Deepak, excellent question. Of course, we are a profession in denial, and all the research showing the dastardly long term effects of the synthetic statins is washed away by a virtual tsunami of vested interest research dedicated to getting everyone and their brother on them. I see no need for them. We have excellent natural statins, including the better red yeast rice, etc., plus eating an apple a day--as demonstrated by a recent Oxford study--will take care of most of the population's needs there.

If we can get people to change their diet, going more organic, cutting down on caffeine (another topic with tons of self-serving research), drinking more water, far less processed foods, and reducing presciption meds to only that which is 1) safe and 2) necessary, we will see the need for these muscle weakening, CoQ10-blocking, liver damaging drugs evaporate as quickly as they came. For sure, nations that use them as we do in the US have seen a several fold increase in CVD instead of a diminution of same.

I thought I'd share this link in case it is helpful. It matches mine and my associates' appraisal. A totally unnecessary drug class that has caused far more harm than good to the majority of its users. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/02/21/900-studies-show-statin-drugs-are-dangerous.aspx

Even if one wants, for whatever reason, to ignore Mercola's interpretation of the data, plenty of my doctoral students who have taken on the same task have come up with the same conclusions. After we look at what they claim to do and what actually transpires, we see no clinical need for this class of synthetic drugs. If a statin is truly needed, then naturals will do it better without the side effects. Better yet, in our thinking, is why not get to the core of the problem instead of plastering over the symptoms?

A study investigated the association of individual cardiovascular risk factors and their therapies with erectile function in a cohort of men attending cardiovascular disease clinics. In particular, it investigated the effect of statin therapy on erectile function in this group. Over 50% of men attending routine cardiovascular disease clinics suffer from some degree of ED prior to the addition of statin therapy. Statin therapy routinely recommended for cardiovascular disease has been associated with worsening erectile function. Case reports of this phenomenon with statin therapy have been previously documented.

You can find the link of the above studies here about ED with Statins

1) Jackson G. Erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. Int J Clin Pract 1999; 53: 363–8.

2) Feldman HA, Johannes CB, Derby CA et al. Erectile dysfunction and coronary risk factors: prospective results from the Massachusetts male aging study. Prev Med 2000; 30: 328–38.

3) Jackson G, Simvastatin and Impotence. Br Med J 1997; 351: 31.

I agree with Max on all the points. Research on statins is driven by commercial drug companies. Natural statins have been ignored. Very insightful comments Max! and indeed, very brave!

Thank you, Jagdish! We have a long ways to go to get science back in the saddle and the seduction of vested interests out of the saddle. But informed consumers will slowly but surely make it happen, I feel, as well as healthcare systems that honestly appraise why their budgets are broken before they can even institute them. I keep waiting for the voice of the Actuaries who should be giving us better long-term health data on these kinds of band-aid approaches as they once did.

Seriously, this conversation looks strange. Are you really well-acquainted with statin use? Have you faced any genetic dyslipidemia in your clinical practice? Do you presume really that giving red yeast rice, to any FH patient, plus eating an apple a day, it is all he/she needs? Yes, statins may raise side effecs, exactly as any other drug existing on the earth. What about alcohol? or pesticides to grow big, red perfect apples? I am sorry but this is a futile exchange of debatable personal opinions without any adherence to real life or to clinical and scientific evidence. With the due respect, of course. Lastly, drug companies wish to make money! Indeed, they are not charities.

Thank you.

Totally agree with Claudia, The Expert Panel of 2013 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol to Reduce Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk in Adults emphasizes that the occurrence of a major CVD event (MI or stroke) represents a much greater harm to health status than does an increase in blood glucose leading to a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, the same may be regarded to erectile dysfunction related to statin usage, the incidence of which is so low, that it is not even included into safety considerations of given guidelines. The

net absolute benefit of statin therapy may be considered as a comparison of the absolute risk reduction for CVD compared with the absolute excess risks including that for adverse effects. Much more frequent are the concerns bout ALT elevations, muscle symtopms up to rabdomiolisis.

A single ASCVD outcomes trial (19), used Xuezhikang, an extract from red yeast Chinese rice, was not available in the United States during the timeframe for evidence review, so no recommendations were made regarding its use. But anyway its obvious that such type of treatment is insignificant for guidelines elaboration process.

[19]- CTT trial -Cholesterol Treatment Trialists' Collaboration

Thank you so much Iryna.

All of the independent studies we've reviewed are to the contrary. There are many studies and panels recommending a number of pharmaceutical agents that are not good in the long term and which cause dangerous side effects. The synthetic statins are one of them. I gave my studied opinion, based upon many studies and most especially from observations of patients who suffered tragic results from taking them. The Oxford study on eating an apple a day is a good study and easily replicated by anyone wishing to do so. It showed that the vast majority of the population that is currently on synthetic statins would be fine with the natural route. It did not claim ALL but the majority with mildly elevated cholesterol levels.

In our work in untangling real life cases of patients who have bad reactions to these and other drugs, this is what we find:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Constantine_Kaniklidis/

http://www.naturalnews.com/037019_statin_drugs_artery_calcification_side_effects.html

http://www.westonaprice.org/thumbs-up-reviews/how-statin-drugs-really-lower-cholesterol-by-james-yoseph-and-hannah-yoseph-md

http://womensbrainhealth.org/thinktank/10-drugs-that-may-cause-memory-loss/

http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/red-yeast-rice/background/hrb-20059910

http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_stories/2013/131218.html

There are actually hundreds of references to the dangers of synthetic statins that deserve serious discussion in scientific circles everywhere. With more than 200 million people on them and the steady increase in CVD, as well as all categories of chronic disease in that same population, we need to seriously consider why we are not considering the dangers more seriously.

To the question of whether we see seriously high LDL, VDL, my response is that yes, we do, and we need to get to the underlying causes if we are serious about improving the health state of the patient. In the thousands of such cases we have been called upon to review, we find that they nearly always stem from: untreated subclinical infections arising from teeth and jaw abcesses, keratoses of the auditory canal, sepsis gathering around implanted prosthetics, heavy metal accumulations, liver issues, developing diabetes mellitus 2, chronic dehydration, high caffeine-induced adrenal fatigue, food sensitivities, environmental toxicities, the list goes on of conditions that are routinely passed over in primary treatment in favor of the quick fix of addressing a symptom like high cholesterol and triglycerides, elevated blood sugar, hypertension, complaints of general and localized pain without apparent etiology, general inflammation, etc. These symptoms are treated as if they are the disease, when in reality they stem from long term underlying causes that can be addressed. Lowering cholesterol scores artificially leaves the underlying drivers in tact and raging on in one's life.

STATINS AND ERECTIVE DYSFUNCTION

I have undertaken and completed recently an internal systematic review of the evidence and critical appraisal of the data hinging on this issue, the background and major findings of which I summarize below.

[Note: I do not here address the issue of whether statins SHOULD be used as an intervention for erectile dysfunction, nor whether a pharmaceutical grade of lovastatin and optimal monacolin content should be substuituted, as found in one extensively studied formulation of RYR (Red Yeast Rice), for which as I have elsewhere demonstrated decisively we have supporting level I RCT data and associated multiple confirmative meta-analyses. These are independent questions that, if the contributors to this forum topic express interest, we may take up and debate].

THE ISSUE AND ITS PROBLEMS

The issue centers around the fact that administration of statins as lipid-reductive agents is associated with reduced levels of testosterone, via reduction of hepatic synthesis of cholesterol, raising the question of the impact of statins on the erectile quality, and the matter is both complicated and render vital by the adjunct fact of a known association between dyslipidemia on the one hand, in the form of elevated serum cholesterol and reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, and increased risk of erective dysfunction on the other (Saltzman et al, 2004; [1]). Countervailing this, statin administration is known to reduce endothelial dysfunction, which is, among other factors, etiologic / pathogenetic in the onset of erectile dysfunction.

Yet, it also appears that a rare adverse effect of statins is ED [ 2], and a systematic review [3] found a substantial number of instances of ED associated with statin usage reported to regulatory agencies in their pharmacovigilance databases, along with some case reports and clinical trial data support the contention of an ED-inducive capability from statin use (see below). But what is not determined is whether statin administration as an intervention can significantly improve the symptomologies of patients with established ED.

DUELING DATA

So where we stand currently is that a number of studies support the adverse effect of statin administration on erectile dysfunction [2-10], while contradicting these are a number of studies finding for a positive benefit on erectile dysfunction from statin use [11-16] or a non-significant trend toward such a positive association [17].

CONCLUSIONS FROM SYSTEMATIC REVIEW, CRITICAL APPRAISAL AND METHODOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

Upon critical review and appraisal of the aggregate evidence to date, and individual assessment of methodological quality (via the Heyland Methodological Quality Score (MQS)), although not dispositive, the preponderance of methodologically higher evidence supports that the pharmacological use of statins for the treatment of dyslipidemia improves the quality of erection in those patients with erectile dysfunction.

LOOKING FORWARD

Given that most of the studies ([15] is an exception) used small numbers of patients, there still remains for fuller decisiveness, beyond the current level of the weight of the evidence, the need for larger and more robust clinical trials. In this connection I am following closely the EDS (Erectile Dysfunction and Statins) Trial [18] which is a robust randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial testing the hypotheses that statins improve endothelial function and reduce cholesterol and so may improve erectile function in patients with untreated erectile dysfunction. This trial has now completed and we are awaiting reporting of final results in the very near future.

METHODOLOGY OF THIS REVIEW

A search of the PUBMED, Cochrane Library / Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED (Allied and Complimentary Medicine Database), CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), PsycINFO, ISI Web of Science (WoS), BIOSIS, LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature), ASSIA (Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts), SCEH (NHS Evidence Specialist Collection for Ethnicity and Health) and SCIRUS databases was conducted without language or date restrictions, and updated again current as of date of publication, with systematic reviews and meta-analyses extracted separately. Search was expanded in parallel to include just-in-time (JIT) medical feed sources as returned from Terkko (provided by the National Library of Health Sciences - Terkko at the University of Helsinki). A further "broad-spectrum" science search using SCIRUS (410+ million entry database) was then deployed for resources not otherwise included. Unpublished studies were located via contextual search, and relevant dissertations were located via NTLTD (Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations) and OpenThesis. Sources in languages foreign to this reviewer were translated by language translation software.

REFERENCES

1. Miner M, Billups KL. Erectile dysfunction and dyslipidemia: relevance and role of phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors and statins. J Sex Med. 2008; 5: 1066–1078.

2. Schachter M. Erectile dysfunction and lipid disorders. Curr Med Res Opin. 2000; 16(suppl 1): s9–s12.

3. Rizvi K, Hampson JP, Harvey JN. Do lipid-lowering drugs cause erectile dysfunction? A systematic review. Fam Pract. 2002; 19: 95–98.

4. Mastalir ET, Carvalhal GF, Portal VL. The effect of simvastatin in penile erection: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (Simvastatin treatment for erectile dysfunction-STED TRIAL). Int J Impot Res. 2011; 23: 242–248.

5. Carvajal A, Macias D, Sáinz M, Ortega S, Arias Martín LH, Velasco A, Bagheri H, Lapeyre-Mestre M, Montastruc JL. HMG CoA reductase inhibitors and impotence: two case series from the Spanish and French drug monitoring systems. Drug Saf. 2006; 29: 143–149.

6. Do C, Huyghe E, Lapeyre-Mestre M, Montastruc JL, Bagheri H. Statins and erectile dysfunction: results of a case/non-case study using the French Pharmacovigilance System Database. Drug Saf. 2009; 32: 591–597.

7. Bruckert E, Giral P, Heshmati HM, Turpin G. Men treated with hypolipidaemic drugs complain more frequently of erectile dysfunction. J Clin Pharm Ther. 1996; 21: 89–94.

8. Solomon H, Samarasinghe YP, Feher MD, Man J, Rivas-Toro H, Lumb PJ, Wierzbicki AS, Jackson G. Erectile dysfunction and statin treatment in high cardiovascular risk patients. Int J Clin Pract. 2006; 60: 141–145.

9. Huyghe E, Kamar N, Wagner F, Yeung SJ, Capietto AH, El-Kahwaji L, Muscari F, Plante P, Rostaing L. Erectile dysfunction in liver transplant patients. Am J Transplan. 2008; 8: 2580–2589.

10. Corona G, Boddi V, Balercia G, Rastrelli G, De Vita G, Sforza A, Forti G, Mannucci E, Maggi M. The effect of statin therapy on testosterone levels in subjects consulting for erectile dysfunction. J Sex Med. 2010; 7: 1547–1556.

11. Saltzman EA, Guay AT, Jacobson J. Improvement in erectile function in men with organic erectile dysfunction by correction of elevated cholesterol levels: a clinical observation. J Urol. 2004; 172: 255–258.

12. Herrmann HC, Levine LA, Macaluso J Jr, Walsh M, Bradbury D, Schwartz S, Mohler ER 3rd, Kimmel SE. Can atorvastatin improve the response to sildenafil in men with erectile dysfunction not initially responsive to sildenafil? Hypothesis and pilot trial results. J Sex Med. 2006; 3: 303–308.

13. Bank AJ, Kelly AS, Kaiser DR, Crawford WW, Waxman B, Schow DA, Billups KL. The effects of quinapril and atorvastatin on the responsiveness to sildenafil in men with erectile dysfunction. Vasc Med. 2006; 11: 251–257.

14. Gokkaya SC, Ozden C, Ozdal Levent O, Hakan Koyuncu H, Guzel O, Memis A. Effect of correcting serum cholesterol levels on erectile function in patients with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction. Scand J Urol Nephrol. 2008; 42: 437–440.

15. Dadkhah F, Safarinejad MR, Asgari MA, Hosseini SY, Lashay A, Amini E. Atorvastatin improves the response to sildenafil in hypercholesterolemic men with erectile dysfunction not initially responsive to sildenafil. Int J Impot Res. 2010; 22: 51–60.

16. Hong SK, Han BK, Jeong SJ, Byun SS, Lee SE. Effect of statin therapy on early return of potency after nerve sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy. J Urol. 2007; 178: 613–616.

17. Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study Group. Randomized trial of cholesterol lowering in 4444 patients with coronary heart disease: the Scandinavian simvastatin survival study (4S). Lancet. 1994; 344: 1383–1389.

18. Trivedi D, Kirby M, Norman F, Przybytniak I, Ali S, Wellsted DM. Can simvastatin improve erectile function and health-related quality of life in men aged >40 years with erectile dysfunction? Rationale and design of the Erectile Dysfunction and Statins (EDS) Trial [ISRCTN66772971](1). BJU Int. 2011; 108: 1850–1854.

I see experts disagreeing about important technicalities. So it may be best to set aside condescension and talk hard data. My attachment to this subject is in the use of nutriceuticals that have little or no side effects even to lactating moms. I have seen in the US Health Care System, a deliberate attempt to side line age old knowledge. Majority of the treatments I've seen are for the symptoms and not the cause. It is commercial interests that drive it, no doubt in my mind. Kind of like Tesla versus Edison, greed? However, let's do it fair and square in debate with hard verifiable facts, figure and data not just hypothesizing or innuendos. At this point I'm neutral only because I know not much of your expertise.

Use of statins may lead to "increase in blood glucose leading to a diagnosis of diabetes" and/or "the same may be regarded to erectile dysfunction related to statin usage" and/or "concerns bout ALT elevations, muscle symptoms up to rabdomiolisis". I'll have to order my wheel chair along with Lipitor? My doctor never told me this when he prescribed me on Lipitor. Nor did the doctor caution my wife when recommending oxycodone for chronic pain she was experiencing. When we went over the issues with that sort of pain management, she decided to live with her pain than hurry up and die from it. A couple of "Aleives" will do similar damage without the fuss and the cost. The whole system appears rigged?

One fact I'm learning from your erudite & articulate responses is that statins for ED might be status quo? Best case neutral! The alternative in Viagra or Cialis sounds deadly when you hear the "disclaimers" at the end. Besides, hours if not days of potential discomfort clothed? Not sure if I'll go blind, nuts, or a manageable combination of the two. Lol! Sounds as wild as the study that showed the beneficial effects of Radon gas on residents' propensity for lung and stomach cancer?

BTW My expertise in health care is as a consumer and a RMW (Regulated Medical Waste) Management specialist in NJ USA. Home of the toughest compliance requirements anywhere in the world. Our goal is to make the process as "green" as possible in order to preserve our environment for the kids. One of the biggest challenges today is the appearance of such ubiquitous medication consumed by our population in the drinking water supplies. The municipal water treatment system is unable to extract such trace elements. Infants with low body weight are the most vulnerable to the side effects of such presence in potable water. Just imagine the plight in the rest of the world from this scourge. We are encouraging consumers not to dispose of medications in the solid waste stream. Presently the compliant manner of destroying such medication is "incineration". Which in itself is controversial.

I'm open minded to hearing both sides of the debate and am fully capable of determining the veracity of information through discourse and Google. Therefore, I'd suggest all to participate in the debate with passion. But always defer to truth and rationality. This is a hot and interesting debate. I appreciate all contributions. Blog Free!

Hyperlpidemia leads to atherosclerosis, including the pelvic vessels which promote erectile dysfunction. Hyperlipidemia also leads to the prescribing of statins. Thus, the group of men receiving statins will have a high incidence of erectile dysfunction. This does not mean that the statins caused the dysfunction. Similar logic would lead you to conclude that the use of crutches leads to broken legs.

Interesting statistical twist. It is almost like watching the weather report, "May rain or maynot rain". The more I seem to know the less I comprehend. But I read each word. Thanks to all for sharing information here freely. Thanks Paul

I'd also recommend the following RG discussion by Dr. Mohammad Firoz Khan regarding the judicious use of statistics by scientific professionals:

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Why_Statistics_Matter_OR_Why_does_a_researcher_need_to_learn_statistics

We are always embelished by diversity in thought process!

But crutches do cause deprivation conditions that would debilitate, just as using statins and ignoring underlying reasons for for the hyperlipidemia (nearly always liver or metabolic related) really doesn't solve the problem and introduces new ones. We just saw an Colitis case this morning that was on terrible, health threatening medication for the symptoms..Came here for one month from out of the country to resolve her problem...today, she is going home with colitis and drug free. She had a fallen tranverse colon, loss of intestinal flora, and severe acidosis as the main drivers and heading to cancer of the colon before coming. Now, with certain excercises and dietary changes she is equipped with the tools to prevent chronic colitis. Moral to the story is correcting underlying cause. Giving statins without making intelligent dietary changes, to us, is the wrong way to go. Thanks, Paul and Ravi, for your comments.

The way I see it is simple. It must be a fully informed choice for each of us. It should be the responsibility of our treating physicians to inform us, the patients. Therefore, an obligation of the medical professional to remain open-minded to new and unconventional options for treating their patients and keeping them as paying customers longer. Handing over medication without discussing alternatives with lower side-effects would not be a prudent choice of action. Now in all cases patient temperament and attitude may not be conducive to tedious yogic or ayurvedic rigmarole. The conventional allopathic treatments are preferred by many. Some by choice but many by ignorance. This "ignorance" part, is what we are trying to affect, in each of our sincerity.

Physicians need to be more open minded to preventative treatment for their patients in the form of proper diet and stress management. It would require a whole new & different mind set. I've seen it in practice in India for decades now.

Funny story: When my dad was at the Apollo Hospital in Chennai (India) for his "triple by-pass", I got a good glimpse into the Indian Hospital System anew. The attitude, general knowledge level (apparent) and the people skills expertise displayed by those medical professionals was supreme. When you walk into this hospital, the 1st floor has a shrine for the Hindus, the 2nd a shrine for the Christians, the 3rd floor has one for the Muslims and the 4th and last floor had a shrine for those of the Sikh faith. Other minor religions were also enshrined in some small way. It appeared to be the triage to heaven! Lol! I asked my dad to hurry up and get out of there back on earth. Interestingly they allowed me as a family member to remain with him in his room as soon as he was out of ICU. The room had all the amenities for the extra family member to stay with the patient. That alone helped my dad recover faster, in my opinion. Besides, I was a little helpful in clearing his lungs and ambulating at will. The wonderful angel nurses helped him with his daily ablutions 1st day or 2. These nurses in India are true Nightingales. They truely serve out of love. In many cases it is a thankless job!

Excellent comments, Dr. Sheriff. Also, in every case I train my students to have statin patients take a quality (bio-identical if they can find it) CoQ10. The ubiquinol-type is the one we prefer. But most of all, we ask them to ascertain the cause, which in busy practice settings is a tough thing to do.

I'm somewhat familiar with the health benefits of "CoQ10" for the coronary system. What is the advantage in prescribing with statins? Possibly a dumb question!

Ravi, CoQ10 is synthesized by the body so it is not a vitamin. However, it is a product of the cholesterol synthesis pathway. In essence, CoQ10 becomes a vitamin for people taking statins. CoQ10 should always be given with statins.

Thanks Paul! What does it do in this case? What does it enhance? I know it is not ED. Lol!

Paul, the association you suggest is reasonable, indeed. However, the quality of CoQ10 in several nutraceuticals available in the market is not exactly the top. This affects often the efficacy of the association you have suggested. Good quality products containing CoQ10 are expensive. This is a limitation for a wider use. I am used to prescribe high quality CoQ10 to the subjects who show a relative intolerance to the statins (in association). Thank you.

Claudia is most correct on the CoQ10 market offerings. There is a huge variation in bi oavailability and the source from which they are made.

Yes, the bioavailability of CoQ10 is usually poor. In so far as what the risks are of not supplementing CoQ10 while taking statins, it would be any process that CoQ is involved with, especially mitochondial production of ATP by oxidative phosphorylation. If CoQ is low, mitochondria can generate excess oxygen free radicals. Adverse effects can be broad.

No known adverse reactions! Here is a powerful supplement for statins with only beneficial side-effects. Ginger for ED too? :-) http://infolanka.com/org/srilanka/food/1.htm

For more information try this RG discussion (I'm the "Guinea Pig"): https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_can_you_share_with_us_about_Duchenne_muscular_dystrophy_DMD?cp=re68_x_p2&ch=reg&loginT=_rpp6u4YCViNVtK8cd6mxuzl1LyFQcwdujx5-Yfd5KA%2C&pli=1#view=53022f59d5a3f21f608b4612

Some of the world's best quality Nutriceuticals are the "Nutrilite" brand made by AMWAY Corporation in the US. They use exceptional "organic" sources with no fertilizers or pesticides. The bio-availability is excellent in these products. No processing except concentration is used. I've used these products in the past and am not a distributor now. Besides these fellows have the largest net worth if I need to sue someone after years of consumption, if something was not right. :-)

http://www.nutrilite.com/?cid=TC|22209|nutrilite||S|e|22518533562&mkwid=sk7ncK3SN&pcrid=22518533562&pkw=nutrilite&pmt=e

Wow! A real "super food", GINGER!

Ginger and the Immune System

•strong antioxidant

•Antimicrobial (kills bacteria - including salmonella) - internally and topically as an antiseptic

•two natural antibiotics are found in ginger

•contains anti-inflammatory agents

•helps eliminate congestion

•contains zingibain that dissolves parasites and their eggs

•ginger root tea eases some throat pain

•kills cold viruses

•inhibits production of cytokines which cause pain and swelling

•combats chills and fever

•ginger inhibits 5-LO enzymes, the only food for prostate cancer cells , prostate cancer cells die in one to two hours without this enzyme

•gingerol (an extract of ginger) inhibits pancreatic cell growth

•beneficial to prevent constipation-related cancer

•an effective ani-tumor agent in leukemia cells

•an extract of ginger causes lung cancer cell death

•gingerols inhibited the growth of Helicobacter pylori associated with dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease and the development of gastric and colon cancer

•ginger extract raises significantly the thymus index, spleen index, percentage of phagocytosis, and thus improves the immunologic function relating to tumors

•gingerol inhibits cell adhesion, invasion, motility and activities of breast cancer cell lines

•gingerol induces viability reduction (killed) gastric cancer cells

•a ginger extract causes apoptosis (cell death) of breast carcinoma cells

•ginger inhibits cell growth and modulates angiogenic factor in ovarian cancer cells

•6-shogaol (component of ginger) induces cell death in colorectal carcinoma cells

•compounds of ginger inhibits proliferation (stops growth) of ovarian cancer cells

•a component of ginger suppresses metastasis (stops the spread) in any type of cancer cell including leukemic, skin, kidney, lung, and pancreatic cancer cells - one of the most exciting and powerful health benefits of ginger!

Ginger and Circulation

•stimulates circulation

•may help prevent heart attacks

•has natural blood thinning properties

•lowers blood cholesterol levels

•cleanses and stimulates blood

•prevents internal blood clots

•may prevent TIA’s (mini strokes)

•therapeutic properties for hypertension

Ginger and Digestion

•cleanses colon

•reduces colon spasms and cramps

•helps clear gas

•relieves indigestion

•excellent for nausea, vomiting and motion sickness

•stimulates production of digestive juices

•helps bowel disorders

Ginger and other Body Systems

•lungs: helps with respiratory problems, eases asthma symptoms

•helps eliminate hot flashes

•relieves headaches

•promotes menstrual regularity

•helps with morning sickness

•helps reduce inflammation of arthritis

•supports kidney health

•topical gingerol provides protection against UVB-induced skin disorders

•reduces the severity of post chemotherapy nausea

Ginger and its Nutrients

•high in potassium

•manganese which builds resistance to disease, protects lining of heart, blood vessels and urinary passages

•silicon which promotes healthy skin, hair, teeth and nails

•helps assimilate calcium

•also contains Vit. A, C, E, B-complex, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, zinc, calcium, beta-carotene

Other Facts and Health Benefits of Ginger

•was listed in U.S. Pharmacopoeia from 1820-1873

•British research has found ginger to be as effective as drugs at relieving nausea after surgery

•Patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis studied at Denmark’s Odense University got relief from pain and swelling after taking ginger daily for three months

•gingerol promotes healing of inflammation and minor burns

•may prevent transient ischemic attacks (TIA’s) know as mini strokes

•Israeli researchers found that standardized ginger extract has dramatic effects on cardiovascular health, lowering cholesterol levels and preventing oxidation of LDL which contributes to cholesterol deposits on artery walls

Ginger Recipes/Uses

•Suggested use is 1/3 tsp. ground ginger or 1 tsp. fresh ginger root in food or drink up to three times daily

•Motion Sickness - drink tea or juice mixed with 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger one-half hour before traveling

•Add in juicer to fresh raw fruit or vegetable juice

•Add to smoothies - See My ‘Ginger Berry Smoothie’ Here in Easy Healthy Smoothie Recipes

•Add fresh to Asian stir fry dishes, marinades, fruit salad dressings

•Add ground ginger to breads, cookies, spice cakes, pumpkin pie

Many health benefits of ginger you have read about here are based on clinical studies (google 'ginger cancer', etc. at www.PUBMED.org) and very powerful and impressive for a food. There is no question that ginger has many more special health qualities that we haven’t yet recognized. Enjoy it as one of the power foods God gave us to boost our immune system and support great health!

http://www.boost-immune-system-naturally.com/health-benefits-of-ginger.html

Brain Food? I'm buying stocks in "ginger bellies" :-) A gift that won't stop giving? I'll recommend my kids name their first daughter "Ginger"! LOL!

You medical doctor types better help out here! Is this possible with an ubiquitous root? Why is this such a secret in the field of medicine?

http://www.naturalnews.com/042091_ginger_mental_health_brain_food.html

Quite of plethora of information here, Ravi! I recall a case of a fellow years ago who broke his leg in several places by simply jumping off a 3' stepstool, and the only thing that would get his leg to heal up was a vegetable source calcium from Nutrilite--otherwise, years of painful bone grafts was his fate. Today, we would use MCHC bone meal calcium, but will always remember that when simple inert calcium doesn't work, go to the organic forms and watch the unhealed heal.

How effectively could the long term use of ginger replace the use of statins with all their side effects? I'll find out in my case early April. My interests are BP, cholesterol, blood sugar, RA pain. Let's see if it works for me to regulate these factors using ginger for 6+ weeks by then. Wheee! Cool being the Guinea Pig in this case!

Well, Ravi, you might be onto something. Inflammation has always been the much greater danger in cardiovascular risk than has cholesterol, despite the medical profession's propensity to fall into the pharmaceutical phantasy otherwise.

Max! "Quite a plethora of information here, Ravi! I recall a case of a fellow years ago who broke his leg in several places by simply jumping off a 3' stepstool, and the only thing that would get his leg to heal up was a vegetable source calcium from Nutrilite--otherwise, years of painful bone grafts was his fate. Today, we would use MCHC bone meal calcium, but will always remember that when simple inert calcium doesn't work, go to the organic forms and watch the unhealed heal."

I'm curious why someone would take umbrage to your statement above with a negative vote without rebuttal. Unless it was the taste of ginger. Seems like the activities of the "Pharma Lobby". Speak up and make yourself heard as well. This is a free forum. Your perspective will be heard too with an open mind. Blog free!

There could logically be only few reasons for a negative vote in this discussion:

1. Deep disagreement scientifically. It needs to be aired out. Speak up!

2. Distaste for ginger. That I can understand as I can't get my wife to follow my example. She can't stand the taste. I'll find her pills that she could swallow instead. I'll even threaten her with snoring:-) if I had to!

3. Member of the "Pharma Lobby" being vindictive.

4. A disenchanted ex-distributor of Amway products. BTW I'm not a distributor now.

5. Someone with a preconceived notion of Amway. A multi Billion Dollar international Network (Quick Star) of good people.

6. Negative votes do not dissuade me. They get me even more excited! It really means I hit a "nerve"! I don't care for the impact on RG scores. This is just an intellectual exercise for me. It certainly is not my field of expertise. I'd be considered a "Quack". I'd encourage objectors to be bold and put forth your views. We want to hear all sides. Don't just be a "negi-Nelly". Come join us in this intellectual quest instead.

Forget ED! How about snoring? Cure for "sleep apnea"? Here is another serendipitous discovery about ginger. For the 1st time I drank a cup of ginger (1 tsp.) tea last night before bed. My wife indicated that I did not SNORE all night! She's been battling my SNORING now for years. She'd wake me up, reposition me, recommend I use the store brand "anti-snore" spray, etc. etc. Just hadn't called an attorney yet:-) Nothing seemed to work so far but ginger tea. So that inspires me to drink more ginger. You doctor types better let me know if there is a fear of "over dosing" (OD) on ginger. Any known cases yet in the literature? I'll gladly volunteer for such a sacrifice to save humanity from the cruelty of "snorers"! :-)

http://snoringcurespro.com/snoring-solutions/herbal-remedies-to-stop-snoring/

Whosoever disliked the lengthy post regarding the various benefits of ginger ought to look at the litany of law suites and disclaimers of adverse effects for the popular statins and other advertised "drugs". For example: Lipitor, Viox, Actos, Oxycoton, Steroids, Viagra, Cialis, Humera, etc. The scary list of adverse effects should petrify & dissuade users as well as health care professionals alike. Yet their use grows unimpeded. So where's the ruse? Any brave volunteers to take a stab at it? We ought to send over some lobbyists for ginger up to the White House!

Buy powdered whole ginger from any Indian grocery store. Check origin and processing conditions. Use of pesticides or fertilizers should also be examined. Or, buy Nutrilite with their "net worth" for insurance!

Stats as of 10:00hrs EST 2-18-14 5 / 0 · 37 Answers · 293 Views

Dear Deepak:

You are right. I have seen many cases in the Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic with all of those unwanted secondary (side) effects you mention. This is real, it happens everyday and it is very sad, as it is difficult to manage and much worsens the underlying conditions.

There are excelent natural products that do the same as statins, or even more, but without all these adverse effects.

Regards,

Juan./

PS: Ravi, please consider the possibility that whoever "disliked" your post without providing any reason, may have just accidentally clicked the wrong icon, which is very easy to happen, as particularly in small computers and mobile devices, these arrows get extremely close to one another. As you can see, I always keep optimistic.

I don't seem to find a way to disagree with you Juan! Simply put, I agree! I'd say "temporary ignorance" would be a diagnosis and would apply to all those who are open-minded in these matters while the rest would be "accidentally clicked the wrong icon". (At worst I'm lamenting that I don't get to hear the other point of view). With ignorance there is always the opportunity of redemption through knowledge. I'm quite certain of the deliberation of the majority readers as well as participants on RG thus far especially in such technical discussions. We do have a highly expert and erudite group of professionals in RG based on the profiles of each contributor. I'm optimistic I could get through eventually by my example as the "Ginger Guinea Pig". I promise to be truthful about my symptoms once I see the blood results in early April after 6+ weeks of consistent use of ginger powder available anywhere in the world today. I'm already pleased with my RA symptom alleviation. I'll post a YouTube video about it for the "unbelievers" among us yet. The rest of the side effects of ginger should be "gravy" at the worst. I'd encourage others reading who have the freedom to buy ginger powder to volunteer as "Ginger Guinea Pigs" to test the hypothesis about ginger. Start the program and report back independently after 10 days of 1-4 tsp. per day. Check with your doctor before hand. We don't want you to choke on it:-) Generally available in any Indian grocery store. I'll post a YouTube video of how to safely make delicious hot tea with ginger powder in minutes and drink it without scalding your mouth and tongue. Lol! Ginger should be worth its weight in Gold and more, yet it is unbelievably cost effective today!

BTW my halitosis & BO have improved dramatically with ginger! Fortunate side effect, considering the alternative as I'm allergic to deodorants. Imagine a ginger flavored Rip Van Winkle.......:-)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/85210325@N04/11343736043/

OK! The secret is out! Ginger really works for me to ameliorate Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Need to wait 5-10 days for full realization. It is getting better every day. Both the taste and its effects:-) It may depend on body weight too. I did 10+10 push-ups without pain for the first time in a decade. Not a placebo! When your pain gets bad enough you'll be motivated to hold your nose and gulp a gram or two of powder ginger. It will work. Try it! If posting a video will make you take it, then so be it. I'll gladly do so for any of you anytime :-) Email me. Now you can't claim you never knew. [email protected]

Foods to avoid for RA (all the good stuff) if you could help it, I couldn't. Lol! Add ginger into you please!http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/foods-to-avoid-with-arthritis#promoSlide

For those that have been following this ginger saga, more awesome news from your "Ginger Guinea Pig"! Now back to the real subject, the Panacea, Ginger!

I think Max Chartrand is right when he says "Well, Ravi, you might be onto something. Inflammation has always been the much greater danger in cardiovascular risk than has cholesterol". This is exactly what's going on in my body. Ginger is displacing all unwanted parasites from my body slowly. My blood has become so distasteful that they are all vacating my body. It is taking time to infuse into joints and other organs & parts of the body. Hence the delayed effects. But the key effect of ginger, I believe, is anti-inflammatory inside-out!

I woke up early today excited about many of the positive side-effects of 4 tea spoons of powder ginger per day for the past 10+ days:

1. My fully engorged hemorrhoids from 10 years have suddenly shrunk and reduced to nothing today, finally. Amazing!

2. Sugar related hair root pimples under my arm pit and body are gone now. This was a pain in my arm pit. I'm a believer again today!

3. Fungal and bacterial infection around my anal orifice have vanished. This was a real PITA (pain in the a.....). This I've been suffering from for nearly 5 years. Blood sugar related. I've unseccessfully tried many anti-fungal and antibacterial creams for this pesky demeaning symptom.

4. RA symptoms are all but gone today! Finally! I did 30 push-ups per day for the past 2 days without excruciating pain. The ginger has finally reached my joints and ligaments after 10+ days of infusion.

5. There are no undesirable side-effects yet.

6. If you are not on 3-4 tea spoons of ginger powder yet, then your pain is not yet significant for you to be motivated. You are not yet a believer. Repent and concede! Consume!

7. Ginger works from inside-out. If these are the effects I see externally, I can only imaging the reconstruction going on inside my body. Exciting!

8. Get on it right away and report progress in 10 days.

9. Let the rest of your family try it too. Promote it to your kids. My son Mani is a believer now when he saw me do the push-ups for the first time in years without complaining, finally.

10. Itchy, dry, waxy ears were a symptom of blood sugar also for the past 5+ years. I’ve tried many ENT & other doctors as well as medicines. Finally going away!

11. BTW ginger makes everything smell better. Unlike asparagus! Pleasant side-effect! It is great for infants, lactating/pregnant moms and kids if you could get it into them without a battle.

12. Effect on snoring is not yet verifiable. I must make controlled observations for that.

Join me and be a "Ginger Guinea Pig" for life! Ginger was not supposed to stop the conversation. Join the discussion and tell us your experience with ginger powder on yourself. You can't imagine how delighted I am. Try ginger and join the gaiety. Cheers to all, ginger toast!

Boy, it was so hot (spicy) that I have hiccoughs. Pleasant ones!

Ravi et al., my cousin advised, don't consume statins before 75.

As for ginger, don't you have the Ginger 3 in 1 tea with creamer. Try it and get hooked, no looking back :)

Any crooners for Actos, Lipitor, Zocor, Humera, Crestor etc. etc.? We'd certainly like to hear "love stories" as mine with ginger. I haven't yet verified the "statin effect" of ginger. Not till April. Anyone as delighted about using statins here as I'm with ginger? Let's hear from you. Be heard please! Stats 0555hrs 2-23-14 5 / 0 · 42 Answers · 358 Views. I shared this questions with many in my network just now. Let us see the effect on participation.

I've posted this in our Likedin group. Please join & participate: http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=2683600&type=member&item=5843310709554835457&qid=15d569e0-1c23-4a6e-950e-c07b564f8546&trk=groups_most_recent-0-b-ttl&goback=%2Egmr_2683600

Miranda! If you are using some sort of a ginger tea bag, then I suggest you eat the contents of the bag as well after drinking the tea. Lol! The secret is in the whole root and not just a dilute essence. That is how I have been consuming it for the past 10+ days. Remember I've been consuming ginger in cooking throughout my life. This is the 1st I've tried dry ground ginger root in these dosages. 1-4 tea spoons per day. I'm working on my second tea spoon of the ginger root powder now!

Not having statins till 75? Well it was about that age that my dad, (a “tea totler”, vegetarian, non-smoker), had his heart attack and triple by-pass. My mom was about that age too when she underwent colon cancer operation and chemo therapy. I'd suggest close communication with trusted medical practioners before making such decisions. But to get on to the Ginger Guinea Pig program you may not need any such "blessings". I'd check with a trusted knowledgeable doctor anyway before hand and not just trust a "Quack" like me. Good Day Miranda!

Thanks Ravi. Mine is ginger 3 in 1. I prefer tea to coffee. I buy ginger powder for baking : ginger breadman etc. For the moment, I just stick to RG. Because research friends are here.

Now I see, ginger for piles. Here, we can easily buy old ginger that's more fibrous than young ginger.

A few ideas that I'm still learning yet:

1. " ginger powder for baking". Cooking the ginger will probably destroy the active enzymes and bioflavonoids. Besides you'd have to eat a lot or drink enormous amounts of dilute tea to get the equivalent of 4 tea spoons of powder per adult per day. That is probably one of the secrets of using ginger that I need to scientifically establish with or without anyone else's help. I do invite all you medically erudite to help us laymen out. We've already begun such an effort in our LI group to analyze ginger powder using XRD Microscopy. Maybe even TEM, SEM, AFM etc.

2. "old ginger that's more fibrous than young ginger". It would be interesting to quantify the Nano structural difference/similarities between the old and young ginger in terms of the content of the active ingredients and the strength/maturity/morphology of the fiber in it. My mom has cooked with every part of the ginger plant. It is huge vegetarian delicacy in deep south India. Some fresh but usually cooked with lots of sugar, salt, chili pepper and other "not so good" ingredients for the health. Generally to mask the taste. I don't think that is the best way to get the maximum effectiveness from ginger. Pure unadulterated ginger root powder directly into the stomach with plenty of good fresh water. You'll hear the battle right away!

3. "ginger for piles". In India what is referred to as "piles" is affectionately known in the US as hemorrhoids. Proctology is a "BIG BUSINESS"! Looking down "rear-ends" is big money! Hemorrhoids are extremely inflamed blood vessel rich protrusions that should have been inside the body. Very painful, embarassing, humiliating & uncomfortable condition for us couch potatoes, computer geeks, desk jockeys, drivers and many other innocent by standers:-) I've suffered from it for the past decade at least. I've managed it with attitude, inspiration (not "faith" or prayer yet), diet, little medication, creams, etc. Never goes away!. Today for the first time they've virtually vanished. Now I know that was not a placebo effect because that was not the intended target. Just a pleasant side-effect of ginger. Sort of like halitosis:-) No fear of waking up good old Rip!

Amazing! Miraculous! The creator has buried the Panacea right under our feet in "ginger" just as the tool for success buried right beneath our skulls, our "brain & thought"! Constant & consistent use is key! I'm feeling confident about the "statin replacement" test in April. Eagerly looking forward to it by doubling up on my dosage. it is barely 9AM and I'm past my 3rd tea spoon of ginger powder! Feeling awesome!

Ginger is true "HEALTH CARE"! The other insurance you have is "SICKNESS CARE"! GINGER IS THE MODERN & ANCIENT PANACEA!

My body today feels like two decades ago! You've got to try for 5 days for palpable results.

Among 19 question followers, 12 contributors and many more viewers so far, how many have the temerity to volunteer for humanity as Ginger Guinea Pigs? We could potentially use the same source for ginger powder to strengthen the scientific argument. I don't think it matters except for the breed (pedigree) of ginger used and its potency. The cost is trivial. I bought 300+ grams for less than $5.00 from the Patel Brothers Inc.. Less than the cost of a McDonald kids' meal. It would last

Ginger for varicose veins? Come on fellows how long can you hold such secrets? Here is another side effect I'd be monitoring voluntarily for you. I have minor affliction which looks kind of better already after 10 days of powder ginger use? I'll observe. General circulation too! Ginger Guinea Pigs!http://www.flickr.com/photos/85210325@N04/12673410535/

12 hours later 20+ more views. I suspect it will increase by 10% by 24 hours. Imagine if each of us just shared it again with each of our followers, it may go viral!

Deepak! If you switch the topics around a bit with larger following stats, you'll increase the exposure of your thoughts considerably as well.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/552401-ginger-spider-veins/

HERE'S THE VERDICT FINALLY!

I just got a call from my Doctor, Dr. Keshav Prasad, whom I know well.

I had just done a complete blood check on last Friday. The Dr. says every number is fine. "Whatever you are doing is working". He is the same one who diagnosed me 4-5 years ago with:

(1). RA - Rhumetoid Artherites

(2). Hiper glicemia (high blood sugar)

(3). Hiper tension (high blood pressure)

(4). Poor cholesterol balance (high bad cholesterol)

He had then prescribed appropriate medication (STATINS ETC.) for each condition which I stopped taking due to the side-effects a year later. I was determined to find an alternative (tried many), I found it!

I attribute the positive change to my use of 4-5 grams of powder ginger per day since March 2014. Nothing else. I recommend it to all. The side effects are amazing. Makes one smarter. Super Brain Food! This result is despite my poor diet at and around my daughter's wedding (July 18th) and all the rest of the "bad" Indian food that my parents brought me and I ate with pleasure but ill compunction.

I'll share my blood results with you later. Eat more ginger! All I know is that it makes my body feel a decade younger already.

Quite a rendition for ginger, Ravi. I've never liked the synthetic statins, will not take them myself, and none of my close relatives will touch it after seeing what it did to my mother's cognitive health and my step father's weakened heart muscle (now deceased) from taking them. The statistics in the US show a six-fold increase in per capital cardiovascular events since 1997, the year when these were approved for the market. The push at the time was to lower cardiovascular risk, all the while ignoring the fact that high clumping type cholesterol is a liver issue more than anything else. One may get their cholesterol to a "good" reading and then watch their muscles waste away, incuding the most important muscle in the human body, the heart itself. If someone wants a statin--and once we understand the underlying issues that created the problem in the first place, we learn that statins only superficially affect the cholesterol picture and with severe trade-offs in many individuals--there are plenty of natural statins from which to choose. Even the new vitamin C0Q10 in bioavailable form will lower cholesterol readings. Getting to why the liver/pancreas are not breaking down the cholesterol better in the duodenum and upper intestine would be a much more worthy cause than taking a synthetic statin. A trend we have noticed of late as we have pounded on the theme that synthetic statins at 20-80mg are bad for you for so long, that the response in the marketplace of government controlled medicine is that everyone nowaways are put on placebo levels of only 5 and 10mg...the cost per pill is likely about the same, so the drug companies are still raking in the money, biased research that developed false models of behavior around the statins save face by seeing the same number of people taking statins (probably a bit healthier because the side effects plummet at such subclinical doses; and the patient is still in the system that they otherwise would have walked away from as a result of the bombardament of reports on the dangers of statins. Entire volumes have been written about the dangers of statins...a casual keyword search provides plenty of the grist for the mill, as well, and independent researchers keep reporting on the increased increased incident in dementias in older adults on statins, muscle wasting in the general population, and statins' contribution to elevated blood sugar and diabetes type 2, liver failure, and, yes, continuing increases in CVD.Meanwhile, millions of people worldwide are discovering gentle, yet powerful solutions--like Ravi and ginger--that make them healthier and reduce risk of cardiovascular events in the process WITHOUT synthetic statins. To make matters worse for the pro-Statinists, Oxford just published a neat study showing that eating an apple a day will lower CVD risk for 75% of the UK at risk population--quite a stunning array of evidence that going natural, organic, gentle, getting healthy as a goal, is the place to start--and in doing, the need for expediency falls to the floor.   

BTW Max my doctor doesn't know or didn't care much for my claim of ginger's ability. He just said that whatever I was doing is working. No one in his office is aware of ginger and its properties despite being Indian and having practiced for more than 4-5 decades.  Amazing! Even my wife and kids are not believers yet, just my octagenerian parents so far. They brought me the most awesome ginger powder from India when they visited me for my daughter's wedding on July 18th. I intend to get a lot more when I'm in India August 25th through September 9th. The 550mg capsules are the better alternative for the rest of you. Try it! You will not regret!

Actually, our clinic recommends ginger for several different situations. It is part of the digestive disorder supplementation group as a medical grade essential oil is used for several inflammation disorders. Plus, as an extract it was effectively used in one of the animal cancer studies by a research team I've been working with over the past year.  

Way to go Max! I wish more medical professional pay heed. This seems to be a "no brainer".

i have a stong family history of IHD, myself suffer from angina due to CVD, i too added ginger and garlic powder to my meals(sprinkling on top) along with fruiet viniger -a table spoon a day in half glass of tipid water. i have been doing it for a year (along with standard medications)and have noticed tremendous improvement. i can walk for 5 km without a break without any problems.i routinely recomend these to my patients.

Red yeast rice has been part of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Produced by fermenting rice with a fungus, Monascus purpureus, it contains an active ingredient called monacolin K. This compound suppresses production of LDL by blocking the activity of HMG-CoA reductase in liver cells. Several clinical trials have found that red yeast rice is effective in reducing cholesterol in subjects with high LDL levels. For example, a study published in "European Journal of Endocrinology" in 2005 found that red yeast rice reduced LDL by almost 30 percent in subjects who took the supplement for 8 weeks; those who took a placebo experienced no change.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/401764-lipitor-vs-red-yeast-rice/

Omar, excellent and timely information. We have advocated the use of natural statins over the terribly side-effect laden ones since they were approved in the US in 1997. Since the synthetics have come there has been a seven fold increase in CV events in the US, and still the public health policy makers in the US have not gotten the message. All in the protection of ill-begotten profits. 

I'm very much thankful to all the researchers for your efforts in answering and helping me to find the answer.

BTW I had a chance to confer with Dr. Guru Row of the Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru (aka The TATA Institute). One of his institutional centennial calendar pages (June 2014) was their XRD & other work with Turmeric (a close kin of ginger). I asked him why Turmeric and Ginger are such universal anti-inflammatory in our body. One of his responses was the size of the molecule being ideal and its ability to "break the blood brain barrier". I still have not fully understood the implication of his statement. I hope to learn more soon. Illuminating discussion! Thanks!

http://iycr2014.org/home/news/iisc-calendar-dedicated-to-iycr2014

Ravi, whatever will relieve inflammation of the brain (the major cause of diverse effects as headaches, convulsions, depression, BiPolar, Alzheimer's, etc.) must by its very nature be able to break through the blood brain barrier. Many drugs do break through and cause unbelievable harm to the brain...to have something as anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial and anti-free radical as ginger to do so, is a triple blessing to the recipient, in my book.