Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is the green pigment present in
plants. During photosynthesis the plant utilises chlorophyll
in combination with sunlight to convert carbon dioxide
to oxygen. As a food supplement for humans, chlorophyll
is rich in many minerals and can be rich in bioflavonoids
(vitamin P)2. As such, it promotes tissue repair, blood
purification in addition to building red blood vessels.2
Chlorophyll can inhibit the growth of infectious microorganisms
in the gut, can purify the colon and alleviate red,
inflamed gums associated with gum disease. Chlorophyll
promotes the proliferation of beneficial intestinal
flora 2 which aids in the absorption and assimilation
of nutrients. Products: Electro-Vita-Min and WithIn.
Chondroitin Sulphate
Chondroitin is a naturally occurring substance found
in healthy joint tissue.2 When combined with glucosamine
sulphate, it helps alleviate the painful symptoms associated
with osteoarthritis and is a valuable effective treatment.2
It can promote cartilage healing and regeneration in
joints affected by osteoarthritis.2 "The chemical constituents
of chondroitin help to create spaces in the matrix thereby
enhancing flexibility and cushioning by enabling it
to hold more water."5 Products: Arth-X GC, MSM GC (coming
soon).
Coenzyme Q10
A vitamin-like substance that closely resembles the
actions of vitamin E.2 It plays a critical role in the
production of energy in each cell found in our body,
it increases tissue oxygenation, stimulates the immune
system and may be a powerful antioxidant. As we age,
the amount of Q10 in our body decreases. Therefore,
persons over the age of 50 should ensure they receive
sufficient amounts of Q10 in their diet.
A substantial amount of research has found it is beneficial
in treating cardiovascular disease as it strengthens
the heart muscle. One six year study at the University
of Texas studied the role of Q10 in extending the lifetime
of patients with congestive heart failure. Combined
with conventional therapy, subjects who took Q10 had
a 75 % chance of survival after three years, compared
to only 25% using only conventional therapy.1 Researchers
at the Center for Adult Diseases in Japan found that
Q10 was able to lower high blood pressure without medication
or changes in dietary patterns.2
In addition to its positive role in treating cardiovascular
disease and high blood pressure, Q10, in animal studies,
was found to decrease the mortality of animals suffering
from tumors and leukemia.2 Balch notes that some doctors
give their patients Q10 to reduce the side effects of
chemotherapy. Products: ImmunoMax.
Enzymes
Enzymes are biochemical compounds made up of protein
that assist in just about every function within the
body.4 There are two types of enzymes: digestive and
metabolic.
Digestive enzymes including amylase, protease and
lipase break down foods, which allow the nutrients in
our foods to be absorbed. They also aid in converting
stored energy, utilizing ingested food and detoxifying
harmful substances in our body.2
Metabolic enzymes are those enzymes that assist
in various chemical reactions within the body including
energy production and detoxification.2
Because of our high consumption of highly processed
and cooked foods, many of us lack enzymes. Enzymes are
found in raw foods such as avocado, papaya and pineapples
for example. In addition to breaking down foods, enzymes
use nutrients ingested by the body to form new muscle
tissue, nerve cells, bone and skin.2 They also convert
dangerous waste materials present in the blood to forms
that the body can then easily eliminate.2 Many of MRI's
products contain an enzyme blend. The reason for this
is that enzymes aid in the absorption and assimilation
of the other nutrients in the product. It ensures that
the customer receives the full nutritional value from
each of the nutrients in the product.
Some of the main categories of digestive enzymes and
their actions include:
|
Amylase, found in saliva,
gastric, intestinal and pancreatic juices, helps
break down carbohydrates. There are also different
types of amylase that break down certain types
of sugars. |
|
Protease, found in gastric,
pancreatic and intestinal juices, aids in the
digestion of protein. |
|
Lipase, also found in
gastric and pancreatic juices, helps to digest
fats. |
Products: Arth-X Plus, RespirAid, Electro-Vita-Min,
NatuRest, Perfect Balance, PriMale, PowerHouse Plus,
Transcend and WithIn.
Glucosamine Sulphate
Formed from the simple carbohydrate glucose and the
amino acid glutamine, glucosamine is classified as an
amino sugar.2 Amino sugars are components of carbohydrates
that are incorporated into the structure of body tissues,
rather than being used up as energy.2 It is found in
the joints of all mammals.2 This substance plays a role
in the formation of nails, skin, eyes, tendons, bones,
ligaments and heart valves.2 It also aids in the mucous
secretions of the digestive, respiratory and urinary
tracts.2
"When taken as a dietary supplement, glucosamine appears
to significantly restore normal biochemistry in supporting
the rebuilding and healing of osteoarthritic cartilage.
A glucosamine deficiency has been linked to osteoarthritis,"
writes Barney in the Doctor's Guide to Natural Medicine
4. In addition to this, Balch reports that supplemental
glucosamine is also beneficial in treating: asthma,
bursitis, candidiasis, food allergies, osteoporosis,
respiratory allergies, tendinitis, vaginitis and some
skin problems.2 Products: Arth-X Plus and PowerHouse
Plus.
Octacosanol
Octacosanol is a naturally-derived concentrate of wheat
germ oil. For years, wheat germ oil has been known for
its benefits. According to James and Phyllis Balch,
octacosanol has been clinically proven to increase oxygen
utilisation during exercise and to improve the storage
of glycogen in muscle. As a result, the Balchs state,
it increases physical endurance, improves reaction time,
reduces high altitude stress and assists in tissue oxygenation."2
The Balchs also state that octacosanol "is good for
those who experience muscle pains, cramp and fatigue
after exercise or who have a lowered endurance level,
and is good for muscular dystrophies and other neuromuscular
disorders. It also reduces blood cholesterol levels."2
Products: CellEnergy.
Spirulina
A type of blue-green micro algae, spirulina is a rich
source of chlorophyll, protein, beta carotene and essential
fatty acids (gamma linolenic acid).5 It is an excellent
nutritional food source as it also replete with numerous
minerals, vitamins and amino acids including iron and
vitamin B-12.2
Spirulina helps protect the immune system, reduces cholesterol
levels and can aid in weight loss as it can suppress
one's appetite and increases energy.2 Because of its
high protein content, persons with hypoglycemia may
find spirulina useful as it will help stabilise blood
sugar levels.2 In addition to being a rich food source
of multiple minerals, vitamins and nutrients, spirulina
is utilised in MRI's products due to its ability to
assist in the absorption and assimilation of other minerals
while simultaneously acting as a tonic, nutritive and
blood purifier.4 Products: Electro-Vita-Min and WithIn.
The Role of Amino Acids
Often referred to as the "building blocks" for proteins,
the body requires amino acids. Amino acids form the
essential components of protein. Each protein has its
own unique amino acid signature.1,4 Currently, there
are approximately 20 known amino acids.4 Approximately
80 % of the amino acids are produced by the liver with
the other 20 % coming from the diet.4 Amino acids enable
vitamins and minerals to work properly within the body
and if any of these amino acids are missing, the absorption
and assimilation of these other elements and vitamins
will be impaired.4 Some of the single amino acids that
are utilised in MRI's dietary supplement products and
their respective physiological function include:1,4
*Denotes that it is an essential
amino acid that must be obtained from diet.
1.) Dunne, L.J. Nutrition Almanac, 3rd ed. McGraw-Hill
Publishing Company, 1990: pp.229-238.
2.) Balch, J.F. and P.A. Prescription for Nutritional
Healing. Avery Publishing, 1997: pp.46-79.
3.) Duke, J.A. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. CRC
Press Inc., 1985.
4.) Barney, P. Doctor's Guide to Natural Medicine.
Woodland Publishing, 1998:pp.59-90
5.) American Botanical Council. Ed. Blumenthal
M., Assoc Ed. Busse W., Goldberg A., Gruenwald J., Hall
T., Riggins C. Rister R., The Complete German Commission
E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines.
American Botanical Council and Integrative Medicine
Communications, 1998.
6.) Physicians Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines.
Ed by Thomas Fleming, Medical Economics Company, 2000.
7.) Carper, J. The Food Pharmacy: Dramatic New
Evidence That Food Is Your Best Medicine. Bantam Books,
1988:pp.213-215
8.) White L., and Foster S. The Herbal Drugstore.
Rodale, 1998:pp447-448.48
