ELIMINATOR
Head ‘um Up and Move ‘um Out
The digestive system is made up of the alimentary canal: mouth,
salivating glands, esophagus, stomach, liver, gall bladder,
pancreas and the intestines. Its prime functions are to digest
food, absorb nutrients, eliminate waste through the bowel
and provide raw materials for the immune system. Imbalances
in the digestive system often affect the circulatory system
as unwanted toxins are absorbed and bowel elimination is slowed
(6). As a result, a number of diverse symptoms, including
anorexia, dyspepsia, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, gastritis,
irritable bowel syndrome, immune dysfunction and liver diseases
can be generated. Herbal medicine can treat such disorders
although one product is not possible to address all these.
The "Eliminator" is designed to relieve dyspepsia
and constipation while restoring the population of friendly
bacteria in the gut flora and combating potential parasite
infections. The result of these actions is an improvement
of bowel function and digestion that contributes to the overall
body wellness and patient comfort and the strengthening of
the immune system for combating food allergies.
Dyspepsia
refers to a syndrome involving bloating, flatulence and abdominal
pains all stemming from deficient secretion of gastric juice,
reduction of bile, impairment of gallbladder emptying and
deficient secretion of pancreatic juice. Bitter herbs taken
in moderate amounts prior to meals can stimulate gastric and
billiary secretions and aid digestion (7). The "Eliminator"
contains two such bitter herbs, artichoke and rosemary, both
in a concentrated extract form. These herbs are recognized
for their choleretic (stimulation of bile production in the
liver) properties and are listed in the official German Commission
E Monographs of approved therapeutic herbs (3). Clinical studies
have shown artichoke to be beneficial in the treatment of
dyspeptic complaints, especially in patients with suspected
dysfunction of bile secretion (7). Artichoke stimulates
the flow of the bile, reduces cholesterol levels and stimulates
liver function.
The
active component is cynarin along with other phenolic acids
and alcohols and terpenoid type lactones responsible for its
strong bitterness. Artichoke preparations are considered quite
often to enhance renal and digestive elimination functions
(5)and are recommended for their symptomatic treatment of
bloating, nausea and impairment of digestion. Rosemary extract
is rich in antioxidant flavonoid pigments diosmin, diosmetin
and rosmarinic and carnosinic acids. Constituents of its aromatic
oil present in the extract include monoterpene hydrocarbons
as camphor and borneol that exhibit antibacterial
and antifungal properties. Further, due to rosmarinic
acid, rosemary extracts exhibit anti-inflammatory
activity and have the potential to increase the detoxification
of human carcinogens. Rosemary is a prime candidate
for the treatment of acute inflammatory conditions
of the digestive system especially in those situations
that may lead to ulcers (2). Traditionally, rosemary is used
as a tonic, anti-flatulent and improves chronic circulatory
weakness by reducing capillary permeability and fragility
while inducing smooth muscle contraction important for
good digestion (1). When taken orally it relieves
dyspeptic complaints due to its spasmolytic effect on smooth
muscle of the GI tract (3). The presence of both artichoke
and rosemary in the "Eliminator" result in a synergistic
effect upon the overall bile secretion.
Constipation
is the most prevalent adverse condition of the digestive system
found in the modern society. The ingestion of large quantities
of refined foods is the prime cause of this condition and
results in unwanted toxins being absorbed into the circulatory
system and elimination of waste being slowed. Constipation
is considered to be present when the frequency of the bowel
movement is less than once or twice per day. Its cause may
be as trivial as a change in diet or travel but may be due
to serious illness causing the person to be bedridden and
immobile. Numerous drugs including antacids can also lead
to constipation. However, the great majority of chronic constipation
is functional in nature due to faulty life style (lack of
exercise), poor eating habits (low fiber diet, hasty irregular
meals) and emotional stress. The first phase of treatment
is as simple as adjusting the diet to increase dietary fiber
and increase liquid intake while consuming laxative fruits
as in prunes, dates, figs and rhubarb. Fibers act as bulking
agents adding bulk to the stool which in turn presses on the
colon wall triggering muscle contractions experienced as "urge"
for defecation. Fibers need a lot of water to get hydrated
and swell in order to be effective (4). The use of fibers
can cause bloating and flatulence and, although these symptoms
are not painful, they are troublesome to the patient affecting
mood, appetite, sleep, weight gain and causing adverse circulatory
effects. Such symptoms are reduced when using the "Eliminator"
that contains selected fibers rich in soluble components that
are fermented slowly and used in moderate amounts.
The
use of Eliminator aids this first phase of treatment and allows
the body to re-adjust back to its normal habit function. The
"Eliminator" uses three sources of insoluble
fiber acting as bulking agents; flaxseed, rice bran
and fenugreek, and one source of a completely soluble fiber,
arabinogalactan, acting as a prebiotic and immune
building and modulating agent. Fenugreek is rich
in galactomanan, a highly viscous soluble fiber. This fiber
has been shown to have the additional benefit of reducing
the glycemic index of food and thus maintain healthy blood
sugar levels while lowering insulin response to meals (8),
inhibiting starch digestion and controlling plasma glucose
levels (9). Flaxseed fiber in the "Eliminator"
works synergistically with fenugreek to lower cholesterol
levels, blood glucose and improve gastrointestinal function.
Flaxseed fiber is used to treat chronic constipation, colon
damage due to laxative abuse, irritable colon, gastritis and
inflammation (3). Rice bran, the third source of
insoluble fiber in the "Eliminator", is rich in
fiber content and rice oil noted for its micronutrient
content in vitamin E, tocotrienols, carotenoids and phytosterols
known for their immune modulatory activity (10), antihyperglycemic
(11), anti-inflammatory effects (12) and reduction of blood
cholesterol (13). The insoluble portion of these
fibers swells making the stool softer and easier to defecate.
Fibers are gentle low risk laxatives that stimulate
the physiologic effects of a high fiber diet.
Arabinogalactan,
the fourth fiber in the "Eliminator", is a non-digestible
soluble fiber that enters, intact,the large bowel where it
is fermented by resident bacteria. As such it enhances
the growth of beneficial colonic micro flora altering the
gut microbial environment. In doing so, short chain
fatty acids are produced that provide osmotic stimuli that
promote colonic motility (14). The AG fiber still contains
many of the immune “food” and building properties
of the whole molecule, but more easily absorbed in the GI
system, since it “cleans out” before itself. The
fibrous properties can aid in the weight loss process by being
taken immediately before consuming meals to give you a “full
feeling” before you eat.
Active
laxatives represent the second phase and a more drastic approach
to dealing with constipation, acting directly upon the intestinal
mucous. The "Eliminator" contains two herbal actives
of anthranoid type in content. Cape aloe is the most powerful
herbal anthranoid active and its presence in the "Eliminator"
is minimal, used only as a booster to the action of the second
herb Triphala. This latter herb is actually a mixture
of the dried fruits of three plants that combine both nutritional
and detoxifying actions by coordinating digestion and nutrient
absorption. Triphala has been successfully employed
in managing dyspepsia when compared to conventional antacids
(17). The combined action of tannins and anthraquinones in
Triphala result in stimulation of bile production,
assuring high enzymatic activity and improved gut peristalsis
that supports the movement of food through the digestive tract.
The tannins in Triphala exhibit strong antioxidant
properties that help the regulation of metabolic processes
supporting the reduction and subsequent elimination of undigested
food and possible toxin build up. (18).
Anytime
cooked food is eaten, your body must manufacture the enzymes
that would normally be present in raw foods. The resulting
waste is more difficult to digest and the enzymes must originate
from the body’s immune system to break down this food
and toxins. To do this the body draws enzymes from all its
tissue resources and your immune system. This is the reason
eating all cooked food is a strain on your GI and immune systems.
The demand is higher with concentrated, starchy and fried
foods because they are more difficult to break down. When
lipase is low, the blood cholesterol accumulates. When there
is a shortage of amylase, sugar levels increase causing emotional
swings. Therefore a diet that increases the enzyme level would
aid the purification process (15). Enzymes
are well known for their ability to improve digestion - a
body function that frequently suffers with age. This is exactly
what the "Eliminator" does by directly providing
a balanced enzyme blend of proteases, amylases and
lipases along with the probiotics Lactospore that support
healthy digestion and enhanced bioavailability of nutrients.
Lactospore is a form of lactobacilli in a spore form that
can successfully be implanted in the intestine and satisfy
essential requirements of an efficient probiotic.
These spores contain large numbers of viable lactobacilli
that allow them to be heat - stable, survive gastric secretions
and reach the lower intestine safely to produce short chain
fatty acids, lactic and butyric acids that produce an environment
favoring the growth conditions of friendly bacteria. Consequently,
the growth of pathogenic bacteria that are responsible for
the putrefaction of undigested food is inhibited, while immunity
is boosted and detoxification of harmful products is accelerated
(16).
One
of the key components of ImmPower is its combination of specific
ingredients that support a healthy gut flora population, which
in turn has a positive modulating effect on the immune response.
This is accomplished through the use of soluble fibers, digestive
enzymes and probiotics. ImmPower uses a special probiotic
Lactobacillus Sporogenes. Its characteristic property of spore
formation makes it the probiotic of choice in clinical applications.
Upon oral administration the spores survive the acidic gastric
environment while being hydrated, passing to the duodenum
where they germinate and transform to viable vegetative cells
and begin to proliferate in the small intestine. The cells
produce lactic acid that renders the intestinal environment
non-conducive to the growth of harmful pathogenic bacteria.
The maintenance of a low constant level of lactic acid helps
restore the micro ecological balance after antibiotic therapy
(14). The proliferation of Lactobacillus in the intestines
enhance the body's capacity to produce alpha interferon, natural
killer cells and immunoglobulins each important for body's
natural defenses.
It is claimed that the keys to body power and vitality are
enzymes because enzymes help the body to work more efficient.
It is for this reason that enzymes are incorporated in this
product, good digestion is paramount to good health and a
properly functioning immune system. The enzyme system used
is a mixture of amylase, lipase, protease and lactase all
necessary for helping digestion.To enhance these beneficial
effects of the enzymes and of the probiotics a soluble fiber
Arabinogalactan (AG) was incorporated in the product.
The
"Eliminator" is fortified with MSM (methylsufonylmethane),
minerals and electrolytes in order to reduce their depletion
during the relief of constipation symptoms. MSM is a multifaceted
ingredient ranging from being analgesic reducing abdominal
pains and inflammation while increasing blood flow to improve
digestion. Also it acts as an anti-parasitic
particularly for giardia, a protozoan that causes diarrhea
(19). The mineral source in the” Eliminator” is
the sea vegetable Kelp - rich in calcium, potassium,
iodine and other minerals. What is achieved with the "Eliminator”
is a product that promotes the detoxification process while
supporting a well functioning digestive system. The
"Eliminator" is another well-balanced product offered
by The Vibrant Health System of products.
REFERENCES
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New York, NY (1997)
5. "Pharmacognosy Phytochemistry Medicinal Plants"
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6. "Nutritional Herbology" by Pedersen M., Wendell
Whitman Co., Warsaw IN (1994)
7. "Rational Phytotherapy" by Schulz V., et al,
Springer-Verlag, Berlin Germany (1998)
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9. Zacharia M, et al, J agric. Food Chem. 38:1535 (1990)
10. Bouic P.J, et al, Intrn. J Immunopharmacology 18(12):693
(1996)
11. Ivorra M.D, et al, Arch. Intern. Pharmacodynamics 296:224
(1988)
12. Gupta M.B, et al Planta Medica 39:157 (1980)
13. Pollak O.J, Circulation 7:702 (1953)
14. Yajima T., J. Physiol. 368:667 (1985)
15. "Food Enzymes" by Santillo H., HOHM Press, Prescott
AZ (1987)
16. "Lactospore" by Majeed M, et al, Nutriscience
Publishers, Piscataway NJ ((1998)
17. Chawala Y.K, et al Ind. J. Med. Res. 76(suppl):95 (1982)
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"The Miracle of MSM" by Jacob S.W, et al, Putnam's
Sons, New
York, NY (1999) |
