Month: December 2008

"Over the past 20 years Congress has encouraged the U.S. military to supply intelligence, equipment, and training to civilian police. That encouragement has spawned a culture of paramilitarism in American law enforcement. The 1980s and 1990s have seen marked changes in the number of state and local paramilitary units, in their mission and deployment, and in their tactical armament." –Cato Institute

My idea of a perfect natural supplement (or even a perfect chemical medicine) is one that would not only provide broad spectrum immunity from disease, but would also come to the rescue in the event we did succumb to one of Pasteur’s nasty bugs or our own foolish lifestyle choices. While I seriously doubt that science will ever be able to create the perfect medicine, a significant amount of research indicates that Mother Nature has had such an answer all along.

Dr. Charles Sanford Porter, M.D. in his 1911 book “The Milk Diet as a Remedy for Chronic Disease" detailed patient cures for a variety of ailments using a regimented milk diet (and raw milk was the only milk at that time). Dr. J. R. Crewe, of the Mayo Foundation, forerunner of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, published in Certified Milk Magazine, January 1929 an article detailing successful treatments of patients using raw milk. Dr. Crewe is credited with curing many patients of many diseases, using only raw milk. Most medical professionals refused to “pay attention” to the “milk cure”, because as Dr. Crewe stated, “it is just too simple”. I urge you to consider researching the value of raw milk further, and including this “perfect food” in your diet and that of your children. You will likely be amazed at the health problems that may resolve !

But back to colostrum ; I have attempted to write the following information to be easily understood by the layperson as well as the doctor, however, it is necessary to add extensive references and scientific substantiation for doctors, and I apologize in advance if such “referencing” proves a little “tiring” to the lay-reader.

While the knowledge that colostrum is essential for newborns is “old news”, and aside from the vast amount of “hype” available from companies and retailers concerned with marketing their colostrum products, clinical trial and research over the past few decades show that colostrum truly is unquestionably one of nature’s most powerful contributions to health. While this article is certainly not an all-inclusive list of the vast amount of research available on colostrum, I hope to answer common questions in hopes of educating parents, the victims of chronic poor health, and caring doctors to go forth and satisfy themselves that colostrum may just be a perfect, safe and effective adjunct in the treatment of many of our chronic health woe’s at any age.  For those that believe colostrum holds value only for the “newborn”, keep reading !

About Colostrum (also called foremilk): Colostrum is a thin yellowish fluid secreted by the mammary glands at the time of parturition that is rich in antibodies and minerals, and precedes the production of true milk. Colostrum contains many substances that are important to immunity and health including; Immunoglobulin’s (IgG, IgA, IgD, IgE, and IgM), which are natural antibiotic factors, or substances that neutralize toxins, viruses, and bacteria, particularly in the digestive and respiratory systems. These antibodies specifically recognize any foreign compound that enters the body, then direct themselves to the invader and attack it; Cytokines, which are small proteins that affect the behavior of other cells; Lactoferrin, which is a substance that neutralizes bacteria and helps release cytokines; and Growth factors (IGF-I, IGF-II, EGF, TGF α & β), which are substances that aid in cellular, muscular and skeletal growth.

Research shows colostrum to be one of nature's most potent, broad-spectrum substances

Chiropractic Journal. Joseph M, Flesch A. (1998)14

Importance of colostrum factors: A study in 199712 shows the importance of colostrum for the newborn calf. Delaying colostrum intake by one day impairs plasma lipid, essential fatty acid, carotene, retinol and a-tocopherol status in neonatal calves12. We can likely deduce that the same holds true for humans. Kelly GS. (2003)15 reviewed the clinical uses of colostrum. He reported that Bovine colostrum has higher amounts of immunoglobulins, growth factors, cytokines and nucleosides than mature milk, and is also rich in oligosaccharides, antimicrobials, and immune-regulating factors.  Multiple research studies indicate that colostrum can have a beneficial effect on improving body composition, athletic performance, diarrhea (particularly in people with immune deficiency), gastrointestinal disturbances, and infectious diseases.

Safety: While multiple studies are available attesting to the safety of colostrum, common sense dictates that virtually every living human has consumed it without ill effects, therefore the safety of colostrum taken from healthy bovine and properly prepared is assured (individuals sensitive to lactose should consult with a health care professional). In one study, Davis, PF, Greenhill, NS, Rowan, AM, Schollum, LM. (2007)4 tested New Zealand bovine colostrum in rat chow and discovered no observable toxicological or histopathological abnormalities.

Oral absorption: A study conducted on newborn rats by Jochims K, Kaup FJ, Drommer W. (1994)1 1demonstrated that IgG molecules were absorbed primarily in the first portion, as well as further along in the small intestine, as opposed to the stomach. Another study by Petschow B, Talbott R. (1994)2 shows that gastric acid and pancreatic trypsin (a digestive enzyme) reduce the biological activity of bovine milk antibodies as they pass through the digestive tract. At the same time, Mother Nature has addressed this issue as was shown by Sandholm M, Honkanen-Buzalski T. (1979)3, who found that Colostrum contains a trypsin inhibitor that helps protect IgG and other components of colostrum from digestion in the gastrointestinal tract. If these same principles hold true for humans, absorption of active substances in colostrum may be enhanced when taken on an empty stomach, perhaps with a full glass of water to help dilute stomach acid.

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Below is a partial list of conditions colostrum shows success in treating:

Influenza: In a 2007 epidemiologic study in San Valentino5, colostrum was compared to anti-influenza vaccination for effectiveness in preventing the flu in healthy as well as high risk cardiovascular patients. The study found that 2 months supplementation with colostrum is at least 3 times more effective than vaccination in preventing flu. This study follows a 1990 study26.

Cancer: A study in 199725 may give hope for cancer patients. The study shows that conjugated linoleic acid, a component of cow's milk and colostrum, inhibits proliferation of human malignant melanoma, colorectal, breast and lung cancer cell lines. It also has been shown to reduce the incidence of chemically induced mouse epidermal tumors, mouse forestomach neoplasia, and aberrant crypt foci in rats.  It also inhibits mammary tumorogensis. While I would personally recommend avoiding pasteurized milk, this study makes a good case for raw milk, and particularly colostrum as an adjunct in cancer therapies.

Body Composition: A 2004 study6 of healthy young men in resistance training who were taking colostrum at the rate of 60 g/day for 8 weeks, showed a significantly greater increase in body comp/limb circumference than those taking whey protein6. Doctors that use body comp analysis in practice to provide a marker for health, take note – colostrum may be a tremendous boost to phase angle/cell heath in addition to its immune boosting qualities!

Upper Respiratory Tract Infection – Bronchitis – Viral Infections: Brink worth GD, Buckley JD. (2004)7 conducted a study that shows evidence that concentrated bovine colostrum protein may enhance resistance to the development of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections (URI). A study by Tyrell D. (1981)8 shows that breast fed babies are much less likely to experience bronchitis due to RSV (respiratory syncitial virus) than bottle fed babies. The antiviral activity of breast milk and colostrum is partially due to antibodies (immunoglobulins) and partially due to other causes, possibly polysaccharides found on a number of the constituents of colostrum. The main effect of these components of colostrum and milk take place in the gut.

Rheumatoid and other forms of Arthritis: Several studies indicate that bovine colostrum may be a very successful treatment for rheumatoid and other forms of arthritis. In one 20049 study, it was found that Oral administration of bovine lactoferrin, a component of colostrum, inhibited the development of arthritis in a rat experimental system by suppressing TNF-alpha (pro-inflammatory cytokine) and increasing IL-10 (anti-inflammatory cytokine) production. Two other studies in 199621 and 199922 indicate that substances in colostrum may have a major impact on the inflammation seen in arthritis.

Physical Performance: Research in 200010 studied the effect of colostrum supplementation on maximal oxygen uptake and flight times in jump tests in 10 young athletes in a double-blind placebo study.  After 12 days, oxygen uptake in the placebo group declined 7% while remaining steady in the colostrum group.  Flight times declined for the placebo group in the counter movement and squat jumps while remaining the same or only slightly less for the colostrum group.  The results indicate that colostrum supplementation improves running and jumping performance in young athletes. Could colostrum also benefit those suffering lung disease ?

Anti-Inflammatory: Colostrum could possibly provide pain relief for injury and reduced healing time – In an experimental study in 199311, colostrum showed an anti-inflammatory effect on wounds by decreasing the number of white blood cells in the wound area.

Blood Pressure:  A study in 200413 shows that factors from milk and colostrum are potent ACE inhibitors. Several human studies associate these factors with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures.

Diarrhea/Intestinal Infection: Clostridium Difficile Bacterium (C Diff) is a toxin that causes diarrhea and intestinal infection. Research indicates that C Diff is primarily acquired during hospital visits, and largely due to over-use of antibiotics. In recent reports, C Diff is blamed for 7000 new infections daily, resulting in 300 daily deaths.  A study in 199816 indicates that the C Diff neutralizing factor in colostrum (IgG) survives the digestive tract, indicating that oral colostrum shows great promise as an effective treatment for this deadly toxin. Another study in 199227 shows that IgG from colostrum can help prevent nosocomial infections, i.e. infections which are a result of treatment in a hospital.

Rotavirus: One of the main reasons for hospital admission of infants and young children is infectious diarrhea usually caused by a rotavirus infection. Infants can also acquire rotavirus in hospital neonatal and pediatric wards; the infection can also be transmitted to adult members of the family. In a 1989 study20, the efficacy of a 10-day course of bovine colostrum with high antibody titre against the four known human rotavirus serotypes in protecting children against rotavirus infection was examined in patients admitted to hospital. Of the total group of children in the study, none of the 55 receiving colostrum acquired Rotavirus infection, while 9 in the control that did not receive colostrum did.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease/Crohn’s Disease: A study in 200417 showed that Mice with experimentally-induced inflammatory bowel disease, fed a diet rich in colostrum transforming growth factor beta-2 (TGF-ß2) gained more weight, did not develop diarrhea or prolapse, had lower pathological scores and lower serum amyloid (SAA).  This study supports the use of TGF-ß2 diets in the treatment of Crohn’s disease. This study follows a study in 199031 that shows that There is a direct correlation between increased intestinal permeability and Crohn's disease.

Helicobactor Pylori: H. pylori causes gastric and duodenal ulcers in humans. It was shown in a 1998 study19 that bovine colostrum blocks attachment of the pathogens to PE.  Colostral PE or PE derivatives also bind to the pathogens, inhibiting their ability to bind to target cells. Another study in 199523 shows that both serum and colostrum but not milk from cows was found to be highly bactericidal against H. pylori.

Leaky Gut: Multiple studies show that colostrum “heals” leaky gut. A 2004 study33 is but one example. Since the “gut” is the beginning of health, and since leaky gut is epidemic, it makes a great deal of sense to start your journey to better health with colostrum !
 
Allergy: Allergy is characterized by elevated levels of specific IgE in the blood, called “atopy”.  According to research in 200224 Therapy with anti-IgE has shown promise in inhibiting early and late-phase allergic reactions and asthma.  Colostrum contains both IgE and IgE-blockers. An additional study in 200528 suggests that colostrum may protect from both infectious disease and allergies mediated by Th2 type responses.

Antibacterial-Antifungal-Antiviral-Antitumor-Antialzheimers – Plus More: Colostrum and milk are rich in proteins and peptides which play a crucial role in innate immunity when transferred to the offspring, and may accelerate maturation of the immune system in neonates. The immunotropic properties of these proteins prompted investigators in 200518 to research their potential application in prevention and therapy. Lactoferrin (LF) exhibits antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitice, and antitumoral activities. It is protective with regard to intestinal epithelium, promotes bone growth, and accelerates the recovery of immune system function in immunocompromised animals. LF was tried in the treatment of hepatitis C infection and the intestinal form of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). A proline-rich polypeptide (PRP) demonstrated a variety of immunotropic functions, including the promotion of T-cell maturation and inhibition of autoimmune disorders. PRP, in the form of chewable tablets (Colostrinin) was recently found to improve or stabilize the health status of Alzheimer's disease patients. Casein and casein-derived peptides showed protective activities in enamel demineralization and as caries-preventing agents. The protein hydrolyzates were also protective in diabetic animals, reduced tumor growth, had antihypertensive activity and diminished colicky symptoms in infants. Glycomacropeptide (GMP), a peptide derived from kappa-casein, exhibited various antibacterial and antithrombotic activities. Alpha-lactalbumin (LA) demonstrated antiviral, antitumoral and anti-stress properties. LA-enriched diets were anxiolytic, lowered blood pressure in rats, prevented diarrhea, and led to a better weight gain in malnourished children. HAMLET, a complex of LA and oleic acid, was effective in patients with cutaneous papillomas. Lysozyme found application in infant formulas, the treatment of periodentitis, and the prevention of tooth decay. Milk enriched in lysozyme was used in feeding premature infants suffering from concomitant diseases. Interesting, antibacterial properties were exhibited by lactoperoxidase. Both lysozyme and lactoperoxidase required cooperative action with LF in combating bacteria. In conclusion, preparations derived from milk and colostrum are effective, easily bioaccessible, and safe, finding wide application in prevention and therapy for newborns and adults.

Prevention of intestinal damage from NSAIDS/Chemotherapy: NSAIDs given to animals have much the same effect as they do in humans, namely, increased intestinal permeability, increased enteric bacteria levels, villous loss, and loss of enteric protein and albumin.  A study in 200529 indicates that supplementation with bovine colostrum reduced the increase in intestinal permeability, the enteric bacteria overgrowth, the lose of proteins, and villous damage. This study follows finding in 199932 that taking colostrum prior to NSAIDs reduced gastric injury by up to 60%. Additional studies indicate that colostrum is protective against chemotherapy-induced mucositis.

Psychiatric Disorders: Certain chronic psychiatric disorders are characterized by a change in intestinal permeability30. This is another reminder that “health begins in the gut”

Conclusion: I could continue with several hundred more studies that show the value of colostrum for all humans, young and old, sick or healthy, but surely you “get the point” by now!  In a “perfect world”, a time before chemicals, pollution, processed food, mercury fillings and symptom depressing medications, colostrum at birth followed by a year or so of pure mother’s milk may have imparted the immunity for a lifetime. Today that is not possible and we can see from multiple research trials that colostrum is likely the most powerful supplement you can take to improve many area’s of health.

(NaturalNews) The death rates for heart disease and stroke among U.S. citizens has dropped 30 percent between 1999 and 2006, reports the Journal of the American Heart Association. Researchers are hailing the report as a major success in the effectiveness of conventional medicine. "It's one of the most remarkable achievements of modern medicine to have this kind of decline," said Dr. Gregg C. Fonarow, a cardiologist at UCLA's Geffen School of Medicine, in an LA Times report.

But as you'll see below, they are once again engaged in circular logic and self-imposed blindness on the real causes behind this trend.

Two reasons why heart disease deaths are declining
What's the real explanation for the decline in heart disease and stroke deaths between 1999 and 2006? There are two, actually:

Reason #1 – Consumers are turning to natural medicine and healthier lifestyles. The use of natural medicine by the U.S. population has risen substantially over the last eight years, reaching a point where thirty-eight percent of the population now uses one or more "alternative" medicine modalities.

Consumers are turning away from pharmaceuticals in droves. The drug companies are already laying off employees by the thousands, and as the fraudulent science behind Big Pharma is coming to light, more and more consumers are shunning dangerous pharmaceuticals. Perhaps one-third of drug-taking consumers are now actively looking for ways to get off dangerous drugs, and that's contributing to the fall in the death rate from heart attacks and strokes (many pharmaceuticals actually cause heart attacks and strokes).

Meanwhile, thanks to the efforts of the natural health community, consumption of heart-protecting omega-3 oils skyrocketed from 1999 to 2008, and it continues to rise. These omega-3 oils help support heart health and work to prevent heart attacks. Over the last eight years, consumers have become increasingly informed of the benefits of fish oil, krill oil, olive oil, flaxseed oil and even other omega-3-rich oils that provide substantial cardiovascular protection.

And thanks to the efforts of many consumer groups and natural health publishers, consumers are now well aware of the dangers of trans fatty acids and partially-hydrogenated oils, so they're actively reducing their consumption of these dangerous substances. That reduction is no doubt contributing strongly to the reduction in the death rate by heart attacks and strokes.

Consumers are now eating more whole grains, more oily fish, more raw foods and more heart-healthy nutritional supplements like CoQ10 and resveratrol. They're also eating fewer fried foods, fewer refined sugars and fewer processed meats. All of these contribute strongly to the reduction in the death rate.

Reason #2 – The really susceptible people had already been killed by modern medicine before 1999. Death rates by heart disease and stroke rapidly accelerated throughout the 1980's and 1990's as drug companies pushed their toxic chemicals onto the population. Many of the people susceptible to heart attacks and strokes had already been killed by pharmaceuticals by the time 1999 rolled around. That the death rate dropped in subsequent years doesn't mean modern medicine succeeded at all; it only means there were fewer patients left alive to have a heart attack at all! When modern medicine kills 783,000 Americans a year, it doesn't leave a lot borderline patients still breathing.

To invoke a gruesome comparison, the death rate of Jews in 1946 dropped substantially from the death rates recorded through 1939 – 1945. That's because the Nazis killed so many Jews during the war that far fewer were left in 1946. If the Nazis used the same thinking as drug-pushing doctors today, they would have claimed credit for "A reduction in the death rate of Jews!" from 1946 – 1950.

Modern medicine, you see, kills so many American every year that any attempt to take credit for a drop in the death rate is ludicrous to begin with. It's like a serial killer who claims he's saving lives because he took a month off from his usual killing spree. The reduced death rate is simply a reminder of how many people have been killed by pharmaceuticals, bypass surgery and other harmful medical procedures in the last two decades.

Taking all the credit
Hilariously, the conventional medical community gives zero credit to nutrition, natural remedies or lifestyle changes, claiming that its pharmaceuticals and "screening programs" (which are really just recruitment scams for putting people on pharmaceuticals) are solely responsible for the decline in heart attacks and strokes.

Even worse, the conventional medical community continues to actively attack natural medicine, fabricating fraudulent studies that claim Vitamin E is dangerous and actually causes heart attacks, for example. (They're fraudulent because all those studies used synthetic vitamin E chemicals rather than natural vitamin E. The synthetic chemicals are well known to be harmful.)

Through their attacks on vitamins, minerals and natural remedies the conventional medicine community has actually interfered with the reduction in heart disease deaths. In other words, if all these arrogant, drug-pushing doctors weren't running around claiming vitamins kill people, we would have seen a much greater decline in heart attack and stroke deaths by now!

In reality, then, conventional medicine is responsible for maintaining a high rate of death from these preventable health conditions, and if they weren't actively interfering with natural medicine, the death rates would have plummeted even further by now. By putting accurate information about nutrition into the hands of consumers, we could have seen the death rate drop by 50% or more, but those efforts have been blocked by the conventional medical community and the FDA, which continues to claim there is no such thing as a food or nutritional supplement that has any medicinal effect on the human body whatsoever. (Stop laughing. It's true.)

To put it simply, conventional medicine is the CAUSE of the high death rates, not the solution. The solution is to cast off the destructive, fraudulent and criminally-operated system of drug-based medicine and turn to nutritional therapies, healthy food choice, exercise and natural remedies that powerfully prevent heart disease and strokes from killing people in the first place.

But none of those commonsense solutions receive any support whatsoever from the pro-pharma drug-pushing medical community. And that's the real reason why death rates from heart disease and strokes remain unacceptably high in America today.

Want to see the death rate drop by 50% or more? Fire the doctors, arrest the drug company CEOs and ban the marketing of junk foods and fast food! That's what would really work to reduce the death rate in America.

Then again, the medical industry has never been interested in what works to keep people healthy. It has only been interested in what pays. And that's why the whole system remains focused on the most expensive (but least effective) treatments possible: Pharmaceuticals and surgery!

(NaturalNews) Evidence abounds that lipoic acid may be protective of every organ in the body. Among the latest findings are that lipoic acid is a powerful protector of the brain. It has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and neuro-protective capabilities that make if effective in slowing the aging of the brain and treating Alzheimer's disease. Other recent research shows that lipoic acid prevents the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and protects retina ganglion.

Lipoic acid is a broad spectrum antioxidant,

The antioxidant capabilities of LA are legendary. It neutralizes many free radicals generated by metabolic processes as well as those produced by the body in response to environmental insults. But unlike other antioxidants, which work only in water or fatty tissues, LA works in both water and fat. As a comparison, vitamin E works only in fat, and vitamin C works only in water. This ability makes LA a broad spectrum antioxidant that has been shown to offer protection for the eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and pancreas. In addition, LA may be able to do the work of other antioxidants when the body is deficient in them. LA can get into all parts of a nerve cell thanks to its combined fat and water solubility. Future research may determine that LA exerts its antioxidant protection on all cells in the body, making it a highly significant factor in inhibiting the aging process.

Lipoic acid is a powerful protector of the brain

LA serves as a chelator of redox-active metal ions, such as free iron and copper, that can induce oxidative damage by catalyzing reactions that generate highly reactive free radicals. It's able to bind with these ions and escort them out of the body, inhibiting aging and reducing the possibility for neurodegenerative disorders.

In a study published in Redox Report, researchers monitored iron content in the cerebral cortex of rats and found that in 24-28 month old rats, levels were increased by 80% relative to 3 month old rats. Iron accumulation correlated with a decline in glutathione, one of the body's major antioxidants, indicating that iron alters antioxidant capacity in aged animals. They monitored whether supplementing LA could lower cortical iron and improve antioxidant status. Results showed that cerebral iron levels in the old rats supplemented with LA were lower when compared to controls and were similar to levels seen in young rats. Antioxidant status also improved markedly in the old rats verses the controls. These results support the conclusions that LA supplementation lowers the oxidative stress associated with aging.

LA was shown to have a variety of properties that can interfere with or inhibit cognitive decline in a study reported in Advanced Drug Delivery Review. Researchers looking for a therapeutic for Alzheimer's disease determined that LA increased acetylcholine production (a neurotransmitter) and down regulated the expression of pro-inflammatory proteins. They suggested that one large dose rather than more frequent low doses would be beneficial for delivery of LA to the brain. They also suggested that LA could be combined with such nutraceuticals as curcumin (from turmeric), EGCG (from green tea), and DHA (from fish oil) to synergistically decrease oxidative stress, inflammation, and plaque in the brain.

Researchers evaluated the neurotoxic effects of an induced poison and the protective potential of LA and vitamin E against this toxicity in a study reported in Journal of Neurological Science. The LA, vitamin E treatment significantly increased the level of glutathione, GABA and serotonin levels in the whole brain as well as in the regions of the olfactory lobe, cerebrum, hippocampus-hypothalamus, cerebellum and pons-medulla. This is quite a demonstration of the actions of these compounds in protecting the brain from environmental toxic assault.

Progressive Brain Research reported a study in which researchers hypothesized that since the death of retina ganglion cells (cells that help carry the visual message to the brain) in glaucoma is mediated by cellular energy insufficiency, agents targeted specifically at enhancing ganglion cell energy production would be beneficial for patients with glaucoma. They suggested that ganglion cell death in glaucoma follows a similar pathophysiology as numerous neurological disorders involving energy dysregulation and oxidative stress. Enhancing cellular energy production would slow down ganglion cell death and benefit glaucoma patients. Based on their laboratory studies, they recommended LA along with other nutrients (creatine, nicotinamide, and EGCG from green tea) to increase energy in the mitrochrondria of the ganglion. According to the researchers, the recommended nutrients counteract oxidative stress induced by light and other triggers, and are worthy of use in treatment as they can be taken orally to reach the retina without side effects.

Lipoic acid improves glucose utilization and prevents fatty liver

LA can get into all parts of a nerve cell thanks to its combined fat and water solubility. Since it is thought that nerve diseases are at least partially caused by free radical damage, LA is being studied for its potential benefit in treating diabetic neuropathy. It is already approved for such treatment in Germany. There is also evidence that LA can improve glucose utilization in individuals with diabetes.

Fatty liver is a common problem in people with insulin resistance. A study reported in the journal Hepatology found that LA prevents fatty liver disease through multiple mechanisms, and suggests that it can be used to stop the progression of the disease.

Researchers are discovering more amazing benefits of lipoic acid against aging

The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University is the site of much investigation into LA. Researchers there see aging as an inevitable process resulting from adverse changes in the body. While people are generally resigned to eventual death, there is a universal desire to maintain health and avoid degenerative disease.

Two research projects currently underway seek to define the mechanisms of mitochrondrial decay in the aging heart and elucidate the mechanisms leading to increased vulnerability to oxidative insults that result in aging.

The mitochondria is the furnace or power plant of the cell which converts food into energy to be used by the body. Mitochondria play major roles in calcium homeostasis and regulate programmed cell death and tissue renewal. Any impairment in mitochondrial function has significant consequences to the cell. Mitochondria become severely impaired with age, resulting in high levels of free radicals that continually damage it and other important parts of the cell such as DNA. This leads to a vicious downward spiral in overall cell function.

Researchers are examining the affect of mitochondrial decay on age-related loss of cardiac function, the leading cause of death in the elderly. They have identified compounds normally found in cells that decline markedly with age but can be replaced by dietary supplementation. They term these compounds 'age-essential' micronutrients and have shown that two of these compounds, acetyl-L-carnitine and LA, when fed to rats, significantly improve mitochondrial function and reduce many of the signs of aging. They are now determining whether these age-essentials can also improve overall human health.

Their other project involves study of the susceptibility of the body to a variety of oxidative insults. They have found that glutathione, a major cellular detoxicant, declines substantially with age. This loss is due to age-dependent lessening of activity and levels of gamma-glutamylcysteine ligase (GCL), the rate-controlling enzyme for glutathione synthesis. GCL expression is controlled by a transcription factor that becomes dysregulated with age, resulting in loss of GCL expression and potentially many of the nearly 400 other detoxification enzymes controlled by this transcription factor.

They have found that treatment with LA re-regulates these factors, thereby increasing glutathione levels and the ability to withstand oxidative insult. Their ongoing research is aimed at defining the exact mechanisms of these actions.

Using Lipoic acid supplements

Consumption of LA in foods has not yet been found to result in detectable increases of it in human plasma or cells. Supplemental doses of 50 mg. or more do result in significant but transient increases in plasma and cell levels. LA supplements should be taken on an empty stomach for better absorption.

Supplements of LA are widely available as alpha-lipoic acid, composed of a mixture of the naturally occurring R-lipoic acid with the synthetic form, S-lipoic acid, the molecular mirror image of R-lipoic acid. Alpha-lipoic acid is quite effective and inexpensive, but presents the body with a substance that does not occur in nature. As with any unnatural substance, the immune system will respond to it as a foreign invader. The liver will be required to deal with it as a toxicant, and the body may mount resistance to it.

R-lipoic acid is clearly the better choice and really doesn't cost that much more. It is available at the online retailers and through such nutrient boutiques as Wellness Resources.

If you plan to take only one antioxidant supplement, LA provides the greatest breadth of coverage in the body. It also serves as a foundation for other antioxidants that may be taken to target specific areas, and may fill in for them in the body when levels have run low.

Additional sources:

"Lipoic Acid", Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.

Tory M. Hagan, Ph.D. Principal Investigator and Jamieson Endowed Chair in Healthspan Research, Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.

Blood pressure medication. Anti-depressants. Sleeping meds. Cholesterol lowering drugs (2 of them). Stuff to make him sleep. You get the picture.

He had been to a number of doctors for different conditions, and each one had put him on different meds. I thought then- as I think now- does anyone have any idea what the long term effects of mixing all this stuff together is??

The answer- then as now- is absolutely not.

When a medication is researched, it's tested by itself, usually for a relatively short period of time. Often the true long-term side effects don't reveal themselves till the pill has been on the market for a few years and been taken by thousands and thousands of people (Vioxx, anyone?). It would be literally impossible to test every pill in combination with every other pill to see what possible interactions there might be, not to mention testing those combinations for the years- sometimes decades- that people stay on them.

So this guy- like hundreds of thousands of other people- was a walking experiment.

Back to the study on Plavix.

A new 16,690 person study by Medco Health Solutions Inc suggested that people who combine a heartburn pill like Nexium or Prilosec with Plavix- on their doctor's order, by the way- have a 50% higher risk of heart attack or other cardiac event compared with those taking Plavix by itself.

Folks, this is the tip- the absolute ittsy bittsy tip- of an enormous iceberg.

These are just two popular drugs. Suppose we add into the mix an anti-depressant, a statin and an ACE inhibitor, just to mention a few. The possibilities are endless. These combinations are rarely investigated— this study is an exception- but just it's hard to imagine that the negative interaction effects found with just these two innocuous drugs are an isolated case.

This is why I've stated over and over again that my "default" position on drugs is- try to take as few as possible. It's not that they're always bad- clearly they're not- nor that they don't save lives (sometimes they do). But it's my strong feeling that the more you can avoid medicating each and every symptom with a pharmaceutical drug, the better off you'll be.

Especially when there are so many equally effective natural things you can do to accomplish similar results (see "The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth").

For example- the "heartburn" that Prilosec "treats" can be easily impacted much more successfully (and with no side effects like preventing the valuable secretion of stomach acid) with some dietary changes. And before going right to Plavix, why not use omega-3 fats to help thin the blood or Nattokinase to help prevent clots?

I'm not taking a strong "drugs are Satan" position here- just cautioning that using a bunch of drugs (even two in the case of this study) on a long-term basis may have consequences no one ever thought of because such combinations have never been studied.

And by the way- I've yet to see ever a well-designed study saying that combining any vitamins or minerals or omega fats has led to an increase in cardiovascular death.

Just something to think about.

(NaturalNews) While cholesterol and saturated fat are often blamed as the cause of heart disease and heart attacks, new studies indicate high blood sugar and insulin also have a considerable impact on a person's risk for developing heart disease. Many diabetics are aware that they are at an increased risk for heart disease, but high blood sugar can have an equally significant effect on non-diabetics as well.

If you do have diabetes, it is crucial to closely monitor your blood glucose levels. According to the Johns Hopkins study, for just one percentage point increase in blood glucose levels, the chance for a heart attack in diabetics increases by 18%. This number can be alarming, but fortunately lifestyle changes can have a positive effect on blood sugar levels.

Dr. Elizabeth Selvin, the lead author of the study at the Bloomberg School, suggests lifestyle modifications can considerably lower anyone's risk of heart problems associated with high insulin and blood sugar.

One of the most important ways to regulate your blood sugar–and therefore your insulin– is nutrition. Avoiding foods that cause spikes in blood sugar is ideal. Refined carbohydrates and sugars are the top offenders, but even healthy carbohydrates can cause a sharp rise in blood sugar if consumed alone. Try combining whole carbohydrates with a protein and a serving of healthy fat to slow down the absorption of glucose in the body. Protein, fat and fiber will all lower the glycemic index of a meal, which means it will have less of an impact on your blood sugar. If you decide to indulge in a sugary dessert, apply the same concept by eating a little protein beforehand to limit the affect on your blood glucose.

Regular activity is also a good way to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. Simple exercise, such as a daily walk, can have a significant impact on your blood sugar. Resistance exercise that builds muscle is also highly recommended. On a similar note, maintaining a healthy weight helps your body regulate its blood glucose and insulin as well. People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from high blood sugar and insulin levels.

(NaturalNews) Increased intake of mineral nutrients can decrease the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension) and cardiovascular disease, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Hypertension.