Treatment - Nutritional Supplements

Midori Greens (Madre Labs)

Written by Maff January 31, 2012 Hits: 463 0

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Midori Greens® is a groundbreaking, premium SuperGreens Blend with a core of three traditional Japanese ingredients: Ashitaba, Japanese Matcha Green Tea & Wildcrafted Wasabi.

Ashitaba is used for “heartburn” (gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD), stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gout, constipation, and allergies to airborne allergens like hay fever. Ashitaba is an antioxidant and appears to reduce the secretion of stomach acid (source: WebMD).

Japanese Matcha Green Tea is the highest quality green tea available and retains the greatest amount of nutrients like the antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Research indicates that EGCG is 25-100 times more potent than the antioxidant vitamins C and E and provides critical support for the immune and cardiovascular systems.

Wildcrafted Wasabi is an excellent source of sulforaphane, a sulfur compound that "exhibits anticancer, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial properties in experimental models" (Wikipedia). It is also a potent antioxidant and helps support detoxification - slowing down phase 1 (cytochrome P450) and reducing the production of highly reactive by-products, while at the same time increasing the activity of certain phase 2 conjugation pathways.

Midori Greens® also contains Field-Grown Whole Grasses, Herbs & Vegetables, Broken Cell Wall Chlorella, Marine Phytoplankton and Beet Juice Powder.

This one-of-a-kind blend contains naturally-occurring phytonutrients and is a great addition to a healthy diet and active lifestyle.

(from iHerb.com - save $5 on your first order using promotional code: MAT856)

Immune Punch (Madre Labs)

Written by Maff January 23, 2012 Hits: 522 0

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Immune Punch by Madre Labs is a high quality, science-based nutritonal supplement designed to support the body's immune system. It is based on a blend of six certified organic medicinal mushroom extracts - Shiitake, Maitake, Reishi, Himematsutake, Turkey Tail and Chaga. Studies have shown these mushrooms, used in traditional Eastern medicine, can support natural killer (NK) cell, T-lymphocyte, and macrophage activity, as well as promoting cytokine production. Much of these benefits have been attributed to Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) and beta-glucan content of the mushrooms. Immune Punch contains additional AHCC.

Immune Punch also contains EpiCor - a complex, nutrient-rich ingredient comprised of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants. According to the manufacturer, EpiCor "does not stimulate or "boost" the body's immune system; it balances it. EpiCor works in a unique way to;"educate" the immune system so that it works efficiently to provide the proper immune response at the right time.* A balanced immune system makes the appropriate response at the right time. Too great an immune response can lead to allergies or inflammation. Alternatively, an immune system that is suppressed is not working optimally; and this increases the chances that the body will succumb to infection, resulting in sickness."

Finally, Immune Punch also contains a blend of superfood berries chosen for their high antioxidant content. Antioxidants neutralise damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS), or 'free radicals', preventing tissue damage and reducing the burden on the immune system, while also protecting immune cells themselves.

In conclusion, Madre Lab's Immune Punch is a comprehensive solution for those wishing to support immunity naturally.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnosis, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

(from iHerb.com - save $5 on your first order using promotional code: MAT856)

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Written by Maff July 20, 2011 Hits: 622 0

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Vitamin C (otherwise known as ascorbic acid) is best known for preventing scurvy and supporting immunity but has a multitude of important functions in the body which are less well known.

Vitamin C is required for the synthesis of collagen and is therefore important for the health of connective tissue throughout the body.

It is a potent scavenger of damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body and as such is one of the best known nutrient antioxidants. Since vitamin C is water-soluble it acts as an extracellular antioxidant, protecting cells and tissues from ROS that originate from outside of the cells, whether they are environmental toxins or endogenous ROS (those creating within the body as a result of normal metabolism, immune system activity etc). It also plays an important role regenerating reduced glutathione, one of the most important antioxidants and detoxifying molecules produced within the body.

Vitamin C is also required for normal functioning of the immune system. Vitamin C is required by white blood cells to maintain their health and ability to effectively fight off pathogens. It is also able to keep levels of inflammatory chemicals like histamine from becoming too high and may therefore have a role in controlling the symptoms of allergy.

The ability of the body to react to stress and protect itself from harmful effects is also dependent upon the availability of adequate amounts of vitamin C. It is used by the adrenal glands for the synthesis and release of stress hormones including adrenaline and cortisol.

(from iHerb.com - save $5 on your first order using promotional code: MAT856)

5-Methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) or Metafolin

Written by Maff January 26, 2011 Hits: 1533 0

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5-Methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) or Metafolin

5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) is an important bioactive form of folic acid and a key player in the methylation cycle. Methylation is required for important biological processes such as detoxification and the synthesis of DNA/RNA and the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.

A common variation in the gene that controls the final enzyme involved in the conversion of dietary folic acid to 5-MTHF means that many people cannot complete this conversion efficiently and are thus more likely to suffer from methylation deficits and other signs of functional folate deficiency.

Supplementing 5-MTHF (sometimes known as Metafolin) theoretically bypasses these conversion problems.

(from iHerb.com - save $5 on your first order using promotional code: MAT856)

Taurine

Written by Maff March 09, 2010 Hits: 2015 0

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Taurine is usually referred to as a sulphur-containing amino acid but is technically a sulphonic acid derived from cysteine - a true sulphur-containing amino acid. Taurine is abundant in the body but requirements may increase in times of stress - whether that be intense exercise, toxic exposure, or chronic illness. It has many functions in the body with some of the most important in terms of environmental illnesses being:

Detoxification

Taurine is involved in detoxification in a number of ways. It is used by Phase 2 detoxification pathways in the liver (and some other tissues e.g. small intestinal mucosa). It serves as a source of sulphur for the important sulphation pathway which detoxifies many environmental toxins including petrochemicals from industrial and vehicle-derived pollution as well as cleaning and personal care products, while also neutralising toxins produced by dysbiotic bacteria in the gut. Taurine also acts directly, conjugating (sticking to) toxins so they can be excreted safely from the body.

Taurine is also a component of bile which is important in many ways. It is vital for the digestion and absorption of fats and is also important for detoxification with chemicals detoxified by the liver being secreted into the bile for removal from the body in bowel movements. Through its role in bile production and fat metabolism taurine helps to prevent fatty build up in the liver which can lead to fatty liver disease - thus maintaining the health and function of the liver as a whole. Increased taurine levels therefore aid detoxification through increasing bile production.

Inhibitory Neurotransmitter

Taurine plays a major role in the brain as an "inhibitory" neurotransmitter. Taurine is similar in structure and function to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (which you have no doubt come across) and has similar effects - acting to reduce activity of stress centres in the brain, therefore having calming and stabilizing effects. Taurine also inhibits the release of adrenaline/epinephrine - the stress hormone released during the fight-or-flight response that gets our heart pounding and racing (along with our mind!).

As a result of these actions taurine can be useful in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, irritability, agitation, depression, and even as an aid to reduce withdrawal symptoms in the treatment of addictions such as alcoholism.

Other positive effects of taurine supplementation include improving blood sugar control and hence insulin resistance and diabetes type II and reducing blood pressure in those with hypertension.

(from iherb.com - save $5 on your first order using promotional code: MAT856)

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