Herbal Formula Shown to Help In Heart and Lung Disease
Nov 7th, 2009 | By admin | Category: Alternative Medicine, Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Featured, Green Tea, Herbs, Milk Thistle, TurmericAn herbal formula made up of turmeric, milk thistle, bacopa, ashwagandha and green tea has been shown to protect against pulmonary hypertension in rats, according to new research recently published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation.
Conducted at the Virginia Commonwealth University, the study involving Protandim could lead to a new treatment for this serious condition.
Pulmonary hypertension is a health condition characterized by high blood pressure in the circulation between the heart and lungs and can result in death due to right heart failure. In this study, pulmonary hypertension was induced in the animals through a drug and by creating an oxygen-poor environment (hypoxia). Animals pre-treated with the five herbal formula in Protandim experienced strong cardioprotective effects.
The herbal formula was shown to protect the heart by increasing the expression of protective genes and by preventing the formation of scar tissue, or fibrosis, in the heart. The study showed these herbs also prevented capillary loss in the heart muscle of the animals, preserving right heart function despite the continuing stress of pressure overload. The study also indicates the death of heart cells was prevented and a significantly lowered osteopontin (OPN-1) levels by more than 50%. Osteopontin is a factor that leads to scar tissue formation, a cause of heart failure.
Source: FreshPlaza
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