Dr. Henry Cheng
Inflammation is the basic pathology of all diseases. It brings on physiological changes like redness, heat, itchiness, exudation and pain, as well as structural changes like swelling, erosions, fibrosis and calcification. Inflammation can be a result of infection, injury, metabolic changes, and immune responses. Pain is a result of irritation of the nerve endings (sensors). This can result from acute damages as in a cut or bone fracture, or from irritation by inflammatory materials. Common causes of chronic pains include long standing injuries, arthritis, fibromyalgia and inflammation of body organs. Hence if we can eliminate inflammation, we can control pain. Inflammation is due to the release of a hormone-like substance called prostaglandin (PGE-1) and the process is sustained by an enzyme called Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). So if we can eliminate COX-2 inflammation will fade off even if it started. Aspirin inhibites COX-2 activity but it also inhibits COX-1 which is protective of the lining of the digestive tract and blood vessels. Modern “selective COX-2 inhibitors” like Vioxx and Celebrex will spare the gastric mucosa but they are found to cause a higher incidence of thrombosis (clotting) in the heart and the brain. Steroids are very strong inflammation suppressants but they are associated with even more serious side effects in almost every body organ.
Turmeric contains curcumin which is found to have strong COX-2 inhibiting properties without the side effects of Aspirin or those of “selective COX-2 inhibitors”. Unfortunately most commercial preparations of turmeric are poorly absorbed. A special form recently developed is a micronized form of curcumin mixed with turmeric oils and phospholipids. This has been found to be 7 times more easily absorbed and it also stays in the body longer. A new product (Curamin® – Terry Naturally – EuroPharm) contains this patented curcumin, which is further potentized with the addition of boswellia, d,l-phenylalanine, and nattokinase. This is probably the most effective herbal preparation today for relieving inflammation and pain. L-phenylalanine is an amino acid that can improve mood and elevate pain threshold. D-phenylalanine blocks an enzyme (Carboxypeptidase A) in nerves that intensifies pain signals. Nattokinase is an enzyme from fermentated soybean. Enzymes clear the inflammatory debris so anti-inflammatory substances can reach the problem sites.
Immunity is related to inflammation because all immune responses are in the form of inflammation. All auto-immune diseases are mediated through inflammation at a target organ. People with inflammation and pain usually take lots of pain-killers and herbs and that might do some damage to their gastro-intestinal tract. Hence the topics of pain, inflammation, immunity, and gastro-intestinal health are all related and should be considered at the same time. It is by solving the problem of inflammation that one can achieve total body health. For the information of the readers, Dr. Gaetano Morello N.D. (renowned physician and author) is the authority in “Management of Pain through Total Body Health”. His seminar is scheduled for March 2011 at Cloverdale Pharmasave.
Henry Cheng is a medical graduate of the University of London, England and is now Certified Natural Products Consultant in Pharmasave Downtown Cloverdale.
