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Herbal Remedies Natural Health Newsletter, December, Issue 239

Herbal Remedies December 2004 Natural Health Newsletter Issue 239 Sponsored by www.HerbalRemedies.com Toll Free for orders 1-866-467-6444 Issue Editor - Heather Bowman

Herbs - Vitamins - Minerals - Magnetics - Candles - Aromatherapy - Holiday Gifts - Bath & Beauty - Essential Oils - Condition & Ailment Guide - Women's Health - Men's Health - Weight Loss - Health Books Gift giving made easy. Just think gift baskets. - Click here for full story. Focus on Milk Thistle - Click here for full story. Higher Selenium Intake May Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk - Click here for full story. Probiotics Prove Just As Effective As a Popular Prescription Drug for Ulcerative Colitis - Click here for full story. Vitamin K: The Overlooked Bone Builder and Heart Protector - Click here for full story. Our Sponsors Enter coupon code "NL121104" when checking out to obtain discounts on your next purchase from http://www.HerbalRemedies.com

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Gift giving made easy. Just think gift baskets. How do you shop for the hard-to-buy-for-ones on your list - like your child’s teacher, daycare provider, co-workers? You could can get them a gift certificate – but maybe you want to give something a little bit more personal? Consider giving gift baskets. The holiday season is the perfect time to say “thank you” to those who have been there for you throughout the year - to let them know you're pleased with what they do for you. A monetary gift or gifts that you have selected personally are both appropriate. SUGGESTED DOLLAR GUIDELINES What to give is an individual decision. According to Emily Post, here are some suggested price ranges: Teacher - Check the school's policy first. Have your child help with selection. Ideas: classroom supplies, book, picture frame, fruit basket or gourmet food item. Another option is to go in on a joint gift with other parents. Day Care Provider(s) - $25 - $70 each, plus a small gift from your child. First, check the day care center's policy. Nanny, Au Pair – Anywhere from one- to four-week's pay, plus a small gift from your children/child. This varies widely depending on the circumstances. Regular Baby Sitter(s) - One or two evening's pay, plus a small gift from your children/child. Cleaning Person - $25 - $50, or one day's pay, or a gift equivalent to a day's pay. Regular Newspaper Deliverer - $10 - $25 Letter Carrier - U.S. Postal Service regulations allow carriers and other employees to accept gifts worth up to $20, per occasion. Beauty Salon Staff - $10 - $60 each, giving more, or possibly an additional small gift, to those who do more for you Personal Fitness Trainer - One work-out session fee if you are a regular client; less if you use the service occasionally Massage Therapist - One session fee if you are a regular client; less if you have occasional massages Regular Overnight Delivery Person - $10 - $25, if you receive regular deliveries from the same person Private Trash Collectors - $10 - $20 each Apartment Building Superintendent - $20 - $80 Private Garage Attendants - $10 - $30 each, if you regularly park at the garage. SAY YES TO GIFT BASKETS According to Emily Post’s holiday rules of etiquette, gift baskets are proper and generally appreciated gifts. They come in a wide variety of themes, elegant and unique. They also come in all types of price ranges – giving the sender a number of options. Nowadays, thanks to the Internet and online shopping, it is easy to shop for hard-to-buy-for persons. And shopping for gift baskets is even easier since you can see what you are buying. You can even have gift baskets gift wrapped and delivered directly to one’s door or office.

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Focus on Milk Thistle Reprinted with permission from www.bottomlinesecrets.com, Daily Health News, November 8, 2004 Milk thistle has been a staple in European medicine for more than 2,000 years to treat liver diseases, due to its ability to both protect the liver from damage and help stimulate production of new liver cells. To learn more about one of the classic "great herbs," I spoke with Mark Blumenthal, executive director of the American Botanical Council, and James A. Duke, PhD, former chief of the USDA Plant Laboratory. Here's a rundown on milk thistle's many liver-related uses... · In alcoholic liver diseases: Milk thistle helps the liver regenerate and detoxify, explains Blumenthal, by stimulating RNA (a sister to DNA) synthesis in the liver and by coating the liver cells so they are less susceptible to insult from foreign compounds. · In hepatitis: So effective is milk thistle in treating hepatitis that Dr. Duke says he would take it before he would take interferon for the disease. Blumenthal reports that he has taken milk thistle instead of getting a preventive hepatitis A shot before a trip to Africa. Result: No hepatitis, although Blumenthal admits that preventive effects are difficult, if not impossible, to prove. · As an antioxidant: Milk thistle is now a recognized antioxidant. According to Dr. Duke, silymarin (one of the active compounds in milk thistle) is 10 times more potent in antioxidative power than vitamin E. · In reducing hepatotoxic drug effects: Milk thistle is of great benefit when taken with medications that are known to have toxic effects on the liver, such as Tylenol and some other over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. It helps the liver process toxins produced by these drugs while not adversely influencing the medications' effectiveness. · Before and after drinking alcohol: Milk thistle is good to take before you drink alcohol as well as after, says Dr. Duke. First, because of its protective effect on the liver cells, and second because of the regenerative activity. Note: This should not, however, be an excuse to abuse alcohol. Dosage: For all of the above conditions, patients are encouraged to seek a health-care provider's assistance for milk thistle sourcing and dosage recommendations. The upper recommended dosage on the bottle (400 mg) is typical. The only known and reported adverse side effect of milk thistle is that it may have a slight laxative effect. There are no known contraindications with medications. Pregnant or nursing women may want to avoid it, however, because there is insufficient data on its safety for this group... and some feel that milk thistle should be avoided by people who have hormone-sensitive tumors, such as breast, uterine and ovarian cancer. However, as with all herbs, make sure your doctor is aware that you are taking milk thistle. Sources: · Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director, American Botanical Council, and senior editor, The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs (Thieme Medical) · James A. Duke, PhD, former chief, USDA Plant Laboratory and author of Dr. Duke’s Essential Herbs: 13 Vital Herbs You Need to Disease Proof Your Body, Boost Your Energy and Lengthen Your Life (Rodale)

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Higher Selenium Intake May Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk Reprinted with permission from www.NutraIngredients-usa.com, November 18, 2004 Higher blood levels of the trace mineral Selenium are associated with lower rates of colorectal neoplasia, finds a new study, suggesting that raising dietary intake of the mineral could protect against colorectal cancer. Selenium has previously been associated with cancer protection, with several studies showing that it may help combat prostate cancer. However past research on selenium and colorectal cancer has yielded mixed results. Researchers from the University of Arizona say however that these studies may have been too small to track the mineral's impact. To gain better insight into the selenium's anti-cancer role, they pooled data from three completed clinical trials of colorectal adenoma: the Wheat Bran Fiber Trial, the Polyp Prevention Trial, and the Polyp Prevention Study, each with several hundred participants. After adjustment for age, gender, smoking status and study site, each of the trials showed lower risk of adenoma recurrence in patients with the highest quartile of blood selenium level versus those in the lowest quartile, although only the Polyp Prevention Study was statistically significant. Writing in the 17 November issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (96:1645-1647), the authors explain that there are several possible mechanisms for this effect, including protection against DNA damage, induction of apoptosis, and increased immune system activity. The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT), looking at the impact of these nutrients on prostate cancer, may provide some new insight into the mechanisms of the mineral's anti-cancer activity.

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Probiotics Prove Just As Effective As a Popular Prescription Drug for Ulcerative Colitis By Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS, October 21, 2004, abstracted from “Maintaining remission of ulcerative colitis with the probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 is as effective as with standard mesalazine” in the November 2004 issue of Gut Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes a number of chronic, relapsing inflammatory disorders involving the gastrointestinal tract. It is estimated that more than 600,000 people in the United States have some form of inflammatory bowel disease.(1) Classically, inflammatory bowel disease includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis (UC) presents as inflammation extending throughout the entire colon. Research increasingly suggests that the inflammation associated with UC and IBD is related to an overabundance of “bad” bacteria and a deficiency of “good bacteria” known as Probiotics .(2, 3) Now a new study(4) has found probiotics act just as well as prescription drugs in helping relapses in UC. Researchers studied 327 IBD patients, with 162 receiving 200 mg Escherichia Coli Nissle once daily while 165 received 500 mg mesalazine, a prescription drug regarded as the “gold standard” for treating IBD, three times daily for one year. Patients were assessed were regularly assessed for signs of relapse using the Rachmilewitz clinical and endoscopic activity indices, and according to histology at the end of the study. Compared to the relapses of patients on mesalazine (38/112 = 33.9 percent), the probiotic group had a similar percentage of relapse (40/110 = 36.4 percent). "The probiotic drug E. coli Nissle 1917 shows efficacy and safety in maintaining remission equivalent to the gold standard mesalazine in patients with UC” and that these results re-emphasize “the pathogenetic significance of the enteric flora.” Although both groups tolerated their treatment well with no reported adverse side effects, a note of caution should be raised about mesalazine, since it has been the subject of research regarding dangerous side effects that include pancreas and kidney damage,(5) making probiotics all the more reasonable as an effective option for UC. Reference: 1 Botoman VA. Management of inflammatory bowel disease. Am Fam Physician. 1998 Jan 1;57(1):57-68, 71-2 2 Kanauchi, O. Modification of intestinal flora in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Curr Pharm Des. 2003;9(4):333-46 3 Linskins, RK. The bacterial flora in inflammatory bowel disease: current insights in pathogenesis and the influence of antibiotics and probiotics. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl. 2001(234):29-40 4 Kruis S. Maintaining remission of ulcerative colitis with the probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 is as effective as with standard mesalazine. Gut 2004 Nov; 53(11): 1617-23 5 Sulphasalazine and mesalazine: serious adverse reactions re-evaluated on the basis of suspected adverse reaction reports to the Committee on Safety of Medicines. Gut 2002 Oct; 51(4): 536-9

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Vitamin K: The Overlooked Bone Builder and Heart Protector Reprinted with permission from Susan E. Brown, Ph.D., CCN, Director the Osteoporosis Education Project Copyright 2004, Bone Health E-Newsletter, September 23, 2004, www.betterbones.com GLA (y-carboxyglutamic acid) is one of the many important amino acids (proteins) produced in the body. The only known role of on Vitamin K within the body is a cofactor for the formation of glutamate residues in certain precursors of this amino acid (GLA). Specifically, it is a cofactor for the vitamin K dependent y- carboxylation reaction. Vitamin K is well known for its action facilitating blood coagulation. This action is due to vitamin K's role in GLA protein production. Since its discovery in the mid-1970s vitamin K was identified exclusively for its role in blood coagulation. Recently, however, vitamin K dependent GLA formation has also been identified as critical to strong bones and healthy hearts. Specifically, the vitamin K dependent y- carboxylation process is important for the formation and proper functioning of a bone protein known as "osteocalcin". If osteocalcin is properly carboxylated more mineral compounds are bound into bone. So in simple terms adequate vitamin K helps calcium and phosphorus bind onto the bone protein matrix. Several epidemiological studies show the link between low vitamin K intakes and higher rates of hip fracture. While we recommend leafy green vegetables like kale, collards, beet and mustard greens and spinach for their high vitamin K content, even just regular consumption of common lettuce helps strengthen bones and reduce fracture risk. In heart arterial health the same GLA protein is important, but in a different way. Did you every wonder how it is the body knows to deposit calcium in the bones, but not in other soft tissue, like the arteries? The vitamin K dependent protein GLA is part of the answer. When GLA is again properly carboxylated (by adequate supply of vitamin K) there is a strong inhibition of calcium deposition in the walls of blood vessels. When GLA is undercarboxylated (due to low vitamin K supply) calcium is allowed to drift from bone into arteries and other soft tissue. These calcium deposits in the artery increase the risk of heart attack. Recent studies in both animals and humans suggest that higher doses of vitamin K may help prevent cardiovascular diseases. Vitamin K: The Best Food Sources Vitamin K is not a single nutrient, but the name given to a group of vitamins of similar composition. The two main groups of vitamin K that occur naturally are vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinone). K1 is found in many vegetables and K2 is produced by bacteria. Dark green leafy vegetables, and fermented foods are high in Vitamin K. While you probably have enough vitamin K to provide for normal blood clotting, you most likely do not consume enough vitamin K to allow for optimum bone health. For example, studies document that for optimization of the bone protein osteocalcin adults would do well with a daily K1 intake of 1000 mcg. Currently the average K1 intake in this country is only 75 to 125 mcg. The table at www.susanbrownphd.com/hot_topics/vitamin_k.htm lists the foods highest in vitamin K1.. It is worth noting that the absorption of vitamin K from vegetables is likely enhanced by the presence of dietary fat in the same meal, just as occurs with two other fat soluble vitamins, vitamins D and E. Unless you are a "greens" lover you might find it difficult to consume 1000 mcg of vitamin K in foods. Take heart and do the best you can. The prestigious Framingham Heart Study found that those with the highest vitamin K1 intake (250 mcg/day in this study compared to the recommended intake of about 75 mcg/day) had a threefold reduction in hip fracture risk. Even if your vitamin K1 intake is lower than 250 mcg a day you can also note that the 72,327 person Nurses Health Study found that those consuming a mere 109mcg vitamin K1 a day had a lower risk of hip fracture over a ten year period than those consuming less vitamin K1. Vitamin K2 is the most biologically active form of vitamin K. It is also the most beneficial for bone health maximization. Vitamin K2, however, is produced by bacteria and is mainly found in fermented foods such as ripe cheese, yogurt and a fermented soy food known as natto. Having a very strong odor, natto is often called the "Limburger Cheese" of Japan". Natto is by far the best food source for Vitamin K2. I suspect that one day soon you will see encapsulated natto K2 supplements on the market in this country. Vitamin K3, (menadione) is a synthetic form that is manmade and not recommended for use as a nutritional supplement. Foods containing vitamin K are nutritious and increasing their intake can provide many health benefits. If you suspect your vitamin K intake is low, you can also use vitamin supplements. Studies, in fact, suggest that the absorption of K1 from a tablet is considerably higher than the absorption from vegetables. You might use the following table to determine if your intake of vitamin K1 reaches the optimum level of 1000 mcg a day. If you fall short consider increasing consumption of foods high in vitamin K, or discuss vitamin K supplementation with your health professional. A note of caution: Those taking medications to thin the blood, such as Coumadin, should avoid use of supplemental vitamin K as it can reverse the effects of this medication. Also those on this medication should consult with their physician before increasing consumption of foods high in vitamin K. Do you have a question for us? If so please send in your questions to newseditor@herbalremedies.com We will answer all email ASAP!

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For assistance or to purchase products by phone call toll free in the USA 1-866-467- 6444 or World Wide 1-307-577-6444 or e-mail your questions to newseditor@herbalremedies.com. We will answer e-mails in the newsletter as space allows. Our Sponsors HerbalRemedies.com Get the finest all natural health products, get the best service, and low cost worldwide delivery. Enter coupon code "NL121104" when checking out to obtain discounts on your next purchase from www.HerbalRemedies.com