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| HEALTH & FITNESS |
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Are herbal products safe?
Exercises can prevent neck pain
Hope for patients of white patches
Foot care for diabetics HEALTH NOTES
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Are herbal products safe?
Cosmeceuticals have become an increasingly important area of dermatology. They are also known as dermaceuticals, active cosmetics and functional cosmetics. They are hybrids — intermediate between drugs and cosmetics. If the purpose of the product is to prevent or treat a disease, it is a drug; whereas if it simply intends to beautify or improve appearance it is termed as a cosmetic. Cosmeceuticals as a category are not officially recognised from a regulatory standpoint. It is not a legal but a functional term which is used primarily for marketing purposes. Yet, cosmeceutical products contain an endless list of supposedly active substances and that differentiates them from cosmetics. Botanical cosmeceuticals
Botanicals from the largest category of cosmeceutical additives are found in the market today. They are plant extracts derived from leaves, roots, fruits, berries, stems, twigs, barks and flowers. The popularity of botanicals is largely due to the aura of natural products. Products derived from plants are considered to be free of synthetic chemicals. It may come as a surprise to many that botanicals must undergo a significant amount of chemical processing prior to incorporation into a cosmeceutical. Raw crushed leaves added to a moisturiser will not provide an aesthetically pleasing result. Usually, the plant material is heated or processed to obtain essential oils or other distillates that can be easily added to a cosmeceutical formulation. However, this processing may destroy some of the active chemicals which are intended to provide skin benefits. The biological activity of herbal cosmeceuticals depends upon the very source of the plant material. Furthermore, the season in which the plant material is gathered also influences its composition. Certain actives are present in the fall, when the leaves are shedding; white other actives are present only in early spring, when immature leaves are present on the branches. Lastly, the amount of the active in the botanical extract is important in determining efficacy. Sometimes the botanical active is added in small amounts providing more “marketing benefit” than “skin benefit”. Botanical cosmeceuticals can be characterised as antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and skin-soothing agents. Antioxidants
There are many botanical antioxidants, since all plants must protect themselves from oxidation following ultraviolet light exposure in the outdoor environment in which they grow. These protective mechanisms have evolved over many years providing interesting chemicals for extraction and incorporation into cosmeceuticals. The largest source of botanical antioxidants is foods such as apples, lemons, oranges, mangoes, tomatoes, blueberry and pomegranate. These extracts can be consumed or just used topically (locally). Anti-inflammatory
Botanical anti-inflammatory additives are used in many different cosmeceuticals, since aging is in part the end result of chronic inflammation. Commonly used botanical anti-inflammatories include Ginkgo biloba and green tea. Skin-soothing agents
Botanical cosmeceuticals used for skin-soothing include prickly pear, aloe vera, allantoin, witch hazel and papaya. They are put into various skin care products mainly to calm, normalise, replenish or relax the skin. The herbal remedies are designated into the category of dietary supplements or food additives. So, there are no strict standards for testing the potency as well as efficacy of the products. Fifty per cent of the people who use alternative herbal products blindly believe that all natural products are safe. Yet topical applications have been seen to cause several reactions although rarely. Some botanicals actually contain substances that may provide skin benefits while others are of questionable value. But there is absolutely no doubt that botanical cosmeceuticals provide endless opportunities to add new marketing interest to traditional sunscreens, cleansers, moisturisers, toners and hair care products. It is the knowledge base of the dermatologist that will ultimately determine those very herbal products which are of real patient value. The writer is Chief Dermatologist, Mohan Dai Oswal Cancer Treatment & Research Foundation, Ludhiana.
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Exercises can prevent neck pain Neck pain is very often manifested as headache and restriction of neck and head movements. Depending on the cause, the neck pain may radiate to the arms with numbness and weakness (in cases of nerve root involvement). Individuals may also feel light headed or dizzy on moving the neck. The most common cause is an incorrect posture. Other causative factors are overuse, injury, muscle weakness, etc. Working at the desk/computer while repeatedly keeping the neck forward with protracted chin and rounded shoulders — all features of incorrect posture. The following precautions will help in preventing neck pain due to an incorrect posture. Sitting at the desk: Sit well back in the seat, supporting the low back, keeping the chin tucked in with shoulders relaxed. It is ideal to avoid slouching in the chair to avoid undue strain on the back of the neck. During conversation over the telephone, the receiver should not be cupped between the ear and the shoulder. Hold the receiver properly using the loudspeaker facility. For long duration talks change sides frequently. While sitting at the desk it is advisable to use a sloping desk. Regular interruption of the prolonged static position of the head and the neck is also helpful. During sleep the nape of the neck should be fully supported by the pillows to avoid sagging lower than the neck and also should not be bent too forward by too many pillows. Eyeglasses with adequate focal length should be used so that clear vision is achieved with the head held in a balanced upright position. The lower portion of the rim should also not occlude the line of sight on looking down. While driving a car, the back should be well supported, the chin tucked in and the shoulders relaxed. This avoids stress on the back muscles. Treating neck pain is a tedious job in which manipulation is a very important aspect. Manipulation of the cervical spine is an extremely effective technique but should be performed by an experienced and skilled individual in order to avoid the risk of injury. Stretching and strengthening exercises that increase the range of motion are an important factor in the prevention of neck pain. Exercises should be undertaken correctly. Side stretch: Sitting on the left-hand, reach over the top of the head with the right hand. Gently pull the head sideways over the right shoulder. Hold for a count of 10 and repeat it in the opposite direction. Neck retraction: This exercise not only stretches the neck muscles but also helps the improve posture. While sitting, the chin is tucked in and the head pulled back. The head should not tilt up and down during this exercise. Repeat it 10 times. Strengthening exercises are done against the resistance of the hand and can be performed throughout the day. Place the palm of the hand on the forehead, try touching the chin to the chest against the resistance of the hand for a count of 10. Placing both hands behind the back of the head, tilt the head backwards against the resistance of the hands. Place one hand behind the ear resisting the motion of bringing the ear to the shoulder on the same side. Neck extension: Lying face downwards and off the table. Keeping the chin tucked, lift the back of the head towards the ceiling. This position is held for a count of 10 at the top of movement. Always practicing a correct and healthy posture is critical in this modern computer era. A correct posture is like holding a defence shield against future neck problems. An incorrect posture leads to pain and discomfort in the neck and tends to become a permanent feature. The writer is a former doctor/physiotherapist, Indian cricket
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Hope for patients of white patches Vitiligo is a condition in which areas of skin lose their normal pigment and become white. It affects about 1 per cent of the world’s population. The cause is not yet fully known, but many think that in this disease, the body makes antibodies to its own melanocytes (pigment producing cells) and destroys them. Vitiligo is not infectious. Only the cosmetic aspect of the disease leads to great psychological disturbances. One-third of the cases know of someone in their family who suffers from the same problem. If one has vitiligo it is not sure that children would also have it. Vitiligo can appear on any site of the body, with more chances of developing at the sites of trauma and repeated friction. In the segmental type, it crops up on only one side of the body and remains there. Vitiligo can start at any age, progresses slowly with periods of stability lasting many years. Hair in a vitiligo patch may be of normal colour or become white. In some cases, pigment or colour comes on its own but seldom completely. Various modes of treatment like strong corticosteroid creams, immunomodulators, placental extract, phototherapy, including PUVA and surgical methods, are tried with different individual response. Currently NBUVB (narrow band
ultra-violet light of type B) is the treatment of choice worldwide in vitiligo. It is a highly effective and safe
therapy, even in pregnancy and for children. We give two or three treatment sessions per week. Results are found to be quite satisfactory. It has given new hope to the patients of this disease which is socially embarrassing for the sufferer.
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Foot care for diabetics INDIA has the dubious distinction of being the diabetes capital of the world with over 32 million people affected by it. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are close to 171 million people worldwide suffering from the disease, and the figure is expected to touch 366 million by 2030. The majority of these patients will be from India and other developing countries. Diabetes is a well-known cause of damage to various organs of the body like the kidneys, the heart, the brain and the eyes, but its adverse effect on the feet and the legs is least recognised. Diabetic patients should know that a small ulcer over the feet can get infected or become gangrenous, needing an amputation. So, even a small wound over the feet and legs requires urgent attention. These ulcers over the feet are not uncommon. As much as 15 per cent diabetic patients experience a foot ulcer during their lifetime. The treatment of the diabetic foot not only causes physical and mental agony but also a huge financial burden on the patient. Also, if neglected it may even prove to be fatal sometimes. A study conducted at the PGI, Chandigarh, has revealed that about 9 per cent of the total deaths in diabetic patients were due to foot infections. However, it is important to note that as high as 50 to 85 per cent of these complications are preventable if proper care of the feet is taken and timely medical help is sought. Diabetic patients get some warning signals which must be given due attention. These warning signals are:- A small ulcer over the foot or leg. Any cracks or fissures over the soles of feet. Any infection between the toes Pain occurring in either calf of the limbs on walking. Diabetic patients can help themselves in the prevention of foot complications by keeping in mind some Do’s and Don’ts: Do’s
Don’ts
The writer is Consultant Physician, Tagore Hospital & Heart Care Centre, Jalandhar.
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HEALTH
NOTES Washington: University of Illinois researchers have found a way to trick cancer cells into committing suicide, a technique that could potentially lead to better treatment of various types of cancers. Most living cells contain a protein known as procaspase-3, which, when activated, changes into the executioner enzyme caspase-3 and initiates programmed cell death, called apoptosis. In cancer cells, however, the signalling pathway to procaspase-3 is broken. As a result, cancer cells escape destruction and grow into tumours. “We have identified a small, synthetic compound that directly activates procaspase-3 and induces apoptosis. By bypassing the broken pathway, we can use the cells’ own machinery to destroy themselves,” said Paul J. Hergenrother, a professor of chemistry at the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaig. — ANI Men, women have different nutritional needs
Washington: When it comes to optimal nutrition, men and women have different considerations. The distinctions are subtle, but they may affect a man’s health, reports Harvard Men’s Health Watch. Here are some of the differences: Fat. Monounsaturated fats are healthful for both men and women; olive oil is a good source. The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are also good for both sexes. But a vegetable-based omega-3 called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), found in canola and flaxseed oils, may be a problem for men. ALA is good for the heart, but some studies suggest it may increase the risk of prostate cancer. For men with heart risks, ALA may be a good choice, but men with more reason to worry about prostate cancer should get their omega-3s from fish and their vegetable fats from olive oil. Calcium. A high-calcium diet may protect women against osteoporosis. There’s far less evidence that dietary calcium has the same benefit for men; in fact, large amounts may increase their risk of prostate cancer. The solution is moderation, The vitamin D in a daily multivitamin may also help offset the possible risks.
— ANI Intermittent icing best for sprain pain
NEW YORK: Holding an ice pack on a sprained ankle for no more than 10 minutes at a time is more effective for easing pain than icing for a longer stretch of time, researchers report. However, either approach was effective for reducing swelling and improving joint function, the team found. Ice is one of the standard treatments for reducing pain and swelling after an ankle injury, but there is little scientific evidence for the best approach to using this treatment — or even whether it works — Dr C M Bleakley of the University of Ulster in Jordanstown, Northern Ireland, and colleagues report.
— Reuters Sleep apnea in kids linked to brain damage
NEW YORK: When children have sleep apnea — that is, brief but frequent episodes during the night when their breathing becomes blocked — they may be at risk for more than just a poor night’s sleep. Findings from a new study provide what researchers believe is the first evidence that untreated sleep apnea in children can cause neuronal brain injury. ‘’This should be a wake-up call to both parents and doctors that undiagnosed or untreated sleep apnea might hurt children’s brains,’’ lead author Dr Ann C Halbower, from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, said in a statement. ‘’This is truly concerning because we saw changes that suggest injury in areas of the brain that house critical cognitive functions, such as attention, learning, and working memory,’’ she added. Further research is needed to determine if early diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea can reverse the deficits identified in the study, the team concludes. Sleep apnea can be treated with pressurized air delivered by a facemask, to keep the airways open while a person sleeps.
— Reuters Human gut is home to HIV
Washington: Researchers have found that the human gut is a major reservoir harbouring the HIV virus, holding almost twice as much as a person’s blood. In addition, the virus stored in the gut does not decay or reduce over time, as is also the case with blood-related reservoirs. It is well-known that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and lymph nodes are principal reservoirs harbouring the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The role of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) in this setting, however, had not been properly evaluated until now.
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