What's Up With Curcumin

What's Up With Curcumin?
Phillip A. Black

Curcumin. What is that? Do you know anything about it? Have you seen the headlines lately? The following are all articles published within the past few days about curcumin.

• Curcumin is the new treatment strategy for Alzheimer's

• Scientists combat dementia with curry spice curcumin

• Curcumin cures malaria in animals

• Curcumin may block growth of castrate-resistant prostate tumors

• Curcumin May Support Body's Ability to Slow Prostate Tumor Growth

• Tumeric and Curcumin Offer Powerful Anti-Cancer Health Benefits Naturally

Wow. Intrigued? I know I was when I was first introduced to this amazing product about three years ago. I am going to do my best to quickly bring you up to speed about curcumin.
Per Wikipedia, "curcumin is the principal curcuminoid of the popular Indian spice turmeric, which is a member of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). The other two curcuminoids are desmethoxycurcumin and bis-desmethoxycurcumin. The curcuminoids are natural phenols and are responsible for the yellow color of turmeric." Great. But what does that all mean? It means this is one heck of a spice!

For thousands of years Eastern medicine has used curcumin for a wide range of health benefits. However, western medicine was late to arrive at the party. A wealth of recent scientific data shows curcumin to contain powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and antioxidant properties.

Unlike many pharmaceuticals, curcumin has been proven safe without any adverse affects, even at doses up to 8,000 mg/day. Extensive research shows curcumin is effective in multiple ways, and this provides basis for many applications. But curcumin is extremely difficult to absorb, so it's important to get an ample supply of it into your bloodstream.

There are more than 4,300 published studies describing curcumin’s benefits in helping to fight cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, osteo and rheumatoid arthritis, liver disease, renal failure, depression, asthma, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis, infections (including pneumonia) and diabetes—and this list is not all-inclusive. What all these diseases have in common is that they encompass inflammation, oxidative stress and inactive genetic expression.

A research team at Thomas Jefferson University found that curcumin may help slow down tumor growth in castration-resistant prostate cancer patients who are on androgen deprivation therapy. To help support their findings, the researchers also investigated curcumin in mice, which were castrated to mimic ADT. Tumor growth and masses were significantly reduced in the mice with curcumin. Researchers feel the study also has implications beyond prostate cancer, offering hope for alternatives of breast cancer. The study is published in the latest edition of the journal Cancer Research.

I think it's pretty clear that curcumin is something we should all consider taking.

CURCUMIN EXTREME TM

Primary Benefits of Curcumin Extreme™*:

• Promotes normal activity of NF-KappaB
• Supports normal liver detoxification activity
• Supports overall liver health
• Promotes apoptosis in unhealthy cells
• Promotes normal cell cycle activity
• Helps maintain overall cell integrity
• Promotes normal cellular regeneration
• Helps maintain healthy glutathione levels
• Supports normal glutathione synthesis
• Promotes the normal production of detoxification enzymes
• Supports the body’s natural ability to produce detoxification enzymes
• Promotes normal levels of detoxification enzymes that scavenge harmful toxins in the body
• Helps to maintain neurological health as we age
• Helps to maintain good cognitive health as we age
• Promotes normal immune cell-brain (neuron) interactions in order to maintain cognitive health
• Promotes neurological health
• Protects neurons from the negative effects of free radicals
• Powerful antioxidant
• Protects the body from the negative effects of free radicals
• Promotes free-radical protection
• Promotes a strong immune system

Key Ingredients Found In Curcumin Extreme™:

Curcumin (BCM-95®): 400 mgScientists have long been aware of the wide array of health benefits from the Indian spice turmeric, which is a source of the active phytochemical curcumin. Until now, curcumin has been known to have poor bioavailability, requiring high doses to promote health. BCM-95® delivers significantly more pharmacologically bioactive curcumin into the blood than other curcumin sources. This new delivery system allows for a variety of health benefits.

How is this possible? Traditional 95% extract focuses strictly on one part of the Turmeric rhizome. This bioactive substance of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) contains “Curcuminoids” and Curcumin is the most important molecule. Research has shown its tremendous health benefit. Even though Curcumin is the most important molecule, the bioavailability of the regular Turmeric 95% extracts sold on the market is not very good in terms of uptake or sustainability in the blood stream. There are other essential components present in Turmeric Rhizome which have been neglected during the traditional method of manufacturing of Turmeric 95% Extract. BCM-95® represents the natural spectrum of turmeric rhizome. It is 100 percent natural and has been proven to provide optimal bioavailability for synergistic effect. This new method of manufacture offers tremendous value in terms of bioavailability.

Antioxidants have received increased attention, and it’s important to know what nutrients are antioxidants and information about them. One such nutrient is Curcumin. Curcumin is a natural extract from the spice turmeric. Turmeric is derived from the plant Curcuma Longa, a member of the ginger family.

Curcumin is employed mostly as an antioxidant; though it was traditionally used to promote stomach and joint comfort. The immune-balancing activity of curcumin has been demonstrated through multiple mechanisms to support normal COX-2 and NF-KappaB levels in the body.

The neuroprotective properties of curcumin are among the most studied. Curcumin has been designated as a strong candidate for the promotion of neurological health and cognitive function. Curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier and support the normal uptake of amyloid-beta in the brain. This supports the brain's memory and learning abilities as we age. Another neuroprotective property of curcumin is its ability to promote normal levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase in the brain. This can help to maintain the health of neurological tissues.

Curcumin supports the normal production of Phase II liver detoxification enzymes including glutathione synthase, heme-oxygenase and catalase. The liver plays several roles in detoxification: it filters the blood to remove large toxins, synthesizes and secretes bile full of cholesterol and other fat-soluble toxins, and enzymatically disassembles unwanted chemicals. This enzymatic process usually occurs in two steps referred to as phase I and phase II. They promote the body’s natural enzyme antioxidant defense systems and function as a powerful indirect antioxidant. These enzymes promote the body’s normal metabolism of harmful chemicals such as heavy metals, toxins and pollutants into less reactive molecules. Curcumin has also been shown to promote normal hepatic tissue repair.Broccoli Seed Extract (6% Sulphoraphane Glucosinolates): 167 mgThe health benefits and protective properties of broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables have been well documented over the past 25 years. Broccoli Seed Extract is a powerful source of sulphoraphane glucosinolates. Sulforaphanes support the normal production of Phase II liver detoxification enzymes including glutathione synthase, heme-oxygenase and catalase. Sulforaphanes promote the body’s natural enzyme antioxidant defense systems and function as a powerful indirect antioxidant. Sulphoraphanes work to support gene transcription, which is the process by which genetic information is copied from DNA to RNA, resulting in a specific protein formation. Conclusively, sulphoraphanes work to support the body’s natural defense systems and to maintain elevated levels of glutathione.

Glutathione is the master antioxidant of the body. It is an important chemical that acts as a powerful antioxidant to preserve and protect the brain and other body tissues by protecting them from the damage of free radicals. It also acts to recycle vitamin C and E, which also reduce free radicals. Since glutathione cannot be absorbed intact orally due to gastrointestinal degradation, sulphoraphane supplementation may be the most effective way to increase endogenous glutathione concentration.Selenium (Selenomethionine): 100 mcgSelenium is a required cofactor for selenoproteins such as glutathione peroxidase. Selenomethionine is incorporated directly into proteins because selenomethionine cannot be distinguished from methionine during the translation of mRNA into protein. This serves as a storage form of selenium and is liberated upon protein catabolism. Selenium accumulates in the prostate, promoting the health of the prostate. Selenium supports immune function by promoting normal growth and development of T helper cells.

Scientific Studies Which Support Curcumin Extreme™:

• Araujo, C. and Leon, L. Biological activities of Curcuma longa L. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. 96(5): 723-728, 2001.
• Bhattacharyya, S., et al. Curcumin prevents tumor-induced T cell apoptosis through Stat-5a-mediated Bcl-2 induction. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 282(22): 15954-15964.
• Biswas, S., et al. Curcumin induces glutathione biosynthesis and inhibits NF-kappaB activation and interleukin-8 release in alveolar epithelial cells: mechanism of free radical scavenging activity. Antioxidants and Redox Signaling. 7(1-2): 32-41, 2005.
• Cheng, Y., et al. Effects of curcumin on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma expression and nuclear translocation/redistribution in culture-activated rat hepatic stellate cells. Chinese Medical Journal. 120(9): 794-801, 2007.
• Churchill, M., et al. Inhibition of intestinal tumors by curcumin is associated with changes in the intestinal immune cell profile. Journal of Surgical Research. 89(2): 169-175, 2000.
• Cornblatt, B., et al. Preclinical and clinical evaluation of sulforaphane for chemoprevention in the breast. 28(7): 1485-1490, 2007.
• Dairam, A., et al. Curcuminoids, curcumin, and demethoxycurcumin reduce lead-induced memory deficits in male Wistar rats. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 55(3): 1039-1044, 2007.
• Dickinson, D., et al. Curcumin alters EpRE and AP-1 binding complexes and elevates glutamate-cysteine ligase gene expression. FASEB. 17(3): 473-475, 2003.
• Fahey, J., et al. Sulforaphane inhibits extracellular, intracellular, and antibiotic-resistant strains of Helicobacter pylori and prevents benzo[a]pyrene-induced stomach tumors. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 99(11): 7610-7615, 2002.
• Farombi, E., et al. Curcumin attenuates dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver injury in rats through Nrf2-mediated induction of heme oxygenase-1. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 46(4): 1279-1287, 2008.
• Funk, J., et al. Turmeric extracts containing curcuminoids prevent experimental rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Natural Products. 69(3): 351-355, 2006.
• Gao, X. and Talalay, P. Induction of phase 2 genes by sulforaphane protects retinal pigment epithelial cells against photooxidative damage. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 101(28): 10446-10451, 2004.
• Garcia-Alloza, M., et al. Curcumin labels amyloid pathology in vivo, disrupts existing plaques, and partially restores distorted neurites in an Alzheimer mouse model. Journal of Neurochemistry. 102(4): 1095-1104, 2007.
• Higdon, J., et al. Cruciferous vegetables and human cancer risk: epidemiologic evidence and mechanistic basis. Pharmacological Research. 55(3): 224-236, 2007.
• Howells, L., et al. Comparison of oxaliplatin- and curcumin-mediated antiproliferative effects in colorectal cell lines. International Journal of Cancer. 121(1): 175-183, 2007.
• Jagetia, G. and Aggarwal, B. "Spicing up" of the immune system by curcumin. Journal of Clinical Immunology. 27(1): 19-35, 2007.
• Johnson, J., et al. Curcumin for chemoprevention of colon cancer. Cancer Letters. 255(2): 170-181, 2007.
• Juge, N., et al. Molecular basis for chemoprevention by sulforaphane: a comprehensive review. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 64(9): 1105-1127, 2007.
• Kaur, G., et al. Inhibition of oxidative stress and cytokine activity by curcumin in amelioration of endotoxin-induced experimental hepatoxicity in rodents. Clinical and Experimental Immunology. 145(2): 313-321, 2006.
• Kim, G., et al. Curcumin inhibits immunostimulatory function of dendritic cells: MAPKs and translocation of NF-kappa B as potential targets. Journal of Immunology. 174(12): 8116-8124, 2005.
• Kurup, V., et al. Immune response modulation by curcumin in a latex allergy model. Clinical and Molecular Allergy. 5: 1, 2007.
• Lim, G., et al. The curry spice curcumin reduces oxidative damage and amyloid pathology in an Alzheimer transgenic mouse. Journal of Neuroscience. 21(21): 8370-8377, 2001.
• Lin, J. Molecular targets of curcumin. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 595: 227-243, 2007.
• Magalska, A., et al. Curcumin induces cell death without oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation in quiescent and proliferating human CD8+ cells. Acta Biochimica Polonica. 53(3): 531-538, 2006.
• Maheshwari, R., et al. Multiple biological activities of curcumin: a short review. Life Sciences. 78(18): 2081-2087, 2006.
• Mathuria, N. and Verma, R. Ameliorative effect of curcumin on aflatoxin-induced toxicity in DNA, RNA and protein in liver and kidney of mice. Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica. 64(6): 497-502, 2007.
• Monograph. Curcuma longa (turmeric). Alternative Medicine Review. 6(suppl): S62-S66, 2001.
• Morimitsu, Y., et al. A sulforaphane analogue that potently activates the Nrf2-dependent detoxification pathway. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 277(5): 3456-3463, 2002.
• Myzak, M. and Dashwood, R. Chemoprotection by sulforaphane: keep one eye beyond Keap1. Cancer Letters. 233(2): 208-218, 2006.
• Myzak, M., et al. Sulforaphane inhibits histone deacetylase in vivo and suppresses tumorigenesis in Apc-minus mice. FASEB. 20(3): 506-508, 2006.
• Naik, R., et al. Protection of liver cells from ethanol cytotoxicity by curcumin in liver slice culture in vitro. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 95(1): 31-37, 2004.
• Nanji, A., et al. Curcumin prevents alcohol-induced liver disease in rats by inhibiting the expression of NF-kappa B-dependent genes. American Journal of Physiology. 284(2): G321-G327, 2003.
• Ng, T., et al. Curry consumption and cognitive function in the elderly. American Journal of Epidemiology. 164(9): 898-906, 2006.
• Nishinaka, T., et al. Curcumin activates human glutathione S-transferase P1 expression through antioxidant response element. Toxicology Letters. 170(3): 238-247, 2007.
• Noyan-Ashraf, M., et al. Dietary approach to decrease aging-related CNS inflammation. Nutritional Neuroscience. 8(2): 101-110, 2005.
• O’Connell, M. and Rushworth, S. Curcumin: potential for hepatic fibrosis therapy? British Journal of Pharmacology. 153(3): 403-405, 2007.
• Osawa, T. Nephroprotective and hepatoprotective effects of curcuminoids. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 595: 407-423, 2007.
• Pal, S., et al. Amelioration of immune cell number depletion and potentiation of depressed detoxification system of tumor-bearing mice by curcumin. Cancer Detection and Prevention. 29(5): 470-478, 2005.
• Pari, L. and Amali, D. Protective role of tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) an active principle of turmeric on chloroquine induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 8(1): 115-123, 2005.
• Perkins, S., et al. Chemopreventive efficacy and pharmacokinetics of curcumin in the min/+ mouse, a model of familial adenomatous polyposis. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention. 11(6): 535-540, 2002.
• Rushworth, S., et al. Role of protein kinase C delta in curcumin-induced antioxidant response element-mediated gene expression in human monocytes. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 341(4): 1007-1016, 2006.
• Salvioli, S., et al. Curcumin in cell death processes: A challenge for CAM of age-related pathologies. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 4(2): 181-190, 2007.
• Scapagnini, G., et al. Curcumin activates defensive genes and protects neurons against oxidative stress. Antioxidants and Redox Signaling. 8(3-4): 395-403, 2006.
• Shen, G., et al. Modulation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2-mediated gene expression in mice liver and small intestine by cancer chemopreventive agent curcumin. Molecular and Cancer Therapeutics. 5(1): 39-51, 2006.
• Shen, S., et al. Protective effect of curcumin against liver warm ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat model is associated with regulation of heat shock protein and antioxidant enzymes. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 13(13): 1953-1961, 2007.
• Shishodia, S., et al. Curcumin: getting back to the roots. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1056: 206-217, 2005.
• Shu, J., et al. The study of therapeutic effects of curcumin on hepatic fibrosis and variation of correlated cytokine. Journal of Chinese Medicinal Materials. 30(11): 1421-1425, 2007.
• Shu, J., et al. Therapeutic effects of curcumin treatment on hepatic fibrosis. Chinese Journal of Hepatology. 15(10): 753-757, 2007.
• Shukla, P., et al. Protective effect of curcumin against lead neurotoxicity in rat. Human and Experimental Toxicology. 22(12): 653-658, 2003.
• Smith, T., et al. Allyl-isothiocyanate causes mitotic block, loss of cell adhesion and disrupted cytoskeletal structure in HT29 cells. Carcinogenesis. 25(8): 1409-1415, 2004.
• Srinivasan, M., et al. Protective effect of curcumin on gamma-radiation induced DNA damage and lipid peroxidation in cultured human lymphocytes. Mutation Research. 611(1-2): 96-103, 2006.
• Tang, L., et al. Potent activation of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and arrest in S and M phases of cancer cells by a broccoli sprout extract. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. 5(4): 935-944, 2006.
• Thangapazham, R., et al. Multiple molecular targets in cancer chemoprevention by curcumin. AAPS Journal. 8(3): E443-E449, 2006.
• Thejass, P. and Kuttan, G. Antimetastatic activity of Sulforaphane. Life Sciences. 78(26): 3043-3050, 2006.
• Thejass, P. and Kuttan, G. Augmentation of natural killer cell and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in BALB/c mice by sulforaphane, a naturally occurring isothiocyanate from broccoli through enhanced production of cytokines IL-2 and IFN-gamma. Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology. 28(3): 443-457, 2006.
• Thejass, P. and Kuttan, G. Immunomodulatory activity of Sulforaphane, a naturally occurring isothiocyanate from broccoli (Brassica oleracea). Phytomedicine. 14(7-8): 538-545, 2007.
• Wakabayashi, N., et al. Protection against electrophile and oxidant stress by induction of the phase 2 response: fate of cysteines of the Keap1 sensor modified by inducers. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 101(7): 2040-2045, 2004.
• Wei, Q., et al. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation in rat liver mitochondria by curcumin and its analogues. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. 1760(1): 70-77, 2006.
• Wu, A., et al. Dietary curcumin counteracts the outcome of traumatic brain injury on oxidative stress, synaptic plasticity, and cognition. 197(2): 309-317, 2006.
• Xu, Y., et al. Curcumin reverses the effects of chronic stress on behavior, the HPA axis, BDNF expression and phosphorylation of CREB. Brain Research. 1122(1): 56-64, 2006.
• Yadav, V., et al. Immunomodulatory effects of curcumin. Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology. 27(3): 485-497, 2005.
• Yang, F., et al. Curcumin inhibits formation of amyloid beta oligomers and fibrils, binds plaques, and reduces amyloid in vivo. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 280(7): 5892-5901, 2005.
• Ye, S., et al. Effect of curcumin on the induction of glutathione S-transferases and NADP(H):quinone oxidoreductase and its possible mechanism of action. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica. 42(4): 376-380, 2007.
• Zhang, L., et al. Curcuminoids enhance amyloid-beta uptake by macrophages of Alzheimer's disease patients. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. 10(1): 1-7, 2006.
• Zheng, S. and Chen, A. Curcumin suppresses the expression of extracellular matrix genes in activated hepatic stellate cells by inhibiting gene expression of connective tissue growth factor. American Journal of Physiology. 290(5): G883-G893, 2006.
• Zheng, S. and Chen, A. Disruption of transforming growth factor-beta signaling by curcumin induces gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma in rat hepatic stellate cells. American Journal of Physiology. 292(1): G113-G123, 2007.
• Zheng, S., et al. De novo synthesis of glutathione is a prerequisite for curcumin to inhibit hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 43(3): 444-453, 2007.

What Makes Curcumin Extreme™ Unique?

There are many curcumin products on the market, but Curcumin Extreme™ with BCM-95® has superior bioavailability and absorption. BCM-95 contains the natural spectrum of the turmeric rhizome and is 100 percent natural. Curcumin Extreme promotes liver detoxification, promotes healthy glutathione levels and normal cellular regeneration. Taking Curcumin Extreme every day can help detoxify impurities in your body that build up over time.*

Curcumin Extreme also includes 167mg of broccoli seed extract, a powerful source of sulphoraphane glucosinolates. Sulforaphanes support the normal production of Phase II liver detoxification enzymes, including glutathione synthase, heme-oxygenase and catalase. Sulforaphanes also support gene transcription, the process by which genetic information is copied from DNA to RNA. They also support the body’s natural defense systems. Glutathione is the master antioxidant in the human body, which serves to preserve and protect the brain and other body tissues by protecting them from the damage of free radicals. Furthermore, glutathione recycles vitamins C and E, which are also powerful antioxidants.*

Frequently Asked Questions About Curcumin Extreme™:

What is Curcumin?

Curcumin is present in the spice turmeric, frequently used in Indian food. Its chemical makeup is responsible for the yellow coloring of turmeric and is often used specifically to give color to foods. However, it may serve a more important purpose to humans.

Are any side effects associated with Curcumin Extreme™?

Side effects are uncommon and are generally limited to mild stomach distress.

What are the potential advantages of taking curcumin?

Curcumin supports liver detoxification activity, promotes normal cellular regeneration and helps maintain healthy glutathione levels. It also supports the body’s natural ability to produce detoxification enzymes and has been shown to be a powerful antioxidant. It promotes neurological health and helps to maintain neurological health as we age. It can also promote free radical protection and a strong immune system.*

Are there any warnings associated with taking Curcumin Extreme?

If you are currently taking warfarin (Coumadin) or other anti-platelet/anti-coagulate, you should not take this product. If you are taking any other prescription drugs or have an ongoing medical condition, you should consult your physician before using this product. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take this product.

Who should take Curcumin Extreme?

Anyone 18 or over can take Curcumin Extreme, especially those who want to support their normal liver detoxification activity, help maintain their healthy glutathione levels, promote their neurological health and those who want to promote a strong immune system.

What other Market America products work well with Curcumin Extreme?

Curcumin Extreme can be taken in conjunction with Glucosatrin® to support normal COX-2 levels and promote joint comfort. It can also be taken with Cognitin™ to promote normal immune cell-brain (neuron) interactions in order to maintain cognitive health and also to promote neurological health.

Can I take OPC-3® with Curcumin Extreme?

Yes, as long as the directions for use are followed for each product.

I am considering purchasing Curcumin Extreme because of some of the positive effects that I have read about. Should I refrain from taking my medications while taking curcumin or can I take both?If you are taking any prescription drugs or have an ongoing medical condition, you should consult your physician before using this product. Your physician can properly advise you about the best course of action regarding your prescription medications.

What is the recommended daily serving for Curcumin Extreme?

Take 1 capsule per day with or without a meal.

Are there any human clinical trials done with Curcumin?

There have been clinical trials performed with curcumin in patients with different diseases. These are mostly pilot studies that are “proof of concept” type. More than 10 trials are now in progress in the United States and other countries.

What is the purpose of the Broccoli Seed Extract contained in this product?

It promotes the liver detoxification activity, and it works to support the body’s natural defense systems and to sustain elevated levels of glutathione.

Can men and women take this product?

Yes. However, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take this product.

Does Curcumin Extreme contain any allergens?

No, the product is free from any allergens such as soy, wheat, gluten or dairy.

When should I start to see/feel the effects of this product? What should I expect?The antioxidant benefits of Curcumin should be noticeable in about four to six weeks. Please remember that everyone’s body is different, so for some it may take longer to notice the benefits of Curcumin. You should expect to feel better and healthier overall.*

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease

How Doctors Do Harm

How Doctors Do Harm

By Dr. Mercola

It’s a widely held tenet in our society that if you get sick, you should visit your doctor to “get well.”

But many physicians are relatively clueless about “wellness care,” they are in the business of disease treatment.

This is why the vast majority of physicians’ visits end up with a medication being prescribed, or if that is not appropriate, a surgery or invasive medical test is often recommended.

What is blatantly missing from many of these appointments is a discussion of what is causing your ailment ... which often means hope for a real “cure” is forsaken in favor of expensive and often dangerous symptom management.

Many Americans Dying Prematurely Because of the U.S. Medical System

Medical care is designed to help you when you are sick, but in the United States the term “health care” is an oxymoron. “Sick care” would be more fitting. Consider this: Americans spend more on health care than citizens of any other country, up to 1.5 times more per person -- but we rank 50th in life expectancy and 47th in infant mortality. These are dismal outcomes from the most expensive health care system in the world!

In a new book ("How We Do Harm: A Doctor Breaks Ranks About Being Sick in America”) by Dr. Otis Webb Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, explains CNN:

“ ... a large number of our fellow Americans are suffering and dying avoidable deaths, because of lack of quality health care. ... Doctors deserve some blame for this mess. Appreciation of the science of medicine and the scientific method is often lacking.

It is amazing the number of health care professionals who seemingly reject the scientific method. They prescribe treatments they believe to be appropriate as opposed to therapies that are known to be appropriate based on objective scientific evidence. This form of ignorance is a root cause of much of the overuse of medical therapy.

Too often, doctors fail to distinguish what is scientifically known from what is unknown, from what is believed. This is beyond mere disagreement about interpretation of the science. There is often selective reading of the science, especially by those trained in a specialty wanting to advocate for it.

Health care providers and the public often overlook the emotional and financial conflicts of interest of health care professionals. While I blame the medical profession, blame also rests on hospitals, drug and device manufacturers, insurance companies, lawyers, politicians, government and even with patients.”

When the Treatment is Worse Than the Disease...

Dr. Brawley, a practicing oncologist, gives CNN a telling example in the case of 50-year-old Helen, who was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in 1990. After receiving surgery, she then was given high dose chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, a treatment that resulted in her being hospitalized for nearly a year and “almost killed her several times.” According to Dr. Brawley, this chemo/bone marrow transplant combo treatment was common at the time for women with breast cancer, even though no study had ever proven it beneficial.

In 1999, clinical trials were finally completed showing that not only was the treatment no better than standard therapy, it may have actually been more harmful.

And therein lies the crux of the problem -- medical treatments are often ordered even though evidence to support their effectiveness is lacking, and oftentimes they end up doing more harm than good, sometimes even causing the patient to die. Why? Sadly, it’s often based on financial gain. Dr. Brawley continued:

“Even without evidence, some patients and their doctors had faith that it worked. The procedure was common because some doctors taught that the transplant was beneficial to patients. Truth be told, it was very beneficial to the doctors and hospitals offering it … The American health care system is fundamentally flawed and encourages inappropriate behavior and a subtle form of corruption. There truly is a combination of greed, ignorance and apathy within health care that is a cancer on this country. There is nothing wrong with medicine as a business, and nothing wrong with making an honest profit. However, in some cases, greed needs to be replaced with public interest, a concern for the national good.”

"Pharmageddon" is Here

Pharmageddon is "the prospect of a world in which medicines and medicine produce more ill-health than health, and when medical progress does more harm than good" -- and it is no longer a prospect but is fully upon us.

Last year an analysis of data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that deaths from properly prescribed drugs now outnumber traffic fatalities in the United States! And when you add in deaths attributable to other medical care modalities, like hospital admissions and surgery, the modern medical system becomes the leading cause of death and injury in the United States.

Authored in two parts by Gary Null, PhD, Carolyn Dean, MD ND, Martin Feldman, MD, Debora Rasio, MD, and Dorothy Smith, PhD, the comprehensive Death by Medicine article described in excruciating detail how everything from medical errors to adverse drug reactions to unnecessary procedures caused more harm than good. That was in 2003. In 2010, an analysis in the New England Journal of Medicine found that, despite efforts to improve patient safety in the past few years, the health care system hasn't changed much at all.ⁱ Researchers noted:

“In a study of 10 North Carolina hospitals, we found that harms remain common, with little evidence of widespread improvement.”

They revealed that 18 percent of patients were harmed by medical care (some repeatedly) and over 63 percent of the injuries could have been prevented. In nearly 2.5 percent of these cases, the problems caused or contributed to a person's death. In another 3 percent, patients suffered from permanent injury, while over 8 percent experienced life-threatening issues, such as severe bleeding during surgery. In all there were over 25 injuries per 100 admissions! In other words you have a one in four chance of getting injured if you are admitted to the hospital -- not very good odds by any stretch.

Medical Care Often Dictated by Your Providers' Financial Interests

In her book, "Overtreated: Why Too Much Medicine Is Making Us Sicker and Poorer," Shannon Brownlee also talks about the number of people who die in hospitals due to incorrect care, drug dosage or hospital-acquired infections. Even with new safety regulations in place, 180,000 hospitalized Americans still die every year from largely preventable causes – and the worst part about it, Brownlee says, is that as much as a third of that care does nothing to improve your health!

What happens is that you often get certain medical tests because of what your physician's specialty is, not because that's necessarily the test you need. For example if you have low back pain and see different specialists you will get different tests: rheumatologists will order blood tests, neurologists will order nerve impulse tests, and surgeons will order MRIs and CT scans.

But no matter what tests you get, you'll probably end up with a spinal fusion because it's one of the "more lucrative procedures in medicine," Brownlee says – even though the best success rate for spinal fusions is only 25 percent!

Angioplasties and certain types of chemotherapy with similar low success rates are just as prone to be ordered, Brownlee says, because that's where hospitals' investments lie. You see, they have all this equipment and they need to use it to get a return on it – but they also need to get you out of there as quickly as possible, so they can get the next patient in. What ensues is a type of aggressive patient therapy that can end in disaster: according to the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, 1 in 7 Medicare recipients will be harmed every year as a result of the medical care they received in the hospital.

Some Physicians are Recognizing the Power of "Alternative" Care

It seems that even while physicians continue to promote the drugs and surgeries upon which this flawed system is based, some health care workers are also poignantly aware of many of the pitfalls of modern medicine … and as such are embracing more holistic modalities when it comes to their own care.

In fact, 76 percent of health care workers use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), compared to 63 percent of the general population, according to research in the journal Health Services Research.ⁱⁱ Even more revealing, health care providers, including doctors and nurses, were more than twice as likely to have used practitioner-based CAM, and nearly three times as likely to use self-treatment with CAM, during the prior year than support workers.

Alternative medicine, or as I prefer to call it, “traditional” medicine (because many of these therapies have been used for many centuries), typically offers a more positive treatment experience and often produces better results with less risk. And Americans are also increasingly distrustful of prescription medicines -- rightfully so! If more physicians would begin to embrace traditional medicine practices like nutritional-based therapies, as well as advocate for preventive health care strategies like healthy diet, exercise and stress relief, we would likely begin to see a real turnaround in rates of chronic disease, not to mention deaths due to medical care.

As Dr. Brawley wrote on CNN:

“The triad of obesity, lack of physical activity and high caloric intake (bad diet) is creating a tsunami of chronic disease. If the system persists as is, medical costs will grow dramatically over the next several decades as the number of patients with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and orthopedic injury dramatically grows.

The current course is not sustainable. Medical costs will rise until the economy collapses. We all need to realize that some Americans are harmed by lack of treatment and others by overtreatment. The cold hard reality is America does not need to reform health care, we need to transform health care.”

You Can Make Your Own Health Care Decisions, and Even Influence Your Doctor

What is the proof that the health care system is in need of urgent transformation? Hundreds of thousands are killed by medical care itself, while others are walking around with far less than stellar health due to these treatments. Rates of chronic diseases are through the roof, and we're facing epidemics of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, depression and too many others to list. As a whole, Americans are not healthy – they're tired, depressed, stressed out and often in pain.

As patients, many people have taken their health into their own hands by abandoning this fatally flawed medical model and embracing holistic modalities that can help heal on a body-wide level.

It’s important to remember that the more you take responsibility for your own health -- in the form of nurturing your body to prevent disease -- the less you need to rely on the "disease care" that passes for health care in the United States. If you carefully follow some basic health principles -- simple things like exercising, eating whole foods, sleeping enough, getting sun exposure, reducing stress in your life, and nurturing personal relationships -- you will drastically reduce your need for conventional medical care, which in and of itself will reduce your chances of suffering ill side effects.

But in the event you do need medical care, seek a health care practitioner who will help you move toward complete wellness by helping you discover and understand the hidden causes of your health challenges ... and create a customized and comprehensive -- i.e. holistic -- treatment plan for you.

What's more, you can have an impact on your doctor's tendency to recommend natural alternatives, as when you inquire about them, some health care providers do in fact listen. Dr. Aditi Nerurkar, an internist and integrative medicine fellow at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, did just that, because of her patients’ requests.

As reported by CommonHealth:ⁱⁱⁱ

"Nerurkar, 35, says she was "inspired by her patients," to pursue the research because so many of them kept telling her how much better they felt — that their insomnia or anxiety had ceased — after taking a meditation or yoga class."

So many people are now asking their health care providers about alternative options that even medical schools have had no choice but to listen -- many are now offering courses in alternative medicine, such as the use of herbs, acupuncture and mind-body medicine! Remember, when you do go to the doctor, know that it's OK to ask questions and opt for less medical intervention while choosing a more natural way of healing your body.

If your physician is not open to such options, it may be time to find one who is, who can help coach you and your family to Take Control of Your Health.

REFERENCES:

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• ⁱ New England Journal of Medicine November 25, 2010
• ⁱⁱ Health Services Research August 22, 2011
• ⁱⁱⁱ CommonHealth May 9, 2011

Improve Your Child's Mood With Omega-3s

Improve Your Child's Mood With Omega-3s

By: Elizabeth Marglin

Elizabeth is an award-winning journalist who has written about everything from agave syrup to placebos to zero waste. She writes for the magazines Natural Health, Backpacker and FitPregnancy, among others, as well as a handful of websites, including Gaiam and Natural Medicine Journal. She also has coauthored a deck/book called The Mother’s Wisdom Deck, which will be published by Sterling Publishers and launching by Mother’s Day 2012.

January 8th, 2012

Alas, there is no magic bullet to eliminate tantrums, grumpiness and rambunctious behavior, but taking a closer look at your child's diet can certainly help.

While there are plenty of foods to avoid, there is one nutrient, often taken in supplement form, that you should be sure to include. Dozens of studies have established omega-3 essential fatty acids as the dietary equivalent of a wunderkind that supports brain function and improves mood. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, omega-3 essential fatty acids influence the ability of cells to transmit nerve signals and thus may affect cognitive behavior.

"Fatty acids are called 'essential' because our bodies can't make them, and they are necessary for basic health," says Roy Steinbock, MD, a holistic pediatrician practicing in Boulder, Colo. "Every cell in our body has fat. Our brains, nervous system and hormones in particular are nourished by large amounts of fats in each cell. The cells don't function optimally, nor communicate well, when we lack adequate amounts of fatty acids."

Omega-3 fatty acids include docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). "They optimize brain cells and the transmission of info across cells, and therefore can have a huge effect on mood. I consider them as a preventative medicine for kids," says Jaclyn Chasse, ND, medical director of the Northeast Center for Holistic Medicine in Bedford, N.H.

A variety of research backs her up. A study funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, which was published in 2007 in Psychiatry Research journal, suggests that fatty acids influence mood, personality and behavior. And a 2010 study published in the Dutch journal Tijdschrift voor psychiatrie suggests that supplementing a child's diet with omega-3s may be a viable way to influence the healthy development of a child's brain.

"Enough research done on adults suggests that omegas would potentially be very effective for children," says Mary Fristad, PhD, director of research and psychological services at the Ohio State University Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. The body of research is so convincing, Chasse adds, that roughly a decade ago, manufacturers began adding DHA to infant formulas because it's so critical to proper brain development.

Omega-3s are found in walnuts, flaxseeds and coldwater fish such as salmon, cod, herring, mackerel, sturgeon and anchovies, but it's hard to eat sufficient amounts, especially for children. "Kids eat crummy diets," Fristad says. "Most kids could benefit from supplementation."

There are omega-3–enriched eggs, but because these fatty acids are unsaturated, they are unstable to cook with, so the eggs are probably not worth the cost, Steinbock says. The best way to make sure your child gets enough fatty acids is to introduce them in supplement form, either as an oil, capsule or gummy supplement.

"Although studies have been inconclusive on what comprises the most appropriate dose," says Fristad, "judging from the literature, 1 to 2 grams of fish oils seem to work best." Steinbock says that while you don't want to overdose, fatty acids are very safe. He advises working with a good naturopathic physician or doctor to fine-tune amounts and trying to convince your kids to take omega-3s in the purest, least-processed form possible. "Oils, even the flavored ones, are more potent than gummies," Steinbock says.

Might-a-Mins® Spectrum Essential Omega 3

Single Bottle (48 Servings)

Primary Benefits of Might-a-Mins® Spectrum Essential Omega 3*:

• Supports brain health
• Helps to promote a healthy immune response
• Provides a healthy blend of two essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA
• No fishy taste; great fruit flavor

Key Ingredients Found In Might-a-Mins® Spectrum Essential Omega 3:

Omega-3 fatty acids (1 gram)
Omega-3 fatty acids are considered nutritionally essential for human health. DHA plays a very important role in supporting brain health and is a very important structural component of the brain phospholipids, as well as the lipids in the nervous system. In fact, about 60 percent of the brain is made up of fat, most of which is DHA (docosahexaneoic acid). Likewise, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) is an important fatty acid which promotes the health of the brain and nervous system. As the human body cannot naturally synthesize these fatty acids, they must come from the diet. Many children appear to be deficient in omega-3 fatty acids.*

Scientific Studies Which Support Might-a-Mins® Spectrum Essential Omega 3:

• Kidd, P. Autism, an extreme challenge to integrative medicine. Part II: medical management. Alternative Medicine Review. 7(6): 472-499, 2002.
• Kidd, P. Omega-3 DHA and EPA for cognition, behavior, and mood: clinical findings and structural-functional synergies with cell membrane phospholipids. Alternative Medicine Review. 12(3): 207-227, 2007.
• Richardson, A. Omega-3 fatty acids in ADHD and related neurodevelopmental disorders. International Review of Psychiatry. 18(2): 155-172, 2006.
• Richardson, A. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in childhood developmental and psychiatric disorders. Lipids. 39(12): 1215-1222, 2004.
• Sinn, N., et al. Oiling the brain: a review of randomized controlled trials of omega-3 fatty acids in psychopathology across the lifespan. Nutrients. 2: 128-170, 2010.
• Stevens, L., et al. Omega-3 fatty acids in boys with behavior, learning, and health problems. Physiology & Behavior. 59(4): 915-920 (1996).
• Vancassel, S., et al. Plasma fatty acid levels in autistic children. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids. 65(1): 1-7, 2001.

What Makes Might-a-Mins® Spectrum Essential Omega 3 Unique:

Might-a-Mins Spectrum Essential Omega 3 contains ideal amounts of specific omega 3 fatty acids, which support your child’s brain health and immune function. Kids will like the delicious liquid-like emulsion because they won’t have to take hard-to-swallow pills; adults will like it because it allows for enhanced absorption and bioavailability for optimal absorption. Might-a-Mins Spectrum Essential Omega 3 contains no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners – only the nutrients your children need.*

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered “essential”: they are vital for life and they are not able to be produced by the body. While most other nutrients – vitamins and minerals, for example – can be synthesized by the body, certain omega-3s (including EPA and DHA) cannot. They are especially important in childhood, when the brain – which is made up of approximately 60 percent fat – and immune system are developing.

Unfortunately, many children are not receiving adequate omega-3 fatty acids from food sources. According to the American Dietetic Association and the Dieticians of Canada, nine out of 10 children are deficient in the essential fatty acids EPA and DHA.

Children need ample amounts of omega-3 fatty acids to support their brain and immune health. Ensure your children receive the omega-3s they need with Might-a-Mins Spectrum Essential Omega 3.*

Related Terms: Omega 3, omega III, omegas for kids, kids omega, spectrum omega, essential fatty acids, brain health, immune support

Frequently Asked Questions About Might-a-Mins® Spectrum Essential Omega 3:

Can adults take Might-a-Mins Spectrum Essential Omega 3?
Absolutely. The product can be taken by both children and adults. This tasty emulsion serves as a great alternate for adults who have trouble swallowing pills.

Can Might-a-Mins Spectrum Essential Omega 3 be mixed into juice, yogurt, ice cream or other food products?
Yes, the product can be easily mixed with juice or other foods, but it tastes great on its own!

Are there any benefits to taking omega 3 fatty acids in an emulsion instead of in a liquid or softgel?
Research has shown that emulsions of oil increase absorption of certain fatty acids, especially of EPA and DHA.

Can you take Might-a-Mins Spectrum Essential Omega 3 if you have a seafood allergy?
Since the product is derived from fish, you should not take it if you are allergic to seafood.

What is the source of fish in Might-a-Mins Spectrum Essential Omega 3?
The source of the fish oil is anchovies and sardines.

Does Might-a-Mins Spectrum Essential Omega 3 need to be taken on an empty stomach?
No, this product is not isotonic and, therefore, its absorption is not affected by an empty stomach.