Antioxidant for Scleroderma

Metal-catalyzed Oxidation Reactions: Implications for Scleroderma Pathogenesis

2008-05-12T18:33:00.000-07:00

Well, I found this interested article from srfcure.org link.
^____^

The Journal of Experimental Medicine

January 6, 1997

Scleroderma Autoantigens are Uniquely Fragmented by Metal-catalyzed Oxidation Reactions: Implications for Pathogenesis

The observation that revelation of immunocryptic epitopes in self antigens may initiate the autoimmune response has prompted the search for processes which induce novel fragmentation of autoantigens as potential initiators of autoimmunity…

Cranberries Rank High in Antioxidants; The information from Turkey Side Dish Contains Disease-Fighting Nutrients, New Research

2008-05-11T19:52:00.000-07:00

There are over 4,000 known phenols in plants that help protect plants against oxidative damage from the sun and other environmental insults. In plant-based foods, phenols provide a characteristically bitter flavor. When eaten, phenols may help protect against heart disease, certain cancers and other diseases associated with aging.

Cranberries, pears, grapes, apples and blueberries are among those analyzed with the greatest phenol content, reports Joe Vinson, Ph.D., professor of chemistry at the University of Scranton in Scranton, Penn. in the November 19, 2001 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Vinson measured the quantity and quality of phenols, the most potent type of antioxidant isolated in foods.

“On both a gram-weight and serving size basis, cranberries were the richest source of antioxidant phenols. Cranberries are loaded with antioxidants and should be eaten more often,” advises Vinson. The tiny, crimson berries are readily eaten over the holidays, but are under- consumed at other times of the year. Although fresh cranberries are not available year-round, the antioxidant content of cranberries is retained during freezing or processing into sauces, dried fruit or juice. Fresh and dried cranberries, followed by sauce have the most antioxidants. Cranberry juice drinks containing at least 27% cranberry juice also supply significant amounts of phenols when consumed regularly.

Top Dietary Supplements

2008-05-09T18:57:00.000-07:00

by Alien

To maintain the good health and body people are working much on their body and physique. In this context dietary supplements can be very helpful in keeping the body in healthy condition and hence making lifestyle active. So if you consider your health at the highest propriety then go for the selection of right supplements which could boost up your body.

But before going for the intake of theses supplements, you must have some knowledge about these dietary supplements. This will surely help in determining which the top dietary supplement is and which is most beneficial for your body. So here is the list of some of the top dietary supplements: -

1. Vitamin B-complex

These are water soluble vitamins. They include: -

• riboflavin (vitamin B2)
• thiamine (vitamin B1)
• niacin (vitamin B3)
• pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
• pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
• folic acid and biotin
• Useful in energy production.
• Metabolic processes.

2. Calcium

• It is the most essential mineral for the human body and also present in abundant quantity.
• It can be found in teeth and bones.
• Important function of calcium are:

i.) Clotting of blood

ii.) Contraction of muscles

iii.) Nerve cell signal transmission.

3. Co Q10

Main function is to transform food into ATP, which is required by the body to run the body. Act as an antioxidant which provides protection against muscle damaging muscles.

4. Glucosamine and chondroitin

They are considered as the building blocks of the connective tissue. Effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

5. Iron

It contains hemoglobin which carries oxygen and hence helps in storing oxygen in muscles. It helps in the circulation of the oxygen throughout the body.

6. Multiple vitamin-mineral supplements

Also called as MVM's, help in offering a variety of the other nutrients. Therefore they contain unnecessary and necessary nutrients.

7. Soy

Provides essential amino acids and also is a low amount of fat and cholesterol.

8. Vitamin A

Main uses of are:

• Helps in production of cell.
• Helps in maintaining vision.
• Helps in reproductive function.
• Helps in the development of fetus and embryo.

9. Vitamin C

• Helps in preventing the heart diseases.
• Protect the body against the radicals.
• Helps in healing the wound.
• Also increases the liver bile production.

About the author
Read more on no-xplode review. Check out for nutritional supplements and casein protein.

What are antioxidants? How to add antioxidants to your diet!

2008-05-03T20:44:00.000-07:00

Author: Ronald Godlewski

Article:
When our bodies use oxygen, the cells produce free radicals that cause damage to the body's cellular make-up. Antioxidants are attracted to free radicals and basically will neutralize them.

Many of today's health problems such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, macular degeneration and others, can be directly attributed to oxidative damage caused by free radicals ravaging the body. This is not only a theory, the role the antioxidants
plays in neutralizing free radicals is well documented in medical journals as far back as the 1950s.

When we are young, the body seems to be blessed and can generally maintain at peek efficiency. By the time we reach the age of twenty five, the disease of aging begins. As the aging process slowly progresses, our bodies begin to need more
assistance to stay in shape. We don't feel this aging process actually happening because this actually begins happening at the cellular level of our bodies. In time, the muscle tissue gets less substantial, the bones start becoming more brittle and our immune system is compromised.

When our immune system becomes compromised, we are more prone to infection and disease. Why do our bodies begin breaking down at the cellular level? The main culprit is free radicals. Without enough antioxidants in our bodies to counter the free radicals, they slowly create the oxidative damage that leaves us open to
the opportunistic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and many others.

A little more than fifty years ago, scientists found that heart disease, cancer, strokes, diabetes, cataracts, arthritis and many neuro-degenerative diseases were linked to the destruction caused by free radicals.

Free radicals are formed when weak bonds within a molecule split. These free radicals are highly unstable that attack and capture the closest molecule electron. After this happens, that molecule having lost it's electron, turns into a free radical and the whole process keeps recycling as a chain reaction. Left unchecked, free radicals create molecular chains that breakdown the bodies ability to regenerate properly. Because antioxidants neutralize the free radicals, keeping enough antioxidants active within the body is paramount.

Antioxidants can naturally be found in many varieties of food sources. There are over 4,000 compounds in foods that have antioxidants. Some of the food rich sources are kidney and pinto beans, blueberries, cranberries, artichoke, blackberries,
raspberries, prunes, strawberries, apples, pecans, sweet cherries, plums, russet potatoes and many more.

Also, vitamin A, C and E, the mineral selenium and betacarotene are rich in antioxidants. The non-nutrient antioxidants that come from pytochemicals, lycopenes in tomatoes, athocyanins in cranberries that are believed to have greater effects at
fighting free radicals than either vitamins or minerals. Many supplemental vitamins can be purchased through the health and wellness industry.

Many of the experts in health and nutrition all agree that as we get older, we need more antioxidant rich foods in our daily diets to fight off the free radicals from compromising our body and immune system. It is also widely believed that certain
antioxidants also aid in slowly down the aging process. Could it be that free radicals play an important role in the aging process itself?

Although nutritionists in the health field have been acknowledging the benefits of antioxidants for several decades, it has only been recently that the medical field has discovered scientific evidence that backs up the role that antioxidants do
play in our health.

Today, many medical scientists worldwide are finding strong evidence that antioxidants to play a very large role in the anti-aging process. Many of the degenerative effects of aging can be countered by a combination of nutrients. One of those key nutrients found to be most effective in combating the disease of
aging itself is antioxidants.

How much antioxidants do we need in our diet? How much is a recommended daily allowance? To date there is no medical agency within the U.S. that has a set guideline concerning antioxidants in our diet. A few agencies generically recommend 5 servings a day of fruit and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants.

How much is too much? Again, no one medical agency seems to have a figure on this. You could say the jury is still out. Although the medical field agrees on the role that antioxidants play in maintaining our healthy bodies, they do not necessarily agree on how much we should need.

There are some within the health and wellness field that believe we need a lot more antioxidants in our bodies than just consuming from natural sources. There are many nutritional, supplemental vitamins on the market today that provide the healthy antioxidants our body needs to effectively fight off free radicals.

About the author:
Ron Godlewski has written many articles on health, wellness, and maintaining vitality throughout our lifetime. Read more about the importance of nutrition and the many benefits of vitamins in our daily diets in the article library at http://www.pillfreesupplements.com and even receive your own complementary copy of a nationally recognized health and nutrition magazine for just visiting!

Antioxidant; the best choice for battle with scleroderma

2008-04-23T19:35:00.000-07:00

According to my mom's lastest blood test result, maybe I'm in the right way in battle with scleroderma. The doctor ask me about how to treat mom with antioxidants, 'cause she's better than treat with medicine only. From a discussion with doctor, I surely decide that antioxidant is the best choice for battle with scleroderma ;)). Here's a part of antioxidants, CoQ10 and curcumin, which I use with mom.

Co-Q 10 (Ubiquinone): Best Bet Food Sources-- Fish (esp. mackerel, salmon and sardines) beef, peanuts and spinach. Most often used for: Cardiac insufficiency (it strengthens the heart muscle itself), high blood pressure, tissue oxygenation, increases energy production within the cell, counteracts histamines so is good for allergies, asthma and in respiratory disease, also used as an anti-aging nutrient.

Practitioners have also used Co-Q 10 for schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, obesity, candidiasis, multiple sclerosis, stomach ulcers, angina, infertility, periodontal disease, reducing the side effects of chemotherapy and in diabetes.

Cucurmin: Best Bet Food Sources-- Turmeric Most often used for: Dense connective tissue cancers, helps liver to secrete bile, eases stomach pain and nausea, good for car sickness, liver disease, menstrual cramps, athlete's foot and as an anti-inflammatory for arthritis, asthma and eczema.

Note: This herb thins the blood, so do not take it if you are on Coumadin.

The important role of oxidative stress to the development of systemic sclerosis or scleroderma

2008-03-06T23:31:00.000-08:00

Hello
Long time I have not post.This is because I try to search for the interested research, which involves the relationship between antioxidant and scleroderma. The research I found last night belongs to Iwata and colleagues about “Autoantibody against peroxiredoxin I, an antioxidant enzyme, in patients with systemic sclerosis: possible association with oxidative stress”.

This research confirms the important role of oxidative stress to the development of systemic sclerosis or scleroderma. As I inform you in the first post that the oxidative stress in living cells leads to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The organisms have the defense mechanisms against ROS via antioxidant enzymes. The important one is peroxiredoxin (Prx) which has peroxidase activity to reduce hydrogen peroxide, peroxynitrate, and organic hydroperoxides. Among the various isoforms of Prx, the Prx-I involves directly to autoantibodies possession called anti-Prx I Ab in scleroderma and other autoimmune disorder.

The research hypothesis is the anti- Prx I Ab could be detected in patients with scleroderma and contribute to enhanced oxidative stress by inhibiting Prx-I enzymatic activity. The detection of the anti- Prx I Ab may indicated the possible relationship between scleroderma and oxidative stress. Finally, they found that the anti- Prx I Ab may enhance the oxidative stress by inhibiting Prx-I antioxidant enzymatic activity.

That means for scleroderma patients, the important antioxidant enzymes, especially peroxiredoxin I, may inactivated by autoantibodies possession. And that is why I try to activate the antioxidant activities of my mom by using antioxidant treatment.

Gas and Bloating……again

2008-01-30T07:12:00.000-08:00

Hi…..

Yesterday I met the problem that my mom’s problem symptom is still a bloating after eating. From my old basis knowledge, this is because the bowel slows down when the muscle tissue is changed to scar tissue.

Now I worry about this because I do not know that the problem is caused by constipation from the bowel slows down or bowel obstruction.

However, I think that treating with prune juice and papaya should be better than laxative.

Today her bloating symptom is relieved by eating turmeric but I cannot hope that it is the permanent resolve.

Consequently, I continuously try to fight with scleroderma with the trust of natural way, especially antioxidants.

The miracle can be happen. This is proved by my story. The best thing that I met from trusting in natural way is my mom still alive. She can eat and talk with me. Moreover, she can move and try to walk again.

I wish that all you who suffer with scleroderma would meet the miracle too.

Bye-Bye Scleroderma and Acid Reflux by Eating Banana Everyday!!!

2008-01-28T07:23:00.000-08:00

According to my plan in treating my mom with antioxidant. Due to her swallow hard, so I try to seek for the way that she can swallow the big pill of antioxidant supplement.

Banana is the answer!. Right!. I stuff the big pill into a banana that let my mom can swallow because of its softness.Therefore,she accustomed to eat banana everyday.
Fortunately, this is good for her because banana has high polyphenol concentration.
The research about "Phenol Antioxidant Quantity and Quality in Foods: Fruits" indicates that polyphenol concentration of banana is ranked in the third level after cranberry and red grape, respectively.

Moreover, Banana has a natural antacid effect on the body that can help in acid reflux reduction.

The rhizome (root) of turmeric ( Curcuma longa Linn.) for scleroderma and acid reflux

2008-01-28T04:44:00.000-08:00

The rhizome (root) of turmeric ( Curcuma longa Linn.) not only acts as antioxidant for scleroderma but also helps to treat acid reflux or dyspepsia (heartburn).

However, there is some suggestion for using that turmeric may cause an upset stomach, especially in high doses or if given over a long period of time. Acid reflux has been reported in patients being treated for stomach ulcers. Since turmeric is sometimes used for the treatment of heartburn or ulcers, caution may be necessary in some patients. Nausea and diarrhea have also been reported.

For my opinion and experience in treating my mom with phytonutrient,the various sources with low dose and not given over a long period of time is the best. That is the reason why I try to search for a various sources of antioxidant for you.

I would like to confirm again that my mom eats the various sources of antioxidant and gets well. I hope that you get well too.

This information is gotten from Medline Plus.

There is no cure for watermelon stomach but treatment can speed gastric emptying and relieve gastrointestinal symptoms.

2008-01-25T19:28:00.000-08:00

Delayed emptying of the stomach called watermelon stomach or gastroparesis. This serious condition can occur in people with scleroderma. The symptoms of gastroparesis include a feeling of fullness early after a meal, bloating, heartburn, upset stomach, nausea, and vomiting.

I get the information above from Johns Hopkins Health Alert. The suggestion is “eat a diet low in fat and fiber because fat slows the emptying of the stomach and some high-fiber foods can remain in the stomach for a long time”. The high-fiber foods that scleroderma people with watermelon stomach should be avoid include apples, berries, Brussels sprouts, coconuts, green beans, figs, and oranges.

Therefore, I will solve my mom’s problem by feeding her with fruit juice and soften fiber from vegetables instead of the whole fruits. However, prune juice is still good for her.

Mother and her development

2008-01-25T06:52:00.000-08:00

According to the last post, which I told you that, the watermelon stomach is still my mom’s problem. In addition, because of the symptoms those involve internal organs are her serious problem. Therefore, this should be good to revise her symptom and her development.

About two years ago, my mom was sent to the hospital with the serious cases of heart attack. The doctor diagnoses her disease as scleroderma because she got dysphagia (condition in which swallowing is difficult or painful), acid reflux, peristaltic abnormalities of gastrointestinal tract, lung fibrosis with resultant low blood dissolved oxygen and weakness of muscles. The diagnosis was confirmed by skin biopsy.

For one month at the hospital, she cannot eat and move. Therefore, the doctor feed her with liquid nutrition. Moreover, she needs to feed with oxygen tube all time. Fortunately, she dose not get renal crisis.

When she leave the hospital and stay at home, her symptoms are better but still need to use oxygen. She still cannot move and eat well.

The first year of stay at home, she needs to beware the serious cases of heart attack. The second year of antioxidants treatment, she start to move and eat well without acid reflux anymore.

Now, she can move (also walk slowly with walker), eat the normal foods well, and leave oxygen tube about six hours. These indicate that all the serious symptoms are developed. Moreover, heart attack never occur again (she ever got heart attack two times within one month)

The only one remained problem is watermelon stomach. I worry about this symptom because although it dose not cause a painful but it may cause a serious problem in a future.

Peristaltic abnormalities may delay gastric empting (watermelon stomach)

2008-01-24T22:00:00.000-08:00

Today I find this title sentence "Peristaltic abnormalities may delay gastric empting (watermelon stomach)" from Dermatology Online Journal .

This scleroderma symptom involves esophagus and gastrointestinal tract. Although my mother does not have the problem about acid reflux anymore, but her "water melon stomach" indicates that the peristaltic abnormalities are still the problem.

I will try to solve this problem and trust in natural ways. If someone know how to solve this problem by using antioxidants or another foods, please help me.Thank you.

The gastroesophageal reflux disease (acid reflux) can cause serious problem in patients with scleroderma

2008-01-23T21:36:00.000-08:00

Title: Some things you have to know about the gastroesophageal reflux disease
(Available from www.goarticles.com)

Author: Groshan Fabiola

Article:
When the liquid content of the stomach refluxes into the esophagus, we can say that we have a condition common in gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is believed that the acid is the component of the stomach liquid that does the most harm to the lining of the esophagus. The refluxed liquid also contains pepsin and bile, but their role in injuring the esophagus is not so clear as in acid's case.

Once gastroesophageal reflux disease appeared, it usually lasts all life long. Even if the esophagus has healed, if the treatment is stopped, the injury will return in most patients soon.The treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease usually needs to be continued indefinitely.It is known that the reflux of the stomach's liquid contents into the esophagus can appear in most normal people, but in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease the refluxed liquid contains more acid and remains in the esophagus longer.

Usually, most reflux occurs during the day, when we are in upright position. This position makes the liquid to flow back into the stomach, due to gravitation. When we are awake, we swallow often, and saliva travels down the esophagus, neutralizing the small quantity of liquid that remains in the esophagus after the effect of gravity and repeated swallowing. The saliva contains bicarbonate, and that is why it can have a neutralizing effect for acid.

If a reflux takes place during the night, while sleeping, it will probably cause a greater damage effect to the esophagus because, swallowing stops, the secretion of saliva is reduced and gravity is not in effect. The gastroesophageal reflux disease can cause serious problems during pregnancy, and also in patients that have diseases that weaken the esophageal muscles, such as mixed connective tissue or scleroderma.

There are a lot of factors that can cause the gastroesophageal reflux disease. The lower esophageal sphincter is a specialized ring of muscle that is surrounding the lower-most end of the esophagus where it joins the stomach. It is known that the
muscle that makes up the lower esophageal sphincter is active most of the time. It is contracting and closing off the passage from the esophagus into the stomach.

It is this closing that prevents reflux, and there are a few situations of abnormalities of the lower esophageal sphincter that must be mentioned. If the lower esophageal sphincter performs a weak contraction, that will reduce the ability of preventing the reflux. There can also appear abnormal relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter, and these allow reflux to occur more easily.

Hiatal hernias also contribute to the gastroesophageal reflux disease. As a result of the hiatal hernia, small part of the stomach and the lower esophageal sphincter come to lie in the chest. Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter is at the level
of the diaphragm. The diaphragm that surrounds the lower esophageal sphincter seems to be important in preventing reflux.

Effects of the diaphragm and lower esophageal sphincter appear at the same location in patients without hiatal hernia. The sum of the pressures generated by them prevent the reflux. In people with hiatal hernia, the diaphragm and lower esophageal sphincter continue to generate pressure, but at different levels, and in this way, the pressure barrier is decreasing.

In hiatal hernia disease, there exist a sac, which is a small pouch of stomach above the diaphragm .It is full of acid, and when it is pinched off from the esophagus above by the lower esophageal sphincter and from the stomach below by the diaphragm, it can reflux easier during a swallow or a relaxation. It is known that the esophagus connects the stomach obliquely, and due to this, a flap of tissue is formed between the stomach and esophagus. It is believed that this tissue is acting like a valve and preventing reflux. When hiatal hernia is present, the valve-like flap disappears, or is distorted and will not help to prevent the reflux.

Esophageal contractions are very important, they are caused by the act of swallowing. During this, food, saliva or whatever there is in the esophagus is pushed into the stomach, and if there is a abnormality with this ontraction,refluxed acid is not pushed back into the stomach. Some abnormalies that can appear: the waves of contraction may die out before they reach the stomach, or waves of contraction do not begin after each swallow, or the pressure generated by the contractions is too slow to push the acid back into the stomach. These are frequent
in patients that have gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Usually, in most cases reflux during day appears after meals, and this probably happens because of the transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations. There were seen patients that are having an extremely slowly digestion, and it is known that
during this period the reflux has greater chances to appear.

About the author:
For more resources about acid reflux http://www.acid-reflux-info-guide.com/ or
especially about acid reflux symptoms http://www.acid-reflux-info-guide.com/acid-reflux-symptoms.please click this link href="http://www.acid-reflux-info-guide.com/acid-reflux-symptoms.
htm">http://www.acid-reflux-info-guide.com/acid-reflux-symptoms.h
tm

Acid reflux involved digestive system is the important symptom of scleroderma.

2008-01-23T07:44:00.000-08:00

As I had told you that my mom had the problem about bowel movement. This problem was solved by drinking prune juice which was suggested by doctor that it is good for her laxation and, more important, it is the rich source of antioxidant.

Today I just know that the problem in bowel movement which is the one of many symptoms of scleroderma is called acid reflux disease.

The primary events that cause trouble in the scleroderma digestive system and gut are due to a decrease in the blood supply to the nerves, which are needed to stimulate the bowel. With decreased stimulation, there is progressive weakening of muscle strength and tone and resultant slowing and dys-coordinated motion of the gut. Virtually every gut symptom is the result of weakening of the gut muscle. The weakening starts in the esophagus (food pipe) and stomach, and works its way down to the small and large intestine.

Fortunately, the acid reflux disease can be treat by using antioxidants.

The antioxidant treatment, as opposed to the traditional drug therapy, decreased the severity of reflux disease and was more protective against ulceration and inflammation of the esophagus. This is the reason why my mom dose not suffer with acid reflux anymore.

Moreover, acid reflux can be managed by diets.A balanced diet that includes nutritional supplements is considered vital to maintain body weight and health. Some literature advises avoiding caffeine, refined sugars, and food additives that have been implicated as carcinogens (e.g., sodium nitrite) or have side effects (e.g., caffeine, olestra, and MSG).

Diets which good for acid reflux treatment are high antioxidant fruit and vegetable such as apple, banana, carrot and broccoli. (See more foods)

See you on the next post and hope that you all get healthiness and happiness.

Doctor's agreement about antioxidant and scleroderma.

2008-01-22T08:40:00.000-08:00

Hi! today I find the agreement from doctor about antioxidants and scleroderma and get it from mothernature.com. You can read more about scleroderma from this site.

Doctor's agree: Scleroderma starts with inflammation, and its progress depends on how much inflammation continues to occur in the body. That is one reason some doctors recommend that patients with any sort of inflammatory disease--rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or scleroderma--make sure they are getting optimum amounts of vitamin E, selenium and beta-carotene, a yellow pigment found in dark green, leafy vegetables and in orange and yellow fruits and vegetables. These nutrients, known as antioxidants, are thought to help to dampen inflammation by neutralizing some of the biochemicals associated with the process.

See you next post and I hope that all of you who get scleroderma will get well soon as same as my mother.

P.S. She can walk around our house by using walker and can leave her oxygen tube more than six hours!. We are very happy. We hope that you all are happy too...

Love and hug from our family.

Goji juice, one of the most prized secrets of the ancientHimalayans, for arthritis and scleroderma.

2008-01-20T19:21:00.000-08:00

Today I Find the interested article about Goji juice, which can help to relieve not only arthritis pain but also scleroderma. This article is availability from www.goarticles.com.

Title: Goji and Arthritis

Author: Katrina Coyoca

Article:
Arthritis pain can cause sadness and depression. The pain can cause you to feel like you are missing out on life and the loss of sleep can keep you from enjoying even the simple things in life.

The problems associated with arthritis causes extreme frustration because arthritis makes even the simplest of daily tasks nearly impossible. In advanced stages arthritis can be completely disabling.

We are happy to say that arthritis does not always have to limit your life. Many people are finding the incredible benefits of a remarkable new product and are awed by its unmatched health-promoting powers.

They are finding one of the most prized secrets of the ancient Himalayans who were believed to be the first natural healers, and who shared their wisdom with the ancient herbalists of China, Tibet, and India. That wonderful find is Goji Juice.
Since its discovery in the Himalayas, those who know of this incredible creation are awed by its unmatched health-promoting powers.

We tend to think of arthritis as an old age disease. Perhaps that is because the most common form of arthritis - the wear and tear - degenerative condition known as osteoarthritis (OA) - is most often seen in people over 60. But the OA is not the only form of arthritis. Although many of us refer to it as if it were a single disease, arthritis is actually a catchall term that covers more than 100 medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus, gout ad scleroderma. Arthritis can strike at any age often without warning. In various forms,if affects more than 70 miilion adults and 300,000 children in America alone.

No matter what the source of arthritis, there is always the common factor of joint inflammation, often accompanied by pain, stiffness, restricted motion, warmth, swelling, and damage to the protective joint cartilage and surrounding tissues. This
damage becomes progressively debilitating as joints become weakened and destabilized. Ultimately, arthritis can turn even the simplest daily tasks into a painful ordeal.

For those diagnosed with systemic forms of arthritis, the situation can be far worse. Systemic arthritis can affect the whole body, wreaking havoc on the heart, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, and skin.

Leading Causes of Arthritis

It has been estimated that there are more than 200 causes of the various forms of arthritis. And yet, there are some key risk factors:

A. Cigarette Smoking
Smoking has been proven over and over again to increase the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. A recent large-scale study published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases concluded that even moderate smokers (6 per day) could increase their risk by as much as 1500%!

B. Obesity
Obesity is another major cause of arthritis. According to an article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the single biggest risk factor for osteoarthritis in the hips and hands of people older than 60 is
being overweight. Reducing the symptoms of this painful disease should be a great inspiration to drop those pounds.

In an Asian anti-obesity study, patients were given, goji each morning and each afternoon. Results were wonderful ith most patients losing significant weight. In a 2002 research at the Huazhong Agricultural University in China, it was revealed that
goji's master molecule polysaccharide improved the conversion of food into energy and reduced body weight.

C. Stress
Stress had been shown to be a major trigger in initiating a flare-up, thus it is important to avoid it when possible and to consider the use of relaxation techniques...and goji juice. Goji provides the energy reserves to help you handle just about any difficulty. In Asia, it is said that constant consumption of goji brings a cheerful attitude and nothing beats good cheer overcoming stress!

To learn for goji, please visit Goji Juice.

About the author:
Katrina Coyoca is a staff writer for Goji Juice Review, a leading information resource for news and articles about goji
juice.

Sjögren's syndrome involves scleroderma

2008-01-19T22:22:00.000-08:00

Title: Sjogren's Syndrome - Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
(Available from www.goarticles.com)

Author: Juliet Cohen

Article:
Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic inflammatory disorder of probable autoimmune nature. Autoimmune diseases are characterized by the abnormal production of extra antibodies in the blood that are directed against various tissues of the body.
About 50% of the time Sjögren's syndrome occurs alone, and 50% of the time it occurs in the presence of another connective tissue disease. The classic signs of the Sjögren's syndrome, therefore, includes enlargement of the parotid glands with
mucosal dryness manifest by dry mouth (xerostomia) and dry eyes (xerophthalmia). Sjogren's syndrome is also associated with rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. Sjogren's syndrome that only involves gland inflammation (resulting dry
eyes and mouth, etc.), and is not associated with a connective tissue disease, is referred to as primary Sjogren's syndrome. Secondary Sjogren's syndrome involves not only gland inflammation, but is also associated with a connective tissue disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or scleroderma.

Symptoms associated with Sjögren's are caused by the infiltration of immune-system cells, usually B and T lymphocytes, into the glands responsible for secreting fluid.
This condition can affect people of any age, but symptoms usually appear between the ages of 45 and 55. In Sjogren's syndrome, your immune system attacks the glands that make tears and saliva. Sjögren's may also cause dryness of other organs, affecting the kidneys, GI tract, blood vessels, lung, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system. Many patients experience debilitating fatigue and joint pain. Symptoms can
plateau, worsen, or go into remission. While some people experience mild symptoms, others suffer debilitating symptoms that greatly impair their quality of life. Virtually all organs may be involved. The disease commonly affects the eyes, mouth,
parotid gland, lungs, kidneys, skin, and nervous system. Sjogren's syndrome can also cause problems in other parts of the body, including the joints, lungs, muscles, kidneys, nerves, thyroid gland, liver, pancreas, stomach and brain.

Sjögren's occurs in all age groups in both women and men. It is estimated to strike as many as 4 million people in the United States. Sjogren's Syndrome is also found more commonly in families that have members with other autoimmune illnesses, such
as systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune thyroid disease, juvenile diabetes, etc. Sjögren's syndrome--dryness, fatigue, pain, head and neck complaints, hoarseness, or hearing loss--can also occur as a result of medication use, anxiety and depression, or normal aging. The majority of the patients with Sjögren's syndrome have symptoms related to diminished lacrimal and salivary gland functions. The initial manifestations may be nonspecific, such as arthralgias, Raynaud's phenomenon and
fatigue, and usually 8 to 10 years elapse from the initial symptoms to the full-blown development of the disease. Patients usually complain of difficulty in eating dry food (like trying to eat crackers without water), inability to speak continuously, oral soreness, changes in tasting and smelling and fissures of
the tongue and lips (angular queilitis).

Treatment is generally symptomatic and supportive. Infections are treated with anti-fungal or antibiotic preparations. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) has been helpful for some manifestations of Sjogren's syndrome. Moisture replacement therapies may ease the symptoms of dryness. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used to treat musculoskeletal symptoms. Lacriserts, is used by some to alleviate dry eyes. Two prescription medications, Salagen (pilocarpine hydrochloride) and Evoxac (cevimeline), are available to treat dry mouth. Serious complications, such as vasculitis, can require immune suppression medications, including cortisone (prednisone and others) and/or azathioprine (Imuran) or cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). Many of these types of agents are available as over-the-counter products including toothpaste, gum, and mouthwash (Biotene). Vitamin E oil has been used with some
success. Infections of the mouth and teeth should be addressed as early as possible in order to avoid more severe complications.

About the author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles for medical diseases and home remedies. She also writes articles on beauty tips.

Make sure that you eat the various sources of dietary polyphenol.

2008-01-18T21:45:00.000-08:00

Dietary polyphenols are the most abundant antioxidants in human diets and are the secondary metabolites of plants. They are subdivided in to groups. The first one is the phenolic acids with the subclasses such as gallic, caffeic, ferulic and coumaric acid. The second is the large flavonoid subclass, which includes the flavonols, flavones, isoflavones, flavanones, anthocyanidins, and flavanols.

The main dietary sources of polyphenol include some of fruits, vegetables, and beverages. The review literatures of Xiuzhen Han, Tao Shen and Hongxiang Lou in “Dietary Polyphenols and Their Biological Significance” shows the classification and sources of dietary polyphenols. For example, pomegranate juice is a source of flavonoid subclass anthocyanidins, and orange is a rich source of phenolic acids.

This review not only shows sources of dietary polyphenols but also their antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties that very helpful for manage foods in scleroderma treatment.

Foods that help prevent or manage arthritis

2008-01-18T18:29:00.000-08:00

Nutritionist Joy Bauer advices to help manage arthritis pain,which scleroderma is one type in this group. Foods that help prevent or manage arthritis and scleroderma that she suggests are omega-3 fats, green tea, chili peppers, turmeric, ginger, rosemary, and oregano.

Most of these foods are the rich source of antioxidant.

Pomegranate juice is a rich source of potent antioxidants

2008-01-17T23:24:00.000-08:00

Hi!
Today I find the interested research about “Pomegranate Juice Protect Nitric Oxide Against Oxidative Destruction and Enhances the Biological actions of Nitric Oxide” by Louis J. Ignarro and colleagues.

As I had posted at first, that scleroderma involves the excessive amounts of free radical especially nitric oxide. Therefore, this is the research which useful for all of us and may be considered because of its natural treatment.

Fortunately, my mom likes to eat pomegranate and very happy to know how it helps her from scleroderma.

Abstract
Pomegranate juice (PJ), which is a rich source of potent flavonoid antioxidants, was tested for its capacity to protect nitric oxide (NO) against oxidative destruction and enhance the biological actions of NO. Employing chemiluminescence headspace analysis, PJ was found to be a potent inhibitor of superoxide anion-mediated disappearance of NO. PJ was much more potent than Concord grape juice, blueberry juice, red wine, ascorbic acid, and DL-a-tocopherol. As little as 3 ll of a 6-fold dilution of PJ, in a reaction volume of 5000 ll, produced a marked antioxidant effect, whereas 300 ll of undiluted blueberry juice or nearly 1000 ll of undiluted Concord grape juice were required to produce similar effects. PJ and other antioxidant-containing products were found to augment the anti-proliferative action of NO (DETA/NO) on vascular smooth muscle cell (rat aorta) proliferation. PJ was much more effective than the other products tested and elicited no effects when tested alone in the absence of added NO. Similarly, neither PJ nor the other products enhanced the anti-proliferative action of a-difluoromethylornithine, a stable substance that inhibits cell growth by NO-independent mechanisms. In order to determine whether PJ is capable of increasing the production of NO by vascular endothelial cells, PJ was tested for its capacity to upregulate and/or activate endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells. PJ elicited no effects on eNOS protein expression or catalytic activity. Moreover, PJ did not enhance promoter activity in the eNOS gene (COS-7 cells transfected with eNOS). These observations indicate that PJ possesses potent antioxidant activity that results in marked protection of NO against oxidative destruction, thereby resulting in augmentation of the biological actions of NO.

People with scleroderma should consult a doctor before using flax seed

2008-01-17T02:51:00.000-08:00

This is the interested article from www.goarticles.com. Although dietary fiber is good for bowel movement but the excessive amount may lead to bowel obstruction. Therefore, it is better to asked a doctor before using any food supplements. The author of this article shows the benefits of Flax seed and suggests people with scleroderma to ask a doctor before use.

Title: Why Is Flax Seed Called The Next Multivitamin?

Author: Andrew Wangs

Article:
What Flax Seed Contains The vitamins and minerals found in flax seeds are zinc, iron, vitamin E, carotene, B-group vitamins, magnesium, calcium, sulfur, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, silicon, copper, nickel, molybdenum, chromium, and cobalt. With so many nutrients, we can consider Flax Seed as the next multivitamin. Your body is like a fully automated machine that works non-stop, so make sure you take good care of it!

Flax Seed Rich in Omega-3 Flaxseed and its derivative flaxseed oil/linseed oil are rich sources of the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, which is a biologic precursor to omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid. Although omega-3
fatty acids have been associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes, evidence from human trials is mixed regarding the efficacy of flaxseed products for coronary artery disease or hyperlipidemia.

Fish Oil or Flax Seed Oil For those who wish to replace fish oil with flaxseed oil, research suggests taking up to ten times as much ALA as EPA.20 Typically, this means 7.2 grams of flaxseed oil equals 1 gram of fish oil. However, even if taken in such
high amounts, flaxseed oil may not have the same effects as fish oil. But, flaxseed oil will not cause a fishy-smelling burp, which is very possible side effect of fish oil.

Flax Seed Fiber As with any source of fiber, flaxseed should not be taken if there is possibility that the intestines are obstructed. People with scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) should consult a doctor before using flaxseed. Although a gradual introduction of fiber in the diet may improve bowel symptoms in some cases, there have been several reports of people with scleroderma developing severe constipation and even bowel obstruction requiring hospitalization after fiber supplementation.

Flax Seed Lignans Lignans are natural plant chemicals. Flax seeds are the richest source of lignans. Lignans boost the productions of a substance attached to estrogen and carries it out of the body.

Flax Seed as Antioxidant Researchers also believe lignans to have antioxidant properties. Flax seed has 75 to 800 percent more lignans than other vegetables and grains! Making flax seed worth the investment.

Flax Seed reduce cancer risk. The lignans in flaxseed appear to play a role in protecting against breast, colon, prostate, and perhaps skin cancer. In one study(1), prostate cancer patients who added about 3 heaping tablespoons of ground flaxseed daily to their diet, had more slowly-dividing tumor cells and a greater rate of tumor cell death than men who did not follow such a diet, after about 5 weeks.

Flax Seed: The Next Multivitamin Flax Seed Oil contains omega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty acids, B vitamins, potassium,lecithin, magnesium, fiber, protein, and zinc and also provides approximately 50% more omega-3 oils than what you could get from taking fish oil, minus that horrible "fishy" after taste.
Sounded good to me already!

With all the proven benefits of Flax Seed in our Diet, we do urge you to find out more about how flax seed can benefit your health today! Do visit our site at
http://www.flaxseedfitness.com and find out more about the facts and myths of flaxseed!

About the author:
as Flax Seed Oil is proven to have the highest concentration of
Omega-3. Do visit our site at http://www.flaxseedfitness.com

Which Vitamin Supplement Is Best For You?

2008-01-17T02:28:00.000-08:00

Author: Mario Churchill
(Available from www.goarticles.com/)

Article:
When you're young and healthy, you probably don't need a lot of vitamin supplements to ensure you get the complete nutrition required to keep your body healthy. But as you get older and your body changes, so will your needs. If you don't meet the
required vitamin dose you need, your body will use up its store and you'll end up experiencing the symptoms of a vitamin deficiency.

Vitamin deficiency can cause a lot of trouble so why wait until it happens to you? They can range from mild to annoying and can easily turn serious if uncorrected in time. If you want to know what vitamin supplement is best for you, find out what
deficiencies you want to avoid and which you want to correct.

What's your deficiency? If your body is not working as well as it did before, there's a big chance you have some form of vitamin deficiency. Here is a list of vitamins and the deficiencies they prevent or help correct:

Vitamin A Problems with the eyes and eyesight such as macular degeneration, dry and hard eyeballs, retinal detachment,conjunctivitis and color-blindness. Vitamin A is also good for treating acne, jaundice, skin infections like cold sores,impetigo and boils, warts, skin cancer and scleroderma.

Vitamin C Cataracts, dim vision, glaucoma and myopia. Vitamin C is also effective against acne, Addison's disease, stress, dry skin, bed sores, jaundice, gangrene, skin itching, prickly heat,rashes, hematoma, wrinkles and shingles.

Vitamin D Vitamin D is indicated for people who are at risk of bone diseases and degeneration such as osteoporosis. Vitamin D is usually found in sunlight and a deficiency may occur due to limited exposure. This vitamin is usually taken with Vitamin C for maximum absorption.

Vitamin E A very effective antioxidant like Vitamin A, Vitamin E is also used to treat and prevent blisters, bed sores, hot flushes, scar tissue, stretch marks, wrinkles and aging skin.

Vitamin B group This group of vitamins is sometimes referred to as Vitamin B-complex, composed of 8 B vitamins including B1, B2,B3 (niacin), B6, B12, biotin, folic acid and pantothenic acid. The vitamins in the B group, whether alone or in combination are effective against wounds, cataracts, glaucoma, retinitis, night
blindness, photophobia, Addison's disease, skin ulcers, eczema,dermatitis, seborrhea, pale skin, rosacea, dandruff, graying hair and other problems with the skin and nails.

Certain vitamin groups, such as antioxidants like A, E, D and K,are important for preventing free radicals from affecting body cells. Antioxidants effectively maintain the health of cells to prevent damage.

These antioxidants are also fat-soluble vitamins. They are absorbed by the body along with fat sourced from other foods. The vitamin-rich fat is then broken down by the bile and used by the body. If you take too much, the excess vitamins are stored
in your liver and kidneys.

Water-soluble vitamins like Vitamins C and B, on the other hand, are easily absorbed. If you take more than your body needs, these vitamins are simply excreted through urine.

The danger of too much of a good thing You don't have to worry about overdosing on water-soluble vitamins because your body knows how to take care of them. It is the fat-soluble type that you should be careful with. Vitamins A, E and D are toxic in
high doses for long periods while too much Vitamin K can increase the risk of hemorrhage. If you must use a vitamin supplement, the best thing for you to do is to keep within the recommended daily allowance.

About the author:
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200
articles on various subjects. For information on the best href="http://www.myvitaminguide.com">natural vitamin
supplements or href=" http://www.myvitaminguide.com">nutritional vitamin
supplements checkout his website.

Allow me to persuade you who get scleroderma involved lung fibrosis eating more spice turmeric.

2008-01-17T00:22:00.000-08:00

Six months ago, I took my mom to the hospital for physical therapy. The physician told that my mom’s stomach is bloated because of the excess gas from a bowel movement problem. Therefore, for reducing the excess gas, the physician ordered turmeric powder for her to eat one capsule per day.

I have known before that curcumin, main active component of the spice turmeric, is the potent antioxidant. Consequently, I agreed with this order and searched more about curcumin information that involve scleroderma.

Fortunately, I found the research about "Curcumin-Induced Apoptosis in Scleroderma Lung Fibroblasts Role of Protein Kinase Cε" by Elena Tourkina, Pal Gooz, James C. Oates, Anna Ludwicka-Bradley, Richard M. Silver, and Stanley Hoffman.

The observations from the researchers suggest that curcumin may have therapeutic value in treating scleroderma particularly in lung disease and generally in lung fibrosis. Moreover, the results indicate that curcumin causes apoptosis in scleroderma lung fibroblasts (SLF), but not in normal lung fibroblasts (NLF).

Nutrition and antioxidant can be important in uplifting your quality of daily living.

2008-01-15T23:26:00.000-08:00

“Nutrition has not been documented to play a role in scleroderma's development but can be important in uplifting your quality of daily living,” said Barbara Beznos, a registered dietitian and owner of Integrated Nutrition LLC in Farmington Hills, Mich. She suggests scleroderma patients to eat a vegetarian cuisine: a fresh produce, a variety of different beans, omega 3 fatty acids, fish, nuts, seeds, soymilk, fruit and a variety of herbs, spices and flavors. Include different tastes: sweet, bitter, pungent, sour, and astringent. Decrease salt and fried fatty foods.

I would like to confirm this suggestion.

For about two years that I feed my mom with foods ,which rich of antioxidant (such as carrot, herb and seaweed), low fat and salt but add more sour (from lemon). I can tell you that following the above suggestion changes me from hopelessness to happiness and gets the idea to tell all of you who suffer with scleroderma.

My mom has gotten scleroderma when she was 70 years old. At that time, doctor did not confirm how to save her life and only helped her by supportive treatment using many drug because she is too old.

Now my mom is still alive and, with confidentially, I would like to tell you that is because of different source of antioxidants.

Please consider to drink prune juice everyday.

2008-01-15T19:28:00.000-08:00

My mom drinks prune juice, a rich source of dietary fiber and antioxidant, for a year. Because of living only in her bed, this is not good for her laxation and bowel movement. Therefore, I asked the doctor how to solve this problem. The answer is “drinking prune juice” every night.