Naked Science Forum
On the Lighter Side => Complementary Medicine => Topic started by: OldMan on 17/02/2004 04:46:40
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Hi All
Just wondering if anyone had suggestions about particular types of foods or such like that can help ruduce injuries or the length of time it can take to recover from them? Not sure if these conditions are related to inflammatory conditions so much but if you also have any suggestions on shin splints or ostieitice pubice (?spelling) that would also be great!
Cheers
Tim
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Hi Tim,
Vitamin E has been show to play a strong role in reducing the recovery time after strenuous activities. Im sure you can find foods that are high in this nutrient.
Inflamatory reducing agents such as bromelain (found in abundance in fresh pinapple) can also be utilized to reduce swelling from injury.
Regards,
Jay
jay_fredrickson@hotmail.com
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Believe it or not, we use Bromelain with out breast augmentation and tummy tuck patients to reduce bruising and swelling. Seems to help.
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quote:
Originally posted by OldMan
Just wondering if anyone had suggestions about particular types of foods or such like that can help ruduce injuries or the length of time it can take to recover from them? Not sure if these conditions are related to inflammatory conditions so much but if you also have any suggestions on shin splints or ostieitice pubice (?spelling) that would also be great!
Enzymes, most particularly serrapeptase.
Machine Ghost
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Thanks heaps people very much appreciated! With any luck it might help a couple of my friends and get one of our star players back into action in time for the nationals championships. Not to mention help myself every so often as well.
Thanks
Tim
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Thats quite interesting Bezoar. I didn't think it would be used in that type of application but I guess stepping back and looking at it, that it would be quite useful.
I have a business in cellular nutrition (albeit my company does not have bromelain as one its products) and I found out the benefits of bromelain through a trade convention.
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Jay,
The plastic surgeon I work for is a believer, and he is a skeptic that's hard to convince.
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I suppose that cod liver oil is the best. We shall see.
Claudio Acuña
claudioacuna@yahoo.com
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Well, it's rich in omega-3-fatty acids which have a brain-boosting effect, and fish oils also seem to decrease the thrombotic potential of blood. I'm with you on this one !
Chris
"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
- Groucho Marx
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Did any of the UK's residents saw the documentary last night on BBC1 it's called 'Your Life In Their Hands'
It's about a brain surgeon trying to remove a tumour near the speech area of a patient, patient might die if the tumour is not removed. They have to put the patient under general anaste...(don't know how to spell it) and then wake the patient up after they have reached his brain and perform the operation while testing the patient recognition and speech ability.
Tom
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Sounds interesing - I'll have to see if I can catch in the US.
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John - The Eternal Pessimist.
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Hi Tom
I didn't see the programme, but it is fairly common to operate on the brain with the patient awake so that the surgeon can map out precisely where he is from a functional standpoint.
Some patients with Parkinson's disease have been treated by a technique involving placing a discrete lesion in a specific part of the brain's motor circuit. This can help to compensate for some of the effects of the disease. Once the needle is in place in the brain, and before the lesion is made permanent, that region of the brain can be temporarily inactivated (chemically or thermally) to see what effect, if any, placing a lesion in that place will have upon the patient's function. If the effect is to make the patient worse then the procedure can be avoided or modified. Usually the patient is asked to move the hand or fingers in a repetitive motion e.g. rolling the wrist back and forth (so that the palm is alternately facing upwards and downwards). This movement improves markedly if they technique has been a success.
Chris
"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
- Groucho Marx
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I didn't know that time of operation is common it's probably just unheard of.
What I'm puzzled about is how do the surgeon know when taking out the actual brain rather than the tumour, if they are taking out the brain cell vital to function of the system on the patient won't that be 'a bit' dangerous?
Do they send the tissue for examinations?
Tom
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I'd say that brain surgery is always dangerous, but the alternative (no brain surgery) is most likely worse. It's really a matter of weighing the potential risk and the potential benefit versus the "no action" alternative.
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John - The Eternal Pessimist.
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In the programme after the operation, the patient's life was extended for a few more years. If the operation hasn't gone through he will only have 2~3 years to live.
Tom
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So, was the surgery worth the extra few years? Personally, I'd say that would depend on the quality of those years. Constant pain and/or major disability would probably lead me to say no, but if the person was able to enjoy life and family, then yes.
On a slightly different track, I heard a radio story yesterday where a minister at a cancer clinic had discussed life and death with the nurses at the clinic. One of the topics they discussed was what sort of death would you choose if you had to die now. The vast majority of the oncology nurses chose cancer over things like fire, auto accident, and drowning. Their reasoning was that the pain is manageable and it gives time to say goodbye to family and friends. Sudden death is much harder on the families.
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John - The Eternal Pessimist.
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Really I found that quite shocking. Death by dieases such as cancer could be just as painful either to the families or to the patient him/herself. Some families couldn't bare to see their love ones suffer that much and the patient (depends on what type of cancer they get) if is to stay alive for a while needs to go through various chemo/radio..treatment, the side effects of those could make them feel much much worst.
Tom
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I would tend to agree with you Tom, but I guess I see the point about having some time to get one's affairs in order and give everyone a chance to get used to the situation.
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John - The Eternal Pessimist.
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I agree - this is a very difficult situation because medicine is an imprecise art. We try to make the most appropriate decision about when doing nothing is in the best interests of the patient. I know of a case of an individual who suffered a catastrophic intracerebral haemorrhage (stroke). He was a gifted academic who had enjoyed his retirement but would have detested being a vegetable. The decision was made to allow him to die on the operating table, rather than attempt to stem the bleeding, because the outcome would certainly not have been in his best interest.
Most victims of 'big strokes' don't live for very long afterwards before succumbing to aspiration pneumonia, pressure sores or other opportunistic infections.
The thought of getting old is terrifying !
Chris
"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
- Groucho Marx
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There is a new product on the market with outstanding anti-inflammatory properties through its major glynutrient component, fucoidan. You can learn more about it at www.pubmed.gov.
I had a throbbing pain in my right arm due to a pinched spinal cord and, in spite of costly and risky surgery, the pain persisted. I started taking Original Limu just to get my energy back from the surgery and eventually realized that it took my pain away completely. I wish I had known about it before my surgery!
A book by Rita Elkins, Limu Moui, gives some details and references in her excellent survey. There is only one source of the Original Limu, http://www.limunight.originallimu.com/index.cfm/go/Product.Home/
More can be found in other threads, Noni Juice? and Usefulness of Glyconutrients.
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GRATUITUOUS SPAM WASTES MY TIME AND YOURS. YOURS WRITING IT, AND MINE REMOVING IT.
IT WOULD ALSO APPEAR, FROM THE 10 OR MORE POSTS THAT YOU HAVE MADE TO DIFFERENT THREADS IN THIS FORUM, THAT THE ONLY THING THIS SEAWEED EXTRACT CANNOT CURE IS YOUR PREDILECTION FOR SPAM.
PLEASE REFRAIN FROM DOING THIS AGAIN.
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quote:
Originally posted by thedoc
IT WOULD ALSO APPEAR...THAT THE ONLY THING THIS SEAWEED EXTRACT CANNOT CURE IS YOUR PREDILECTION FOR SPAM.
[:)] [:D] [8D] [:p] [}:)] [;)] [:o)] [8)] [8D] [:D]
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I'm not sure to reply to, if anyone here. I'm wondering if anyone has heard of Fucoidan. I take Natures' Sunshine Noni Juice now but have been given information about Fucoidan. I don't know whether to switch or add. The noni juice has given me much energy and has helped with pain symptoms. I don't know what else it does...
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Did any of the UK's residents saw the documentary last night on BBC1 it's called 'Your Life In Their Hands'
It's about a brain surgeon trying to remove a tumour near the speech area of a patient, patient might die if the tumour is not removed. They have to put the patient under general anaste...(don't know how to spell it) and then wake the patient up after they have reached his brain and perform the operation while testing the patient recognition and speech ability.
Tom
This programme was screened in the UK many years ago (I have forgotten when). I used to eat late and somehow manage to watch all the operations! I remember the brain one - I believe it was successful but it was a long while ago.
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Back to the question about natural anti-inflammatories. Bromelain has been used for many years in sports medicine as an anti-inflammatory. It is not, however, an analgesic. There have been several studies that have shown faster healing, quicker resolution of sprains/strains. One study with animals looked at oral bromelain in relation to recovery from eccentric exercise (animal equivalent to post-exercise muscle soreness). They found less inflammatory chemicals and less muscle fiber damage.
Studies on other proteolytic enzymes, such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, papain (from papaya) have also shown when taken orally they have anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies have suggested that combinations of different proteolytic enzymes work better than single types. This is where bromelain has an advantage if taken by itself, because it is actually contains 5 different proteolytic enzymes. Bromelain is derived from Pineapple, and is why if you eat too much your tongue gets sore. Eating a lot of Pineapple would not help because the enzyme is not very concentrated, and when taken with food, would be utilized to digest the protein, hence less absorption. It is recommended bromelain be taken on an empty stomach if being used for it's anti-inflammatory properties.
A problem arises from heat. The enzyme is inactivated with heat. So if transported to the store in the summer, in a hot truck, it is possible to have a worthless supplement. How can you tell?
A simple test can tell you if you have good bromelain, or if your batch is either ruined, or the brand you bought is not quality. Take about 10ml of WHOLE milk. Heat it up so that it is very warm, but not hot. Then add the bromelain (open the capsule or crush up the pill). If the enzymes are good, you should begin getting a yogurt consistency in one to two minutes. If it stays liquidy, then the enzymes are not active and the bromelain will not help you.
The other thing about bromelain is the concentration. Bromelain is measured in MCU's or GDU's. You want MCU's or GDU's listed in the 1000's, not hundreds. Otherwise the concentration is too small (compared to that used in the studies). Also, if they don't list the MCU's or GDU's on the label, I don't recommend buying it.
Other anti-inflammatories? Turmeric contains curcumin which is potently anti-inflammatory (again NOT analgesic), but make sure that the brand you buy has a standardized concentration of curcumin, because the studies always used curcumin with a standard concentration.
Of course, the type of inflammation can also determine the approach necessary. The information above is mostly for acute injuries, post-surgical healing, post exercise soreness, etc, and there may be better approaches for more chonic or expansive inflammatory problems. Always best to check with someone who specializes. However, unless you have an allergy to these substances, they shouldn't cause any secondary problems, so you can always try them and if they don't work, at least you tried. There is some research to show other benefits of oral proteolytic enzymes and so they may also have other benefits even if you don't have inflammation.
The biochemistry of inflammation is a complex cascade and can be effected in different ways by diet and lifestyle. Inflammation in the body is more widespread than previously thought, and is now being correlated in the medical literature with the vast majority of health problems as we grow older. It is also important for normal healing, so there is a fine line to inhibiting it, and controlling it. Bromelain seems better at keeping it within its normal limits, allowing normal healing. Whereas we often have too much inflammation that lasts too long. Just inhibiting inflammation alone may inhibit the healing process.
Whoops, I'm rambling again.
Duane
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Bromelain works better in its raw form, cut and boil some pineapple leaves and drink the tea. it is however mostly just a muscle relaxer and typically in lower regions of the body. I suggest brewing chaga and making a 3 day ginger ale with for an all natural anti-inflammatory effect.
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I believe garlic is good as a natural anti inflammator, and my family it also as analgesics, it reduced the pain on headaches. (i had to swallow it)
edit: i wrote onion x_x
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I believe garlic is good as a natural anti inflammator, ...
Raw garlic only; heating it denatures the allicin (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23583806) which appears to be the main active anti-inflammatory agent (although there are others, e.g. thiacremonone (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19788760)).
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Hey Tim,
I would recommend Turmeric and Ginger.
They have really powerful and potent anti inflammatory properties especially when consumed raw.
Also ginger promotes healthy blood circulation which can reduce injury time as you are getting blood to the right areas.
All the best!
Charlie