NEWSLETTER,
by Doctor's Choice, Inc.
Articles:
IP6
- A Rising Star in the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer ... read
article
Potential Life-Saving Information for
Takers of Cholesterol-Reducing Drugs ... read
article
The "Sunshine" Vitamin:
Much, Much More
than a Strong-Bone Maker... read
article
Look Who's Talking... read
article
IP6
- A Rising Star in the Prevention and
Treatment of Cancer by
Barbara L. Minton
(NaturalNews) Three recent studies have confirmed the role of inositol
hexaphosphate
(IP6) in cancer prevention and control of experimental tumor growth. IP6
is a naturally occurring carbohydrate first identified in 1855. It can exist
on its own or can be bound to various other minerals such as calcium, magnesium,
iron
or sodium. It’s found in substantial amounts in whole grains, dried beans, nuts,
seeds, rice, wheat germ and corn.
In addition to being found in plants, IP6 is contained within almost all mammalian
cells, where it is important in regulating vital cellular functions such as signal
transduction, cell proliferation, and differentiation. IP6 is also available
in supplement form.
Studies and Results
As published in Oncology Research, February 2008, researchers reported
that IP6 was shown to have significant inhibitory effects against a variety
of
primary tumors. They hypothesized that IP6 would inhibit the cell growth
rate
of Barrett’s adenocarcinoma in vitro. Two Barrett’s associated adenocarcinoma
cell lines were treated with IP6. Reductions in cellular proliferation were observed
in both cell lines. Apoptosis (necessary programmed cell death) of the adenocarcinoma
cells was increased. Researchers concluded that IP6 decreased cellular growth
of these cells by pro-apoptotic mechanisms.
As published in Journal of Surgical Research, June 2006, researchers reported
that IP6 had previously been shown to have significant inhibitory effects
against pancreatic
cancer in vitro. They hypothesized that IP6 would significantly inhibit
cell growth of cutaneous melanoma in vitro. Melanoma cell lines were cultured
and treated with IP6. The findings were that IP6 significantly decreased
cellular growth and increased late apoptosis in melanoma, suggesting its potential
therapeutic value.
As published in Journal of Surgical Research, June 2005, researchers reported
that IP6 has been found to have significant inhibitory effects against
a variety of primary
tumors including breast and colon. They hypothesized that IP6 would
significantly inhibit cell growth and increase the apoptotic rate of pancreatic
cancer in vitro. Two pancreatic cancer cell lines were cultured and treated with
IP6. Researchers concluded that treatment of pancreatic cancer with IP6 significantly
decreased cellular growth and increased apoptosis.
IP6 Offers Cancer Prevention and Cure, and Much More
In Dr. A.M. Shamsuddin's review of findings in Nutrition and Cancer vol.
55, he states that in
addition to its role in cancer prevention and control
of experimental tumor growth, progression and metastasis,
IP6 possesses other significant benefits, such as the ability to enhance
the immune system, function as a natural antioxidant, prevent calcification and
kidney stone formation, lower elevated serum cholesterol, and reduce pathological
platelet activity.
According to Dr. Shamsuddin, when IP6 is administered it is rapidly taken into
the cells and dephosphorylated to lower inositol phosphates, which further affect
signal transduction pathways. In addition to the arresting of cell proliferation,
this process also induces the differentiation of malignant cells. As previous
known, the more differentiated the malignant cells, the less aggressive and dangerous
is the cancer. Enhanced immunity and antioxidant properties also contribute
to tumor cell destruction.
In their book Too Good to be True?, Drs. Kim Vanderlinden and Ivana Vucenik
describe what is presently known about how IP6 works to help normalize the rate
of cell division, normalize cell physiology, enhance Natural Killer (NK) cells,
increase tumor suppressor P53 gene activity, inhibit inflammation, and inhibit
angiogenesis. The book also elaborates on other conditions shown to greatly benefit
from IP6 including diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Food Sources or Supplements?
There have been no clinical trials of IP6 as yet. In America, clinical trials
are generally the province of drug companies, and little is done with substances
which cannot be patented. In spite of this lack, IP6 is considered quite
safe by all its investigators. As it is a naturally occurring
substance already found in human cells, there are no
side effects. So if you want the preventative or therapeutic benefits
of IP6, the question becomes whether to try to get sufficient amounts from dietary
sources or to supplement.
There are reasons to use IP6 in supplemental form. In food, IP6 is bound to protein.
Before it can be absorbed it must first be freed from this protein. An enzyme
called phytase that is present in both food and the intestinal tract performs
this function. The problem is that the power of the phytase enzyme damages the
IP6 itself, rendering much of it inactive and therefore less effective. Pure
IP6 from a supplement is absorbed intact providing us with its complete medicinal
properties. Research has shown just that: when fiber from All Bran was
added to the diet of rats with mammary cancer, it was much less effective than
the equivalent amount of IP6 added to their drinking water. This is like the
situation of lycopene which must be freed from tomatoes by cooking to achieve
its potential.
Supplementing with Inositol+Cal-Mag IP6
When taken alone, IP6 has the potential to bind with minerals, to act as a chelator.
This is evidenced by its ability to prevent
kidney stones. This leads to the question of high amounts of IP6 contributing
to osteoporosis. To prevent this, IP6 is bound to atoms of calcium and magnesium.
When supplemented in this form, IP6 will be delivered to the body along with substantial
amounts of highly absorbable calcium and magnesium.
Inositol then becomes the first half of the Inositol+Cal Mag IP6. It provides
the base structure for the Cal Mag IP6. A number of research studies have shown
that when combined in this formula, the effect is complimentary and augmentative.
Most IP6 for supplementation comes from rice extract and is formulated as Inositol+Cal
Mag IP6.
Inositol+Cal Mag IP6 is available as 'Inocell' from Natural
Factors, as 'Cellular Forte' from Phytopharmica, and as 'Cell
Forte' from Enzymatic Therapeutics. The formulations of each are
identical. The
prices are quite different. It is available as capsules which provide
a preventative or a maintenance dosage of 2 capsules twice a day. It is also
available as powder for therapeutic dosages which range from one scoop daily
up to several scoops twice daily.
About the author
Barbara is a school
psychologist, a published author in the area of personal finance, a breast
cancer survivor using "alternative" treatments, a born existentialist,
and a student of nature and all things natural.
This article was found
at naturalnews.com/022731.html on
Friday March 14.
|
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Potential Life-Saving Information for Takers of Cholesterol-Reducing Drugs
The Scoop on Statins: Cholesterol-Reducing
Drugs
Statins are drugs that are prescribed by physicians to lower cholesterol.
According to Forbes magazine's Best-Selling Drug list for 2004 the
two top-selling drugs were the statins, Lipitor and Zocor. They showed
a combined total of $16.4 billion in sales. In fact, Lipitor has
been the #1 selling pharmaceutical for the last four years running.
It has been estimated that nearly 40 million people will take Lipitor
this year in the United States alone, with an additional 20 million
prescribed one of the other statin drugs.
There are currently six statin drugs available on the market:
· atorvastatin (Lipitor)
· fluvastatin (Lescol)
· lovastatin (Mevacor)
· pravastatin (Pravachol)
· simvastatin (Zocor)
· rosuvastatin (Crestor)
The Danger of Statin Drugs Depleting CoQ10 Levels
Most patients, and their prescribing physicians, are either unaware
of , or ignore, the fact that statin drugs reduce circulating levels
of the crucial coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) within the body. In fact, statin-induced
CoQ10 deficiency could cause the one thing statins ultimately seeks
to prevent: heart failure.
CoQ10 is produced naturally in the body. It assists every cell in
producing needed energy, in addition to acting as an antioxidant.
The same enzymes that are involved in the production of cholesterol
are also required for the production of CoQ10. Simply put, statins
work by preventing these enzymes from producing cholesterol. Not
surprisingly, lower cholesterol levels in statin users are accompanied
by reduced levels of CoQ10.
CoQ10 is known to be highly concentrated in heart muscle cells due
to its high-energy requirements. Without a sufficient amount of CoQ10
circulating within your system, the risk for fatigued and weakened
heart muscles is high. Additionally, tests of CoQ10 levels of persons
with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) were shown in most cases to be
dangerously low.
Dr. Peter Langsjoen, a cardiologist at East Medical Texas Center,
who has written extensively about statin drugs for years, states "The
great bulk of clinical work with CoQ10 has focused on heart disease.
Specifically, congestive heart failure (from a wide variety of causes)
has been strongly correlated with significantly low blood and tissue
levels of CoQ10. The severity of heart failure correlates with the
severity of CoQ10 deficiency.
In the last 15 years
(roughly the time that statins have been on the market), the
incidence of congestive heart failure has tripled."
Some of the most common
complaints by statin users are: severe muscle weakness/pain, fatigue
and amnesia. According to the Mayo Clinic's
website, two "potentially serious" concerns are: elevated liver enzymes
and statin myopathy, which means muscle weakness. Myopathy, if left
untreated, could conceivably lead to kidney failure.
The importance of maintaining CoQ10 levels while taking any statin
drug cannot be overstated. Moreover, the pharmaceutical companies
are clearly aware of this. Indeed, in 1990 Merck Pharmaceutical Company
obtained a patent to add up to 1000 mg of CoQ10 to its statin products.
What's interesting is that Merck never brought this combination to
the open market. Given the life of a patent runs 20 years, no other
pharmaceutical company can attempt it until 2010, (even if they wanted).
Now why would Merck do this? The answer should be obvious. Though
adding a nutritional supplement to a chemical drug is patentable,
patenting anything that derives from nature alone is NOT! What sort
of message would the larger-than-life Merck be sending out if they
touted a nutritional supplement in any form, combination or dose?
Unfortunately, as long as:
1) physicians are paid "consulting fees" (for
doing nothing more than prescribing a certain medication),
2) the media is paid billions of dollars to advertise their products, and
3) researchers are given grant money for "specific unilateral interests,"
the pharmaceutical giants will continue to rein.
If this doesn't convince you, note that Pfizer, the maker of Lipitor,
was fined $430 million in criminal and civil charges in 2004 for
paying doctors to prescribe its epilepsy drug, Neurontin for nonapproved
purposes.
Although doctors are free to prescribe any federally approved drug
for whatever reasons they choose, pharmaceutical companies are not
allowed to promote drugs for nonapproved purposes. Which is to say,
they may still continue to offer incentives (i.e., money) to doctors
to write prescriptions for drugs with an approved use.
So, what do you do about
the CoQ10 question if you're taking a statin. Some of you have
prescribing physicians that have already covered
this issue with you; however, the vast majority of you do not. And
if the Pfizer fiasco says anything about the thousands of healthcare
providers that prescribed, and continue to prescribe, the Neurontin
for "unapproved" purposes, then you'll need to proceed with extreme
caution.
If your health is important enough to you, you will initiate some
of your own research. The web is an incredible source of information,
both good, bad and questionable. Ultimately, you will have to decide
what course of action to follow.
Below are instructions to CoQ10 supplements that you can purchase
from within this website to maintain and/or increase your CoQ10 levels.
However, as with all supplements of any kind, it is recommended that
you consult a physician if you are pregnant, lactating, taking prescribed
medications of any kind, or otherwise unsure of the doseage amounts
you may or may not need.
If you believe we have missed anything, we invite you to email our
customer service department at Doctor's
Choice, Inc.
Enter CoQ10 in the search engine
at the top of this page. All of the CoQ10 products will be
listed for your perusal.
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† This statement has not
been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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The "Sunshine" VITAMIN
Much, Much More
than a Strong-Bone Maker
Vitamin D has always been touted as the "sunshine" vitamin, and for good reason.
Strong healthy bones make for strong "happy" people.
Over the last several years however, clinical research trials of
vitamin 'D' in humans have focused on more than just bone health.
In its March 2004 issue, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition stated
that vitamin D is important "in the prevention of cancers, type 1
diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis1,2,3,4,5."
Because there are few food sources that naturally contain vitamin
D, sunshine supplies most of our requirements. However, before you
rush to don your shades and bathing wear, remember this:
You need to protect yourself from the harmful effects of ultra violet
(UV) rays, which can cause its own serious health issues. Sunscreens
with an SPF factor of 8 or more will block the UV rays that produce
vitamin D, yet a sunscreen with an SPF factor below 15 allows room
for trouble. The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), a federally
funded organization recommends:
"An initial exposure to sunlight (10 -15 minutes) allows adequate time for
Vitamin D synthesis and should be followed by application of a sunscreen with
an SPF of at least 15 to protect the skin. Ten to fifteen minutes of sun exposure
at least two times per week to the face, arms, hands, or back without sunscreen
is usually sufficient to provide adequate vitamin D."
This advice, states the ODS, is all dependent on:
"...season, geographic latitude, time of day, cloud cover, smog, and sunscreen,
which affect UV ray exposure and vitamin D synthesis. For example, sunlight exposure
from November through February in Boston is insufficient to produce significant
vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Complete cloud cover halves the energy of UV
rays, and shade reduces it by 60%. Industrial pollution, which increases shade,
also decreases sun exposure and may contribute to the development of rickets
in individuals with insufficient dietary intake of vitamin D."
Many foods today are fortified
with Vitamin D, which make those of us from the "cod-liver-oil generation" much
happier. Some of the foods that contain Vitamin D naturally however,
are: salmon, tuna,
milk, eggs, liver, beef and cheese. Evenso, Vitamin D deficiency
seems to be a problem for many of us. Vitamin D deficient diets are
associated with milk allergy, lactose intolerance, and strict vegetarianism.
Infants fed only breast milk also receive insufficient amounts of
vitamin D unless they also receive appropriate levels of vitamin
D supplementation.
According to ODS, "It can be difficult to obtain enough vitamin
D from natural food sources. For many people, consuming vitamin
D fortified foods and adequate sunlight exposure are essential
for maintaining a healthy vitamin D status. In some groups, dietary
supplements may be needed to meet the daily need for vitamin D."
Below are instructions to CoQ10 supplements that you can purchase
from within this website to maintain and/or increase your CoQ10 levels.
However, as with all supplements of any kind, it is recommended that
you consult a physician if you are pregnant, lactating, taking prescribed
medications of any kind, or otherwise unsure of the doseage amounts
you may or may not need.
If you believe we have missed anything, we invite you to email our
customer service department at Doctor's
Choice, Inc.
Enter Vitamin D in the search
engine at the top of this page. All of the Vitamin D/Calcium
formula products will be listed for your perusal.
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† This statement has not
been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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Look Who's
Talking
The Many Faces of Pharmaceutical
Drug Companies
"More
than half of the experts hired to advise the government on the safety
and effectiveness
of medicine have financial relationships with the pharmaceutical companies
that will be helped or hurt by their decisions, a USA TODAY study found."
By Dennis Cauchon, USA TODAY
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Aggressive marketing
and pricing have made pharmaceutical companies America's most
profitable industry. On the whole, Americans pay
higher prices for prescription drugs than anyone else in the world
because the United States is the only industrialized nation that
does not exert influence over prices." Original
article ...
By Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele, NEW YORK TIMES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"In the last two decades,
the drug and biotech industries have gained unprecedented leverage
over what doctors and patients know--and
don't know--about the $200 billion worth of prescription pharmaceuticals
consumed by Americans each year. Industry has gained that leverage
by funding and, increasingly, controlling medical research. It
has also used its deep pockets to effectively buy the loyalty of
physicians in private practice and to sway the opinion of thought-leaders
in academia." Original
article ...
By Shannon Brownlee, MOTHER JONES
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