Anti-Aging Therapy

What Is Anti-Aging Therapy? Modern Theories of aging are generally looked at in two theoretical ways; the damage theories and programmed theories. The Damage Theories primarily looks at the damage that our cells incur over time. This looks at Extrinsic aging which is the aging process compounded by externally caused factors. The Programmed Theories are primarily concerned with the genetics of how long and how efficient our cells can maintain optimum health. This looks at Intrinsic aging which is aging due to the rate of passing time.

Scientists agree that one of the most significant factors contributing to aging is chronic inflammation. [1]. As we age, we tend towards a number of identifiable inflammatory diseases. Chronic inflammation damages the cells of our brains, heart, arterial walls, and other body structures. Heart disease, Alzheimer’s senility, Parkinson’s, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, prostatitis and stroke are just a few of the “diseases of aging” attributed to chronic inflammation.

Anti-aging therapy is actually a combination of different therapies used to slow and/or reverse human aging. One of the fastest growing segments of medicine today is anti-aging and longevity medicine. The methods showing scientific promise in slowing the aging process and extending the lifespan in mammals is caloric restriction, decreasing cellular inflammation due to free radicals, exercise and the power behind social relationships.

Anti-aging therapies can make a difference in such inflammatory diseases and aging disorders such as: depression, anger, pain, arthritis, stress, diabetes, psoriasis, excess weight, smoking, sunburn, menopause, dementia

On this page, you will learn about Free Radicals, which can cause “oxidative stress” that, in turn, damage cell membranes, causing inflammation. Learn more about Sugar and Inflammation. Discover the Anti-Aging Supplements, what we call the Major Players and the Anti-Aging Enemies. Take a look at the Blood Test Panels for aging males and females. We offer 10 Tips for Anti-Aging, the power of Skin Care Treatments, how to Eat To Stay Young, how to work with Vitamin Therapy, tips to Exercise Your Rights and the best treatments to enhance any healthcare regime!

Featured Products

Organic Vitamins and Supplements We are proud to feature NewMark Organics. NewMark™ is the professional division of New Chapter®, a company founded twenty-five years ago by master herbalist and leading herbal researcher Paul Schulick. His mission was to create a supplement line that utilized the finest organic ingredients and most innovative manufacturing methods to deliver what was missing from so many conventional supplement lines—the Healing Wisdom of Nature. As a licensed acupuncturist and certified herbalist, Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac recommends these fantastic organic supplements to all his patients. "I highly recommend the Full Spectrum Extracts to enhance adrenals and immunity, the Synbiotic Nutrients to provide cardiovascular and cellular protection, the Speciality Products to enhance gut flora and stabilize blood immunity and pressure and finally, my favorite anti-aging products".

Super Omega 3 Alaska Deep Sea Fish Oil Super Omega 3 Alaska Deep Sea Fish Oil is known for being rich in unsaturated fatty acids and provides rich OMEGA-3 fatty acids, (Pure EPA 360mg/DHA 240mg). Alaska Deep Sea Fish Oil are made from natural marine lipid concentrate and may help reduce or inhibit risk factors involved in cardiovascular disease, as well as inflammatory and immune disorders. Long term use of Alaska Deep Sea Fish Oil help prevent aging skin, menopausal symptoms, promote better circulation, lower cholesterol, prevent blood clots, reduce heart related risk, and the pain of arthritis. Omega-3 and polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish and Alaska Deep Sea Fish Oil help to protect against heart and blood vessel disease. Natural, essential fatty acids are essential to normal human cell and tissue growth and maintenance. If not found regularly in the diet, the diet must be supplemented. These fatty acids are especially abundant in brain cells, nerve relay stations (synapses), visual receptors (retinas), adrenal glands, and sex glands. The most biologically active tissues in the body. 100 Softgel capsules. 1000mg. Product Name: Super Omega 3 Alaska Deep Sea Fish Oil $23.95 Add to Cart * Send a Check or Money Order

Omega 3-6-9 While small percentages of essential fatty acids can be obtained from food, the majority of the population tends to consume far more of the saturated ‘bad’ fats than essential ‘good’ fats (Omega-3 and -6). NOW Omega 3-6-9 is an ideally balanced, full-spectrum source of these three “good fats”. By utilizing high potency Omega-3 from flaxseed and canola, Omega-6 from primrose and black currant and Omega-9 (or Oleic acid, a non-essential fatty acid) from Canola and Flax, our formula helps correct this common imbalance, while minimizing any chance of reoccurring reverse imbalances . 1000 mg 100 gels. Product Name: Omega 3-6-9 $14.95 Add to Cart * Send a Check or Money Order

Ginseng Tea Granules Ginseng is known in many Asian countries as the king of all herbs. Panax ginseng, commonly known as adaptogen, is a substance that offers some assistance in helping individuals who are dealing with physical and/or emotional stress. Ginseng, the traditional cure-all, has been said to relieve almost every ailment from anxiety to cancer and panax, according to traditional Chinese medicine. At present, several Asian countries are prescribing this particular type of Ginseng as treatment for several illnesses, including heart conditions and to enhance overall health. Studies of Western herbal medicine show that panax ginseng’s ability to regulate the immune system has potential advantages in effectively preventing colds, flu, and some forms of cancer. Case studies show that panax ginseng proves effective in lowering the sugar content in the blood and cholesterol levels. Consequently, panax ginseng may prove beneficial when used in connection with type 2 diabetes and those suffering from high cholesterol. Simply open package and stir into hot water. Product Name: Ginseng Tea Granules 10 pack box $8.95 Add to Cart * Send a Check or Money Order

Reishi Mushroom Capsules Ganoderma lucidum (Ling Zhi) is documented to have medicinal value. The reishi extract has been shown to be effective in treating migraine headaches. It is believed that oxygen shortage in the brain (hypoxia) is at the core of the pathogenesis of a migraine attack. As an anti-inflammatory agent, the extract is effective in substantially alleviating the problems and pain related to rheumatism or osteoarthritis and gout. In treating hypertension or hypotension the extract has been shown to be highly effective in a very large number of cases treated. In the more successful cases blood pressure is back to normal within 2 months. The extract has been found effective in reducing and in some cases eliminating asthma attack. The extract is effective in reducing blood sugar levels and the amounts of insulin required for diabetic patients. The extract is effective in regaining stamina and energy or debility due to prolonged illness especially for cancer patients after undergoing radio and/or chemotherapy. They are able to eat and sleep well. The extract is effective in clearing up a large variety of skin allergic conditions either due to food or airborne allergens. Ganoderma extract has been found to be useful in detoxifying the kidneys and improving its overall function. Patients receiving hemodialysis should find that the duration and frequency of the treatment could be reduced. The extract has been shown effective in reducing or eliminating excessive menstrual pain and irregularities. Ganoderma extract has been found effective in addressing a variety of cardiovascular problems. It improves the circulatory system with excess oxygen. It also decreases the conditions of angina pectoris and palpitation. This is an organic product. 600 mg, 90 capsules. Product Name: Reishi Mushroom Capsules $29.95 Add to Cart * Send a Check or Money Order

Cordyceps Sinensis Capsules Cordyceps Sinensis Hyphas is a famous and costly traditional Chinese medicine. It is created when a type of fungus parasitizes the larvae of the Chongcao Bat Moth and forms a fungus/larva composite body. The larva forms a cocoon in the winter and hibernates in the ground. Because the fruiting body of the fungus emerges from the head of the larva in the summertime and resembles a grass sprout, this medicine’s Chinese name means roughly “winter-insect, summer grass.” In recent years, medical researchers have conducted many studies of Cordyceps Sinensis, and some new discoveries have further expanded its scope as a curative agent. Cordyceps Sinensis Hyphas actions help to relax the bronchia and strengthen the adrenal glands. Highly effective at replenishing the essence and strengthening the body. Reversing the toxic effects of various chemicals to the kidneys, enhancing lung functioning, bolstering the kidney's yang energy, relieving cough, and lessening sputum. Cordyceps Sinensis Hyphas is indicated for: Asthma, allergies, allergic rhinitis, poor renal function, renal injuries by chemicals, chronic bronchitis, coughing, poor resistance of respiratory tract, lowered immunity to flu, abnormal blood pressure, decreased sex drive, irregular menstruation, raised blood lipid levels, weakened immunity due to aging, Cordyceps Sinensis can also be used for coughing blood or bloody sputum that maybe caused by tuberculosis, coughing and difficult breathing, and cold or sudden sweating. Weak kidneys, weak lungs, poor vitality, impotence, spermatorrhea, aching back and knees, general debility caused by long-term illness. Directions: Adults, take 2 capsules, 3 times a day. Ingredients: 100% Cordyceps Sinensis Hyphas 90 capsules is a 15 day supply Product Name: Cordyceps Sinensis Hyphas Capsules $49.95 Add to Cart * Send a Check or Money Order

Herbal Tinctures Herbal tinctures are concentrated liquid extracts of the medicinal properties of herbs. Tinctures represent one of many different ways to prepare and use herbs. The terms tincture and extract are often used interchangeably. Single Herb Tinctures are an effective way to take herbal medicine. For decreasing inflammation, may we recommend: Ginger, Tumeric, White Willow Bark, Wild Yam Root. There is a variety of sizes. Choose from: Our "Kare Kit" is any three single herb tinctures at a 10% discount. Add to Cart Product Name: Herbal Extract Tinctures- 2 oz bottles $19.00 Add to Cart Product Name: Herbal Extract Tinctures- 4 oz bottles $35.00 Add to Cart Product Name: Herbal Extract Tinctures- 8 oz bottles $44.00 Add to Cart Product Name: Herbal Extract Tinctures- 16 oz bottles $85.00 Add to Cart Product Name: Herbal Extract Tinctures- 32 oz bottles $125.00 Add to Cart Product Name: Herbal Extract Tinctures- 1 gallon $245.00 Add to Cart * Send a Check or Money Order

Pure Green Energy Powder A concentrated formulation of the super green wholefoods. An easy way to get your greens with a busy life style. Add to any smoothie or glass of water to increase your greens. Ingredients: Spirulina, Chlorella, Barley Grass, Wheat Grass, Klamath Blue Green Algae. These ingredients contain the most powerful combination of nutrients ever known in any grain, herb or food. They contain almost all of the vitamins, minerals, proteins and enzymes necessary for the human diet, plus chlorophyll. These necessities are bio-available which means that they are easily assimilated throughout the digestive tract, giving our bodies instant access to vital nutrients. Product Name: Pure Energy Green Powder 3.5 oz $24.00 Add to Cart Product Name: Pure Energy Green Powder 1 lb. $79.95 Add to Cart * Send a Check or Money Order

Pure Energy Smoothie with Green Powder Ingredients: Soy Protein Powder, Bee Pollen Powder, Psyllium Husks, Lecithin Powder, Chlorella, Spirulina, Klamath Blue Green Algae, Barley Grass, Wheat Grass, Alfalfa, Kelp, Acidophilus, and American Ginseng. Just add 1 tablespoon powder to your favorite juice for a delicious and nutritious high energy start to your day. Commonly reported benefits of using our Smoothies include: • All day energy • Greater focus under stress • Sense of well-being • Strengthened immune system • Fewer food cravings • Optimum synergistic balance of essential nutrients for total health Product Name: Pure Energy Smoothie with Green Powder 1 month supply $39.95 Add to Cart Product Name: Pure Energy Smoothie with Green Powder 2 month supply $59.95 Add to Cart * Send a Check or Money Order

Cleansing Smoothie with Green Powder A Natural Cleansing Formula for a Healthy Digestive System. Ingredients: Psyllium Husks, Lecithin, Chlorella, Spirulina, Barley Grass, Wheat Grass, Dandelion, Red Clover, Milk Thistle, Buckthorn, Burdock, Cascara Sagrada & Acidophilus. Just add 1 tablespoon to your favorite juice for a gentle cleansing effect. Most natural health practitioners agree that periodic internal cleansing is an essential key to radiant health. Maintaining a healthy digestive system is the goal of a regular cleansing program. Without a proper functioning digestive system we are unable to absorb the nutrients we eat or effectively or eliminate toxins that our bodies generate. Pure Energy Cleansing Smoothie contains a combination of fiber, nutrients and herbs to gently support the body's natural cleansing process. One of the many benefits of regularly cleansing your system and nourishing it is weight loss and reduced appetite. Many people also report improved skin condition and energy levels. Product Name: Cleansing Smoothie with Green Powder 1 month supply $39.95 Add to Cart Product Name: Cleansing Smoothie with Green Powder 2 month supply $59.95 Add to Cart * Send a Check or Money Order

Vitamin E Tocotrienols and tocopherols are potent antioxidants that are 100% natural. We have combined these nutrients with rice bran oil with d-alpha vitamin E, and yeast-free Selenium. The result is a synergistic combination of nutritional antioxidants. "Vitamin E 400 IU" 100 Gels. Product Name: Vitamin E $22.95 Add to Cart * Send a Check or Money Order

Garlic Odorless Garlic is extracted from Allum sativum and is a specially made Japanese product. Garlic has been the subject of numerous studies in the past decade and has been endorsed by celebrities and athletes alike. Our Odorless Garlic is aged 18 months and concentrated in a 100:1 extract to yield high amounts of Scordiin, a unique sulfur compound which may be responsible for many of garlic's renowned benefits. - 2500 mg - 100 Gels". Product Name: Odorless Garlic $14.95 Add to Cart * Send a Check or Money Order

Stevia This natural herbal glycerite is intended for dietary supplement purposes only. The key isolate of Stevia, stevioside, is considered safe and without side effects. Stevia Glycerite can be mixed into water and diluted Hypoallergenic. "Stevia Glycerite Alcohol Free - 2 oz" Product Name: Stevia Glycerite Alcohol Free $9.95 Add to Cart * Send a Check or Money Order

Moisturizing Pearl Cream Moisturizing Pearl Cream is made from well selected pure precious pearls, which are reduce into very fine powder. The pearl powder is then blended with rich moisturizing lotion, cooling Aloe Vera and soothing Vitamin E to give the skin a smooth layer of protection for the elements as well as the appropriate balance of both nutrients and moisture. Pearls are an excellent source of minerals, amino acids and calcium carbonate, the most absorbable form of calcium. Pearl Cream is recommended to speed the skin's natural metabolism in order to tone and rejuvenate complexion. It has been used to heal blemishes, minimize large pores and reduce redness. Pearl Cream and Pearl Powder are one of the best natural products for scar reduction! Moisturizing Pearl Cream is one of Andrew's newest Anti-aging prescriptive under the ProAcuMed name. Product Name: Moisturizing Pearl Cream $26.00 (4 ounces). Add to Cart * Send a Check or Money Order

Herbal Teas * Herbal teas are the easiest form of herbal remedy for long term use. The herb's powerful ingredients are either "infused" or "decocted" in water when made into teas. * It is crucial that we care for our bodies before we encounter illness. These herbal teas are made from the freshest herbs, organically grown. These are LOOSE teas. Loose tea is more aromatic and contains all the parts of the medicinal portions of an herb, unlike tea bags, which, for the most part, contain only the left over portions of the herb. * These herbal teas are hand-crafted, grown, and blended in small quantities to preserve quality and assure freshness. Only the finest quality herbs are used in these products. * Loose teas look and smell better, and naturally disperse stronger flavor and medicinal properties better. FREE TEA INFUSER BALL with 1 lb tea purchase!! Enjoy these powerful blends of our freshest quality herbs in ready-blended teas and tea prescriptions for optimum health! ORDER HERBAL TEAS

ProAcuMed Skin Care: Anti-Aging Packages ProAcuMed Skin Care incorporates the best kept secrets of the Orient, organically grown teas, Chinese herbs, as well as medically proven ingredients that have shown to cleanse, tone, detox and drastically reduce the signs of aging. Consider these great products to bring back beautiful skin! Matrix Mud: Our French Clay Masks are blended with pure essential oils and hydrosols to create a highly effective deep cleansing mask. When clay is applied to the skin, oxidation and circulation are accelerated, defensive functions stimulated and body temperature is raised. Clay balances as it revitalizes. Moisturizing Pearl Cream: Our high quality pearl powder is blended with deionized water, glycerin and vitamin A & E in a rich base of Aloe Vera and Green Tea Extract. This pearl cream replenished moisture and softens skin. It helps prevent moisture loss and absorbs quickly. Benefits improve with daily use and are good for all skin types. Herbal Wash: Cleansing the skin is imperative to rid the skin of surface dirt, oil accumulation and bacteria. Dirty particles embed in the skin causing acne and rashes. Our herbal was Calendula, Basil, Dandelion and Red Clover to cleanse and improve the overall condition of the skin. Gentle Skin Toner: This soothing and gentle skin toner uses the astringing properties of Witch Hazel the gentle toner of Chamomile to close pores and protect the skin from the elements. Floral Splash: This breezy, light, slightly scented face and body splash takes the beautiful flowers of spring and blends them with distilled water and green tea extract. Don't know your skin type? Determine it HERE. Choose from: Normal, Dry, Oily, Problem/Combination Skin Care. Receive all 5 products for your skin type for just $59.95! Product Name:ProAcuMed Skin Care Normal $59.95 Add to Cart Product Name:ProAcuMed Skin Care Dry $59.95 Add to Cart Product Name:ProAcuMed Skin Care Oily $59.95 Add to Cart Product Name:ProAcuMed Skin Care Problem $59.95 Add to Cart * Send a Check or Money Order

Free Radicals

Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms that have at least one unpaired electron, which makes them highly reactive. Free radicals promote beneficial oxidation that produces energy and kills bacterial invaders. However, in excess, they produce harmful oxidation or “oxidative stress” that can damage cell membranes and cell contents. [2]. These free radicals cause inflammation.

In human beings, free radicals are the natural by-products of many processes within and among cells. Free radicals are created by exposure to various environmental factors, cigarette and tobacco smoke, air pollution, alcohol, drugs, radiation from televisions and computers, chemicals and a busy, stressful life.

These factors stimulate molecules in the body called transcription factors. The transcription factor is any protein required to initiate or regulate transcription; including both gene regulatory proteins as well as the general transcription factors. These chemical messengers signal DNA to start producing protein, which gives direction to the cells in our body. Transcription factors in the body are harmless, until they are activated by free radicals. Free radicals cause the transcription molecules to migrate to the center of the nucleus. Several transcription factors become pro-inflammatory due to free radicals and therefore accelerate the aging process.

NF-kB transcription factor complex is one of the cellular sensors, which responds to oxidative stress and regulates gene expression. NF-kB can increase the activity of genes responsible for inflammation. DNA binding activities of two other transcription factors, AP-1 and Sp-1 are seen as inflammatory agents when activated by free radicals. [3].

Other inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and fibrinogen show that these blood indicators of inflammation are strong predictive factors for determining who will suffer a heart attack. [4,5]. Seemingly unrelated diseases have a common link. People who have multiple degenerative disorders often exhibit excess levels of inflammatory markers in their blood. A growing consensus among scientists is that common disorders such as atherosclerosis, colon cancer, and Alzheimer's disease are all caused in part by a chronic inflammatory syndrome.

Sugar and Inflammation

One of the reasons inflammation occurs is from a rapid rise in blood sugar, which causes biochemical changes in the cell. Staying away from sugar and high-glycemic (simple) carbohydrates, which the body rapidly converts to sugar, is one of the best ways to decrease inflammation. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a key factor of inflammation. In a major study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, people with elevated CRP levels were four and one-half times more likely to have a heart attack. Not only is elevated CRP more accurate than cholesterol in predicting heart attack risk, but high CRP levels have turned up in people with diabetes and pre-diabetes and in people who are overweight. [58, 59,61]

When blood sugar goes up rapidly, sugar can attach itself to collagen in a process called "glycosylation," or the Browning Reaction, increasing inflexible and inflammation. CRP is not found in foods. However, its levels in the body are strongly influenced by diet.

A recent study by Simin Liu, M.D., Ph.D., of the Harvard Medical School found that women who ate large amounts of high-glycemic (or diabetes promoting) carbohydrates, including potatoes, breakfast cereals, white bread, muffins, and white rice, had very high CRP levels. Women who ate a lot of these foods and were also overweight had the highest and most dangerous CRP levels. [62].

The body makes CRP from interleukin-6 (IL-6), a powerful inflammatory chemical. IL-6 is a key cell communication molecule, and it tells the body's immune system to go into asperity, releasing CRP and many other inflammation-causing substances. Being overwieght increases inflammation because adipose cells, particularly those around the midsection, make large amounts of IL-6 and CRP. As blood sugar levels increase, so do IL-6 and CRP. Both overweight and high blood sugar levels increase the risk of heart disease, very likely because of the undercurrent of inflammation. [61].

The best way to deal with cravings is to very carefully control blood sugar and insulin by staying away from the simple carbohydrates and eating more protein. In a few days, blood sugar will stabilize and cravings will go away. Good (complexed) carbohydrates, which are low on the glycemic index include: apples, apsaragus, beans, broccoli, blackberries, blueberries, cabbage, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, green beans, honeydew melon, kiwi, leafy greens, peaches, pears, plums, raspberries, spinach, strawberries.

Bad (simple) carbohydrates, which are high on the glycemic index include: bananas, breads, carrots, cereals processed with added sugar, corn, French fries, French toast, fruit juices, mangos, pancakes, papaya, pasta, peas, popcorn, white potatoes, white rice, sugar, waffles.

Dietary fats also influence inflammation. Most omega-6 fats, found in margarine and corn and safflower oils, are the basic building blocks of arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2, two of several key inflammation-causing substances in the body. In contrast, omega-3 fats, found in fish, fish oils, and vegetables, have an inflammation-suppressing effect. [63]

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an omega-6 fat that enhances the anti-inflammatory effect of omega-3 fats. Both GLA and omega-3 fish oils have been found helpful in arthritis and other inflammatory disorders. [64,65] GLA is found in leafy green vegetables and dietary supplements. Similarly, oleic acid, an omega-9 fat found in olive oil, walnut oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, canola oil, avocados, nut butters and macadamia nuts have anti-inflammatory properties.

Good sources of protein include: Fish such as sardines, salmon, cod, haddock, halibut, snapper and tuna. Meat and poultry include: turkey, chicken with no skin, occasional lean beef, lean pork and lean ham. Soy products are also a great source of protein. Also included are egg whites, low fat cottage cheese, milk and yogurt.

Anti-Aging Supplements: The Major Players

Antioxidants are a classification of several organic substances, which include vitamins C and E, vitamin A (converted from beta-carotene), selenium, alpha lipoic acid, and carotenoids. Together as antioxidants, these substances are thought to be effective in helping to prevent certain cancers, [6, 27] cardiovascular disease, [7] and cataracts [8]. At the cellular level, antioxidants serve to deactivate certain free radicals in turn helping to decrease inflammation. [9,28]. The best source for antioxidants are in fruits and vegetables.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine, ALC, Acetylcarnitine, (ALCAR)

Acetyl-l-carnitine is a molecule that occurs naturally in the brain, liver, and kidney. Natural levels of Acetyl-l-carnitine diminish as we age. Acetyl-l-carnitine is related to the amino acid L-Carnitine, which is a carrier of fatty acids across mitochondrial membranes, where energy is produced within each cell. Acetyl-L-Carnitine has become one of the premiere "anti-aging" compounds under scientific investigation, especially in relation to brain and nervous system deterioration. Acetyl-L-Carnitine helps to enhance cognition. Acetyl-L-Carnitine is involved in the metabolism of food into energy.

Mild mental impairment in the elderly showed a significant improvement of several performances during and after Acetyl-l-carnitine treatments. [53,56]. Reports indicate that Acetyl-l-carnitine may be effective in the treatment of dementia. It improves both spatial and temporal memory, and reduce the amount of oxidative damage to RNA in the brain's hippocampus, an area important in memory. [54,55,56]

Treated Down syndrome patients showed statistically significant improvements of visual memory and attention both in absolute terms and in comparison with the other groups. [57].

Most human studies examining Acetyl-L-Carnitine have utilized doses from 500 to 2500 mg daily in divided doses. Younger, healthy adults would probably want to take 500-1000 mg daily. While no serious side effects have been noted in animal or human studies, Acetyl-Carnitine may cause symptoms of over stimulation or headache in some sensitive individuals. However, these symptoms are not common and are usually caused by beginning with a high dose.

INTERACTIONS: Severe peripheral neuropathy (painful sensations due to nerve damage in the hands and feet) often develops in people taking:
• Didanosine and drugs in its class. People with peripheral neuropathy who were taking Didanosine were found to be deficient in acetyl-L-carnitine.
• Some researchers have suggested that supplementing acetyl-L-carnitine may assist in managing this condition.

Alpha Lipoic Acid: The Natural Anti-Inflammatory

Unlike Vitamin C, which is water soluble and Vitamin E, which is fat soluble, Alpha Lipoic Acid is a unique antioxidant that is both water and fat soluble, which allows it to enter all parts of the cell to neutralize free radicals. Alpha Lipoic Acid contributes to and is important for the production of energy inside the cell by utilizing sugar to produce energy contributing to mental and physical stamina, reducing muscle fatigue and neutralizes free radicals. Alpha Lipoic Acid recycles and enhances the effects of both Vitamin C and Vitamin E.

Scientists first discovered the importance of alpha lipoic acid in the 1950s, and recognized it as an antioxidant in 1988. It has been the subject of research around the world, some being done at UC Berkeley by Dr. Lester Packer, a leading expert in the area of antioxidants and a professor of molecular and cell biology at the University of California at Berkeley. He believes that Alpha Lipoic Acid could have far-reaching consequences in the search for prevention and therapy of chronic degenerative diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Because it’s the only antioxidant that can easily get into the brain, it could be useful in preventing oxidative stress and damage from a stroke. [21].

Alpha Lipoic Acid is easily absorbed when taken orally and once inside cells is quickly converted to its most potent form, dihydrolipoic acid. Because both Alpha Lipoic Acid and dihydrolipoic acid are antioxidants, their combined actions give them greater antioxidant potency than any natural antioxidant now known. This also makes it important for regulating aspects of the immune system, in particular, T-lymphocytes. [22].

The incidence of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis increases with age. Free radicals promote inflammatory reactions, which antioxidants have been successful at diminishing.

Scientists recently stimulated the inflammatory response of white blood cells, resulting in an increase of Intracellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM-1), which encourages white blood cells to stick to other cells, thereby inflaming tissues. Alpha-lipoic acid, a potent antioxidant, was then added to the mix. Researchers said the acid reduced the activity of ICAM-1 to levels in normal, un-stimulated cells in a dose-dependent manner. It also lowered the activity of NFkB. According to the study, these changes suggest that alpha-lipoic acid may help reduce the effects of inflammatory diseases such a rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. [23].

Suggested dosage for Alpha Lipoic Acid is 100-200 mg in divided doses daily.

SIDE EFFECTS: with alpha lipoic acid are rare but can include:

• Skin rash and the potential of hypoglycemia in diabetic patients.
• People who may be deficient in vitamin B1 (such as alcoholics) should take vitamin B1 along with alpha lipoic acid supplements.
• Chronic administration of alpha lipoic acid in animals has interfered with the actions of the vitamin, biotin. Whether this has significance for humans remains unknown.11A.

Vitamin C: The Key Antioxidant

The most abundant, water-soluble antioxidant in the body is Vitamin C. Vitamin C acts primarily in cellular fluid. Vitamin C scavenges free radicals and cleans up waste products. In addition to its anti-oxidative activities, vitamin C benefits many other body functions. Vitamin C is necessary for the synthesis of collagen, which is an important component in the structural make up of blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, and bone. Vitamin C also plays an important role in the synthesis of the neurotransmitters and norepinephrine. Neurotransmitters are critical to brain function and are known to affect mood. Vitamin C, even in small amounts, can protect molecules in the body, such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) from damage by free radicals. Vitamin C helps in the fight against free-radical formation caused by pollution and cigarette smoke and also helps return vitamin E to its active form.

Linus Pauling, Ph.D, a leading researcher of vitamin C and two-time winner of the Nobel Prize, advised adults to take 2 to 10 grams per day. People require at least 60mgs of vitamin C per day in order to prevent scurvy. The optimal amount of vitamin C is closer to 400 to 3,000 mg per day, in divided doses, more if the body is under stress.

Current research findings have shown that vitamin C may lower the risk of developing cataracts and other eye diseases. In some studies, Vitamin C has helped lower blood pressure and cholesterol and has been shown to help prevent stroke and heart attacks. [10].

Researchers have found that people who suffer from asthma, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and muscle injury after exercise have lower levels of vitamin C in their blood than non-sufferers. [11].

Those with the highest intake of vitamin C and vitamin E from food appeared to be the least likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. [14]. To take advantage of the antioxidant benefits, choose foods rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits (i.e: oranges, grapefruits), sweet peppers, tomatoes, strawberries and broccoli.

Vitamin C Ester: The Ultimate Antioxidant

Vitamin C Ester (Ascorbyl palmitate), which is composed of basic Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) joined with a fatty acid (Palmitic acid) derived from palm oil, creates an "ester bond". Vitamin C Ester is therefore fat soluble and can rapidly penetrate the skin, as well as the phospholipid bilayer of cells Ascorbyl palmitate has been added to a number of skin creams due to interest in its antioxidant properties as well as the important role of vitamin C in collagen synthesis. [24].

Although ascorbyl palmitate is also available as an oral supplement, it is likely that most of it is hydrolyzed to ascorbic acid and palmitic acid in the digestive tract, are not taken advantage of before it is absorbed. [25]

The increased absorption of Vitamin C Ester is therefore, 6 times greater than Vitamin C alone. [24]. Vitamin C Ester helps stimulate the growth of fibroblasts, the cells that produce collagen and elastin in human skin, which in turn, provides a more youthful appearance.

Vitamin C Ester should not be confused with Ester-C®. Ester-C® is a trademarked version of Vitamin C Ester. The only published study in humans found no difference between Ester-C® and commercially available ascorbic acid tablets with respect to the absorption and urinary excretion of vitamin C. [26].

The Carotenoids

Carotenoids, of which beta-carotenes are the most popular, are found in many fruits and vegetables, animals, plants and microorganisms. The body converts beta carotene into Vitamin A. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for vision, growth, cell division, reproduction and immunity. Among the 600 or more carotenoids in foods, beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein are well-known leaders in the fight to reduce the damage from free radicals.

Some studies have shown that beta-carotene may be an effective ally against prostate cancer. A recent study found men with the lowest level of beta-carotene in their blood were at the greatest risk of developing this cancer. [17].

Lycopene

Research shows that lycopene can be absorbed more efficiently by the body after it has been processed into juice, sauce, paste, or ketchup. [18]. In fresh fruit, lycopene is enclosed in the fruit tissue. Therefore, only a portion of the lycopene that is present in fresh fruit is absorbed.

Lycopene appears to protect against many diseases, including cancers of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, colon, and rectum. [18].

Another study showed that women with the highest levels of lycopene in their blood were five times less likely to develop precancerous signs of cervical cancer than women with the lowest levels. [19].

Lutein

Lutein acts to filter and shield harmful blue light from the eye and may decrease the risk of developing macular degeneration, the eye disease that afflicts one in three people over age 65. [20].

Smokers who consumed the most beta-carotene and flavonoids from food, also appeared to cut their Alzheimer's risk. [14]. Yet, smokers who take excessive beta carotene supplements may increase their risk of lung cancer. [33].

A recent study has also shown the risk of osteoperosis with excessive Vitamin A. Retinol is the direct form of vitamin A found in most multivitamins, cod liver oil, liver, fortified foods, and whole milk products. Dietary retinol is associated with fractures, beta carotene is not. Beta carotene, which is converted to Vitamin A by the body, is not associated with any increased risk of fracture. [34]. This study has shown that intake of vitamin A or beta carotene, can be best obtained by eating more red and yellow vegetables than taking supplements.

The recommended safe upper limit of retinol is 3000 mcg (9900 IU) per day. This includes all sources of retinol, including foods such as liver, dietary supplements such as cod liver oil and vitamin A supplements, fortified foods such as cereals, and multivitamins.

Foods high in carotenoids include red, orange, deep-yellow, and some dark-green leafy vegetables, such as tomatoes, carrots, cantaloupe, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, winter squash, brussel sprouts, spinach, kale and broccoli.

CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10)

CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) is a vitamin-like compound also called “ubiquinone”. It is an essential component of cells and is utilized by the mitochondria in the normal process of energy production. It helps convert food into energy at a cellular level. Coenzyme Q10 acts as an antioxidant, much like vitamins C and E, helping to neutralize the cell-damaging molecules known as free radicals. CoQ10 is one in a series of ubiquinones, naturally occurring compounds produced in nearly every cell of the body, and was discovered as recently as 1957.

The primary function of CoQ10 is as a catalyst for metabolism. Acting in conjunction with enzymes, the compound speeds up the vital metabolic process, providing the energy that the cells need to digest food, heal wounds, maintain healthy muscles, and perform other bodily functions. It is especially abundant in the energy-intensive cells of the heart, helping this organ beat more than 100,000 times each day. [38,40].

CoQ10 may play a role in preventing cancer, heart attacks, and other diseases linked to free-radical damage. It's also used as a general energy enhancer and anti-aging supplement. Because levels of the compound diminish with age (and with certain diseases), some doctors recommend daily supplementation beginning about age 40. CoQ10 has generated much excitement as a possible therapy for heart disease, especially congestive heart failure or a weakened heart. [39].

In some studies, patients with a poorly functioning heart have been found to improve greatly after adding the supplement to their conventional drugs and therapies. [35, 36] Other studies have shown that people with cardiovascular disease have low levels of this substance in their heart. [38,39,40].

Further research suggest that CoQ10 may protect against blood clots, lower high blood pressure, diminish irregular heartbeats, treat mitral valve prolapse, lessen symptoms of Raynaud's disease and relieve chest pains (angina). [40, 41, 42]

CoQ10 also appears to aid healing and reduce pain and bleeding in those with gum disease, and speed recovery following oral surgery. [43] CoQ10 shows some promise against Parkinson's [44] and Alzheimer's Diseases [45] and fibromyalgia. [46].

For daily supplementation, the dosage range is from 30 - 100 mg, with the most common dosage at 30 mg. It takes up to eight weeks to see results with CoQ10.

INTERACTIONS:Certain medications may have beneficial or harmful interactions with coenzyme Q10:

• Atorvastatin (Depletion or interference)
• Doxorubicin (Side effect reduction/prevention)
• Fluvastatin (Depletion or interference)
• Gemfibrozil (Depletion or interference *)
• Lovastatin (Depletion or interference)
• Perphenazine (Side effect reduction/prevention *)
• Pravastatin (Depletion or interference)
• Propranolol (Depletion or interference *)
• Simvastatin (Depletion or interference)
•Thioridazine (Side effect reduction/prevention)
• Timolol (Side effect reduction/prevention)
• Tricyclic Antidepressants (Depletion or interference *)
• Warfarin (Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability)

The use of Warfarin and coenzyme Q-10 together increases your risk of excessive bleeding. Coenzyme Q-10 may reduce the effectiveness of some chemotherapy. Some drugs, such as those used to lower cholesterol (lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin), blood sugar (glyburide, tolazamide) and blood pressure (beta blockers such as Inderal, Lopressor), can alter coenzyme Q-10's effectiveness. Also, people with diabetes should be aware that coenzyme Q-10 may decrease their need for insulin.

(DHEA) Dehydroepiandrosterone

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a natural steroid hormone, one of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands. After being secreted by the adrenal glands, it circulates in the bloodstream as DHEA-sulfate (DHEAS) and is converted as needed into other hormones. DHEA is chemically similar to testosterone and estrogen and is easily converted into those hormones. DHEA production peaks in early adulthood and declines in production with age in both men and women. Therefore, many diseases which correlate with age also correlate with low levels of DHEA production. Advocates of DHEA recommend it to prevent the effects of aging. Long-term effects of self-medicating by using DHEA supplements may be beneficial, neutral, or harmful, but it is unlikely that DHEA supplements will affect each individual in the same way. DHEA is produced by the adrenal glands. A synthetic form of this hormone is also available as a supplement in tablet, capsule, liquid, and sublingual form.

DHEA often has different effects in men, premenopausal women, and postmenopausal women. (66). Supplementation with DHEA-S (a form of DHEA) has resulted in increased levels of testosterone and androstenedione, two steroid hormones. (67). Increasing DHEA may increase testosterone, which in men may lead to prostate enlargement and in women may lead to facial hair. Increasing estrogen may help prevent osteoporosis or heart disease but may increase the risk of breast cancer. The conversion of DHEA into testosterone may account for the fact that low blood levels of DHEA have been reported in some men with erectile dysfunction. (68). The findings of a double-blind trial using 50 mg supplements of DHEA taken daily for six months suggests that DHEA may improve erectile function in some men. (69). Men under 60 years of age with erectile dysfunction have been found to have lower DHEAS levels than men without the condition. (70).

DHEA has been shown to increase immunity. A group of elderly men with low DHEA levels who were given 50 mg of DHEA per day for 20 weeks experienced a significant activation of immune function. (71). Postmenopausal women have also shown increased immune functioning in just three weeks when given DHEA in double-blind research. (72).
DHEA may play some role in protecting against depression. Low DHEA levels have been reported in older women suffering from this condition, though at least one report has linked severe depression to increased DHEA levels. After six months using 50 mg DHEA per day, "a remarkable increase in perceived physical and psychological well-being" was reported in both men and women in one double-blind trial. (73). In another double-blind trial, after only six weeks of taking DHEA at levels up to 90 mg per day, at least a 50% reduction in depression was seen in 5 of 11 participants. (74). Other researchers have reported dramatic reductions in depression at extremely high amounts of DHEA (90-450 mg per day) given for six weeks to adults who first became depressed after age 40 (in men) or at the time of menopause (in women) in a double-blind trial. (75). Limiting supplementation to only two weeks is inadequate in treating people with depression. (76).

Dosage

The question of who should take this hormone remains controversial. Some experts believe that daily intakes of 5–15 mg of DHEA for women and 10–30 mg for men are appropriate amounts for people with deficient blood levels of DHEA or DHEAS. (77). While a few researchers suggest supplementation with as much as 50 mg per day in postmenopausal women,(78). others consider this level excessive.

Standard dosage is 50 mg, twice a day (100 mg). (79). People should consult a doctor to have DHEA levels monitored before and during supplementation. Healthy people with normal blood levels of DHEA or DHEAS should not take this hormone until more is known about its effects. However, some doctors recommend DHEA supplementation for selected people with depression, autoimmune diseases, or other problems, even if their blood levels are normal.

To increase testoterone levels in men, consider taking DHEA 100 mg in divided dosage (50 mg, twice a day) with DIM-plus (one capsule, twice a day) for a total of two capsules per day along with a "good fat" such as flaxseed or fish oil 1,000 mg, twice a day (2,000 mg total per day). These three supplements, DIM-plus,DHEA and flaxseed or fish oil should all be taken together, twice a day.

DIM (diindolylmethane)

DIM (diindolylmethane) is a plant compound called an indole, and has been shown to help regulate and promote a more efficient metabolism of estrogen, and an optimal ratio of estrogen metabolites. DIM balances estrogen levels, promoting health and well-being. This powerful phytonutrient is found in broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and brussels sprouts, unlike other phytonutrients like soy isoflavones, has no hormonal properties in itself.

Studies show it works indirectly by increasing the activity of enzymes that control estrogen production. DIM boosts levels of "good" estrogens called 2-hydroxy estrogens and reduces levels of "bad" estrogens which are 16-hydroxy and 4-hydroxy estrones. Both forms of "bad" estrogen are carcinogens, and studies show that women with elevated levels of 16-hydroxy estrone have a high rate of breast cancer. Men can also benefit from DIM supplementation. There's evidence that benign prostate enlargement and some types of prostate cancer may be related to a buildup of estrogen in that gland, not testosterone. In overweight men because fat cells convert DHEA and testosterone to estrogen, DIM supplementation can be especially helpful.

Michael A. Zeligs, MD, California physician and researcher, makes the argument that DIM supplementation might improve how the body uses DHEA supplements simply through healthier estrogen metabolism. Pure Diindolylmethane is insoluble and poorly absorbed by the human body. Dr. Zeligs was awarded a U.S. Patent for "absorption-enhanced" Diindolylmethane, making it the only formulation shown in humans to improve estrogen metabolism.

Much of the research summarized here used Dr. Zeligs' absorption- enhanced formulation, often referred to as bio-available (or "absorbable") Diindolylmethane. There are over 40 studies in the National Library of Medicine Database which involve DIM. In 2001 alone, seven studies were published. In addition, well-controlled, independently-performed human studies have been completed and are awaiting publication. These include use of DIM showing statistically significant benefits for recurrent breast pain and improvement of cervical dysplasia.

Second, ICZ (indolocarbazole) is not a safe derivative of I3C. ICZ activates the dioxin receptor just like dioxin. ICZ does not block it. It is DIM that blocks this receptor (6). This is one of the key benefits of using a stable DIM supplement.

Third, more is not necessarily better. Having a family of reactive products being generated does not provide broader cancer protection if many of these products also have unwanted side effects. Side effects are tolerable in certain cancer treatment drugs for established cancer but not in nutritional substances meant to prevent cancer in healthy individuals.

Fourth, DIM is not estrogenic or a growth promoter of cancer cells when studied in intact humans or animals. When tested in analogous experiments, I3C failed to prevent the progression of cancer (80,81).
In absorbable DIM, pure (but poorly soluble) DIM is complexed with Vitamin-E TPGS to provide for and enhance DIM's absorption. Vitamin-E TPGS (Tocophersolan) is a well-known ingredient in foods and pharmaceuticals. It is so safe as to appear on the Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) list maintained for ingredients by the FDA. Rarely are dietary supplement ingredients safe enough to appear on this list. Proof of its safety has been established in extensive testing, including testing by the NIH (82). Vitamin-E TPGS is also used to improve the absorption of Vitamin-D (83) and Vitamin-E (84) in infants.

In conclusion, dietary supplementation with diindolylmethane (DIM) from cruciferous vegetables has established an important and effective nutritional approach to increasing the safety of estrogen. The availability of dietary supplements containing DIM provide an important new alternative in preventive nutrition and offer a source of support for the hormonal systems of men and women. To be effective, phytochemical supplements containing highly insoluble substances like DIM require absorption enhancing formulations. DIM supplementation can be combined with reduced alcohol intake to provide a dietary means of reducing the risk of breast and uterine cancer associated with HRT.(85) The supplemental use of DIM allows women to promote and maintain a safer metabolism of estrogen. This expands the opportunities for women to derive the full preventive health benefits from long term hormonal replacement. DIM also increases the safety of exposure to estrogen derived from DHEA. This supports the rationale for long term supplementation with DHEA by both men and women. Documented, aging-related changes in men support their need for an improved metabolism of estrogen. (86). DIM use by men provides a promising dietary means to minimize the impact of increased estrogen on atherosclerosis and prostate disorders characteristic of andropause.(87). These important benefits for successful aging in men and women all relate to an optimal and safer "estrogen balance".

Standard dosage is 100 mg twice a day. To increase testoterone levels in men, consider taking DHEA 100 mg in divided dosage (50 mg, twice a day) with DIM-plus (one capsule, twice a day for 100 mg - 60 capsule bottle) for a total of two capsules per day along with a "good fat" such as flaxseed or fish oil 1,000 mg, twice a day (2,000 mg total per day). These three supplements, DIM-plus,DHEA and flaxseed or fish oil should all be taken together, twice a day. This is a one month treatment.

DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol)

DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) is a chemical naturally produced in the human brain. It is thought to be used by the body in converting the precursor choline to the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. [47,49,51]

Lipofuscin is a cellular pigment consisting of aggregated molecular waste. It tends to occur in the cells of people over 40 years old. It is thought that lipofuscin is not simply a byproduct of aging but may also contribute to the aging process. Neurons, heart and skin of older people usually contain particularly large amounts of lipofiscin. DMAE has shown that it reduced the accumulation of lipofuscin deposits inside cells. [51,52]

DMAE was found helpful in patients with age related cognitive decline. DMAE was given in a dosage of 600 mg a day for four weeks to fourteen older patients. Ten patients improved and four were unchanged. The patients on DMAE had reduced depression, less anxiety, and increased motivation, but they had no improvement in memory. [48]. The researchers suggest that although DMAE may not improve memory, it may produce positive behavioral changes in some dementia patients. [47].

DMAE has been looked at for its anti-inflammatory agent as an anti-aging nutrient. A recent study shows DMAE cream is able to increase firmness of skin. [50,52]

Most people notice being more alert and focused within a couple of hours after taking DMAE orally. The effects can last most of the day. It is best to take DMAE early part of the day. DMAE is available in dosages ranging from 100 to 400 mg. It is best to start with a low dose, such as 50 to 150 mg since high doses can cause anxiety, restlessness, and muscle tension in the neck and shoulders. DMAE taken late in the day may cause insomnia. [52].

SIDE EFFECTS: Clinical studies of DMAE have used up to 1,600 mg per day with no reports of side effects.7 For this reason, DMAE is believed to be relatively nontoxic.

• However, one study using higher intakes for Alzheimer’s disease patients did report symptoms of drowsiness and confusion with the use of DMAE.8
• A possible side effect of lucid dreaming (in which the dreamer is conscious and in control of a dream) is suggested with DMAE use.9
• Depression and hypomania (moderate symptoms of mania) have been reported as side effects of DMAE.10

DMAE can be found in cold water fish such as sardines and salmon.

Vitamin E: One Main Mission

Vitamin E (tocopherols) are the most abundant fat-soluble antioxidant in the body. One of the most efficient chain-breaking antioxidants available, Vitamin E primarily defends against oxidation and lipid peroxidation, which is the creation of unstable molecules containing more oxygen than is usual. Research has demonstrated the broad role of vitamin E in promoting health. Vitamin E may affect aging, [12] infertility, [13] heart disease, [15] Alzheimer’s, [14] and diabetes. [12].

Vitamin E works together with other antioxidants, such as vitamin C, to offer protection from some chronic diseases. Evidence exists that vitamin E can help prevent atherosclerosis by interfering with the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), a factor associated with increased risk of heart disease.

In 1993, The New England Journal of Medicine published two reports, which found that people who took vitamin E supplements had fewer deaths from heart disease. [16].

Another component of Vitamin E is tocotrienols. Tocotrienols are potent antioxidants which work against the damaging of fats by oxidation. [29,30]. Human studies have shown that, in addition to their antioxidant activity, tocotrienols have other important functions, especially in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. [31]. Test tube and animal studies indicate a possible role for tocotrienols in protecting against breast cancer and skin cancer.

Like vitamin E, tocotrienols may offer protection against atherosclerosis by preventing oxidative damage to LDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol oxidation is believed to be one of the triggering factors for atherosclerosis. [32]. Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils, salad dressings, margarine, wheat germ, whole-grain products, sunflower seeds, cashew nuts, spinach, green peas, sweet potatoes, bean sprouts blackeyed peas, almonds and peanut butter. Recommended doses of Vitamin E tochopheryl are 400 IU before age 40 and 800IU from age 40 onward.

Stevia - A Natural Sweetener

Stevia plant, which are taken from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant . The extracts are known as Steviosides and Rebaudiosides depending on which part of the plant is isolated. These extracts are approximately 300 times sweeter than sugar unless diluted.

The plant is native to Paraguay and Brazil. Since pre-Columbian times the Guarani Indians in Paraguay have used the Stevia leaves to sweeten medicines and drinks.

It can be found in most health food stores and comes as a white powder or in tincture (liquid) form. Stevia has zero calories and it even helps prevent cavities by reducing plaque build-up. It does not affect blood sugar levels like sugar does and is recommended for diabetics. Stevia is heat stable to 392 degrees Fahrenheit, so, unlike some artificial sweeteners, you can cook with it. It is non-toxic and has been extensively tested in animals and extensively used by humans with no adverse effects.

If you tried stevia when it first appeared in health food stores, you might want to give it a second chance. Many of the earlier products had a strong aftertaste. Now there are some improved products on the market.

Stevia in a glycerine base seems to have the best taste of all the powders and tinctures I have personally tried.

5HTP or 5-hydroxy-tryptophan - Natural Mood Support

This is the precise precursor of serotonin. 5HTP is often used in the place of SSRI drugs and L-Tryptophan and may help in serotonin deficiency related conditions such as severe depression, epilepsy, anxiety, insomnia, weight loss and addiction. Also studied for PMS, migraine and chronic tension headaches. 5-HTP comes from an extract of Griffonia simplicifolia . Used traditionally in African medicine to inhibit diarrhea, vomiting and constipation, and as an aphrodisiac. The extraction process uses alcohol and produces an oily solid. The oily extract is then purified into a dry solid. 5-HTP can also be made synthetically in the laboratory. The final product is the same as the one made by the body.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that must be taken in through protein containing foods since the body can not synthesize it. Of the eight essential amino acids, tryptophan is the least common, accounting for only about one percent of protein content, and it is used up rapidly by the body. About ninety-percent is used in protein synthesis. The rest is divided between serotonin production and niacin production, which requires 60mg for every 1mg of niacin produced. However, 5-HTP is only used in serotonin production. 5- hydroxytryptophan is also able to pass through the blood-brain barrier easily, unlike tryptophan, which can only pass through the barrier by using the same transport molecule that carries leucine, isoleucine, and valine.

Considerable research has been conducted on the activity of 5-HTP which includes:

Mood enhancer: Dysregulation of serotonin metabolism in the central nervous system has been shown to affect mood. 5-HTP helps to normalize serotonin levels and thus positively affect mood. In a double-blind study using objective assessments of mood, researchers in Zurich reported significant improvements in mood with 5-HTP. (Psychopathology 24:53-81, 1991)

In a separate double-blind, multi-center study in Germany, researchers reported significant improvements in both objective and self-assessment indices of mood. (Arch Psychiat Nervenkr 224:175-186, 1977)

Sleep: Many studies have shown that depletion of serotonin results in insomnia, which is reversed by administration of 5-HTP. Soulairac and Lambient reported that 100 mg of 5-HTP resulted in significant improvement for people who complained of trouble sleeping (Ann Med Pychol 135:792-798, 1977). As serotonin is metabolized to the hormone melatonin, another way of increasing melatonin is through administering 5-HTP. Melatonin is known to help regulate the sleep cycle.

Appetite: Food intake is thought to suppress appetite through the production of serotonin from the amino acid tryptophan. Because it is an intermediary in the conversion process of tryptophan to serotonin, 5-HTP may reduce appetite in a similar manner as food intake, but without the calories. In a recent double-blind, placebo-controlled study, subjects taking 5-HTP lost significant weight compared to control subjects. A reduction in carbohydrate intake and early satiety were seen in the 5-HTP group. (Am. Jrl. Clin. Nutr 56:863- 867, 1992)

Fibromyalgia: Studies show that 5-HTP enhances serotonin synthesis, which increases pain tolerance and sleep quality. Patients with fibromyalgia have reported an improvement in symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and somatic pain (number of painful areas and morning stiffness).

Seasonal Affective Disorder: Serotonin production increases with light, meaning the darker the day is, it is not utilizing seratonin into action. Some symptoms include depression, marathon napping, low self-esteem, obsessiveness over little things, irritability, shyness, and panic attacks. People with seasonal affective disorder may also sleep poorly (although for many hours), partly because they don't have enough serotonin to convert to the sleep substance melatonin.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and people generally recover completely around April or May - once the days become longer. I always recommend light therapy first and then supplementation. However, there are things you can do yourself that can help boost serotonin levels.

*Subject yourself to bright indoor light. This is the key to seasonal affective disorder treatment. A 300 watt bulb within three feet for 20 minutes three times a day can help, although the boost in serotonin may be temporary.

*Exercise. This is very hard to do when caught up in the seasonal affective disorder cycle. But if you can force yourself to start, 15 to 20 minutes of dancing to the radio or fast walking can reduce a sweet tooth and improve mood.

*Eat wisely. This means, pushing away the leftover cake and eating sensible carbs to stimulate serotonin. Sweets and simple carbs, like white rice and white bread, quickly raise blood sugar, flood you with insulin, and then drop you in a hole. Eating wisely also means watching the caffeine, which suppresses serotonin. If you must drink coffee, save it for after the meal.

*Protein should be eaten three times a day. Another good rule is to eat four cups of brightly colored veggies a day. Vegetables are carbs, but the kind that work into your system slowly.

*Vitamin B-6 helps convert 5-hydroxy-tryptophan (5HTP) into the mood chemical serotonin, and it also helps in making dopamine. Aim for roughly 2 to 10 milligrams a day if you supplement. B-6-rich foods include bell peppers, cranberries, turnip greens, cauliflower, garlic, tuna, mustard greens, and kale. 5HTP standard dosage ranges between 50-100 mg.

Side Effects

Rare side effects are generally mild and include mild nausea, heartburn, flatulence, feelings of fullness, and rumbling sensations. These side effects are often reduced after extended treatment (four to six weeks).

Drug Interactions

A case of scleroderma-like (hardening of the skin) illness has been reported in a patient taking L-5-hydroxytryptophan and carbidopa (medication often used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease). An earlier case reported a similar interaction between carbidopa and 5-HTP. This interaction may be due to an alteration in tryptophan metabolism. More research is needed but it is advisable to avoid 5-Hydroxytryptophan if you are currently taking carbidopa.

Individuals taking antidepressant drugs, including MAOIs (such as Nardil or Parnate) and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (such as: Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft) should consult with their physician before taking 5-HTP.

Essential Oils

Flaxseed oil is derived from the seeds of the flax plant. Flaxseed oil and flaxseed contain substances that promote good health and is used as a nutritional supplement. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, especially alpha-linolenic acid, which appears to be beneficial for heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, cholesterol and a variety of other health conditions. Flaxseed also contains a group of chemicals called lignans that may play a role in the prevention of cancer. Take 1,000 mg of flaxseed oil in the morning and 1,000 mg in the evening.

Fish Oil is known for being rich in unsaturated fatty acids and provides rich OMEGA-3 fatty acids, (Pure EPA 360mg/DHA 240mg). Fish Oils are made from natural marine lipid concentrate and may help reduce or inhibit risk factors involved in cardiovascular disease, as well as inflammatory and immune disorders. Long term use of fish oil shelp prevent aging skin, menopausal symptoms, promote better circulation, lower cholesterol, prevent blood clots, reduce heart related risk, and the pain of arthritis. Omega-3 and polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish and deep sea fish oil help to protect against heart and blood vessel disease. Natural, essential fatty acids are essential to normal human cell and tissue growth and maintenance. If not found regularly in the diet, the diet must be supplemented. These fatty acids are especially abundant in brain cells, nerve relay stations (synapses), visual receptors (retinas), adrenal glands, and sex glands. The most biologically active tissues in the body. Take. 1000mg of fish oil in the morning and 1,000 mg in the evening.

Anti-Aging Enemies

1. Sugar One of the reasons inflammation occurs is from a rapid rise in blood sugar, which causes biochemical changes in the cell. When blood sugar goes up rapidly, sugar can attach itself to collagen in a process called "glycosylation," or the Browning Reaction, increasing inflexible and inflammation. CRP is not found in foods. However, its levels in the body are strongly influenced by diet. The body makes CRP from interleukin-6 (IL-6), a powerful inflammatory chemical. IL-6 is a key cell communication molecule, and it tells the body's immune system to go into asperity, releasing CRP and many other inflammation-causing substances.

2. Simple Carbohydrates: Staying away from sugar and high-glycemic (simple) carbohydrates, which the body rapidly converts to sugar, is one of the best ways to decrease inflammation. C-reactive protein (CPR) is a key factor of inflammation.

In a major study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, people with elevated CRP levels were four and one-half times more likely to have a heart attack. Not only is elevated CRP more accurate than cholesterol in predicting heart attack risk, but high CRP levels have turned up in people with diabetes and pre-diabetes and in people who are overweight. [58, 59,61]

A recent study by Simin Liu, M.D., Ph.D., of the Harvard Medical School found that women who ate large amounts of high-glycemic (or diabetes promoting) carbohydrates, including potatoes, breakfast cereals, white bread, muffins, and white rice, had very high CRP levels. Women who ate a lot of these foods and were also overweight had the highest and most dangerous CRP levels. [62].

3. Saturated Fats : are found primarily in animal products, including dairy items, such as whole milk, cream, and cheese, and fatty meats like beef, veal, lamb, pork, and ham. The fat marbling you can see in beef and pork is composed of saturated fat. Some vegetable products including coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and vegetable shortening-are also high in saturates.The liver uses saturated fats to manufacture cholesterol. Therefore, excessive dietary intake of saturated fats can significantly raise the blood cholesterol level, especially the level of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), or "bad cholesterol. " Guidelines issued by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), and widely supported by most experts, recommend that the daily intake of saturated fats be kept below 10 percent of total caloric intake. However, for people who have severe problems with high blood cholesterol, even that level may be too high.

4. Excess Sun Exposure : Exposure of up to 20 minutes in the sun is imperative for Vitamin D activation. It is the sun that is so important in cases of Seasonal Affective Disorder . BUT, excess sun exposure without a sunscreen of at least SPF of 15 can damage the skin by starting the inflammation process. Scientists agree that one of the most significant factors contributing to aging is chronic inflammation. [1]. This inflammation process is due to an excess of free radicals which produce harmful oxidation or “oxidative stress” that can damage cell membranes and cell contents. [2]. These free radicals cause inflammation.

5. Hypertension : The main factor in most cases of high blood pressure is an increase in resistance to blood flow. This can occur if the diameter of your arterioles becomes smaller. Your heart has to work harder to pump the same amount of blood, and the pressure at which the blood is pumped increases. Sympathetic tone is constantly too high, arteries are constantly constricted, and blood pressure remains elevated to levels that can eventually damage the heart and arteries, kidneys, and other organs. Because the sympathetic nervous system deals with fear and uses adrenalin and nonadrenalin as its chemical messengers, it is not surprising that anxiety is a factor in essential hypertension.

6. Alcohol : Alcohol stimulates the inflammatory process within the body. Drink only in moderation.

7. Sedentary Lifestyle : To build and maintain muscle strength and bone mass, start (or continue) a regular program of weight-bearing exercise, such as walking or weight training. A cardiovascular workout is imperative in order to maintain wieght and oxygenation of red blood cells. Maintain a healthy weight for your age and sex. (See guidelines for men and women).

8. Smoking : If you smoke, stop. Nothing you can take as a supplement can counter-act the negative effects of smoking on your health and longevity. Stopping the habit can! Tobacco, in the form of cigarettes, is the most addictive drug in the world. Nicotine is one of the strongest stimulants known, and smoking is one of the most efficient drug-delivery systems. Smoking actually puts drugs into the brain more directly than intravenous injection. It is true that one of the "benefits" of smoking is the brief relief of internal tension; unfortunately, within 20 minutes the tension is back stronger than before, demanding another fix. Learn to STOP Smoking NOW!

9. Excessive Stress : Stress can kill you. It is the underlying factor which can undermined any one suffering from an illness, fear, or just plain insecurity. The mind and body altercation brought on by our own self affliction. Anxiety is a vague, uncomfortable feeling of fear, dread or danger from an unknown source. For some it may be a one time episode. Other become constantly anxious about everything. A certain amount of anxiety is normal and helps improve our performance and allows people to avoid dangerous situations.

10. High Cholesterol : Too much cholesterol in the blood is what creates a problem. A risk factor for both heart attack and stroke, high blood cholesterol increases the chance of plaque or blockages developing in arteries. Lowering blood cholesterol can slow or stop the buildup of plaque. While your risk of cardiovascular disease depends on many factors, from genetics to lifestyle habits, keeping your blood cholesterol levels within ideal ranges can greatly lower your risk.

Blood Tests

When it comes to assessing hormone status, the use of standard reference ranges has failed aging people because reference ranges are adjusted to reflect a person's age. Since it is normal for an aging person to have imbalances of critical hormones, standard laboratory reference ranges are not flagging dangerously high levels of estrogen and insulin or deficient levels of testosterone, thyroid, and DHEA.

The recommended "Male Panel" consists of a complete blood count (CBC)/chemistry test, homocysteine, free testosterone, estradiol, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and DHEA.

The recommended "Female Panel" consists of the complete CBC/chemistry test, estradiol, progesterone, free testosterone, DHEA, and homocysteine.

In addition to these special male and female panels, the following tests are especially important for men and women over 40: Fasting Insulin, Ferritin, Cortisol, Fibrinogen, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), and Free triiodothyroxine (T3). If a serious abnormality is detected--such as elevated homocysteine, hormone imbalance, high PSA--testing should be repeated more often to determine the benefits of whatever therapy you are using to correct the potentially life-shortening abnormality. Be sure and check your normal blood ranges here:

The 10 Most Important Blood Tests

Link to ZRT Labs for reliable saliva and capillary blood spot testing.

10 Tips for Anti-Aging

The Harvard Study of Adult Development, the longest, most comprehensive examination of aging ever conducted. Since the 1930s, researchers have studied more than 824 men and women, following them from adolescence into old age, seeking clues to the behaviors that translate into happy and healthy longevity. The book "Aging Well", by Harvard Medical School Psychiatrist, George Vaillant has acquired the results of these studies that track the physical and emotional well-being of the 824 men and women from every social strata.

The Harvard study found that we are better off becoming preoccupied with the following factors that turned out to be most predictive of whether we'd move successfully through middle age and into our 80s:

1. Avoiding cigarettes: Smoking increases dramatically the risk of cancer, hardening of the arteries, and heart disease. Not smoking is the single most important factor for staying alive!

2. Keeping a healthy weight : Half the [U.S.] population is overweight, 20% is obese. Obesity will stop you dead in your tracks. Maintaining a healthy wieght and eating the right foods prevents disease. Get a better handle on eating well!

3. Wear sun screen 15-20 minutes in the sun is essential for Vitamin D. When your in the sun for prolonged periods of time (for more than 15-20 minutes without a sunscreen, the inflammation process is heightened. Wear a sunscreen with at least 15 SPF.

4. Proper diet : Add more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your daily menu. Most have no fat, cholesterol, or sodium -- and they're low in calories. What you do get is lots of fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, and vitamins, which all play a part in keeping you functioning at your best.

5. Exercise regularly : After the age of 30 we tend to lose one-third of a pound of muscle per year, and our bones become weaker as well if they aren't subjected to weight-bearing exercise.

6. Develop good adjustment or coping skills : stress is apart of our daily life. It is unavoidable. The single most important point you can make about stress is that in most cases it's not what's out there that's the problem, it's how you react to it. How you react is determined by how you perceive a particular stress. Learn more on how to cope with stress.

7. Maintaining strong social relationships : Aging successfully, according to Vaillant, is something like being tickled -- it's best achieved with another person. Whether your social connections are with a spouse, offspring, siblings, bridge partners, and/or fellow churchgoers, they're crucial to good health while growing older.

Other studies have confirmed the health-promoting power of social connections. At the UCLA School of Medicine's geriatrics division, Teresa Seeman, PhD, evaluated adults in their 70s over a seven-year period. She found that those with satisfying social relationships remained more mentally alert over the course of the study, with less age-related mental decline than people who were more isolated. No one is certain exactly how a social network may help you stay healthy, although some research has shown that men and women who live alone tend to eat less well, which could jeopardize their physical and mental well-being. People with social connections also may have stronger disease-fighting immune systems.

At RAND, a policy research "think tank" in Santa Monica, behavioral scientist Joan Tucker, PhD, says that having people in your life can make you feel loved and cared for, which can enhance your mental well-being. At the same time, a spouse or close friend can also remind you to go for walks or take your medication, which can have benefits for your physical health as well.

8. Reduce anxiety : We have fears and worries but when they begin to dominate our life and our behavior, and become the focal point in which everything revolves, that's anxiety. Many factors can contribute; trauma, chemical sensitivity, caffeine, heredity, drugs, alcohol, lifestyle choices....If you cannot change the situation that is the focus of anxiety, try to determine a way of trying to change your way of handling the problem.

9. Laugh : Humor is one of the best medicines! The most psychological predictor of aging well is learning how to cope, rechannel, diffuse, and dispense of envy, jealousy, agression, revenge and anger.

10. Pursuing education : Curiosity and creativity help transform older people into seemingly younger ones, says Vaillant, even if their joints ache and even once their days of enjoying free access to the office copying machine are a distant memory. Individuals who are always learning something new about the world, maintaining a playful spirit, and finding younger friends as they lose older ones also are making the most of the aging process.

Skin Care Treatments

1. Zap blemishes Tea's tannic acid absorbs oils that lead to blemishes. Saturate a tea bag in warm water and press on the affected area for about 5 minutes. Rinse, then dab on a some eye redness remover to get the red out.

2. Facial steam: Combine 1 cup fresh rose petals with 2 cups boiling water. Tent a towel over your head and let steam penetrate face for 10 minutes. Stay several inches away from the bowl.

3. Homemade exfoliator : Mix 1/8 cup of olive oil and 1 heaping tablespoon of sea salt. Use on knees and elbows in the shower and rinse off. Pat dry with a soft towel.

4. Homemade clay mask : Use 100% clay kitty litter (ground to a powder), mix with water, apply to face, let dry, then rinse. Eye mask--Grate 1/4 of a apple and a small raw potato and combine. Apply mixture to eyes for 15 minutes, cover your eyes with a warm washcloth and relax with some soothing music.

5. Homemade toner : In a blender, blend 1 peeled kiwi and 1 and 1/2 teaspoons lime juice. Add an equal amount of water and blend until smooth. Use a cotton ball to apply to face. Refrigerate any leftover toner in an airtight container.

6. Seal your pores : Close your pores with a skin tightening all natural clay or mud mask, or try this recipe: Mix 1 egg white with a few drops of lemon juice. Using a brush, massage onto clean skin. Leave on for 5 minutes then rinse with warm water.

7. Chapped lips : Exfoliate your lips by using an old toothbrush and a menthol based lip balm. Apply lip balm first, then brush gently with the toothbrush.

8. Moisturize your room : To keep skin from drying use humidifiers and keep the room temperature moderate. Also, get some green plants; they add moisture to your room!

9. Protect your skin : Photo-aging is responsible for as much as 80% of skin damage--wrinkling, sagging, and discoloration or age spots. Use a safe sunscreen and apply it before exposing your skin to the elements.

10. Skin cream : Applying a skin cream 2-3 times per day helps to protect clean skin from daily assault. The most beneficial skin cream contains such anti-aging ingredients as DMAE, Ascorbyl-Palmitate, ALA, Green Tea Extract and Vitamin E.

Eat To Stay Young

If you want to stay young, you have to make a long-term commitment to eating right. The word from researchers: Tipping the balance toward more nutrient-rich foods while you're still young can go a long way toward keeping you healthier longer.

A study in the August 2000 issue of the journal Circulation shows that young people can prematurely age, too. In fact, researchers found cholesterol deposits in the arteries of teenagers and young adults. Indeed, the effects of aging start sooner than you might think.

"We age along a continuum, rather than all of a sudden", says Robert Russell, MD, professor of medicine and nutrition at Tufts University in Boston. "You don't wake up one morning to notice you've aged," he says. "The age-related nutrition issues that confront seniors -- from osteoporosis to heart disease -- begin in the early adult years."

How do you incorporate more healthy foods into your meals? The easiest move you can make is to add more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your daily menu. Most have no fat, cholesterol, or sodium -- and they're low in calories. What you do get is lots of fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, and vitamins, which all play a part in keeping you functioning at your best.

Minerals from calcium-rich dairy foods and greens can strengthen your bones. Fiber from whole grains helps to keep bowel movements regular. And the antioxidants from fruits and vegetables help to prevent cancer from developing by fighting off free radicals, the byproducts of the body's everyday processes that damage DNA, cells, and tissues.

In a study published in the April 26, 2000, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers reported finding that women who ate diets high in fruits, vegetables, grains, and lean meats were 30% less likely to die of any cause than women who didn't eat such a diet during the study. The researchers tracked the women for about six years. But at exactly what age you need to begin eating well is anybody's guess. What is clear is that heart attacks, osteoporosis, and other signs of aging take years to develop. Eating healthy foods slows that development, helping you to live better and longer.

1. Apples - "An apple a day could very well keep the doctor away," says Chang Y. Lee, a food chemist at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY. "The fact is, most Americans barely eat one apple a week."

Apples contain naturally-occurring chemical compounds known as phytochemicals, polyphenols, or flavonoids, some of which have been proven to have antioxidant activity that inhibits, or scavenges, the activity of free radicals in the body. Cell damage from free radicals can be a factor in certain cancers, heart disease, strokes, and other conditions. The major antioxidant components in apples are polyphenols contained mainly in the skin known as quercetin glycoside, phloretin glycoside, chlorogenic acid, and epicatechin. The names are complex, but their health value is clear: Quercetin has been reported to reduce carcinogenic activity, inhibit enzymatic activities associated with several types of tumor cells, enhance the antiproliferative activity of anticancer agents, and inhibit the growth of transformed tumorigenic cells.

2. Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries - Antioxidant compounds found in blueberries, sweet cherries, strawberries and blackberries may fight arterial disease by preventing the oxidation of LDL (''bad'') cholesterol, according to a team of researchers at the University of California, Davis. In studies conducted at the University, Dr. I. Marina Heinonen, a visiting scientist from the University of Helsinki in Finland, and colleagues extracted antioxidant compounds from blackberries, red raspberries, sweet cherries, blueberries and strawberries. In a series of experiments in laboratory culture dishes, they found that blackberries and Blueberries are of particular interest because of their high antioxidant capacity. They had the most antioxidant activity in one experiment and sweet cherries in another.

3. Bitter Melon, Cantaloupe, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi- Melons are widely available and grown in many parts of the world. In ancient Egypt, watermelons were traditionally offered to thirsty travelers, and they are still important today in times of drought or water pollution. Aromatic melon varieties were prized from early times in the Middle East. Melons are related to cucumbers, pumpkin, squash, and gourds, growing as they all do on long, trailing vines. These fruits which are full of antioxidants are often served for breakfast, as an appetizer, dessert, or snack. Larger melons are sliced in serving-size portions; smaller melons are typically cut in half and the pulp and seeds are scooped out before serving. Depending on their size, melons can be served in their skins, halved or cut in wedges, or peeled for used in salads or appetizers. The flesh can also be cut into cubes or scooped into balls with a melon-baller.

4. Citrus Fruits - Hundreds of studies have been conducted on the nutrients found in citrus fruit, including orange juice, and the role these nutrients play in reducing the risk of such diseases as cancer and heart disease, when part of a low fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Citrus fruit, which contain essential vitamins and minerals, are an important part of a healthy diet for all men, women and children. In both fresh and juice form, citrus - including oranges, grapefruit and specialty varieties such a temple oranges, tangerines and tangelos - have many important nutritional benefits.

5. Oranges and Grapefruit- contain dietary fiber, including soluble fiber. Fiber helps in digestion and elimination, and, when part of a low fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables, may help reduce the risk of some cancers. Folate, a B vitamin commonly found in orange juice and green leafy vegetables, has been shown to help reduce the risk of certain types of birth defects. An eight-ounce glass of orange juice supplies 100 percent or more of the Daily Value for vitamin C. Citrus juices like orange juice are natural sources of potassium, and all citrus fruit are sodium and cholesterol-free.

6. Peaches, Pears, Plums - Peaches contain phytochemicals - chemical compounds produced by plants - that are important for healthy skin. Phytochemicals act as antioxidants that are critical to maintaining healthy skin. Peaches are also good sources of powerful antioxidants that, according to experts, may hold the secret to long life and vitality. Pears are a good source of fiber. Just one medium pear has 16% of the fiber our bodies need everyday for good health. Fiber helps our bodies with digestion and adds bulk to our diet. Plums are high in carbohydrates and are an excellent source of vitamin A, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium and fiber and stimulate the bowel movement. Plums contain a substantial amount of vitamin C. Dried plums contain iron, potassium, vitamin A, magnesium and fiber. They are also high in antioxidants which help neutralize the damaging effects of oxidation on the ageing process, protect against certain cancers, heart & lung diseases and cataract formation.

7. Apsaragus - Asparagus is spring's most luxurious vegetable. It was once cultivated for medicinal purposes as a natural remedy for blood cleansing and diuretic properties. Asparagus is rich in immunity-enhancing antioxidants and vitamins. Asparagus can be processed into juice and other products to increase total utilization and increase net value. Asparagus juice contains antioxidants, such as rutin, ferulic acid and ascorbic acid. When buying asparagus look for compact tips and smooth green stems that are uniform in color down the length of the stem. Check the cut stem end for drying and avoid withered spears. Asparagus is low in calories and provides substantial amounts of antioxidants - Vitamins A and C. It truly shines as a source of folate and has a goodly amount of fiber.

8. Beans - People who pay attention to the colors of the foods they cook and serve are enhancing not only visual and gustatory pleasure, but nutritional punch as well. These foods contain colored pigments with nutritious cancer- and heart-disease-fighting compounds called flavonoids. Agricultural Research Service food quality geneticist and plant breeder George L. Hosfield has found these flavonoids in bean seed coats, which is where bean colors are also found. Certainly beans come in a mosaic of colors that can rival those of fruits and vegetables—from the plain white great northern and navy beans, to the mottled brownish pink pintos, to the cranberry bean's cream color with red streaks and flecks, the light and dark reds of kidney beans, the maroon-red adzuki, delicious green beans all the way to the black bean. The seed coat, which is 10 percent of the bean, is not only high in antioxidants for some beans, but is also where the high fiber content of beans comes into play.

9. Broccoli - Broccoli is known as the "Crown Jewel of Nutrition" for its vitamin-rich, high in fiber, and low in calorie properties. Not only does broccoli give you the best vegetable nutrition available, it also gives you many ways to lead a healthier, longer life. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States with cancer as the second, and broccoli gives you many ways to help fight and prevent these and other diseases. Broccoli has multiple cancer-fighting properties including vitamin C, beta carotene, and fiber. It is also rich of phytochemicals which appear to offer us protection against certain cancers and heart disease. Indole carbinol and sulforaphane are two different phytochemicals that are found in broccoli.

10. Cabbage, Cauliflower - Nutritionally and medicinally, the cauliflower is similar to the cabbage. Of course, the lower sulphur content is obvious. Cabbage and cauliflower are rich in antioxidants, which help prevent cancer, and prevent heart disease caused by oxidative damage to blood vessels. It is especially rich in Vitamin C - one cup of chopped flowerets or laces of cabbage meets a whole day's requirement of this vitamin. A deficiency of Vitamin C causes scurvy because it interferes with collagen synthesis. Collagen is one of the structural frameworks of normal tissues. Other anti-cancer molecules present in significant amounts included the phytochemicals sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol.

11. Leafy Greens, Spinach- Leaf lettuce, beet greens, and spinach are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to these salad vegetables. Greens actually come in a wide variety of colors, textures, shapes, and flavors. They may be green to yellow-white, or red to purple, soft to crisp, curly to flat, and peppery to bitter to mild. Mix and match them and you've created an exciting salad! Greens are an excellent source of vitamin A and a good source of vitamin C. For a bigger boost of vitamin A, buy greens that are medium to dark green (the darker the leaves, the more vitamin A). Many greens, such as spinach, kale, and collards are known for their mineral content, especially iron, calcium, magnesium-as well as the vitamins folate, riboflavin (B2) and vitamin K. Leaves are very rich in antioxidants-- the carotenoids and beta-carotene, the tocopherols (vitamin E) and of course, vitamin C.

12. Black and Green Tea - For years, studies have indicated that the antioxidants in green tea offer protection against diseases, including cancer, and even fight dental cavities. One of the most beneficial of these antioxidants is called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). According to the University of California Wellness Letter, Mar 2002, regular black tea is turning out to be just as healthful as green tea. The evidence for tea's health effects comes mainly from lab studies, though some human studies point to possible benefits in preventing heart disease and cancer. EGCG, inhibited an enzyme that cancer cells need in order to grow. The cancer cells that couldn't grow big enough to divide self-destructed. It would take about 4-10 cups of green tea a day to get the blood levels of EGCG that inhibited cancer in the study. Black tea also contains EGCG, but at lower concentrations.