Inflammation

With multiple documentaries highlighting the negative effects of eating fast food, it’s not surprising that consuming processed foods – including the ones in your grocery store – contribute to inflammation and poor health. You might wonder, how exactly does that happen? If we are consuming foods made with grains and protein, why does this affect us so badly? We’re finding multiple mechanisms at play here, which is likely why we see such drastic changes when individuals attempt to live exclusively off fast foods in as little as days to weeks. First, consuming overly processed foods negatively impacts our gut microbiome,

Endometriosis and migraines share many similarities in epidemiology, pathogenesis, and the physical or psychiatric co-morbidities that can accompany them.1 In this article, we will explore the links between the two conditions and natural substances that could potentially alleviate them. Endometriosis Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity and commonly associated with chronic pelvic pain and infertility.2 This tissue arises only in women of menstrual age, can grow or bleed cyclically, and may cause adhesions.3 Typical symptoms include pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and infertility.4 Overall, six to 10% of women of reproductive age

The skin is one of the largest organs in the body and has a variety of cells including: keratinocytes, sebaceous glands, fibroblasts, melanocytes, adipocytes (fat cells) and so on. These cells in turn have a large range of receptors among others, endocannabinoid and related receptors like CB1, CB2, TRPV1, PPAR, COX, opioid, TLR, GRP55, GPR119 etc. Observational reports from the 1990s showed that when cannabis, hashish and other variants of cannabis were abused, there was accompanied skin disorders like hair loss, acne, ageing, dermatitis, dry skin etc. These observations indicated that cannabinoids may modulate these receptors and that using the

Three new studies provide further evidence of the effectiveness of the unique molecule-curcumagalactomannoside complex (CGC) which is one of the key ingredients used in AOR’s Curcumin Ultra softgels. Building on the already impressive body of work, the first study compared once a day 400 mg of CGC containing 130 mg of curcumin against the standard combination of 500 mg of glucosamine and 415 mg of chondroitin sulphate taken twice daily dose (total daily dose of 1000 mg glucosamine and 830 mg chondroitin sulphate) in terms of effectiveness in patients with osteoarthritis. This was a six-week, 72 patient study. In the

Curcumin is a well-studied herb, and as such there are thousands of different products on retailer’s shelves. Moreover, there are dozens of different brands with serious marketing dollars towards differentiating their brands and, touting their effectiveness. Curcumin belongs to a group called curcuminoids comprising three slightly different molecules that are extracted from the root or rhizomes of the Curcuma plant. Curcumin comprises over 80% of this group and is the most researched molecule, and therefore, everyone refers to curcumin when they really mean the curcuminoid group. Virtually all the products on the market consist of this curcuminoid group, and not

While researchers do not yet know why, they do know that the rate of autism is increasing. According to the 2018 Report of the National Autism Spectrum Disorder Surveillance System, an estimated 1 in 66 children have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).[i] ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder and refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours, speech, and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences.[ii] There is not one form of autism but rather many types, caused by different combinations of genetic and environmental influences.[iii] Currently, physicians diagnose the

When it comes to joint health the conversation often centers around structural support – reinforcing, lubricating, and soothing the joint space. Healthy joints are protected and cushioned by layers of connective tissue called cartilage that allows them to move freely without any grinding or contact between the bone surfaces themselves.  A special fluid in the joint capsule, called synovial fluid, is also extremely important for joint function. It acts as a natural lubricant and cushions joint movement. In conditions such as osteoarthritis, injury, and even in aging, there is a reduction in synovial fluid and a loss of cartilage that

“Ahhh, the fresh scent of spring!!!” “Hmm, that yummy peanut butter and jelly sandwich!!! “ For most of us, the above statements are a thing of joy, the beginning of something exciting, however, for some, the coming of spring, the presence of an allergen like peanuts or other allergens are not as exciting and result in a battle of itches, hives, stuffy noses and in some cases, more serious anaphylactic reactions. If you’re unaware of a sensitvity, you might find yourself stating the following; “Oops, where did these hives come from?” “Oh Goodness, why is my nose runny and itchy

The endocannabinoidome (eCBome) is a broader and more appropriate term than the old endocannabinoid system (ECS), and incorporates the more recent research into this fascinating area. What is the eCBome Briefly, eCBome is a protective, and communication network that exists all over the body, and interacts with hormonal, nervous, immune, endocrine, microbiome, and other systems of the body. The eCBome plays a major role in the health and disease of many organs of the body including; the reproductive system in both males and females, hormonal system, kidneys, liver, gut microbiome, heart and circulatory system, nervous system, skin among other tissues.

More and more studies are showing the potentially damaging effects of chronic inflammation and its link to the development of various serious chronic diseases. Research has now identified chronic inflammation as a factor in the progression of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease, along with many others! The link between inflammation and these diseases is discussed in the following sections. Inflammation and Cancer In his 1971 State of the Union address President Richard Nixon pledged “I will ask for an appropriation of an extra $100 million to launch an extensive campaign to find a cure to cancer. Let us

Understanding Inflammation Inflammation is a double-edged sword; it plays an important and beneficial role in the body, but it can also be very dangerous, causing damage to the body and ultimately leading to disease and even death! Whether inflammation will be beneficial or harmful depends on its type and duration. In general, there are two distinct categories of inflammation: acute or short term inflammation and chronic or long term inflammation. While short term inflammation plays a beneficial role in the body, long term or chronic inflammation can be very harmful. These harmful effects will be examined in more detail in

Almost one-quarter of Canadians suffer from seasonal allergies or allergic rhinitis. Allergy season can last (depending on geographic location) in Canada anywhere from early February (mostly the west coast) to the first frost of the year (October – November, depending on region). Certain allergies are also seasonally dependent and are at their prime at different times of year. With it currently being late summer and entering into fall, typically ragweed is the chief culprit for allergy sufferers. The plant produces large amounts of pollen and releases it super quickly. Ragweed likes to grow in disturbed soil, which is typically soil