more good news about coffee/cherries for arthritis

[Guest guest]

Heard on the radio that one more benefit of (decaffinated in this case)

coffee is that it's beneficial for the liver/treating liver disease.

Perhaps someone can dig up the study? Al Pater?

Also heard on the radio that eating cherries in quantity will relieve the

pain of arthritis. If anyone has any scientific study/website or more info,

please post.

[Guest guest]

Perhaps:

Ann Epidemiol. 2003 Jul;13(6):419-23.

Coffee intake and mortality from liver cirrhosis.

Tverdal A, Skurtveit S.

Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the

association between coffee consumption and mortality from

liver cirrhosis. METHODS: We conducted a mortality follow-up

of 51,306 adults who underwent screening for cardiovascular

disease from 1977 to 1983. During the subsequent 17 years,

the total number of deaths from all causes in the studied

cohort was 4207. Fifty-three had the diagnosis of cirrhosis

mentioned on the death certificate; of these, 36 had

alcoholic cirrhosis. RESULTS: The relative risk of liver

cirrhosis mentioned on the death certificate associated with

an increase of two cups of coffee, adjusted for sex, age,

alcohol use and other major cardiovascular risk factors was

0.6 (95% confidence interval, 0.5-0.8). For alcoholic

cirrhosis the results were identical. When studying

cirrhosis as the underlying cause of death, the inverse

relationship becomes somewhat stronger. CONCLUSIONS: The

present study confirms the existence of an inverse

association between coffee consumption and liver cirrhosis.

PMID: 12875799

{I liked this one, too}

J Nutr. 2003 Nov;133(11):3529-32.

Quinides of roasted coffee enhance insulin action in

conscious rats.

Shearer J, Farah A, de is T, Bracy DP, Pencek RR, Graham

TE, Wasserman DH.

Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics,

Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.

jane.shearer@...

Consumption of large amounts of coffee has been shown to

decrease the incidence of type 2 diabetes. However, the

specific compounds and mechanisms responsible for this

effect are not known. The aim of this study was to determine

the effects of a decaffeinated coffee extract and a

synthetic quinide, representative of those found in roasted

coffee, 3,4-diferuloyl-1,5-quinolactone, on

insulin-stimulated glucose disposal and muscle glucose

uptake. Experiments were performed on conscious rats during

hyperinsulinemic, euglycemic clamps receiving gastric

infusions of saline, a decaffeinated coffee extract (DECAF)

(220 mg/kg), or 3,4-diferuloyl-1,5-quinide (DIFEQ) (110

mg/kg). Following treatment, rats received an intravenous

bolus of deoxy-[2-3H] glucose to assess muscle glucose

uptake (Rg, micromol x 100 g(-1) x min(-1)). Glucose

infusions [mg/(kg x min)] required to maintain euglycemia

during the tracer period were higher with DIFEQ (14.6 +/-

0.7) than with saline (10.8 +/- 0.7) and DECAF (11.5 +/-

1.1). Despite increased glucose requirements, Rg in skeletal

(soleus, gastrocnemius, superficial vastus lateralis) and

cardiac muscle were unchanged. DECAF or DIFEQ did not affect

heart rate, blood pressure, plasma nonesterified fatty acids

or liver aminotransferase activity. These results

demonstrate that DIFEQ increases whole-body glucose disposal

independently of skeletal muscle Rg.

PMID: 14608069

Thank goodness I do something wright.

{cherries is folklore, IMO:}

BLAU LW.

Cherry diet control for gout and arthritis.

Tex Rep Biol Med. 1950;8(3):309-11. No abstract available.

PMID: 14776685

Pizzorno: Textbook of Natural Medicine, 2nd ed.,

Botanical medicines

Cherries

Consuming one-half pound of fresh or canned cherries per day

has been shown to be very effective in lowering uric acid

levels and preventing attacks of gout.[28] Cherries,

hawthorn berries, blueberries, and other dark red-blue

berries are rich sources of anthocyanidins and

proanthocyanidins. These compounds are flavonoid molecules,

which give these fruits their deep red-blue color, and are

remarkable in their ability to prevent collagen

destruction.[29] [30]

29. Whitehouse LW, Znamirowski M, CJ. Devil's claw

(Harpagophytum procumbens): no evidence for

anti-inflammatory activity in the treatment of arthritic

disease. Can Med Assoc J 1983; 129: 249-251

30. McLeod DW, Revell P, BV. Investigations of

Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's claw) in the treatment of

experimental inflammation and arthritis in the rat. Br J

Pharmacol 1979; 66: 140P-141P

regards.

----- Original Message -----

From: Francesca Skelton

support group

Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 12:17 PM

Subject: [ ] more good news about

coffee/cherries for arthritis

Heard on the radio that one more benefit of (decaffinated in

this case)

coffee is that it's beneficial for the liver/treating liver

disease.

Perhaps someone can dig up the study? Al Pater?

Also heard on the radio that eating cherries in quantity

will relieve the

pain of arthritis. If anyone has any scientific

study/website or more info,

please post.

[Guest guest]

This was done on people who are at high risk for liver disease. What about

" normal " risk or CRONies (low risk?)?

Try this link about coffee:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/478185?src=search

Here's the article:

Coffee, Caffeine Consumption Associated With Reduced Liver Disease

Karla Harby

May 18, 2004 (New Orleans) — A U.S. population study of 5,944 adults conducted

by researchers at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney

Diseases (NIDDK) has found a strong association between coffee drinking and

caffeine consumption and a lower risk of liver injury in persons at high risk

for liver disease.

The researchers defined the high-risk population as those who reported being

heavy drinkers of alcohol, or who had hepatitis B or C, iron overload, were

obese, or had impaired glucose metabolism. Liver injury was defined as a serum

alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity level in excess of 43 U/L.

The researchers reported that overall, the greater the coffee consumption, the

greater the association with liver protection (P = .034 for the trend). The

highest consumption noted was more than two cups of coffee per day. Consumers of

more than two cups of coffee per day had an odds ratio (OR) for elevated ALT of

0.56 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31 - 1.0); those who drank one to two cups

had an OR of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.49 - 1.4). Those who drank less than one cup had an

odds ratio of 1.4 (95% CI, 0.84 - 2.4), with zero cups being assigned an OR of

1.0.

Because caffeine consumption is so highly associated with coffee drinking in the

U.S., it is difficult to untangle the two statistically, explained E.

Everhart, MD, MPH, from the NIDDK, who spoke with reporters here during

Digestive Disease Week. Nonetheless, the researchers reviewed consumption of tea

and soft drinks containing caffeine, and found a positive association (P < .001

for the trend), with less than 49 mg per day being the lowest threshold.

They found an OR of 0.78 (95% CI. 0.49 - 1.3) for caffeine intake of 49 to 142

mg per day; 0.72 (95% CI, 0.41 - 1.2) for 142 to 200 mg per day; and 0.62 (95%

CI, 0.35 - 1.1) for 200 to 373 mg per day. For those who consumed more than 373

mg per day of caffeine, the highest subgroup reported, the OR was 0.31 (95% CI,

0.16 - 0.61).

The mechanisms of action, if any, for coffee and caffeine are completely

unknown, Dr. Everhart said. Although coffee has many known effects on the body

and has been studied extensively, its specific effects on the liver have been

largely unexplored, he added.

The data source was the third U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination

Survey (NHANES III), 1988-1994. The researchers adjusted their analysis for

cigarette smoking, age, sex, and ethnicity, and found no change in their

results. Dr. Everhart noted that a strength of this general population study is

that coffee drinking is such a widespread activity that it seems unlikely that

an unknown variable would explain these results.

Lee Kaplan, MD, PhD, from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, who

moderated the session for reporters, noted that this observational study cannot

prove causality or identify the active ingredient in coffee, if any. " These

kinds of studies are critical, but it's only a start of the process, " he said.

This study was independently funded. The authors report no pertinent financial

disclosures.

DDW 2004: Abstract M1211. Presented May 16, 2004.

Reviewed by D. Vogin, MD

Quoting Francesca Skelton <fskelton@...>:

>

>

>

>

> Heard on the radio that one more benefit of (decaffinated in this case)

>

> coffee is that it's beneficial for the liver/treating liver disease.

>

> Perhaps someone can dig up the study?  Al Pater?

----------------------------------------------------------------

This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program.

[Guest guest]

Decaf coffee appears to improve insulin sensitivity (good for managing blood

glucose in healthy people). Fully caffinated coffee is mixed in this regard.

I personally roast coffee and am aware of huge differences between bean

types, growing conditions, how roasted, how brewed, etc. Due to poor or

non-existent control for all these variables, I am not surprised that

research studies often return conflicting results.

I consider coffee a valuable contributor to my QOL and suspect like many

things is mixed in health cost/benefit. I drink regular and decaf (due to

sleep issues). The benefits to insulin resistance is just low calorie gravy.

:-)

JR

-----Original Message-----

From: scott@... [mailto:scott@...]

Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 1:09 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] more good news about coffee/cherries for

arthritis

This was done on people who are at high risk for liver disease. What about

" normal " risk or CRONies (low risk?)?

________________________________________________________

This email has been scanned by Internet Pathway's Email

Gateway scanning system for potentially harmful content,

such as viruses or spam. Nothing out of the ordinary was

detected in this email. For more information, call

601-776-3355 or email support@...

________________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Coffee Drinking May Protect the Liver from Damage

URL of this page:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_17832.html (*this news

item will not be available after 06/18/2004)

By Karla Gale

Wednesday, May 19, 2004

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters Health) - Coffee and other caffeinated beverages may

provide some protection from liver damage in people at risk for liver

disease, according to research presented here at Digestive Disease Week.

Using data from the third US National Health and Nutrition Examination

Survey, conducted between 1988 and 1994, Drs. E. Everhart and

Constance E. Ruhl assessed the association between caffeinated beverage

consumption and liver disease.

Among people at risk for liver disease due to excessive alcohol use or other

factors, drinking more than two cups of coffee per day seemed to protect

against liver damage.

Compared with people who didn't drink the beverage, those who did were

44-percent less likely to show evidence of liver damage. The risk reduction

seen with consumption of any caffeinated beverage was even higher, at 69

percent.

These findings are not sufficient for making recommendations regarding

caffeine intake, especially since caffeine may have other deleterious

effects, but they should stimulate further research, said Everhart, who is

chief medical officer at a branch of the National Institutes of Health.

As to how caffeine protects the liver, he told Reuters Health that previous

research has shown that one of caffeine's primary effects is blocking cell

structures called adenosine receptors. The early effect of this blockade is

stimulation of the immune system that could protect the liver, " but we don't

know what the (ongoing) effects are, " he added.

Digestive Disease Week is jointly sponsored by the American Association for

the Study of Liver Diseases, the American Gastroenterological Association,

the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and the Society for

Surgery of the Alimentary Tract.

Copyright 2003 Reuters. Reuters content is the intellectual property of

Reuters. Any copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters content,

including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited

without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable

for any errors or delays in content, or for any actions taken in reliance

thereon. Reuters, the Reuters Dotted Logo and the Sphere Logo are registered

trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.

>From: Francesca Skelton <fskelton@...>

>Reply-

>support group < >

>Subject: [ ] more good news about coffee/cherries for

>arthritis

>Date: Mon, 24 May 2004 13:17:29 -0400

>

>Heard on the radio that one more benefit of (decaffinated in this case)

>coffee is that it's beneficial for the liver/treating liver disease.

>Perhaps someone can dig up the study? Al Pater?

>

>Also heard on the radio that eating cherries in quantity will relieve the

>pain of arthritis. If anyone has any scientific study/website or more

>info,

>please post.

>

[Guest guest]

Got Arthritis? Fresh Cherries May Help

Arthritis hurts. But fresh cherries may help.

Fresh Bing cherries. (Photo by Peggy Greb / Courtesy USDA / Agricultural

Research Service)

What's Related

Natural Painkillers And Strong Antioxidants Found In Tart Cherries

Eating Berries Can Help Lower LDL Cholesterol

Novel Therapeutic Approach To Treatment Of Arthritic Disease

>more related stories

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Related sections: Health & Medicine

Plants & Animals

Results of a preliminary study by ARS scientists and their university

colleagues suggest that some natural compounds in plump, juicy Bing cherries

may reduce painful arthritic inflammation. Eating cherries may also help

lessen the severity of other inflammatory conditions, such as cardiovascular

disease or cancer.

Cherries already have a reputation for fighting inflammation. So what's new

about the ARS study?

" Our test is among the first to track anti-inflammatory effects of fresh

Bing cherries in a controlled experiment with healthy volunteers, " says

chemist A. , who led the investigation. is now retired

from the ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center in , California.

In previous studies at other laboratories, scientists analyzed extracts from

sweet or tart cherries in vitro to learn more about the fruit's potential

health-promoting properties. In contrast to these test-tube experiments, the

California study is apparently the first to test key inflammatory disease

indicators, or markers, in blood samples from healthy volunteers who were

fed precise amounts of fresh Bing cherries. Reported in a 2003 issue of the

Journal of Nutrition, the California investigation paved the way for a

recent followup study at the center.

Life—A Bowl of Cherries?

Imagine being asked to eat a bowlful of 45 fresh, pitted Bing cherries for

breakfast. Ten healthy women, aged 22 to 40, agreed to do that for the

California scientists' preliminary study. Volunteers were instructed not to

eat strawberries or other fruits and vegetables, or to drink tea or red

wine, for the 2 days before the cherry breakfast. These foods are high in

antioxidants, thought to fight inflammation. " They could have interfered

with our ability to determine the specific effects of the Bing cherry

antioxidants, " explains .

" Our main focus in this study was gout, a very painful form of arthritis, "

says co-investigator Darshan S. Kelley, a chemist at the nutrition center.

" During gout attacks, crystals of a naturally occurring chemical, uric acid,

accumulate in joints—commonly in the toes—and cause pain. Urate in blood

plasma is a precursor of these uric acid crystals. So, we closely measured

volunteers' levels of plasma urate.

" We also indirectly measured the amount of urate that was moved out of the

body in urine. We took blood plasma and urine samples before the volunteers

ate the cherry breakfast and at intervals of 1-1/2, 3, and 5 hours

afterward. "

Volunteers' plasma urate levels decreased significantly over the 5 hours

after their meal of cherries. Levels of urate removed from the body in urine

increased over those 5 hours.

These urate results strongly suggest that cherries can play an important

role in fighting gout. So do the results from the scientists' assays of some

other indicators of inflammation. Significant changes in the levels of

markers are an indication of a healthy immune system at work, attacking

inflammation. Markers monitored included C-reactive protein, nitric oxide,

and tumor necrosis factor alpha.

C-reactive protein, produced by the liver, increases rapidly during

inflammation, such as during a gout attack. In a healthy body, blood (serum)

levels of C-reactive protein are extremely low.

Another reliable sign of inflammation: the unwanted increase in nitric

oxide. This biochemical is thought to play a role in damaging arthritic

joints. The third marker, tumor necrosis factor alpha, is secreted in

greater quantities when the body is fighting tumors that may induce

inflammation. As is true for C-reactive protein, a healthy body that isn't

fighting an inflammation has very little of this marker.

At the 3-hour monitoring interval, C-reactive protein and nitric oxide were

somewhat lower than at the start of the study. " Even though these levels

were not significantly lower, the trend was in the right direction and so is

of interest, " notes Kelley.

Unexpectedly, the scientists found no change in levels of tumor necrosis

factor alpha. That's in contrast to a previous study, conducted elsewhere,

in which natural compounds in fruits and vegetables were found to decrease

levels of this marker. But the trends toward decreases in the other two

markers do agree with results of other scientists' earlier, in vitro studies

of cherry extracts.

and Kelley collaborated with chemists Giovanna M. Spinozzi and Vicky

A. Simon of the nutrition center; chemist L. Prior, who is with ARS

at Little Rock, Arkansas; and research associate Betty Hess-Pierce and

professor Adel A. Kader, of the University of California, .

A Month of Fresh Cherries

The follow-up study, conducted in 2003, involved more people, more cherries,

and a greater array of inflammatory-response markers. Eighteen women and two

men—aged 22 to 40—participated in the 64-day investigation.

Many of the new volunteers began the study with elevated C-reactive protein

levels. " That made it easier to detect any decline in C-reactive protein

levels as the study progressed, " says Kelley. " We're particularly interested

in this protein because a recent major study indicated that it's more

reliable than cholesterol as a predictor of cardiovascular disease.

" This group ate the same daily amount of fresh Bing cherries as our earlier

volunteers. But we asked them to eat the cherries throughout the day instead

of just at breakfast. " The volunteers did that for 28 consecutive days. The

researchers are now analyzing blood samples.

The grower-sponsored California Cherry Advisory Board helped fund the

research. Final results should be available later this year. Then we'll know

more about the health benefits of this sweet treat.—By Marcia Wood,

Agricultural Research Service Information Staff.

This research is part of Human Nutrition, an ARS National Program (#107)

described on the World Wide Web at www.nps.ars.usda.gov.

Editor's Note: The original news release can be found here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This story has been adapted from a news release issued by USDA /

Agricultural Research Service.

>From: Francesca Skelton <fskelton@...>

>Reply-

>support group < >

>Subject: [ ] more good news about coffee/cherries for

>arthritis

>Date: Mon, 24 May 2004 13:17:29 -0400

>

>Heard on the radio that one more benefit of (decaffinated in this case)

>coffee is that it's beneficial for the liver/treating liver disease.

>Perhaps someone can dig up the study? Al Pater?

>

>Also heard on the radio that eating cherries in quantity will relieve the

>pain of arthritis. If anyone has any scientific study/website or more

>info,

>please post.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

This looks like some relevant studies:

...No significant association was observed with decaffeinated

coffee, tea and cola-containing beverages. The relation between

coffee consumption and liver cirrhosis was not attributable to

confounding and was observed across strata of tobacco, alcohol, and

other major covariates of interest. In particular, an inverse

relation was observed also in subjects reporting moderate alcohol

drinking. CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirms, and further

quantifies, the existence of an inverse association between coffee

consumption and liver cirrhosis. However, the metabolism of caffeine

is impaired in fasting subjects with liver cirrhosis, and the

association could be due to a reduction of coffee drinking in

subjects with liver cirrhosis.

PMID: 11897178 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

BLAU LW.

Cherry diet control for gout and arthritis.

Tex Rep Biol Med. 1950;8(3):309-11. No abstract available.

PMID: 14776685 [PubMed - OLDMEDLINE for Pre1966]

> Heard on the radio that one more benefit of (decaffinated in this

case)

> coffee is that it's beneficial for the liver/treating liver disease.

> Perhaps someone can dig up the study? Al Pater?

>

> Also heard on the radio that eating cherries in quantity will

relieve the

> pain of arthritis. If anyone has any scientific study/website or

more info,

> please post.

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

My take on the below might be that drinking any fluid reduces alcohol

blood levels and alcohol > liver sieases.

Cheers, Al Pater.

>

> Coffee Drinking May Protect the Liver from Damage

> URL of this page:

> http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_17832.html (*this

news

> item will not be available after 06/18/2004)

>

>

>

>

> By Karla Gale

>

> Wednesday, May 19, 2004

>

>

>

> NEW ORLEANS (Reuters Health) - Coffee and other caffeinated

beverages may

> provide some protection from liver damage in people at risk for

liver

> disease, according to research presented here at Digestive Disease

Week.

>

> Using data from the third US National Health and Nutrition

Examination

> Survey, conducted between 1988 and 1994, Drs. E. Everhart and

> Constance E. Ruhl assessed the association between caffeinated

beverage

> consumption and liver disease.

>

> Among people at risk for liver disease due to excessive alcohol use

or other

> factors, drinking more than two cups of coffee per day seemed to

protect

> against liver damage.

>

> Compared with people who didn't drink the beverage, those who did

were

> 44-percent less likely to show evidence of liver damage. The risk

reduction

> seen with consumption of any caffeinated beverage was even higher,

at 69

> percent.

>

> These findings are not sufficient for making recommendations

regarding

> caffeine intake, especially since caffeine may have other

deleterious

> effects, but they should stimulate further research, said Everhart,

who is

> chief medical officer at a branch of the National Institutes of

Health.

>

> As to how caffeine protects the liver, he told Reuters Health that

previous

> research has shown that one of caffeine's primary effects is

blocking cell

> structures called adenosine receptors. The early effect of this

blockade is

> stimulation of the immune system that could protect the liver, " but

we don't

> know what the (ongoing) effects are, " he added.

>

> Digestive Disease Week is jointly sponsored by the American

Association for

> the Study of Liver Diseases, the American Gastroenterological

Association,

> the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and the

Society for

> Surgery of the Alimentary Tract.

>

>

>

>

>

> Copyright 2003 Reuters. Reuters content is the intellectual

property of

> Reuters. Any copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters

content,

> including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly

prohibited

> without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be

liable

> for any errors or delays in content, or for any actions taken in

reliance

> thereon. Reuters, the Reuters Dotted Logo and the Sphere Logo are

registered

> trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.

>

>

> >From: Francesca Skelton <fskelton@e...>

> >Reply-

> >support group < >

> >Subject: [ ] more good news about coffee/cherries for

> >arthritis

> >Date: Mon, 24 May 2004 13:17:29 -0400

> >

> >Heard on the radio that one more benefit of (decaffinated in this

case)

> >coffee is that it's beneficial for the liver/treating liver

disease.

> >Perhaps someone can dig up the study? Al Pater?

> >

> >Also heard on the radio that eating cherries in quantity will

relieve the

> >pain of arthritis. If anyone has any scientific study/website or

more

> >info,

> >please post.

> >

[Guest guest]

Oddly, regular coffee consumption is associated with a decreased risk of

developing type II diabetes:

http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/291/10/1213

>From: " john roberts " <johnhrob@...>

>Reply-

>< >

>Subject: RE: [ ] more good news about coffee/cherries for

>arthritis

>Date: Mon, 24 May 2004 13:50:28 -0500

>

>Decaf coffee appears to improve insulin sensitivity (good for managing

>blood

>glucose in healthy people). Fully caffinated coffee is mixed in this

>regard.

>

>I personally roast coffee and am aware of huge differences between bean

>types, growing conditions, how roasted, how brewed, etc. Due to poor or

>non-existent control for all these variables, I am not surprised that

>research studies often return conflicting results.

>

>I consider coffee a valuable contributor to my QOL and suspect like many

>things is mixed in health cost/benefit. I drink regular and decaf (due to

>sleep issues). The benefits to insulin resistance is just low calorie

>gravy.

>:-)

>

>JR

>

>

>-----Original Message-----

>From: scott@... [mailto:scott@...]

>Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 1:09 PM

>

>Subject: Re: [ ] more good news about coffee/cherries for

>arthritis

>

>

>This was done on people who are at high risk for liver disease. What about

> " normal " risk or CRONies (low risk?)?

>

>

>

>________________________________________________________

>This email has been scanned by Internet Pathway's Email

>Gateway scanning system for potentially harmful content,

>such as viruses or spam. Nothing out of the ordinary was

>detected in this email. For more information, call

>601-776-3355 or email support@...

>________________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

I have several sites that I like, but not one by itself. Most sites

focus on discovery of the food(s) that's triggers the problem. Here's

one site that talks about the cherries. The site is directed to subject

of MS, but inflammation information seems to be the same on many of the

sites related to variations of the auto immune reactions.

http://www.el-dorado.ca.us/~tstout/articles/ms-simplified.shtml

excerpt:

There are three related chemicals which have been found effective in

strengthening the blood-brain barrier in animals. These are the

anthocyanosides, proanthocyanidins, and procyanidolic oligomers (PCOs).

All three of these are variants of a common class of chemicals called

" flavonoids. "

Anthocyanosides are the chemicals which give blueberries, cherries, and

blackberries their color. Proanthocyanidins and their oligomers (PCOs)

are found in purple grape skins and grape seeds and the bark and needles

of certain pine trees. PCOs derived from pine bark are typically

marketed under the trade name pycnogenols.

~~~~ SNIP ~~~~

" Anthocyanosides of natural origin have double-pharmacological action:

(1) antidegenerative action ... (2) antiinflammatory action, which can

be a direct reduction of capillary permeability or reduction of

generation of inflammatory mediators. The dual antidegenerative and

antiinflammatory action promises wide use of anthocyanosides and related

drugs

Francesca Skelton wrote:

>Also heard on the radio that eating cherries in quantity will relieve the pain

of arthritis. If anyone has any scientific study/website or more info, please

post.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Quoting apricot85 <apricot85@...>:

>

>

>

>

> I have several sites that I like, but not one by itself.  Most sites

>

> focus on discovery of the food(s) that's triggers the problem.  Here's

>

> one site that talks about the cherries.  The site is directed to subject

>

> of MS, but inflammation information seems to be the same on many of the

>

> sites related to variations of the auto immune reactions.  

>

> http://www.el-dorado.ca.us/~tstout/articles/ms-simplified.shtml

>

> excerpt:

>

> There are three related chemicals which have been found effective in

>

> strengthening the blood-brain barrier in animals. These are the

>

> anthocyanosides, proanthocyanidins, and procyanidolic oligomers (PCOs).

>

> All three of these are variants of a common class of chemicals called

>

> " flavonoids. "

>

>

>

> Anthocyanosides are the chemicals which give blueberries, cherries, and

>

> blackberries their color. Proanthocyanidins and their oligomers (PCOs)

>

> are found in purple grape skins and grape seeds and the bark and needles

>

> of certain pine trees. PCOs derived from pine bark are typically

>

> marketed under the trade name pycnogenols.

>

> ~~~~  SNIP ~~~~

>

> " Anthocyanosides of natural origin have double-pharmacological action:

>

> (1) antidegenerative action ... (2) antiinflammatory action, which can

>

> be a direct reduction of capillary permeability or reduction of

>

> generation of inflammatory mediators. The dual antidegenerative and

>

> antiinflammatory action promises wide use of anthocyanosides and related

>

> drugs

>

>

>

>

>

> Francesca Skelton wrote:

>

>

>

> >Also heard on the radio that eating cherries in quantity will relieve the

> pain of arthritis.  If anyone has any scientific study/website or more info,

> please post.

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