Omega-3 takes the spotlight for September’s science

Higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids may decrease the risk of dementia, improve survival in older people, and protect against the damage from pollution.

Researchers from Norway and France reported the results of their prospective studies in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which showed that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), may benefit mortality rates and cognitive function.

In the Norwegian study, Morten Lindberg from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim and co-workers recruited 254 frail, elderly patients and measured dietary intakes of omega-3 fatty acids using plasma phospholipid concentrations of EPA.

Over the course of three years of follow-up, the researchers found that people with the lowest average plasma phospholipid EPA concentrations were about 40 per cent more likely to die, compared to people with higher levels.

In the French study, Cecilia Samieri from Inserm (U897) in Bordeaux and co-workers followed the 1214 non-demented participants in the Three-City Study from Bordeaux. Over the course of four years, 65 of the participants developed dementia, state the researchers.

Comparing blood levels of EPA, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and total omega-3 levels, the researchers found that only higher blood levels of EPA were associated with a 31 per cent lower incidence of dementia.

A third study published in the same journal reported however that supplementation of older people with high dose omega-3 did not affect mood or well-being.

The third study, led by Ondine van de Rest from Wageningen University, was a 26-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 302 volunteers. The 65-year old subjects were randomly assigned to consume high dose omega-3 (1800 mg/d EPA plus DHA), lower dose omega-3 (400 mg/d EPA plus DHA), or placebo.

While plasma concentrations of the fatty acids did increase according to the omega-3 dose, this was not associated with any significant change in the mental well-being of the volunteers in any of the groups.

Putting the studies into context, William Harris from Sanford Research at the University of South Dakota commented in an accompanying editorial: “Together, these findings suggest that dietary habits that include higher versus lower intakes of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids may bring certain health benefits that short-term supplementation cannot provide.”

Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 88, pages 706-713, 714-721, 722-729.

Protection against smog damage

An international team of researchers reported that fish oil supplements may protect the heart against certain damaging effects of air pollution.

Writing in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, lead author Isabelle Romieu from the Mexican National Institute of Public Health reported that the supplements may counter the detrimental affects to the heart caused by exposure to high levels of particulates from vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions.

The supplements were also found to increase the activity of certain protective antioxidant enzymes in the body, such as copper/zinc (Cu/Zn) superoxide dismutase (SOD), manganese SOD, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Air pollution is reported to inhibit the action of the enzymes.

While the researchers studied the effects of fish oil and soy oil supplements, the greater protective effects were observed following fish oil supplementation, which the researchers said could be due to the different fatty acid profile of the two supplements: fish oil contains EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), while soy oil contains ALA (alpha-linolenic acid).

“This is the first study to evaluate the impact of supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on biomarkers of response to oxidative stimuli related to air pollution exposure among individuals in a non-controlled environment,” wrote Romieu

Source: Environmental Health Perspectives

Propolis

The term "propolis" comes from two Greek words : "pro" which means "before" and "polis" which means "city". This ancient term came into being centuries ago when some early Greek student of Nature established the fact that honeybees use propolis'to narrow the opening into their "cities" or hives, to keep out unwelcomed intruders.

What is Propolis ? Propolis is a sticky resin that seeps from the buds of some trees and oozes from the dark of other trees, chiefly conifers. The bees gather propolis, sometimes called bee glue, and carry it home in their pollen baskets. They blend it with wax flakes secreted from special glands on their abdomens. Propolis is used to slickly line the interior ofbrood cells in preparation for the queen's laying of eggs, a mostimportant procedure. With its antiseptic properties, this propolis lining insures a hospital-clean environment for the rearing of brood. From "Bee Pollen, Royal Jelly, Propolis and Honey "by Rita Elkins, M.A. According to researchers at the Second Leningrad Scientific Conference on the Application of Apiculture ( bee culture ) in Medicine, Bee Propolis is rich in : Vitamin A ( carotene ), Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, biotin, an array of bioflavonoids, albumin, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, silica, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, cobalt, copper. Except for vitamin K, Propolis has all the known vitamins. Of the fourteen minerals required by the body, Propolis contains them all with the exception of sulfur. ( Note : Propolis contains 500 more bioflavonoids ( vitamin P ) than is found in oranges. )

Al-Hijamah: Cupping Therapy

…al-Hijamah is an authentic tradition of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that has been used throughout history…

Introduction

Allah the Most High stated in surah An-Najm:

And he does not speak of his own desire. It is but an inspiration inspired. Taught to him by the firm and powerful¹

and in surah Al-Hashr, The Almighty says,

And whatsoever the messenger brings forth to you, then accept it, and whatever he keeps from you, then abstain from it! And Fear Allah, he is firm in judgement²

From the above translation of the verses, we have established that anything attributed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) which is known to be correct, we must accept it as part of Islam and the Sunnah. The Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him) said “There is not a single disease for which there is not a cure”, and we all know that there is no cure for death. One of the many remedies the Blessed Prophet informed us about was that of Al-Hijamah or Cupping Therapy as it known in the west. There are numerous ahadith concerning Al-Hijamah; many are considered sahih (authentic) whereas the authenticity of some has been questioned by scholars such as shaikh Nasir-ud-Deen Al-Albani and shaikh Abu Bakr Al-Jaza’iri. However, what is accepted unanimously is that Al-Hijamah was practiced by the Prophet (saw) and he encouraged others to do so. It is also documented that he paid the cupper his wages.

So what exactly is Al-Hijamah?

Cupping is an ancient method of treatment that has been used in the treatment and cure of a broad range of conditions throughout the Eastern and Western cultures of the world. Conditions such as blood related disorders; haemophilia and hypertension for example, rheumatic conditions ranging from arthritis, sciatica, back pain and migraines through to psycho-social applications in the treatment of anxiety and general physical and mental well-being. Traditional theories advocate that the primary aim of Cupping is to extract blood that is believed to be harmful from the body which in turn rids the body of potential harm from symptoms leading to a reduction in well-being. To date there are no scientifically approved research trials anywhere in the world which investigated the impact of Cupping at a physiological level, although numerous small scale studies have been done promoting the benefits of Cupping for various diseases. In the West, the first and only published research trial to have explored the impact of Cupping at a functional level was done by a research team at Kings College, London (British Cupping Society). This research looked at the effect of Cupping on Knee Pain, the results of which are available here.

History and origins of Cupping Therapy

Traditionally, Cupping Therapy has been practiced in most cultures in one form or another. In the UK the practice of Cupping Therapy also dates back a long way with one of the leading medical journals ‘The Lancet’ being named after this practice. A lancet is a piece of surgical equipment that was traditionally utilised to release excess blood i.e. venesection and to prick boils. The Arabic name for Cupping Therapy is Al-Hijamah which means to reduce in size i.e. to return the body back to its natural state. The practice of Al-Hijamah has been part of Middle-Eastern cultural practice for thousands of years with citations dating back to the time of Hippocrates (400 BC). Of the Western world, the first to embrace Cupping Therapy were the ancient Egyptians, and the oldest recorded medical textbook, Ebers Papyrus, written in approximately 1550 BC in Egypt mentions cupping (Curtis, 2005). Cupping Therapy can be divided into two broad categories: Dry Cupping and Wet Cupping. Dry Cupping Therapy tends to be practiced more commonly in the Far-East whereas Wet Cupping is favoured in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Indications for Cupping Therapy

Traditionally it has been regarded as an effective treatment for a number of musculo-skeletal conditions as well as a general measure to maintain and promote well-being. Therefore Cupping Therapy is indicated for a broad spectrum of problems ranging from blood disorders, pain relief, inflammatory conditions, mental and physical relaxation, varicose veins and deep tissue massage, improvement in fertility levels to name but a few.

Contra-indications and Precautions to treatment

Cupping Therapy has no major side effects aside from minimal discomfort due to the method of application of skin cuts to the patient. In cases where the patient’s pain threshold is low, a local anaesthetic is usually administered. Also other possible minor side effects that may occur is the feeling of slight light headedness post Cupping Therapy, this is similar to the sensation one feels after having had blood taken from the doctor, as Cupping Therapy encourages blood flow to the cupped region (hyperaemia), one may therefore feel warmer and hotter as a result of vasodilatation (widening of blood vessel) taking place and slight sweating may occur. Again this can be attributed to sound scientific rationale and there is no cause for concern.

Pregnant women or menstruating women, cancer (metastatic) patients and patients with bone fractures or muscle spasms are also believed to be contra-indicated. Also, Cupping Therapy cannot be applied to a site of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis), where there are ulcers, arteries or places where a pulse can be felt (Chirali, 1999,).

Contrary to some claims, Cupping therapy cannot cure all diseases, and the mere fact that the Prophet (saw) utilised this treatment doesn’t promote its value to a universal cure. Indeed the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed there was ‘cure in it’ and we should thus attempt to attain maximum benefit from it, and he never said to ‘cure all illnesses from it’. Therefore it is the responsibility of the practitioner to be medically educated and well versed with the practice of al-Hijamah and the indications/contra-indications a treatment like Hijamah has. Although the practice of al-Hijamah should be advocated and the practice of the great Sunnah re-established, caution needs to be exercised against false attributions to the potential of Cupping Therapy. The Blessed Prophet warned us “He who introduces something new to Islam, which is not of it, will have it rejected’.

Summary

In summary, al-Hijaamah is an authentic tradition of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that has been used throughout history. There is volume of anecdotal literature present however few scientific trials have investigated the effect of Cupping at various levels to the health. Evidence thus far points favourably for the use of Cupping as a treatment tool for a spectrum of medical ailments.

We pray to Allah to give us the ability to apply the knowledge he has given us in the best possible manner and that we continue to seek a better understanding in order to find cures for the illnesses he tests us with.
And the best knowledge is with Allah, the Almighty.
^{___________________________________________________________
Notes:}

1. al-Najm(53):3-5
2. al-Hashr(59):7

Al Hijamah,

one of the place for hijamah

Hijamah is one of Prophet Medicine

Indication and Diseases Responded by Al-Hijamah

The Cupping Method or Hijamah has the function of warming and promoting the flow of energy in the blood thus dispelling cold, dampness, toxic and winds. It is also diminishing swelling and pains.

Cupiing / Hijamah responded very well with the following problems:-

Diseases caused by dampness, such as low back pain, lumbago, scitica, pain in arms and shoulders, pain in the legs, pain in the muscular part of the body, stomacheache, migraine, vomiting, sprains, insomania, etc

The Saying of Prophet Mohammad SAW

Rasullullah saw said, " Jibrail repeated emphasised upon me to resort to cupping to the extent that I feared that cupping al-hijamah will be made compulsary " - Jamul Warsaai P 179

Rasullullah saw praised a person who perform cupping hijamah, saying it removes blood, lighten the back and sharpen the eyesight " Jamul Warsaai p 179.

The above hadith quoted are clearly sated taht Cuppin hijmah was practised by Prophet Rasulullah saw himself and strongly remommended by him.

Ibn Abbas reported Gods messenger as saying " There is a remedy in three thinga: Incision of a cupping glass, a drink of honey or causterization by fire, but I forbid my people to causterize."

Annas reported God's messenger as saying, " The best medical treatment you apply are cupping hijmah and sea costus."

During the battle of Khaibar in 7 A.H. with the jews, a jewish woman prepered some meat which she filled with deadly poison and presented to Rasullaullah saw. Upon tsting the meat, the poison affected Rasullullah saw. Rasulullha saw than used to undergo cupping hijamah in order to relieve him from effect of the poison in his blood - Tarmizi.

Rasullullah saw was once hurt on his leg, hence ( probably due to the clogging of the blood), he underwent cupping hijamah on his leg - Miskat p 389.

From the above stories, it is comfirmed that cupping alhijamah are one of the best method of treating diseases among the Muslim. This therapy was attracted with great attention and applied in large scale by the broad masses of ummat.