ST. JOHNS WORT (HYPERICUM PERFORATUM) St. John Wort has been used for centuries to treat depression, anxiety, and/or sleep disorders. The herb known by it natural name, Hypericum Perforatum, has a history of medicinal use dating back to ancient Greece, where it was used to treat a range of illnesses, including various 'nervous conditions.' 5-HTP (GRIFFONIA 5-HYDOXY-L-TRYPTOPHAN) 5 -HTP is an amino acid produced by the human body from the essential amino acid L-tryptophan (LT), which is found in dietary proteins. It's clinical value is in its ability to increase production of serotonin, and it has been used clinically for more than 30 years. SKULLCAP (SCUTELLARIA LATERIFLORA) Scullcap is a member of the mint family. Scutellaria lateriflora grows in eastern North America and is most commonly used in United States and European herbal products containing scullcap. [learn more link to NEW PAGE 3] KOREAN GINSENG (PANAX QUINGUEFOLIUS L.) Ginseng, Korean (Panax) (Glandular) is the most widely used and studied ginseng in the world. As an adaptogen, it is believed to help "balance" the body. Ginseng, an oddly shaped root to which Koreans have long attributed a variety of powers ?�� stress-relief, energy enhancement, even improved potency ?�� has been growing in popularity in the West, where New Agers extol its soothing qualities. [learn more link to NEW PAGE 4] Vitamin B1, also known as thiamin, helps fuel your body by converting blood sugar into energy. B2 is involved in vital metabolic processes in the body and is necessary for normal cell function, growth, and energy production. B3 3 is essential for healthy skin, the nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract and to protect against disease in both animals and humans. B6 It performs a wide variety of functions in your body and is essential for your good health. Lack of vitamin B12 also affects the nervous system. ST. JOHNS WORT (HYPERICUM PERFORATUM) St. John Wort has been used for centuries to treat depression, anxiety, and/or sleep disorders. The herb known by it natural name, Hypericum Perforatum, has a history of medicinal use dating back to ancient Greece, where it was used to treat a range of illnesses, including various 'nervous conditions.' According to the Mayo Clinic, extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's wort) have been recommended traditionally for a wide range of medical conditions. The most common modern-day use of St. John's wort is the treatment of depression. Numerous studies report St. John's wort to be more effective than placebo and equally effective as tricyclic antidepressant drugs in the short-term treatment of mild-to-moderate major depression (1-3 months). It is not clear if St. John's wort is as effective as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants such as sertraline (Zoloft?�). St. John's wort also has antibacterial and antiviral properties and, because of its anti-inflammatory properties, has been used to help heal wounds and burns. In recent years, there has been renewed interest in St. John's wort as a treatment for depression and there has been a great deal of scientific research on this topic. St. John's wort is one of the most commonly purchased herbal products in the United States. St. John's wort can cause many serious interactions with prescription drugs, herbs, or supplements. Therefore, people using any medications should consult their healthcare providers including their pharmacist prior to starting therapy. Sources: 5-HTP (GRIFFONIA 5-HYDOXY-L-TRYPTOPHAN) 5 -HTP is an amino acid produced by the human body from the essential amino acid L-tryptophan (LT), which is found in dietary proteins. It's clinical value is in its ability to increase production of serotonin, and it has been used clinically for more than 30 years. 5-HTP occurs naturally in two places -- the human body and the seeds of the Griffonia Simplicifolia, a West African medicinal plant. Serotonin (also called 5-hydrotryptophan) is found in the cells of the brain and intestine and in the platelets of our blood. When the walls of blood vessels are damaged, serotonin is released from the platelets to constrict the blood vessel and prevent hemorrhage. In the tissue of the intestine, it acts as a stimulant to make the smooth muscle contract. Most people are probably most familiar with serotonin as it acts in the brain - as a neurotransmitter that aids in the transmission of nerve impulses between synapses. All of these functions make serotonin very important to all of the body's systems. Serotonin deficiency has been implicated in mood disorders, appetite control, premenstrual syndrome, autism, eating disorders, fibromyalgia, appetite control, the pain phase of migraine, and other conditions and disorders. Some serotonin is converted by our pineal gland into melatonin, the hormone that controls our sleep cycle. Thus, serotonin deficiency is also linked to insomnia and other sleep disorders. Low levels of serotonin in the brain can contribute to the development of depression. Many drugs prescribed for depression increase serotonin levels. Some studies indicate that 5-HTP may be as effective as certain antidepressant drugs in treating individuals with mild to moderate depression. Such individuals have shown improvements in mood, anxiety, insomnia, and physical symptoms. There is evidence from several studies in both children and adults that 5-HTP may be effective in reducing the severity and frequency of headaches, including tension headaches and migraines. 5-HTP may be most effective for treating headaches in people with a history of depression or those who experienced severe headaches before the age of 20 years. Fewer pain-relieving medications may be needed when taken with 5-HTP; however, many of the available studies show that more proven pharmaceutical drugs may work better than 5-HTP for headaches. 5-HTP inhibits eating behavior in animals by altering serotonin in the brain. Studies in humans also suggest that 5-HTP may reduce eating behaviors, lessen caloric intake and promote weight loss in obese individuals. Sources: SKULLCAP (SCUTELLARIA LATERIFLORA) Scullcap is a member of the mint family. Scutellaria lateriflora grows in eastern North America and is most commonly used in United States and European herbal products containing scullcap. As is the case in modern herbal medicine, scullcap was used historically as a sedative for people with nervous tension and insomnia. It was included in tonics to treat anxiety, insomnia, and nervousness. It was also thought to relieve muscle cramps, so it was often included in preparations for menstrual cramps and other "female complaints". Sloan Kettering reports that skullcap is derived from the root of the plant. This herb is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of conditions including epilepsy, hepatitis, infections, and cancer. The flavonoid components of scullcap are thought responsible for its activity. Scullcap often is found in combination with other botanicals (e.g. PC-SPES and Sho-saiko-to. Uses include insomnia. According to the California Pacific Medical Center, skullcap is reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit. Sources:
KOREAN GINSENG (PANAX QUINGUEFOLIUS L.) Ginseng, Korean (Panax) (Glandular) is the most widely used and studied ginseng in the world. As an adaptogen, it is believed to help "balance" the body. Ginseng, an oddly shaped root to which Koreans have long attributed a variety of powers ?�� stress-relief, energy enhancement, even improved potency ?�� has been growing in popularity in the West, where New Agers extol its soothing qualities. Reports from Sloan Kettering state the herb is derived from the root of the plant. Patients take this supplement to improve athletic performance, strength and stamina, and as an immunostimulant for diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and a variety of other conditions. It is also widely used as a 'Yang' tonic in chinese herbal formulas saponin glycosides, also known as ginsenosides or Panaxosides, are thought responsible for Panax ginseng's effects. Ginsenosides have both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the CNS, alter cardiovascular tone, increase humoral and cellular-dependent immunity, and may inhibit the growth of cancer in vitro. Data from an epimediological study showed that ginseng improved survival and quality of life in breast cancer patients. However, ginseng may have estrogenic effects therefore, patients with hormone sensitive cancers should use it with caution. Panax ginseng is usually well tolerated, but insomnia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea have been reported. Panax ginseng may increase the hypoglycemic effect of insulin and sulfonylureas, and possibly antagonize the effects of anticoagulants It may also interact with MAO inhibitors. It has been promoted in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, but current studies to support this claim are limited. Dr. David Kiefer and Traci Pantuso, B. S. with the University of Arizon college of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona report that Panax ginseng is one of the most commonly used and researched of the ginsengs, which have been shown to have a variety of beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. Trials investigating the effects of Panax ginseng on various psychologic parameters have shown positive effects, no effects, or both. In one study 9 of 112 healthy volunteers older than 40 years, the administration of 400 mg per day of the standardized ginseng product Gerimax for eight weeks resulted in better and faster simple reactions and abstract thinking, but no change in concentration, memory, or subjective experience. The results of two small studies, each including about 30 young, healthy volunteers who received 200 mg of G115 daily for eight weeks, showed improvement in certain psychomotor functions (i.e., better attention, processing, and auditory reaction time), social functioning, and mental health. A study of 384 postmenopausal women who were randomized to receive placebo or ginseng for 16 weeks showed improvements in three subsets of a Psychological General Well-Being index. In a small study 7 of 20 healthy young volunteers who received a single 400-mg dose of ginseng found improvement in cognitive performance, secondary memory performance, speed of performing memory tasks, and accuracy of attentional tasks. However, another study 13 showed no effect on positive affect, negative affect, or total mood disturbance in 83 young healthy volunteers who took 200 to 400 mg per day of G115 for eight weeks. Sources:
VITAMIN B-COMPLEX (5 ESSENTIAL B-VITAMIN FORMULA ENHANCERS) Vitamin B1: Vitamin B1, also known as thiamin, helps fuel your body by converting blood sugar into energy. It keeps your mucous membranes healthy and is essential for nervous system, cardiovascular and muscular function. Nutritionists categorize vitamins by the materials that a vitamin will dissolve in. There are two categories: water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins, which include the B-complex group and vitamin C, travel through the bloodstream. Whatever water-soluble vitamins are not used by the body are eliminated in urine, which means you need a continuous supply of them in your food. Vitamin B1 is a water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin B2: Vitamin B2, Riboflavin is a water-soluble vitamin, which is involved in vital metabolic processes in the body and is necessary for normal cell function, growth, and energy production. Small amounts of riboflavin are present in most animal and plant tissues. Healthy individuals who eat a balanced diet rarely need riboflavin supplements. Especially good dietary sources of riboflavin are milk (and other dairy products), eggs, enriched cereals/grains, meats, liver, and green vegetables (such as asparagus or broccoli). Intake may be lower in vegetarians compared to non-vegetarians. Riboflavin is often used as a tracer of medication compliance in the treatment of patients with alcohol dependence, mental disorders, and other conditions. Urinary riboflavin levels may be measured in order to determine the level of compliance. Vitamin B3: Vitamin B-3 is essential for healthy skin, the nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract and to protect against disease in both animals and humans. But it's more than a food supplement -- recent studies indicate Vitamin B-3 may aid in the treatment of diseases such as high cholesterol, diabetes and schizophrenia. In the 1940s, recognizing the diseases and other problems associated with vitamin deficiencies, food manufacturers began fortifying grains, cereals, baby formula and other foods to ensure adequate amounts of vitamins in the diet. For example, prior to the 1940s, a deficiency in vitamin B-3 would often result in pellagra - a disease that causes diarrhea, skin disorders, fatigue, muscular weakness and mental disorders. Today, the disease is almost unheard of in industrialized countries, even in poor areas, because so many of the foods we eat are fortified with vitamin B-3. Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that exists in three major chemical forms: pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine. It performs a wide variety of functions in your body and is essential for your good health. For example, vitamin B6 is needed for more than 100 enzymes involved in protein metabolism. It is also essential for red blood cell metabolism. The nervous and immune systems need vitamin B6 to function efficiently, and it is also needed for the conversion of tryptophan (an amino acid) to niacin (a vitamin) Hemoglobin within red blood cells carries oxygen to tissues. Your body needs vitamin B6 to make hemoglobin. Vitamin B6 also helps increase the amount of oxygen carried by hemoglobin. A vitamin B6 deficiency can result in a form of anemia that is similar to iron deficiency anemia. An immune response is a broad term that describes a variety of biochemical changes that occur in an effort to fight off infections. Calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals are important to your immune defenses because they promote the growth of white blood cells that directly fight infections. Vitamin B6, through its involvement in protein metabolism and cellular growth, is important to the immune system. It helps maintain the health of lymphoid organs (thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes) that make your white blood cells. Animal studies show that a vitamin B6 deficiency can decrease your antibody production and suppress your immune response. Vitamin B6 also helps maintain your blood glucose (sugar) within a normal range. When caloric intake is low your body needs vitamin B6 to help convert stored carbohydrate or other nutrients to glucose to maintain normal blood sugar levels. While a shortage of vitamin B6 will limit these functions, supplements of this vitamin do not enhance them in well-nourished individuals Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is found in animal products such as meat, shellfish, milk, cheese, and eggs. Most people who eat animal products are not likely to develop vitamin B12 deficiency anemia unless their bodies cannot absorb it from food. Vitamin B12 is stored in the liver for a year or more, which reduces a person's risk of anemia. Strict vegetarians (vegans) who do not eat animal products, and babies of mothers who are strict vegetarians are at increased risk for developing anemia and should take a supplement containing vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is usually measured at the same time as a folic acid test, because a lack of either one can lead to a form of anemia called megaloblastic anemia. Lack of vitamin B12 also affects the nervous system. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an important water-soluble vitamin. In contrast to other water-soluble vitamins it is not excreted quickly in the urine, but rather accumulates and is stored in the liver, kidney and other body tissues. As a result, a vitamin B12 deficiency may not manifest itself until after 5 or 6 years of a diet supplying inadequate amounts. Vitamin B12 functions as a methyl donor and works with folic acid in the synthesis of DNA and red blood cells and is vitally important in maintaining the health of the insulation sheath (myelin sheath) that surrounds nerve cells. The classical vitamin B12 deficiency disease is pernicious anaemia, a serious disease characterized by large, immature red blood cells. It is now clear though, that a vitamin B12 deficiency can have serious consequences long before anaemia is evident. The normal blood level of vitamin B12 ranges between 200 and 600 picogram/milliliter (148-443 picomol/liter). Although deficiency is far more common than excess when it comes to vitamin B12 status cases have been reported where blood levels exceeded 3000 picograms/milliliter. A deficiency often manifests itself first in the development of neurological dysfunction that is almost indistinguishable from senile dementia and Alzheimer's disease. There is little question that many patients exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimer's actually suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency. Their symptoms are totally reversible through effective supplementation. A low level of vitamin B12 has also been associated with asthma, depression, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, tinnitus, diabetic neuropathy and low sperm counts. Clearly, it is very important to maintain adequate body stores of this crucial vitamin. The amount of vitamin B12 actually needed by the body is very small, probably only about 2 micrograms or 2 millionth of a gram/day. Unfortunately, vitamin B12 is not absorbed very well so much larger amounts need to be supplied through the diet or supplementation. The richest dietary sources of vitamin B12 are liver, especially lamb's liver, and kidneys. Eggs, cheese and some species of fish also supply small amounts, but vegetables and fruits are very poor sources. Several surveys have shown that most strict, long-term vegetarians are vitamin B12 deficient. Many elderly people are also deficient because their production of the intrinsic factor needed to absorb the vitamin from the small intestine decline rapidly with age. Fortunately, oral supplementation with vitamin B12 is safe, efficient and inexpensive. Sources: |
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