The two last days were filled with news about the latest large scale vaccine trials against HIV. Here’s a simple Q&A

What was the news ?
The news was that the latest HIV large scale trial of a vaccine showed that the vaccinated group had a reduced rate of 31% of infection versus the control group. The trial took place in Thailand.

What vaccine was this ?
The trial used two vaccines (ALVACR HIV and AIDSVAXR B/E) that were matched to the strain of HIV that is predominant in Thailand (Clade E). The study had hypothesized that the vaccine would reduce HIV acquisition by 50 percent. The study results were statistically significant, although they did not reach the level that had been specified as the rate of infection was reduced by 31%.

How large was the trial?
This is a big study with 16,000 adults enrolled since 2003. Budget was solid too as the US government put up 105 million dollars for the study.
The study recruited adults in the community in two provinces of Thailand with high HIV prevalence (Chon Buri and Rayong), but did not specifically target individuals at high risk of HIV infection. Volunteers for the study were adults aged 18-30. It was a randomized trial, matched for sex, behavior, age.
Out of the 16,000 adults, half got the vaccine and half got the placebo. The study started in 2003 the Volunteers were tested for AIDS for 3 years. The results were only ready just 3 weeks ago (beginning of September 09)

What should we make of the success ?
First it should be understood that the result was a surprise. After all the two strands of vaccine used were both proved to be inefficient.
The effect is modest but it’s a stepping stone. It open up doors to identify what the exact mechanisms of this protection is. Scientists now will have to identify what has protected these people in order to try to amplify that effect in future test.

Is it ethical to conduct HIV tests on people that will practice unprotected sex ? Isn’t it better to teach them to have protected sex?
Actually, in vaccine trials huge as these, all participants and everyone who gets the vaccine are intensively counseled on how to avoid being infected. It makes the vaccine trial more difficult but training is a very important part of the aid program. The training is conducted by special counselors completely dissociated from the scientists.

Why is it so hard to make a vaccine against HIV?
The virus has been discovered in 1981. It has been in the history of science the most challenging virus to tackle because of its specificity:
a) The immune response of the body is far less than for any other virus, it has been branded ‘inadequate’. Only about 2% of infected people have developed natural immunity read here

b) The ability of HIV to establish latency, allowing it to “hide” in host cells and elude immune surveillance

c) The extraordinary diversity and mutability of the virus; the capacity of the virus to avoid a protective immune response by masking more conserved components of the virus; and the ability of HIV to destroy or cause the dysfunction of critical immune system cells.

Hope
There are several other vaccine candidates in the research pipeline and today’s encouraging results will provide renewed enthusiasm for human clinical trials, as well as additional HIV vaccine discovery.

Excellent reading
Preventing HIV – the seach of an HIV vaccine

Today, a few newspapers reported that the smoking ban had been successful and the success has been measured in terms of reducing the number of heart attacks.
The biggest surprise in this announcement is how much decline there has been in heart attacks since the ban. It was originally expected that there would be a decrease by 10% in heart attacks but in fact heart attacks decreased by nearly a 1/3 since the ban.

Hence my rule number 1 : If you are a smoker, the single biggest thing you can do to avoid a heart attack is to give up, which could also protect the heart health of friends and family.

Heart attacks in the UK alone affect an estimated 275,000 people and kill 146,000 each year.

Big impact!
On reason for this surprise may well be second hand smoking : Second-hand smoke is thought to increase the chances of a heart attack by making the blood more prone to clotting, reducing levels of beneficial “good” cholesterol, and raising the risk of dangerous heart rhythms. The scientists leading the study found that heart attack rates across Europe and North America started to drop immediately following implementation of anti-smoking laws, reaching 17% after one year, then continuing to decline over time, with a 36% drop three years after enacting the restrictions.

Overall these findings give us evidence that in the short-to-medium-term, smoking bans will prevent a lot of heart attacks.

Another interesting piece of news was that the Latest figures show at least 70,000 lives have been saved by NHS Stop Smoking Services in the 10 years since they were established in England.

Go smoke free ! If you feel you can’t at least try e-cigarettes

1. Fibre, the original super-nutrient
What is it?
It’s the structural part of cereals, fruits, vegetables and pulses and we should be consuming 25g of it a day.
Why is it healthy?
It’s a breathtakingly healthy nutrient, a fibre-rich diet significantly cuts the risk of heart disease and boosts the immune system. You’ll also halve the chances of developing bowel and breast cancer and reduce the chances of diabetes by a third. It will make you look and feel better: weight loss is up to three times greater in people consuming high-fibre and low-fat diets, compared to low-fat diets alone. And you’ll have better digestion, more energy and improved mood.
How to eat?
Simply start the day with a bran cereal or swap from white to wholemeal bread.”

2. Swiss chard
What is it?
A dark green vegetable that looks a bit rough.
Why is it healthy?
Like kale and spinach, it’s an excellent source of beta-carotene, iron and folate. In addition Swiss chard provides goodies that are unavailable through other sources :it contains high levels of polyphenols, a rare type of antioxidant. Additionaly, research has shown that the pigments in dark green vegetables accumulate in the retina and absorb the type of short-wave light rays that can damage eyesight.
How to eat it
Boil or sauté until the leaves wilt and the stems are tender and serve as side dish or bed for pan-seared fish or grilled meat. Hum.. delicious as well.

3. Barley
What is it?
A grain now used almost exclusively in brewing.
Why is it healthy?
Research now shows that barley is a rich source of vitamin E and has high levels of soluble fibre and therefore lowers cholesterol in much the same way as oats.
How to eat?
Add 30 per cent barley flour to a wheat flour when baking bread for example
Also pearl Barley works well in soups, stews, and salads since it readily soaks up the flavors in the broth or dressing.

4. Purslane
What is it?
An invasive weed that was a salad ingredient and herbal remedy in 17th-century England.
Why is it healthy?
A rich source of omega-3 fats. The scientists also report that this herb has up to 20 times more of melatonin, an antioxidant that can inhibit cancer growth (as well as balancing wake/sleep cycles), than any other fruit or vegetable tested.
How to eat it?
Purslane is on sale in some farmers’ markets or in Chinese food shops. Use the succulent, lemony-tasting leaves as an alternative or addition to lettuce in a salad along with chives, parsley and a little olive oil or cook them like spinach

5. Cinnamon
What is it?
A common baking spice that comes in sticks that are rolled, pressed and dried or you can buy it grounded.
Why is it healthy?
It’s another potent antioxidant, one third of a teaspoon is equivalent to the antioxidant power in half a cup of berries. Studies show an active component helps stabilise blood sugar, and lowers cholesterol.
How to eat?
Add to stewed fruit as well as buns and biscuits or add to chicken dishes or aubergines to give them a subtly delicious Middle Eastern taste.

6. Lentils
What are they?
Simply the most flavorful of all the legumes that comes in yellow, red or black color. Always in dried form.
Why are they healthy?
Simply high in antioxidants. Half a cup is the equivalent of four cups of broccoli for antioxidants. They also contain plant sterols which lower cholesterol.
How to eat them?
Lentils can be stored a long time, are easy to make, and are one of the cheapest protein sources going. Unlike other pulses, you don’t have to soak them before cooking. Just rinse them in cold water and simmer in water or broth. Add turmeric and ginger and eat with rice or naan bread.

7. Fish
What are they?
A great alternative to eat protein if you want to rein on meat.
Why is it healthy?
Fish are a rich source of minerals including iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese as well as B vitamins. Oily fish, in particular, is the best source of omega-3 essential fats, which have an unparalleled healthy profile.
How to eat them?
*Eat tinned fish if you can’t stand the smell of fresh fish. Mix tinned salmon, mackerel and pilchards into salads and pasta or as a topping for baked potatoes.
*Sardines mashed on toast.

8. Beetroot
What is it?
The raw root itself, rather than the pickled, purple stuff in jars.
Why is it healthy?
Beets are like red spinach. Simply one of the best sources of folate and betaine, two nutrients that have been shown to reduce potentially toxic levels of homocysteine, a compound that causes inflammation, damaging arteries and increasing the risk of heart disease.
How to eat?
Heating beetroot decreases its antioxidant power, so eat it freshly picked and sliced in a sandwich or grate it into a salad with olive oil and lemon juice.

9. Pomegranate juice
How to drink it?
Buy Juice from Pomegreat – the leading brand. It can taste unpleasantly medicinal (at first).
What is it?
Pomegranate juice is juice made from the pomegranate fruit. It is used in cooking both as a fresh juice and as a concentrated syrup, particularly in Persian cuisine.
Why is it healthy?
It will reduces blood pressure significantly and improve blood flow. More recently, researchers at the University of California identified chemicals in the juice that can slow prostate cancer and perhaps even kill off cancer cells. It’s also been shown to have a higher antioxidant activity than red wine, green tea or blueberry juice.

10. Pumpkin seeds
What are they?
Subtly sweet and nutty with a malleable, chewy texture, the roasted seeds from inside your Halloween pumpkin are one of the most nutritious and flavorful seeds around
Why are they healthy?
Pumpkin seeds are rich in both omega-3 and 6 essential fats and one of the best sources of magnesium, which helps promotion relaxation and lower blood pressure. They are also rich in zinc and vitamin E.
How to eat?
Seeds are never easy to incorporate into your diet. Separate the seeds from the stringy bit of the pumpkin and either eat raw or boil for 10 minutes, roast in olive oil and add to salads or stir-fries. Don’t eat them all the time though as they’re high in fat and so a handful a day is sufficient.

source : the independant.co.uk

In this article we’ll simply name some herbs that can help relieve headaches.

How To Take Herbal Remedies ?
There are many ways to utilize herbal remedies for your headaches or migraines.
a) Herbal teas are a dilute and mild way to take herbal remedies and also good for combating dehydration if this has triggered a headache.
b) Tablets, capsules
c) ointments are other ways of ingesting herbs. Ointments in particular may be helpful for headaches when rubbed on the temples and forehead.
d) Some herbal remedies can even be taken as an aromatherapy treatment; try adding herbs such as chamomile to bathwater to help ease stress and head pain.

Most popular herb for headache #1: Feverfew
Feverfew can prevent and treat headaches and migraines. It works by inhibiting inflammation and the constriction of blood vessels. It also influences serotonin, a brain substance that is believed to play a role in headache pain. The active ingredient, parthenolide, may help prevent migraines when ingested on a regular basis, although it can take several weeks before you notice a significant change in your headaches.

Most popular herb for headache #2: Peppermint
For hundreds of years peppermint has been used as a headache remedy. in 1996 a study proved peppermint oil does ease headache when applied across the forehead and temples (ointment).
Peppermint is just as useful for it’s aroma and cooling properties as an essential oil. Read more about this herb for headache on our home remedies page.
Be warned that peppermint is not the thing to take if you have heartburn or similar stomach acid problems.

Most popular herb for headache #3: Passionflower
Passionflower is a calming herb. Taken as a tea before bed, it can help you sleep. At least one clinic trial has found it to lower anxiety. It is also believed to have anti-inflammitory and pain killing properties.

Most popular herb for headache #4: Ginko biloba
The leaf of the ginko tree is an extremely popular herb for headache, but the medical evidence is still hotly disputed. Ginko is said to improve the flow of blood and get more oxygen to the brain, hence not only relieving headache but improving memory and alertness as well. There are some nice teas sold with ginko and peppermint.
Note that Ginko is one of those herbs that can cause side effects when taken with headache medications, including aspirin and lithium.

Herb for headache #5: Cayenne
Yes, that’s right – the pepper. Many peppers have an ingredient called capsaicin, which among other things seems to raise the pain threshold. It’s gained attention in the medical world in recent years especially for its treatment of cluster headaches, and it’s often given in the form of a nasal spray.

Herb for headache #6: Willow
White willow bark is an especially popular herb for headache because it works much like an aspirin, relieving your headache pain and causing the inflammation to go down. Like any painkiller, it should not be taken long term. Once again, be very careful about taking willow with other painkillers and medications – check with your doctor!

Other herbs for headaches:
Meadowsweet, valerian (excellent if you can’t sleep), skullcap, chamomile (also common for relaxation).

Recent studies point to butterbur extract (petasites hybridus root) as a migraine treatment. Butterbur has been recommended for migraine before, but now the scientific evidence is starting to catch up. The dosages in recent studies for both children and adults range between 50mg and 150mg. It is recommended that you use a reliable standardized and safe form of butterbur. In a recent German study, Petadolex was used, which is a butterbur extract.

Leave me comments about your own natural techniques to relieve headaches.

Sources : many including herbalmusings.com andrelieve-migraine-headache.com