Coenzyme Q10 Less CoQ10 has been observed in some people with cardiac failure due to different causes. Much of the research has been done in patients with congestive heart failure. Some of these studies have shown positive results and others haven't. With one exception, these studies have been done with small numbers of patients for relatively short periods. It's important to note that CoQ10 was given in addition to traditional drug treatments. This makes it hard to know which treatment was the effective one. The ACC/AHA publication "Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Heart Failure in the Adult" reviewed the available data. It concluded that until more data are available, nutritional supplements such as coenzyme Q10 cannot be recommended to treat heart failure. The ACC/AHA publication "2002 Guideline Update for the Management of Patients with Chronic Stable Angina" also lists coenzyme Q10 as a treatment that's not useful or effective for patients with angina. The safety and effectiveness of CoQ10 need to be further evaluated. This requires conducting well-designed clinical trials involving large numbers of patients over a long time. Until that happens, the American Heart Association cannot recommend taking coenzyme Q10 regularly.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like substance in every human cell. It's involved in key biochemical reactions that produce energy in cells. It also acts as an antioxidant (an"tih-OK'sih-dant). CoQ10 is naturally present in a variety of foods. Organ meats such as heart, liver and kidney as well as in beef, soybean oil, sardines, mackerel and peanuts are particularly high in CoQ10.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Coenzyme Q10
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Organic Evening Primrose Oil
Other Names: Common Evening Primrose, Photo by Karen Bergeron Copyright 2001 | |
| Description Evening Primrose is a North American native biennial plant. The plants are very tall, often 4 to 5 feet or more in height. The stem is erect, stout, soft-hairy, reddish and branching forming a shrub. Leaves are alternate, rough-hairy, lanceolate, about 3 to 6 inches long and lemon-scented. The taproot is elongated, fibrous, yellow on the outside and whitish within. The flower spikes grow on auxiliary branches all along the stalk. They are about 2-1/2 inched in diameter, bright yellow and have four petals, a cross shaped stigma and a refluxed calyx (leaves under petals). The flowers open in the evening and close up during the day and are strongly scented with a delicious sweet perfume which attracts pollinating moths. The fruit is an oblong 1 in. capsule containing many tiny reddish seeds. Properties Evening Primrose is edible and medicinal and has a long history of use as an alternative medicine . The leaves are cooked and eaten as greens and the roots are said to be sweet succulent and delicious when boiled like potatoes. Flowers are a sweet addition to salads or as a garnish and young seedpods are Steamed. This plant was a staple food for many Native American tribes. Formerly cultivated for its nutritious edible roots, it is being increasingly cultivated for the oil contained in its seeds which contains certain the essential gamma-linoleinc acid (GLA), a very valuable fatty acid that is not found in many plants and has numerous vital functions in the body. GLA is an essential fatty acid that the body does not manufacture. This fatty acid is known to help prevent hardening of the arteries, heart disease, eczema, cirrhosis, rheumatoid arthritis, menopause, PMS, multiple sclerosis, and high blood pressure. It has a positive effect on sex hormone response including the hormones estrogen and testosterone, aids in lowering cholesterol levels, and is important in treating cirrhosis of the liver. Research also demonstrates that primrose oil helps relieve pain and inflammation. The oil also has a positive effect on the uterine muscles, nervous system and metabolism. The bark and the leaves are astringent and sedative. They have proved of use in the treatment of gastro-intestinal disorders, whooping cough and asthma. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of obesity. A finely ground powder made from the flowering stems is used cosmetically in face-masks to counteract reddened skins. Recipe Article by Deb Jackson & Karen Bergeron | |
Friday, October 26, 2007
BlackMore Vitamin C
Bio C® 1000mg
May reduce the severity and duration of colds and allergic reactions. May also assist wound healing via its role in collagen production.
Features and benefits
- Contains citrus bioflavonoids extract that helps increase the uptake and utilisation of vitamin C in the body.
- Buffered with mineral ascorbates making it gentle on the stomach.
- Contains the natural sources of vitamin C, rosehips and acerola.
How it works
Vitamin C is involved in hundreds of biological process, the most important being in the manufacture of collagen, the major protein in the body. Collagen is a structural protein found in tissue, cartilage and tendons, and it helps to support blood vessels. Due to its structural role in collagen synthesis vitamin C is necessary for wound repair, healthy gums, minimising of bruising and to replace the risk of infection.
Vitamin C is water-soluble and only small amounts are stored in the body after it is absorbed from the intestine. It is an antioxidant in water, and therefore helps to neutralise potentially harmful reactions in the blood and the watery fluid inside and outside the body’s cells.
Dosage
Adults - Take 1 tablet per day, preferably with main meal or as professionally prescribed. At the early onset of symptoms, this dose may be increased to three tablets per day.
Children (from 4 years to 12 years) - We recommend Blackmores Bio C Chewable.
Children (under 4 years) - Only as professionally prescribed.
Cautions
- If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional.
- Consult your healthcare professional before use if you have had renal calculi (kidney stones). Ascorbic acid may increase the risk of recurrence of calcium oxalate calculi.
- Always read the label. Use only as directed.
Side Effects
None noted in the literature at recommended dosage.
Active Ingredients Per Tablet
| Ascorbic acid | 400 mg |
| Sodium ascorbate | 350 mg |
| Calcium ascorbate (equiv. to vitamin C 1000mg) | 400 mg |
| Citrus bioflavonoids extract | 25 mg |
| Rutin | 50 mg |
| Hesperidin | 50 mg |
| Rosa canina (Rosehips) extract equivalent to dry fruit | 250 mg |
| Malpighia punicifolia (Acerola) extract equivalent to dry fruit | 50 mg |
Medicine interactions
- In kidney failure should be separated by at least 2 hours from doses of aluminium-containing preparations. Ascorbic acid may increase the absorption of aluminium.
- If taking propranolol, separate doses by at least two hours. Ascorbic acid may decrease the absorption and efficacy of this medication
Physical description
A mustard, large oval shaped tablet with opaque coating.