HerbsWork

2014-02-14T17:50:00.000-05:00

Joints are those areas in the body where two or more bones meet. These articular
structures or joints are composed of cartilage (connective tissue that covers the joint
bones thereby reducing friction), a synovial membrane bathed in lubricating synovial
fluid, ligaments and tendons (bands of connective tissue that provide support and
control movement), and bursas (fluid-filled sacs that have a cushioning effect). Most of
these joints are mobile and thus allow skeletal movement.

Joint pain (arthralgia) may be due to many different conditions. Some of these include
arthritis (rheumatoid and osteoarthritis), gout, obesity, lupus and injury. Osteoarthritis,
the most common cause of joint pain, is due to a degeneration of joint cartilage.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that presents with stiff, inflamed joints
that are often deformed. Painful, swollen joints greatly limit mobility and can severely
impact the quality of life.

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in America. Data from the Center for Disease
Control (CDC) shows that arthritis and other painful joint conditions affect nearly 43
million Americans (1). The most common treatment of joint pain involves the use of nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, the prolonged use of NSAIDs can
lead to joint cartilage deterioration, which can contribute to the existing arthritic problem (2).

Several scientific studies have demonstrated the joint supportive and protective actions
of certain natural ingredients, including glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM
(methylsulfonylmethane). Glucosamine is an amino sugar that stimulates the synthesis
of glycosaminoglycans, the major structural component of cartilage. Glucosamine also
seems to aid in replenishing joint fluid (3,4). Chondroitin acts by maintaining the
structural integrity of connective tissue, including cartilage. Additionally, chondroitin
attracts fluid into cartilage, thus making it more shock-absorbent (5). MSM, a natural
source of sulfur, is needed for the synthesis and maintenance of cartilage (6).

Additional joint-supportive supplement ingredients include hyaluronic acid and devil’s
claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) root. Hyaluronic acid is found abundantly in joint
synovial fluid as well as cartilage and plays an important role in joint lubrication (4,5).
Devil’s claw root contains iridoid glycosides that appear to reduce inflammation (7). Our
current view is that devil’s claw root significantly reduces pain because of its antiinflammatory
activity.

There are a number of herbal extracts that are quite effective in supporting joint health.
These include: mangosteen pericarp (Garcinia mangostana), turmeric root (Curcuma
longa), andrographis (Andrographis paniculata), white willow bark (Salix alba) and
boswellia gum (Boswellia serrata). When combined in the form of a nutritional
supplement, these extracts provide a synergistic modulation of the production of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes (5).

A relatively new ingredient that shows benefit to inflamed, painful joints is the extract of
hops (Humulus lupulus) cone. This extract is derived from the flowering part (cone) of
the female hops plant and is standardized to 30% alpha acids. These chemically
complex alpha acids relieve inflammation and pain in joints because of their powerful
antioxidant action as well as a direct and indirect inhibition of prostaglandins and
leukotrienes (8,9). These autacoids, specifically prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene B4,
are quite efficient in promoting the inflammatory response.

An exciting new aspect of combating joint dysfunction involves the promise of cellbased
therapies to regenerate joint cartilage. Cartilage is an unusual tissue in that it
lacks nerve cells and blood vessels and contains only one cell type, the chondrocyte. In
cases of injury or degenerative disease processes, intrinsic repair of joint cartilage is
limited, and degeneration usually continues until joint dysfunction occurs. Therefore, the
most logical approach appears to be an initiation of cartilage repair. This was very
difficult until the advent of several interesting cell-based techniques (10). One technique
focuses on isolating host cartilage cells or chondrocytes, culturing them under
laboratory conditions, and then injecting them into the dysfunctional area. Even more
recently, a radical approach focuses on mesenchymal stem cells, the progenitors of
chondrocytes. The prevailing thought is that these stem cells could effectively become
part of the existing cartilage, develop into chondrocytes, and form new tissue. This
therapy would be ideal because arthritic degeneration would not just be prevented but
rather there would be a reversal of the osteoarthritic disease process
.
Many other natural ingredients support and maintain joint health. Omega-3 fatty acids in
the form of fish oils and proteolytic enzymes are two of the more important ones.

Created by Dr. William J. Keller

REFERENCES:
1. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Arthritis. 2008. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ARTHRITIS/data_statistics/arthritis_related_statistics.htm Accessed December 18, 2008.
2. Brooks, P.M., Potter, S.R., Buchanan, W.W. "NSAID and osteoarthritis--help or hindrance?" J
Rheumatol. 1982;9(1):3-5.
3. University of Maryland Medical Center. Glucosamine. 2008. Available at:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/glucosamine-000306.htm Accessed December 18, 2008.
4. Uitterlinden EJ, Koevoet JL, Verkoelen CF, Bierma-Zeinstra SM, Jahr H, Weinans H, Verhaar JA, van Osch GJ. Glucosamine increases hyaluronic acid production in human osteoarthritic synovium explants. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2008 Sep 11;9:120.
5. Jellin JM, Gregory PJ, Batz F, Hitchens K, et al. Pharmacist’s Letter/Prescriber’s Letter Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. 9th ed. Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research Faculty; 2007.
6. University of Maryland Medical Center. Sulfur. 2007. Available at:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/sulfur-000328.htm Accessed December 22, 2008.
7. University of Maryland Medical Center. Devil’s Claw. 2007. Available at:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/devils-claw-000237.htm Accessed December 22, 2008.
8. Hougee S, Faber J, Sanders A, Berg WB, Garssen J, Smit HF, Hoijer MA. Selective inhibition of COX-2 by a standardized CO2 extract of Humulus lupulus in vitro and its activity in a mouse model of zymosan-induced arthritis. Planta Med. 2006 Feb;72(3):228-33.
9. Jellin JM, Gregory PJ, Batz F, Hitchens K, et al. Hops monograph. Pharmacist’s
Letter/Prescriber’s Letter Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Stockton, CA:
Therapeutic Research Faculty; 2010.
10. Luiggi, C. Cellular salve. The Scientist. 2011 June;5:30.

Supplements for Children

2014-02-04T20:42:00.000-05:00

Children need good food and excellent supplemental nutrition to achieve their full potential. Nature’s Sunshine Products provides high potency supplements that are safe and effective for children. Sunshine Heroes ensure maximum nutrition in a chewable product line formulated specifically for children.

Omega-3 with DHA
Since 2004, the FDA has allowed qualified health claims for omega-3 fatty acids in food supplements. These health claims are based on the ability of omega-3 fatty acids to promote cardiovascular health. Prior to the FDA approval of these claims, the omega-3 fatty acids DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) had already been added to infant formulas. Since DHA is poorly synthesized in the body, it must be obtained from the diet or from mother’s milk. Even then it is only found in breast milk when a nursing mother consumes a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids. There is no current recommended daily intake (RDI) for these fats, so the savvy consumer must find them in the diet or in supplements.

So why are EPA and DHA being discussed in children’s health? These essential fatty acids are highly valued for their support of nervous tissues. DHA is the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid in the brain and is required for normal growth and development of the nervous system.(1) DHA is also found in the eye and in nerve synapses, which suggests that it may play a role in nerve transmission.(1) In summary, EPA and DHA are beneficial to children as well as adults who want to promote proper nervous system development and function.

Nature’s Sunshine Products has valued these essential fatty acids for years knowing that they support both the nervous system and cardiovascular health. Sunshine Heroes Omega-3 with DHA makes ingesting omega-3 fatty acids easy and fun. Each serving of Omega-3 with DHA provides 140 mg of omega-3 fatty acids (100 mg DHA and 20 mg EPA). This product gives children the benefit of these healthy fats in addition to the amounts found naturally in their diet.

Probiotic Power
Probiotic supplements are commonly known as “friendly flora.” These microbes live naturally in our intestinal tract and perform three main functions. They metabolize foods, aid in the absorption of nutrients and help maintain intestinal flora. This translates to better digestive performance and improved immune and intestinal health. Probiotics have been researched extensively with regard to addressing gastrointestinal issues. Bifidobacterium infantis (found in Probiotic Power) is the most common bacteria found in breast-fed infants. It is believed that this specific strain of bacteria helps provide immune support to infants as they enter a world surrounded by microbes. Much like DHA (mentioned above), it is another gift from mother to child that can be added to the diet in supplement form.

Probiotics should be supplemented regularly, because over time healthy bacteria populations can dwindle. Nature’s Sunshine Probiotic Power provides 11 different strains of bacteria (1 billion organisms per tablet) in an appealing chewable tablet for children. Astute users may note that the tablet is chewable and not enteric coated. While enteric coating helps protect the probiotic bacteria as they pass through the acidic environment of the stomach, it is not required. These bacteria are extremely hearty and will survive the acidity of the stomach and continue on to thrive in the intestines. Probiotics should be stored in a freezer or refrigerator to ensure potency. Shipping probiotics in heat and humidity does not destroy the bacteria. But to maintain a long shelf life they should be refrigerated.

Calcium Plus D3
Growing children need calcium to form healthy teeth and bones. Calcium is also required for nerve transmissions, muscle contractions, and hormone secretion. Calcium is readily available in the diet from dairy foods and to a lesser extent, green leafy vegetables. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for calcium in children has slowly increased over the years. This helps demonstrate the importance of calcium in the diet of children. The current RDA for calcium is as follows: Age 1-3 years, 700 mg; 4-8 years, 1,000 mg; 9-18 years, 1,300 mg.(2) The body is limited in the amount of calcium it can absorb during a meal. To insure maximum absorption of calcium, it is best to take supplements periodically throughout the day with meals and with vitamin D. Chewable calcium supplements are not new, they have been on the market for years to address stomach discomfort and bone mineral density. But now calcium supplements have added vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is the active form of vitamin D. The body makes vitamin D from cholesterol and requires exposure to sunlight. Sunlight is important in this conversion, which is why children need extra vitamin D3 supplements throughout the winter months when daylight is short and skin exposure is brief.(3) Vitamin D3 promotes the absorption of it from the diet and deposits calcium into the bones. It makes good sense to add vitamin D3 to all calcium supplements.

Vitamin D3 supplements have been hot in the supplement market for several years now due to a large body of evidence that suggests higher levels of vitamin D3 offers immune system support not observed with other forms of vitamin D. While larger doses of vitamin D3 may be beneficial, we recommend following the RDA for the specific age group. Sunshine Heroes Calcium Plus D3 contains 300 mg of calcium and 300 IU of vitamin D3 per serving. This is a safe and effective dose of both vitamin D and calcium for children.

Visit us at: http://naturalhealthfirst.com/en/59-children-s-health

References:

    http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcidsandHealth/
    http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-QuickFacts/
    Urashima M, Segawa T, Okazaki M, et al. Randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation to prevent seasonal influenza A in schoolchildren. Am J Clin Nutr 2010;91:1255-60.

The Golden Rules Of Health by Dr Jack Richardson

2012-02-23T12:58:00.000-05:00

1. Stop putting poisons into the body.
2. It takes five to seven times the normal amount of nutrition to build and repair than it does to maintain.
3. Nothing heals in the human body in less than three months, then add one month for every year that you have been sick.
4. Have moderation in all good things.
5. Make peace with nature.
6. Live closer to God.
7. You must take responsibility for yourself and your health.
8. Eat as much raw food as possible.
9. Exercise regularly the rest of your life.
10.Practice and learn to understand completely Herring's law of cure, which is "All cure starts from within out and from the head down and in reverse order as the symptoms have appeared".

Breasts Health

2011-09-23T18:20:00.001-04:00

Breast Anatomy

The breasts of an adult woman are milk-producing, tear-shaped glands. They are supported by and attached to the front of the chest wall on either side of the breastbone or sternum by ligaments. They rest on the major chest muscle, the pectoralis major.

The breast has no muscle tissue. A layer of fat surrounds the glands and extends throughout the breast.

The breast is responsive to a complex interplay of hormones that cause the tissue to develop, enlarge and produce milk. The three major hormones affecting the breast are estrogen, progesterone and prolactin, which cause glandular tissue in the breast and the uterus to change during the menstrual cycle.

Each breast contains 15 to 20 lobes arranged in a circular fashion. The fat (subcutaneous adipose tissue) that covers the lobes gives the breast its size and shape. Each lobe is comprised of many lobules, at the end of which are tiny bulb-like glands, or sacs, where milk is produced in response to hormonal signals. Ducts connect the lobes, lobules and glands in nursing mothers. These ducts deliver milk to openings in the nipple. The areola is the darker-pigmented area around the nipple.

How can I take care of my breasts?

Breasts change many times and in many ways over a woman's lifetime. Your breasts may nourish children, be a source of sexual pleasure, and may form part of your identity. Getting to know how your breasts normally feel and look is the first step towards promoting good breast health.

What are "normal" breasts?

Breasts, like women's bodies, come in all shapes and sizes. Their tissue is varied, they change as you age, and the left one may not look the same as the right. One breast may grow faster or larger than the other. How your breasts feel and look can be affected by many things including your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, and aging.

What can I do to have healthy breasts?

You can make lifestyle choices to improve your general health that will also benefit your breasts. These include:

being active and/or exercising regularly;
eating a variety of low-fat, high-fibre and whole grain foods;
eating at least 5 servings of dark green, orange and red vegetables and fruits daily;
washing your fruits and vegetables, or buying organic produce to reduce your exposure to potentially toxic chemicals;
eating foods daily that are high in phytoestrogens (plant estrogens or isoflavones) such as soy, lentils and grains–these foods have been linked in some studies to breast cancer prevention;
not smoking;
limiting the amount of alcohol you drink; and
limiting the caffeine you drink or eat–coffee, tea, chocolate, cola and some other soft drinks contain relatively high amounts of caffeine.

In addition to these lifestyle choices, you may choose to:

Get to know what your breasts feel like so that you'll know what is normal for you, and will recognize any changes that happen.
If you wear bras, wear comfortable loose-fitting bras.
learn the best way to examine your own breasts.

Diet

Diet is very important in maintaining the good health of the breasts. Colored fruits like orange, banana, citruses, carrots and green vegetables are rich in vitamins and anti oxidants that prevent cancer and also slow down the aging process.

Avoiding carbohydrate rich foods and processed foods are good for healthy breasts.

Healthy fats like omega-3-fatty acids, nuts, avocados and coconut oil are essential for healthy breasts. Bran, porridges made from whole grains are rich in fibers that are beneficial for the female hormones.

Green and white tea is rich in anti oxidants and drinking 4-5 cups a day helps to maintain healthy breasts.

Xenoestrogen substances are chemical pollutants that must be avoided as they are the prime causes of breast cancer. They react with the estrogen hormone resulting in the under functioning of the hormonal system. The sources are pesticide loaded products, plastics, household detergents, commercial meat and diary products and poisoning effects of lead and mercury. Their effects can be encountered by consuming cabbages, broccoli, sprouts, kale that are rich in anti oxidants.

Too much smoking and drinking caffeine products must be avoided as they produce numerous free radicals that destroy the normal cells

Natural foods can fight carcinogens; fruits like cherries, grapes are rich in Ellagic acid that reduces the chances of breast cancer. These fruits also contain bioflavonoid that prevents the production of cancer cells. Chlorophyll, the green pigment found in plants prevents the damage of DNA of the cells. Food rich in beta carotene like carrots, pumpkins prevents cancer.

Breast massage can be highly beneficial to maintain healthy breasts. Studies show that the breast tissues can store lots of chemical wastes that are harmful for the body. Careful massaging of the breasts helps in flushing out the harmful toxins and wastes through the lymphatic system and restores the nutrients in the tissue.

Every women wishes to have healthy breast along with a healthy body.

Nature's Sunshine - You've Found What You're Looking For

2011-09-23T16:08:00.000-04:00