That Feeling in Your Gut? Intestinal Flora

"As animals ourselves, we have more than 1000 different kinds of microorganisms living in our guts ...._abcnet

Intestinal microbes can determine the quality of your life, and your perception of it. Your guts are the repository of the majority of your microbial complement. Life without "normal flora" would be a different animal.

Professor Petterson and his colleagues bred a number of mice under normal and germ-free conditions. In stantardised tests of activity, the germ-free mice explored more of an "open-field activity box", rearing up on their hind legs more often, and showed less of the signs associated with anxiety.

In studies of the animals' brains, they showed higher levels of a number of hormones, and even differences in the expression of over 170 genes.

The result does not paint a clear picture of whether the development of the germ-free mice is specifically "better" or "worse" for the animals, Professor Pettersson explained, but is a "very, very interesting" first demonstration that the bugs can have such profound effects even within the brain.

It follows a long line of studies that suggest the bugs are far more involved in mammalian function than just in their digestion. _BBC

Very interesting. The germ-free animals lived longer and seemed more curious, but they were very fragile to stress and various types of injury, compared to animals with normal bacterial and skin flora.

If we are to swim in a sea of bacteria -- as it seems we are destined to do -- it is best that our bacterial partners be sympatico with us. If we wish to avoid chronic intestinal inflammation, fatty liver, obesity, and a wide range of other pathologies and malaise, we need to pay attention to our bacterial friends.

Gut inflammation allows the intrusion of large numbers of various protein intruders which are better kept out of the blood and lymph systems. Yes, we can eat more yoghurt, or take probiotic capsules or powders. Not a bad idea, actually. We may even want to begin to gene-engineer our probiotics for maximal benefit against these ailments. In situations of grave extremis, we may be forced into fecal transplants -- as a last resort.

Al Fin clinical and synth-bio microbiologists recommend genetically engineered probiotics out of all the choices mentioned above: from germ-free environments to fecal transplants. But different situations call for different remedies. Consider each case individually.

Researchers looked in detail at the molecular effects of the engineered bacteria and found that the production of regulatory immune cells, rather than of inflammatory immune cells, was enhanced. "When we treat mice with the new strain, we see more accumulation and generation of cells that produce regulatory proteins, which lure and generate regulatory T cells," says Mohamadzadeh. The regulatory T cells, a type of immune cell, counteract the effects of harmful immune cells that attack the cells lining the gut, he says.

...Mohamadzadeh's team is also exploring engineered probiotics as a treatment for colon cancer. In preliminary studies in mice designed to mimic colon cancer, treatment with the modified bacteria reduced the number of polyps the animals developed by 90 percent. "We observed an average of just three small polyps in treated mice, compared to about 35 to 50," he says.

He adds that the bacteria's ability to reduce inflammation isn't limited to the gut; the regulatory cells migrate throughout the body. That means the microbes may also be able to help treat other diseases linked to inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. _TechnologyReview

Of course, once you start introducing targeted gene-engineered microbes into the gut, the possibilities for treatments and specific optimisations multiply rapidly.

You may be aware that peptic ulcers and gastric cancer are tied to a gastric microbe, helicobacter pylori. The development of counter-bacteria to H. Pylori would allow simple, food-assisted treatment for a number of illnesses specific to that microbe.

The same arguments could be applied to skin bacteria and other parts of the body where normal bacterial flora reside. There are plenty of diseases of multiple systems which are caused or made worse by absent or insufficient symbiotic bacteria.

But once we start applying, ingesting, and inserting engineered microbes for treatment and prophylaxis, we are likely to begin thinking about optimisation. Why take nutritional supplements, for example, when microbes can produce the needed substance just as well? The same applies to particular medications, enzymes, or hormones. And so on...

Now go eat your yoghurt.

Guest Article: 20 Educational Alternative Medicine Blogs

20 Incredibly Educational Alternative Medicine BlogsSource: Masters in Health Care

"Alternative medicine" is a broad term that encompasses healing methods that aren’t considered "normal." Although they may not have been proven to work as efficiently as treatments using conventional medicine, there are numerous people who swear by their effectiveness, giving hope to others who wish to find new potential solutions for their health problems. If you’re interested in alternative medicine and want to discover more information about its different treatments, peruse the 20 incredibly educational blogs listed below.

General Alternative Medicine

Blogs dedicated to all-things alternative medicine, holistic health and even acupuncture.

1. Alternative Medicine Zone: Everything is covered on the Alternative Medicine Blog. It’s a great place to find general advice and information pertaining to alternative medicine, herbal medicine, natural remedies, or whatever works for you.
2. Alternative Medicine Blog: Cathy Wong, author of the Alternative Medicine Blog, is a licensed naturopathic doctor and an American College of Nutrition-certified nutrition specialist who has a decade of experience with alternative medicine. Her opinions on the subject have appeared in numerous health magazines, such as First For Women and Men’s Health.
3. Natural Holistic Health: Natural Holistic Health is where you can "learn how to keep you and your family healthy safely and holistically." It’s a particularly good source of information about ADHD, as the blog devotes an entire section to the disorder’s natural treatments.
4. World Acupuncture: Alan focuses on "practical skills, clinically relevant theory and treatment outcomes using clinically potent Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion."

Traditional Chinese Medicine

The Chinese have been renowned for their traditional medicine practices, which are only considered "alternative" in the West.

5. Chinese Medicine News: Studies and research on traditional Chinese medicine are reported on Chinese Medicine News. Recently, the blog has expanded to include news of studies relating to dietary and other breakthroughs.
6. Deepest Health: Deepest Health explores the topic of Chinese Medicine. Practitioners, students and novices who visit the blog will find directories that’ll enable them to find information tailored to their needs.
7. Acupuncture & TCM Blog: The Acupuncture & TCM Blog covers a wide range of topics relating to acupuncture and traditional Chinese Medicine, including the benefits of Eucommia Bark and acupuncture when it comes to back pain.
8. Traditional Chinese Medicine Resource Center: The TCM Resource Center features news, TCM theory and other beneficial content. For example, posts cover everything from acupuncture’s effect on depression to the ancient Chinese practice of cupping.

Herbal Medicine

Herbs can possess amazing medicinal properties that complement conventional medicine.

9. Cathy’s Natural Remedies: Cathy, a retired Canadian school teacher living in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, shares her immense knowledge of natural remedies.
10. A Journey Into Herbal & Natural Healing: Herbalist Tania Tyler comes from a family of healers, so she has dedicated much of her life to studying herbal and natural healing. She has taught several workshops on the topic and her recipes and writings have been published.
11. The Herbal Advisor: Numerous healing herbs are covered by The Herbal Advisor, including Garlic, Oil of Oregano and Burdock. Remedies for everything from an upset stomach to ADHD are explored.
12. Ayurvedic Talk: The Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, consists of herbal remedies and additional treatments such as yoga and massage. Ayurvedic Talk discusses these topics in order to encourage a healthy life.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic treatments use substances that cause symptoms in small doses to cure the same symptoms.

13. Homeopathy Works: Joette Calabrese is an expert when it comes to homeopathy, having practiced it for 13 years and studied it for 24 years. Her advocacy for the practice comes from the results she has seen.
14. Homeopathy Resource: Homeopathy Resource’s mission is to provide "accurate information on homeopathy, homeopaths and homeopathic organizations." Readers can gain insight into the effectiveness of treatments by browsing through the studies posted on the blog.
15. Hmedicine Homeopathic Medicine Blog: Find homeopathic remedies for illnesses such as the cold and flu, or discover which conditions can’t be treated with them, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Homeopathy medicine and weight loss is a popular topic on Hmedicine.
16. Homeopathy – Safe Medicine: Another homeopathy blog chock-full of information. A recent post highlights the finding that the remedy Sabal Serrulata has a positive impact on cancer cells.
17. Homeopathy Blog: The Homeopathy Blog has been posting excerpts from 50 Reasons For Being a Homeopath, a book consisting of 50 letters authored by homeopathic doctor J. Compton Burnett during the late 19th century.

Naturopathy

Naturopathy relies on natural remedies and the body’s ability to heal.

18. Naturopathic View of Human Life: Sushma Shan, a licensed and registered doctor of naturopathy, blogs about the topic and the ways it can be beneficial to your health. She addresses treatments for arthritis, vitiligo and even acne.
19. Naturopathy Brisbane: Lisa Freebury’s belief in the power of herbal and alternative medicine inspired her to become a naturopath. She’s constantly learning, currently completing her Bachelor of Health Science in Nutritional Medicine to add to her Bachelor of Health Science in Naturopathy.
20. Discovering Naturopathy….a Student’s Perspective: A student of naturopathic medicine documents his thoughts and insights, while sharing resources for students and patients. Readers can even learn about the history of naturopathy.

Thanks to Masters in Health Care, an online source for information on obtaining masters in health care degrees online.

The Al Fin Institutes take no official position on alternative medicine approaches. Many of these approaches might qualify as placebos, while still offering some benefit. Other alternative approaches to health care may contain seeds of effectiveness which cannot be generally obtained via mainstream medical care. Indeed, many of the most vexing problems for busy medical practitioners involve maladies, disorders, and conditions for which orthodox medicine offers virtually no help at all.

Certainly anyone contemplating going off-grid, cruising the high seas, going Galt, or otherwise isolating themselves from most of the amenities of civilisation, would be wise to familiarise himself with a wide array of remedies -- conventional AND unconventional.

Sinus Problems? Try the Neti Pot

Sinus infections were once my bane--and still get me down occasionally. Recently a friend demonstrated the use of the Neti Pot for sinus irrigation. My first observation of the proper use of the Neti Pot was rather whimsical, to say the least. I once recommended saline spray, but now I know what to recommend to my patients with chronic sinus problems--even those with acute draining sinusitis.

Flushing the nasal passages with a salt solution, or nasal irrigation, is a yoga tradition that dates back thousands of years.

But though it is already recommended by physicians for cleansing after sinus surgery, the practice is just catching on as an alternative treatment for nasal stuffiness caused by colds, sinusitis and allergies.

A study published last year in the Annals of Family Medicine found that nasal irrigation is safe, well-tolerated, inexpensive and effective.

The study, done by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, also found that patients were able to do it at home with minimal training. Source

My friend swears by the Neti Pot, and so do others at the link above. Apparently these devices are even sold at Wal-Mart. The NeilMed plastic bottle sinus lavage apparently allows you to squeeze for extra pressure. If your sinuses are not draining, use caution. Be sure to follow the directions that come with the lavage device. Sinus lavage feels a bit strange at first, but it should not hurt.

From Newsalert via Instapundit

Oh, Brave New Womb

Scientists have been on the trail of the artificial uterus for decades. Since Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, science fiction writers have used the device (scroll) frequently. So, we have test-tube babies now, in vitro fertilisation, but no artificial wombs.

It is not for lack of trying. Hung Ching Liu, a fertilisation specialist, has been working on the problem for years, and making genuine progress.

In 2002, Liu stunned the world of reproductive medicine by claiming to have recreated a woman's womb, using uterine cells grown on a biodegradable scaffold bathed in a broth of hormones and nutrients.

When Liu placed fertilised human embryos created during IVF treatment inside, they nestled into the wall of the womb and began to attach themselves to the endometrial cells that make up the lining — just as in the early stages of pregnancy. Liu stopped the experiments after a week because regulations prevent human embryos being developed much further.

No such restrictions apply to animals and, in unpublished work, Liu says she has now grown mouse foetuses in her artificial womb for 17 of their 21—day terms. This is equivalent to about 31 weeks in humans, at which point babies have been viable for more than a month and can routinely be nurtured to normal development if born prematurely.

Just as with the human embryos, the tiny bundles of mouse cells nestled into the artificial womb lining and began to attach themselves. Liu watched as blood vessels formed, then miniature placentas and, eventually, the amniotic sac — an embryo's personal protective bubble.

A different approach has been taken by Yoshinori Kuwabara at Juntendo University in Tokyo. His team has removed foetuses from goats and placed them in clear plastic tanks filled with amniotic fluid stabilised at body temperature. In this way, Kuwabara has kept goat foetuses alive and growing for up to 10 days by connecting their umbilical cords to machines that pump in nutrients and dispose of waste.

While Liu's work is aimed at helping those having difficulty conceiving, Kuwabara's is designed to help women who suffer miscarriages or very premature births. In this way Liu is extending the time an embryo can exist in a laboratory before being placed in a woman's body; Kuwabara is trying to give a foetus a safe home if expelled too early from its natural womb.

Crucially, both believe artificial wombs capable of sustaining a child for nine months will become reality in a few years.

This Slate article looks at artificial wombs as a way of incubating embryonic tissue for use in regenerative medicine, not as a way to create a new person. There must be many uses for working artificial wombs, if you think about it.

Ethicists have lined up on every conceivable side of the issue. Some feminists see the development as an emancipation of women, and some see it as a threat to the existence of all women. Choose your sides. Some religious fundamentalists see artificial wombs as the end of abortion, and some see them as a threat to the idea of "human essence." Like a rorschach blot test, the artificial womb concept has a way of causing people to define themselves in unexpected ways.

Embryos have implanted inside the abdominal cavities of women, on the outer surface of viscera, and developed to a surprising degree. Here is a report of a successful abdominal pregnancy and delivery. This suggests that an artificial womb constructed of living tissue, well perfused with nutrient and oxygenating fluid, should do just as well as this woman's abdominal organs, and create much less risk for the mother. The problem of providing an in utero like environment should be solvable.

It will happen, sooner or later, ethics or no ethics, laws or no laws. What we choose to make of the possibilities created by the artificial womb is up to us.

Far into the future, I foresee an artificial womb in every home, where the proud parents-to-be can keep close track of thousands of parameters in the developing fetus. The A.W. could even be fitted with a 2-way communications (cell phone with remote antenna for radiation safety) device and high fidelity speakers so that the fetus can listen to Mozart, a soothing heartbeat, or even the mother's voice from half a world away, if need be.