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Astragalus

Thursday, September 25th, 2008

An herbaceous perennial plant of the pea family, astragalus is most commonly used for its longevity properties, its immunostimulatory activity and its seemingly remarkable ability of restoring suppressed immune systems activities. The most remarkable property of the Astragaloside IV molecule is its ability to stimulate the production of telemerase, the enzyme that protects and promotes cell telemeres. This is why this rare and expensive compound was selected as the principal ingredient in Bio Quench. These telemeres are thought to be the ultimate limit on cell life span. Used to strengthen the immune system over time, build resistance to illnesses, astragalus may be a useful complementary treatment during chemotherapy, immune deficiency syndromes and radiation therapy. For providing additional short term immunity boost, echinacea may be used with astragalus.

Astragalus”s antioxidant activity maybe seen as evidence for cardiovascular system improvement. The demonstration of hepatoprotective activity in animal studies supports the herb’s use in the treatment of hepatitis in modern Chinese medicine.

Often astragalus is used in combination with other botanicals, very rarely used as a single agent. Evidence is provided for activity against carcinogenesis of the lung, breast and cervix as per pharmacological research of astragalus combining with ligustrum (Ligustrum lucidum).

Many clinical studies have been reported as far as the use of astragalus for colds and upper respiratory infections is concerned.

The incidence of illness may be decreased and its length shortened by giving astragalus, either orally or as a nasal spray.

Astragalus is also an antioxidant, meaning it will help the body get to get rid of free radicals. When metabolism occurs, the liver makes free radicals, which can destroy cells and cause premature aging of your system. Toxins in the body which can build due to ingestion or air pollution can be gotten rid of by astragalus. We are now prone to toxins in the air, food we eat and water, because of environmental pollution.
The increasing of metabolism and energy, promoting healing and boosting stamina are indicated by studies on astragalus. Other uses for which the herb may have application include hypertension, atherosclerosis, hyperthyroidism, insomnia, genital herpes, chronic hepatitis, AIDS and chemotherapy side effects. Though astragalus is considered safe and free of harmful effects, you should consult your doctor if you have a serious condition.

Some intriguing behavior on the immune system has been demonstrated by astragalus. Research is just starting on the minor toxicities of this herb. Considering its use as a treatment of serious ailments of the immune system like HIV infection, AIDS, cancer, myocarditis and hepatitis, caution should be used. Research on humans is so far limited.

Antioxidants for Young Age

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

If we fail to remember everything from high school biology may, we forget the exact definition of an antioxidant. Yet, we do remember one thing that antioxidants are good for our well being and super antioxidants such as Bio Quench and Bio Span are orders of magnitude more potent and efficacious than the conventional ones such as vitamins C, E and A. The super fruits Mangosteen, Pomegranate, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and Goji Berry are the new generation of super nutrients. Bio Quench contains all of these as well as resveratrol. 

Foods rich in antioxidants are tea, wine, coffee, vegetables, fruit and even certain types of water. In an attempt to live a healthy life, we eat them, we drink them, and if possible could even date them. Recent research ha now discovered that antioxidants have the ability to do the special task of helping us stay young and resistant to environmental threats and the adverse effects of our western diet and life style. 

To briefly get our pocket protectors, antioxidants are molecules possessing the ability to prevent, or at least slow down, the oxidation of other molecules. Bio Quench is one formulation that has been shown to prevent oxidative stress, one of the most damaging processes in terms of cell life and vitality. 

Excessive oxidation can damage cells, though a certain amount of oxidation is needed for survival. When a molecule has an uneven number of electrons, excessive oxidation occurs. The molecule tries to seek stability as an uneven amount leads to instability. This is done by stealing an electron from a neighboring molecule, by which free radicals develop and a cascading, electron stealing effect starts till the damage of living cells. By intervening and providing the unstable molecule with the needed electron, antioxidants, and especially super antioxidants such as bioquench and biospan stop the cell damaging process.

A person is not able to recover as quickly from the oxidation process that may take place, as his age advances. Apart from looking older it also causes a loss of brain function, and sometimes even an onset of dementia as the aging continues. Swooping in antioxidants may slightly reduce growing old.

A study focusing on 5,956 men over the age of 65 and consuming 50 milligrams supplements of beta-carotene (high in antioxidants) everyday for an average of 18 years was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. It not only showed that the consumption of antioxidants markedly slowed down age-related changes, but also decreased the loss of cognitive function. The men who took the supplements in place of a placebo, had sharper memory skills and noticeably better perception, reasoning and judgment.