by admin | Jan 30, 2018 | COPD, Stem Cell Research
A recent review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences covers evidence demonstrating that Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells show promise for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). After analyzing the literature on how stem cells may be applied in COPD treatment, the authors suggest that chronic immune-inflammatory processes are a critical component of COPD that these stem cells may be able to combat.
According to the authors of the study, several characteristics of Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells make them well suited to therapies against COPD and other immune-inflammatory diseases. These characteristics include their accessibility, their ability to expand and differentiate, and their tendency to avoid the immune reactions that often occur with other types of stem cells. These cells can come from several types of tissue, including adipose tissue, the umbilical cord, and bone marrow, and can differentiate into many different cell types.
Given the inflammatory nature of COPD, the ability of Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells to avoid serious immune reactions upon implantation may be one of the most important features of these cells. Youthful forms of these stem cells appear particularly promising, as they are agile and even less likely to cause problematic immune reactions. Intuitively, youthful stem cells are healthier in many ways because they have not undergone the biological damage that occurs with aging.
In addition to their relatively low likelihood of causing immune reactions, mesenchymal stem cells have also been shown to relieve inflammation in the airway in some studies. They have done so by producing mucus that can help minimize inflammation, by killing off cells involved in inflammation, by inhibiting the formation of problematic fibrous connective tissue, and by promoting the formation of new blood vessels.
As the reviewers note, the positive results of preclinical investigations justified the initiation of clinical trials using mesenchymal stem cells in COPD. As such, there are currently Phase I and Phase II trials underway and some that have already been completed. One completed study demonstrated the safety of using these stem cells, as no patients experienced serious adverse side effects after stem cell transplantation. The study also showed that the stem cells were associated with a reduction in an inflammatory marker, suggesting that the stem cells may, in fact, help to reduce inflammation in these patients.
Another study also demonstrated safety. It also showed functional improvement in COPD patients. These patients performed better on the breathing spirometry test after stem cell transplantation. This change in performance suggests that the pathological degeneration occurring in the lungs of those with COPD was slowed with the implantation of stem cells. These patients also experienced improved quality of life after the stem cell transplantation.
by admin | Jan 29, 2018
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by admin | Jan 23, 2018 | Health Awareness
You can have success losing weight and still enjoy going out to eat. According to the data obtained from various studies, eating outside the home a few times per week can lead to weight gain. However, the good news is that you have many options that can help you enjoy having a night out and enjoying the luxury of dining out at your favorite restaurant.
Below are some tips and strategies you can use to enjoy eating out successfully while on your weight loss journey.
Know What’s on the Menu Before You Reach the Restaurant
You can have a happy dining out experience when you have prepared in advance. Look at the menus online before you go to the restaurant, plan in advance what option you have to order that will fit within your diet plan. If you see there is a dessert you might be tempted to try, plan in advance and cut down on other parts of your meal to lower the calories.
Plan to go not too hungry. Try having some almonds or small healthy snack prior to going to avoid over indulging or being too hungry.
Avoid the Bread Basket and the Add Ons
One way to avoid having unwanted pre-dinner foods, request the server to bring the bread, chips and butter along with your entrees. This will remove the temptation to eat too many chips or have too much bread and butter prior to the meal. Having the meal after the bread or chips leads to the consumption too many calories. Having the bread or chips with dinner will allow you to focus more on the dinner and have just a little bread. Or you can request to have no bread or chips and avoid the temptation all together.
If you want to have an appetizer, opt for something healthy like fresh vegetable salads, healthy soups or seared tuna. Avoid anything fried and creamy.
Don’t Forget About Liquid Calories
Choose water as your beverage but if you choose a soda or tea, be aware of the calories that will be added to your overall meal.
Beware of Sneaky Calories on Salads and Veggies
If not prepared properly, vegetables and salads can also be a source of extra calories that are not needed. Sometimes salads are dressed in oils, garnished with cheese, dry fruits, or croutons. You can always get your own customized salad that is healthier.
Order dressing on the side to avoid extra calories. If you are thinking of ordering vegetables then ask beforehand how they are prepared and ask to use as little oil and butter as possible.
Go for Light Entrées
When ordering the main course, opt for something fresh and avoid fried choices. Although stir-fry dishes can be a better option at home, at a restaurant you cannot control how much oil is used. A nice tip is to choose three best dishes you like out of the menu and then ask the staff to give you the healthiest option out of them based on preparation and calories.
Don’t finish your plate. Restaurant portions can tend to be larger in size and boxing up half will help cut down on calories.
Don’t Let your Sweet Tooth Make Decisions
If you want to have something sweet, go for the lighter options. Possibly the portion size is ideal to split with someone or you can save half and take home.
Go for Quality Over Quantity
Having a quality experience rather than a large indulging experience will have you feeling successful and satisfied when leaving the restaurant and not guilty after your hard work for that week. Enjoying a meal outside can be positive when on a healthy weight journey when you follow these helpful tips.
by admin | Jan 22, 2018 | Health Awareness
Whether you are still on your weight loss journey or have successfully reached your healthy weight, it is important to know what you can do to maintain the healthy weight. Below are helpful tips from those who have successfully lost weight and maintained their goal weight.
Watch Your Diet
Follow a healthy eating plan and keep up the positive eating habits. Studies have shown that those who lost weight and maintained for almost a year continued to eat a diet that was low in calories compared to their diet prior to losing weight. When you feel yourself falling off course, try incorporating the same tools and habits you were having success with. For example, your food journal will not only help you regain focus but going back to meals you ate when losing weight may help. Life can never be planned so expect some setbacks but don’t get discouraged.
Keep the eating patterns well maintained and consistent, plan ahead for vacations, special occasions and even weekends. If you have a plan then it is more possible for you to have healthy foods included in case your routine changes.
Don’t Skip Breakfast
Those who have lost weight found breakfast was key. Jump start your metabolism for the day, avoid becoming too hungry or overeating later in the day.
Stay Active
Make sure to stay physically active. People who have maintained their weight mostly engage in about 60-90 minutes of physical activity on a regular basis while also keeping an eye on the calorie intake. Can’t commit to an hour of physical activity at one time? Adjust your activities to 20-30 minutes of exercise a couple times a day. Cardio is more effective when done in 30+ min increments.
Monitor the Weight
Check your weight regularly. It is a good idea to keep track of your weight loss so you can plan ahead accordingly and make the necessary adjustments in your activity and diet. This is helpful to keep your motivation and know if there is a setback, you will be able to take back control be able to get back on track successfully.
Get Support from Others
It is helpful for family and friends to continue to support you. Having a friend or a partner who is also trying to lose weight can help you stay motivated and actively focused.
by admin | Jan 19, 2018 | Health Awareness
When considering your eating habits, you may be able to determine what challenges you may be experiencing in losing weight with your daily diet. Most of these habits are developed early in the childhood but it is still never too late to make the changes needed to reach a healthy weight.
Making rapid and big changes to your eating habits may help in the short term to lose some weight, but it is not the most healthy or realistic long-term. To improve and change your eating habits for longer success and healthier management will need a thoughtful approach. This includes reflection of your current eating habits and replacing them with healthier choices and ways to keep maintaining those changes.
The process to improve your eating habits depends on three things: Reflect, Replace and Reinforce.
Reflect:
Initially and continuing into your healthier lifestyle, you will want to make a daily food journal of each day’s eating habits and water consumption as well as the times you are eating. This will help you study your habits closely. Use this diary as a guide to see where, what, and when you can make healthier choices. It is also good to note down how you were feeling when you decided to eat a specific something even when you weren’t hungry. Were you tired and stressed out?
By keeping a record of your eating habits, this helps you to take more control to overcome them. Some common habits that lead to weight gain are:
- Eating quickly
- Eating when not hungry
- Always finishing the plate
- Eating desserts
- Skipping meals
Common triggers to eating when not hungry are:
- Watching television while sitting at home
- Seeing your favorite snacks in the cabinet
- During a stressful situation or meeting
- Passing by your favorite drive-through in the morning
- Somebody offering a dish they made for you
- Feeling tired of bored and thinking food might help you feel better
Start looking at the unhealthy habits you have highlighted so far, observe the triggers that push you to develop such habits, and select some that you’d like to improve on first. Be proud of yourself for making even the smallest changes. You might also notice you have some good eating habits, encourage yourself and recognize the good ones and keep going.
Replace:
Next is incorporating new healthy changes. Things you can ask yourself for example are, “What can I do to avoid this habit or situation?” or “What can I do as a healthier option?”. Perhaps removing unhealthy snacks from your cabinets or staying busy to be distracted from eating when bored.
Below are some healthy eating habits that you can include in your routine:
- Eat slowly instead of eating quickly
- Eat only when hungry and stop when full
- Plan the meals ahead of time to make sure you have a balanced healthy meal
- If you find yourself tempted to eat when bored or stressed out, try distracting yourself by going out for a walk or call up a friend
Reinforce:
Keep your food journal as a daily reminder to stay focused. If you find yourself having that unhealthy choice, reflect on how to avoid that choice next time and reinforce for next time. Changes take effort and you will have moments that you may run off course, but don’t let it discourage you. Habits are hard to break and for new ones to develop, so be patient with yourself as you transition into your new daily regimen and be proud of the success that you have!
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