Low Vitamin D Levels And Forms Of Neuropathy

Today's post from autoimmunegal.blogspot.com (see link below) refers specifically to Vitamin D deficiency and Sjogren's Syndrome (a systemic autoimmune disease in which immune cells attack and destroy the glands that produce tears and saliva. It is also often linked to rheumatic disorders). Normally the body makes its own vitamin D with exposure to the Sun. The article also talks about the links between low Vitamin D levels and neuropathy. If you have an auto-immune disease/condition, it's possible that you also have low vitamin D levels. That's by no means a certainty but recently research has shown the importance of a stable Vitamin D levels for various medical reasons. People with HIV for instance also often have vitamin D deficiencies, often due to the medications, sometimes leading to, amongst others bone density problems but also peripheral neuropathy. It seems to be one of those subjects that's gaining steam across the internet and it is clear that more research needs to be presented to show how and why vitamin D levels have an effect on auto-immune diseases. In the meantime, if your doctor is willing it will do now harm to check your D levels (along with B12 and others) if you have neuropathic problems.
 

  
Sjogren’s, Vitamin-D, Neuropathy, and Lymphoma
Friday, December 7, 2012

Those of you who follow me on twitter (@autoimmunegal) know that I am always tweeting health and medical research studies on autoimmune diseases. Yes, that may make me a little bit of a nerd, but that is OK with me. Along those lines, I recently came across an interesting study (thanks to a tweet from the Sjogren’s Society of Canada) that I thought was very important to share. This study from the Journal of Autoimmunity found a link between primary Sjogren’s Syndrome (pSS) patients with low vitamin-D levels having peripheral neuropathy and having lymphoma.

It is important to mention that this research is the first to find a relationship between low vitamin-D and the risk of lymphoma for those with Sjogren's. There have also been very few studies to date examining vitamin-D levels and their impact on Sjogren's patients. The authors write with regard to neuropathy that “vitamin-D deficiency may be a component in the pathogenesis of neuropathy in pSS.” They then conclude that their research “may warrant the need for a tighter monitoring of vitamin-D among patients with pSS." You can see the article's abstract by clicking here.

Low vitamin-D levels have been correlated with autoimmunity in some studies. In addition, vitamin-D has been found to have a protective effect in preventing the development of AI diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune thyroiditis, and Type 1 diabetes. Some studies have even shown that higher levels of vitamin-D are associated with decreased cancer risk including for non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, but as is often the case with scientific research there have been conflicting studies and controversy in this area. Basically vitamin-D seems to be powerful stuff.

When I was diagnosed with Sjogren’s almost two years ago, I was found to have both low vitamin-D levels and severe neuropathy. This study might shed some light on patients like me and serves as big reminder that I best keep taking my vitamin-D supplement. I take a daily over the counter supplement and I do try to have foods high in vitamin-D a few times a week, but that doesn't always raise my vitamin-D level high enough. When my levels are low, my doctor usually prescribes a 12 week course of 50,000 IU of D3 once a week. That usually does the trick to get my vitamin-D in normal range.

The results of this study certainly gives me and others with Sjogren’s MAJOR reasons (lymphoma and neuropathy) to talk to our doctors about vitamin-D and take our supplements if they recommend it. I actually haven’t had my vitamin-D levels (a simple blood test) checked in some time so that will be added to the list to discuss for my next rheumatology appointment in a couple months. If you want to read more about vitamin-D and autoimmune diseases, check out some of the links I listed below (please feel free to add your own as this list is far from comprehensive). To learn more about lymphoma and Sjogren’s, click on this link to a recent post from Julia’s blog 'Reasonably Well' on the topic.

Were your levels of vitamin-D low when you were diagnosed with autoimmune disease? By the way, make sure to talk your doctor before making any changes to your vitamin supplements.

http://autoimmunegal.blogspot.nl/2012/12/sjogrens-vitamin-d-neuropathy-and_7.html

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR HIGH CHOLESTEROL LEVELS IN BLOOD

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that's found in the fats (lipids) in your blood. While your body needs cholesterol to continue building healthy cells, having high cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease.

When you have high cholesterol, you may develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits make it difficult for enough blood to flow through your arteries. Your heart may not get as much oxygen-rich blood as it needs, which increases the risk of a heart attack. Decreased blood flow to your brain can cause a stroke.

High cholesterol can be inherited, but it's often the result of unhealthy lifestyle choices, and thus preventable and treatable. A healthy diet, regular exercise and sometimes medication can go a long way toward reducing high cholesterol.

Causes--Cholesterol is carried through your blood, attached to proteins. This combination of proteins and cholesterol is called a lipoprotein. You may have heard of different types of cholesterol, based on what type of cholesterol the lipoprotein carries. They are:

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL, or "bad," cholesterol transports cholesterol particles throughout your body. LDL cholesterol builds up in the walls of your arteries, making them hard and narrow.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL, or "good," cholesterol picks up excess cholesterol and takes it back to your liver.

Factors within your control — such as inactivity, obesity and an unhealthy diet — contribute to high LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol. Factors beyond your control may play a role, too. For example, your genetic makeup may keep cells from removing LDL cholesterol from your blood efficiently or cause your liver to produce too much cholesterol.

Symptoms--High cholesterol has no symptoms. A blood test is the only way to detect high cholesterol.

RISK FACTORS--Factors that may increase your risk of high cholesterol include:

Poor diet. Eating saturated fat, found in animal products, and trans fats, found in some commercially baked cookies and crackers, can raise your cholesterol level. Foods that are high in cholesterol, such as red meat and full-fat dairy products, will also increase your total cholesterol.

Obesity. Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater puts you at risk of high cholesterol.

Large waist circumference. Your risk increases if you are a man with a waist circumference of at least 40 inches (102 centimeters) or a woman with a waist circumference of at least 35 inches (89 centimeters).

Lack of exercise. Exercise helps boost your body's HDL, or "good," cholesterol while increasing the size of the particles that make up your LDL, or "bad," cholesterol, which makes it less harmful.

Smoking. Cigarette smoking damages the walls of your blood vessels, making them likely to accumulate fatty deposits. Smoking may also lower your level of HDL, or "good," cholesterol.

Diabetes. High blood sugar contributes to higher LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol. High blood sugar also damages the lining of your arteries.

COMPLICATIONS--High cholesterol can cause atherosclerosis, a dangerous accumulation of cholesterol and other deposits on the walls of your arteries. These deposits (plaques) can reduce blood flow through your arteries, which can cause complications, such as:

Chest pain. If the arteries that supply your heart with blood (coronary arteries) are affected, you may have chest pain (angina) and other symptoms of coronary artery disease.

Heart attack. If plaques tear or rupture, a blood clot may form at the plaque-rupture site — blocking the flow of blood or breaking free and plugging an artery downstream. If blood flow to part of your heart stops, you'll have a heart attack.

Stroke. Similar to a heart attack, if blood flow to part of your brain is blocked by a blood clot, a stroke occurs.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homeopathic remedies for high cholesterol levels  provide an excellent cure. Treatment of elevated cholesterol  levels with homeopathic remedies not only lowers the levels but also treats body’s defective tendency to hold  excess of fat.  Homeopathic remedies also correct liver fat metabolism . The following  are the top homeopathic medicines for elevated cholesterol  levels that I have found to be very effective.

ALLIUM SATIVUM Q-- Allium Sativum is an excellent remedy for controlling high cholesterol level in blood . The high blood pressure due to cholesterol deposits in the arteries can also be wonderfully treated with the help of  Allium Sativum. The patients in whom high cholesterol is the result of excessive eating of meat can benefit by this Homeopathic remedy. The patients requiring  Allium Sativum usually have an increased appetite, especially a cravingfor meat. They also suffer from acidity symptoms like burning in stomach and acrid burping or belching.

AURUM METALLICUM 30-- Aurum Metallicum is  another top remedy   for patients with high cholesterol levels. It is of great help in those cases of high cholesterol where the arteries have become hardened due to cholesterol deposits and where high blood pressure is present. The patients requiring  Aurum Metallicum have a rapid and irregular pulse with violent palpitations. The patient may complain of pain behind the sternum, especially at night. The mental symptoms presented by the patient is very important for the selection of this remedy such as- depressed feeling,  getting angry over the slightest contradiction and thoughts of committing suicide.

ALFALFA Q-Alfalfa is considered a specific remedy for controlling high cholesterol levels. Give 10  drops three times daily

AVENA SATIVA Q- Avena sativa also reduce cholesterol levels in blood. It also helps protecting the rise of glucose levels by slowing down sugar absorption. Take 5 drops in warm water three times daily

BARYTA MURIATICUM 30-Baryta Muriaticum is the best  Homeopathic medicine for elderly people who suffer from high cholesterol levels and where the arteries have become rigid with loss of normal elasticity. The systolic pressure is always on the higher side in these patients.  Baryta Muriaticum is a very effective remedy where the cholesterol plaques have deposited in the arteries, leading to heart and brain affections. Heaviness and vertigo consequent to the reduced blood supply to brain can be tackled well with this Homeopathic medicine.

BERBERIS VULGARIS Q—Berberis vulgaris  is an excellent specific remedy for high cholesterol levels in blood. It is a good  stimulant and drainer for the kidneys.  The patient leads a sedentary lifestyle and has a big appetite.  

CALCAREA CARB 30-Calcarea Carbonica is an excellent remedy  for reducing high cholesterol in fat or overweight patients.  An unusual and excessive craving for boiled eggs is present in these patients. Excessive sensitiveness to cold air and continuous perspiration on scalp are symptoms that are always considered in patients of high cholesterol for using   Calcarea Carbonica. This  medicine is also of great help for patients who complain of tightness or oppression in chest or a feeling of suffocation that is intensified on going upstairs. Excessive palpitations may also be complained of at night or after having meals.

CARDUS MARIANUS Q- Cardus is an excellent remedy for lowering high level of cholesterol in blood. It corrects the fat metabolism in the liver

CRATAEGUS OXYACANTHA Q-Crataegus Oxyacantha is an excellent heart tonic. Crataegus   acts as a tonic for heart muscles that have become weakened due to reduced blood supply to heart as a result of deposits of cholesterol in the arteries. This Homeopathic medicine acts very efficiently in strengthening these weak muscles and regularising the heart’s action. Crataegus Oxyacantha ranks as the top Homeopathic medicine for dissolving the cholesterol deposits in arteries. The patients requiring this  medicine complain of difficulty in breathing after even the slightest exertion.

CHRYSANTHEMUM LEUCANTHEMUM Q—Chrysanthemum reduce cholesterol levels in blood also it eliminates digestive troubles resulting from overeating. Take 20 drops 2 times daily.

CURCUMA LONGA Q- Curcuma longa is an excellent remedy for lowering cholesterol levels in blood .Curcumin, also known as turmeric root, an ancient spice in the ginger family, is gaining attention for its positive impact on a number of diseases, including cholesterol reduction. Scientific evidence has been building since the mid-1980s of curcumin’s potential cholesterol-lowering capabilities.

For example, animals fed small doses of curcumin had their cholesterol levels drop by one half (50%) over those that did not receive curcumin. Curcumin reduces cholesterol by interfering with intestinal cholesterol uptake, increasing the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids, and increasing the excretion of bile acids, according to the International Journal of Vitamin Nutritional Research (1991, 61:364-69).

The 1992 Indian Journal of Physiology reported that ten human volunteers taking curcumin showed a 29% increase in beneficial HDL cholesterol in only 7 days. Total cholesterol also fell 11.6% and lipid peroxidation was reduced by 33%.

In January of 1997, the Journal of Molecular Cell Biochemistry reported curcumin has demonstrated, in vivo, the ability to decrease total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in serum and to increase the beneficial HDL cholesterol. “Blood cholesterol was lowered significantly by dietary curcumin in these diabetic animals. Significant decrease in blood triglyceride and phospholipids was also brought about by dietary curcumin in diabetic rats.”

The research has continued and curcumin’s ability to lower blood cholesterol levels was reported in the April 1998 issue of Molecular Cell Biochemistry, and again, later that year, researchers in Biofactors (1998, 8:1-2, 51-57) reported that “curcumin extract may be protective in preventing lipoperoxidation of subcellular membranes.”

Curcumin also provides an additional benefit by potentially reducing the risk of cardiovascular-related disease as it inhibits platelet aggregation and significantly decreases the level of lipid (LDL) peroxidation. “Observation of curcumin’s mechanism of action shows that it blocks the formation of thromboxane A2, a promoter of platelet aggregation, thereby inhibiting abnormal blood clot formation. Curcumin also increases a prostacyclin, a natural inhibitor of platelet aggregation” (Arzneim. Forsch., 1986, 36:715-17).

CHOLESTERINUM 3X—Cholesterinum is an effective remedy for high level of cholesterol in blood.It also stops the degeneration of arterial walls. It treats an enlarged liver and gallstone colic

FEL TAURI 3X-Fel tauri is an effective remedy in the treatment of high blood cholesterol. It treats a sluggish liver. It corrects fat metabolism and eliminates fat.

GARCINIA MORELLA 3X– Garcinia is an excellent remedy for controlling high cholesterol levels in blood. There is burning pain in the liver region.

LECITHIN 12X-Lecithin breaks down cholesterol and fat in blood , allowing them to be utilized effectively by cells.

LYCOPODIUM 200-Lycopodium is an excellent remedy for controlling cholesterol levels in blood. Lycopodium  regulates the fat metabolism in liver. Lycopodium is prescribed when there is flatulence, patient prefer hot food and drinks.Lycopodium patient desires sweets.

NUX VOMICA 30-Nux Vomica is the one of the best homeopathic remedy  for high cholesterol for those  patients who have an excessive craving for alcoholic drinks and fatty food. Mentally, such patients are very irritable and angersome. They are also chronic sufferers of obstinate constipation. 

STROPHANTHUS HISPIDUS Q--Strophanthus Hispidus is an excellent  Homeopathic medicine for reducing the extreme effects of high cholesterol levels in blood. It is very efficient and safe remedy which can be used in old age to tone up the weak heart muscles. It also has the capacity to drain off the dropsical affections that have occurred from extreme effects on heart due to high cholesterol deposits. The heart affections that have resulted as a combined effect of tobacco smoking and high cholesterol levels also come under this Homeopathic medicine usage. The other symptoms that guide towards the use of  Strophanthus Hispidus are excessive palpitations, cardiac pain and breathlessness.

URANIUM NITRICUM 3X-Uranium nitricum treats high cholesterol with diabetes.There is great emaciation , debility and tendency to ascites and general dropsy. It is also effective for degeneration of the liver and high blood pressure.

SULPHUR 200--Sulphur is used as an intercurrent remedy

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA OR HIGH LEVELS OF CHOLESTEROL IN BLOOD

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that's found in the fats (lipids) in your blood. While your body needs cholesterol to continue building healthy cells, having high cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease.

When you have high cholesterol, you may develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits make it difficult for enough blood to flow through your arteries. Your heart may not get as much oxygen-rich blood as it needs, which increases the risk of a heart attack. Decreased blood flow to your brain can cause a stroke.

High cholesterol can be inherited, but it's often the result of unhealthy lifestyle choices, and thus preventable and treatable. A healthy diet, regular exercise and sometimes medication can go a long way toward reducing high cholesterol.

Causes--Cholesterol is carried through your blood, attached to proteins. This combination of proteins and cholesterol is called a lipoprotein. You may have heard of different types of cholesterol, based on what type of cholesterol the lipoprotein carries. They are:

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL, or "bad," cholesterol transports cholesterol particles throughout your body. LDL cholesterol builds up in the walls of your arteries, making them hard and narrow.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL, or "good," cholesterol picks up excess cholesterol and takes it back to your liver.

Factors within your control — such as inactivity, obesity and an unhealthy diet — contribute to high LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol. Factors beyond your control may play a role, too. For example, your genetic makeup may keep cells from removing LDL cholesterol from your blood efficiently or cause your liver to produce too much cholesterol.

Symptoms--High cholesterol has no symptoms. A blood test is the only way to detect high cholesterol.

RISK FACTORS--Factors that may increase your risk of high cholesterol include:

Poor diet. Eating saturated fat, found in animal products, and trans fats, found in some commercially baked cookies and crackers, can raise your cholesterol level. Foods that are high in cholesterol, such as red meat and full-fat dairy products, will also increase your total cholesterol.

Obesity. Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater puts you at risk of high cholesterol.

Large waist circumference. Your risk increases if you are a man with a waist circumference of at least 40 inches (102 centimeters) or a woman with a waist circumference of at least 35 inches (89 centimeters).

Lack of exercise. Exercise helps boost your body's HDL, or "good," cholesterol while increasing the size of the particles that make up your LDL, or "bad," cholesterol, which makes it less harmful.

Smoking. Cigarette smoking damages the walls of your blood vessels, making them likely to accumulate fatty deposits. Smoking may also lower your level of HDL, or "good," cholesterol.

Diabetes. High blood sugar contributes to higher LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol. High blood sugar also damages the lining of your arteries.

COMPLICATIONS--High cholesterol can cause atherosclerosis, a dangerous accumulation of cholesterol and other deposits on the walls of your arteries. These deposits (plaques) can reduce blood flow through your arteries, which can cause complications, such as:

Chest pain. If the arteries that supply your heart with blood (coronary arteries) are affected, you may have chest pain (angina) and other symptoms of coronary artery disease.

Heart attack. If plaques tear or rupture, a blood clot may form at the plaque-rupture site — blocking the flow of blood or breaking free and plugging an artery downstream. If blood flow to part of your heart stops, you'll have a heart attack.

Stroke. Similar to a heart attack, if blood flow to part of your brain is blocked by a blood clot, a stroke occurs.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homeopathic remedies for high cholesterol levels  provide an excellent cure. Treatment of elevated cholesterol  levels with homeopathic remedies not only lowers the levels but also treats body’s defective tendency to hold  excess of fat.  Homeopathic remedies also correct liver fat metabolism . The following  are the top homeopathic medicines for elevated cholesterol  levels that I have found to be very effective.

ALLIUM SATIVUM Q-- Allium Sativum is an excellent remedy for controlling high cholesterol level in blood .The high blood pressure due to cholesterol deposits in the arteries can also be wonderfully treated with the help of  AlliumSativum. The patients in whom high cholesterol is the result of excessive eating of meat can benefit by this Homeopathic remedy. The patients requiring  AlliumSativum usually have an increased appetite, especially a cravingfor meat. They also suffer from acidity symptoms like burning in stomach and acrid burping or belching.

AURUM METALLICUM 30--AurumMetallicumis  another top remedy   for patients with high cholesterol levels. It is of great help in those cases of high cholesterol where the arteries have become hardened due to cholesterol deposits and where high blood pressure is present. The patients requiring AurumMetallicum have a rapid and irregular pulse with violent palpitations. The patient may complain of pain behind the sternum, especially at night. The mental symptoms presented by the patient is very important for the selection of this remedy such as- depressed feeling,  getting angry over the slightest contradiction and thoughts of committing suicide.

ALFALFA Q- Alfalfa is considered a specific remedy for controlling high cholesterol levels. Give 10  drops three times daily

AVENA SATIVA Q- Avenasativa also reduce cholesterol levels in blood. It also helps protecting the rise of glucose levels by slowing down sugar absorption. Take 5 drops in warm water three times daily

BARYTA MURIATICUM 30-Baryta Muriaticum is the best  Homeopathic medicine for elderly people who suffer from high cholesterol levels and where the arteries have become rigid with loss of normal elasticity. The systolic pressure is always on the higher side in these patients. BarytaMuriaticum is a very effective remedy where the cholesterol plaques have deposited in the arteries, leading to heart and brain affections. Heaviness and vertigo consequent to the reduced blood supply to brain can be tackled well with this Homeopathic medicine.

BERBERIS VULGARIS Q—Berberisvulgaris  is an excellent specific remedy for high cholesterol levels in blood. It is a good  stimulant and drainer for the kidneys.  The patient leads a sedentary lifestyle and has a big appetite.  

CALCAREA CARB 30-Calcarea Carbonica is an excellent remedy  for reducing high cholesterol in fat or overweight patients.  An unusual and excessive craving for boiled eggs is present in these patients. Excessive sensitiveness to cold air and continuous perspiration on scalp are symptoms that are always considered in patients of high cholesterol for using  CalcareaCarbonica. This  medicine is also of great help for patients who complain of tightness or oppression in chest or a feeling of suffocation that is intensified on going upstairs. Excessive palpitations may also be complained of at night or after having meals.

CARDUS MARIANUS Q- Cardus is an excellent remedy for lowering high level of cholesterol in blood. It corrects the fat metabolism in the liver

CRATAEGUS OXYACANTHA Q-CrataegusOxyacantha is an excellent heart tonic. Crataegus acts as a tonic for heart muscles that have become weakened due to reduced blood supply to heart as a result of deposits of cholesterol in the arteries. This Homeopathic medicine acts very efficiently in strengthening these weak muscles and regularising the heart’s action. CrataegusOxyacantha ranks as the top Homeopathic medicine for dissolving the cholesterol deposits in arteries. The patients requiring this  medicine complainof difficulty in breathing aftereven the slightest exertion.

CHRYSANTHEMUM LEUCANTHEMUM Q—Chrysanthemum reduce cholesterol levels in blood also it eliminates digestive troubles resulting from overeating. Take 20 drops 2 times daily.

CHOLESTERINUM 3X—Cholesterinum is an effective remedy for high level of cholesterol in blood.It also stops the degeneration of arterial walls. It treats an enlarged liver and gallstone colic

CURCUMA LONGA Q- Curcuma longa is an excellent remedy for lowering cholesterol levels in blood .Curcumin, also known as turmeric root, an ancient spice in the ginger family, is gaining attention for its positive impact on a number of diseases, including cholesterol reduction. Scientific evidence has been building since the mid-1980s of curcumin’s potential cholesterol-lowering capabilities.

FEL TAURI 3X-Fel tauri is an effective remedy in the treatment of high blood cholesterol. It treats a sluggish liver. It corrects fat metabolism and eliminates fat.

GARCINIA MORELLA 3X–Garcinia is an excellent remedy for controlling high cholesterol levels in blood. There is burning pain in the liver region.

LECITHIN 12X- Lecithin breaks down cholesterol and fat in blood , allowing them to be utilized effectively by cells.

LYCOPODIUM 200-Lycopodium is an excellent remedy for controlling cholesterol levels in blood. Lycopodium  regulates the fat metabolism in liver. Lycopodium is prescribed when there is flatulence, patient prefer hot food and drinks.Lycopodium patient desires sweets.

NUX VOMICA 30-Nux Vomica is the one of the best homeopathic remedy  for high cholesterol for those  patients who have an excessive craving for alcoholic drinks and fatty food. Mentally, such patients are very irritable and angersome. They are also chronic sufferers of obstinate constipation. 

STROPHANTHUS HISPIDUS Q--StrophanthusHispidus is an excellent  Homeopathic medicine for reducing the extreme effects of high cholesterol levels in blood. It is very efficient and safe remedy which can be used in old age to tone up the weak heart muscles. It also has the capacity to drain off the dropsical affections that have occurred from extreme effects on heart due to high cholesterol deposits. The heart affections that have resulted as a combined effect of tobacco smoking and high cholesterol levels also come under this Homeopathic medicine usage. The other symptoms that guidetowards the use of StrophanthusHispidus are excessive palpitations, cardiac pain and breathlessness.

URANIUM NITRICUM 3X-Uranium nitricum treats high cholesterol with diabetes. There is great emaciation , debility and tendency to ascites and general dropsy. It is also effective for degeneration of the liver and high blood pressure.

SULPHUR 200- Sulphur is used as an intercurrent remedy

HERBAL MEDICINES COULD CONTAIN DANGEROUS LEVELS OF TOXIC MOLDS

Herbal medicines such as licorice, Indian rennet and opium poppy, are at risk of contamination with toxic mold, according to a new study published in Fungal Biology. The authors of the study, from the University of Peshawar, Pakistan say it's time for regulators to control mold contamination.

An estimated 64% of people use medicinal plants to treat illnesses and relieve pain. The herbal medicine market is worth $60 billion globally, and growing fast. Despite the increasing popularity of herbal medicine, the sale of medicinal plants is mostly unregulated.

The new study analyzes toxic mold found on common medicinal plants in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, where the majority of people use herbal medicine. They found that around 43% of the plants were naturally contaminated with toxins, produced by molds that could be harmful to human health. 30% of the samples contained aflatoxins, which are carcinogenic and linked to liver cancer, and around 26% were contaminated with ochratoxin A, which is toxic to the liver and kidneys, and can suppress the immune system..

"It's common to use medicinal plants in our country and to buy from local markets and shops," said Ms. Samina Ashiq, one of the authors of the study from the University of Peshawar. "There's a common misconception that just because they're natural, the plants are safe. We knew from experience that this wasn't the case, but we wanted to really test it and quantify the contamination."

Ms. Ashiq and the team analyzed 30 samples of plants known for their medicinal properties, including licorice, Indian rennet and opium poppy. They found that 90% of the samples were contaminated with mold, and the levels exceeded permissible limits in 70% of the samples.

They then grew the molds to find out if they produced toxins that could be harmful to human health. 19% of the molds produced aflatoxins, and 12% produced ochratoxin A. Overall, 31% of the molds growing on the plants they tested produced harmful toxins.

"These results are a clear indicator that we need more stringent regulation in place," continued Ashiq. "There is a real public health concern due to the lack of effective surveillance of the quality, safety and efficacy of these medicinal plants. It's time for regulators to step in and set limits to protect people who want to use herbal medicines like these."

The plants can become contaminated at each stage of production: during growth, handling, collection, transportation and storage. Those that are exported for sale may be contaminated before they reach their destination. In Pakistan and many other countries, these plants are primarily sold on markets where hygiene is not top priority.

"By setting limits to fungal contamination of these plants, Pakistan and other countries would be better able to export to places that do have controls in place. Hygienic processing and sale of medicinal plants is essential to protect people, and also if the economy is to benefit from the booming herbal medicine industry," added Ms. Ashiq.