Resource

Inflammation

Inflammation is a natural response of the body to protect itself against harmful stimuli, but chronic, low-grade inflammation can cause damage to the body as it ages. The following are some ways that inflammation can harm the body:

Increased oxidative stress:

Chronic inflammation increases the production of free radicals, leading to oxidative stress that can damage cells and tissues.

Weakened immune system:

Chronic inflammation can weaken the immune system and make it less effective at fighting off infections and diseases.

Accelerated aging:

Chronic inflammation has been linked to the aging process, leading to a decline in physical and cognitive functions.

Increased risk of chronic diseases:

Chronic inflammation has been linked to a number of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Tissue damage:

Chronic inflammation can cause tissue damage, leading to a host of health problems, including joint pain, arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions.

Summaries of Systematic Scientific Reviews

Ginger

Ginger from Ancient Times to the New Outlook

PubMed ID: 25866718

Excerpt:

Previous studies demonstrated the radio protective activity of ginger extract protecting tissue against tumoricidal effects of radiation (10, 22-24). cytotoxic, apoptotic (25-31), anticancer (28, 30, 32, 33), antithrombotic (10, 34-36), antitussive, congestion, cold and flu (37-40), antiemetic, flatulence, abdominal spasm, morning and motion sickness and vomiting caused by chemotherapy (28, 32), anti-inflammatory and rheumatoid arthritis (10, 32, 34, 36, 41), antipyretic (24, 42-44), antidiabetes (10, 32, 45, 46), anthelmintic (47) and antihyperlipidemic activities of this valuable herb have been reported in previous studies. Ginger is also useful to weight loss as well (10, 32, 34, 36, 48). Anti-arthrosclerosis (49, 50), antioxidant (22, 27, 31, 36, 50, 51), antimigraine (52, 53), antidermatitis (53, 54), anti-dizziness (55), antiviral and antimicrobial activities of ginger have been indicated in prior studies (51, 55). Moreover, previous research demonstrated the beneficial efficacy of ginger on improvement of stroke implications and neurological diseases (54, 56- 58). Ginger is also active against helicobacter pylori (10). It is aphrodisiac by increasing sperm percent, viability, motility, and serum total testosterones (61-63). Ginger is a sialagogue (57), increases and stimulates peripheral circulation (59), it is also useful to gingivitis (60), depression in cardiovascular system (10, 34, 36, 54), dementia (66-68) and prevention of constipation (10, 61).

Cinnamon

Medicinal properties of ‘true’ cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum): a systematic review

PubMed ID: PMC3854496

Excerpt:

The beneficial health effects of CZ identified were; a) anti-microbial and anti-parasitic activity, b) lowering of blood glucose, blood pressure and serum cholesterol, c) anti-oxidant and free-radical scavenging properties, d) inhibition of tau aggregation and filament formation (hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease), e) inhibitory effects on osteoclast genesis, f) anti-secretagogue and anti-gastric ulcer effects, g) anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity, h) wound healing properties and i) hepato-protective effects. The studies reported minimal toxic and adverse effects.

Citrus

Citrus fruits as a treasure trove of active natural metabolites that potentially provide benefits for human health

PubMed ID: 26705419

Excerpt:

Citrus fruits exhibit plentiful bioactivities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-microbial and anti-allergy activities, as well as cardiovascular effect, neuroprotective effect, hepatoprotective effect, obesity control.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar Myths & Facts

Andi Hoover, WVU Extension Agent – Greenbrier County West Virginia University

PubMed ID: 26705419

Excerpt:

In ancient Greece around 400 B.C., Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, prescribed apple cider vinegar mixed with honey for a variety of ills, including coughs and colds. Apple cider vinegar also has a strong history in Africa and China as an alternative medicine. It contains vitamins C and B, as well as acetic acid which increases the body’s absorption of important minerals from the foods we eat and slows down the rate at which the body turns carbohydrates into sugar.

A 2009 study in Japan found that consuming apple cider vinegar resulted in weight loss in mice. In 2007, a study was done using a group of Type 1 diabetics. It found those given apple cider vinegar had slower rates of gastric emptying (the rate at which food moves from the stomach to the small intestine). This can help people feel fuller for a longer length of time, which may reduce the total food intake, therefore, aiding in weight loss.

In 2012, a Dutch study found that in the North African culture, women who consumed a cup of apple cider vinegar daily achieved greater weight loss. Another study showed an improvement in insulin action in the skeletal muscle of human adults with diabetes, and a 2015 study showed that vinegar consumption in Type 2 diabetics improved blood sugar control, insulin and triglyceride levels.

Honey

Effect of honey on cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PubMed ID: 36379223

Excerpt:

A total of 18 controlled trials (33 trial comparisons, N = 1105 participants) were included. Overall, honey reduced fasting glucose (MD = -0.20 mmol/L, 95%CI, -0.37 to -0.04 mmol/L; low certainty of evidence), total cholesterol (MD = -0.18 mmol/L, 95%CI, -0.33 to -0.04 mmol/L; low certainty), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD = -0.16 mmol/L, 95%CI, -0.30 to -0.02 mmol/L; low certainty), fasting triglycerides (MD = -0.13 mmol/L, 95%CI, -0.20 to -0.07 mmol/L; low certainty), and alanine aminotransferase (MD = -9.75 U/L, 95%CI, -18.29 to -1.21 U/L; low certainty) and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD = 0.07 mmol/L, 95%CI, 0.04-0.10 mmol/L; high certainty). There were significant subgroup differences by floral source and by honey processing, with robinia honey, clover honey, and raw honey showing beneficial effects on fasting glucose and total cholesterol.

Honey, Propolis, and Royal Jelly: A Comprehensive Review of Their Biological Actions and Health Benefits

PubMed ID: 28814983

Excerpt:

Health Benefits of Honey

• Dyspepsia, Gastritis, and Peptic Ulcer
• Wound Management
• Pediatric Dermatitis Care
• Diabetic Foot Ulcer
• Gastrointestinal (GI) Disorder
• Oral Health
• Gastroenteritis
• Gastroesophageal Reflux
• Constipation and Diarrhea
• Liver and Pancreatic Diseases
• Metabolic and Cardiovascular
• Cancer and Oncogenesis
• Pharyngitis and Coughs

Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha): A comprehensive review on ethnopharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, biomedicinal and toxicological aspects

PubMed ID: 34649336

Excerpt:

Comparative analysis of relevant in-vitro, in-vivo, and clinical investigations indicated potent bioactivity of W. somnifera extracts and phytochemicals as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, apoptotic, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, cardio-protective and spermatogenic agents. W. somnifera was found to be especially active against many neurological and psychological conditions like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, ischemic stroke, sleep deprivation, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

An overview on Ashwagandha: a Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda

PubMed ID: 22754076

Excerpt:

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is very revered herb of the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine as a Rasayana (tonic). It is used for various kinds of disease processes and specially as a nervine tonic. Considering these facts many scientific studies were carried out and its adaptogenic / anti-stress activities were studied in detail. In experimental models it increases the stamina of rats during swimming endurance test and prevented adrenal gland changes of ascorbic acid and cortisol content produce by swimming stress. Pre-treatment with Withania somnifera (WS) showed significant protection against stress induced gastric ulcers. WS have anti-tumor effect on Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell carcinoma. It was also found effective against urethane induced lung-adenoma in mice. In some cases of uterine fibroids, dermatofibrosarcoma, long term treatment with WS controlled the condition. It has a Cognition Promoting Effect and was useful in children with memory deficit and in old age people loss of memory. It was also found useful in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and Alzheimer’s diseases. It has GABA mimetic effect and was shown to promote formation of dendrites. It has anxiolytic effect and improves energy levels and mitochondrial health. It is an anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agent and was found useful in clinical cases of Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis.

Safety and clinical effectiveness of Withania Somnifera (Linn.) Dunal root in human ailments

PubMed ID: 32201301

Excerpt:

Root of the Ayurvedic drug W. somnifera (Aswagandha) appears a promising safe and effective traditional medicine for management of schizophrenia, chronic stress, insomnia, anxiety, memory/cognitive enhancement, obsessive-compulsive disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, type-2 diabetes and male infertility, and bears fertility promotion activity in females adaptogenic, growth promoter activity in children and as adjuvant for reduction of fatigue and improvement in quality of life among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.