Doctors may some day be able to reverse the damage that years of heavy drinking does to the liver, a new study suggests.

This damage, called cirrhosis in the liver and fibrosis in the lungs, is an endless process of scarring that can happen to just about any organ with age, disease and repeated injury.

Scar tissue can overtake the healthy tissue of an organ and prove fatal, as it does in terminal liver and lung disease – and there is no cure, only mitigation.

But Mayo Clinic scientists may be on the verge of changing that.

In lab tissues and mice, they discovered the research team discovered they could block off the two proteins that carry ‘instructions’ for the formation of fibroblasts – hunks of scar tissue – slowing and even reversing the fibrosis process.

Scientists have discovered a way to reverse the process that causes scar tissue to replace healthy tissue, driving liver and lung disease in petri dish and mouse experiments

An alcoholic’s liver looks as sick as it is.

The work that a liver has to do to process alcohol is hard on it, like years of hard manual labor would be on the hands and muscles.

Removing alcohol and other toxins – as well as performing other fucntions like storing glucose, making blood proteins and bile – makes the liver vulnerable to infections like hepatitis B and C and damages it over time, in what we call liver disease.

Slowly, scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. Blood can’t flow as well through this tough tissue and the liver’s ability to process the toxins and nutrients pumped through it starts to degrade.

Once cirrhosis sets in, there’s never been anything doctors can do to force healthy liver tissue back in where scar tissue has taken over, short of a full-organ transplant.

A nearly identical process happens in the progression of lung disease, though it’s called fibrosis rather than cirrhosis.

The scar tissue is stiffer than than the strong but pliable tissue that makes up healthy lungs, so fibrosis sufferers struggle to breathe properly and often cough and wheeze.

Lung and liver diseases’ progression of damage and scarring is familiar and well understood by scientists, but the details of the development of these diseases are still a subject of burgeoning research.

In recent years, scientists discovered two proteins that seemed to switch on certain genes which then in turn send instructions to the lungs or liver that tell tissue scarring to set in.

The two proteins, YAP and TAZ, are involved in other diseases, most notably, cancer.

But they’re also crucial in the ‘social dynamics’ of how various cells communicate with one another as well as the the way wounds heal and even such basic regulatory functions as making sure a cell keeps its size.

So despite the fact that YAP and TAZ make tempting targets for stopping both tumor growth and the development of fibroblasts, scientists couldn’t simply block them off without disrupting a whole cascade of other essential biological processes.

But the Mayo Clinic team wanted to look more closely at the fibroblasts themselves to find a way to block YAP and TAZ in isolation.

And, as they new study reveals, they found it: dopamine.

Fibroblasts specifically in the lungs and liver, they found, have a receptor for dopamine, the same neurotransmitter that allows us to feel pleasure and pain.

‘Dopamine is mostly studied in disorders of the central nervous system, and we were surprised to find dopamine receptors expressed in fibroblasts,’ said lead study author Dr Daniel Tschumerlin.

Stimulating the dopamine receptors in the fibroblasts did something rather remarkable to the scar tissue precursors.

It made them switch modes. So, if YAP and TAZ put the destructive vehicle that is fibrosis in ‘drive,’ adding dopamine to the equation puts it in ‘reverse,’ stopping the formation of scar tissue and even reversing it in mice and petri dish samples.

‘In addition to following up on regulation of dopamine signaling in the lung, we are actively developing novel molecules to target the dopamine receptor, as we think there is substantial promise in trying to translate this approach to human diseases,’ said Dr Tshumerlin.

About 100,000 people in the US suffer irreversible pulmonary fibrisos and another 30,000 to 40,000 people are diagnosed annually.

One in 400 US adults have liver cirrhosis that will only get worse with time.

But if the Mayo Clinic research suggests that, if the same process is safe in humans, someday recovery might be possible.

The original article can be found here:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7632359/Liver-lung-disease-reversible-study-suggests.html

The post Liver damage from drinking may one day be REVERSIBLE: Scientists are developing a drug to undo tissue scarring in lung and liver disease first appeared on Healthy Gab.

The post Liver damage from drinking may one day be REVERSIBLE: Scientists are developing a drug to undo tissue scarring in lung and liver disease appeared first on Healthy Gab.

Roughly two million people around the world are being treated for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which has led to an urgent shortage of kidneys for transplant. In 2016, there were only 21,000 donor kidneys available for transplant in the US, but a waiting list of nearly 100,000, resulting in a wait time of five to ten years.

The Kidney Project is a national network that has been cooperating to develop an implantable bio-artificial kidney that could eliminate the need for dialysis.

During a presentation at the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week in November of 2019, the team announced that UC San Francisco scientists were able to implant a prototype kidney bioreactor containing functional human kidney cells into pigs without causing any harm to the test subjects.

Kidney Project co-lead Shuvo Roy of the UCSF Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine said that this is a key milestone in the development of the technology.

“This is the first demonstration that kidney cells can be implanted successfully in a large animal without immunosuppression and remain healthy enough to perform their function. This is a key milestone for us. Based on these results, we can now focus on scaling up the bioreactor and combining it with the blood filtration component of the artificial kidney,” Roy said.

The device that is being developed by The Kidney Project contains a blood filtration system called the hemofilter, which removes toxins from the blood by passing it through silicon membranes. The device also contains a bioreactor, which contains cultured human kidney cells that act like an actual human kidney.

The Kidney Project’s hemofiltration system is currently waiting for the FDA to approve a clinical trial to evaluate its safety.

Roy said that the team is making progress, but they still have a long way to go.

“Advancing a complex cell therapy like this into the clinic will not be a trivial task — for instance, it will require substantial investments in cell production and characterization in controlled GMP facilities to avoid any possibility of contamination. Now we’ve confirmed that we’re on the right track to move forward with these efforts,” Roy said.

The original article can be found here: https://truththeory.com/2020/02/05/a-bio-artificial-kidney-is-being-developed-to-end-the-need-for-dialysis/

The post A Bio-Artificial Kidney Is Being Developed To End The Need For Dialysis first appeared on Healthy Gab.

The post A Bio-Artificial Kidney Is Being Developed To End The Need For Dialysis appeared first on Healthy Gab.

 

When you hear the word ‘detox’, a range of ideas may come to mind. Perhaps immediately your thoughts wander to strange herbal concoctions or pungent wheatgrass shots! Perhaps you’ve tried a detox program before and found the initial symptoms to be unpleasant. Or perhaps you have experience with detoxing on a frequent basis and are aware of the incredible physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits of a deep cleanse. Either way, it’s important to dispel common myths around what a detox is, and to truly understand why it’s important to give your body a break from time to time.

So, Why Should I Detox?

Our body is constantly working to dispel toxins and unwanted matter from its various systems. Over time, the body gets run down from unhealthy food choices, alcohol, caffeine, drugs, stress, and environmental toxins that are a part of modern day life. No matter how healthy your diet or lifestyle may be, external factors still require us to give the body a chance to recharge and dispel anything that may be holding us back from experiencing superior health and long lasting vitality. When our vital organs are placed under too much pressure and unable to work efficiently, this is when illness and disease can appear. Taking time to cleanse the body and nurture these vital organs goes a long way in prevention, and also has immediate effects – greater energy, clearer skin, better digestion, mental clarity, and so much more.

Is your body screaming out for a detox?! Here are 11 tell-tale signs:

1. You constantly feel fatigued, stressed and overwhelmed
   
   
2. You experience frequent headaches and/or lack of mental clarity
   
   
3. You often have skin breakouts and blemishes and/or a tired, dull and lack-luster complexion
   
   
4. You seem to pick up colds, flus, bugs and viruses easily and are often on medication
   
   
5. Your digestion is troublesome, uncomfortable and irregular
   
   
6. You slip into making less-healthy food choices and often have fried foods, processed meat, dairy, gluten, processed foods, refined sugar or fast food
   
   
7. You frequently have coffee, alcohol, drugs (prescription or otherwise) or cigarettes
   
   
8. You are exposed to common environmental toxins such as carbon emissions, cigarette smoke, herbicides, pesticides, artificial fragrances and household chemicals
   
   
9. You are carrying excess body weight
   
   
10. You often feel emotionally unstable, depressed, unmotivated and lacking energy and enthusiasm for life
    
    
11. Your breath and BO seem to have an alarming stink, no matter how much deodorant or toothpaste you use 

A detox is your opportunity to give your body a break and allow your own self-cleansing and self-healing processes to kick into gear. Your body is innately intelligent and a period of cleansing is the perfect way to hit the reset button and start on a path to a healthier, happier, more vibrant you!

Here are just some of the benefits of a holistic, natural detox:

• Prevention of chronic diseases
• Stronger immunity
• Assistance in losing stagnant weight
• Improved quality of life
• Increased energy
• Radiant, glowing skin
• Bright, clear eyes
• Mental clarity
• Balanced emotions
• Improved self-confidence and empowerment
• New healthy habits and routines
• Improved longevity

What Is A Detox?

Most of us tend to agree that detoxification or ‘detox’ diets are short-term interventions designed to eliminate toxins from the body, promote health and assist with weight loss. 

But in essence, it is really just creating the perfect conditions to support our body in doing the job it was already made to do… “Detox”. 

Here are some great tips to help you out when doing a total body detox and why these tips are so important for your overall, long-term health:

Hydration 

Importance: Elimination of toxic particles and the rejuvenation of cells. 

Tip: Aim to drink between 1-3 L of water per day.  
How to make this happen:  

• Use meal times as a reminder to hydrate. Drink 500ml water (with lemon juice if you prefer) upon rising, and repeat half an hour before lunch and dinner. Carry a water bottle with you throughout the day. 
• Replace your 3pm coffee with herbal tea.

Exercise 

Importance: Strengthen your lung capacity/ability. 
 
Tip: Aim to move your body regularly throughout the day 
How to make this happen:  

• Break exercise into smaller chunks of time. Take 10 minutes in the morning to stretch, go for a half hour walk before heading to work, or take the stairs instead of the elevator in your building.
• Incorporate being active into your social life; catch up with friends for a walk, run or gym session instead of a coffee or cocktails.

Real, Live FOOD!

Importance: Specific foods assist with deactivating toxins and removing them from the body (specifically heavy metal build-up).
 
Tip: Aim to incorporate as many fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet as possible.
How to make this happen:  

• Juices, smoothies and salads are a perfect place to start. Incorporate chlorophyll-rich foods such as wheat grass and barley grass, as well as herbal teas and sea plants such as nori. 
• Coriander, and foods containing citric and malic acid (grapes, oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits) as well as selenium-rich foods (such as Brazil nuts, mushrooms and sunflower seeds), have been shown to assist with the removal of heavy metal build up within the body. 

Sleep

Importance: Sleep assists with the rejuvenation of cells and helps with the healing and repair of your heart, muscles and blood vessels.
 
Tip: Aim to sleep 7-8 hours per night 
How to make this happen:  

• Be aware of the importance of sleep hygiene (avoid caffeine before bed, allow 2 hours between your last meal and bedtime, use dim lighting).  
• Make a conscious effort to wind down before rolling into bed. Put your phone down, turn off the TV, free yourself from distractions and make your sleep space as comfortable as possible.

Get Outside

Importance: Breathe fresh air into your lungs; receive your daily dose of vitamin D and boost your mood. 
 
Tip: Eat more meals outdoors; every once in awhile, exercise outdoors instead of in a gym or studio.  
How to make this happen: 

• If you’re going to be inside all day, take your breakfast outside to a sunny place.  
• Instead of eating lunch at your desk, go for a walk outside and sit in a comfortable, relaxing space.  
• Breathing in fresh air and feeling the sun’s warmth on your skin can help to both clear your lungs and boost your mood.  

So there you have it! Detoxing is not as confusing or restrictive as you may have thought. By assisting your body’s natural detoxification system, chances are a little boost of self-care will be a relaxing and enjoyable experience for you! Plus, the benefits of feeling amazing afterwards make it all so worthwhile.

 

The post 11 Signs Your Body Is Screaming for a Detox first appeared on Healthy Gab.

The post 11 Signs Your Body Is Screaming for a Detox appeared first on Healthy Gab.

 

Lately it seems as though everyone is doing a juice cleanse, experimenting with fasting, or living off raw food. If you’re like me, and have a history of disordered eating, battles with countless diets, or struggles with body image, a typical “detox” may do more harm than good.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t reap all the positive benefits of detoxing your body, mind, and spirit. Here are my top eight tips to detox, free of fasting, juicing or restricting.

1. Consume whole foods as close to their natural state as possible.

Detoxifying the body doesn’t have to mean a crazy restrictive diet. By choosing whole foods, your body will be able to digest and metabolize them with ease, leaving more time for natural detoxifying to take place. Think fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season, organic free-range chicken or turkey, wild-caught fish, cage-free and organic eggs, naturally gluten-free whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds.

2. Eliminate trigger foods such as caffeine, sugar and gluten.

Foods like these can wreak havoc on your digestive system, zap your body of energy, and become addictive over time. By easing up on these choices, your body will naturally improve digestion and energy levels, and will learn to crave natural whole foods instead.

3. Hydrate.

Drink up pure filtered water, green tea and hot lemon water first thing in the morning. Staying hydrated can help cleanse your body of toxins, boost metabolism, clean up your skin, and do so much more. Hot lemon water can help to release toxins as well as bacteria from your skin.

4. Sleep well and often.

Getting enough sleep — and getting enough quality sleep — is crucial to a healthy body. Detox baths with Epsom salt and lavender can improve quality sleep and help you stay asleep. Turning off technology and using earplugs and eye masks can also aid proper sleep.

5. Practice slow eating and eating without distractions.

Eating slowly and without distractions will give your body time to register that you’re eating, will prepare you for proper digestion, and will allow your body to hone its natural hunger cues. This will teach you to eat what your body needs, and to stop when you’re full. Put the fork down between bites, savor your food, and limit distractions when you’re eating.

6. Move your body in ways that are restorative.

Be sure to move your body daily. This doesn’t always mean an intense workout. Sometimes your body will crave relaxing movement, such as a walk, jog, hike, yoga, or a dance class. By moving in such ways, you’re able to release tension and improve recovery and repair of your body.

7. Diminish stress.

When you’re stressed, your body kicks in with a fight-or-flight response. This means that any crucial actions within your body are halted as you fight your stress. This leaves little time for detoxing, cleansing, digesting, or pretty much anything other than combating the stress of the moment. Practice activities to diminish stress, whether it’s yoga, meditation, or watching a funny movie; whatever works best to manage your stress.

8. Eat three square meals a day and minimize snacking.

When your body is constantly metabolizing food, you leave little time to do anything else, including detoxifying, cleansing, and repairing. By eating three meals a day without snacking in between, you allow yourself time to fully digest your food. Plus you leave time to detox and heal your body.

 

The post 8 Tips To Detox Without Fasting, Juicing Or Restricting first appeared on Healthy Gab.

The post 8 Tips To Detox Without Fasting, Juicing Or Restricting appeared first on Healthy Gab.