Spices, Supplements, and Prescription Drugs – Page 2 of 2

New evidence of increased risk of death with Febuxostat (Uloric)

According to the latest CARES trial, the Gout drug Febuxostat (Uloric) failed up against Allopurinol when it came down to a combined rate of fatal and nonfatal adverse events for those that suffer with both Gout and Cardiovascular disease. In fact, there was a significant increased risk of death for those that took this drug for Gout while also suffering from heart disease.

The trial was mandated by the FDA and consisted of 6,190 patients, 84% of which were men. Cardiovascular risk is naturally increased in patients with Gout. The study was attempting to look at any difference in outcome for these patients taking Febuxostat, a nonpurine xanthine oxidase inhibitor, or those taking Allopurinol, a purine base analogue xanthine oxidase inhibitor. The patients were followed for a median of 32 months, and a maximum of 85 months. Without diving into all of the ratio statistics, the all-cause and cardiovascular mortality rate was higher in the Febuxostat group, 34% and 22% higher respectively. Continue reading “New evidence of increased risk of death with Febuxostat (Uloric)”

Arthritis and Gout are no longer considered “old man diseases”……..and they are dangerous!

These painful joint conditions were once considered the inevitable outcome of old aging joints. However, these painful conditions have more than doubled in the past 10-15 years, with a shocking amount of sufferers now found to be under the age of 40. Doctors have seen the sharpest rise in patients in their 20’s and 30’s, some 30% since 2012, suffering from a disease that was once thought to be limited to royalty. Not so coincidentally, the rise in obesity, Diabetes Type 2, and prescriptions such as low-dose aspirin and diuretics has occurred almost simultaneously.

Even still there is large percentage of the population that suffers silently having never been diagnosed, or sometimes misdiagnosed. Gout especially can be overlooked by medical professionals due to inaccurate blood measurements of Uric Acid. Unless the fluid is directly aspirated from the joint it can be difficult to identify. Many that are under an attack at the time they are seen by a physician will have low to normal blood serum Uric Acid levels. Why is this? Continue reading “Arthritis and Gout are no longer considered “old man diseases”……..and they are dangerous!”

Antibiotics- How do they affect your health?

Gout, Arthritis, Inflammation and Antibiotics

Antibiotics have played an integral role in modern medicine saving countless lives from bacterial pathogens that would have otherwise claimed them. This holds true under terms that we remain responsible with the administration of such a powerful resource. Unfortunately, organisms evolve and as such we have found ourselves at the mercy of antibiotic resistant microbes stemming from the misuse and overuse of Antibiotics.

Antibiotic literally means “against life.” While its role has been critical in destroying the life of bad bacteria, antibiotics are indiscriminate when it comes to the life of the good bacteria our bodies still need to survive. Research has shown that childhood antibiotic use can inhibit the normal growth and development of healthy gut bacteria. Over 70% of the immune system resides in our gut and is home to the trillions of bacteria that play a crucial part of our physical and mental health. We are now learning how the general shaping of our intestinal health early on in life can determine our future dealings with our immune systems and disease. Continue reading “Antibiotics- How do they affect your health?”

The Negative Effects of Antibiotics on The Body

Believe it or not the Antibiotics you are popping like candies come with harmful side effects that can cripple you. Antibiotics may be prescription drugs meant to treat infections, but they usually do more harm than good. Some of its negative effects include:

Inflammation

Prolonged use of antibiotics can cause inflammation in the large intestine. Known as Clostridium difficile- induced colitis, the condition is the result of the
growth of harmful bacteria in the gut.

Typical symptoms of the condition include loose stools, bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain that can be crippling in its intensity. In worse case scenarios, you can also get a fever along with these symptoms if you take antibiotics for your ailments. The risk of developing this condition increases as we age and it is particularly high in infants and children.

Most antibiotics change the quality of healthy bacteria in the intestines and allow the proliferation of unhealthy bacteria. The latter is imminent as these meds create an environment in the gut that is ideal for the growth of said bacteria such as the Clostridium difficile. This bacterium releases toxins that attack the lining of the large intestine leading to inflammation. Continue reading “The Negative Effects of Antibiotics on The Body”

This Is Your Brain On Turmeric……

Are we doomed for cognitive decline as we age? Not necessarily. There are plenty of healthy, thriving older adults pushing into their 70’s and 80’s with cognitive functioning as well as, sometimes even better than, younger adults. Cognitive decline is far from uniform, with many variables in play. However, 1 in 9 Americans will suffer with some level of decline by the age of 65, with 1 in 3 by the age of 85.

Where and how does it all begin? We know that inflammation is at the heart of all disease. Often times the signs of chronic inflammation begin with achy muscles and joints. We find ourselves at the doctor being prescribed something specifically for that ailment. What we need to be considering is how that inflammation could be affecting other parts of our body, as well. We are programmed to treat each symptom individually, and as separate conditions, when we should actually be addressing the inflammation in the body as a whole before it continues to creep into and destroy other parts of the body. What does this have to do with your brain? Continue reading “This Is Your Brain On Turmeric……”

Probiotics May Help Decrease Inflammation and Treat Inflammatory Disease

Science has determined that chronic inflammation plays a role in many diseases, including those that are commonly understood as inflammatory diseases as well as others that were not originally connected with inflammation, such as obesity and diabetes. Now it appears that probiotics, healthy bacteria that live in the gut, may be a key to help treat many inflammation-associated diseases, like ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease. Probiotics may also help alleviate many of the uncomfortable symptoms experienced by people who must take antibiotics for extended periods of time.

The Role of Probiotics in Fighting Inflammation

In healthy people, inflammation helps the body fight off infection. When inflammation doesn’t switch off Continue reading “Probiotics May Help Decrease Inflammation and Treat Inflammatory Disease”

Is Allopurinol Safe and Effective?

Have you ever taken note of the long list of side effect warnings that come with prescription medications? I’m sure the answer is, an unequivocal, YES!

Have we been programmed to ignore these warnings because they are so forthright with stating them, no matter how quickly they run through this long and dirty list in a commercial?

So many of us are looking for quick fixes, especially when it comes to this excruciatingly painful condition. When that Gout attack hits we are pretty much willing to cut off a limb to ease the pain. Does that make us more susceptible to taking a prescription without even knowing what it could do to us? Sadly, many of us are at the mercy of both our health conditions and the trust for our physicians to do what is right for us. Continue reading “Is Allopurinol Safe and Effective?”

Should I be taking Turmeric?

This powerful Indian spice has been proving its worth for nearly 4,000 years. Its active medicinal compound known as Curcumin (curcuminoids) is a powerhouse antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Turmeric has been studied and linked to having anti-cancer properties, ability to slow the progression of joint conditions, fight infection, assist with digestive disorders, skin conditions, and so much more. The U.S.D.A. Agricultural Research Service has listed 78 biologically activities associated with Curcumin. The main debate is how to obtain enough of this important spice via oral consumption knowing its absorption rate is rather low. It is important to keep the medicinal compounds active in the blood and in the body for long enough periods of time to utilize all of its powers. Some formulations have included piperine (black pepper) to increase its bioavailability. Another formulation known as BCM-95 has been said to offer new technology that has been able to capture, hold onto, and keep the curcuminoids active in the body for several hours beyond standard forms.

One thing is for certain, regardless of the source, Turmeric/Curcumin would be a great addition to your diet and/or supplement intake.

Ever heard of Golden Milk? Continue reading “Should I be taking Turmeric?”

Category: Spices, Supplements, and Prescription Drugs