Make yourself a New Years Resolution. Don’t be a Lout eat THIS Sprout. Edible sprouts are germinated plant seeds. They are usually produced by soaking the seeds at regular intervals over a 4-10 day interval. Broccoli sprouts are highly nutritious with magnesium, chlorophyll and rich in enzymes and electrons which promote good health as mitochondrial enhancer and antioxidandants. Studies of compounds in broccoli sprouts have been shown to reduce the risk of prostate, breast, liver, stomach, bladder and colon cancer and to act as an anti-bacterial agent against Helicobacter pylori, an organism associated with causing duodenal ulcers. Also broccoli sprouts decreases the risk of stroke, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease as well as osteoarthritis.
Research has shown that broccoli sprouts are rich in glucoraphanin, a compound that when eaten is converted in our body into Sulforaphane ((sul-FOR-a-fane) glucosinolate, which is a “phase II inducer”. In 1997, Paul Talalay, Ph.D who founded the Brassica Chemoprotection Laboratory, at Johns Hopkins identified chemo protective nutrients and finding ways to maximize their effect. Also in a study funded by the British Heart Foundation discovered sulforaphane could "switch on" a protective protein which is inactive in parts of the arteries vulnerable to plaque formation. Scientists already know that arteries don't clog up in a uniform way, but that there are bends and branches of blood vessels in which blood flow is disrupted (turbulance) and are much more prone to the build-up of fatty plaques that cause heart disease. In the more vulnerable areas, a normally protective protein known as Nrf2 is inactive. Sulforaphane protects those regions by switching on the Nrf2.
Brassica is a plant in the genus of the mustard family, and includes in addition to broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, cauliflower and turnips. Three-day-old broccoli sprouts contained more than a 40 times higher concentration of the protective molecule than mature broccoli. In Addition cooking destroys three quarters of the active compound. Eating a few tablespoons of the sprouts daily can supply the same degree of cancer and vascular protection as 20 pounds cooked broccoli eaten weekly.
Broccoli sprouts can be frequently obtained at Health Food stores or in concentrated juices or capsules, but they may not be as good as producing this fantastic food yourself and eating them fresh. The seed and sprouting trays are easily obtained and the growing initiated by soaking 4 tablespoons in a 8 oz jar of water overnight. (about 8 hours). Pour the soaked seeds onto the sprouting tray. These trays and the organic seeds can be purchased at most Health Food Stores and on line such as the Sproutman.com. Cover the tray so the enclosure provides a greenhouse effect. Rinse by showering the seeds with fresh water twice per day. Try not to dislodge the seeds with the force of the rinse water. Allow the seedlings to root themselves into the small holes of the growing tray. Keep the tray away from strong light for the first 4 days, then move to a brighter area, avoiding direct sunlight and heat. In 3 to 4 more days they will be green and ready to harvest. Pluck from the surface to allow the younger sprouts to continue to grow. In the next 3 days, they should all be sprouted. With prayer and luck you should have 2 pounds of health from them. They can be used in cooking and as sauces, they are healthier used as salads or in sandwiches made with Red Cabbage leaves or Kale rather than bread. Do yourself a healthy favor and you will be well rewarded well beyond the minimal work it takes to eat this wonderful delicacy that will add life onto your years and years onto your life!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
MICRONUTIENTS GIVE MACRO HEALTH
Micronutrient deficiencies (vitamins, amino acids, minerals, antioxidants, metabolites) contribute to a broad range of both minor and serious health conditions. Identifying and correcting them is an important component of management and/or treatment of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue and other so called chronic degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. The Journal of the American Medical Association, (Volume 287, 3116-3129, 2002), Vitamins For Chronic Disease Prevention in Adults, states, “although clinical syndromes of vitamin deficiencies are unusual in Western societies, suboptimal status is not. There are many serum nutritional tests but they only measure static quantities of vitamins and minerals present in serum, such as magnesium or B 12 reflecting dietary intake and what can not get into our cells rather than the true cellular content and function. But there is a test that can assess long-term intracellular requirements using each patient’s own lymphocytes. Under a variety of nutrient depletion conditions, scientists can now measure the growth response of these cells to something called mitogenic stimulation. This determines intracellular deficiencies, which might not be detected by standard serum tests giving us a true window on Intracellular Function.
In 1949 Dr. Roger Williams, who previously discovered five vitamins, coined the word Genetotrophic disease which means having both genetic (geneto) and nutritional (trophic) roots. Later (1956) he published the book Biochemical Individuality: The Basis for the Genetotrophic Concept. William Shive, Ph.D., who was chairman of the department of biochemistry and a researcher in the field of nutrition at the University of Texas, began work on a diagnostic test for clinicians in 1978. His work was strongly influenced by Williams. Dr. Shive first identified appropriate cells for the functional assays. He selected lymphocyte cells because they are simple to collect (via venipuncture), easily isolated from other whole blood components, and maintainable in culture for days to weeks.
These harvested lymphocytes are in a resting state in terms of cell division. Since they have a 4 to 6 month lifespan, the nutrient levels accumulated in these lymphocytes represent a history of an individual's nutrient status. This is analogous to using HbA1c measurements to approximate a diabetic person's glucose levels over the preceding 3 months. Thus, lymphocytes provide a history rather than a snapshot of nutrient intake. Resting lymphocytes can be stimulated by a lymphocyte-specific mitogen to undergo cell division and grow in culture. The degree of growth that the lymphocytes can maintain is directly related to the nutrients they have available. The cells are stimulated to grow in the control media containing optimal amounts of specific micronutrients. As each micronutrient is removed from the media, the cells must use their own internal mechanisms (reserves or metabolic processes) to grow. If cells grow optimally, they are functioning adequately and thus are not deficient. If cells do not grow optimally, then a deficiency is indicated. For example, when Zinc is removed from the media and cell growth is not sufficient, this indicates that the lymphocyte cells have a functional intracellular deficiency of Zinc.
A functional deficiency encompasses any of the factors that reduce the efficacy of a nutrient. Thus, a given nutrient may be present, but it may not be properly activated, appropriately localized or have sufficient cofactors to function at a normal level of activity. Whatever the cause, the result will be a defect in the biochemical pathways that depend upon that nutrient for optimal function. A deficient or defective pathway may operate at a sub-optimal level for many months, or even years, before a clinical symptom becomes apparent. Micronutrient deficiencies aren’t just a reflection of diet. Since we are all biochemically unique, nutrient deficiencies will vary from person to person, and do not necessarily correlate directly with nutrient intake, even among those with similar health conditions. Many factors beyond diet determine whether nutrient function is adequate. These include biochemical individuality, genetic predisposition, absorption and metabolism, age, disease conditions and medications. Some folks spend hundreds of dollars a year and don’t need to. Others need a few inexpensive supplements to stay healthy and this test will detail the best for each of us. This is Personal Medicine at its highest level, rather than what most of us doctors practice “One Size Fits All”.
You can be deficient in micronutrients and not even know it until it is too late and, for example, develop Cancer. Studies have shown that 50% of patients taking a multivitamin are functionally deficient in one or more essential nutrients that are vital to long-term health. Deficiencies suppress the function of the immune system and contribute to degenerative processes. Propetology is another word coined by Dr Williams which is the potential science of the “leaning” (Greek) of individuals toward certain diseases. This is a genetic or other predisposing factor that gives one person the tendency to have a given medical problem, but another with the same exposure not have any difficulty.
SPECTROX is a total antioxidant function test that assesses the ability of cells to resist damage caused by free radicals and other forms of oxidative stress that is included in the study using the same technology as the micronutrient testing.
The micronutrient test was prohibitory expensive until recently when it not only became commercially available from Spectracell Laboratories that is the descendant of Drs Williams and Shive and is paid for by most insuranc plans including Medicare and Medicaid except for a $160 co-pay.
In 1949 Dr. Roger Williams, who previously discovered five vitamins, coined the word Genetotrophic disease which means having both genetic (geneto) and nutritional (trophic) roots. Later (1956) he published the book Biochemical Individuality: The Basis for the Genetotrophic Concept. William Shive, Ph.D., who was chairman of the department of biochemistry and a researcher in the field of nutrition at the University of Texas, began work on a diagnostic test for clinicians in 1978. His work was strongly influenced by Williams. Dr. Shive first identified appropriate cells for the functional assays. He selected lymphocyte cells because they are simple to collect (via venipuncture), easily isolated from other whole blood components, and maintainable in culture for days to weeks.
These harvested lymphocytes are in a resting state in terms of cell division. Since they have a 4 to 6 month lifespan, the nutrient levels accumulated in these lymphocytes represent a history of an individual's nutrient status. This is analogous to using HbA1c measurements to approximate a diabetic person's glucose levels over the preceding 3 months. Thus, lymphocytes provide a history rather than a snapshot of nutrient intake. Resting lymphocytes can be stimulated by a lymphocyte-specific mitogen to undergo cell division and grow in culture. The degree of growth that the lymphocytes can maintain is directly related to the nutrients they have available. The cells are stimulated to grow in the control media containing optimal amounts of specific micronutrients. As each micronutrient is removed from the media, the cells must use their own internal mechanisms (reserves or metabolic processes) to grow. If cells grow optimally, they are functioning adequately and thus are not deficient. If cells do not grow optimally, then a deficiency is indicated. For example, when Zinc is removed from the media and cell growth is not sufficient, this indicates that the lymphocyte cells have a functional intracellular deficiency of Zinc.
A functional deficiency encompasses any of the factors that reduce the efficacy of a nutrient. Thus, a given nutrient may be present, but it may not be properly activated, appropriately localized or have sufficient cofactors to function at a normal level of activity. Whatever the cause, the result will be a defect in the biochemical pathways that depend upon that nutrient for optimal function. A deficient or defective pathway may operate at a sub-optimal level for many months, or even years, before a clinical symptom becomes apparent. Micronutrient deficiencies aren’t just a reflection of diet. Since we are all biochemically unique, nutrient deficiencies will vary from person to person, and do not necessarily correlate directly with nutrient intake, even among those with similar health conditions. Many factors beyond diet determine whether nutrient function is adequate. These include biochemical individuality, genetic predisposition, absorption and metabolism, age, disease conditions and medications. Some folks spend hundreds of dollars a year and don’t need to. Others need a few inexpensive supplements to stay healthy and this test will detail the best for each of us. This is Personal Medicine at its highest level, rather than what most of us doctors practice “One Size Fits All”.
You can be deficient in micronutrients and not even know it until it is too late and, for example, develop Cancer. Studies have shown that 50% of patients taking a multivitamin are functionally deficient in one or more essential nutrients that are vital to long-term health. Deficiencies suppress the function of the immune system and contribute to degenerative processes. Propetology is another word coined by Dr Williams which is the potential science of the “leaning” (Greek) of individuals toward certain diseases. This is a genetic or other predisposing factor that gives one person the tendency to have a given medical problem, but another with the same exposure not have any difficulty.
SPECTROX is a total antioxidant function test that assesses the ability of cells to resist damage caused by free radicals and other forms of oxidative stress that is included in the study using the same technology as the micronutrient testing.
The micronutrient test was prohibitory expensive until recently when it not only became commercially available from Spectracell Laboratories that is the descendant of Drs Williams and Shive and is paid for by most insuranc plans including Medicare and Medicaid except for a $160 co-pay.
Monday, December 20, 2010
HEALTH TO THE NINES-PRO ARGI 9
Why 9? The number nine has long been used as a superlative. Classical mythology gave us the Nine Muses of Arts and Learning. The Nine Worthies were characters drawn from the Pagan and Jewish history and from the Bible. This distinguished group consisted of Hector, Alexander, Julius Caesar, Joshua, David, Judas Maccabaeus, King Arthur, Charlemagne, and Godfrey of Bouillon. This then is a takeoff of the main constituent, Arginine, the 9 chaperone ingredients and it is exceptional for total body health.
In 1998, the Nobel Prize was awarded to Louis Ignarro for the discovery of EDRF(endothelium-derived relaxing factor), a chemical produced in the lining of the blood vessels, which keeps them healthy. Several years earlier, Stanford's Dr. John Cooke and other investigators had found that specific nutrients enhance EDRF production and improve blood flow in people with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or other risk factors for heart disease. The atom of cardiovascular health--a tiny molecule called Nitric Oxide. NO, as it is known by chemists, is the signaling molecule produced by the body, and is a vasodilator that helps control blood flow to every part of the body. Dr. Ignarro's findings led to the development of Viagra and other patented and supplemental products such as Pro-Argi 9.
Arginine, or more correctly L-Arginine is the natural molecule in our body that produces NO in that one-cell-thick lining of our blood vessels called the endothelium. NO has a beneficial effect on the whole cardiovascular system. It relaxes and enlarges the blood vessels, prevents blood clots that can trigger strokes and heart attacks, regulates blood pressure and the accumulation of plaque in the blood vessels. Current research indicates that NO may help lower cholesterol by facilitating the actions of statin drugs like Lipitor or lower lipids by itself. It also has been shown to improve the immune system, facilitate healing, prevent cancer, enhance nerve and brain function and act as an antiaging molecule by stimulating HGH (Human Growth Hormone). It is also the promolecule of Argmantine which decreases pain and promotes better cognitive health which is a subject of a whole discussion that will be forthcoming.
Arginine is a conditionally nonessential amino acid, meaning in healthy young folks it can be manufactured by the human body, and does not need to be obtained directly through the diet. But in older people or those with other diseases including stress, the biosynthetic pathway does not produce sufficient amounts, and must be consumed through diet. Arginine is found in a wide variety of foods, including red meat and dairy products. However, these need to be consumed in large quantities such as two pounds of steak or three quarts of milk daily. This so called “food” is inflammatory and causes poor health in the majority of 21st centurions.
In our body, Arginine is synthesized from another semi-essential amino acid, citrulline, by several cellular enzymes. But it is a very energy costly, with each molecule produced two ATP equivalents are used up. In healthy humans, synthesis of arginine occurs principally in the intestine and kidney. The lining of the small intestine produces citrulline primarily from glutamine which naturally is in our diet if we eat healthily. The kidney extracts citrulline from the circulation and converts it to arginine, which is returned to the circulation. Consequently, poor diet, impairment of small bowel or kidney function can reduce arginine and NO. To make matters worse there is a competing molecule that some of us have in our body, ADMA, that causes an even lower level of NO and health. More about ADMA later.
Since the early 1970’s L-Arginine has been used as a supplement with only placebo effect, but in the last five years there have been several good products available. Engineered by Dr Ignarro himself are Niteworks and most recently Pro-Argi 9. These have at least 4 grams of L-Arginine. 200mg of L-citrullene , and chaperone molecules such as Vitamin C, Folic Acid, and Alpha Lipoic Acid. It comes in a canister or packets of powdered product. One scoop or packet is taken at least 90 minutes after eating and immediately before sleep. Carbohydrates and protein inhibit its intestinal absorption and taken at bedtime stimulates HGH release as well as insuring a good nights sleep. Certainly one could double and even triple the dose for better and quicker health benefit, but it is not necessary.
Pro Argi 9 is available from certain clinicians in the Tulsa area and on line. When a clinician or a patient feels that this product is needed, a special test called a Pulse Max to be described later is preformed. Most clinicians charge $50 for the study, but in most cases is paid for by insurances. This details the health of the cardiovascular system. The study is repeated three months later and if there is not considerable improvement in the test and how the individuals feels, the price of the product is returned by the organization that markets it. The cost is about $ 180 for three months and well worth it. For further information, call or ask at our front desk.
In 1998, the Nobel Prize was awarded to Louis Ignarro for the discovery of EDRF(endothelium-derived relaxing factor), a chemical produced in the lining of the blood vessels, which keeps them healthy. Several years earlier, Stanford's Dr. John Cooke and other investigators had found that specific nutrients enhance EDRF production and improve blood flow in people with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or other risk factors for heart disease. The atom of cardiovascular health--a tiny molecule called Nitric Oxide. NO, as it is known by chemists, is the signaling molecule produced by the body, and is a vasodilator that helps control blood flow to every part of the body. Dr. Ignarro's findings led to the development of Viagra and other patented and supplemental products such as Pro-Argi 9.
Arginine, or more correctly L-Arginine is the natural molecule in our body that produces NO in that one-cell-thick lining of our blood vessels called the endothelium. NO has a beneficial effect on the whole cardiovascular system. It relaxes and enlarges the blood vessels, prevents blood clots that can trigger strokes and heart attacks, regulates blood pressure and the accumulation of plaque in the blood vessels. Current research indicates that NO may help lower cholesterol by facilitating the actions of statin drugs like Lipitor or lower lipids by itself. It also has been shown to improve the immune system, facilitate healing, prevent cancer, enhance nerve and brain function and act as an antiaging molecule by stimulating HGH (Human Growth Hormone). It is also the promolecule of Argmantine which decreases pain and promotes better cognitive health which is a subject of a whole discussion that will be forthcoming.
Arginine is a conditionally nonessential amino acid, meaning in healthy young folks it can be manufactured by the human body, and does not need to be obtained directly through the diet. But in older people or those with other diseases including stress, the biosynthetic pathway does not produce sufficient amounts, and must be consumed through diet. Arginine is found in a wide variety of foods, including red meat and dairy products. However, these need to be consumed in large quantities such as two pounds of steak or three quarts of milk daily. This so called “food” is inflammatory and causes poor health in the majority of 21st centurions.
In our body, Arginine is synthesized from another semi-essential amino acid, citrulline, by several cellular enzymes. But it is a very energy costly, with each molecule produced two ATP equivalents are used up. In healthy humans, synthesis of arginine occurs principally in the intestine and kidney. The lining of the small intestine produces citrulline primarily from glutamine which naturally is in our diet if we eat healthily. The kidney extracts citrulline from the circulation and converts it to arginine, which is returned to the circulation. Consequently, poor diet, impairment of small bowel or kidney function can reduce arginine and NO. To make matters worse there is a competing molecule that some of us have in our body, ADMA, that causes an even lower level of NO and health. More about ADMA later.
Since the early 1970’s L-Arginine has been used as a supplement with only placebo effect, but in the last five years there have been several good products available. Engineered by Dr Ignarro himself are Niteworks and most recently Pro-Argi 9. These have at least 4 grams of L-Arginine. 200mg of L-citrullene , and chaperone molecules such as Vitamin C, Folic Acid, and Alpha Lipoic Acid. It comes in a canister or packets of powdered product. One scoop or packet is taken at least 90 minutes after eating and immediately before sleep. Carbohydrates and protein inhibit its intestinal absorption and taken at bedtime stimulates HGH release as well as insuring a good nights sleep. Certainly one could double and even triple the dose for better and quicker health benefit, but it is not necessary.
Pro Argi 9 is available from certain clinicians in the Tulsa area and on line. When a clinician or a patient feels that this product is needed, a special test called a Pulse Max to be described later is preformed. Most clinicians charge $50 for the study, but in most cases is paid for by insurances. This details the health of the cardiovascular system. The study is repeated three months later and if there is not considerable improvement in the test and how the individuals feels, the price of the product is returned by the organization that markets it. The cost is about $ 180 for three months and well worth it. For further information, call or ask at our front desk.
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