The researchers had discovered a compound contained within the New Zealand’s blackcurrants possibly has the ability to decrease lung inflammation with several activity battles in allergy induced asthma. This discovered compound heightens the natural defense actions in lung tissue by restraining inflammation producing effects and decreasing the inflammation.

It has already been demonstrated that eating fruit does decrease asthma symptoms in allergy induced asthma however, this is the first research of its kind to give understanding into the system of how this happens. Researchers had determined that the compound of epigallocatechin has the ability to decrease lung tissue inflammation. This compound is a familiar antioxidant and a vital element of proanthocyanidins which are found in blackcurrants.

The study which was headed by Dr. Roger Hurst, had used cells from lung tissues to test the reactions on the immune system proanthocyanidins ample extract which had come from growers of these blackcurrants in New Zealand.

Upon the lungs being exposed to allergens, the bodies natural reaction is to fight the discovered foreign body in whereas for some persons it can cause long term inflammation. Select compounds which are found in fruits and vegetables may be able to work in unison along with bodies own natural defense’s to halt long term inflammation.

The study has demonstrated that epigallocatechin in blackcurrants works in unison with other natural immune actions at the identical time in order to decrease inflammation. These actions are explicit from another group of compounds of anthocycanins that provide decreasing inflammation actions that are also extensive in blackcurrants. Anthocycanin compounds are note for their elements of antioxidants and notably have been demonstrated by the researchers that they also effect inflammatory responses and they also enrich the bodies natural immune actions. This research demonstrates that some compounds found in fruit believed to benefit health due their antioxidant actions in reality are maintaining our health in other ways.

Dr. Hurst states that by the discovery of these compounds that possibly decrease lung inflammation and enhance the bodies own immune actions is an inspiring development. If more is discovered on how it works they may later on manufacture foods that have these compounds which could give more natural choices in order to aide conventional medicine treatments for asthma and may be even other allergic reactions.

This study was part of Plant & Food Research’s Food Innovation program that centers upon the discoveries of benefits in fruits, vegetables, grains and seafood and by applying the information to produce fresh whole foods, ingredients and ideas.
Blackcurrant seed oil for arthritis

Blackcurrant seed oil is known as a fairly safe medication. However, there are still limited studies into blackcurrants.
Two control trails were done to establish the effects on persons with rheumatoid arthritis.

In trail one patients were divided into two groups: one group received blackcurrant seed oil and the group a placebo. The patients who had taken the seed oil during the entire trail did show a noticeably moderate decrease in joint stiffness. However, the decrease was only moderate and did not noticeably decrease pain and stiffness in the morning.

In the second trail conducted it was shown that patients who had received the blackcurrant seed oil had a remarked reduction of stiffness in the morning after the trail had ended. However, the reduction was not noticed after six weeks of the trail ending.
Prevention for exercise aches and pains.

In September of this year another study conducted on blackcurrants from Dr. Hurst and associates was conducted on the effects of blackcurrant juice. The researchers state that the compounds of flavonoids in the berries guard the body from workout stresses.
The effects of blackcurrant extract was observed on ten untrained volunteers.

The study had revealed that those volunteers who had taken a blackcurrant pill prior to and after medium rate of exercise had shown less signs of oxidative stress and muscle damage. They also had shown less signs of inflammation.

The pills in which were used had the equivalent of one to two ounces of berries. These pills were taken each day for three weeks prior to and after exercise.

To conduct the research volunteers were chosen among healthy everyday persons with a vast age range that exercised routinely. The researchers took measurements of biochemical indicators to evaluate the reaction of taking blackcurrant extract capsules prior to and after exercise.

Venous circulation
Blackcurrants play a part in the circulatory system. It has been demonstrated to have vasoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. Traditionally it is used as an anti-hypersensitive which some studies have proven. This activity is acknowledged by the flavonoids, rutin and isoquertin it contains. These substances are vastly prescribed by alternative health practitioners in the treatment for the venous system when it breaks down. It is used for problems in the circulatory system which include varicose veins. The leaves increase mircorcirculation.

Alzheimer’s Disease
Research conducted in 2006, in New Zealand had shown that the compounds contained in blackcurrants have a strong guarding action in cultured neuronal cells against kinds of stress caused by dopamine and amyloid-b, a natural compounds linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
The compounds can also work in hippocampal cells taken directly from the brain. The reaction most probably be duplicated in the human body and the blackcurrants could aide in prevention or greatly postpone the onset of the disease.
This study proves that the compounds in blackcurrants guard against Alzheimer’s disease by controlling the early gene expression in learning and memory that control the cell signaling pathways that aide the neuronal cells communicate with one another.

Blackcurrant elements
Blackcurrants contain tannin, vitamin C, potassium salts, and essential oil.

Treatments in which used
Due to its vitamin C content this fruit has been used in treating cardiovascular disease, in prevention of cardiac insufficiency and vascular occurrences.

Blackcurrants in the diet have been noted to be useful for rheumatism, arthritis and gout. It stimulates digestion and the functioning of organs that include liver, pancreas and kidneys.

Blackcurrant is advocated as an anti-inflammatory that reacts much like cortisone in conditions such as bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and chronic allergies. When used externally in a mixture it can treat abscess, eczema and insect stings.

http://www.examiner.com/alternative-medicine-in-detroit/blackcurrants-aides-asthma

Giuseppe Verlato, an epidemiologist at the University of Verona, asked participants to recall whether they smoked between the ages of 11 and 20 and if they had suffered from asthma as young children.

They found that 49 percent of men who smoked as teens did not have asthma in their childhood. This compared to 35.6 percent of men who smoked as teens and had asthma as children.

This “shielding” effect did not apply to girls. For women, 39.4 percent without childhood asthma began smoking before age 20 compared with 41.2 percent of those with asthma.

The study appears online in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Asthma, a disease that inflames and narrows the breathing airways, occurs in 8 percent to 9 percent of children, said John Carl, head of the pediatric pulmonology department at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital.

“Smoking as an asthmatic is kind of like trying to put out a fire with gasoline,” he said. “You’re adding a lot of inflammation to the type of inflammation that’s already there.”

The study notes that adolescents with asthma are more prone to psychological problems because of negative social perceptions resulting from their disease. “For girls with asthma, smoking could be a way to increase self-esteem, which has been shown to be lower in girls than boys,” the authors wrote.

Carl said other factors affect whether a person starts smoking or not including socio-economic status, race and parents’ smoking habits.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/204073.php

Be cautious of products marketed to “clean” the air, like sprays and plug-in fresheners that release particles.

While room-sized air cleaners can reduce airborne allergens, they can generate ozone – a gas regulated by the EPA as a lung irritant in outdoor air, says Dr. Julie McNairn, an allergist and immunologist with Premier Allergy and Asthma Associates in Middletown. Look for models with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s “asthma & allergy friendly” certification (www.asthmaandallergyfriendly.com), which indicates they can reduce allergen levels by more than 75 percent and do not contribute to ozone levels in the home that exceed federal regulations.

Use bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans that vent outdoors.

Use natural ingredients for cleaning, like baking soda and vinegar, McNairn recommends, or buy products with the cleaning solution already infused into a cloth.

Use a dehumidifier to reduce the potential of mold growth in a damp basement.

If cleaning up mold – areas less than about 10 square feet can be handled without professional help, according to EPA recommendations – use bleach, not soap. Some types can serve as a food source for mold, McNairn says.

Run the fan in a central air system even when the heat and air conditioning are not on.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=201010210326

The inflammatory response that is part of asthma is the reason this inflammation occurs. Not all wheezing is asthma since diseases like pneumonia, COPD, or certain vocal cord problems may lead to wheezing.

What Does It Mean If I Hear Wheezing?

Do you ever hear this sound when breathing? This is what wheezing sounds like when a doctor listens to your chest with a stethoscope. Wheezing is never normal and should not be ignored. Wheezing is one of the classic symptoms associated with asthma. Based on your history and some or all of these other symptoms, your doctor may make a diagnosis of asthma:
• Chronic cough, especially at night
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath
When Should I Contact A Doctor?
1. If the wheezing is new
2. If wheezing is not new, but getting worse

If your your wheezing is a new problem and you do not have a diagnosis of asthma, you should definitely see a doctor as many different things can cause wheezing.
When you visit the doctor, you will be asked many questions about your history, symptoms, and if the symptoms are associated with any of these triggers. Triggers are things that “set off” your asthma. You can learn how to identify and avoid these common triggers to help get better control of your asthma.

If you are already being treated for asthma and still wheezing significantly, your treatment may not be working or you may not be taking the treatment correctly. When your asthma is under good control, you should not wheeze. Improving communication with your doctor and asking for a health information prescription may help you gain the information and skills you need to get better control of your asthma.

If you use an Asthma Action Plan, make sure you follow the instructions for wheezing. If you don’t have one, you need to make discussing one with your asthma doctor a priority.

http://asthma.about.com/od/adultasthma/a/adult_art_whz.htm

A clear connection exists between stress and asthma, says Jonathan Bernstein, MD, an immunologist and professor at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. A number of published studies have shown a strong relationship, says Dr. Bernstein, and more research is underway.

Asthma and Stress — a Complicated Relationship

There are numerous parts to the asthma-stress relationship. Uncontrolled asthma on its own can create stress — if you’re having trouble taking in air, it’s bound to create anxiety and, in turn, make your asthma worse. What’s more, certain stressful facets of everyday life have been linked with asthma, says Bernstein. Family, financial, or work stress has been shown to worsen asthma and the overall severity of the disease, though the exact mechanism by which this happens isn’t clear, Bernstein adds.
The physical effects of stress and a gush of emotions can act as asthma triggers. When people cry or get anxious and upset, breathing becomes harder, faster, and shallower. Crying also increases secretions, like mucus, that can make breathing more difficult and make asthma symptoms much worse. In addition, stress can weaken your immune system, increasing vulnerability to asthma attacks and infections, worsening asthma symptoms.

Manage Stress, Breathe Easier

It’s important for people with asthma to recognize and take action when they’re feeling stressed and notice their asthma symptoms worsening. Breathing relaxation techniques that may already be a part of your strategy to control asthma symptoms are good to use when stress strikes and breathing becomes difficult. Use these additional tips to manage stress and avoid this serious asthma trigger:
• Get regular exercise to ease stress. Discuss the specifics of what would be a helpful exercise regimen for you with your doctor.
• Try to avoid stressors. Sounds obvious, but rather than ignoring problems that cause you stress, try to manage relationships or find ways to handle situations that create anxiety for you.
• Ask for help when you need it. Don’t let yourself become overwhelmed by responsibilities that cause stress and prompt an asthma attack.
• Be proactive to alleviate problems. Calm yourself down and start coming up with a plan of action or resolution rather than just worrying. Consider getting help from a therapist or other mental health professional if problems feel like they’re spiraling out of control.
• Experiment with relaxation techniques. In addition to deep breathing exercises, try progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, meditation, and guided imagery.
• Get organized. Find better ways to manage your everyday responsibilities and improve time management.
• Adopt a regular sleep schedule. A lack of sleep can make stress and anxiety feel worse.
• Make time to have fun. Treat yourself to a little personal enjoyment each day with a hobby, fitness activity, or even just a short time-out from daily stressors.

Of course, it’s important to keep asthma under control with the right medication. But if, in addition, stress reduction and avoidance of other asthma triggers aren’t enough to keep you breathing well, talk to your doctor about other ways to improve your asthma management.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/asthma/how-stress-triggers-asthma.aspx

In an observational study, medical records of 91 obese patients with physician-diagnosed asthma, who were enrolled in an interventional weight loss study,showed that 33 (36.3%) had no hyper-responsiveness to methacholine challenge.

The charts also revealed significant associations between body mass index (BMI) and health-related quality of life, a relationship that can lead to more clinic visits and further increase the likelihood of asthma misdiagnosis, according to an article published online in Chest.

“We have shown a consistent negative correlation of increasing BMI and health-related quality of life measured by both generic and disease-specific instruments,” Stephen Scott, MRCP, of Liverpool University, and coauthors wrote in their discussion.

“This effect was much greater than any associations with degree of airway inflammation as assessed by [exhaled nitric oxide], which might have been expected to track asthma severity.”

“These data emphasize the complex problems of identifying respiratory disease accurately in obese subjects,” they added.

The prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma continues to increase, in part, because of an association between obesity and asthma. Obese patients often exhibit asthma-like symptoms, arising from the effects of increased BMI on lung volumes, increased effort to breathe, and increased release of adipokines, the authors noted in their introduction.

Breathlessness is a common finding in both asthma and obesity, creating a potential for misdiagnosis. For example, a Canadian study showed that a third of patients with physician-diagnosed asthma had no evidence of asthma by symptoms, lung function, or bronchial challenge testing (CMAJ 2008; 179: 1121-1131).

Obesity adversely affects health-related quality of life, and increasing BMI has been associated with higher rates of visits to primary care physicians (Family Practice 2010; 0: 1-6)

“Since health-related quality of life and asthma control are related, it is easy to see how health impairments arising from obesity could be attributed to asthma, further increasing the likelihood of a misdiagnosis,” the authors wrote.

To examine associations among obesity, health-related quality of life, and asthma diagnosis, Scott and colleagues recruited 91 obese patients with physician-diagnosed asthma. All of the study participants had a BMI ≥30, did not smoke, and were taking asthma medication. Investigators excluded patients on inhaled corticosteroids and those with significant comorbidities.

Participants completed generic, respiratory, and obesity-related quality-of-life questionnaires. They also underwent atopy testing, methacholine challenge for bronchial hyper-responsiveness, and assessment of airway inflammation as reflected by the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO).

Scores on the various questionnaires had good correlation (P<0.001). The investigators found no consistent correlations between exhaled nitric oxide and the questionnaires. BMI correlated negatively with several domains within the questionnaires (P=0.004 to P<0.001).

Measures of lung function had no significant associations with health-related quality of life.

Comparison of patients with and without bronchial hyper-responsiveness showed that the hyper-responsive patients were younger; had lower values on measures of lung function and higher values for FeNO; were more likely to be atopic; and were more likely to be ex-smokers.

Patients with and without bronchial hyper-responsiveness did not have significantly different scores for any of the quality-of-life instruments or any domains within the instruments.

“The variable that correlated strongest with degree of health impairment was BMI rather than other traditional markers of asthma severity … or airway inflammation,” the authors wrote in their discussion.

“There was no significant difference in health-related quality-of-life between those with and without bronchial hyper-responsiveness, again suggesting less influence than BMI,” they said.

This study’s limitations included its observational nature and the fact that participant numbers were not equally matched between groups. The study also excluded patients with normal BMI so the results are confined to obese patients.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/AllergyImmunology/Asthma/28104

Patients often poorly take their medication based on the onset and degree of symptoms.

Henry Ford researchers say this is the first time that asthma medication use has been tracked closely over time and related to the likelihood of severe asthma attacks. The findings are published online in the December issue of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology *

“Our findings demonstrated a relationship between medication adherence and asthma events in a manner that accounts for the changing patterns of inhaler use over time,” says lead author Keoki Williams, M.D., MPH, an Internal Medicine physician and associate director of Henry Ford’s Center for Health Policy and Health Service Research.

More than 20 million Americans, or approximately 1 in 15, suffer from asthma, which accounts for nearly 500,000 hospitalizations in the United States annually, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) medication is the most effective treatment for controlling symptoms and preventing attacks, which can lead to a visit to the emergency department or hospitalization or death if left untreated.

Working from their theory that ICS use changes with the episodic nature of asthma, Dr. Williams and his team of researchers set out to measure changes in medication use over time and to estimate the effect of ICS use on asthma attacks among 298 patients. Patients were followed on average for two years and had 435 asthma attacks during that time.

“We found that every 25 percent increase in ICS adherence was associated with an 11 percent decrease in asthma attacks,” Dr. Williams says. “But most importantly, we found that causal use of these medications is not enough, especially among patients whose asthma is not controlled. Patients must use their asthma controller medication as prescribed if they want to have the best chance of preventing serious asthma attacks.”

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/239121.php

Researchers collected dust samples from the homes of both children who live on farms and children who live in urban and suburban areas. Upon examination, the farm samples contained a much wider variety of bacteria and fungi than the urban and suburban samples, which were directly correlated to lower overall rates of asthma and allergies.

“The risk of asthma decreased with an increase in the diversity of microbial exposure,” said Dr. Markus Ege, author of the study. “Within the microbial spectrum under investigation, several germs with a potential for asthma prevention were identified. A combination of environmental microorganisms might stimulate the innate immune system and counterbalance an asthma-prone immune status.”

Previous studies have found similar results, notably a 2010 study out of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) which found that the germs in dirt help to build immunity and ward off asthma and allergies. The same study also correlated excessive cleanliness with immune impairment because in a sanitary environment, the body is unable to properly build immunity.

Conclusively, both studies on the subject reinforce the fact that environmental germs and microbes can be beneficial to health and immune function. Without them, the body seems unable to build a natural resistance to disease.

http://www.naturalnews.com/031615_asthma_farms.html

So, it shouldn’t surprise you that new information has surfaced linking BPA to breathing issues in babies. An article in Mail Online, discussed the results of a recent study by Penn State College of Medicine. The results found that pregnant mothers with high levels of BPA in their blood during the 16th week of pregnancy are “twice as likely to have infants with wheezing problems in the first six months of life.” What is really scary is that 99% of all the mothers in this study had various levels of bisphenol-A in their systems.

There is no question that the use of bisphenol-A use in food and drinking containers should be banned. Even though no country has yet to go that far, Denmark was the first country in the EU to ban the chemical in containers that target children under 3; and the entire EU has banned it from use in the production of baby bottles. Northern America has been a bit slower on the uptake but Canada and some states in the United States have begun taking steps to control the use of bisphenol- A in consumer products. Six baby bottle manufacturers removed the chemical from their U.S. bottle production after widespread public outcry.

Of course, the plastics industry prefers to spend money to procure studies cast doubt on the dangers of BPA, rather than implanting BPA safe alternatives. So again, consumers must take steps to protect themselves. Expectant mothers and women planning to conceive should be diligent in avoidance of bisphenol-A contaminated products- it is imperative for the well being of themselves and their infants.

http://www.naturalnews.com/032304_BPA_asthma.html

Poor diet and insufficient exercise are associated with a series of cardiovascular risks and other chronic diseases, but some studies point out that asthma could be added to that list since the association between asthma and obesity comes from some common factors, as it is being discussed during the 2nd EAACI Pediatric Allergy and Asthma Meeting (PAAM 2011) that is taking place in Barcelona at the International Convention Centre (CCIB), from 13 to 15 October.

“Does asthma lead to obesity, or are they related to other common factors? A recent explanation that is being investigated is the over production of cytokines (substances with inflammatory effect) due to a variety of stimuli that may lead to the development of asthma,” explains Dr Angel Mazon, PAAM 2011 Co-Chair and EAACI Pediatric Section Board Member. “Thanks to these findings, physicians calculate that the frequency of asthma in obese children can be up-to-double that of non-obese kids.”

According to the experts, nutritional status demonstrates a positive influence in the fight against asthma. “Indeed, many studies show a protective effect of the Mediterranean diet against asthma. The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, fish and fresh foods, as opposed to fast food, has shown protection in the case of cardiovascular disease and cancer, but it must be thoroughly assessed for asthma,” states Antonella Muraro, PAAM 2011 Co-Chair and EAACI Treasurer.

Asthma and allergy often go hand-in-hand and the latter has a dual role in asthma development. One of the most obvious roles is as a trigger of asthmatic attacks, such as when a child is exposed to large amounts of allergen, e.g. when playing with a cat, places full of dust or in fields of grass. The second role, not so obvious but probably more important, is the induction of chronic inflammation of the airways in children exposed to lesser amounts of allergen. For instance, a normal amount of dust at home will not develop acute evident symptoms, but will be able to cause chronic inflammation, making the patient more susceptible to the effects of all kind of triggers.

Contrary to the vast opinion, sports are recommended for children with asthma and they should be encouraged to practice. “Sports have very beneficial effects on the cardiopulmonary system, and an enhanced respiratory capacity will be of much help in the case of asthmatic attacks. Indeed, the lack of exercise leads to lesser respiratory capacity and this to less exercise, creating a vicious cycle.”

Thanks to the detection of the influence of these triggers, clinical efforts are focused now on personalised therapies, as response to treatment is variable across patients. “The available treatments for asthma show a slow progress, as every new therapy must be thoroughly assessed before wider availability. All of them have advantages and limitations regarding efficacy and potential adverse effects.”

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111014104407.htm