ARAVA and Liver Failure

Another fluoride-based drug cause serious problems.

Often, in mainstream medicine, the issue of wheat allergy is overlooked in RA (rheumatoid arthritis).

A general approach to RA is to use niacinamide, 250 mg, one tablet taken 4 times a day. 

FDA Adds Liver Failure Warning to RA Drug

By Cole Petrochko, Staff Writer, MedPage Today

WASHINGTON -- The FDA has expanded the black box warning to the label of the rheumatoid arthritis drug leflunomide (Arava) to include possible fatal liver damage.
The agency received 49 adverse event reports -- including instances of jaundice, coagulopathy, encephalopathy, and 14 fatalities -- about the drug from August 2002 to May 2009. Of the patients reporting adverse events, 36 were hospitalized.
Time before severe reactions occurred ranged from nine days to six years, with most experiencing an adverse event within the first six to 12 months of treatment.
The greatest risk occurred in patients taking other drugs that may cause liver damage while taking leflunomide and in patients with preexisting liver disease. These warnings have been included on the new label.
The label notes that liver enzymes should be monitored monthly for three months after the start of treatment. If ALT rises above two-times normal, treatment should be stopped and a cholestyramine washout should be administered to accelerate the removal of the drug from the body.
Patients with increased ALT should undergo liver function tests weekly until levels return to normal.
Patients who develop itching, yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, loss of appetite, or light-colored stool while taking leflunomide should contact a healthcare professional, the statement said.
The drug previously carried a boxed warning that the drug was contraindicated in pregnant women and women of childbearing age who do not use reliable contraception.

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Posted in: Arava,fluoride,liver failure,niacinamide,rheumatoid arthritis,wheat allergy

Arthritis drugs pose cancer risk

A different approach for arthritis, musch more natural that immnosuppressive drugs.  If you're seeking consultation regarding arthitis, this service may be of help to you.

Collagen Ingredient Tests Positive for Joint Health Support
November 2009

A patented collagen ingredient may be twice as effective as glucosamine and chondroitin supplements for joint health, according to the results of a randomized, double-blind study.

The undenatured type II collagen known as UC-II might reduce pain, stiffness and immobility associated with osteoarthritis, according to findings published in the International Journal of Medical Sciences.

The new study compared a daily dose of UC-II (40 mg) with a combination of glucosamine (1,500 mg of glucosamine HCl, USP Grade) and chondroitin (1,300 mg, USP Grade).

Looking at markers of joint health in 52 volunteers experiencing joint pain and stiffness in the knees from osteoarthritis, researchers led by Siba Raychaudhurl, MD, from the University of California Davis report that the effects were superior to those recorded in previous clinical investigations for glucosamine and chondroitin.

"The clinical benefits we saw in osteoarthritic patients taking UC-II, showing significant overall improvement in conventional osteoarthritis efficacy measures, are positive clinical indicators that UC-II is highly effective at supporting joint health," said Raychaudhurl. "While the overall benefits were impressive, it is important to note that reduction in pain and stiffness were seen as early as 30 days after taking UC-II."

The researchers assessed the physical function, stiffness and pain in the knees of 52 volunteers with an average age of 58.8 following 90 days of supplementation.

Compared to the established ingredients in the joint health market, the UC-II product was found to reduce pain during exercise by 20%, compared to eight percent for glucosamine and chondroitin.

Using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index as a measure of arthritis symptoms, the WOMAC score was found to have decreased by 33% and 14% in the UC-II and glucosamine plus chondroitin groups, respectively.

"Similar results were observed for visual analog scale (VAS) scores," added Raychaudhurl and co-workers. "Although both [UC-II and glucosamine plus chondroitin] reduced the VAS score, UC-II was found to be more effective with a 40% decrease after 90 days as compared to 15.4% in glucosamine plus chondroitin groups," they added.

International Journal of Medical Sciences 6(6):312-321, 2009

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Originally posted August 2009
FDA: Arthritis drugs pose cancer risk

By Susan Heavey – Aug 4
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Blockbuster prescription drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions can increase the risk of potentially deadly cancer in children and teenagers, U.S. health regulators said on Tuesday in ordering stronger warnings on such medications.

The Food and Drug Administration, which urged greater caution with so-called TNF blockers last September, said an analysis of 48 reported cancer cases in children using the drugs "showed an increased risk of cancer, occurring after 30 months of treatment on average."

Eleven of the reported cases were fatal, the FDA said.

Anti-TNF drugs include Johnson & Johnson's Simponi or golimumab, and its Remicade or infliximab; Abbott Laboratories Humira or adalimumab; UCB SA's Cimzia or certolizumab pegol, and Amgen Inc and Wyeth's Enbrel or etanercept.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can strike young people, causing pain, stiffness and swelling.

It affects about 20 million people worldwide.

The drugs are used to treat other inflammatory conditions, including the bowel disorder known as Crohn's disease.

TNF (tumor necrosis factor) blockers make billions of dollars for manufacturers, but it is unclear how much they earn specifically from sales for children and teens. Not all of the drugs are approved for use in children for all related conditions.

Last year, Abbott's Humira earned $4.5 billion worldwide, while Amgen and Wyeth's Ebrel earned $1.2 billion. J&J's Remicade had 2008 sales of $3.7 billion. Its newer drug, Simponi, was approved earlier this year. UCB's Cimzia, launched in 2008, had about $14.4 million in global sales.

The drugs already carry the strongest warnings possible about the risk of possible serious infections. A new caution about cancer in younger patients will be added to the so-called "black box", the FDA said.

EVALUATING THE CANCER RISK

The FDA said in a statement on its website that its year-long analysis of the increased cancer risk in children showed about half the 48 cases involved lymphoma, which targets the immune system.

Rates for cancer cases with J&J's Remicade "were consistently higher compared to expected background rates for lymphomas and all malignancies," the FDA said. Cancer rates for lymphoma were also higher for Amgen and Wyeth's Enbrel, but rates for all cancers were similar to background rates, the FDA said.

The FDA did not calculate cancer rates for Abbott's Humira and UCB's Cimzia "because of minimal use in pediatric patients." J&J's Simponi was not approved at the time of the time of the analysis.

The FDA said it had "identified new safety information related to the occurrence of leukemia and new-onset psoriasis" that would also be included on the drugs' labeling.

The FDA said it had reviewed 147 reports of leukemia in adults and children using TNF blockers, including 30 deaths.

While rheumatoid arthritis patients may already be at greater risk for the white blood cell cancer, "there is a possible association between treatment with **TNF blockers and the development of leukemia in all patients treated with these drugs," the FDA said.

The FDA also reviewed 69 cases of psoriasis and said it found a possible link between the skin disorder and use of TNF blockers.

Brian Kenney, a spokesman for Johnson & Johnson's Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc unit, which makes Remicade and Simponi, said the company would work with the FDA to adopt the new warnings.

Amgen and Wyeth also said in a statement that they would revise their product warnings and continue evaluating risks and benefits of Enbrel. Representatives for Abbott and UCB had no comment.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey; editing by Andre Grenon)

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NB: **TNF Blockers - For 20+ years I have warned people about the RA drugs and other immune suppressing drugs used in alleged auto-immune disorders and cancer risk. I would wonder just how many people have suffered or or now suffering from iatrogenitically induced cancers.

Nettle seems to be the most effective herb in reducing tumour necrosis factor, alpha and interleukin 1b cytokines which in addition to helping blood it is extremely anti-inflammatory. It makes strong bones and has many other health promoting properties too.

And I also wonder why it is when those of us who are well versed in natural health are aware of the RA connection to wheat, gluten and gliaden allergy, why food allergy testing is not considered first in mainstream medicine. Read article below about niacin...

And since any product causing death is illegal under US law, why are these drugs on the market or being allowed to be marketed with warnings?

When you think of what B vitamins can do for your health, the first thing that comes to mind is probably increased energy, better nerve function or sharper attention and focus. It’s not likely, however, that you’d rank any of them among nature’s greatest anti-aging secrets—which is why you might be surprised to learn that at least one member of this family of nutrients has emerged as a real-life fountain of youth.

That vitamin is niacinamide—a unique form of vitamin B3 that plays a key role as the co-enzyme, NAD or NADP, in hundreds of your body’s enzymatic reactions. Most of niacinamide is converted in cells and tissues to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP). Niacinamide converts twice as readily to NAD/NADP as does niacin. Research has shown that a special life-extending protein—called silent information regulator 2 protein, or Sir2p—which is able to “silence” genes related to cellular aging is NAD-dependent.1

But that’s not all—research also shows that niacinamide supplementation can pack a powerful punch against the inflammation and joint destruction that accompanies many forms of arthritis, too. This B vitamin is able to mediate the activity of interleukin-1 (IL-1), the inflammatory cytokine that’s implicated in degenerative osteoarthritis—while inhibiting levels of nitric oxide (NO), high levels of which can contribute to cartilage destruction.2-3

Even diabetics can benefit from extra doses of niacinamide. In type 1 diabetics, supplementation with this form of B3 has been shown to slow down the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells, enhancing their regeneration and boosting pancreatic function.4 Clinical research also reveals that niacinamide can aid with metabolic control—lowering insulin doses and reducing damaging glycosylated hemoglobin levels among diabetic patients.5-6
Finally, niacinamide has been shown to provide significant benefits against stress, anxiety and sleep disruption—delivering all-natural relief that’s comparable to prescription sedatives.7-10 Add in its abilities to inhibit histamine release in bronchial asthma, its anti-mutagenic actions and its ability to minimize infarction in rats during the critical hours following a stroke and there seems to be no limit to this powerful B vitamin’s benefits.11-13

Bear in mind, however, that not just any B3 vitamin will do—you’ll have to take niacinamide specifically to get the unique spectrum of results. Luckily, you can order niacinamide readily and easily by contacting us.

References:
1. Imai S, Armstrong CM, Kaeberlein M, Guarente L; Transcriptional silencing and longevity protein Sir2 is an NAD-dependent histone deacetylase. Nature. 2000 Feb 17;403(6771):795-800.
2. McCarty MF, Russell AL. Niacinamide therapy for osteoarthritis—does it inhibit nitric oxide synthase induction by interleukin 1 in chondrocytes? Med Hypotheses. 1999 Oct; 53(4):350-60.
3. Kroger H, Hauschild A, Ohde M, Bache K, Voigt WP, Erlich W. Enhancing the inhibitory effect of nicotinamide upon collagen II induced arthritis in mice using N-acetylcysteine. Inflammation 1999 Apr;23(2):111-5.
4. Kolb H, Bukart V. Nicotinamide in type 1 diabetes. Mechanism of action revisited. Diabetes Care. 1999 Mar;22 Suppl 2:B16-20.
5. Pozzilli P, Visalli N, Ghirlanda G, Manna R, Andreani D. Nicotinamide increases C-peptide secretion in patients with recent onset type 1 diabetes. Diabet Med 1989 Sep-Oct;6(7):568-72.
6. Vague P, Vialettes B, Lassmann-Vague V, Vallo J. Nicotinamide may extend remmision phase of insulin-dependent diabetes. The Lancet. Mar 1987 ltr
7. Akhundov RA, Sultanov AA, Gadzhily RA, Sadykhov RV; [Psychoregulating role of nicotinamide]. Biull Eksp Biol Med. 1993 May;115(5):487-91.
8. Mohler H, Pole P, Cumin R, Pieri L, Kettler R. Nicotinamide is a brain constituent with benzodiazepine-like actions. Nature. 1979 Apr 5;278(5704):563-5.
9. Kryzhanovskii GN, Shandra AA. Effect of diazepam and nicotinamide on convulsive activity of various types]. Farmakol Toksikol. 1985 Jul-Aug;48(4):21-5.
10. Akhundov RA, Zagorevskii VA, Voronina TA. [Nootropic activity of nicotinamide and its structural analogs]. Biull Eksp Biol Med 1990 Oct;110(10):384-6.
11. Werbach M. Nutritional Influences on Illness, 2nd ed., 1993 pp 114-115, 117, 19.
12. Pero RW, Axelsson B, Siemann D, Chaplin D, Dougherty G; Newly discovered anti-inflammitory properties of the benzamides and nicotinamides. Mol Cell Biochem 1999 Mar;193(1-2):119-25.
13. Ayoub IA, Lee EJ, Ogilvy CS, Beal MF, Maynard KI; Nicotinamide reduces infarction up to two hours after the onset of permanent focal cerebral ischemia in Wistar rats.Neurosci Lett 1999 Jan 4;259(1):21-4.

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Posted in: arthritis drugs,Cancer,collagen,glucosamine,Health Forensics,MSM,rheumatoid arthritis,TNF

Overlooked Health Consequences

UPDATE: 9 March 2010

Virus infections may be contributing factor in onset of gluten intolerance

ScienceDaily (2010-03-07) -- Recent research findings indicate a possible connection between virus infections, the immune system and the onset of gluten intolerance, also known as celiac disease. ... > read full article

UPDATE: 18 February
Shingles is readily treated and resolved with herbal compounds. Historically Black Walnut tincture was used to apply externally to the patches, although I have found that Valerian root tincture can be effective. Valerian may be taken inernally to help with the pain, and St. John's Wort, an effective anti-vital herbal tincture, may be used alone or in combination with Valerain for pain and help fighting the virus.
Flower essence of Impatiens can be an adjuct treatment, as in the original development of Bach's remedies he found in his hospital provings that Impatiens essence was as effective as morphine, yet it had no untoward effects.

Shingles 'risk' of arthritis drug
Some popular treatments for rheumatoid arthritis could increase the risk of the painful condition shingles, a German study suggests.

Anti-TNF (anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha) therapy drugs can slow the progress of disease and help to reduce some of the worst symptoms.

But some of them may make patients more vulnerable to shingles, a skin disease which produces sore, itchy blisters.

Writing in JAMA, the authors advised patients on such drugs be monitored.

The team at the Rheumatism Research Centre in Berlin analysed data from more than 5,000 patients on different forms of treatment.

There were 86 outbreaks of shingles - triggered by the virus Herpes zoster - among 82 patients. Thirty-nine of these coincided with treatment with the anti-TNF drugs adalimumab and infliximab.

Etanercept, a protein therapy, and conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs were associated with 23 and 24 cases respectively.

Watchful eye

After adjusting for the age of the patient, the severity of their illness and their use of steroid hormone therapies, researchers found that the risk for patients on the anti-TNF programme almost doubled.

“ All drugs which damp down the immune response run the risk of increased risk of infection ”
Professor Alan Silman
Arthritis Research Campaign

Although this was beneath the threshold of clinical significance, which would be an increase of more than double, the researchers, led by Dr Anja Strangfeld, said their findings suggested doctors should be on the look out for shingles in the patients they treat with these drugs.

"Based on our data, we recommend careful monitoring of patients treated with monoclonal anti-TNF-alpha antibodies for early signs and symptoms of Herpes zoster," they wrote in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Shingles is the reactivation of the virus infection that causes chickenpox. After a person has had the infection, usually as a child, the virus remains in their body and can return, usually after the age of 50.

It often first manifests as pain, itching or tingling in an area of skin on one side of the body or face before developing into a rash. Many continue to suffer chronic nerve pain once the rash has subsided.

A weakened immune system is thought to be one of the triggers, and it is suggested that this may be why anti-TNF drugs could have this effect.

"All drugs which damp down the immune response run the risk of increased risk of infection; steroids being a well known example," said Professor Alan Silman, medical director of the Arthritis Research Campaign.

"Shingles is also a rare but well recognised complication of immune drugs used to treat both autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis as well as cancers. This distressing but fortunately treatable infection is likely to be increased in incidence in anti-TNF treated patients."
Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/7895202.stm
Published: 2009/02/18 © BBC MMIX

I have known for decades the benefits of cod liver oil for arthritis. Seems funny that it has taken so long to reach the hallowed halls of the BBC.

Cod oil 'cuts arthritis drug use'
A daily dose of cod liver oil can cut painkiller use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a study suggests.
Taking 10g of cod liver oil a day reduced the need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by 30%, Dundee University researchers say.

Concerns about side-effects of NSAIDs has prompted research into alternative.

Rheumatologists said the study, in Rheumatology journal, funded by Seven Seas, was small but showed fish oil could benefit some patients.

Patients in the trial were either given cod liver oil or placebo and after 12 weeks asked to gradually reduce their use of NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen.

“ Anything that can help to reduce NSAID use is going to be safer for patients ”
Dr Andrew Bamji, British Society for Rheumatology

Almost 60 patients completed the nine-month trial which found 39% taking cod liver oil reduced their daily dose of NSAIDs compared with 10% taking a placebo.

The reduction in drug use was not associated with any worsening of pain or the disease, the researchers reported.

The research team at the University of Dundee, aided by colleagues at the University of Edinburgh, have now completed three studies which have all shown patients are able to cut down their NSAID use when taking cod liver oil.

It is thought fatty acids in the fish oil have anti-inflammatory properties.

Side-effects

Some side-effects of NSAIDs, such as an increased risk of stomach bleeding have been known for a long time.

But more recently, concerns have been raised about an apparent increased risk of heart attacks and strokes in those taking the drugs.

Study leader Professor Jill Belch said the study offered hope to many rheumatoid arthritis patients who wanted to reduce the amount of pain medication they take.

"Every change in medication should be discussed with a GP but I would advise people to give cod liver oil a try for 12 weeks alongside their NSAIDs and then try to cut it down if they can manage it but if they don't manage it, that's fine.

"If you can get off NSAIDs it will be much safer."

National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society chief executive Ailsa Bosworth said: "People with rheumatoid arthritis still rely heavily on NSAIDs, even though the safety of these drugs is under scrutiny.

"We look forward to more research in this area."

British Society for Rheumatology president Dr Andrew Bamji said it was a small study so difficult to draw firm conclusions.

But he added: "Anything that can help to reduce NSAID use is going to be safer for patients.

"It does look as if the results are positive and that is quite interesting.

"I would say to patients by all means take cod liver oil and when you feel ready start to reduce your NSAID dose."

But he stressed that patients must discuss plans with their doctor because it was important that physicians were aware of all medications and supplements the patient was taking.

Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/7307298.stm
Published: 2008/03/25 © BBC MMIX

Originally posted 20 January
TV adverts make me angry.

One reason is because I do not think these ads should be on TV. Secondly I think the ads are disease mongering and an effort to increase profits for Big Pharma.

One new ad I saw the other day while flipping channels, since I am not a TV addict or fan, was an ad for Humira in the treatment of psoriasis.

Notwithstanding, Humira is used as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and other so described "auto-immune" disorders.

Humira(adalimumab) is a recombinant human IgG1 monoclonal antibody specific for human tumor necrosis factor (TNF). This means it is a genetically modified product, that in itself creates a plethora of problems.

Humira has a Black Box warning for the risk of tuberculosis. Other serious sided effects may include serious infections, neurologic reactions and malignancies. More information may be found in the professional section at RxList.com.

I'm in the midst of writing the January issue of my opt-in newsletter, herbalYODA Says! The topic happens to be detoxification and as part of my research I came across an interesting piece of information about non-Celiac gluten sensitivity.

I happen to be someone with gluten and gliaden sensitivity. I have many other food allergies which I attribute to certain situations I experienced in the last couple of decades which took a pretty devastating toll on my adrenals.

I'd say there were some other factors because my father had psoriasis. It isn't something I have but I have helped many people who lived with this condition, from mild to severe, to resolve their case.

This of course alerts me to the fact that I probably should not ever have had bread. It also has to do with heritage and the metabolic typing as developed by William D. Kelley, DDS.

Simply what this means is that there are certain symptoms of gluten and gliaden intolerance, even if you do not have Crohn's.

Conditions Often Associated With Gluten Sensitivity
From 'Going Against the Grain' (Chicago, IL: Contemporary Books, 2002) by Melissa Diane Smith

Autism
Autoimmune diseases
Chronic neurological conditions of unknown cause
Dermatitis herpetiformis (a blistery, itchy skin disease)
Downs syndrome
Epilepsy and/or a personal history of migraine headaches, hyperactivity and/or digestive problems
Frequent unexplained headaches
Osteoporosis and other bone diseases unresponsive to conventional treatment
Infertility and pregnancies of poor outcome
Insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes
Intestinal lymphoma or esophageal cancer
Psoriasis
Schizophrenia
Sjogren’s disease (dry-eye, dry-skin syndrome)

I find it interesting that Sjogren's is on this list along with psoriaisis, as Humira is often prescribed for Sjrogren's as well.

I noted in some other data that esophageal cancer is related to gluten intolerance (wheat allergy) and the articles I found on this date back to the 1970s.

This is the long way around but if you have any of these health issues perhaps you want to demand your doctor to order some food allergy testing, and re-consider Humira.

Or at least ask why your health care provider missed this one.

If your doctor looks at you like you are crazy then refer them to this study -

The innate immune system is an old system (evolutionarily speaking) that predates the antibody-producing “adaptive immune system” and nonspecifically defends against pathogens.

Biopsies from 5 out of 6 patients showed an IL-15 response to at least one gliadin fragment. The implication is that the majority of people have an immune response to wheat, even if they don’t have Celiac disease. The reason they aren’t diagnosed as Celiac patients is they don’t have circulating anti-gliadin antibodies (and they presumably don’t yet have severe structural damage to their intestinal tract as judged by biopsy or endoscopy), but as the paper shows, people can react to gluten without producing antibodies via the innate immune system.

This is the first time that an IL-15-mediated innate response to gliadin is described in individuals without celiac disease. The authors of the study believe that “gluten elicits its harmful effect, throughout an IL-15 innate immune system response on all the individuals. This innate response is found in both patients with and without celiac disease.” However, in patients with celiac disease, an adaptive response to gluten also takes place.

Study reference: Bernardo D, Garrote JA, Fernandez-Salazar L, et al. Is gliadin really safe for non-coeliac individuals? Production of interleukin 15 in biopsy culture from non-coeliac individuals with gliadin peptides. Gut, 2007;56:889-890.

Six people in the study had symptoms including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia, colic, abdominal pain, diarrhea and chronic gastritis. How many people have these conditions and take medications for them instead of considering that the bread, pasta and other wheat products they are eating may be the culprit behind their problems?

or have them look up the work of Kenneth Fine, MD or Alessio Fasano, M.D.

There is just more here than meets the eye - "Many gluten-sensitive make the mistake of substituting too many non-gluten grains (rice, corn, millet, buckwheat, quinoa, amaranth and teff) and sugars in place of gluten grains. This can lead to carbohydrate sensitivity and conditions such as Syndrome X and type II diabetes. To prevent the development of a new health problem, emphasize vegetables, such as salad greens, broccoli, green beans and asparagus, in place of gluten grains."

If you are interested in food allergy testing, the same system I used to uncover mine, please contact us.

By the way, one of my original teachers in natural healing always taught that RA and gluten allergy go hand-in-hand.

Certainly altering your nutrition and food plan first can do a lot before you succumb to another dangerous drug, and it just might heal your condition.

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Posted in: 2009,arthritis,GERD,gliaden,gluten,health news,Humira,natural health news,osteoporosis,psoriasis,rheumatoid arthritis,Sjogren's