Price range: 1-2 containers:  $19.95 each.    3-5:  $18.95   6+: $18.50

Echinacea is a proven herbal remedy for boosting the immune system and fighting the common cold. Studies have shown that taking echinacea can help reduce the severity and duration of cold symptoms (see below).

 

(See information about other ingredients in this formula.)

Echinacea works by increasing white blood cell counts in the blood stream.  With the increased immune system activity, the body is better equipped to fight off infections.  Rather than attack any specific sources of infection, echinacea improves the body’s own ability to fight infections.

Echinacea has been used to fight the common cold for hundreds of years.  The plant is native to the United States, and historically the Plains Indians used echinacea to treat a wide variety of medical conditions. 

Early colonists used the herb in similar remedies, and around the turn of the 20th century echinacea was used to treat snake bites.

 

 

(CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE INGREDIENTS)


BACKGROUND:

 

Two species of echinacea are contained in this supplement, Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea.  Purpurea is the most potent species of echinacea in fighting upper respiratory tract infections.  In the most recent study, performed in 2006, it was reported that patients who used echinacea were 55% less likely to develop a cold than patients who took a placebo.  While studies are inconclusive regarding echinacea’s ability to prevent the common cold, it is well established that echinacea decreases the duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms.

In addition, echinacea can be applied topically to small wounds to aid in healing.  The German Commission E, the government agency responsible for investigating and regulating the use of herbal supplements in that country, has approved echinacea for this use and for treating the common cold.

OTHER INGREDIENTS IN ECHINACEA PLUS:    

Traditionally used as a tonic, goldenseal is effective against sickness and vomiting.  Among the other multiple uses of this herbal supplement are dyspepsia, gastric catarrh, loss of appetite, and liver troubles.  Most commonly goldenseal root is used as an anti-inflammatory for the colon and as a laxative.  Goldenseal root is an important supplement in cases of digestive troubles.

Red clover is a source of isoflavones, powerful anti-oxidants also found in soy and believed to be anti-carcinogenic.  Red Clover is a remarkably diverse herbal supplement.  It is used to treat certain psoriases and eczema (skin infections), bronchitis, whooping cough, constipation, asthma, athlete’s foot, conjunctivitis, pain from the gout, hot flashes, and prostate cancer.  The source of its diverse benefits are the volatile oils, isoflavanoids, coumarin derivatives, cyanogenic glycosides, and genistein, which has been shown to restore estrogen balance in menopausal women.

Grape Seed is a natural source of antioxidants, the same substances which endow red wine with the reputation for promoting a healthy heart.  In a study performed at the University of Alabama, grape seed was shown to lower chronic high blood pressure in rats.  Grape seed is also a source of bioflavonoids, powerful compounds which protect living cell tissue. 
           
Elderberry is often prescribed as a treatment for influenza, but its use in herbal medicine dates back hundreds of years.  Elderberry contains vitamins A, B, and C, as well as flavonoids (including quercetin), sugars, and amino acids, making it an excellent source of a variety of important nutrients.   It is also believed to relieve some of the symptoms of asthma and bronchitis.

 

 

 

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ECHINACEA

Research:


Title:    Echinacea in the prevention of induced rhinovirus colds
Author:                       Schoop,-R; Klein,-P; Suter,-A; Johnston,-S-L
Citation:         Clin-Ther. 2006 Feb; 28(2): 174-83
Abstract:        BACKGROUND: The therapeutic effectiveness of Echinacea in the treatment and the prevention of colds has been debated. Studies of naturally occurring colds are hampered by variability in time from onset of symptoms to treatment and by heterogeneity in trial design. Experimental infection studies allow for the standardization of time to initiation of treatment, virus type and dose, and immune competence of volunteers. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the negative results obtained in previous studies of Echinacea were a consequence of efficacy or of inadequate sample size, we performed a meta-analysis of experimental rhinovirus infection studies on the efficacy of Echinacea extracts to prevent symptomatic development of an experimentally induced cold. METHODS: We carried out a systematic search of English- and German-language literature using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CAplus, BIOSIS, CABA, AGRICOLA, TOXCENTER, SCISEARCH, NAHL, and NAPRALERT, databases and the search terms Echinacea, black Sampson, coneflower, and Roter Sonnenbut. Matching documents were then searched for > or = 1 of the following terms: rhinovirus, RV, inoculation, Inokulation, induced, induziert, artificial, and artifiziell. Suitable studies were identified and pooled for analysis.

The primary end point was the development of symptomatic clinical colds, as defined by the authors of the original studies. Results were reported as differences in the proportion of subjects with symptomatic episodes of a common cold, expressed as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs. The secondary outcome was the difference in total symptom severity scores between treatment groups (assessed daily by integrating the severity scores of 8 individual cold-related symptoms that were rated on a scale from 0 [absent] to 4 [very severe]). RESULTS: A total of 234 articles were identified through the literature search; 231 were excluded from the analysis because they related to studies of spontaneous common colds. Three suitable studies were selected for pooling of data. Based on the analysis, the likelihood of experiencing a clinical cold was 55% higher with placebo than with Echinacea (OR, 1.55 [95% CI, 1.02-2.36]; P<0.043). The absolute difference in total symptom scores between groups was -1.96 (95% CI, -4.83 to 0.90; P=NS). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that standardized extracts of Echinacea were effective in the prevention of symptoms of the common cold after clinical inoculation, compared with placebo. Further prospective, appropriately powered clinical studies are required to confirm this finding.


Title:                 Can Nutrition Limit Exercise-Induced Immunodepression?
Author:           Gleeson,-M
Citation:         Nutrition-reviews. 2006 Mar; 64(3): 119-131.
Abstract: Prolonged exercise and heavy training are associated with depressed immune cell function. To maintain immune function, athletes should eat a well-balanced diet sufficient to meet their energy, carbohydrate, protein, and micronutrient requirements. Consuming carbohydrate during prolonged strenuous exercise attenuates rises in stress hormones and appears to limit the degree of exercise-induced immune depression. Recent evidence suggests that antioxidant vitamin supplementation may also reduce exercise stress and impairment of leukocyte functions. Further research is needed to evaluate the effects of other antioxidants and dietary immunostimulants such as probiotics and echinacea on exercise-induced immune impairment.


A proprietary extract from the echinacea plant (Echinacea purpurea) enhances systemic immune response during a common cold.
Author:           Goel,-V; Lovlin,-R; Chang,-C; Slama,-J-V; Barton,-R; Gahler,-R; Bauer,-R; Goonewardene,-L; Basu,-T-K
Citation:         Phytother-Res. 2005 Aug; 19(8): 689-94
Abstract:        In a previous paper, it was reported that Echinilin (Factors R & D Technologies, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada) a formulation prepared from freshly harvested Echinacea purpurea plants and standardized on the basis of three known active components (alkamides, cichoric acid and polysaccharides) is effective for the treatment of a naturally acquired common cold. However, the mechanism by which this effect is achieved remains unknown. In the present study, Echinilin or placebo were administered to volunteers at the onset of their cold for a period of 7 days, with eight doses (5 mL/dose) on day 1 and three doses on subsequent days. Fasting blood samples were obtained before and during their colds. The decrease in total daily symptomatic score was more evident in the echinacea group than in the placebo group. These effects of echinacea were associated with a significant and sustained increase in the number of circulating total white blood cells, monocytes, neutrophils and NK cells. In the later part of the cold, the echinacea treatment suppressed the cold-related increase in superoxide production by the neutrophils. These results suggest that Echinilin, by enhancing the non-specific immune response and eliciting free radical scavenging properties, may have led to a faster resolution of the cold symptoms. Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Enhancement of natural killer cells and increased survival of aging mice fed daily Echinacea root extract from youth.
Author:           Brousseau,-M; Miller,-S-C
Citation:         Biogerontology. 2005; 6(3): 157-63
Abstract:        In spite of Echinacea-based products being among the best-selling herbs in the world to date, to allay assorted ailments, the debate is still on-going with respect to the efficacy of ingesting the herb intermittently, continuously, or only at the beginning of an affliction. We sought, therefore, to find out if mice, receiving dietary Echinacea daily, throughout life, from youth until late middle-age, demonstrated any longevity/survival differences, and/or any differences in their various populations of immune/ hemopoietic cells. Sustained and/or high levels of these cells are crucial for longevity. Some mice were maintained on a regular chow diet to which was added Echinacea purpurea daily (2 mg/mouse), from puberty (7 week) until just beyond 13 months of age (late middle-age in mice). Control mice, identically housed and maintained, received identical chow without the herb. Mice consuming untreated diet had a 79% survival by 10 months of age, while those consuming Echinacea daily in the diet were still 100% alive by 10 months. At approximately 13 months of age, mice consuming untreated diet had a 46% survival rate while those consuming Echinacea, were 74% alive at this time. Moreover, the key immune cells, acting as the first line of defense against developing neoplasms in mice and humans, i.e., natural killer (NK) cells, were significantly elevated in absolute number both in their bone marrow production site, as well as in the major organ to which they traffic and function, i.e., the spleen. The cells of the myeloid/granulocyte lineages remained steadfastly at control levels in both the bone marrow and spleen in Echinacea-consuming mice. Thus, it appears that regular intake of Echinacea may indeed be beneficial/prophylactic, if only for the reason that it maintains in an elevated state NK cells, prime elements in immune surveillance against spontaneous-developing tumors, a phenomenon which increases in frequency with progressive aging.

Report from The National Institutes Of Health and The U.S. National Library Of Medicine:

Echinacea species are perennials which belong to the Aster family and which originate in eastern North America. Traditionally used for a range of infections and malignancies, the roots and herb (above ground parts) of echinacea species have attracted recent scientific interest due to purported "immune stimulant" properties. Oral preparations are popular in Europe and the United States for prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections (URI), and  Echinacea purpurea  herb is believed to be the most potent echinacea species for this indication. In the U.S., sales of echinacea are believed to represent approximately 10% of the dietary supplement market.

For URI treatment, numerous human trials have found echinacea to reduce duration and severity, particularly when initiated at the earliest onset of symptoms. However, the majority of trials, largely conducted in Europe, have been small or of weak design. Negative results exist of a U.S. trial in adults, which used a whole-plant echinacea preparation containing both  E. purpurea  and  E. angustifolia . Another clinical trial reported in July 2005 did not demonstrate any clinical benefit either. However, a 2006 meta-analysis investigating the efficacy of echinacea found that the likelihood of experiencing a clinical cold was 55% higher with placebo than with Echinacea (based on three trials). The sum of the current is conflicting and further well-designed studies are needed before a definitive conclusion can be drawn. Lack of benefit in children ages 2-11 has also been reported.

References:

Ang-Lee M, Moss J, Yuan C. Herbal medicines and perioperative care. JAMA. 2001;286(2):208-216.

Barrett B, Kiefer D, Rabago D. Assessing the risks and benefits of herbal medicine: an overview of scientific evidence. [Review]. Altern Ther Health Med. 1999;5(4):40-49.

Barrett B, Vohmann M, Calabrese C. Echinacea for upper respiratory infection. J Fam Pract. 1999;48:628-635.

Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000:88-102.

Borchers AT, Keen CL, Stern JS, Gershwin ME. Inflammation and Native American medicine: the role of botanicals. [Review]. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Aug;72(2):339-347.

Brinkeborn RM, Shah DV, Degenring FH. Echinaforce and other Echinacea fresh plant preparations in the treatment of the common cold. A randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Phytomedicine. 1999;6(1):1-6.

Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications; 1998:67-69.

ConsumerLab.com. Product review: echinacea. Accessed at: http://www.consumerlab.com/results/echinacea.asp on April 1, 2002.

Ernst E. The risk-benefit profile of commonly used herbal therapies: Ginkgo, St. John's Wort,

Ginseng, Echinacea, Saw Palmetto, and Kava. [Review]. Ann Intern Med. 2002;136(1):42-53.

Frank LG. The efficacy of Echinacea compound herbal tea preparation on the severity and duration of upper respiratory and flu symptoms: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study. J Comp Alt Med. 2000;6(4):327-334.

Gallo M, Sarkar M, Au W, et al. Pregancy outcome following gestational exposure to echinacea. Arch Intern Med. 2000; 160:3141-3143.

Lindenmuth GF, Lindenmuth EB. The efficacy of echinacea compound herbal tea preparation on the severity and duration of upper respiratory and flu symptoms: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. J Altern Complement Med. 2000;6(4):327-334.

Mahady GB. Echinacea: recommendations for its use in prophylaxis and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. Nutr Clin Care. 2001;4(4):199-208.

Melchart D, Walther E, Linde K, Brandmaier R, Lersch C. Echinacea root extracts for the prevention of upper respiratory tract infections: a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. Arch Fam Med. 1998;7:541–545.

Melchart D, Linde K, Fischer P, Kaesmayr J. Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. [Review]. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000;(2):CD000530.

Melchart D, Linde K, Worku F, Sarkady L, Holzmann M, Jurcic K, et al. Results of five randomized studies on the immunomodulatory activity of preparations of echinacea. J Alt Comp Med. 1995;1(2):145–160.

Miller LG. Herbal medicinals: selected clinical considerations focusing on known or potential drug-herb interactions. Arch Intern Med. 1998;158(20):2200–2211.

Mullins RJ, Heddle R. Adverse reactions associated with echinacea: the Australian experience. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2002;88(1):42-51.

O'Hara M, Kiefer D, Farrell K, Kemper K. A review of 12 commonly used medicinal herbs. Arch Fam Med. 1998;7(6):523-536.

Percival SS. Use of echinacea in medicine. [Review]. Biochem Pharmacol. 2000;60(2):155-158.

Rotblatt M, Ziment I. Evidence-Based Herbal Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Hanley & Belfus, Inc; 2002:160-165.

Soon SL, Crawford RI. Recurrent erythema nodosum associated with Echinacea herbal therapy. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001;44(2):298-299.

Turner RB, Riker DK, Gangemi JD. Ineffectiveness of Echinacea for prevention of experimental rhinovirus colds. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2000;44:1708-1709.

White L, Mavor S. Kids, Herbs, Health. Loveland, Colo: Interweave Press; 1998:22, 28-29.

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GOLDENSEAL ROOT, BY CATHY WONG, ND, CNS

WHAT IS GOLDENSEAL?
Alternate names: Yellow root, Orange root, Puccoon, Ground raspberry, Wild curcuma

Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis) is one of the most popular herbs on the market today. It was traditionally used by Native Americans to treat skin disorders, digestive problems, liver conditions, diarrhea, and eye irritations. Goldenseal became part of early colonial medical care as the European settlers learned of it from the Iroquois and other tribes.

Goldenseal gained widespread popularity in the early 1800’s due to its promotion by a charismatic herbalist named Samuel Thompson. Thompson believed goldenseal to be a magical cure for many conditions. Demand for this herb dramatically increased, until Thompson’s system of medicine fell out of popularity.

Over the years, goldenseal has gone through periods of popularity. There is currently great demand for goldenseal which coupled with limited supply of wild-crafted sources, has driven the price of goldenseal up.


WHY DO PEOPLE USE GOLDENSEAL?
Goldenseal is a bitter that stimulates the secretion and flow of bile, and can also be used as an expectorant. It also has strong activity against a variety of bacteria, yeast, and fungi, such as E. Coli and Candida.

Goldenseal is used for infections of the mucus membranes, including the mouth, sinuses, throat, the intestines, stomach, urinary tract and vagina.

Goldenseal is used for the following conditions: wound healing – goldenseal can be used as a topical anti-microbial to speed wound healing; bladder infections; fungal infections of the skin – used topically colds & flu; sinus and chest congestion – due to goldenseal’s expectorant and antimicrobial action; Goldenseal became the center of a myth that it could mask a positive drug screen. This false idea was part of a novel written by pharmacist and author John Uri Lloyd.

SAFETY
Goldenseal should not be taken by pregnant women. One of its chief constituents, berberine, has been reported to cause uterine contractions and to increase levels of bilirubin. Goldenseal should not be used by people with high blood pressure. Those with heart conditions should only use goldenseal under the supervision of a health professional.

The safety of goldenseal in nursing women, children, and people with kidney and liver disease is unknown.

Side effects are rare, but present as irritation of the mouth and throat, nausea, increased nervousness, and digestive problems. The liquid forms of goldenseal are yellow-orange and can stain.

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ISOFLAVONES AND RED CLOVER:


Studies:

 “Meta-analysis of the effects of soy protein containing isoflavones on the lipid profile.”
Zhan,-S; Ho,-S-C ;  Am-J-Clin-Nutr. 2005 Feb; 81(2): 397-408

BACKGROUND: Convincing evidence shows that soy protein intake has beneficial effects on lipid changes, but it is unclear which components of soy protein are responsible.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a meta-analysis to identify and quantify the effects of soy protein containing isoflavones on the lipid profile.

DESIGN: Twenty-three eligible randomized controlled trials published from 1995 to 2002 were identified from the PUBMED database (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD). Weighted mean effect sizes were calculated for net changes in serum lipid concentrations by using fixed-effect or random-effect models. Pre-specified subgroup analyses were performed to explore the influence of covariates on net lipid change.

RESULTS: Soy protein with isoflavones intact was associated with significant decreases in serum total cholesterol (by 0.22 mmol/L, or 3.77%), LDL cholesterol (by 0.21 mmol/L, or 5.25%), and triacylglycerols (by 0.10 mmol/L, or 7.27%) and significant increases in serum HDL cholesterol (by 0.04 mmol/L, or 3.03%). The reductions in total and LDL cholesterol were larger in men than in women. Initial total cholesterol concentrations had a powerful effect on changes in total and HDL cholesterol, especially in subjects with hypercholesterolemia. Studies with intakes >80 mg showed better effects on the lipid profile. The strongest lowering effects of soy protein containing isoflavones on total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triacylglycerol occurred within the short initial period of intervention, whereas improvements in HDL cholesterol were only observed in studies of >12 wk duration. Tablets containing extracted soy isoflavones did not have a significant effect on total cholesterol reduction.

CONCLUSIONS: Soy protein containing isoflavones significantly reduced serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triacylglycerol and significantly increased HDL cholesterol, but the changes were related to the level and duration of intake and the sex and initial serum lipid concentrations of the subjects.


“The specific role of isoflavones in reducing prostate cancer risk.”
Kumar,-N-B; Cantor,-A; Allen,-K; Riccardi,-D; Besterman-Dahan,-K; Seigne,-J; Helal,-M; Salup,-R; Pow-Sang,-J; Prostate. 2004 May 1; 59(2): 141-7

AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness of supplementing a group of early stage prostate cancer patients, with 60 mg of soy isoflavones in producing a change in hormonal and proliferative risk parameters that are implicated in prostate cancer promotion.

METHODS: Seventy six eligible prostate cancer patients with a Gleason score of 6 or below, between ages 50 and 80 were admitted and supplemented with soy isoflavones or placebo for a 12 week period and changes in PSA and steroid hormones were analyzed at baseline and post intervention.

RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients completed the 12-week intervention. Serum free testosterone was reduced or showed no change in 61% of subjects in the isoflavone group compared to 33% in the placebo group. Serum total PSA decreased or was unchanged in 69% of the subjects in the isoflavone treated group compared to 55% in the placebo group. However, we did not see an increase in SHBG levels. Nineteen percent of subjects receiving soy isoflavones reduced total PSA by two points or more du ring the intervention period.

CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that supplementing early stage prostate cancer patients with soy isoflavones, even in a study of short duration, altered surrogate markers of proliferation such as serum PSA and free testosterone in a larger number of subjects in the isoflavone supplemented group than the group receiving placebo. The study establishes the need to explore further the effects of prolonged and consistent soy consumption, which could potentially delay onset of histologic disease in this patient population. Copyright 2004 Wileey-Liss, Inc.

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GRAPE SEED:

WebMD:

Heady Over Grapes?  Can the seeds heal?
By  Laura Lane
Sept. 11, 2000 -- At 42, Linda Walsh of Buena Park, Calif., could hardly believe that age spots were spreading up her shins and down her feet. To make matters worse, her hair was beginning to fall out, her joints were becoming stiffer by the day, and fatigue weighed every step she took.

Then she discovered grape-seed extract..

Now, four years later, Walsh's skin is free of blemishes, her hair is lustrous and full, and there's a new bounce in her stride. "I feel good and I look five years younger than before," she says. For this transformation, Walsh gives credit to an extract taken from the seeds of ordinary grapes. She's so enthusiastic that she now sells the extract and other supplements full time.
Indeed, glowing testimonials from people like Walsh have made grape-seed extract one of the most popular supplements in the United States. In 1999, Americans spent $141 million on grape-seed products, a jump of 26% over the previous year, according to The Hartman Group, a market research firm.

So do grape seeds really work? The question is far from settled, but scientists aren't ready to rule out the possibility that they might. The key ingredient in grape seeds has shown promise against disease-causing chemicals in test tubes. And a few preliminary experiments in humans have produced intriguing results.

SUPER-ANTIOXIDANT
One reason it's not easy to weigh the claims for grape-seed extract is that much of the research is done by people with a stake in selling it. Many of the studies most often cited come from the laboratory of Debasis Bagchi, PhD, a Creighton University professor of pharmaceutical and administrative sciences who also works for grape-seed product maker InterHealth Nutraceuticals.

Bagchi has labored to show that a substance within grape-seed extract, oligoproanthocyanidin, or OPC, is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants disarm free radicals -- molecules that can damage DNA, cells, and tissues, eventually contributing to heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses. Because of its structure, one OPC molecule can neutralize several free radicals at once, while each molecule of better-known antioxidants like vitamins C and E can handle only one at a time, Bagchi says.

PUTTING IT TO THE TEST
In one experiment, Bagchi and his team placed OPC, vitamin C, and vitamin E in three separate test tubes filled with free radicals similar to those found in the body. After 15 minutes, the researchers found that OPC had knocked out up to 81% of the free radicals in its test tube. By comparison, vitamin C and E neutralized up to 19% and 44%, respectively. (See the February 1997 issue of the journal Research Communications in Molecular Pathology and Pharmacology.)

While such findings are promising, they don't prove that grape-seed extract can actually prevent or cure heart disease, cancer, or any other illness, says Harry Preuss, MD, of Georgetown University, who led the cholesterol study (which was partly funded by InterHealth
Nutraceuticals). "The benefits are potentially there," he says. But in order to know how a human being's health is really affected over a long period of time, "You have to do these huge, huge studies." So far, no one has been willing to pay the cost of such a study.

PATCHING THE PIPES
Nor has anyone funded a conclusive study on the other intriguing claim made for grape-seed extract: that it reinforces collagen and elastin, the bricks and mortar of blood vessels and other supportive tissues.

If it can achieve these effects, it could benefit people suffering from a wide range of diseases. For example, it might improve capillary resistance, the ability of capillaries to hold blood. People with diabetes and high blood pressure sometimes have such low capillary resistance that their blood leaks into the surrounding tissue, causing red spots (purpura) on their skin. In one study, published in the June 8-15, 1981, issue of the French journal Semaine des Hopitaux (Hospital Week), researchers found that 13 patients who took OPC experienced much higher capillary resistance than a group of 12 people who took a placebo.

But this research, too, is preliminary -- the study didn't show whether the patients' purpura or other symptoms improved. And a good diet might be just as effective, says Rita Redberg, MD, associate clinical professor of cardiology at the University of California, San Francisco. To avoid diseases of the heart and blood vessels, Redberg says, the surest approach is eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet and getting at least 30 minutes of exercise five times a week. "If you want to do these things and also take grape-seed extract, that's fine," Redberg says.

Or maybe not so fine, says Kedar Prasad, PhD, director of the Center for Vitamins and Cancer Research at the University of Colorado Health Science Center. Taking too much OPC, vitamin C, or other antioxidant, could -- theoretically at least -- add to your risk of cancer. That's because free radicals don't just damage healthy cells; they also act as a check on cancer growth. And some researchers worry that antioxidants may blunt the effects of radiation and chemotherapy used to treat cancer.

Such warnings remain hypothetical, though, and they aren't likely to sway the likes of Linda Walsh. She says that the supplement cured her son's allergies and may prevent her from suffering a heart attack like the ones that killed her mother at age 60 and her father at age 50. "People think I'm exaggerating," she says. "I'm just thankful that I found a product that helped."
Laura Lane, an associate editor at WebMD, has a master's degree in biological sciences from Stanford University. Her work has appeared in The Dallas Morning News, the Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter, CNN Interactive, Healthy Living magazine, and Shape magazine.
2000 Healtheon/WebMD. All rights reserved.

Grape Seed Extract which is high in Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPC’s or PCO’s) is powerful antioxidant which can reduce the damage done by free radicals, strengthen and repair connective tissue, and promote enzyme activity. OPC’s can also help moderate allergic and inflammatory responses by reducing histamine production.

ANTIOXIDANTS
Antioxidants are important protectors of health because they provide electrons that neutralize "free radicals"--molecules with unpaired electrons which have the power to cause degenerative and life-threatening diseases.

Free radicals are produced from normal oxygen metabolism within the body, and from exposure to certain chemicals, environmental pollutants, sunlight, radiation, burns, cigarette smoke, drugs, alcohol, viruses, bacteria, parasites, dietary fats, and more. The antioxidants known today are vitamins C and E, beta carotene, selenium, bioflavonoids and bioflavanols.

THE PCO BIOFLAVANOID COMPLEX
Bioflavanoids are natural plant components that strengthen and protect living tissue. "Proanthocyanidin" is one of the names used to describe a powerful bioflavonoid complex known as Procyanidolic Oligomers (PCO). "Pycnogenol" was the name originally given to this complex by Dr. Jacques Masquelier, the first to scientifically discover it and the first to patent an extraction process for it from the bark of maritime pine trees. "Pycnogenol" is now a trademarked name for PCO products extracted from pine bark.

PCO extracts have been scientifically studied and medically used in Europe since the 1950s. Scientifically documented, observed benefits include:

•          Enhanced capillary strength and vascular function, which helps the heart and decreases: PMS problems, bruising, edema from injury or trauma, varicose veins, leg swelling and retinopathy.
•          Enhanced immune resistance.
•          Increased peripheral circulation, improving vision.
•          Reduced adverse allergic and inflammatory responses.
•          Reduction in skin aging and loss of elasticity.
The PCO bioflavanoid complex was recently discovered to be 20 times more potent than vitamin C and 50 times more potent than vitamin E as an antioxidant. The advantages of PCO include:
•          It is bioavailable and immediately absorbed from the stomach into the bloodstream.
•          It is distributed to virtually every organ and tissue, and remains in the body for up to 72 hours.
•          Not only does it neutralize free radicals themselves, but it also conserves and regenerates vitamins C and E. Vitamin E is a powerful free radical scavenger, but it is quickly used up. PCO and vitamin C work synergistically to regenerate vitamin E.
•          PCO is one of the few antioxidants that crosses the blood/brain barrier to protect neural tissue.
•          PCO extracts have been proven to be completely safe.

SOURCES OF PCO
The PCO complex is found in many types of foods, but usually only in extremely small amounts. Some of the best sources of PCO are seasonal fruits such as grapes, blueberries, cherries and plums. The PCO is found mainly in the peels, skins, or seeds. Food processing and storage is detrimental to PCO availability.

The PCO bioflavanoid complex can also be found in the barks of the lemon tree and the Landis pine tree, as well as the leaves of the hazelnut tree. The highest known concentration (95%) of the PCO complex is found in grape seeds, and the second-highest (80-85%) in pine bark.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
One of the first benefits of PCO observed by doctors as early as 1950 was its anti-inflammatory action. This is produced in part by the antioxidant effect, and by inhibiting the release and synthesis of certain compounds that promote inflammation, such as histamine, serine protease, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. PCO selectively binds to the connective tissue of joints, preventing swelling, helping heal damaged tissue, and lessening pain.

ANTI-HISTAMINE
The anti-histamine action of PCO is mediated by an inhibiting effect on the enzyme histidine decarboxylase which is responsible for the production of histamine. This is enhanced by PCO's ability to block hyaluronidase, the enzyme that facilitates the release of histamine into body tissues.

ANTI-ALLERGIC
This action is related to the antihistamine effect, as well as PCO's ability to strengthen cell membranes of basophils and mast cells, which contain the allergic chemicals, thus preventing over-reaction or hypersensitivity to pollens and food allergens. Many allergy sufferers have reported significant relief using grape seed extract.

ANTI-ULCER
Ulcers induced or aggravated by stress are known to be related to excessive secretion of histamine in the stomach lining. PCOs help heal ulcers by reducing histamine secretion and by binding to and protecting connective tissue in mucous membranes.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Experimental studies have recently discovered that oxidation of LDL cholesterol is a key factor leading to hardening of the arteries and heart disease. The antioxidant effect of Vitamin E has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of this oxidation—and PCO has been shown to be 50 times more potent than vitamin E. PCO has also been shown to prevent the stickiness of blood platelets that can lead to blood clots and strokes. Patients taking grape seed extract PCO have reported reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Recent studies have shown that drinking wine has a protective effect against heart disease (considered the solution to the mystery of how the French population can indulge in a high-fat diet and have one of the world's lowest incidences of heart disease). And in February of 1995, a study published in "Circulation," the journal of the American Heart Association, showed that six glasses of grape juice were as effective as two glasses of wine in preventing heart disease. This study offers convincing evidence that PCO from grapes, rather than the alcohol, provide wine's protective benefits to the circulatory system.

CANCER PREVENTION
Although not a cure for cancer, experimental evidence has been available for a long time showing that antioxidants greatly reduce the incidence of all types of cancer. One study showed that the risk of developing cancer is 11.4 times greater for those with low levels of the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium. PCO is a more potent antioxident, and also protects cellular DNA from oxidative damage and cell mutations which can lead to cancer.

TEETH AND GUMS
Dentists and their patients have reported that PCO provides healing and preventive benefits to the teeth and gums, evidently through its anti-inflammatory effects, free radical deactivation, and connective tissue protection.

EYES
Clinical studies have shown that antioxidants can halt cataract progression. PCO has a strong affinity for the portion of the retina that is responsible for visual acuity. It prevents free radical damage and reinforces the collagen structures of the retina. In clinical trials of patients with various types of retinal disease, including macular degeneration, all patients given PCO showed significant improvement following therapy. Health professionals monitoring the effects of PCO have reported that it also has helped in the prevention and treatment of glaucoma.

SKIN CARE
PCO products help protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation damage that leads to wrinkles and skin cancer. Because it stabilizes collagen and elastin, PCO can help improve the elasticity and youthfulness of the skin. PCO strengthens the connective tissue of the skin and fat chambers. People taking grape seed extract PCO have noticed that it helps tonify their skin and reduce cellulite, stretch marks, and old scars. There is speculation that cellulite may be a sign of bioflavanoid deficiency.

NERVOUS SYSTEM
Some physicians have reported that patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have improved while taking PCO. MS is a syndrome of progressive destruction and hardening of the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerves. Current research indicates that MS may be caused by an allergic or autoimmune reaction. Many studies have demonstrated that patients with MS have reduced activity levels of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase.

The ability of PCO to reduce the progressive symptoms of MS may be due to its potent antioxidant and anti-allergic qualities. Plus, PCO has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, where it may protect the brain's nervous tissue from oxidation. This effect may explain why patients taking PCO often report improved mental clarity.

LUNGS
Asthma and emphysema have also been found to benefit from the use of PCOs. Asthma is largely caused by an allergic reaction within the bronchial tubes that leads to bronchial constriction and excessive mucous excretion. Due to its ability to inhibit histamine and other inflammatory chemicals, PCO has been found effective in the treatment of asthma.

Grape seed extract PCO has also been found to reduce the coughing, wheezing, weakness, mucous and recurring respiratory infections usually associated with emphysema. Apparently, PCO reduces the inflammation and damage to the air sacs of emphysema patients.

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ELDERBERRY AND FLOWER:


Studies:

“Respiratory and allergic diseases: from upper respiratory tract infections to asthma.”
Jaber, R ; bPrim-Care. 2002 Jun; 29(2): 231-61
Patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis may benefit from hydration and a diet low in sodium, omega-6 fatty acids, and transfatty acids, but high in omega-3 fatty acids (i.e., fish, almonds, walnuts, pumpkin, and flax seeds), onions, and fruits and vegetables (at least five servings a day) … Patients with upper respiratory tract infections can expect a shorter duration of symptoms by taking high doses of vitamin C (2 g) with zinc supplements, preferably the nasal zinc gel, at the onset of their symptoms. Adding an herb such as echinacea or Andrographis shortens the duration of the common cold. The one study on Elderberry's use for the flu was encouraging, and the data on the homeopathic remedy Oscillococcinum interesting, but more studies should be performed … Patients welcome physician guidance when exploring the breadth of treatments available today. A true patient-physician partnership is always empowering to patients who are serious about regaining their function and health.


“Anti-angiogenic, antioxidant, and anti-carcinogenic properties of a novel anthocyanin-rich berry extract formula.”
Bagchi,-D; Sen,-C-K; Bagchi,-M; Atalay,-M; Biochemistry-(Mosc). 2004 Jan; 69(1): 75-80, 1 p preceding 75
Edible berry anthocyanins possess a broad spectrum of therapeutic and anti-carcinogenic properties. Berries are rich in anthocyanins, compounds that provide pigmentation to fruits and serve as natural antioxidants. Anthocyanins repair and protect genomic DNA integrity. Earlier studies have shown that berry anthocyanins are beneficial in reducing age-associated oxidative stress, as well as in improving neuronal and cognitive brain function. Six berry extracts (wild blueberry, bilberry, cranberry, elderberry, raspberry seeds, and strawberry) were studied for antioxidant efficacy, cytotoxic potential, cellular uptake, and anti-angiogenic (the ability to reduce unwanted growth of blood vessels, which can lead to varicose veins and tumor formation) properties. We evaluated various combinations of edible berry extracts and developed a synergistic formula, OptiBerry IH141, which exhibited high ORAC (Oxygen-Radical Absorbing Capacity) value, low cytotoxicity, and superior anti-angiogenic properties compared to the other combinations tested. Anti-angiogenic approaches to treat cancer represent a priority area in vascular tumor biology. OptiBerry significantly inhibited both H2O2- and TNF-alpha-induced VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) expression by human keratinocytes. VEGF is a key regulator of tumor angiogenesis. Matrigel assay using human microvascular endothelial cells showed that OptiBerry impaired angiogenesis. In an in vivo model of angiogenesis, OptiBerry significantly inhibited basal MCP-1 and inducible NF-kappaB transcriptions. Endothelioma cells pretreated with OptiBerry showed a diminished ability to form hemangioma and markedly decreased tumor growth by more than 50%. In essence, these studies highlight the novel anti-angiogenic, antioxidant, and anti-carcinogenic potential of a novel anthocyanin-rich berry extract formula, OptiBerry.

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Echinacea
Prevent colds
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Good Health Group of America
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