Six Bodily Tissues That Can Be Regenerated Through Nutrition

Six Bodily Tissues That Can Be Regenerated Through Nutrition

Six Bodily Tissues That Can Be Regenerated Through Nutrition

By Sayer Ji

Contributing Writer for Wake Up World

It may come as a surprise to some, especially those with conventional medical training, but the default state of the body is one of ceaseless regeneration.  Without the flame-like process of continual cell turnover within the body – life and death ceaselessly intertwined – the miracle of the human body would not exist.

In times of illness, however, regenerative processes are overcome by degenerative ones. This is where medicine may perform its most noble feat, nudging the body back into balance with foods, herbs, nutrients, healing energies, i.e. healing intention. Today, however, drug-based medicine invariably uses chemicals that have not one iota of regenerative potential; to the contrary, they almost always interfere with bodily self-renewal in order to suppress the symptoms against which they are applied.

Despite the outright heretical nature of things which stimulate healing and regeneration vis-à-vis the conventional medical system which frowns upon, or is incredulous towards, spontaneous remission in favor of symptom suppression and disease management, over the course of the past few years of trolling MEDLINE we have collected a series of remarkable studies on the topic…

Nerve Regeneration – There are actually a broad range of natural compounds with proven nerve-regenerative effects. A 2010 study published in the journal Rejuvenation Research, for instance, found a combination of blueberry, green tea and carnosine have neuritogenic (i.e. promoting neuronal regeneration) and stem-cell regenerative effects in an animal model of neurodegenerative disease.

[1] Other researched neuritogenic substances include:

1. Curcumin
2. Lion’s Mane Mushroom
3. Apigenin (compound in vegetables like celery)
4. Blueberry
5. Ginseng
6. Huperzine
7. Natto
8. Red Sage
9. Resveratrol
10. Royal Jelly
11. Theanine
12. Ashwaganda
13. Coffee (trigonelline)

There is another class of nerve-healing substances, known as remyelinating compounds, which stimulate the repair of the protective sheath around the axon of the neurons known as myelin, and which is often damaged in neurological injury and/or dysfunction, especially autoimmune and vaccine-induced demyelination disorders.  It should also be noted that even music and falling in love have been studied for possibly stimulating neurogenesis, regeneration and/or repair of neurons, indicating that regenerative medicine does not necessary require the ingestion of anything; rather, a wide range of therapeutic actions may be employed to improve health and well-being, as well.

[View the first-hand biomedical citations on these neuritogenic substance visit our Neuritogenic Research page on the topic]

Liver Regeneration – Glycyrrhizin, a compound found within licorice, and which we recently featured as a powerful anti-SARS virus agent, has also been found to stimulate the regeneration of liver mass and function in the animal model of hepatectomy. Other liver regenerative substances include:

1. Carvacrol (a volatile compound in oregano)
2. Curcumin
3. Korean Ginseng
4. Rooibos
5. Vitamin E

[view the first-hand biomedical citations on the Liver Regeneration research page]

Beta-Cell Regeneration – Unfortunately, the medical community has yet to harness the diabetes-reversing potential of natural compounds. Whereas expensive stem cell therapies, islet cell transplants, and an array of synthetic drugs in the developmental pipeline are the focus of billions of dollars of research, annually, our kitchen cupboards and backyards may already contain the long sought-after cure for type 1 diabetes. The following compounds have been demonstrated experimentally to regenerate the insulin-producing beta cells, which are destroyed in insulin dependent diabetes, and which once restored, may (at least in theory) restore the health of the patient to the point where they no longer require insulin replacement.

1. Gymenna Sylvestre (“the sugar destroyer”)
2. Nigella Sativa (“black cumin”)
3. Vitamin D
4. Curcumin (from the spice Turmeric)
5. Arginine
6. Avocado
7. Berberine (found in bitter herbs such as Goldenseal and Barberry)
8. Bitter Melon
9. Chard (yes, the green leafy vegetables)
10. Corn Silk
11. Stevia
12. Sulforaphane (especially concentrated in broccoli sprouts)

[view the first-hand biomedical citations on the Beta Cell Regeneration research page]

Hormone Regeneration – there are secretagogues, which increase the endocrine glands’ ability to secrete more hormone, and there are substances that truly regenerate hormones which have degraded (by emitting electrons) into potentially carcinogenic “transient hormone” metabolites. One of these substances is vitamin C. A powerful electron donor, this vitamin has the ability to contribute electrons to resurrect the form and function of estradiol (estrogen; E2), progesterone, testosterone, for instance. [2] In tandem with foods that are able to support the function of glands, such as the ovaries, vitamin C may represent an excellent complement or alternative to hormone replacement therapy.

Cardiac Cell Regeneration – Not too long ago, it was believed that cardiac tissue was uniquely incapable of being regenerated. A new, but rapidly growing body of experimental research now indicates that this is simply not true, and there is a class of heart-tissue regenerating compounds known as neocardiogenic substances.  Neocardiogenic substances are able to stimulate the formation of cardiac progenitor cells which can differentiate into healthy heart tissue, and they include the following:

1. Resveratrol
2. Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)
3. Red Wine Extract
4. Geum Japonicum
5. N-acetyl-cysteine

Another remarkable example of cardiac cell regeneration is through what is known as fetomaternal trafficking of stem cells through the placenta. In a recent article we discussed the amazing process known as “fetal microchimerism” by which the fetus contributes stem cells to the mother which are capable of regenerating her damaged heart cells, and possibly a wide range of other cell types.

Cartilage/Joint/Spine Regeneration – Curcumin and resveratrol have been shown to improve recovery from spinal cord injury.  Over a dozen other natural compounds hold promise in this area, which can be viewed on our Spinal Cord Injury page.  As far as degenerative joint disease, i.e. osteoarthritis, there are a broad range of potentially regenerative substances, with 50 listed on our osteoarthritis research page.

Ultimately, regenerative medicine threatens to undermine the very economic infrastructure that props up the modern, drug-based and quite candidly degenerative medical system. Symptom suppression is profitable because it guarantees both the perpetuation of the original underlying disease, and the generation of an ever-expanding array of additional, treatment-induced symptoms.

This is the non-sustainable, infinite growth model which shares features characteristic of the process of cancer itself – a model, which by its very nature, is doomed to fail and eventually collapse. Cultivating diets, lifestyles and attitudes conducive to bodily regeneration can interrupt this pathological circuit, and help us to attain the bodily freedom that is a precondition for the liberation of the human soul and spirit, as well.

Article Sources

[1] NT-020, a natural therapeutic approach to optimize spatial memory performance and increase neural progenitor cell proliferation and decrease inflammation in the aged rat. Rejuvenation Res. 2010 Jun 29. Epub 2010 Jun 29. PMID: 20586644

[2] Photo-induced regeneration of hormones by electron transfer processes: Potential biological and medical consequences. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993. Updated 2011 Aug ;80(8):890-894. PMID: 21814301

About the Author

Sayer Ji is the founder and chair of GreenMedInfo.com. His writings and research has been published in the Wellbeing Journal, the Journal of Gluten Sensitivity, and have been featured on Reuters, Mercola.com, NaturalNews.com, Infowars.com, GaryNull.com, Care2.com. His critically acclaimed essay series The Dark Side of Wheat opens up a new perspective on the universal, human-species specific toxicity of wheat, and is now available for PDF download.

Subject: Don’t Throw Away The Lemon Peel…

Many professionals in restaurants and eateries are using or consuming the entire lemon and nothing is wasted. How can you use the whole lemon without waste? Simple..place the lemon in the freezer section of your refrigerator.  Once the lemon is frozen, get your grater, and shred the whole lemon (no need to peel it) and sprinkle it on top of your foods.   Sprinkle it to your whisky, wine, vegetable salad, ice cream, soup, noodles, spaghetti sauce, rice, sushi,  fish dishes. All of the foods will unexpectedly have a wonderful taste, something that you may have never tasted before. Most likely, you only think of lemon juice and vitamin C.  Not anymore.  Now that you’ve learned this lemon secret, you can use lemon even in instant cup noodles. What’s the major advantage of using the whole lemon other than preventing waste and adding new taste to your dishes? Well, you see lemon peels contain as much as 5 to 10 times more vitamins than the lemon juice itself.  And yes, that’s what you’ve been wasting.  But from now on, by following this simple procedure of freezing the whole lemon, then grating it on top of your dishes, you can consume all of those nutrients and get even healthier. It’s also good that lemon peels are health rejuvenators ineradicating toxic elements in the body.  So place your lemon in your freezer, and then grate it on your meal every day.  It is a key to make your foods tastier and you get to live healthier and longer! That’s the lemon secret! Better late than NEVER!

The surprising benefits of lemon! Lemon (Citrus) is a miraculous product to kill cancer cells. It is 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy. Why do we not know about that? Because there are laboratories interested in making a synthetic version that will bring them huge profits. You can now help a friend in need by letting him/her know that lemon juice is beneficial in preventing the disease. Its taste is pleasant and it does not produce the horrific effects of chemotherapy. How many people will die while this closely guarded secret is kept, so as not to jeopardize the beneficial multimillionaires large corporations? As you know, the lemon tree is known for its varieties of lemons and limes. You can eat the fruit in different ways: you can eat the pulp, juice press, prepare drinks, sorbets, pastries, etc… It is credited with many virtues, but the most interesting is the effect it produces on cysts and tumors. This plant is a proven remedy against cancers of all types. Some say it is very useful in all variants of cancer. It is considered also as an anti microbial spectrum against bacterial infections and fungi, effective against internal parasites and worms, it regulates blood pressure which is too high and an antidepressant,combats stress and nervous disorders. The source of this information is fascinating: it comes from one of the largest drug manufacturers in the world, says that after more than 20 laboratory tests since 1970, the extracts revealed that it destroys the malignant cells in 12 cancers, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreas …The compounds of this tree showed 10,000 times better than the product Adriamycin, a drug normally used chemotherapeutic in the world, slowing the growth of cancer cells. And what is even more astonishing: this type of therapy with lemon extract only destroys malignant cancer cells and it does not affect healthy cells.

Synergy Company Organic Multi Vita*Min

Two-a-Day Multi: Wellness Made Simple

Taking good care of yourself doesn’t have to be complicated. Two tablets daily of our organic whole food multi delivers the foundational nutrients essential for your ongoing health and well-being.

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Organic Multi Vita•Min is specially formulated to provide an important foundation of organic, whole food vitamin and mineral support for adults of all ages. Designed for those wanting a simple formula, just 2 tablets daily offers a complete and balanced blend of essential nutrients—200% of your RDA for vitamins and 100% for minerals. What’s more, each tablet not only contains vitamins and minerals, but also an assortment of natural enzymes, flavonoids, proteins, and other co-factors that coexist in living whole food: a perfectly complete package of nutrients naturally created to support your optimal well-being. With an effective, organic, whole food multi as easy as this, there is no excuse for not attending to your foundational health needs.

Unfortunately, most multivitamins in the marketplace are made with nothing but cheap, ineffective and unbalanced synthetic “isolates” and a load of chemical additives—more like junk food than health food. Exclusively grown as organic whole foods, our vitamins and minerals are not isolated, synthesized or adulterated with harmful chemicals. Instead, they co-exist with all their natural synergists, allowing your body to harness their full potential. Plus, our nutrients are grown in accordance with organic certification standards every single step along the way. See and feel the difference of our organic vitamins!

Synthetic vitamins can be hard on your body. Multi Vita•Min is a pure whole food, so it’s safe and easily digested.

Vitamins shouldn’t cause headaches, stomachaches or other uncomfortable reactions. Unfortunately, many people report such symptoms simply from taking other multivitamin products, many of which are nothing more than synthetic vitamins combined with chemical additives—no wonder your body objects! Not so with our Organically Grown Nutrients™. Because they are made without a single additive and are present in our unique, bioavailable whole food form, our vitamins and minerals will not cause negative reactions of any kind.

You require 13 essential vitamins plus a range of minerals daily. Multi Vita•Min provides these in an easy two per day formula.

Once upon a time, we could obtain these essential nutrients from our daily diets, but today’s highly transported and processed foods are, quite simply, nutrient deficient. Two tablets daily of Organic Multi Vita•Min helps to bridge these nutritional dietary gaps and provides insurance that your body’s daily need for high quality, easily assimilated vitamins and minerals is being met. Even with just one tablet daily you would be getting 100% of your RDA for all 13 essential vitamins. Now that’s easy!

With vitamins, it’s all about how much your body can absorb. Your body fully absorbs Multi Vita•Min as a balanced, “whole food.”

Unlike synthetic mega-dose supplements that can literally end up going down the drain or, even worse, causing potential harm, our Organic Multi Vita•Min delivers perfectly balanced and safe potencies that are readily absorbed. Brimming with co-factors, co-enzymes, and phytonutrients that work together synergistically, our multi is a complex food that deeply nourishes the cells of your body so that you can feel vibrant, energetic and well. Avoid the waste and possible risks associated with synthetic “isolates”. Your body deserves the real thing.

Just 2 tablets daily of our organic multi is all you need to build a solid foundation of health—for less than a dollar a day. Even with a one tablet per day serving size, our multi will satisfy 100% of your daily vitamin requirements—for less than $12.50 per month. You simply won’t find another product of the same top quality at a price this good!

Most of the other vitamin products that claim to be made from whole foods are nothing more than conventional synthetic vitamins “dressed up” with traces of whole foods and tons of marketing claims; that’s because doing it the right way for them would be far too complicated and costly. At Synergy, we succeed in offering you the very best prices in the market today because we make everything ourselves from start to finish, and because we structured our business so that we never have to compromise on our rare, potent ingredients and exclusive processes.

 

The Beet Test for Low Stomach Acid

(posted here – http://heal-thyself.ning.com/forum/topics/the-beet-test)

Eat beets. If they turn your urine pink/red, then you have low stomach acid. Stomach acid is a very important first step in digestion. Without enough, you can’t absorb B12, and you have trouble absorbing zinc as well as several other nutrients. If you don’t have adequate stomach acid, proteins aren’t broken down properly, and so they can cause trouble in the small intestine and/or get absorbed whole into the bloodstream.Gluten and casein are famous for being addictive because they form opiod-like substances. Stomach acid is necessary to prevent them from becoming opiods.

Histamine helps trigger the release of stomach acid. Histamine is found in several foods, especially ferments, so pile on another reason to eat ferments with every meal. Adequate zinc is also necessary to produce stomach acid (remember what’s not absorbed well without it?).

 

The following is quoted from ‘Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride.

“Hypochlorhydria (or low stomach acid production) –
People with abnormal gut flora almost without exception have low stomach acid production. Toxins produced by overgrowth of Candida species, Clostridia and other pathogens have a strong ability to reduce secretion of stomach acid.

What does it mean and why is it important?

The stomach is the place where protein digestion begins. Hydrochloric acid produced by the stomach walls activates pepsin, a protein-digesting enzyme, which starts breaking down the very complex structure of dietary proteins into peptides and amino acids. To do its work properly pepsin needs the pH of the stomach to be 3 or below. In Hypochlorhydria not enough acid is produced, so the pH in the stomach is not low enough for pepsin to do its job properly.”

“As a result of low stomach acid production the whole process of protein digestion in the body goes wrong from the very beginning. The maldigested protein then passes through to the small intestine. The intestinal wall and pancreatic enzymes, which accomplish further steps in the protein digestion, expect the protein to arrive from the stomach in a particular form in order to do their job properly. It is like a conveyer belt or an assembly line in a factory. If the first person does a poor job, then no matter how well the rest of the people in the line may work, the end product is likely to be of a poor quality. However, what happens in the body is even worse. The problem is that in the body ‘the rest of the line’ cannot work properly either, because it is regulated by the first person. This first person is the stomach acid.”

A lack of stomach acid raises further and more serious implications. It is a barrier against harmful microbes from anything we put in our mouth. Without that protection, those pathogens can get through to the intestines and set up home. Once they are in there they can trigger symptoms in any part of the body. As Natasha continues…

“Normally the stomach is the least populated area of the digestive system due to its extremely acid environment. However, in a person with Hypochlorhydria all sorts of pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria and fungi can grow on the stomach wall, such as Helicobacter Pylori, Campylobacter pylori, Enterobacteria, Candida, Salmonella, E.Coli, Streptococci, etc. The most research in this area has been done in stomach cancer patients, the majority of which show low levels of stomach acid production. Microbes, which populate low acid stomach play a very important role in causing stomach cancer, ulcers and gastritis.

Of course, most of these microbes love to eat carbohydrates, particularly the processed kind. The digestion of carbohydrates starts in the mouth with the action of saliva. When the food arrives in the stomach in the normal situation stomach acid stops this digestion. So, carbohydrates have to wait until they arrive in the duodenum to be digested. But in the stomach with low acidity overgrowing microbes start fermenting dietary carbohydrates, often with the production of various toxins and gas, which can make it very uncomfortable….. ”
http://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/in…howtopic=53628

So, then with abnormal gut flora, and undigested proteins, you end up with Leaky Gut!

If you have functional detox pathways, the toxins get excreted through urine, stool, skin, and breastmilk.

From the “Health Benefits of Fermenting Foods”:
“Ever since people have been eating food, they have been using these friendly critters to ferment at least some of them. From meat and milk to grains and vegetables, lacto-fermenting (or fermenting using lactic acid producing bacterium) has promoted thorough digestion and good health for centuries.

Fermenting a food increases it’s digestibility in several ways. First it pre-digests the food making for less work for your body. Second it adds to its enzyme content. Third it adds lactic acid and lactic acid producing bacteria to the intestinal tract where they continue their digestive properties as well as controlling pathogens such as parasites and Candida albicans. They promote formation of B vitamins and enzymes in the intestines. They can neutralize cancer causing substances and protect you from their effects. The presence of lactic acid is vital to proper digestion, but in this day of antibiotics and fake foods, our own population of lactobacilli are often lacking.”

Synergy Company Organic Super B Vitamin Complex

Nature’s Stress Relievers and Revitalizers

Where would we be, without our B’s? Essential for combating daily stress, our Organic Super B-Complex features a perfectly balanced blend of organic, whole food B vitamins and co-factors just as nature intended.

Everyday mental, emotional and physical stress heightens your daily requirement for the essential B vitamins. Over time, sub-optimal levels may lead to nagging symptoms and diminishing health and vitality, leaving you feeling fatigued, stressed and irritable. What’s more, B vitamins are necessary for metabolizing our food into cellular energy, maintaining proper neurological function, creating red blood cells, and more. Complete with the ideal amounts of all 8 of the B vitamins plus their essential co-factors choline, inositol and PABA, our power-packed B-complex formula offers a host of benefits for anyone looking to manage the stress of everyday life and supercharge their health.

Organically Grown Nutrients: A Genuine Alternative to Synthetics

Unfortunately, most multivitamins in the marketplace are made with nothing but cheap, ineffective and unbalanced synthetic “isolates” and a load of chemical additives—more like junk food than health food.

Exclusively grown as organic whole foods, our vitamins and minerals are not isolated, synthesized or adulterated with harmful chemicals. Instead, they co-exist with all their natural synergists, allowing your body to harness their full potential. Plus, our nutrients are grown in accordance with organic certification standards every single step along the way. See and feel the difference of our organic vitamins!

Exceptional Value of Organic Super B-Complex

We invite you to compare the superior value of our B-complex to other so-called “equivalent” whole food formulas in the marketplace. Just one tablet daily provides you with a powerfully complete formula—free from all harmful additives and as a bioavailable, organic whole food. Plus, one bottle boasts a full 2-month supply—that’s less than $12 per month. You won’t find another product of the same top quality at a price this good.

Most of the other vitamin products that claim to be made from whole foods are nothing more than conventional synthetic vitamins “dressed up” with traces of whole foods and tons of marketing claims; that’s because doing it the right way for them would be far too complicated and costly. At Synergy, we succeed in offering you the very best prices in the market today because we make everything ourselves from start to finish, and because we structured our business so that we never have to compromise on our rare, potent ingredients and exclusive processes.

Benefits of Organic Super B-Complex™

• Provides an organic, whole food source of all 8 B vitamins and their 3 essential co-factors (Choline, Inositol, PABA)
• Can be taken as a B “boost” with any of our other Organic Vitamin products to support high stress lifestyles
• Food-matrix tablets deliver vitamins in their natural “time-release” form, offering an ideal and steady nutrient release throughout day
• Just one tablet daily provides optimal amounts of whole food B vitamins
• Offers exceptional value with 60 tablets per bottle and just one tablet daily
• Can be taken with or without meals and is gentle on the most sensitive stomachs

Manufactured by The Synergy Company™

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Melatonin

RDA: No RDA currently established.

Major Functions: Although melatonin is popularly regarded as a nutritional supplement, it is really a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, a tiny aspirin-sized organ buried deep in the brain. Not to be confused with the skin pigment melanin, melatonin is a potent chemical found in every cell of every living organism and is responsible for regulating biological rhythms both in humans and in animals. In many animals, it insures that breeding and coat-shedding occur at the optimum time of the year. In humans, the release of melatonin – which occurs when our eyes register darkness – is what makes us feel drowsy at night. Much of the data that has been gathered on melatonin relates to its role as timekeeper and its resulting ability to induce sleep, reduce jet lag, and untangle confused body rhythms induced by shift work. Other exciting research suggests that melatonin has a far wider range of actions. These include anticancer, antiaging, and antioxidant effects, as well as effects on fertility, sex drive, and the immune system.

Insomnia. Researchers have found that insomniacs of all ages generally have decreased levels of melatonin in their blood, as do all elderly people. Several studies have demonstrated that melatonin may correct sleep disturbances such as difficulty in falling asleep and/or staying asleep, particularly in the elderly. Since our bodies synthesize melatonin from the amino acid tryptophan and the brain chemical serotonin, melatonin supplementation may be particularly useful in people who previously found tryptophan supplements to be a successful sleep aid. (Tryptophan supplements are currently available only by prescription as 5-hydroxytryptophan.) Unlike sleeping pills, melatonin, when taken in appropriate doses, generally does not produce a drugged feeling in the morning. In addition, melatonin supplements may improve the sleep disruption caused by drugs such as beta-blockers and benzodiazepines, which are known to alter melatonin production in the body. Melatonin may also correct sleep disturbances in blind people, who have little or no perception of light.

Jet Lag. Like the insomnia studies, studies using melatonin to prevent jet lag have yielded good results. Both in experiments and anecdotally, many people report that they recover more quickly, have more energy, feel more alert, and sleep better when they use this supplement. Researchers have been uncertain as to the best dosage and timing of the melatonin. However, the greatest results were achieved in a study in which airplane crew members took 5 milligrams of melatonin on the day of arrival of the flight, and continued dosage for five consecutive days thereafter.

Aging. As we get older, the production of melatonin tapers off. Researchers feel it may be no coincidence that as melatonin becomes scarce, the incidence of degenerative diseases and immune disorders begins to rise. There is, in fact, some evidence that melatonin may act as an anti-aging hormone. Perhaps this is due in part to its role as a powerful antioxidant and free-radical scavenger. Oxidative damage from free radicals is linked with many degenerative conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and cataracts. Melatonin neutralizes one of the most damaging free radicals, and does so five times more effectively than the antioxidant enzyme glutathione, and twice as effectively as vitamin E. Unlike most other antioxidants, melatonin is found in every part of the cell. Maintaining levels of melatonin may prove to be just as important in retarding the aging process, protecting against degenerative diseases, and increasing longevity, as is maintaining optimal levels of other antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, and selenium. In one experiment using mice, researchers surgically switched the pineal glands of young and aging mice. The young mice with the old glands aged and died rapidly, but the older mice lived 30 percent longer than expected. In another study, the supplementation of rats with melatonin improved the texture and luster of their fur; prevented cataracts; improved digestion; increased strength, energy, and muscle tone; and prolonged sexual interest and capacity until the end of their lengthened lives. In other animal studies, removal of the pineal gland raised cholesterol levels to 30 percent higher than normal by the time the animals reached adulthood. Whether or not this means that melatonin supplements can reduce heart disease in humans awaits further study. However, a recent study showed that melatonin was significantly lower in patients with coronary heart disease than in healthy individuals. Furthermore, because melatonin is able to enter the brain, it may protect that organ too, so there are hopes that it will help prevent or alleviate Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

PMS and Other Hormone-Related Problems. Melatonin is itself a hormone, and it plays a complex role in harmonizing other hormones in the body, particularly those related to reproduction. In both humans and animals, melatonin appears to be involved in the regulation of steroid hormone synthesis by the ovaries. In addition, animal data indicates that melatonin stimulates the parathyroid gland, which regulates bone mineralization. Thus, melatonin levels in the blood may be a marker for susceptibility to postmenopausal osteoporosis. Menopause is associated with a substantial decline in melatonin secretion, and it is possible that some of the symptoms of menopause, such as deranged sleep cycles and fatigue, may respond to melatonin supplementation. The melatonin-hormone connection has implications for younger people too. Human studies have shown that women who suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) have lower melatonin levels, especially during the week preceding menstruation. Excess melatonin, however, lowers fertility, which is why this hormone is being studied as a contraceptive in Europe.

Cancer. In test-tube and animal experiments, melatonin has been found to prevent both the initiation and the promotion of cancer cells, to slow the growth of some tumors, and to strengthen the immune system. Several studies have shown that low blood levels of melatonin seem to be associated with cancer growth. Melatonin appears to block estrogen from binding onto the estrogen receptors of cells, including those of breast cancer cells, which are stimulated by estrogen. In a study of women whose cancers continued to grow despite being given the anti-estrogen drug tamoxifen, 28.5 percent of those who received melatonin in addition to the tamoxifen achieved tumor regression. Most patients also felt less anxious and experienced less toxicity from the tamoxifen. Furthermore, melatonin reduced an insulin-like growth factor that promotes breast cancer. In test tubes, melatonin has blocked the growth of breast cancer cells by 75 percent, and has blocked that of prostate cancer by 50 percent.

Best Food Sources: Melatonin is found in small amounts in rice, barley, corn, and a few other foods.

Destructive Agents: Some of the daily stresses of modern life can create imbalanced cycles of light and dark. Since our body’s production of melatonin is stimulated by darkness and inhibited by light, these stresses can adversely affect melatonin production. Such stresses may include travel across time zones, an erratic sleep schedule (such as sleeping late on weekends), changes in work shifts, working in a windowless environment, and even turning on a bright light upon awakening in the middle of the night. Exposure to electromagnetic fields, which are emitted by power lines and appliances such as electric blankets, has also been reported to reduce melatonin levels. Finally, many common drugs, including beta-blockers, calcium channel-blockers, ibuprofen, tranquilizers, and even aspirin, caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco, are known to depress melatonin levels.

Toxicity From Overdose of Animal Or Synthetic Source: In some studies, doses of up to 6,000 milligrams of melatonin have produced no adverse effects. However, as is the case with any hormone, an excess can affect the actions of other hormones. For example, some studies suggest that excess melatonin may diminish libido or hamper fertility. Excess melatonin may increase the level of the hormone prolactin, which decreases sex drive in men and could theoretically accelerate the growth of prolactin-sensitive breast cancers. Some people have reported experiencing wakefulness, nightmares, morning grogginess and headaches, or mild depression when taking melatonin. Melatonin supplements should be avoided – or taken only under professional supervision – by children, pregnant or nursing women, people trying to conceive, people with hormonal imbalances, people taking steroids, people who have severe allergies or other autoimmune disorders, and people with immune system cancers such as lymphoma or leukemia. Some researchers recommend that people with a tendency toward depression or who are on antidepressants also avoid taking this supplement.

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)

RDA: None currently established.

Major Functions: One of the many steroid hormones secreted by the adrenal glands, DHEA was discovered in 1934. However, it is a precursor hormone – a hormone that is converted into several other hormones by the body – and for some time was thought to be less important than these metabolized end products. We now know that this hormone has many functions, including support of the immune system; repair and maintenance of tissues; reduction of allergic reactions; and possibly the prevention of certain forms of age-related diseases, as well as a slowing of the aging process itself. To understand how DHEA works within the body, it is important to know that DHEA is metabolized into DHEAS (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) in the liver, and then further converted to male hormones known as androgens (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and androstenedione), and female hormones known as estrogens (estrone and estradiol). Although the mechanism by which this conversion takes place is not exactly known, it appears to be influenced by age, gender, and age-related diseases. There are conflicting reports as to how much DHEA is made by the body. It is estimated that we have, on average, a range of 1 to 2 milligrams of DHEA and 10 to 15 milligrams of DHEAS circulating in the blood.

Aging. As we age, our levels of DHEA and the male and female hormones significantly decline, along with those of other hormones, including the growth hormone. It is estimated that by age sixty, DHEA levels are a third or less than those of young adults. At age eighty, people have between 80 and 90 percent less DHEA in their blood than they had at the age of twenty-five. Many researchers believe that these reduced hormone levels are closely associated with aging-related problems, such as shrinking of muscle mass, diminished immune function, and memory loss. In fact, the majority of human studies on DHEA have focused on aging and the diseases associated with aging. In one study, men and women of ages 40 to 70 were given 50 milligrams of DHEA daily for a six-month period. Within two weeks of the start of DHEA therapy, DHEA and DHEAS levels were restored to those of young adults. This supplementation resulted in a remarkable increased in perceived physical and psychological well-being for 67 percent of the male subjects and 84 percent of the female subjects, without any reported side effects. Other studies have shown that DHEA or DHEAS given in appropriate replacement doses increases muscle strength and lean body mass, activates immune function, and enhances the quality of life in aging men and women, with no significant side adverse effects. In year-long trials with elderly men and women, subjects reported enhanced overall feelings of wellness, improved sleep, and diminished joint soreness. Moreover, in animal studies, DHEA has been shown to restore memory function by encouraging neurite growth in the brain.

Immune Function. Often, the influenza vaccine does not benefit those it is targeted to help – the elderly. The reason is that many individuals over the age of sixty no longer have the immune response necessary to make the antibodies to the vaccine. In one study of subjects, ages sixty-five and older, one group received oral DHEAS before receiving a flu vaccine. The immune response to the vaccine was greater in the group that received DHEAS than in the non-supplemented group, suggesting that DHEAS supplementation may be a useful adjunct to the flu vaccine. However, in a similar study, supplementation with DHEAS did not enhance the immune response to a tetanus injection. In another study, researchers evaluated the effects of DHEA on immune function in postmenopausal women. Women who received the DHEA supplement demonstrated improved levels of the cells needed for immune response. This beneficial action may account for the clinical and experimental evidence of DHEA’s anticancer effect. Many AIDS patients are using high levels of DHEA, as in advanced stages of AIDS, patients have extremely low DHEA blood levels. Although anecdotal reports indicate that DHEA may strengthen the immune system, relieve fatigue, and build muscle, experimental studies do not exist at this time. Another immune-related disorder that has responded to DHEA supplementation is a condition known as hereditary angioneurotic edema (HAE). HAE is characterized by an allergic reaction that results in swelling of subcutaneous (beneath the surface of the skin) or submucous (beneath the mucous membrane) tissues. These patients have a deficiency of the C1 esterase inhibitor protein, which is the part of the immune response that normally protects against such attacks and inflammation. Eight patients with severe attacks of HAE were given DHEAS for three to twenty-eight months. Supplementation resulted in a dramatic improvement of clinical symptoms and a moderate increase in C1 inhibitor protein concentrations.

Cancer. Animal studies have demonstrated that DHEA has anticancer properties. For example, when mice were exposed to chemicals that would normally induce breast cancer as well as other types of cancer, those animals that received DHEA did not develop cancer. Other animal studies have demonstrated that DHEA supplementation inhibits skin and lung cancer as well.

Cardiovascular Disease. Both human and animal studies have indicated that DHEA plays a role in cardiovascular health. In one study, a group of men received 50 milligrams of DHEA or a placebo for twelve days. The results suggested a natural “blood thinning” effect that may help prevent heart disease. In a twelve-year follow-up study of 143 middle-aged men, those subjects with high DHEAS levels in their blood suffered half as many cases of heart disease as did those with low DHEAS levels. However, the women with higher DHEA levels had a slightly higher risk of heart disease.

Diabetes. As we age, we generally experience a decline in insulin sensitivity that causes glucose to remain in the blood in high levels. Thus, aging is associated with an increased incidence of diabetes. In one study, a group of postmenopausal women were given 50 milligrams of DHEA daily for three weeks. Their insulin tissue sensitivity increased and their serum triglycerides were lowered, indicating improved glucose handling. Some researchers theorize that since DHEA levels are very low in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes, replacement of DHEA may prevent or even treat the atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) that is often associated with this type of diabetes.

Lupus. DHEA has been shown to be beneficial in women with systemic lupus erythematosus. In one study, female patients given 200 milligrams of DHEA for three to six months experienced overall clinical improvement, enabling them to reduce their medication. DHEA may hold promise as a safe, effective treatment for lupus patients.

Best Food Sources: No food sources have been identified at this time.

Signs Of Deficiency: None identified.

Toxicity From Overdose of Animal Or Synthetic Source: Serious side effects of DHEA supplementation have not been reported in human studies. Since high levels of DHEA stimulate the production of androgens, some side effects associated with high androgen levels have been reported, including acne and excessively oily skin, hair growth in women, deepening of the voice, and mood changes. These side effects are reversible when DHEA is discontinued. Only one animal study demonstrated liver cancer in rats given DHEA in doses far above what would normally occur in the animal.

Coenzyme Q10

RDA: None established. Generally 50 to 300 mg have been used in clinical trials.

Major Functions: Coenzyme Q10 is also known as ubiquinone, because it is ubiquitous – it exists everywhere in the body. Although coenzyme Q10 (or CoQ10) behaves like a vitamin in that it serves as a catalyst in certain reactions, it is not considered a true vitamin because it is synthesized in the cells.

Energy Production. Coenzyme Q10 acts as a catalyst in the chain of chemical reactions that create adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a compound that yields the energy needed by cells to function. Much like spark plugs are needed to jump-start an engine, CoQ provides the spark without which the body cannot run. Due to CoQ’s role in energy production, it stands to reason that a low concentration of this substance is detrimental to health in general, and that it is most abundant in those organs which require a large supply of energy, especially the heart and liver, and the immune system.

CoQ’s Antioxidant Powers. Like a number of other vitamins, CoQ is an antioxidant. Similar in structure to vitamin E, another antioxidant, CoQ has been shown to scavenge harmful free radicals, and thus may help prevent cell damage in a variety of conditions.

Cardiovascular Disease. Most of the research on CoQ involves the heart, since this nutrient is most concentrated in that organ. The research concerning CoQ’s effect in patients with heart disease is quite remarkable. For example, a number of clinical trials suggest that CoQ supplements benefit people with angina, with no adverse effects. Some studies show that CoQ supplementation increases the time in which people with angina are able to exercise. In another study, CoQ was found to be an effective drug therapy in the actual treatment of angina. Data from many human studies indicates that this nutrient may protect the heart from damage due to heart attack. Numerous studies also suggest that CoQ reduces the amount of tissue damage that occurs during open heart surgery and, possibly, heart transplantation. Several large-scale studies have demonstrated that CoQ is extremely effective at improving the symptoms associated with congestive heart disease, preventing a worsening of serious complications, reducing hospital admissions, and improving the overall quality of life. CoQ therapy has been given both alone and with conventional medicine, and no side effects have been noted in studies utilizing as much as 100 to 300 milligrams each day. The results of human and animal studies suggest that CoQ also decreases irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) even in those patients receiving psychotropic drugs, of which arrhythmia is a common side effect. CoQ may also help in the treatment of mitral valve prolapse and the resulting chronic fatigue by reducing myocardial thickness, a thickening of the heart muscle that may affect heartbeat regularity.

Cancer. Certain cancer patients may benefit from CoQ supplementation, since animal studies have indicated that CoQ protects heart tissue from Adriamycin (doxorubicin hydrochloride), a cancer chemotherapy drug that is highly toxic to the heart. Several researchers have reported similar effects in humans. High doses of CoQ are being used to treat advanced cancer, including breast cancer, with much success.

Chronic Fatigue and Immune Function. Research has revealed that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFIDS) and immune dysfunction may also benefit from CoQ supplementation. One study showed that many patients with this problem have lower levels of CoQ compared with healthy subjects. Supplementation with CoQ dramatically improved many of the symptoms associated with CFIDS, including headache, sleep disturbances, post-exercise fatigue, exercise tolerance, and chronic fatigue.

Other Uses. Coenzyme Q10 appears to have other uses as well. There have been extensive reports of CoQ’s effectiveness in treating many forms of muscular dystrophy and myopathy, both of which cause the weakening and wasting of skeletal muscles. The cardiac disease commonly associated with these conditions, and that may be associated with the weakened muscles, may also be improved with CoQ. This is the only known substance that safely offers improved quality of life for people with these conditions. Finally, some reports suggest that CoQ may benefit people with periodontal disease, diabetes, and deafness. This may be linked to the fact that levels of CoQ tend to decrease with age – a fact which may indicate that higher levels of the nutrient can help prevent or relieve age-related disorders.

Best Food Sources: Coenzyme Q10 is most abundant in peanuts, the germ portion of whole grains, and spinach. Many plants contain a form of CoQ, but it may not act the same way in the body as does the form found in animal foods. Very little is known about CoQ in foods, as all studies have used supplements.

Destructive Agents: The cholesterol-lowering statin drugs all lower levels of coenzyme Q in the blood. This reduction of coenzyme Q supplies is ironic since these cholesterol-lowering drugs are given to decrease risk of heart disease.

Signs Of Deficiency: Deficiency symptoms for coenzyme Q are not well-studied. However, deficiency of this nutrient has been clearly associated with a variety of heart problems including arrhythmia, angina, and high blood pressure. Problems in regulating blood sugar have also been linked to coenzyme Q deficiency, as have problems with the gingiva (the medical term for the gums), and stomach ulcers.

Therapeutic Uses: Angina, arrhythmia, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers.

Related Diseases: Heart disease.

Toxicity From Overdose of Animal Or Synthetic Source: Even in high doses, CoQ results in few adverse effects. There have been some reports of gastrointestinal upset, loss of appetite, nausea, and diarrhea.

Amino Acids

Arginine (sometimes listed as “essential”)

Major Functions: Muscle contracting; cartilage constituent; involved in health of reproductive organs; thought to control body cell degeneration.

Best Food Sources: Alfalfa, beets, carrots, celery, cucumber, green vegetables, leek, lettuces, nutritional yeast, parsnip, potato, radish.

 

Cysteine

Major Functions: Cysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that occurs naturally in foods and can also be manufactured by the body from the amino acid methionine. In the production of cysteine, methionine is converted to S-adenosyl methionine (SAM), which is then converted to homocysteine. Homocysteine then reacts with serine to form cysteine. Cysteine is also found in the body and in food as cystine, an amino acid that contains two cysteines joined together.  Cysteine also has the ability to break down proteins found in mucus that settles in the lungs. As a result, this amino acid may be useful in the treatment of bronchitis and other respiratory problems.

Best Food Sources: Brussels sprouts, egg yolks, red peppers, garlic, onions, broccoli, oats, and what germ.

 

Glutamine

Major Functions: Glutamine is an amino acid synthesized by the body from another amino acid, called glutamic acid or glutamate. Glutamine is referred to as a conditionally essential amino acid because under certain circumstances the body is unable to produce enough glutamine to meet its needs, so it becomes “essential” during these times to obtain glutamine from the diet. Muscle and blood concentrations of glutamine are rapidly depleted when the body is confronted with any type of physical stress. For example, high-intensity exercise, injury, surgery, burns, infections, and malnutrition cause the body to use up its stores of glutamine, and during these stressful times the body is unable to synthesize glutamine fast enough to meet its needs for this amino acid. The most abundant amino acid in the blood and muscle tissue, glutamine participates in many important physiological functions and is especially important in maintaining the health of the gastrointestinal tract and the immune system. In recent years, glutamine has become increasingly popular among athletes, as it is believes that glutamine helps prevent infections following athletic events and speeds post-exercise recovery.

Glutamine is best known for its ability to serve as a source of fuel for the cells that line the gastrointestinal tract. More specifically, glutamine is the preferred fuel source for cells lining the small intestine. By nourishing these cells, glutamine helps maintain the health and integrity of the gastrointestinal tract. A healthy gastrointestinal tract is vital to preserving overall well-being, as the lining of the gastrointestinal tract serves as a first line of defense against disease-causing microorganisms and also minimizes the absorption of potentially allergenic molecules.

Glutamine is the essential tissue fluid buffer without which we cannot defend ourselves against acidosis. The pains we feel from slight burns or even hot coffee are probably due to the breakdown of glutamine in our tissues, as it is one of the organic factors in all cells that cannot tolerate even slight changes in temperature or acidity. Evidence piles up to show that lack of glutamine may be the most common cause of arthritis. Glutamine and glycine provide fuel for the brain and are involved in neurotransmitter production. Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers of the brain. Some of them, such as glycine and gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) are known as “inhibitory” neurotransmitters. They fill certain receptor sites in the brain and slow down incoming messages from “excitatory” neurotransmitters that your body perceives as anxiety and stress. In this way they calm the brain and allow for greater focus and clarity. Glutamine is a precursor to GABA and increases the production of this neurotransmitter.

Best Food Sources: Beans and dairy products.

 

Histidine (sometimes listed as “essential”)

Major Functions: Assists in liver formation of glycogen; aids in mucus control; component of hemoglobin and of semen. Histidine deficiency is known to predispose to peptic ulcer.

Best Food Sources: Apples, papayas, pineapples, pomegranate. Alfalfa, beets, carrots, celery, cucumber, dandelion, endive, garlic, horseradish, radish, spinach, turnip greens. Soymilk and human mother’s milk.

 

Isoleucine

Major Functions: Regulation of the pituitary gland, spleen and thymus; building of hemoglobin; regulation of metabolism.

Best Food Sources: Avocado, papaya, olives, coconut, nuts (except cashew and chestnut), sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast.

 

Leucine

Major Functions: Counterbalances isoleucine.

Best Food Sources: Avocado, papaya, olives, coconut, nuts (except cashew and chestnut), sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast.

 

Lysine or Lycine

Major Functions: Aids liver and gall bladder; affects fats metabolism; regulation of pineal and mammary glands and ovaries; prevents cell degeneration; strengthens immune system; helps calcium absorption; helps body utilize and convert protein. Lysine gives us physical endurance and mental stability. Human subjects deprived of lysine become quarrelsome and ill-natured, and tire quickly at the slightest exertion. Lysine deficiency creates fatigue and lassitude.

Best Food Sources: Apples, apricots, grapes, papaya, pears. Alfalfa, beets, carrots, celery, cucumber, dandelion, parsley, soybean sprouts, spinach, turnip greens, nutritional yeast.

 

Methionine

Major Functions: Constituent of hemoglobin, tissues, and serum; influences function of lymph system, pancreas, and spleen. Methionine deficiency predisposes to fatty degeneration of the liver.

Best Food Sources: Apples, pineapples, Brazil nuts, filberts. Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, chives, dock (sorrel), garlic, horseradish, kale, watercress.

 

Phenylalanine

Major Functions: Involved in elimination of waste; kidney and bladder functions.

Best Food Sources: Apples, pineapple. Beets, carrots, parsley, spinach, tomato.

 

Threonine

Major Functions: Involved in exchange of amino acids to establish balance.

Best Food Sources: Papaya, alfalfa, carrots, green leafy vegetables (celery, collards, kale, lettuces), lima beans, laver/nori, spirulina.

 

Tryptophane

Major Functions: Tryptophan / tryptophane has two important functions. First, a small amount of the tryptophan we get in our diet (about 3%) is converted into niacin (vitamin B3) by the liver. This conversion can help prevent the symptoms associated with niacin deficiency when dietary intake of this vitamin is low. Second, tryptophan serves as a precursor for serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps the body regulate appetite, sleep patterns, and mood. Because of its ability to raise serotonin levels, tryptophan has been used therapeutically in the treatment of a variety of conditions, most notably insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Tryptophan cannot be manufactured by the body and has to be imported from the foods we eat. The liver uses this amino acid as an antioxidant when there is not enough water to detoxify the body (dehydration). Generation of cells and tissues, gastric juices, and pancreatic juices; involved with the optic system. Tryptophane lowers blood sugar and reduces salivary acidity. Both these changes are favorable to immunity to caries.

Best Food Sources: Alfalfa, Brussels sprouts, carrots, celery, chives, dandelion, endive, fennel, snap beans, spinach, turnips, nutritional yeast. Tryptophane is an amino acid found in cereal and meat proteins, but is destroyed by cooking, especially in the presence of sugar or glucose.

 

Tyrosine

Major Functions: From tyrosine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine are manufactured. The liver uses this amino acid as an antioxidant when there is not enough water to detoxify the body (dehydration).

Best Food Sources: unknown

 

Valine

Major Functions: Involved in function of corpus luteum, mammary glands, and ovaries.

Best Food Sources: Apples, almonds, pomegranates. Beets, carrots, celery, dandelion, lettuces, okra, parsley, parsnip, squash, tomato, turnip, nutritional yeast.

Para-Amino-Benzoic Acid

RDA: No RDA currently established. Whitaker Recommendation: 50 mg. ODI of 25-500 mg for men and women.

Major Functions: A water-soluble vitamin, PABA is stored in the body tissue and synthesized by intestinal flora under favorable conditions. It works as a natural sunscreen and aids the health of the skin, promotes blood cell formation, stimulates intestinal flora to produce folic acid, assists protein metabolism, promotes the utilization of pantothenic acid, and is believed to help one maintain the natural color of their hair.

PABA tends to stir up latent focal or general infections. If you are feeling the symptoms of an oncoming cold, do not take any PABA because you will probably be a hospital case. Or if you have an appendix that occasionally growls at you, it will in all probability flare up and send you to the operating room post haste. This effect is known as the anti-sulfanilimide action; if you are loaded up with PABA the sulfa drugs have no effect whatsoever.

Complementary Nutrients: B Complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid).

Best Food Sources: Rich natural sources of PABA are yeast, wheat germ, molasses, and eggs.

Other Good Sources: Fruit Sources: Papaya. Herbal Sources: Alfalfa, kelp, molasses, nutritional yeast. Vegetable Sources: Leafy green vegetables such as collards, kale, lettuces, spinach, Swiss chard.

Destructive Agents: Alcohol, coffee, estrogen, food processing, sulfa drugs.

Signs Of Deficiency: Constipation, depression, digestive disorders, fatigue, gray hair, headaches, irritability, nervousness.

Therapeutic Uses: Internal: baldness, graying hair, overactive thyroid, parasitic diseases (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever), rheumatic fever, stress, infertility. External: burns, dark skin spots, dry skin, sunburn, wrinkles. Therapeutic Dose of 10 to 100 mg/day. PABA is used to treat Peyronie’s disease, an affliction of men past middle age in which the tissue of the penis becomes abnormally fibrous, causing a marked curvature of the phallus on erection, which is usually painful. PABA’s helpfulness in this condition is based on its apparent ability to increase oxygen supply to tissues.

Related Diseases: Peyronie’s disease.

Toxicity From Overdose of Animal Or Synthetic Source: Continued high doses (over 30 mg) can be toxic to liver, heart, and kidneys; symptoms are nausea and vomiting. High doses of PABA of 8 to 48 grams daily are associated with side effects such as malaise, fever, liver disease, and lowered white blood cell counts.