c r e a t i n g h e a l t h n o w

change your health for the rest of your life.........

Why You Need Nutritional Supplements
for the Rest of Your Life

If you think you may not need dietary supplements, read this. It could change your health for the rest of your life.

Finally, after more than 50 years, leading medical journals now recommend all adults take multivitamins. Both the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association have concluded that: "Most people do not consume an optimal amount of all vitamins by diet alone" "Inadequate intake of several vitamins has been linked to chronic diseases, including coronary heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis." "Suboptimal folic acid levels, along with suboptimal levels of vitamins B6 and B12, are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, neural tube defects, and colon and breast cancer; low levels of vitamin D contribute to osteoporosis and bone fracture; and low levels of the antioxidant vitamins (vitamins A, E and C) may increase risk for several chronic diseases." "It appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements." A large body of research has clearly demonstrated that the nutrients found in dietary supplements reduce your risk of chronic disease, improve quality of life, and increase longevity.

Why You Can't Depend on Food Alone
for Essential Nutrition

Listed below are 22 reasons why you cannot depend on food alone to provide you with all of the nutrition you need to stay healthy.

Reason #1. Overfed and undernourished. The average American is overfed and undernourished. It's no secret. Just look around you. Most people are gaining weight. Even kids are overweight these days. You or someone you know has a chronic disorder of some kind.

If you're like most Americans, you're consuming fabricated convenience foods high in calories but low in food value (nutrition). This type of diet leads to "subclinical" or marginal deficiencies that lead to vague health complaints such as nervousness, listlessness, recurring minor infections, general aches and pains, difficulty concentrating, irritability, depression, muscle weakness, fatigue, insomnia, and just not feeling right.

A large body of research has demonstrated that most Americans are not getting what they need from their diet. For example, in one recent U.S. Dept. of Agriculture survey of 20,000 people, not a single person was consuming adequate levels of all the vitamins and minerals. In this study, the percentage of Americans were found to be deficient as follows: 90% in vit. B6, 75% in magnesium, 68% in calcium, 57% in iron, 50% in vitamin A, 45% in vitamin B1, 41% in vitamin C, 34% in vitamin B2, 34% in vitamin B12....and the list goes on.

There are literally hundreds of medical studies to suggest it’s a virtual certainty that you and every member of your family are deficient in one or more essential nutrients.

Reason #2. Soil depletion. Modern mass-production agriculture depletes nutrients from the soil without replenishing them. The application of synthetic fertilizers stimulates the growth of beautiful-looking plants. However, the nutrient content is missing.

So when you bite into that healthy salad or slice of whole-wheat bread, you're getting less nutrition today than from the identical foods grown in the same soil fifty years ago.

Reason #3. Commercial food processing. Much of the food you eat is processed in one way or another. When foods are processed, they are exposed to heat, light, oxygen, or drastic change in temperature or humidity. This exposure causes the destruction of vital but fragile nutrients. Examples of processing include baking, extruding, milling, grinding, boiling, cooking, recombining, spray-drying, etc.

Reason #4: Food storage and transportation. All foods deteriorate as they age. This is a problem for the food industry, because many foods are shipped over great distances. Therefore chemicals are added to preserve foods and give them a longer "shelf life". Unfortunately, in spite of chemicals, the nutrient content of foods decline over time, even though they may look the same.

Even fresh fruits or vegetables may be sprayed, gassed or fumigated in order to make them look "ripe" and "fresh". So what looks healthy isn't necessarily as healthy as you may think.

Reason #5: Preparation and cooking of foods. Many people eat out or bring something home from the market that is already cooked. Even if you prepare your meals at home, most of your food is probably cooked, not raw. Here's the problem: the more you cook a food, the less its nutrient value.

Of course, there are some foods, such as grains and dried legumes that you have to cook because they're inedible when raw. You're obviously not going to eat a bowl of raw rice. However, if you overcook rice, you lose nutrients.

Reason #6: Home storage of food. Have you looked in your refrigerator lately? How long has that head of lettuce been in there? What about those leftovers from three days ago? Refrigeration does slow down the deterioration of food, but it certainly does not stop it. As every day goes by, whatever is in your refrigerator is losing its nutritional value.

Some people will eat something out of the refrigerator that is three weeks old, or something from the pantry that is a year old. By this time, some vital nutrients have been completely lost.

Reason #7. Food irradiation. Exposing foods to gamma rays, x-rays or other radiation extends their shelf life by destruction of microorganisms, inhibition of sprouting, and delay of ripening. Some meats, chicken, and vegetables are irradiated. Foods served in restaurants or schools may be irradiated. The problem with irradiation is that vital nutrients, especially antioxidants and fat-soluble vitamins, are destroyed. There's no label to tell you if a food has been irradiated.

Reason #8. Pesticides in foods. A pesticide is a poison. A little bit of pesticide will kill a bug. A lot of pesticide will kill you. Most foods contain pesticides. Even organic produce contains pesticides, although a lot less than regular produce. Pesticides may be applied to the soil, to the growing plant, or to the food while in storage or shipment.

Keep in mind that you can’t see, smell or taste these pesticides. So you have no way of knowing if what you're eating contains pest poisons. But your body knows. Some pesticides can accumulate in the body and cause problems. Your body has to deal with the problem by expending valuable vitamins and minerals to detoxify and try to eliminate these poisons.

Reason #9. Genetically modified foods. Millions of acres of genetically modified corn, cotton and potatoes have been planted in the U.S. (Cotton is mentioned here because cottonseed oil is found in many processed foods, and cottonseed meal is fed to cattle.) These foods, which are now in our food supply, have been engineered to produce a naturally occurring pesticide that is supposedly toxic only to insects. There are no long-term human studies to indicate that genetically modified foods are safe. However, rats fed genetically modified potatoes had increased intestinal infections, reduced immunity, and reduced weight of intestine, pancreas, kidneys, liver, lungs and brain. Since you may be unknowingly consuming genetically modified or irradiated foods, you would need dietary supplementation to offset the invisible but potentially negative effects of such foods.

Reason #10. Environmental pollution. We dump nearly six billion pounds of chemicals into our environment every year. While some of it ends up in our food, much of it is in our air and water. If you breathe air and drink water, you are ingesting chemical pollution. Medical research has clearly established that environmental chemicals contribute to degenerative diseases.

You have no choice but to eat food, drink water, and breathe air. Therefore, you will need dietary supplements to help you process and detoxify the pollution entering your body every day.

Reason #11. Bioaccumulation of pollution in animal foods. There are certain "persistent" pollutants that tend to accumulate in any living thing, whether animal or plant. The higher up the food chain, the greater the accumulation. Take swordfish for example. Swordfish is known to have high levels of mercury, a toxic metal.

The problem starts when small bait fish eat organic material that contains mercury. They metabolize the organic material but retain the mercury. Small predatory fish then eat the bait fish, thus inheriting their accumulated mercury. The more bait fish they eat, the more mercury they accumulate. Finally a swordfish comes along and eats a bunch of small predatory fish, and picks up a load of mercury. So a big swordfish can gather a lot of mercury over time. But the swordfish is not the end of the chain. You are! You eat the swordfish, and now all that accumulated mercury is stored in "your" body.

Swordfish is only one example out of hundreds. Here's the point. You're at the top of the entire food chain on earth. Therefore, you unknowingly accumulate heavy metals and chemical pollutants, which are proven to be detrimental to your health. If you consume animal foods, you need dietary supplements to help you handle the pollutants they contain.

Reason #12. "Energy" pollution. Energy pollution invisibly burdens your body. The form of energy pollution you’re familiar with is radioactive fallout, like that from nuclear testing in Nevada which caused an increase in cancers downwind from the test site. Another, less well known form of energy pollution is altered magnetic fields from electrical motors and circuits, and all kinds of energy transmissions (microwave, radar, cell phone, etc.). Not only can energy pollution destroy or damage cells directly, but it causes a stress reaction in the body which leads to hormonal imbalances. For example, energy pollution reduces your levels of melatonin, an essential hormone. Once again, dietary supplements are a method to assist your body to compensate for another type of pollution from which there is no escape.

Reason #13: Genetic weaknesses. Each of us is genetically and biochemically unique. But none of us is perfect. We all have some kind of genetic weakness. For example, you might have a genetic abnormality in methionine metabolism called homocystinuria (methionine is an amino acid required to make your body function). In this case, taking large doses of vitamin B6 is a way to compensate for this weakness. There are hundreds if not thousands of possible genetic abnormalities. Many of them can be minimized with dietary supplementation.

Reason #14. Chronic Stress. “Stress” occurs when your body has a “fight or flight” response to any situation. Most of the time, you're not aware of it. Stress can come from anywhere at any time. It could be a barking dog, a disagreeable boss, a car that needs repair, an unpaid bill, a relationship that isn’t working, or living alone. Anything at all. You become so accustomed to stress that you consciously tune it out – but your body doesn’t.

When stress is repeated over and over, it is called chronic stress, which seriously depletes your body of energy and vital reserves. Chronic stress produces hormones that have a long-term weakening effect on your body which accelerates the aging process and leads to chronic degenerative disease. Supplements reduce the detrimental effects of chronic stress.

Reason #15. Your lifestyle. How you behave may increase your need for supplementation. For example, smoking or drinking alcohol to excess dramatically saps your reserves of vital nutrients. In both cases, dietary supplementation is not an option - it's a requirement.

On the other hand, if you're an avid mountain climber or high-performance athlete, you use up nutrients faster than the average person. The same is true if you work in a physically demanding occupation. Your performance will be improved with dietary supplementation.

Reason #16: GI problems. Any kind of digestive or gastrointestinal problem will diminish your absorption of vitamins, minerals, protein, essential fats, and plant substances required to maintain a healthy body. Irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, Crohn's disease, or chronic diarrhea hurt your ability to absorb nutrients. Ditto for bacterial, viral, yeast or parasitic infections. Food allergies are notorious for causing GI problems. In short, any inflammation in your GI tract means trouble. Therefore, you will need supplements to help you deal with the inflammation, as well as to increase the amount of essential nutrients you are consuming and absorbing.

Reason #17: Weak digestion. Heartburn, bloat after eating, burping, or gas may suggest you have an impaired ability to digest your food. If you can't digest your food, it can't be absorbed into your body. Supplementary digestive aids may be indicated.

Reason #18: Getting older. Medical studies have proven that you lose your digestive power as you get older. By the time you're "elderly", you have a serious problem that can only be corrected by supplementation.

In addition, studies have shown that many elderly people eat less well than they did in earlier years. In this case, dietary supplements can augment an otherwise inadequate diet.

Reason #19: Teenager. It's no secret that adolescents eat and drink things that are very unhealthy, i.e., "junk food". This is no way to nourish a maturing body. Most teenagers need dietary supplementation.

Reason #20. Chronic disease or disorder. It doesn't matter what the disorder is. It could be arthritis, macular degeneration, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, eczema, PMS or anything else. Specific dietary supplements can help almost any disorder.

Reason #21. Medications. Americans consume an astounding quantity of prescription and over-the-counter medications. However, nothing in your body operates in isolated compartments - everything interacts with everything else in some way. Many drugs interact with supplements, or cause an increased need for them. For example, women on birth control pills may have an increased need for vitamin B6. People on Glucophage need more calcium, B12 and folic acid. The list is endless. So if you're on medication, consult with one of our physicians to determine the specific supplements you need.

Reason #22. Pregnancy. Your requirement for nutrients undergoes a big shift when you become pregnant. It's to your and your baby's benefit to take supplementation to reduce your risk of a miscarriage or pregnancy complications, and to have a healthier baby.

BOTTOM LINE: Because of worldwide pollution and degradation in the quality of our food supply, it's hard to imagine anyone who will not need nutritional supplements for the rest of his or her life. In addition, many people have health problems, a lifestyle, or special situations where supplements are advisable.

Poor nutrition, junk foods lead directly to pharmaceutical industry profits

If nutrition is so good at preventing and even reversing chronic disease, why isn't it taught by the practitioners of conventional medicine? Why isn't your doctor giving you the fundamentals of nutrition? Why don't you see television ads promoting nutrition?

The reason is quite simple. There's no profit in it. Let's face it, conventional medicine is a commercial entity. Pharmaceutical companies are in business to make money. They want to maximize their profits. Their mission statement should read "Our goal is to maximize profits, no matter what it takes, as long as we can get away with it."

By their behavior, you can see that pharmaceutical companies are far more interested in generating profits than actually improving human health on a global scale. Drug companies are in business to make money, not make people healthy You see this in many ways including the price gouging of American consumers, attempts to block the importation of prescription drugs from Canada, the refusal of companies to fund AIDS drugs initiatives in Africa, and so on. You especially see it in the suppression of prevention by conventional medicine at the FDA. There is actually an effort underway to minimize any discussion of disease prevention and instead focus on disease symptom treatments -- especially those involving pharmaceuticals and surgical procedures.

There is really no money in disease prevention. Or put another way, if you find a way to be extremely healthy, it doesn't create profits for anybody except you. In fact, if you used to be diseased, and you changed your lifestyle and started consuming outstanding foods giving you optimum nutrition, the pharmaceutical industry is now losing a customer. You have just cost conventional medicine a paying customer. And given the sky-high cost of most prescription drugs these days, they might have been counting on you to generate a hundred thousand or two hundred thousand dollars in revenues over the next few years. But now, by taking control of your own health and using disease prevention coupled with nutritional fundamentals, you are a healthy human being who has eliminated a measurable profit from the pharmaceutical companies.

So it's not hard to understand why the pharmaceutical companies are not interested in promoting nutrition. And since most of conventional medicine today is really just an extension of "Big Pharma," the whole system has little or no interest in teaching prevention. Hospitals don't earn money when you're healthy either. Surgeons certainly don't benefit when you take care of your own cardiovascular health and no longer need heart bypass surgery. In one case after another, when you take control of your health and practice outstanding nutrition, you are actually taking money away from a for-profit industry.

Healing foods cannot be patented and, therefore, cannot be exploited for profit Another important point to note here is that food cannot be patented by the pharmaceutical companies. You can't take a tomato and patent that tomato, then restrict it from the population and make sure it can only be prescribed through pharmacies. Of course, certain hybrid tomatoes can be patented, but those are more along the lines of scientific experiments than ordinary, everyday garden tomatoes that I'm talking about here. The point is that these healing foods -- like broccoli, garlic and onions -- can't be patented. So the pharmaceutical companies cannot own the intellectual property that's at stake here. As a result, they can't make money by selling these foods and promoting their disease prevention abilities.

We have a medical system that suppresses information about the correlation between foods and disease prevention. The system is designed to make sure that the only information you, as a consumer, receive is information about synthetic pharmaceuticals, surgical procedures or other things that generate profits. And foods don't generate profits. At least, not on the scale that would be expected by pharmaceutical companies.

Another reason you don't hear much discussion on the correlation between nutrition and chronic disease in the popular press these days, or among practitioners of conventional medicine, is because most of the revenues generated from conventional medicine actually come from the treatment of the symptoms caused by nutritional imbalances and deficiencies. In other words, the big money makers for conventional medicine are diseases that are in fact caused by nutritional deficiencies and nutritional imbalances in the first place. If poor nutrition wasn't so widespread, the lucrative disease treatment industry would collapse due to lack of customers.

This article is an excerpt from the book, The 7 Laws of Nutrition by Mike Adams.

Overview:

Poor nutrition, junk foods lead directly to pharmaceutical industry profits

Source: http://www.newstarget.com/002688.html

Immune Function

by Elizabeth Srejic

References

This multi-front defense system protects the body from illness; supplementation with specialty compounds can support immune function and, ultimately, prevent disease.

The principal role of the immune system is to defend the body against disease. Much like the military of a large nation, the complex association of special tissues, organs, cells, and chemicals comprising the immune system patrols all fronts of the body—from mucous membranes to organs to blood—in search of hostile foreign invaders to attack and destroy.

There are two tiers of immune response: innate and adaptive. Innate immunity, the body’s first level of security against infection, is present from birth and consists of barrier systems located at basic ports of entry such as the skin and mucus membranes, and throughout the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where the majority of infectious agents enter the body. Secretions produced in these areas contain defense cells such as macrophages, neutrophils and immunoglobulins, which destroy unwanted germs before they can infiltrate more vulnerable areas.

The reactions of innate immunity trigger adaptive immunity. Adaptive immunity, the second level of protection against disease, is an acquired defense mechanism attained from immunization or exposure to infection and refers to the targeting of specific antigens by antibody-producing lymphocytes.

Lymphocytes, specialized white blood cells with key roles in immune function, include B cells and T cells. B cells, derivates of stem cells produced in bone marrow, circulate through the lymph system in search of antigens. Each B cell is programmed to make one antigen-specific antibody, which is produced upon encountering its triggering antigen; the size of the lymphocyte population (1 trillion cells) suggests there may be B cells available to destroy any type of antigen. T cells, meanwhile, also created in bone marrow but activated in the thymus, work in concert with B cells to fight infection. When a pathogenic invader is detected, its proteins are broken down into short peptide chains and displayed on the surfaces of macrophages and B cells. When T cells detect this display, they stimulate B cells to begin antibody production.

Another class of leukocytes involved in innate immunity—natural killer (NK) cells—detects and destroys infected and cancerous cells by attaching to targets and releasing lethal bursts of chemicals that penetrate the cell wall. When the cell wall is breached, fluids leak across either side of the membrane and the target eventually explodes.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants, nutrients known for their ability to combat free radical damage, are suggested for protection and enhancement of immune function. Any natural agent assuming an antioxidant role can be potentially important in promoting immune health, since oxidative stress (free radical damage) on the immune system is a common reason for lowered immunity.

The antioxidant vitamin C promotes healthy immune function in a number of ways. It supports the activities of white blood cells, including production of antibodies and interferon (a protein produced by cells which induces healthy cells to manufacture enzymes to counter infection). It also protects neutrophils from poisoning themselves when attacked by bacteria. In addition, vitamin C may enhance NK cell activity as much as 10-fold and restore depleted T cell and B cell counts to healthy levels.1 Vitamin C also assists the immune system by preventing oxidative damage. For example, a Spanish in vitro study demonstrated the addition of vitamin C to lymphocytes and macrophages increased intracellular levels of vitamin C, which was found to be especially useful under circumstances of oxidative stress.2

Vitamin C may also reduce the severity of symptoms and shorten the duration of the common cold, according to researchers from Herbal Health Centre in East Sussex, England. Scientists randomly administered 168 volunteers either vitamin C or placebo for 60 days. The treatment group experienced considerably fewer colds, fewer days of infection and a significantly shorter average duration of severe symptoms.3 The vitamin C used in the study was Ester-C®, supplied by Prescott, Ariz.-based Zila Nutraceuticals.

Carotenoids, a class of antioxidants comprised of naturallyoccurring red, orange or yellow plant pigments essential to plant growth and photosynthesis, are recommended for their power to fight free radicals and as a dietary source of vitamin A, which is vital in the production of various white blood cells such as T helper cells and phagocytes and has been shown to increase the number of T4 lymphocytes, immune cells destroyed by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). One study in the European Journal of Clinical Investigation comparing patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVI) with healthy controls demonstrated the majority of CVI patients had low vitamin A levels, and supplementation of vitamin A in these patients resulted in increased immune function.4

The carotenoid beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A and has been shown to modulate immune functions in humans. One German study showed supplementation with vegetable juice rich in betacarotene modulated immune function in healthy men consuming a low-carotenoid diet by enhancing activity of NK cells and secretion of cytokines, among other effects.5 Similarly, Pakistani researchers found human NK cells treated with beta-carotene at doses ranging from 0.1 mcg/ml to 10 mcg/ml showed a significant increase in activities against tumors and concluded beta-carotene works to inhibit growth factors that contribute to proliferation of pre-malignant cells.6

Several vitamins and minerals have been shown to support immune function. Vitamin D, for example, is recognized for encouraging macrophage activity. Meanwhile, vitamin E has been studied for its effect on the thymus and white blood cells, which may suffer from oxidative stress. Vitamin E has also been linked to improved cell-mediated immunity, enhanced cellular function and increased resistance to infection. Vitamin E also works in conjunction with vitamin C to increase T cell proliferation and reduce inflammation. Furthermore, according to the Manual of Nutritional Therapeutics, a deficiency of vitamin E reduces the response of T cells, NK cells and phagocytes, and reduces the proliferation of lymphocytes.7

Other vitamins recognized for their role in healthy immune function include the B vitamins, which aid in the synthesis of antibodies. Vitamin B6, in particular, is required to create antibodies and slow tumor growth. Deficiency leads to decreased cell-mediated immunity, lowered antibody response and decreased lymphocyte counts.8

Since various minerals play diverse, critical roles in the functioning of the immune system, their inclusion in a program of dietary supplementation is also important to immune support, according to Max Motyka, director of the Human Products Division at Albion Advanced Nutrition in St. Clair Shores, Mich. For instance, zinc, which acts as both a mineral and an antioxidant within the body, is crucial to immune function. Zinc encourages the proliferation of lymphocytes and the response of phagocytes, while zinc deficiency impairs overall immune function and resistance to infection.9 Specifically, a shortage of zinc within the body causes thymic atrophy, lymphopenia (i.e., an abnormally low white blood cell count), and reduced response of lymphocytes and antibodies, leading to increased incidence and duration of infection, according to a review study published in the Annual Review of Nutrition.10 As an antioxidant, zinc has been shown to act as a free-radical scavenger, thereby inhibiting cellular damage such as lipid peroxidation and DNA fragmentation, both in vitro11 and in vivo.12

Zinc has also been linked to prevention of the common cold. A study, published in the American Journal of Therapeutics, was conducted during the cold season and found zinc lozenges were effective in reducing the incidence and duration of the common cold.13

Zinc monomethionine, a new form of supplemental zinc, is available as OptiZinc™ from Benecia, Calif.-based InterHealth Nutraceuticals Inc. Zinc monomethionine has been shown to assist immune function by enhancing phagocytic response, according to several unpublished studies, the company said. In addition, zinc monomethionine has been shown in clinical trials to have enhanced bioavailability compared to some other zinc forms.14,15

Selenium is another mineral linked to healthy immune function. Within the body, deficiencies in selenium lead to impaired production of antibodies and weakened bactericidal activity. Its deficiency has also been linked to several immunity-sapping diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and diseases of the liver.16

Botanical Supplements

The plant world is a prime source of immune-friendly compounds. Echinacea is one such botanical. Research conducted on echinacea has shown the herb improves immune function. A study conducted at the University of Alberta in Canada indicated rats given an oral preparation of echinacea twice daily for four days exhibited increased macrophage activity and an increase in tumor necrosis factor alpha.17

Echinacea has also been shown effective in treating the common cold. In a randomized, double blind, placebocontrolled Canadian trial, 282 subjects, aged 18 to 65 years, with a history of two or more colds in the previous year but otherwise in good health, were given either echinacea or placebo.18 The researchers concluded early intervention with a standardized formulation of echinacea resulted in reduced symptom severity in subjects with naturally acquired upper respiratory tract infections.

However, echinacea has not been found effective as a treatment for the common cold in all clinical trials, which has caused controversy over the herb’s worth as an immune-boosting supplement. A new study published in the June issue of The Archives of Internal Medicine recorded duration of symptoms in 128 patients with upper respiratory infections who received either 100 mg of freeze-dried echinacea from the aerial portion of the plant, or a lactose placebo, three times daily for 14 days or until cold symptoms desisted.19 The authors found no statistically significant differences between groups and were unable to validate earlier research indicating echinacea effectively reduces the symptoms and duration of the common cold.

Arabinogalactans (AGs) are water-soluble polysaccharides found in the cell walls of microbial systems of many plants (e.g. carrots, radishes, wheat), immune-enhancing herbs (e.g., Echinacea purpurea) and fungi (e.g., shiitake mushroom). They are thought to have immune-enhancing properties, particularly with regard to stimulation of NK cell cytotoxicity,20 although the mechanism of these properties is not known.

Whereas most naturally occurring AGs are bound to cell walls, the AG found in the western larch tree (Larix occidentalis) is not bound and is present in higher concentrations than in other plant sources. Minnesota-based Larex Inc. offers this naturally concentrated source of larchderived AG as ImmunEnhancer™ AG. The product contains a concentrated, standardized form of AG, and is marketed for a number of immune-friendly benefits, including support of beneficial microflora populations in the colon and stimulation of various components of the immune system.

Human studies published in peer-reviewed literature indicate that taking ImmunEnhancer in amounts ranging from 1.4 g/d to 30 g/d can increase the production of monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes, according to Kathleen Dunn, senior compliance manager with Natrol, which distributes ImmunEnhancer AG through its specialty division, Essentially Pure Ingredients (EPI). Further, results from in vitro and ex vivo studies indicate ImmunEnhancer AG promotes the proliferation of mononuclear cells, stimulates the activity of NK cells, and enhances neutrophil function, Dunn said.

Another source of beneficial polysaccharides is medicinal mushrooms. As with AG polysaccharides, the polysaccharides in mushrooms are also linked to improved immune function. Of the 700 varieties of mushrooms, approximately 50 have been found to have medicinal qualities. One such variety is the Brazilian mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM), which is believed to act as an anticarcinogen. Research suggests ABM exerts immuneenhancing effects through stimulation of antibody production and T cell proliferation.

ABM is offered commercially by Redondo Beach, Calif.-based Atlas World USA as Agaricus Bio (capsules) and Agaricus Extract Mate (ABM and sasa bamboo leaf extracts). The ABM used in these formulations contains beta-1,3/1,6-glucans, which have been shown to act as immunostimulants in the body, and has antitumor, antiviral, bloodsugar stabilizing and cholesterol-reducing effects, according to Yori Takeda, marketing and sales manager with Atlas.

Maitake is another medicinal mushroom with positive effects on the immune system. Its 1,3 and 1,6 glucans have demonstrated beneficial effects on macrophages, NK cells and various T cells. Certain extracts of maitake have been shown to increase quantities of certain antibodies and other mediators that have shown particular promise as immunomodulating agents, and as adjuncts to cancer therapy.21

The chief polysaccharide in maitake, beta- D-glucan (studied as Maitake D-fraction® from Maitake Products) has been studied in numerous clinical trials as a potential tool for cancer prevention and treatment. For example, a study conducted at the Kobe Pharmaceutical University in Japan showed that D-fraction enhances the activity of NK cells to suppress tumor growth by increasing macrophage-derived interleukin (IL)-12, which serves to activate NK cells.22 Similarly, the same Japanese researchers in a different study found Maitake D-Fraction may repress cancer progression through stimulation of NK activity.23 The same researchers investigated maitake MD-fraction and whole maitake powder in a non-random case series to determine its effectiveness for 22- to 57-yearold cancer patients in stages II-IV of cancer and observed cancer regression or significant symptom improvement in 58 percent of liver cancer patients, 69 percent of breast cancer patients, and 63 percent of lung cancer patients. 24 Furthermore, the researchers found when maitake was taken in addition to chemotherapy, immune-competent cell activities were enhanced 1.2 to 1.4 times, compared with chemotherapy alone.

AHCC®, a proprietary hybridization combining the beneficial effects of several species of medicinal mushrooms, has also been studied for its immune-enhancing properties and anticarcinogenic effects. The trademark for the specialty compound is owned by Amino Up Chemical Co. in Sapporo, Japan, while Purchase, N.Y.-based Quality of Life Labs [QOL] is its exclusive U.S. distributor.

“AHCC is shown through clinical research to enhance the immune system by increasing the activity and count of the lymphocytes and cytokines,” said Hank Cheatham, director of sales and marketing for QOL.

AHCC can be used as a potent immunoenhancer, particularly in cases where the immune system is suppressed by any condition, including opportunistic infection amongst HIV patients and cancer, according to researchers at the Atlanta-based Morehouse School of Medicine.25 With regard to the efficacy of AHCC in the eradication of opportunistic infection, the Morehouse School of Medicine researchers mentioned previously found AHCC decreased mortality, increased time to death and increased ability to clear infection in mice infected with Klebsiella pneumonia bacteria and maintained in a model simulating some of the aspects of spaceflight conditions, and concluded AHCC can help boost depressed immunity and resistance to infection.26 In addition, scientists at the Teikyo University School of Medicine found oral or intraperitoneal administration of AHCC at doses of 1,000 or 50 mg/kg/day, respectively, for four consecutive days prior to Candida albicans infection significantly prolonged the survival periods of the opportunistically infected mice, and decreased the viable counts of Candida cells recovered from their kidneys.

Beyond polysaccharides, there are other beneficial compounds in plants. For instance, as animals produce cholesterol, plants produce phytosterols, including sterol esters and sterolins, which have been shown to produce immune-modulating benefits. Phytosterols are similar in chemical structure to cholesterol, but have an extra ethyl group.

Phytosterols modulate the immune system by helping to maintain the proper balance between two types of T-cells (i.e., TH1 and TH2 cells) required for optimal immune function. When the balance between these cells becomes skewed, impaired immunity results. These fats also help maintain a high population of T cells by enhancing their ability to proliferate. Plant sterols also stop the secretion of inflammatory antibodies by encouraging the secretion of two more immune factors.

The bioavailability of phytosterols has historically been poor, since plant sterols occur naturally in very small amounts, are not well-absorbed and are often destroyed through food processing. However, Acton, Ontario-based Essential Phytosterols Inc.

(EPI) has developed the technology to synthesize a highly bioavailable source of phytosterols as Moducare®, a patented blend of concentrated plant sterols and sterolins marketed to restore, strengthen and balance the immune system. The sterols and sterolins in Moducare are formulated in the ratio of 100:1 (sterols to sterolins), as found in nature. Evidence backing the efficacy of the 100:1 sterols/sterolins ratio was published in the International Journal of Immunopharmacology.27 In the in vitro study, researchers extracted T cells from the blood of healthy volunteers and incubated the samples for 72 hours with various dilutions of independent sterols, sterolins or the 100:1 sterol/sterolin mixture. The results suggested that the 100:1 sterol/sterolin mixture was more efficacious than either sterols or sterolins alone in inducing T cell proliferation. In the same journal, another study found the 100:1 sterol/sterolin proportion to be a potent immunomodulator with possibilities for treatment of immune dysfunction.28

“Moducare is different than many other products on the market in that it doesn’t just boost the immune system—it regulates the immune system,” said Michael Wagner, associate brand manager with Purity Life Health Products Ltd., which distributes Moducare. “It strengthens the weak parts of the immune system and down-regulates the overactive parts.”

Pine bark extract is another substance found in nature thought to positively affect immune function. Pine bark contains flavonoids, which have powerful antioxidant properties, as written in a study out of the University of California at Berkeley, which showed extract of French maritime pine bark (as Pycnogenol®, distributed by Hillside, N.J.-based Natural Health Science) has strong free radical-scavenging activity advanced considerably by its flavonoids.29 Further, the same researchers in a different study found French maritime pine bark extract increased secretion of tumor necrosis factor in a concentration- and time-dependent manner and modulated immune response in macrophages.30

The ability of pine bark extract to enhance the immune system was shown in a study conducted at the University of Arizona.31 Researchers infected mice with a virus, investigated the immune response with and without pine bark extract supplementation (as Pycnogenol), and found a dramatically improved immune response in those animals orally supplemented with pine bark extract.

In humans, pine bark extract (as Pycnogenol) was shown in a controlled Romanian study to lower blood levels of antibodies and the aggressiveness of immune cells attacking the body in patients with the autoimmune disease lupus. Pine bark extract was also found to improve the breathing ability of patients with asthma in a double blind placebo-controlled study conducted at the University of Arizona.32

The gel of the aloe plant (Aloe barbadensis) is known commonly as a topical treatment for skin burns and inflammation. In addition, aloe contains acemannan, a complex carbohydrate fraction obtained from the gel of the aloe leaf. Acemannan is thought to be anticarcinogenic and antiviral, and enhance immune function, although the biological mechanisms of these activities remain unclear.

Acemannan may affect the immune system through stimulation of macrophage cytokine production. Researchers from Texas A & M University, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, tested this idea by observing the effects of acemannan on mouse macrophage cells and concluded the results of the experiment supported this hypothesis.33

Other research has suggested the presence of a beneficial relationship between acemannan and the immune system. Scientists from Chungbuk National University in South Korea studied acemannan’s effects on dendritic cells, which help initiate primary immune response.34

According to the scientists, acemannan was able to promote the maturation process of these cells in vitro. Another study out of Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanderbilt University studied acemannan for its impact on the ability of T cells to kill a certain antigen and found acemannan induced dose-related, statistical increases in killer T cell populations.35 The same researchers in a different study found that acemannan increases lymphocyte response and concluded the data supported the observed capacity of acemannan to terminate viral infections in animal and man.36

Acemannan is available from Irving, Texas-based Carrington Laboratories as Manapol®, a patented compound derived from the inner leaf of the aloe plant. Manapol contains 30 percent acetylated mannans, including acemannan and other galactomannans. “Acetylated mannans, like those found in fresh Aloe vera L. gel and Manapol powder, have shown powerful immunomodulating properties,” said Walt Jones, vice president of business development with Carrington.

Specialty Compounds

There are other specialty nutritional compounds that may benefit immune function. Consider immunoglobulins, which are found in colostrum, a pre-milk fluid produced in the mammary glands of female mammals prior to giving birth. These antibodies provide proteins, growth factors and other compounds that help jump-start an infant’s immune system.

Purified bovine serum is another source of immunoglobulins. Shawnee Mission, Kan.- based NutraSense offers a concentrated source of natural immunoglobulins, immunoregulators, transferrin and growth factors as ImmunoSense™, formulated with ImmunoLin-HD™, Ames, Iowa-based Proliant’s bovine serum protein ingredient which contains 40 percent immunoglobulin G (IgG), or 500 percent more IgG than colostrum.

Supplementing with immunoglobulin may guard against infection in a number of ways. First, immunoglobulin neutralizes antigens. Second, it coats the surface of foreign materials to facilitate uptake by phagocytes, both in the blood and in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Third, supplementation with immunoglobulin has been linked to preservation of the normal protective barrier of the GI tract.

“The majority of products in the market take weeks to enhance immunity, not quite what the immune product shopper has in mind,” said Eric Weaver, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Proliant. “This is one of the reasons we see a great opportunity for passive immunity products such as ImmunoLin. Consumers with immune issues don’t need to take the product for weeks to feel a benefit.”

Other animal-derived compounds are alkylglycerols, which occur in the bone marrow, breast milk and liver of mammals. Their intake helps support proliferation of white blood cells. In clinical research, alkylglycerols have demonstrated a cytotoxic effect upon cancer cells, and an ability to prevent metastases (i.e., spread of tumor cells to other sites). One of the most concentrated sources of alkylglycerols is shark liver oil, which also contains small amounts of methoxysubstituted alkylethers, compounds that stimulate the immune system and inhibit growth of malignant tumors. Shark liver oil is available as Ecomer® from Sellersville, Pa.-based Scandinavian Formulas.

“Many studies have shown that Ecomer stimulates the immune system by increasing the production of white blood cells to normal levels and encouraging growth of antibodies,” said Sylvie Millet, advertising/marketing coordinator with Scandinavian Formulas.

In a Swedish study conducted on shark liver oil (as Ecomer), alkylglycerols and their methoxyderivates showed a clear apoptotic and necrotic effect on human prostate and mammary carcinoma cell lines.37 The anticarcinogenic properties of alkylglycerols were further demonstrated in a Polish study, in which Ecomer suppressed the formation and differentiation of blood vessels in mice grafted with sarcoma L-1 syngeneic cells, human kidney cancer and human urinary bladder cancer cells, and stimulated proliferation and metabolic activity of granulocytes (white blood cells involved in immune function).38

The amino acid glutamine—the most prevalent amino acid in the body—is involved in more metabolic processes than any other amino acid and is crucial to tissue repair. Since 70 percent of immune activity occurs in the GI tract, and since the cells lining the intestines would wither without glutamine as a source of fuel, glutamine is important to immune function.

Glutamine is linked to immune function in additional ways. For example, it may enhance the phagocytic activity of macrophages, preserve CD4+ cells (a variety of T cells) and maintain T cell population in the blood, according to a Chinese study published in the British Journal of Nutrition.39

Exercise depletes glutamine, which prevents white blood cells from functioning optimally.40 Maintaining high levels of glutamine in the body is therefore crucial to recovery of the immune system following exercise, according to Catherine Wilbert, president and product formulator with Phytoceutical Formulations. Wilbert’s company manufactures Bioactive Glutamine, a proprietary blend of bioactive glutamine and other ingredients. According to Wilbert, a deficiency of glutamine within the body causes it to catabolize its own muscle tissue to free glutamine, and supplementation with glutamine is a strategy to prevent this from happening.

“Bioactive Glutamine is more bioavailable than other types of glutamine, which allows more glutamine to get absorbed and used. Unlike other sources of glutamine, the product’s delivery system and prebiotics that support friendly intestinal flora enable enhanced gastrointestinal and other benefits of glutamine,” Wilbert said. “And a healthier gastrointestinal system equals healthier immune function.”

Another weapon in the body’s fight against free radicals is superoxide dismutase (SOD), a vital endogenous antioxidant enzyme known to assist with immune function. Its chief function is to disarm superoxide anion radicals, which tax the immune system by causing cellular damage that leads to the progression of diseases.

Historically, a viable oral delivery method for SOD has eluded scientists due to the proclivity of the enzyme to denature when exposed to gastric secretions. However, a technological breakthrough has made SOD as an oral supplement viable. Morristown, N.J.-based P.L. Thomas has proposed a solution to the limitations of exogenous SOD with GliSODin™, the first orally delivered, vegetarian source of SOD clinically shown to help the body maintain normal levels of the three endogenous enzymes most critical in regulation of free radicals at the cellular level: SOD, catalase and l-glutathione peroxidase.

“SOD is the master defense enzyme when it comes to protection against the ravages of excessive free radicals,” said Paul Flowerman, president and CEO of P.L. Thomas. “GliSODin supports the body’s own immunological defenses to maintain a healthy immune system.”

According to Flowerman, various animal and human studies accepted for publication have demonstrated GliSODin’s ability to reduce oxidative stress in humans. For example, subjects dosed with GliSODin for several weeks before entering an accelerated oxidative stress chamber were protected significantly from cellular DNA damage in comparison to subjects not dosed with GliSODin. Iso-prostain levels in the subjects’ urine were also reduced by prior GliSODin dosing, indicative of reduced oxidative stress. Another study showed GliSODin caused a reduction in lactate levels in blood serum after strenuous exercise conducted on 44 subjects, Flowerman said.

In addition to adopting a healthier lifestyle, many of the diseases caused by pathogens may be prevented through treatment with dietary supplements. However, these products require the retailer to develop a basic understanding of immune function and to maintain continual awareness of the latest research. As individuals differ in their immune needs, not every product is appropriate for everyone.

Nevertheless, providing immune-friendly supplements is a promising venture, in spite of the extra effort required to safely and effectively market them. Pathogens are growing increasingly hardy, new viruses are appearing and threats of bio-terrorism loom. In addition, the population of aging baby boomers in need of immune support is increasing, as is the mounting popularity of using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to support optimal immune function.

With these dynamics in motion, and with the proliferation of research backing the efficacy of various supplements, the market for immune supplements is thriving.

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August 2004 Health Supplement Retailer
"Immune Function" References

1. Marcos A et al. "Changes in the immune system are conditioned by nutrition." Eur J Clin Nutr. 57, 1:S66-9, 2003. www.naturesj.com/ejcn

2. Sanchez A et al. "Role of sugars in human neutrophilic phagocytosis." Am J Clin Nutr. 26:1180–4, 1973. www.ajcn.org

3. Van Straten M, Josling P. "Preventing the common cold with a vitamin C supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey." Adv Ther. 19, 3:151-9, 2002.

4. Aukrust P et al. "Decreased vitamin A levels in common variable immunodeficiency: vitamin A supplementation in vivo enhances immunoglobulin production and downregulates inflammatory responses." Eur J Clin Invest. 30, 3:252-9, 2000. www.blackwell-science.com/products/journals/ejci.htm

5. Watzl B, et al. "Supplementation of a low-carotenoid diet with tomato or carrot juice modulates immune functions in healthy men." Ann Nutr Metab. 47, 6:255-6, 2003. www.karger.com/anm

6. Ashfaq MK. "Vitamin E and beta-carotene affect natural killer cell function." Int J Food Sci Nutr. 51:S13-20, 2000. www.medbioworld.com/bio/journals/food.html

7. Alpers DH, Stenson WF, Bier DM. Manual of Nutritional Therapeutics, Third Edition, New York: Little Brown & Co., 1995.

8. ibid.

9. Walker CF et al. "Zinc and the risk for infectious disease." Annu Rev Nutr. 24:255-75, 2004. http://nutr.annualreviews.org/

10. Fraker PJ et al. "Reprogramming of the Immune System During Zinc Deficiency." Annu Rev Nutr. 24:277-298, 2004. http://nutr.annualreviews.org/

11. Bagchi D et al. "Comparative in vitro oxygen radical scavenging ability of zinc methionine and selected zinc salts and antioxidants." Gen Pharmacol. 28:85-91, 1997.

12. Bagchi D et al. "Protective effects of zinc salts on TPA-induced hepatic and brain lipid peroxidation, glutathione depletion, DNA damage and peritoneal and macrophage activation in mice." Gen Pharmacol. 30:43-50, 1998.

13. McElroy BH et al. "An open-label, single-center, phase IV clinical study of the effectiveness of zinc gluconate glycine lozenges (Cold-Eeze) in reducing the duration and symptoms of the common cold in school-aged subjects." Am J Ther. 10, 5:324-9, 2003. www.americantherapeutics.com

14. Spears JW. "Zinc methionine for ruminants: relative bioavailability of zinc in lambs and effects of growth and performance of growing heifers." J Anim Sci. 67: 835-843, 1989.

15. Rosado J et al. "Absorption of zinc sulfate, methionine and a polyascorbate in the presence and absence of a plant-based rural Mexican diet." Nutr Res. 13:1141-51, 1993. www.elsevier.nl/locate/nutres

16. Soriano-Garcia M. "Organoselenium compounds as potential therapeutic and chemopreventive agents: a review." Curr Med Chem. 11, 12:1657-69, 2004.

17. Goel V et al. "Echinacea stimulates macrophage function in the lung and spleen of normal rats." J Nutr Biochem. 13, 8:487, 2002. www.elsevier.com/locate/jnutbio

18. Goel V et al." Efficacy of a standardized echinacea preparation (Echinilin) for the treatment of the common cold: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial." J Clin Pharm Ther. 29, 1:75-83, 2004.

19. Yale SH et al. "Echinacea purpurea therapy for the treatment of the common cold." Arch Intern Med. 164, 11:1237-1241, 2004. http://archinte.ama-assn.org

20. Hauer J, Anderer FA. "Mechanism of stimulation of human natural killer cytotoxicity by arabinogalactan from Larix occidentalis." Cancer Immunol Immunother. 36, 4:237-244, 1993.

21. Mayell M. "Maitake extracts and their therapeutic potential." Altern Med Rev. 6, 1:48-60, 2001. www.thorne.com/altmedrev

22. Kodama N et al. "Effects of D-Fraction, a polysaccharide from Grifola frondosa on tumor growth involve activation of NK cells." Biol Pharm Bull. 25, 12:1647-50, 2002.

23. Kodama N et al. "Effect of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) D-Fraction on the activation of NK cells in cancer patients." J Med Food. 6, 4:371-7, 2003. www.liebertpub.com

24. Kodama N et al. "Can maitake MD-fraction aid cancer patients?" Altern Med Rev. 7, 3:236-9, 2002. www.thorne.com/altmedrev

25. Aviles H et al. "Active Hexose Correlated Compound Enhances the Immune Function of Mice in the Hindlimb-Unloading Model of Space Flight Conditions." J Appl Physiol. Epub ahead of print. Jun 11, 2004. http://jap.physiology.org

26. Aviles H et al. "Active hexose correlated compound enhances resistance to Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in mice in the hindlimb-unloading model of spaceflight conditions." J Appl Physiol. 95, 2:491-6, 2003. http://jap.physiology.org

27. Bouic PJ et al. "Beta-Sitosterol and beta-sitosterol glucoside stimulate human peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation: implications for their use as an immunomodulatory vitamin combination." Int J Immunopharmacol. 18, 12:693-700, 1996).

28. Bouic PJ et al. "Beta-Sitosterol and beta-sitosterol glucoside stimulate human peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation: implications for their use as an immunomodulatory vitamin combination." Int J Immunopharmacol. 18, 12:693-700, 1996).

29. Packer L et al. "Antioxidant activity and biologic properties of a procyanidin-rich extract from pine (Pinus maritime) bark, pycnogenol." Free Rad Biol Med. 27, (5-6):704-24, 1999. www.elsevier.com/locate/freeradbiomed

30. Park YC et al. "Activity of monomeric, dimeric, and trimeric flavonoids on NO production, TNF-alpha secretion, and NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages." FEBS Lett. 465, (2-3):93-7, 2000. www.elsevier.com/febs//show

31. Cheshier JE et al. "Immunomodulation by pycnogenol in retrovirus-infected or ethanol-fed mice." Life Sci. 58, 5:PL 87-96, 1996. www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00243205

32. Hosseini S et al. "Pycnogenol® in the Management of Asthma." J Med Food. 4, 4:201-209, 2001. www.liebertpub.com

33. Zhang L et al. "Activation of a mouse macrophage cell line by acemannan: the major carbohydrate fraction from Aloe vera gel." Immunopharmacology. 35, 2:119-28, 1996.

34. Lee JK et al. "Acemannan purified from Aloe vera induces phenotypic and functional maturation of immature dendritic cells." Int Immunopharmacol. 1(7):1275-84, 2001. www.elsevier.com/locate/intimp

35. Womble D et al. "The impact of acemannan on the generation and function of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes." Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 14, (1-2):63-77, 1992. www.dekker.com/servlet/product/productid/IP

36. Womble D et al. "Enhancement of allo-responsiveness of human lymphocytes by acemannan (Carrisyn)" Int J Immunopharmacol. 10, 8:967-74, 1988. www.elsevier.com/locate/intimp

37. Krotkiewski M et al. "Cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of alkylglycerols (Ecomer)." Med Sci Monit. 9, 11:PI131-5, 2003. www.medscimonit.com/medscimonit

38. Skopinska-Rozewska E et al. "Inhibitory effect of shark liver oil on cutaneous angiogenesis induced in Balb/c mice by syngeneic sarcoma L-1, human urinary bladder and human kidney tumour cells." Oncol Rep. 6, 6:1341-4, 1999. http://virology.med.uoc.gr/OR/or.htm

39. Yeh SL et al. "Effects of glutamine supplementation on innate immune response in rats with gut-derived sepsis." Brit J Nutr. 91, 3:423-9, 2004. www.cabi-publishing.org/journals/bjn

40. Walsh NP et al. "Glutamine, exercise and immune function. Links and possible mechanisms." Sports Med. 26, 3:177-91, 1998.

Cleanse Your Way to Better Health

by Brooke K. Deets

Preventing Hangovers Before They Start
References

Like all well-oiled machines, the human body runs best after a complete and thorough overhaul. Cleaning out the junk and flushing the system is essential for maintaining optimal performance and keeping energy levels and feelings of well being at their highest. A cleansing or detoxification program, most often designed to purify the entire self, is just the thing to jump-start the body, shift gears into living a healthy lifestyle and prepare for the long haul into overdrive for a longer, healthier life.

On any given day, the average person comes into contact with hundreds of microscopic bacteria and germs, from sharing an elevator, touching the door handle on the way into the office or simply breathing the air around him. But impurities and other unhealthy substances besides germs and bacteria—called toxins—can also cause deleterious effects, particularly because they can accumulate and build up over time in the body’s systems and tissue. Toxins are classified as either heavy metals, liver toxins, microbial, parasitic or protein particles, according to Grace Ormstein, M.D., medical director and scientific advisor for Himalaya USA, maker of LiverCare®, an herbal formulation that supports healthy liver function. As the name implies, toxins are harmful to the body and can wreak havoc on cell structure and subsequent cell and body function, as well as cause disease if left unchecked. These impurities enter the body just by eating a fast-food chicken sandwich (laden with preservatives) and soda (more than likely sweetened with aspartame and tinted with artificial coloring), breathing in air pollution or using lotions or shampoos that contain synthetic chemicals.

Refined, sugary foods laden with chemicals and environmental pollutants aren’t the only toxins making their way into the body. Toxins are also found in pesticides and many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs, as well as in alcohol, caffeine and nicotine, which, unfortunately, a high number of Americans consume and use on a daily basis. With the constant influx of toxins, the human body eventually reaches a point where it is no longer capable of flushing toxic elements on its own and they will begin to accumulate, leading to a state of poisoning referred to as toxicity. Some of the outward symptoms of toxicity and toxin-overload include headache, fatigue, cough, increased allergy symptoms, gastrointestinal stress and a compromised immune system.

“The body is not always efficient at getting rid of its toxic load,” said Decker Weiss, NMD, a member of Enzymatic Therapy’s scientific advisory board. “With cleansing, we are helping the body do what it wants to do. We are working with the liver, the gall bladder, the lymph system and sometimes the nervous system to dump those toxins into the bloodstream, and the key is to effectively remove those through the liver and digestive tract and out of the body.”

The initial cleansing of these toxins from the body is actually the first step in the threestep detoxification process, according to Ormstein. Once the toxins are removed, the next step is to rebuild and maintain key nutrients lost as part of the cleanse, or nutrients that weren’t part of the diet before cleansing. “Rebuilding involves the replacement of key nutrients primarily by way of adopting a whole foods diet with no trans or hydrogenated fats, sugar, caffeine, excessive animal protein or dairy products,” Ormstein said.

Types of Cleanses

There are as many different cleanses as there are people, because most are highly individualized to meet a person’s specific needs. A person who is new to the idea of cleansing may want to start simple, cleansing his digestive tract and colon (often referred to as a ‘general cleanse’), whereas more seasoned cleansers should cleanse the entire body, involving not only the digestive tract, but also the liver, kidneys, gall bladder and lymphatic system.

The detoxification process also includes both internal and external cleansing. Internal cleansing, for example, may be accomplished in a number of ways, including water, juice or vegetable fasts, juice cleanses, regimented exercise programs, herb programs, enemas and combinations of the above. “More targeted cleanses like Pancha karma, an ancient Ayurvedic approach, eliminate toxins from the body allowing the healing and restoration of the cells, channels, digestion and mental function,” Ormstein said. “Taking high quality herbal supplements, green foods, probiotics and enzymes will also enhance the cleansing process.” External cleanses, which often accompany internal cleanses, focus on detoxifying the skin and can include sauna treatments, steam and epsom salt baths, and sloughing off the skin with a special, naturalbristle brush. Another way to detoxify both internally and externally is through increased water consumption and light exercise, since toxins are eliminated through the urinary tract and through perspiration. While fasting, however, resting, rather than exercising, and meditation are recommended during a cleanse, as it could be helpful in the profound initial cleanse, according to Ormstein.

Cleansing has traditionally been done seasonally by naturopaths, bringing the count to four times a year. But that may be more than some people need, according to Weiss. “Sometimes just a two-week cleanse is enough. It’s really based on need. For an average tune-up, do a two-week cleanse, and then when you feel like you need it again, do another two weeks.” As cleansing can be complicated, the challenge is doing it simply and effectively, and the key is picking a cleansing program that won’t interrupt a person’s lifestyle. Often times, 30-day (or more) cleanses may interfere too much with a person’s way of living, be too hard to stick to for that length of time or just be too harsh on the body, according to Weiss. For this reason, Enzymatic Therapy developed a two-week cleansing program called Whole Body Cleanse (it also offers Simple Cleanse, also a two-week cleansing program focusing just on the digestive tract). Both contain support materials detailing the cleansing process and ingredients, what to expect along the way, tips on how to maximize cleanse benefits, and a shopping list of foods, along with recipes for making healthy snacks like almond butter and hummus. Also helpful, but not included in the kit, is a third-party piece available at retail stores as an educational takeaway for consumers about detoxification, called “Ask the Doctor,” which explains detoxification in more depth, safety concerns, natural remedies, why to do it and who should do it. The two-week cleanse and support materials mean staff members don’t have to do extensive customer education. “Have them get the cleanse kit and their case of water, and if you’re a retailer that offers organic groceries, have them get their groceries and everything right there,” Weiss said. “Then all they have to do, is go home and start their cleanse.”

Questions that may be raised by customers are ‘How can I prepare for a cleanse?’ ‘What should I expect to feel like while cleansing?’ and ‘What will I feel like after?’ These are all questions a retailer should be prepared to answer, although it should not take the place of consulting first with a health care professional. “Cleanses are a very individualized process,” Ormstein said. “What is ideal for one person, may not be right for another. Individuals interested in cleansing should first seek the guidance of a natural health care professional.” Another very important thing to know is who should and should not cleanse, according to Weiss. “Pregnant women and people with advanced liver or kidney disease should not cleanse,” Weiss said. “The biggest thing is, as is the case with any natural medicine, is that you need to know the contraindications.” To help inform customers, Ormstein suggests retail staff hold demos where they can provide information on detoxification, how to do it successfully and products they recommend that facilitate the process. Retailers may also choose to use the literature and resources (i.e., experts) provided by the company.

Before beginning a cleanse, Weiss suggests eating better and “clean,” cutting junk food out of the diet and taking Epsom salt baths to detoxify the skin. “A great way to prepare for a detox is to not bring in more toxins to the body. So eating more organic, whole foods is a great way to prepare for a cleanse,” he said. And during the cleanse, it’s the same thing. “Greens, greens and more greens, and the more organic the better. Everything has got to be whole foods—the less processed the better. Obviously, no white flour, no white sugar, no white rice, no white salt. Dairy products should be cut out as well.”

The feelings each individual experiences while cleansing will be different, although there are some general things a person should be prepared to expect. An individual might experience any combination (or none) of the following symptoms during a detox program: headache, fatigue, sluggishness, diarrhea, fluctuating body temperature, body odor, pulse changes, bad breath or mild rash, according to Ormstein. “Changes may take place anywhere from one day to more than one week, depending on the detox time frame, toxic load and the individual’s overall state of health. When the system is releasing strong toxins that effect the nervous system, an individual might actually feel worse before he feels better,” Ormstein said. “But once the cleanse is complete, an individual can expect to feel more energetic, have better digestion and heightened mental alertness and clarity. And maintaining a healthy diet and incorporating whole foods, stress reduction techniques and good quality supplements can help further the detox process and maintain its results.” In fact, a study of 25 disease-free subjects participating in a seven-day detoxification program reported marked improvements in subjective health reports1 and researchers concluded that detoxifying the liver may contribute to an individual’s overall sense of well-being. “Symptoms of poor health in people free from diagnosed disease may be related to toxin build-up,” wrote the study’s authors.

Once the initial cleanse is complete, Weiss suggests flushing the body of heavy metals as well, which are the hardest toxins to get rid of. “Ideally, you should cleanse the nervous system too after finishing a whole body cleanse. Metals are tricky because they store a lot of times in the nervous system and the brain.”

The Cleansing Power of Nature

Many natural herbs, spices and other plants have been used to support a healthy digestive system as well as a healthy liver. Everything from fiber to the extracts of various vegetables, plants and flowers have found a place in helping to detoxify the body. Fiber, for example, is one of nature’s best laxatives, which is why it is such a key component to a cleanse. “Fiber during a cleanse has two specific things it needs to do,” Weiss said. “First, it needs to gently scrub up against the walls of the intestine and get all the junk flushed through. The second is to soak up and absorb bile—bile is the automobile that carries toxins from the body. As soon as bile hits the intestinal tract, fiber binds it up and holds onto it and carries it completely out of the body, which is vital.”

Fiber in the diet can come from fruits, vegetables and whole grains (such as wheat bran) or can be supplemented in such forms as psyllium husk (Metamucil) or fenugreek fiber, all of which can increase roughage in the diet.2 Fenugreek also has a long history of medicinal uses in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine and has been used for numerous indications, including aiding digestion and as a general tonic to improve metabolism and health.3

Herbs that support the liver are particularly important, as the liver is the body’s main detox organ. Three well-known herbs that benefit the liver are milk thistle, artichoke and dandelion root. “Milk thistle helps regenerate liver tissue, and artichoke and dandelion root stimulate the body to dump its bile.” Milk thistle extract has been shown effective in a variety of hepatic disorders, including hepatitis A, alcoholic cirrhosis and exposure to hazardous chemicals, according to the American Botanical Council’s book Herbal Medicine (Integrative Medicine Communications, 2000). “Milk thistle extract has become increasingly popular in the United States as a dietary supplement for people with livers comprised by alcohol or exposure to toxic chemicals. Based on the increasing number of clinical studies indicating its safety and suggested efficacy, consumers are also using this preparation as a means to ensure proper liver function and to assist in ‘detoxification’ measures,” the authors wrote.

Herbal Medicine also states dandelion root has a long history of traditional medicinal use in the treatment of hepatobiliary problems. For example, dandelion root with herb is licensed in Germany as a standard medicinal tea to treat biliary disorders, digestive and gastrointestinal complaints, and to stimulate diuresis.

Artichoke extract also has a long history of use in folk medicine for its hepatoprotective activities, according to Italian researchers at the University of Bologna.4 They reported Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus) extract with the highest content in phenolic derivatives exerted the most effect on bile flow and liver protection. And a study conducted at the University of Leipzig in Germany found a small amount of Jerusalem artichoke syrup in the drinking water of broiler chickens reduced bacterial endotoxin levels and suppressed potential cecal pathogens, as well as had a beneficial effect on growth performance.5

According to Kevin Ruffin, president of San Marcos, Calif.-based Hytoned Nutrients Inc., makers of Liv Safe®, a liver support product, “The hybrid artichoke extract stimulates increased bile production in the liver and increased bile release from the gall bladder. This accelerates the body’s natural toxin elimination process. As a result, this allows the liver to eliminate toxins much faster than it would if left on its own.” Liv Safe also contains sarsaparilla root, which, according to Hytoned, is considered by European physicians to be an alterative tonic, blood purifier, diuretic (increases urine output) and diaphoretic (increases perspiration). “The sarsaparilla extracts act as a blood purifier,” Ruffin said. “Together, the two provide a very synergistic liver cleansing effect that is far greater than the effect of any part used alone.”

There are many other natural herbs that may be beneficial when used as part of a cleanse. “Formulas containing capers, wild chicory, arjuna, yarrow, tamarisk (like Himalaya’s LiverCare) and other well-known formulas are currently popular, as are herbal preparations like turmeric, neem and triphala, which are ancient Ayurvedic herbs that seem to be making a comeback in the marketplace,” Ormstein said. A study conducted at the University of Baroda, India, found the aqueous extract of Capparis spinosa L. (caper) to possess significant antihepatotoxic activity,6 and researchers from Wonkwang University in South Korea found an ethanol extract of chicory restored or prevented immunotoxicity induced by ethanol.7

As more people come to the realization that we live in a toxic world that is only getting worse, cleansing and detoxification will continue to become more popular. Not only can it improve a person’s health and sense of well-being in the short term (as immediately after a cleanse), but in the long term, benefits can include a reduced risk of cancer, reduced risk of environmental illnesses and a reduction of chronic illness as harmful toxins are flushed from the body, according to practitioners of natural medicine. “Again, the illusion is that what we take in, leaves us. And that is not true,” Weiss said. “We store up stuff in weird little places all through our body, and it is not a good thing. The buildup of toxins is directly related to a decrease in vitality.”

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Preventing Hangovers Before They Start

Although not considered in the same category as a cleanse or detox, hangover remedies also help control and contain toxins in alcohol from causing damaging effects. “[The terms ‘cleanse’ and ‘detox’] imply a buildup of impurities in the system, while hangover prevention is a way to block impurities from entering the system or neutralizing their effects,” said Carl Sperber, marketing director, at Walled Lake, Mich.-based Living Essentials, manufacturers of Chaser™ Freedom From Hangovers, an all-natural pill to help prevent hangovers before they start.

“Hangover prevention products are designed to help people do what they’re going to do anyway—enjoy a few beverages with friends and family—but wake up in the morning able to function at a high level,” Sperber said.

So just what causes a hangover? According to Sperber, hangovers are caused by impurities in alcoholic beverages—called congeners—which are natural byproducts of the fermentation process that give the beverages their flavor, aroma and color. “Congeners can lead to inflammation and pain when metabolized by the body.” Preventing the congeners from being metabolized is the science behind Chaser, thus preventing a hangover before it even starts. “Chaser works by trapping congeners while they’re in your stomach and keeping them in your digestive system where they remain harmless,” Sperber said. Calcium carbonate and charcoal, two components known throughout the medical community as absorbants, are its two main ingredients. And through a patented process of activating the calcium carbonate, it can attract and absorb only those impurities, according to Sperber.

Marketing such products can be somewhat difficult, however. “Since it’s not illegal for minors to purchase Chaser or any other dietary supplement, it is up to the manufacturer of the product to put the required warnings on their packaging,”

Sperber said, speaking specifically about how the product will not prevent intoxication, is not intended to treat or prevent the consequences of excessive alcohol consumption, and is not for use by minors. Other label warnings should include warnings of drinking and driving, consumption of alcoholic beverages if pregnant or nursing, and alcohol addiction. “A responsible retailer will stress these points to people purchasing Chaser or other hangover remedy products,” Sperber said.

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Weight Loss from Detox? An Added Bonus

It is a well-known fact that a cleansing program can lead to overall better health and well being. But a general whole body cleanse or detox can also result in weight loss—if the accompanying diet is high in fiber and liver support, according to Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., CNS, and author of The Fat Flush Plan (McGraw- Hill, 2002), a detox-based weight loss program. “The average person can lose anywhere from five to 13 pounds within the first month or so.”

By eliminating certain foods and beverages which are not only toxic to the system, but are also key to weight loss because they normalize both insulin and cortisol levels (such as white sugar, artificial sweeteners and coffee), and eliminating common allergy-producing foods (including gluten-based grains and dairy), people on the Fat Flush Plan eliminate water-logged tissues which can contribute anywhere from three to eight pounds of “false fat” overnight, according to Gittleman. “In fact, many of our Fat Flushers have said that the weight loss was an added bonus to the way they feel.”

Losing weight may be an added bonus of undergoing a cleanse, but getting a person on the right track toward a healthy eating program and lifestyle is almost a surefire guarantee. “A cleansing program can motivate a person to embrace a healthier lifestyle by providing enhanced mental and emotional clarity, thus resulting in more positive lifestyle choices.”

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August 2004 Health Supplement Retailer
"Cleanse Your Way to Better Health" References

1. MacIntosh A, Ball K. "The effects of a short program of detoxification in disease-free individuals." Altern Ther Health Med. 6, 4:70-6, 2000.

2. Al-Khaldi SF, Martin SA, Prakash L. "Fermentation of fenugreek fiber, psyllium husk, and wheat bran by Bacteroides ovatus V975." Curr Microbiol. 39, 4:231-2, 1999.

3. Basch E et al. "Therapeutic applications of fenugreek." Altern Med Rev. 8, 1:20-7, 2003. www.thorne.com/altmedrev

4. Speroni E et al. "Efficacy of different Cynara scolymus preparations on liver complaints." J Ethnopharmacol. 86, 2-3:203-11, 2003. www.elsevier.nl/inca/publications/store/5/0/6/0/3/5

5. Kleessen B et al. "Jerusalem artichokes stimulate growth of broiler chickens and protect them against endotoxins and potential cecal pathogens." J Food Prot. 66, 11:2171-5, 2003. www.foodprotection.org/Publications/JFP.htm

6. Gadgoli C, Mishra SH. "Antihepatotoxic activity of p-methoxy benzoic acid from Capparis spinosa." J Ethnopharmacol. 66, 2:187-92, 1999. www.elsevier.nl/inca/publications/store/5/0/6/0/3/5

7. Ahmed B et al. "Antihepatotoxic activity of seeds of Cichorium intybus." J Ethnopharmacol. 87, 2-3:237-40, 2003. www.elsevier.nl/inca/publications/store/5/0/6/0/3/5

USDA opens public debate today on food pyramid

8/19/2004 - Today the US government will host a public meeting for feedback on imminent changes to the food guide pyramid while the food industry’s largest association continues to say that the ‘shape’ of the pyramid does not need to change.

The food pyramid, designed in 1992 to make eating choices as straightforward as possible for consumers, is slated for change by the US department of agriculture, but in a statement prior to the USDA meeting today the voice of the $500 billion US food industry, the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA), said that change was not necessarily the best way to improving the diet of the nation.
"If we are going to help Americans change their shapes, we should not focus on changing the shape of the Food Guide Pyramid," said GMA director of scientific and nutrition policy Alison Kretser.

She maintains that instead health professionals and the food industry need ‘to take this opportunity to clearly communicate’ the best way for consumers to pursue a healthy dietary regime.

But the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) has concluded that with the rapid increase in overweight and obesity, the “one-size fits all” guidance of the pyramid no long works and that to improve their food choices, individuals need to have access to information specific to their own energy and nutrient needs, based on their age, sex, and physical activity level.

As it stands now, at the bottom are foods people should eat the most of: breads, cereal, rice and pasta, moving up to lesser amounts of fruits and vegetables, and on up to even lesser amounts of dairy and protein. At the top are foods that should be eaten only sparingly: fats, oils and sweets.

The pyramid simply recommends 6 to 11 daily servings of bread, cereal, rice and pasta, and does not specify that six servings are recommended only for sedentary women and some older adults, while 11 servings are recommended for teenage boys, many active men and some very active women.

And while 80 per cent of US citizens recognize the pyramid, two-thirds of them are overweight or obese, suggesting a different approach is needed to stem the country's food-related health problems.

Critics of the pyramid claim that the system is virtually useless because , for example, some people who follow the pyramid and give up all types of fat in the diet avoid eating healthy fats that help reduce cholesterol and help prevent heart disease.

What they might consider to be ‘unhealthier items’, like red meat, butter, sweets, potatoes, white rice, white bread and pasta should be eaten only sparingly and therefore higher up the pyramid than presently.

But changes to the bottom of the pyramid could jeopardize sales for products currently positioned there, such as breads and pasta.

"GMA and its member companies are fully committed to helping Americans improve their diets by providing a wide variety of products that will help them meet their individual nutrition needs and goals," Kretser concluded.

An Associated Press-IPSOS poll carried out in May found that 30 per cent of Americans consider overeating the nation's top health problem, but just 12 percent said they were dieting.

“Today’s Family” to feature Health Thru Nutrition

“Today’s Family” to feature Health Thru Nutrition
Formed with the vision of helping people alkalize, cleanse, nourish, balance and energize their bodies, Health Thru Nutrition’s (HTN) has marketed nutritional and weight management products through distributors since 1993.

Deerfield Beach, FL (PRWEB) July 10, 2004 -- Platinum Television Group is pleased to announce the selection of Health Thru Nutrition for its innovative, educational television series, Today’s Family.

Since 1993, Health Thru Nutrition’s (HTN) has marketed nutritional and weight management products through distributors. HTN was formed with the vision of helping people alkalize, cleanse, nourish, balance and energize their bodies. Everything done stems from the spiritual belief that God designed the human body to repair and heal itself when given the proper nutritional support. Scientists, doctors, biologists, and top-notch health professionals have aided in the efforts to uncover some of the most effective methods and products for optimizing health. HTN has developed more than 30 wellness products and they are the exclusive worldwide distributor of one of the most beneficial health supplements in the world -- The Original Patented™ Alka-Line™ Sango Coral Calcium sachets from Okinawa, Japan. Their products will optimize brain activity, bolster energy without stimulants and boost metabolism. HTN’s Ellagic Acid is a special substance found in raspberries and is one of the most powerful all-natural ingredients for fighting this deadly disease. Other one-of-a-kind products include HTN's Joint Health and Joint Cream for pain relief, Pro-Max (natural progesterone) for female hormonal balance, OptiBerry ATX OPC 60 (a variety of superior fruit extracts for powerful antioxidant protection), Omega 3/70+ (which has the highest concentrate of EPA and DHA omega 3 oils found anywhere), and Omega 6 GLA (Borage Oil, source of omega 6).

“The American public is overfed but undernourished,” asserts Ken Marsh, a spokesperson for the company. “Nature has laws that we shouldn’t violate.”

On their website, one may read testimonials from people from all walks of life offering praise of their products -- including many stories from medical doctors who had exhausted all conventional treatment options and then found success through the use of these products with terminally ill individuals who needed more energy.

HTN, with new corporate leadership, positively impacts millions of lives, since 11 years have been spent laying the groundwork to build this company. HTN is now positioned to reach incredible new heights. By using and recommending the products, one can not only see improvements in your own health and the health of those you care about, but also see improvements in your own financial future. You’ll gain health and wealth at the same time! As a distributor you're rewarded for your efforts with an extremely lucrative pay plan. With multiple income streams, you won't find a better plan or better products to share and promote to others.
Today’s Family will feature Health Thru Nutrition in a segment on “Three-Part Business Opportunity Series.” For more information, visit: www.healththrunutrition.com.

The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 13, 2001
Contact: Damon Thompson
301-443-4000

OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY THREATEN U.S. HEALTH GAINS
Communities Can Help Address the Problem, Surgeon General Says

Health problems resulting from overweight and obesity could reverse many of the health gains achieved in the U.S. in recent decades, according to a Surgeon General's "call to action" issued today.

The report, entitled "The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity," outlined strategies that communities can use in helping to address the problems. Those options included requiring physical education at all school grades, providing more healthy food options on school campuses, and providing safe and accessible recreational facilities for residents of all ages.

"Overweight and obesity are among the most pressing new health challenges we face today," HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. "Our modern environment has allowed these conditions to increase at alarming rates and become a growing health problem for our nation. By confronting these conditions, we have tremendous opportunities to prevent the unnecessary disease and disability they portend for our future."

"Overweight and obesity may soon cause as much preventable disease and death as cigarette smoking," Surgeon General David Satcher said. "People tend to think of overweight and obesity as strictly a personal matter, but there is much that communities can and should do to address these problems."

Approximately 300,000 U.S. deaths a year currently are associated with obesity and overweight (compared to more than 400,000 deaths a year associated with cigarette smoking). The total direct and indirect costs attributed to overweight and obesity amounted to $117 billion in the year 2000.

In 1999, an estimated 61 percent of U.S. adults were overweight, along with 13 percent of children and adolescents. Obesity among adults has doubled since 1980, while overweight among adolescents has tripled. Only 3 percent of all Americans meet at least four of the five federal Food Guide Pyramid recommendations for the intake of grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and meats. And less than one-third of Americans meet the federal recommendations to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five days a week, while 40 percent of adults engage in no leisure-time physical activity at all.

While the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased for both genders and across all races, ethnic and age groups, disparities exist. In women, overweight and obesity are higher among members of racial and ethnic minority populations than in non-Hispanic white women. In men, Mexican-Americans have a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity than non-Hispanic men, while non-Hispanic white men have a greater prevalence than non-Hispanic black men.

Members of lower-income families generally experience a greater prevalence than those from higher-income families.

Already, these trends are associated with dramatic increases in conditions such as asthma, and in Type 2 diabetes among children. Satcher said failure to address overweight and obesity "could wipe out some of the gains we've made in areas such as heart disease, several forms of cancer, and other chronic health problems."

In preparation of the report, Satcher convened a listening session in December 2000 and held a public comment period to gather ideas from clinicians, researchers, consumers and advocates. These sessions generated a number of community-based strategies that were subsequently reviewed for their proven scientific effectiveness. The strategies were organized under the categories of communication, action, research and evaluation (CARE).

Those strategies include:

Ensure daily, quality physical education for all school grades. Currently, only one state in the country -- Illinois -- requires physical education for grades K-12, while only about one in four teenagers nationwide take part in some form of physical education.

Ensure that more food options that are low in fat and calories, as well as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or non-fat dairy products, are available on school campuses and at school events. A modest step toward achieving this would be to enforce existing U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations that prohibit serving foods of minimal nutritional value during mealtimes in school food service areas, including in vending machines.

Make community facilities available for physical activity for all people, including on the weekends.

Create more opportunities for physical activity at work sites.

Reduce time spent watching television and in other sedentary behaviors. In 1999, 43 percent of high-school students reported watching two hours of TV or more a day.

Educate all expectant parents about the benefits of breast-feeding. Studies indicate breast-fed infants may be less likely to become overweight as they grow older.

Change the perception of obesity so that health becomes the chief concern, not personal appearance.

Increase research on the behavioral and biological causes of overweight and obesity. Direct research toward prevention and treatment, and toward ethnic/racial health disparities.

Educate health care providers and health profession students on the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity across the lifespan.

"Communities can help when it comes to health promotion and disease prevention," Satcher said. "When there are no safe places for children to play, or for adults to walk, jog, or ride a bike, that's a community responsibility. When school lunchrooms or workplace cafeterias don't offer healthy and appealing food choices, that is a community responsibility. When new or expectant parents are not educated about the benefits of breast-feeding, that's a community responsibility. And when we don't require daily physical education in our schools, that is also a community responsibility."

The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity is available at http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity.

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NOTE: The National Institutes of Health define obesity and overweight using a Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a calculation of a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters. An overweight adult is defined as one with a BMI between 25 and 29.9, while an obese adult has a BMI of 30 or higher. In children and adolescents, overweight is defined as a sex-and-age specific BMI at or above the 95th percentile, based on revised growth charts by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is no generally accepted definition for obesity for children and adolescents.

The risk of death, although modest until a BMI of 30 is reached, increases with an increasing BMI. Obese adults have a 50 to 100 percent increased risk of premature death compared to adults with a BMI of 20 to 25. But even moderate weight excess (10 to 20 pounds for a person of average height) increases the risk of death, particularly among adults aged 30 to 64 years.

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The Lowdown on Aspartame

Dr. Julian Whitaker on aspartame
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By Dave Rietz WEBmaster

The Lowdown on Aspartame
(NutraSweet)

Artificial sweeteners are marketed with the promise of weight control, and the vast majority of people who consume them do so to either lose or avoid gaining weight. Folks, this is a fraud of gigantic proportions.

From 1960 to l976, there was virtually no change in the number of Americans who were overweight: roughly 24 percent of the population. However, from the mid l980s to the present, this number has more than doubled to 54 percent! This coincides with the massive infusion of noncaloric chemical sweeteners and sugar-free "diet" foods that are eaten by close to three-quarters of the adult population.

Although several factors contribute to these alarming statistics, I am convinced that our blind acceptance of the most popular of these artificial sweeteners, aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful), plays a significant role in our current weight problems. Far from helping us lose weight, aspartame has been proven to increase appetite, especially cravings for sweets. Imagine "diet" products that help you pack on extra pounds! And aspartame's downside doesn't end with weight gain: This sweetener is associated with multiple health problems.

ASPARTAME MAY CAUSE A VARIETY OF DISEASES

Since aspartame came on the market in l981, it has accounted for more than 75 percent of the complaints reported in the FDA's Adverse Reaction Monitoring system. The most common adverse reactions attributed to aspartame are headaches, dizziness, attention difficulties, memory loss, slurred speech and vision problems. This cluster of symptoms has become so common that it is actually referred to as "aspartame disease".

Even more serious disorders have a suspected link with aspartame. Is it an accident that the incidence of brain tumors has increased by 10% since l975? John W. Olney, MD, of the Washington University Medical School in St. Louis believes there may be a link between the two. In an article published in The Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology, he notes that animal studies reveal high levels of brain tumors in aspartame-fed rats. According to Dr. Olney, recent findings show that aspartame has mutagenic (cancer-causing) potential, and the sharp rise in malignant brain tumors coincides with the increased use of aspartame.

Could serious seizures and vision loss somehow be associated with the sweetener? The U.S. Navy and Air Force published articles in Navy Physiology and Flying Safety with this warning: "several researchers have found aspartame can increase the frequency of seizures, or lower the stimulation necessary to induce them. This means a pilot who drinks diet sodas is more susceptible to flicker vertigo, or to flicker-induced epileptic activity. It also means that all pilots are potential victims of sudden memory loss, dizziness during instrument flight, and gradual loss of vision."

What about multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, depression and other mood disorders? I have reviewed scores of documented cases of patients with symptoms so severe that they were mistakenly diagnosed with one of these conditions, only to have all signs of disease completely vanish after getting off aspartame.

THE FDA IGNORES SAFETY CONCERNS

Yet the FDA has chosen to turn a deaf ear to repeated requests by scientists, physicians, and consumers to review aspartame's safety.

Aspartame has spelled trouble from the get-go. The unique property of this chemical, which is 200 times sweeter than sugar, was accidently discovered in l965 by a chemist trying to develop an ulcer drug. Although the FDA rescinded its initial approval because of studies showing that it caused seizures and brain tumors in lab animals, the agency eventually capitulated to political and monetary pressure and in l981 gave aspartame the stamp of approval. In doing so, this bureaucracy overrode the 3-0 decision of a Public Board of Inquiry, which had reviewed the scientific data and had recommended delaying approval pending further studies on the sweetener's link with brain cancer.

In the intervening years, safety concerns have mushroomed. Ralph G. Walton, MD, Professor of Psychiatry at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, reviewed all the studies on aspartame and found 166 with relevance for human safety. Every one of the 74 studies funded by the aspartame industry gave it a clean bill of health, while 92 percent of those independently funded revealed safety problems.

ASPARTAME CAN UPSET BRAIN CHEMISTRY

Once you understand a bit about the chemistry of aspartame, you'll see why it can cause so many problems.

Aspartame is comprised of two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Aspartic acid acts as an "excitatory" neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger, in the brain, stimulating neurons to fire. Problems can arise when aspartic acid is out of balance with "inhibitory" amino acids that calm things down. Phenylalanine also easily enters the brain, where it is transformed into neurotransmitters that can further interfere with normal brain function.

This is a likely reason why aspartame lowers the threshold for seizures, mood disorders, and other nervous system problems. This altered brain chemistry may also be responsible for the addictive nature of aspartame. Some patients report that getting off diet soda takes more willpower than giving up cigarettes!

A LITTLE MOONSHINE FOR YOU?

The remaining component, which makes up 10 percent of aspartame, may be the most dangerous part. It is a methyl ester that breaks down after ingestion into methanol, a nervous system toxin also known as free methyl alcohol or wood alcohol. Methanol is extremely harmful to the optic nerve. A main ingredient in "moonshine" it was notorious during Prohibition for causing blindness. Methanol is rapidly released into the bloodstream, where it is further metabolized into other harmful components, including formaldehyde (a known neurotoxin and carcinogen) and formic acid (the poison in ant stings).

Is it any wonder that many of the symptoms of "aspartame disease" are neurological and visual? Drinking a diet soda or two (and I've had patients who drink at least a liter a day) delivers a powerful chemical rush with decidedly negative effects. With this kind of questionable history, who would want to consume this artificial chemical, particularly when there are natural and healthy sweeteners available?

RECOMMENDATIONS

Please take the warnings in this article very seriously. Although some people are much more sensitive to aspartame's adverse effects than others, damage is likely cumulative. Aspartame is particularly harmful to children and the developing fetus. I strongly urge anyone with an aspartame "habit" to get off this harmful sweetener. For more information on the downside of aspartame, visit www.dorway.com or send a self-addressed envelope with six stamps to Betty Martini, Mission Possible International, 9270 9270 River Club Parkway, Duluth, Georgia 30097.

Don't trade one bad habit for another by switching to sugar-laden drinks and sweets. Avoid most bottled or canned sodas, teas and juices altogether. If they don't contain an artificial sweetener, they're loaded with some kind of sugar. Your beverage of choice should be water. (Try perking it up with a slice of lemon.) Sparkling water, diluted fruit juice, and homemade iced tea flavored with the herbal sweetener stevia are other options. A few drops of stevia also nicely sweeten hot tea, coffee, cereal, yogurt, and other foods. Stevia is sold in health food stores or may be ordered from Amai Health (877/989-9954) or Wisdom of the Ancients (800/899-9908). We'll talk more about healthy sweeteners in next month's issue.

(The foregoing article is from Dr. Whitaker's March 2000 vol. 12 No. 3.
You can subscribe to Dr. Whitaker's Health & Healing by calling 800/539- 8219 or go to drwhitaker.com)

What is a good diet?

Dr Michael Colgan

There has been a lot of press lately about low carbohydrate diets, in particular the Atkins diet. The problem with most diets is they are not nutritionally complete. The Atkins diet which does not emphasize the need to keep your diet low fat, is one of these. We are often asked what Dr. Colgan eats and what type of “diet” we recommend. Here’s the answer:

Proteins:

Protein is an important part of any good diet and we advise the intake of good quality protein such as chicken, turkey and fish. Lean red meat is acceptable occasionally. Dr. Colgan eats a lot of fresh fish, lean turkey and chicken. We are fortunate to live somewhere where we have access to locally grown, often organic, meats and fresh caught seafood. When you buy fish try to purchase deep-water fish and/or cold-water fish. Think carefully about where the fish was caught, as some areas are obviously more polluted than others. The Gulf of Mexico as opposed to the coast of Alaska.

Fish is usually poached, grilled or baked. Chicken and turkey is usually baked, roasted, grilled or barbecued. If oil is needed it is as little as possible. Good quality stainless cookware will help with this. No deep fried food at all, and the only sautéing is usually done in a wok with very little oil. Keep your protein source low fat. No hamburgers, no bacon and certainly no fried foods of any kind.

Carbohydrates:

Carbohydrates include all sugars, starches, grains, beans, fruit and vegetables. Some of the basic ideas of the Atkins’ diet are correct. Excess carbohydrates are more readily stored as body fat. If you eat more carbohydrates than the energy you require, you will put on body fat. So to lose body fat you must do two things. Eat carbohydrates that are not easily stored as body fat and exercise sufficiently to make the body use stored body fat as an energy source.

We encourage everyone to get all their carbohydrate needs primarily from fresh vegetables and fruit, preferably organic. With every meal Dr. Colgan has either a fresh salad or steamed vegetables along with some fresh fruit. He never eats starchy vegetables such as white potatoes. You can consume a large amount of fresh vegetables and never put on any body fat.

Dr. Colgan seldom eats bread, but when he does it is always wholegrain bread. The only cereal he eats is old-fashioned oats, never any of the popular boxed cereals. He never eats pasta of any kind. He will occasionally eat wild or brown rice, never white rice. He eats fresh unshelled nuts such as walnuts and enjoys organic pumpkin and sunflower seeds. These choices are high in essential fats.

The amount of and types of carbohydrate you eat are also determined by your lifestyle, age and exercise level. Endurance athletes require more carbohydrates than “couch potatoes” as their energy needs are much higher. So determine your carbohydrate needs for your own lifestyle and you will be able to enjoy that lovely pasta dinner on an evening out without putting on excess body fat.

As we get older and our insulin metabolism becomes less efficient we need to make sure that we choose carbohydrates that are low-glycemic. For anyone who is interested we can email you a copy of our low-glycemic chart that we use with our athletes.

Fats:

A diet low in saturated fats is very important for overall health. A high saturated fat diet will cause cardiovascular disease. The Atkins’ diet does not stress the need for a low saturated fat diet. It does not differentiate between bad and good fats. I know many people who have been on the Atkins diet and have restricted their carbohydrate intake dramatically but think it fine to eat fatty bacon and hamburgers.

You must get your essential fats daily. We advise the use of organic flaxseed oil that you can use as a base for your salad dressings. For cooking when necessary use small quantities of organic cold pressed olive oil. Both these oils contain good essential fats.

This was something that Dr. Atkins did not understand. It was reported recently over the AP wire that Dr. Robert Atkins, who died recently, weighed 258 pounds at the time of his death. Before his death, he suffered a heart attack, congestive heart failure and hypertension. Not only was he not following his own advice to maintain a good weight and low body fat, but his idea of not worrying about saturated fat intake certainly did his health no good.
The above article is from the Colgan Institute News. Information contained in its newsletter was prepared from medical and scientific sources which are referenced and are believed to be accurate and reliable. The information should not be used to treat or to prevent any medical condition unless it is used with the full knowledge, compliance and agreement of your personal physician or other licensed health care professional. Readers are strongly advised to seek the advice of their personal health care professional(s) before proceeding with any changes in any health care program. To find out about or register for courses call 1-866-302-3032.

The Ultimate Simple Health Plan

The Ultimate Simple Health Plan

How to use nature as your personal trainer and preventative doctor

by Janet Luhrs

Not long ago, I noticed that my blood pressure was getting elevated, so I went to a traditional doctor, who prescribed high blood pressure pills.

Before filling the prescription though, I remembered something important: why not revisit the Seventh-Day Adventist 7 Rules of Natural Health, and see if I couldn't lower my pressure without the pills?

I'm not an Adventist, and you don't need to be, either. But I have taken many of their health classes and read stacks of their books. Theirs is the absolute most straight-forward, no-nonsense, simple, and inexpensive way to stay healthy and vibrant that I have ever come across. No fad diets, supplements or other "latest studies" mumbo jumbo to wade through; just basic rules for using nature as your doctor. For years, I practiced their methods and then fell away.

I made an appointment with my local Adventist clinic. The medical doctor there charged me $35, checked my vital signs, and simply reminded me to follow the rules, giving me a chart to make it easier. No surprise that two weeks later my pressure was back to normal and I was feeling great. While the Adventist method is not the only answer for every medical condition, it is my number one recommendation for general health, and for helping to prevent many lifestyle or degenerative diseases. Male Adventists have an 8.9-year longer average life expectancy than does the general population, while female members have a 7.5 year longer average life expectancy. Adventists have a lower incidence of breast, prostate, pancreatic, bladder, and ovarian cancer than does the general population. And Adventists do not believe that "aches and pains" are an inevitable part of the aging process, nor do they believe that senility or deterioration of mental faculties are inevitable. This is because they figured out the scheme early: Live according to the natural laws and you will be rewarded with health.

The Seven Rules of Natural Health

Rule 1. Pure air. Get outside every day, rain or shine, for fresh air. Learn to breathe deeply to take oxygen way into your body. Incorporate this step into your daily life: walk instead of driving to the store or go for a walk with a friend instead of meeting for coffee. Keep your bedroom windows open.

Rule 2. Sunlight. Exposing your face to sunlight for just 15 minutes will give you more than your daily requirement of 400 units of Vitamin D. Vitamin D ensures straight and strong bones with the proper proportions of calcium and phosphorous.

Rule 3. Temperance. Don't indulge in any one thing. Temperance, or balance, is a main theme of simplicity: eat in moderation, exercise in moderation, and rest in moderation. Remember the rule: Moderation in what is good for you and abstinence from the things that are not good.

Rule 4. Rest. Your body and mind need rest in order to function. Get plenty of rest each night and take at least one day a week to devote to restful pursuits. If you don't have rest built into your life with religion, do it without religion. Everybody needs a break from all kinds of work, paid and unpaid. This is the day for families to go hiking or to relax around the house.

Your digestive system also needs to rest. Your system needs about five hours to digest food completely. The Adventists do not advocate eating between meals because the digestive system never has a chance to rest. The theory is that all systems and organs, whether you see them or not, need rest. In between meals you can drink all the water and herbal tea you want. After five hours, eat a huge dinner. Fill yourself with hearty, natural food and enjoy.

You want to rest not only your internal organs, but your whole body as well. You need at least eight hours of sleep.

When you get up, eat a huge breakfast, don't eat again for at least five hours, eat a huge dinner, then have a light snack in the evening.

Rule 5. Exercise. Exercising in fresh air takes poisons and wastes out of the body. Fresh air from exercising fills cells with oxygen. Stretch outside every morning and find an enjoyable form of exercise that fits naturally in your day, such as bicycling or walking to work, meeting a friend for a regular walk or run, and so on. Jethro Kloss, the author of the age-old bible on natural living titled Back to Eden, faithfully went outside every morning, summer and winter (weather permitting) to do a certain number of jumping jacks. Afterward he would go into the kitchen for a glass of fresh orange or grapefruit juice. He began every day with fresh air, brisk exercise, and a nutritious drink.

Rule 6. Water. Water is free or inexpensive, so use it liberally. Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water between meals to help purge your system. Drink the water 30 minutes to 1 hour before or 1 hour after meals to prevent dilution of stomach acids, which help proper digestion.

Use water not only to keep your body clean but as a tonic as well. Do this by taking a regular, warm shower and then, at the end, turning up the cold water. This wakes up your cells and keeps them functioning.

Water is also a perfect, natural cure-all for many ailments. When used by a doctor, it is called hydrotherapy. Here is an example of hydrotherapy in action. The next time you have a headache, keep the lid on your aspirin bottle. Headaches are caused by blood vessels swelling in your head. The pressure is what causes the pain. Put your feet in a bucket of the hottest water you can tolerate; this will cause a reflex reaction that causes the blood vessels in the head to narrow. Add a cold compress to the head, to aid the blood to flow to the extremeties and away from the head. The hot foot bath compresses the vessels and the cold pack on the head sends the blood away. Hot draws the blood to it, and cold sends blood away - a reflexive relationship.

Rule 7. Nutrition. We are only as healthy as what we put into our bodies. According to current medical information, most of the degenerative diseases that plague modern America - heart problems, high blood pressure, certain cancers, and stroke - are primarily the result of improper diet. All cells and tissues in our bodies are formed by the food we eat. The best way to take care of our bodies is also the simplest and most inexpensive: Eat food the way it comes out of the ground with nothing added and nothing removed. These foods are grains, fruits, seeds, legumes, nuts, and vegetables. Eat a variety of these food groups every week. Eat two servings of raw vegetable salad and two more servings of raw or cooked green or yellow vegetables daily. Eat cooked beans or peas three times a week, sweet potatoes or squash twice weekly, and a member of the cabbage family (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale) three times a week. Try to make breakfast your heaviest meal, your midday meal the second heaviest, and supper the lightest.