™ livin made significant improvement in relieving pain, reducing inflammation and improving movement, as reported by both patient and physician. Click to download the full published report from >> HERE <<
When Glucosamine and Chondroitin Does Not Work For You.
As explained, recent large scale studies have cast doubt on the clinical efficacy of GCT for arthritis. If you are one of those who find your arthritic pain does not improve with glucosamine chondroitin supplementation, you now know that your experience is not unique. Thousands of other sufferers continue to suffer pain like you, despite trying the most expensive and “best and unique” formulation of Glucosamine Chondroitin.
Well, when glucosamine and chondroitin does not work for you.. there is always OLIVENOL livin!.
If you are member of any RA / OA support group, share this article with members of your group. One of the easiest way to do it is to share with all your FaceBook friends. To share, all you need to to is to click on the FaceBook sharing link below.
Translator
FeedBurner RSS
