Arthroclem

It is important to maintain an appropriate balance of omega-3 and omega-6 (another essential fatty acid) in the diet as these two substances work together to promote health. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and most omega-6 fatty acids tend to promote inflammation.An inappropriate balance of these essential fatty acids contributes to the development of disease while a proper balance helps maintain and even improve health. A healthy diet should consist of roughly two to four times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids.The typical American diet tends to contain 14 to 30 times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids and many researchers believe this imbalance is a significant factor in the rising rate of inflammatory disorders in the United States.

Studies suggest that flaxseed (both the ALA and the lignans in flaxseed) may play a role in the prevention and/or treatment of Arthritis Several studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids reduce tenderness in joints, decrease morning stiffness, improve mobility, and allow for a reduction in the amount of medication needed for people with rheumatoid arthritis and, probably, osteoarthritis as well.Lignans from Flaxseed

In addition to the important omega-3 fatty acid ALA as outlined. flaxseed also contains a group of chemicals called lignans that may play a role in the prevention of cancer.Lignans are plant compounds that mimic the action of the hormone estrogen. For this reason, lignans are considered phyto (plant) estrogens.

Pharmacokinetics Bromelain is absorbed intact through the gastrointestinal tract of animals, with up to 40 percent of the high molecular weight substances detected in the blood after oral administration.1 Mechanisms of Action Bromelain’s anti-inflammatory activity appears to be due to a variety of physiological actions. Evidence indicates that bromelain’s action is in part a result of inhibiting the generation of bradykinin at the inflammatory site via depletion of the plasma kallikrein system, as well as limiting the formation of fibrin by reduction of clotting cascade intermediates.Bromelain has also been shown to stimulate the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, resulting in increased fibrinolysis.Bromelain might be capable of selectively modulating the biosynthesis of thromboxanes and prostacyclins, two groups of prostaglandins with opposite actions which ultimately influence activation of cyclic-3,5-adenosine, an important cell-growth modulating compound.It is hypothesized that bromelain therapy leads to a relative increase of the endogenous prostaglandins, PGI2 and PGE2 over thromboxane A2.5 BROMELAIN has been shown to decrease aggregation of blood platelets.It is an effective fibrinolytic agent in vitro and in vivo; however, its effect is more evident in purified fibrinogen solutions than in plasma.Bromelain’s most common application is in the treatment of inflammation.

Toxicity, Side Effects and Allergic Reactions Bromelain is considered to have very low toxicity, with an LD50 greater than 10g/kg.Toxicity tests on dogs, with increasing levels of bromelain up to 750 mg/kg administered daily, showed no toxic effects after six months. Dosages of 1.5 g/kg/day administered to rats showed no carcinogenic or teratogenic effects.There is a possibility of allergy with all proteolytic enzymes

The anti-inflammatory property may be due to its effect on the e?cosano?d biosynthesis and the arachidonic acid pathway enzymes.Muscle regeneration Curcumin suppresses a factor that influences growth factors. This factor, NF B (nuclear factor kappa B), plays a prominent role in immunity and cell growth. Immediately after muscle injury, the immune system dispatches cells to the area. Their job is to destroy old tissue and begin new construction. NF B is one of the lines of communication immune cells use to get things done. By influencing NF B, curcumin modulates the repair process.The regeneration of muscle is a complex phenomenon. Curcumin works in part by adjusting the arrival time and status of chemical messengers known as cytokines. Cytokines appear at the scene early on, and they have a powerful effect on inflammation and cell growth.

A cytokine known as IL-6 (interleukin-6), for example, makes muscle cells multiply. Another one called TNF (tumor necrosis factor) keeps cells from growing up, developing. By suppressing one, and enhancing the other, curcumin can speed things up.

The authors of a study published in 1999 think that curcumin works by other mechanisms that probably involve growth factors, but this has not been proven yet. In other attempts to make muscles regenerate, researchers have tried injecting synthetic growth factors or transplanting myoblasts?all with limited success.

Curcumin seems to be a much safer, more effective treatment?at least in the early stages. The effects of curcumin are felt early on?right after injury when the body first sends out the repair squads. So if you want to try curcumin for muscle regeneration, make sure you take it as soon as the injury occurs.

The authors of the study predict that curcumin may be useful not only for accidental injuries or sports, but also to help repair surgical damage. Thaloor D, et al. 1999. Systemic administration of the NF- B inhibitor curcumin stimulates muscle regeneration after traumatic injury. Am J Physiol 277(2 pt 1):C320-29.Improve collagen status and tissue regenerationWound treatment may be enhanced by curcumin, it turns out.

In an experiment using groups of curcumin-treated and untreated rats and guinea pigs, researchers discovered ?faster wound closure? in the treated animals compared to their untreated counterparts. Subsequent biopsies of the wounds showed redevelopment of epidermal cells, increased migration of various other cells to the wound site like myofibroblasts, fibroblasts and macrophages, and extensive re-growth of blood vessels.

As a follow-up to a study, scientists reached similar results among diabetic rodents who experienced impaired healing. The researchers found improved blood vessel formation, increased cell migration to the wound site, and higher levels of collagen, a fibrous protein found in connective tissue, bone and cartilage.

Sidhu GS et al. Enhancement of wound healing by curcumin in animals. Wound Repair Regen 1998 Mar-Apr;6(2):167-77.Sidhu GS et al. Curcumin enhances wound healing in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats and genetically diabetic mice. Wound Repair Regen 1999 Sep-Oct;7(5):362-74.