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.

Forskolin

The traditional Indian practice, called Ayurvedic medicine, made great use of the herb Coleus forskohlii. They used the herb to treat asthma, heart disease, and a range of other ailments. This small herb belongs to the mint family and is native to Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Nepal.

Herbal Uses

For centuries, Coleus forskohlii is an important traditional Ayuverdic herb that has been a part of Indian medicine. In the 1970s, researchers were able to isolate an active chemical ingredient in Coleus forskohlii. They believed that this ingredient, called forskolin, is the chief reason why Coleus forskohlii seems to be effective in treating countless ailments.

How Forskolin Works

Forskolin is derived from the roots of the Indian plant, Coleus forskohlii. Forskolin acts by directly activating the adenylate cyclase and raising cyclic AMP levels in a variety of tissues. Forskolin’s action on cyclic AMP is considered very important since this is the compound that regulates the cells. Once cyclic AMP is formed through action from forskolin, this substance activates many other enzymes as well, creating a pandemonium of actions and reactions within the body. As a result, a diverse number of cellular functions are encouraged.

Under normal situations, cyclic AMP is formed when a stimulatory hormone, such as epihephrine, binds to a receptor site on the cell membrane. The hormone would then stimulate the activation of adenylate cyclase. All cellular membranes contain the enzyme, adenylate cyclase with specific receptors that determines which hormone will activate in particular cell. With the addition of forskolin, you are able to bypass this hormonal activation by adenylate cyclase.

Because forskolin can directly activate adenylate cyclase, intracellular cyclic AMP levels rise. By raising the intracellular cyclic AMP levels, certain beneficial physiological and biochemical effects occur. These include inhibition of platelet activation, inhibition of mast cell degranulation, inhibition of histamine release, increased force of contraction of heart muscle, relaxation of the arteries and other smooth muscles, increased insulin secretion, and increased thyroid function.

Forskolin: Other Uses

Forskolin is available in supplemental form. Forskolin extract is used and recommended for treatments against thyroid conditions, such as hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too little thyroid hormone. This insufficient supply of thyroid sometimes leads to enlargement of the gland, a condition known as goiter.

Forskolin is believed to stimulate the thyroid gland and increase production of the thyroid hormone. Thus, in effect, forskolin helps relieve such symptoms in hypothyroidism as fatigue, depression, weight gain, and dry skin. By activating an enzyme, Forskolin is also thought to specifically increase thyroid function. This enzyme causes levels of cyclic AMP (Adenosine Monophosphate), a key cell-regulating substance.

In addition to hypothyroidism, quite a number of other conditions that are seemingly unrelated have been linked to low levels of cyclic AMP. Therefore, theoretically, these ailments may be treated using forskolin. These ailments that which can be treated through forskolin include asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, glaucoma, eczema, and psoriasis. Studies have been conducted to examine the benefits of forskolin in easing the symptoms of these ailments.

Typically, forskolin is taken over the long term for treatment of hypothyroidism. It should be noted however that using forskolin in addition to thyroid hormone replacement therapy is not recommended.

Herbal Bath Teas

Herbal bath tea is one of the hottest herbal items in the market these days. It is probably for the fact that herbal bath teas really work. But what really is herbal bath tea?

Herbal bath tea is actually one of the best and enjoyable methods of therapy and recreation. Many people considered it as essential as revitalizing and invigorating skin treatments. Why? It is because herbal bath teas are designed to promote healthy skin and it aids in the improvement of the scalp and hair conditions. Aside from that, herbal bath teas are believed to be effective in the treatment and prophylactics of several skin and scalp conditions such as acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, scalp itching, eczema, and even dandruff.

Considerably, herbal bath teas exist since the ancient times. In fact, it is commonly noted that these form of herbal teas are traditionally applied for the treatment of skin problems, back pain, arthritis, rheumatism, spasms, insomnia, and other health conditions. These uses still remain as it is these days. However, traditionally these medicinal baths are used to be prescribed by physicians and is taken in a form of therapy ranging from numerous to numerous dozens of treatments.

Besides, herbal bath teas are evident during the medieval days as herbal bath teas are prepared in a separate kettle and the brewed result was poured into the bath before or at the start of the treatment. And these herbal medicinal bath treatments were notably employed by the Egyptians, Romans, Indians, Chinese, Turkish, and some other traditional medicinal schools.

The herbal bath teas are proven effective for many centuries for the reason that the herbs that are being used contain active constituents that are released during the brewing process. Such active constituents on the herbs include saponins, phenols, polyphenols, alkaloids, peptides, and a lot more. It is interesting to know that these ingredients contained in herbal bath teas may exercise therapeutic effects by means of acting on the skin receptors, while others are acting as absorbers through the skin and then absorbed by the body, just like some of the pharmaceuticals in the modern skin patches, which are being assimilated through the skin in order to bring pleasing therapeutic actions.

Herbal bath teas are sometimes prepared with some herbal essences. This method is being employed in the preparation of herbal bath teas in order to promote action and combine bath treatment with aromatherapy. Today, herbal bath teas are also called as tub teas and they are offered in the market in convenient cotton sachets, and greatly they are applied for body baths, hip bath, foot baths, herbal wraps, hair rinses, and even herbal pillows.

Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed oil comes from the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum. Since the ancient times, the slender Linum usitatissimum has been used as a source of fiber for linen fabric. It also boasts a long history as a healing herb.

The Flax Plant

The flax plant is an annual plant that reaches up to a height of 50 to 100 cm when fully grown. When it approaches maturity, the plant produces flowers with large petals of blue or white color. Generally speaking, the blue variety of the flax plant produces fine, good quality fiber. The white variety on the other hand produces stronger, coarser fiber.

The flax plant grows in wide areas of temperate and sub-tropical regions in the North and South hemispheres. It was first cultivated in Europe but its use for weaving into “linen” cloth dates back to Egyptian dynasties over four thousand years ago. From the latter part of the Middle Ages, it became the most commonly used textile material in Europe. It was not until later that the plant’s brown seeds were regularly used to prepare balms for inflamed skin and healing slurries for constipation.

Today, flaxseeds, or linseeds, are best known for the therapeutic flaxseed oil that they produce when pressed. Flaxseed oil is rich in essential fatty acids, or EFAs, earning a reputation for treating a range of ailments, from heart disease to lupus.

Flaxseed Oil: Health Benefits

The key healing components of flaxseed oil is the essential fatty acids. The body needs essential fatty acids to function properly and since it can’t manufacture these substances on its own, EFAs in flaxseed oil is particularly valuable. By working throughout the body, flaxseed oil EFAs helps protect cell membranes. They keep them efficient in receiving healthy substances while at the same time, keeping the damaging ones away.

There are actually two types of essential fatty acids in flaxseed oil. One of them is the alpha-linolenic acid or omega-3 fatty acid. Fish oils, aside from flaxseed oil, are also rich sources of omega-3s and this is why a lot of doctor’s advice their patients to include fish in their diets. Just one teaspoon of flaxseed oil contains about 2.5 grams of omega-3, equivalent to more than twice the amount most Americans get through their diets. This makes flaxseed oil a very rich source of omega-3. Flaxseed oil omega-3s reduce the risk of heart disease and numerous other ailments.

In addition, flaxseed oils also contain a high amount of lignans, substances that appear to positively affect hormone-related problems. Lignans may help prevent certain types of cancers and they combat specific bacteria, fungi, and viruses, including those that cause cold sores and shingles.

Other uses of flaxseed oil include helping to: lower cholesterol, protect against heart disease and control high blood pressure; counter inflammation associated with gout, lupus, and fibrocystic breasts; control constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticular disorders, and gallstones; treat acne, eczema, psoriasis, sunburn, and rosacea; promote healthy hair and nails; minimize nerve damage that causes numbness and tingling as well as other disorders; reduce cancer risk and guard against the effects of aging; treat menopausal symptoms, menstrual cramps, female infertility and endometriosis; and fight prostrate problems, male infertility, and impotence.

Product Information

Flaxseed oils sold in botanical shops or drug stores may come in several forms, most of common which are: softgel, oil, and capsule. Liquid flaxseed oil is the easiest form to use, although it must be kept refrigerated. For best results, take flaxseed oil with food.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is known for its capacity to enhance vision. It was first isolated in 1930. The body gets its supply of vitamin A through animal fats. The rest is synthesized in the intestines form beta-carotene and other carotenoids which can be found in a number of fruits and vegetables. Vitamin A is stored in the liver. Small amounts can be found in human tissues called retinoids coming from the vitamin’s effect on vision especially retina.

Vitamin A offers a number of health benefits of the body. Among them are:

- Undoubtedly it is the best nutrient for healthy eyesight. It helps in the proper functioning of retina of the eye. And is vital for the mucus membrane surrounding the eyes. It is essential in preventing night blindness.

- It prevents infections such as colds, flu and bronchitis. Since it maintains healthy mucous membranes, Vitamin A helps in fighting colds and other common infections. It also helps in healing the damaged lung tissue in chronic bronchitis and prevents recurrences.

- It fights cancer. Since Vitamin A boosts the immune system then it is valuable in treating breast and lung cancer. And in increasing survival of leukemia patients. Also, protects from melanoma.

- It treats skin disorders such as acne, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. This is due to the fact that Vitamin A is essential for healthy skin.

- It controls cold sores because of its anti-viral properties.

- It corrects hair and scalp problems which is often a sign of Vitamin A deficiency.

- It encourages healing of minor burns, cuts and scrapes.

- It protects against certain gastrointestinal problems because it protects the lining of the digestive tract thus relieving inflammatory bowel disease and ulcers.

Vitamin A is available in various formulations: tablet, suppository, softgel, ointment, liquid, cream and capsule. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for Vitamin A is 5000 IU daily for men and 4000 IU daily for women. For those who have vitamin A deficiency symptoms include lesser resistance to infection, flaky scalp, heavy or prolonged menstrual periods, night blindness or even complete blindness. For those that have more than enough, this can cause serious health problems. It is impossible though to get excessive Vitamin A because the body only makes what it needs. Caution should be exercised when taking ‘performed’ vitamin A because it has been synthesized already. Symptoms due to toxicity of Vitamin A include: dry skin, brittle nails, excessive hair loss, bleeding gums, weight loss, irritability, nausea and fatigue.

As a special reminder when buying vitamin A products, keep in mind that some manufacturers use retinol equivalents (RE) instead of international units (IU). To get the recommended daily allowance, one RE is equivalent to 3.3 IU. Vitamin E and zinc helps the body in using Vitamin A. So take a daily dose of both vitamin and mineral in order to get the desired RDA.

To improve resistance to colds, flu and other viral infections, take 50,000 IU twice daily for five days. Reduce it to 25,000 IU a day for not more than 10 days. Do not take vitamin A with isotretinoin or other acne drugs as they can cause high blood levels of vitamin A which leads to side effects. Do not use more than the recommended dosage. And if pregnant, do not take more than 5,000 IU of vitamin A daily. Higher dosage than that could cause birth defects.

Pyridoxine Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is also called pyridoxine. B6 is a part of Vitamin B complex which is water-soluble and is necessary for body health. Pyridoxine is vital for maintaining hormonal balance in women, in enhancing the immune system and the growth of new cells. It is also a factor in the processing and metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates at the same time controlling your mood and behavior. Pyridoxine also helps children with learning difficulties and helps in preventing dandruff, eczema and psoriasis. It helps in balancing sodium and potassium also aids in production of red blood cell. It is involved with the nucleic acids RNA and DNA. And it is associated with cancer immunity and combats the formation of toxic chemical homocysteine which is harmful to the heart muscle.

Lack of Vitamin B6’s pyridoxine in women could result to results in mood swings, depression and loss of sexual drive when the person is on hormone replacement therapy or taking birth control pills. Symptoms noticed particularly in women include suffering from pre-menstrual fluid retention, severe period pains, emotional PMS symptoms, premenstrual ace and nausea in early pregnancy.

General symptoms in Vitamin B6 deficiency include irritability, nervousness, insomnia, general weakness, skin changes such as dermatitis and acne, asthma and allergies. There are also noticeable ridged in nails, inflamed tongue and changed to the bones including osteoporosis and arthritis. Kidney stones may possibly appear. Lack of Vitamin B6 has similar symptoms to those of B2 and B3 deficiency. Vitamin B6 is a necessary ingredient so the body can manufacture its own vitamin B3.

The minimum dosage for Vitamin B6 is 2 mg for males and females per day. This is only the least dosage required by the body in order to prevent deficiency of Vitamin B6. If B6 is used for therapeutic purposes, the dosage should be increased without going beyond the maximum level or in overdose to prevent toxicity.

Excessive dosage of Vitamin B6 which means in excess of 2,000 mg per day could possibly result in neurological damage. Persons taking medication for Parkinson’s disease should exercise caution in taking Vitamin B6 since it can inactivate levo-dopa. People who take B6 right before bedtime sometimes usually experience very vivid dreams.

The pyridoxine content in Vitamin B6 is best taken with the entire B complex vitamins. The quantity of B6 taken should be nearly the same as B2 because B2 is needed to activate the pyridoxine content in Vitamin B6. Vitamin C also enhances the effect of B6. Magnesium, sodium, potassium, zinc, linoleic acid and fatty acids also promote effectives of vitamin B6.

If you are taking antidepressants, contraceptive pills or in hormone replacement therapy, you should take more of B6. This vitamin is lost in urine and should be taken regular in order to maintain adequate amount in the body. Those with very high protein diet or using alcohol or allergic to mono sodium glutamate (MSG) and/or tartrazine should take more of B6.

Pyridoxine content of Vitamin B6 is sensitive to sunlight; cooking and processing Cortison can impede pyridoxine absorption. Exercising may help the production of B6 active form. Food rich in Vitamin B6 include: brewer’s yeast, eggs, chicken, carrots, fish, liver, kidneys, peas, wheat germ and walnuts.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is also known as the sunlight vitamin because the body manufactures it when the sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays hit the skin. It is technically a hormone because it is the only vitamin that the body manufactures. It is vital in building strong bones and teeth. Vitamin D also strengthens the immune system and prevents some types of cancer. Ten to fifteen minutes walk in the summer sun for a few days weekly is enough supply of vitamin D. Those who can’t get out in the sun may require a supplement especially during winter where people do not get enough sun. The body’s capacity to manufacture vitamin D seems to decline with age. Older adults therefore need more vitamin D from food or supplements whether they have sunlight exposure or not.

There are a number of health benefits you can enjoy from vitamin D. These include:

- It prevents osteoporosis. Vitamin D promotes absorption and balance of calcium and phosphorous in the body thereby strengthening bones and teeth and promotes normal muscle contraction and nerve function. If calcium in the blood is low, the body is forced to steal the mineral from the bones and supply the muscles and nerves with the calcium they need. Continuous loss of calcium may lead to osteoporosis. Vitamin D together with calcium has a vital role in promoting bone density.

- It protects against some type of cancer. Vitamin D may be essential in preventing breast, colon and prostate cancer.

- It slows down joint damage due to arthritis. 400 IU or more of vitamin D can effectively stop osteoarthritis of the knees.

- It eases back pain. Vitamin D promotes strong bones and cartilage easing back pain.

- It protects against multiple sclerosis. Studies indicate possible connection between vitamin D and MS.

- It relieves symptoms of psoriasis. It helps in skin cell metabolism and growth thereby contributing to the treatment of skin diseases. Individuals with psoriasis have low levels of vitamin D.

Vitamin D is sold in tablet, softgel, liquid and capsule formulation. Recommended intake of Vitamin D includes the following:

- Men and women ages 19 to 50, take 200 IU per day.

- Men and women ages 51 to 70, take 400 IU per day.

- Men and women ages 71 and older, take 600 IU per day.

Those that have vitamin D deficiency may develop osteoporosis later on. Other symptoms include nervousness, muscle twitches, insomnia and diarrhea. Children, in case of severe deficiency, may develop a bone-weakening disease called rickets.

If you take excessive doses of vitamin D, usually more than 1,000 IU a day, may notice signs and symptoms of toxic reaction. These symptoms may include: loss of appetite, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination. Taking 10,000 to 15,000 IU on daily basis may lead to weight loss, paleness, constipation, fever and a host of other ailments. Taking Vitamin at more than 1,000 IU daily for an extended period of time may possibly result in high blood pressure, premature hardening of arteries, weaken bones, calcium buildup in the muscles and kidney damage.

In order to get the most vitamin D, expose yourself between 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight from 8 A.M. to 3 P.M. twice daily can give you all the vitamin D you need. Do not take more than 800 IU of vitamin D supplements per day. For faster absorption, take fat-soluble vitamin with food that has some fat. Vitamin D should be taken with antacids that have magnesium as this can cause high levels of magnesium. Do not take Vitamin D with thiazide diuretics as this can cause toxic levels of calcium that causes kidneys to fail.

Gotu Kola: Centella asiatica

Gotu kola bears the scientific name, Centella asiatica. The name itself should give you an idea as to where it is found. Gotu kola is a slender plant that commonly found in India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, South Africa, and the tropics. The Gotu kola plant likes moist areas, thus it creeps across the swampy areas and moist, watery regions. The leaves of the Gotu kola plant are shaped like a fan. They are small, about the size of an old British penny. For this reason, it is commonly known as Indian pennywort, marsh penny, and water pennywort.

Folk Remedy

The Gotu kola is regarded as one of the most spiritual and rejuvenating herbs. It plays a significant part in Ayuverda medicine as an herb to improve meditation. The reason for its being revered as an almost sacred plant by the Indians is that it is said to develop the crown charka which is the energy center of the head. Gotu kola is said to balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain, a property attributed to the leaf’s resemblance to this vital organ of the body.

For thousands of years, Gotu kola has been widely used for a number of conditions. It was used particularly in traditional Eastern health care as a folk remedy for all sorts of diseases and disorders. Ayuverda delegates the Gotu kola as one of the main herbs that helps revitalize the nerves and the brain cells. Gotu kola is believed to boost the immune system and fortify it against infection and other diseases. By cleansing and feeding the adrenals, the herb is supposed to strengthen this organ’s function.

In China and Indonesia, the Gotu kola plant is a stuff of legends. According to olden stories, a Chinese herbalist used the plant and consequently lived for more than 200 years. For this reason, it has been dubbed as one of the “miracle elixirs of life.” Extracts made from Gotu kola leaves were used to heal wounds. Ancient herbalists also believed that the herb can improve mental clarity and treat skin conditions such as leprosy and psoriasis.

Historically, Gotu kola was used to treat syphilis, hepatitis, stomach ulcers, mental fatigue, epilepsy, diarrhea, fever, and asthma. Although the foundations of some claims seem vague, today’s scientific community has confirmed the plant’s many uses.

The Science

Stress causes a lot of complications in the body. People with stress-related disorders like anxiety and panic attacks are believed to have an overactive startle response. Researchers and scientists theorize that triterpene acids in Gotu kola have a soothing effect to the nervous system. According to studies, these compounds bind to receptors in your central nervous system and reduce your startle response.

Gotu kola has a strengthening effect on the collagen lining of your vein walls. Due to this, circulation is enhanced and inflammation may be reduced, making it also an effective treatment to varicose veins.

In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology in 2000, 40 healthy adults were given either a very high one-time dose of 12 g of Gotu kola or a placebo. Scientists then measured the subjects’ startle responses using loud bursts of noise. Sixty minutes later, the group who were given gotu kola displayed less than half the startle response of the control group.

There are studies conducted on the benefits of this plant but so far, the only controlled one is the clinical trial mentioned above.