Supplementation can cure disease

There are two big misconceptions that people have about supplementation.

1.  Supplementation can cure disease. 

Supplements aren't drugs that cure diseases.  People should think of them as providing the nutrients that are the building blocks of health - or perhaps the ammunition that the body uses to fight diseases. 

Diseases, after all, are an abnormal state of being, and out bodies have an amazing capacity to fight those diseases.

When we have infections or cancer our body activates it's immune system to fight it.  when we have inflammation our body tries to put out the fire.  When we have damage to our DNA - our genetic information - our body tries to repair it.  The list is almost endless.  Our bodies are wondrously designed!

Our immune system requires nutrients like protein, B vitamins, anti-oxidants, zinc and iron.

The omega-3 fatty acids, anti-oxidants and polyphenols like resveratrol are anti-inflammatory.  Nutrients like anti-oxidants and polyphenols support DNA repair.

Proper diet and supplementation are not "magic bullets" that cure diseases.  They are simply the building blocks that allow the body to do what it does best.  Because there are not two of us alike, the nutrients that we need the most to allow our bodies to do their job efficiently may be different for each one of us.

2.  It doesn't matter what you eat.

There are people who have been told by the "experts" that the cause of their disease was not related to diet so they shouldn't worry about what they eat and supplementation will not do any good.

Let's take the most extreme example - genetically caused diseases or serious degenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's for which the causes are still not fully understood.

It is generally true that theses diseases were not caused by poor diet (MS may be the exception because there is some evidence that it can be caused by inadequate vitamin D during childhood).  There are many people who take the "expert's" advice to heart and eat whatever they like and consider supplementation a waste of money.

Any nutritionist will tell you that an inadequate diet can lead to malaise, low energy, inflammation, weakened immune system and impaired wound healing.  Even if you don't end up with the symptoms of a nutritional deficiency a poor diet can rob you of energy and vitality.

A poor diet on top of the underlying disease, your chances of being able to cope with disease and function optimally are greatly diminished. 

What is the bottom line?

1. If  you give your body the nutrients that it needs, it often has the ability to cure itself.
2. Proper diet and supplementation can  make a difference even if the disease was not caused by poor nutrition.
3. Each of us have unique nutritional needs, so in both cases a holistic approach to diet and supplementation is best.

Although weight control and exercise weren't mentioned, they are an essential part of any holistic health program.*

If you're not sure where to start, contact me for a Personal Confidential Nutrition Consultation.  They are available over the phone and in person.

Focusing on Health,

Mary Beth Potrykus
www.mamambearproductions.net

*Thank you to Dr. Chaney for providing this insightful information.

Fish Oils and Leukemia

"We have shown that some metabolites of Omega-3 have the ability to selectively kill the leukemia-causing stem cells in mice. The important thing is that the mice were completely cured of leukemia with no relapse." -Sandeep Prabhu

NOTE FROM FOUNDING EDITOR: I'm sorry for those of you whom this discovery may be coming too late. Though it may take some time before the patent is approved, if it is granted, its value will be beyond comprehension, both in what it will accomplish and its monetary worth. -Steve Shultz

(Pennsylvania) - A compound produced from fish oil that appears to target leukemia stem cells could lead to a cure for the disease, according to Penn State researchers.

The compound - delta-12-protaglandin J3, or D12-PGJ3 - targeted and killed the stem cells of chronic myelogenous leukemia, or CML, in mice, said Sandeep Prabhu, associate professor of immunology and molecular toxicology in the Department of Veterinary and Medical Sciences. The compound is produced from EPA - Eicosapentaenoic Acid - an Omega-3 fatty acid found in fish and in fish oil, he said. (Photo: The compound shown above is D12-PGJ2, which closely resembles delta-12-protaglandin J3, or D12-PGJ3, a compound that targeted and killed the stem cells of chronic myelogenous leukemia or CML in mice. Credit: Sandeep Prabhu)

"Research in the past on fatty acids has shown the health benefits of fatty acids on cardiovascular system and brain development, particularly in infants, but we have shown that some metabolites of Omega-3 have the ability to selectively kill the leukemia-causing stem cells in mice," said Prabhu. "The important thing is that the mice were completely cured of leukemia with no relapse."

The researchers, who released their findings in the current issue of Blood, said the compound kills cancer-causing stem cells in the mice's spleen and bone marrow. Specifically, it activates a gene - p53 - in the leukemia stem cell that programs the cell's own death.

"p53 is a tumor suppressor gene that regulates the response to DNA damage and maintains genomic stability," Prabhu said.

Killing the stem cells in leukemia, a cancer of the white blood cells, is important because stem cells can divide and produce more cancer cells, as well as create more stem cells, Prabhu said.

The current therapy for CML extends the patient's life by keeping the number of leukemia cells low, but the drugs fail to completely cure the disease because they do not target leukemia stem cells, said Robert Paulson, associate professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences, who co-directed this research with Prabhu.

"The patients must take the drugs continuously," said Paulson. "If they stop, the disease relapses because the leukemia stem cells are resistant to the drugs."

Current treatments are unable to kill the leukemia stem cells, Paulson said.

"These stem cells can hide from the treatment, and a small population of stem cells give rise to more leukemia cells," said Paulson. "So, targeting the stem cells is essential if you want to cure leukemia."

During the experiments, the researchers injected each mouse with about 600 nanograms of D12-PGJ3 each day for a week. Tests showed that the mice were completely cured of the disease. The blood count was normal, and the spleen returned to normal size. The disease did not relapse.

In previous experiments, the compound also killed the stem cells of Friend Virus-induced leukemia, an experimental model for human leukemia.

The researchers focused on D12-PGJ3 because it killed the leukemia stem cells, but had the least number of side effects. The researchers currently are working to determine whether the compound can be used to treat the terminal stage of CML, referred to as Blast Crisis. There are currently no drugs available that can treat the disease when it progresses to this stage.

The researchers, who applied for a patent, are also preparing to test the compound in human trials.

What the pharmaceutical companies won't tell you is that these fish oils are now available without a prescription, without mercury, without any harmful ingredients.  There are only side benefits.  Where can you find this exceptional fish oil?  Go here. 

Although this is wonderful news, keep in mind that it isn't one thing that prevents or cures.  It is a lifestyle.  Every bit helps and I'm here to help.  Contact me at marybeth@mamabearproductions.net to set up a Personal Confidential Nutrition Consultation.

Mary Beth
http://www.mamabearproductions.net/

Diets never work--LIFESTYLE DOES!

Two thirds of Americans are overweight to obese.

Unless we can reverse that trend those Americans (your friends and family) are doomed to a short, unhealthy life.

It's not about a diet, it's about a lifestyle change.

Leucine is a naturally occurring branched chain amino acid found in small quantities in certain foods.  Leucine helps retain and repair muscle.  One pound of lean muscle mass the body burns 50 calories.  One pound of fat the body burns 2 calories.  Sounds like lean muscle mass is the key to burning calories. 

Large amounts of food would be required to obtain the recommended amount of Leucine.  One would need to eat about 1/2 pound of chicken, 3 pounds of pork, 16 eggs, 1/2 pound of raw cheddar cheese, or 1 pound of almonds.*

A simple (not involved or complicated) and healthy way (because who wants to eat 3 pounds of pork) is a Cinch.  This program has clinically tested Leucine.  Which means there are no stimulants, artificial sweeteners, dyes or contaminated  ingredients.  There is the right ratio of protein, complex carbs, and good fats.  The products are low on the glycemic index (important for diabetics) and of course contain Leucine.

The New Year is here and it's a great time to enforce those lifestyle changes/New Year's Resolutions.  When a person feels good, life is so much better.

Contact Mary Beth at marybeth@mamabearproductions.net and receive a complimentary nutrition consultation and find out more about Cinch a  unique and simple program.

Make 2012 the best year yet!

Mary Beth Potrykus
http://www.mamabearproductions.net/


*Information obtained from Dr. Mercola.