When the prostate tissue surrounding the urethra starts to expand, the person immediately starts to have problems with urination. This is also known as a condition called Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, or enlarged prostate, and affects men over the age of 40. This condition is normal and is thought to be the natural part of aging. Some men are more affected than others. The most common reaction is to visit the doctor in order to get help. However, there are some men that avoid the doctor in order to stay away from prescription medications or to have an exam. There are natural alternatives, such as Saw Palmetto, but there are certain theories against this alternative prevention.

Saw palmetto is a small palm tree, also known as the American Dwarf Palm, which is usually found in the Southeastern areas of the United States. The tree has small seeds that have been thought to help cure an enlarged prostate. Research has proven that close to 2 million men in the United States use saw palmetto with hopes that it will improve their prostate. In earlier studies, saw palmetto proved to be effective in the treatment of an enlarged prostate. However, in a more recent and more controlled trial, a double blind placebo failed to show any effects of saw palmetto on the symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy. It is thought that in earlier trials, the patients were able to smell the saw palmetto in the placebos, thus making the results false.

While using saw palmetto is risk free in some cases, and it does not hurt to try any type of alternative treatment, there are some side effects that all users should be aware of first. An allergic reaction to the treatment is rare, but it has been seen in some men. The allergic reactions are shown with trouble breathing, the closing of the throat, inflammation of the lips or tongue, and the swelling of the face mixed with hives. If you see any of these allergic reactions, it is recommended that you stop taking the treatment and contact your doctor immediately.

Other less serious side effects have been found, such as nausea, cramping, diarrhea, and headaches. You might also experience other side effects, but it depends on the person and what other medications they might be taking. In some instances, taking saw palmetto can keep the person from experiencing nausea but it is not guaranteed. If you feel any discomfort, even a headache, you should still contact your doctor to make sure that you do not have the early signs of an allergic reaction.

To lessen the risk of having any side effects, never take saw palmetto without consulting with your doctor first. Some medications do not mix well with saw palmetto. This could potentially harm you and your prostate more than it already is. Alternative treatments are not for everyone and you can never be sure how your body will react to the supplement. Saw palmetto contains ingredients that affect your hormone levels, and the beginning results could be more than what you were expecting.

Forskohlii Can Help You Curve Appetite, Maintain Weight, And Fight Disease

Forskohlii (Coleus forskohlii), a member of the mint family, grows on the sun-exposed, dry slopes of India and is used in traditional Ayurvedic practices. Coleus forskohlii has long been used in India, Thailand and parts of SE Asia as a spice as well as an ingredient in various Ayurvedic medicine concoctions for the treatment of heart ailments, stomach cramps, and more. Forskolin is a pharmacologically active compound found in Coleus forskohlii which has been used in over 5000 research studies since 1981. The roots are harvested in the fall, when forskolin is at its most concentrated and the color is the brightest.

This herb as recorded in ancient Sanskrit texts has been used as a medical herb to treat heart and lung diseases, intestinal spasms, insomnia, and convulsions. An extract of the plant Coleus forskohlii has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to treat various diseases such as hypothyroidism, heart disease and respiratory disorders. It is theoretically possible that coleus could be used in humans to prevent or inhibit tumor metastases as well.

We have not seen any definitive human research evaluating coleus forskohlii and hypertension in humans but it appears that coleonol, a substance found in this herb, can reduce blood pressure in rodents. It is believed to stimulate the release of thyroid hormone, thus relieving such hypothyroidism symptoms as fatigue, depression, weight gain, and dry skin.

A 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 23 overweight women conducted by researchers in the Exercise and Sport Nutrition Lab at the Center for Exercise, Nutrition and Preventive Health Research at Baylor University revealed that individuals receiving coleus forskohlii extract showed decreases in body mass and reported less fatigue and hunger in those patents participating.

In the 1970s researchers isolated a chemically active extract from coleus forskohlii and called it forskolin. Forskolin is a chemical found in the coleus herb that activates the enzyme adenylate cyclase. Adenylate cyclase and the chemicals it activates are responsible for executing a number of important hormonal processes. The sometimes successful use of forskolin to reduce intraocular pressure may be due to its unique ability to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity and increase cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) which regulates and activates critical enzymes required for the cellular energy required to move fluid in the body.

Forskolin’s primary mode of action is to increase cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cAMP-mediated functions, via activation of the enzyme adenylate cyclase. As a therapeutic intervention in congestive heart failure, forskolin has been shown to activate the enzyme adenylate cyclase, which increases production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in heart muscle cells (cardiac muscle).

There isn’t much research on Coleus forskohlii’s safety, but so far it hasn’t caused any adverse reactions in people. There have hardly been any human studies with coleus forskohlii; therefore we don’t know what kind of interactions there could be when this herb or its extract is combined with prescription medicines. Forskolin is responsible for virtually all pharmacological activities attributed to Coleus forskohlii; extracts of this constituent have been used in nearly all existing studies.

This herb may help with many diseases such as lung disease, heart disease, intestinal spasms, insomnia, convulsions, hypothyroidism, cancer, fatigue, depression, weight gain, dry skin, and reduce blood pressure. Given the wide range of uses this herb has to offer this herb has not been studied in high doses so use caution if you exceed the recommended dosage on the bottle. If you are considering the use of this herb, consult your doctor before self administering while on prescription drugs.

Biologic therapy has revolutionized our approach to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Less than 10 years ago, the best we could hope for was to “modify disease” or slow it down and also help with symptoms. Now the goal is to not only control symptoms, it is to get RA into complete remission. Biologics are protein-based medicines that are synthesized in a laboratory. They act like laser beams to target the immune abnormalities that are felt to cause RA.

First generation biologics such as etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade), and adalimumab (Humira) are known as TNF-inhibitors and have done wonders for many patients. Second generation biologic such as rituximab (Rituxan) which acts against B cells and abatacept (Orencia) which works on T cells are both welcome additions to the arsenal of weapons available to combat RA.

Cimzia (certolizumab) is an investigational TNF-inhibitor. It differs from the current crop of TNF-inhibitors since it is “pegylated.” This means that a substance called polyethylene glycol has been attached to the molecule. This pegylation lengthens the half-life of the drug- meaning the drug stays in the system longer. Cimzia also has had a piece of protein removed from the molecule. The piece of protein that has been removed contained a small amount of mouse protein (yes… these drugs are often created using mouse proteins). By removing the piece of mouse protein, it is hoped that Cimzia will cause fewer adverse reactions.

A recent presentation on June 14, 2007 at the annual meeting of the European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) described data on Cimzia.

The team studied 2 dose regimens, which patients received subcutaneously as add-on therapy to methotrexate.

In a phase 3, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study, the investigators recruited 992 patients with RA who received either the study drug or placebo. The investigators wanted to know the rate at which people had a 20% improvement, as defined by the American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR 20).

The patients, who had previously been treated for at least 6 months with methotrexate, were randomized to treatment with either pegylated certolizumab or placebo. Those on treatment received 3 400-mg doses every 2 weeks, followed by 200 or 400 mg doses of certolizumab pegol every 2 weeks. The patients continued methotrexate as usual. The investigators assessed the efficacy and safety parameters at 2-week intervals.

In an early analysis at 24 weeks, the investigators found that 581 patients completed the study: 259 of the 397 on 200 mg of the drug, 278 of the 394 on 400 mg, and 44 of the 201 on placebo. The ACR20 response rate was 59.2% in the 200 mg group, 61.2% in the 400 mg group, and 13.5% of those who received methotrexate and placebo. The proportion of patients who experienced a significant side effect was 74.0% in the 200 mg group, 76.1% in the 400 mg group, and 57.7% in the placebo group. The majority of adverse events were mild to moderate.

“Pegylated certolizumab adds significant benefit in reducing the signs and symptoms of RA in combination with methotrexate, compared to using methotrexate alone,” said lead investigator Edward C. Keystone, MD, professor of medicine at the University in Toronto, and director of the Rebecca MacDonald Centre for Arthritis and Autoimmune Disease, in Ontario.

Bottom line: Pegylated certolizumab works like a TNF blocker and appears to treat the signs and symptoms of RA. Whether it’s better than the TNF blockers that are currently available is still no known. It is better than placebo.