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Garcinia
Cambogia
Also known as brindall berry, garcinia is marketed as
an appetite suppressant as well as a substance that
prevents the body from converting energy to stored fat.
An extract of garcinia, hydroxycitric acid (HCA), is
also utilised in many well known herbal weight loss
remedies such as Citrin, CitriMax, and CitriLean. Many
herbalists use garcinia and HCA to enhance weight loss
and to increase the amount of lean muscle. In an animal
study involving rats, HCA blocked an enzyme that converts
carbohydrates into stored fat.8 Products: In Control.
Garlic Bulb
There is an abundance of research corroborating the
many unique and beneficial properties of garlic. For
instance, the German Commission E details some of its
actions which include, "Anti-bacterial, lipid-lowering,
antimycotic, inhibition of platelet aggregation and
enhancement of fibrinolytic activity."5 Garlic contains
more than 200 chemical compounds.4 Its sulphur-containing
compounds, including allicin and ajoene, which bestow
its antibiotic properties as well as its strong smell.4,6
The allicin is antimicrobial, lipid-reducing and anti-oxidative.
It inhibits key enzymes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis.6
Ajoene is an anti-thrombotic substance that inhibits
platelet aggregation.6 Several clinical trials have
demonstrated garlic's powerful effect in lowering levels
of low density lipoprotein (LDL) or the "bad" cholesterol.
In addition to lowering cholesterol levels, it is also
used for prevention of age-related vascular problems,
arteriosclerosis, arthritis, asthma, cancer, circulatory
problems, colds and flu, digestive problems, insomnia,
liver disease, sinusitis, ulcers and yeast infections.2,6
Garlic is also reported to have immune-enhancing properties.
Products: ImmunoMax.
Gentian Root
According to James and Phyllis Balch, gentian "aids
digestion, boosts circulation, increases gastric secretions,
kills plasmodia (organisms that cause malaria), stimulates
the appetite. {It is} good for circulatory problems,
pancreatitis and parasitic infection." Gentian root
is utilised in our products as it stimulates the production
of hydrochloric acid. 2 Products: Complete Chromium
and Complete Zinc.
Ginger Root
The ginger plant, which is indigenous to southeast Asia,
has a long history of use in India for its speedy and
positive effect on the gastrointestinal system. Ginger
is useful in reducing nausea, indigestion, vomiting
and morning and motion sickness.2 It also effectively
cleanses the colon as well as reducing spasms and cramps.6
In addition to its positive effects on the gastrointestinal
system, ginger is a strong antioxidant and can be used
for sores and wounds (it has an anti-inflammatory effect),
circulatory and bowel disorders, fever and hot flashes.
One study found that ginger was as effective as other
over-the-counter- motion sickness medications including
Dramamine.6 Products: Breathe Right.
Ginseng (Siberian, American,
Korean)
Used by the Chinese for more than 5,000 years, ginseng
has been used as a tonic, stimulant, demulcent, stomachic,
anodyne, sedative, carminative and laxative1. This herb
is used to strengthen the heart and nervous system as
well as stimulate general mental and physical functioning
as well.1 According to Nutrition Almanac, Chinese researchers
noted ginseng lowered high blood sugar levels and that
Russian researchers noted it normalised arterial pressure,
which affects blood pressure.1 Recently, further testing
has found that ginseng can moderate the negative health
effects of consuming a high cholesterol diet, prevent
cellular damage from radiation exposure, increase sperm
count and help treat alcoholism.4 Siberian Ginseng Products:
CellEnergy, American Ginseng Products: ImmunoMax. Panax
Ginseng Products: In Control.
Goldenseal
Given its name by Native Americans for its seal-like
scars on its golden-yellow coloured root, this herb
is renowned for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial
properties.1,4 It aids respiratory infections, indigestion,
mouth sores, gastrointestinal ulcers and diarrhoea.
In addition, it strengthens the immune system, reduces
blood pressure and promotes the proper functioning of
the colon, liver, pancreas, spleen and lymphatic system.
It increases the secretion of gastric juices and bile.1
Clinical studies have focused on berberine, a component
in goldenseal. Berberine was found to protect against
intestinal infections accompanied by acute diarrhoea
such as dysentery and salmonella.6 In addition, other
studies have found berberine has a cholerectic, anti-tumor,
anti-secretory and hypotensive effect.6
Contraindications: Goldenseal is contraindicated
during pregnancy and should not be used for a long duration.
Products: ImmunoMax.
Gotu Kola
Gotu kola is utilised in our products as a nerve tonic.
This herb stimulates the central nervous system, decreases
fatigue and increases the sex drive.2,4 In addition
gotu kola has been shown to be of benefit with respect
to depression, fatigue, memory loss, cardiovascular
and circulatory disorders such as venous hypertension
and chronic venous insufficiency. Studies show that
supplementation of gotu kola improves memory, significantly
improved chronic venous insufficiency (heaviness in
the legs, oedema, pain in standing up), venous hypertension
(oedema, swelling, restless lower extremity, pain and
cramps).5,6 Products: PriMale.
Grapefruit
As early as 310 B.C., Greek historian Theophrastus wrote
of the citrus fruit, "A decoction of the pulp of this
fruit is though to be an antidote to poison and will
also sweeten the breath."7 Today, researchers continue
to uncover many therapeutic benefits of grapefruit.
One benefit researchers have uncovered is that this
citrus fruit is great for the cardiovascular system.
It lowers blood pressure and protects the arteries from
disease.7 Grapefruit contains compounds called polysaccharides
that are found in the fruit's pectin, a type of fibre.
Polysaccharides have been found to lower blood cholesterol
levels and may even clean out some of the arterial debris,
or plaque, that can clog arteries leading to atherosclerosis
According to Jean Carper, author of The Food Pharmacy,
grapefruit pectic is as effective as cholestryramine,
a commonly prescribed drug used to lower blood cholesterol
levels. In addition, notes Carper, grapefruit also contains
galacturonic acid. This acid interacts with low density
lipo-protein cholesterol ("the bad cholesterol") that
is a main constituent in arterial plaque, and may gently
dislodge some of the cholesterol build-up.7
Grapefruit is also recognised for its anti-cancer properties.
Japanese studies have discovered that when grapefruit
extract was injected under the skin of mice suffering
from cancer, that grapefruit caused either a partial
or complete remission of the malignancy.7 Carper notes
that in Europe, particularly Sweden and the Netherlands,
researchers have studied the diets of individuals consuming
a daily intake of citrus fruit corresponding with a
decreased risk of pancreatic and stomach cancer.7 Grapefruit
also enhances the absorption of calcium, which has implications
for osteoporosis. Products: Complete Cal/Mag, Complete
Magnesium and WithIn.
Green Kamut Grass
Green kamut is the young grass from an ancient Egyptian
variety of wheat. Green kamut is utilised in several
products as it is highly nutritive, rich in trace minerals,
enzymes and other important nutritional substances.
At times, green kamut can also be listed on the label
and in government registration documents as either "Wheatgrass"
or "Green Kamut Grass." Products: Complete Calcium,
Complete Cal/Mag, Complete Magnesium, Electro-Vita-Min
and WithIn.
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