Brain Inflammation

[chrisw]

I was wondering if anyone has used tart cherry supplements successfully in place of Ibuprofen or naproxen. I have used motrin for my son when his anxiety is up and it does seem to help, but I don't like giving this all the time because I know its got to be hard on his stomach and liver. I have done some research on the effects of tart cherries (grown mostly in Michigan) and I must say that I am very intrigued. Supposedly, they work like and as well as NSAIDS but without the side effects. Many people are reporting success with tart cherries for osteo and rheumatoid arthritis for pain and inflammation. They also contain natural melatonin, tons of antioxidents and have a WHOLE bunch more benefits. I have ordered some supplements to try but wondered if others had given this a try. The Univ. of Michigan has done a lot of research on this and if you Google it you will find many sites. I recommend www.choosecherries.com. I should be getting the supplements any day now and will post if I think they are working.

Christie

[Worried_Dad]

Cool - I never heard of this before, and I live in Michigan. (Boy, is my face red... cherry red.)

 

Thanks for the tip, Christie!

[EAMom]

Hi Christie,

 

Are tart cherries the same as regular cherries (like the frozen ones you might find at the store)? I could stick them in smoothies.

 

Interesting that the cherry website mentions c-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation.

 

I posted a while back that asking about a product called OPC-3 by isotonix. A friend (who is actually a child psychiatrist in another state, uses it herself) recommended it for my dd since she thought its anti-inflammatory properties could help her PANDAS. I haven't tried it on my dd yet...just being super cautious I think, and I did read about the grape seed extract (one of the things in the OPC-3) might interfere with certain antibiotics (tetracyclines were mentioned, not azith., so maybe not a real problem).

 

Nevertheless, I did decide to have my dad try the OPC-3 (for blood pressure, diabetes, some memory issues, he's 92) and am going to try it myself (just to be healthy, see if I notice a difference). Interestingly, I just ran across this research on OPC-3 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?D...$=activity which also mentions c-reactive protein. I have heard of people using the OPC-3 for Lupus (also auto-immune), so it makes sense that it might help PANDAS as well.

[michele]

I have read Bing Cherries are very helpful for inflammation and arthritis symptoms. In fact, it was on the news yesterday about the high antioxidant diet being as helpful as arthritis meds. They said a diet rich in colors, greens, yellows, red, orange are signs they are high in antioxidants. Here is an article I found on cherries being helpful for inflammation. I am getting some tomorrow! I am always swollen with polyarthritis symptoms.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/...40510010724.htm

Thanks for sharing this important info.

 

Michele

Hi Christie,

 

Are tart cherries the same as regular cherries (like the frozen ones you might find at the store)? I could stick them in smoothies.

 

Interesting that the cherry website mentions c-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation.

 

I posted a while back that asking about a product called OPC-3 by isotonix. A friend (who is actually a child psychiatrist in another state, uses it herself) recommended it for my dd since she thought its anti-inflammatory properties could help her PANDAS. I haven't tried it on my dd yet...just being super cautious I think, and I did read about the grape seed extract (one of the things in the OPC-3) might interfere with certain antibiotics (tetracyclines were mentioned, not azith., so maybe not a real problem).

 

Nevertheless, I did decide to have my dad try the OPC-3 (for blood pressure, diabetes, some memory issues, he's 92) and am going to try it myself (just to be healthy, see if I notice a difference). Interestingly, I just ran across this research on OPC-3 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?D...$=activity which also mentions c-reactive protein. I have heard of people using the OPC-3 for Lupus (also auto-immune), so it makes sense that it might help PANDAS as well.

[pmoreno]

Hi Christie,

 

Are tart cherries the same as regular cherries (like the frozen ones you might find at the store)? I could stick them in smoothies.

 

Interesting that the cherry website mentions c-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation.

 

I posted a while back that asking about a product called OPC-3 by isotonix. A friend (who is actually a child psychiatrist in another state, uses it herself) recommended it for my dd since she thought its anti-inflammatory properties could help her PANDAS. I haven't tried it on my dd yet...just being super cautious I think, and I did read about the grape seed extract (one of the things in the OPC-3) might interfere with certain antibiotics (tetracyclines were mentioned, not azith., so maybe not a real problem).

 

Nevertheless, I did decide to have my dad try the OPC-3 (for blood pressure, diabetes, some memory issues, he's 92) and am going to try it myself (just to be healthy, see if I notice a difference). Interestingly, I just ran across this research on OPC-3 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?D...$=activity which also mentions c-reactive protein. I have heard of people using the OPC-3 for Lupus (also auto-immune), so it makes sense that it might help PANDAS as well.

 

 

I ordered some OPC-3 for my elderly parents after I read your post and I do believe it could be a good thing over the long run (for adults that is). I'm not sure about kids because I thought that I read something about it containing natural salicylic acid which is like aspirin and young children are at risk of reyes syndrome from that. Not sure if its a legitimate worry, but since I don't know, I didn't want to risk it - if there's anyone out there that can tell me otherwise - I'd be glad to hear it. thanks, Pat

[chrisw]

Hi Christie,

 

Are tart cherries the same as regular cherries (like the frozen ones you might find at the store)? I could stick them in smoothies.

 

Interesting that the cherry website mentions c-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation.

 

I posted a while back that asking about a product called OPC-3 by isotonix. A friend (who is actually a child psychiatrist in another state, uses it herself) recommended it for my dd since she thought its anti-inflammatory properties could help her PANDAS. I haven't tried it on my dd yet...just being super cautious I think, and I did read about the grape seed extract (one of the things in the OPC-3) might interfere with certain antibiotics (tetracyclines were mentioned, not azith., so maybe not a real problem).

 

Nevertheless, I did decide to have my dad try the OPC-3 (for blood pressure, diabetes, some memory issues, he's 92) and am going to try it myself (just to be healthy, see if I notice a difference). Interestingly, I just ran across this research on OPC-3 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?D...$=activity which also mentions c-reactive protein. I have heard of people using the OPC-3 for Lupus (also auto-immune), so it makes sense that it might help PANDAS as well.

EAMom,

Evidently, there is a difference between cherries. Many of the websites and research I saw specified "tart" cherries. All cherries have some of these properties, but tart cherries are supposedly the best. They do not hold up well for shipping as fresh produce, so can be purchased (they are pricey) dried, frozen, canned, juice and in supplement form. I chose to go with juice and supplements(haven't gotten yet). Also, I do believe I saw a recipe for a smoothie on the website www.choosecherries.com. I am anxious to give this a try. I'll post when we do.

Christie

[EAMom]

Hi Pat,

 

I don't see salicylic acid listed as an ingredient in OPC-3? I have heard of people using it on their kids (for allergies, add, etc).

 

This is what my bottle says:

Grape Seed Extract 25mg

Red Wine Extract 25mg

Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol) 25mg

Bilberry Extract 25mg

Citrus Extract Bioflavonoids 25mg

 

Other ingredients: fructose, glucose, citric acid, maltodextrin, silica, calcium sulfate and pectin.

[pmoreno]

Hi Pat,

 

I don't see salicylic acid listed as an ingredient in OPC-3? I have heard of people using it on their kids (for allergies, add, etc).

 

This is what my bottle says:

Grape Seed Extract 25mg

Red Wine Extract 25mg

Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol) 25mg

Bilberry Extract 25mg

Citrus Extract Bioflavonoids 25mg

 

Other ingredients: fructose, glucose, citric acid, maltodextrin, silica, calcium sulfate and pectin.

\

 

 

I think I must have gotten the pine bark confused with willow bark (if you look up willow bark it is very high in salicylates and is contraindicated in young children because of the association with reys syndrom) I checked again and it doesn't mention anything about the pine park - just willow. Sorry about that. It is fairly expensive though and I am thinking that you might be able to get the same effect from these tart cherries for a lesser cost. I did buy some cherry concentrate at Meijer's today in the refrigerated fruit juice section. It cost 8.99 and it makes quite a bit of juice when you reconstitute it. It contains 50% montmorency cherries and 50% balaton which is supposed to be a good combination. It tastes sour, but is a good thirst quencher. Pat

[Indigo]

We use Boswelia which is similar to willow bark and perhaps the cherries?