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TrundleBum
Trad climber
Las Vegas
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 25, 2008 - 12:27am PT
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Very good point Senor'
Paganmonkeyboy:
I have taken cayenne now and again.
Years ago I heard about the 'master cleanse' fast...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_Cleanse
not such a big deal but it got me aware of cayenne as something to use other than just to color your hard boiled eggs with.
I had a friend turn me onto his anti cold/flu remedy some 15 years ago. I have only had one cold and never a flu since.
At the first hint of cold or flu symptoms, or even if I have been around some sick people,
I take a couple cayenne caps at start and end of day along with 25mgs of zinc twice a day.
I just have this hunch...
(some scientist will flame me I know)
that zinc is to humans and vitamin C, what magnesium is for plants and the assimilation of nitrogen (?)
But doing the zinc and cayenne... I virtually never get sick from a common cold.
Looks like I'll be eating a lot more turmeric in the future.
TY everybody for all the great info.
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Jan 25, 2008 - 01:14am PT
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that zinc is to humans and vitamin C, what magnesium is for plants and the assimilation of nitrogen (?)
Dunno about that, but it's very clearly important in wound healing.
D
Turmeric edit: we get ours from actual turmeric roots (okay, rhizomes). Grated into curries etc.
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matisse
climber
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Jan 25, 2008 - 02:25am PT
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"(some scientist will flame me I know)"
not this one, I never argue with success.
It has not been proven for colds, but what may work for one person may not work for another, not too much down side to finding out if it works for you.
Interesting stuff on zinc and macular degeneration:
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/oct2001/nei-12.htm
and for colds and flu some really interesting stuff on a ginseng mixture marketed under the name "Cold Fx", some real studies appear to back this one up.
the same cannot be said of "Airborne". (as an aside, why advertising that something was developed by a elementary school teacher is used as a marketing tool is beyond me.)
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ToeJamCheeseHog
climber
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Jan 25, 2008 - 02:55am PT
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If you take tumeric with sugar and vinegar, you might grow a gherkin.
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Krack Addict
climber
Murrieta, Ca
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Jan 25, 2008 - 10:48am PT
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If you are looking to shift your lifestyle and stop being a dumping ground for synthetic chemicals and "FDA approved drugs" Go see your local chiropractor and get valid and educated information. Yes there are some out there not as good as others, so shop around and find the right one for you. I suggest using a good vitamin like lifepak nano (pharmanex). You can also find a doc in your area that will be able to measure anti-oxidant levels in your system and give you objective findings for improving your body's natural ability to fight off any threats. Creating a strong healthy body is the best defense against disease. The public's paradigm is hopefully shifting from sickcare to real healthcare. You go see a dentist for regular checkups, not just when your teeth hurt.
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nature
climber
Santa Fe, NM
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Jan 25, 2008 - 11:01am PT
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My supplements include:
Cayenne, Turmeric, Spirulina, MSM/Gluc/Chondroitin, plus a tincture of Horsetail, Turmeric and Devils claw. AFter enough raw foods cleanses that really tuned me into nutritional values of food as well as what certain foods do to me so I don't worry about other supplements (vitamin's). I had to cut down on tofu as it was rocking me pretty hard (plus my man-boobs were growing and I got a brozier for xmas one year). And if you really want to do your liver and gal bladder a favor just remember there is more than one way to "take" your coffee.
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DrCrankenstein
Social climber
too many places, actually
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Jan 25, 2008 - 11:52am PT
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I don't think I saw this mentioned...
I have found that the BEST product for inflammation related issues is Zyflamend http://www.new-chapter.com. Check it out, its THE SH#T! I noticed very quick acting results. Basically, most of its ingredients have been discussed here...5 grams MSM per day is a good combo...Also doing a cleanse is another good step to kick it all off!
Good Luck!
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Jan 26, 2011 - 11:13am PT
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OK,
it's been a few years now is anyone still using turmeric as an anti-inflammatory?
What were the results.
(mr. old and arthritic)
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hossjulia
Social climber
Eastside
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Jan 26, 2011 - 11:29am PT
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Turmeric is not the only plant based anti inflammatory. I take devils claw and yucca, plus use turmeric in my cooking. They all work.
I used Turmeric in a tincture with chamomile after knee surgery and it worked so well I did not need any NSAID's.
I have run out of my supplements enough times now in the past year that I have proven the effectiveness of my regime. Recent trip to the Gorge as a case in point. I forgot my supplements and was without for 48 hours. Day 3 I had to take 600mg of ibu to cut the body wide joint pain so I could climb!
48 hours back on them, no more pain, no more ibu!
NOW brands is what I use, bought through http://www.iherb.com/
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Jan 26, 2011 - 12:31pm PT
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I'd go with Locker on these things. The traditional "medicines" such as say turmeric may well be of some benefit, but often there's no scientific double-blind study to show either way. (Those promoting them sometimes resist such studies...) No way to know the benefits, risks, proper dose, etc - even traditional tested drugs are too often simply a promotion by the drug companies. Although at least with them, you know what you're getting. So the less taken, of anything, the better. And a good balanced diet and lifestyle often go a long way. But if you have any real problems, see a real doctor for advice and treatment. Sure, talk with a traditional "doctor" also, but be even more cautious about whatever advice is given.
Those promoting traditional "medicines", often from south or east Asia, may have a vested interest in promoting them, like big pharma. And no, such cultures and practices aren't necessarily ancient or time-tested. The cultures in the Indus Valley were much later and almost certainly derivative of those from the Fertile Crescent, and those in China were later and at least in part derivative. Old doesn't necessarily mean better anyway. Notably, people in say China or India don't live as long as those in North America, although it has much more to do with traditional things such as infant and maternal health care, clean water, sewage disposal, vaccinations, nutrition, and decent basic health care than anything else.
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hossjulia
Social climber
Eastside
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Jan 26, 2011 - 12:43pm PT
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Uhm, most Dr.s know nothing about nutrition and health. They prescribe drugs the drug companies tell them to. It ain't called 'practicing' medicine for no reason. They are practicing on YOU!
What eKat said, Dare to make your own health care decisions, do your own research and heal thyself! There are herbal alternatives to MOST (not all) synthetic drugs.
How many of you have Dr.s that ask you about your diet and lifestyle before they prescribe drugs? How many tell you to make some changes to your lifestyle BEFORE they try a drug? I know they are out there, had one myself, but they sure seem to be a rare breed anymore.
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lostinshanghai
Social climber
someplace
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Jan 26, 2011 - 01:02pm PT
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Mosquito and spiders bites,
Fresh [root, size of a finger] works the best, if have powder mix into paste, put on infected area and bite/red area gone in a couple of minutes.
Depending on the spider though and which country Australia, Brazil has some nasty ones and as for the US Brown Recluse which are usually found in Texas but have known to be found in CA not sure it will work on, same for Black Widow not sure either.
But for those mosquito’s that are known to carry small children away in Tuolumne Meadows works well.
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pk_davidson
Trad climber
Albuquerque, NM
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Jan 28, 2011 - 03:17pm PT
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"Uhm, most Dr.s know nothing about nutrition and health"
Oh BS
The more appropriate statement is most patients don't know how to find an MD appropriate to their needs.
More and more MDs are being trained and looking for training in holistic medicine. If you don't know one, find one. They're everywhere.
Ke-rist, UofA even has fellowship in holistic medicine
http://integrativemedicine.arizona.edu/
a clinic in same, there are textbooks on the subject...
Weil's website has lots of advice on diet, etc:
http://www.drweil.com/
Even podunk Albuquerque has it's own center:
http://unmmg.org/cfl/
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matisse
climber
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Jan 28, 2011 - 03:41pm PT
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The traditional "medicines" such as say turmeric may well be of some benefit, but often there's no scientific double-blind study to show either way.
I reiterate pubmed is your friend:
one example (search curcumin not turmeric)
Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2010 Feb;18(2):141-9. Epub 2009 Oct 8.
Biological actions of curcumin on articular chondrocytes.
Henrotin Y, Clutterbuck AL, Allaway D, Lodwig EM, Harris P, Mathy-Hartert M, Shakibaei M, Mobasheri A.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is the principal biochemical component of the spice turmeric and has been shown to possess potent anti-catabolic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, properties. This article aims to provide a summary of the actions of curcumin on articular chondrocytes from the available literature with the use of a text-mining tool. We highlight both the potential benefits and drawbacks of using this chemopreventive agent for treating osteoarthritis (OA). We also explore the recent literature on the molecular mechanisms of curcumin mediated alterations in gene expression mediated via activator protein 1 (AP-1)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) signalling in chondrocytes, osteoblasts and synovial fibroblasts.
METHODS: A computer-aided search of the PubMed/Medline database aided by a text-mining tool to interrogate the ResNet Mammalian database 6.0.
RESULTS: Recent work has shown that curcumin protects human chondrocytes from the catabolic actions of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) including matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 up-regulation, inhibition of collagen type II and down-regulation of beta1-integrin expression. Curcumin blocks IL-1beta-induced proteoglycan degradation, AP-1/NF-kappaB signalling, chondrocyte apoptosis and activation of caspase-3.
CONCLUSIONS: The available data from published in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that curcumin may be a beneficial complementary treatment for OA in humans and companion animals. Nevertheless, before initiating extensive clinical trials, more basic research is required to improve its solubility, absorption and bioavailability and gain additional information about its safety and efficacy in different species. Once these obstacles have been overcome, curcumin and structurally related biochemicals may become safer and more suitable nutraceutical alternatives to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that are currently used for the treatment of OA.
worth having a read of what is in Pub Med.
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Jan 28, 2011 - 04:37pm PT
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CONCLUSIONS: The available data from published in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that curcumin may be a beneficial complementary treatment for OA in humans and companion animals. Nevertheless, before initiating extensive clinical trials, more basic research is required to improve its solubility, absorption and bioavailability and gain additional information about its safety and efficacy in different species.
I like turmeric, and other spices. It seems unlikely that in moderation they do any harm, and they might do some good. It seems that the jury is still out.
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stevep
Boulder climber
Salt Lake, UT
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Jan 28, 2011 - 04:55pm PT
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Another reason to beware random advice about holistic medicine on the internet is that quite a few holistic medicines have interaction issues. Interactions with prescription drugs and interactions with other holistic meds. And they may have contraindications (i.e. don't take them if you have a certain condition). Just because its natural, doesn't mean its harmless. Not saying this applies to tumeric, but something to be aware of generally. And I would trust many MDs as far as I would chiropractors.
As far as yellow spices go, I'm more a fan of saffron :-)
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TrundleBum
Trad climber
Las Vegas
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 28, 2011 - 05:04pm PT
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Thanks for all the feed back folks.
I have been pretty good about regularly taking MSN, Glucosamine(with chondroitin) and Turmeric. I don't take Yucca regularly, only when I have obvious connective tissue inflammation.
I agree with you all on many points:
Locker - Older/elderly people's systems need 'easing into..."
And yes the eb is boon and bane for info/mis info.
But this is a pretty educated (if not ultimately opinionated) and eclectic crowd here. So you usually get a nice well rounded spectrum of info.
Julia:
Thanks for your 'first hand' share.
Ekat:
At this point I am with you !
A conversation with Werner was the tipping point for me re: Turmeric.
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maldaly
Trad climber
Boulder, CO
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Jan 28, 2011 - 05:52pm PT
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Brassnuts turned me on to Turmeric a few months ago and it's changed my life. I have super bad inflammatory arthritis in my left ankle due to frostbite. It was bad enough so that if I hiked for a few hours or went wade-fishing, ankle pain would put me down for 36 hours. My usual breakfast of champions--a bowl of Advil and milk--didn't even put a dent in it. Aleve and Tylenol were similarly impotent.
A 1-mil squirt after exercise and then another in the morning and I'd never have any problem. That's right, I use a tincture because it's lots cheaper than the capsules an it seems to work great. I get mine from Sprouts market. They have a house brand which is rated "food grade" whatever that means.
Mal
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Jan 28, 2011 - 07:04pm PT
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Uhm, most Dr.s know nothing about nutrition and health.
Uhm, some Dr.s know nothing about nutrition and health. Some actually know a lot about it. Most are probably somewhere in between. Like someone said upthread, the trick is finding one that does.
Also, given that turmeric has been consumed in large quantities as a food ingredient in Asia for twenty zillion person years, it's pretty unlikely that it would have any startling and unknown side effects. So scaremongering about "traditional medicines from south or east Asia" as a way to argue that turmeric is somehow unknown and possibly even harmful is just plain silly.
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Jan 28, 2011 - 07:15pm PT
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Not scaremongering - skeptical. The stuff may not be harmful, although it's probably never been scientifically assessed from that perspective. That doesn't mean it does any good. Nor do anecdotes prove anything.
If the so-called traditional medicines were as effective as claimed - usually with little if any proof beyond belief - all SuperTopo males would be eating tigers' penis, and on and on. Mostly superstitious nonsense, even if it isn't harmful.
Speaking of which, tigers are highly endangered in most places due to encroachment on their habitat, and to poaching - the latter mostly for the traditional east Asian 'medicines'. Luckily most of the tiger penis on the market is fake, but when Viagra came out, they started cutting it into the 'medicine', so that it started working, and demand went up. Tough for the tigers, of course.
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