For several years we have been advising people with Sickle Cell,a genetic illness, to drink a medium glass of beetroot juice daily because it has some very interesting properties and huge benefits. This article in the Daily Mail just supports what we’ve known for years.
For nearly 5 years we have been working with a growing team of sickle cell sufferers using diet, lifestyle and supplementation to impact their health. What we have seen is remarkable but according to medical ‘experts’ is just hogwash. To have seen a rise of 12% over 3 years in haemoglobin levels and a decrease in painful sickling, according to the subject, is obvious.
To add weight to our long term approach of using functional carbohydrates, plant sugars, to provide measurable benefits I now refer you to GlycoMimetics
who are in phase 2 trials of a carbohydrate mimicking drug for sickle cell.
Quoting from their own website – you can begin to see some patterns:
GlycoMimetics is focused on discovering and developing novel medicines based on an understanding of the role carbohydrates play in important biological processes. Almost all human proteins that are expressed within the cell are modified by the post-translational addition of complex carbohydrates to the protein surface. Many of these carbohydrate structures affect the functions of these proteins and their interactions with other molecules. One of the keys to understanding many complex biological interactions, therefore, is to understand the functional role that is played by specific carbohydrates. This field of study is known as glycobiology, and some in the field have recently coined the terms “glycome” and “glycomics” to refer to the complete set of carbohydrates within a given cell and to the analysis of those carbohydrates.
The structures of carbohydrates account for much of the complexity and functionality of proteins and protein activity. Many cell surface complexes contain carbohydrates, which extend much further out from the cell surface than the protein layer. These carbohydrates possess structural information that is used in many recognition events among cells, pathogens, toxins, regulatory proteins, enzymes, antibodies, adhesion molecules, and receptors on other cells. Carbohydrate-mediated interactions are complex, and glycobiologists are now beginning to define the roles played by carbohydrates in some of the key biological processes that are relevant to various diseases. Defining the roles played by specific carbohydrates will enable the design of specific molecules that can act on these biological processes.
The term “glycomimetics” refers to molecules that mimic the structure and activity of carbohydrates. It is important to note that GlycoMimetics is discovering and developing compounds that are mimetics of carbohydrates (glycomimetics), and not natural carbohydrates. Our products are rationally designed to function more like traditional therapeutics, exhibiting good bioavailability and pharmacokinetics, and to enhance the key biological activity over the native carbohydrate structures. Some of the potential applications of carbohydrate mimics include the following: 1) to inhibit the activity of certain proteins or cells by blocking or otherwise preventing binding events; 2) to induce a biological process by mimicking a binding event; or 3) to target therapies through carbohydrate ligands.
For the millions of people who have sickle cell the wiat may be long, at best, and forever at worst before this drug gets to the market. In my opinion it will get there but I have 2 questions:
1. why wait 5-10 years – we’ve been seeing similar results with naturally ocurring plant sugars for almost 5 years
2. why have the medical ‘experts’ been so slow to support carbohydrate based approaches – is it something to do with the money?
I’m sure I’ll be attacked for what I’ve said but if you’d like to talk with people who are seeing real benefits today from carbohydrate based approaches then get in touch.
The arguments surrounding the use of Hyrdoxyurea continue and this latest study, which was stopped short, only serves to heighten the debate. In essence the study was looking to see if hyroxyurea was a possible treatment for children to protect against strokes and was compared to the standard treatment of blood transfusion and a drug to prevent Iron Overload. The fact that the study was stopped 2 years early because the results were conclusive in that the patients given hydroxyurea did very much WORSE. This should signal the end of the debate – Hydroxyurea is not a effective treatment and the side effects are often worse that the issue. read more…
I was watching a video on Ted.com today all about how eating the right foods could actively suppress the body’s ability to supply blood to cancer tumours. That got me thinking about the question the other way round. Can we identify and eat foods that support the body’s ability to regrow blood capillarys where they have been damaged by sickling?
Have a watch of the video yourself and see what you think – my mind is now racing to see if there is a facet of our work with sickle cell that we can improve upon.
Innovative research coming from the Miguel Hernandez University (UMH) has found that cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) are usually the “greatest” natural anti-oxidant. The study analyzed five anti-oxidant properties, with cloves displaying amazing results for each. Cloves tend to be used largely in food preparation all over the world but found primarily in Indian cuisine. Cloves have also been used for medicinal purposes, such as in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Chinese remedies, and western herbalism. In dentistry, cloves are usually also employed as a painkiller.
The research found that cloves have substantial levels of phenolic substances, that possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-clotting properties. This was a major factor in marking cloves the finest all-natural anti-oxidant, however the investigation found that cloves additionally have some other beneficial properties.
“Out of the 5 anti-oxidant properties tested, cloves have the highest capacity to give off hydrogen, reduced lipid peroxidation well, and was the best iron reducer,” says Juana Fernandez-Lopez, one of the writers of the study and a investigator at the UMH.
Lipid peroxidation is actually the method in which free radicals take electrons from the lipids in cell membranes. The end outcome of this process is cellular deterioration. The fact that cloves assist to inhibit this destructive cycle is one that helped drive them to first position. In addition, the capability to decrease iron is yet another profound attribute of cloves.
Iron insufficiencies are rather easy to treat with adequate supplementation or nutritional alterations, but excessive iron in the body can be very challenging to treat. Many individuals suffer from too much iron in the blood stream, and many of which develop hemochromatosis. Hemochromatosis is a serious illness that is a consequence of neglected iron overload. Hemochromatosis may lead to rheumatoid arthritis, abnormal liver function, diabetes, or even heart failure and is a serious issue for people with Sickle cell.
Another objective of the research is to persuade big corporations to begin introducing cloves to their food products. Cloves are really inexpensive and have been a major component of the Mediterranean eating habits for hundreds of years.
“The results show that use of the natural anti-oxidants found in spices used in the Mediterranean diet, or their extracts, is a workable option for the food industry, as long as the organoleptic qualities of the food product are not affected”, adds Juana.
Cloves may be what people are looking for when it comes to getting an affordable and practical spice.
Teenager’s with sickle cell find it very difficult to come to terms with the problem, but it is something you have to deal with, but the good thing about this is there is a way out – but sadly not yet a cure but living a healthy and peaceful life. I personally went through a lot during my own time because no one told me because they didn’t know all those years ago. Now I do know about sickle cell and there are some really simple and effective things you can and should do. By the way I’m over 50 years of age now. read more…
I’ve struggled with Sickle Cell and all it’s complications for my entire life – I’m now well into my 5th decade. I’ve been trying a variety of non pharmaceutical approaches over the last few years and have had some tremendous success – and a few dismal failures. I now believe that I have enough knowledge to produce consistent results in almost every case and I need to pass on what I know to a few trusted people who will continue to work closely with me to improve the results and get this vital help out there to many more people who are in a similar position to me.
So I have an invitation for just a few people to come and work with me. Now the initial period will be unpaid but with the potential to take on a paid role in the medium to long term. The sort of person I’m looking for will be of African decent, have strong values of integrity and a desire to learn. You may be old or young, male or female and be willing to work one-on-one with people long term in support of their quest for better health. You are likely to have some experience of sickle cell and its effects but need not have the illness.
Please include your country, your city, your age, telephone number, and if you have any direct or indirect contact/experience of sickle cell. We will contact everyone who responds.
There are various types of stress, but they can all be dealt with. Lets start with:
Environmental stress:
Under the environment, we have the climate, the air we breath in, and our work place. As for the climate, there are four different seasons, you have the spring, summer, autumn and winter, but the winter and summer are the most important to look out for, because they are the two extremes. And these are the type of climates that cause stress for those with sickle cell. Lets start with winter:
- Always listen to your body which is the most important point, you will have less problems.
- Before winter comes in start taking antioxidants and glyconutrients, this would help to build your immune system, and prevent you having colds or infections.
- Sudden change of climate or environment is always a shock to the system and it reacts by you having a crisis.
- Avoid drinking cold drinks in winter, drink luke-warm water lots of it, tea without caffeine, fruit juices
- Make sure you keep yourself warm and wrap up very warm if you venture to go out, wear layers of clothes.
- Make sure the house or room where you are is always warm
- When the temperature outside is sub zero, try and stay indoors
Food:
Eating the wrong food or diet may have an impact on the body and cause stress.
- Try as much as possible to have a good diet, food like vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts
- Drink a lot of filtered water, this would do you a lot of good water is the best type of drink to take others are coming behind it, it also helps the body to flush out toxins from the system
- Try as much as possible to stay away from too much carbohydrate, this may stress the digestive system, also over a long period if may cause diabetes
- Always listen to your body, it helps a lot to know your digestive system
Emotions::
I know it is difficult to put our problems behind us, but an advise is not to dwell on them too much that they cause you to have a crisis. Try and keep a positive mind about everything and take things one step at a time.
There are 3 main conditions that cause stress, especially those with sickle cell. Most of the time nearly every thing is a struggle for those with sickle cell they have to work extra hard, to get things done. But there is always a solution to a problem.
The 3 main conditions that cause stress are:
- the environment
- food we eat
- emotions
Environment:
here we have the cold and hot weather, and when there are two extremes it makes us have a crisis. The air we breath in, our working places, for those working and so on. All these add stress to the body, and the only way our body reacts to it is by giving us pain called crisis. We can not change the environment, but we can look for a way to live without us having a crisis any-time the weather changes either winter or summer.
Food:
Food plays an important role in our lives, but people do not understand this. Food on the other hand can heal, if you know the right diet to eat. But because we eat the wrong diet most of the time, and do not strive to change our diet, our body goes under the stress of having to process under nourished food. Things like fizzy drinks, spicy and oily food, and over processed food all these are a stress to the system. You would find that most of those with sickle cell have a protruding stomach, this is because our digestive system is compromised and does not do a proper job of digesting the food, our liver does not work properly and so on, but this is another topic.
Emotions:
It is better to be in a happy mood and environment than anything else. There are a lot of emotions running through our minds, the thought of their whole life before them and many other issues and sometimes self pity also comes on board. Most of those with sickle cell go through emotional stress, and until there is a solution, it may be damaging to the system.
Kumasi, Jan 6, GNA – A survey conducted by the National Sickle Cell Control Programme, shows that more than 16,000 Ghanaian children born within the last three years have the sickle cell disease.
Dr Andrew Adjei Druye, National Focal Person, described the figure as worrying and blamed the situation on public ignorance about the genetic and sickle cell status.
It is estimated that there are currently 400,000 Ghanaians living with the disease.
Dr Druye who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi described the disease as deadly and counter-productive to socio-economic development.
Persistent destruction of the immune system, bones and internal organs hasten the death of patients.
They also suffer chronic anaemia, bodily pains and general “cosmetic” disfigurement.
Dr Druye, who is also the Programmes Director of the Health Education Unit, Ghana Health Service (GHS), said since Ghana is ranked among countries with the highest population of sickle cell patients in Africa, the service is liaising with the United States Agency for International Development to establish Genetic Counselling and Testing centres across the nation.
The centres would be attached to government hospitals with the primary aim to test people for the disease, provide counselling, as well as treatment and management.
He said the GHS would also train health workers especially doctors and nurses to build their capacity, knowledge and skills to give proper care and efficiently manage sickle cell patients.
He advised the youth who want to marry to go for sickle cell test to know their status to help them to give birth to healthy children.
GNA
Source: GNA – Ghana News Agency
