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June 2000 Newsletter
Noni: A remarkable Plant
Noni Morinda citrifolia is believed to have originated in the Tongan
Islands and is renowned for being able to thrive in even the harshest
environments. The kahunas or traditional medicine people of the South
Pacific use this plant for a wide variety of health problems, including
pain relief, sinus infections, arthritis, digestive disorders, colds,
flu, headaches, and menstrual problems. Noni root compounds have also
shown natural sedative properties as well as the ability to lower blood
pressure. Recent studies suggest that its anti-cancer activity should
be considered.
Originally introduced as a juice product made from the fruit, analysis
has shown that the leaf of the Morinda citrifolia plant may be more
potent than the fruit. Dr. Ralph Heinicke, a premier researcher of noni,
believes that noni helps in the normalization of abnormally functioning
cells by delivering to the body the essential biochemical compound proxeronine,
which the cells then assemble into the alkaloid xeronine. One of the
primary functions of xeronine is to regulate the shape and integrity
of specific proteins. Because proteins have so many varied roles within
cell processes, the normalization of these proteins with noni supplementation
could initiate a very wide variety of body responses and treat many
disease conditions.
In Hawaiian traditional medicine noni fruit was crushed and mixed
with other plants and herbs as a poultice for bruises and sprains. The
noni leaves were used to treat wounds. A digestive aid was made by combining
crushed noni fruit with cane juice.
There is also evidence that noni fruit has been consumed as a remedy
to stabilize blood sugar in individuals with adult diabetes.
The active ingredients in noni come from concentrations of anthraquinoies-one
most prominent being damnacanthal, which has a purgative effect-which
most likely accounts for its use as a cleanser.
In one placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted by Scott Gerson,
M.D. at the Sinai School of Medicine in New York, NY, high-blood pressure
patients were randomly selected and did not know that they were taking
noni. They stayed on the same diet and did the same amount of exercise
as before they started taking noni. Each patient acted as his/her own
control. After taking noni, eight of the nine patients showed a decrease
in blood pressure.
Positive results also were reported with regard to bacterial infections,
pain, and inflammatory ailments, including arthritis, bursitis, carpal
tunnel syndrome, and allergies.
Reference: Neil Solomon, M.D., Ph.D., Noni: Nature's Amazing Healer.
Suppress Your Appetite And Get A Good Night's Sleep
Brain Longevity, a book by Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., identifies serotonin
as the brain's major "contentment chemical." If you don't have enough
of it, you're almost certain to feel a nagging sense of emotional malaise.
Before turning toward medications like Prozac, it may be worthwhile to
investigate natural alternatives, including Serotain, a blend of griffonia
(Griffonia simplicifolia) extract and other natural ingredients containing
natural 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP).
There are three major benefits to be gained from the 5-HTP found in Serotain,
according to 5-HTP: Nature's Serotonin Solution by Ray Sahelian, M.D.:
1) Increase weight loss by decreasing appetite and decreasing carbohydrate
intake; 2) As a mood elevator and for treating the symptoms of clinical
depression; and 3) To help gently induce sleep-not only by its conversion
to serotonin-but also by its subsequent conversion to melatonin, the body's
sleep hormone.
Griffonia simplicifolia and 5-HTP provide brain cells with the necessary
materials to make more serotonin. This is done without the serious side
effects of antidepressant drugs such as Prozac and Zoloft. These drugs
increase serotonin levels indirectly by blocking its inactivation. The
result may be cellular deficiency. Serotain, on the other hand, appears
to inhibit serotonin reuptake but without causing a cellular deficiency.
5-HTP has been used in Europe for over 20 years by millions of people
with no reported toxicity or side effects for weight loss and depression.
Reference: Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., Brain Longevity.
The incredible Benefits Of Soy
The October 1999 U.S. Food and Drug Administration announcement that
eating 25 grams of soy protein per day lowers the risk of coronary heart
disease may soon rank soy foods right up there with broccoli. In addition
to containing the cancer fighting plant estrogens called isoflavones,
soybeans are valued for their high protein content, which accounts for
nearly 35% of their overall composition. Soy protein prompted the health
claim because it lowers cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.
R.M. Bakhit and colleagues at the University of Illinois fed men with
mildly high cholesterol a low-fat diet including a daily muffin containing
25 grams of protein and 20 grams of dietary fiber. The muffins were one
of four combinations: soy protein and soybean fiber; soy protein and cellulose;
casein, a milk protein, and soybean fiber; or casein and cellulose. After
two weeks of eating a straight low-fat diet, the subjects tested each
different protein/fiber muffin combination for four weeks at a time. At
the end of every dietary treatment, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density
lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein were measured.
Bakhit and his team found that the muffins containing any casein did
not have a significant effect on cholesterol. In contrast, the two muffins
containing isolated soybean protein significantly lowered total cholesterol
levels in subjects whose initial concentrations were high. The results
clearly suggest that a daily intake of 25 grams of soy protein can help
prevent heart disease by lowering total cholesterol. Similar results were
also observed by K.K. Carroll and colleagues at the University of Western
Ontario.
Considering the volume of clinical data that supports the findings of
these two studies, as well as the fact that the FDA has now issued soy
protein one of its rare heart health claims, there is no question that
incorporating the nutrient into a low-fat diet can have beneficial effects.
Besides lowering their risk of certain cancers, we also can look to soy
foods as a means of preventing osteoporosis.
Moreover, soybean-related compound ipriflavone has been shown to reduce
bone loss in people suffering from osteoporosis.
With heart health, cancer prevention, and bone retention being soy's
big claims to fame, the benefits of this bean appear to be endless.
References: Carroll K.K., Review of clinical studies on cholesterol-lowering
response to soy protein. J Am Diet Assoc 1991;1(7):820-27.
PMS Support With Vitamin B6.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is reported by 95% of women in their childbearing
years. Although most of these women experience only mild symptoms, there
is a small percentage of women who suffer from severe, life-disruptive
symptoms.
Recently, a review of placebo-controlled trials involving vitamin B6
was undertaken by British researchers. Nine trials that met the strict
criteria of this review and a total of 940 women were involved.
The researchers determined that "B6 was significantly better than placebo
in relieving overall premenstrual symptoms and in relieving depression
associated with premenstrual syndrome." Interestingly, the response was
not dose-dependent. This means that more is not necessarily better-after
a certain intake level, no more benefits are garnered. Consequently, there
is no reason to use more than 100 mg daily for PMS relief, according to
this review.
One concern about vitamin B6 supplementation has been the risk of nerve
damage at higher intakes. Although this risk is thought to exist when
more than 200 mg of vitamin B6 is taken daily, this review of 940 women
(taking 50-500 mg per day) reported only one case of neurological side
effects.
Reference: Wyatt K.M., Jones P.W., et al. Efficacy of vitamin B-6
in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: Systematic Review. BMJ 1999;
318:1375-81.
Gallstone Relief Naturally
The presence of stones in the gallbladder and adjacent ducts is a common
phenomenon but does not always cause painful symptoms. In fact, most people
with gallstones remain without symptoms for long periods of time-frequently
for life. Stones can irritate the lining of the sensitive ducts, causing
pain, or may completely block a duct, causing bile fluids to build up
behind the stone. Bile buildup leads to irritation and inflammation.
Gallstones affect roughly 22 million North Americans, most commonly women
and members of ethnic groups such as Native Americans. Many nutritionists
believe diet is the most important factor-gallstones rarely develop in
populations that eat a more traditional, unrefined diet.
Dietary modifications can make a big difference in managing gallstones.
Dietary fats have been linked with gallstone formation. Most studies cite
saturated fats (butter and margarine) as a contributing factor vs. monounsaturated
fats (olive oil) which appear to play a protective role. Some experiments
indicate that the omega-3 class of polyunsaturates (flaxseed oil) may
prevent gallstones. Fiber may also prevent gallstone formation. Population
research has confirmed that low-fiber diets predispose toward gallstone
formation.
Recent evidence indicates lack of physical activity is a significant
risk factor for gallstone development. In one trial, the most active people
had 30% less risk of developing gallstones than the least active. Researchers
think exercise protects against gallstone disease by reducing known risk
factors such as obesity and serum triglyceride levels.
Reference: Misciagna G., et al., Diet, physical activity and gallstones-a
population-based, case-control study in southern Italy. Amer J Clin Nutr
1995;118:517-23.
Health Tip
A recent study compared fatty acid levels in 14 healthy and 34 depressed
individuals. The depressed participants were found to have a deficiency
of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Previous research has suggested
that the increase in depression that started earlier this century could
be related to dramatic changes in dietary consumption of fatty acids.
Thus, foods or supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as flaxseed
or flaxseed oil, would be expected to reduce vulnerability to depression.
References: Maes M., Christopher A., Delanghe J., et al., Lowered
omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in serum phospholipids and cholesteryl
esters of depressed patients. Psychiat Res 1999;85:275-91.
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