MEMBERS ALERT FOR MARCH 2005 Vol. 9, No. 9

still five more, all with equallyimpressive research and uniqueuses behind them. The next herbon the list is chanca piedra. Youmight recognize this herb fromour September 2000 issue wherewe covered its benefits for breakingup kidney stones. It’s also a potentcell protector—especially for yourliver. And several animal studiessuggest that it is effective againstliver damage from chemicallyinduced liver toxins. At least onehuman clinical study reports thatchanca piedra provides liver protective, liver repair, and liver detoxifying actions in children and adultswith hepatitis and jaundice.11Plus, Taylor also told meabout one animal study, whichdocumented that chanca piedraalmost doubled the life span ofmice with liver cancer.12 A different research group tried to induceliver cancer in mice that had beenpre-treated with a water extract ofchanca piedra. Their results indicated the chanca piedra extractdose-dependently lowered tumorincidence, levels of carcinogenmetabolizing enzymes, levels ofliver cancer markers, and liverinjury markers.13 Both of thesestudies suggest that the plant hasthe ability to prevent cancer.The possibility of cancer prevention may lie in chanca piedra’sdocumented ability to stop cellsfrom mutating. One study indicated that it inhibited severalenzyme processes peculiar to cancer cells’ replication and growth,rather than a direct toxic effect ofkilling cancer cells.14Liver supporting herb doubleslife span in cancer-stricken miceInoculation against cancerAll the above effects are onlybased on three of AmazonVitality’s ingredients—there areAmazon Vitality also incorporates the herb fedegoso. Accordingto studies provided by Raintree,fedegoso has been the subject ofVisit us online at www.HSIBaltimore.comclinical research for applicationsinvolving the liver and immunesystem. Animal studies indicatethat it has the ability to protectthe liver from various introducedchemical toxins, normalize liverenzymes and processes, and repairliver damage.15 Some of thisresearch has also reported significant immunostimulant activity byincreasing humoral immunity andbone marrow immune cells in miceand protecting them from chemically induced immunosuppression.16In other words, after treatmentwith fedegosa scientists could notgive mice cancer—they had, intheory at least, become inoculated.The next ingredient is picãopreto, which has general antioxidant and cell-protective actions.One research group in Spainfound that the extract reduced theamount of pro-inflammatoryimmune cells in human blood.17Other research has demonstratedthat picão preto extract can inhibit chemical processes in the bodylike the formation of prostaglandinsand arthritis-inducing cyclooxygenase (COX).182 Amazon herbs offerdefense and offense againstkiller conditionsNext up on Amazon Vitality’singredient list is gervâo. This mightbe one of the formula’s biggestpowerhouses with the most wideranging potential. In laboratorystudies, three of gervâo’s primaryphytochemicals—verbascoside,scutellarein, and hispidulin—havebeen documented with brain cellprotective, antiviral, antibacterial,liver protective, heart protective,and antitumor activity.19-23And finally we have tayuya,typically used for pain, arthritis,(continued on page 4)Members Alert March 2005aging, but that higher dosagesmay actually “reverse the loss ofnormal elastic fibers associatedwith intrinsic aging of skin.”9These effects make sense whenyou consider that the extract wastaken from a plant that grows inharsh rainforest conditions. It hasdeveloped specific techniques toprotect itself and to survive its environment. And these actions seem towork for people too. But Anapsosalso appears to have another, completely different benefit—one thatthe plant itself would never need.Apparently psoriasis patientsin Europe taking Anapsos whoalso happened to have Alzheimer’sdisease started reported an amazingside effect––improvement in theirAlzheimer’s symptoms. In response,the manufacturer funded a clinicaltrial on its use for brain disorders.In a double-blind placebo-controlledhuman trial, researchers reportedthat patients with senile dementiaimproved their cognitive performance, increased the blood supplyto the brain, and also increased theelectrical impulses in the brain.10Results were better for patients withAlzheimer’s or mild dementia thanthose with severe dementia andextensive brain cell degeneration.And considering that the sameingredient in Anapsos, combinedwith the other brain-boosting herbcalaguala, make up roughly half ofAmazon Vitality, it didn’t come asmuch of a shock when Taylor toldme she’s already getting reportsfrom people who have tried Vitalitythat their thinking is clearer in aslittle as three to five days.3

jungle secrets of survival(continued from page 3)and detoxification.There is some hype in Europeabout this herb: Some manufacturers have claimed that tayuya cancure arthritis, but there is no clinical evidence of that. However, itdoes have evidence to back up itsantioxidant, anti-inflammatory,and general pain-relieving properties, and, more recently, to haveanti-cancerous potential.24,25Researchers from the KyotoPharmaceutical University in Japanreported that five different chemicals, called cayaponosides, intayuya exhibited significant anti-tumor activity in screening tests.26New, but promisingAlthough the full AmazonVitality combination of all eightherbs only hit the market a fewmonths ago, in mid-December2004, and there’s no clinicalresearch on its effects as a whole,Taylor told me that initial reactionhas been very positive.Many people who have tried itas a daily supplement report thatin as little as three days they noticeda marked improvement in skin texture and tone. People over the ageof 50 are reporting that they havemore energy in the later part of theday. And some people have evenMembers Alert March 2005Tibetan recipe restores peace of mind4Years ago, Padma was formulated in Tibet to battle the effects ofoverconsumption of meat, fat, andalcohol. Basically, a remedy for thewealthy—the only ones who couldafford the sort of lifestyle thatwould result in such indulgences.But in the middle of the 19thcentury a Tibetan doctor took therecipe through Poland to St. Petersburg, where it developed into aneffective treatment for intermittentclaudication, a painful condition inwhich a decrease in the flow of bloodto the legs brings about a reductionin oxygen to your lower extremities.And this is the use we first reportedon back in the June 2000 issue ofMembers Alert. But now, this ancientrecipe has revealed yet another use—improved mood.As we’ve seen time and timeagain, the discovery of Padma’s newbenefits came about by accident.Patients taking part in a clinicalstudy on Padma for intermittentclaudication began reporting anunexpected side effect—improvedmood. Based on these results,researchers in Germany sought tounravel the mystery with their ownstudy. I read the results of it, and,to be honest, my first reaction wasthat it was really small—we’re talking three people. Yet the scientistsmanaged to create a study protocolwhere they produced nine differentfindings (each test was carried outin triplicate).Padma helps increasenature’s antidepressantI wanted to get some moreanswers about this study and potential next steps in reaction to thesefindings, so I contacted the exclusive U.S. distributor—Econugenics—and spoke to company representative Kerry Hughes, M.Sc. Sheexplained that in this study, scientists took blood samples, thenstimulated an inflammatory envi-reported weight loss, which may bedue to the liver detoxification properties in several of the herbs.And according to Taylor, therehaven’t been any reports of contraindications or drug interactions.If you decide to try AmazonVitality, Taylor recommends thatyou take one capsule twice daily ifyou weigh up to 150 lbs, and twotwice daily if you weigh more than150. In either case, you shouldtake it with food—specifically ameal containing carbs, since theactive phytochemicals from theplants found in Amazon Vitalityare absorbed better with starch. HSICitations available upon request and on HSI websiteby Kathryn Mays Wrightronment within the samples, whilekeeping unstimulated controls forcomparison. Blood that’s in aninflammatory state has increasedlevels of a chemical called neopterin.And in the presence of elevatedneopterin levels, tryptophan levelsare decreased or inhibited. Whatthe researchers found was thatwhen they introduced Padma tothe stimulated/inflamed cells, therewas a decrease in neopterin and asubsequent increase in tryptophan.In fact, the tryptophan concentration in stimulated cells reachedalmost 90 percent of that ofunstimulated cells.It’s a fairly well-established factthat major depression is associatedwith low levels of serotonin—thekey mood-regulating hormone.And the body uses tryptophan tomake serotonin. So if an inflammatory response prevents the bodyfrom making tryptophan, it alsocan’t make enough serotonin. ButVisit us online at www.HSIBaltimore.com

basic formula is the same, exceptit’s called Padma Basic. But by anyname, Padma touts more than 50published research papers supporting it as an anti-inflammatory andantioxidant supplement.Padma is best taken on anempty stomach, one-half hourbefore mealtime. And if you feelany discomfort after taking thetablets, try taking them along withyour meal. According to Hughes,no interactions between Padmaand drugs have been reported.However, if you’re taking anymedications, Econugenics adviseswaiting one and a half to twohours after taking it before takingyour medication.The tablets can be chewed orswallowed whole with a glass ofwater. If you have difficulty swallowing tablets, let them dissolvein a glass of warm water and thenswallow the mixture. HSIPopular immune booster and exfoliantformulas back on the marketWe were outraged when a U.S. district court stopped thesale of three very popular natural therapies: BeneFin,SkinAnswer, and MGN-3. (See the July 2004 issue for our original article.)At the time, LaneLabs voluntarily stopped selling two additional products, SunSpot ES and Noxylane4, but the companyjust informed us that they’re bringing both products back.Noxylane4 immune booster contains patented arbinoxylane,clinically shown to triple natural killer (NK) cell activity.SunSpotTM ES glycoalkaloid gel helps exfoliate rough, raised,scaly skin patches, commonly called sunspots. For more information on these products, see the May 1998 and the May 2004issues of Members Alert. You can access them free on the HSIwebsite (www.hsibaltimore.com). Just sign on with the username and password listed in the Member Source Directory onpage 8.These products are only available on-line. For more details,visit www.noxylane4.com or www.sunspotes.com.And another thing.Stroke risk rises sharplyfor middle-aged men with ahigh body mass index (BMI),according to a long-term studyof more than 7,000 subjects.The “low-normal” range ofBMI is 20-30. Researchersfound that men with a BMIover 30 had nearly twice therisk of stroke in their later yearscompared to those who qualified as low-normal.Study after study confirms that regular exercise is thekey to optimal health. In a nineyear study of more than 8,000men, researchers found thatthose who exercised intensivelyat least two times each weeklowered their risk of untimelydeath. Sedentary men (definedas burning 500 or fewer caloriesthrough exercise per week) werefound to be at highest risk ofdeath due to any cause.Tennis shoes, sneakers,athletic shoes, walkers––whatever you might call them,they’re the safest footwear forpeople over the age of 65.When researchers monitoredthe incidence of falls amongmore than 1,300 retirement-agesubjects over two years, theyfound that subjects who regularly wore sneakers significantlyreduced their risk of taking aspill. Falling risk was highestamong those who mostly wentbarefoot or wore only socksaround the house.Eating consistentlythroughout the day may helpregulate insulin resistance and(continued on page 7)Visit us online at www.HSIBaltimore.comMembers Alert March 2005Padma’s anti-inflammatoryeffects appear to allow the bodyto keep more tryptophan, whichmeans it produces more serotonin. And that translates into abetter mood.So in addition to its alreadyestablished benefits—providingimmune support and promotinghealthy circulation—Padma mayalso offer a natural way of restoring emotional balance. Theresearch is only in the very preliminary stages though, so only timeand experience will tell for sure.Padma’s unique blend of 19different herbs (including Bengalquince, allspice, marigold, Indiancostus, Iceland moss, red sandalwood, and knot grass) is nowmanufactured in Switzerland andis sold under the brand namePadma 28 in Denmark, Austria,Italy, the Netherlands, the UnitedKingdom, Switzerland, Poland,and Lithuania. In the U.S., the5

Panelist’s ProtocolBeat Alzheimer’s with my top 11 brain-protecting strategiesby Martin Milner, N.D.Alzheimer’s is not a normalpart of aging. It’s a disease thatdestroys brain cells and robs youof your mind and your memories.You may have heard the recentreports that cholesterol-loweringstatin drugs have shown potentialin lowering the risk of Alzheimer’sdisease. But I have some seriousdoubts and concerns about thistheory. It’s important to understand that cholesterol is not onlyimportant to your brain—it ISyour brain.Your brain is made up of 60to 70 percent cholesterol by weight.So reducing your cholesterol levels with statin drugs will causemore problems than it couldsolve. In fact, my approach toAlzheimer’s includes plenty ofdietary cholesterol, along withsome specific supplements shownto enhance brain function. First,though, let’s take a look at howthis cholesterol-lowering theorycame to be.Members Alert March 2005Cholesterol makes yourbrain functionLast January, a study publishedin the Archives of Neurology demonstrated a strong link between highcholesterol levels and Alzheimer’sdisease. This study focused specifically on a mutation occurring in aparticular enzyme called CYP46,which is responsible for cholesterol metabolism in the brain.Another known risk factor forAlzheimer’s disease is mutation ofthe gene that makes a specific typeof lipoprotein that carries cholesterol from the blood into thebrain. This process is thought toaccelerate the formation of6 Visit us online at www.HSIBaltimore.complaques in the brain and increasethe risk of Alzheimer’s. Based onthese concepts, researchers hypothesized that lowering cholesterollevels may be the key to preventingthe disease. My question is, howcan an organ that’s 70 percentcholesterol maintain health withextreme cholesterol restriction?Furthermore, lipid peroxidationand oxidative stress have beenimplicated in Alzheimer’s diseasefor years. For all we know, theoxidizing of cholesterol andlipoproteins in the brain could bemore of the problem than theratio of lipoproteins themselves.Studies aren’t real lifeBut let’s not talk studies andtheories—let’s talk people. Whilethe FDA has approved statindrugs as safe and effective, consider that most of the studies wereconducted over only a six to 12month period. But in real life, realproblems often develop over amuch longer period of time.Many of my patients who are onstatin drugs don’t develop problems with concentration andmemory until they’ve been usingthem continuously for two tofour years. These problems areeven more pronounced if theircholesterol levels fall below 180mg/dl.And, to make matters worse,mental function may be worsened by combining statins withother drugs including selectiveserotonin reuptake inhibitors fordepression, like Prozac or Paxil,or beta-blockers like Propranololor Atenolol.That brings us back to theprotocol I use inmy practice toward offAlzheimer’s andcombat theseproblems in theprocess.Martin Milner, N.D.Simple tools formaximum mental powerAs I mentioned above, I startwith increasing cholesterol intakeby having the patient eat morefoods containing it—especiallyunheated forms. Eggs are one ofthe mainstays, in varieties likepoached, soft-boiled, or even raw,blended into smoothies.Then we move on to brainprotecting supplement formulas.There are a number of effectiveproducts I use in my practice, andI choose from the list based oneach particular patient’s needs. Isuggest you work with your doctor to determine which ones areright for you. But to give you agood foundation to start buildingyour Alzheimer’s prevention program, I’ll list them all.1.) Meta Lipoate is a premium-grade preparation of alphalipoic acid (ALA). It extends thebeneficial activity of vitamins Cand E and coenzyme Q10, promotes accelerated glutathione synthesis, and directly scavenges freeradicals. Meta Lipoate also supports the health and function ofneurological tissue, especiallyperipheral nerves, and boosts theproduction of cellular energy(ATP).2.) Ceralin is a comprehensivebrain support formula thataddresses multiple pathwaysVisit us online at www.HSIBaltimore.com

formula designed to supporthealthy brain function by combining ginkgo biloba with aunique extract of rosemary leafknown as RoseOx . Based on myobservations, it supports memory,alertness, and mental sharpness;promotes healthy cerebral circulation, which is important for thedelivery of oxygen and vitalnutrients to the brain; providesantioxidant support to help protect delicate neuronal cells andother tissues; and enhances learning performance.8.) EPA-DHA ExtraStength EE Enteric-Coatedprovides concentrated levels ofthe omega-3 essential fatty acidseicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) anddocsahexaenoic acid (DHA).Both of these fatty acids are critical in helping your brain keepthe fat it needs to function atpeak performance.9.) GLA Forte is another fattyacid formula that contains borageseed oil, an essential fatty acid thatis converted in the body to DGLA(dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid),the direct precursor of beneficialseries 1 prostaglandins. Series 1prostaglandins dilate blood vessels,reduce clotting, lower LDL (bad)cholesterol levels, raise HDL(good) cholesterol levels, and haveanti-inflammatory actions.Once we establish an individualized protocol from the abovelist of supplements, I also haveevery patient take a quality multiple vitamin/mineral complexwithout iron.I’ve found that, taken incombination, these nutrients support essential nutrition whileoptimizing antioxidant brain protection and preventing dietarycholesterol from oxidizing. Theblood pressure? A high intakeof fruits, vegetables and oliveoil was significantly associatedwith lower systolic and diastolicblood pressure in a Greek study(continued on page 8)(continued on page 8)Visit us online at www.HSIBaltimore.comAnd another thing.(continued from page 5)reduce LDL cholesterol, according to a small study of women.Researchers also noted improvements in cardiovascular diseaserisk factors among those whofollowed a set pattern of frequentmeals compared to those whosemeal patterns were erratic.And, in case you didn’t seeit in the e-Alert .If you’re trying to make aweight-loss diet work, you canstart by getting enough sleep. A10-year study of nearly 18,000subjects found that an averageof five hours of sleep per nightincreased their obesity risk by50 percent compared to subjectswho slept seven to nine hourseach night. An average of sixhours of sleep per night increasedobesity risk by 23 percent.If you’ve ever opened abag of freshly dry-cleanedclothes and recoiled at the pungent aroma, you were on theright track. That aroma is achemical called perchloroethylene, or more simply: “perc.”One study found that drycleaning left inside a car for 15minutes permeated the air with350 parts per million of perc.Just one problem: perc is toxic.So it’s best to air out your drycleaning before putting it awayin a closet.Want to

mice.7 And in 2004, Harvard researchers published a human study showing that samambaia demonstrates “substantial benefits of skin protection” to prevent sun-burn and skin aging when taken internally.8 Other research reports that low doses may not only pro-tect against sun damage and skin ju