Biological Activity of Neem Compounds

Biological Activity of Neem Compounds

(Source:www.infinityfoundation.com)
Some of the biological activity of neem compounds are:

1. Anti-inflammatory
2. Antiarthritic
3. Antipyretic
4. Hypoglycaemic
5. Antigastric ulcer
6. Spermicidal
7. Antifungal
8. Antibacterial
9. Diuretic
10.Antimalarial
11.Antitumour
12.Immunomodulatory, etc.

Medicinal Uses of Neem

Medicinal Uses of Neem

(Source:www.ozonebiotech.com)

Since ancient times, Neem (Azadirachta indica) has been used in India for relieving sickness and disease. Its medicinal uses are well documented in ‘Ayurveda,’ the ancient Indian system of medicine.
Every part of the tree has some medicinal use. External uses of Neem comprise the treatment of dermatological disorders (psoriasis, herpes, eczema, pruritis, and acne vulgaris) , inflammatory condition , infected wounds, abscesses and ulcer, ophthalmic care, ear infection and sinusitis alopecia and hair care, snake bite and scorpion sting, rheumatic pain, gout , etc.
Internal uses of Neem are commonly for dental hygiene, and for treating
malaria and filaria , typhoid, digestive , disorders, intestinal worms,
hepatitis, spleenomeglay, respiratory disorders, tuberculosis, urinary
disorders, gynecological problems, diabetes, hypertension, cancer,
leprosy, leprosy, leucoferma, allergies, etc., infectious diseases such
as smallpox, chicken pox, and measles, vaginal disorders, sexually
transmitted infection, and possibly AIDS. The potential of Neem as a
fertility-regulating agent is described. The scientific basis for medicinal uses of Neem and future prospects in relieving human sickness
and disease is discussed.

Tuberculosis: Daily intake of Neem barks decoction helps cure this malady.
Dental Hygiene: Neem is probably best known for dental hygiene. For centuries, millions of people in
India have been using Neem stick as “ disposable toothbrushes “ for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. The practice is said to clean the teeth of dirty smelling plaque, phlegm particles, rendering the
mouth clean and pleasant. Occasional intake of pulp is also recommended for dental hygiene.Rinsing the mouth with decoction made from Neem root or bark is effective against many dental ills.
Antifungal property: Neem is effective against several fungi that infect human body. For instance, in a laboratory study, Neem preparations showed toxicity to culture of 14 common fungi, including Trichophyton sp. Causing “athlete’s foot ,” which affects hair, skin , and nails;Epiderophyton sp.-a “ringworm “ that invades both skin and nails of the feet; Microsporum sp. a ringworm that infects hair, skin, and occasionally nails; Trichosporon sp. ,a fungus of the digestive tract; Geotrichum sp. – a yeastlike fungus that infects bronchi, lungs, and mucous membranes, and Candida spp.- yeastlike fungi that can lead to lesions in mouth (thrush), female genital tract , skin ,hands, and lungs. In comparison with general antibiotics, the use of Neem oil gave very promising results and become popular for treating ringworm, Tinea supp., in children in Kenya.
Fertility regulation: Studies conducted on rodents have confirmed that Neem seed extract can completely abrogate pregnancy at an early
post-implantation stage. The treatment had no residual effects with respect to the future fertility of the animals. The active fraction in the
extract, identified recently as a mixture of six components, could completely abrogate pregnancy in rodents. The treatment with the active
fraction caused specific activation of T lymphocyte cells of CD8+ subtype as well as phagocytic cells followed by elevation in cytokines y-
interferon and TNF. The study pointed out that a pure active fraction of Neem seeds could be obtained for the purpose of early implantation
contraception when given orally, and its mechanism of action seems to be by activating cell-medicated immune reactions. Recently, a pre-
coital, vaginal, Neem based contraceptive “CONCEPT” has been developed in India and it already at large-scale clinical trial stages states
in India.
Chaga’s disease: Neem may prove a boon against the crippling chaga’s disease, which infects about
20 million people in Latin America. The disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite, which is transmitted by the bite of the kissing bugs. Recently, it has been found that azadirachtin somehow disrupts the delicately synchronised parasite development in the insect’s gut, rendering the bugs ”immune” or free from infection even 20 days after they had eaten blood laden with parasites. Injection of azadirachtin A into nymphs of the kissing bug resulted in complete disappearance of the parasite in the host. Whether Neem will eventually solve the Chaga’s disease problem remains to be seen.
Pain relief and fever reduction: Neem may prove to be a bountiful source of law –cost analgesic (pain relieving) or antipyretic (fever-
reducing) compounds and is used as such wherever it is grown. In trials conducted in Japan, positive results have been obtained for significant analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Some of the anti- inflammatory compounds have been patented.
Hepatitis: Intake of 2 teaspoonful of Neem leaf juice with honey accelerates the process of cure.
Spelleenomegaly: Intake of 2 teaspoonful of Neem leaf juice with honey cures the enlargement of spleen.
Respiratory disorders: Neem bark decoction is used as an antitussive in dry cough. Intake of powdered Neem leaves (1g) with honey
twice a day helps in suppressing cough. Neem oil (5-10drops) given with 2 tablespoonful of sugar daily for 15 d helps in treatment of
tropical eosinophilia.
Urinary disorders: Neem is effective in treating albuminaria, phosphaturia, and burning micturition. Intake of Neem leaf decoction (3g
leaves boiled in 4 cups of water until reduced to 2 cups) twice a day helps. In case of burning micturition, intake of 1 teaspoonful of Neem
leaf juice thrice a day is highly recommended.
Gynaecological disorders: Daily intake of 10g of Neem leaf juice with 1 tablespoonful of sugar early in the morning helps cure leucorrhoea,
dysmenorrhoea, and related disorders.
Diabetes: One tablespoonful of Neem leaf juice taken daily early morning for 3 months in helpful in diabetes. Alternatively, one can chew 10 Neem leaflets daily or ingest leaf powder. During treatment, diet control is also advised for quick results.
Hypertension: One tablespoonful of Neem leaf juice taken twice daily is useful in treating hypertension
Cancer: Chewing 10-12 Neem leaflets daily early and ingesting with warm water is recommended as a supportive treatment to cancer
patients.
Allergies: Neem is useful in all kinds of allergies, whether drug allergy or allergy due to smell, smoke, dust, eatables, etc. Eight to 10
leaflets are eaten early morning, which helps in purifying blood and controlling allergic reactions.
Vaginal disorders: Neem having urinary astringent and antipruetic properties gives immediate relief in most common vaginal disorders. A
pessary made from Neem fruits macerated with Neem leaf juice is kept in the vagina to relieve the burning sensation and heal cervical and
vaginal inflammation. In cases of uteral prolapse, the use of Neem decoction is recommended.
For easy delivery: During labour, it is recommended to apply a paste of Neem roots on lower abdomen. Intake of 1g of powdered Neem
gum with honey butter relieves tiredness during labour.
HIV/AIDS: Certain polysaccharides isolated from the inner bark of Neem trunk have been found to enhance human immunity against HIV,
which causes AIDS. Although I did not conduct clinical trials, oral administration of powdered inner Neem bark and turmeric, curcuma longa
, powder (10:1 proportion) to patients in 150mg doses thrice a day for one month suppressed AIDS-related symptoms, such as skin rash, diarrhoea, pneumonia, weight loss, etc. among communities living around the shores of Lake Victoria in Western Kenya, where the AIDS incidence was very high.

Is Garlic Adding to Statin's Protection?

Keep Arteries Squeaky Clean :Garlic adds to statin's protection
by Allison Sarubin Fragakis, RD

(Source:www.mombu.com/medicine/heart)


An old-fashioned remedy may help fight one of the newest identified risk
factors for stroke and heart attack. In a group of high-risk cardiac
patients, researchers found that those taking a garlic supplement for 1
year had a 12% reduction in levels of homocysteine, a chemical that
irritates blood vessel linings, leading to plaque buildup. And although
both study groups were taking powerful cholesterol-lowering drugs called
statins, artery blockages grew 66% more slowly in the garlic takers.

"This was a small study, but we were pleasantly surprised by our
positive results," says Matthew Budoff, MD, assistant professor of
medicine at Harbor-UCLA Research and Education Institute. The study used
supplements of 1,200-mg garlic extract per day.

Allison Sarubin Fragakis, RD, is the author of The Health Professional's
Guide to Popular Dietary Supplements, 2nd edition (American Dietetic
Association, 2002).

Onions Combating TB and Osteoporosis

Research Advances: Onions Battle Osteoporosis; New Weapon in War on TB; Smokers Beware: Study Shows Increased Cadmium Levels in the Brain May Cause Severe Neurological Disorders

(Source:pubs.acs.org/; + Angela G. King,Department of Chemistry, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109 J. Chem. Educ., 2005, 82 (8), p 1114)
Abstract of the Report
This Report from Other Journals surveys articles of interest to chemists that have been recently published in other science journals. Topics surveyed include reports that a compound in onions reduces bone loss; a new diarylquinone inhibits tuberculosis in vitro; and cadium in tobacco influences amphetamine effects.

Garlic: A Natural Antibiotic

Garlic: A natural antibiotic

(Source:http://pubs.acs.org/)

As powerful antibiotics lose their punch against “superbugs” such as vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), scientists are searching for new antimicrobial agents from natural sources. Allicin, the major component of garlic, is one such agent, and it was recently shown to be potent against VRE and MRSA in two studies presented at the 41st Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy in Chicago in December.
A study conducted by Jaya Prakash and colleagues at the National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, IL, found that allicin has potent activity against VRE in vitro. “The basic problem with VRE is that it colonizes the gut,” says Prakash. “Many antibiotics used to control or prevent colonization also affect the normal flora.” The ideal solution, she explains, would be to prevent colonization with a food substance, given the safety of such compounds over antibiotics. Furthermore, she adds, the chance of organisms developing resistance is low. “Even with small amounts of these agents, they don’t become resistant.”

In their studies, the scientists obtained allicin from garlic tablets and determined its concentration. In vitro testing showed that microgram quantities were sufficient to significantly inhibit the growth of VRE. In contrast, 4000 µg of allicin corresponds to the amount found in one clove of garlic. Up to 25 g of garlic a day can be consumed without posing a risk of toxic side effects.

Prakash cautions that it is too early to say how much allicin intake will reap intestinal rewards against VRE. “In vitro [activity] does not correlate to in vivo activity,” she cautions. And the bad news is that allicin is destroyed when garlic is cooked in oil.

In the next stage of their work, they will study the effects of allicin on the gut microflora of animals to determine the concentration of allicin required to be efficacious in vivo.

In another study, Ron Cutler, from the University of East London (U.K.) and colleagues found that allicin liquid and cream formulations were highly potent against clinical isolates of MRSA, including those resistant to mupirocin—the agent commonly used to eradicate MRSA carriage among hospital staff and patients. Topical allicin formulations could be used as a safe, natural alternative to mupirocin for eliminating the carriage of MRSA and other microbes from the nose, skin, wounds, and dressings, he reports, and they could also be used in soaps and antibacterial agents.

—NICOLE JOHNSTON

Benefits of Garlic in Heart Diseases

Benefits of Garlic in Heart Diseases

(Source:www.healthcastle.com)

Numerous clinical trials have looked at the role and benefits of garlic supplements in heart disease. Many of these randomized studies showed positive benefits of garlic in heart disease: in particular, lowering total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (the Bad cholesterol) and triglycerides (Also Read: How to lower Triglycerides?). A few small randomized trials also suggested the benefits of garlic in the prevention of platelet aggregation and thrombosis (the formation of plaques in the blood). Another study also showed that aged garlic extracts lowered high blood pressure. Most of these studies are relatively short-term, therefore we do not know if the positive benefits of garlic will last more than 3 months. Please also note that there were a number of studies showing conflicting results.

How much Garlic?
The American Dietetic Association suggested that in order to obtain the potential health benefits of garlic, one must take 600 - 900mg (about 1 fresh clove) per day.

Turmeric as Herbal Medicine

Turmeric as Herbal Medicine

(Source:ehow.com)

Turmeric benefits a healthier living style. It protects one's bodies immune system and can be used as a healer. The Chinese and Indian cultures have used turmeric as a medicine.

Reports indicate that Turmeric acts as herbal biomedicine as under:

1. It helps in the treatment of wounds, cuts, cysts and other skin conditions. It's a natural antibiotic, which was used on soldiers during World War 2 to treat gun shot wounds. Make a pace and use to cover with gauze.
2. It helps in the treatment of arthritis and to ease pain. It can reduce inflammation, specifically in the bones. It's best to use turmeric extract, as a supplement in health stores.
3.It helps in the prevention of cancer. Turmeric has been said to kill cancer cells in the body. According to studies, a teaspoon of turmeric a day might be able to help prevent cancer. Turmeric will help protect your body from free radicals.
4.It helps to treat diabetes. It's recommended to take two teaspoons a day, with those who have diabetes. Turmeric might prevent diabetes 2 and can help those who struggle to lose weight. Turmeric might also be helpful in treating Alzheimer's disease.
5. Turmeric can also be used to treat gallstones, indigestion, poor circulation, heart disease, anemia, food poisoning and parasites.

Green Tea May Prevent HIV Infection

Green Tea May Prevent HIV Infection

(Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/66540.php)

A US and UK joint study suggests that drinking green tea may help to prevent HIV infection.

The preliminary study is published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and was a joint project between the University of Sheffield, UK, and Baylor College of Medicine, in Texas, USA.

The research team did test tube experiments on a green tea flavonoid called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and showed that it binds with CD4 immune system T-cell receptors and stops HIV from doing the same.

One of the researchers, Professor Mike Williamson of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Sheffield said, ""Our research shows that drinking green tea could reduce the risk of becoming infected by HIV, and could also slow down the spread of HIV."

Before people jump to conclusions that this study suggests green tea could deny HIV a foothold in the immune system, critics are cautious and say it is very early days.

Compounds that show good results at the "micro" level of cells in a test tube do not necessarily have the same effect at the "macro" level of immune systems in living organisms.

Prof Williamson was keen to point out that green tea is not a cure, and neither is it a safe way to avoid infection. The study merely suggests that EGCG " has potential use as adjunctive therapy in HIV-1 infection".

In other words, Prof Williamson said, "it should be used in combination with conventional medicines to improve quality of life for those infected".

He also mentioned that further studies to find out how much effect different amounts of green tea might have are already under way.

The study was sponsored by the US National Institutes of Health, and a range of research, education and other funds.

Last September, a study from Japan was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that reported high consumption of green tea was linked to reduced overall risk of death due to all causes and cardiovascular disease.

Other studies have also found positive links between green tea consumption and cancer.

Green Tea and Obesity

Green Tea and Obesity

(Source:http://www.greentealibrary.com/GT%20&%20Obesity%20-Article.htm)

Green tea has become the latest weapon in the war on weight. Oprah is a recent enthusiast, vowing that she’d trade her coffee for green tea when Dr. Nicholas Perricone told her she could lose weight simply by making this substitution. But does it really work?

The results of some new studies are promising, indicating that green tea can increase the rate of calorie burning, prevent excess weight gain and even reverse established obesity. And although most tests have been performed on laboratory animals, at least one with humans showed that taking in the equivalent of 3 cups of green tea per day helped the body burn a significant amount of additional calories.

Increased rate of fat burning - A 1999 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looked at the effects of green tea extract on energy "burning" in humans.1 Men who took daily doses of a green tea extract containing EGCg plus caffeine, in an amount equivalent to that found in about 3 cups of green tea, burned about 80 more calories per day than those who didn’t take the extract. (Taking the caffeine without the EGCg didn’t have the same effect.) While burning an extra 80 calories per day may not seem like much, over the course of a year that adds up to 29,200 calories, or a little more than 8 pounds lost – without making any other changes!

Prevention of excess weight gain - In a study involving animals, green tea extract helped prevent obesity. Two groups of mice were placed on a high-fat diet designed to ensure they would gain weight, with only one group also receiving green tea extract. The mice that were given green tea extract ended up gaining 47% less weight than those that didn’t get the extract.2

Reversal of obesity - In a 2005 study published in the Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, green tea extract actually helped to reverse established obesity. Rats were deliberately overfed to make them obese. But when the obese rats were given supplemental EGCg, the amount of fatty tissue on their bodies decreased markedly, reversing their obesity.3
What happens in the body to produce such fat-fighting results? Green tea’s EGCg is believed to rev up the fat-burning effects of brown fat,4 a special kind of body fat that burns calories at a very high rate. In animal studies, green tea has been found to help send glucose to muscle tissue where the glucose is more likely to be burned, rather than to fat tissue, where it’s more likely to be stored.5 And in test-tube studies, green tea extract inhibited the action of fat-digesting enzymes,6 meaning the fat from foods may be less likely to be broken down and absorbed in the digestive tract.

More research is needed before we can say that green tea definitely helps you lose weight, but it certainly looks like a good bet!

Know About Green Tea

Green Tea – Everything You Need To Know

(Source:http://www.greenteatruth.org/)

Green Tea and green tea supplements are good for us – but ask anyone why it is good for us, and they probably won’t have an answer. Indeed, it has long been general knowledge that green tea provides support to the human body – and this is backed up scientifically.

In this article, however, some substantial information are being provided – so that one can actually understand how green tea works, and exactly what it has been proven to do.

Benefits of Green Tea.

Let’s start with the health benefits of green tea. There are numerous benefits which can be had from the consumption (regular consumption) of the substance. Currently, scientific testing has revealed the following:

- reduction in heart disease.
- reduction in bad cholesterol.
- increase in metabolic rate / fat oxidization.
- prevention of the death of brain cells – meaning less chance of Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diseases.
- lower incidence of cancers.
- helps in weight loss.

As one can see – the potential health benefits from just drinking a cup of green tea can be tremendous. However, these benefits are not felt at their maximum level, until you begin to consume large amounts of green tea every day. For an adult, this would amount to around 8 cups per day.

To get around this, health food companies are now producing supplements with green tea as the active ingredient. By providing green tea in supplement form, a person is able to reduce the need for multiple cups of green tea every day, whilst maximizing their intake of green tea extract.

Generally, one green tea supplements tablets or serving will give you around about 8 cups worth of the vital polyphenols which are contained in green tea. Don’t know what a polyphenol is? Let’s get into the science of green tea now.

The Science of Green Tea.

As we previously said, many people know that green tea is good for you, but they don’t know how it actually works or provides the health benefits that it does. Therefore, a scientific breakdown of green tea is necessary, so that you can fully understand the way in which green tea interacts with the body.

The most important component of green tea is something called a polyphenol – which is a substance also known as a catechin. It is generally understood that the consumption of polyphenols are able to improve your health in numerous ways such as with the factors listed above.

The way that green tea acts with the cells on a biological level is complex. All you need to know is that the polyphenols act to strengthen immune and body cells, whilst weakening intruder cells and cancerous / tumor cells. The effectiveness will be clear. It means that the body is now stronger and more able to fight off the diseases caused by the opposite.

The Best Green Tea Supplements.

As with most health food supplements, no two products are the same. When it comes to green tea supplements, you need to ensure that the quality of the green tea extract included is top of the line. Thankfully, we have done a lot of research into this topic, and have found the following products:

Green4Tea Miracle Tea Review


Green4Tea is one of the hottest antioxidant formulas on the planet, and with thousands of people already shedding the weight, what is there to lose? The formula is easy to prepare and drink each day, and you will feel so much better for doing it! Let’s review some of the benefits first!

-You will lower your blood pressure.

-Feel more energized.

-Lose weight quickly.

-Boost your mood.

-Have clearer skin and hair due to a boost in antioxidants and healthy vitamins.

Combating Disease: Green Tea Benefits

Combating Disease: Green Tea Benefits

Green Tea Benefits

Green Tea Benefits

(Source: http://drinkinggreenteabenefits.com/)

Green tea is one of the types of drinks that provide us with a large set of health benefits. This tea has been known and used in China for thousands of years as a remedy to many ailments, and just recently it has been re-discovered by the Western World, leading to many scientific studies that confirm many of the green tea benefits.

An epidemiological study was conducted in 1994, and the results showed that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in both men and women by 60%! Other studies show that green tea is very helpful to lower the overall cholesterol levels and balance in favor of good cholesterol.

The main green tea benefits include helping with cancer, infections, high cholesterols issues, impaired immune function, cardiovascular diseases and rheumatoid arthritis.

The components that make drinking green tea bring all these benefits are called catechin polyphenols, and inside this group there is one particular anti-oxidant that stands out among the rest: epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG.

As an antioxidant, EGCG inhibits the growth of cancer cells, and also kills these cells without making any damage to healthy tissue. As it has been said, it lowers cholesterols and aids in preventing heart attacks and strokes thanks that it prevents the formation of abnormal blood clots. This component also limit the negative effects of smoking and a diet with fat. As a matter of fact, it has been found out that heart disease is low in Japan despite that fact that 60% of Japanese people are smokers.

Relatively new studies have also shown that green the benefits may be more: in 199 the American Journal of Nutrition found evidence that drinking green tea could help in dieting by allowing you to burn more calories. Also it can prevent tooth decay thanks that it is an excellent agent to fight bacteria!

On the other hand, if we are going to talk about negative effects, we won’t find anything serious. Drinking green tea has been linked to insomnia because it contains caffeine. But the levels of caffeine in green tea are lower than the levels found on coffee, so this isn’t really a major problem.

Herbs Can Aid in Weight Loss

Herbs That Increase Metabolism for Weight Loss

(Source: http://www.naturalweightlossweb.com/herbal-weight-loss.htm)

The are some herbs that can act on digestion, metabolism, or appetite to impact weight loss. Certain substances can increase thermogenesis, or metabolism, which may lead to weight loss.

Certain thermogenic, or stimulant, herbs have a reputation for aiding weight loss, but according to the FDA should be avoided due to serious or possibly fatal side effects. Weight loss herbs to avoid include: ephedra (or products containing ephedra), which can have dangerous cardiac side effects, herbal laxatives such as cascara sagrada or senna, which can cause serious intestinal problems.

Featured Link: Green Tea and Weight Loss »
Herbs which may safely aid weight loss include the following:

» Cayenne contains a substance called capsaicin, which may stimulate digestion and increase metabolism and fat burning.
» Green tea contains caffeine and antioxidants that appear to stimulate metabolism.
» Seaweed, or kelp, is a natural thyroid stimulant, which may boost metabolism.
» Nettle is considered to be a thermogenic herb.
» Ginseng helps to boost energy and metabolism.

Anyone with problems or health conditions related to any of these herbs or their actions should not use them.

Hoodia Gordonii: "New" Herb for Weight Loss
The herb Hoodia gordonii (or just "Hoodia") has gained recent attention as an aid for weight loss, due to its appetite suppressing actions. The plant grows in African desert regions, and has been used by the Kalahari San Bushmen for many hundreds of years.

Studies at Brown University indicate that Hoodia appears to work by interrupting or stopping the hunger mechanism in the brain. There is almost no research on the effectiveness of Hoodia as an herbal weight loss supplement, and no substantial information on its safety.

Diabetics should probably avoid Hoodia, because this herb "tricks" the brain into thinking that the body has sufficient blood sugar levels, which may interfere with the function of normal physiological processes that indicate when blood sugar is becoming dangerously low.

Fiber to Suppress Appetite
Taking soluble fiber supplements adds bulk and makes one feel full, but without any added calories. It is imperative to drink adequate water when using fiber supplements to avoid constipation and digestive problems, and fiber supplements should be taken under supervision of a health care professional. Foods high in soluble fiber include apples, oatmeal, beans, and pears.

Amazing Health Benefits of Tomato

Amazing Health Benefits of Tomato

(Source:http://healthfood-guide.com/tomatohealthbenefits.aspx)

Tomatoes, which are actually a fruit and not a vegetable, are loaded with all kinds of health benefits for the body. They are in fact, a highly versatile health product and due to their equally versatile preparation options, there’s really no reason to neglect the tomato as part of a healthy diet.

One of the most well known tomato eating benefit is its' Lycopene content. Lycopene is a vital anti-oxidant that helps in the fight against cancerous cell formation as well as other kinds of health complications and diseases.

Free radicals in the body can be flushed out with high levels of Lycopene, and the tomato is so amply loaded with this vital anti-oxidant that it actually derives its rich redness from the nutrient.

Lycopene is not a naturally produced element within the body and the human body requires sources of Lycopene in order to make use of this powerful anti-oxidant. While other fruits and vegetables do contain this necessary health ingredient, no other fruit or vegetable has the high concentration of Lycopene that the tomato takes pride in.
Studies involving the tomato have cropped up all over the world of medical science. There are more health benefits derived from eating a tomato than the scientific community is able to print, at least yet.

These studies have proven not only the benefits in preventing cancer, heart disease as well as high cholesterol are also in the tomato’s sights.

This is really exciting information. The health benefits of tomatoes are becoming more and more documented every day as we learn new uses of this amazing fruit.
Cancers such as prostate cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, and cancers of the stomach, mouth, pharynx, and esophagus have all been proven to be staved off by high levels of Lycopene.

Researchers introduced Lycopene into pre-existing cancer cell cultures and the Lycopene prevented the continued growth of these cultures. This is pretty powerful evidence that the health benefits of eating a tomato are really quite phenomenal.

It takes as little as 540 milliliters of liquid tomato product to get the full benefits of Lycopene. This means that a daily glass of tomato juice has the potential to keep a person healthy for life.

Tomatoes are equally as nutritious fresh as they are in other variable forms. When tomato products are heat processed the bioavailablity of the Lycopene actually increases rather than the anticipated decrease.

Even with all the plentiful research that has gone into the health benefits of tomatoes, there is still more research being conducted as the medical science community understands that we have not fully tapped into the potential presented by a tomato just yet.

Research is now slowly proving that there is a high likelihood that the consumption of tomatoes and tomato based products actually may prevent serum lipid oxidation and reduce the risk of macular degenerative disease.

Tomatoes are by far the healthiest of the fruits and vegetables with the power to ward off some of the worst known diseases to man. With the vast variety of tomato products on the market, it really shouldn't be difficult to get the full health benefit of tomatoes but,
if you would like to get the full health benefits of tomatoes and have some fun at the same time, consider raising your own organic tomatoes. It would be a lot of fun, get you outside for some vitamin D and best of all reward you with great taste and vibrant health.

Oranges and Human Health

Health Benefits of Oranges

(Source: http://www.elements4health.com/oranges.html)

Cholesterol Reduction
One of the most important flavonoids in or­anges is hesperidin. Hesperidin and the pectin in oranges have been shown to lower cholesterol. The concentration of hes­peridin is considerably higher in the inner peel and inner white pulp of the orange, rather than in its orange flesh.

Arthritis
In a study at the Arthritis Research Campaign Epidemiology Unit in the United Kingdom, results suggested that a modest increase in beta-cryptoxanthin (antioxidant found in oranges) intake, equivalent to one glass of freshly squeezed orange juice per day, is associated with a reduced risk of developing inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Kidney Stones
In a preliminary study involving nine healthy and four participants with kidney stones, it was suggested that orange juice consumption might be more effective than other citrus juices in the prevention of kidney stones. Further studies are needed to evaluate these results.

Anti Cancer
The flavonoids naringenin and hesperedin exhibit estrogenic, anticarcinogenic and antioxidative properties. Orange juice contains high amounts of these compounds, and research data suggests that these two flavonoids may be able to inhibit the development of cancer.

D-limonene is found in the essential oils of oranges and other citrus fruits, and studies have shown that d-limonene to be effective in the prevention of gastric and liver cancer.

Recent studies indicate that beta-cryptoxanthin may be a promising chemopreventive agent against lung cancer.

Glycemic Index (GI)
In a study to determine the GI of various fruits, it was concluded that oranges have a low GI of 42.

Nutrients
Oranges are an excellent source of flavonoids and vitamin C. They are a very good source of dietary fiber. They are a good source of B vi­tamins (including vitamins Bl, B2, and B6, folic acid, and pan­tothenic acid), carotenes, pectin, potassium, and folic acid.

A comprehensive breakdown of nutrients can be found in our Nutrient Database.


References:
1. The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray, Joseph Pizzorno, and Lara Pizzorno.
2. Foods to Fight Cancer by Professor Richard Beliveau and Dr Denis Gingras.
3. Benders' Dictionary of Nutrition and Food Technology.
4. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.
5. Pattison DJ, Symmons DP, Lunt M, Welch A, Bingham SA, Day NE, Silman AJ. Dietary beta-cryptoxanthin and inflammatory polyarthritis: results from a population-based prospective study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Aug;82(2):451-5. PMID: 16087992.
6. Odvina CV. Comparative value of orange juice versus lemonade in reducing stone-forming risk. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2006 Nov;1(6):1269-74. Epub 2006 Aug 30. PMID: 17699358.
7. Erlund I, Meririnne E, Alfthan G, Aro A. Plasma kinetics and urinary excretion of the flavanones naringenin and hesperetin in humans after ingestion of orange juice and grapefruit juice. J Nutr. 2001 Feb;131(2):235-41. PMID: 11160539.
8. Miller EG, Peacock JJ, Bourland TC, Taylor SE, Wright JM, Patil BS, Miller EG. Inhibition of oral carcinogenesis by citrus flavonoids. Nutr Cancer. 2008 Jan-Feb;60(1):69-74. PMID: 18444138.
9. Guyton KZ, Kensler TW. Prevention of liver cancer. Curr Oncol Rep. 2002 Nov;4(6):464-70. PMID: 12354357.
10. Lu XG, Zhan LB, Feng BA, Qu MY, Yu LH, Xie JH. Inhibition of growth and metastasis of human gastric cancer implanted in nude mice by d-limonene. World J Gastroenterol. 2004 Jul 15;10(14):2140-4. PMID: 15237454.
11. Lian F, Hu KQ, Russell RM, Wang XD. Beta-cryptoxanthin suppresses the growth of immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells and non-small-cell lung cancer cells and up-regulates retinoic acid receptor beta expression. Int J Cancer. 2006 Nov 1;119(9):2084-9. PMID: 16841329.

Benefit of Bananas to Human Health

Health Benefits of Bananas

(Source:http://bananasweb.com/bananas/Health+Benefits+of+Bananas)

Bananas consist mainly of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and fiber, which makes them ideal for an immediate and slightly prolonged source of energy

Reducing Depression
Bananas contain tryptophan, an aminoacid that can be converted to serotonin, leading to improved mood.

Anemia
Bananas are relatively high in iron, which helps the body's hemoglobin function

Constipation and Diarrhea
Due to their content in fiber, they help restore a normal bowel function. In addition, diarrhea usually depletes your body of important electrolytes (of which the most important is potassium, contained in high amounts in bananas). They also contain pectin, a soluble fiber (hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the digestive tract.

Eyesight Protection
Research published in the Archives of Ophthalmology has proven that adults consuming at least 3 servings of fruit per day have a reduced risk (by 36%) of developing age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily.

Healthy Bones
Bananas are an exceptionally rich source of fructooligosaccharide, a compound that nourishes probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon. These beneficial bacteria produce enzymes that increase our digestive ability and protect us from unhealthy bacteria infections. Thanks to fructooligosaccharides, probiotic bacteria can increase both in number and functionality, increasing our body's ability to absorb calcium.

In addition, green bananas contain indigestible short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that are very nutrient to the cells that make up the mucosa of the stomach. These cells, when healthy, absorb calcium much more efficiently

Healthy Kidney
About 190,000 cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed each year.
Research published in the International Journal of Cancer has shown that daily consumption of whole fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, is highly protective to kidney health. The results show that, over a long timeframe (13.4 years), women eating more than 2.5 servings of fruits and vegetable per day cut their risk of kidney cancer by 40%. Among the fruits, bananas were especially protective. Women eating bananas four to six times a week halved their risk of developing the disease compared to those who did not eat this fruit. The conclusion of the study is that frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, cabbage and root vegetables, may reduce risk of kidney cancer. This is because bananas and many root vegetables contain especially high amounts of antioxidant phenolic compounds, while cabbage is rich in sulfur, necessary for effective detoxification of potential carcinogens.

Blood Pressure
Bananas are extremely high in potassium (about 4673mg), yet very low in sodium (1mg), thus having a perfect ratio for preventing high blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Heartburn
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood-sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Smoking
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. They contain vitamins B6 and B12 they contain, as well as potassium and magnesium: these substances help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Ulcers
This is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicle cases. It also helps reduce acidity and reduces irritation. Bananas stimulate the cells on the internal stomach lining to produce a thicker mucus (which protects against acid). Additionally, bananas contain protease inhibitors that help eliminate bacteria in the stomach that have been pinpointed as a primary cause of ulcers.

Nerves
Bananas are high in B vitamins that have been shows to improve nerve function
Mosquito Bites
Many people report that rubbing the inside of a banana peel on a mosquito bite is very effective in reducing itching and swelling

Stress Relief
Bananas are high in potassium, which helps normalize the hearthbeat and regulate the body's water balance. During periods of high stress, our body's potassium levels tend to be rapidly depleted: eating bananas is a healthy way to rebalance them without using drugs

Stroke Risk
According to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can reduce the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%

Cancer Preventive PropertiesIn Resveratrol

Cancer Preventive Properties Identified In Resveratrol, Found In Red Wine, Red Grapes

(Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080707081848.htm)

Early laboratory research has shown that resveratrol, a common dietary supplement, suppresses the abnormal cell formation that leads to most types of breast cancer, suggesting a potential role for the agent in breast cancer prevention. Resveratrol is a natural substance found in red wine and red grapes. It is sold in extract form as a dietary supplement at most major drug stores.

Resveratrol has the ability to prevent the first step that occurs when estrogen starts the process that leads to cancer by blocking the formation of the estrogen DNA adducts. We believe that this could stop the whole progression that leads to breast cancer down the road," said Eleanor G. Rogan, Ph.D., a professor in the Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Rogan was the lead author of the report that was published in the July 2008 issue of Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

For the current study, Rogan and colleagues measured the effect of resveratrol on cellular functions known to contribute to breast cancer.

The formation of breast cancer is a multi-step process which differs depending on type of disease, a patient's genetic makeup and other factors. However, scientists know that many breast cancers are fueled by increased estrogen, which collects and reacts with DNA molecules to form adducts. Rogan and colleagues found that resveratrol was able to suppress the formation of these DNA adducts.

"This is dramatic because it was able to be done with fairly low concentrations of resveratrol to stop the formation of these DNA adducts in the cells we studied," said Rogan. Although researchers experimented with up to 100 µmol/L of resveratrol, the suppression of DNA adducts was seen with 10 µmol/L. A glass of red wine contains between 9 and 28 µmol/L of resveratrol.

The researchers also found that resveratrol suppressed the expression of CYP1B1 and the formation of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, two known risk factors for breast cancer.

Rogan said resveratrol works by inducing an enzyme called quinone reductase, which reduces the estrogen metabolite back to inactive form. By making estrogen inactive, resveratrol decreases the associated risk.

The current study was conducted in laboratory cultures, and will need to be confirmed in larger human trials, Rogan said.

Red Grapes and Cancer

Eating red grapes could cut the risk of cancer.
(Source:http://www.rediff.com/getahead/2005/mar/31grape.htm)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign researchers have claimed that eating flavanoid-rich red grapes can reduce the growth of an enzyme that triggers growth of cancer cells in the human body.

The dangerous enzyme: Human DNA topoisomerase II. It is responsible for the spread of cancer.

What are flavonoids?

They are a group of organic compounds consisting of numerous water-soluble plant pigments that give colour to plants. They are mostly found in red grapes.

More findings:

The Illinois study published in the Journal Of Agricultural And Food Chemistry enlists the names of all the freshly discovered constituents in grape-cell culture extracts.

The report also provides a detailed description of how some of these components work in tandem against human DNA topoisomerase II.

Elvira Gonzalez de Mejia, a professor in the department of food science and human nutrition, says, "The findings add to the argument for eating whole foods. It is very clear that the synergy is critical. When a cell becomes malignant, that enzyme is expressed 300 times more than in a normal cell.

"If we can find a compound or mixture of compounds that can reduce the activity of that enzyme," she adds, "the cancerous cells will die."

According to Mary Ann Lila, a professor in the department of natural resources and environmental sciences, the current study used advanced moleculer technology with grape-cell cultures and the particular enzyme to identify the anti-cancer strategies.

This also helped trace out those particular flavonoids rich in anti-cancer qualities.

"In our subsequent studies now under way in animal models," says Lila, "we are getting direct evidence that these components in grapes work synergistically in fighting cancer. They have to work together to obtain the potency that works."

According to Lila, researchers might be able to determine reasonable dosages for therapeutic consumption of flavonoid-rich grapes at the end. Supplements containing specific flavonoids probably won't result in desired benefits, because complementary components required for synergistic activity may be missing.

"Some of the compounds we identified have not been reported in cell culture and grapes," adds de Mejia, "Some have high inhibitory activity in the promotion and progression stages of cancer and have a high probability to work against the disease."

Ten Benefits of Green Tea

List of Benefits of Green Tea:

(By Rodallega on March 16th, 2008)
(Source: http://healthmad.com/alternative/10-great-benefits-of-drinking-green-tea/)

1. It is used to treat multiple sclerosis.
2. It is used for treatment and prevention of cancer.
3. It is used to stop Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
4. It is used to raise the metabolism and increase fat oxidation.
5. It reduces the risk of heart diseases and heart attacks by reducing the risk of
trombosis.
6. It reduces the risk of esophageal cancer.
7. Drinking green tea inhibits the growth of certain cancer cells, reduces the level
of cholesterol in blood, improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad
cholesterol.
8. It is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular diseases
9. It is used to treat impaired immune function. .
10.Some researches show that, drinking green tea regularly may help prevent tooth
decay by killing the bacteria which causes the dental plaque.

Health Benefits of Green Tea

What are the Health Benefits of Green Tea?

(Source: http://www.green-tea-expert.com/benefits-of-green-tea.html)

Benefits of green tea were discovered 4,000 years ago and since then has been considered a wonder drink!

Green tea acts as an antiviral agent. It contains fluoride, a mineral that helps prevents cavities and strengthens tooth enamel. A cup a day can help reduce plaque formation and bacterial infections in the mouth. It acts as an anti-inflammatory, maintains a healthy, active metabolism and circulatory system just to name a few. This proves that this drink is indeed a miracle in a cup!

Your body responds to the negative effects of free radicals by utilizing defensive antioxidant molecules present in your systems in order to detoxify these harmful effects.

This is the reason why you are being encouraged by nutritionists and other health professionals to increase the levels of antioxidants in your body. Luckily, this is easily achieved by simply adding nutritious foods in your diet such as fruits and vegetables that are naturally rich in antioxidants. The antioxidant levels of green tea is hundred times more effective than vitamin C and twenty-five times better than vitamin E in protecting our immune systems. Another great reason to drink several cups everyday.

The green tea ingredients are the ones responsible for its amazing health benefits. They are called catechins!

Catechins are considered the most effective of all antioxidants and the amounts as well as the effects are far higher compared to black tea. The fact that green tea undergoes less internal changes from fresh leaf means that it contains the largest quantity of intact catechins.

Asian population are experiencing its wonderful effects and benefits. Statistics have shown that Asians have a lower risk of acquiring diseases because of their healthy lifestyle.

One of the health benefits of green tea is it's potential to act as a protective agent against premature death from heart disease and cancer.

Drinking this tea is said to lower the levels of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, thereby reducing platelet aggregation, and helping keep blood pressure in check.



Other health benefits of green tea are the following:


• fights against cancer

• helps stabilize diabetes

• prevents cardiovascular disease

• it keeps your skin acne-free, making it healthier and prettier

• assists in weight loss regimen

• slows the aging process

• aids your digestion

• encourages bowel regularity

• provides you with a mild stimulating effect without causing sleepless nights or nervousness especially during pregnancy





You can do a lot of things with this wonder drink. Did you also know that the health benefits of green tea are not only confined to drinking but you can also medicate with it? What else does it do? You can even cook with green tea or use the leftover liquor to water your plants, and keep your cat's litter box fresh and pleasant smelling.

These powerful benefits cannot be compared to any other substance in the world without a single side effect.

Supplements and herbs that may be beneficial in combating TB

Supplements and herbs that may be beneficial in combating TB:

(Source:http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/tuberculosis.htm)

The body needs to be strengthened through nutritional supplements-so that it can regain strength and fight the illness effectively-some of these supplements will boost the immune system and help deal with the disease. The friendly bacteria known as the Lactobacillus acidophilus and other similar cultures must be supplemented in regular amounts so as to increase and maintain the intestinal flora and prevent the disease from spreading to the gastrointestinal tract. The use of antibiotics for a long period of time disrupts the populations of the natural bacteria in the gut and the supplements of the acidophilus will help replenish the natural bacterial populations in the intestines. Supplements of the vitamin C are also necessary to support the body's fight against bacteria and other symptoms. Strength and energy levels in the body can be maintained by regular supplements of the B vitamins-supplements of such vitamins keep the body at optimal performance and help the immune system deal with disease and other physical symptoms. The prolonged treatment with antibiotics can result in certain liver problems; this can be rectified with vitamin B6 supplements carried out on a regular basis. Weakened mucus membranes due to constant coughing can be strengthened by supplement - the vitamin A along with a natural compound known as beta-carotene. For full and complete recovery, all the supplements must be taken continuously till the body is completely free of the disease.

Many tuberculosis patients show a total absence of silica in the bones over a period of time. The formation of scar tissues is prevented by silica-this mineral also increases the resistance of the person to diseases of many kinds. For adequate silica supplies in the diet, take a single tbsp. of the herbal horsetail juice every day-this herb is very rich in its silica content, alternately you can also take a vegetal silica aqueous extract powder, dosage can be about three to four capsules along with the daily meals thrice every day. The herbal nettle juice taken in a raw form is a rich source for the mineral calcium. This herbal remedy can be taken in the diet, for example, use some new nettle shoots, finely chop them up and sprinkle them on soups and salads, you can also sauté them with some onions for variety and eat these along with the meals. The herb can be rendered more appetizing by mixing the nettle juice with some carrot juice. Dosage of this herbal juice mix can be a tbsp. daily with the meals. A herbal tea can be prepared using one portion each of herbs such as the mullein, the bugleweed, the knotgrass and the sage, about three parts each of herbs such as the chamomile and the horsetail can also be added to help relieve the coughing which is often persistent in TB patients. Prepare this tea by suing about three cups of boiling water to steep a tsp. of the herb mix and daily drink three to four cups of this tea. Intestinal health is promoted by garlic, which is an excellent antibacterial agent-it can be used in the long term to provide relief from many of the symptoms of the disease. Use about three capsules thrice a day. The resistance of the body to infection can be increased by taking some natural antibiotics such as the horseradish, the watercress and the juice of the nasturtium herb. Dosage of these herbs can be a tbsp. of herbal juice daily; alternately you can add some pesticide-free watercress and nasturtiums to a freshly prepared garden salad-all these natural remedies are without side effects.

What else you can do
Tuberculosis can be successfully healed by exposure to lots of fresh air, to adequate sunshine, and to regular participation in physical exercises along with deep breathing techniques. It is important to keep the bedroom of the patient well ventilated and cool with a flow of air at all times of the day and night. It is ideal for all TB patients to spend an extended period of time in the cool and fresh mountain air-a good environment is very important in recovery from TB. Patients should avoid staying for long periods of time in stuffy and air-conditioned rooms. To avoid spreading the germs of tuberculosis around the home, whenever coughing, use a tissue held up to the face-cover the mouth and nose with this when you cough.

Usual dosage
Garlic, three capsules thrice a day.
Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg every few hours, up to 5,000-10,000 mg a day up to bowel tolerance.
Vitamin B6, 50-100 mg.
Vitamin B complex, 100 mg thrice a day.
Vitamin A, 25,000 IU (should be avoided during pregnancy) or beta-carotene, 50,000 IU.
Copper, 4 mg.
Zinc, 50 mg or more.
Selenium, 600 mcg.
Calcium, 1,000 mg, with 500 mg magnesium.
Pycnogenols like grape seed extract, pine bark extract and quercetin, bilberry, catechin, hesperidin, 300 mg or more.
Lactobacillus acidophilus, three capsules or one tsp.
Parathyroid glandular extract, one to two capsules.
Halibut liver or cod oil, three to six capsules, for vitamin D.
Coenzyme Q10, 100 mg thrice a day.
Green food supplements, one tbsp.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis

(Source: http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/tuberculosis.htm)
A chronic or acute infection in the lungs caused by a bacterium is known as tuberculosis or TB-it is one of the most common diseases in the world. The species of bacteria known as mycobacterium tuberculae causes tuberculosis, untreated and long term infection results in the death of the affected individual. Early symptoms and the first signs of tuberculosis are easy to miss and overlook, there is great danger in this as the physical symptoms gradually become obvious and apparent only after the illness has developed to such an extent-that X-ray pictures can easily show obstructions in the lungs. Normally physical symptoms include the presence of a subtle fever, physical malaise and a sudden weight loss in the person. TB patients are affected by the production of large amounts of mucus in the lungs, gradually coughing begins with the production of scanty sputum that which appears green, and has a pus-like consistency-later on, the mucus begins to obstruct respiration and full scale TB results. The presence of a bloody cough, constant pain in the walls of the chest and a shortness of breath are the usual and most obvious signs of tuberculosis.

The initial stage of bacterial infection normally begins in the lower-middle part of the lungs, over time this infection spreads out via the lymphatic system to other organs in the body of the person. A small area of inflammation develops in the lungs in about 4 to 10 weeks of continuous illness. At this juncture, a small bacterial growth begins to affect the capacity of the immune system-it begins to weaken as a result of this problem. Unless the disease is quickly arrested at this stage of the disease, the immune system is incapable of ridding the body of the infection, which now lies dormant for some time to come. The real active form of TB will affect about 10% of the infected people, within 1 to 2 years from initial date of infection. While the infection remains in a dormant state in about 90% of the cases, it is capable of reactivating itself and affecting the person in other cases. An X-ray of the chest remains the best way to determine TB infection, other methods of detection are via a culture which may need up to two months to grow, other tests include an acid fast sputum stain or a TB skin test-any method is capable of confirming TB infection in an individual.

Surviving TB was a very hard thing to do less than a 100 years ago when medical facilities were minimal at best, the TB infection causes fast destruction of pulmonary tissues and survivors spent many months in recovery from damage to the lungs. TB is now well controlled and regulated with the recent improvements in health and with the use of effective antibiotic treatment methods-it is not a fearful and devastating disease it was once considered. For example, the disease is now not very prevalent in the continent of North America, here tuberculosis tends to affect people living in unsanitary conditions and even then it affects only individuals with very poor immune systems. The highest risk of contracting TB is in people who are affected by the HIV virus-the elderly also remain prone to the disease. As treatment methodologies have improved, it has been observed that entirely new strains of the tuberculosis causing bacteria have emerged-these bacteria are resistant to many of the antibiotics used previously in treating TB-this has created a vital necessity for developing or finding natural alternatives in addition to the traditional medications used in therapy for the full treatment of TB.

While the most common area of the body that tuberculosis can attack is the lungs-the disease can affect any number of the other organs and it can also mimic a variety of diseases before it is identified. Pulmonary TB is the main disease that is dreaded around the world. Physical symptoms of TB include the presence of persistent coughing, an abnormal physical fatigue, the presence of night sweats, and recurring fevers, the person is also affected by a general poor appetite and weight loss-these symptoms may not necessarily affect the person at one and the same time. These physical symptoms may indicate different illnesses as well; if they are present then the chances of TB should never be ruled out. The later stages of TB are characterized by coughing up of mucus with traces of blood and a persistent difficulty in breathing as the lungs fill up with mucus. The bones and the kidneys and the lymph nodes are also other common sites for tuberculosis to affect a person.

Incidences of tuberculosis is a resurgent force in North America, this can be attributed to the increasing environmental pollution, coupled with the physical stresses of big city life and poor health care, the excessive utilization of certain medications such as the corticosteroids and drug and alcohol abuse.

As a condition, tuberculosis is known to be a highly infectious illness and spreads very quickly from one person to another. Mode of transmission in the majority of TB cases that occur in North America is thought to be via tiny droplets of tuberculosis bacteria that are coughed into the air TB patients-the germ is carried into the air and when breathed in by other individuals-it lies dormant and bring on symptoms some time later. The mode of transmission of TB in the past was through contaminated milk, this changed when all milk was pasteurized in North America some time ago-contaminated milk is not longer the mode of transmission in the modern world. The majority of people subjected to infection from tuberculosis bacteria will never come down with the disease, their strong immune systems will keep the bacteria in an inactive or dormant state permanently and the disease has no chance of affecting them-in fact most people, carry the germ but never become affected by the disease. In others, decades may pass before illness strikes later in life; this is because by this time their immune system has weakened considerably. The vaccination against TB is not without its particular problems even though such vaccines exist today. The year long use of an antibiotic medication is involved in the conventional TB treatments-the use of such drugs in some cases may go for longer time periods. The combined use of many natural therapies in conjunction with conventional medical treatments is effective in treatment of TB.