The Inflammation Link and mangosteen

Doctors and medical researchers are starting to realize (according to several articles and research papers) that chronic inflammation might be the underlying cause for most diseases. The article first published in Time Magazine, February 2004 offers an easy to understand explanation of why this should be the case. The following excerpt from the above mentioned article should sum it up for you (specifically highlighting cancer) and forms the basis of why the mangosteen puree is so extraordinarily effective in supporting our system when ill – or more importantly – in preventing disease.

The Fires Within

Inflammation is the body's first defense against infection, but when it goes awry, it can lead to heart attacks, colon cancer, Alzheimer's and a host of other diseases

By CHRISTINE GORMAN AND ALICE PARK

 

Time Magazine – Feb. 23, 2004

Most of the time, inflammation is a lifesaver that enables our bodies to fend off various disease-causing bacteria, viruses and parasites. The instant any of these potentially deadly microbes slips into the body, inflammation marshals a defensive attack that lays waste to both invader and any tissue it may have infected. Then just as quickly, the process subsides and healing begins.

Every once in a while, however, the whole feverish production doesn't shut down on cue. Sometimes the problem is a genetic predisposition; other times something like smoking or high blood pressure keeps the process going. In any event, inflammation becomes chronic rather than transitory. When that occurs, the body turns on itself with after-effects that seem to underlie a wide variety of diseases.

Suddenly, inflammation has become one of the hottest areas of medical research. Hardly a week goes by without the publication of yet another study uncovering a new way that chronic inflammation does harm to the body. It destabilizes cholesterol deposits in the coronary arteries, leading to heart attacks and potentially even strokes. It chews up nerve cells in the brains of Alzheimer's victims. It may even foster the proliferation of abnormal cells and facilitate their transformation into cancer. In other words, chronic inflammation may be the engine that drives many of the most feared illnesses of middle and old age.

This concept is so intriguing because it suggests a new and possibly much simpler way of warding off disease. Instead of different treatments for, say, heart disease, Alzheimer's and colon cancer, there might be a single, inflammation-reducing remedy that would prevent all three.

This new view of inflammation is changing the way some scientists do medical research. "Virtually our entire R-and-D effort is [now] focused on inflammation and cancer," says Dr. Robert Tepper, president of research and development at Millennium Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, Mass. In medical schools across the U.S., cardiologists, rheumatologists, oncologists, allergists and neurologists are all suddenly talking to one another—and they're discovering that they're looking at the same thing.

Cancer: The Wound That Never Heals

… researchers are exploring the possibility that mutation and inflammation are mutually reinforcing processes that, left unchecked, can transform normal cells into potentially deadly tumors.

One of the most potent weapons produced by macrophages and other inflammatory cells are the so-called oxygen free radicals. These highly reactive molecules destroy just about anything that crosses their path—particularly DNA. A glancing blow that damages but doesn't destroy a cell could lead to a genetic mutation that allows it to keep on growing and dividing. The abnormal growth is still not a tumor, but to the immune system, it looks very much like a wound that needs to be fixed. "When immune cells get called in, they bring growth factors and a whole slew of proteins that call other inflammatory cells." Those things come in and go 'heal, heal, heal.' But instead of healing, you're 'feeding, feeding, feeding.'"

Sometimes the reason for the initial inflammatory cycle is obvious—as with chronic heartburn, which continually bathes the lining of the esophagus with stomach acid, predisposing a person to esophageal cancer.

Scientists are exploring the role of an enzyme called cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2) in the development of i.e. colon cancer. COX-2 is yet another protein produced by the body during inflammation.

When the Body Attacks Itself

No doctors have more experience treating chronic inflammation than the physicians who specialize in rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus and other autoimmune disorders. For decades these diseases have provided the clearest example of a body at war with itself. But the spark that fuels their internal destruction doesn't come from excess cholesterol deposits or a stubborn bacterial infection. Instead, in a bizarre twist of fate, the body's supersophisticated, learned immunological defenses mistakenly direct an inflammatory attack against healthy cells in such places as the joints, nerves and connective tissue.

Over the past few years, powerful drugs like Remicade and Enbrel, which target specific inflammatory cytokines, have worked wonders against rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders. But as often happens in medicine, the drugs have also created some problems. Patients who take Remicade, for example, are slightly more likely to develop tuberculosis; the same inflammatory cytokines that attacked their joints, it seems, also protected them against TB.

Inflammation may be more of a problem in the earlier stages of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. So much tissue is eventually destroyed that nerve damage becomes permanent.

"Your initial goal is to keep the immune response in check, but then you have to ask how you encourage regrowth of damaged tissue," says Dr. Stephen Reingold, vice president for research programs at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. It could take decades to figure that one out.

Asthma without Allergies?

One of the most intriguing questions in immunology today is why everyone doesn't suffer from asthma. After all, the air we breathe is full of germs, viruses and other irritants. Since half of the 17 million Americans with asthma are hypersensitive to common substances like cat dander or pollen, it stands to reason that their allergic reactions trigger the chronic inflammation in their bodies. Yet the people who develop asthma as adults—one of the most rapidly growing segments of the population—often don't have allergies. Doctors still don't know what's driving their disease, but the signs of inflammation are every bit as present in their lungs.

Many treatments for asthma are designed to control inflammation, although they still don't cure the disease. "It may mean that the inflammatory hypothesis is not entirely correct or the drugs that we use to treat inflammation aren't fully potent," says Dr. Stephen Wasserman, an allergist at the University of California at San Diego. "There are a lot of gaps to fill in."

Everywhere they turn, doctors are finding evidence that inflammation plays a larger role in chronic diseases than they thought. But that doesn't necessarily mean they know what to do about it. "We're in a quandary right now," says Dr. Gailen Marshall, an immunologist at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. "We're advancing the idea to heighten awareness. But we really can't recommend specific treatments yet."

Taming the immune system isn't as simple as it sounds.

Quieting a Body's Defenses

Researchers are linking inflammation to an ever-wider array of chronic illnesses. But treatments that block the inflammatory response can backfire.

By ANNE UNDERWOOD

Newsweek – April 2005

There are three ways to go about it…

·         You can reduce the triggers that cause inflammation.

·         You can hamper the cellular "master switches" that orchestrate the body's inflammatory response.

·         Or you can knock out the inflammatory chemicals that actually produce the inflammation.

[However…]

If you turn down the central switches too much, "you run the untoward risk of secondary infections." Tysabri, an immune-modulating drug for multiple sclerosis, was voluntarily withdrawn from the market earlier this year after two patients taking it with another medication called Avonex developed an additional neurodegenerative disease, this one caused by a latent virus most of us harbor.

As for the foot soldiers, it turns out that many of the body's inflammatory chemicals also have beneficial functions, like protecting the stomach or guarding the lining of blood vessels against clots.

If you knock out something that causes harm in one part of the body, you may eliminate positive effects elsewhere. Drugs like Vioxx and Bextra are a case in point. By inhibiting inflammatory Cox-2 enzymes, they relieved pain, but also hampered a compound that helps prevent dangerous blood clots from forming in arteries. A second problem with the foot soldiers is that there are so many with overlapping functions that eliminating a single one doesn't necessarily help you.

Instead of aiming at narrower and narrower targets, some scientists are doing the opposite and striving for broader "immune modulation."

And this is where mangosteen shines… Studies show that Mangosteen is a very potent COX-2 inhibitor – more effective than most prescription or OTC drugs, HOWEVER, without the debilitating side-effects of these drugs as it offers a natural alternative. Mangosteen is a food – NOT a drug.

More info on Asthma

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the respiratory system. Mangosteen is ideal to complement asthma medication because of its ability to fight infection, inhibit inflammation, and reduce allergic triggers... naturally! 

Asthma is a common chronic inflammation of the airways characterized by swelling and bronchospasm. The inflammation leads to narrowing of the bronchial tubes, either totally or partially. The result is difficulty in breathing (dyspnea). Asthma affects approximately 300 million people worldwide. The disease is prevalent but the mortality rate is relatively low. It is responsible for 4,000 deaths per year in the U.S. and 250,000 deaths per year across the globe.

When the bronchial tubes are chronically inflamed, they tend to be more sensitive to allergens or irritants. In such cases, the airways become highly irritable and may remain in a state of heightened sensitivity which is also known as bronchial hyper reactivity (BHR). Experts say that there is a certain degree of bronchial hyper reactivity in all individuals but apparently asthmatics have a higher degree when compared to non-asthmatic people. Sensitive individuals are more likely to experience swelling and constriction of the bronchial tubes when exposed to allergens and other triggers such as cigarette smoke, dust or exercise. Among asthmatics, some may have severe BHR and chronic symptoms while others may only have mild BHR and no symptoms. Evidently, people are affected differently by asthma. Each individual has a unique reaction to various allergens and environmental triggers. This significantly influences the specific type and dose of medication which may also vary from one person to another.

Asthma Symptoms

Because of the difference in severity among asthmatics, some patients rarely experience symptoms, whereas others may have severe airflow obstruction at all times. Therefore, the symptoms of asthma vary greatly from person to person and in any patient from time to time. It is important to note that the most of the symptoms can be relatively mild and may appear similar to those observed in other diseases.  In general, there are four major symptoms of asthma. First is shortness of breath (SOB) which is normally seen with physical exertion or at night. Next is wheezing which is characterized by a whistling sound upon exhalation. Third is coughing which is typically worse at night or early in the morning. Coughing can be chronic and it may be triggered by exposure to cold air or exercise. The last one is tightness of the chest which may occur with or without the other aforementioned symptoms.

Note that all of the symptoms mentioned above can be present in other respiratory, and sometimes, in cardiac diseases. This possible confusion highlights the importance of determining the particular settings in which the symptoms take place. Moreover, diagnostic testing plays a crucial role in identifying this disorder.

Asthma Treatment

The treatment protocol primarily focuses on relaxing bronchospasm with the use of bronchodilators, or reducing inflammation with the help of corticosteroids. These medications are divided into two types: quick-relief medications used to treat acute asthma attacks and long-term control medications used to prevent exacerbation of the disease. Quick relief medications include beta₂-adrenoceptor agonists such as bitolterol, levalbuterol, salbutamol and terbutaline); adrenergic agonists such as inhaled epinephrine and ephedrine tablets; and anticholinergic medications such as ipratropium bromide.

These medications are prescribed with caution as they may have adverse side effects. For instance, beta₂-adrenoceptor agonists may cause tremor and hypertension. They must not be used too often as their efficacy may decline, creating desensitization resulting into exacerbation of symptoms which may eventually lead to refractoryasthma and even death.  As for long-term control medications, they include inhaled glucocorticoids and long-acting β₂-agonists.

Mangosteen Help for Asthma

Many asthmatic patients seeking relief from these symptoms look to natural sources.

The key to mangosteen’s remarkable benefits is the presence of a group of compounds called xanthones. These are powerful anti-inflammatories, and as previously mentioned, inflammation of the airways is a primary problem withasthma. Mangosteen’s more than 40 xanthones address this problem, allowing the patient to breath normally.Xanthones also have anti-viral properties which is important in reducing the risk of pulmonary infections. Note that when the airways are inflamed, there is a tendency for overproduction and accumulation of mucus. This leaves the patient susceptible to infection because bacteria and viruses to grow and multiply in the mucus that lines the bronchial passageways. With xanthones’ anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties, these problems are easily eliminated.Xanthones are also potent antioxidants that help to counteract the free radical damage caused by exposure to polluted air. Finally, xanthones have been shown to have anti-allergy effects which greatly reduce the risk of having an acute asthma attack.

The Other Xanthones & Properties in Mangosteen

·         Scientists found that alpha-mangostin, beta-mangostin, and garcinone B were strong inhibitors of mycobacterium tuberculosis.

·         Researchers investigating the effects of the mangosteen xanthones on the HIV-1 virus found that mangostin and gamma-mangostin demonstrated the ability to inhibit the activity of the HIV-1 virus that causes AIDS.

·         Mangostin was also found to have the ability to protect the LDL from oxidative damage by free radicals. This helps control and lower "bad cholesterol" (LDL) levels and so assists in preventing the clogging of arteries (which leads to heart disease).

·         Xanthones also have cancer-fighting properties. In one study, a xanthone from the mangosteen—Garcinone E—was found to be more effective than the chemotherapy agents flouraurcil, cisplatin, vincristine, methotrexate, and mitoxantrone in killing lung, stomach, and liver cancer cells.

 

·         Xanthones also have the ability to stop histamines that often cause uncomfortable inflammation in people with allergies.

·         Mangosteen's antibacterial and antimicrobial properties can be just effective as those doctor prescribed creams when applied topically. As an added benefit, when taken internally mangosteen boosts the immune system which means your body can more easily fight off acne causing bacteria or any fungus. In addition to all that, the anti-inflammatory properties of Mangosteen help to ease the discomfort of eczema (which is largely an inflammation related condition).

·         The xanthones in mangosteen were also proven to have antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiviral properties. Moreoever, xanthones do not cause bacterial resistance as antibiotic drugs do. This allows for the effective use of antibiotics when required for more urgent situations.

A quick link that you might want to explore is the US National Library of Medicinewhere you will find many of these studies.

The Phytonutrients in Mangosteen:

There is no natural source in the world that has more to offer than the mangosteen whole fruit. Recent research shows that Mangosteen has significant quantities of:

Xanthones:

Over 40 xanthones are identified in the Mangosteen fruit and are listed to date that are unique to the Mangosteen Fruit. Xanthones are powerful anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune system boosters. (273,000 papers have been written on xanthones). Dr. James W. Duke's ethnobotanical database lists 202 health benefits associated with xanthones.

Xanthones are a family of phytonutrients loaded with potent health benefits and antioxidant properties. Xanthones even offer greater antioxidant properties than vitamins C and E. They are found in a select number of rain forest plants, but nowhere are they found in more abundance than in the pericarp, or rind of the mangosteen fruit. The mangosteen – not just the inner flesh, but the whole fruit – represents the single greatest supply of these beneficial xanthones. Research has revealed the mangosteen is the source of more than 40 distinct xanthones, and ongoing science is finding new benefits of these xanthones every day.

The mangosteen fruit is the single greatest supply of xanthones.

This research has revealed xanthones’ importance in such areas as support for microbiological balance, maintenance of immune system health, promotion of joint flexibility, and help with positive mental support. According to medical journals such as the Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal of Pharmacology, and Free Radical Research, these xanthones have a remarkable effect on overall health; and are some of the most powerful antioxidants to be found in nature.

Catechins:

Mangosteen contains 9 times the catechins that green tea has. Catechins are the most powerful antioxidants known to science. Mangosteen is 14% catechins, by weight. (517,000 papers have been written on this phytochemical)

Sterols:

Protect the cardiac system. (1,870,000 papers have been written on this phytochemical) Sterols have been scientifically proven to significantly lower LDL Cholesterol.

Pycnogenol:

(1,850 papers have been written on this phytochemical). Pycnogenol is 20 times more powerful than Vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than Vitamin E. Pycnogenol is water soluble.

Polysaccharides:

The main component of Aloe Vera. There are more polysaccharides in Mangosteen than in Aloe Vera.

Polyphenols:

(1,920,000 papers have been written on this phytochemical)

Proanthocyanidins:

(446,000 papers have been written on this phytochemical)

Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG):

(433,000 papers have been written on this phytochemical)

Epigallocatechin:

Studies show anti-tumour effects. (1,180 papers have been written on this phytochemical)

The truly amazing and totally unique thing about the Mangosteen fruit is that it is the only fruit in the world that contains such a massive arsenal of so very many natural phytochemicals, all in one fruit.