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Laminins: Cell and Tissue Frameworks

7/29/2020

Think a type of branched protein (with arms) which links together and forms sheets of framework for almost every tissue of a living being. Apparently, organs and tissues need structure to survive properly and if laminin structures don't form right and are defective, muscles form all wrong and such issues can crop up as "a form of muscular dystrophy, lethal skin blistering disease (junctional epidermolysis bullosa) and defects of the kidney filter (nephrotic syndrome)."(1)
"Laminins interact with cell surface receptors to trigger intracellular signalling that shapes cell behaviour."(2) "Laminins also provide adjacent cells with a mechanical scaffold and biological information either directly by interacting with cell surface components, or indirectly" and thus are part of inciting and controlling cell functions(3). Laminin signaling has been studied both under healthy and pathological conditions(2).

Sources:
1. Wikipedia contributors. "Laminin." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 28 May 2020. Web. 8 July 2020. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laminin.
2. Simon-Assmann, Patricia and others. "Role of Laminins in Physiological and Pathological Angiogenesis." International Journal of Developmental Biology, 2011;55(4-5):455-65. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.103223ps, Abstract.
3. Aumailley, Monique and Smyth, Neil. "The role of laminins in basement membrane function." Journal of Anatomy, 1998 Jul; 193(Pt 1): 1–21. Journal of Anatomy, https://dx.doi.org/10.1046%2Fj.1469-7580.1998.19310001.x, Abstract.

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Ischemia: When Lifeblood Doesn't Reach

7/15/2020

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   When blood flow restricts to any area of tissues(1,2) due to "interruption in the arterial blood supply to a tissue, organ, or extremity", whether partially or totally(1), nutrients and oxygen necessary for cellular metabolism and function don't get where they need to be(1,2) and metabolic wastes don't ship out. Various blockages and trauma may be causes. When this restriction occurs at body temperature, the heart and brain will suffer permanent, irremediable damage after 3-4 minutes; kidneys will suffer quickly as well; and tissues with normal metabolism will suffer such damage after about 20 minutes. A few hours of ischemia may mean necrosis and gangrene(1).
   Various causes and conditions make for propensities for ischemia (this list is specifically for that of the colon, or ischemic colitis) like: medications causing constipation or blood flow interference; dehydration; infection or stomach virus; recreational drug use; surgery on the aorta; diabetes; cardiopulmonary diseases; and recent marathon running or other very strenuous activity causing severe dehydration. Ischemic colitis affects the final section of the gastrointestinal tract responsible for absorbing nutrients and water from digested food and turning waste into pee or poop and contributes to: low blood pressure; blood clots; hernias; tumor formation; autoimmune diseases (especially blood-related) and (rarely) colon cancer. Abdominal pain or discomfort, reduced eating, issues absorbing nutrients, diarrhea, and low-grade fever are all symptoms(2).
   Loss of consciousness can involve abnormal body positions resulting in ischemia to a portion of the body. Frostbite and overmuch application of cold temperatures involve ischemia. Abnormal g-forces as occur in flight force blood to the extremities and restrict blood flow(1). Processed foods, inflammatory foods, and foods one is allergic too all cause gastric distress and contribute to ischemic colitis. Many veggies and wild-caught salmon are examples of inflammation-lowering foods; the preceding and fruits and healthy fats are helpful for those with high blood pressure. Being proactive against ischemia also basically involves taking care of heart health(2).

Sources:
1. Wikipedia contributors. "Ischemia." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 11 June 2020. Web. 15 June 2020. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ischemia.
2. Levy, Jillian. "Prevent Painful Ischemic Colitis & Improve Symptoms Naturally." Dr. Axe, Dr. Axe. 20 October 2017. Web. 15 June 2020. https://draxe.com/health/ischemic-colitis/.

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Garlic: Ancient Athlete Aid (and Other Benefits)

7/1/2020

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Image from: Organic Facts

   Lily (or Allium) family garlic was placed in pharaonic tombs of Egypt, and the very builders of the pyramids were fed garlic for endurance. It was ditto with Greek and Roman athletes before competitions and their soldiers prior to marching off. China and India got garlic by the 500s BC(1). Sir Louis Pasteur, the germ scientist, utilized garlic as early as 1858 in antibacterial capacities. A study against a placebo established that garlic reduced bouts of the common cold(2); it also controls bacterial, viral, yeast, fungal, and worm infection(1) and even is used for earaches and toothpastes for this reason(2).
Many of garlic's healthy properties derive from sulfur-containing compounds; garlic is typically deficient in American diets. Red blood cells produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from garlic sulfides which dilates blood vessels and helps control blood sugar(1); garlic has general cardioprotective attributes(1,2). It "contains a compound called diallyl trisulfide (DATS) that is an effective therapeutic agent in preventing tumor progression"(2); diallyl sulfides increase protein ferroportin, a bridge allowing iron stored in cells to exit and move on to more needed bodily locales. "[D]iallyl sulfide (DAS) and thiacremonone in garlic have been shown to have anti-arthritic properties"; the herb is anti-inflammatory and reduces the inflammatory formation of fat cells. Note: sulfur compounds in garlic get their activity inhibit if garlic cooks for over 5-15 minutes(1).
   Garlic also contains "vitamin C, vitamin B6, selenium, and manganese" and the latter two both function in antioxidant protection systems of the body. Having garlic at least several times weekly has been shown to lower risk of colorectal and renal cancer and more daily consumption all but prostate and breast cancers(1). Selenium and Vitamin C present are beneficial for eye health and with eye infections. Placing 2 crushed garlic cloves on an infected wound provides rapid relief(2). Further note: bad breath and abdominal pain indicate that garlic is working. "Odorless" garlic has vastly reduced allicin, the key antibiotic and otherwise health compound(1).

Sources:
1. 7549wpczar. "Garlic." TruthWiki: Get the Real Story, TruthWiki, Get the Real Story. 6 years ago. Web. 3 June 2020. http://www.truthwiki.org/garlic/.
2. Nagdeve, Meenakshi. "14 Powerful Benefits Of Raw Garlic." Organic Facts: Let's Get Healthy Together, Organic Information Services, Pvt Ltd. Updated 21 May 2020. Web. 3 June 2020. https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-garlic.html.

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Now, for some very brief research articles about true health!

Laminins: Cell and Tissue Frameworks

Ischemia: When Lifeblood Doesn't Reach

Garlic: Ancient Athlete Aid (and Other Benefits)

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