Anabolic Steroids in the Treatment of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease in which the bone mass is low and the bone tissue is degenerating.  Over time, the bone becomes more and more fragile and gains an increased tendency to fracture.  It is one of the most common bone diseases in the US, with more than 25 million people affected.

Every year, osteoporosis is responsible for causing 1.3 million fractures in various parts of the patients’ body like spine, hip, and wrist.  The most serious of these is hip fracture.  About 5 to 20% of osteoporosis patients with hip fracture die within a year, and 50% others become incapacitated.

The term osteoporosis means “porous bones.”  The skeleton is made up of a thick outer covering and a strong inner lattice comprised mainly of collagen, calcium, and other minerals.  This inner lattice looks somewhat like a honeycomb.  The spaces between them are filled with blood vessels and bone marrow.

When these spaces become bigger, osteoporosis occurs.  Bigger spaces between the bones cause the bones to be fragile and to break easily.  Osteoporosis is a condition affecting the whole skeleton, although the most common effects are fractures in the hip, spine, and hip.

The elderly face greater risk of developing osteoporosis, and consequently, the chances of having the disease increase with age.  Osteoporosis in patients also tends to worsen with age.  The incidence of fractures due to osteoporosis is expected to increase in the next 60 years.

This disease is caused by a number of factors, the first one being hormone deficiency.  Women in particular are more prone to osteoporosis than men because bone loss in women becomes accelerated 5 years after menopause.  Other factors that are known to cause or increase the chances of developing this skeletal disease include low calcium intake, having a sedentary lifestyle, drinking too much alcohol, and smoking.

One of the treatments being done for osteoporosis is the use of anabolic steroids.   These have been found to help patients, specially the very elderly ones, who are experiencing bone loss at a rapid rate.

Anabolic steroids are more popularly known as the substances that are used to enhance body building and muscle gain.  These substances are also being used widely in medicine, and treatment for osteoporosis is one of its important applications.  Anabolic steroids have been shown to stimulate the formation of new bone, to increase the absorption of calcium, and to provide relief from spinal fracture pain.

According to studies, administration of anabolic steroids to osteoporosis patients resulted in an increase in bone mass in both men and women.  Another advantage of using steroids is that the patients’ fat tissue gets converted into muscles, which helps to strengthen the body.

About 3% of bone mass is gained every year as a result of anabolic steroid administration, with the maximum effect being observed during the first months of treatment.  This gain in bone mass is attributed to the anabolic steroid’s ability to stimulate bone formation and to promote muscle tissue growth over fat tissue growth.  Anabolic steroids have also been shown to increase the absorption of calcium in the body by activating vitamin D.

Low Diversity of Bacteria May Increase Risk for Asthma

Low gut microbial diversity in the intestines of infants can increase the risk for asthma development. These are the findings of the age 7 follow-up in a multi-year study led by researchers at Linköping University in Sweden.

 In 2011 the results of a comprehensive survey of the intestinal microbiota of allergic and healthy children were published. In the samples from the infancy period, the degree of variation and diversity of the bacteria strains was significantly lower among those who had developed allergic eczema when they were two years old.

A follow-up study was conducted when the 47 participating infants reached their seventh birthday. By then eight of them - 17% - were suffering from chronic asthma. 28% had hay fever, 26% still had eczema, and 34% reacted to the allergens in a skin prick test. But it was only the asthma cases that could be connected to low intestinal microbial diversity at the age of one week and one month.

It might seem a bit of a stretch to think the contents of the intestines could influence what happens in the airways. The results of this study, however, give further credence to this connection, which has previously been demonstrated in animal studies "A high diversity of gut microbiota during the first months of life seems to be important for the maturation of the immune system," says Thomas Abrahamsson, paediatrician and researcher at Linköping University, and principal author of the article.

The hypothesis is that in order to function effectively, the immune system needs to be "trained" by large numbers of different microorganisms. In the absence of sufficient stimulation from large numbers of different bacteria, the system may overreact to innocuous antigens it encounters.

A high gut microbial diversity has also been shown to strengthen the barrier function of the mucous membrane. "We are speculating that a deficient maturity of the immune system at an earlier age and a less efficient mucosa barrier function can open the way to certain types of viral infection that can be linked to the development of asthma," says senior author Maria Jenmalm, professor of experimental allergology.

The analysis of the bacteria flora in the children's stools was carried out using a method known as 454 pyro sequencing at the Science for Life Laboratory, in conjunction with researchers Anders Andersson and Lars Engstrand. This is a powerful genetic method that identifies DNA sequences typical of different bacterial species, including those that cannot be cultivated in the traditional way.

Gluten allergy doesn't really exist

A leading allergy doctor has debunked a host of myths, saying that gluten allergy doesn't exist - and nor do hypoallergenic pets.

Dr David Stukus, an allergy specialist from Columbus, Ohio, wrote a presentation debunking various common allergy misconceptions after years of hearing patients declare inaccuracies. One pet peeve is the patients who say they can't eat bread because they're allergic to gluten, he says. "There's this claim about 'gluten allergy,' which really doesn't exist,"

"It's not really a recognised allergy. Wheat is a recognised allergy - but a lot of people will misinterpret that as gluten. Wheat allergy does not necessarily equal an allergy to all gluten. He continued: "Gluten has been blamed for all that ails humanity."

In fact, there are only three disorders that can be scientifically attributed to gluten, he says: coeliac disease, wheat allergies and non-coeliac gluten sensitivity. Coeliac disease is what's known as an autoimmune condition. This is where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.

Patients with non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) display gluten sensitivity symptoms - such as bloating, diarrhoea and stomach pain - but test negative for the disease despite symptoms disappearing on a gluten-free diet. "If you think you may have an allergy, you should see a certified allergist for proper evaluation, testing, diagnosis and treatment," Dr Stukus said. Also in the firing line are so-called hypoallergenic dogs.

Dr Stukus said: "Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog or cat. "Allergens are released in saliva, sebaceous glands and perianal glands. It's not the fur people are allergic to. "It is true that some breeds are more bothersome for allergy sufferers than others" - which is why some people are fine around some breeds and not others.

"Many early medical beliefs have been proven to be incorrect as research has advanced. Unfortunately, some of these beliefs are still on the Internet, where an astonishing 72%  of users turn to for health information."

Another widely circulated myth is that people suffering from an egg allergy can't have such jabs - as they may include tiny bits of egg protein.

He explained: "Egg embryos are used to grow viruses for vaccines such as the flu, yellow fever and rabies shots. "However, it's now safe to get the flu shot, which can help prevent serious illness, but a referral to an allergist is recommended beforehand is recommended."

He also advises against home allergy tests, which can be unreliable. 'These tests might be able to reveal sensitisation, but being sensitized to a certain allergen, like milk, doesn't mean you're allergic. "These sort of at-home screening tests are not reliable and can often lead to misinterpretation, diagnostic confusion and unnecessary dietary elimination."

Allergies and cancer on the rise due to GM foods

Food allergies have become a global epidemic and conventional medicine has no cure. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, food allergies (in kids) have increased by 50% between 1997 and 2011. Could this have anything to do with genetically engineered foods?

Since the 1990s, when genetically modified (GM) foods were approved, we have seen a dramatic increase in food allergies, asthma, ADHD and many forms of cancer. As expected, most corporately-controlled, government health 'experts' would say genetically modified (GM) foods are 'safe' - but where are the safety studies to back up this unscientific claim of safety? GM foods cause massive damage to the digestive system.

Leaky gut syndrome 'sets the stage' for food allergies and disease

We all know that a 'leaky gut' is defined as the development of gaps between the cells that make up the inner lining of our intestinal tract. As the intestines breakdown, they allow unwanted (foreign) substances to enter our bloodstream. Simply put - if you suffer from leaky gut - undigested food, bacteria and metabolic waste products pollute the entire body causing inflammation, food-related allergies plus many other chronic degenerative diseases.

The digestive system is responsible for maintaining about 80% of our natural immunity. How could any physician, in their right mind, not understand that toxic food creates a toxic body - which, in turn, produces symptoms such as food allergies, skin rashes, brain fog, fatigue - the list goes on and on. On the next NaturalNews Talk Hour, every doctor needs to tune in and discover the real reason why GMOs are literally destroying modern society.

GM corn linked to cancer tumors

A study  led by Gilles-Eric Seralini of the University of Caen, clearly states that eating genetically modified corn caused rats to develop horrifying tumors, widespread organ damage, and premature death. To make matters even more shocking - this is the only long-term study examining the health risks associated with eating GM foods. But that won't stop greedy corporations, like Monsanto, from pushing their agenda of owning the entire food supply through patent-protected, GM seeds.

If you're looking for a good reason to avoid GMOs - here are the shocking results of the French study - listed above:

Up to 50% of males and 70% of females rats suffered premature death.

Rats that drank trace amounts of Monsanto's herbicide Roundup Ready had a 200% - 300% increase in large tumors.

Rats fed GMO corn and traces of Roundup Ready suffered severe organ damage - including liver damage and kidney damage.

This study fed rats NK603, the Monsanto variety of GMO corn that's grown across North America and widely fed to animals and humans. Keep in mind, this is the same type of corn found in corn-based breakfast cereals, corn tortillas and corn snack chips.

'Dog Dust' May Combat Allergies and Asthma

Exposure to "dog dust," or the dried flakes of skin that fall from Fido, may protect against developing allergies and asthma in later life by altering intestinal bacteria, a new study in mice suggests. The dust appears to contain bacteria that, when present in an animal's gut, affects the production of immune cells in the animal's airway.

"Perhaps early life dog exposure introduces microbes into the home that somehow influence the gut microbiome, and change the immune response in the airways," said study researcher Susan Lynch, an associate professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.

Past research has shown that exposure to pets, particularly dogs, during infancy may prevent people from developing allergies, and other work has found that bacteria in the gut can affect allergies and asthma. The new study adds to the research because it links these ideas — showing that the reason exposure to dog dust may prevent allergies is that the dust affects the population of gut microbes.

In the study, Lynch and her colleagues exposed mice to dust from a dog owner's home, and then tested the mice's immune response to cockroach allergens and ovalbumin (a component of egg whites), two substances that commonly trigger asthma attacks. They found that mice exposed to dog dust had fewer immune cells in the airway that respond to allergens, compared with mice not exposed to dog dust.

The findings hint at a mechanism for how dog exposure may protect against allergies or asthma. "It seems to be that early life exposure to dogs, and cats to a lesser extent, can protect against asthma allergens," Lynch told LiveScience, though she stopped short of recommending exposing infants to dogs. Lynch added that the findings fit in well with the hygiene hypothesis, the theory that a lack of exposure to beneficial microbes is linked to the development of autoimmune diseases and asthma in western nations.

The researchers also found the gut microbial makeup of the two rodent groups differed: The mice exposed to dogs had more of the bacteria Lactobacillus johnsonii, an organism found in the dust from dog-owner homes. When the researchers added L. johnsonii to the diet of the unexposed mice, they found the mice showed a reduced immune response in their airways to both, though not as much as mice originally exposed to the dog dust.

The next step will be understanding exactly what these microbes are doing in the gut, and how they affect the immune response in the airway, Lynch said.

Ultimately, understanding this process could lead to the development of microbial-based therapies to treat or prevent asthma.

Prednisolone

Prednisolone is an anti-inflammatory drug. Prednisolone decreases natural defense response of the body and also decreases pain/swelling.

Side effects:
The common side effects reported with Prednisolone are sodium retention, fluid retention, congestive heart failure, hypokalemic alkalosis, hypertension, muscle weakness, steroid myopathy, loss of muscle mass, osteoporosis, vertebral compression, fractures, pathologic fracture of long bones,peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, abdominal distention, ulcerative esophagitis, impaired wound healing, thin fragile skin, facial erythema convulsions, increased intracranial pressure and menstrual irregularities.

Before Using:
There is an enhanced effect of Prednisolone in patients with hypothyroidism and cirrhosis. Millipred DP should be used cautiously in patients with ocular herpes simplex as it can cause corneal perforation. Prednisolone should be given in the lowest possible doses and dose reduction should be done at a slow rate. Prednisolone should be used with caution in nonspecific ulcerative colitis. Millipred DP drug is contraindicated in systemic fungal infections. The patient should be warned to avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles, as Prednisolone is an immunosuppressant.

Dosages:
The recommended starting dosage of Prednisolone is 5-60mg per day. The alternate-day therapy is a corticosteroid-dosing regimen in which twice the usual daily dose of Prednisolone is administered every other morning.

Did Bone Marrow Transplant Cure Peanut Allergy?

Unusual case report details how 10-year-old boy was treated for leukemia and lost sensitivity to peanuts

Bone marrow transplants may help cure peanut allergies.  The study involved a 10-year-old boy who no longer had a peanut allergy after undergoing a bone marrow transplant for leukemia.

"It has been reported that bone marrow and liver transplants can transfer peanut allergy from donor to recipient," study author Dr. Yong Luo said in a news release from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). "But our research found a rare case in which a transplant seems to have cured the recipient of their allergy."

The case involved a boy who was diagnosed with a peanut allergy when he was 15 months old. He had the bone marrow transplant at age 10 and received his new marrow from a donor with no known allergies. Soon after the transplant, it appeared that the boy no longer had a peanut allergy. That discovery was confirmed by allergists through an oral food challenge, in which the boy ate a small amount of peanut and showed no allergic reaction.

The research was scheduled for presentation this week at the ACAAI annual meeting in Baltimore. Study co-author Dr. Steven Weiss said this and previous research indicates that "genetic modification during the early stages of immune cell development in bone marrow may play a large role in causing allergy."

Peanut allergy is the most common food allergy among school-aged children in the United States, affecting about 400,000 youngsters, according to the ACAAI. Unlike milk or soy allergies, peanut allergies tend to last a lifetime.

Even if a parent thinks their child may no longer have an allergy, proper testing should be done to confirm if the child is still sensitive to any particular allergens, according to the ACAAI.

Hypoallergenic Dogs Not Allergy-Proof

Although they've long been considered an allergy sufferer's best friend, so-called hypoallergenic dogs do not have lower household allergen levels than other dogs, according to a new study that measured allergen levels in babies' nurseries.

Dog breeds classified as "hypoallergenic" are believed to produce less dander and saliva and shed less fur. Researchers at the Henry Ford Hospital (HFH) in Detroit put this theory to the test by measuring environmental allergen levels in the houses of 173 dog owners one month after a newborn baby was brought home.

Researchers collected dust samples from the carpet or floor of each baby's bedroom and measured the levels of the dog allergen Can f 1. Only homes with one dog per family were involved in the study, and 60 dog breeds were analyzed overall, 11 of which are considered hypoallergenic dogs.

"We found no scientific basis to the claim hypoallergenic dogs have less allergen," said Christine Cole Johnson, chair of HFH's Department of Public Health Sciences and senior author of the study.

Dogs are often classified as hypoallergenic using one of four "schemes" based on their breed in order to compare allergen levels. Scheme A compares purebred hypoallergenic dogs to purebred non-hypoallergenic dogs, while scheme B compares purebred and mixed breed dogs with at least one hypoallergenic parent to purebred non-hypoallergenic dogs.

Scheme C compares purebred and mixed breed dogs with at least one hypoallergenic parent to purebred and mixed breed dogs with no known hypoallergenic component, and scheme D compares only purebred dogs identified as hypoallergenic by the American Kennel Club to all other dogs.

The study showed that all four schemes yielded no significant differences in allergen levels between hypoallergenic dogs and non-hypoallergenic dogs. In fact, in homes where the dog was not allowed in the baby's bedroom, the allergen level for hypoallergenic dogs was slightly higher compared to allergen levels of non-hypoallergenic dogs.

"Based on previous allergy studies conducted here at Henry Ford, exposure to a dog early in life provides protection against dog allergy development," Cole Johnson added. "But the idea that you can buy a certain breed of dog and think it will cause less allergy problems for a person already dog-allergic is not borne out by our study."

Allergy Shots Decrease Anxiety, Depression

Stinging insects are everywhere making them nearly inescapable. The thought of being stung can cause depression and anxiety for the two million Americans that are allergic to their venom.

But according to a study, allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, can improve quality of life for these sufferers. Allergy shots are the only allergy treatment known to modify and prevent disease progression, and can be life-saving for those allergic to insect stings. Researchers have found this type of treatment also decreases anxiety and depression in those allergic to wasp, bee and ant stings.

Insect stings send more than 500,000 Americans to hospital emergency rooms and cause at least 50 known deaths each year. A person who has had an allergic reaction to insect sting has a 60 % chance of having another similar or worse reaction if stung again. Immunotherapy has been shown to be an astonishing 97 % effective in preventing future allergy to insect stings.

Fresh Air to Combat Allergies

New research has found that we may actually be able to reverse allergies, even in adulthood. The fix may be as simple as taking a trip to the country.

For 15 years, researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark followed nearly 1,200 people who were bound for jobs in either farming or the army. They tested the subjects' sensitivities to common allergens at the study's beginning and end while also following where they lived and worked. What they found was that people who worked on farms in adulthood were less likely to become sensitive to allergens. People who moved from urban to rural environments showed the greatest benefit, but there was also a positive effect seen in farmers who had a farm upbringing.

Why the change? Researchers think that the diversity of microbes and bacteria on farms may help people's immune systems develop a more appropriate tolerance against allergens. "It doesn't protect you from allergies to stay away from all allergens," says Grethe Elholm, a post-doc at Aarhus University and co-author of this study. "It actually seems to help to be exposed to a lot more of many different things because your immune system needs to work out." Still, the research is fairly preliminary, and follow-up studies are expected. So it may be best for those with bad allergies to tread lightly in highly pollinated places.