Here's the training schedule for the week.

Here's the training schedule for the week.


All training events and conference calls are open tothe USANA Family.

Feel free to invite anyone whocan benefit.

** Monday 9 PM EST - Health and Freedom WebcastBring your guests here to learn about the

USANA opportunity.www.integritas-group-webcast.com - for associates www.viewthewebcast.com - for prospects 712-432-3000, 12525110:30 PM EST - Live Prospecting Calls. Come listen to a top leader make live prospecting calls.605-990-0400, 1095879#


** Tuesday8 PM EST - Advanced BDS TrainingDial-In #: 1-218-486-1300, 651953www.integritas-group-faststart.com9 PM EST - Health and Freedom WebcastBring your guests here to learn about the USANA opportunity.www.integritas-group-webcast.com - for associateswww.viewthewebcast.com - for prospects 712-432-3000, 12525110 PM EST - Simon Chan, John Goerlitz, Kim Koller Team Trainingwebcast: www.traintheteam.usana.comphone: 605-990-0300, 384115#


** Wednesday8 PM EST - Integritas Group Info Webcastl - 1 hour webcast that covers the history of Integritas, system and comunity information. Call is great for people who are interested in learning about Integritas, new people, even prospects who are very interested in the community/system.605-990-0200, 635978#www.integritas-group-information.com 9 PM EST - Fast Start Training Webcast1-218-486-1300, 651953www.integritas-group-faststart.com9 PM EST Integritas System Support Webcast - 1 hour of open Q+A on the system, training, marketing, etc lead by an Integritas Expert605-990-0400, 1095879# www.integritas-group-information.com 11 PM EST - Health and Freedom WebcastBring your guests here to learn about the USANA opportunity.www.integritas-group-webcast.com - for associateswww.viewthewebcast.com - for prospects712-432-3000, Bridge Number: 125251


** Thursday9 PM EST - Health and Freedom Webcast Bring your guests here to learn about the USANA opportunity.www.integritas-group-webcast.com - for associates www.viewthewebcast.com - for prospects712-432-3000, Bridge Number: 125251


** Saturday11AM EST - Integritas Group Community Call - Ruby Director Simon ChanPhone: 605-990-0400 Access Code: 1095879#

Nutritionals Web Conference October 23 (THIS TUESDAY)

Nutritionals Web Conference October 23

Make sure you join an informative Web conference on Tuesday, October 23, to learn about two of USANA’s newest Nutritional products. Find out about all of the latest research behind the new formulation of BiOmega™, and learn everything you need to know about the MyHealthPak™—from why it’s cool to how to build it on the new Web site. This is the place to get answers to your questions. See you there! Nutritionals Web ConferenceOctober 23, 2007Time: 5:00 p.m. MDT

Web Conference Link:

https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usana500/join?id=BIOMEGA1&role=attend
Conference Call Phone Number: 1-212-990-8000Pin Number: 8596

http://www.safeliving.usana.com

4-Star Diamond Director Tim Lewis shares a message

Join us in Akron, Ohio Friday, November 2 and Saturday, November 3 for the 2nd annual Children’s Hunger Fund charity ball. In addition, we’ve planned a special Diamond University to take place before the ball. Not only will you be raising money for a great cause but you’ll also have an opportunity to train with the Diamonds!

Log on to USANAtoday, Event Registration, located under the “Contests & Events” tab and sign up for the Diamond U with item #854 or register for a Diamond U/charity ball combo ticket with item #855. You can also register by calling Order Express at 1-888-950-9595. For more information on this event, check out Associate Events located on USANAtoday.

FAQs

Q. Where is Akron, Ohio anyway??

A. Good question! Akron is 30 minutes south of Cleveland, two hours north of Columbus, three to four hours west of western New York, five hours east of Chicago, 10 hours east of Kansas City, or a short plane ride from anywhere! So come on, get here!

Q. I am new. What is a Diamond U?

A. A Diamond U is a rare opportunity to learn from the Diamonds on how to become a Diamond. Think of it as an amplified Super Saturday! The lineup is truly exciting. 4-Star Diamond Director Tim Lewis, 5-Star Diamond Director Lynn Allen-Johnson, and 2-Star Diamond Directors Dr. Paige and Daniel Hunter are all speaking! Also, hear from Diamond Director Steve Swartz who will be sharing how he built his business entirely using the Internet. Then, to top it all off, we will be donning our best and going to the 2nd Annual Children's Hunger Fund Charity Ball.

Q. The CHF Charity Ball sounds like fun, but how formal is formal attire?

A. Suit and tie are fine. Wear a tux if you have one, and if you want to. If you show up in blue jeans, you will probably feel a bit uncomfortable. But, don’t let the attire stop you from coming. You won’t want to miss out on the fun.

In addition to fun, live entertainment, we will be auctioning off some really cool things this year. Goodyear has donated a ride for two on the Goodyear Blimp. Also, Tim Sales is donating one hour of free consulting services for two people. Tim Sales’ consulting services are highly valued. In addition, the merchants who donated last year are doubling their contributions so we will have hundreds of great items to auction and raffle off.

Q. I want to come to the Diamond U and the Ball, but how do I purchase a ticket for just the ball for a guest?

A. Go to www.chfcharityball.com. You can register and purchase a ticket for the ball alone there.
Q. I can’t come this year, but I wish to donate to the cause. How do I do that?

A. Go to www.chfcharityball.com and click on the donation page link. Thank you!

CoEnzyme Q10 protects nerve cells

CoEnzyme Q10 has shown the ability to protect nerve cells and potentially lower the risk of various degenerative diseases.Cells in the brain and nervous system depend on optimal mitochondrial function for energy.

A research study published in the journal Neurobiology of Disease showed that oxidative stress causes mitochondria to produce excessive free radicals, leading to nerve cell damage and destruction. Due to its function in the mitochondrial energy process and its role as an antioxidant, researchers evaluated CoEnzyme Q10 for its ability to protect nerve cells.

The results of this study revealed that CoEnzyme Q10 inhibits the production of free radicals by the mitochondria and stabilizes the mitochondrial membrane when nerve cells are subjected to oxidative stress. CoEnzyme Q10 may therefore have a potential benefit in reducing the risk of various neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurobiol Dis. 2005 Apr;18(3):618-27

Want to know more:

http://www.safeliving.usana.com
http://usanachoice.blogspot.com

Case for Nutritional Supplements

The Case for Nutritional Supplements
In Primary Prevention

Tim Wood, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President, R&D
USANA Health Sciences, Inc.


Executive Summary

The value of nutritional supplements in promoting and protecting human health is intensely debated. Some argue that supplements provide a convenient and effective means for supplying the optimal intakes of essential nutrients that people need for good health. Others argue that there is no conclusive evidence that supplements provide any true health benefits at all. The latter argument has been bolstered over the past several years by a steady stream of negative research reports published in leading medical journals.

This paper examines the supplement debate and questions some of the recent evidence suggesting that nutritional supplements are ineffective and unsafe. It is argued that much of the current controversy and negativity surrounding nutritional supplements results from inappropriate use of a pharmaceutical, acute-care model in the clinical evaluation of nutritional products; products whose real value is in preventing rather than treating disease. As a result of this mismatch, nutritional supplements are often tested inappropriately, results of studies are interpreted less than objectively, and valid but non-clinical evidence of benefit is often discounted or ignored.

As a case in point, I focus on vitamin E supplements and their role in preventing heart disease. But the central tenets raised in this paper pertain to nutritional supplements in general, and to much broader issues surrounding the field of primary prevention as a whole. We now spend about $2.0 trillion dollars annually on healthcare in the US. Ninety-eight percent of this spending goes to the treatment of injuries and disease. And, the lion’s share goes to the treatment of chronic degenerative diseases (e.g. heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes), the leading causes of premature death and disability in our society. Only 2% of our healthcare dollars are spent on primary prevention; measures designed to keep healthy people healthy. This despite the fact that most chronic degenerative diseases are highly (60-90%) preventable.

In this light, increased emphasis on primary prevention holds tremendous potential for improving the effectiveness of our healthcare system. Most Americans have the opportunity to add years of health to their lives by embracing prudent lifestyle strategies and habits over the long-term. Clearly, such strategies need to be broad-based, encompassing diet, nutrition, exercise, stress management, and the avoidance of harmful habits like smoking. And just as clearly, a program of responsible supplementation, designed to compliment healthy eating habits and provide the advanced levels of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants required for lifelong health, can play an important role in this endeavor. The science, when approached broadly with an open mind, is convincing on this point.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tim Wood is Executive Vice President of Research and Development for USANA Health Sciences, Inc. He received his Ph.D. in the Biological Sciences from Yale University in 1980. He also holds an MBA from the Gore School of Business. Dr. Wood joined USANA Health Sciences in 1996 and has overseen the company’s Research and Development, Quality Assurance, and International Regulatory efforts since that time.
Introduction

The value of nutritional supplements in promoting and protecting human health is intensely debated. Some argue that supplements provide a convenient and effective means for supplying, on a daily basis, the optimal intakes of essential nutrients that people need for good health. Others argue that there is no conclusive evidence that supplements provide any true health benefits at all. The latter argument has been bolstered over the past several years by a steady stream of negative research reports published in leading medical journals. Several such papers have concluded that antioxidants and B vitamin supplements are ineffective at reducing the risks of heart disease and cancer (Lee et al, 2006; Kirsh et al, 2006;Zoungas et al, 2006). Others have reported that calcium and vitamin D supplements provide at best incomplete protection against osteoporosis (c.f. Jackson et al, 2006). Still others have questioned the safety of nutritional supplements (c.f. Bjelakovic et al, 2004, Bairati et al, 2005; Miller et al, 2005). Each time such studies appear, newspaper headlines blare “Supplements Proven to Be Snake Oil” or “Vitamin E May Be Deadly”. Morning talk shows feature doctors and alternative practitioners who argue over the latest findings. Sadly, the public grows more confused about what to believe concerning the role of nutrition and nutritional supplements in health.

This paper examines the supplement debate and questions some of the recent evidence suggesting that nutritional supplements are ineffective and unsafe. I argue that much of the current controversy and negativity surrounding the benefits of nutritional supplements result from inappropriate use of a pharmaceutical, acute-care model in the clinical evaluation of nutritional products - products whose real value is in preventing rather than treating disease. It is further argued that while the case against supplements may be evidence-based, the relevance of much of that evidence is questionable.


Healthcare versus Disease Management

This year, Americans will spend $2 trillion on healthcare (Borger et al, 2006). This enormous sum represents about $7,000 in healthcare spending for every man, woman, and child in the US. It also equates to a spending rate of more than $60,000 per second…and that’s 24-7-365. How is this money being spent? Ninety-eight percent goes to the treatment of injuries and disease, and the lion’s share of this goes to the treatment of chronic degenerative diseases such as heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and the like. Today, these are the leading causes of premature death and disability in our society (CDC, 2002).

In comparison, only 2% of our healthcare dollars are spent on primary prevention - measures designed to keep healthy people healthy. This despite the fact that all of the chronic degenerative diseases listed above are highly preventable. It is estimated, for example, that 60-70% of the current cases of heart disease could have been prevented through improved nutrition, better exercise habits, avoidance of smoking, and the adoption of other healthy lifestyle habits (Koop, 2002). Similar statistics apply to the prevention of cancer, stroke, cataracts, osteoporosis, and macular degeneration (c.f. Michel, 2002; Rosenthal, 2002). Type 2 diabetes is thought to be 90% preventable, largely through improved nutrition and exercise (Hu et al, 2001).

This lopsided pattern in spending is a clear reflection of today’s dominant healthcare paradigm; one that focuses on disease treatment rather than disease prevention. Ours is a reactive as opposed to proactive healthcare system. We wait for people to develop chronic illnesses, and then we spend enormous amounts of money treating those illnesses. The alternative, a focus on primary prevention and an investment in keeping healthy people healthy, receives lip service, but is largely ignored in practice. Clearly our healthcare system is less about caring for health and more about managing disease.

It is also a system of high-tech, acute-care medicine based on the promise of powerful, fast acting drugs and surgeries that produce therapeutic results in hours, days or weeks. We spend tens of billions of dollars every year on medical research in a quest to develop ever more effective diagnostics, drugs, drug delivery systems, implants, and surgeries (Meeks, 2002). And we spend billions more on patenting these technologies. Why? Because our healthcare system is lucrative. It is no accident that we spend $2 trillion annually on healthcare in the US, that pharmaceutical companies rank among the most profitable in America, and that our healthcare costs are rising at near double-digit rates that surpass inflation and growth in our Gross Domestic Product (Polich, 2005; Borger et al, 2006).

To be sure, acute, treatment-based medicine is useful and effective in dealing with urgent medical conditions such as trauma, infection, or incipient heart attacks. However, our almost singular focus on reactive, acute-care medicine also carries serious limitations, costs and liabilities. This approach is not particularly effective in dealing with chronic degenerative diseases like heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis. After decades of research, we still have no reliable cures for these diseases. We can treat them and manage them, but we cannot cure them. Moreover, this approach is expensive, both in dollars spent and in years of health lost to premature death and disability. Chronic diseases rob far too many Americans of their health, independence, and quality of life far too early (Michaud et al, 2001). Finally, acutely acting medicines and surgeries have many undesirable side effects. Every year, prescription drugs - taken as prescribed - injure more than 1.5 million Americans so severely that they require hospitalization. One hundred thousand others are killed by prescription drugs, making such medicines a leading cause of death in the United States (Lazarou et al, 1998).

A Vital Role for Primary Prevention

Is there a better way? I would argue that rebalancing our healthcare system to include a larger emphasis on primary prevention is an essential step. I would further argue that we can act now. We know enough today about the principles of primary prevention, and about the basics of a healthy lifestyle (nutrition, exercise, stress management, avoidance of smoking, etc) to implement significant improvements without delay. And I would argue that nutritional supplementation can play a vital role in this arena.

The research is clear. Diet and nutrition play key roles in supporting good health (WHO, 2003). It is equally clear that Americans, as a whole suffer from generally poor nutritional habits (Frazao, 1999). As a nation we are overfed and undernourished. Two thirds of American adults are overweight or obese (Flegal et al, 2002; Hedley et al, 2004), and high percentages of us are chronically deficient for one or more of the essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants (FASEB, 1995).

Some would argue that this problem lies in poor diet alone; that all we need to do is eat better. Clearly, a healthy well balanced diet is an absolute foundation for any program of optimal nutrition. But is a healthy diet enough? Can we obtain “optimal levels” of the essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants on a routine basis from diet alone? Many, including myself, argue “no”; that optimal intakes of the essential nutrients, intakes required to optimize health and minimize the risk of chronic diseases, are significantly higher than the amounts that can be obtained routinely from food (and significantly higher than the current RDA’s). In my view, optimal nutrition is best achieved through a combination of a healthy well balanced diet plus a responsible program of nutritional supplementation. In my view, a healthy diet and nutritional supplements are not mutually exclusive. This is not an “either-or” proposition. It is an “and” proposition.

Is there substantial scientific evidence to support this notion? Yes. There are hundreds of scientific studies showing that regular and responsible use of nutritional supplements can benefit people’s health both in the short- and long-terms (Dickinson, 1998). Have all supplement studies shown positive benefits, and are all the findings consistent? No. As with any body of exploratory research, negative findings and inconsistent results appear in the mix. But when the science is reviewed in full, the evidence for defined benefits is convincing. There are scores of studies supporting the role of calcium and vitamin D supplementation for promoting strong, mineral-rich bones and reducing the risk and progression of osteoporosis (c.f. Chevalley et al, 1994; Dawson-Hughes et al, 1997; Chapuy et al, 1994; Recker et al, 1996; Larsen et al, 2004). There are scores of studies supporting the use of B vitamin supplements for reducing the risks of some birth defects and lowering some markers of heart disease (c.f. MRC Vitamin Study Research Group, 1991; Berry et al, 1999; Czeizel and Dudas, 1992; Lobo et al, 1999; Woodside et al, 1998; Bronstrup et al, 1998; Schnyder et al, 2002). In addition, numerous studies link antioxidant supplementation to reduced incidence of cataracts, heart disease, and some cancers (Jacques et al, 1997; Mares-Perlman et al, 2000; AREDS Research Group, 2001; Stampfer et al, 1993; Stephens et al, 1996; Clark et al, 1998; Meyer et al, 2005). Fish oil supplements have been shown to support improved cardiovascular health and neural development (GISSI-Prevenzione Investigators, 1999; Bucher et al, 2002; Studer et al, 2005; Carlson et al, 1993; Birch et al, 2000). And the list goes on.

Why then, is the role of nutritional supplementation in healthcare so hotly debated? Clearly, this is a complex issue, but I believe that much of this debate stems from a fundamental incompatibility between our current healthcare paradigm (acute, disease-focused medicine) and the basic tenets of primary prevention. Moreover, current approaches to medical research, geared largely toward the evaluation of acute, fast-acting medicines and surgeries, are in most cases inappropriate for the study of long-term primary preventive measures like nutritional supplementation. As a result, nutritional supplements are often tested inappropriately, results of studies are interpreted less than objectively, and valid but non-clinical evidence of benefit is often discounted or ignored.


Conventional Medicine Looks at Vitamin E: A Case in Point

These challenges are perhaps most evident in the scientific literature concerning vitamin E supplements and heart disease. In the early 1990’s, a large body of scientific evidence pointed to oxidative stress as a disease process in the onset and progression of atherosclerosis. This same research suggested in various ways that antioxidants like vitamin E might be important in preventing this disorder. Numerous epidemiological (population based) studies, many involving tens of thousands of subjects, concluded with consistency that people who consumed high amounts of vitamin E through diet and supplements were at 30-50% lower risk for heart attacks or death due to heart disease relative to those people who consumed minimal amounts of vitamin E (Stampfer et al, 1993; Rimm et al, 1993; Losonczy et al, 1996; Kushi et al, 1996; Meyer et al, 1996). Typically, the levels of vitamin E that were protective totaled hundreds of International Units per day, many times higher than the Recommended dietary Allowance (RDA).

A. An Early Clinical Evaluation

To further test this protective effect, clinical research on vitamin E supplementation and heart disease was undertaken at several centers. In January 2000, results from one of the first such studies were published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Yusuf et al, 2000). The Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) involved over 9,500 subjects 55 years of age or older who were at high risk for cardiovascular events because they had advanced cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or similar risk factors. Over half, in fact, had had a previous heart attack. Half the subjects in the trial were assigned at random to take 400 IU daily of natural-source vitamin E. The remainder were given placebo capsules. Average follow-up was 4.5 years, during which time, subjects were monitored for primary and secondary cardiovascular events such as nonfatal heart attacks, stroke, angina, and death.

Results of the HOPE study showed that, after 4.5 years, there were no significant differences in the numbers of heart attacks, strokes, reports of angina, or deaths due to heart disease between the treatment and placebo groups. The authors of the paper correctly and appropriately concluded that “in patients at high risk [emphasis added] for cardiovascular events, treatment with vitamin E for 4.5 years has no apparent effect on cardiovascular outcomes”.

Unfortunately, while the conclusions reached by the authors were appropriate, much of the editorializing in the medical and popular press was not. Instead, headlines and sound bites touted the results of the HOPE study as conclusive proof that vitamin E supplements provided no benefits for cardiovascular health. Others declared the findings as “the last nail in the coffin for vitamin E”.

HOPE is only one of several clinical trials to have evaluated the efficacy of vitamin E in preventing cardiovascular events in high-risk groups. While two such trials showed significant benefit (Stephens et al, 1996; Boaz et al, 2000), the majority, like the HOPE study, produced disappointing results (GISSI-Prevenzione Investigators, 1999; Collaborative Group of the PPP, 2001). Does this mean that vitamin E is ineffective as a preventive agent? In answering this question, two important issues need to be addressed.

First, the standard model for clinical research requires testing one remedy (one drug) at a time, so that the true, isolated effect of that drug can be identified and measured. This is good science. However, it is not necessarily appropriate in the field of preventive nutrition.

Humans require a full range of some 25-plus essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, in proper amounts and balances, to support good health. This is because vitamins and minerals work in teams to support, for example, robust energy metabolism and protein synthesis. Similarly, antioxidants work most effectively in groups and networks (Packer and Obermuller-Jevic, 2002), each playing a unique role in channeling and quenching the chain-like series of oxidative reactions that can result from a single oxidative event. As such, high-doses of a single nutrient represent an incomplete and inappropriate approach to boosting overall antioxidant protection. This would be analogous to testing the hypothesis that broccoli has cancer-preventive properties by putting people on an all- broccoli diet. It’s not likely to work, and it carries the risk of creating nutrient imbalances, unwanted side effects, and experimental artifacts.

Second, an important distinction needs to be drawn between primary and secondary prevention. Primary prevention involves keeping healthy people healthy. It is about preventing the development of disorders like heart disease in the first place. Secondary prevention is about preventing further progression of a disease that people already have (CDC, 1992). Moreover, because chronic diseases like heart disease and osteoporosis develop over a lifetime, primary prevention needs to be viewed as a lifelong (decades long) undertaking. It is not something that is accomplished over a year or a few years. Within this context, the HOPE study was clearly a secondary prevention trial. It had nothing to do with primary prevention. Study subjects were selected because they already had advanced heart disease. Consequently, attributing the findings of this study to the general (healthy) public is inappropriate.

Is it possible for something to be an effective primary preventive agent without being an effective secondary preventive agent? I believe so. Dentists tell us to floss our teeth to prevent tooth decay and avoid the need for root canal surgery. If you were to select a group of people with advanced tooth decay, many who had chronic tooth aches, and divided them into two groups, telling one to floss regularly and the other to refrain from flossing, what do you think would happen? Would the flossing group experience significantly fewer tooth aches, fewer tooth extractions and fewer root canal surgeries in the short-term? Probably not; the flossing came too late in the day to change the course of existing disease.

A similar situation may exist with respect to vitamin E and heart disease. It is very possible that vitamin E, acting as an antioxidant over the long-term, may help to prevent atherosclerosis. Epidemiological research certainly supports this notion. However, vitamin E may be ineffective in preventing the rupture of existing atherosclerotic plaques (thus triggering a heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death). The HOPE trial and similar clinical studies support this notion. As such, vitamin E supplementation may be an effective long-term measure for the primary prevention of heart disease, while being an ineffective short-term secondary prevention measure or cure (Lewis, 2004). Clearly this hypothesis deserves attention, and the following study put it to the test.

B. Vitamin E and the Primary Prevention of Heart Disease

In 2005, the results of a clinical trial on vitamin E supplementation for primary prevention of heart disease and cancer were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (Lee et al, 2005). This randomized placebo-controlled study involved almost 40,000 women at least 45 years of age who had no history of heart disease or cancer. Half of the women were assigned to the vitamin E treatment (600 IU natural-source vitamin E every other day). Half were assigned to placebo. Average follow-up was just over 10 years. As such, this trial differed from the HOPE study in that it was a true primary prevention trial. Moreover, it lasted a full decade, an improvement over HOPE’s 4.5 year duration.

Results of the study indicated that vitamin E had no effect on cancer incidence or cancer mortality. However, there were notable benefits for cardiovascular health. Overall, vitamin E use showed a protective trend toward reducing the risk of total major cardiovascular events among all women in the study. While individual impacts on heart attacks and stroke were nil, there was a statistically significant 24% reduction in cardiovascular deaths among women in the vitamin E group. And importantly, when the data for women at least 65 years old were examined separately, there was a significant 26% reduction in major cardiovascular events, which included a 34% reduction in nonfatal heart attacks and a 49% reduction in cardiovascular death. These are very significant protective effects, and they are particularly relevant because women tend to suffer from heart disease in their senior years following menopause (Mosca et al, 1997). As such, if vitamin E were to have an effect, it would likely be most pronounced in this age group.

Despite these findings, the conclusions reported in the abstract of the study were as follows.

“The data from this large trial indicated that 600 IU of natural-source vitamin E taken every other day provided no overall benefit for major cardiovascular events or cancer, did not affect total mortality, and decreased cardiovascular mortality in healthy women. These data do not support recommending vitamin E supplementation for cardiovascular disease or cancer prevention among healthy women.”

This despite the fact that vitamin E supplements reduced cardiovascular deaths by 24% across all women and by 49% among women 65 years or older. Why was this benefit largely ignored? Because cardiovascular death, while measured in the study, was not a specified clinical parameter – in other words, because the study was not specifically designed to report on this benefit. So instead the authors concluded there was “no overall benefit” and that the results of the study “[did] not support recommending vitamin E supplementation for healthy women.”

These conclusions appear less than objective, and they beg the question of bias against nutritional supplements, or primary prevention, or both in the medical community. Would it not have been more appropriate to conclude that vitamin E had an apparent primary preventive effect against heart disease in women, and that the benefits were most significant in senior women…the group at highest risk for suffering a major cardiovascular event? I will return to this point later.

C. The Safety of Vitamin E is Questioned

In January 2005, a research article entitled “Meta-Analysis: High-Dosage Vitamin E Supplementation May Increase All-Cause Mortality” was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, a respected medical journal (Miller et al, 2005). This study called the safety of vitamin E supplements into question. It was conducted by scientists at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions who pooled the results of 19 clinical trials involving vitamin E supplementation at doses of 16 to 2,000 IU per day. In total, the 19 trials included almost 136,000 subjects. In none of the individual trials was a statistically significant increase in mortality observed from vitamin E supplementation. But when the 19 trials were examined together, there were weak but apparent trends towards decreased mortality in subjects taking low doses of vitamin E (<>400 IU/d) over the long-term, did not show increased risk of mortality. In fact they generally showed a reduced risk of dying relative to those people consuming the least amounts of vitamin E (Stampfer et al, 1993; Rimm et al 1993; Losonczy et al, 1996; Meyer et al, 1996; Kushi 1999).

Third, while it is possible that high-dose vitamin E could have adverse effects for certain groups, the Johns Hopkins study did not provide conclusive evidence of harm. The study suffered from several important weaknesses. As noted by the authors themselves, all of the studies included in the meta-analysis were conducted on subjects who were chronically ill. They included patients with heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes, or related disorders. In short, the subjects were at high risk for dying to begin with. In addition, many of the studies included in the analysis were small, containing several hundred as opposed to several thousand subjects. And in fact, the smaller studies were the ones that typically showed the larger deviations from normal mortality rates. Given these issues, the authors concluded that “the generalizability of the findings to healthy adults is uncertain”.

Moreover, a third and critical weakness of the analysis was largely overlooked. In all, the authors identified 36 studies involving vitamin E supplementation that fit the primary criteria for review. Of these, 19 were included in the final meta-analysis, five were excluded because mortality data was not available or was insufficiently reported, and 12 studies were excluded because not enough people died in them. This latter exclusion is suspect. The authors suggest that mortality data was available, but close to zero in both the vitamin E and control treatments. I would argue that this is not a sufficient and rational reason for excluding the studies from the analysis. And given the weak nature of the trends as reported in the paper, it is highly likely that no effect of vitamin E on all-cause mortality would have been seen had the 12 additional studies been included in the meta-analysis. As such, I believe that the results and conclusions of the study are seriously flawed and biased. I would be less critical if the title of the paper had been “High-Dosage Vitamin E Supplementation May Increase All-Cause Mortality in Very Ill Subjects at High Risk for Dying”; and if the conclusion had been that high dose vitamin E should be used cautiously by chronically ill people in that high risk group. But these distinctions were not evident in the paper or the press.


The Need for a Broader Healthcare Perspective

Our current approach to healthcare, with its almost singular focus on reactive acute-care medicine, presents challenges for the study and implementation of long-term primary preventive healthcare measures, including nutritional supplementation. As the cases discussed above illustrate, nutritional supplements are often tested inappropriately, results of studies are interpreted less than objectively, and valid but non-clinical evidence of benefit is often ignored or discounted.

Do these studies constitute bad science? Clearly, some of the methodologies are flawed. The criteria for exclusion of studies from the Johns Hopkins meta-analysis are questionable, and they likely biased the results and conclusions of this research. However, the real challenge is not so much one of poor science as it is one of inappropriate approach and trial design. The majority of studies on the health benefits of nutritional supplements have tested supplements as though they were acute-acting therapeutic agents expected to provide dramatic health benefits over the short-term in acutely ill people. This is a fundamentally flawed outlook.

The principal value of nutritional supplementation lies in primary prevention; that is, in approaches to keeping healthy people healthy. Importantly, primary prevention is also a lifelong undertaking. We suffer heart attacks and hip fractures as seniors, but the roots of heart disease and the beginnings of osteoporosis are evident in childhood and adolescence. As such, the prevention of these diseases needs to begin in childhood and progress lifelong. The timeframes of primary prevention are measured in decades and lifetimes, not in hours, days, months, or years.

Such long timeframes are beyond the purview of acute-care medicine, in part because they pose significant operational challenges for clinical research. How does one manage a double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, the gold standard of medical science, over a period of decades? Epidemiological studies more easily embrace long timeframes, and as such are useful in studying preventive measures. However, they also tend to be less well controlled and less precise. This troubles many in mainstream medicine who then discount or disregard epidemiological science altogether. Does this constitute tunnel vision? I believe it does. Our understanding of the link between a balanced diet and long-term health is largely based on epidemiology. Our understanding of the link between smoking and lung cancer is largely based on epidemiology. In short, good epidemiological research constitutes sound science and should not be discounted or ignored (Kushi, 1999; Potischman and Weed, 1999). It was a mistake in 1964 when the American Medical Association refused to endorse the Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking (the AMA was the last public health organization to do so), claiming that the research was inconclusive (Weiner, 1996). And it is a mistake today to overlook epidemiology in assessing the role of nutritional supplements in preventive healthcare. In short, advances in primary prevention will require healthcare scientists to review and give serious consideration to a broad body of scientific evidence that extends well beyond the clinical trial paradigm.

It will also require a more open-minded and objective interpretation of results. The finding that vitamin E supplementation, over a 10 years period, reduced cardiovascular deaths by 24% in women over 45 years of age, and by 49% in women over 65 years of age (Lee et al, 2005) may have been disappointing to those steeped in acute care medicine (although I don’t understand why). But these are significant and positive findings within the context of primary prevention. In short, vitamin E worked. Why then did the authors conclude that it “provided no overall benefit for major cardiovascular events” and refrain from recommending vitamin E supplementation for the primary prevention of heart disease? And why did the popular press lead their coverage of this study with headlines stating “Vitamin E Gets and ‘F’”? Simply put, the findings did not fit the paradigm.

Poor reporting and bias in the press is easy to understand. Most journalists are not trained scientists, statisticians, or healthcare professionals. As such, they are not qualified to interpret medical studies objectively and competently. Moreover, Job One at major news organizations involves selling more newspapers and capturing more viewers, and they accomplish this by crafting controversial headlines and scary sound bites. If you want the masses to listen, frighten them. Unfortunately, the delivery of objective and complete information appears to be a distant Job Two.

This is an unfortunate situation, in that many Americans rely on the popular press for their health information. As such, the sensational and controversial coverage given to nutrition news has generated confusion, doubt, and skepticism in the public’s mind, turning many against the diet and health message (Patterson et al, 2001).

Why would medical professionals have a negative bias against nutritional supplements? Several reasons come to mind. Most doctors receive no more than a few hours of nutritional training during their medical education. They know little about nutrition and the important role it plays in human health. Second, many express concerns that their patients might use supplements as an excuse to eat poorly. This concern has proved to be unfounded. Surveys show that supplement users tend to be health-conscious and to follow generally healthy habits. Third, many doctors have a low opinion of the nutritional supplement industry - and rightfully so. Too many supplement companies sell substandard products that fail to meet pharmaceutical standards for potency, purity, and efficacy. Too many companies fail to pay sufficient attention to safety. And too many companies make false and outrageous health claims for their products. Clearly this industry needs an overhaul to win the respect and confidence of doctors and the general public. But just as clearly, there are very reputable supplement companies in business today; companies that have adopted pharmaceutical standards for product quality, safety and efficacy; company’s that deserve the public’s trust.

These issues aside, I believe that the most significant barrier to the open consideration of supplement use in mainstream healthcare is the closed mind. Primary prevention, the focus of keeping healthy people healthy, lies outside the acute-care paradigm, and so it is ignored. Some in the mainstream pay lip service to prevention, but few base their practices or research careers on it. And sadly, because primary prevention is “alien”, it is often derided as “ineffective”, “too slow”, “unreliable”, “clinically unproven”, and “only partially effective”.

Unfortunately, these attitudes carry over to nutritional supplements. As tools of primary prevention, nutritional supplements also lie outside the acute care paradigm. When they are evaluated within that paradigm for short-term treatment / curative benefits, one or two nutrients at a time, on chronically ill people, they often fail. These failures, in turn, are judged as evidence that supplements have no benefit whatsoever.

Clearly it’s time to challenge these notions and views. Change may begin at the grass roots level, as rising healthcare costs threaten to close the doors of access to good medical care. Today, too many Americans literally can’t afford to get sick. Our alternative is primary prevention. We can choose to take charge of our health by adopting prudent lifestyle strategies and habits for staying healthy long-term. Nutritional supplementation can play an important role in this endeavor. The science, when approached broadly with an open mind, is convincing on this point. As components of healthy living, nutritional supplements can help people add years of health to their lives.
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Losonczy KG, Harris TB, Havlik RJ. 1996. Vitamin E and vitamin C supplement use and risk of all-cause and coronary heart disease mortality in older persons: the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly. Am J Clin Nutr 64:190-6.
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Meyer R, Bairati I, Dagenais GR. 1996. Lower ischemic heart disease incidence and mortality among vitamin supplement users. Can J Cardiol 12:930-4.
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Patterson RE, Satia JA, Kristal AR, Neuhouser ML, Drewnowski A. 2001. Is there a consumer backlash against the diet and health message? J Am Diet Assoc 101:37-41.
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Interested: http://www.safeliving.usana.com/

Nutritionals Web Conference October 23

Make sure you join an informative Web conference on Tuesday, October 23, to learn about two of USANA’s newest Nutritional products. Find out about all of the latest research behind the new formulation of BiOmega™, and learn everything you need to know about the MyHealthPak™—from why it’s cool to how to build it on the new Web site. This is the place to get answers to your questions. See you there!

Nutritionals Web Conference
October 23, 2007
Time: 5:00 p.m. MDT

Web Conference Link: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usana500/join?id=BIOMEGA1&role=attend

Conference Call Phone Number: 1-212-990-8000
Pin Number: 8596

USANA Health Sciences Stock Upgraded

Nutritional and personal care products developer USANA Health Sciences (USNA - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr - Rating) has been upgraded to a buy from a hold. Its revenue increased by 16.9% in the third quarter compared with the same period last year. Earnings improved to 70 cents a share from 55 cents per share over the same timeframe.

The company's return on equity improved to 184.53% in the third quarter compared with 78.97%, a signal of significant strength within the corporation. This return on equity greatly exceeds that of both the industry average and the S&P 500. USANA Health had been rated a hold since August 2007.

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AMA’s Position on Nutritional Supplements:

Vitamins for Chronic Disease Prevention in Adults


Take Multivitamins Urges American Medical Association
August 31,2002

Reversing a long-standing anti-vitamin policy, The Journal of the American Medical Association today is advising all adults to take at least one multivitamin pill each day.

Scientists' understanding of the benefits of vitamins has rapidly advanced, and it now appears that people who get enough vitamins may be able to prevent such common chronic illnesses as cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis, according to Drs. Robert Fletcher and Kathleen Fairfield of Harvard University, who wrote the new guidelines. The last time JAMA made a comprehensive review of vitamins, about 20 years ago, it concluded people of normal health shouldn't take multivitamins because they were a waste of time and money. People can get all the nutrients they need from their diet, JAMA advised, adding that only pregnant women and chronically sick people may need certain vitamins.

That was at a time when knowledge about vitamins was just beginning to expand. The role that low levels of folate, or folic acid, play in neural tube defects, for instance, was not known, nor was its role as a major risk factor for heart disease.

Researchers hope JAMA's endorsement will encourage more people to reap health benefits of a daily multivitamin.

Health experts are increasingly worried that most American adults do not consume healthy amounts of vitamins in their diet, although they may be getting enough to ward off such vitamin-deficiency disorders as scurvy, beriberi and pellagra.

Almost 80 percent of Americans do not eat at least five helpings of fruits and vegetables a day, the recommended minimum amount believed to provide sufficient essential nutrients. Humans do not make their own vitamins, except for some vitamin D, and they must get them from an outside source to prevent metabolic disorders.

"It's nice to see this change in philosophy that's saying we can make public-health recommendations based on this really compelling set of data," said Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg, chief of antioxidant research at Tufts University's Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging.

Blumberg said the JAMA recommendations underscore a growing concern among nutrition experts that the recommended daily allowances, or RDAs, for many vitamins are set too low. RDAs essentially were established to prevent symptoms of vitamin-deficiency disorders, he said. But evidence is growing that higher levels of many vitamins are necessary to achieve optimum health, he said. The National Academy of Sciences, which sets RDAs, is revising its recommendations based on the new evidence.

Even people who eat five daily servings of fruits and vegetables may not get enough of certain vitamins for optimum health, Fletcher said. Most people, for instance, cannot get the healthiest levels of folate and vitamins D and E from recommended diets, he said. "All of us grew up believing that if we ate a reasonable diet, that would take care of our vitamin needs," Fletcher said. "But the new evidence, much of it in the last couple of years, is that vitamins also prevent the usual diseases we deal with every day - heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis and birth defects."

An Antioxidant

An Antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, which start chain reactions that damage cells. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions by being oxidized themselves. As a result, antioxidants are often reducing agents such as thiols or polyphenols.

Although oxidation reactions are crucial for life, they can also be damaging; hence, plants and animals maintain complex systems of multiple types of antioxidants, such as glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E as well as enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase and various peroxidases. Low levels of antioxidants, or inhibition of the antioxidant enzymes, causes oxidative stress and may damage or kill cells.

As oxidative stress has been associated with the pathogenesis of many human diseases, the use of antioxidants in pharmacology is intensively studied, particularly as treatments for stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. However, it is unknown whether oxidative stress is the cause or the consequence of such diseases. Antioxidants are also widely used as ingredients in dietary supplements in the hope of maintaining health and preventing diseases such as cancer and coronary heart disease. Although some studies have suggested antioxidant supplements have health benefits, other large clinical trials did not detect any benefit for the formulations tested, and excess supplementation may occasionally be harmful. In addition to these uses in medicine, antioxidants have many industrial uses, such as preservatives in food and cosmetics and preventing the degradation of rubber and gasoline.

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Free Radical theory of disease

While this "new" theory is not necessarily my idea, it has many proponents and the allopathic world is slow to accept what the biochemists have known for years. Before we get into discussing the various disease states and their associations with free radicals, it would be prudent to give some basic chemistry background on free radicals.


What is a free Radical?

Simply put, it is any chemical species that has an unpaired electron in one of it's orbitals (generally the valence or outer shell). Nature abhors an unpaired electron, except for hydrogen, but this is true for any elemental atomic species, and indeed these parings drive many of the chemical reactions that help to fill the valence shell to the proper number when it concerns a compound. When these atoms come together to share electrons to provide a full valence shell, we cal this a covalent bond. There are, however, ionic bonds but these are more due to electronegativities of the atomic species involved and beyond the scope of this article. A free radical happens when a molecule with a covalent bond loses 1 electron from a complete orbital. This electron really doesn't go away it just gets released to another species, so now we have a molecule that has an "unpaired" electron. This is because orbitals can contain only two electrons with opposite spins, again beyond the scope of this article. So now we have this molecule that has an incomplete shell orbital that is dying to get its hands on an electron to help fill it's need. This free radical now goes and steals one from another molecule that is more willing to give one up and thus becomes satisfied, but now the victim molecule has become a free radical! This goes on for quite some time, robbing Peter to pay Paul so to speak. We, therefore, call this the chain reaction of free radicals. I'm not mentioning ions (single atoms) as free radicals, although in the strictest sense they are, but rather limiting my discussion to molecular compound free radicals, that is, compounds that keep thier bonds but lose electrons.


What causes free radicals?

We've already discussed one cause, that is another free radical. Another cause can be an energy source that is strong enough to release an electron from its stable configuration. These sources can be ultraviolet, microwaves or conventional heat (although it takes a lot of this to forcibly break a single electron from an orbital, most likely the bond will break first), basically anything in the electromagnetic spectrum at high frequencies will release an electron from its orbital. In a biological system we see that transition metal catalysts provide a mechanism for some radical reactions and these reactions can produce, among other radicals, hyroxide and hydrocarbon radicals. Also in biological systems there are many types of radicals, but the more "famous" ones are that of superoxides and intermediate chemiacl species. In chemical equations they are denoted with a dot next to them to suggest that there is an unpaired electron.


Reduction/Oxidation or redox

Reduction is the act of neutralizing a free radical (adding an electron) or adding a hydrogen atom to a compound to reduce double bonds between atoms. Oxidation is the act of removing an electron from a stable orbital or reducing the number of single bonds and increasing the number of double bonds, this is usually done by either removing a hydrogen or by adding an oxygen sometimes both, thus the name oxidation. Redox potential is the ease of being oxidized or reduced (simply put).


Antioxidants

What's the difference between a compound and an atom that has an extra electron (negative ion) and an antioxidant, strictly speaking, nothing, but we can't fill up the body with negative ions. Most antioxidants have what is known as conjugated double bonds. This is where carbon to carbon double bonds exists every other carbon so that single and double bonds alternate, see picture 1. As a matter of fact the more conjugated the atom the darker the color thus beta-carotenes are yellow to orange in color and red grapes are even darker. What makes the conjugated double bonds act as free radical neutralizers? Again I'll have to impart a little chemistry background. Double bonds are the connections of two atoms that occupy more than one orbital, in these orbitals are electrons. There are orbitals that are s and p types (among others), double bonds contain two p orbitals; these p orbitals exist in 3D space above and below the s orbital. When there is a conjugated system these p orbitals will line up and the electrons in them will tend to move about the shared orbitals, this is known as a PI electron cloud, for the electrons don't particularly belong to any one specific atom. Conjugated double bonds exist mainly in carbon chains as is evident in picture 1 where we see vitamin A. When a free radical comes along, the antioxidant will readily give up an electron, but still be stable due to the conjugated bonds, even though that now, this is a free radical itself, but hundreds of times more stable than a hydroxyl radical, let's say (OH· ).


In the antioxidant world there is a cascade of events that happens so that the antioxidant, that has become a free radical, can become a reduced antioxidant once again. Pools of Vit E will help Vit A and these will help other lipid (fat) soluble antioxidents and so forth, so what's important here is that a complete spectrum of antioxidants are taken multiple times per day to keep the antioxidant cascade in line and working. There's one special antioxidant that exists, that when it gives up an electron, it does not become a free radical, but rather a stable atom, and this is known as a hydride, that is, a hydrogen with an extra electron. This is possible due to the fact that the first orbital, the s orbital, can have a max of two electrons and since hydrogen only has one electron in its only orbital it can handle an extra one and yes it is an ion.


Consequences of free radicals


Why do free radicals cause damage? Ostensibly they change the molecular characteristic of the victimized molecule, so this in turn effects it's ability to bind properly which can affect all kinds of biochemical reactions, some having to do with the genetic expression of one protein or another. Oxidative damage, another name for the chemical reaction that free radicals cause, can lead to a breakdown or even hardening of lipids, which make up all cell walls. If the cell wall is hardened (lipid peroxidation) then it is impossible for the cell to properly get it's nutrients, get signals from other cells to perform an action (such as firing of a neuron) and many other cellualr activities can be affected.

One such interesting consequence of free radicals comes from our own immune system. Neutrophils secrete a chemical toxin that attacks a foreign invader (after a complex immune response has already started) and thus causes the foreign cell complex to lyse (break apart) and thus releases the invader toxins into the surrounding tissue. This not only signals the body to respond with more immune response to increase local inflammation to help neutralize these toxins, but these immune cells use antioxidants (chiefly Vit C) to protect themselves from their own toxins, fascinating stuff.

The cytochrome p450 pathway converts harmful hydrocarbons to alcohols that then can be eliminated by the liver. It does this because cytochrome p450 is what is known as a porphyrin ring that contains iron (Fe V) within its structure and this iron oxide extracts a hydrogen from the hydrocarbon and becomes FeOH and now the hydrocarbon is a radical. In the next step the OH radical dissociates from the Fe to combine with the hydrocarbon radical to create alcohol, which then goes through the alcohol dehydrogenase pathway to eventually get eliminated 1.


Some Antioxidants

Vit C – Also known as ascorbic acid. The most bioavailable form of Vit C is Ester-C, it has been shown to last longer in the body and comes with calcium (10% of the weight of Vit C) as this helps with cellular uptake. Humans, other primates and guinea pigs are the few animals that CANNOT synthesize Vit C as we lack a critical enzyme in the synthesis. 1-2 grams daily maintenance, 4-6 grams during active infection.

Good for : fighting stress; detoxifying poisons; antiviral properties and antihistamine (this is the inflammation response I talked about); repair and growth of tissue cells, blood vessels, teeth and bones; prevention of viral and bacterial infections.

Deficiency symptoms : Appetite loss; bruising easily; fatigue; GI problems; nose bleeds, slow wound healing; bleeding gums (loose teeth usually accompany this).

Vit E – alpha tocopherol, also important and should be consumed with the alpha form is the gamma form, gamma-tocopherol. So your best bet here is to consume a mixed tocopherol product of which there are several. Enhances the activity of Vit A (since both of these are lipid soluble). 400 IU maintenance daily, 800IU during detox or active infectious periods. Its important not to take too much as this vitamin will hang out longer due to the fact that it is lipid soluble and is excreted less easily.

Good for : endurance; protecting the lungs against pollution; anticoagulant (be careful if someone is already on an anticoagulant); accelerating the healing of burns.
Deficiency symptoms : Muscle degeneration; reproductive disorders; miscarriages; premature or low birth weight in infants, anemia.

Vit A – retinol – derived from the cleavage of beta-carotene, very similar to lycopene, discussed later. 10,000 IU for maintenance; 25,000 IU daily during active infection.
Good for: healthy function of intestinal flora, sinuses, ears, eyes, urinary tract, and respiratory organs; reduces duration of disease; healthy skin, hair; treatment of acne and boils (note the allopathic application of Retin-A, an analog of retinol); helpful in the treatment of emphysema.
Deficiency symptoms : ear, sinus, and eye infections; anemia; lower resistance to infections.

CoQ10 – coenzyme q 10 – a quinone found in the mitochondria of every cell. Carries electrons in the electron transport chain. This is extremely important for cellular energy. Heart cells require the most energy and thus CoQ10 is found in the most abundance here.
Good for : low energy levels, heart troubles (especially where there is muscular insufficiency). Applied topically actually reduces photoaging2 ; may actually modify cancer mediated cytokines (messengers). Helps in recovery of heart ischemia3

Deficiency symptoms : This is hard. How does something that is ubiquitous (thus the name ubiquinone) throughout the body manifest itself in deficiency symptoms as these symptoms could manifest themselves as almost anything. All that is really known is that as we age we tend to lose this cofactor for whatever reason. So as a general aging supplement it is recommended that one take between 30mg to 500 mg daily. 30-100 mg maintenance 200-300 for persons with heart disease, 400-500 for persons suffering cancer. Now the caveat here is that you are supposed to discuss this with your physician, but be aware that most physicians are unaware of the benefits of this "vitamin". Fortunately the thinking that taking antioxidants during cancer therapy will "offset" the therapy is falling out of favor with the allopaths, especially those that have had any nutrition course during med school.

Lycopene – This molecule is so similar to Vit A in structure that recent research has lost focus on the analog properties of this nutrient versus Vit A. Found in concentrated tomato products. How much to take, well that hasn't been established yet, but 10mg/day would be a minimum.
Alpha Lipoic Acid – AKA Lipoate - Vitamin like cofactor bound in mitochondria. Here's another cofactor found in and around the mitochondria. This lipoate has had excellent effects for neurodegenerative processes and diseases. It does this by raising the glutathione levels. Glutathione is an extremely important biological compound that destroys harmful oxidizing agents, it does this by reducing them (adding a hydrogen), but in the process forms a disulfide bridge to another oxidized glutathione, an enzyme then reduces this molecule. Glutathione is actually three amino acids chained together. Alpha Lipoic acid is a substrate that the reducing enzyme is attached to.

It protects the neural cells from glutamate cytotoxicity by reducing the loss of glutathione following a glutamate challenge. The glutamate challenge follows a stressful neurological event (viruses, injury, hypoxia – lack of oxygen, or general stress). It has been shown that people in chronic pain have mood alterations due to the fact that the constant firing of the pain receptors in the brain cause a glutamate challenge to the mood centers and that these neurons are actually dying off from the damage.

A good daily dosage is between 50 – 250mg daily, possibly more during challenged times.
Pycnogenol – Or better yet oligophenolic compounds (OPC)– Oh yea the latest and greatest in the antioxidant shuffle. This is derived from the Pinus maritima tree of the french coast. In this same class is grape seed extract and other pine tree extracts. What one has to be careful here is the extraction method. If chemical solvents are used then some of the antioxidant properties are lost, this and heat can dilute the properties.

Silica hydride - I have a dedicated section just for this wonder of modern science. You can find it under the Microhydrin link.

Others - this category includes bioflavenoids, proanthocyanidins, esters, etc. It is best to do some research on whatever ingredient is contained within your antioxidant compound before using. I suggest Medline. The Medline database contains a very comprehensive list of abstracts culled from journals from all over the world and is your best bet to get the latest info. If you want the complete article you'll have to chum up to a library that has the Loansome Doc agreement with the Medline folks. Warning, this type of reading is dry and difficult without some chemistry, biology, or physiology background, but it is manageable.


Conclusion

As scientists discover more about the human body and it's associated biochemistry, we will undoubtedly come across more antioxidants and soon discover that we need more and more of these cofactors in order to prevent a whole host of deleterious effects from aging, the environment and disease. These are exciting times and we, as homeopaths, have yet another tool in our case to help with the stressful times our clients are undergoing. I suggest that in any compromised client that you start off low and slowly work up, for if you go in too strong a backlash of "die off" or the Herxheimer effect will unsettle your client. Also I always forewarn the client that they will indeed become ill during the detox regimen. As Homeopaths we are keenly aware of this revisit effect with the unraveling of layers of disease, stress and trauma.

Good luck in your gentle healing arts.

1. Bruice, PK; Organic Chemistry, second edition; Prentice-Hall, NJ 1998

2."Coenzyme Q10, a cutaneous antioxidant and energizer." Hoppe U, Bergemann J, Diembeck W, Ennen J, Gohla S, Harris I, Jacob J, Kielholz J, Mei W, Pollet D,Schachtschabel D, Sauermann G, Schreiner V, Stab F, Steckel F; Paul Gerson Unna Research Center, Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg, Germany.

3. "Bioenergetic effect of liposomal coenzyme Q10 on myocardial ischemia" reperfusion injury. Niibori K, Wroblewski KP, Yokoyama H, Crestanello JA, Whitman GJ Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Allegheny University/MCP, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA.