No benefit of bath oils in childhood eczema

"Bath oils used to help treat eczema in children offer no meaningful benefit as part of their care, a trial has found," reports BBC News (May 2018)

Childhood eczema, also known as atopic eczema, is a common condition that causes redness and soreness of the skin. Treatments include using moisturisers (emollients), which have been shown to work, and using emollients as soap substitutes in the bath or shower.

However, until now, there has been little evidence for a third type of treatment: adding emollient additives to baths. In the first big study of its kind, researchers found commonly prescribed emollient bath additives – designed to be added to bathwater and leave a thin layer over the skin – made little
difference to children's eczema symptoms.

The study, carried out in England and Wales, involved 483 children aged 1 to 11 years. Half were randomly assigned to use bath additives regularly for a year – in addition to their usual treatments, including standard leave-on emollients – while the other half did not use them.

The results showed that bath additives made too small a difference to symptoms to be considered clinically important.

Where did the story come from?
The study was commissioned by the UK National Institute for Health Research as part of a programme to investigate which treatments are effective and provide value for money, and
carried out by researchers from Cardiff University, the University of Bristol, the University of Southampton and the University of Nottingham.

It was published in the peer-reviewed British Medical Journal and is free to read online
(https://www.bmj.com/content/361/bmj.k1332). The UK media reports were generally accurate and balanced.

What kind of research was this?
This was a randomised controlled trial, which is often the best way to investigate whether a treatment works. To make results more accurate, many trials like this use a dummy treatment (placebo) so that patients don't know if they are receiving the real treatment. However, in this case, the researchers decided they could not make a convincing placebo for emollient bath additives so did not include one in the study.

What did the research involve?
Researchers used records from 96 general practices in Wales, south England and west England to identify children diagnosed with eczema. The children's parents or carers were then contacted and invited to take part.

After screening, half the children were prescribed bath emollient additives for a year and the other half were asked not to use them. Most of the experimental group were prescribed Oilatum, Balneum or Aveeno bath products.

All children continued their usual eczema treatments, which included using emollients as creams and soap substitutes, and using steroid creams where needed. Parents or carers recorded children's eczema symptoms – weekly for the first 16 weeks and then monthly for a year – using the standard patient oriented eczema measure (POEM). In children, this is usually assessed on how severe parents or
guardians think a child's eczema is.

POEM gives a score of 0 to 28, with 0 to 7 being no or mild eczema, 8 to 16 moderate eczema and 17 to 28 severeeczema. A drop of 3 points on the scale is considered enough to represent a clinically meaningful improvement in symptoms.

The parents or carers also recorded how often the children bathed and how often they used the bath emollient additives. The researchers compared symptom scores for the 2 groups, adjusting for eczema severity at the start of the study, use of steroid creams and soap substitutes, and ethnic group.

What were the basic results?
The average symptom score at the start of the study was 9.5 in the bath-additives group and 10.1 in the no-bath-additives group, meaning most children had moderate eczema.

Over 16 weeks, the average symptom score was:

• 7.5 in the bath-additives group
• 8.4 in the no-bath-additives group

After controlling for confounding factors such as use of other eczema medication, the average symptom score was 0.41 points lower in the bath additives group (95% confidence interval [CI]
-2.7 to +1.10).  This was not a statistically significant difference and was well below the 3-point difference considered to be clinically important.

The researchers also looked at subgroups to see if any particular group of children were more likely to benefit from the bath additives. While they did find some effect for children under 5 years old, it still did not reach the 3-point threshold.

They did find a possibly clinically meaningful benefit for children who bathed 5 times or more a week (2.27-point improvement, 95% CI 0.63 to 3.91), but this analysis was based on fewer children, making it less reliable.

How did the researchers interpret the results?
The researchers said the trial "provides strong evidence that emollient bath additives provide minimal or no additional benefit beyond standard eczema care in the management of eczema in children".

Conclusion
The study shows that bath emollient additives may not be a useful part of eczema care for children.
But it's important to be clear this does not apply to the use of leave-on emollient creams and lotions, or to the use of emollients instead of soap. There's evidence that leave-on emollient creams work, and doctors agree using emollients instead of soap is helpful.

This study's results only apply to emollient products added to the bathwater. If you're not sure of the difference, speak to a pharmacist or your GP.

If your child has been prescribed bath emollient additives and is happy with them, there's no reason to stop using them. The study found no increased risk of side effects – such as slipping in the bath, soreness or redness – among children who used them.

However, they may not make much difference to your child's eczema, and it's possible the NHS may decide to recommend that doctors stop prescribing these products in future. The study was well conducted but had a few limitations, the main one being that, unusually for research of this type, there was no placebo. Placebos are normally included to control for the placebo effect – where people tend to feel better if they are taking a treatment because they expect it to work.

However, in this case, people that did receive the bath additives did not report symptoms significantly different from those not using the additives, which suggests the placebo effect did not have much influence in this study.

The study looked at lots of subgroups among the 483 children to see if any showed different results. However, this increases the likelihood that some of the results are due to chance.

We therefore cannot put too much stock in the finding that children bathing 5 times or more a week may get some benefit from emollient bath additives, as this analysis included just 143 children.

If your child isn't responding well to a particular treatment for eczema, there are other treatments that may be more effective. Read my post on natural alternatives to managing eczema here: http://yaso-shan.blogspot.com/2012/07/natural-herbal-approaches-to-eczema.html 

Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms - should you worry?

This month, there were calls for guidelines to be revised over antidepressant withdrawal symptoms over alarming and dangerous symptoms, particularly the risk of suicide. In response to this, the NHS reported on the findings of a systematic review which was published in a paper by academics James Davies and John  Reid this year (2018) entitled: "A systematic review into the incidence, severity and duration of antidepressant withdrawal effects: Are guidelines evidence-based?" in the Journal Addictive Behaviours. The following is the response from the NHS:

A review of the evidence about antidepressant withdrawal symptoms found more people may experience them for longer than previously thought, and many people describe these symptoms as severe. Symptoms recorded in the study included sleeplessness, anxiety, dizziness, "brain zaps" (a feeling of an electrical shock in the brain), and nausea.

But the review included evidence from online surveys, which can overestimate a problem because people who respond to surveys tend to be those most affected by it. Current UK guidance for doctors says withdrawal symptoms "are usually mild and self-limiting over about 1 week, but can be
severe, particularly if the drug is stopped abruptly".

This research calls for the guidelines, based on evidence from 2004, to be "urgently updated" to take account of the study's findings. Anyone concerned about problems stopping antidepressant drugs should talk to their GP. People are usually advised to gradually reduce the dose they take over time, rather than stopping taking them suddenly, to minimise the risk of withdrawal symptoms. It isn't recommended anyone stops taking any type of prescribed medication without first talking to a GP or pharmacist.

It's reported that the organisation responsible for producing the guidelines (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) is in the process of updating them as a result of recent evidence.

Where did the story come from?
The study was carried out by researchers from the University of Roehampton and the University of East London for the UK's All Party Parliamentary Group for Prescribed Drug Dependence. This was a systematic review (https://www.nhs.uk/news/healthnews- glossary#systematic-review) of research into antidepressant withdrawal.

A systematic review is a good way to get an overview of the state of research on any given topic. But these types of reviews are only as good as the studies that can be included.

What did the research involve?
Researchers searched for studies published in peer-reviewed journals that recorded the number of people experiencing withdrawal from antidepressants, the severity of their symptoms, or the duration of withdrawal symptoms. They found 23 relevant studies, which used a variety of methods and were of widely differing sizes - ranging from 14 to 1,367 people - and durations. This can make it difficult to summarise the evidence to come up with an overall result.

Where the types of studies and the way their results were presented allowed, the researchers calculated the average percentage of people experiencing symptoms and the average percentage rating symptoms as severe.

They excluded 2 studies where symptoms were reported after doctors reviewed patients' records, rather than asking patients directly about withdrawal symptoms or side effects.

They also excluded an additional study about severity that had a short treatment period (8 weeks) and asked doctors to rate severity, rather than patients.

The 3 biggest studies used to calculate the percentage of people experiencing withdrawal symptoms were online surveys of antidepressant users (1 from the UK that's been withdrawn from the Royal College of Psychiatrists website, 1 from New Zealand, and 1 international study).

What were the basic results?
The researchers found:

• an average of 56.4% of people in 14 studies said they'd had withdrawal symptoms, ranging from 27% to 86% of people
• an average of 45.7% of people in 4 studies who experienced withdrawal symptoms rated them as severe (or ticked the box with the highest severity rating in the study)
• a very wide range in how long the withdrawal symptoms reportedly lasted, from a few days to several months, in 10 "very diverse" studies. 

The studies that looked at duration were so varied that the researchers couldn't come up with an average duration of symptoms, or say how many people on average had symptoms lasting longer than a week. But they said "a significant proportion" of the people who experience withdrawal symptoms "do so for more than 2 weeks".

How did the researchers interpret the results?
The researchers said their findings showed that "antidepressant withdrawal symptoms are widespread" and "current clinical guidelines in the UK and US are in urgent need of correction, in
order to be evidence-based, as withdrawal effects are neither 'mild' nor 'self-limiting'".

They speculated that misunderstanding of withdrawal symptoms among doctors may have driven the rise in antidepressant prescriptions and the length of time people take antidepressants.

They said people experiencing withdrawal reactions may be misdiagnosed as having a relapse of depression or anxiety, and so be put back on medication, have their medication switched or be given a higher dose.

Conclusion
Antidepressants are a helpful treatment for many people, but some people do have problems when they stop taking them. The headlines that accompany this study are alarming, but not everyone who takes antidepressants has withdrawal symptoms, and not everyone gets severe symptoms.

The study suggests about half of people get symptoms, and about half of those people get severe symptoms. But the study's limitations mean we can't be sure these figures are accurate.

The results were weighted by study size, and the biggest studies were online surveys of people who have taken antidepressants.

Online surveys are prone to selection bias as people are more likely to respond to a survey if they have experienced a problem than if they haven't. This means the results may overestimate the proportion of people who experience antidepressant withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms also may vary by antidepressant type. And some of the studies followed unusually short trials of antidepressants (for example, 8 weeks or 12 weeks), whereas most people are prescribed the drugs for at least 6 months.

Short treatment trials might underestimate difficulties seen withdrawing from longer-term treatment.
Withdrawal symptoms are more likely to be severe if you stop taking an antidepressant suddenly. If you want to talk about stopping taking an antidepressant, talk to your doctor about the safest way to do so. People are usually helped to reduce the dose gradually.

Find out more about antidepressants
(https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/antidepressants/)

Ref: https://www.nhs.uk/news/medication/calls-for-guidelines-be-revised-over-antidepressant-withdrawal-symptoms/

Negative Press on Coconut Oil Attacked

Coconut oil attacked by Harvard professor: The truth behind the propaganda
In the mid-1990’s, coconut oil was (unjustly) vilified for its high content of saturated fat – and for allegedly contributing to heart disease. However, nearly two decades later, this tropical oil had become the darling of nutritionists, holistic physicians and health enthusiast alike.

But, now in a whiplash-inducing shift, coconut oil is under attack yet again – this time by a Harvard professor who condemns it as “pure poison” and “one of  the worst foods you can eat.” (you just can’t make this stuff up.)

In response to this shocking attack, natural health experts, nutritionists and physicians have leaped to the defence of coconut oil. So, let’s take a closer look at  what the research on coconut oil actually shows – and the true impact of saturated fat on heart health.

Professor’s rant against coconut oil has gone viral
In a video posted to YouTube on July 10, Professor Karin Michels, of the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, delivered a lecture in which she insisted that saturated fats – coconut oil in particular – are artery-clogging threats to health. (Of course, we know there are greater threats to the heart.)

The lecture, which was originally delivered in Germany, has since attracted almost 1.4 million views – and raised a storm of protest from coconut oil's supporters.

The controversy over the effects of coconut oil was actually re-ignited in June of 2017, when the American Heart Association published a “Presidential Advisory” advising people to avoid coconut oil due to its content of saturated fat. (It’s like the 1990s all over again!)

The American Heart Association (AHA) maintains that coconut oil raises LDL cholesterol – and the risk of heart disease. The organisation also claimed that coconut oil has “no known offsetting favorable effects” – a statement that many natural health experts find ludicrous, in light of the oil’s many real benefits.

In addition to attacking coconut oil, the AHA’s advisory recommended lowering intake of all saturated fats – and replacing them with unsaturated fats (such as polyunsaturated fats) in order to lower the incidence of heart disease.

Renowned cardiologist condemns Prof. Michel’s remarks as “unscientific nonsense”
Leading proponents of saturated fats and a foe of refined sugar, condemned Professor Michel’s comments as “unscientific nonsense” – and warned that she is bringing Harvard University “into disrepute.”

They have argued that saturated fat does not necessarily increase the risk of heart attack. In addition, they stated that reducing saturated fats in the diet only leads to the use of more carbohydrates (sugar). (Note: many integrative healthcare providers see sugar as a fuel for type 2 diabetes and obesity.) No studies to date have shown a link between coconut oil and heart disease?

Earlier, negative coconut oil studies have been discredited
In the 1950s and 1960s, a series of studies linked saturated fats to increased risk of dementia and cancer – as well as with high levels of LDL cholesterol, traditionally considered harmful. (Coconut oil is composed of 82% saturated fat.) However, later analysis has caused many scientists to dismiss these studies as suspect –
and their findings as flawed.

Coconut oil supporters point out that the original studies were conducted using partially hydrogenated coconut oil, which is not as healthy as the chemically-untreated virgin coconut oil used today. And, when meat, butter and eggs (pro-inflammatory) were replaced with vegetable oils, margarine and processed whole grains, the incidence of obesity, heart disease and diabetes actually skyrocketed, which went quickly from a national statistic in the US then the UK but subsequently a global health issue. 

More recent studies have helped to redeem saturated fat – and show that it can boost levels of beneficial HDL cholesterol – which helps to prevent heart disease plus many forms of dementia. And, in a study published in July in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, scientists found that long-term exposure to the saturated fats found in butter, milk and cheese was not significantly associated with total mortality or incidence of heart disease in older adults.

What foods are really behind heart disease?
Well-educated experts maintain that heart disease can be triggered by a variety of factors – including blood vessel inflammation brought on by consumption of artificially hydrogenated oils (trans fats) and pro-inflammatory vegetable oils such as corn, soy and canola oils. Refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup and starchy carbohydrates are also culprits.

In addition, non-dietary factors – such as obesity, smoking, stress and lack of exercise – can play a role. The point is clear: Inactivity, too many toxins in the body and a poor diet (deficient in necessary nutrients) will increase the risk of chronic inflammation and disease. Fake news about how ‘bad’ healthy foods can be for us – just can’t compare to the truth about good nutrition.

Experts note that African tribes who have traditionally eaten a tropical diet high in coconut fat were virtually free of heart disease – until they began eating a more “modern” Western diet laden with wheat, sugar and vegetable oils. Then, they become diabetic, obese and prone to heart disease.

And, if you’re wondering why the AHA is committed to preaching the “dangers” of saturated fats and high cholesterol, remember that the organisation receives millions of dollars in donations from pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca, Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline – which just so happen to produce cholesterol-lowering statin drugs.

Disgracefully, many Californian companies selling coconut oil are currently being sued for daring to make the claim that coconut oil is “healthy.” (The AHA is listed as a “beneficiary of unallocated funds” in one of the lawsuits – no surprise there!)

What the media isn’t telling you: How coconut oil protects the heart
Coconut oil, an antioxidant-rich, low-glycemic food that has been used for many centuries in tropical diets, contains lauric and palmitic acids that can increase desirable HDL cholesterol, boost the immune system, spark up metabolism and help to regulate blood sugar.

In addition, coconut oil’s medium-chain triglycerides are easy for the body to break down and use as fuel. Proponents have credited coconut oil with natural ketogenic, or “fat-burning, properties that help to fight obesity, a factor in heart disease. Even if coconut oil does increase LDL, there is evidence that the type of large LDL particles that are produced as a result of eating more saturated fats are not (repeat, not) associated with cardiovascular disease. Many experts believe that it is only Very Small Particle LDL, or VSPLDL, that is harmful.

And, guess what has been shown to raise levels of VSPLDL? Eating excessive amounts of sugar and carbohydrates (surprise!) Fortunately, natural health advocates are speaking out against the latest assault on coconut oil from Prof. Michels. Meanwhile, the AHA – which is ‘in the pocket’ of the pharmaceutical industry – continues to demonize saturated fats while pushing its own proinflammatory agenda – while heart disease persists as the number one killer in the United
States.

ref: aturalhealth365.com/coconut-oil-food-news-2690.html

Harnessing your Hormones

REBALANCING YOUR BODY'S CHEMISTRY CAN BOOST YOUR ENERGY SOOTHE YOUR SLEEP, IMPROVE YOUR MOOD - AND HELP YOU GET IN SHAPE. HERE'S HOW

We know how it feels to be at the mercy of our hormones. There are times when PMS makes us feel irritable or emotional and, despite our good intentions, we struggle to resist that 3pm bar of chocolate when we're feeling tired and stressed.
Little wonder because, from brain function and metabolism to our overall happiness, hormones regulate virtually every function in the body. But it's a myth that we can't harness the power of our hormones. Although it's true that some  imbalances require medical attention, there are lots of ways we can tap into our most powerful natural resource. Read on to discover how diet, sleep and exercise are just a few of the simple ways we can begin to restore our internal harmony, leading to happier, healthier selves.

Melatonin
Struggling to sleep at night? Your melatonin levels could need readjusting. Commonly known as the 'sleep hormone', melatonin is produced by the pineal gland - located in the centre of the brain - during darkness and helps to regulate your body clock. Melatonin production declines with age, which is often why we can have trouble sleeping as we get older. I have previously written about the effects of melatonin:  http://yaso-shan.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-dark-side-of-melatonin.html 

Get back in balance - snack on cherries and grapes As well as fitting blackout blinds in your bedroom and resisting the temptation to use your e-reader in bed, eat a well-chosen snack. 'Melatonin is found in cherries, bananas, grapes, rice and cereals - eating these foods boosts levels of the hormone in the blood, increasing sleepiness. Try having them a few hours before bed so your body has time to process them.

Avoid headache pills
Think twice the next time you take a painkiller to treat a headache in the evening. Evidence suggests that taking a nighttime dose of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, may suppress the release of melatonin, so avoid taking them right before bed.

Cortisol
We may not often find ourselves in genuine danger, but simply feeling stressed can cause part of the brain called the hypothalamus to stimulate the adrenal glands into pumping out Cortisol. Consistently raised levels can leave you feeling tired and drained.

Get back in balance - do some quick sprints

Regular exercise relieves stress, but long workouts encourage your body to produce more Cortisol, so do short bursts of high-energy activity instead.Warm up with a five-minute jog, then sprint uphill for 15-20 seconds and take three to six minutes to walk down. Doing this six or seven times takes less than 20 minutes and allows your body to use any extra cortisol to fuel a quick burst of energy. Doing this long-term on a regular basis will help keep Cortisol
levels in balance.

Try Yoga
A study by Thomas Jefferson Medical College and the Yoga Research Society measured Cortisol levels of participants before and after a yoga class. They found that doing yoga, even for the first time, can normalise Cortisol levels that are either too high or too low. The exact reasons are unclear, but it's thought yoga's deep breathing can deactivate the body's stress response.

Leptin and ghrelin
Together, these are the 'hunger hormones' that regulate appetite - ghrelin tells the brain you're hungry and is mainly released from cells in the stomach, while leptin, produced in fat cells, sends a signal to the brain when you're full. If they're out of sync, you may not recognise when you're satiated, leading to overeating and weight gain.

Evidence suggests low blood glucose levels cause a surge of ghrelin, so eating healthily and regularly is the best way to keep hunger hormones working efficiently. Go to bed early; when you don't get enough sleep, it drives leptin levels down, which means you don't feel as satisfied after you eat. It also causes ghrelin levels to rise, which means your appetite is stimulated, so you want more food.

Thyroxine
This is the main hormone secreted by the thyroid gland and it plays a major role in regulating your metabolic rate - think of it as a thermostat for your body's internal furnace. An underactive thyroid is fairly common among women over 30 and typical symptoms include tiredness, weight gain, depression and period problems. believe that depression and mood disorders are linked to a serotonin imbalance: when levels are low, we feel down.

Get back in balance
Eat Iodine-rich foods 'Sometimes an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can resolve itself without medication. I have previously written about this; you can read my earlier blog post here: http://yaso-shan.blogspot.com/2011/08/herbal-approaches-for-underactive.html  But you can help support low function by eating iodine-rich seafood, eggs and yoghurt, which the thyroid gland needs to produce the hormone.

Serotonin
This hormone is produced in the gut and, to a lesser extent, the brain. It's known as the 'happy hormone', as researchers believe that depression and mood disorders are linked to a serotonin imbalance: when levels are low, we feel down.

Get back in balance
Eat turkey, bananas and beans We can get serotonin directly from the food we eat, but it can't pass the blood-brain barrier so will not affect brain function. However, tryptophan - an amino acid that is linked to serotonin production - can, so increasing tryptophan levels is the key to raising serotonin. Turkey, bananas, milk, eggs and beans are all good sources.'

Have a Massage
One study carried out on pregnant women suffering from depression, found after four months of receiving regular massage, they had lower levels of Cortisol and higher levels of serotonin.

Oestrogen and progesterone
Secreted by the ovaries, these play a key, but complex role in regulating a woman's menstrual cycle. Each one follows its own pattern, rising and falling at different times of the month. Levels are also affected by events such as pregnancy and menopause. When oestrogen production tails off before menopause, it can lead to side effects - weight gain, headaches, joint pain and heart disease. Women with a progesterone imbalance often complain of irritability, depression and bloating - symptoms of PMS.

Get back in balance - See your GP
They can advise you on the best treatments for your specific life stage. Try Vitex agnus castus (agnus castus) It is claimed that the herb can help to even out your levels of oestrogen, as it has oestrogen-like effects.

Eat Tofu
Those foods containing phytoestrogens can help to replicate the effects that oestrogen has on the body. 'Include organic soy-based products - such as tofu, tempeh and miso - in your diet, as these will help to naturally balance the hormones.

Monsanto loses right to patent seeds

Opponents of genetically modified crops received a boost when the Delhi High Court upheld the Indian Patent Act, which states that seeds and life forms cannot be patented, and the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 (PPV&FR Act), which biotechnology multinationals have tried to undermine, and ruled that key plant genetic material cannot be patented. This ruling is a significant which forbids Monsanto from stopping supplies to seed companies is a boost to domestic seed companies, and will curb the ability of multinationals to establish a seed monopoly. The court was deciding a dispute between Monsanto and Indian seed companies over interpretation of law, especially Section 3(j) of the Indian Patent Act and applicability of PPV&FR Act for transgenic plants.


The courts ruled that Monsanto Technologies LLC does not have the patent for Bt Cotton seed varieties ‘Bollgard’ and ‘Bollgard II’. The Bench permitted Monsanto three months to register the seed varieties under the Plant Varieties Act (PV Act), which would entitle them to trait fee (royalty) as fixed by the Government, give it control over plant reproductive materials, but not the key genetic material, which would be available to the public for further research and development.

The ruling is a boost to domestic seed companies that used Monsanto’s gene to prepare Bt Cotton seeds for farmers, and will seriously curb the ability of multinationals to establish a seed monopoly in India, which is the goal of the GM industry. This could downsize the market for genetically modified seeds in India (in any life form) and pave the way for more environmentally sustainable agriculture.

Bt Cotton was pushed into India by the backdoor, which emboldened the MNCs to try to create monopolies in GM food crops, viz, Bt Brinjal (scuttled by then Environment Minister) and GM Mustard. Illegal trials of many GM food crops have been exposed in many places. The ruling vindicates efforts to protect farmers’ rights and India’s food security. The Competition Commission of India has been urged to take note of the judgement, complete its investigations into the company and ensure full refund of Rs 7,000 crore extracted as excess royalty from eight million farmers since 2002.

The judgement is especially rewarding in view of covert attempts by officials of the Union Ministry of Agriculture to help the company during hearings last year. It is also realised that whilst the Government of India stands aloof from the dispute between two private parties, the court should be apprised of the views of the Union Government, in writing, as its judgement could impact multiple litigations regarding seed patents and transgenic traits, in which the Centre is involved. A ruling delivered without knowledge of the Centre’s views could adversely affect the Indian farmer and consumer.

There is some concern that the law laid down in this case could be extended to other crops like rice, wheat, soyabean, groundnut among others and even animals like chicken, pig, sheep, goat, wherever a transgenic trait is introduced. Briefly, Monsanto’s patent from the Indian Patent Office (No. 214436) included the ‘nucleic acid sequence’ and process to insert the same in plant cells, and covered 27 claims. Monsanto claimed its invention comprised of identi??cation of desired gene (Cry2Ab) from the DNA of Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) bacteria, which is found naturally in soil; making (synthesising) nucleic acid sequence by copying the Cry2Ab for insertion into a plant cell; and the method of inserting the said nucleic acid sequence into a plant cell. Monsanto claimed its patent is a biotech invention containing infusion of Bt gene into the cotton genome, and eradicating pests afflicting the cotton plant. It sold 50 Bt Cotton ‘Donor’ seeds to the Indian company Nuziveedu and its subsidiaries under licensing agreements in 2004 and 2015, which the companies used in their breeding programme to inherit the Bt cotton trait to their proprietary cotton plant varieties. Monsanto never licensed any ‘technology’.

It was argued that the Bt Trait cannot be sold directly to farmers, but has to be transferred into superior cotton hybrids through traditional plant breeding methods so that the seeds have the agronomic traits required for production of cotton. Moreover, “plants” are excluded from patentability by Article 27(3)(b) of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.

Registration of a plant or transgenic variety under Section 28 of the PV Act confers certain exclusive rights to the breeder; Section 30 allows researchers to use any registered variety for developing new
varieties; while Section 39 gives farmers the right to save, sow, re-sow, exchange, share and sell farm-saved seeds of any protected variety, including transgenic variety.

The ruling forbids Monsanto from stopping supplies to seed companies and holding farmers hostage. Monsanto will have to abide by Indian laws to operate in India. Reluctance will help revive the native seed industry which has been undermined by the agri-MNCs and their links with public-funded agricultural institutions that never bothered to assess the impact of GM seeds on soil, animal and human health.

Benefits of Maca Powder - a new superfood?

Despite being revered for its medicinal properties for thousands of years, maca root is one of the newest remedies to take centre stage in the natural health community, and its newfound superfood status is well deserved. Researchers are continually turning up new health benefits associated with this powerful root vegetable.

What is maca? 
Known by its scientifi name, Lepidium meyenii, maca is a type of cruciferous vegetable native to the Andes of Peru. Maca has a similar appearance and size as radishes or turnips with green tops
and roots that range in color from yellow to purple and black.
The pleasant-tasting root is usually available in powder form after being harvested and grounded down. Not only is it a natural source of healing nutrition, but it also has a long history of being a safe superfood that has been consumed for its health benefits for thousands of years in regions of the Andes Mountains.

It’s also considered an “adaptogen,” a name given to certain herbs,
plants and natural substances that help the body naturally adapt to
stressors like a busy schedule, demanding job or illness. Not only that, but maca provides a host of important micronutrients and
is jam-packed with antioxidants, and it has been shown to improve
sexual health, balance hormone levels, and improve energy, mood and memory.

Maca Root Benefits
1. Rich in Antioxidants
2. Enhances Energy, Mood and Memory
3. Improves Female Sexual Health
4. Balances Estrogen Levels
5. Boosts Male Fertility

1. Rich in Antioxidants
Maca root acts as a natural antioxidant, boosting levels of antioxidants like glutathione and superoxide dismutase in the body. Antioxidants help neutralise harmful free radicals, fighting off chronic disease and preventing damage to cells. One test-tube study in 2014 demonstrated that polysaccharides extracted from maca had high antioxidant activity and were effective in fighting free radical damage. 

An animal study in the Czech Republic even found that  administering a concentrated dose of maca to rats not only improved their antioxidant status, but also significantly decreased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the liver and reduced blood sugar, helping prevent the development of chronic disease. Meanwhile, another test-tube study showed that the antioxidant content of maca leaf extract could even protect against neurological damage.

Improving your antioxidant status may be beneficial for preventing
conditions like heart disease, cancer and diabetes by preventing
oxidative stress and cell damage. However, despite these promising results, more studies are needed to understand how the antioxidants in maca root may affect humans.


2. Enhances Energy, Mood and Memory
Those who regularly use maca powder report that it makes them feelmore awake, energized and driven, often relatively quickly after
beginning to use it. Plus, maca can help increase energy without giving you the “jitters” or a sense of shakiness like high level of caffeine can.Clinical trials have shown that maca may positively impact energy and stamina. Maintaining positive energy levels can also help improve mood,and some early studies have even found that maca may reduce symptoms of depression.

It remains unclear exactly how maca increases energy levels, but it’sbelieved to help prevent spikes and crashes in blood sugar andmaintain adrenal health, which regulates mood and energy throughout the day. Keeping energy levels up may also help prevent weight gain as well.

Add caption

Several studies have also found that maca root benefits memory and focus. In fact, two animal studies in 2011 found that black maca was able to improve memory impairment in mice, likely thanks to its high antioxidant content.

3. Improves Female Sexual Health
Multiple studies have confirmed that maca benefits female sexual
health through several different mechanisms. Maca root may be able to improve sexual dysfunction and boost sex drive in women. One study looked at the effects of maca root on postmenopausal
women with sexual dysfunction caused by the use of antidepressants. Compared to a placebo, maca root was able to
significantly improve sexual function. Another study had similar
findings, reporting that maca was well-tolerated and able to improve libido and sexual function. 

A study in 2008 also found that maca root benefits both psychological symptoms and sexual function in post-menopausal women. In fact, maca was able to reduce menopause-associated depression and anxiety after six weeks of treatment. Maca is also able to balance female sex hormones and has even been shown to alleviate symptoms of menopause. Balancing hormone levels is crucial to many aspects of reproductive health and can help reduce symptoms like infertility, weight gain and bloating.


4. Balances Oestrogen Levels

Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone responsible for regulating the reproductive system. An imbalance in this vital hormone can cause a slew of symptoms ranging from bloating to irregular menstrual periods and mood swings. Oestrogen levels that are too high or low can also make it difficult for a woman to ovulate and become pregnant. Maca root can help balance hormone levels and control the amount of oestrogen in the body. One study published in the International Journal of Biomedical Science gave 34 early post-menopausal women a tablet containing either maca or a placebo twice daily for four months. Not only did maca help balance hormone levels, but it also relieved symptoms of menopause, such as night sweats and hot flushes, and
even increased bone density.


5. Boosts Male Fertility
So what about maca root for men? Studies show that maca powder
benefits male sexual health and fertility as well. One study out of Peru found that supplementing with maca for eight weeks increased sexual desire in men. (12) Meanwhile, another study in 2001 found that maca helped improve sperm quality and motility, two important factors when it comes to male infertility.

Maca may also benefit sexual dysfunction as well. A 2010 review
summarised the results of four clinical trials evaluating the effects of maca on libido and reported that two of the studies showed an
improvement in sexual dysfunction and sexual desire in both men and women. However, the other two trials did not find a positive result, sofurther research is still needed.

CBD Oil in the UK

The issues surrounding medical marijuana and the legalisation of CBD in the United States are pretty well known. This is not the case in the United Kingdom so you may be surprised to learn that CBD oil sold in the UK is legal, with caveats. In this CBD, we outline what CBD is, how it can help you, its exact legal status in the UK, the types of products available and the most reputable companies.

CBD Basics
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over 100 identified compounds (called cannabinoids) in the cannabis plant. It is probably the second best known (behind tetrahydrocannabinol or THC), but it is the most abundant compound. Unlike THC which is known to get you ‘high,’ CBD is non-psychoactive which means it is even safe for kids to consume it.

Cannabinoids are agonists and bind directly to the cannabinoid receptors on your cells. These receptors are found all over the body, especially on the skin, digestive tract and also in your reproductive organs. When you consume cannabis, you are ingesting agonists that interact with different cannabinoid receptors in the body. These receptors are part of the larger endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is an enormous network of cell receptor proteins with various functions. Your ECS is involved in mood, immune function, motor control, memory, sleep, appetite, pain perception, bone development and much more. The ECS also has four primary functions: energy balance, immune balance, stress recovery and neuroprotection. CBD interacts with the balancing system to provide users with medicinal benefits.

The CBD molecule has a similar composition to chemicals created naturally by the body known as endocannabinoids. Rather than getting bogged down by scientific details about why CBD works, let’s check out a few benefits.

CBD Oil Benefits

The rising demand for high-THC cannabis strains meant that CBD took a back seat for far too long. Legal issues surrounding THC finally ensured the development of the CBD market. Over in the United States, the case of Charlotte Figi brought CBD into the international spotlight.

Charlotte suffers from Dravet’s Syndrome, a rare condition which caused the unfortunate girl to have hundreds of seizures a week. After taking a cannabis strain with a high CBD content and practically no THC, her seizures were reduced to a couple per month. Soon, medical research found that CBD was not only useful for kids with epilepsy, but it also had a variety of uses. You can take CBD if you suffer from any of the following:

• Diabetes
• Chronic pain
• An anxiety disorder
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Depression
• Motor disorders
• Cancer
• Psychotic disorders

There has been a variety of medical studies which show that CBD is capable of helping patients with each of the above conditions. While it is not necessarily a ‘cure,’ CBD can significantly improve your mood and ease painful symptoms with no side effects. Crucially, an increasing number of patients are dumping their addictive prescription medication in favour of cannabidiol. However, what is its current legal status of CBD oil in the UK?

CBD in UK Laws
On October 13, 2016, the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) decided to classify CBD as a medicinal ingredient. It confirmed and updated the decision on December 30, 2016. This is a significant change to the law in the UK as it means CBD is not just a ‘food supplement’ like it is in the United States.

According to the director of inspection and enforcement at the MHRA, the organisation decided that CBD was medicine. It came to that conclusion based on evidence that people are using the product in the belief it will help their medical condition.

It is a decision designed to improve the standard of CBD on the market which is potentially great news for consumers. Previously, people were forced to purchase their CBD on an unregulated and potentially dangerous market. Now, manufacturers have to prove that their CBD products meet a set level of quality, safety and effectiveness standards. However, there is some concern that the MHRA’s set of criteria is too strict which may lead to a shortage of CBD.

The decision is bad news for smaller suppliers because if manufacturers require a license to sell or else they have register CBD products as traditional herbal remedies, they will pay a small fortune. The application costs over £100,000!

It is important to note that cannabis is still illegal as it is not considered to have therapeutic value. As a result, you can be arrested and charged with possession. We hope this landmark decision is the beginning of a drive to legalise marijuana in the UK (at least for medicinal purposes), but we have to admit, such a ruling is a long way away if it ever happens at all.

Types of CBD Products Sold in the UK

CBD Hemp Oil
CBD oil is the most popular product sold in the UK. It is available in different strengths and comes in the form of oil that has been extracted from the cannabis plant via supercritical CO2 extraction. The best brands sell full spectrum CBD oil which means you benefit from a host of terpenes and legal cannabinoids. To consume, simply place a few drops beneath your tongue, hold it for a few seconds and swallow.

Alternatively, you could create an e-liquid from it and vape in the same way as you normally would with an e-cigarette.

CBD Capsules
If you don’t like the taste of oil, you can get your fill of CBD in capsule form. Simply swallow with water and reap the rewards of this amazing medicinal product.

CBD Edibles
If you have a sweet tooth, why not try a CBD edible? You can purchase gummy bears, taffy, and mints filled with premium quality CBD.

CBD Lotion & Balms
If you suffer from joint pain or chronic pain in a specific part of the body, a lotion made with CBD can provide therapeutic relief. It takes a little longer to work than oil but its effects last longer.

Where to Buy CBD Oil in the UK
Although the MHRA ruling should improve the standard of CBD sold in the UK, it is best to focus on reputable companies with an established reputation in the marketplace. Elixinol is a world-renowned CBD seller, and its oil has been featured in publications such as CNN, National Geographic, Newsweek, and CBS to name but four.

The company was founded by Paul Benhaim who has been involved in the industry since 1991. As well as selling CBD oil in the UK, Elixinol also offers hemp oil liposomes, Respira hemp oil, and balm.


Then there is Purekana. While PureKana does not have a British presence, it does ship internationally and sells one of the best forms of CBD oil in the world. It is a relatively new company but has already gained brand recognition around the globe. It specialises in CBD oil but also offers CBD gummies, capsules and ointment.

Final Thoughts on CBD Oil UK
The UK CBD market is far from saturated, but you must still perform due diligence when purchasing CBD oil or any other product. CBD is capable of reducing the painful symptoms of a wide range of illnesses and is a natural alternative to prescription drugs.

The MHRA ruling should improve the quality of CBD oil sold in the UK, but it has also led to an air of uncertainty. Will all sellers need a specific license? Will they be prosecuted for selling without such a license? There are numerous unanswered questions, but we hope things are made clear soon.

Reference: https://www.marijuanabreak.com/cbd-oil-in-the-uk 

Matcha Tea

Matcha is a finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves. It is special in two aspects of farming and processing: the green tea plants for matcha are shade-grown for about three weeks before harvest and the stems and veins are removed in processing. During shaded growth, the plant Camellia sinensis produces more theanine and caffeine.

The powdered form of matcha is consumed differently from tea leaves or tea bags, and is dissolved in a liquid, typically water or milk. The traditional Japanese tea ceremony centres on the preparation, serving, and drinking of matcha as hot tea and embodies a meditative spiritual style. In modern times, matcha also has come to be used to flavor and dye foods such as mochi and soba noodles, green tea ice cream, matcha lattes, and a variety of Japanese wagashi confectionery. Often, the former is referred to as ceremonial-grade matcha, meaning that the matcha powder is good enough for tea ceremony. The latter is referred to as culinary-grade matcha, but there is no standard industry definition or requirements for either.

Blends of matcha are given poetic names known as chamei ("tea names") either by the producing plantation, shop, or creator of the blend, or, by the grand master of a particular tea tradition. When a blend is named by the grand master of a tea ceremony lineage, it becomes known as the master's konomi, or a Butcher block of Leaf.

In China during the Tang Dynasty (618–907), tea leaves were steamed and formed into tea bricks for storage and trade. The tea was prepared by roasting and pulverizing the tea, and decocting the resulting tea powder in hot water, then adding salt.[2] During the Song Dynasty (960–1279), the method of making powdered tea from steam-prepared dried tea leaves, and preparing the beverage by whipping the tea powder and hot water together in a bowl became popular.


Preparation and consumption of powdered tea was formed into a ritual by Chan or Zen Buddhists. The earliest extant Chan monastic code, entitled Chanyuan Qinggui (Rules of Purity for the Chan Monastery, 1103), describes in detail the etiquette for tea ceremonies.

Zen Buddhism and the Chinese methods of preparing powdered tea were brought to Japan in 1191 by the monk Eisai. Although powdered tea has not been popular in China for some time, now there is a global resurgence in Matcha tea consumption, including in China. In Japan it continued to be an important item at Zen monasteries, and became highly appreciated by others in the upper echelons of society during the fourteenth through sixteenth centuries.

Matcha is made from shade-grown tea leaves that also are used to make gyokuro. The preparation of matcha starts several weeks before harvest and may last up to 20 days, when the tea bushes are covered to prevent direct sunlight.

This slows down growth, stimulates an increase in chlorophyll levels, turns the leaves a darker shade of green, and causes the production of amino acids, in particular theanine. Only the finest tea buds are hand-picked. After harvesting, if the leaves are rolled up before drying as in the production of sencha, the result will be gyokuro (jade dew) tea. If the leaves are laid out flat to dry, however, they will crumble somewhat and become known as tencha (??). Then, tencha may be de-veined, de-stemmed, and stone-ground to the fine, bright green, talc-like powder known as matcha.


Grinding the leaves is a slow process, because the mill stones must not get too warm, lest the aroma of the leaves is altered. It may take up to one hour to grind 30 grams of matcha. The flavour of matcha is dominated by its amino acids. The highest grades of matcha have more intense sweetness and deeper flavour than the standard or coarser grades of tea harvested later in the year.

So what's all the buzz about matcha tea and why is it gaining such popularity? 

Matcha Green Tea has a sweet, grassy taste that makes a delightful cup and is best when mixed with milk or soy milk for an instant green tea beverage. It can also be used as an ingredient in recipes for matcha lattes, smoothies, shakes, ice cream, baking, etc. It consists of crushed up tea leaves that end up in powdered form, so it is not steeped in water like traditional tea. However, that is not the primary reason why it is different. 

Matcha Green Tea production starts about 20-30 days before harvest, when the tea bushes are covered or placed in shade. To compensate for the dark growing conditions, the plant produces increased levels of chlorophyll and amino acids. 

Increased levels may just be an understatement, because some studies have shown that Matcha produces over 20 times more anti-oxidants of regular loose green tea, and surpasses other super foods known for their anti-oxidant properties. 

 Here’s a quick comparison for an idea of the Matcha Green Tea anti-oxidant levels: 

• 6.2 times that of goji berries
• 7 times that of dark chocolate
• 17 times that of wild blueberries
• 24 times that of acai berries
• 60.5 times that of spinach 

You can read how tea is made and the differences in the various teas including green tea: http://yaso-shan.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/a-nice-cup-of-tea.html 
In addition, some tests have shown that it has cancer preventing properties, anti-ageing properties, lowers LDL cholesterol, aids in weight loss, and increases energy. There are several different grades of Matcha, from an affordable grade for every day drinking, to rare and expensive ceremonial grades. 

The Japanese have been drinking it for centuries and have a ceremony that centers on the preparation, serving, and drinking matcha. Even some westerners have found the preparation ceremony relaxing and enjoyable. Preparation does not have to be elaborate however, it can be as simple as adding a few drops of hot water to the matcha powder to create a paste, then add more water to the mixture and stir. 



Grades Of Matcha
Location on the tea bush

Where leaves destined for tencha are picked on the tea bush (Camellia sinensis) is vital. The very top should have developing leaves that are soft and supple. This gives a finer texture to higher grades of matcha. More-developed leaves are harder, giving lower grades a sandy texture. The better flavour is a result of the plant sending the majority of its nutrients to the growing leaves.

Traditionally, sencha leaves are dried outside in the shade and never areexposed to direct sunlight, however, now drying mostly has moved indoors. Quality matcha is vibrantly green also as a result of this treatment.

Without the correct equipment and technique, matcha can become "burnt" and suffer degraded quality. Typically in Japan matcha is stone-ground to a fine powder through the use of specially designed granite stone mills.

Oxidation is also a factor in determining grade. Matcha exposed to oxygen may easily become compromised. Oxidized matcha has a distinctive hay-like smell and a dull brownish-green colour.

Natural vs Synthetic HRT

If you’ve talked to your doctor about menopause, it’s quite likely you’ve been offered HRT: hormone replacement therapy. This medication provides synthetic versions of the hormones which naturally decline during menopause, usually given in a combined form with oestrogen and progesterone. It’s natural to want to find a solution to the symptoms you’re experiencing, and many in the medical profession see HRT as a solution for all symptoms of menopause. However, HRT does have its pros and cons, and there are natural alternatives to consider.

The pros and cons of HRT
Some women swear by HRT and have found great comfort in relief from their symptoms of night sweats, insomnia, continual hot flushes and vaginal dryness. Unfortunately, when you stop taking HRT, you’ll go through menopause again as your hormones decline.

HRT may also be prescribed if your doctor believes you are at risk of osteoporosis, due to the effects of oestrogen on supporting bone turnover. However, HRT has been shown to increase your risk of ovarian and breast cancer, with a review in the Lancet in 2015 showing that even short term use of HRT could increase ovarian cancer risk by up to 43%.

Natural Alternatives to HRT
Vitamin E: Around 75% of menopausal women experience hot flushes, and research has shown a significant reduction in their severity and frequency from taking 400IU of vitamin E per day. The same dose of vitamin E has also been shown to help reduce vaginal dryness. Good food sources include avocados, seed oils, nuts, leafy green vegetables, whole grains and wheat germ. If you opt for a vitamin E supplement, look for one that contains d-alpha-tocopherol, as this is better absorbed.


Omega 3 essential fatty acids: The signs of omega 3 deficiency are similar to many symptoms experienced during menopause: dry skin, fatigue, depression, and aching joints. Omega 3 essential fats also support hormone balance, and have a lubricating effect in the body, so may help with vaginal dryness, and have been linked to a reduction in risk of breast cancer. Good food sources include oily fish (salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, seafood and fresh tuna), nuts, seeds and green leafy vegetables.

If you don’t like fish, it’s worth supplementing fish oil daily. Look for one with at least 200mg of EPA per daily dose. For vegetarians, include flax and chia seeds in your daily diet, and look for a vegetarian omega 3 supplement.

Black cohosh: This medicinal herb has been used for centuries to support menopausal women, and may help with hot flushes, depression, night sweats and vaginal dryness. Research has shown an improvement in symptoms in up to 80% of women using black cohosh within six to eight weeks.

There’s been a lot of controversy over this herb, with some calling into question the safety of black cohosh on breast tissue. However, most recent research suggests that black cohosh is a selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM), which means that it stimulates only certain oestrogen receptors in the body: namely, the bones and the brain, and not womb or breast tissue. The best way to take black cohosh is as a supplement, and some menopause supporting supplements contain this herb. Or you could visit your local medical herbalist who can make you a bespoke tincture containing black cohosh.

Phytoestrogenic foods: Foods rich in phytoestrogens may help to moderate symptoms of menopause due their effect on oestrogen receptors on the cell membrane. In cases where oestrogen levels are low, they lock into receptors and stimulate a mild oestrogenic effect. Where there is an oestrogen excess, the phytoestrogens block cell receptors. Foods rich in phytoestrogens include soya foods such as miso, tempeh and tofu, lentils, linseeds, mungbeans, garlic, fennel, parsley and celery.

Milk thistle: The active ingredient in milk thistle is a bioflavonoid called silymarin, which can help to support hormonal balance through its protective action on the liver. Any excess hormones we have in our body are detoxified and excreted via the liver and gut, which makes milk thistle an excellent herb to help support hormonal balance, and to help protect ourselves against hormone related female cancers.

Vitamin D: Many women are prescribed HRT as a prevention for osteoporosis, particularly if they have gone through an early menopause or have had a full hysterectomy. However, supporting bone density doesn’t rely on just having the right hormones present. There are key nutrients as well, and vitamin D is one of them. Calcium absorption depends on vitamin D, and it’s made through the action of sunlight on the skin. Our ability to absorb it decreases with age, and given the food sources are limited, it’s important to supplement. So alongside sensible sun exposure when the sun is out, supplement around 1000 – 2000 iu per day (25mcg to 50 mcg), of the D3 form, which is better absorbed.

B vitamins: If you’re experiencing stress, panic attacks, anxiety or depression, then B vitamins can be very supportive. Known as the ‘stress nutrients’, B vitamins help to support your nervous system, the production of your feel good neurotransmitter serotonin, and help your adrenal glands to manage stress. As the B vitamins work in harmony, it’s best to choose a B complex that provides a range of B vitamins from B1 to B6, plus B12 and folic acid. Food sources of B vitamins include green leafy vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, dairy and fortified foods.

But how safe is HRT?
Going through the menopause is a natural part of life for most woman and symptoms range in severity from almost none (for the lucky few) to raging hot flushes, pelvic problems, emotional flare-ups and sleepless nights. So how safe and helpful is hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and should we all be taking replacing our hormones to improve our menopausal wellbeing?

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
The concept of replacing lost or declining hormones has been around since the late 1800s, but HRT has come on a long way since its original use of bovine ovarian tissue (extracted from cows) and pregnant horse’s urine (popular in America). Today, the vast majority of the commonly prescribed UK and European HRT formulations are plant-derived and come from the oestrogen-rich yam plant. These hormones include oestrogen and progesterone (to boost naturally declining supplies) and occasionally testosterone too (yes, women do produce testosterone and this decreases in later life, alongside oestrogen and progesterone). Not only can replacing these lost hormones improve a range of menopausal symptoms, but HRT has also been shown to lower the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. It’s the most effective, clinically proven treatment there is for relieving symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, joint pains, mood swings and urinary incontinence, and for the vast majority of those under 60 years old, overall the benefits of HRT would definitely seem to outweigh the risks.

Should I be taking Hormone Replacement Therapy?
The elephant in the room during the menopause is often ‘should I take HRT to help my menopausal symptoms?’. Most symptoms of the menopause are due to fluctuating (and then low, or no) levels of the hormone oestrogen. All types of HRT contain an oestrogen hormone and this is what replaces the body’s natural supplies. Other hormones that may be taken as part of HRT are testosterone and progesterone (in the form of progestogen). The doses and types of hormones very much vary according to your own personal medical history, symptoms and need, so it’s important to discuss your symptoms in detail with your GP and, if necessary, get a second opinion from a doctor who specialises in this area. The good news is that even low levels of HRT taken temporarily can be of significant benefit and may dramatically improve your day-to-day well-being.

What's best for me?
It’s easy to feel confused about the different types of HRT, as well as about the benefits and risks of taking it, so it’s very important that your own individual health is taken into consideration by your doctor here. HRT brings many benefits, including the treatment of vaginal dryness (which can lead to urinary tract infections), depression and loss of libido. Other positives are HRT’s ability to increase bone density and the protection of discs in the spine.

Ways of taking Hormone Replacement Therapy
HRT is taken as tablets, skin patches or gel – or as a combination of these. As the hormones in skin patches and gels are absorbed through the skin, they’re sometimes a better option to pills that are processed via the liver. As the skin is so protective, it’s hard for substances to get through, but HRT skin patches and gels are made in a different way from everyday skincare. The patches work by forming an occlusive sticking plaster-like barrier over the skin, keeping the hormone loaded onto the patch and in direct contact with the skin 24/7. The gels are normally made with the emulsifier triethanolamine, an ingredient unusually compatible with both oils and water, making it more easily absorbed into the body through the skin. One or two pumps of oestrogen-rich gel are usually applied each night. Tablets are relatively straightforward to take and it’s often handier to take the progestogen tablets, such as Utrogestan, last thing at night as they can make you feel slightly sleepy (a helpful side-effect at bedtime!). Your doctor may also suggest having a Mirena coil (IUD) fitted to release small amounts of progesterone internally. This is especially convenient as it stays in place for several years without a further thought.

References

1. https://lizearlewellbeing.com/how-safe-and-helpful-is-hormone-replacement-therapy/
2. https://www.healthspan.co.uk/advice/7-natural-hrt-alternatives 

Plastics Pollution - the scourge of human existence

Are biologically based plastics a realistic replacement for petrochemical plastics?

As the world wakes up to the environmental scourge of plastic waste and the EU launches its first ever Plastics Strategy, we ask whether there is a role for biologically based plastics in packaging?

For more than 50 years, global production and consumption of plastics have continued to rise. An estimated 299 million tons of plastics were produced in 2013, representing a 4 percent increase over 2012, and confirming and upward trend over the past years.(See: Worldwatch Institute – January 2015). In 2008, our global plastic consumption worldwide has been estimated at 260 million tons, and, according to a 2012 report by Global Industry Analysts, plastic consumption is to reach 297.5 million tons by the end of 2015.

Plastic is versatile, lightweight, flexible, moisture resistant, strong, and relatively inexpensive. Those are the attractive qualities that lead us, around the world, to such a voracious appetite and over-consumption of plastic goods. However, durable and very slow to degrade, plastic materials that are used in the production of so many products all, ultimately, become waste with staying power. Our tremendous attraction to plastic, coupled with an undeniable behavioural propensity of increasingly over-consuming, discarding, littering and thus polluting, has become a combination of lethal nature.

Pollution with plastic waste is not confined to the oceans but poses a growing threat to lakes as well.That is the view of researchers who found significant concentrations of the substance in Italy’s Lake Garda. They say the levels are similar to those found in samples taken from marine beach sediments. They are concerned that these tiny plastic particles are accumulating in freshwater species and are “likely” to get into the food chain. The research is published in the journal, Current Biology.

The problem of large amounts of plastic polluting the world’s oceans has been well documented in recent years. As well as bigger pieces that can choke sea creatures when ingested, there is an equally serious issue with very small fragments called micro-plastics. But research on the problems caused by plastic in lakes has been lacking.

As environmental campaigners highlight the ecological damage caused to fish and birds (and ultimately humans through the food chain) by plastics made from petrochemicals, countries – including Ireland – are rushing to ban microbeads in cosmetics, single-use plastics such as drinking straws, plastic cutlery, plastic-lined coffee cups. There is also a push for deposit refund schemes for recyclable plastic bottles.

I have previously written about microbeads; you can read it here: http://centella-skincare.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/the-uk-government-now-fully-backs-legal.html

But as campaigns to limit single-use plastics grab the headlines, there are high volumes of other plastics in everyday use which remain difficult to recycle or once recycled into something useful like a park bench, remain on this planet forever and a day. So why are we not hearing more about the potential for bioplastics to replace petrochemical plastics? Well, it’s complex. The idea of bioplastics has been around since the 1920s and some have been commercially produced since the 1970s. The difficulty to date is that plastics made from renewable plant-based materials such as starch cost more to produce than oil based plastics in a market driven by a low tech, high volume commodity produced cheaply.

Prof Kevin O’Connor is the director of the Science Foundation Ireland funded Beacon Research Centre at UCD. There, researchers are studying the potential for waste products from marine and food processing industry to be used as feedstocks for bio-based and biodegradable polymers (the chemical structure of plastics). Prof O’Connor believes the potential is huge for bio-based plastics even if they currently represent less than one per cent of the entire global production of plastics. “There are multiple companies producing both bio-based [derived from renewable sources but not necessarily bio-degradable] and bio-based biodegradable plastics [derived from renewable sources and bio-degradable] in the last five years and Ireland has potential to use by-products from the food industry to
make both bio-based and biodegradable plastics.”

He brushes aside any controversy that bio-based plastics could  compete for land used for food production. “If you were to look at the land required to satisfy all the demand for plastic, it would only use 10 per cent of agricultural land and if you consider  the potential to use sidestream or by-products from the food industry, this issue doesn't arise,” says Prof O'Connor.

Niche markets already exist for bio-based and biodegradable  plastics from food and healthcare manufacturers keen to have green credentials. Larger companies such as Ikea and Lego are also  showing interest. For instance, a foam made out of 100 per cent starch is already available for use as an alternative to polystyrene and in 2017, Ikea said it is considering using a fungus based biodegradable packaging instead of polystyrene to package its furniture. The packaging is produced by growing mycelium, the branched roots system of fungi, around clean agricultural waste such as corn stalks or husk an then dried. It has been found to biodegrade in gardens within weeks.

One pan-European project developing a bio-based biodegradable plastic has already caught the attention of Bodyshop. This project, Seabioplas, used sustainably cultivated seaweeds as feedstocks for biodegradable bioplastics from fish farms in Ireland and Portugal. Julie Maguire, a research biologist at the Bantry Marine Research Station in County Cork was part of the two-year study and remains involved in the market development of the bio-based, biodegradable plastic. “We made a few different types of plastic including a poly-lactic-acid (PLA) polymer from kelp. This PLA is a raw material for 3D printing machines. Growing seaweed around fish farms also absorbs carbon which prevents the eutrophication of
waste waters and the left over proteins and lipids were trialled as an additive to animal feed,” explains Maguire. 

The industrial partners of the Seabioplas study are talking to plastic manufacturers about the possible industrial scale development of this bio-based, biodegradable plastic. Companies such as Coca-Cola have already developed bio-based bottles to replace their petrochemical bottles. The latest Coca-Cola “plantbottle” was launched at the World Expo in Milan in 2015. Using patented technologies that converts natural plant sugars into ingredients for making polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, it is derived from 100 renewable sources compared to a 2009 version that used 30 per cent plant-based materials. 

The key point here is that these bio-based plastic bottles can be recycled alongside petrochemical plastics – without the harmful hazing that occurs in recycling facilities when biodegradable bottles are mixed in with recyclable plastics. In Ireland, the UCD spin-out company, Bioplastech, founded in 2009 by Prof Kevin O’Connor with Dr Ramesh Babu from Trinity College Dublin and Italian entrepreneur Enrico Altieri, is currently working with industry on prototypes for biodegradable adhesives for use in packaging.

Meanwhile, the Newtrients project, co-ordinated by the Environmental Research Institute at University College Cork
(UCC) is looking at the potential to make a bio-based biodegradable polymer from dairy waste water. “Dairy processors
are under regulatory pressure to carry out costly wastewater treatments to remove high levels of organic and inorganic
constituents from carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous sources,” explains UCC microbiologist Niall O’Leary. “This project can capture and repackage inorganic and organic components in the wastewater to make a biodegradable polymer from bacteria and a high protein plant (duckweed) for use as an animal feed.” Having made the polymer in the laboratory, a pilot project in an industrial setting is imminent.

"The benefit of this process is that it uses a low-cost feedstock to get a low tech, high volume polymer which improves sustainability and competitiveness in the system because it uses up the waste water and provides an animal feed in the process,” says O’Leary. “The difficulty is that any sudden expansion in the production of bio-based biodegradable plastics would require careful consideration of the anticipated waste management route as the new EU Plastics Strategy cautions about their leakage into mechanical recycling plants,” adds O’Leary.

And while the first ever EU strategy on plastic released in January 2018 gives scant mention to bioplastics, an EU meeting with the National Science Foundation of China in 2017 promises Horizons 2020 funding of €5 million for a multi-partner project on the enhanced biodegradation of mixed plastic waste.

More than 300 million tonnes of plastics are produced every year, less than 1 per cent of which are bio-based plastics. One third of plastics produced are used for disposable plastics. Global plastics production consumes 8 per cent of the world oil and gas outputs.
As some consumers turn against petrochemical plastics because of plastic debris, the Berlin-based European Bioplastics Association predicts the use of bio-plastics made from sugar cane, wood and corn will grow by 50 per cent in the next five years.

However, what many consumers don’t realise is that plastics made from renewable plant sources won’t necessarily solve the problem of plastic debris because over 50 per cent of bio-based plastics currently produced aren’t biodegradable and need to be recycled.
For a bioplastic to be less harmful to the environment, it needs to be both bio-based and biodegradable. Even then, it will often only be biodegradable at industrial composting facilities where temperature and humidity levels are high enough to decompose its constituents. If biodegradable plastic (either from petrochemical sources or plant-based sources) is put into recycling, it becomes a contaminant.

Reference
Thompson, S "Are biologically based plastics a realistic replacement for petrochemical plastics?" Mon, Jan 29, 2018, https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/are-biologically-based-plastics-a-realistic-replacement-for-petrochemical-plastics-1.3372186  accessed 2 February 2018. 

Plastic Pollution Coalition is a growing global alliance of individuals, organizations, businesses, and policymakers working toward a world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on humans, animals, waterways and oceans, and the environment. http://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/