Vitamin Information Center

Artemether/Lumefantrine (Riamet®)
Definition
Lumefantrine is derived from the alkaloids of the
bark of the South American cinchona tree (quinine
and quinidine). Its effect results from the impairment
of the metabolic processes in plasmodia. Artemether,
which is extracted from Artemisia annua (Quinghasoso),
impairs parasitic enzymes as well. The substances
are effective against all forms of malaria,
therapy is performed for three days. Side effects are
headache, sleeplessness, dizziness and gastrointestinal
symptoms.

Artemether/Lumefantrine (Riamet®)
Definition
Lumefantrine is derived from the alkaloids of the
bark of the South American cinchona tree (quinine
and quinidine). Its effect results from the impairment
of the metabolic processes in plasmodia. Artemether,
which is extracted from Artemisia annua (Quinghasoso),
impairs parasitic enzymes as well. The substances
are effective against all forms of malaria,
therapy is performed for three days. Side effects are
headache, sleeplessness, dizziness and gastrointestinal
symptoms.

any compound that stimulates enzymes

a mixture of enzymes used for maturing cheese

Editor’s note:  A recent study found that use of vitamin E supplements was not associated with reduced risk of lung cancer among the general population. Among current smokers, taking vitamin E supplements may even dramatically increase the risk of the cancer up to 28%.  The following is compiled by a foodconsumer.org editor for those who want to know more about this vitamin. The key point is that vitamin E by definition is essential to your health and you should not avoid it.  The best source is of course food. But when you take a supplement, make sure you are taking the natural form of vitamin E.  Read on for detail.

Vitamin E: What you need to know

What is vitamin E?

Vitamin E is a group of eight nutrients including four tocopherols, (alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-) and four tocotrienols (alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-). Alpha-tocopherol is the only form of vitamin E that is active in the body.

What does vitamin E do in the body?

The form of vitamin E most known today is alpha-tocopherol, which is believed to be used in the body mainly as an antioxidant. Antioxidants are expected to neutralize free radials endogenously and oxidative environmental pollutants.

Alpha-tocopherol is fat-soluble and helps protect against oxidation of fatty components in the cell membrane and also protect fats in low density liporpoteins (LDLs), which transport cholesterol from the liver to the tissue of the body. Oxidation of LDLs could lead to development of cardiovascular diseases.

Alpha-tocopherol also affects some enzymes and the production of immune and inflammatory cells among other things.

The functions of other forms of vitamin E are not as well understood.

What are the consequences of vitamin E deficiency?

Vitamin E deficiency could be caused either by low intake of the vitamin or by some conditions that disable the alpha-tocopherol transfer protein or by some problem with fat absorption.  Those who can’t absorb fat such as patients with cystic fibrosis or cholesterol liver disease would have a problem with absorbing this vitamin from the diet, potentially leading to vitamin E deficiency.

The main consequences of severe vitamin E deficiency are neurological symptoms such as ataxia (impaired balance and coordination), peripheral neuropathy (injury to sensory nerves, myopathy (muscle weakness) and pigmented retinopathy (damage to the eye retina). People who experience these symptoms should be checked for their vitamin E status.  Children are more sensitive and thus more vulnerable to vitamin E deficiency and they can quickly show neurological symptoms while adults may not develop symptoms due to the deficiency for 10 to 20 years.

Vitamin E deficiency due to low intake of this nutrient rarely results in any reported symptoms.  In effect, vitamin E deficiency due to low dietary intake is rare although suboptimal intake of this nutrient is found common in the U.S. population. A study known as the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III) showed 27 % of whites, 41% of blacks, 28% Mexican Americans and 32% of others have less than 20 micromoles/liter, a level of vitamin E that is believed to pose a risk for cardiovascular disease.

What is the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin E?

The RDA set by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine in 2000 varies with age.  The RDA for both adult males and females is 15 mg or 22.5 IU per day.  Pregnancy does not require extra vitamin E, but breastfeeding mother need 19 mg or 28.5 IU per day.

What are the conditions or diseases on which vitamin E may have an effect?

Observational studies have showed an association between increased vitamin E intake and decreased risk of myocardial infarction or heart attack or death from heart disease in both men and women.  Studies also found plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol were inversely linked to the severity of carotid atherosclerosis. But trials often failed to see any protective effect of this vitamin on heart attacks and death.

Observational studies also showed vitamin E may protect against cataracts, but interventional trials did not find any protective effect when 400 IU of vitamin E was used for 7 years.

Alpha-tocopherol was also found to boost the immune response. One study showed 200 mg of synthetic-tocopherol daily for a few months increased production of antibodies in response to hepatitis B vaccine and tetanus vaccine in elderly people.

Because free radials are believed to cause damage to DNA, neutralization of these compounds by antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin E is believed to have a preventative effect against cancer.  But many studies showed that vitamin E supplements were not linked to reduced risk of cancer.  In a recent study, vitamin E supplementation for ten years was found even to increase the risk of lung cancer in current smokers.

What are the foods that contain high levels of vitamin E?

The major dietary sources of alpha-tocopherol include vegetable oils such as olive, sunflower and safflower oils; nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts and peanuts; whole grains products; and green leafy vegetables such as spinach.  All eight forms of vitamin E occur naturally in foods.

Those who would use vitamin E supplements should check and see if the form they buy is natural or synthetic.  They may better off buying and using only the natural form.  The synthetic form of vitamin is biochemically not usable by the body and potentially cause a physiologic problem in the body.  The natural form in food (not the fortified) is the form of the isomer, RRR-alpha-tocopherol.  In supplemental vitamin E, dl-alpha-tocopherol or all-rac-alpha-tocopherol means the vitamin is synthetic.

There are some other forms of vitamin E or derivatives used in supplements.  Foodconsumer.org recommends use of the natural form d-alpha-tocopherol.

What are the possible side effects of vitamin E?

Vitamin E is fat-soluble and too much of its intake through supplements may cause some side effects. But the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine believes 1000 mg or 1500 IU of alpha-tocopherol per day can be tolerated by adults aged 19 or older.  The dietary intake of this vitamin rarely poses any risk.

Life normally includes anxiety at different points. However, if you are constantly anxious for no reason you can figure out, and if your anxiety is difficult to control and long-lasting, you may have an anxiety disorder. The components in this natural treatment formula are designed to relieve anxiety as well as general nervousness. Included are powerful botanicals which have been proven to ease tension and facilitate peaceful sleep. St. John’s Wort Extract, Hops Extract, and Valerian Extract are some of the botanicals included in this formula.

Anxiety has many related unpleasant symptoms and associations. These include restlessness (as well as fatigue); trouble concentrating; irritability; muscle tension and sleep problems. St. John’s Wort Extract helps to maintain a steady mood and supports mental health. Hops Extract and Valerian Extract can act as sedatives, inducing sleep and relieving anxiety and tension.

When people reach middle age, the gel-like vitreous begins to liquefy and contract. The vitreous gel pulls away from the back wall of the eye, causing a posterior vitreous detachment. It is a common cause of floaters, and it is more common for people who are nearsighted, have undergone eye surgery, have had laser surgery of the eye, or have had inflammation inside the eye.

Anxiety has many related unpleasant symptoms and associations. Some of the symptoms of anxiety include restlessness, and also, contrarily, fatigue. Other symptoms are difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep problems. St. John’s Wort can facilitate a steady mood and support mental health. Hops Extract and Valerian Extract can act as sedatives, inducing sleep and relieving anxiety and tension.

St. John’s Wort Extract helps to maintain a steady mood and supports mental health. Hops Extract and Valerian Extract can act as sedatives, inducing sleep and relieving anxiety and tension. Valerian Extract should be taken 30 minutes before bedtime. Skullcap Extract has historically been used as a sedative for people with nervous tension and insomnia, and may therefore be helpful in the natural treatment of anxiety disorder. Chamomile Extract contains active constituents that contribute to smooth-muscle relaxing action. People with anxiety disorder (also known as Nervousness or Panic Attacks) are often deficient in essential nutrients, including Calcium, Magnesium, and B Vitamins. Zinc is an essential mineral that is a component of enzymes that protect against free radicals caused by anxiety, and may be important in the natural treatment of anxiety disorder.

The ingredients in this formula include St. John’s Wort Extract. St. John’s Wort has a positive effect on mood and mental health. Hops Extract and Valerian Extract act as sedatives and can serve to induce sleep and relieve anxiety and tension. Valerian Extract should be taken 30 minutes before going to sleep. Historically, Skullcap extract has been used to calm those with nervous tension and insomnia. Therefore it is likely to be helpful in the natural treatment of anxiety disorder. Chamomile Extract contains active constituents that contribute to smooth-muscle relaxing action. Anxiety is sometimes exacerbated when the body is lacking essential nutrients. Lack of such nutrients as Calcium, Magnesium, and B Vitamins may contribute to anxiety. Enzymes that protect against free radicals contain Zinc, which may be important in the natural treatment of anxiety disorder.

Eating the vegan plan can cure your eczema completely.

Following a vegan plan involves eating all your foods 100% raw. Eating the vegan way involves eating fresh, raw organic fruits, vegetables, wholegrain, nuts and dried fruit.

Vegans believe that they can obtain all the vitamins, minerals, enzymes, fats and carbohydrates that are important for good health from eating uncooked foods.
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If you are a vegan you probably don’t need to read this because you will be extremely healthy and disease-free.

Vegans eat in the following manner. 50% of their foods are in the form of fresh, raw fruits. 35% of their foods are in the form of fresh raw vegetables. 10% of their foods are in the form of grains and the balance is obtained from eating concentrated foods such as nuts, and dried fruit.

This is the vegan way of living and it guarantees optimum health and freedom from disease or illness.
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Most weight loss pills work by suppressing the appetite in some way. This is often done by changing the chemicals in the brain to make the body feel full or reduce the positive feelings that come from eating. Xenical, on the other hand, is a weight loss option that has no effect on the brain. Instead, Xenical works in the digestive system.

In your digestive system there are enzymes, known as lipases, which help break down the fat that you eat so that your body can absorb it. Without lipases, fat would pass through the digestive tract and be expelled when you had a bowel movement. Xenical has an ingredient in it that bonds to some of the lipases in your body and keeps them from allowing the fat to be absorbed into your body. As a result, the fat is expelled when you have a bowel movement instead of being absorbed by your body and added to your already growing deposits of fat. Since some fat is necessary for healthy living, Xenical only blocks about one-third of the fat you consume from being absorbed into your body.

Xenical is highly effective at blocking the absorption of some fat. However, this alone is not sufficient for weight loss. Simply blocking the absorption of fat may keep you from gaining more weight, but it will not cause you to lose the weight you have already gained. This requires a reduced calorie diet and exercise, and adding Xenical to the equation can help you lose more weight.

Xenical, combined with a diet low in fat, is highly effective as a weight loss solution. In a clinical study that followed obese patients for over a year, researchers found that those who took Xenical along with a low fat diet lost twice as much weight as those who only dieted. Patients who have a body mass index of 30 or higher are good candidates for this medication. Also, those with lower body mass indexes who have other risk factors, such as hypertension, could benefit from adding Xenical to their weight loss plans. Other than changes to your bowel movements, which can sometimes be embarrassing, there are few risks or side effects known with the use of Xenical. Some vitamins from your food are not absorbed as well when you take Xenical, so you should take a vitamin supplement containing A, D, E and K whilst you are on this medication.
by D. Jones

If you have been involved at all with the health-food, fitness or body building scenes, you have probably heard the term “Blue Green Algae.” In fact if you do a search on the internet you will probably be faced with an overwhelming amount of information, not to mention the huge volume of “Blue Green Algae” products available. This article will examine the “Blue Green Algae” craze and whether it warrants further investigation or incorporation into your diet. Continue Reading…