Doe
Fri, Dec-26-03, 19:11
Garlic compound beats antibiotic-resistant bug
- 24/12/2003 - A compound extracted from garlic is effective
against even the most antibiotic-resistant strains of MRSA,
the 'hospital superbug' that now kills thousands of patients
in the UK each year, reports a British researcher.
Microbiologist Dr Ron Cutler, based at the University of East
London, claims that the garlic compound allicin not only kills
established varieties of MRSA, but also destroys the new
generation of 'super-superbugs' that have evolved resistance
to Vancomycin and Glycopeptides, the powerful antibiotics
widely considered to be the last line of defence against MRSA.
Allicin can cure patients with MRSA-infected wounds within
weeks, according to a paper to be published early next year.
MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) now causes
an estimated 2,000 deaths in UK hospitals each year, mainly
through secondary infection of surgical wounds. MRSA organisms
can live harmlessly in humans and are carried in the nasal
passages and on the skin, but they can cause fatal infection
in immune-suppressed patients, the elderly, the young and
those with surgical implants.
Doctors have become increasingly alarmed over the past few
months by the emergence in UK hospitals of new generations of
resistant strains of MRSA known as VISAs and GISAs (Vancomycin
or Glycopeptide-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). MRSA has
also become endemic in many hospitals, especially in London
and the south-east of England.
After showing that allicin destroys the MRSA microbe in
laboratory trials, Cutler has now teamed up with the firm
Allicin International to develop topical treatments including
a nasal cream, oral capsules and soaps that have proved
effective against both MRSA and GISA.
The company has also provided funding for a major clinical
trial to test the use of allicin to reduce nasal carriage on
around 200 healthy volunteers. Initial results are due to be
published in summer 2004.
"The trials we have conducted so far show that this
formulation is highly effective against MRSA, and it could
save many lives. This finding is backed up by initial findings
from a number of recent case studies. We have been trying to
set up a clinical trial for many months now, and at last we
have secured funding from sources including Allicin
International,” said Dr Cutler.
The in vitro research was presented at the Institute of
Biomedical Scientists congress in Birmingham during October
and is being prepared for publication in the Journal of
Biomedical Science next year.
"MRSA is causing a genuine crisis in our hospital system in
Britain and worldwide. Antibiotics are increasingly
ineffective, but we do have a powerful natural ally. Garlic
has been used in medicine for centuries, and it should be no
surprise that it is effective against this very modern
infectio," added Cutler.
A study published last year found that raw garlic consumption
could help limit the damage done to the heart after surgery
because of its natural antioxidant properties. Supplements of
allicin have also been shown to reduce risk of colds, prevent
high blood pressure and kill cancer cells.
Copyright - Unless otherwise stated all contents of this web
site are ©
2000/2003– NOVIS. – All Rights Reserved. For permission to
reproduce any contents of this web site, please email our
Syndication department: admin@nutraingredients.com. Full
details for the use of materials on this site can be
found in the Terms & Conditions.
Who loves ya. Tom Jesus Was A Vegetarian!
http://jesuswasavegetarian.7h.com Man Is A Herbivore!
http://pages.ivillage.com/ironjustice/manisaherbivore DEAD
PEOPLE WALKING
http://pages.ivillage.com/ironjustice/deadpeoplewalking
- 24/12/2003 - A compound extracted from garlic is effective
against even the most antibiotic-resistant strains of MRSA,
the 'hospital superbug' that now kills thousands of patients
in the UK each year, reports a British researcher.
Microbiologist Dr Ron Cutler, based at the University of East
London, claims that the garlic compound allicin not only kills
established varieties of MRSA, but also destroys the new
generation of 'super-superbugs' that have evolved resistance
to Vancomycin and Glycopeptides, the powerful antibiotics
widely considered to be the last line of defence against MRSA.
Allicin can cure patients with MRSA-infected wounds within
weeks, according to a paper to be published early next year.
MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) now causes
an estimated 2,000 deaths in UK hospitals each year, mainly
through secondary infection of surgical wounds. MRSA organisms
can live harmlessly in humans and are carried in the nasal
passages and on the skin, but they can cause fatal infection
in immune-suppressed patients, the elderly, the young and
those with surgical implants.
Doctors have become increasingly alarmed over the past few
months by the emergence in UK hospitals of new generations of
resistant strains of MRSA known as VISAs and GISAs (Vancomycin
or Glycopeptide-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). MRSA has
also become endemic in many hospitals, especially in London
and the south-east of England.
After showing that allicin destroys the MRSA microbe in
laboratory trials, Cutler has now teamed up with the firm
Allicin International to develop topical treatments including
a nasal cream, oral capsules and soaps that have proved
effective against both MRSA and GISA.
The company has also provided funding for a major clinical
trial to test the use of allicin to reduce nasal carriage on
around 200 healthy volunteers. Initial results are due to be
published in summer 2004.
"The trials we have conducted so far show that this
formulation is highly effective against MRSA, and it could
save many lives. This finding is backed up by initial findings
from a number of recent case studies. We have been trying to
set up a clinical trial for many months now, and at last we
have secured funding from sources including Allicin
International,” said Dr Cutler.
The in vitro research was presented at the Institute of
Biomedical Scientists congress in Birmingham during October
and is being prepared for publication in the Journal of
Biomedical Science next year.
"MRSA is causing a genuine crisis in our hospital system in
Britain and worldwide. Antibiotics are increasingly
ineffective, but we do have a powerful natural ally. Garlic
has been used in medicine for centuries, and it should be no
surprise that it is effective against this very modern
infectio," added Cutler.
A study published last year found that raw garlic consumption
could help limit the damage done to the heart after surgery
because of its natural antioxidant properties. Supplements of
allicin have also been shown to reduce risk of colds, prevent
high blood pressure and kill cancer cells.
Copyright - Unless otherwise stated all contents of this web
site are ©
2000/2003– NOVIS. – All Rights Reserved. For permission to
reproduce any contents of this web site, please email our
Syndication department: admin@nutraingredients.com. Full
details for the use of materials on this site can be
found in the Terms & Conditions.
Who loves ya. Tom Jesus Was A Vegetarian!
http://jesuswasavegetarian.7h.com Man Is A Herbivore!
http://pages.ivillage.com/ironjustice/manisaherbivore DEAD
PEOPLE WALKING
http://pages.ivillage.com/ironjustice/deadpeoplewalking