Food as Medicine

Honoring the legacy of Sir John Vane, 1982 Nobel Laureate ● Sir John R. Vane, a renowned British pharmacologist, left an indelible mark on medicine through his groundbreaking discoveries related to aspirin, prostacyclin, and ACE inhibitors. His pioneering work has profoundly impacted the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, saving countless lives worldwide. ● Kevin KF Ng, a distinguished scientist, was fortunate to have been mentored by Sir John R. Vane. Under Sir John's guidance, Kevin KF Ng significantly contributed to cardiovascular research. Together, they discovered that angiotensin I is converted into the potent angiotensin II in pulmonary circulation, a key mechanism in regulating blood pressure. Their observations also showed that angiotensin II passes through the pulmonary circulation without loss, while amines such as serotonin and peptides such as bradykinin are almost entirely extracted. These findings suggest that the lungs act as a selective filter for vasoactive substances, playing a crucial role in cardiovascular regulation. ● Kevin KF Ng's work led to identifying an enzyme inhibitor in the venom of the snake Bothrops jararaca, contributing to the development of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. These lifesaving drugs are widely used to manage hypertension and heart failure. ● Sir John R. Vane was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1982 for his discoveries concerning prostaglandins and related biologically active substances. His groundbreaking research on these substances revolutionized our understanding of inflammation, blood clotting, and other essential biological processes. ● Sir John R. Vane's passion for discovery and unwavering commitment to improving human health shaped the course of modern medicine. His founding of the William Harvey Research Institute provided a platform for future generations to advance biomedical research. His ability to foster collaboration and mentorship was instrumental in guiding many, including Kevin KF Ng, toward impactful scientific discoveries. ● Though he passed away on November 17th, 2004, Sir John's legacy resonates through the countless lives saved and improved by the therapies his research made possible. His work on prostaglandins, prostacyclin, and the mechanisms of blood pressure regulation remains foundational in today's medical landscape. His contributions to science are a testament to the power of curiosity and the relentless pursuit of knowledge for the betterment of humanity.   ● In honoring his life, we celebrate a man whose discoveries continue to shape the future of medicine and whose mentorship inspired a generation of scientists to carry forward his mission of improving human health.

You are what you eat. Your life depends on it. ● Before the baby is born, the fetus is fed via the umbilical artery. After birth, the infant is fed through the mouth. ● The food ingested by mouth builds and repairs tissues, creates energy, and keeps the organs functioning. ● The composition of the body is, therefore, determined by what you eat. What you eat is classified into macronutrients and micronutrients. The macronutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and dietary fibers. The micronutrients include vitamins and minerals. ● An imbalance of macronutrients and micronutrients in the food may lead to various chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, auto-immune disease, and cancer. ● Chronic disease incubates for years or decades before symptoms manifest themselves. Early dietary intervention may prevent drug treatment and a shorter life expectancy. ● In a recent poll on “What do you prefer for diet-induced chronic silent inflammation,” 100% of voters on LinkedIn preferred early dietary intervention to late drug treatment.

BEWARE of CHRONIC INFLAMMATION CAUSED BY ARACHIDONIC ACID, THE MOTHER OF INFLAMMATION

The link between omega-6 fatty acids and inflammation. ● There are two categories of essential fatty acids: omega-6 and omega-3. They are necessary because the human body cannot synthesize them. They need to be ingested from foods. ● Essential fatty acids play a crucial role in the structure and function of cell membranes. They are incorporated into the phospholipids in the plasma membrane of every cell in the body, providing flexibility, fluidity, and permeability and enabling various physiological functions of the cells. ● Omega-6 is an inflammatory fatty acid, whereas omega-3 is an anti-inflammatory fatty acid. ● The tissue ratio of omega-6/omega-3 is ideally between 1:1 to 4:1. However, the ratio in the developed countries is 20:1 or higher. ● When the cell membrane is damaged, omega-6 linoleic and arachidonic acids are released from phospholipids. Linoleic acid is metabolized into arachidonic acid. ● Arachidonic acid, often called the MOTHER OF INFLAMMATION, is a critical player in the body's inflammatory response. It is metabolized into prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes, responsible for the cardinal signs of inflammation: PAIN, FEVER, SWELLING, AND REDNESS. ● In 1971, my mentor John R. Vane discovered how aspirin and NSAIDs blocked the synthesis of inflammatory mediators by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins from arachidonic acids. ● Studies in recent years have shown that aspirin only blocks the synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes, leaving the synthesis of leukotrienes unaffected. ● I invite you to follow my studies on using boswellic acids from frankincense resin to block the synthesis of leukotrienes by lipoxygenase. I hope your participation in this ongoing research helps me to reduce the inflammation process in various chronic diseases, offering hope for improved treatments and outcomes.

How to lower the omega-6/omega-3 ratio to prevent chronic inflammation. ● Omega-6 (linoleic acid, arachidonic acid) and omega-3 (α-linolenic acid, EPA, DHA) fatty acids (FAs) are essential for health. They cannot be synthesized in the body and must be ingested from food. ● These essential FAs are structural components of the plasma membrane of every cell in the body. They maintain each cell's flexibility, fluidity, permeability, and functions. ● After ingestion, both FAs are incorporated into cell membranes. Omega-6 is found mainly in the adipose tissue and skin, whereas omega-3 is found mainly in the brain, retina, and heart. Omega-6 is a pro-inflammatory fatty acid, whereas omega-3 is an anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving fatty acid. ● The desirable ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 is 4:1 for optimal health. The average ratio in the US population is 16:1. An early high ratio without symptoms is linked to silent chronic inflammation, which leads to obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, auto-immune disease, and cancer. ● Omega-6 linoleic acid is converted to arachidonic acid, which leads to the production of inflammatory eicosanoids prostaglandins (PGE2), thromboxanes (TXA2), and leukotrienes (LTB4 ). These mediators, in turn, stimulate the release of cytokines, chemokines, and interferons from immune cells, amplifying the inflammatory process. ● EPA and DHA are omega-3 essential fatty acids that inhibit the conversion of arachidonic acids to eicosanoids. Both EPA and DHA are converted into specialized pro-resolving mediators: resolvins from EPA, protectins, and maresins from DHA. ● Thus, the inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids are counter-balanced by the anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. ●Studies over the past years have emphasized the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, leaving a significant gap in the inflammatory omega-6 arachidonic acid, which is the mother of inflammation. ● Reducing the intake of omega-6 from food is an alternative rational approach to preventing or reducing chronic inflammation.

A balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids is essential for optimal health. ● Essential fatty acids are so-called because the human body cannot make them. They have to be ingested from food. ● There are two groups of essential fatty acids, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, that are important for healthy cell function. ● Omega-6 is a pro-inflammatory fatty acid, whereas omega-3 is an anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving fatty acid. ● The American Heart Association and the Institute of Medicine recommend that 5–10% of daily calories come from omega-6 fats, translating to 11–22 grams for a 2,000-calorie diet. ● While omega-6s are essential, it’s crucial to maintain a balance with omega-3s. The optimal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 is 4:1, but the typical American diet is closer to 20:1. ● A higher omega-6 to omega-3 ratio can lead to chronic inflammation, which in turn can contribute to serious health conditions such as obesity, metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, auto-immune disease, and cancer. This underscores the importance of maintaining a balanced diet. ● The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 recommends that adults consume 1.1–1.6 grams of omega-3s per day. By making conscious food choices, you can ensure that you meet these recommendations and contribute to your overall health. 

My recent poll asked, "You are what you eat. Beware of chronic silent inflammation." 100% of the voters preferred dietary intervention. However, this represents only 2% of the more than 1,000 impressions in two days. This is a repost of the lecture I presented at a Webinar in November 2023.

My recent poll asked, "You are what you eat. Beware of chronic silent inflammation." 100% of the voters preferred dietary intervention. However, this represents only 2% of the more than 1,000 impressions in two days. This is a repost of the lecture I presented at a Webinar in November 2023.

You are what you eat. Beware of chronic silent inflammation! ● In 1826, Anthelme brillat-Savarin, a French lawyer, politician, and famous gastronome, wrote ''Dis-moi ce que tu manges, je te dirai ce que tu es'', which translates to 'Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are.’ ● Later, a statement appeared in 1863/4 when Ludwig Andreas Feuerbach wrote: “Man is what he eats.” ● The phrase implies that eating nutritious food is necessary for good health. The food nutrients provide the foundation for the structure and function of every cell in the body. ● The past two hundred years have uncovered compounds in foods essential for health. These include essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and dietary fibers. However, excess food intake may also lead to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular and neurological diseases. ● Scientific studies in the last fifty years have shown that excess intake of essential omega-6 fatty acids leads to chronic inflammatory diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. ● Chronic inflammation is a silent killer. It takes years or decades before symptoms of the disease manifest itself. At that time, drug therapy will be needed. ●Benjamin Franklin, The American Founding Father is famous for saying, “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure" in 1736.

Incomplete treatment of inflammation by aspirin and NSAIDs Omega-6 fatty acids such as linoleic acid and arachidonic acid are essential because the human body cannot make them. Linoleic acid is converted into arachidonic acid, the precursor for synthesizing prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes. These are inflammatory mediators responsible for pain, fever, and various chronic diseases. Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs block the synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes without affecting leukotrienes production. Thus, the treatment is only partially effective.   With the help of Dutch Essential BV, Robin and I succeeded in extracting boswellic acids from Boswellia carteri resin. Our initial studies showed significant pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties in conditions that did not respond to conventional treatments.   We are extending a special invitation to patients interested in contributing to our research by testing the extract with us. Your participation is not just appreciated, it is crucial. You are an integral part of this research, and your involvement will help us make significant strides in pain relief and anti-inflammatory treatments.