Weekly Articles-March 1, 2013

Did you know that one of nature’s most powerful anti-inflammatory medicines can be found by scraping the bark of a tree? In ancient times, this special resin extract was known as frankincense. Today it is better known as “boswellia” and we are finally beginning to understand why it is helpful in treating everything from irritable bowel to cancer. In this Terry Talks Nutrition®, I’d like to focus on boswellia’s ability to help those with asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).

Considered one of the most beneficial herbs, boswellia (Boswellia serrata) deserves special merit. Native to India, the boswellia tree thrives in very dry environments. Traditionally, resin from the tree is considered the medicinal part of the plant, and gathering it is a very ‘hands-on’ form of harvesting, bearing some resemblance to collecting sap to make syrup from sugar maples. When the bark of the tree is scraped, it secretes a resin called “tears.” The resulting gum from these tears is what has long been known as frankincense.

Boswellia can assist in a broad spectrum of respiratory complaints. It opens airways, reduces bronchial and sinus swelling, and helps relieve the worst of allergy symptoms. And the best part is, the high-AKBA boswellia extract I recommend does all of this with no side effects. Whether your concern is asthma, allergies, COPD, or just seasonal respiratory colds, the right boswellia extract can make a big difference.

Asthma is a chronic condition that is all too common. There are multiple causes of asthma, and they often work together in ways that aren’t completely understood. An asthma attack can be triggered by a number of things: pollen and allergies, dust, cold air, nervousness or tension, exercise, or pollution. Some individuals are more prone to asthma than others, so genetics may play a part in this, too.

When someone has an asthma attack, their bronchial airways narrow and tighten. The inflammation produces mucous, which adds to the “out of breath” feeling. Severe attacks can be very frightening, and unfortunately, the anxiety over possible attacks can make even mild symptoms much worse.

While there are medications that alleviate symptoms, they can also bring about a number of side-effects, including agitation, aggression, or depression.

How Boswellia Helps:

Boswellia is effective for a variety of health conditions and diseases because, as different from one another as IBS and asthma may seem, they share one thing in common: inflammation. Inflammation, along with oxidative stress (free radical damage) is one of the primary causes of virtually every disease.

Boswellia is a specific inhibitor of 5-LOX, an enzyme that activates leukotrienes, which induce inflammation. Leukotrienes are responsible for many of the symptoms of asthma. Although other botanical compounds do relieve inflammation, many of them do so as antioxidants. They reduce oxidative stress and damage, and in turn, reduce inflammation. And they work well, but aren’t as direct as boswellia, or another of my top botanicals, curcumin (which operates through COX-2 inhibition).

Most specifically, boswellic acids are the compounds responsible for the botanical’s effects. The most active of the boswellic acids is known as AKBA (Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acids).

While I am not telling you to throw away your inhaler and take boswellia instead, the good news is that clinical studies with boswellia have been very positive.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week clinical study, boswellia was tested in 40 individuals with asthma, ranging from 18 to 75 years old and a mix of 23 men and 17 women. At the end of the study, 70% showed marked improvement!

In another clinical study, boswellia was one of three botanicals in a combination that showed similar results. In this placebo-controlled study, 63 patients were divided into two groups; one received the herbal combination [boswellia, licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and tumeric root (Curcuma longa)], the other a placebo. At the end of the 4 week study, the herbal group showed a statistically significant drop in leukotriene levels and other inflammatory markers compared to the placebo group.

I have often recommended boswellia with a high-absorption curcumin extract, so these results don’t surprise me a bit. If you do use a combination, make sure you get a curcumin extract that is micronized and blended with turmeric oils for better absorption. In fact, it has up to 10 times the absorption of standard curcumin extracts, making it much more effective.

That brings me to a point about boswellia – it’s important to select the right boswellia extract.

Not all boswellia products are created equal. AKBA, a very important boswellic acid that is strongly anti-inflammatory, can have levels as low as 1% in unstandardized boswellia products. To make sure you get the best, look for boswellia standardized to at least 10% AKBA. Also, researchers found that one of the boswellic acids, called “beta boswellic acid,” is actually PRO-inflammatory – clearly the last thing you want when dealing with asthma.

The best products are purified with the beta boswellic acid filtered out to less than 5% of the extract. Unstandardized products can be as much as 25%, so it’s important to know what to look for! Plus, making sure your boswellia extract meets these standards ensures that you’ll see results similar to those found in clinical studies.

Aside from asthma, boswellia should be one of your seasonal solutions for sinusitis and allergies as well.

Many of the same conditions that cause asthma reactions cause both of these conditions. For people with chronic sinusitis, boswellia presents a real chance to break out of that cycle of infections, by reducing the irritation and inflammation that can bring about allergy and sinus reactions in the first place.

Anyone who suffers from allergic rhinitis, better known as “hay fever”, knows that the physical discomforts of seasonal flare-ups are a real problem. In any given year, over 17 million adults and almost 9 million American children are diagnosed. And, even though we often dismiss the sneezing, runny nose, and discomfort as “just allergies”, Americans take over-the-counter and prescription drugs each year to overcome them. Unfortunately, those conventional approaches usually bring a lot of unwelcome side effects, including jitteriness, fatigue, mental fog, and irritability. I’ve known many people who, by the end of allergy season, start to consider these synthetic “cures” worse than the “disease”.

Fortunately, boswellia can help here, too. For the same reasons that it does so well for those with asthma, boswellia has great promise for anyone with allergies.

In an allergic response, the body produces compounds that attach themselves to immune system cells called mast cells. When this happens, the mast cells release large amounts of histamine. The histamine reaction creates swelling and induces more inflammation, redness, and itching.

Scientific study has shown that boswellia can inhibit the action of mast cells, which respond to triggers by releasing histamine. Plus, the very fact that boswellia does such excellent work keeping inflammation at bay makes it a perfect botanical to reduce the sinus pressure and swelling that often make allergy flare-ups so miserable.

For many people, it’s a stuffy nose or a runny nose, or the irritating combination of both that signal the sinusitis as a result of an allergic attack. If you’ve experienced sinus pain, you know how serious a case of sinusitis can be, and how it can completely sideline you. Here again, you are not alone, because 37 million Americans are affected by sinusitis each year. For many people, the conventional choices for sinus relief are not attractive. Like allergy medicines, many synthetic drugs for sinuses either cause jitteriness or grogginess. A high-AKBA boswellia extract like the one I recommend can make a big difference without the side effects.

COPD

And, for those struggling with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), boswellia offers hope, too. Emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and other troublesome respiratory symptoms are triggered, in part, by the human leukocyte elastase (also abbreviated “HLE”). So, not only does someone feel as though they can’t get a “full breath” of air, they may notice more mucus adding to the “drowning” feeling that these conditions bring on.

Fortunately, research shows that boswellia also specifically inhibits this leukocyte, reducing the likelihood of the body’s reaction that causes this response.

Boswellia and Leading Research – New Frontiers

When we hear the word “inflammation” we typically think about sore muscles or allergic responses. Inflammation at a cellular level is associated with virtually every disease state in the body. It certainly contributes to the growth of tumors by over-exciting the very bio-mechanisms that are intended to keep the body healthy.

Aside from its incredible strength as an anti-inflammatory agent for respiratory health, research has previously shown that high-AKBA boswellia suppresses the activation of NF-kB, a protein complex that under the duress of inflammation, promotes the growth of tumor cells.

When cancer cells flourish, it is due to a process called “methylation”. Essentially, it circumvents our body’s own defense mechanisms by silencing certain genes that are designed to suppress tumors.

My friend and colleague, Dr. Ajay Goel, has explored the ability of this high-AKBA boswellia extract to inhibit the growth of tumors in colorectal cells. He found that this extract induces DNA demethylation, so it can potentially prevent aberrant cell division. (DNA methylation is responsible for much of the improper cell growth that leads to tumor formation.) Overall, the high-AKBA boswellic extract inhibited cell proliferation, decreased cancer cell viability, and decreased clonogenic (the mutated cells that create tumors) survival. In fact, this extract can actually reactivate tumor-suppressing genes, which can put the body on a path toward healing itself.

This is extremely exciting news – and it shows that we are just beginning to appreciate the full benefits of this astounding botanical.

Breathe Easy and Live Better with Boswellia!

Respiratory problems can really sideline a person. After all, if you don’t feel like you can breathe, how active do you want to be? The right boswellia extract can truly make a difference. It inhibits the triggers that cause these problems in the first place, and does it without the side effects of common synthetic drugs. Plus, boswellia relieves inflammation throughout the body, and may even stop tumors in their tracks.

Be sure to look for a boswellia extract that provides 500 mg of Boswellia serrata gum resin extract standardized to contain 70% total organic and boswellic acids with 10% AKBA.  And, be certain that it contains less than 5% beta-boswellic acids, too. This is the right ratio for a strong – yet natural – boswellia extract. This way, you’ll get all of the impressive benefits of boswellia for vibrant, optimal health.

With all of that going for it, you owe it to your health to enjoy this amazing gift from nature and breathe a little easier.

Tags: 5-LOX, AKBA, Allergies, asthma, Boswellia serrata, boswellic acids, breathe easier, bronchial, Cancer, cells, COPD, demethylation, DNA, emphysema, frankincense, histamine, Immune and Respiratory Health, leukotrienes, mast cells, respiratory, sinus

Newsletter - March 1, 2013

If you deal with asthma, allergies, COPD or other respiratory illnesses, you know how tough it is to find relief. But there’s good news: a powerful herb that has been used since ancient times can help you breathe easily without side effects or risks.

Tags: 5-LOX, AKBA, Allergies, asthma, Boswellia serrata, boswellic acids, breathe easier, bronchial, Cancer, cells, COPD, demethylation, DNA, emphysema, frankincense, histamine, Immune and Respiratory Health, leukotrienes, mast cells, respiratory, sinus

Newsletter - November 16, 2012

Men, do you notice that you have to go to the bathroom very frequently, and often at night? Does it seem like your bladder isn’t empty, even after going so often? You may have benign prostate hyperplasia, also known as “BPH”. Fortunately, there are tested and proven herbal ingredients that can make a big difference!

Tags: AKBA, androgenic, Apoptosis, benign prostate hyperplasia, beta-sitosterol, boswellia, BPH, Cancer, DHT, hormones, men, middle-age, plant sterols, prostate, PSA, saw palmetto, Serenoa repens, sesame seed, sesamin, Sesamum indicum, testosterone, tumor growth

Weekly Articles-November 16, 2012

For many men, there is nothing more vexing than benign prostate hyperplasia, commonly known as BPH. Additionally, the specter of prostate cancer looms for any man approaching middle age. In fact, if a man’s brother has prostate cancer, his own risk of the disease is 50% higher. As it is, prostate cancer affects one in six American men, and the risk for African-American men is twice as high as it is for Caucasian men.

There are strong botanical ingredients that can help balance hormones, reduce inflammation, relieve the symptoms of BPH, and protect the prostate from the potential development of cancer. These amazing herbs and compounds are the focus of this Terry Talks Nutrition®.

Prostate enlargement is nothing unusual. It is the most common prostate concern for men from ages 45 to 74, and half of all men in their 50s have some symptoms. By the age of 80, up to 80 percent of men are dealing with BPH.

The reason an enlarged prostate affects the urinary flow is because this organ surrounds the urethra (the tube through which urine drains from the bladder out of the body). As the prostate enlarges, it doesn’t just grow outward, but inward, too – squeezing the urethra and slowing the flow of urine. When men feel like they have a slow stream, have to go often, or need to get up at night several times to go the bathroom, they may very likely be dealing with BPH.

While there are synthetic drugs available to address this problem, they also come with a lot of side effects.

And, unfortunately, PSA screenings that look for elevated prostate-specific antigen levels – usually requested when men feel that their symptoms might be the sign of something more serious – aren’t always appropriate or accurate. They may result in a “false positive” – indicating the possibility of cancer that isn’t actually there – starting men down a road of treatment that they truly don’t need. Fortunately, if you have concerns about prostate cancer, or simply want to get away from the symptoms of BPH, nature has a better way.  After all, just because BPH is common, doesn’t mean you have to feel it is inevitable.

Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) is probably one of the best-studied botanicals for prostate support. One of the reasons that saw palmetto is so well-regarded is because of its ability to balance hormones.

One of the primary culprits in prostate enlargement is a derivative of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone, or “DHT”. It’s normal for men’s hormone levels to change over time, but too much DHT can cause an imbalance leading to prostate problems. Saw palmetto has the ability to stop this potential problem in its tracks and help recover a natural balance of hormones. It does this by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which in turn, prevents the creation of DHT. Saw palmetto also prevents the binding of DHT to androgenic receptors, which can also lead to enlargement of the prostate.

Saw palmetto extract also has anti-inflammatory ability, blocking COX-2 and 5-LOX pathways. Not only does this help reduce some of the swelling of the prostate, but it also fights the inevitable cellular damage that occurs because of inflammation.

Multiple studies and clinical trials have used saw palmetto, whether on its own vs. a placebo or drug, or as part of an herbal combination. One year-long trial involved 47 men with BPH, aged, on the average at 53 years old. At the end of 3 months, the group taking saw palmetto extract reduced their symptom score and noted an improvement in their quality of life. Those are two big considerations for anyone looking for relief from symptoms, but not looking for the side effects of synthetic drugs. Over the course of the study, the maximal urinary flow rate for men taking saw palmetto improved as well.

Another study found similar results – both objective (urinary flow) and subjective (quality of life) measures – improved for men aged 52 to 78 years old using an extract of saw palmetto.

And an overall review of the most important clinical studies and scientific literature found that most of the published trials truly show that saw palmetto significantly improved urinary flow in men with BPH. It also acknowledged that saw palmetto works on many fronts – as an anti-inflammatory, anti-androgenic (hormone balancing), and anti-proliferative, all important for keeping prostate growth in check.

Boswellia

Boswellia (Boswellia serrata) is one of my favorite herbs.

It is a specific inhibitor of 5-LOX, an enzyme that activates leukotrienes, which induce inflammation.  Active key compounds in boswellia, called boswellic acids, are responsible for its anti-inflammatory and cell-protective abilities. The most active of the boswellic acids is known as AKBA (Acetyl-11-keto-B-boswellic acid).

In fact, I can’t overestimate the importance of that enough. Studies published in the journal Cancer Research in the past few years show the strong association between AKBA and tumor inhibition.

One of the studies found that AKBA specifically suppressed prostate tumor growth by preventing the formation of blood vessels that feed the aberrant cells. Another found that it not only kept tumors from growing, but actually encouraged the body to activate a programmed cellular death pathway for prostate cancer cells.

But not all boswellia products are created equal. Some unstandardized boswellia products contain very little AKBA, with levels as low as 1%. To make sure you get the best, look for boswellia standardized to at least 10% AKBA. Also, researchers found that one of the boswellic acids, called “beta boswellic acid,” is actually PRO-inflammatory, which is clearly something you want to avoid when dealing with either BPH or concerns about cancer.

The best products are purified and the beta boswellic acid is filtered out to less than 5% of the extract. Unstandardized products can be as much as 25% beta boswellic acid, so it’s crucial to know what to look for!

Nettle

Nettle (Urtica dioica) is usually the last plant that people would instinctively think of for reducing inflammation, much less prostate and tumor growth, but this botanical is another must for anyone concerned about their prostate.

Nettle is rich in beta-sitosterol, a plant sterol that I discuss in depth just a bit further on in this article. It has hormone-balancing effects, so like saw palmetto it reduces prostate growth and the symptoms of BPH. It does this by inhibiting the binding of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) to the prostate, and by inhibiting aromatase, an enzyme that affects the body’s steroid metabolism. Nettle also has anti-inflammatory properties that also help reduce the growth of prostate tissue.

Additionally, nettle extracts have been shown to inhibit adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity of prostate tissue. Normally, ADA activity helps the body process purines, but ADA activity around the prostate may create cell growth and tumor activity. Research using cells from patients with prostate cancer showed that nettle extract inhibited ADA activity. It may prove to be one way that the botanical helps prevent tumor growth and support the prostate.

Other research has shown that nettle inhibited tumor growth by as much as 30%. It is a very powerful ingredient and one that should be part of a strong prostate health formula. The nettle I recommend is a strong 10:1 extract.

Beta-Sitosterol

Phytosterols (or “plant sterols”) are commonly called “the fat of plants.” Of the phytosterols, the one you’re most likely to consume is beta-sitosterol. As well as nettle, it is also found in peanut butter, legumes, pistachios and other foods.

Once absorbed in the digestive tract, beta-sitosterol is metabolized in the liver and travels to the other tissues in the body, including the prostate.

However, if you have experienced urological problems and suspect it is BPH, you’re not going to get enough of this valuable plant sterol through your diet alone.

Double-blind clinical studies have found that beta-sitosterol improves urinary flow for men with BPH, and that is big news. After all, urinary issues are one of the most common complaints for any man who feels like he must constantly go to the restroom, or who feels like his bladder doesn’t fully empty after each trip.

Aside from the positive effects of beta-sitosterol for BPH, there is newer research that shows it may inhibit prostate and breast cancer cells. Additionally, beta-sitosterol may encourage T-helper cells and modulate our immune response. So overall, this is an excellent botanical resource to have on board when you’re dealing with prostate concerns – and want to support your health in general.

The structure of beta-sitosterol is going to be the same regardless of the source. One of the most pure sources of beta-sitosterol that I’ve discovered is actually from pine. This may seem unusual at first, but this pine phytosterol source can be standardized for 70 to 80% beta-sitosterol, an impressive amount.

Sesamin

The sesame plant has been cultivated for over 6,000 years. Like many of our most valuable herbal ingredients, sesame was revered as both a food and a medicine, being used throughout the Mediterranean and India. There is a reason these plants are so valuable, and many of our most advanced studies are still finding out exactly what mechanism makes them effective.

A recent study from M.D. Anderson, where groundbreaking research is being done on preventing cancer and stopping tumors with curcumin and boswellia, shows that sesamin, a key lignan from sesame seed (Sesamum indicum L) also inhibits tumor growth.

Sesamin is a powerful compound with a long history of use, and has been shown to block the activity of a protein complex called NF-kB, which promotes the growth of tumor cells. While BPH and cancer are two very different things, inflammation and prostate growth that prevents proper urinary flow are certainly related. And, as I’ve mentioned before, inflammation along with oxidation is one of the primary causes of all diseases, from arthritis to cancer. Under the duress of inflammation, the protein complex NF-kB, promotes the growth of tumor cells. Sesamin  inhibits NF-kB, and the inflammation that attracts cellular misfiring in the first place.

While the researchers at M.D. Anderson found that sesamin blocks the activity of NF-kB, they also found that it had a positive effect on multiple tumor cells, including leukemia, colon, breast, pancreas, lung and prostate cancer. Plus, sesamin had positive effects for a variety of cancer factors; tumor cell proliferation, inflammation (inhibiting COX-2), cell growth, and invasion. Like the other ingredients in this combination, sesamin has far-reaching potential well beyond BPH and prostate health, and is worth keeping in mind for anyone’s health regimen.

Five Must-Have Botanicals for Prostate Health

Dealing with prostate health issues – whether the natural fact of BPH as you get older, or the possibility of prostate cancer – can be difficult. If you have concerns about prostate health because of your family history, are experiencing symptoms of BPH, or simply want to provide the must-have nutrients to keep healthy, I believe these five botanical ingredients are the best you could choose.

Tags: AKBA, androgenic, Apoptosis, benign prostate hyperplasia, beta-sitosterol, boswellia, BPH, Cancer, DHT, hormones, men, Men's Health, middle-age, plant sterols, prostate, PSA, saw palmetto, Serenoa repens, sesame seed, sesamin, Sesamum indicum, testosterone, tumor growth

Just Ask Terry-November 2, 2012

Q. Dear Terry, “I have a friend who has recently begun to have receding gum lines. It is actually quite painful and I am wondering if you have any suggestions to slow this down.”— Ingrid F., Las Vegas, NV

A. Dear Ingrid, Often times, receding gums is one of the first signs of gum disease. I recommend that your friend check with her dentist to make sure there is no underlying disease or structural problem that may be causing these issues. Good dental hygiene – brushing and flossing, plus regular checkups – is crucial. I also have some natural options that can help make a difference.

I would recommend trying a concentrated plant oil blend that features peppermint, clove, cinnamon, and oregano oils. Each of these oils has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. I suggest taking 55-165 mg of this oil blend daily. For best results, I encourage individuals to chew or dissolve the softgel to release the beneficial oils, swish it in their mouth, and then swallow.

When choosing a product, look for one that features concentrated plant oils which have been laboratory tested to accurately identify elements of their natural chemical composition. Unlike essential oils used for massage and aromatherapy, these plant oils are tested and “fingerprinted” based on specific molecular makeup, species, marker compounds, purity and safety for internal medicinal use. The extraordinary potency of these tested plant oils allows for relatively low doses, but very powerful health benefits. These concentrated plant oils will provide a convenient, safe, and strong way to keep your mouth and gums at their best.

She may also want to consider adding a formula that contains a special blend of boswellia and curcumin. These two Indian plants exhibit very effective anti-inflammatory properties, in addition to promoting tissue repair. I recommend taking 1 softgel of this blend twice daily.

When looking for a formula, keep in mind that standard curcumin is very poorly absorbed, so make sure to choose a curcumin with excellent absorption that has been proven in published human studies. The best form I have ever found uses micronized curcumin blended with turmeric essential oils in a patented process. This curcumin has been shown in published human studies to be up to 10 times better absorbed than standard curcumin. It’s also important to find a formula that features a boswellia extract that has filtered out the majority of beta-boswellic acid to 5% or less. Unlike most boswellic acids, beta-boswellic acid is actually pro-inflammatory. Removing it greatly enhances the potency of the boswellia extract. You also want a boswellia extract that includes at least 10% or more of acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA), the most active component of boswellia.

Healthy Regards!

Terry . . . Naturally

Tags: AKBA, anti-inflammatory, boswellia, boswellic acids, brushing, cinnamon, clove, curcumin, dental hygiene, flossing, gum disease, mouth, Oral Health, oregano, peppermint, receding gums, teeth, turmeric