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May 2000 Newsletter
SAM-e: The Powerful Anti-Aging Supplement
SAM-e (S-adenosyl-methionine) is showing promise as one of the most
powerful anti-aging and disease-preventive supplements ever. A natural
metabolite of the amino acid methionine, SAM-e has been used to treat
depression, arthritis, and a multitude of other disorders.
Found in almost every tissue of the body, it acts as a cofactor in
a number of biochemical reactions and is critical for the maintenance
of cartilage and in the production of important brain compounds such
as neurotransmitters.
In clinical trials, SAM-e has been used successfully to treat a number
of disorders with no reported side effects, and it has been used for
more than 20 years in Europe to treat arthritis and depression.
The body requires SAM-e for normal function, and can generally produce
enough on its own. However, people with certain conditions, including
arthritis and depression, appear to have lower levels of SAM-e. Additionally,
as part of the aging process, the body loses SAM-e.
SAM-e is most commonly used as a treatment for depression and arthritis,
and appears to be a potent anti-aging therapy. It has been studied for
its use in treating heart disease, liver disease, common joint pain,
fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
A number of studies have examined the role of SAM-e in combating diseases.
A study at the University of California, Irvine, on patients hospitalized
for depression, found that 67% of those who received SAM-e had a 50%
or greater improvement rate after two weeks, compared to 22% of patients
given the antidepressant imipramine.
In another placebo-controlled, double-blind study using SAM-e, patients
with major depression received either 1,600 mg of SAM-e per day or a
placebo. Using four different depression scales to measure response,
the researchers found that SAM-e had decreased depression 27% by the
10th day of the study, compared to 18% for those patients who received
placebo.
The American Journal of Medicine published a series of articles on
the use of SAM-e for treating osteoarthritis. It concluded that SAM-e
works as well as the most popular arthritis treatments on the market.
For arthritis treatment, SAM-e is generally recommended at levels of
200 to 1200 mg per day for approximately 21 days, until relief of symptoms
occurs. After that, the dosage can be reduced to maintenance levels
of 200 to 400 mg per day.
In both short-term and long-term clinical studies, SAM-e has been
shown to be safe and non-toxic in levels of 1600 mg per day. No serious
side effects have been reported; however, anyone taking antidepressant
drugs should be under medical supervision while taking SAM-e.
References: Morrison, L.D., Smith, D.D., and Kish, S.J. "Brain S-adenosylmethionine
levels are severely decreased in Alzheimer's disease." J Neurochem,
1996; 67:1328-31. Marcolongo, R., et al. "Double-blind multicentre study
of activity of S-adenosylmethionine in hip and knee osteoarthritis."
Curr Ther Res 37:82-94.
Energize Your Heart & Workout With Ribose
Ribose is the sugar foundation of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic
acid (DNA). Found in all living cells, ribose is the starting point for
adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy "currency."
Although recognized as an important nutrient since the 1970s, it is only
recently that improved and more economical manufacturing procedures have
made ribose supplements available. Recent research shows that giving ribose
to people suffering from myocardial ischemia, or inadequate blood flow
to the heart, greatly increases energy in the heart muscle.
In one placebo-controlled study of 20 men with documented severe coronary
artery disease, the heart's tolerance to heavy exercise improved after
three days' treatment with 60 grams of ribose daily.
Since the body produces ribose from glucose slowly, supplementing can
benefit not only heart patients, but athletes who exercise intensely.
Under normal conditions, it takes several days to replace energy lost
from heavy exercise. In heart patients, low blood flow and ATP deficiency
can cause chest pain after light activity such as walking.
It is estimated that ribose supplementation could quickly restore energy
to muscle cells. A study found that administration of ribose fully restored
ATP levels in 12 hours vs. 72 hours without supplementation. In athletes,
a day off between exercising to exhaustion three or four times per week
may not provide enough time for recovery. To keep cellular ATP levels
at their highest, 3-5 grams of ribose is being suggested daily before
and or after exercise.
It is conceivable that ribose will become as popular as creatine since
the supplements appear to be complementary. Ribose is part of the metabolic
pathway leading to ATP production in the presence of oxygen. It is part
of adenosine, the "A" in ATP. During exercise, cells generally use creatine
phosphate as a source of a phosphate ("P") molecule for reforming ATP.
It is theorized that ribose and creatine together may produce a benefit
that exceeds that of creatine alone.
References: Pliml, W., et al. "Effects of ribose on exercise-induced
ischemia in stable coronary artery disease." Lancet 1992; 340:507-10.
Beta-Carotene Reduces Asthma
Exercise induces an asthma attack in some asthmatics. A recent study
assessed the effects of natural beta-carotene supplements on airway hyperactivity
in a group of 38 asthmatics with exercise-induced asthma.
Lung function was measured before, during, and after an exercise session
in all the study participants. The group was randomly assigned to a one-week
course of placebo supplements or beta-carotene. Lung function before,
during, and after exercise was measured again. Those taking the placebo
for one week, as would be expected, showed impaired lung function after
the exercise session. In the beta-carotene group, however, 53% of the
individuals were protected against exercise-induced asthma.
The results of this study suggest that, for many asthmatics, daily supplements
of beta-carotene help prevent asthma-related problems after exercise.
The benefits of beta-carotene are most likely related to the antioxidant
properties of this nutrient.
Reference: Neuman, I., Nahum, H., Ben-Amotz, A. "Prevention of exercise-induced
asthma by a natural isomer mixture of beta-carotene." Ann Allergy Asthma
Immunol 1999; 82:549-53.
Patchouli For Nausea
In its homeland of India and Southeast Asia, patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
is known as a traditional remedy for digestive problems and nausea. Now
researchers may understand the science behind the folk cure.
Japanese researchers tested eight traditional Chinese herbs, including
patchouli, to determine their ability to reduce nausea and vomiting. Active
ingredients from five herbs tested positive, with an essential oil component
in patchouli called patchouli alcohol testing as one of the most active.
One of the patchouli leaf preparations was found to prevent vomiting 58%
better than controls. The study sought to identify new active components
or extracts to allay nausea, particularly that caused by chemotherapy.
The anti-emetic activity of patchouli may be due to its ability to lessen
contractions of digestive organ muscles. The study provides a scientific
basis for the traditional Chinese use of patchouli leaves to treat dyspepsia,
vomiting, diarrhea, and poor appetite.
References: Yang, K., et al. "Anti-emetic principles of Pogostemon cablin
(Blanco) Benth." Phytomedicine 1999, 6(2):89-93.
PMS Improved With Calcium
Anationwide study shows that calcium may ease the symptoms that afflict
nearly 40% of American women prior to menstruation. That study reports
that the mineral can reduce some of the most common symptoms of premenstrual
syndrome by nearly 50%.
About 450 women, ages 18 to 45, participated in the nationwide study
that examined the effects of calcium in treating 17 PMS symptoms, including
moodiness, water retention, headaches, and lower back pain. Half of the
women were told to take 1,200 mg of elemental calcium daily. They did
this for three menstrual cycles. The other half took a placebo.
Women taking the calcium supplements reported a 48% reduction in overall
symptoms and a 54% reduction in physical pain over the placebo group.
"Studies have shown that women with PMS have lower calcium levels," says
Dr. Susan Thys-Jacobs, an endocrinologist at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital
Center in New York and the study's lead researcher.
Most women consume less than half of the Recommended Dietary Allowance
of calcium. The Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences recommends
1,000 mg daily. For women over 50, that recommendation jumps to 1,500
mg per day.
Although food sources are best, supplements are essential for women
who have difficulty reaching their daily calcium requirement with food
intake alone.
Known for its bone-building properties that may prevent osteoporosis,
calcium may also help curb weight gain. A two-year study by Purdue University
researchers, found that a higher intake of calcium reduced overall body
fat and slowed weight gain in 54 women, ages 18 to 31.
Women who consumed less than 1,999 calories and at least 780 mg of calcium
a day either lost body fat or had no increase in fat over the two-year
period. Women with the same caloric intake who consumed less than 780
mg of calcium a day gained body fat over the two years.
Researchers found that women with a daily caloric intake over 1,900 calories
had no weight-control benefit from calcium; the calories negated any positive
benefits.
References: Journal of American Obstetrics and Gynecology, August 1998.
Natural Treatment For Pre-Eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia is a potentially dangerous pregnancy complication that
can result in premature birth or even death of the baby or mother.
British researchers, in a randomized controlled study, investigated
the potential benefit of vitamin C and vitamin E supplements to prevent
pre-eclampsia. Pregnant women who were at risk of developing pre-eclampsia-because
they had a history of pre-eclampsia in a prior pregnancy or had symptoms
indicative of this condition-were enrolled in this study.
Of the 283 women, about half took 1,000 mg of vitamin C and 400 IU of
natural vitamin E each day and the other half took placebos during the
second and third trimester of their pregnancies.
Pre-eclampsia eventually developed in 17% of the women in the placebo
group, but only 8% of the women in the vitamin supplementation group developed
this dangerous condition.
Reference: Chappell, L.C., Seed, P.T., Briley, A.L., et al. "Effect
of antioxidants on the occurrence of pre-eclampsia in women at increased
risk: a randomized trial." Lancet 1999; 354:810-16.
Health Tip
Laboratory research shows that vitamin E protects LDL cholesterol from
free radical damage and lessens the deposits of damaged LDL cholesterol
in the walls of arteries. One randomized trial found that even just 50
IU per day of vitamin E reduced the risk of angina developing in adults.
Other research has found that vitamin E in the amount of 400-800 IU per
day lessens the chances of death from heart disease in patients who already
were diagnosed with coronary artery disease. On the other hand, lower
levels of vitamin E are related to the development of coronary artery
disease.
"If vitamin E supplementation is initiated, a dosage of at least 100
IU per day appears necessary to derive cardiovascular benefit. Additional
data from a prospective trial suggests that a dosage of 400 IU per day
is more appropriate in patients with documented coronary artery disease."
Reference: Spencer, A.P., Carson, D.S., Crouch, M.A. "Vitamin E and coronary
artery disease." Arch Intern Med 1999; 159:1313-20.
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