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Acute and Chronic Pain

Inflammation is the beginning of all pain. Relieve inflammation and you relieve pain. Inflammation is caused by the release of a prostaglandin (PGE1) and is sustained by an enzyme called cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). It's interesting that cancer cells are surrounded by an abnormally heavy concentration of COX-2 enzymes. If it were possible to inhibit the COX- 2 enzyme it would be possible to control inflammation and possibly even cancer. This is substantiated by evidence of fewer cancers among chronic aspirin users. Many years ago, drug companies found that aspirin inhibited COX-2 but at the same time inhibited COX-1 which is a protective prostaglandin for the lining of the digestive tract and blood vessels. Therefore, without adequate COX-1 protection, you may have ulcers and leaking of the blood vessels. So, for temporary use, aspirin is fine but for extended use it may cause serious side effects and even death. In one report it was estimated that 46,000 people die annually from the overuse of aspirin.

Then came the "miracle" of COX-2 inhibitors Vioxx, Bextra, Celebrex, etc. These drugs did not cause ulcers or weak blood vessels so the expectation was extremely high. Later scientists found that the greatest results experienced were offset by the fact that these anti-inflammatories caused heart attacks and strokes because they induced clots in the blood. The risks were so great that the FDA temporarily took them off the market.

Remember that inflammation is the cause of pain, both acute and chronic. If an anti-inflammatory product could be found that would inhibit COX-2 and possibly 5-LOX, it would be superior to any other pain relieving medication and without side effects. This form of therapy would stop the cause of pain. From what I have researched, I believe there is an answer for all chronic pain and inflammation, and possibly even cancer. Common herbs from India—curcumin and boswellia! Interestingly enough, a common herb known as turmeric contains curcumin, an even better anti-inflammatory than cortisone, which is one of the most powerful of all the steroids. Recently scientists in India isolated a subparticle of curcumin known as a curcuminoid which is approximately 100 times as potent as curcumin in reducing pain and inflammation. Curcumin is so effective relieving inflammation which many medical experts believe to be the cause of 80-90% of all disease. Researchers at M.D Anderson Hospital in Houston Texas stated that curcumin in laboratory studies was as effective, if not more effective, than any cancer treatment drug they have seen even from any pharmaceutical company.

Turmeric

There are many natural ingredients that can support and work synergistically with curcumin to relieve both acute and chronic pain. For example, DLPA and boswellia can enhance the anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin. DLPA is an amino acid found in all common proteins that we consume on a daily basis. DLPA has the ability to maintain higher levels of serotonin, the brains "feel good" hormone. DLPA enhances production of endorphins and can also lengthen the time endorphins are released and retained in the bloodstream. Many research studies have confirmed and books have been written about the many pain relieving qualities of DLPA including its mood elevation as well as relieving depression. However, curcumin is so well known in the herbal and nutritional field it needs no introduction. Scientific sites on the internet can provide you with hundreds of excellent studies that can explain the wonders of this herb. At this point I have searched all the scientific sites and have collected over 2,000 abstracts of various studies on curcumin. In one doubleblind study, curcumin matched cortisone as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory. The curcuminoid that was recently isolated in India is the most effective COX-2 inhibitor that I know exists. It not only inhibits COX-2 but does it in such a way as not to completely inhibit its function since we do need COX-2 for other healthy functions. All this without any side effects. Curcuminoids are sub-particles which make up curcumin. Curcumin has several of these curcuminoids which are very specific for COX-2 inhibition. Curcumin is derived from the herb turmeric. It requires a reduction of 60 parts of turmeric to get one part of curcumin. Then 20 parts of curcumin are reduced to one very powerful and effective curcuminoid which is the most powerful and active ingredient for chronic and acute pain relief. You can make one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory and pain relieving formulas by combining curcumin, curcuminoids, boswellia, DLPA and nattokinase. These ingredients have been proven time and again to be highly effective and safe for extended use. When you use natural ingredients such as turmeric or its active compound curcumin, you are using wisdom of the ages from 5,000 years ago.

As we have already discussed, turmeric and curcumin have been traditionally used to support individuals who are suffering from pain and inflammation. From research, it is as effective as any medication and with no side effects. But if this is not enough, over 2,000 references to articles on turmeric and curcumin have been published in peer reviewed professional journals. It has been identified in pharmacology as anti-bacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-yeast, antiallergenic, anti-inflammatory, a powerful antioxidant, antitumor and anticancer. From all research available today, theoretically and scientifically, curcumin can outperform steroids in their anti-inflammatory properties. Using a blend of these natural ingredients can change the quality of your life. It can help you live pain free with the ability to enjoy your life to the fullest. From all my research, I believe that curcumin is the most remarkable and wonderful healing agent that nature has to offer us. I have been in business for over 40 years and I have studied many different herbal compounds. Never have I seen so many wonderful attributes contributed to one herbal compound. You could take these comments in this article with a grain of salt if I were the only one expounding the virtues of curcumin, but scientists around the world are working diligently to further prove and to awaken the world to the scientific wonders of this herb.

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