Green Tea, Cancer, and the Inflammation and Pain of Rheumatoid Arthritis

A long while back, I came across some interesting information on green tea and cancer. Green tea contains a compound called EGCG. Wikipedia defines this acronym as "Epigallocatechin gallate...a type of catechin...the most abundant catechin in tea". The WP--my shorthand for wikipedia--also states that EGCG is a) an antioxidant and a catechin, b) being studied for multiple sclerois, c) protects the skin from uv-radiation damage and tumor formation and d) may have some benefit in the treatment of HIV.

When I first learned about EGCG, I was astonished to read that EGCG prevents cancer cell growth by inhibiting the enzyme, dihydrofolate reductase. However, I've just come across some additional interesting news regarding EGCG. According to Professor Stephen Hsu at the Medical College of Georgia, green tea may offer protection against certain autoimmune conditions such as sjogren's syndrome and lupus. Autoimmune disorders tend to involve inflammation and EGCG has been shown to block the production of prostaglandin E2, a compound that causes joint inflammation.

Of course, whenever I think of autoimmune disorders and inflammation, I think of rheumatoid arthritis (in addition to pemphigus, a terrible autoimmune condition that eventually and recently took the life of my dog, Scout, a chow/lab mix with the best disposition I've ever seen in a dog). Well, this is where EGCG really gets interesting. Two molecules which are known to break down bone in a joint afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis--IL-6 and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2)--are suppressed by EGCG. Actually, the wording expressed by lead researcher Salah-uddin Ahmed at Ann Arbor (Univ. of Michigan) was that EGCG "blocked them significantly".

Green tea has about five times more EGCG than regular tea, which isn't a bad thing since (for no reason other than the fact that I enjoy the taste), I drink it daily.

Sleepless but not really tired

Lately, my sleeping schedule has been changing and I'm not entirely sure why. As a teenager and young adult in college, I found it perfectly normal to stay up till the wee hours and sleep in till eleven whenever I got the chance (as you can imagine, high school was "tiring" for me and I didn't take many morning classes in college). As a regular adult (let's assume for the sake of discussion that I became one of those at about age 25), my sleeping habits evolved into a semi-regular pattern of going to bed around 11-1 and getting up between 6:30 am and 7:00 am. Lately, though, my sleep pattern has evolved, devolved, whatever you want to call it, into something unusual, at least to me. I can now fall asleep as early as ten o'clock at night and wake up again as early as 3 am, ready to start another day.

I have no reason to account for why my sleep schedule seems to be altering. It could be the result of a somewhat hectic life or the aging process itself (I know a number of individuals whose sleep patterns have altered with age), or a combination of both factors. However, it makes me wonder if I should perhaps try melatonin. Melatonin has been used to treat sleep disorders and to help individuals reset their own internal clocks (for example, to counter the effects of jet lag).

However, melatonin can cause fatigue and anyone taking prescribed medication should probably run this by their family internist first (particularly if they take medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, hormone replacement, or to thin the blood. And I honestly don't think I will take this supplement, mainly because at this point, my reduced number of sleep hours is not making me particularly tired, or even tired at all. I just seem to be effectively getting by with less. Aging process? Perhaps.

Chiropractors and Chiropractic Medicine

Here's a new article by Opal Tribble on Chiropractic Medicine that explains some of the potential benefits of being seen by a chiropractor, as well as an abbreviated history of chiropractic.

I've actually gone to a chiropractor in the past myself and I can say that Opal's description is on target. I had an initial consultation followed up with a spinal manipulation which, really, only took about ten minutes. On future visits to my chiropractor, I was given some type of high strength sonic wave treatment, prior to my manipulation.

Did treatments from a chiropractor help me? Honestly, I don't know. I went because my lower back went out (this has happened about three times in the last decade, possibly as a result of weightlifting-related stress, and, each time, I find myself incapacitated for about a week) and because this particular chiropractic physician was highly recommended by several individuals I know.

However, relief from my lower back pain and a return to normal ambulation (i.e. no longer having to use a cane to get around) occurred about when I would have expected. That is, within a week. Whether or not my visits to a chiropractor speeded my recovery process, I can't really say.

One thing I will say, however, is that I absolutely loved the sonic wave treatment that was applied to my back. It provided a fairly intense sensation that, from my own experience, has only been matched by a professional massage therapist. Yet, this occurred in a distinctly different fashion. It was literally like a high energy massage flowing in wave fashion over my back. In principle, this was like a tens unit, used by individuals who have back pain, but much more powerful.

Here's Opal article: Chiropractic Medicine - History, Treatment, and Benefits

Blueberries, Blackberries, and Granny Smith Apples

Breakfast today was a combination of the aforementioned) Atkins Chocolate Royale low carb shake (it doesn't taste like pressed wood, trust me on this), blueberries, blackberries, and a granny smith apple.

I never get tired of granny smith apples, nor do I get tired of blackberries (blueberries, despite their fantastic health benefit profile, i.e. antioxidants can get just a little tiring if eaten every day, just my personal taste). I can consume both on a consistent basis and in prodigious amounts. Reputedly, granny smiths are also a fruit with a good glycemic index value.

What I don't like, however, is the cost of blackberries. Let's be honest, they're hideously expensive and you have to wonder how most family budget shoppers can buy them regularly. I like them enough to stomach the cost...except when I buy them and two days later find mold on them.

I usually take a good look at my fruit before I toss it into the cart. But, invariably, no matter how good the berries look in the store, they seem to "time out" within two days of entering my fridge. Makes you wonder how much on the edge some of this produce really is.

Atkins Advantage Shakes

I went to a lower carb diet a while back for several reasons. Initially, I found that it was easier for me to keep my weight managed (important if your work keeps you hunched over at a desk for long hours at a time) and I also simply felt better by taking in fewer carbs and being more selective about my carbs. Yes, I love potatoes, pasta, bread, and the like, but as "satisfying" as those food stuffs are, they tend to have some negative effects, including persistent "stomach rumblings".

One of the problems encountered by people who get on the low carb wagon, however, is choice, as in fewer choices. In fact, its not until you begin to cut carbs from your daily diet and routine that you begin to realize how dependent you really are on carbohydrate content, much of which has limited nutritional value and a predisposition for spiking your glucose levels.

Fortunately, the longer you do the low carb thing, the more you realize that there actually are choices. For example, mashed potatoes. Eliminating those from your diet can leave a huge hole in your psyche. But---puree cauliflower, season it right, and add butter, and you have something that comes fairly close to mashed potatoes. And from a glycemic standpoint, so much better for you.

And now---drumroll---the point of this post: Atkins Advantage Shakes! I love these things and here's why.

• Fifteen grams of protein
  
• Six grams of carbs (four of which are fiber and only one of which is sugar)
  
• 160 calories
  
• And, if you get the Chocolate Royale flavor, it actually tastes like chocolate (for the most part).
  

Personally, I wouldn't advise these as meal replacements for lunch or dinner. In my own case, I simply prefer more calories than the average gerbil on steroids. But, for individuals who are prone to skipping breakfast (an important meal that you shouldn't skip), Atkins Shakes are a convenient and sensible meal replacement solution.

New Halo 3 Multiplayer Maps

I looked forward for years, literally, to Halo 3, both for the continuation of the campaign storyline (great story and, hopefully, Microsoft will get the right studio and director on board for the film adaptation) as well as to see what improvements would be made in the multiplayer live environment.

Sadly, I was disappointed on both fronts. The campaign game is way too short and the Halo 3 live experience just kind of...well, sucked. How did it suck? Let me count the ways. No scorpion tanks, limited availability of rocket launchers, some new weapons that are really questionable in their tactical value, and the absence of panoramic maps that give you a feeling of expanse such as blood gulch.

I can't tell you how quickly I got bored of cycling through the same handful (barely) of big team maps in this latest rendition of what I've always regarded as the pinnacle of gaming. In fact, it got so bad that I shelved the Halo 3 disc and brought out Halo 2 again, just to see blood gulch once more and to get my hands/controller on rocket launchers again.

Well, today, I got a marketing email announcing that more multiplayer maps have been released for Halo 3. I don't know anything about them yet but I'm itching to try them to see how they play. All I can say is, its about time.

Basic Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine

Other than the fact that acupuncture is part of TCM, and that TCM is, by definition holistic (an approach that is sometimes termed "eastern"), I don't know much about traditional chinese medicine myself.

Opal Tribble, however, has written a recent article about traditional chinese medicine that answers a few basic questions. Personally, I found it interesting to learn that TCM is actually incorporated into the health care system in mainland China.

Here's the link to her article. In time, this may become the base page for a section devoted to answer questions regarding TCM on this site:

Traditional Chinese Medicine - History, Nature, and Benefits

Taxing Sugary Drinks

The Mayor of San Francisco has recently stated that the consumption of non-diet soft drinks by school children is contributing to an obesity problem that is costing the city tens of millions of dollars in health care costs. In fact, a survey conducted by the San Francisco Health department found that for many school age kids, sugary drinks may total as much as ten percent of daily calorie consumption.

No doubt, this phenomeon is not limited to San Francisco or the state of California. And, of course, there's little wonder that type II diabetes is becoming a more frequent diagnosis and for individuals of younger ages.

Interestingly enough, as the mayor of San Francisco is focusing attention on this issue, so is the state---California is considering putting warning labels on non-diet soft drink cans.