Day: 04/21/2017

What marijuana really does to your body and brain

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Marijuana’s official designation as a Schedule 1 drug – something with “no currently accepted medical use” – means it’s pretty tough to study.

Yet both a growing body of research and numerous anecdotal reports link cannabis with several health benefits, including pain relief and helping with certain forms of epilepsy. In addition, researchers say there are many other ways marijuana might affect health that they want to better understand.

A massive report released in January helps sum up exactly what we know– and, perhaps more importantly, what we don’t know – about the science of weed.

Yet both a growing body of research and numerous anecdotal reports link cannabis with several health benefits, including pain relief and helping with certain forms of epilepsy. In addition, researchers say there are many other ways marijuana might affect health that they want to better understand.

A massive report released in January helps sum up exactly what we know– and, perhaps more importantly, what we don’t know – about the science of weed.

Yet both a growing body of research and numerous anecdotal reports link cannabis with several health benefits, including pain relief and helping with certain forms of epilepsy. In addition, researchers say there are many other ways marijuana might affect health that they want to better understand.

A massive report released in January helps sum up exactly what we know– and, perhaps more importantly, what we don’t know – about the science of weed.

Read more. URL:http://www.businessinsider.in/What-marijuana-really-does-to-your-body-and-brain/articleshow/58283264.cms

Italian Court Rules Mobile Phone Use Caused Brain Tumor

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A man in Italy who claimed that having to use cell phones for work gave him a brain tumor has been awarded €500 ($535) a month in compensation. Luckily, the tumor was benign, The Guardian reported, although he did lose hearing in his right ear.

In 2011, the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer declared the radiation emitted by cell phones and wireless devices a Group 2B “Possible Carcinogen,” and most recently, the National Toxicology Program, an interagency research program, based at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, concluded that whole body exposure to cell phone radiation likely caused heart and brain tumors in male rats.

Despite such findings, cell phones have become increasingly pervasive and such a common part of our daily lives that most people never think twice about using them — which makes it even more important to start thinking about ways to be safe with your phone and other wearable, wireless devices.

One factor that should no longer be debated is the risk of cell phones to children. Children simply shouldn’t be using them. Keep your own cell phone use to a minimum. Limit wearable device usage to areas with excellent reception, as the weaker the reception, the more power your phone must use to transmit, and the more power it uses, the more radiation it emits.

Never carry your cellphone on your body or sleep with it under your pillow or near your head. And, use a well-shielded wired headset. One of the best kinds of headsets use a combination of shielded wire and air-tube. These operate like a stethoscope, transmitting the sound to your head as an actual sound wave.

Source:.mercola.com

Groundbreaking Research Links Autism with Histamine, Inflammation and Mast Cell Activation.

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The study of histamine has been attracting quite a bit of attention over the last few years — and not just in relation to seasonal allergies or insect bites. The compound is also associated with a variety of other health complaints, from migraines and depression to schizophrenia. And now scientists have discovered another surprising connection to the naturally occurring chemical: autism.

The Role Histamine Plays in Immune Response

When we come in contact with an allergen that we have a sensitivity to — like pollen or we’re stung by an insect — the body releases histamine to overcome the threat. A series of physiological reactions occur: blood vessels dilate, while mast cells (a type of white blood cell) are activated to attack the invader.

If we experience an angry rash, itchy eyes or swelling, that’s histamine at work. Usually, the reaction subsides quickly once the threat is over. But sometimes, when the body is exposed to an excess of histamine — either through the ingestion of high-histamine foods or with excessive production by the body — an intolerance to the chemical may develop, which can lead to asthma, anxiety, digestive disorders, mood swings, aggression, fatigue and much more. In fact, Dr. Theoharis Theoharides, a mast cell researcher and head of the Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory at Tufts University, has even found mast cell activation may be the root cause of autism in many children.

The Connection Between Autism and Brain Inflammation

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) now affect as many as 1 in 45 children — and the numbers are rising. Considered a neurodevelopment disorder, autism is characterized by varying degrees of dysfunctional communication and social interactions, repetitive and stereotypic behaviors, as well as learning and sensory deficits. [source] Researchers are scrambling to pinpoint the reason for this disturbing trend, but the disorder has proven to be incredibly complex and treatment options are limited.

A promising study published during the summer of 2016 in Translational Psychiatry may shed some much needed light on the root cause of the disorder — and how to address it.

Dr. Theoharides and his colleagues — in collaboration with Tufts University School of Medicine, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, and the Department of Child Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School — believe they may have uncovered a significant cause of the core symptoms of ASD. Dr. Theoharides is considered an expert in his field and is within the top five percent of most quoted authors in scientific papers.

According to the study:

“Recent epidemiological studies have shown a strong statistical correlation between risk for ASD and either maternal or infantile atopic diseases, such as asthma, eczema, food allergies and food intolerance, all of which involve activation of mast cells (MCs). These unique tissue immune cells are located perivascularly in all tissues, including the thalamus and hypothalamus, which regulate emotions. MC-derived inflammatory and vasoactive mediators increase BBB [blood brain barrier] permeability.”

The findings indicate that levels of pro-inflammatory molecules interleukin (IL-1B, IL-6, IL-17) and tutor necrosis factor (TNF) are elevated in the brain, spinal fluid and blood of autistic patients and increase when the individual is under stress. These molecules are produced directly by mast cells.

Another paper published by Dr. Theoharides in the journal Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Molecular Basis of Disease found a similar correlation between mast cell activation and neurodevelopment issues:

“A number of papers, mostly based on parental reporting on their children’s health problems, suggest that ASD children may present with “allergic-like” problems in the absence of elevated serum IgE and chronic urticaria. These findings suggest non-allergic mast cell activation, probably in response to environmental and stress triggers that could contribute to inflammation. In utero inflammation can lead to preterm labor and has itself been strongly associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Premature babies have about four times higher risk of developing ASD and are also more vulnerable to infections, while delayed development of their gut–blood–brain barriers makes exposure to potential neurotoxins likely. Perinatal mast cell activation by infectious, stress-related, environmental or allergic triggers can lead to release of pro-inflammatory and neurotoxic molecules, thus contributing to brain inflammation and ASD pathogenesis, at least in a subgroup of ASD patients.”

Likewise, this study study in Cellular and Molecular Neurobiologydiscovered that “Histamine is one of the few central nervous system neurotransmitters found to cause consistent blood–brain barrier opening” which is a factor in inflammation, cerebral edema and what Dr. Theoharides calls “allergy of the brain” in ASD patients.

Moreover, when large amounts of histamine are present, the body triggers the production of epinephrine (adrenaline) to correct the imbalance. Adrenaline then sparks a flight or fight response within the body. If this heightened state of stress becomes chronic, it interferes with stomach acid production and overall digestion — leading to parasites, pathogenic bacteria and food sensitivities. The body also dumps magnesium and zinc into the muscles to prepare for a quick reaction. This in turn creates deficiencies of these important minerals, which are crucial for the immune system and neurological development. Disruption of sleep, anxiety, learning disabilities and malabsorption issues soon follow.

Reducing Mast Cell Activation

To reduce mast cell activation and subsequent inflammation, several approaches are effective. One is to consume a low-histamine diet. Another is to use carnosine and methylated B vitamins. To breakdown histamine in the digestive tract, supplementing with diamine oxidase (DAO) may be necessary if the individual is susceptible to low DAO levels through genetic heritage or diet. Many times, people who are deficient in DAO also suffer from allergies and auto-immune disorders, both of which are common in ASD individuals.

Dr. Theoharides has also examined the possible use of luteolin and other bioflavonoids such as quercetin for their calming properties in relation to mast cell activation and brain inflammation.

In the paper Atopic diseases and inflammation of the brain in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders, Dr. Theoharides concludes:

“Atopic diseases may create a phenotype susceptible to ASD and formulations targeting focal inflammation of the brain could have great promise in the treatment of ASD.”

Article sources:

You should eat more spicy food

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The Spice Girls were onto something when they released their hit song “Spice Up Your Life” in the ’90s. Turns out, a wealth of research supports the idea that adding spice to your food can offer some major health benefits.

Although there’s a slew of unexpected perks to giving your food a kick, capsaicin is the ingredient to keep in mind. The compound is found in jalapeños, habaneros, cayenne and most other chili peppers, and it’s the underlying reason spicy foods can help you lose weight and live a longer, healthier life.

Here are five reasons to consider spicing up your food:

1. You’ll lose more weight.
Capsaicin is a thermogenic substance, meaning it causes the body temperature to rise, temporarily boosting metabolism and revving its ability to burn calories. Capsaicin may also decrease appetite and help curb cravings. A 2005 study in the International Journal of Obesity found that exposure to capsaicin increased participants’ satiety, and reduced their calorie and fat intake.

Consider adding tabasco sauce to your eggs at breakfast to give your metabolism an early-morning boost.

2. Your heart will thank you.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among men and women in America, but spicing up your food may help reduce your risk of developing the ailment. Studies suggest capsaicin may lower LDL, or bad, cholesterol, which accumulates on artery walls and constricts blood flow to the heart. Spicy food can help dilate blood vessels, promoting circulation and helping to manage your blood sugar, research presented during a 2012 American Chemical Society meeting suggests.

Unfortunately, eating spicy food won’t totally undo a bad diet. For optimal heart health, skip greasy foods like hot wings in lieu of adding peppers or hot spices to your favorite dish with lean protein like turkey or chicken.

3. You may reduce your cancer risk.
You probably already know maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly can reduce your cancer risk, but consider adding a kick to your dish to further lower your chances. A 2006 study in the journal Cancer suggests capsaicin may inhibit the spread of prostate cancer cells. Spicy foods also are known to boost immunity. Studies suggest they can act as a decongestant, protecting against irritants and pollutants, like dust and smoke.

4. You’ll eat more mindfully.
Research suggests people who eat spicy foods are often more satiated than those who don’t, which can reduce the chances of overeating. That may be because spiciness in food naturally slows the eating process, giving the brain more time to realize the body is full. The end result: fewer calories consumed.

If there’s a food you tend to eat mindlessly, try turning up the heat with a squirt of Sriracha sauce to slow you down.

5. You may live longer.
If the aforementioned perks weren’t persuasive enough, consider this suggested benefit: Eating spicy foods may help lengthen your life. A Harvard University study suggested that people who ate spicy food every day saw a 14 percent lower risk of death compared to people who ate spicy food only once a week or less. Consider sprinkling dried chili flakes on whole-wheat pasta, vegetables or soups to add a kick of flavor and potentially lengthen your life.