Shark Liver Oil

Shark liver oil is as its name implicates derived from the livers of deep-water sharks. Shark liver oil is used to fight cancer and boosts the immune system. The shark liver oil is a by-product of the fishing industry. Sharks are not hunted for their oil alone. The practice of using shark liver oil as a medicine for wounds and to fight flu spans for centuries already. Japanese seamen called shark liver oil as samedawa or ‘cure all’. In the 1950s, it was discovered that a natural immune-boosting compound called alkylglycerols are found in high concentration in the shark liver oil.

Other less concentrated sources of alkylglycerols are found in the bone marrow, liver, spleen and breast milk of both mature cows and humans. This compound is the focus on medical interest on shark liver oil as a possible accompaniment to cancer treatment and an immune booster. It also contains squalamine which is a substance that fight breast, lung, brain and skin cancer by choking off the tumor’s blood supply. Shark live oil also contains squalene in large amounts which is an anti-oxidant and bacteria-fighter. It also has omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A.

There are several health benefits one can derive from using shark liver oil. These benefits include:

* It adds to the conventional cancer treatment. In Europe, this is widely practiced. Research shows that alkylglyerols in shark liver oil may boost the immune system and prevent the spread of disease. The shark liver oil also strengthens healthy cells to ease the side effects of cancer chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

* It fights infections, inflammations and heal wounds. Its immune boosting properties help speed up the healing of colds, flu and various skin infections.

* It is also believe to be a remedy for asthma, arthritis, skin inflammations of psoriasis. But these claims remain to be proven.

In order to get the most out of shark liver oil, you should purchase shark liver oil products that contain ‘alkylglycerols’ which is a disease-fighting ingredient. 1000 mg capsule could provide at least 200 mg of alkylglycerols. Other healing compounds found in shark liver oil are squalamine and squalene. Do not take more than the recommended dietary allowance or dosages of shark liver oil. More does not necessarily mean better. See your doctor if you take the product more than 30 days. You may require a blood test and a dosage change because long-term use might alter blood consistency.

To accompany cancer treatments, take 1 to 2 capsules, three times a day with meals.
To fight infections, take 1 to 2 capsules a day for 7 days with meals. Food will increase the absorption of the product’s active ingredients. Pregnant women are cautioned not to use this supplement. Consult a doctor first. There are no known drugs or nutrients interaction linked with shark liver oil. Possible side effects when taking shark liver oil include: mild stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, indigestion. These rarely occur however if oil is taken at recommended doses.

Slippery Elm

The inner bark of the towering slippery elm (Ulmus rubra Muhl) tree can be beaten into a powder, added to water and be used to create a ‘slippery’ concoction that is used in treating toothaches, healing scrapes and heal constipation. Slippery elm was later used to treat gunshot wounds. This herbal supplement has long been used as medicine by health authorities in the United States. Later American Revolution turned to this herbal medicine to treat gunshot wounds. During that period slippery elm was tuned onto a nutritious broth that was used to feed young and elderly. Recently, it gained the approval of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as nonprescription demulcent or a soothing agent that can be taken internally.

The use of slippery elm has survived because it works well in coating and soothing irritated mucous membranes. This is due to the inner bark called mucilage. Mucilage is a gel-lie substance that when eaten forms a protective substance along the throat, digestive tract and other areas. The astringent compounds found in the herb called tannins can tighten the tissue. Slippery elm is found to be effective in treating various ailments and also assist in:

- Soothing cough, sore throat and bronchitis. Throat lozenges are specifically good in easing cough and sore throat, coating the area and lowering irritation. The Slippery elm’s bark tea and liquid extracts serve the same purpose too.

- Easing gastrointestinal symptoms particularly Crohn’s disease. The soothing effect mucilage effect could be used for disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

Slippery elm comes in several variations which include: tincture, tablet, powder, ointment, lozenges, liquid and dried herb/tea. To treat bronchitis, drink two or three cups of the tea a day. To make the tea, prepare the tea, add 1 tablespoon of dried herb or 1 tablespoon of liquid extract to eight (8) ounces of hot but not boiling water. For chronic bronchitis, use the dosages during flare up. For cough, drink three cups of slippery elm tree. Or, drink one cup of slippery elms tea everyday. To treat sore throat, take 1 tablespoon of dried herb for each 8-ounce of hot water. Or, mix a tablespoon of liquid extract in 8 ounces of cup hot water. Clean minor wound by applying slippery elm treatment, slave and alter in the other substance.

Slippery elm when taken internally can soothe a number of digestive disorders such as: irritable bowel syndrome (BS), colitis and diverticulitis, inflammation of the gut or colic, instant relief to acid indigestion or reflux and ulcers in the gut. As a supplement, Slippery Elms are also great for debilitating states and baby foods. In the past, it is also used to treat chest, lungs and bronchial problems.

Slippery elm in the boardinghouse can easily be found in health stores. There are no known dugs or nutrient interactions linked with Siberian ginseng. Some people develop allergic rash when slipper elm is applied to the skin. Make sure that you buy the products that only certain recommended diagenes. It is not known if slippery eels can cause risks during pregnancy.

Saw palmetto

Saw palmetto tree has olive-sized berries that are used to treat benign enlargement of prostate gland. BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia is actually harmless but bothersome. It causes frequent urination, nighttime awakenings and urinary symptoms. More than half of the men over 60 are affected with this disorder. Saw palmetto was officially recognized by the United States as a drug for urinary and genital problems. Although, American doctors have become disenchanted with saw palmetto because of its supposed effect could not be ascertained. Europeans however have remained enthusiastic over its prostate-healing ability. And herbalists have recommended it for persistent cough and digestive problems.

There are numerous benefits associated with saw palmetto. Among them include: It eases prostate problems. The studies conducted over saw palmetto confirmed its positive effect of reducing the number of times BPH sufferer feels the urge to urinate. It also works faster in treating BPH and has fewer cases of impotence and reduced libido than the usual prostrate drug. The saw palmetto also costs one-third to one-half o the price of the usual BPH medications. It also affects the levels of cancer-promoting hormones and could be a possible deterrent to prostrate cancer. This theory however needs to be verified first.

Saw palmetto is sold in various forms which include: tincture, tablet, softgel, dried herb/tea and capsule. In taking the supplement, one should look for extracts that contain 85% to 95% fatty acids and sterols. Sterols refer to the medicinal, fat-soluble ingredients found in berries. You should follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the label because of the potency of the drug. For those who are using the supplements to treat prostate problems, take 160 mg twice daily.

In order to use the supplement effectively, one should take saw palmetto with breakfast and dinner in order to prevent the risk of stomach upset. You should also not use saw palmetto tea that is made from dried herb. The medicinal oil’s found in saw palmetto do not dissolve in water. To augment its effectiveness in treating prostate problems, combine saw palmetto supplements with other herbs that promote prostate health such as pygeum africanum, nettle or pumpkin seed. Some formulations such as Men’s Formula actually contain very little saw palmetto herb. So be cautious in buying those supplements. When you are using saw palmetto to treat prostate problems, keep in mind that the results do not show overnight. It may take six to eight weeks before you notice any improvement on your condition.

Saw palmetto seldom causes any side effects when using. But mild abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness and headache have been reported to occur. If these symptoms show, lower the dose or stop taking the herb. Reduced libido and impotence could develop although rarely as compared to prescription drugs for BPH. In some rare cases, breast enlargement was also reported.

Observe the following necessary precautions while taking saw palmetto:

- See a doctor first to diagnose your prostate problem. Do not self-diagnose BPH.

- Consult a doctor if you noticed new symptoms of prostate problems such as bothersome urinary problems or if you noticed blood in your urine.

- Do not take more than 320 mg daily since high doses could affect your health.

- Saw palmetto affects hormone levels so men with prostate, breast cancer or hormone-dependent illness should approach a doctor first.

- Before taking the test used to determine prostate cancer let the doctor know that you are taking saw palmetto as this could affect the result.

Selenium

Selenium can be found in certain foods. It is distributed to nearly every cell particularly in the kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen and testes. The most potent source for selenium is the Brazil nut. A single nut contains 120 mcg which is twice the recommended dietary allowance. It could also be found in poultry, meat, grains, oats and brown rice. The concentration of selenium in food sources depends to a large extent on the level of selenium in the soil in which the plant grew and which the animal ate. The past two decades showed steady progress in the study of selenium. Scientist began to understand its most basic function which is to prevent disease.

Selenium boosts the immune system and combats infection. Consequently, it increases the body’s defense against harmful bacteria, viruses and cancer cells. Every cell in the body needs a hormone from the thyroid gland that selenium helps to convert into its active form. It is most popular for being an antioxidant. Aside from these perceived effects, it is also known to manifest the following health benefits:

- It prevents cancer. According to a study conducted on selenium it was found out that selenium prevents the formation of tumors.

- It protect against heart attack and stroke.

- It guard against cataracts and macular degeneration. It does this seeming miracle by providing antioxidant actions that combats free radicals.

- It heals cold sores and shingles due to its immune-system booster properties.

- It combats inflammation that is associated with lupus. You can further increase this capacity by combining selenium with vitamin E. Selenium/vitamin E combination also helps other types of inflammatory diseases too such as psoriases, eczema and rheumatoid. Those afflicted with lupus can benefit from it anti-inflammatory properties.

The recommended dietary allowance for selenium is 55 mcg for women and 70 mcg for men. One can readily obtain selenium through their diet and it seldom happen that deficiency occurs in industrialized countries.

For those that lack sufficient selenium, the following symptoms may manifest: muscle weakness and fatigue. If the problem continues it might result to risk for cancer, immune-system problems, heart disease and various inflammatory conditions. For those that have too much selenium in their body could cause toxic reactions. Other symptoms of overdose include: depression, anxiety and garlicky odor from breath and perspiration.

To prevent the effects of aging and protect against cancer, take 400 mcg daily.

-To prevent cataracts and macular degeneration, take 200 to 400 mcg daily.

-To treat cold sores and shingles, take 600 mcg daily during flare-ups only.

-Check also product labels for the recommended dosage.

To get the most effect out of selenium, take it together with 400 IU vitamin E per day. To get the antioxidant benefits of selenium take a high potency antioxidant blend of selenium, vitamins C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, grape seed and green tea extracts, alpha-lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10 and N-acetylsysteine (NAC). There are no known drugs or nutrient interactions connected with selenium. Do not take high dosages – 900 mcg one time or 600 mcg daily for a long period- to prevent toxic build up in your system.

Siberian ginseng

Siberian ginseng has long been used in China. It has only gained recognition in the West when in the 1950s a Russian scientist reported its stress-relieving effects. Men and women who took the herb were better able to resist disease, endure physical strain and do well in tests of mental sharpness. Chinese use ginseng just like any one else to strengthen the body’s vital energy or what the Chinese termed as qi. Others use Siberian ginseng to increase memory and prevent colds and flu. In Russia, people use this as a general tonic.
Siberian ginseng supplements are derived from the dried root of Eleutherococcus senticosus. This plant is found in China, Japan, Korea and Siberia.

Siberian ginseng holds compounds that have positive effects on the adrenal glands. Adrenal glands pertain to the small glands that are found on top of the kidney and secrete hormones that fight stress. Siberian ginseng is believed to boost the body’s capacity to take physical stresses that range from heat exposure to extreme exertion. Resistance to disease and overall energy level increases as well.

Siberian ginseng has several positive and noticeable effects to the body. These include the following:

- It prevents illnesses that come from stress. Siberian ginseng can enhance the person’s resistance to stresses.

- It relieves chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia. This is because it primes the adrenal glands. As a result, relieving exhaustion and muscle pains.

- It counters fatigue and brings back energy. It is known to strength the body, boost energy levels and has immune-enhancing abilities.

- It enhances male and female fertility and lessens male impotence. Siberian ginseng promotes healthy uterine function and may be useful in preventing female infertility. Males will notice an increased sperm count. It can increase testosterone levels and reverse certain cases of male impotence.

- It relieves menstrual disorders and menopausal syndromes. This is due to the fact that it has positive effects on the hormone levels and eases the large uterine muscle.

- It treats Alzheimer’s disease. This is because Siberian ginseng has the capacity to boost the transfer of nerve impulses which may enhance the memory too.

Siberian ginseng comes in various formulations which include: tincture, tablet, softgel, powder, dried herb/tea and capsule. To get the most out of Siberian ginseng, you need to buy the product from a reputable company. Make sure that it contains at least 0.8% eleutherosides. To relieve stress, take 100 to 200 mg three times a day.

Fatigue and chronic fatigue, female infertility, Alzheimer’s disease, fibromyalgia and a host of other disorders, take 100 to 300 mg twice daily for 60 to 90 days and then stop for seven (7) days before resuming the treatment. For male infertility and impotence, take 100 to 300 mg twice per day. For infertility, rotate every three weeks with 100 to 250 mg Panax ginseng that contains 7% ginsenosides. For impotence, rotate every two weeks. For colds and flu, take 300 mg twice daily for seven to 10 days. To rest from ginseng intake, stop for one to two weeks every three months. Don’t take Siberian ginseng an hour before bedtime.

As a precaution, do not take Siberian ginseng when taking high blood pressure medications. It is relatively safe to use even for extended period. Mild diarrhea might occur. In case of overdose (900 mg daily and higher) insomnia, nervousness, irritability and anxiety have manifested.