Quercetin vs CoVid19

(Powerful anti-viral properties of this unique nutrient) By: Cat Ebeling, RN, MSN-PHN Posted by: Dr. Robert Macchione With the rapid spread of Covid-19 around the world, along with the dramatic and scary news stories, it seems everyone is scrambling to grab supplements to boost their immune systems. While nothing takes the place of a healthy diet that lowers inflammation in your body, a good night’s sleep, stress reduction, exercise, and vitamin D production in your skin from sun exposure—some supplements can definitely be helpful as well. Once the SARS-CoV-2 or Coronavirus gets inside the human respiratory tract, it infects and multiplies in the cells lining the airways and lungs. This kicks the body’s immune system into action. In most people, the immune system does its work, then recedes and the patient recovers. Normally, an immune response which causes inflammation is a normal and good thing in the fight against a pathogen or an injury. However, with this coronavirus, the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome that occurs in some people, happens as a result of a dysfunctional immune response to the presence of the virus. The uncontrolled immune response triggers an overproduction of immune cells and their signaling molecules which leads to a ‘cytokine storm’. This cytokine storm is generally what causes the severe and potentially fatal symptoms of severe pneumonia and breathing difficulties with a Covid19 infection. So it’s more about having a healthy immune system overall and reducing inflammation in the body, because if the body is already overridden with inflammation, leaky gut, Diabetes, obesity, and other health problems, it’s possible this can contribute to the cytokine storm that’s being seen in some patients. There are several supplements that actually help to strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation, without overstimulating the immune system. One of the top nutrients for this is Quercetin.

What is Quercetin?.

It is a potent anti-inflammatory and antiviral substance found in certain foods, including red onions and apples. Many people take Quercetin in the fall and spring to help their allergies to tree and weed pollen. Lately research has been looking into Quercetin as a powerful agent to fight against SARS-Covid19. Quercetin has been shown in many studies to have fairly broad anti-viral properties against most viruses. Quercetin is considered a bioflavonoid. Quercetin is found in the highest concentrations in red onions, berries, red wine, green tea, buckwheat, and apples. Quercetin is now also undergoing trials in China for its effectiveness against Covid19. In a recent analysis published by the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Labs, they used high-powered computer modeling to look at which compounds or supplements might best prevent the coronavirus from binding to our cells. This is key, because this is how this virus gets into to our bodies and starts reproducing. It enters our bodies through nasal passages, mouth, eyes, or respiratory passages. Once it binds to a cell, it finds its way into the cell, starts reproducing like crazy, and takes over the respiratory system, especially the lungs. The coronavirus uses the ACE2 or Angiotensin Converting Enzyme receptor in our bodies to enter the cells. This is important too, because ACE2 receptors have to do with regulating our blood pressure—I’ll talk more about that below. The analysis from Tennessee looked at several different compounds and nutrients to see which ones worked best at interfering with the virus’s ability to attach to a cell and get inside to do its damage. One of the top 5 virus-fighting natural compounds is Quercetin. Quercetin is a natural supplement that has other big benefits including lessening reactions to allergies, as well as fighting aging and free radicals. Well worth it to start taking since it has multiple benefits for our health. According to most research, the usual dose is 500mg to 1,000 mg a day. Quercetin is often compounded with a digestive enzyme like bromelain, plus Vitamin C, to improve absorption. All good things. Quercetin is also inexpensive, especially compared to some of the pharmaceutical grade antiviral drugs that are being used now. This broad-spectrum antiviral supplement has already proven successful for treating the Ebola and Zika viruses, according to Dr. Michel Chrétien, a researcher at the Clinical Research Institute of Montreal. Does it work for sure? It’s too early for standard clinical trials to show positive proof, but the circumstantial evidence is strong in favor of its anti-inflammatory and antiviral capabilities. The best thing about quercetin is, even without clinical trials, we know that quercetin will not harm you, or cause your immune system to overreact. Including quercetin in your Covid19 weapons seems like a wise idea, along with these other practices as well:

Get good sleep Poor sleep increases the risk of infectious illness. One study found that getting less than 5 hours of sleep over the course of a week, can increase the chances of catching a cold by 350%. Let’s apply this to Covid19 as well. Also, important to note is that lack of sleep can increase inflammatory levels in the body, creating higher risk for a cytokine storm. If you are having trouble sleeping, a small dose of melatonin at night may help you sleep better and keep your immune system strong. Manage your stress It’s no secret that stress definitely disrupts our immune function and increases our levels of inflammation, making us far more susceptible to getting seriously ill. Stop reading the news, follow precautions and find something relaxing to do—meditation, breathing exercises and exercising outdoors all go a long way to manage stress, reduce anxiety and strengthen your immune system. Take Zinc Zinc has been proven to reduce the activity of coronavirus and may prevent its entry into our cells while reducing its power. Zinc has proven powerful in fighting off regular influenza and the common cold as well. The suggested dosage for zinc is about 15mg – 30mg daily. Vitamin C Vitamin C has shown great promise in inhibiting inflammatory reactions and is thought to be very effective against Covid19 virus as well. Several clinical trials have found that vitamin C shortens the frequency, duration and severity of the virus that causes the common cold (a type of corona virus) and the incidence of pneumonia. Vitamin C can be taken in reasonably high doses as any excess is washed out of the body. In Wuhan China, a high dose vitamin C study is actually being conducted against Covid19 right now, but results are not in yet. This is a brand of Vitamin C. that seems to be more well absorbed than most types.

Eat Other Immune-Boosting Nutrients: Other foods to consider including in your diet are garlic, fresh ginger, berries, green tea, and even grass fed butter and organ meat–full of vitamin A and other immune-boosting natural compounds. One additional note about blood pressure and blood pressure medications involved in Covid19 risk. As I mentioned above, the Covid19 virus attaches to the ACE2 receptor on the cells. A receptor is like a doorway on the cell. The ACE2 receptor or Angiotensin Converter Enzyme is a natural enzyme involved in the function of regulating our blood pressure. The coronavirus actually hijacks this receptor to get inside our cells. Many people who have high blood pressure take a pharmaceutical medication in the form of ACE2 inhibitors. This is what helps to lower blood pressure. When the ACE2 receptor is blocked because of blood pressure medications, your body may actually work around this creating more ACE2 receptors. More ACE 2 receptors may mean that more the Covid19 virus can enter cells. This is one reason why those with high blood pressure may be more at risk for Covid19 infections. The best way to avoid that, is to follow natural solutions to help lower blood pressure, and thereby helping you prevent getting sick from Covid19. Stay well, be healthy, and remember, a healthy body is the best defense against any disease. References

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-feb-28-2020-1.5479561/as-coronavirus-spread-speeds-up-montreal-researchers-will-trial-an-anti-viral-treatment-for-covid-19-in-china-1.5480134

https://regenexx.com/blog/coronavirus-episode-9-can-Quercetin-help-covid-19/

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-294/Quercetin

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4808895/

https://jvi.asm.org/content/78/20/11334

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/quercetin

https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv.11871402.v3

Low Levels of Vitamin D Linked to Blood Sugar Concerns
Breaking News
By CP Staff

According to a new study, deficiency in a particular fat-soluble vitamin is associated with an increase in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In patients with any form of diabetes, type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90-95 percent of cases.

The American Diabetes Association states that 1.6 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in Americans 20 years of age and older each year. Currently, it is estimated that 23.6 million Americans have diabetes.

This new study evaluated the association between vitamin D levels and the development of type 2 diabetes. Using a subset of subjects from the Framingham Offspring Study, researchers assessed plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and followed the subjects for an average of 7 years to determine the incidence of type 2 diabetes. The researchers also collected data on age, sex, body mass index, month of blood sampling, total vitamin D intake, smoking status and total energy intake to control for any confounding factors.

The results of the study showed that the subjects with the highest 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels had a 40 percent decrease in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, compared to the subjects with the lowest plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. This association was found even after adjusting for age, sex, waist circumference, parental history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, elevated triglycerides and impaired fasting glucose.

The study authors stated, “Our findings suggest that higher vitamin D status is associated with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes. Maintaining optimal 25-hydroxyvitamin D status may be a strategy to prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes.”

Reference:
Liu E, Meigs JB, Pittas AG, Economos CD, McKeown NM, Booth SL, Jacques PF. Predicted 25-hydroxyvitamin D score and incident type 2 diabetes in the Framingham Offspring Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Jun;91(6):1627-33.

Posted by: Austin Medical Equipment

Study supports cranberry dose levels for urinary health

By Stephen Daniells, 01-Jun-2010

Related topics: Research, Antioxidants, carotenoids, Phytochemicals, plant extracts, Women's health

The ability of cranberry proanthocyanidins (PACs) is dependent on the dose, with higher doses significantly more effective at maintaining urinary health, says a new study.

The study supports levels outlined by a French health claim, issued in 2004, for the North American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) with at least 36 milligrams of proanthocyanidins (PAC) to “help reduce the adhesion of certain E. coli bacteria to the urinary tract walls”, and subsequently fight urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Indeed, a lower dose of 18 mg of cranberry PACs was less effective, according to the results of a randomized, double-blind versus placebo study based in Japan, Hungary, Spain and France.
On the other hand, a higher dose of 72 mg was even more efficient at protecting against bacterial adhesion in the urinary tract, according to findings published in the open-access journal BMC Infectious Diseases.
PACs are also not exclusive to cranberries, but can be found in a range of foods, including green tea, grapes, apples, and chocolate. However, the main type of PACs in cranberry – called A-type PACs - are different from those in these other source – called B-type PACs. Only cranberry PACs may prevent bacterial adhesion.
Led by Amy Howell from the Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension at Rutgers University, the researchers note that, while the urinary tract benefits of cranberry are well documented, it was not known how cranberry PACs may affect the persistence in urine samples over a longer time period. They also sought to determine the "most effective dose per day and to determine if the urinary anti-adhesion effect following cranberry is detected within volunteers of different origins".
Howell and her co-workers recruited 32 volunteers from the four countries and randomly assigned them to receive 0, 36 or 72 milligrams of PACs per day in Japan and Hungary, and 0, 18 and 36 milligrams per day in France and Spain. Participants crossed over to all of the interventions with one week washout between stages.

 

The researchers used the commercially available Urell product supplied by France’s Pharmatoka, and the PACs content was determined using the new DMAC method, state the researchers.
Results showed that a dose-dependent effect. After six hours the 18 mg dose displayed an anti-adhesion activity of 50 per cent, compared with an average of 90 per cent for the 36 mg dose and 100 per cent for the 72 mg dose, said the researchers.
After 24 hours, no anti-adhesion activity was displayed for the lower dose, while the 36 and 72 mg doses had anti-adhesion activities of 12.5 and 50 per cent, respectively.
“These results highlighted for the first time that to achieve a bacterial anti-adhesion effect in urine, 36 mg of cranberry PAC equivalents per day is effective, but 72 mg may offer a [day and night] protection,” wrote Howell and her co-workers.
The kinetic data revealed that while there was good activity for both 36 and 72 milligrams after 6 hours, this decreased after 24 hours, “suggesting that it may be beneficial to consume cranberry in two split doses of 36 mg in the morning and evening”, they added.
“Further human trials are needed to correlate the level of ex vivo anti-adhesion activity with prevention of clinical UTI,” stated the researchers.

“Dosage effect on uropathogenic Escherichia coli anti-adhesion activity in urine following consumption of cranberry powder standardized for proanthocyanidin content: a multicentric randomized double blind study “
Authors: A.B. Howell, H. Botto, C. Combescure, A-B. Blanc-Potard, L.Gausa, T. Matsumoto, P. Tenke, A. Sotto, J-P. Lavigne

Posted by Dr. Robert Macchione

15 Heart Healthy Superfoods          By EatingWell.com

Eat these heart-healthy foods, which research suggests can help improve your heart health.

1. Yogurt
Research shows yogurt may protect against gum disease. Left unchecked, gum disease may elevate a person's risk for heart disease.

Researchers from Japan analyzed dietary intakes from nearly 1,000 adults and found those who consumed the highest levels of dairy-specifically yogurt and yogurt-type drinks-had the healthiest gums. Their report, published in the Journal of Periodontology, credits probiotics  (a.k.a. "good bacteria") as one possible champion of gum health. Experts believe that probiotics may help to counter growth of the "unfriendly" bacteria in the mouth. Probiotics are live active cultures used to ferment foods, such as yogurt and kefir (fermented milk), and studies suggest that they may improve digestion and boost immunity too. As for gum health, it's not yet clear how much yogurt (or other fermented dairy foods) one needs to consume to reap the benefits says Yoshihiro Shimazaki, D.D.S., Ph.D., of Kyushu University, the study's lead author.

2. Raisins
Research has shown that antioxidants in raisins fight the growth of a type of bacteria that can cause inflammation and gum disease. People with gum disease-which affects up to 50 percent of American adults-are twice as likely to suffer from heart problems. So, dealing with one can help people avoid the other. Last summer, a major heart journal and a major periodontal journal simultaneously published a consensus paper that outlines the link between the two diseases: inflammation. As a result, choosing certain foods, such as raisins, may help you protect both your gums and your heart.

3. Whole Grains
People who eat plenty of whole grains tend to be leaner and have a lower risk of heart disease than those who don't. This is probably because whole grains contain antioxidants, phytoestrogens and phytosterols that are protective against coronary disease.

The fiber in whole grains also has its benefits: various studies link a high-fiber diet with a lower risk of heart disease. In a Harvard study of female health professionals, people who ate a high-fiber diet had a 40 percent lower risk of heart disease than those who ate a low-fiber diet.

Aim to include plenty of foods that are rich in soluble fiber, which, studies show, can help lower "bad" LDL. Soluble fiber binds bile acid, a key component in fat digestion that our bodies make from cholesterol. We can't digest fiber, so when bile acids are bound to it, they get ushered out of the body as waste. This causes the body to convert more cholesterol into bile acids, which ultimately has the effect of lowering circulating cholesterol levels.  Foods high in soluble fiber include oatmeal, barley, beans, okra and eggplant, and citrus fruit, such as oranges.

4. Beans
Eating beans regularly is good for your heart, and you don't need to eat a lot of them to benefit. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition suggests having just 1⁄2 cup of cooked pinto beans daily might lower cholesterol. Soluble fiber is a key reason why, says Philip Ades, M.D., author of the EatingWell for a Healthy Heart Cookbook (The Countryman Press, 2008). "Like all foods that contain a lot of soluble fiber, beans help bind cholesterol and keep it from being absorbed in the gut," he explains. And, as the fiber is fermented, it produces changes in short-chain fatty acids that can inhibit cholesterol formation. (By-products of this same fermentation process are what cause the gas so often associated with eating beans.) Other components in beans also may be responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effect. Beans contain a variety of heart-protective chemicals, including flavonoids, compounds also found in wine, berries and chocolate, that inhibit the adhesion of platelets in the blood, which can help lower risk for heart attack and strokes.

5. Salmon/Fish
Consuming two or more servings of fish per week is associated with a 30 percent lower risk of developing coronary heart disease over the long term, studies show. Fish-especially "oily" kinds, such as salmon and tuna-contain omega-3 fats, which lower levels of triglycerides in the blood that may contribute to blood clotting. Omega-3s also lower blood pressure slightly and can help prevent irregular heart rhythms. No common fish delivers more of the omega-3 fatty acids than salmon. Flaxseed oil, canola oil and walnuts also contain omega-3 fats.

6. Nuts
Nuts are chock-full of vitamins, minerals, heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and low levels of saturated fats.  Research suggests that people who eat nuts-walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, pine nuts and peanuts (which actually are legumes)-two to four days or more per week have a lower incidence of heart disease than people who eat them less often.

7. Chocolate
Researchers have discovered that eating moderate amounts of flavanol-rich dark chocolate has a blood-thinning effect, which can benefit cardiovascular health, and it may also boost the immune system by reducing inflammation. The Kuna people of the San Blas islands, off the coast of Panama, have a rate of heart disease that is nine times less than that of mainland Panamanians. The reason? The Kuna drink plenty of a beverage made with generous proportions of cocoa, which is unusually rich in flavanols that help preserve the healthy function of blood vessels. Maintaining youthful blood vessels lowers risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and dementia.

Some research also suggests cocoa may help lower blood pressure. It appears that a compound in cocoa, called epicatechin, boosts nitric oxide, a substance that has been shown to be crucial to healthy blood vessels. Plentiful levels of nitric oxide help keep blood pressure from climbing. Be sure to choose dark chocolate, ideally one that's 70 percent cocoa solids; milk chocolate lacks significant levels of epicatechin.

8. Tomatoes
An excellent source of vitamin C, plus vitamin A, potassium and fiber, tomatoes are high in lycopene, which works with other vitamins and minerals to aid in disease prevention. Research suggests that the combination of nutrients in tomatoes may help prevent cardiovascular disease. Cooking may actually increase the health benefits of this lush fruit because although cooked tomatoes have less vitamin C, their lycopene is more available and antioxidant activity is undiminished by cooking.

9. Apples
Apples were associated with a lower risk of death from both coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease in the Iowa Women's Health Study, which has been tracking 34,000-plus women for nearly 20 years. Finnish researchers studying dietary data collected over 28 years from 9,208 men and women found that frequent apple eaters had the lowest risk of suffering strokes compared with nonapple eaters. What explains the hearty benefits? Researchers suggest that the strong antioxidant flavonoid compounds found in apples-quercetin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, kaempferol and other polysyllabic wonders-play a key role by preventing "bad" LDL cholesterol from oxidizing and triggering a series of events that result in the buildup of plaque in arteries, as well as inhibiting inflammation. Apples are also rich in pectin, a form of soluble fiber known to help lower cholesterol, and they provide a decent amount of vitamin C, another antioxidant.

10. Berries
Eating just under a cup of mixed berries daily for eight weeks was associated with increased levels of "good" HDL cholesterol and lowered blood pressure, two positives when it comes to heart health, according to a study of 72 middle-age people published recently in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Included in the mix were strawberries, red raspberries and bilberries-similar to blueberries-as well as other berries more common in Finland (where the research was conducted): black currants, lingonberries and chokeberries. The diverse range of polyphenols-a broad class of health-promoting plant compounds that includes anthocyanins and ellagic acid-provided by the mix of berries is likely responsible for the observed benefits. Polyphenols may increase levels of nitric oxide, a molecule that produces a number of heart-healthy effects. One is helping to relax blood vessels, which subsequently results in lowered blood pressure.

11. Pomegranates
Studies have shown that the fruit may help to reduce the buildup of plaque in arteries and lower blood pressure. Experts believe that pomegranate's benefits come from its powerful punch of polyphenols-including anthocyanins (found in blue, purple and deep-red foods) and tannins (also found in wine and tea). In a 2008 study, researchers found that compared with other antioxidant-rich beverages including blueberry juice, cranberry juice and red wine, "pomegranate [juice] naturally has the highest antioxidant capacity," reports David Heber, M.D. Ph.D., study collaborator and director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition.

12. Bananas
One banana has 422 mg-about 12 percent of your recommended daily dose-of potassium. The potassium in bananas helps maintain normal heart function and the balance of sodium and water in the body. Potassium helps the kidneys excrete excess sodium, thereby contributing to healthy blood pressure. This mineral is especially important for people taking diuretics for heart disease, which combat sodium and water retention but also strip potassium from the body in the process. Other good sources include sweet potatoes (694 mg for one medium), nonfat yogurt (579 mg for 1 cup) and spinach (419 mg for 1/2 cup, cooked).

13. Popcorn
Popcorn delivers polyphenols-antioxidants linked to improving heart health. Gram for gram, popcorn boasts three times more polyphenols than kidney beans (the highest vegetable polyphenol source) and four times more than cranberries (the best fruit source), according to recent research out of the University of Scranton.

What's more, popcorn is a whole grain-and people who eat plenty of whole grains tend to be leaner and have a lower risk of heart disease than those who don't.

14. Green Tea
Some of the strongest evidence of tea's health benefits comes from studies of heart disease. Scientists have found that those who drink 12 ounces or more of tea a day are about half as likely to have a heart attack as nontea drinkers.
Scientists also reported in 2009 that Japanese men who drank a daily cup of green tea significantly lowered their risk of developing gum disease-the more tea, the lower the risk. The researchers believe antioxidants called catechins in green tea are the key. Catechins hamper the body's inflammatory response to the bacteria that cause gum disease. People with gum disease are twice as likely to suffer from heart problems.

15. Wine/Alcohol
Scientific literature indicates that people who drink moderately are less likely to have heart disease than those who abstain. Drinking in moderation may protect the heart by raising "good" HDL cholesterol, decreasing inflammation and "thinning the blood" (preventing clots that can cause heart attack and stroke). Moderate drinking also increases estrogen which protects the heart-a benefit particularly helpful to postmenopausal women whose reduced estrogen levels increase their risk of heart disease. Remember, 1 drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of liquor.

 

Posted by:  Dr. Robert A. Macchione - Austin Medical Equipment

This Mineral Supports Cardiovascular Health in Women

Magnesium

Breaking News

By CP Staff

Researchers have found that magnesium may reduce mortality associated with reduced cardiovascular health and support normal heart rhythms in women. This study was based on earlier studies that suggest that magnesium supports normal heart rhythms.

In this new study, 88,375 healthy women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study were evaluated for  magnesium intake. During the 26-year follow-up period, the women completed questionnaires every 2 to 4 years regarding intake of nutrients such as magnesium and lifestyle factors.

During the follow-up period, 505 women died due to sudden cardiovascular complications or heart rhythm abnormalities. Of these women, 99 of the cases were selected and were compared to women with similar age, ethnicity, smoking status and cardiovascular health.

The results of the study showed that the women with the highest plasma and dietary magnesium levels had a decreased risk of sudden cardiovascular mortality. More specifically, the study found that the women with the highest dietary intake of magnesium had a 34 percent reduced risk of sudden cardiac-related mortality compared to the women with the lowest dietary intake. In addition, the women with the highest plasma magnesium levels had a reduction of 77 percent in the risk of sudden cardiac-related mortality compared to the women with the lowest plasma magnesium concentrations. Furthermore, the study showed that for each 0.25-mg/dL increase in plasma magnesium, there was a 41 percent reduction in the risk of sudden cardiac-related death.

The researchers concluded, “In this prospective cohort of women, higher plasma concentrations and dietary magnesium intakes were associated with lower risks of sudden cardiac death. If the observed association is causal, interventions directed at increasing dietary or plasma magnesium might lower the risk of sudden cardiac death.”

Reference:

Chiuve SE, Korngold EC, Januzzi JL Jr, Gantzer ML, Albert CM. Plasma and dietary magnesium and risk of sudden cardiac death in women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Nov 24. Published Online Ahead of Print.

Posted by: Dr. Robert A. Macchione  -  Austin Medical Equipment

This supplement nicknamed "key to the fountain of youth"

Flex-H.A.™

Hyaluronic Acid

Joint Health

 
Functions:  As joints age, hyaluronic acid, the fluid that provides lubrication between joints and connective tissue, begins to break down.
 

Hyaluronic acid is a large polysachharide found in connective tissue.  HA forms large, bulky molecular chains that allow joints to move smoothly and provides a cushion between the joints. Over time, this fluid begins to lose its bulkiness and often leaks from the joints, with the resulting friction causing discomfort.

While much of the medical focus has been on alleviating the inflammation of aging joints, newer technologies focus on supplanting the aging fluid with newer fluid. The use of injected hyaluronic acid for aging joints is already sanctioned by the American College of Rheumatology. However, since the inconvenience and discomfort of injections can often keep patients from seeking this procedure, new research has focused on using oral forms of hyaluronic acid.

Initial (but as of yet unpublished) studies on horses and humans indicate that the oral form of HA may be useful for joint health. While more studies are needed to determine the mechanism of action and absorption of HA from the blood, the initial studies indicate a potential use for oral HA in joint health

Hyaluronic acid has been nicknamed by the press as the  key to the fountain of youth because it has been noted that at least some people who ingest a lot of it in their diets tend to live to ripe old ages. ABC News had a show on a village in Japan and hyaluronic acid entitled, The Village of Long Life: Could Hyaluronic Acid Be an Anti-Aging Remedy?  (It should be noted that the people in the ABC news show were thought to get high amounts of HA from starchy root vegetables their natural diets. They were not taking supplements.)

 

Indications:

Flex-H.A.™  may be a useful dietary supplement for individuals wishing to support healthy joint function.

Suggested Use: Adults take 1-2 tablets daily or as directed by your Health Care Professional.

Flex-H.A.™,  supplies 30 mg of non-animal source hyaluronic acid in each tablet

Posted by:    Dr. Robert A. Macchione, Austin Medical Equipment

Chlorella: A Natural Wonder Food

What is the Best Brand and Form of Chlorella?
The chlorella I highly recommended that is known worldwide for its high quality and absolute purity is  Biotics Research - Chlorella Caps  or   Douglas Labs - Chlorella Plus

How Much Should You Take Per Day?
One to two grams per day is a good maintenance dosage of Chlorella for a person to take. With this amount, you will not notice significant changes, however, your body will get many of the nutrients it must have to function properly such amino acids (protein), vital minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates and enzymes.
However, a person taking 5-7 grams per day is quite common and at this level you will notice significant changes in digestion, energy and overall health.

What Results Should You Expect When You Begin Taking Chlorella?
The first thing is better digestion, especially if you have bad breath or constipation. Both these are readily handled by taking small doses of Chlorella. However, many of the benefits of Chlorella are subtle and not easily determined by how a person feels.

For instance, Chlorella has been demonstrated to remove heavy metals and other synthetics from the body by actually binding with them so they may be pulled from the bloodstream. However, this result can only be measured if the level of heavy metals in the bloodstream are known before and after a person starts taking chlorella.

It takes approximately 3-6 months once starting chlorella for heavy metals to begin to be removed from the blood depending on the amount of chlorella taken. If it has been determined that a person does have heavy metals in their body, they should begin by taking 15-20 grams per day depending on the level of heavy metals that are present.

What Time Of Day Or Night Should You Take It?
Chlorella can be taken at any time of the day. It can be taken all at once or it can be taken in small dosages throughout the day, which is preferable. Morning is also a good time to take chlorella, but never just before or after drinking coffee or soft drinks since caffeine is extremely detrimental to the digestive process. (We generally advise people to avoid caffeine anyway).

Chlorella causes the bacteria in our stomachs, the Lactobacilli, to multiply at 4 times the rate of normal. This is why it is best to take with meals as chlorella helps provide very good digestion and more importantly, better assimilation of nutrients.

Can Everyone Tolerate Chlorella?
Because of the fiber content in chlorella's cell wall and other nutritional factors, when some people begin to take chlorella for the first time they may go through cleansing reactions, sometimes referred to as a "healing crisis". This cleansing reaction comes in the form of intestinal activity such as gas, cramping, constipation or diarrhea.

This same type of cleansing reaction frequently occurs when people switch from a low-fiber, "junk-food" diet to a high fiber, natural food diet.  For this reason, some individuals may wish to start out with less than the suggested amount and gradually increase up to the recommended dose in 1-2 weeks. Very sensitive individuals may want to start with as little as a single capsule per day.

If you have not been eating many fresh raw vegetables in your diet, it is probably a good idea to start out with a single capsule with each meal and increase by a capsule every 2-3 days.

Rarely cleansing reactions will go on for up to 3 months where one can not increase the dose beyond a capsule per day.  As long as you are not showing an allergic reaction (such as hives) or throwing up, you can safely continue the chlorella. In a couple of months, the reaction should decrease. And as it decreases, you can increase the dose.

Can You Take Too Much Chlorella ?
It is best to think of chlorella as a food because that is exactly what it is: one of the purest, most potent foods on earth. A person can not take too much chlorella because it is naturally detoxifying. Therefore, the fear of chlorella accumulating and becoming toxic to the body is not present.

However, there is a "comfort level" with every person where he or she knows how much Chlorella to take per day. In general, that level will be about 5-8 grams per day.
A person taking 15-20 grams of chlorella per day is not at all unheard of if someone is trying to combat a disease with the amazing medicinal properties of chlorella. It is a whole food, not a concentrate or extract, therefore you can NOT take too much of it because of its detoxifying abilities.

Are There Conditions Where You Should Take Larger Doses of Chlorella?
Many people with chronic viral conditions, such as Epstein-Barr virus or Herpes virus have shown significant improvements in their condition with larger amounts of chlorella. Frequently, these individuals will need 10 to 15 grams per day (two to three teaspoons).

Can Chlorella Be Used Topically?
Yes. Chlorella can be powdered and mixed with water into a paste and applied over a cut, scrap, rash or serious wound to help effectively heal it. It is the Chlorella Growth Factor in the chlorella that makes it such an effective healer of human tissue. After consuming chlorella for approximately one year (at levels of 5-7 grams per day), a person will notice significant healing improvement of cuts, scraps, and wounds without the need to apply it topically.

 Can Chlorella Be Given To Children?
Absolutely. In fact, chlorella has been shown to promote rapid growth in children, as well as build in them superior immune systems. In studies with identical twins, the one given the chlorella grew much faster, much healthier and had much fewer instances of colds, flu, etc. than the twin who was not given chlorella. Children can take one-half to one-fourth the adult dose described above. 

Chlorella Supplements by Biotics Research or Douglas Labs are available at Austin Medical Equipment