Throughout life, toxins, chemicals, viruses, bacteria and other potentially damaging triggers bombard the body. Inflammation is the body’s natural way of protecting itself from harm and is part of the body’s healthy immune response. The inflammatory response involves many biochemical reactions that help fight off infections, increase blood flow to wounds or tissues that need healing, and generate pain as a signal that something is wrong in the body.

Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation

It’s important to understand the difference between two types of inflammatory responses in the body: acute and chronic inflammation. Acute inflammation is the body’s immediate response to injury, physical trauma, infections, and disease. Acute inflammation helps the body heal and recover from injury or infection.  Like with any process in the body, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Sometimes inflammation takes the upper hand and it won’t stop. When inflammation continues chronically it causes problems in the body—a continual secretion of pro-inflammatory chemicals that attack healthy cells, blood vessels and tissues.

Chronic Inflammation Causes Chronic Health Problems

Inflammation is often compared to fire. The right amount of fire in the body helps keep us warm, stay healthy and protected. But if the fire gets out of control and continues to burn relentlessly it can be destructive and cause long-term damage.  We now know that low-grade chronic inflammation can keep the body’s tissues from properly repairing from normal wear-and-tear, and also chronic inflammation can begin to destroy healthy cells in arteries, organs, joints and other parts of the body. Chronic inflammation contributes to many chronic health problems and can itself become a disease.

Effects of Chronic Inflammation on the Body

Chronic inflammation generates a wide range of symptoms in the body that may not be that obvious at first but can slowly build up to have a severe impact such as with:

• Frequent body aches and pains
• Chronic stiffness
• Loss of joint function
• Recurrent swelling
• Intermittent infections
• Continual nasal/upper respiratory congestion
• Persistent indigestion
• Regular bouts of diarrhea
• Unrelenting skin outbreaks

Autoimmune Diseases Linked with Chronic Inflammation

Over time, chronic inflammation and the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals in the body is like a slow deadly poison. Chronic inflammation has been studied extensively and there are a number of medical conditions that are linked with excessive inflammation. Arthritis is one of the major health conditions, with joint diseases affecting approximately 350 million people worldwide and nearly 43 million people in the United States or almost 20% of the population. Chronic inflammation will affect more than 60 million people in the US by 2020.

Chronic Autoimmune Diseases Linked with Too Much Inflammation

Some of the other diseases linked with too much inflammation include:

• Allergies
• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive lung diseases
• Congestive heart failure and other heart diseases
• Anemia
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Cancer
• Obesity
• Diabetes mellitus
• Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases
• Fibromyalgia
• Kidney failure
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosis
• Psoriasis
• Chronic pain
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s and Graves’)

Chronic Disease Ranked Greatest Threat to Human Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks chronic disease as the greatest threat to human health. In recent estimates by the Rand Corporation in 2014, nearly 60% of Americans had at least one chronic condition, 42% had more than one and 12% of adults had 5 or more chronic conditions. Worldwide, 3 of 5 people die due to chronic inflammatory diseases such as stroke, chronic respiratory diseases, heart disorders, cancer, obesity, and diabetes. Diseases associated with chronic inflammation will become more prevalent and increase persistently for the next 30 years.

Risk Factors Associated with Chronic Inflammation

The major risk factors associated with chronic inflammation include:

• Age: Aging increases inflammatory molecules in the body.
• Obesity: Many studies report that body mass index (BMI) impacts pro- inflammatory molecules secreted in the body.
• Diet: Diet rich in saturated fat, trans fats, or refined sugars can increase pro-inflammatory molecules in the body.
• Sleep Disorders: Stress can also cause sleep disorders. Individuals with insufficient and irregular sleep are more likely to have chronic inflammation.
• Smoking: Cigarette smoking can lower production of anti-inflammatory molecules and inducing inflammation.
• Stress: Both physical and emotional stress impacts inflammatory cytokine release in the body.

How to Know if You Have Too Much Inflammation

Unfortunately, there are no reliably valid laboratory measures to assess chronic inflammation levels in the body.  Diagnosis of specific medical condition with chronic inflammation leads to further assessment. There is intense research underway to identify “inflammatory markers” of a broad spectrum of diseases.

The best test to confirm clinically chronic inflammation is serum protein electrophoresis (SPE). Another blood test that is inexpensive and is a marker of systemic inflammation in the body is the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). High levels of hs-CRP indicate inflammation, but it is not a specific marker for chronic inflammation since it is also elevated in acute inflammation resulting from injury or sickness. It’s important to monitor your symptoms that could be related to chronic inflammation and seek medical help if they become annoying, get progressively worse, or even become seemingly out of control. It’s best to intervene quickly to subdue inflammation and get it under control before it causes long term permanent damage in the body.

Conventional Prescription Treatments for Chronic Inflammation

Prescription Treatments

Since chronic inflammation affects specific areas of the body and may be associated with a wide variety of specific diseases, treatment approaches vary considerably.  For decades, physicians relied on corticosteroids (e.g. Prednisone) to suppress immune response as a first option to bring inflammation down. While they are an important and effective option, corticosteroids come with serious side effects that can be permanent and even carry some risk for death (e.g. from severe infection). (Corticosteroids are called “catabolic” steroids because they can break down muscle mass with chronic use. In contrast, “anabolic” steroids, which are not anti-inflammatory, build up muscle mass, and are the steroids that have been abused by body builders and professional athletes, and carry major side effects, such as bipolar disorder and rage attacks.)

In the past twenty years there are new classes of targeted therapies for chronic inflammation. Unfortunately, many of these newer therapies are broad immunosuppressive treatments that come with serious side effects, such as lowering the body’s natural immune response and the body’s ability to fight off infection.

Statins are cholesterol-lowering medications that help reduce inflammation in the management of cardiovascular disease.

Conventional Non-Prescription Treatments for Chronic Inflammation

Non-Prescription Treatments

Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) can help alleviate the pain caused by inflammation. Examples of these NSAIDs include ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen. Long term use of NSAIDS comes with serious side effects. It’s important to avoid long term use of NSAIDs unless advised by a doctor due to severe, and potentially life-threatening side effects caused by kidney damage, liver damage, and risk of having a stroke or heart attack.

Supplements

Herbal supplements such as turmeric, which is part of the ginger family has been shown to have potent anti-inflammatory properties.

Lifestyle Choices to Manage Inflammation

Research points more and more to inflammation as an underlying factor in many diseases and chronic conditions. There are many chronic inflammatory disorders with as yet no cure. Chronic inflammatory patients are at greater risk of developing another inflammatory related condition. Inflammation is a key underlying factor in almost all chronic degenerative diseases. It’s important to control inflammatory trigger factors and modify lifestyle choices to best manage inflammation-based chronic conditions or diseases. Since aging is a risk factor, manage inflammation effectively over the long term in order to optimally manage your health as you age.

Follow Anti-Inflammatory Lifestyle Model

A simple model to follow is the Anti-Inflammatory Lifestyle. Similar to ancient Ayurvedic medicine, this approach focuses on healing the body, mind, heart and spirit as a whole, and not just treating inflammatory flare-ups with short term therapies that treat symptoms. It’s a long-term approach that takes a sustained commitment. But by making gradual changes people can gain more capacity and confidence to then keep making changes over the long haul, which continue to improve their health and overall well-being.

Listed below are the key Anti-Inflammatory Lifestyle choices that have been identified as the most effective ways to manage or prevent chronic inflammation:

Increase Intake of Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Increase the intake of anti-inflammatory foods: Consuming whole grains, natural (i.e. non-processed) foods, including plenty of brightly colored vegetables and fruits such as avocados, cherries, kale, and fatty fish like salmon is helpful in managing inflammation. Avoid eating simple sugars, refined carbohydrates, high glycemic foods, trans fats and hydrogenated oils. Decrease foods or ingredients that may trigger intolerance in some people such as alcohol or artificial flavors and colors, artificial sweeteners. Increase consuming a diet rich in these 4 types of anti-inflammatory foods:

1. Fish and Fatty Acids

Fish and Fatty Acids: Omega-3s are some of the most anti-inflammatory substances. In fact, research reveals that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and may help lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and arthritis. Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and tuna all have great sources of omega-3s. And if you don’t love fish, then olive oil and walnuts provide a hefty value of omega-3s as well.

2. Whole Grains and Fibrous Vegetables

Whole Grains and Fibrous Vegetables:  Foods high in fiber found in whole grains and many vegetables help decrease inflammation. Eat a high fiber diet to decrease inflammation in the body.   Whole foods rich in fiber contain phytochemicals that have anti-inflammatory effects. Fiber encourages the good bacteria in the intestines that positively affect inflammatory pathways

3. Dark Green Vegetables

Dark Green Vegetables: In addition to being fiber-rich, dark green vegetables like spinach, swiss chard, kale, and broccoli are all rich in vitamin E. They protect the body against cytokines – proinflammatory molecules. And dark green vegetables are much more effective than lighter vegetables because they have higher concentrations of disease-fighting flavonoids.

4. Colorful Fruits and Vegetables

Colorful Fruits and Vegetables: Colorful fruits and vegetables like beets, berries, and tart cherries all have very high counts of antioxidants. Antioxidants are crucial to reducing inflammation because they help fight the oxidation of cells. Berries are especially great anti-inflammatories because they have antioxidant flavonoids that give berries their rich color.

Minimize Intake of Antibiotics and NSAIDS

Minimize intake of antibiotics and NSAIDS: Avoid long term use of antibiotics, antacids, and NSAIDs unless advised by a doctor, as they could harm the microbiome in the gut causing inflammation in the intestinal wall known as leaky gut which in turn releases toxins and triggers resulting in chronic body-wide inflammation. Long-term use of NSAIDs may also cause kidney damage and increase the risk of having a stroke or heart attack or stroke.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise regularly to maintain an optimum weight: It is largely known that adipose tissue in obese or overweight individuals induces low-grade systemic inflammation in the body. Regular exercise is helpful not only in controlling weight but also in decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and strengthening the heart, muscles and bones. Creating your own regular routine of physical activity can prevent systemic inflammation from building up and can help keep it getting out of control or returning.

Sleep 7 to 8 Hours

Sleep longer: Overnight sleep ideally 7 to 8 hours helps in stimulating Human Growth Hormone (HGH) that promotes the body to rebuild itself. Aim for at least 7 hours per night. The goal is to feel well-rested upon arising in the morning.

Lessen Stress

Lessen stress: Chronic psychological and physiological stress is linked to greater risk for depression, heart disease and for body losing its ability to regulate the inflammatory response and its normal defense system. Yoga and meditation, with deep breathing is helpful in alleviating stress-induced inflammation and its harmful effects on the body. Take time for yourself every day. Find your own best way to reduce stress and feel more relaxed with an enhanced sense of well-being.

Don’t Smoke

Don’t smoke: Smoking cigarettes induces inflammation in the body. Just don’t smoke period. There are a number of effective smoking cessation programs.

 Make Anti-Inflammatory Lifestyle Choices to Heal and Live Well

For most of us, keeping inflammation in check comes down to common sense basics: eat well, don’ smoke, get moving, get more sleep and rest, and see your health care practitioners for regular physicals which could help you stop chronic inflammation before it becomes rampant. Making anti-inflammatory lifestyle choices is the best way to help prevent an inflammation “fire” from getting out of control in your body in the first place. An active lifestyle fueled by fresh, anti-inflammatory foods can set you up for freedom from debilitating inflammation- based chronic health conditions. And what is most important is that you feel happy and empowered and motivated to keep it up so you can live well with zest!

I hope you try some or many of these anti-inflammatory lifestyle tips and see what works for you! What helps one person may not be that effective to another person, so pay attention to your anti-inflammatory lifestyle changes and monitor any symptoms and stick with what works best for you!

Enjoy and live Well with Zest!

Bev xo

Written By Bev Hope

Reviewed by Board Certified MD

The post How to Manage Chronic Inflammation appeared first on Well with Zest.

Graves’ Disease is one of those hidden diseases. Which means that all the information found in scientific articles still doesn’t convey what is really going on inside the person who has it. In fact, Graves’ Disease is so hidden it’s hard for even the experts to diagnose it. Even worse is that empathy from friends and family is illusive because the disease is so invisible to everybody. Therefore, how do people with Graves’ Disease ever feel understood?  That’s the problem. Unfortunately, and sadly, it’s not so easy.

Walk Around in My Skin

I’ve been marketing healthcare products to patients and doctors for over 25 years. My holy grail has always been to understand my patients as if I were the patient myself. My mission has always started with this powerful quote: “The only way you ever understand a person is to climb in their skin and walk around in it” from Harper Lee’s classic novel “To Kill A Mockingbird”.

Power of Letters in Building Empathy

So, if you really want to understand someone, how do climb in their skin? One easy way is to start a simple technique like writing letters. Have you ever received a letter from your disease telling you what it’s doing to your body? Ironically, I received this letter after I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease. The bugger knew that I knew and decided to announce itself. Graves’ disease jumped out of my computer as soon as I started searching around in Google. It was too creepy. It felt like it was in my mind and in my skin!

After over 25 years in marketing, I know the power of letters in building understanding and empathy. So, I’d like to share this letter I received from Graves’ Disease when I was first diagnosed.  Read on. Climb in my skin and walk around in it if you want to have an inkling about what Graves’ Disease is really like.

“A Letter to Me from Graves’ Disease”

• Hi. My name is Graves, and I’m an invisible autoimmune chronic disease that attacks your thyroid gland.
• I am now Velcro…ed to you for life.
• Others around you can’t see me or hear me, but YOUR body feels me.
• I can attack you anywhere and anyhow I please.
• I can cause severe pain or, if I’m in a good mood, I can just cause you to ache all over.
• Remember when you and energy ran around together and had fun?
• I took energy from you and gave you exhaustion. Try to have fun now!
• Love sleep? I can take good sleep from you and in its place, give you brain fog and lack of concentration.
• Want sleep? I can make you want to sleep 24/7, and I can also cause insomnia.
• I can make you tremble internally or make you feel cold or hot when everyone else feels normal.
• Feeling puffy? I can also give you swollen hands and feet, swollen face and eyelids, swollen everything!
• Oh, yeah, I can make you feel very anxious or very depressed, too. I can also cause other mental health problems.
• Those clumps of hair? That’s me! I can make your hair fall out, become dry and brittle, cause acne, cause dry skin, the sky is the limit with me!
• Frustrated with your scale? Me again. I can make you gain weight and no matter what you eat or how much you exercise. Trying to lose weight but scale won’t budge? That’s me again keeping that weight on you. But I can also make you lose weight. I don’t discriminate.
• Some of my other autoimmune disease friends often join me, giving you even more to deal with.
• If you have something planned, or are looking forward to a great day, I can take that away from you. You didn’t ask for me. I chose you for various reasons:
• That virus or viruses you had that you never really recovered from, or that car accident, or maybe it was the years of abuse and trauma (I thrive on stress.) Maybe you have a family history of me. Whatever the cause, I’m here to stay.
• I hear you’re going to see a doctor to try and get rid of me. That makes me laugh! Just try. You will have to go to many, many doctors until you find one who can help you effectively.
• You will be put on the wrong thyroid meds for you, pain pills, sleeping pills, energy pills, told you are suffering from anxiety or depression, given anti-anxiety pills and antidepressants.
• There are so many other ways I can make you sick and miserable, the list is endless – that high cholesterol, gall bladder issue, blood pressure issue, blood sugar issue, heart issue among others? That’s probably me.
• Can’t get pregnant, or have had a miscarriage?
• That’s probably me too.
• Teeth and gum problems? TMJ? I told you the list was endless.
• You may be given a TENs unit, get massaged, told if you just sleep and exercise properly, I will go away.
• You’ll be told to think positively, you’ll be poked, prodded, and MOST OF ALL, not taken seriously when you try to explain to the doctor how debilitating I am and how sick you really feel. In all probability you will get a referral from the ‘understanding’ (clueless) doctor, to see a psychiatrist.
• Your family, friends and co-workers will all listen to you until they just get tired of hearing about how I make you feel, and just how debilitating I can be.
• Some of them will say things like “Oh, you are just having a bad day” or “Well, remember, you can’t do the things you use to do 20 YEARS ago”, not hearing that you said 20 DAYS ago.
• Some will start talking behind your back, they’ll call you a hypochondriac, while you slowly feel that you are losing your dignity trying to make them understand, especially when you are in the middle of a conversation with a “normal” person and can’t remember what you were going to say next. You’ll be told things like, “Oh, my grandmother had that, and she’s fine on her thyroid pill” when you desperately want to explain that I don’t impose myself upon everyone in the exact same way, and just because that grandmother is fine on the medication SHE’S taking, doesn’t mean it will work for you.
• I’ve been trying to keep this next part quiet, but since you’re reading this you already know.
• The only place you will get the kind of support and understanding in dealing with me, is with other people that have me. They are really the only ones who can truly understand.

I Am Graves’ Disease.

(author unknown)

Try Writing a “Dear Graves’ Disease” Goodbye Letter

After reading this letter, I hope you’ll write your own letter to Graves’ Disease telling it to move out! Tell Graves’ Disease about all the help you are getting from other people with Graves’ Disease who truly understand you. Tell it you’ll use every proven Life Hack you’ve learned to put Graves’ Disease in its place: In Remission. Remember the power of letters. Keep writing. It will help.

Live Well with Zest,

Bev xo

Written by Bev Hope

The post My “Dear Graves’ Disease” Goodbye Letter appeared first on Well with Zest.

Turmeric is on top of the list of the most frequently mentioned super spice medicinal herbs in all of science. People in India and China have used turmeric for thousands of years in their cooking and for health benefits. The more I’ve learned about its powerful health benefits, the more I keep adding turmeric to my anti-inflammatory recipes and the more I keep up with my daily turmeric supplement. If you are managing a chronic health condition, turmeric can really help.  Here’s what I’ve learned about nature’s super spice and what I’d like you to know. 

What is Turmeric?

Turmeric is a potent natural ingredient that comes from the beautiful flowering Curcuma longa plant, which grows in India and other Southeast Asian countries. It is a member of the ginger family. Turmeric is derived from the underground stems of the plant. The dried root of the Curcuma longa plant is ground into the distinctive yellow turmeric powder you find in the spice section of your grocery store. Turmeric root or ground turmeric power, the main ingredient of curry powder, is commonly used in Asian cuisine and as a dietary supplement or an herbal medicine.

What Does Turmeric Do?

What turmeric does for the body is beyond amazing! This brilliant yellow golden spice helps support the entire body, from head to toe. It may be the most powerful herb on the planet as far as supporting optimal health, fighting disease and potentially reversing disease. Turmeric is considered an adaptogen – a botanical that supports your body’s ability to adapt to stress from any source. Adaptogens are valued for their contribution to energy, stamina, endurance, strength, and mental clarity. On a cellular level, turmeric assists cells by helping to neutralize substances that can cause stress.

How Does Turmeric Help?

There are many chemical compounds found in turmeric, known as curcuminoids. The active substance in turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin is what makes turmeric a “functional food”, ” defined by the Mayo Clinic as “foods that have a potentially positive effect on health beyond basic nutrition.” Curcumin makes up only between 2 and 6 percent of turmeric. Whole turmeric root contains both the potent curcuminoids in curcumin plus many naturally occurring bioflavonoids found in the turmeric root. These potent chemical compounds naturally occurring in turmeric target your entire body, not just one or two parts, making the health benefits of turmeric exceptional and far reaching. 

What Are the Health Benefits of Turmeric?

Turmeric is one of nature’s most potent botanical medicines. Turmeric can help your skin glow, boost your mood, combat inflammation, regulate your cholesterol, promote cellular health and much more*! Over 12,500 peer reviewed articles show the diverse health benefits of this potent botanical ingredient. Turmeric helps support the entire body including:

• Healthy inflammatory response*
• Digestive health*
• Mood balance*
• Brain health and memory*
• Heart health*
• Diabetes and insulin resistance*
• Joint health, flexibility and mobility*
• Exercise and pain perception
• Healthy immune response*
• Cellular health*
• Colon and gut health*
• Skin health*
• Prostate and breast health*
• Lung health*
• Liver health* 

What Do the Turmeric Research Studies Show?  

Anti-Inflammatory / Immune System Response

Vast studies show that the high anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in turmeric help support a healthy inflammatory response.

1. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory property of curcumin (diferuloyl methane) in patients with postoperative inflammation.
2. Curcumin, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, induces heme oxygenase-1 and protects endothelial cells against oxidative stress
3. Anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, a major constituent of Curcuma longa: A Review of Preclinical and Clinical Research
4. Safety and anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin: a component of turmeric (Curcuma longa)
5. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin
6. Curcumin, Inflammation and Chronic Diseases: How Are They Linked?
7. Regulation of LOX and COX by curcumin
8. Immunomodulation by curcumin
9. “Spicing up” of the immune system by curcumin. 

Antioxidant Activity/Anti-Aging

Research shows the antioxidants found in turmeric curcumin promote cellular health by reducing free radicals and oxidative stress. Turmeric helps fight free radicals that can attack healthy cells, leaving them permanently damaged.

1. Chemo preventive effect of curcumin, a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agent, during the promotion/progression stages of colon cancer
2. Role of phenolic OH and methylene hydrogen on the free radical reactions and antioxidant activity of curcumin
3. Curcumin induces glutathione biosynthesis and inhibits NF-κB activation and interleukin-8 release in alveolar epithelial cells: mechanism of free radical scavenging …
4. Free radical scavenging ability and antioxidant efficiency of curcumin and its substituted analogue
5. Antioxidant and radical scavenging properties of curcumin
6. The promise of slow down ageing may come from curcumin. 
7. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin

Brain Function and Memory

Studies show that the anti-inflammatory antioxidants found in turmeric curcumin help support brain health and cognitive function. With curcumin’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, these health-promoting properties benefit all cells in the body, including the brain. 

1. Effect of curcumin on brain insulin receptors and memory functions in STZ (ICV) induced dementia model of rat
2. Brain foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function
3. Dietary curcumin counteracts the outcome of traumatic brain injury on oxidative stress, synaptic plasticity, and cognition
4. Plants used in Chinese and Indian traditional medicine for improvement of memory and cognitive function
5. Neuroprotective effects of curcumin
6. Antidepressant-like effects of curcumin in WKY rat model of depression is associated with an increase in hippocampal BDNF
7. Curcumin reverses the effects of chronic stress on behavior, the HPA axis, BDNF expression and phosphorylation of CREB

Cancer

Research studies also suggest that curcumin may help protect against cancer and be useful in cancer treatments.

1. Curcumin-free turmeric exhibits anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities: Identification of novel components of turmeric.
2. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin
3. Anticancer potential of curcumin: preclinical and clinical studies

Cardiovascular Health

Studies show that the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin help support cardiovascular health.

1. Biomarkers of aging and age-associated disease. Curcumin supplementation improves vascular endothelial function in middle aged and older adults
2. Curcumin supplementation improves vascular endothelial function in healthy middle-aged and older adults by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability and reducing oxidative stress
3. The protective role of curcumin in cardiovascular diseases
4. Curcumin ingestion and exercise training improve vascular endothelial function in postmenopausal women
5. Effects of curcuminoids on frequency of acute myocardial infarction after coronary artery bypass grafting
6. Curcumin Inhibits Acute Vascular Inflammation through the Activation of Heme Oxygenase-1.

Diabetes/Metabolic Health

Research studies show that the potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may play a beneficial role in diabetes management and metabolic health. 

1. The beneficial role of curcumin on inflammation, diabetes and neurodegenerative disease: A recent update
2. Curcumin extract for prevention of type 2 diabetes
3. Targeting inflammation-induced obesity and metabolic diseases by curcumin and other nutraceuticals
4. Curcumin activates AMPK and suppresses gluconeogenic gene expression in hepatoma cells.

Digestive Health

Studies show that turmeric curcumin helps support healthy digestion and a healthy digestive system. Turmeric possesses a wide range of biological properties that support digestive health, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial activities. 

1. Curcumin therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: a pilot study
2. Curcumin and inflammatory bowel disease: biological mechanisms and clinical implication.
3. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): a review of conventional and alternative treatments.
4. Effects of curcumin on reflux esophagitis in rats
5. Therapeutic potential of curcumin in digestive diseases.
6. The plant kingdom as a source of anti-ulcer remedies
7. Curcumin inhibits gastric inflammation induced by helicobacter pylori infection in a mouse model
8. Therapeutic potential of curcumin in gastrointestinal diseases
9. Curcumin maintenance therapy for Ulcerative Colitis: randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Exercise

Many factors can cause an excess of oxidative stress, including physical activity. As a powerful antioxidant, studies have shown that turmeric curcumin can aid in post-exercise recovery.

1. Curcumin ingestion and exercise training improve vascular endothelial function in postmenopausal women.
2. Effects of curcumin supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress in humans. 
3. Curcumin effects on inflammation and performance recovery following eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage.
4. Curcumin attenuates oxidative stress following downhill running-induced muscle damage. 

Joint Health

Research shows turmeric curcumin benefits joint health with its potent antioxidant properties. Turmeric curcumin provides the body a concentrated dose of antioxidants that is not only beneficial for joint health, but also for maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle. 

1. Curcumin inhibits pro-inflammatory mediators and metalloproteinase-3 production by chondrocytes  
2. Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin for Alleviating the Symptoms of Joint Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
3. Curcumin: a new paradigm and therapeutic opportunity for the treatment of osteoarthritis: curcumin for osteoarthritis management.
4. Regulation of LOX and COX by curcumin
5. Curcumin: a new paradigm and therapeutic opportunity for the treatment of osteoarthritis: curcumin for osteoarthritis management
6. Efficacy of turmeric (curcumin) in pain and postoperative fatigue after laparoscopic cholecystectomy
7. Curcumin reduces prostaglandin E2, matrix metalloproteinase-3 and proteoglycan release in the secretome of interleukin 1β-treated articular cartilage

Liver Function

Research shows turmeric curcumin supports liver function. The liver’s main job is to filter out toxins found in your body.  As a rich source of antioxidants, turmeric helps maintain the liver’s natural antioxidant levels, so it can function at its best.

1. Potential protective effects of quercetin and curcumin on paracetamol-induced histological changes, oxidative stress, impaired liver and kidney functions and haematotoxicity in rat…
2. Curcumin prevents alcohol-induced liver disease in rats by inhibiting the expression of NF-κB-dependent genes
3. Protection of liver cells from ethanol cytotoxicity by curcumin in liver slice culture in vitro
4. Pharmacological actions of curcumin in liver diseases or damage

Lung Health

Research shows that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidants found in turmeric curcumin can help support lung health.

1. Protection from acute and chronic lung diseases by curcumin
2. Curcumin induces glutathione biosynthesis and inhibits NF-kappaB activating and interleukin-8 release in aveolar epithelial cells: mechanism of free radical scavenging activity 

Mood Balance

Studies show the mechanism-based actions of curcumin can help support mood balance.

1. Efficacy and safety of curcumin in major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial.
2. Antidepressant activity of curcumin: involvement of serotonin and dopamine system
3. Potentials of Curcumin as an Antidepressant
4. Investigation of the effects of solid lipid curcumin on cognition and mood in a healthy older population 

Skin Health

Turmeric benefits include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that have proven effective in treating multiple skin conditions such as psoriasis, acne, and wound healing.

1. Beneficial Role of Curcumin in Skin Diseases
2. Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: A systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence
3. Efficiency and safety of a Curcuma extract combined with visible blue light phototherapy on adults with plaque psoriasis: A phase IV, randomized, open pilot clinical trial
4. Effects of Curcuma extract and visible light on adults with plaque psoriasis
5. Inhibitory effect of the extract of rhizome of Curcuma longa L in gelatinase activity and its effect on human skin
6. Essential oil from waste leaves of Curcuma longa L. alleviates skin inflammation
7. Topical Turmeric Micro Microemulgel in the Management of Plaque Psoriasis; A Clinical Evaluation
8. Turmeric tonic as a treatment in scalp psoriasis: A randomized placebo-control clinical trial. 

Turmeric and Curcumin for Health and Disease Prevention

Studies show that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidants found in turmeric curcumin have wide-reaching health benefits to potentially treat and prevent disease.

1. Turmeric Root Extract and Highly Bioavailable Curcumin Taken Together are Synergistic
2. The Molecular Targets and Therapeutic Uses of Curcumin in Health and Disease
3. Curcumin the Indian Solid Gold
4. Role of Curcumin in Disease Prevention and Treatment

Turmeric Use in Cuisine and Manufacturing

Turmeric has been part of the traditional cuisine of India and China for centuries for both health and taste benefits.  turmeric’s aromatic, pungent flavor adds a delicious flavor boost to cuisine, such as in curry. With its brilliant yellow color, turmeric is also used for making yellow dye for manufacturing yellow products. 

What are the Turmeric Nutrition Facts?

One tablespoon (about seven grams) of ground turmeric contains approximately:

• 23.9 calories
• 4.4 grams carbohydrates
• 0.5-gram protein
• 0.7-gram fat
• 1.4 grams fiber
• 0.5 milligram manganese (26 percent DV)
• 2.8 milligrams iron (16 percent DV)
• 0.1 milligram vitamin B6 (6 percent DV)
• 170 milligrams potassium (5 percent DV)
• 1.7 milligrams vitamin C (3 percent DV)
• 13 milligrams magnesium (3 percent DV)

What are the Side Effects of Turmeric?

It’s always important to discuss taking dietary supplements with your healthcare provider and to follow medical advice. Turmeric has been found safe to take, and it has GRAS (‘generally recognized as safe”) status by the FDA when taken in amounts tested for health purposes. In high doses turmeric may cause nausea and digestive issues. Turmeric is not suitable for those who are pregnant or taking anticoagulants.

What Dosage Is Recommended for Health Benefits?

There is no official recommended turmeric dosage to get the for full health benefits. However, most studies show that taking 500 to 2,000 milligrams per day of turmeric extract could be beneficial. It’s best to start with a lower dosage and work up gradually to assess tolerance and reduce risk of any side effects

Final Thoughts on the Power of Turmeric Curcumin

As science continues to discover more and more applications for this powerful and natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, it becomes clear just how beneficial turmeric curcumin can be for living well with zest!

I’m convinced that incorporating turmeric as much as possible in cooking and taking a daily supplement can zest up your anti-inflammatory lifestyle to the max! The proof for me is in the results. When I take my maximum potency, water soluble turmeric supplement, I recover from my half marathon training runs very quickly. I don’t feel stiffness or pain in my shins, calves and joints. It’s like a natural pain reliever for me.

Turmeric is the Medicinal Superfood

The evidence clearly proves that Turmeric is the crown golden jewel of all medicinal super foods. To harness the full power of turmeric, I recommend adding organic turmeric to a wide variety of meals and recipes from curry, to drinks, to salads and mains. I also recommend taking a high-quality turmeric curcumin supplement made from whole turmeric root to get the maximum health benefits possible from this amazing super spice!

Enjoy and Live Well with Zest!

Bev

Written by Bev Hope

Reviewed by Board Certified MD

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

The post Turmeric: Medicinal Superfood appeared first on Well with Zest.

In January 2017 I received a phone call from the nurse at my endocrinologist office. She said, “We have received your lab tests results. You have Graves’ disease. Dr. Hudak wants you to pick up a medication at your pharmacy and start taking right away”. Stunned, I rushed out to my drugstore and picked up my prescription for methimazole. As soon as I returned home, I started searching Graves’ disease on Google to figure out what in the world was going on with my body. When my son walked in a short while later,  I had learned enough to tell him my unfortunate news. I looked up from my computer and said, “I’ve got some bad news. I’m sick. I have been diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disease like you. It’s not my pancreas, it’s my thyroid.”

My Graves’ Disease Journey

That day was a turning point in understanding the impact of type 1 diabetes on my son, seeing the journey he had been on for 7 years and then starting on my own new path with an autoimmune disease. Since January 4, 2017,  I’ve been on a Graves’ disease journey of shock, confusion, anger, grief, acceptance, and finally moving forward. I’ve made it my mission to share what I learn on my journey to help others dealing with a chronic health condition and to live full, active, joyful lives—to live Well with Zest!

So, let’s start with the basics of what I’ve learned about Graves’ disease.

What is the Thyroid Gland?

The thyroid gland is a butter-fly shaped organ that sits low on the front of your neck. The tiny 2-inch size organ is a vital hormone gland: it plays a major regulating the body’s metabolic rate, heart rate, cholesterol levels, digestive functions, muscle control, brain development, mood and bone maintenance. The thyroid makes two hormones that are secreted into the blood and carried to every tissue in the body:  thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones are necessary for all the cells in the body to work normally. So, this tiny butter-fly shaped gland is like your body’s operating system. It enables the body’s key organs to function normally and helps maintain overall wellness.

What is Graves’ Disease?

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that damages the thyroid gland. With this disease your immune system mistakes healthy cells for foreign invaders and attacks the thyroid gland causing it to make more thyroid hormone than your body needs (hyperthyroidism).

Graves’ disease was first identified by the Irish physician Robert Graves in 1835. Graves’ disease symptoms can vary a lot depending on the individual and how severe the disorder has become. Because the thyroid gland has such widespread and vital roles in the body, signs and symptoms of Graves’ disease can be wide-ranging and significantly influence your overall well-being.

How Common is Graves’ Disease?

Graves’ disease is one of the most common autoimmune disorders and is estimated to affect 2%-3% of the general worldwide population. Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, causing 60% to 80% of all hyperthyroid cases. In the United States, the disease affects about one in every 200 people and is seven to eight times more common in women. Graves’ disease usually affects people between ages 30 and 60, but it can occur at any age.

What Causes Graves’ Disease?

Scientists do not know the exact cause of Graves’ disease. What is known is that somehow the body’s immune system is tricked into making anti-bodies that target receptors on the surface of thyroid, causing them to work overtime. In Graves’ disease the antibodies, called thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAb) or thyroid simulating immunoglobulins (TSI) bind to receptors on the surface of the thyroid cells. When they bind to receptors they stimulate those cells to overproduce and release too much thyroid hormones. The result is hyperthyroidism.

Risk Factors of Getting Graves’ Disease

Research suggests that Graves’ disease may be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some of these factors have been identified but many remain unknown.  A number of factors that increase the risk of getting Graves’ disease include:

• Family history. Because a family history of Graves’ disease is a known risk factor, there is likely a gene or genes that can make a person more susceptible to the disorder.
• Women are much more likely to develop Graves’ disease than men.
• Age. Graves’ disease usually develops in people between age 30 and 60 but can hit at any age.
• Other Autoimmune Disorders. People or individuals connected to family members with other disorders of the immune system including type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, vitiligo, celiac disease, lupus, pernicious anemia, and Addison’s disease are at risk.
• Emotional or Physical Stress. Stressful life events or illness may act as a trigger for the onset of Graves’ disease among people who are genetically susceptible.
• Pregnancy or recent childbirth may increase the risk of the disorder, particularly among women who are genetically susceptible.
• Cigarette smoking increases the risk of Graves’ disease. Smokers who have Graves’ disease are also at increased risk of developing Graves’ ophthalmopathy.

What are the Symptoms of Graves’ Disease?

The majority of symptoms of Graves’ disease are caused by the excessive production of thyroid hormones. Many of the symptoms can be confused with other conditions which can make it very difficult to diagnose Graves’ disease. The most common Graves’ disease symptoms include:

• Changes in mood, including irritability, nervousness and anxiety
• Rapid or racing heartbeat, irregular heart rate, heart palpitations
• Hand and finger tremors
• Sensitivity to heat and changes in temperature
• Increased blood pressure
• Difficulty sleeping, restlessness and sometimes insomnia
• Increase in sweating or warm, moist skin
• More frequent stools and/or diarrhea
• Weight loss despite normal or increased appetite
• Muscle pains, cramps and weakness
• Chest pain, shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Reduced libido
• Enlargement of thyroid gland
• Pain in eyes, gritty feeling, redness
• Eye sensitivity to light
• Bulging, puffy eyes

How is Graves’ Disease Diagnosed?

Graves’ disease can be difficult to diagnose. Aside from ophthalmopathy, most of the symptoms of Graves’ disease are shared with many other health conditions. The diagnosis of Graves’ disease is typically confirmed by an endocrine or thyroid specialist after conducting a number of tests which may include:

Physical exam

The doctor examines eyes for protrusion or redness, checks the thyroid for enlargement, checks pulse, blood pressure and looks for signs of hand tremor.

Blood sample

The doctor orders blood tests to determine levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), the hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland, as well as levels of thyroid hormones (T3) and (T4). Another lab test option measures the levels of the antibody known to cause Graves’ disease.

Ultrasound

The doctor does an ultrasound scan of your neck that produces images of the thyroid to see if the thyroid is enlarged or if nodules are present.

Radioactive Iodine uptake. A radioactive iodine uptake test is done to measure the amount of iodine taken up by the thyroid gland. Your body needs iodine to make thyroid hormones. By taking a tiny amount of radioactive iodine in a pill, the doctor can measure the amount taken up by the thyroid within a specific time to determine if Graves’ disease is the cause of hyperthyroidism.

Imaging

If diagnosis of Graves’ ophthalmopathy isn’t clear from physical exam, the doctor may order an imaging test such as a CT scan, or MRI to create cross-sectional or 3-D images of the eye.

How is Graves’ Disease Treated?

There is much controversy surrounding the best way to manage Graves’ disease. Each case needs to be individualized, including the therapy, based many factors, thus requiring a careful discussion with your doctor about the risks and benefits of each option.

The goal of treatments for Graves’ disease is to lower the amount of thyroid hormone in your body or block the action of the thyroid hormone.

Conventional Medical Treatments for Graves’ Disease

There are three conventional medical treatments for Graves’ disease:

Antithyroid Medication

There are two approved antithyroid medicines for Graves’ disease; methimazole, or MMI and propylthiouracil, or PTU. These medicines keep the thyroid from making too much thyroid hormone.

Radioactive Iodine (RAI)

RAI is a type of iodine that destroys the thyroid gland by giving it radiation. The RAI destroys the thyroid cells so that your thyroid gland cannot make as much thyroid hormone. It cures the overactive thyroid gland, but it can lead to an underactive thyroid gland. If this happens, you then need to take thyroid hormone medicine for the rest of your life.

Surgery

Surgery to remove all or most of the thyroid cures the overactive thyroid but can lead to underactive thyroid. You will then need to take thyroid hormone medicine to replace the needed thyroid hormone your body can no longer make.

Doctors sometimes suggest taking a beta blocker medicine to help you feel better while waiting for your treatment to start to work. Beta blockers block some of the effects of excess thyroid hormone on your body. They slow down your heart rate and reduce symptoms such as nervousness and shaking.

Lifestyle and Home Remedies for Managing Graves’ Disease

To manage Graves’ disease, it’s not only critical to take your prescribed medication consistently, but to also incorporate healthy lifestyle choices. If you have Graves’ disease, it’s essential to make physical and mental well-being a top priority to help you keep the disease under control. Here are some of the lifestyle choices that can help manage Graves’ disease:

Diet

It’s important to reduce inflammation by eating healthy anti-inflammatory foods that supports the immune function. Avoid foods that trigger or worsen your autoimmune symptoms. Avoid foods and dietary supplements that are high in iodine as they worsen hyperthyroidism

Stress Management

Stress is a trigger with Graves’ disease. It’s important to incorporate relaxation into your daily routine, such as listening to music, mediation, massage, aromatherapy, taking a warm Epsom salt baths, taking walks, or getting out in Nature.

Exercise

Exercise helps lower stress and control inflammation. Brittle bones can occur with Graves’ disease, and weight-bearing exercises can help maintain bone density.

Eye Protection

It’s important to take precautions to protect your eyes. Wear sunglasses, use lubricating drops, apply cool compresses to your eyes to ease the pain, grittiness and dryness. Use a pillow to keep your head higher than the rest of your body to relieve pressure on your eyes.

Sleep

Incorporate relaxation techniques to help get necessary sleep. It’s important to  avoid drinking caffeine or doing stimulating exercise activities in the hours before bedtime. And further, it’s important to  keep digital devices down during bedtime. Use  relaxation techniques to prepare for sleep.

Quit Smoking

Cigarette smoking is a trigger for Graves’ disease and may make it worse. The high amount of toxins in cigarettes can aggravate your immune system, triggering worse symptoms.

Lower Exposure to Toxins

Drink high quality water, use organic foods whenever possible, avoid over-exposure to harsh chemicals. Be aware of potential side effects of long-term use of prescription and OTC medications.

What are the Complications with Graves’ Disease?

Without treatment Graves’ Disease can cause serious health problems affecting the heart, bones, muscles, menstrual cycle, and fertility.  During pregnancy, untreated hyperthyroidism can lead to health problems for mother and baby. Graves’ disease can also cause serious eye problems and less often, skin problems.  Graves’ complications include:

Thyroid Storm

Thyroid storm is a very rare, life-threatening condition caused by too much thyroid hormone that suddenly increases your heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature to dangerously high levels. A stressful event such as trauma, surgery, or infection may trigger thyroid storm.

Heart Problems

Heart problems such as irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia—e.g. atrial fibrillation) and heart failure.

Bone Loss

Bone loss that can lead to osteoporosis. After menopause,  women are at increased risk for bone loss and weak and fragile bones that break easily. Graves’ disease can speed up bone loss.

Pregnancy Problems

Problems during pregnancy for mother and baby.

What is the Outlook Graves’ Disease?

While there is no cure for Graves’ disease, luckily there are medical treatments available to manage the disease. There is also plenty that can help by making healthy lifestyle choices to manage disease symptoms and keep them from worsening. It’s important to monitor symptoms on an on-going basis because there are many triggers that worsen them.  Make sure you get professional help if you notice symptoms worsening, or if you are suddenly under a lot of stress and anxiety which can trigger a relapse.

Hope for a Cure of Graves’ Disease!

The positive outlook is breakthrough research is underway to identify the genes linked with Graves’ disease and to develop treatments that target the underlying cause of the disease vs. just treating the symptoms. The genes that have been studied as possible risk factors for Graves’ disease are part of a family called the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex. Apitope is working on a potential treatment to target the immunological bases of Graves’ disease, which would be the first innovative treatment in more than 60 years. There is real hope that someday there will be an actual cure for Graves’ disease.

My wish for Graves’ disease “Spoonies” like me, is to help you live Well with Zest despite having a chronic health condition. Never lose hope!

Cheers to living Well with Zest!

Bev

Written by Bev Hope

Reviewed by Board Certified MD

The post What is Graves Disease? appeared first on Well with Zest.