A Balancing Act
Equalizer offers an interesting combination of plant origin
constituents and a specific mixture of amino acids that support
the immune function and have anti-inflammatory activity.
Further, besides these specific effects, the product's constituents
offer a broad range of uses that justify it as an equalizer
to the other products within the Vibrant Health System.
Wild
yam and beta-sitosterol complex offer a plant origin source
of phytosterols that possess potent anti-inflammatory
properties similar to cortisone (1). Further, these
phytosterols have immune modulating activity
increasing the production of T-cells and concentration of
cytokines (immune communication molecules) (2). These specific
effects have been tested with athletes under
high intensity performance (marathon runners) who received
a concentrated mixture of phytosterols showing no
immune suppression that protected them against excessive anti-inflammatory
response typically seen with people involved in this type
of athletic activities (3). The medical uses of phytosterols
expand over treatments that include hyper-cholesterolemia
for which beta systosterol is well noted (4-5), benign
prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate) where,
again, beta systosterol is an effective treatment option (6).
Phytosterols have adaptogenic properties which make them essential
for maintaining a healthy body balance. Recent research into
phytosterols has demonstrated these substances to effectively
correct the underlying immune dysfunction characteristic of
rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.
Combinations of phytosterols reduce the secretion of pro-inflammatory
cytokines and increase the cells that regulate the secretion
of antibodies. This selective activation and inhibition of
the immune system results in an effective control of the dysfunctional
immune response (8). Modern food processing and dietary
choices have resulted in very low phytosterol intakes particularly
sytosterols (processed rice) even noted with vegetarian diets.
The presence of a good source of phytosterols in this supplemental
nutirents supports the supplementation of the diet with plant
sterols and provides an important therapeutic as well as preventative
health benefit (7).
To
further support the balancing action of this product, a specific
combination of amino acids is incorporated that allows for
better recovery of the body when under stress.
The key amino acid is arginine that is involved in many pathways
that influence healing and modulation of the immune
system. Arginine supplementation to human patients
has been associated with improvement of immune functions
after surgery, trauma or sepsis (9). It increases
T-lymphocytes and delays hypersensitivity
reactions. Arginine can increase the release of several
hormones, prolactin, insulin, glucagon and somatotropin. Thus,
arginine has beneficial multifunctional effects on anabolic
hormonal responses to healing (10). Through this hormonal
modulation, arginine acts as a vasodilator, allowing for oxygen
and nutrient supply at wounded and inflamed areas. Arginine
reportedly reduces pain by being a precursor
of endorphins that show relief from pain and, therefore,
is recommended for the management of chronic pain (10). Arginine,
along with glycine and methionine, is required for the hepatic
synthesis of creatine, which is taken by the muscles and is
phosphorylated to a high energy compound, an important cellular
energy source for muscle contraction (11).
Arginine's
capacity to accept or release hydrogen ions serves as a buffer
of hydrogen ions in the body. When combined with lysine and
glycine, there is a synergistic effect on somatotoropin release.
Recently, it has been found that lysine enhanced absorption
of calcium while blunting its urinary excretion, especially
after a calcium load, thus positively affecting calcium
balance with important implications for prevention and treatment
of bone loss disorders (12). Lysine is also
important for the biosynthesis of carnitine that is responsible
for the long chain fatty acids entering the mitochondria for
energy production.
Glycine
and glutamine are the other two amino acids incorporated in
Equalizer. Glycine makes up one third of the amino acid content
in collagen, which, during healing, is essential for proper
progression of repair. Glutamine is the most highly concentrated
amino acid in the blood and has a fundamental physiological
role of maintaining, along with arginine, the acid-base balance
during acidosis. Glutamine acts as a cellular fuel for muscles
and the immune system and regulates protein synthesis
and degradation (13). Glutamine supplementation can
play a major role in enhancing the effects of training. Recently,
glutamine has been shown to act as a gluconeogenesis regulator
(the production of glucose from substances other than carbohydrates)
(14). Hence, it can provide a vital supply of fuel
for muscles and other tissues, especially during stress.
Glutamine also decreases hunger cravings
because it is used extensively by the GI tract.
It
becomes apparent that amino acids, alone or in combination,
can have specific physiological effects similar to hormones
and drugs, thus transcending their roles of just being building
blocks of protein. It is important to recognize that
amino acids compete with one another for the same transport
mechanisms of absorption. Thus, the presence of several of
these amino acids in the blood decreases the amount of each
to be absorbed. Therefore, if a smaller number of specific
amino acids were ingested, then their absorption would rise
appreciably. It follows then that Equalizer is to be taken
on an empty stomach if the physiological balancing effects
of this product are to be maximized.
REFERENCES
1. Gupta MB, et al, Planta Madica 39: 157 (1980)
2. Bouic PJP,et al, Immunopharmacology 18(12): 693 (1996)
3. Bouic PJP, et al, Int. J. Sports Med. In press
4. Beveridge Jm, et al, J. Nutition83: 119 (1964)
5. Pollak OJ Circulation 7: 702 (1953)
6. Klippel KF, et al, British J. of Urology 80 (3): 427 (1997)
7. Pegel KH, South African J. Science 93:263 (1997)
8. Yamada H, et al, Chem. Pharm. Bull. 35: 4851 (1987)
9. Cerra FB Am.J. Surg. 161: 230 (1991)
10. Bucci L. Nutrition Applied to Injury Rehabilitation and
Sports Medicine, CRC Press, FL (1995)
11. Driskell W. Energy Yielding Macronutrients and Energy
Metabolism in Sports Nutrition, page 138, CRC Press, NY (2000)
12. Civitelli R, et al, Nutrition 8: 400 (1992)
13. Neu J, et al, FASEB J 10(8): 829 (1996)
14. Perriello G, et al, Am J. Physiol. 272(3): E437 (1997) |
