Cholesterol and Triglycerides Basics

Keep in mind that 50% of the people that have a heart attack or stroke, have normal or below normal cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol and triglycerides are two forms of lipid, or fat, that circulate in your bloodstream. They are both necessary for life itself. Cholesterol is necessary for building and maintaining key parts of your cells (such as your cell membranes), and for making several essential hormones. Triglycerides, which are chains of high-energy fatty acids, provide much of the energy needed for your tissues to function. So you can't live without them.

But when blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides become too high, your risk of developing cardiovascular disease is significantly increased. And this is why you need to be concerned about your lipid profile levels.

Where Do Cholesterol and Triglycerides Come From?
There are two (2) sources for cholesterol and triglycerides: dietary sources, and "endogenous" sources (that is, manufactured within the body).

Dietary cholesterol mainly come from:

Meat and Poultry

Meat and poultry are major sources of cholesterol, with a single serving containing as much as 70mg of cholesterol.

Dairy Products
Dairy products, including cheese, ice cream,and milk, are one of the primary sources of saturated fat and cholesterol in the U.S. diet, according to Harvard School of Public Health.

These dietary lipids are absorbed through your gut,and then are delivered through the bloodstream to your liver, where they are processed.

Food is one source of triglycerides. Your liver also produces them. When you eat extra calories—especially carbohydrates—your liver increases the production of triglycerides. Triglycerides come mainly from dietary carbohydrates.

When you consume—or your body creates—excess triglycerides, they’re stored in fat cells for later use. When they’re needed, your body releases them as fatty acids, which fuel body movement, create heat and provide energy for body processes.

For good health, your triglyceride level should be less than 150 mg/dL, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Border-line high levels are 150 to 199 mg/dL; high is 200 to 499 mg/dL; and very high is 500 mg/dL and greater.

One of the main jobs of the liver is to make sure all the tissues of your body receive the cholesterol and triglycerides they need to function. Generally, for about 8 hours after a meal, your liver takes up dietary cholesterol and triglycerides from the bloodstream. During times when dietary lipids are not available, your liver produces cholesterol and triglycerides itself. About 75% of the cholesterol in your body is manufactured by the liver.

Your liver then places the cholesterol and triglycerides, along with special proteins, into tiny sphere-shaped packages called lipoproteins, which are released into the circulation. Cholesterol and triglycerides are removed from the lipoproteins and incorporated into your body's cells, wherever they are needed.

Types of Cholesterol

What Are LDL and HDL?
LDL stands for "low density lipoprotein," and HDL for "high density lipoprotein." In the bloodstream, "bad" cholesterol is carried in LDL, and "good" cholesterol is carried in HDL. In most people, the majority of the cholesterol in the blood is packaged as LDL, and only a relatively small proportion is from HDL cholesterol.

Why Are High LDL Cholesterol Levels Bad?
Elevated levels of LDL cholesterol have been strongly associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. It appears that when LDL cholesterol levels are too high, the LDL lipoprotein tends to stick the lining of the blood vessels, which helps to stimulate atherosclerosis. So, an elevated LDL cholesterol level is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. This is why LDL cholesterol has been called "bad" cholesterol.

What is VLDL (Very Low Density Lipoproteins) Cholesterol?
VLDL Cholesterol (very low density lipoprotein) is a lipoprotein subclass assembled in the liver from cholesterol and apolipoproteins. It is then converted in the bloodstream to low density lipoprotein (LDL). VLDL is prone to accelerate atherosclerosis, and is elevated in a number of diseases and metabolic states. It is composed mostly of cholesterol, with little protein. VLDL (and LDL) is often called "bad cholesterol" because it deposits cholesterol on your artery walls. VLDL transports endogenous triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol and cholesteryl esters. It functions as the body's internal transport mechanism for lipids.

So VLDL cholesterol is usually estimated as a percentage of your triglyceride value.

Triglycerides / 5 = VLDL

Normal VLDL cholesterol level is between 5 and 40 milligrams per deciliter.

Why Is HDL Cholesterol Called "Good" Cholesterol?
A lot of evidence now suggests that higher HDL cholesterol levels are associated with a lower risk of heart disease, and conversely, that low HDL cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk. Because the higher your HDL cholesterol the better, HDL cholesterol is called "good" cholesterol.

Why is HDL cholesterol protective?
It appears that the HDL lipoprotein "scours" the walls of blood vessels and removes excess cholesterol. So the cholesterol present in HDL is (to a large extent) excess cholesterol that has just been removed from cells and blood vessel walls, and is being transported back to the liver for processing. The higher the HDL cholesterol levels, presumably, the more cholesterol is being removed from where it might otherwise cause damage.

How Important Are Triglycerides?
In recent years several studies have established that people with elevated levels of triglycerides are indeed at increased risk.

What Causes High Cholesterol?
Elevated cholesterol levels can be caused by several factors, including heredity, poor diet, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, age, smoking, and gender (pre-menopausal women have lower cholesterol levels than men). Several medical conditions, including diabetes, hypothyroidism (low thyroid,) liver disease, and chronic renal (kidney) failure, can also increase cholesterol levels. Some drugs, especially steroids and progesterone, can do the same.

Testing For Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels
Beginning at age 20, testing for cholesterol and triglycerides is recommended every five years. And if your lipid levels are found to be elevated, repeat testing should be done yearly.

VAP Test

VAP stands for vertical auto profile, and it tests cholesterol measurements more specifically than previous cholesterol tests.

The VAP cholesterol test provides accurate, detailed results, identifying people at risk for cardiovascular disease—with a detection rate that is more that of routine cholesterol panels. Compared to conventional lipid panels, the sophisticated VAP test enables physicians to more accurately assess their patients’ risks for cardiovascular disease, and thus to better manage their treatment. As we learn more about emerging risk factors for heart disease, advanced lipid testing will become even more crucial in helping to arrest the progression of what remains America’s leading cause of premature death.

Previous blood cholesterol tests examined the levels of high density lipoproteins (HDL), also called “good cholesterol.” These tests also examined and counted the presence of low density lipoproteins (LDL), or “bad cholesterol.” These earlier tests were roughly 40% accurate in predicting risk for heart attack.

What scientists discovered while developing the VAP test is that HDL and LDL could be broken down further into subtypes by reclassifying density. These subtypes could further define cholesterol levels and risk of heart attack. High levels of LDL are considered to increase risk for heart attack and necessitate treatment. The VAP test expands on this knowledge. It examines a subtype of LDL called Lp(a), which, when it is the predominant form of LDL, can increase the risk of heart attack up to 25 times.

The expanded information from the VAP test includes:

• More accurate, direct measurement of LDL.
• Measurement of LDL pattern density. This is important because small, dense LDL (“Pattern B”) triples the likelihood of developing coronary plaque and suffering a heart attack.
• Measurement of lipoprotein subclasses, which include HDL2 and HDL3, intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL1, VLDL2, VLDL3), and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], a particularly dangerous lipoprotein that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
• LPa (verbalized as LP little a) is a serious contributor to heart and vascular disease when the value is over 30.
• If you have a high LPa you should also have a homocystiene, hsCRP, plasminogen activator inhibitor I (PAI-1) test.

Specifically, the VAP test measures:

• Total VLDL: Elevated VLDL levels correspond to an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.
• Sum Total Cholesterol: The sum of HDL, LDL and VLDL levels.
• Total non-HDL: The sum of only LDL and VLDL levels; a higher value indicates a greater risk for developing heart disease.
• Total apoB100: Apolipoprotein B100 helps create, carry and deliver "bad cholesterol" to cells; measuring apoB100 levels aids in determining the type and/or cause of high cholesterol.
• Lp(a) cholesterol: Research suggests that Lp(a), which is similar to LDL, is an inherited risk factor for atherosclerosis.
• IDL: A lipoprotein of intermediate density; according to Atherotech, this number is elevated among individuals with a family history of diabetes.
• LDL-RC: LDL that is bound to C-reactive protein; this type of LDL is found at the site of atherosclerotic plaques in the body, which are one of the key features of artery disease and -- when they rupture -- the primary initiator of heart attacks.
• Sum Total LDL-C: The sum of Lp(a), IDL and LDL.
• LDL Size Pattern: Reported as one of three categories -- A, A/B or B. In pattern A, the LDL molecules are larger and less dense, making them easier for the body to remove. In pattern A/B, there is a combination of light and dense molecules. In pattern B, smaller, high-density molecules predominate. According to Atherotech, patients with small, dense LDL particles (pattern B) have a four-fold greater risk of developing heart disease than patients with LDL size pattern A.
• HDL-2: A subclass of "good cholesterol" that is particularly protective against heart disease. A low number here could mean an increased risk of coronary artery disease, even in those with otherwise normal cholesterol levels.
• HDL-3: Another subclass of HDL, which does not protect against coronary artery disease to the same degree as HDL-2.
• VLDL-3: A triglyceride-rich very low-density lipoprotein; some studies suggest a potential correlation between higher VLDL-3 numbers and the development of diabetes.

In addition, the VAP test provides individuals with a better idea of their vulnerability to the metabolic syndrome, a combination of factors that significantly elevate the risk an individual will develop diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

Get a VAP test on your client www.directlabs.com

Treating High Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels

Deciding on whether you ought to be treated for high cholesterol or high triglyceride levels, whether that treatment ought to include drug therapy, and which drugs ought to be used, is not always entirely straightforward. Still, if your cardiovascular risk is elevated, the right treatment aimed at your lipid levels can substantially reduce your chances of having a heart attack, or even of dying prematurely. So when it comes to treating cholesterol and triglycerides, it is important to get it right.

Treatment

Exercise

If you are otherwise in good health, one of the best ways to lower triglycerides is with reg

ular exercise. Choose an activity that gets your heart beating faster. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days.

Nutrition

Making the following adjustments to your diet also may help:

• Consume less/more total fat in your diet. Limit fat calories to less than 30 percent of your total caloric intake.
• Consume less simple carbohydrates, such as table sugar and syrup. Limit your intake of baked goods made with white flour and sugar. Instead, choose complex carbohydrates, such as found in whole wheat flour, brown rice and vegetables.
• Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids. These fats, found in fish, play a role in helping keep triglycerides down. Salmon, albacore tuna, sardines, and herring all have a lot of omega-3s.
• Get 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains, such as whole-wheat bread and brown rice, are great sources.
• Cut back on alcohol. For some people, drinking even a little bit can have a big effect on triglycerides.

In addition to limiting or eliminating certain foods from the diet, doctors often encourage patients with higher levels of VLDL cholesterol to consume more green vegetables, fresh fruits and whole grains. This can help to increase the amount of fiber in the diet, which will also help to lower cholesterol levels in the bloodstream.

How much Omega 3 do you need to add?

This is under debate and more research is being done. Right now the range experts recommend is from 500-2000 mg/day. Here are the current American Heart Association (AHA) recommendations.

The AHA recommends that individuals without heart disease eat a variety of fish twice a week.

For individuals with heart disease, the AHA recommends 1 g of EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) + DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) daily, preferably from fatty fish.

The AHA recommends 2 to 4 g of EPA + DHA daily for individuals that need to lower triglycerides. High doses, > 3 grams/day, can result in excessive bleeding. Talk to your MD before supplementing greater than 3 grams.

Calamari Oil from Standard Process: Calamari oil (squid), natural flavor, and mixed tocopherols (soy).

Serving size: 1 teaspoon (5 mls)

• Calories 36
• Calories from Fat 32
• Total Fat 3.5 g 5%*
• Saturated Fat 0.7 g 4%*
• Polyunsaturated Fat 1.5 g
• Monounsaturated Fat 0.8 g
• DHA 800 mg
• EPA 400 mg

Omega 3 Content of Different Foods

• Wild Salmon, 4 oz. 1700 mg (DHA 700 mg, EPA 400 mg)
• Tuna canned in water 4 oz. 300 mg (DHA 200 mg, EPA 50 mg)

• Cod, 4 oz. 600 mg (DHA 160 mg, EPA 50 mg)

• Walnuts, 1 oz. 2570 mg (ALA 2570 mg)

• Pecans, 1 oz. 280 mg (ALA 280 mg)

• Wheat germ, ¼ cup 210 mg (ALA 210 mg)

• Olive oil, 1 Tbsp 100 mg (ALA 100 mg)

There's a reason I included details on amounts of DHA, EPA, and ALA for each omega 3 source. Right now, DHA and EPA have a greater link with lower cholesterol levels, lower triglycerides, and higher HDL levels than ALA. The body is able to convert ALA to EPA and DHA, but the conversion rate is low; therefore, it is best to include high DHA and EPA sources in your eating plan.

Niacin

If you have low HDL (good) cholesterol, niacin is an option. Niacin alone lowers LDL by 10-20%, triglycerides even more, and boosts HDL by as much as 15-35%. Dosages vary from 1-4 grams. Recommended taking it in the form of niacinamide to reduce the side effect of itching.

Wahlberg et al. studied the effects of nicotinic acid (which is the same thing as niacin) on patients with type IIa, IIb or type IV hyperlipidemia, all of which are marked by raised LDL and/or VLDL levels. They found that 4 grams of niacin daily decreased triglycerides, LDL and VLDL, while HDL and HDL2 increased by 37% and 135%, respectively.

Seed et al. report similar effects. When patients with type II hyperlipidemia were given 1 gram of niacin, total cholesterol dropped by 16.3%, triglycerides dropped by 25.5%, and LDL by 23.7%. HDL increased by 37.3%.

Elam et al. looked at patients with peripheral arterial disease, some of whom also had diabetes. Mean HDL in patients with and without diabetes was 39 mg/dL and 42 mg/dL, respectively. When given 3,000 mg niacin per day, HDL increased in both groups by 29%. Triglycerides decreased by 23% and 28%, respectively, in patients with and without diabetes. LDL decreased by 8% and 9%.

Standard Process Niacinamide B6

• Niacinamide 50 mg
• Vitamin B6 9 mg

Proprietary Blend: 416 mg Bovine liver, porcine stomach, calcium lactate, soy (bean), bovine spleen, ovine spleen, defatted wheat (germ), para-aminobenzoate, porcine brain, and ascorbic acid.

Niacin can be found in the following foods:

• Dairy products
• Lean meats
• Poultry
• Fish
• Nuts
• Eggs

The main objection to niacin is:

Therapeutic (pharmacologic) doses (100mg to 1,000 mg) cause an elevation in homocysteine levels. 75 mg or more can cause side effects.

"Niacin Treatment Increases Plasma Homocyst(e)ine Levels"

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/417292_print

Conclusion
Niacin is effective in correcting unhealthy cholesterol levels. In patients with high LDL, niacin decreases LDL, VLDL and triglycerides while raising HDL. The VLDL-lowering effect seems to result from niacin's ability to increase the size of LDL particles.

In patients with low HDL, niacin with or without cholesterol-lowering drugs increases HDL and decreases triglycerides. Doses in these studies were high, ranging from 1 gram per day to 4 grams per day, which resulted in the unpleasant itching sensation known as the "niacin flush" in many patients.

Sources:

Bioletto, Silvana, Alain Golay, Robert Munger, Barbara Kalix and Richard W. James. "Acute Hyperinsulinemia and Very-Low-Density and Low-Density

Lipoprotein Subfractions in Obese Subjects." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 71(2000): 443-449.

Mayo Clinic Staff. "Cholesterol Test: Sorting out the Lipids." MayoClinic.com. 1 Feb. 2007. The Mayo Clinic. 11 Mar 2008 .

Crider, Kristin. "Unique Lipoprotein Phenotype and Genotype." CDC.gov. 2 Nov. 2007. Centers for Disease Control. 11 Mar 2008 

http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/hugenet/ejournal/lipoprotein.htm

"Fact Sheet: The VAP Cholesterol Test." The Most Comprehensive Cholesterol Test - VAP. 2008. Atherotech, Inc.. 20 Mar 2008 http://www.atherotech.com/aboutus/presskit.asp?presskititem=vapcholesteroltestfacts.

Kulkarni, KR, DW Garber, SM Marcovina and JP Segrest. "Quantification of Cholesterol in all Lipoprotein Classes by the VAP-II Method." Journal of Lipid Research. 35(1994) 159-168. 20 MAR 08 http://www.jlr.org/cgi/content/abstract/35/1/159?ijkey=d20e388ec3061eb7fd0df98e17f01fe91121e17b&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha

"Metabolic Syndrome." Metabolic Syndrome. 2008. American Heart Association. 20 Mar 2008 http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4756

Singh, SK, MV Suresh, B Voleti and A Agrawal. "The Connection Between C-reactive Protein and Atherosclerosis." Annals of Medicine. 40.2. 16 NOV 2007 110-120. 20 MAR 08 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18293141?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pu.

Ziajka, Paul. "Using VAP Expanded Lipid Testing from Atherotech to Develop Optimal Patient Treatment Plans." 2008. Atherotech. 20 Mar 2008 www.atherotech.com/HealthcareProfessionals/pdfs/ziajkamonograph_thirded.pdf.

LifeWire, a part of The New York Times Company, provides original and syndicated online lifestyle content. Betsy Lee is an independent journalist living in Kansas City, Mo.

Digestive Restoration: A Simple Plan

Digestive health is the ability to break down, absorb and use nutrients, and to eliminate waste products from our food and beverages in a way that optimizes health and vitality. The better your digestive health is, the better your overall health is. It is your first line of defense against toxins and infections from harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites. It is a critical part of our immune system. Not to mention that when our digestive system isn't functioning properly we experience heartburn, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation/diarrhea and other symptoms that are uncomfortable, unpredictable and embarrassing.

While, as you follow the plan outlined below, you should begin seeing some fairly immediate improvements, you should commit to following this plan closely for at least 3 months in order give your system an opportunity to significantly begin to heal.

First, here are a few DON’Ts:

• Immediately eliminate all fried foods, period. Absolutely none during this healing time.
• For the time being, avoid dairy products, including milk, ice cream, and soft cheese. You MAY eat real high quality butter, yoghurt and hard cheeses.
• Immediately eliminate all high gluten foods – wheat, barley, rye, and oats. No bagels! No cookies. No boxed cereals. No breads. No oatmeal. You MAY eat whole grain rice and millet. At the end of 3 months, it may be possible for you to occasionally eat gluten foods. But only try them out gradually and occasionally until your digestive system is completely healed.
• Eliminate ALL processed simple carbohydrates and sugars. No cookies, cakes, pies, or the like for the time being. No soft drinks or processed/packaged fruit juices. You MAY eat limited amounts of raw honey and fructose. No “high fructose corn syrup” which is mostly sucrose.
• Eliminate alcohol.

DOs:

• eat plenty of greens, vegetables and fruits, cooked or raw. [Hold off on very much raw initially until you digestive system gets calmed down enough to handle the fiber. Increase raw fruits and vegetables gradually.]
• eat good soups, especially good home made vegetable soups. Home made soups with real chicken or beef broth made from boiling down the meat and bones, plus fresh vegetables cooked down in the broth, are rich in good fats, essential fatty acids, and fat soluble vitamins that are restorative to the digestive track.
• eat good clean fish – salmon, perch, cod, etc. These are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are essential to the healing of the intestines and colon.
• rest and get adequate (or extra) sleep during this healing period.
• laugh as much as possible. This release endorphins into the blood stream that are natural relaxers and pain relievers. [Endorphins are complex hormones that are 10 times more powerful than morphine.] Endorphins are also involved in the regulation of contractions of the intestinal wall.
• get exercise several times per week, like walking, swimming, bike riding, weight lifting.
• listen to classical music and meditate. This has a natural relaxing effect on the digestive track.
• drink plenty of clean water

The Plan
We’re going to start off gently and build up over the course of several days.

This is your Basic Regimen:
4 Cyrofood tablets
1 Scoop Whole Food Fiber
1 Prosynbiotic
1 Enzycore
2 Zypan
2 Omega 3 Tuna Oil
2 SP Green Food

Go to http://www.standardprocess.com/ to see more on these products.

• On the first two days, take this basic regimen one time each day – such as at dinner time.
• On the third and fourth days, take the basic regimen two times – such as in the morning and at supper.
• Beginning on the fifth day, start taking the basic regimen three times per day – morning, noon, and night – and continue at this level for at least 60 days.

If you are not seeing significant improvement by the end of the first 2 weeks, you may need to add mor digestive support - either Enzycore and/or Zypan.

At the end of 60 days, if you have made significant improvement, try cutting back by one round per day – that is, try cutting back from 3 rounds to 2.

Also, at the end of 60 days, now that your digestive system is healing and getting stronger, I’d like to see you start using the basic health building program – Energizing Whey Pro and/or SP Complete along with your digestive regimen – if you are not already doing so.

What the Supplements do:

SP Whole Food Fiber
Whole Food Fiber is a good source of fiber from nutrient-rich whole foods.

Proprietary Blend: 6 grams
Oat fiber, beet fiber, rice (bran), carrot (root), beet (root), apple pectin, and carrot fiber.

• Contains both soluble and insoluble fiber Supports healthy bowel function
• Promotes regular intestinal motility and elimination
• Supports healthy epithelial cells in the bowel
• Provides food for beneficial micro-organisms in the lower gastrointestinal tract
• Contains nutrients which support the immune system.

Prosynbiotic

• Delivers live culture of the “good” bacteria directly to the colon.
• Contains research supported strains of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii.
• Contains inulin, a non-digestible, soluble fiber from chicory root and galactooligosaccharide (GOS), a non-digestible carbohydrate, both of which are used by probiotic bacteria as food.
• Useful in maintaining a healthy gut microbial environment.
• Improves nutrient digestion/absorption.
• Supports normal bowel regularity and consistency.
• Supports the body's natural immune response.

Enzycore
Enzycore is a comprehensive blend of microbial enzymes and whole food ingredients designed to support healthy digestion and maximize nutrient absorption.

• Provides natural plant-derived enzymes necessary for proper digestion.
• Helps eliminate digestive stresses like lactose intolerance and legume sensitivity.
• Improves overall digestion.
• Supplies a comprehensive blend of enzymes that break down protein, carbohydrates, and fat.
• Includes bromelain, an enzyme complex from pineapple stems and juice that helps break down protein.
• Includes l-glutamine, an amino acid used as a building block for other amino acids; also provides energy to cells with high energy needs (like those in the intestines).

Provides kale and beet powder to support healthy digestion.

Vegetarian Enzyme Blend: 46mg
Acid maltase (1MaltU), alpha-galactosidase (45 GalU), amylase (1,800 DU), bromelain (32,880 FCCPU), glucoamylase (3 AGU), invertase (170 SU), lactase (325 ALU), lipase (230 FIP), peptidase (820 HUT), protease 3.0 (3 SAPU), protease 4.5 (4,930 HUT), protease 6.0 (1,640 HUT).

Proprietary Blend: 395 mg

L-glutamine, kale (whole plant), and beet (root)

Zypan

• Supports gastrointestinal pH.
• Provides enzymatic support for protein digestion.
• Zypan combines pancreatin, pepsin, and betaine hydrochloride to facilitate healthy digestion.

Proprietary Blend: 700mg
Betaine hydrochloride, pancreas Cytosol™ extract, pancreatin (3x), fatty acid, pepsin (1:10,000), ammonium chloride, bovine spleen, and ovine spleen.

Omega 3 Tuna Oil

Provides essential fatty acids that are calming and healing to then digestive track. Tuna Omega-3 Oil delivers essential omega-3 fatty acids (including EPA (60mg) and DHA (300mg)).

• Natural profile of tuna oil; not concentrated.
• Supports normal lipid profile.
• Supports the body's natural inflammatory response.
• Provides antioxidants.
• Sustainably sourced and dolphin friendly.
• Third-party tested for environmental contaminants.
• Supports cognition.
• DHA is important for proper fetal eye and brain development.
• Supports the nutritional needs of the mother and baby during lactation.
• Supports healthy skin/hair health.
• Supports emotional balance.

Cyrofood
Provides nutrients important to the healing and restoration of the digestive system, especially vitamins A and D and the entire complex of B vitamins, in a very easily assimilated form.

Proprietary Blend: 700 mg
Carrot (root), nutritional yeast, defatted wheat (germ), date (fruit) powder, oat flour, bovine bone, bovine adrenal, rice (bran), veal bone, bovine spleen, ovine spleen, bovine kidney, bovine liver, mushroom, dried alfalfa (whole plant) juice, dried pea (vine) juice, soybean lecithin, ascorbic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin A palmitate, riboflavin, cocarboxylase, and cholecalciferol.

SP Green Food

• A rich source of trace minerals important to health.
• Helps neutralize excess acidity in the body.
• Soothes and helps heal the digestive system.
• Helps detoxifies the body and bowels.

Proprietary Blend: 480 mg
Brussels sprout (whole plant) powder, kale (whole plant) powder and alfalfa (sprout) powder.

What to Expect:

Expect your body to begin a general house cleaning. As the body is pulling toxins out of the liver and fatty tissue of the body, those toxins can cause temporary effects like mild headaches, low energy, minor aches, etc. Keep in mind that the body is trying to eliminate the garbage. When the “bad” bacteria begin to die off, they release methane gas. Adding Zymex wafers helps the bowel to release built up pockets of gas. So if you experience increased gas and flatulence, this is a sign that good things are happening. Expect gas and bloating. It will eventually decrease and disappear.

If you are not already using the following, at the end of the first 60 days, you should add (if you are already using them, continue):

** Immuplex

** Livaplex

** Folic Acid B12

Immuplex will help you build up your overall health and immunity.

The Livaplex will help restore normal liver functioning and bile flow. It will further detoxify the liver and remove excess bile, which will help the gallbladder.

Folic Acid B12 helps reduce Homocysteine.

Don

Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms

additional thoughts to adrenal posting..............

Any of these familiar:

• Low body temperature
• Weakness
• Lack of energy (reduced energy metabolism)
• Unexplained hair loss
• Nervousness
• Difficulty building muscle
• Difficulty losing weight
• Irritability
• Mental depression
• Difficulty gaining weight
• Apprehension
• Reactive hypoglycemia (feeling shaky/cranky/palpitations after high carbs)
• Inability to concentrate
• Excessive hunger
• Tendency towards inflammation
• Moments of confusion
• Indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome
• Poor memory
• Alternating diarrhea and constipation
• Osteoporosis, osteopenia, bone fractures 
• Auto-immune diseases
• Poor resistance to infections
• Frequent infections
• Asthma
• Respiratory infections, pneumonia, bronchitis
• Low blood pressure (but high occcurs too)
• Lightheadedness especially upon standing 
• Palpitations [heart fluttering]
• Dizziness that occurs upon standing
• Insomnia
• Food and/or inhalant allergies
• PMS
• Craving for sweets and carby foods
• Dry and thin skin, dry skin, acne
• Headaches, Migraines, Abdominal Refractory Migraines
• Scanty perspiration (or excessive with reactive hypoglycemia)
• Alcohol intolerance
• Caffeine intolerance 
• Iodine intolerance (heart palpitations, racing heart, jittery? probably adrenal fatigue)
• Thyroid replacement intolerance (ditto... with Armour, Cytomel, Synthroid, Levoxyl, Nutri-med Thyroid, etc therapy)

Stages, Tests and Treatment

Stages

Adrenal exhaustion progresses in three (3) stages. Adrenal Function Testing is the most accurate determination of which stage you may find yourself.

Stage I Alarm is distinguished by an increase in output of ACTH by the anterior pituitary gland, increased adrenocortical stimulation, increased cortisol output and an increased probability of pregnenolone steal and decreased DHEA. When in a Chronic Stress Response, pregnenolone, the common precursor to cortisol, DHEA and other hormones is preferentially diverted to cortisol production at the expense of the rest of the steroidal hormones. Generally in Stage I cortisol increases and DHEA and its metabolites decrease or an imbalance occurs especially between testosterone and estrogen.

Increased ACTH and Cortisol. Decreased DHEA. Estrogen and Testosterone imbalance.

Stage II Resistance Adrenal Exhaustion is marked by the transition from increased to decreased cortisol output. This stage is characterized by continuing high levels of ACTH and thus: adrenocortical stimulation, normal total cortisol output, low or borderline low morning, noon or afternoon cortisol levels, normal nighttime cortisol level, and an increased probability of pregnenolone steal and a further decrease in DHEA. This is a transitional phase in which although ACTH stimulation remains high or even increases, the adrenal output of cortisol declines due to the adrenal fatigue associated with continued hyper stimulation.

Increased ACTH. Decreased DHEA and Cortisol. Cortisol rhythm disturbance.

Stage III Failure Adrenal Exhaustion is an advanced stage of adrenal exhaustion characterized by decreased total cortisol output. This stage is characterized by continuing high levels of ACTH and thus adrenocortical stimulation, low total cortisol output, and increased probability of a low nighttime cortisol level and pregnenolone steal and even further decrease in DHEA. The adrenal glands are now exhausted to the point that even though there is ongoing hyperstimulation (high ACTH); they continue to lose their capacity and reserve to produce enough cortisol. The eventual result is a crash of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) in which essential neuroendocrine feedback loops are unable to return the system to homeostasis.

Increased ACTH. Decreased DHEA and Cortisol. Cortisol rhythm disturbance; especially at night

FUNCTIONIONAL ADRENAL TESTS

Adrenal Function Tests You Can Do at Home

#1-Postural Hypotension:
Postural hypotension (also known as orthostatic hypotension) is a drop in blood pressure that occurs upon rising from a horizontal position. It is commonly expressed as a feeling of dizziness or lightheadedness, a "head rush", or "standing up too fast".

To do this test, you will need a blood pressure cuff. Lie down and rest for 5 minutes. Take a blood pressure reading while still horizontal. Then, stand up and take another reading.

Normally, your blood pressure should rise 6-10 points. If it drops, particularly by 10 points or more, hypoadrenia is indicated. Generally, the bigger the drop, the greater the adrenal insufficiency.

It should also be mentioned that low blood pressure in general is also an indicator of exhausted adrenals when present in conjunction with the other symptoms of adrenal gland fatigue.

#2-Iris Contraction Test
For this test you will need a weak flashlight or penlight, and a mirror. In a dark bathroom or closet, wait a minute for your eyes to adjust to the dark. This will allow your pupils to dilate (open) fully. Then, shine the flashlight into your eyes, and watch the reaction of your pupils for at least 30 seconds.

The light should cause your iris to contract, making your pupils (the dark spot in the center of your eye) smaller. Normally, they should stay that way, but if you have adrenal gland fatigue, the iris will be weak and will not be able to hold the contraction, it will either waver between contracted and relaxed, or will contract initially, but then open up after 10-30 seconds.

As with the postural hypotension test, the degree to which you "fail" this test is an indicator of the degree of adrenal insufficiency you are experiencing.

#3-Sergent's Adrenal White Line
With your fingernail or the dull end of a spoon, draw a line across your belly. In moderate to severe cases of adrenal fatigue, the line will stay white, and even get wider over the course of time, while a "normal" reaction would be for the line to almost immediately turn red.

This test has historically been used to indicate severe adrenal fatigue and Addison's Disease, milder cases of adrenal fatigue may not exhibit this sign.

Saliva Testing

What is Saliva Testing?

The Cortisol/DHEAS Saliva Test measures the levels of the stress hormones DHEAS and cortisol and provides an evaluation of how cortisol levels differ throughout the day.

Health conditions this test is used to assess
Most saliva hormone tests can uncover biochemical imbalances that can be underlying causes of such conditions as chronic stress, adrenal fatigue, anxiety, chronic fatigue, obesity, diabetes, depression, insomnia, and many other chronic conditions.

What does this test involve?
The test involves simply spitting into a test tube. Cortisol is measured four times - in the morning (8 AM), noon, evening (4 PM) and night (best between 11 PM and midnight). Other steroid hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, DHEAS and testosterone can be measured along with cortisol in the 8 AM saliva sample, if desired. You carry the test tubes with you during the day (they easily fit into a pocket or purse) so they are handy when it’s time to give a saliva sample. Immediate refrigeration is not necessary. Once the sample set is complete, you mail the tubes back to the lab for analysis in the mailing envelop that is included with the test kit. Both you and your doctor will receive copies of the results, usually within 2 weeks.

Is saliva testing for hormones reliable?
Yes, saliva tests are reliable indicators for all steroid hormones (cortisol and all sex steroids). However just as with blood tests, some labs are more reliable than others – especially for sex steroids, like estrogens. In fact, saliva cortisol testing is covered by Plan B medicare. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), recognize saliva cortisol testing as being very accurate. Some insurance plans also cover saliva cortisol testing. Since 1983, 2,500 research papers have been published supporting salivary hormone testing.

How can I get this test done?
Talk to your health care professional about your symptoms and ask if this test would be useful for you.

The following laboratory performs salivary hormone testing and can help you find practitioners who are familiar with them:

Diagnos-Techs, Inc.6620 192nd Place, Bldg. J
Kent, WA 98032
425-251-0596
e-mail cs@diagnostechs.com


Treatment

Too often the signs and symptoms of the adrenal cortex are confused with those created by the adrenal medulla and a sympathetic - parasympathetic nervous system imbalance.' On the "Stress Related Illness and the Adrenal Glands" chart is a listing of common signs and symptoms found in stress related patients with a differentiation made between those arising from the adrenal cortex and those attributable to sympathetic - parasympathetic imbalance. It is important to identify whether or not the stress related patient is either sympathetic dominant or parasympathetic dominant because treatment must be varied accordingly.

Sympathetic Dominance Signs

• High Systolic / High Diastolic
• Tachacardia
• Paradoxal pupils
• Energy OK
• Closed ICV
• Decreased Saliva

Parasympathetic Dominance signs

• Low Systolic
• Bradycardia
• Constricted Pupils
• ICV Open
• Energy Low
• Increased Saliva

HyperAdrenal Cortex Signs

• High Diastolic

HypoAdrenal Cortex Signs

• Low Diastolic
• Increased Pulmonary S2

Nutritional Support:

Drenamin is a combination product containing adrenal protomorphogen extract, adrenal concentrate, and the Cataplex "G" (riboflavin and niacin) and Cataplex C. The adrenal gland has both a cortex and a medulla. Drenamin helps to support primarily adrenal cortex function. The adrenal gland cortex is an endocrine gland which makes steroid hormones which are increased under conditions of stress and whose effects last for several hours. It is sometimes necessary to use the protomorphogen extract in combination with the whole glandular concentrate which is supportive of both the cortex and the medulla. The Cataplex "G" and C are substances which the adrenal cortex uses up. Drenamin is important to consider in a patient whose nutritional pattern has been faulty for a long time.

Drenatrophin PMG supports adrenal function. Provides uniquely derived nucleoprotein-mineral extracts that support cellular health. Supports adrenal gland health. Over the long term, helps maintain adrenal function to reduce the effects of stress on the nervous system and combat fatigue.
 
A flexible rule of thumb would be to use Drenamin for patients with high or normal blood pressure and weak adrenals, and Drenatrophin PMG for patients with low blood pressure and weak adrenals.

Frequently, Pantothenic acid (B5) is also required in stress related conditions. Pantothenic acid is essential for the synthesis of steroid hormones in the body including the adrenal hormones. In most patients, 100 mg to 300 mg. of pantothenic acid per day is adequate to combat their stress levels when combined with other natural therapies.

Too often the signs and symptoms of the adrenal cortex are confused with those created by the adrenal medulla and a sympathetic - parasympathetic nervous system imbalance.

The body makes norepinephrine and epinephrine using the following nutrients: the amino acid Tyrosine, Tyrosinase Enzyme and Ascorbic acid (as in CATAPLEX C), Folic Acid, B-6, Niacinamide, and Iron.

Alkaline ash minerals will affect tissue response in such a way as to enhance parasympathetic and dampen sympathetic dominance. The alkaline ash minerals, as found in Organically bound minerals enhance the parasympathetic nervous system which is the body's brake. Alkaline ash minerals are predominantly potassium and magnesium but thi products also contain calcium and a number of other minerals. organically bound minerals tablets are a particularly good source of magnesium, not so much in quantity, but in function in the body. They are also an excellent source of potassium. The potassium, magnesium, and other alkaline ash minerals found in organically bound minerals come primarily from green leafy vegetables. In general, alkaline ash minerals are found in fruits and vegetables.

Herbs

Rehmannia
Rehmannia is the most important Chinese herb for disorders of the kidneys and adrenal glands. Rehmannia also appears to combat adrenal suppression caused by steroid hormones and has a similar tonic effect on the adrenal cortex as licorice. Unlike liquorice (also an adrenal tonic), rehmannia is suitable for use in patients with hypertension (high blood pressure).

Licorice
Its affinity for the endocrine system makes licorice a most remarkable herb, which when used judiciously can be very helpful in treating many human ailments. Licorice has an anti-inflammatory, antiallergic and antiarthritic effect similar to that of cortisone but without its side effects. This is because of glycyrrhizin which has a structure similar to hormones produced by the adrenal glands (cortisol). This occurs because licorice slows the breakdown of cortisol produced by the body.

Adaptogens

The term adaptogen is used by herbalists to refer to natural herb products which they believe increase the body's resistance to stress, trauma, anxiety and fatigue. Adaptogens can also be called rejuvenating herbs, qi tonics, rasayanas, or restoratives. One specific characteristic of their action is that their effect is believed to help the body return to a balanced state. Some herbologists claim that adaptogenic herbs are distinct from other substances in their ability to balance endocrine hormones and the immune system, and they help the body to maintain optimal homeostasis. Adaptogens are purported to have a normalizing effect on the body and to be capable of either toning down or strengthening the activity of hyperfunctioning systems.

Withania (Ashwaganda) Complex
An effective combination of Ashwaganda (Withania), Skullcap, Licorice and Korean Ginseng to support both adrenal and nervous system health. A wonderful whole body tonic to promote vitality and stamina in people of any age. The combination of adrenal and nervous system support helps to promote relaxation and the body's ability to adapt to temporary stress. Supports HPA axis. Specialized testing techniques used by MediHerb ensure that the correct plant parts containing appropriate levels of active constituents are used, which is particularly important for both Ashwaganda and Korean Ginseng.

Eleuthero
An effective herb revered in Russia to support the body's ability to adapt to temporary stress. Supports the HPA axis. Eleuthero has been shown to restore and enhance immune system function. A wonderful whole body tonic that promotes vitality, and physical and mental endurance. MediHerb's Eleuthero contains 950 mcg of eleutheroside E to ensure quality and optimal clinical results.

Rhodiola and Ginseng Complex
Combines two powerful tonic herbs, Rhodiola and Korean Ginseng, to promote energy, vitality and stamina. Ideal formula to support physical and mental performance. Korean Ginseng and Rhodiola contain guaranteed levels of active constituents to ensure optimal quality and clinical results.

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