Any of a class of physiologically active substances present in many tissues, with effects such as vasodilation, vasoconstriction, stimulation of the smooth muscles of the bronchus or intestine, uterine stimulation; also involved in pain, inflammation, fever, allergic diarrhea, and dysmenorrhea. A potent hormone -- similar in structure to an unsaturated fatty acid -- that acts in extremely low concentrations on local target organs; first isolated from the prostate. Also: Prostaglandins

	Aspirin As A Treatment "...NSAIDs inhibit the cyclo-oxygenase enzyme and thus prevent the formation of prostaglandins and thromboxanes from precursor arachidonic acid..." Chronic Inflammation Relationship to EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Requirement "In order to maintain proper balance of the antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory prostaglandins (PGE1 and PGE3) with the pro-spasmodic and pro-inflammatory prostaglandins (PGE2), it is critical to have the proper balance of essential fatty acids..." Recommendation Essential Fatty Acids "A tendency towards chronic repeated inflammations may be resolved through prostaglandin balancing..." Cleavers As A Treatment "...The plant contains the valuable constituent asperuloside, a substance that is converted into prostaglandins by the body..." Delta-6-Desaturase Related Topic "An important enzyme involved in the conversion of essential fatty acids to prostaglandins..." Eclampsia / Preeclampsia The Condition "...Abnormal prostaglandin synthesis may be the pivotal defect causing increased peripheral vascular resistance, severe vasoconstriction, endothelial injury and secondary hypertension..." Effects of a High Fat Diet The Condition "...Causes & Development Fats are metabolized into what are called prostaglandins, of which there three main types: PG1, PG2, and PG3..." Essential Fatty Acids As A Treatment "...Function; Reasons For Use EFAs play their essential roles by ... Serving as starting material for hormone-like regulating molecules (prostaglandins) that govern cell activities on a moment-to-moment basis..." Evening Primrose Oil As A Treatment "...GLA is a precursor to PGE1 prostaglandins, responsible for a number of health benefits..." Fatty Acids Related Topic "...They are nutritional substances found in nature which include cholesterol, prostaglandins, and stearic, palmitic, linoleic, linolenic, eicosapentanoic (EPA), and decohexanoic acids..." Feverfew As A Treatment "...Parthenolide is thought to work as an anti-inflammatory agent via inhibition of inflammatory prostaglandins, reduction of histamine production and eventually reducing the activity of inflammatory cells..." Fluoride Reduction/Avoidance As A Treatment "...the scientists at Sepracor who conducted the study: "We have found that fluoride, in the concentration range in which it is employed for the prevention of dental caries, stimulates the production of prostaglandins and thereby exacerbates the inflammatory response in gingivitis and periodontitis..." Gastric/Peptic/Duodenal Ulcers Recommendation against NSAIDs "Prostaglandins are substances that are important in helping the gut linings resist corrosive acid damage..." Ginger Root As A Treatment "...When taken in standardized extract form, ginger may additionally lower the level of the body's natural pain-causing compounds called prostaglandins..." GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid) As A Treatment "...DGLA is essential for the production of prostaglandin E1, an important hormone-like chemical that reduces inflammation, boosts immunity, lowers blood pressure, keeps platelets from sticking together, and improves blood vessel tone..." Heartburn / GERD / Acid Reflux Recommendation Chewing Gum "...Saliva is rich in esophageal protective factors including epidermal growth factor, mucin, proteins and prostaglandin E2..." Hypertension (High Blood PRessure) Recommendation Plant-Based Nutrition "...Nutrient intake, blood pressure, serum and urinary prostaglandins and serum thromboxane B2 in a controlled trial with a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet..." Painful Menstruation (Dysmenorrhea) The Condition "...The symptoms are caused by prostaglandin, a natural hormone produced by cells in the uterine lining..." Recommendation Essential Fatty Acids "Long-term improvement may be gained by promoting the build up of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins with Omega-3 fatty acids or fish oil..." Premenstrual Syndrome PMS C (Craving) The Condition "...A deficiency of the prostaglandin PGE, in the pancreas and CNS may also be involved in PMS-C..." Prostaglandin E Related Topic "The fifth prostaglandin subtype discovered, and usually separated into PGE1 and PGE2..." Schizophrenia The Condition "...Psychomotor epilepsy Cerebral allergy Wheat-gluten sensitivity Histapenia - copper excess Histadelia Pyroluria Wilson's disease Chronic Candida infection Huntington's chorea Almost Unknown causes Prostaglandins Prostaglandins ("prosta": standing before; "glandin": gland) are substances that act like hormones in the body..." Torn, weak, or Stretched Ligaments or Tendons The Condition "...Some of these chemicals are called prostaglandins, which can cause pain at the injury site..." Vitamin B3 Requirement The Condition "...It increases the production of prostaglandins, which are hormone-like chemicals that tissues produce to help control such physiologic processes as blood clotting and inflammation..." Zinc Requirement The Condition "...Zinc is also important in the production of prostaglandins (PGs)..."

Last updated: Oct 08, 2008