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Post by barb7330 on Mar 12, 2015 18:45:39 GMT -5
“Given the high costs, both direct and indirect, associated with COPD, there is an urgent need to identify novel approaches to treat the disease,” said Avrum Spira, MD, MSc, professor of medicine at Boston University Medical Center. [1]
The COPD Epidemic
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an umbrella term that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchiectasis, and asthma . But it most commonly describes two often overlapping and life threatening lung diseases: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is a progressively worsening debilitating lung disease that adversely affects breathing by obstructing airflow and causing lung tissue damage.
COPD is the third-leading cause of death in the United States and the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) estimate that an additional 12 million people have COPD but haven’t been diagnosed.
The National Emphysema Foundation states that 3.1 million Americans have emphysema while 11.2 million have been officially diagnosed with COPD.
Chronic Bronchitis: According to the Mayo clinic, chronic bronchitis is characterized by chronic inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which are the primary vehicle for air transport in (oxygen) and out (CO2) of the lungs. Common symptoms include: shortness of breath (“dyspnea”), thickening and narrowing of the airway lining, constant coughing to remove copious amounts of difficult to expel phlegm, wheezing and fatigue. Chest infections are common.
Emphysema: Emphysema involves the gradual destruction of the small, air sacs (alveoli) located at the tip of the smallest air passages (bronchioles). Overtime the walls of the air sacs are destroyed resulting in “holes” leaving fewer and larger air sacs which diminish the gas exchanged in the lungs leading to dyspnea, fatigue and early death.
Bronchiectasis: Bronchiectasis (brong-ke-EK-tah-sis) is a chronic lung disease that is characterized by scarred and damaged airways, which causes them to widen and become flaccid. Although it can be a congenital defect, it’s more often an “acquired” disease caused by a severe lung infection or repetitive infections or an injury.
The damaged airways can no longer efficiently clear mucus and become inflamed. Eventually, they lose their ability to clear out mucus. Mucus builds up. Unwanted bacteria multiply leading to chronic infections, which results in more airway damage and decreased oxygen flow to the vital organs. Typical symptoms include, chronic coughing to remove excess phlegm, fatigue and shortness of breath. [2]
Asthma: Asthma (AZ-ma) is a chronic lung disease that causes inflamed narrowed airways. Asthma symptoms include wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. More than 25 million people in the US have been diagnosed with asthma and approximately 7 million are children. Over time, chronic inflammation can destroy the surface layer of the airways.
According to Hugh H. Windom, MD, associate clinical professor of immunology at the University of South Florida, “The surface layer acts as a kind of filter, but once it’s gone, all of the pollutants and allergens have direct access into the lungs.” [3]
COPD Causes, Prognosis, and Disease Management
Allopathic mainstream medicine believes the most common causes of COPD are smoking, genetic factors (alpha-1 antitrypsin disease) and long term environmental exposures to toxic chemicals, fumes, or dust, in the workplace.
Conventional medicine considers COPD to be incurable, progressive, irreversible and fatal. Most allopathic doctors believe lung tissue can never be regenerated. Palliative care or disease management is the standard treatment for COPD patients. Smoking cessation is a primary treatment goal.
Big Pharma medications used to manage COPD symptoms include: toxic chemical inhalers, dangerous steroids (anti-inflammatories), oxygen, and mucous thinning drugs. In severe cases surgical interventions including lung transplants are resorted to.
New Studies Reveal Lung Tissue Can be Regenerated
Research performed by Dr. Gloria De Carlo Massaro and Dr. Donald Massaro at Georgetown University School of Medicine, successfully reversed emphysema in experimental rats. The researchers used a derivative of vitamin A: all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA).
Twelve days of daily ATRA injections enabled the mice to grow healthy new alveoi. Dr. Donald Massaro said, “It appeared that the treatment regenerated the adult rat’s ability to produce alveoli, the small air sacs where oxygen and carbon dioxide move between the lungs and the bloodstream. The production of alveoli normally ends in childhood.” [4]
Interestingly, a 2003 study published in Journal of Nutrition (Vols. 130 and 133): “Vitamin A Depletion Induced by Cigarette Smoke Is Associated with the Development of Emphysema in Rats” demonstrated why cigarette smoking is considered to be the primary cause of emphysema.
Previous studies by Lead researcher, Richard C. Baybutt revealed that rats fed a diet deficient in vitamin A developed emphysema. In the new 2003 study, it was discovered that rats exposed to cigarette smoke became vitamin A deficient. A common carcinogen found in cigarettes called benzopyrene had previously been linked to vitamin A deficiency.
When the researchers fed benzopyrene to rats it predictably induced a vitamin A deficiency. Baybutt explained: “When the lung content of vitamin A was low, the score of emphysema was high.” He added, “So, the hypothesis is that smokers develop emphysema because of a vitamin A deficiency.”
To further solidify the link between smoking, vitamin A deficiency and emphysema, Baybutt and team fed the lung damaged rats a diet rich in vitamin A. The result was promising to say the least. “We saw that the areas of emphysema were effectively reduced,” he said.
He feels that a vitamin A deficiency may be the culprit behind emphysema and cigarettes could merely be the vehicle. Baybutt also believes that there is a link between Vitamin A deficiency and lung cancer, as vitamin A has known anti-cancer attributes. [5]
More Clinical Trials
According to a Mail Online article, “Vitamin ‘cure’ for emphysema”: British scientists announced that retinoic acid commonly used to treat acne reversed Emphysema damaged lungs in mice. In fact, the article claims that clinical trials with humans have begun in America.
Professor Malcolm Maden, of the Medical Research Centre for Developmental Neurobiology at King’s College, London, said his team’s research “… saw quite dramatic results. It is potentially hopeful for emphysema sufferers, and for premature babies who often suffer from loss of alveoli because of treatments given to stimulate lung growth.” The researchers found that the compound stimulated alveoli to regenerate back to normal function. [6]
Beta-Carotene or Vitamin A
Beta-carotene is one type of carotenoid. It’s a pigment found in plants that helps produce the vivid colors of certain fruits and vegetables, such as cantaloupe and carrots. When ingested, beta- carotene is converted by the body into vitamin A (retinol), which can then be used by the body for a variety of purposes, or it can simply act as an antioxidant scavenging free radicals.
The best way to safely increase vitamin A/Beta-Carotene Levels is with Food. Experts warn that large or even semi-large oral doses of synthetic stand-alone supplemental vitamin A can be dangerous. Since vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin, it’s stored in the liver and large doses can damage the liver. The best way to ensure adequate levels of beta carotene or vitamin A is via your diet, not through pills. [7]
In fact, smokers, former smokers, and those exposed to asbestos may have an increased lung cancer risk from taking supplemental, isolated beta-carotene. Also several studies revealed that beta-carotene supplements could adversely affect the heart and may increase cancer risk. [8] [8A]
Kitchen Table Medicine
Instead of waiting for Big Pharma’s synthetic, negative side –effect laden miracle drug to reverse lung tissue damage, why not make your own beta –carotene medicine from real food? Here’s a list of the top 10 foods highest in beta carotene. [9]
The Linus Pauling Institute recommends increasing the bioavailability of carotenoid rich foods by eating them with fat at mealtime and/or chopping, pureeing, and cooking them in oil. Daily juicing of organic, fresh fruits and vegetables high in beta-carotenoids can be an efficient and delicious method for therapeutically boosting beta-carotene levels. One cup of raw carrots contains a whopping 9,135 mg of beta-carotene! [1
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Post by David on Mar 12, 2015 19:56:19 GMT -5
Well, that is interesting. I would be happy just to slow the progression.
Baybutt and team fed the lung damaged rats a diet rich in vitamin A. The result was promising to say the least. “We saw that the areas of emphysema were effectively reduced,” he said.
At the end of the article is says there is a list but I don't see the list.
Instead of waiting for Big Pharma’s synthetic, negative side –effect laden miracle drug to reverse lung tissue damage, why not make your own beta –carotene medicine from real food? Here’s a list of the top 10 foods highest in beta carotene.
I will see if I can find it.
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Post by David on Mar 12, 2015 20:00:27 GMT -5
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Post by stoker55 on Mar 13, 2015 9:01:31 GMT -5
Thanks Barb & David.
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Post by skate4life on Mar 13, 2015 10:10:11 GMT -5
barb - thanks for posting. My only hope is that since it is a long article (but very interesting)people will only skim it and miss the most important caution and that is; not to used pills to effect the change as they are fat soluble and an overdose can be devastating. David - thanks for providing the follow-up links. I want to see what their references are and where they are published. Ok just checked the list and most of them I would not give any credence to, but would recommend the last one: 10] lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/phytochemicals/carotenoids/It is quite long and at times it seems contradictory but would still recommend it for most of the information. Just my opinion.....it is another article that should be read carefully and not piecemeal.
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Post by mary57 on Mar 13, 2015 12:11:52 GMT -5
Thank you Barb for posting this, and David for finding the follow up links. As with most 'studied' the source has to be considered, and all info must be carefully considered.
Any fat soluble vitamin can be toxic, as the body does not clear it out. Water soluble ones are safer because they flush out. Personally I have had many discussions with my GP about taking vitamin supplements, my point of view is you don't need them is there is not a deficiency, that can be shown with lab work. So I won't take them, much to his frustration with me that 'you might benefit' from taking a daily mult vit.
I have a B12 shot because of PA, caused by long term acid inhibitor use. I took iron for a time because my ferritin was very low, when it went back up I stopped and haven't needed it since. I take vit.D if my blood work shows it to be low, this fall it was, I guess with the miserable summer we had I didn't get enough sunshine because this is the first time it was on the low side. I take calcium,magnizium because of the diet I'm on,
I think I went off topic a bit here, but it all come down to gathering information and then using your own common sense.
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Post by David on Mar 13, 2015 16:12:25 GMT -5
Found this from US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health
Vitamin A and emphysema. Baybutt RC1, Molteni A.
Abstract
Within the last several years, research scientists and clinicians have been intrigued with the potential use of an active form of vitamin A, retinoic acid (RA), for the treatment and prevention of emphysema. The interest in this area can be largely attributed to the work of Massaro and Massaro (1996, 1997, 2000) in which they presented evidence that RA partially protects against and to some degree restores elastase-induced emphysema in rats.
The mechanism for this protective effect of RA is in part related to elastin metabolism. RA also inhibits inflammation, an upstream event that may lead to the development of emphysema. Although there is evidence of this protective effect in young rats and a mechanistic explanation, more studies are needed in humans in order to establish a role for vitamin A in protecting against emphysema.
Too many unanswered questions remain to definitively state that vitamin A protects against this disease in humans. Nevertheless, the potential for this novel approach in prevention and treatment of emphysema is an exciting area of research.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17368323
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Post by Vic on Mar 18, 2015 23:07:58 GMT -5
The FORTE Study almost 10 years ago showed that Retinol did indeed help in Rats, but did nothing to help humans. I took the Retinol myself while the FORTE (Feasibility Of Retinol to Treat Emphysema) Trials were ongoing. When they were released, they announced that, in fact, the folks on the Retinol in the blind tests had deleterious incidents related to their breathing- Vic copdcouncil.org/news/6-15.htm
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