Food & Nutrition
Pumpkin Health Benefits
Mostly known for being a part of Halloween decorations or a pie filling, pumpkins are also packed with nutrition and offer a wide range of health benefits. Pumpkins are a storehouse of vitamins, mineral and other healthy nutrients. Whether it is the pulp or the seeds, pumpkins are great for your health and can offer some incredible benefits.
Nutritional Composition of Pumpkins
High Carotenoids Content – Pumpkins owe their bright Orange color to the high amount of carotenoids present in them. Carotenoids assist in staving off the free radicals in the body, and help in preventing premature aging, cardiovascular diseases and other infections. They are also high in Lutein & Zeaxanthin which protect the eyes against free radical damage and prevent formation of cataracts and degeneration of the eye tissues.
Protein – Pumpkin seeds also known as Pepitas are a rich source of protein. One ounce of pumpkin seeds contains approx. 7 grams of protein. Their oil is high in phytosterols or plant-based fatty acids and their chemical composition is the same as cholesterol. Phytosterols can replace cholesterol in the body, and help in reducing the blood cholesterol levels.
Essential Fatty Acids – Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of essential fatty acids, which have numerous health benefits. From providing protection against serious health diseases such as high blood pressure, arthritis and cancer to promoting healthy skin and improving brain power, essential fatty acids present in pumpkin oil offer several health benefits.
Vitamin A – Pumpkin is a rich source of Vitamin A. Regular consumption of pumpkin (both seeds and flesh) can promote the health of your eyes and boost your immune system remarkably.
Whole Grains
Whole grains are all the rage. So what exactly are they? And what’s the difference between whole grain and products made with whole grain? Here’s how to cut through the confusing marketing jargon so you can make an informed choice about grains.
Imagine planting a row each of wheat, Wheaties and pasta. The whole wheat, with its germ and hull intact, will grow and flourish. Indeed, whole grains are seeds. However, once a grain is flaked, rolled, puffed or milled into flour, it’s no longer a viable seed. It won’t grow. It’s lost its vital life energy.
So even though breakfast cereals, pasta and bread are often marketed as “whole grain”, they’re processed grain products. Even though these products are made with whole grain flours, they’re still processed and have less life energy than the original grain. So it’s ideal to eat actual whole grains more often than processed grains, whether they’re made with whole grain flour or not. Whole grains will keep your blood sugar and energy levels more even than any kind of processed grains.
So what's the deal with sprouted grains? Why are they better for us than flour products? The main benefit of sprouting any food is twofold: first, it releases vital nutrients and second, it makes those nutrients easier for the body to assimilate. You can sprout at home on your own, as shown here, but if you don't have time you can now purchase sprouted foods. Let's look at an example of a sprouted food at your local health food store.
You may have heard of Ezekial, breads and wraps, usually found in your health food store's refrigerated or freezer section. To unlock the dormant grain energy and maximize nutritional value, Ezekial adds water to organic grains, which releases beneficial enzymes that sprout the grains. The resulting sprouted grain is richer in protein and vitamins than a regular bread made from dry, ground flour. You'll notice that if you keep Ezekial breads and wraps out on your counter, they'll spoil after only a few days. That's a good thing! That means that they have life energy in them, which boosts your own energy when you eat them. See our Recipe section below for suggestions on how to use sprouted wraps.
Basics of Sprouting:
- Obtain seed for sprouting. Store in bug-proof containers, away from extreme heat/cold. Seed should be viable, and, to extent possible, free of chemicals.
- Basic steps in sprouting are:
- measure out appropriate amount of seed, visually inspect and remove stones, sticks, weed seed, broken seeds, etc.
- rinse seed (if seed is small and clean, can usually skip this rinse)
- soak seed in water for appropriate time
- rinse soaked seed, put in sprouting environment for appropriate time
- service seeds (rinse) in sprouting environment as needed
- when ready, rinse seeds. Store in refrigerator, in sprouting environment or in other suitable container until ready to use. If not used within 12 hours, seeds should be serviced (rinsed) every 24 hours in refrigerator. Best to eat as soon as possible, as freshness is what makes sprouts special!
Jars and Cloth: Two Suggested Sprouting Methods
Jars: use wide-mouth, glass canning jars, available at many hardware stores. You will need screen lids - cut pieces of different (plastic) mesh screens, or buy some of the special plastic screen lids designed for sprouting. Sprouting in jars is quite easy: simply put seed in jar, add soak water, put lid on. When soak is over, invert jar and drain water, then rinse again. Then prop jar up at 45 degree angle for water to drain. Keep out of direct sunlight. Rinse seed in jar 2-3 times per day until ready, always keeping it angled for drainage.
Cloth: soak seed in flat-bottom containers, in shallow water. When soak done, empty seed into strainer and rinse. Then take flat-bottom bowl or saucer, line bottom with wet 100% cotton washcloth, spread seed on wet cloth. Then take 2nd wet cloth and put on top of seed, or, if bottom washcloth is big enough, fold over wet seeds. Can add additional water to washcloths 12 hours later by a) sprinkling on top, or b) if very dry, remove seed from cloth, rinse, re-wet cloth, put seed back between wet cloths. Cloths used should be 100% cotton (terrycloth) or linen, used exclusively for sprouting, and of light colors. Cheap cotton washcloths (and cheap plastic bowls) work well and will last a long time.
Comparison: Jar vs. Cloth Methods
Jar method is more versatile; can grow greens in the jar (e.g., 6-8 day old alfalfa greens), and the jar is less likely to mold than cloth for sprouts that require more than 2 days. However, the jar method needs a convenient drainage system (otherwise mold can develop). The cloth method can withstand some direct sunlight (direct sunlight in early stages of sprouting can cook the seed in jars), and needs no drainage system. The methods require roughly the same time, though 2nd service of cloth is very fast. Almonds, buckwheat give better results in cloth.
Benefits:
* Juice therapy offers a balanced away to supplement the diet.
* It stimulates the immune system
* Reduces blood pressure
* Aids in detoxification
* Protects the body from harmful environmental factors
* Ideal remedy for individuals suffering from nausea or digestive problems.
Nutritional Qualities:
* Concentrated energy
* Rich in vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates
* Allows for large quantities of vegetables to enter the digestive system.
(5 pounds of carrot make one quart of juice)
Complimentary Medicine reports that...
… 70% of Fourth Grade girls are concerned about their weight.
… By age 18, 80% of all women have dieted
… One-third of all female college students regularly resort to self-destructive dieting techniques, such as binging and purging, diet pills and diuretics.
… Three-fourths of women who are medically "normal" in weight believe that they are too fat.
… Despite consistent dieting, 95% of those who lose weight gain it back within 1-5 years.
Free radicals are part of the body's complex defense system and serve a vital role in your overall health. When uncontrolled, however, these chemicals can have devastating effects on your well being.
Normally, free radicals, sometimes called oxygen radicals, respond to combat bacteria, viruses, chemical pollutants, and other invaders in the body. In our chemically-saturated world, sometimes too many free radicals are produced and adversely alter normal health. The body uses its natural anti-oxidants to help control free radicals and prevent unwanted damage. These anti-oxidants include beta-carotene and others such as vitamin C, E, B-6, folic acid, niacin and the mineral selenium.
When the body is unable to control its own free radical activity, due to a lack of enough nutrient anti-oxidants, difficulties arise. Many conditions are associated with this problem: included are allergies, athletic injuries, inflammatory problems, pain, heart disease, and even cancer. Researchers have also related uncontrolled free radicals to rapid degeneration and aging.
One problem associated with free radical "pathologies" is diagnosis: many people undergo extensive medical testing and are told that "nothing is wrong."
Would you take the time to visit the fountain of youth if it were discovered today? It has been discovered and unfortunately most people haven't taken advantage of it. In this edition of Bridging the Gap, we examine information from eight different journals giving us the solid evidence on how we can be younger and prevent the perils of aging through easy exercise.
Regular easy physical exercise increases life expectancy. It also helps older adults maintain their functional independence, an important concern for the whole society. Presently, the average number of non-functional years in our elderly population averages almost 12. That's a dozen years of doing nothing because of the inability to care for oneself, walk, talk and not to mention just enjoy life. As a matter of fact, easy exercise enhances quality of life at every stage.
More specifically, regular easy physical exercise can help in both the prevention and management of coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S., as well as hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis and depression. This is accomplished through improved balance of blood fats, better clotting factors, and the ability to more efficiently regulate blood sugar.
No doubt that most everyone has stepped on the bathroom scale to check their weight. And no doubt that many people don't know what they're measuring. Why, when most individuals are concerned with their body fat, do they weigh themselves?
You've seen those ads that read "loose 20 pounds!" You might ask "twenty pounds of what?"
The best question to ask is what are you weighing when you step on the scale? The answer is not fat, but mostly water. The body is three-quarters water. In many people, especially women, there can be a normal monthly fluctuation of up to five pounds due to hormonal changes. And water is heavy.
Relatively to water, fat weighs very little. However, fat takes up a lot of space. This being the case, the best way to measure success in a fat loss regime is not the scale, but a tape measure. When you lose fat, you'll lose inches. And it's not only possible but common when this fat loss is the result of good eating habits plus exercise to see a loss of inches with little or no weight loss. In some cases there is even a weight gain which accompanies the fat loss. This is because some muscle, which is mostly water but takes up little room, is gained as a result of the exercise.
In the summer of 1991, a Congressional investigation uncovered an improperly conducted food consumption survey. That doesn't sound so bad, but the survey, performed every decade and costing 7.6 billion dollars, is used by the government for setting such policies as nutritional status, school lunch programs and allowable pesticide levels in foods. The scientific panel from the General Accounting Office which uncovered the problem said the marketing company which conducted the 1987 survey maintained that some of the data was lost, but finally admitted that it had never been done. Despite this, the Food and Drug Administration has decided to use the survey anyway.
It is surveys such as this which the government used to pass the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990, and begin going into effect late this fall. (The entire law will not be in effect until 1993.) The new law, the first update since 1938, regulates terms used on food packages as well as health claims. Although it's a step in the right direction to help consumers, companies are already finding new methods of deception. One crafty example is a company which promotes "their new labeling" so consumers are aware how good their product is, when actually the company is now required to produce that "new" label. Of course it's all legal: companies spend millions a year promoting products, some methods disguised as educational. That's why most people get most their nutritional information from advertisements.
As controversial a topic as fluoride and dental fillings, food irradiation is a relatively new item in a long list of debatable health topics. Although the procedure is not new, its approval for use with more foods has brought more controversy.
The purpose of irradiation food is to increase the shelf life. Although the Food and Drug Administration has declared food irradiation to be safe, some respected scientists have questioned the studies used by the FDA to reach their conclusion. Many see the big problem as one of nutrient loss in the foods irradiated. In general, the more the food is irradiated, the greater the nutrient loss. It's also been shown that irradiated foods have more than normal nutrient loss when they are frozen, thawed and heated. Is the trade-off of lower nutrient for longer shelf life worth it? And if many people already have lower nutrient intake (especially in the third world), is there enough concern over this issue?
Another genuine concern is safety in the area where foods are irradiated. Although the food itself is not radioactive, the materials used for the process are, with many plants in populated areas. Opponents cite the handling of these dangerous materials as a major issue not addressed by proponents.
One serious factor in this debate is free radical formation during the irradiation process. These substances, call unidentified radiolytic products or URPS, have been associated with the development of cancer. Irradiated foods contain relatively high levels of these carcinogens, such as nitrosamines and formaldehyde.
These and other issues regarding the safety of food irradiation are a concern to many people. As with so many other similar issues, one point which should be heard after the debate on food irradiation is over: if there is some solid scientific reason for opposing such processing of food, should we not avoid such a procedure until these questions are satisfactorily answered?
More on Food Irradiation...
In this Bridging the Gap, we discuss a published Letter to the Editor from G.L. Tritsch, Ph.D. of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute (New York State Department of Health, Buffalo, NY 14263) published in the October 1992 issue of Nutrition Reviews. Dr. Tritsch discusses some of the published scientific literature on potential carcinogenic effects of food irradiation, and makes the following key points:
… Irradiation of sucrose (sugar) produces formaldehyde, a carcinogenic substance. A significant amount of formaldehyde (.05 mg) is produced from only 30 mg of sucrose.
… Irradiation of vegetable oil produces peroxides which form carcinogenic substances called benzopyrene quinone.
… Four out of five children fed irradiated wheat produce changes in their white blood cells which translate to a .08% incidence of lung cancer.
Did you know...that eggs are a balanced source of fat? Of the 5 grams of fat in the yolk (there's none in the whites) 2 grams is mono-unsaturated, 2 grams is unsaturated fat and only 1 gram is saturated fat. We now know that fats are important in our diet, and that they must be balanced. And we know that mono-unsaturated fats (and polyunsaturated ones) are important to balance the intake of saturated fats. Eggs help satisfy that requirement. They also contain lecithin, another natural regulator of fats in the body.
The most important gift a new mother can provide her baby —more than an elaborate wardrobe and a fancy crib, more than a good education—is human milk. If a mother is capable of conceiving and delivering a living human, she is competent enough to nurse him. While other sources are used to make artificial formulas (such as goat's milk and soy), comparisons with cow's milk shows just how good mother's milk can be.
Like clothing, shoes and pet rocks, trends come and go. One of the most devastating rages was the shift to bottle feeding in the early part of this century. With the help of companies that made the product, some doctors began telling new mothers that bottle feeding with a artificial formula was actually better than breast feeding. Fortunately, that trend is fading, but not before a couple of generations were affected.
A newborn, following the stress of birth, first experiences the structural, chemical and mental potential through the mother by way of nursing.
"Honey is better for you than regular sugar." This statement has been made by many for years, but now researchers have demonstrated this in tests with real people. The author, Dr Philip Shambaugh who published the results in the July/August 1990 Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, tested equal amounts of three common sweeteners: table sugar (sucrose), fructose (fruit sugar) and honey. The thirty three people involved in the tests had their blood sugar measured before and after ingesting the sweets.
Honey consistently showed less elevation in blood sugar levels as compared with sucrose, and honey did not cause any side effects in the test subjects. Fructose displayed no elevation in the blood sugar but some subjects complained of headaches and drowsiness. Sucrose elevated blood sugar levels in all those tested and in addition caused the same side effects as the sucrose group (headaches and drowsiness).
The study suggested that honey may be better to use because 1) it is sweeter than sucrose (therefore people could use less) and 2) honey contains other nutrients, especially minerals, that may be of nutritional benefit.
(Editors note: Tupelo honey is the sweetest type and may be the best choice because it is approximately 50% fructose and 50% sucrose. Other honeys can have a much higher sucrose content. Cheaper honey may actually be mostly sucrose because some producers feed their bees sucrose.)
The problem of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a worldwide one. Although no one cause can be singled out, numerous factors have all been implicated. These include hormonal imbalance, a diet high in refined sugar and alcohol, lack of certain nutrients, lack of exercise, oral contraceptives, cigarette smoking and caffeine consumption.
A study in China, published by the American Journal of Public Health (January 1989, Vol. 79, No. l) shows that the consumption of tea, high in caffeine, is directly related to premenstrual syndrome. The subjects, nursing students and factory workers, consumed between 1 and 4 cups per day. These women were quite active (bike riding), did not smoke cigarettes or consume any other caffeine products, did not use oral contraceptives, alcohol or tobacco, and had diets with few refined sugars.
The prevalence of premenstrual syndrome in the low tea consuming group (less than 4 cups per day) was 39% as compared to 77% in the high tea consuming group (more the 4 cups per day). Other studies have shown similar relationship between PMS and caffeine.
If you use artificial sweeteners in hopes of cutting calories, you're more likely to increase the total amount of food you eat!
The argument that artificial sweeteners may have harmful effects on health is still raging. Substances such as saccharine are not recommended for children or pregnant women, an aspartate has been related to an increased incidence of migraine headaches and allergic reactions. While these are important concerns, one fact has been ignored: The use of artificial sweeteners is most often accompanied by an increase in consumption of food. In other words, those who use artificial sweeteners often end up eating more food in the long term.
Researchers are unclear why this happens, but certain factors seem to be implicated:
1. It may be a learned process by the body. The tasting of sweet substances causes the body to store, rather than burn, fat.
2. It may be related to the dehydration accompanying the consumption of artificial sweeteners. This may trigger the brain to increase the appetite and food intake as a means of restoring water balance.
3. Eating low calorie substances will lower the body's metabolism. This will also activate the need to eat.
These factors do not occur with regular or natural sugar. People generally eat less food, for example, when they consume sugared drinks. There are, however, many other problems associated with the intake of excess sugar.
Although the use of artificial sweeteners is increasing, sugar consumption is still much higher-over 125 pounds a person per year. Consider all those "hidden" sugars in breads, ketchup cereal, salad dressing, etc. Names such as sucrose, dextrose glucose, maltose, corn syrup and lactose are all forms of sugar.
Reproduced with permissions, http://www.icakusa.com, © 1996 - 2003 International College of Applied Kinesiology-U.S.A
Olive oil is an excellent dietary fat which can be used directly; on foods or for cooking. It contains important fatty acids and lipase, making it an ideal healthy addition to the diet.
Although heat will affect its flavor, olive oil holds up to the high temperatures of cooking better than other oils. With all of the different types (grades) of olive oil on the market, many people ask, "Which one is best?" Generally, you get what you pay for.
Imported Olive Oil
Most imported olive oil is from Spain, Greece and Italy. It is graded by international standards for flavor, aroma and acidity, much like fine wines. Highly acidic oils (above 3.3 percent acidity) have an offensive taste and are neutralized by added chemical agents.
As we approach the year 2001, many more people will be traveling in space. Does this pose a threat to their health? The biggest concern is that relatively little information has been gathered on the subject because there has not be large enough numbers of space travelers for a long enough time. In many ways, today's astronauts are part of the experiment of space travel. One thing we do know: travelling to Mars and back is not something a human can survive due to the stress of space, with the lack of gravity being t
The main factor. A 1994 edition of Nutrition Reviews (Volume 50 Number 1) examines some of the common nutritional problems encountered with space travel.
One of the most common problems with space travel is the gross loss of body mass. This despite proper intake of food and water. Fluid loss as high as 13%, which is quite significant loss, is not uncommon. Another problem is loss of bone mass. This problem is directly related to duration of the flight, with longer trips producing as much as 20% bone loss. In addition to bone, weight loss is augmented by muscle atrophy. The deterioration of muscles in the legs is most common, but that loss is mirrored throughout the body. This problem exists despite sufficient protein intake and exercise, with some flights providing for several hours of daily work outs. Although there is a shift to utilizing more carbohydrates (over fats) for energy in space, there is relatively little change in fat mass during flights.
When we think a thought, or feel a sensation from the outside world, it's the result of major chemical reactions in our brain. Billions of messages are sent throughout the body on a regular basis because of these chemicals in the brain. Some of the important chemicals are called neurotransmitters.
In the brain, different neurotransmitters make us feel different ways: high, low, sleepy, awake, happy, sad, etc. Sometimes the brain may have too many of one type of chemical or not enough of another. As a result, we may feel too high or low, or too sleepy. Certain antidepressant drugs, such as prozac and imipramine, are sometimes used to manipulate brain chemistry in the hopes of creating a balance of neurotransmitters. The diet and nutritional state can also have a profound effect on the brain's chemistry. In other words, what we eat (and how well it is digested and absorbed) can have a significant effect upon our brain chemistry. What we eat for dinner can influence our sleeping, our dreaming, and how we feel upon waking.
The three most important neurotransmitters are serotonin, norepinephrine and acetylcholine. Most of the 35 or more neurotransmitters are made from amino acids derived from dietary protein. In addition, certain vitamins and minerals are required for their production. Some of the more common ones include vitamin B-6, folic acid, niacin, iron and vitamin C.
Gastrointestinal Pathology
Of The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
And Nutritional Intervention
Stephen M. Paul, Ph.D. & Alan Pressman, M.S., D.C., D.A.C.B.N.
The immunocompromised patient is an individual at increased risk for infection, often of a life-threatening nature. Patients with Host Immune Defense Dysfunction include those with Acquired Immune. Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), burns, severe trauma, myeloproliefrative disease, cancer, irradiation, and irnmunosuppressive drug therapy.
Natural active peptides Note: The information on this website is not a substitute Diane Bilodeau Ph.D., Project Manager, Scientific Affairs Alain Thibodeau Ph.D., Director, Scientific Affairs in collaboration with Dr. Alan Pressman, DC, DACBN, CCN Anxiety is a common plague in our performing post-industrial society. Anxiety disorders have many faces but share similar disturbances in the brain network. Deregulated firing of neurons translates into psychological and physical stress that may seriously impair one’s life. Pharmacological therapy is available. Benzodiazepines, buspirone, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants are commonly used to treat these disorders. For those seeking more natural therapies, valerian, St-John’s wort and kava have, so far, represent alternatives. All these therapies have their drawbacks and have been associated with potential harmful side effects. Casein hydrolysate is a new natural alternative with proven in vitro and in vivo anxiolytic activity. Anxiety is defined as an uneasiness state of mind over an anticipated painful event not under the subject’s control. The psychological stress is often accompanied by unpleasant physical sensations. Anxiety is a normal adaptive response to a stressful situation. Any student would confirm that a certain level of stress helps performing at college exams. Such anxiety is event-related and resolves shortly after. Anxiety becomes a disorder when excessive in terms of intensity and duration or not linked to any objective threat. Pathologic anxiety presents with various manifestations. In any case, the brain circuitry is affected in similar ways. Anxiety creates disturbances in the cerebral cortex, affecting connections between brain structures within the limbic system and other neural bodies. The neurotransmitters primarily associated with anxiety in these regions are serotonin gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and norepinephrine. Conventional pharmacological as well as alternative therapies, by modulating neurotransmission, may help normalize brain activity. The Many Faces of Anxiety Generalized anxiety disorder is a problem shared by up to 4% of the population. It manifests as a diffuse sense of worries spreading wastefully over all aspects of one’s life. It seems like sufferers cannot ever stop their mind from thinking “what if”. Any minor life stress or frustration and, even eventually a lack of any, will feed such restless minds. This overwhelming brain activity comes with a price. Sleeping problems, difficulties to concentrate, headaches and irritability are common traits. It also puts a lot of pressure on loved ones, who are kept constantly tagged in the fear of a deadly event. Panic disorder (PD) affects about 5% of the population usually starting in late adolescence or early adulthood with predominance among women. People with PD experience episodes of acute terror coming out of the blue. Common symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, cold sweat, dizziness, and shaking. Most sufferers on their first episode genuinely believe they are having a heart attack for which they are most likely to rush to the closest hospital emergency room. Eventually learning that there is nothing wrong with their heart is usually confusing and tells a person not trust her/his own mind and body to correctly monitor reality. About one-third of people with PD will develop a condition called agoraphobia. The term is misleading though. Agoraphobia may include, but is not restricted to, a fear of open spaces. Agoraphobia is best described as the fear of fear and arises from avoidance of places or situations where panic attacks have occurred before. Unfortunately, avoidance behavior raises a feedback loop leading to more panic attacks. As the pattern of attacks extend the “safe zones” where an agoraphobic is panic-free tend to shrink. In extreme cases, some people will end housebound, unable to face their fear of the outside world. Social phobia is the most common anxiety problem. It rises from the unjustified fear of being watched and judged in social or performance situations. Blushing, sweating, and freezing in social situations are common symptoms of the disorder. Social phobic may avoid talking, writing, eating or drinking in public. They develop a sense of being unfit and tend to avoid all contact with others whenever possible. It is estimated that 12% of the population will experience a phobia at some point in their lives. Phobias are irrational fear that can rise against almost any specific object or situation (e.g., flying, heights, animals, injection, blood). Contact with it can evoke panic with symptoms as shortness of breath, flushes, heart palpitations, sweating, dizziness, nausea and confusion. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects a little more than 2% of the population. The symptoms typically begin during the teenage years or early adulthood and consist of unwanted persistent thoughts (obsessions) leading to senseless repetitive behaviors (compulsions). The compulsion is aimed at relieving the discomfort caused by the obsessions. In severe cases, a time-consuming ritual may hamper normal living. Approximately 25% to 30% of individuals who suffer or witness a traumatic event (such as rape, war, natural disasters, severe accidents, terrorist attacks) will develop chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms may include flashbacks of the trauma, nightmares, insomnia, depression, emotional numbness, irritability and survivor guilt. PTSD sometimes develops months after the event that triggered it. Recovery typically takes time. Benzodiazepines: Benzodiazepines (alprazolam, lorazepam, diazepam) are the most commonly used drugs for treating most anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines bind GABA receptors at a site different than GABA itself. Allosteric binding of these agents potentiates GABA inhibitory neurotransmission and thus relieves anxiety symptoms. Benzodiazepines have short-half life and high therapeutic index. In addition to their anxiolytic effect, some benzodiazepines exhibit anticonvulsant and muscle-relaxant properties. Nevertheless, benzodiazepines present a high risk of physical dependence and since they are metabolized through the hepatic microsomal system, they may interfere with other drugs. Adverse effects are depressed CNS, delayed reaction time, and forgetfulness. Buspirone precise mechanism of action is not well characterized. It binds a specific subset of serotonin receptors but is suspected to act on the dopaminergic system as well. Buspirone is as efficient as benzodiazepines in reducing anxiety symptoms, has the advantage over them not to produce withdrawal symptoms, but lack their muscle-relaxant properties. Buspirone is not sedative and has only minor cognitive and psychomotor adverse effects. Side effects are few and may include nausea, headache, dizziness, nervousness, lightheadness, and excitement. Due to a delayed onset of action, buspirone is of little use in panic disorders. Its activity is also limited in patients recently withdrawn from benzodiazepines. Buspirone should not be used concurrently with MAOIs as it raises a risk for increase blood pressure. Selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) SSRIs (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine and sertraline) act by preventing the reabsorption of serotonin at the presynaptic neuronal membrane. As a consequence, the available supply of serotonin is increased in the brain, improving the serotonergic transmission. SSRIs have antidepressant and anxiolytic activities. Clinical indications included PD, agoraphobia, OCD, PTSD and social phobia. SSRIs usually have mild side effects. They may cause anorexia, nervousness, insomnia, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, and a range of sexual dysfunctions. Combined use of SSRIs and MAOIs is contraindicated. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) MAOIs (phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid) interfere with the breakdown of neurotransmitters within the synaptic cleft through inactivation of the monoamine oxidase enzyme. As a result, serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine accumulate at this location. This causes activation of serotonin and norepinephrin receptors. MAOIs are helpful in reducing panic attacks, elevating depressed mood, and can also help with social phobias. Side effects include blurred vision, constipation, drowsiness, dry mouth, insomnia, hypotension and weight gain. MAOIs are non-addicting but have the potential for severe pathophysiology. Overdose causes catecholamine poisoning, resulting in hypertension, tachycardia, tremors, seizures, and hyperthermia. MAOIs also interact with other drugs and foods containing tyramine. The use of MAOIs tends to be abandoned to the profit of less toxic anxiolytics. TCAs (clomipramine, amoxapine, amitriptyline, maprotiline, desipramine,imipramil) block serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake into the neuron, so that the monoamines remain active longer. TCAs may be useful in treating PD, agoraphobia, social phobia and PTSD. Common side-effects include weight gain, blurred vision, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness and dry mouth. Cardiovascular effects are also associated with these medications. TCAs are less well tolerated than SSRIs and may cause withdrawal side-effects. Tricyclics are highly dangerous in overdose and should no be used concurrently with MAOIs. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) extracts have sedative and anxiolytic properties. Clinical trials support its effectiveness in treating a wide range of stress conditions. Valerian’s mode of action is similar to that of the benzodiazepines and results from weak binding to GABA receptors. Chronic use of high doses can lead to withdrawal symptoms. The FDA recognizes Valerian as safe. Nevertheless, drivers and operators of heavy machinery should use Valerian with caution due to its vigilance-decreasing effects. Long-term use may be associated with headaches, restless states, sleeplessness and cardiac disturbance. Valerian can inhibit the cytochrome P450 and thus is susceptible of interfering with the metabolism of some drugs. St-John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) medical history goes back to ancient Greece. The herb has pleiotrophic effects but is most famous for its anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. This is supported by a cohort of clinical studies although some recent study has seriously raised doubts about the herb efficacy. Current research suggest that St. John’s Wort extracts may act by impairing the reuptake of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine all together. The hyperforin constituent of St John’s Wort is suspected to be mainly responsible for this inhibition. St-John’s Wort is usually well tolerated but unfortunately due to a strong inhibition of the cytochrome P450 the herb has a high profile of potential interactions with drugs. The FDA has emitted a warning at this effect. Kava (Piper methysticum) is native to the south Pacific where it was traditionally consumed as a drink, as part of some rituals, for years before the first European explorers discovered it. Kava is anxiolytic and sedative but without inducing apathy. It also is an excellent muscle relaxant. Several clinical studies have provided evidence of kava effectiveness for these applications. The kavalactones components of kava are believed to be responsible for the psychoactive activity of the extract. It is postulated that kavalactones work through potentiation of GABA transmission and inhibition of noradrenaline uptake. Kava has received a lot of attention worldwide recently when some deaths, due to liver failure, were reportedly associated with the use of kava. As a consequence, kava was banned in several countries, while others (including USA) simply warned the population against the potential risk of severe liver injury associated with the use of kava. Milk has always been a little more than food to humans. Maybe as a reminiscence of our early childhood, drinking warm milk is believed to provide a calming effect. Recent research studies have provided a scientific ground on which to raise that belief to the rank of fact. This all started when casein, the major milk protein, was hydrolysed, in a controlled manner, into small peptides. When screened for anxiolytic activity, one of the peptides strongly lit up the assay. The active decapeptide was isolated and its spatial structure, as determined through NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamic simulation, revealed an amazing similitude to that of benzodiazepines. Indeed the peptide was shown to bind GABA receptors in test tube assays. Figure 1 Animal studies confirmed that the decapeptidealso had in vivo anxiolytic properties. In the “conditioned defensive burying test” for anxiety, animals treated with the peptide had significantly decreased anxiety score when compared to those who received either Saint John’s Wort or Kava. The peptide-treated animals had in fact similar scores as those obtained by diazepam-treated animals. Figure 2 The studies were then extended to humans. Two double-blind placebo controlled clinical trials were performed. The first trial involved 24 healthy subjects. The trial was aimed at evaluating the anxiolytic effects of the peptide when administered orally twice daily for two weeks. People response was evaluated using the Global Anxiety Score. The results showed a dose-dependant anxiolytic effect of the peptide in the treated group. Among volunteers, those with a high anxiety level as a stable disposition were most responsive At the same time, potential side effects as dependence, memory impairment and tolerance were monitored. In all cases, the peptide had a satisfactory safety profile. The second trial was aimed at evaluating the effect of the peptide on some physiological responses to stress in healthy volunteers. In one test, subjects were asked to complete a color test performance (Stroop test) after taking the peptide. Their plasma level of cortisol (ACTH) was evaluated throughout the test, as a measure of stress. Under the conditions of the tests, ACTH levels of control subjects tended to increase, while no raise in the ACTH level was observed in the group who received the peptide (Figure 3). Peptide treatment had no effect on the subject’s performance per se. Figure 3 Conclusion There is hope for people afflicted with one of the many forms of anxiety disorders. Besides psychotherapeutic treatments, which were not the focus of this article, pharmacological and alternative therapies may offer some relief. Anxiolytic pharmacologic drugs are very powerful. Unfortunately their use is associated with several undesirable and potentially threatening side effects. For those who prefer a more natural approach to treatment, herb extracts have traditionally been the only alternative. The problem with extracts is that, either they work too well, as kava, and are potentially dangerous, or they are not potent enough and work at best as a placebo. Casein hydrolysate offers a new natural alternative. It has clinically proven anxiolytic activity without side effects. It is readily absorbed. The anxiolytic effect is immediate and may last up to 6 hours. The product also has very low allergenicity since the protein is hydrolysed. It does not cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms and does not interfere with medication. Casein hydrolysate is commercially available as a dietary supplement under the name ProcalmTM. References Lecouvey M, Frochot C, Miclo L, Orlewski P, Marraud M, Gaillard J-L, Thon Cung M, Vanderesse R. Conformational studies of a benzodiazepine-like peptide in SDS micelles by circular dichroism, H NMR and molecular dynamics simulation. Letters in science, 4 (1997) 359-364.Lecouvey M, Frochot C, Miclo L, Orlewski P, Driou A, Linden G, Gaillard J-L, Marraud M, , Thon Cung M, Vanderesse R. Two-dimensional H-NMR and CD structural analysis in a micellar medium of a bovine αsi-casein fragment having benzodiazepine-like properties. Eur. J. Biochem. 248 (1997) 872-878.Miclo L, Perrin E, Driou A , Papadopoulos V, Boujrad N, Vanderesse R, boudier JF, Desor D, Linden G, Gaillard J-L. Characterization of alpha-casozepine, a trypic peptide from bovine alpha (s1)-casein with benzodiazepine-like activity. Laboratoire des Biosciences de l’Aliment UA 885 INRA, Faculté des Sciences, Université Henri Poincare-Nancy 1, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France. FASEB J 2001 Aug ;15 (10) : 1780-2.
as an alternative for anxiolytics
for the advice of & treatment by a qualified professional.
Atrium Biotechnologies Inc.
Atrium Biotechnologies Inc.
Grammercy Health Associates Abstract
What is Anxiety?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Panic Disorder
Agoraphobia
Social Phobia
Specific Phobias
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome
Treatments
A) Pharmacotherapies
Buspirone
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
B) Alternative therapies
Valerian
St-John’s Wort
Kava
Casein Hydrolysate
Did you ever wonder about people's habits throughout a typical day, and how it affects their health? Or how your daily routine compares to a healthy lifestyle? Let's examine a typical day in the life of two real people, and also why they found their way to an applied kinesiologist's office.
This is the story of Janet and Paula. Although the names have been changed, their daily routine is noted with accuracy. They're both married with families and live within 7 miles of each other in the New York suburbs. This particular day, Tuesday, is a typical one...
Janet wakes up around 6:20 a.m. Twenty minutes later she's out the door for her morning walk, accompanied by her dog. Around 7:20 she's back home to have breakfast with her husband, who makes scrambled eggs, whole wheat toast and coffee. Both teenagers get their own breakfast and are off to school around the time she returns from her walk. Her husband leaves by 8:50, giving Janet about 45 minutes to get ready for work.
Paula wakes precisely at 6:00 a.m. but doesn't get out of bed for twenty-five minutes. She gets her two kids up by 6:30 and her husband soon after. She gives orange juice to her teens who are off for school, and has coffee and a sweet roll with her husband, who leaves for work by 7:30. Paula tries to leave for work by 9:40.
Pregnant women who eat diets high in carbohydrates form smaller placentas. This has ominous implications. The formation of the placenta dictates how well the mother will be able to transfer nutrients to the fetus. Further studies are needed to uncover exactly what the long-term effects of diets high in carbohydrates are on the health of newborns.
Excessive intake of carbohydrates, especially sugar, will weaken immune function. Too many carbohydrates will also increase the damage that stress can do to the body, a fact widely appreciated in critical care medicine.
