All
Aloe Is Not Created Equal
One of the key components of M&M is Aloe-Vera gel. It
performs the product’s central function as an anti-inflammatory
and immune system modulator. Aloe-Vera gel is the
term given to the mucilaginous material found inside the leaves
of the Aloe-Vera plant and is different from the aloe USP
which is comprised mainly of aloin, a natural cathartic. The
process of isolation, concentration and conversion of the
gel into powder form is delicate because the material can
easily be degraded or broken down. As soon as the
inner gel of the Aloe Vera leaf is exposed to oxygen a molecule
called beta-manan is activated. The beta-manan molecule acts
like an enzyme “eating up” the active component
in the inner gel. This is the reason most Aloe Vera does not
work on burns unless you have a live plant that you can slice
open at the time of the injury. The Aloe Vera in M&M is
taken through a very specific, time consuming and expensive
process to take care that this breakdown does not occur. M&M
utilizes a high quality material that is concentrated 200
times (1:200) consisting of the pure inner filet of the leaf
which would be equivalent to slicing open 400 leaves of fresh
aloe and immediately eat them. Of course, because of the cathartic
effect (that has been taken out of the M&M aloe), you
could not do this anyway, but even if you could, this is definitely
one of those unmanageable solutions – smile. Again the
Vibrant Health System provides you with 2 M&M.. The specific
manufacturing process and this highly concentrated form assures
the presence of the active components of
aloe in the highest possible concentration needed to have
a truly functional product. This step is essential if you
consider when harvesting the original gel it contains only
0.5 % solids. The gel is a complex mixture of enzymes, mucopolysaccharides,
low molecular weight sugars, glycosides and minerals. Many
experts agree that Aloe Vera is effective. Reportedly carboxylpeptidase
and salicylate components in the gel can inhibit bradykinin,
which is a pain producing agent, which can give pain
relief (1).
Other
components appear to slow the formation of thromboxane and
thereby speed the healing of burns. However,
recent research has focused on the polysaccharide content
of the gel and primarily on the beta 1-4 glucomanan group
from which acemannan is isolated and largely believed responsible
for the gel’s therapeutic effects. This form of the
gel has been purported to have several important properties
including acceleration of wound healing, immune stimulation,
and anti-viral benefits. It has also been used for treating
respiratory problems, and multiple sclerosis. Because
of this wide diversity of action, it has been shown that,
in part, the acemannan functions through macrophage activation
that exhibit pluripotent effects (2). Further, acemannan enhances
monocyte function by increasing alloantigenic response permitting
monocyte driven signals (interleukines) to enhance
T-cell response to viral lectins. This may explain
its capacity to prevent viral infections in man (3). Acemannan
is a high molecular weight carbohydrate and has been shown
to have immune modulation activity (10).
The M&M nutrient complex uses aloe that is intact containing
all possible solid constituents in a concentrated, unaltered
form as originally present in the plant. It needs to be recognized
that the treatment of inflammation is the
most important component in most types of healing,
and that it is a complex process that may be addressed in
different ways by different gel components (4). For instance,
the anti-inflammatory activity of the gel can come from its
inhibitory action to arachidonic acid pathway via cyclooxygenase
(5); or by preventing immune suppression to UV radiation
exposure (sunburn) (6); or due to antioxidant effects
from compounds that act similarly to vitamin E (7); or due
to peroxidase enzymes that scavenge hydrogen peroxide radicals
on the skin surface (8).Aloe-Vera gel has been reported to
be useful in many other applications such as lowering
the blood sugar in diabetic rats (9) protecting
against cancer (11), protecting the immune
system (12), increasing biosynthesis of collagen
(13), and managing various skin conditions
(14). To enhance, broaden and complement aloe’s
functionality, in particular in the areas of inflammation
and immune support enhancement, M&M has incorporated
two more ingredients in the formulation notably methylsulfonylmethane
(MSM) and arabinogalactan (AG). The MSM is a natural form
of organic sulfur present in all living organisms. It is found
throughout the body and in a variety of foods (16). The body
being in a constant state of repair requires a continuous
supply of sulfur. However, people are deficient in this nutrient
and this deficiency is becoming more pronounced with age.
Therefore, supplementation of high quality MSM, again with
specific manufacturing and concentrating processes becomes
critical (15). Sulfur is important in the formation of collagen
and glucosamine vital joint components. Studies have shown
that deficiencies of the two sulfur containing aminoacids,
methionine and cysteine, impaired wound healing and collagen
synthesis (17). Supplementation with MSM provides the necessary
sulfur for their synthesis (18). MSM has shown clinical benefits
at oral doses of 100 to 700mg/day for a variety of inflammatory
diseases in humans (19). MSM has been recommended in response
to allergies, control of hyperacidity, constipation and parasite
infections, although the exact mechanism of its action is
not known. It has also been used for reducing the pain associated
with arthritis. The term arthritis simply means inflammation
of a joint. A lengthy patent describing the use of MSM for
alleviating the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis
or muscle cramps by orally ingesting an amount effective to
inhibit such symptoms has successfully established this material
as anti-inflammatory (20).
REFERENCES
1. Natural medicines Comprehensive Data Base, page 32. Published
by Therapeutic Research Faculty, 2nd edition, 1999
2. Zhang L,et al, Immunopharmacology 35: (2)119-128, (1996)
3. Sharma JM, et al, Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. 32:
(4) 1047-52, (1995)
4. Reynolds T, et al, J. Ethnopharmacology 68:3-37, (1999)
5. Velasquez B,et al, J. Ethnopharmacology, (1996)
6. Int. J. Rad. Oncol. Biol. Phys. 32: 1047-52, (1995)
7. Lee KY, et al, Free Radic. Biol.Med. 15: (2) 261-2, (2000)
8. Esteban A, et al, Planta Medica 66L8) 724-27, (2000)
9. Okyar A, et al, Phytotherapy Res. 15: (2) 157-6, (2001)
10. Qiu Z, et al, Planta Medica 66: (2) 152-6, (2000)
11. Kim HS, et al, Carcinogenesis 8:1637-40, (1999)
12. Strickland FM, et al, Photochem Phytobiol. 69: (2) 141-7,
(1999)
13. Chithra P, et al, Indian J Exp. Biol 36: (9) 896-901,
(1998)
14. Syed T A, et al, Trop. Med. Int. Health 1: (4) 505-9,
(1996)
15. Scauss A,Consumer Guide to Family Health page 20, November
(1998)
16. Williams K, et al, Arch.Biochem. Biophys. 113:251, (1966)
17. Nutrition applied to Ingury Rehabilitation and Sports
Medicine, page 41, by Bucci L, CRC Press (1994)
18. Richmond VL, Life Sci. 39: (3) 263-8, (1986)
19. Jacob S W, et al, Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 411:13, (1983)
20. Hershler R, US patent 4863748 issued Sept 5th 1989
21. Morton J I, et al, Fed. Am. Soc. Exp Mol 69th Annual Meeting
692, (1985)
22. Degan B A, et al, Anaerobe 1:103-112 (1995)
23. Wagner H, Dutch Patent 30429491 issued 7/15/82
24. Slavin J, Total Health 22L5) 24-25, (2000)
25. Papadimitriou D, Health Supplement Retailer 6: (9) 58,(2000)
26. Kelly G, Alternative Medicine Review 4: (2) 96-102, (1999)
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