Alphahydroxy Acids Speed Skin Aging
Products with AHAs are marketed as a “”natural”" way to rejuvenate skin. Anti-wrinkle creams age skin more rapidly. DERMATOLOGY TIMES Issue: Sept, 2000 London — Scientists are now reporting that anti-wrinkle creams containing alphahydroxy acids may actually cause the skin to age more rapidly, according to an article on ABCNews.com. The European Commission, the administrative arm of the European Union, is considering placing tough, new limits on anti-wrinkle creams because the AHAs present in the products may actually cause the skin to age more rapidly than without, scientists said. AHAs claim to exfoliate or rejuvenate the skin by peeling off the outer layers to reveal the fresher skin beneath. They also claim to smooth fine lines and surface wrinkles, to improve skin texture and ton, and to improve skin condition in general. However, both European and U.S. scientists are finding the chemicals may actually be causing long-term damage instead. Recently, the European Commission’s Scientific committe on Cosmetic Products made available a number of studies, including research from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, about this issue. The commission found that the chemicals appear to increase the number of skin cells that are damaged, stimulate reddening, blistering and burning and put users at greater risk of ultraviolet damage from the sun. “”Improper use, too frequent use, and use by those with sensitive skin — this is where you see the damage,”" Nick Lowe, M.D., a dermatologist, told ABCNews. “”Products using AHAs should be administered in a clinic.”" Products with AHAs are marketed as a “”natural”" way to rejuvenate skin. Alphahydroxy acid ingredients may be listed as: * glycolic acid * malic acid * citric acid * glycolic acid + ammonium glycolate * alpha-hydroxyoctanoic acid * alpha-hydroxycaprylic acid * hydroxycaprylic acid * mixed fruit acid * tri-alpha hydroxy fruit acids * triple fruit acid * sugar cane extract * alphahydroxy and botanical complex * L-alpha hydroxy acid * glycomer in crosslinked fatty acids alpha nutrium (three AHAs)
Statin Alert Has the Facts on Statin Drugs
StatinAlert.org Warning: Your cholesterol-lowering drug may be destroying your health! Discover the Uncensored Truth about Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Researchers urge caution over statin drugs:
“”The pharmaceutical industry would lead us to believe that rapidly bottoming out our natural cholesterol levels through the use of their highly touted statin drugs is a relatively innocuous process of definite benefit to society. But as we learn more each day of this ubiquitous and unique substance, we must question the veracity of their medical advisors. Cholesterol is perhaps the most important substance in our lives.”" Duane Graveline, MD, MPH.
Despite industry hype, there is no data, none, to show that statins are an overall benefit to people without proven coronary artery disease [CAD]. Putting people on a lifetime of medication, when they do not have CAD, exposes them to health risks and major financial costs, for possibly no benefit. Encouraging people to put themselves on a lifetime of medication, in consultation with a pharmacist, does not seem consistent with the goal of promoting public health.
Before we pathologize millions of people as “”hypercholesterolemic”, society ought seriously to rethink how we go about the important task of primary prevention of heart disease. Diet and exercise seem likely to be cheaper, safer and more effective.”" Professor Arthur Schafer, Director, Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Canada, commenting on the recent decision to allow OTC simvastatin in the UK. Want More information about the deadly dangers of Statin Drugs? Discover the Uncensored Truth about Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs!
We invite you to visit the home page of Statin Alert by clicking on the following link.
SupplementSpot is a supporter of <a href=”"http://statinalert.org/mainpage.html”" STATIN ALERT which compiles information on the deadly dangers of statin drugs for the public as well as physicians. We stongly recommend you forward this link to your friends and associates who are taking statin drugs as well as physicians who are prescribing them.
SupplementSpot has several supplements that lower cholesterol without drugs and side-effects. Click on the following links for further information.
Advese effects of Lipitor II
Lipitor Side Effects / Lipitor Online Information / Atorvastatin
Editor’s Note: The following is the official information released by the manufacturer of Lipitor. What are not revealed is these controlled tests were conducted over a period of less than 6 months and that the adverse effects of Lipitor increase rapidly over time until patients report the “”less than 2% becomes less than 20% or more after 3 years and “”less than 50% after 5 years.”" When one adopts a statin drug they normally abandon diet and exercise to control cholesterol levels and it is assumed will take it for a lifetime. They also incur an annual prescription cost of as much as $2500 a year. Of course, that does not factor in the costs related to the many side effects they will develop over time. Eventually, whether it be in a week or 5 years these side-effects will become so pronounced their doctor will no longer be able to write a prescription and once abandoned their cholesterol levels will return to their former levels or higher and no way to control it except the <a href=”"betchol3060t.html”"Natural Cholesterol Cure Atorvastatin is generally well-tolerated. Adverse reactions have usually been mild and transient. In controlled clinical studies of 2502 patients, <2% of patients were discontinued due to adverse experiences attributable to atorvastatin. The most frequent adverse events thought to be related to atorvastatin were constipation, flatulence, dyspepsia, and abdominal pain. Clinical Adverse Experiences Adverse experiences reported in ³2% of patients in placebo-controlled clinical studies of atorvastatin, regardless of causality assessment, are shown in TABLE 6. TABLE 6 Adverse Events in Placebo-Controlled Studies (% of Patients) Atrovastatin Body System/ Placebo 10 mg 20 mg 40 mg 80 mg Adverse Event N=270 N=863 N=36 N=79 N=94 Body as a Whole Infection 10.0 10.3 2.8 10.1 7.4 Headache 7.0 5.4 16.7 2.5 6.4 Accidental Injury 3.7 4.2 0.0 1.3 3.2 Flu Syndrome 1.9 2.2 0.0 2.5 3.2 Abdominal Pain 0.7 2.8 0.0 3.8 2.1 Back Pain 3.0 2.8 0.0 3.8 1.1 Allergic Reaction 2.6 0.9 2.8 1.3 0.0 Asthenia 1.9 2.2 0.0 3.8 0.0 Digestive System Constipation 1.8 2.1 0.0 2.5 1.1 Diarrhea 1.5 2.7 0.0 3.8 5.3 Dyspepsia 4.1 2.3 2.8 1.3 2.1 Flatulence 3.3 2.1 2.8 1.3 1.1 Respiratory System Sinusitis 2.6 2.8 0.0 2.5 6.4 Pharyngitis 1.5 2.5 0.0 1.3 2.1 Skin And Appendages Rash 0.7 3.9 2.8 3.8 1.1 Musculoskeletal System Arthralgia 1.5 2.0 0.0 5.1 0.0 Myalgia 1.1 3.2 5.6 1.3 0.0 The following adverse events were reported, regardless of causality assessment in patients treated with atorvastatin in clinical trials. The events in italics occurred in >2% of patients and the events in plain type occurred in <2% of patients. Body as a Whole: Chest pain, face edema, fever, neck rigidity, malaise, photosensitivity reaction, generalized edema. Digestive System: Nausea, gastroenteritis, liver function tests abnormal, colitis, vomiting, gastritis, dry mouth, rectal hemorrhage, esophagitis. eructation, glossitis, mouth ulceration, anorexia, increased appetite, stomatitis, biliary pain, cheilitis, duodenal ulcer, dysphagia, enteritis, melena, gum hemorrhage, stomach ulcer, tenesmus, ulcerative stomatitis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, cholestatic jaundice. Respiratory System: Bronchitis, rhinitis, pneumonia, dyspnea, asthma, epistaxis. Nervous System: Insomnia, dizziness, paresthesia, somnolence, amnesia, abnormal dreams, libido decreased, emotional lability, incoordination, peripheral neuropathy, torticollis, facial paralysis, hyperkinesia, depression, hypesthesis, hypertonia. Musculoskeletal System: Arthritis, leg cramps, bursitis, tenosynovitis, myasthenia, tendinous contracture, myositis. Skin and Appendages: Pruritus, contact dermatitis, alopecia, dry skin, sweating, acne, urticaria, eczema, seborrhea, skin ulcer. Urogenital System: Urinary tract infection, urinary frequency, cystitis, hematuria, impotence, dysuria, kidney calculus, nocturia, epididymitis, fibrocystic breast, vaginal hemorrhage, albuminuria, breast enlargement, metrorrhagia, nephritis, urinary incontinence, urinary retention, urinary urgency, abnormal ejaculation, uterine hemorrhage. Special Senses: Amblyopia, tinnitus, dry eyes, refraction disorder, eye hemorrhage, deafness, glaucoma, parosmia, taste loss, taste perversion. Cardiovascular System: Palpitation, vasodilatation, syncope, migraine, postural hypotension, phlebitis, arrhythmia, angina pectoris, hypertension. Metabolic and Nutrtional Disorders: Peripheral edema, hyperglycemia, creatine phosphokinase increased, gout, weight gain, hypoglycemia. Hemic and Lymphatic System: Ecchymosis, anemia, lymphadenopathy, thrombocytopenia, petechia. Post Introduction Reports Adverse events assocaited with atorvastatin that have been received since market introduction, that are not listed above, and that may have causal relationship to drug include the following: angioneurotic edema and rhabdomyolysis. DRUG INTERACTIONS The risk of myopathy during treatment with other drugs of this class is increased with concurrent administration of cyclosporine, fibric acid derivatives, niacin (nicotinic acid), erythromycin, azole antifungals (see WARNINGS, Skeletal Muscle). Antacid: When atorvastatin and Maalox ä TC suspension were coadministered, plasma concentrations of atorvastatin decreased approximately 35%. However, LDL-C reduction was not altered. Antipyrine: Because atorvastatin does not affect the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine, interactions with other drugs metabolized via the same cytochrome isozymes are not expected. Colestipol: Plasma concentrations of atorvastatin decreased approximately 25% when colestipol and atorvastatin were coadministered. However, LDL-C reduction was greater when atorvastatin and colestipol were coadministered than when either drug was given alone. Cimetidine: Atorvastatin plasma concentrations and LDL-C reduction were not altered by coadministration of cimetidine. Digoxin: When multiple doses of atorvastatin and digoxin were coadministered, steady-state plasma digoxin concentrations increased by approximately 20%. Patients taking digoxin should be monitored appropriately. Erythromycin: In healthy individuals, plasma concentrations of atorvastatin increased approximately 40% with coadministratlon of atorvastatin and erythromycin, a known inhibitor of cytochrome P450 3A4 (see WARNINGS, Skeletal Muscle). Oral Contraceptives: Coadministration of atorvastatin and an oral contraceptive increased AUC values for norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol by approximately 30% and 20%. These increases should be considered when selecting an oral contraceptive for a woman taking atorvastatin. Warfarin: Atorvastatin had no clinically significant effect on prothrombin time when administered to patients receiving chronic warfarin treatment. Other Concomitant Therapy: In clinical studies, atorvastatin was used concomitantly with antihypertensive agents and estrogen replacement therapy without evidence of clinically significant adverse interactions. Interaction studies with specific agents have not been conducted.
Beer Drinkers Have 300% Increased Risk of Dementia!
Beer, Wine May Influence Dementia Risk Mon Oct 14, 6:08 PM ET By Alison McCook NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - They say you are what you eat, and new research suggests that how well your mind works into old age could also be influenced by what you drink. Dr. Thomas Truelsen of the Institute of Preventive Medicine in Copenhagen and his colleagues found that people who drank beer–even as infrequently as once per month–were more than twice as likely as non-beer drinkers to experience a deterioration in mental functioning, known as dementia, after age 65. In contrast, people who drank wine weekly were 70% less likely than wine-abstainers to develop dementia after age 65. Regular consumption of spirits appeared to have no effect on dementia risk, the authors report. However, Truelsen explained to Reuters Health that further research is needed before doctors can safely recommend that people drink wine to stave off dementia. The precise amount of alcohol that the study participants consumed throughout their lives is not clear, he noted, and, for some, drinking alcohol can do more harm than good. “”I’m not saying that people should drink wine,”" Truelsen cautioned. Dementia is often caused by Alzheimer’s disease (news - web sites), but it can have other causes, including Parkinson’s disease (news - web sites) and blood vessel disease that reduces blood flow to the brain. The results of the current study are based on a review of alcohol drinking behavior collected for almost 2,000 people, including what they drank and how often. Fifteen years later, when all participants were at least 65 years old, the authors contacted them and compared past drinking behaviors for those who did and those who did not eventually develop dementia. Because beverage choice can be related to socioeconomic status–which can influence healthy behavior in general–the researchers took the study participants’ income and education into account. Truelsen and his team found that 83 men and women had developed dementia, while another 1,626 remained dementia-free. Comparing mental function to drinking behavior, the researchers found that people who regularly drank beer, at any frequency, were more than twice as likely to develop dementia in old age. However, people who drank wine weekly were 70% less to develop later mental impairments, and monthly wine drinkers saw a 60% drop in dementia risk. Daily wine drinkers were no less likely than non-wine drinkers to develop dementia in old age. The authors presented their findings here Monday at the 127th annual meeting of the American Neurological Association. The study cannot prove that wine intake prevents dementia–some other lifestyle factor could be responsible for the association. However, Truelsen explained in an interview that red wine contains substances known as flavonoids, antioxidants that help protect blood vessels from harmful substances called free radicals. Free radicals are naturally occurring particles that have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, a type of dementia that results from a reduction in the supply of blood to the brain. He emphasized that the present study is not meant to encourage people to drink wine, but rather to help inform the debate regarding the potential health benefits of antioxidants and encourage further studies.
Brain Cell Growth Boosted By DHEA Supplements
‘Anti-aging’ hormone DHEA Found to Boost Brain Cell Growth August 24, 2004
Human neural stem cells, exposed in a lab dish to the steroid DHEA, exhibit a remarkable uptick in growth rates, suggesting that the hormone may play a role in helping the brain produce new cells, according to a new study published this week in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
The new work, conducted by a team of scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, provides some of the first direct evidence of the biological effects of DHEA on the human nervous system, according to Clive Svendsen, the study’s senior author and an authority on brain stem cells at UW-Madison’s Waisman Center.
“”What we saw was that DHEA significantly increased the division of the cells,”" said Svendsen, a UW-Madison professor of anatomy and neurology. “”It also increased the number of neurons produced by the stem cells, prompting increased neurogenesis of cells in culture.”"
DHEA or dehydroepiandrosterone is among the most abundant naturally occurring steroids in the blood of young humans, but levels decline with age and its physiological effects are poorly understood.
A synthetic form of the hormone is sold over-the-counter as a dietary supplement in the US, thought to have anti-aging properties and to offer prevention against cancer and heart disease, Alzheimer’s and other diseases. But scientists know relatively little about the drug and its basic biological effects on humans.
“”We don’t know much about DHEA, but this new work adds a piece to the puzzle,”" said Svendsen, who conducted the study with colleagues Masatoshi Suzuki, Lynda S. Wright, Padma Marwah and Henry A. Lardy, all of UW-Madison. “”This is the first real evidence of DHEA’s effects on human neural cells.”"
Svendsen and Suzuki carried out the experiments by growing human fetal neural stem cells in culture. The cells form aggregates known as ‘neurospheres,’ which were exposed to a cocktail of DHEA and growth and inhibitory factors, and observed a 29 per cent increase in new brain cells compared to cells grown in a medium with the same factors, but without DHEA.
“”We saw such a pure effect of DHEA,”" Svendsen said.
“”It’s the only steroid we tested that had such a direct effect on stem cell growth and new neuron formation,”" according to Suzuki.
The new work is important because it provides a direct window to the controversial hormone’s effects on critical human cells. Similar studies have been conducted in mice and rats, but those models have shortcomings that are difficult to address, Svendsen notes.
“”There are previous studies in rats that suggest DHEA is neuroprotective, but the problem with DHEA in rats is that it is not a major metabolite in that animal so its effects may not be the same as those seen in humans,”" he said. According to Lardy, metabolic products of DHEA hormone have also been shown to aid memory retention in old mice.
Despite hints from the studies in rodents that DHEA may play a role in enhancing the brain and memory, the new findings reported in the PNAS article were a surprise, he said.
“”We assumed the compounds we were testing would be more active than DHEA in brain stem cells,”" Lardy explains. In previous studies, Lardy, with Wisconsin biochemistry colleagues James Ntambi and Brian Fox, showed that DHEA blocked a step in fat synthesis.
“”The effects of DHEA on brain stem cells is a completely new finding,”" said Lardy. “”The problem of whether DHEA itself is having this effect, or if there’s another metabolite of the hormone involved, still exists.”"
One of the intriguing aspects of the new work, according to Svendsen, is the possibility that DHEA could have some positive effects on the adult human brain.
It is known that DHEA amounts fall progressively during aging, and reduced levels of DHEA have been reported in both adolescents and adults with major depressive disorders. And given the fact that adult humans have neural stem cells that continue to make new neurons in some parts of the brain, there is a possibility that DHEA could play a role in moderating the genesis of new brain cells.
Bromelain
Bromelain
What does it do? Bromelain is a group of proteolytic enzymes, meaning it is capable of digesting protein.
Bromelain is an anti-inflammatory agent and for this reason is helpful in healing minor injuries, particularly sprains and strains, muscle injuries, and the pain, swelling, and tenderness that accompany sports injuries.
Also as a result of its anti-inflammatory effect, bromelain has been found to dramatically reduce postoperative swelling in controlled human research. Double blind research has found bromelaineffective in reducing swelling, bruising, and pain for women having minor surgery after giving birth (episiotomy).
The anti-inflammatory effect of bromelain is the probable reason this enzyme has been found effective for people suffering from sinusitis. Some of the evidence supporting bromelain in the treatment of sinusitis comes from double blind research.
Bromelain, in combination with trypsin, another enzyme, may alleviate symptoms of urinary tract infection due to its anti-inflammatory action. One double blind study comparing the two enzymes in combination with antibiotics to placebo plus antibiotics reported that reduction of symptoms was good to excellent in all of the subjects given the enzymes and antibiotics, but less than half of those only given antibiotics.
Bromelain has been reported to increase absorption of amoxicillin when it is taken with this antibiotic.
Again, probably due to its anti-inflammatory action, bromelain was reported to help patients with rheumatoid arthritis in preliminary research. In that trial, in which bromelain was given for varying (three-week to thirteen-month) periods, 73% had good to excellent results. Bromelain is a natural blood thinner because it prevents excessive blood platelet stickiness. This may explain, in part, the positive reports in a few clinical trials of bromelain to decrease symptoms of angina and thrombophlebitisIn addition, bromelain reduces the thickness of mucus, which may benefit patients with asthma or chronic bronchitis
Preliminary evidence in both animals and people suggests that bromelain may possess antitumor activity, though the true importance of this effect is poorly understood
Where is it found? Bromelain is found mostly in the stems of pineapples and is available as a dietary supplement.
References:
1. Izaka K, Yamada M, Kawano T, Suyama T. Gastrointestinal absorption and anti-inflammatory effect of bromelain. Jpn J Pharmacol 1972;22:519–34. 2. Balakrishnan V, Hareendran A, Sukumaran Nair C. Double-blind cross-over trial of an enzyme preparation in pancreatic steatorrhea. J Assoc Phys Ind 1981;29:207–9. 3. Seligman B. Bromelain: An anti-inflammatory agent. Angiology 1962;13:508–10. 4. Cirelli MG. Treatment of inflammation and edema with bromelain. Delaware Med J 1962;34(6):159–67. 5. Masson M. Bromelain in the treatment of blunt injuries to the musculoskeletal system. A case observation study by an orthopedic surgeon in private practice. Fortschr Med 1995;113(19):303–6. 6. Seltzer AP. Minimizing post-operative edema and ecchymoses by the use of an oral enzyme preparation (bromelain). EENT Monthly 1962;41:813–17. 7. Howat RCL, Lewis GD. The effect of bromelain therapy on episiotomy wounds—a double blind controlled clinical trial. J Obstet Gynaecol Br Commonwealth 1972;79:951–53. 8. Zatuchni GI, Colombi DJ. Bromelains therapy for the prevention of episiotomy pain. Obstet Gynecol 1967;29:275–78. 9. Taub SJ. The use of Ananase in sinusitis. A study of 60 patients. EENT Monthly 1966;45:96–98. 10. Ryan RE. A double-blind clinical evaluation of bromelains in the treatment of acute sinusitis. Headache 1967;7:13–17. 11. Mori S, Ojima Y, Hirose T, et al. The clinical effect of proteolytic enzyme containing bromelain and trypsin on urinary tract infection evaluated by double blind method. Acta Obstet Gynaecol Jpn 1972;19:147–53. 12. Cohen A, Goldman J. Bromelains therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Pennsylvania Med J 1964;67:27–30. 13. Heinicke R, van der Wal L, Yokoyama M. Effect of bromelain (Ananase) on human platelet aggregation. Experientia 1972;28:844–45. 14. Nieper HA. Effect of bromelain on coronary heart disease and angina pectoris. Acta Med Empirica 1978;5:274–78. 15. Seligman B. Oral bromelains as adjuncts in the treatment of acute thrombophlebitis. Angiology 1969;20:22–26. 16. Schafer A, Adelman B. Plasma inhibition of platelet function and of arachidonic acid metabolism. J Clin Invest 1985;75:456–61. 17. Kelly GS. Bromelain: a literature review and discussion of its therapeutic applications. Alt Med Rev 1996;1:243–57 [review]. 18. Gaby AR. The story of bromelain. Nutr Healing May 1995:3,4,11. 19. Gutfreund AE, Taussig SJ, Morris AK. Effect of oral bromelain on blood pressure and heart rate of hypertensive patients. Hawaii Med J 1978;37:143–46.
Free Radicals & the Aging Process
Free Radicals & the Aging Process
The cover story for the November 2003 Readers’ Digest exclaims “”The New Pill That Can End Aging.”" A pretty powerful statement if I do say so myself. The article focuses on Dr. Bruce Ames and another scientist who have been studying the aging process for years. Dr. Ames, who is a biochemist at the University of California at Berkeley has been particularly interested in the concept of free radical damage as the cause of not only cancer, but also aging itself. The article indicates that in 1990 Ames and his colleagues discovered that there was twice as much free radical damage in the tissue of two-year old rats as compared to two-month old rats. Ames and his group discovered a crucial link between oxidation, the production of free radicals leading to DNA mutation, and aging. Their conclusion was that free radical oxidation doesn’t just rise with aging — it causes it.
While Dr. Ames was visiting Italy in the mid 1990’s, he came across a dietary supplement called acetyl-L-carnitine (otherwise known as ALCAR) that was said to be “”sweeping”" Italy. The nutrient was being touted as a natural biochemical that could help cells produce energy and work as a “”pick-me-up.”" Dr. Ames suspected that ALCAR might slow or even reverse aging and he began feeding the nutrient to his old rats. Within weeks the rats apparently appeared reenergized. Dr. Ames found, however, that although ALCAR did have this positive effect, it did not seem to lower the level of free radicals. It was at that point that Ames decided to add another supplement to the rats’ diet, an anti-oxidant known as alpha lipoic acid. Ames is quoted as saying “”with the two supplements these old rats got up and did the Macarena.”" He adds, “”The brain looked better; they were full of energy.”"
I have written about alpha lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine for the last few years. Here are three previous newsletters where you can learn more about these nutrients:
Brain Health at the Cellular Level 51 Scientists Are WRONG Can Memory Loss Be Reversed?
The more I’ve read about the power of these nutrients, the more excited I’ve become. I routinely recommend these nutrients to my patients who have problems with the nervous system, be it their peripheral or central nerves. There are lots of companies on the market that sell alpha lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine, but I strongly believe that Nutraceutical Sciences Institute (NSI) has the best products available on the market for the price. In the past, Vitacost.com did a survey of prices on some of the major brands that offer both alpha lipoic acid and acetyl-L carnitine. The NSI brand provides a significant savings and the best quality.
Alpha lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine are sold individually and in combination. The combination product gives the most value by far. The NSI brand is one of the few that have a combination formula at a therapeutic dose. Each capsule of the combination product contains 300 mg of alpha lipoic acid with 500 mg of acetyl-L-carnitine and costs less than fifty cents per capsule. Another NSI product has 250 mg of each plus 200 mg of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) per capsule. CoQ10 is another critical nutrient for promoting healthy cells and protecting them from free radicals. The recommend dosage is 300 — 1,200 mg per day for alpha lipoic acid and 500 — 2,000 mg per day for acetyl-L-carnitine. Go to your local health food store and price out these two nutrients and you will pay 100 — 200% more for the same amount. I believe that taking these two nutrients on a long-term basis is an excellent idea for overall health and additionally brain health based on current research. In fact we have reformulated many of our NSI Synergy multivitamins with higher dosages of these two incredible nutrients.
Androstenedione and Junk Science
Will D.H.E.A. become a Medical Treatment for CONDITIONS of AGING? HORMONES!! Although many individuals have fears and concerns about hormone replacement, no one
Creatine Found to Boost Memory and Intelligence in New Study
Creatine Found To Boost Memory and Intelligence in New Clinical Study August 13, 2003
Taking supplements of creatine, a compound found in muscle tissue, can significantly boost both working memory and general intelligence, according to researchers in Australia.
The work, to be published in the Proceedings B journal published by the UK’s Royal Society, found that young adult vegetarians who took 5 g of creatine had better recall under pressure than the control group.
“”The level of creatine supplementation chosen was 5 g per day as this is a level that has previously been shown to increase brain creatine levels. This level is comparable to that taken to boost sports fitness,”" explained Dr Caroline Rae from the University of Sydney.
“”Vegetarians or vegans were chosen as carnivores and omnivores obtain a variable level of creatine depending on the amount and type of meat they eat - although to reach the level of supplementation in this experiment would involve eating around 2 kg of meat a day!”" she added.
Creatine supplements are widely used by athletes and fitness fanatics to increase sports performance. It is manufactured by the body, but also found in dietary sources such as meat. A close relative of the amino acids, it has also been trialed successfully in the treatment of neurological, neuromuscular and atherosclerotic disease.
“”We know that creatine plays a pivotal role in maintaining energy levels in the brain,”" said Dr Rae. “”It was a reasonable hypothesis that supplementing a diet with creatine could assist brain function.”"
The experiment tested this hypothesis by giving a group of 45 subjects a creatine supplement and a second group a placebo for six weeks, followed by a six week period with no intake and a final six week period when the control and placebo group were swapped. Intelligence and memory were tested at four points: the start of the trial; the end of the first six week period; and the start and endpoint of the final six week period.
The effect on working memory was tested using a backward digit span test in which the subject has to repeat in reverse order progressively longer verbal random number sequences. Intelligence was tested using Ravens Advanced Progressive Matrices - a methodology commonly used for IQ assessment involving completion of pattern sequences. The test is a well validated measure of general ability with minimal dependence on cultural factors.
“”Both of these tests require fast brain power and the Ravens task was conducted under time pressure,”" said Dr Rae. “”The results were clear with both our experimental groups and in both test scenarios: creatine supplementation gave a significant measurable boost to brain power. For example in the digit span test, subjects’ ability to remember long numbers, like telephone numbers, improved from a number length of about 7 to an average of 8.5 digits.”"
The study shows that increased creatine intake results in improved brain function, similar to effects shown previously in muscle and heart. The results also appear to back previous observations showing that brain creatine levels correlate with improved recognition memory and reduced mental fatigue.
“”These findings underline a dynamic and significant role of brain energy capacity in influencing brain performance,”" said Dr Rae. “”Increasing the energy available for computation increases the power of the brain and this is reflected directly in improved general ability.”"
Long-term supplementation with creatine has yet to be declared fully safe as there have been reported effects on glucose homeostasis (the regulation of blood sugar levels) and potential subjects with a medical history of diabetes were excluded from the experiment. In addition taking the supplement can have some antisocial effects, “”[it] can make you a considerably less ‘fragrant’ person”", according to Dr Rae.
But she added that creatine supplementation may be of use to those requiring boosted.
The FLU: Herbs, Minerals, and Other Home Remedies May Prevent an Illness
Dr. Robert Webster, bird flu discoverer, on ABC News: Bird Flu Reality Check The FLU: Herbs, Minerals, and Other Home Remedies May Prevent an Illness
There are effective alternatives to the flu vaccination. Many people refuse the vaccination and are perfectly safe by taking natural immune system boosters and natural supplements that combat and relieve symptoms of the flu. In the 2004-2005 these remedies take on an additonal importance as nearly 50 million Americans will not be able to obtian a flu vaccination, including many people who are in the highest risk categories. We urge you to forward this article to all persons you know who have an interest in avoiding the flu.
More and more Americans are turning away from the medicine counter and to alternative and self-care prevention and treatment options for illnesses. Alternative therapies for colds and the flu are now very popular. With a prevention strategy that combines diet, supplements and lifestyle management, you may make it through the winter with nary a crumpled tissue. And if you’re unlucky enough to get sick despite your hard work, we’ve rounded up some natural therapies to see you through. Read about these options, scientific evidence and how you can prevent or treat your next bug.
Beta Glucan Vitamin C Zinc Echinacea Garlic NAC or N Acetyl Cysteine Diet Chicken Soup Steam Nasal Irrigation Oscillococcinum Extract Of Duck Liver & Heart Sambucol Eldeberry Extract Fish Oil Capsules Probiotics (Microorganisms: Bacteria And Yeast) Mushrooms BETA GLUCAN
Beta Glucan is a powerful immune stimulator, activating the macrophage in the immune system. Studies have found this product not only has a positive action on the macrophage, but on B lymphocytes, natural killer cells and suppressor T cells. In addition to these important functions, Beta Glucan is an effective antioxidant and free radical scavenger. Beta Glucan is a safe, non-toxic, and orally effective supplement for those who wish to enhance their immune system and lower cholesterol levels. The use of beta glucan will build an immune system capable of killing the flu virus and/or shortening the duration of any flu symptoms. Betqa Glucan can come in a yeast or mushroom base. To learn more go the BETA GLUCAN or click on the links below. VITAMIN C
By far the most popular cold and flu preventive is the ubiquitous vitamin C. The untiring efforts of the late Linus Pauling, Ph.D., the two-time Nobel laureate whose persistent promotion of the benefits of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) supplements led to what is now a voluminous research literature. Pauling demonstrated vitamin C’s wide range of useful effects: as a potent antioxidant protecting against free radical damage; in reducing wrinkling and sagging of skin and in decreasing chances of getting cataracts as we age; by boosting interferon (a natural antiviral substance) and antibody levels in the body and maintaining a strong immune system.
There is tremendous disagreement in the scientific community, however, about how much vitamin C one needs. While Pauling recommended a whopping 2,300 to 10,000 mgs. daily, a National Institutes of Health study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (April 16, 1996) suggests that 200 mg. daily is more appropriate. Vegetarians easily meet this recommendation by eating at least five generous servings of fresh fruits and vegetables each day, including rich C sources such as citrus fruits, bananas, berries, greens, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes.
But many preventive medicine specialists say 200 mg. is way too low to maintain a strong immune system. “”For some people, 500 mg. is plenty, but others may need as much as 5,000 mg. a day,”" says Alan Gaby, M.D., a Seattle-based, medical nutritionist who is a member of the board of the American Holistic Medical Association and a frequent contributor to alternative medicine research journals. “”You have to evaluate each patient’s need on a case per case basis.”"
Emanuel Cheraskin, M.D., D.D.S., a physician, dentist and author of the popular classic, The Vitamin C Connection (Harper & Row, 1983), recommends 1,000 mg. to as much as 3,000 mg. per day. “”Needs vary,”" says Cheraskin, but everyone’s need for vitamin C goes up dramatically when a cold or the flu is imminent. Like Pauling, Cheraskin recommends taking 1,000 mg. per hour, at the first hint of a sneeze or scratchy throat. Any delay diminishes the likelihood of success. No matter whose advice you take, be sure the pills you’re using are fresh and potent, not leftovers from last year’s supply. Vitamin C is easily oxidized when exposed to light, heat or air. Most natural health practitioners recommend using a buffered form of vitamin C to prevent acid burn in the stomach and suggest a product complete with bioflavonoids, which are also powerful antioxidants.
If you want to try vitamin C yourself, you need to realize that no one has set dosage guidelines. A study of 622 people, published in the April 5, 1975 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found that those who took 1,500 mg on the first day of a cold and 1,000 mg on each of the following four days spent 25 percent fewer days indoors because of their cold than those who were given a placebo.
SupplementSpot has several vitamin C formulations which can be found on our product index. The moat effective of which is the Ester-C formulation which is buffered and highly bioavailable, that is, you absorb more and need less. To learn more go to ESTER-C Buffered and Bioavailable or click on the links below. ZINC
Six double blind studies have shown that zinc is effective in relieving symptoms of the flu and colds. The best known of these studies is the one conducted by the Cleveland Clinic and published in the July 15, 1996 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. Within 24 hours of coming down with cold symptoms, 50 people began dissolving Cold-Eeze zinc lozenges in their mouths every two hours while they were awake. Those taking the zinc lozenges recovered in an average of 4.4 days, compared with 7.6 days for those who had been given placebos.
Nearly every American’s diet is low in this trace element, according to the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, which reported in 1995 that zinc intake has declined among American adults resulting in widespread immune problems. Zinc levels of vegetarians tend to be somewhat lower than those of meat eaters because animal products, meat in particular, provide about 70 percent of the zinc in American diets and because the absorption of zinc from plants is lower than that from animal products. The richest nonmeat sources of zinc include whole grains, beans, nuts and nut butters and pumpkin and sunflower seeds.
But be careful, not all mass-marketed zinc lozenges are created equal. Gaby advises you avoid products with fillers and sweeteners included to enhance palatability. “”Zinc gluconate or citrate is what you want, not zinc picolinate,”" says Gaby. “”Make sure there’s no sugar or tartrate fillers because the zinc binds to these fillers and becomes less available.”"
SupplementSpot has several carefully formulated zinc supplements. Our zinc supplements are just what the dotor suggested plus potassium, slippery elm, and sweetened with honey. To learn more go to Zinc Lozenges from SupplementSpot ECHINACEA
The herb echinacea (Echinacea: E. purpurea, E. pallida, and E. augustifolio) is a folk remedy for cold symptoms that has recently gained popularity. In a recent study, people who took extracts of either E. purpurea or E. augustifolio experienced no protection against colds. A few other studies have found benefits with various echinacea forms, but at this time no one is certain of which part of the plant should be used, and there are no standards or quality controls for echinacea or any other herbal remedy.
People with autoimmune diseases or who are allergic to plants in the daisy family should never take it.
SupplementSpot’s Echinacea is combined with Goldenseal to provide maximum relief from symptoms of the Flu and Colds. This is a supplement best recommended for those who have already experienced symptoms and need to shorten the recovery period . To learn more go to Echinacea and Goldenseal GARLIC
In the controversial arena of cold and flu prevention, one food’s value is not in dispute — garlic. Garlic has been shown to kill several types of bacteria and viruses. It also boosts immunity. Indeed, garlic possesses such potent antimicrobial properties that John Long, Ph.D., professor of microbiology at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah concludes if you eat enough soon enough you might not get the cold or flu you feel coming on.
If you’ve maxed out on garlic pasta and broccoli with garlic sauce, Michael Janson, M.D., president of the American Preventive Medical Association in Great Falls, Va. and author of the book, The Vitamin Revolution in Health Care (Arcadia Press, 1996) says the most potent garlic preparations on the market are the “”deodorized forms”" (not “”odorless”"), which contain the equivalent of many cloves of garlic in each pill. Deodorized garlic powder doesn’t leave you with telltale “”garlic breath”" but contains the active allelic sulfide compounds. It is available in 350 to 500 milligram (mg.) capsules that Janson recommends twice per day.
SupplementSpot has the odorless and concentrated garlic supplements you need. Click on the following links to learn more. NAC or N Acetyl Cysteine N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, the most effective way to boost Glutathione levels in the body, is a more stable form of L-Cysteine.
N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, known as “”NAC”" provides powerful immune support and also packs a powerful anti-toxin potential. Its ability to neutralize cell and DNA damaging free radicals can help slow down what many scientists point to as a key factor in the aging process.
N-ACETYL L-CYSTEINE (NAC) or NAC is a more stable form of L-Cysteine because it has an acetyl group (CH3CO) attached. NAC has all the properties of L-Cysteine but is more water soluble and said to be more bioavailable than L-Cysteine. NAC may be the most cost effective way to boost Glutathione levels in the body. Glutathione is a very valuable peptide, but very expensive when bought as a supplement. It is best to use NAC to boost your glutathione levels.
NAC has been shown to play a protective role against a variety of toxic hazards such as cigarette smoke, auto exhaust, certain herbicides, and overdoses of acetaminophen. It can also play a beneficial role in prostate and respiratory conditions. For example, NAC has well established antimucolytic (anti-mucous) properties and has been shown to increase mucocilary transport in smokers.
A recent clin ical study has shown that NAC prevents the flu in up to 50% of those who regularlay use it. Could supplements boost immunity and thereby reduce the number of influenza cases or minimize their severity? As shown in a recent study, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which is inexpensive and available without prescription, may hold such potential.1 NAC, a reduced glutathione precursor, has been used clinically since the 1960s as a mucus thinner and also therapeutically for preventing respiratory disease. This new study was designed to evaluate long-term treatment of influenza and influenzalike episodes with NAC.
Researchers at the Universities of Genoa and Padua in Italy recruited 262 men and women from 20 medical centers. About three-quarters were aged 65 or older. Although many had chronic illnesses, people with chronic respiratory disease were excluded.
The six-month study began in late 1991. Each subject received either a placebo or 600 mg NAC twice daily. Researchers closely monitored the subjects and measured influenza antibodies throughout the flu season. Flu was diagnosed if a subject developed two or more of the following symptoms: fever, malaise, lack of appetite, headache, muscle/joint aches, runny nose, sore throat, thick mucus or cough.
The results were promising: only 29 percent of those taking NAC developed a flulike clinical syndrome, compared with 51 percent of placebo-treated subjects, a reduction of 51%. To read the full article go to NAC Prevents the Flu in 50% of cases or click onthe link below. DIET
A speedy recovery may depend not only on what you’re eating but on how much. Remember the old saying, “”feed a cold and starve a fever,”" attributed to the father of Western medicine, Hippocrates? Well, it turns out what he really advised was: “”If you feed a cold, you will have to starve a fever,”" which implies that eating regular fare will not help that cold or flu and may even make matters worse. Hippocrates reasoning: A body busy with digestion might have less energy for fighting off germs. Many alternative physicians subscribe to this reasoning and recommend at the first sign of a cold or flu, you go on a modified fast, limiting the diet to diluted fruit or vegetable juices, potassium broths, garlic or miso soup plus lots of herb tea and water.
Conventional doctors and the editors of the Tufts University Diet and Nutrition Letter disagree with practitioners of alternative medicine on this matter. They say, whether you have a cold or flu, and particularly when you have a fever, starving an illness is a bad idea because the body needs adequate calories to fight back against the proliferating invader germs. Martin Milner, N.D., a naturopath on the faculty of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine faculty in Portland, Ore., replies to this theory: “”I’ve watched it both ways, and I would definitely recommend eating lightly. At the very minimum, stay away from protein and fat-rich entrees, sweets and dairy products,”" which Milner believes add to a cold’s congestion.
Visit SupplementSpot’s Low Fat Recipes to obtain more than 500 healthy, immune sysptem boosting, low-fat and light recipes that will help you this flu season. CHICKEN SOUP
It’s more than an old wives’ tale. A 1978 study published in the journal Chest found that drinking hot chicken soup increased the nasal mucous velocity in 15 healthy subjects from an average of 6.9 to 9.2 millimeters per minute. And speeding up the flow of mucus, researchers theorized, could move more viruses out of nasal passageways.
Drinking hot water alone increased velocity from 6.2 to 8.4 millimeters per minute, while cold water slowed the velocity from 7.3 to 4.5. Although researchers didn’t know why chicken soup was better than plain hot water, they believe both worked at least in part because of the inhalation of water vapor.
Go to SupplementSpot’s special website Low Fat Recipes where we have several low-fat chicken soup recipes perfect for the flu and cold patient + 500 more great recipes as well. STEAM
There’s no definitive answer as to whether steam can wilt the cold virus. A 1989 British Medical Journal study had 87 people with colds breathe room air for 20 minutes. Those who breathed air that had been humidified and heated to 109.4 degrees had only half as many cold symptoms in the following days as those who breathed air heated to 86 degrees.
But a 1994 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found, among 68 volunteers with colds, no differences in symptoms between those who received a 60-minute treatment of steam heated to 109.4 degrees and those who inhaled steam at 68 degrees.
If you want to treat your cold with steam, you can boil water, place your head over the pot, and drape a towel over your head, creating a tent that traps the steam and brings it to your face and nasal passages. You can also use a facial steamer for these purposes. Steam yourself for about 15 minutes at a time up to once an hour, recommends Patrick Barron, an Orlando naturopath.
NASAL IRRIGATION
The thought of pouring salt water down your nostrils may not be appealing, but a Pennsylvania State University study presented at the 1998 American Academy of Family Physicians Annual Scientific Assembly in San Francisco reported that it could help keep you cold-free.
Researchers divided 294 college students into three groups who either took an inactive pill, gargled with salt water, or irrigated their nasal canals with salt water every day. Students who used the daily saline rinse (one cup of water for every teaspoon of salt) had significantly fewer colds in the 10-week period than those in the other groups.
SupplementSpot’s Xylitol, saline and grapefruit extract Nasal Wash is the most effective product on the market for clearing nasal passages. Learn more at X-Clear Nasal Irrigation System
OSCILLOCOCCINUM EXTRACT OF DUCK LIVER & HEART
Oscillococcinum is the number one over-the-counter flu medication in France, where it has been used for over 60 years. The medication, a dilute extract of duck liver and heart, comes in granule form. It’s believed to indirectly stimulate the body’s immune system and other defenses, according to pharmacist Christophe Merville, west coast branch manager of Boiron, a French manufacturer of homeopathic remedies.
A study in the April 1998 issue of the British Homeopathic Journal reported that 17.4 percent of those taking oscillococcinum were symptom-free the day after treatment began, compared to 6.6 percent of those taking placebos. In a similar study published in the March 1989 issue of the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 24.6 percent of those with mild to moderate symptoms had recovered by the second day, compared to 11.9 percent of those taking placebos. No significant side effects were found in either study.
Homeopathic remedies work quickly, and you should see an improvement in your symptoms within 48 hours. If not, you’re taking the wrong extract for your condition. You can also take oscillococcinum with over-the-counter preparations, prescription medications, or other natural remedies without worrying about drug interactions.
To learn more and buy go to OSCILLOCOCCINUM SAMBUCOL ELDEBERRY EXTRACT
Elderberry extract contains a high percentage of three flavonoids — naturally occurring plant substances — that have been shown to possess antiviral properties. A study published in the winter 1995 issue of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine examined the flu-fighting abilities of Sambucol, a commercial elderberry extract preparation.
In the study, scientists found that Sambucol interfered with the growth of multiple strains of both influenza A and B viruses in cell cultures. In human tests, 35 healthy subjects were given four tablespoons of Sambucol daily for three days, and researchers recorded no side effects. Twenty-seven subjects were then given either Sambucol or a placebo for three days during a flu outbreak at an Israeli kibbutz. Children took two tablespoons daily and adults took four. None of the study participants had received a flu shot.
Fully 90% of those taking Sambucol were completely cured within three days, while most of those who took the placebo needed six days to recover.
Learn more about and order SAMBUCOL FISH OIL CAPSULES
If you don’t eat fish regularly, taking fish oil capsules in the winter may help protect you against a cold, says Ray Sahelian, M.D., the author of The Common Cold Cure. Both laboratory and clinical studies have suggested that fish oil capsules boost the immune system. In a 1995 Patras University study published in Cancer Detection and Prevention, cancer patients who took 18 grams of fish oil daily for 40 days had a significant drop in a type of cell that works to suppress the immune system.
SupplementSpot’s potent. bioavailable fish oil in soft gels is available at FISH OIL SOFT GELS PROBIOTICS (Microorganisms: bacteria and yeast)
Sold in capsules and liquids, probiotics contain live microorganisms (bacteria or yeast) that are supposed to help maintain balance in your intestinal flora. But they may also provide another benefit. One double-blind study from the University of Turku in Finland, published in December 1998 in Clinical and Experimental Allergy, found that an intestinal bacterial strain added to milk stimulated white blood cells in healthy participants. If you’re going to buy a probiotic, look for one that contains bifidus and acidophilus, advises Sahelian.
MUSHROOMS
Daniel Gagnon’s, a well-known herbalist and president of Herbs, Etc. of Santa Fe, N.M. favorite program for preventing colds and flu includes taking two herbal formulations simultaneously for a period of at least one month. The first, a combination of reishi and shiitake mushrooms, which have powerful immune-boosting properties, strengthens the immune system, Gagnon says. He recommends taking 10 to 20 drops of a tincture made from the two mushrooms (available commercially), twice a day, between meals. The second tincture, a combination of the herbs astragalus and echinacea, can be taken at the same time, to build up interferon reserves that help cells defend against viral or bacterial attack. As Gagnon explains it, “”In the same way Paul Revere warned the colonists that the British soldiers were coming, interferon goes to neighboring cells to warn them of impending danger.”" Gagnon recommends 30 drops of the echinacea-astragalus combination twice a day.
SupplementSpot’s Reishi Mushroom Extract is potent and highly bioavailble. Go to REISHI MUSHROOM EXTRACT to learn more about this supplement.
SupplementSpot has further information on combating the flu naturally. Search or Library and go to How to Prevent the Flu Without a Vaccination