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Please Note...it is recommended that you should not take Echinacea if you have an Auto immune related condition,pregnant ,always read the label

Does Echinacea work?
Only if you use the right product.
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There has been a lot of confusing information on the effectiveness of Echinacea. Latest research clarifies the facts and tells us that:

Some Echinacea products are more effective than others.Echinacea purpurea is effective in the TREATMENT of colds.Echinacea purpurea is effective in the PREVENTION of colds and flu

In July 2007 the prestigious Lancet Infectious Diseases published research concluding that Echinacea can more than halve the risk of catching a common cold. This conclusion was drawn by researchers from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Connecticut, who looked at 14 different studies on Echinacea. Echinacea was shown to decrease the odds of developing a cold by 58% and reduce the duration of colds by a day-and-a-half in people who were infected.

Echinacea reduced the likelihood of participants catching a cold naturally (i.e. in normal circumstances such as working with someone who has a cold) by 65%,  and Professor Ron Cutler of the University of East London said that Echinacea, “decreases the severity of cough, headache and nasal congestion,” if people have already caught a cold, concluding that, “people with impaired immune function might benefit from taking Echinacea during the winter months to prevent colds and flu.”

Garlic

What is it?
Garlic contains more than 200 chemical compounds. Some of its more important ones include volatile oil, sulfur-containing compounds and enzymes. Allicin is a sulfur-containing compound that gives garlic its antibiotic and cholesterol-lowering properties and is responsible for its strong odor.

Where is it from?
Garlic is a hardy, perennial bulb, which is native to the Mediterranean regions of Africa and Europe. Along with onions, leeks, chives and shallots, garlic is a member of the lily family. The botanical name for garlic, allium sativum, may have been derived from the Celtic word "all" which refers to "pungent." The edible portion of the garlic plant grows underground and consists of a cloved bulb.

What is it used for?
It can inhibit and kill bacteria, fungi, parasites, lower blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugar. Studies show that garlic which contains allicin can lower serum cholesterol in individuals with elevated cholesterol by an average of 9%. Garlic has the ability to stimulate the lymphatic system, which expedites the removal of waste from the body. It is considered an effective antioxidant and can help protect cells against free radical damage. In addition, it nourishes and supports the heart, stomach, circulation and the lungs.

Safety Concerns?
Garlic is considered safe when taken in reasonable amounts however it is very heating and when ingested in excess can irritate the stomach. If taken properly, the safety and efficacy of garlic has been well established.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

Definition: Used by Native Americans for generations, goldenseal root is a favorite among herbalists for its anti-inflammatory effect and antibiotic-like actions. The bitter nature of this herb has also made it an effective remedy for digestive disorders and as a bitter tonic for gastric ulcers. Strained infusions of goldenseal have traditionally been used as a soothing eye wash.

Applications: Diarrhea, eczema, eye inflammations, flatulence, gallbladder disease, gastritis, giardia, hemorrhoids, impetigo, indigestion, infections (viral and bacterial), liver disease, excessive menstrual flow, mouth sores, rhinitis, ringworm, ulcers and vaginitis.

Scientific Updates: Laboratory tests have proven goldenseal's ability to protect against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria including tuberculosis bacteria.107 It helps to reduce vaginal and uterine inflammation.108 Tests have found that berberine-containing herbs can be more effective in treating gastrointestinal infections than standard antibiotics.

Complementary Agents: Barberry, Oregon grape, echinacea, garlic, capsicum, myrrh, ginger, eyebright, juniper, dandelion, chamomile, black cohosh, comfrey, cascara, gentian, dong quai, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, vitamin A, digestive enzymes and grape seed or pine bark proanthocyanidins.

Bee Propolis

Definition: Bee propolis is a resinous substance gathered by honeybees from deciduous tree bark and leaves. It is a sticky material that bees use to seal hive holes or cracks. Before it is used in the hive, honeybees take the propolis, combine it with nectar found in their own secretions and eventually end up with a mixture of wax, pollen and bee bread. Propolis has been used for thousands of years as a protection against infection, a promoter of healing and as a superior source of energy and endurance.

Applications: Allergies, bruises, burns, cancer, herpes zoster, fatigue, sore throats, nasal congestion respiratory ailments, acne, sunburn, shingles, flu, colds, coughs, and ulcers.

Recommendations: With any bee product, potency is vital. Freeze-dried products or vacuum-packed supplements are better than simple capsulized varieties. Bee propolis is very delicate and can break down rapidly.

Vitamin C

What is it?
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a powerful antioxidant which helps combat free radical damage in the body. Free radicals damage cells, cell membranes and DNA in the body and can be neutralized with antioxidants. A diet seriously deficient in ascorbic acid will lead to scurvy, a disease prominent among sailors prior to the late 1700's.

Where is it from?
Fresh fruits and vegetables are the best sources for ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is found in berries, citrus fruits, and green vegetables. Natural vitamin C is usually extracted from rose hips, the fleshy base of the rose. Rose hip is a highly concentrated source of the vitamin, but vitamin C derived from it confers no special benefit. Humans are one of the few creatures that do not produce their own vitamin C, and must obtain it entirely from their diet.

What is it used for?
Aside from being a strong antioxidant, Vitamin C promotes the healing of wounds, fractures, bruises, and isolates infections. It also stimulates the adrenal glands to manufacture cortisone, which is involved in healing and helps to combat stress. Vitamin C also supports immunity by stimulating the production of white blood cells, which fight infections.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Applications:
Infections, bruising, colds and flu, sinusitis, earaches, sore throats, smokers, blood clots, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, physical and mental stress, weak immune system, cholesterol levels, liver toxicity.

Scientific Data:
Numerous studies have proven the ability of vitamin C to help open constricted bronchiole tubes, accelerate wound healing, scavenge free radicals and help prevent cardiovascular disease. Its role in cancer prevention is also thought to be significant.

Depleting Agents:
Aspirin, alcohol, antidepressant drugs, analgesics, oral contraceptives, anticoagulants, steroids, cooking, food processing, diuretics, air pollution, smoking, acetaminophen toxicity. Note: Even fresh vegetables and fruits can quickly lose their vitamin C content if left standing.

Sources:
Peppers, potatoes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, citrus fruits, melons, berries.

Interactions:
Vitamin C is intrinsically involved with vitamin E, selenium and beta carotene. For this reason, taking vitamin C with any antioxidant array is recommended. Vitamin C also increases the absorption of iron, decreases the absorption of copper and can alter blood tests measuring vitamin B12 levels.

Recommendations:
Ascorbic acid is the least expensive and most common form of vitamin C. Adding adequate levels of bioflavonoids enhances absorption. Buffered vitamin C is for individuals with sensitivity to acid foods, and time-released products are also available. Ester-C has recently emerged and is thought by some to have better absorption and bioavailability, although some experts debate this claim. If you need to use large quantities of vitamin C, powdered ascorbic acid is the most practical form. Chewables can be appealing for children.

Vitamin C: The Wonder Nutrient that Keeps on Going

Most of us are at least somewhat aware of vitamin C's health benefits: fighting colds and flu and necessary for various other body functions. However, more and more research indicates that vitamin C may be more important than most of us think.

Nobel Prize winner Dr. Linus Pauling was the first to fully realize the crucial importance of vitamin C in the maintenance of a healthy immune system. In 1970, he proposed that taking vitamin C in much higher amounts than that of the official RDA could both prevent and shorten the duration of the common cold.

At that time, most experts disagreed with Dr. Pauling. However, more recent research has confirmed his original proposition. Not only does high vitamin C intake prevent and reduce the severity of colds, it also effectively fights secondary viral and bacterial infections. Other research is finding more valuable data concerning vitamin C's health benefits. Of real interest is its ability to lower the risk of various kinds of cancer: breast, cervix, colon, rectum, lung, prostate, and stomach cancers are among these. The theory behind this is vitamin C's antioxidant properties; in other words, vitamin C eliminates free radicals, agents that effectively damage healthy tissue and cells in a variety of ways.

There are various studies to support the vitamin's anticancer abilities. One found that daily supplementation with 500 mg for 10 years cut the risk of bladder cancer by 60 percent. Another found that supplementation with 3,000 mg daily prevented polyp growth in colon cancer; still other findings indicate that a vitamin C intake of only 157 mg a day cuts the risk of colon cancer in half.

Dr. Pauling and Dr. Cameron pioneered the use of large daily doses of vitamin C (10,000 mg) in the treatment of cancer patients. From their experiments at the Vale of Leven Hospital in Scotland, they concluded that terminal cancer patients who received large daily doses of vitamin C along with their regular treatment lived much longer than patients who did not receive vitamin C. In addition, they also experienced less pain, and in general, a much improved quality of life. Other doctors, including Canadian physician Abram Hoffer, expanded on the Pauling/Cameron treatment by adding large amounts of vitamin E, niacin, B vitamins, beta carotene, and some minerals. The results were astounding; those cancer patients who followed the regimen lived an average of 16 times longer than those who did not follow the regimen.

Vitamin C and heart health
Research shows that vitamin C has a number of other health promoting abilities. One of the most impressive its its ability to normalize blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, thin the blood, and protect the lining of blood vessel walls from free radical damage (which contributes to atherosclerosis and other forms of heart disease). Other research indicates that adequate intake of Vitamin C can significantly reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

A recent study indicates that people who supplement with more than 700 mg of vitamin C daily have a 62 percent lower risk of dying from some form of heart disease than do people with a daily intake of 60 mg or less.

Supplementation with 2 g (2,000 mg) of the vitamin has been found to reduce the adhesion of white blood cells to the lining of blood vessel walls, thereby reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.

Other Benefits
Besides reducing the severity of colds/flu and promoting heart health, vitamin C has other wonderful health benefits.

Large doses have been found to reduce asthma symptoms significantly; in addition, studies suggest that rheumatoid arthritis sufferers could benefit from vitamin C supplementation. Other research shows that vitamin C supplementation can lower the risk of cataracts and glaucoma

How much to take?
It is obvious from the works of Dr. Pauling and others that the RDA of 60 mg is far too low. Sure, it may prevent scurvy, but it also falls far short of promoting great health. Even an RDA of 200, though adequate for health

Zinc

What is it?
Zinc is a mineral found in the body in small amounts, only about 2.5 grams total. Zinc is stored in a variety of tissues and is most concentrated in the prostate and semen. The next most concentrated tissues are in the heart, spleen, lungs, brain, and in the retina of the eye. The skin contains a high amount of zinc, but is less concentrated than in the organ tissues. Although zinc is the twenty-fifth most abundant element in the earth's crust, it is water soluble both in the soil and in food. Rain can wash zinc from the farming soils and much of the zinc content is lost in the water in which food is cooked.

Where is it from?
The best sources of dietary zinc are oysters, which contains ten times as much as any other source. Most animal foods contain adequate amounts of zinc, especially beef, lamb, and pork because zinc is added to animal feeds to increase growth rates. Whole grains such as whole wheat, rye, and oats are also a good source of zinc, especially for the vegetarian.

What is it used for?
Zinc plays a critical role in the synthesis of RNA and DNA, which is crucial to cell division, repair and growth. It is involved in a multitude of body functions, and is also part of many enzyme systems. Zinc also promotes a healthy immune system and the healing of wounds.

Zinc

Applications:
The profound role of zinc in prostate gland disease is emerging. It is also essential for other reproductive organs and for strong immune function. Zinc is also involved in taste and smell and protects the liver from toxins. Zinc therapy is used for prostate disease, infections, sterility, diabetes, wound healing and ulcers. Kidney disease, diarrhea, liver disease, excess fiber and diabetes can lower zinc levels.

Sources:
Oysters, shellfish, seafood, red meat, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds. Note: Zinc from plant sources is not as bioavailable as zinc from animal foods.

Interactions:
Zinc and copper compete for assimilation and calcium and iron can interfere with zinc absorbtion. High fiber foods can also interfere with zinc absorption.

Recommendations:
Zinc picolinate, acetate, citrate, and monomethionine are recommended. Zinc chelates and zinc lozenges are also good.

Information provided in this section is provided by Woodland Publishing, Inc. and/or other independent third parties that are unaffiliated with Nutraceutical Corporation, and is intended to provide an electronic reference library about nutrition and health. The views expressed in the Education section are the views of the authors and have not been independently viewed or confirmed by Nutraceutical, and are not necessarily the views of Nutraceutical Corporation.Always read the label.

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