Herpes and Shingles
In their lifetimes most human beings will be exposed to a herpesvirus. This family of viruses (Herpesviridae) has been implicated in a wide range of diseases and conditions, including chickenpox, oral or facial herpes, genital herpes, mononucleosis and corneal blindness.
Herpesviruses are distinguished by their ability to lay dormant or “hide” in the human body after primary infection. They then reappear during periods of reactivation. Although there is no effective cure for herpes, many studies showed that herpes reactivation is more common among patients who have compromised immune systems, suggesting that a strong immune system is a good defense against herpes reactivation. To manage herpes, physicians try to reduce number and severity of outbreaks.
Among the most well-known herpesviruses are
- Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1)
- Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2).
- Varicella-zoster virus
Although infection with herpes is primarily associated with oral, facial or genital herpes, the herpes virus can also cause infections in the following ways:
- Herpetic whitlow — Infection of the finger.
- Herpes gladiatorum — Also known as traumatic herpes. Infection anywhere on the chest, ears, face and hands.
- Herpes of the eye — The most common cause of corneal blindness
- Infection of the central or peripheral nervous systems — The herpesvirus accounts for upto 20% of cases of sporadic viral encephalitis (swelling of the brain due to a virus). Herpes can also cause herpetic meningitis.
- Infection of the internal organs — This includes herpes infection of esophagus (HSV esophagitis), the lung (HSV pneumonitis) and the liver.
- Neonatal herpes — Neonates (infants younger than 6 weeks) can contract herpes during birth (if their mothers are infected with the virus) or if they are handled by someone who has oral or facial herpes. Neonates are the most likely to have herpes infections that affect the central nervous system or internal organs. Mortality among neonates with untreated herpes is 65%.
Herpes and the Immune System
It appears that herpes-specific T-cell immunity might be related to reactivation. Animal studies have shown that ultraviolet light, a weakened immune system and trauma all contribute to reactivation of the virus . At this time, there are no drugs or agents that can cause a latent virus to stay hidden forever. The number and frequency of reactivation events depends on the site and on the nutrition and immune status. People who have herpes can benefit from a natural nutritional supplements like Divine Noni that studies suggest that Noni fights the virus directly, as well as support a healthy immune system.
Role of Noni
Nutritional supplements like Noni have shown the ability to reduce severity and even frequency of outbreaks. This might be due to their ability to support a healthy immune system (a weakened immune system is associated with herpes reactivation).
Antioxidants are particularly important immune-boosting supplements. Multiple clinical studies support the theory that antioxidants are of benefit in the management of herpes viruses. Noni has powerful and effective antioxidants as it contains all antioxidant vitamins, all trace minerals and besides that 150 and above phytochemicals. All those make Noni a very strong antioxidant
Vitamin A and beta-carotene in Noni
Vitamin A plays a role in protecting the skin and mucous membranes from invasion of microorganisms. Experimental studies documented vitamin A’s effectiveness against other herpesviruses. The strong antiproliferative activity exerted by retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) indicates these compounds may be useful tools in the management of EBV–related disorders in immunosuppressed patients. Beta-carotene is the major precursor of vitamin A. Studies show that long-term beta-carotene supplementation may be beneficial for immune, viral and tumoral surveillance in aging individuals. In a controlled, double-blind study, the effects of 10 to 12 years of beta-carotene supplementation on natural killer (NK) cell activity were evaluated. Although no significant difference was seen in NK cell activity in the middle-aged groups, elderly men who took supplements of beta-carotene had significantly greater NK cell activity than the control group receiving placebo. Noni is rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene, Vitamins C and E.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is important in maintaining immune status. Vitamin C strengthens white blood cell function and boost interferon levels. It is a free radical scavenger and protects tissues from oxidative stress and enhances actions of vitamin E.
In one clinical trial, a water-soluble bioflavonoid/ascorbic acid complex (600 to 1000 milligrams [mg] of bioflavonoids and 600 to 1000 mg of ascorbic acid taken three to five times daily) was shown to be effective in the reduction of recurrent HSV1, reducing blisters and preventing disruption of vesicular membranes. Remission of symptoms was observed in 4 days. Noni is a great enahncer or immune booster as it contains all the major macronutrients and lot of micronutrients. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger. Noni contains all the vitamins including Vitamin E.
Zinc and selenium
Zinc plays many roles in basic cellular function, including DNA replication, RNA transcription, cell division and cell activation. Zinc is a specific activator of T-cells, T-cell division and other immune cells. Zinc also functions as an antioxidant and stabilizes membranes against oxidative effect of other minerals like iron and copper, by increasing levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase. Zinc-deficient patients display reduced resistance to infection.
Selenium (an antioxidant with immune system–boosting properties) helps suppress the reactivation of herpesviruses by increasing immunity.
Noni contains trace elements like zinc, selenium etc. L-lysine, an essential amino acid, has been studied for its ability to reduce the reactivation rate of herpes. It works by inhibiting the action of L-arginine during viral replication. Proteins within herpes are rich in L-arginine. An altered ratio of L-lysine to L-arginine, in favour of L-lysine, is studied for its ability to inhibit the virus. While the results of some studies have been mixed, following studies showed L-lysine’s ability to inhibit herpes:
Taking L-lysine with vitamin C and bioflavonoids together reduce the risk of herpetic outbreaks. Noni contains 17 out of total 20 amino acids including all essential amino acids and all vitamins.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
Reactivation of herpes and shingles is associated with a weakened immune system. Among older people, who are more likely to get shingles, a reduced immune response might be caused by age-related changes in steroid hormones. DHEA, a steroid hormone, is known to decline as people age. The phytosterols are the precursers of human sterol DHEA. Noni contains all the phytosterols and thus helps in increasing DHEA level in blood at old age.
Role of Noni in Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a malignancy (cancer) of lymph tissue found in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver and bone marrow.
Causes, Incidence and Risk factors
The first sign of this cancer is often an enlarged lymph node which appears without a known cause. The disease can spread to nearby lymph nodes and later may spread to the lungs, liver or bone marrow. The cause is not known. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the most common among people 15 to 35 and 50 to 70 years old.
Symptoms
- Painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin (swollen glands)
- Fatigue
- Fever and chills
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Generalized itching
- Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
- Excessive sweating
- Skin blushing or flushing
- Neck pain
- Hair loss
- Flank pain
- Clubbing of the fingers or toes
- Splenomegaly
Role of Noni
Noni ppt (The polysaccharide) is a unique polysaccharide that has been used as a chemo-immunotherapy agent to treat cancer. NONI-ppt present in NONI develop an anti-tumor response by stimulating the release of various cytokines mediator of the immune system of our body like
- Interleukin
- Interferon – gamma
- Nitric oxide
- Tumour necrosis factor
- Natural killer cells
They help for controlling carcinogenesis by inhibiting growth and mutation of malignant cells. Pretreatment with Noni followed by ultraviolet irradiation increased the levels of phosphorylated extra cellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and stress-activated protein kinases (SAPK) enzymes in the body. Activation of SARK and ERK play an important role in triggering apoptosis. Thus their activation proves stimulatory effect of Noni on ultraviolet-induced apoptosis. Noni exhibits antiangiogenesis effects on the malignant cells.
The cancer tumor has the ability to develop its own blood vessels around to get their nutrition for growth by the process of angiogenesis. Many phytochemicals present in NONI like Damnacanthal, Alizarin, Limonene, Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) etc, just a few among the 150+ phytochemicals present in Noni that exhibit ANTIANGIOGENESIS effect on malignant cells. Thus inhibits the growth and mutations of malignant cells and induces program cell death or apoptosis.
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg)
EGCg is a polyphenolic flavonoid antioxidant, found in abundance in Noni. EGCg in Noni inhibits quinol oxidase (NOX) enzyme tumor activity property thus helps in antiangiogenesis.
NOX enzymes are found in a variety of cell types and tissues where they react with oxygen to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), the free radical forms of oxygen that damage to DNA of cell.
The ROS is involved in mutations and tissue damage in diseases like cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. Normal amounts of NOX production are important to regulate cell growth. It is generally inactive during normal cell division process on response to growth hormone stimulation but it is active in all the time in cancerous cell and responsible for cancerous cell proliferation, cell motility, invasion and angiogenesis process, all of them prerequisites for tumor metastasis.
EGCg, a primary component of NONI inhibits the NOX activity of cancer cells. According to Dr.Morre’s experimental studies, it is found that EGCg in NONI inhibits NOX carcinogenesis activity but does not inhibit the NOX activity of healthy cells. Noni prevents the carcinogen DNA adduct formation on cell.
Most chemical carcinogens need activation by our body enzymes to be transformed to an ultimate form that readily binds to genetic DNA to form DNA adducts. Carcinogen DNA adducts formation causes DNA damage. Carcinogen DNA adducts can be repaired by body enzymes. The unprepared DNA damaged cell will be responsible for mutation and the consequent cancer development. Therefore, preventing carcinogen-DNA adduct formation is a key step for primary prevention in cancer at the initiation step of carcinogenesis.
Noni helps in prevention or block the formation of carcinogen induced DNA adduct. It may prevent cancer at the initiation stage of carcinogenesis.
Role of Antioxidants in Cancer Prevention
Oxidative stress in our body is the underlying cause of cancer. When excessive free radicals are allowed to exist near the nucleus of cell, significant damage to the DNA of cell can result. Free radicals can also wreck damage on the genetic structure of the DNA, which can then lead to abnormal growth of cell. As these cells continue to replicate, this mutated DNA is carried to each newly developed cell. When there is further oxidative stress to this mutated DNA of the cell, more damage occurs. The cell will then begin to grow out of control. It spreads from one part of the body to other(metastasis), thus becoming a true cancer
Oxidative stress is indeed the cause of cancer, antioxidants used to bring free radical back into balance would lower the risk of cancer. Therefore, the best strategy is to maximize our own body’s immune system and antioxidant defense and this begins by eating a healthy natural suppliment that is rich with antioxidants. Noni is the rich source of antioxidants. The high anti oxidant property of Noni helps to prevent the formation of carcinogen-DNA adducts. It was hypothesized that the antioxidants in Noni may have cancer protective effects by scavenging reactive oxygen free radicals and quenching lipid peroxides.
Recommended Dosage
Divine Noni Concentrate
5ml morning and 5ml evening for 3 days. Then
10ml morning and 10ml evening for next 3 days. Then
15ml morning and 15ml evening for next 8 months.
