Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
21 May 2013 09:23
Asthma medications could be more effective if ginger is added to them
Ginger could help asthma treatment become more effective as it has been found to interact with drugs that relax the airwaves, according to US scientists.
Asthma attacks occur when the bronchial tubes that carry air into and out of the lungs tighten up and constrict, but in laboratory tests it was discovered that when components of the peppery root were added to medicines called beta-agonists, they increased the relaxation of airway smooth muscle (ASM) tissue samples.
The findings should give hope to people with the condition, but when it comes to travelling overseas sufferers should remember to arrange asthma travel insurance for added peace of mind.
Scientists from Columbia University took samples of human ASM tissue and deliberately caused them to contract by exposing them to the chemical acetylcholine. They then treated the samples with the beta-agonist isoproterenol mixed with three separate components of ginger - 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol and 6-shogaol.
Of the three, 6-shogaol seemed the most effective in increasing the relaxing effect of the beta-agonist. Further tests showed all three ginger compounds suppressed an enzyme linked to asthma symptoms.
The research was presented at the American Thoracic Society 2013 conference in Philadelphia.
19 June 2018
An England fan has urged supporters back home to head to Russia and experience the warm welcome he's been enjoying from locals.
[more...]
14 June 2018
A new, low-cost portable device to help protect communities in Columbia from contaminated water has been developed by British engineers.
12 June 2018
As we near the opening match of football's grandest celebration on Thursday, fans are beginning to arrive in enthusiastic droves in Moscow.
09 June 2018
Scientists are trialling blood tests to find out the risk expecting mothers have of delivering prematurely.
08 June 2018
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has warned holiday-goers that some commonly-prescribed medicines are "controlled drugs" in certain countries.
A new lung cancer drug which is said to stretch life expectancy by a year is being introduced to the NHS.
06 June 2018
As pollen counts hit their highest level this week, hay fever sufferers are likely to suffer.
05 June 2018
Care home demanded to make improvements amid "serious concerns"
30 May 2018
Academics have announced their plans to examine suicide risk in men, as well as the ways to reduce it.
Visitors of music festivals have been warned to ensure they have had their measles jab amid concerns of outbreaks of the highly infectious disease around the country.
25 May 2018
Two popular sunscreens become significantly less effective once the wearer has been in sea water, a watchdog has warned.
24 May 2018
A recent report by Cancer Research UK claims young people who are exposed to just one extra junk food TV advert per week consume up to 18,000 extra calories every year.