Nrf2′s potential in diabetes, atherosclerosis and stroke
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22575091
Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation is as a major cause of oxidative stress and is implicated in cellular dysfunction in aging, cardiovascular and other pathologies. As antioxidant trials have largely failed to provide protection in humans, research focus has shifted to activating endogenous antioxidant defenses. In vascular models, activators of the transcription factor NF-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway have been shown to restore redox homeostasis by increasing antioxidant/electrophilic response element-mediated (ARE/EpRE) expression of phase II and antioxidant enzymes, including NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and γ-glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC). Nrf2 activators disrupt basal ubiquitin-dependent degradation of Nrf2 by the 26S proteasome, leading to nuclear Nrf2 accumulation and gene induction. This review examines the evidence for crosstalk between Nrf2 and the proteasome, highlighting the mechanisms by which select Nrf2activators regulate stress-induced proteasomal activity and removal of oxidized proteins. Exploiting the dual action of natural Nrf2 inducers may provide therapeutic insights for restoring cellular redox homeostasis in aging and cardiovascular related diseases such diabetes, atherosclerosis and stroke.
Curcumin and Cancer
A chemical found in curry is to be tested for its ability to kill bowel cancer tumours in patients.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17959521
I found this article very interesting. Reminds me of another study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20924967
Curcumin is very interesting. Its also a mild Nrf2 activator, but just not a very powerful one, yet powerful enough. Anyway some interesting stuff to read in those pages above.
Exercise Makes More Free Radicals If you are Older
This research study shows that the older you are, when you excersize your body makes more (or rather scavanges less) free radicals. This means that if you're old and you excersize, you need to find a good solution (such as Protandim) to reduce oxidative stress:
...the present study was designed to examine if resting and exercise-induced intramuscular free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation is indeed increased across the spectrum of sedentary aging.
The study found:
...these findings confirm that intramuscular free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation is elevated at rest and during acute exercise in aged humans.
See the full study at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20507973
The study says:
This study was conducted in part by Dr Joe McCord, one of the leading researchers in free radical biology. He's also the main researcher behind Protandim.
Dr Oz Anti Aging Secrets
Dr Oz recently aired some anti aging secrets. These included showcasing 3 products that help to mask wrinkles, aging spots, and other skin related problems.
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/anti-aging-secrets-beauty-industry-doesnt-want-you-know
These included under the eye circle erasers, that have caffeine. Anti-Wrikle cremes that range from prices upwards to $400. He encouranges the use of sunsreen too. He talked about cleansers that contain vitamins and moisturizers and alpha hydrocxy acids. He also talked about scar eliminators such as those often seen with acne or surgery.
There are many products on the market, choose wisely. Prices vary greatly. You also want to get a product that fights free radical production on the skin and in the body.
BPA Levels From Eating Canned Soup and Free Radicals
BPA is nasty stuff. This study, shows how BPA increase from those who eat canned soup, in just 5 days. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical produced in large quantities for use primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics found in water bottles and food storage containers. BPA is known to disrupt the endocrine system in the human body and may contribute to weight gain, metabolic syndrome, prostate gland, cardiovascular disease, hormone sensitive cancers such as breast and prostate, and immune system dysfunction. Harmful exposure levels are not known at this time and are currently being researched. The amount of BPA that leeches into food and drink varies depending on the age of the container, the temperature of the food/drink, and the type of container.
Did you also know that BPA is related to free radicals? http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12865045
This article showed how BPA Injected into mice, increased hydrogen peroxide in the mouse organs. Hydrogen peroxide is a very strong free radical molecule.
Could it be that Protandim for those who eat canned foods, also sustain additional protection from this chemical BPA?
Need more confirmation, see http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001393510900084X
Drug may treat premature ageing disease
This was interesting research in anti aging. UK scientists believe an existing drug may help to treat a premature ageing disease called progeria, in which children age up to eight times as fast as the usual rate.
Researchers at Durham University say that the disease is partly caused by DNA damage defects in cells, which occurs when the cells come under oxidative stress.
Their research suggests that a drug called N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) - which is widely used and well tolerated - helps to control the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA damage.
Although it did not affect some other aspects of cell stress, a combination of NAC and other currently used drugs may help to treat children with progeria.
The findings are published in the journal Human Molecular Genetics and could have important implications.
Professor Chris Hutchison explained: 'In children with progeria, we can see that double-strand breaks in the DNA architecture of cells increase, which in turn adds to poor rates of cell growth.
'Our treatment of these cells with the drug N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) reversed both of these effects.'
Progeria is a rare condition that is known to affect 78 children in 31 countries around the world.
All children with the condition die of heart disease, typically at around 13 years of age.
Researchers say antioxidants the compounds may do more harm than good
In the following article, it mentions that antioxidant compounds may do more harm than good. I've said that before. Its because these chemicals are direct antioxidants. We know that your body can convert many of these antioxidant sugars into free radicals. We also know that the artificial chemicals like asorbic acid, isn't the same antioxidant vitamin c your body creates, and there is research that suggest Vitamin C is harmful if taken that way.
See the full article here:
Your body makes its OWN antioxidants, Protandim regulates your body's natural response. Now future studies and research on Protandim will offer more information, but we are starting to see the glass tower of direct antioxidants start to fall! This article above doesn't mention Protandim, but it spells out the problem direct antioxidants create. Repeat after me: "Direct Antioxidants do Not Work".
If you want more information see studynrf2.com
Dr Harriet Halls Protandim Update
Dr Hall added a new article on her website. I'm glad she clarified some previous statements and commented on some of the latest research. Id like to suggest:
I think Dr Hall's position is a valid one, especially for a medical doctor, who's training in medicine practice is based on pharmaceutical drugs and surgical procedures. She says:
I am not “against” Protandim. I would be very pleased if it turns out to improve people’s health. I await clinical research with great interest. I would not take it myself or recommend it at this time because I have seen too many initially promising treatments turn out not to work or even to cause harm. I understand why some people are enthusiastic about Protandim and want to take it now rather than wait for better evidence, and I have no objection to their taking it. I am not “quackbusting;” I am only asking for the same kind of evidence that the scientific community requires before it accepts any new treatment. Please try to understand what I mean by clinical studies with meaningful outcomes and contact me again when such studies are available… and not before.
I understand her position. I too await more clinical research, and I understand there are 4-5 clinical studies pending review, that should help tell the Protandim story. It doesn't surprise me that Dr Hall would not recommend it, because its not an drug, and its not possible for a MD to 'recommend' a drug without the personal and profession liabilities associated with that recommendation. I'm glad that she says she is not "against" Protandim, because her words have been used by those in that manner. We all look forward to more research.
She does comment that LifeVantage researchers have "skipped the investigational stage". If this was a process for FDA approval, that would be accurate. But this is not the course Protandim is taking, so such a step is not required by protocol. The vast majority of the research (if not all since 2006) has been conducted by 3rd parties (with Dr McCords input on occasion), so its really not possible for the company to influence this direction in accordance with such a protocol or standard. Now that the company is profitable, will we see the company conduct such research? Possibly. Will this research provide this step Dr Hall seeks?
She does mention one of the patents that makes obvious connections with regards to disease states in conjunction with oxidative stress. This is not illegal, and actually viable in terms of the nature of patent submissions. The patent sets protection for the product in the market, not only the formula but the manner of application and protects the usage of the product for these disease states, in the event other legal entities (that could come in the future), such as FDA regulation in some fashion. For example, Protandim may not be declared to "cure cancer", however, could the FDA allow (it doesn't now) the statement "Protandim reduces oxidative stress and lowers the risk of heart disease"? It's always possible, in the event that did happen the patent, retroactively allows that to 'stick' to the product patent, and strengthens the patent usage in the future. Patent law and FTC/FDA product law are different.
Lastly, since 2009, the groundswell of Protandim proselytizers has most certainly increased, and Dr Halls extremely conservative position on the subject, not to mention her being publicly documented and linked to the story by critics who have even distorted her position (and continue to do so), has drawn a huge amount attention as she mentioned. I do not envy her position. I'm sure most of the email she receives comes from enthusiastic product takers or distributors who have anecdotal evidence or over reach from their understanding (or lack of) from any study or rumor. In the same way a distributor will use a doctor positively supporting Protandim (and we're all guilty of this to some degree), to critics or those with a hidden agenda will use Dr Hall's conservative position with Protandim to further their cause against it.
I think its important to realize the Internet is crazed with communication often be taken out of context, and even distorted, especially with those with anonymity. In fact I blogged about Dr Hall several months ago. Her updated comments (as linked below) allow me to say with honestly, I think her position is reflective of the best practices in medicine, and while conservative in nature, she seems open-minded. I think Dr Halls experience in free radical biology is lacking, but I think it would be inappropriate to personally attack her, she has the right to her opinion as does anybody else. At the same time, Dr Halls position or experience shouldn't discredit the Protandim story, it is a powerful product that will reach a level of standard accepted by medical doctors as future studies and research is completed. She has done no personal clinical or other research personally with regards to Protandim, so she is giving her opinion of which she is entitled. Meanwhile we all need understand what Protandim is and is not, and try not to distort the story in either direction.
Dr Hall's new article is found: http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/pursued-by-protandim-proselytizers/
The Importance of PubMed.gov
PubMed has more than 21 million citations for biomedical literature, life science journals and online books. The articles on this website are peer reviewed. That is these articles have been submitted and vetted by peers for validity and accuracy. Pubmed.gov is funded by tax payer funds. Only about 5% of all research is posted on Pubmed.gov, because not all research is peer reviewed, and even all that is peer reviewed only a portion becomes published, and this is where these articles end up.
When researching products make sure the PubMed research is on the product, not the products ingredients. Products not listed on PubMed.gov lack significance. Products with only borrowed science on PubMed are less significant. Products listed on PubMed.gov, supplements or drugs, have much more viable, at least in terms of the supported science or even the contradictions found there.
OCC Protocol and Protandim
OCC stands for the Overnight Cure for Cancer.
It was created by researchers at The Independent Cancer Research Foundation, Inc., and is based on the elements that causes cancer at the cellular level. The research was first alternative cancer treatment available, other than electromedicine and ultraviolet light treatments. Recently Protandim has been added to the program.
There are several steps to the protocol, from using DMSO, Silver Nitrate, Miracle Mineral Supplement (i.e. MMS), Colloidal silver (the ASAP Plus brand) and Protandim now part of this program. I am not a doctor, nor your physician, so I cannot make any prescription and cannot promise what Protandim can do or cannot do, so please understand this information here is not to prevent or cure cancer.
However, you can buy Protandim here or there are buy links for protandim here, and take it at the OCC recommendation of 3-10 pills per day. My supported suggestion is to do what has been written, is you should spread that out, don't take it all at the same time, give your body a chance to absorb it. Protandim takes a couple weeks to 'kick in'. And really the best approach with Protandim is to lower oxidative stress. In Cancer patients this is a BIG deal.
More information about Protandim and Cancer can be found here.
More information about the OCC protocol can be found here: http://www.new-cancer-treatments.org/OCC_06/OCC_01_Intro.html