by Richard L. Hall, 2010

“Calcium elenolate is not in Olive Leaf Extract!”

Olive Leaf Extract is one of the most amazing herbal extracts…but what a lot of confusion has come with it.

Have you ever heard any of the following statements?

• “We alone concentrate right-handed calcium elenolate.”
• “We invented the olive leaf extract.”
• “We discovered the secret the Upjohn Company missed.”
• “There is only one method to produce olive leaf extract that is truly therapeutic.”
• “Ours is patented.”
• “We concentrate the R-elenolic acid or manipulate the stereochemistry.”

If you have been researching olive leaf extracts you have probably heard several of these statements and have become extremely confused, especially since there are 30+ companies offering what they consider a good olive leaf extract.

I can almost hear you asking, “What ever happened to, ‘It works, backed by proof?’” The answer is MARKETING!

Companies have to sell their products and if they can convince you that theirs is the best, better or the only one, hopefully, you will buy it. But BEWARE; many things being said about olive leaf extract are not exactly true!

It is time to end the confusion and reap the truth. We will back it up with proof so you will know where to go and will not be confused any longer. I am going to explain, in layman terms, some complicated things, but bear with me–there is light at the end of the tunnel!

After reviewing the list of constituents that come out of an olive leaf extract and not finding Calcium elenolate in it, in 1995 I called Harold Renis, a virologist who used to work for The Upjohn Company. He wrote many of the articles that pertained to Calcium elenolate at the time of testing. He agreed that Calcium elenolate came from acid hydrolysis of elenolic acid. Where by they boiled elenolic acid with calcium carbonate to produce Calcium elenolate. This also concurs with the patent on Calcium elenolate filed in 1962 by Scientist, W. L. C. Veer. (t)

It finally made sense! It does not happen in the body. It was produced in a lab. So what is it that is working in olive leaf extract? To understand this we have to start with what is in a good olive leaf extract.

1. Olive leaf extract has 98 constituents that can be pulled out of the raw leaves. (a)(m)(See Exhibit: Handbook of Phytochemical constituents of GRAS herbs & other economic plants list By Dr. James A. Duke, Author in the back of this article). As you look over these constituents the first thing you will notice is that there is no Calcium elenolate or Elenolic acid on the chart, but what you do find is Oleuropein.
2. Oleuropein (pronounced O-lee-u-ro-peen) has stereochemistry; in fact, it has many stereo-centers making it diastereomeric. That renders many left and right hands. (f) And although Oleuropein is diastereomeric containing (+ & -) it is only (-) levorotatory in nature according to the Merck index on phytochemicals. (b) (c) Levorotatory means that the molecule, Oleuropein, rotates light to the left in a polarimeter.When Oleuropein is ingested, it breaks down into other compounds, one of which is elenolic acid. Elenolic acid also has stereochemistry and is both (+) & (-) in nature. (Elenolic acid has been found to be highly virucidal in lab tests.) (d)(e)(g) Dr. Rebecca Braslau, Associate Professor of Chemistry at UCSC in California was contacted to verify the information stated above.
3. Two enzymes in your blood do the job of breaking down Oleuropein naturally. The enzymes, esterase & beta-glucosidase, automatically break down Oleuropein in the blood stream to predominately (+) dextrorotatory elenolic acid, no other process is needed. (h)(f)(d)As mentioned before elenolic acid does have stereochemistry and the dextrorotatory molecule of elenolic acid does not blood serum protein bind, remaining virucidal. That is the secret of why it works.  This means that olive leaf extract will work in your body according to the percentage of Oleuropein that is in it, the higher percentage the better.
4. Dextrorotatory elenolic acid does not blood serum protein bind.
   In the late 70′s The Upjohn Company hydrolyzed (pulled out) elenolic acid from Oleuropein with mineral acid. (I) After mineral acid hydrolysis only the (-) levorotatory form of elenolic acid was produced. Then they took one of its hydrolysates, a salt of elenolic acid and combined it with calcium carbonate to produce calcium elenolate, which was also only (-) levorotatory, and tested it in the test tube and in humans. It worked great in the test tube (in vitro), but blood serum protein bound in all the human studies (in vivo) rendering it ineffectual. The dextrorotatory molecule however was never used.The difference? When Oleuropein is ingested, it quickly converts to elenolic acid and produces predominately-dextrorotatory elenolic acid. Bio-chemist W. L. C. Veer claimed that elenolic acid, in its dextrorotatory form, when ingested, produces a hypotensive effect in animal & human studies. W. V. Cruess discovered that esterase & beta-glucosidase enzymes were in the olive tree. It was further noted by Cruess that it is beta-glucosidase that hydrolyzes Oleuropein to the (+) dextrorotatory form of elenolic acid, which we now know, does not blood serum protein bind. William R. Fredrickson hypothesized that these same two enzymes would be present in your blood. W. R. Fredrickson also discovered that because of these two enzymes, Oleuropein would automatically change to predominately (+) dextrorotatory elenolic acid in the body. After talking with Harold Renis, he informed me that they (The Upjohn Co.) believed that the left-handed molecule (Levorotatory) was the virucidal form, so they disregarded the right-handed form. (j) Further investigation and independent studies have proved that William R. Fredrickson was correct, right-handed molecules of elenolic acid do not blood serum protein bind. (e)(d)(k)(t)
5. Calcium elenolate is not in olive leaf extracts nor does it occur in your body. When researching olive leaf extract components, calcium elenolate is never shown as a component. (a)  That is because calcium elenolate, being a hydrolysate (a salt) of elenolic acid, is a synthesized compound produced in the lab by mineral acid hydrolysis. You create calcium elenolate by boiling calcium carbonate with elenolic acid. (t)  This cannot happen in your body. The Upjohn Company, known for producing synthetics, knew that elenolic acid by itself exists as an oil (natural form) and first needed to be converted to a crystalline salt (synthetic) form in order for it to be used in their testing. The molecule of calcium elenolate is only one ion different than that of the molecule of elenolic acid. It is interesting to note that when calcium elenolate is ingested it readily converts back to elenolic acid when mixed with stomach acids. In today’s market calcium elenolate could be produced synthetically and then mixed with the natural extract, but that would be extremely expensive. (j)(l)(t) To date no scientific or medical literature exists to show that the body converts elenolic acid to calcium elenolate.
6. Calcium elenolate cannot be concentrated (+ or -) from an olive leaf extract. Since calcium elenolate does not appear in olive leaf extracts, (a) it is impossible to concentrate it. However there are some companies that would like you to believe they do. (n) Why? Again, Marketing! They’ve got to be different, right?
7. Oleuropein can be concentrated! Since it is Oleuropein in the olive leaf extract, not elenolic acid or calcium elenolate, Oleuropein is then what is concentrated from an extract. For every molecule of Oleuropein concentrated from olive leaf extract, when consumed, seven molecules of dextrorotatory elenolic acid & one molecule of levorotatory elenolic acid are produced. The more Oleuropein you concentrate the more elenolic acid you have. (e)(h)(p)
8. Who really discovered the solution to blood serum protein binding? One company claims that in 1995 they discovered the solution to the blood serum protein-binding problem that The Upjohn Company came up against in the 70′s. (n) But the truth is it was William Robert Fredrickson, a lay chemist that uncovered the mystery in 1989. (o) Fredrickson found that when Oleuropein entered the blood stream it was automatically changed predominately to dextrorotatory elenolic acid because of the two enzymes esterase & beta-glucosidase. William Fredrickson published his papers (which are in the Library of Congress) (h) (I have two (2) copies of his book) to this effect.   The vice president of the company, claiming to have solved the mystery, use to be William Fredrickson’s partner in 1993 (NFN Company) before he was vice president of the current company making the claim. (Where he received his information on how to make a good olive leaf extract is clear since William Fredrickson was the only chemist among them).
9. In 1995 there was only one company making an olive leaf extract and  only one company extracting OLE into a powder form in the United States using a method, which keeps the Oleuropein molecule alive. (s) It is true that all conventional methods of manufacture at that time would have produced an extract that would have been useless in the body. All conventional methods at that time were too hot and would burn up the Oleuropein molecule. (n) Oleuropein is classified as an iridoid by nature and iridoids can be extremely heat sensitive, including unstable. (r) Today, there are other methods that are producing good olive leaf extracts, which can be dried in to a powder form. Please keep in mind that liquid extracts have been around for 100’s of years. So when a company states, “We invented it” what they are really saying is that they came up with a method, not that they invented OLE.
10. Patents & patents pending. Currently there are at least 8 patents or patent pending either on a process, extract or attaching themselves to olive leaf extracts.  We hold the U. S. Patent #6,117,844 for Method for Antiviral Therapy and William Fredrickson’s U.S. Patent # 6,455,580 just pass recently claiming the effective use of elenolic acid.  It is a concern that the one company claiming they alone discovered the mystery to the blood serum protein-binding problem, who has patent protection for their proprietary extraction process, also claimed in earlier literature that the process concentrated right-reflecting calcium elenolate. (n) What’s amazing about this statement is that their United States Patent #5,714,150 does not say that!  It says, in its summary, “It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method for extracting Oleuropein in a form which retains medicinal activity in vivo. It is a further object of the invention to provide Oleuropein in a form which undergoes hydrolysis in vivo to produce elenolic acid which retains its antiviral activity, and which does not bind to proteins in the blood.” (See anything about calcium elenolate there?) “Applicants believe the resultant Oleuropein contains a high proportion of R (right-handed) Oleuropein as compared with L (left-handed) Oleuropein.” They have since changed their story, claiming their process results in a concentration of right reflecting molecules of elenolic acid in the body. They also have changed the name of their extract throughout the years.  The fact is, their process is not unique and does not change the Oleuropein molecule, verified by biochemists.  Most Olive Leaf Extracts will yield elenolic acid in the body concentrated proportionately to the percentage of Oleuropein they started with.  Once again, the higher the percentage of Oleuropein you start, with the higher the concentration of elenolic acid you end up with. (t)(u)(v)There are those who might argue the point that concentrating Oleuropein diminishes all the other synergistic phytochemicals.  That is a possibility if a manufacture selectively extracts Oleuropein using just a simple extraction method.  However, there are several methods of extraction.  Olive Leaf extract usually has many coverings of alcohol and or water, which produce various amounts of phytochemicals each time it is covered depending on the solvent and temperature. Example: If a manufacture uses a non-selective extract method, with three or more coverings of alcohol, they will end up with a fairly predictable substance, but if the same extract was selective for just concentrating Oleuropein the end result would be very high in oleuropein, but very low in the other active phytochemicals. The same manufacture, if it were to use a non-selective extract method and after covering the extract three times, drain off the extract, continued to cover the balance and selectively pulled out additional Oleuropein and merge that with the first extract you end up with quite a different final product, higher in Oleuropein and a higher amount other the other active phytochemicals. The extract named “The Original Olive Leaf Extract” follows the manufacture and administration of U.S. Patent #6,117,844 Example 1-C, which produces a synergistic effect with the other natural flavonoid components of olive leaf, such as: the hydroxytyrosol group, oleoside group, cafferic acid, rutin, hesperidein and luteolin-7-glucoside. U. S. Patent #6,117,844, for Antiviral Therapy claims a method for treating warm-blooded vertebrates suffering from disease of viral origin and wherein the compound is Oleuropein to be orally administered to said vertebrate. A therapeutically effective amount of the antiviral composition is to comprise a compound selected from the group consisting of Oleuropein at a dose of 30mg to 500mg of Oleuropein.
11. Where is the original olive leaf extract? Since extracts have been made for hundreds of years, no one really knows! We do know however, that in 1811 Dr. Pallas used his own liquid extract to stop malaria fever out breaks on the island of Mytelene. France has also produced powdered olive leaf extracts for more than 50 years. The current company labeling their product “The Original Olive Leaf Extract” pertains to the brand name only and not that they invented olive leaf extract, others, sadly, are claiming to be the original and they are not! (w)(x)
12. Currently, there is no extract in the retail market today in a powder form that contains higher than 27% Oleuropein when tested by the Merck Index HPLC test procedure. Many companies claim very high percentages of Oleuropein however when tested fall drastically short of thier stated claims.
13. 13. A balanced (synergistic) extract of flavanoids & phytochemicals works much better than an extract with just high Oleuropein alone. (o)(q)
14. 14. All extracts are not manufactured the same way!Not everyone is privy to formulas that work really well. Consider Coca cola. Do you think there is a company that has their formula? Of course not, even though many have tried, like Pepsi etc. The same is true with the olive leaf extract. The formulation of extracts and their process can produce quite different results. There are some olive leaf extracts on the market that work really well and others that do not. And unfortunately there are some that are worthless. (y)

Here are some other note worthy facts about Olive Leaf Extracts; Oleuropein, when extracted from olive leaves, along with the other phytochemicals (a), works as a very wide spectrum natural antibiotic, (o) (q) but it does not work on all conditions for all people. There are people that this wonderful extract will not work on.  How can you tell you are one of those people? You can’t! You simply have to try it.

As good as Olive Leaf Extracts are, they should not be taken along with Antibiotics derived from molds or fungus and certain additional Amino Acid isolates. Antibiotics if they are derived from mold or fungus, when confronted with Oleuropein, may inhibit them or kill them, wasting the effectiveness of both.  It is not clear if the same is true with antibiotics not created from molds or fungus.

Amino Acids- one clinical study showed that when elenolic acid (produced from the conversion of Oleuropein) was introduced to equal amounts of either; lysine, glycine, cysteine or histidine it canceled equal part out (counteractive effect), wasting the effacacy of both.  Either of these experiences could be frustrating so try and avoid taking them together if possible.

Those using blood thinners should take extra care and seek advice from their health care provider before using Olive Leaf Extract. Olive Leaf Extract has a relaxing effect on the coronary walls of veins and arteries, which makes them more pliable and easier to burse.

Those on blood pressure medications should also seek advice from their health care provider before using olive leaf extract due to olive leaf extracts (hypertensive) blood pressure lowering effect.
Each issue can vary in relation to your body weight & metabolism. Many times people believe it doesn’t work for them simply because they are not taking enough  or are using a weak brand and sometimes Olive Leaf Extract just will not work on a particular issue for a particular person and no one knows why, but antidotal evidence has shown that most people will receive benefit for most common issue.

Die-off effect (Herxheimer reaction) to help avoid this effect drink plenty of water and if shortly after starting on olive leaf extract you experience cold or flu like symptoms decrease the dosage you take by one capsule each time you take them until the issues go away. I would recommend not stopping it all together if possible, as you will have to start your protocol all over. (k)

If you are concerned about the amount of Oleuropein your product has, call the company on the bottle and ask for a certificate of analysis of the batch number located on the container you’ve purchased.

If after reading this article you may want to do further research on the web.  We would suggest PubMed and Medline if you have an account. Also please feel free to visit us on the web at www.ameriden.com for more information.

GOOD NEWS!

The ORIGINAL OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT®, produced exclusively for AMERIDEN International, Inc., is a call away.

Each vegetarian friendly capsule (vegetable cellulose) contains 500mgs of OLE (US Patent # 6,117,844) with  standardized 20%  Oleuropein (HPLC Verified)
And 25mg of Naringin creating a unique delivery system in the body.
for a total of 525mg per capsule.

About the Author:

Richard L. Hall is an agriculturist & herbalist who have been involved with the process of olive leaf extract coming to market since its inception in 1989. His company harvested and provided the olive leaves for William R. Fredrickson, the original lay-chemist, who discovered and solved the problem of blood serum protein binding that The Upjohn Company had in the 70′s.  Mr. Hall’s company also provides “The Original Olive Leaf Extract” under the Trademarked name “OlivFactor” for Private Labeling” in the United States as well as internationally.  Because of the high cost of labor in the U. S., 99% of all leaf used for commercial production of Olive Leaf extract is harvested from either Spain, Greece, Italy, France, Israel and some in Mexico (one source).  “The Original Olive Leaf Extract” uses only leaf processed in Spain, as it is the highest quality.  The trees are not chemically sprayed or chemically fertilized and the leaves can be harvested year round. As CEO of AMERIDEN International, Mr. Hall and his staff are dedicated to the truth and providing proven Nutraceuticals, which are Bio-Active.

References

1. Handbook of phytochemical constituents of GRAS herbs & other economic plants. by James A. Duke, Author (U.S.D.A.)
2. The Merck Index, 10th edition, Oleuropein, Pg. 980
3. Dictionary of Organic Compounds, 5th Vol. 3, Oleuropein PP 4400-01
4. W. V. Cruess, Oleuropein, The bitter principal of the olive. IV Congress Intern. Tech. Chem. Ind. Agr. Brussels, 3:638-45, 1935
5. P. Gariboldi, et,al Secoiridoids from Olea europaea. Phyto-Chemistry 25(40):865-69 1986
6. Antimicrobial Properties of Oleuropein & Products of its hydrolysis from green olives. H. P. Fleming, W. M. Walters, Jr. & J. L. Etchells, Applied Microbiology, Nov 1973, Vol. 26 #5 PP 777-82.
7. Kaij-a-Kamb, M; Amoros, M; Girre, L. “Search for new antiviral agents of plant origin. Pharma-Acta-Helv, 67(5-6):130-47, 1992
8. The Tree of Life, William R. Fredrickson, Library of Congress, Pg 87, 1994
9. In Vitro Antiviral Activity of Calcium Elenolate Harold Renis, Dept. of Virology, Antimicrobal Agents & Chemotherapy PP 167-72, 1969
10. Elenolic Acid to Calcium Elenolate. Conversation with Harold Renis and Richard Hall Ameriden International and Harold Renis March, 1999
11. Olive Leaf Extract, Natures Antibiotic, Dr. Morton Walker, How olive leaf extract works against Microbes. Pg 42, 1997
12. Inactivation of DNA polymerase of Murine Leukemia Viruses by Calcium elenolate. Nature New Biology Vol. 238 Aug. 30, 1972
13. Antioxidative Activities of Olea europaea leaves & related compounds. Bernard Le Tutour & Didier Gueden, Phytochemistry Vol. 31, #4, PP1173-78, 1992
14. Olive Leaf Extract, Natures secret for Vibrant Health & Long Life. The National Life Extension Research Institute, Sixth Printing, Pg. 18, 1998
15. The Tree of Life, William R. Fredrickson, Library of Congress. PP 111-114, 1994
16. W. V. Creuss, C. L. Alsberg. The Bitter Glucoside of Olive. Journal of Amer. Chem. Soc. 56:2115-17, 1934
17. Olive Leaf Extract. Video- Doctor to Doctor Show, TBN
18. Pharmacological Analysis of the Iridiod Oleuropein V. Petkov & P. Manolov, Arzneim-Forsch (Drug Res.) 22(9) 1173-1178, Nov. 1992
19. Olive Leaf Extract, Nature’s Antibiotic, Dr. Morton Walker, Benefits of Taking Olive Leaf Extract Components. Pg. 44, 1997
20. W. L. C. Veer, U. S. Patent #3,033,877 1962. Also, Journal Rec. Trav. Chem. 76:839-40. 1957
21. Method & composition for Antiviral Therapy with Olive Leaves. Docket #6524-23686 William R. Fredrickson, 1994
22. Method for Producing Extract of Olive Leaves. Pat. #5,714,150  Feb.3, 1998, Les Nachman, Inventor
23. Provincial Transactions, The Febrifuge Properties of the Olive. D. Hanbury, Re: Dr. Pallas PP 353-354, 1854
24. Olive Leaf Extract, Nature’s Antibiotic. Dr. Morton Walker. Uncovering the Therapeutic Components of Olive Leaf Extract. Pg. 53, 1997
25. Pharmline Inc. Laboratory Tests Performed 7/98 Bio-chemist, Duane Dostie, Dr. Zakir Ramazanov

Other Sources

• Phyto-chemical constituents of GRAS herbs and other economic plants. James A. Duke, Author
• Olive Leaf Extract, Nature’s Secret for Vibrant Health & Long Life. Pg. 18, 1998
• U. S. Patent #5,714,150 Method for Producing Extract of Olive Leaves. Leslie Nachman, Inventor
• U.S. Patent #6,117,844 Method and composition for Antiviral Therapy. William R. Fredrickson, Inventor
• Dr. Dixon, Testimony of effectiveness of Ameriden’s “The Original Olive Leaf Extract” & others.
• HPLC results from Pharmline, Inc. showing claimed percentages of Oleuropein and their true percentages. Aug. 10th, 1998
• Dr. Rebecca Braslau, Associate Professor of Chemistry at UCSC California.1999

Additional Olive Leaf Extract References and Research

1. Moreno, J. A., J. Lopez-Miranda, et al. (2003). “[Effect of phenolic compounds of virgin olive oil on LDL oxidation resistance].” Med Clin (Barc) 120(4): 128-31.
2. Bisignano, G., A. Tomaino, R. Lo Cascio, G. Crisafi, N. Uccella and A. Saija (1999). “On the in-vitro antimicrobial activity of oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol.” J Pharm Pharmacol 51(8): 971-4.
3. Caruso, D., B. Berra, F. Giavarini, N. Cortesi, E. Fedeli and G. Galli (1999). “Effect of virgin olive oil phenolic compounds on in vitro oxidation of human low density lipoproteins.” Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 9(3): 102-7.
4. Coni, E., R. Di Benedetto, M. Di Pasquale, R. Masella, D. Modesti, R. Mattei and E. A. Carlini (2000). “Protective effect of oleuropein, an olive oil biophenol, on low density lipoprotein oxidizability in rabbits.” Lipids 35(1): 45-54.
5. de la Puerta, R., E. Martinez-Dominguez and V. Ruiz-Gutierrez (2000). “Effect of minor components of virgin olive oil on topical anti-inflammatory assays [In Process Citation].” Z Naturforsch [C] 55(9-10): 814-9.
6. Esti, M., L. Cinquanta and E. La Notte (1998). “Phenolic Compounds in Different Olive Varieties.” J Agric Food Chem 46(1): 32-35.
7. Gonzalez, M., A. Zarzuelo, M. J. Gamez, M. P. Utrilla, J. Jimenez and I. Osuna (1992). “Hypoglycemic activity of olive leaf.” Planta Med 58(6): 513-5.
8. Onderoglu, S., S. Sozer, K. M. Erbil, R. Ortac and F. Lermioglu (1999). “The evaluation of long-term effects of cinnamon bark and olive leaf on toxicity induced by streptozotocin administration to rats.” J Pharm Pharmacol 51(11): 1305-12.
9. Perri, E., A. Raffaelli and G. Sindona (1999). “Quantitation of oleuropein in virgin olive oil by ionspray mass spectrometry-selected reaction monitoring.” J Agric Food Chem 47(10): 4156-60.
10. Petroni, A., M. Blasevich, M. Salami, N. Papini, G. F. Montedoro and C. Galli (1995). “Inhibition of platelet aggregation and eicosanoid production by phenolic components of olive oil.” Thromb Res 78(2): 151-60.
11. Servili, M., M. Baldioli, R. Selvaggini, A. Macchioni and G. Montedoro (1999). “Phenolic compounds of olive fruit: one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance characterization of Nuzhenide and its distribution in the constitutive parts of fruit.” J Agric Food Chem 47(1): 12-8.
12. Visioli, F., G. Bellomo and C. Galli (1998). “Free radical-scavenging properties of olive oil polyphenols.” Biochem Biophys Res Commun 247(1): 60-4.
13. Visioli, F., S. Bellosta and C. Galli (1998). “Oleuropein, the bitter principle of olives, enhances nitric oxide production by mouse macrophages.” Life Sci 62(6): 541-6.
14. Visioli, F. and C. Galli (1994). “Oleuropein protects low density lipoprotein from oxidation.” Life Sci 55(24): 1965-71.
15. Visioli, F. and C. Galli (2001). “Antiatherogenic Components of Olive Oil.” Curr Atheroscler Rep 3(1): 64-67.
16. Zarzuelo, A., J. Duarte, J. Jimenez, M. Gonzalez and M. P. Utrilla (1991). “Vasodilator effect of olive leaf.” Planta Med 57(5): 417-9.
17. Zarauelo A et al, Vasodilator effect of olive leaf, Planta Med., 1991; 57(5), 417-19.
18. Samuelsson G, The blood pressure lowering factor in leaves of Olea Europaea. Farmacevtisk Revy, 15:229-39.
19. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Society of Pharmaceutical Industries of Tunis, Hypotension, hypoglycemia and    hypouricemia recorded after repeated administration of aqueous leaf extract of Olea europaea, Belgian Pharmacology Journal, March-April 1994; 49(2), 101-8.

Everyone has probably heard the word disease and can relate to it as some kind of plague of mankind, but what I believe people experience over time is ‘Dis-Ease’ with the whole situation of their health. Could it be if they just had a little peace with the process they would heal faster?

As I reflect over more than 40 years of trekking the long & winding road to great health, I cannot help, but realize my ‘assignment’ in life was to get healed; then to help others achieve the same status I have. The knowledge of maintaining or regenerating our health is right at our fingertips, so the question is “do I wait until I am sick or do I take action today.” I didn’t just go into the health care industry I grew into it! It began many years ago when I was a young, know-it-all 20 year old pursuing my dreams, studying philosophy, literature, & the humanities at a local city college while raising 2 daughters and working a 7 day shift in the restaurant business. You know, the normal everyday non-stressful life, yeah, right!

As with most, my symptoms of ‘Dis-Ease’ began in my teenage years when I wasn’t sick, but I was living in denial and I don’t mean the river in Egypt!

I began having blackouts, but was too afraid to tell anyone or do anything about them. That was most uncomfortable. I began seeing doctor after doctor and I took everything they instructed me to take and yet I did not improve; sound familiar? My disease was fast becoming my ‘Dis-Ease.’ I was “shocked” when a doctor told me I had to go to the hospital immediately because I was losing red blood cells.

Losing blood cells, where, I didn’t see or feel them leaving, where were they going, what was happening to me? The loss was from an ulcer big enough to cause such bad gastrointestinal problems that my respiratory system and skin soon gave way to allergies. The list grew quickly; what was happening to my youth? I was overwhelmed with fear, but I couldn’t give up, where would I find an answer to my problem? Weeks of testing and treatment for the bleeding ulcer ultimately cured it, but I was still at ‘Dis-Ease’ with the whole trauma.

Elated that it was gone, I was able to resume my life once again, but went right back to the cause of my ulcer, junk food. I didn’t know food played such a big deal in overall health.

Within 3 days of my junk food diet, the bleeding returned. Suddenly I came to the realization of why I had Dis-Ease, if I continued on the junk food highway, I might not live to see my 30th birthday! So began my journey to health and a ‘Dis-Ease’ Free life. It took me two more years, countless hours of soul searching & divine intervention until I was ready. Peace for some doesn’t come cheap!

I started taking Advanced Nutritional classes that were outside of the traditional realm. Can you imagine how unusual this was in the 70’s? My research & studies put me on a 360º turnaround and I have never looked back! Fortunately, for me this was a perfect time in history and my transition had great help from such mentors as Dr. Bernard Jenson, Dr. Paul Bragg, Dr. Carlton Fredericks & Dr. Benjamin Franks. I also had the privileged to have met & learned from Dr. Jonathan Wright, Dr. David Williams, Weston Price, Jack Challen, Dr. Robert Jay Rowen & Dr. Sherry Rogers to name a few. Few! That’s a whole lot of great advice.

Now let’s fast-forward 12 years, I was juicing daily, eating healthy & feeling fantastic when the dietary supplement market exploded. I knew I had to share what I learned with others so I started my own company “Vital Nutrients.” I promised myself years ago that when I started I would only work with companies who had integrity, credibility and manufactured a high quality product and I have kept my promise all along. As a result, my business continues to bring me great joy and wonderful clients who I am able to help with their health concerns.

Sometimes I feel like the “Natural Nutritional” version of Detective Colombo, but in this distinctive way, I am able to also connect with a unique variety of cliental. My clients are faithful because of my deep commitment to them and the high quality products I carry. Some of my favorites are “The Original Olive Leaf Extract” & “Rosavin Plus” by Ameriden International, Inc. It also helps that I personally use these products; I will continue to keep them as part of my daily regime and I know my clients do as well.

Our society may be caught up in the Big Pharma & the Alice in Wonderland paradigm of modern medicine, which has its place, but a healthy body & mind at peace brings homeostasis, there is nothing like it, may you all find it.

Sincerely Ron Pellegrini

In 1990, after 28 years of teaching biofeedback and self-regulation techniques to college students (at SUNY Ulster), Dr. Stephen Larsen set up his own healing and counseling center at Stone Mountain Farm on a piece of choice Hudson Valley landscape, with forests, rock-climbing cliffs, and waterfalls. His wife Robin was already running a not-for profit center there, The Center for Symbolic Studies, which included seminars in personal growth, traditional wisdom, and sports challenges such as rock climbing and the flying trapeze.

Dr. Larsen had worked in state clinics and mental health facilities for a number of years as a consulting psychologist; he also had a private psychotherapy practice. He soon became dissatisfied with the dominant pharmaceutical approach, and cookie-cutter psychotherapies as ways of helping people deal with their mental and emotional problems.

For years he had observed his students and clients getting better simply from self-attention, and health-oriented regimens such as yoga and meditation, diet, exercise, and supplement use. To these was added his discovery in 1996 of a powerful new tool, the LENS form of neurofeedback, which uses minute doses of electromagnetic energy to help ameliorate a variety of serious disorders, including brain injury or TBI, attentional and other learning disorders in children, autistic spectrum disorders, and problems of anxiety and depression. The results were so dramatic that in 2006 he wrote and published one of the most successful biofeedback books of the decade: The Healing Power of Neurofeedback: The Revolutionary LENS Technique for Restoring Optimal Brain Function; now in its second printing. The book contains inspirational stories of overcoming problems, personal healings and transformations in quality of life, as well as informing the reader about the science and development of neurofeedback techniques.

The book initiated an avalanche of interest in the LENS technique, and in two years, has helped double the number of practitioners world-wide. In 2003, his colleague at Stone Mountain, psychiatrist Dr. Willie Yee, introduced him to Dr. Richard Brown, a highly regarded psycho-pharmacologist who was helping difficult cases given up on by conventional psychiatry and medicine. Dr. Brown combined his advanced expertise in conventional psychiatry with a broad knowledge of herbs and nutrition. He introduced many of his patients to yoga and breathing techniques as well. In 2006 Dr. Larsen and his wife accompanied Dr. Brown and his wife to India to present scientific studies on the effects of yoga breathing on physiology and mental health.

In the last few years, Stone Mountain Center began to regularly offer programs on yoga, breathing and the Chinese art of Qi Gong—in which both Dr. Brown and Dr. Larsen are certified. In therapeutic practice, these are combined with neurofeedback, diet and nutrition to provide a very complete approach to mental and physical health. Dr. Brown was also very instrumental, with Zakir Ramazanov, in introducing Rhodiola rosea, or Rosavin to the American public. (It had been utilized for many years in Russia to improve the performance of elite athletes, astronauts and the military.)

An adaptogen, Rosavin has many versatile uses: it helps stabilize the basic instabilities in bi-polar disorder and ADHD. It helps those with neurological problems subsequent to Lyme disease or neuro-degenerative disorders such as Parkinsonism. (See the book The Rhodiola Revolution by Dr.’s Brown and Gerbarg).

“Rosavin is now a staple on the shelves at Stone Mountain Center, along with a variety of other excellent Ameriden products such as ClearMind, EZ Energy, Bio-Antihist, AmeriZyme, and others. These are so useful for Stone Mountain Center patients, that Stone Mountain replenishes the stock on a monthly basis. Unlike prescription pharmaceuticals, the Ameriden products have little if any side-effects and actually promote health and metabolic balance. Our patients feel like these herbal supplements are friends and allies, tools and aids to help people to deal with today’s stressed-out and frenetic lifestyles,” writes Dr. Larsen.

More information about Stone Mountain Center can be found at www.stonemountain.com where there is material to read on how to cope with a variety of problems which, up until now, have seen mostly poor solutions. “By providing an integrative approach, we feel we not only address symptoms, but improve the quality of life for a large number of people. When they conclude treatment at our center, they are not only less troubled by symptoms, they have new tools and resources, and a new problem-solving attitude toward life,” concludes Dr. Larsen.

As a professional author, I understand stress. I know what a looming deadline feels like in the gut. I comprehend what an all-night re-write does to the brain. I really get what waiting for the reviews can do to my adrenal glands. While I wouldn’t choose any other profession, I’m patently aware that my chosen occupation requires a certain amount of physical support that’s beyond a brisk walk to clear the head. As I get older, I’m reminded repeatedly how without that support, I’d be operating way below par.

Twenty years ago when I got my first “real” writing job in Los Angeles, I knew nothing about herbs called “adaptogens.” I wish I had known because I probably wouldn’t have burnt out so quickly three years later at the age of thirty-one. To call my adrenal glands toast would be putting it mildly. The fatigue I felt from burning the candle at both ends was chronic and it took years to replenish my body.

It wasn’t until about ten years ago that I learned about one of the premier adaptogens on this planet: Rhodiola. I remember it well because I’d just finished writing my second non-fiction book (a book on plant medicine, ironically) and was in the midst of traveling extensively around the country to promote it. During one of the stops at an alternative health convention, I talked to someone who was raving about Rhodiola Rosea. I was convinced after speaking to her that this odd sounding herb (also known as Golden Root) was one of the herbal tickets I needed to sustain my health.

For the next five years, I tried various brands of Rhodiola but I truly wasn’t sold on just how good this plant medicine was until I stumbled upon Ameriden and their Rosavin Plus. After about three weeks on two capsules a day, I felt an absolute evening out of my stress reactions. After two months on it, I noticed that I was able to focus much better on writing projects and that my general fatigue I’d fought for years was becoming less of an issue.

Around this time, I finished my first novel, Protector, and was working on the sequel, Redemption—a book that was extremely emotionally driven and often draining on the psyche. Simultaneously, both my parents had serious health problems and so I found myself finishing Redemption while traveling out of state to tend to my ailing parents. I can honestly say that there is NO way I could have completed the book and dealt with the enormous personal stress without the aid of Rosavin Plus. Because I’d already been taking it for about one year, my body was in great shape and able to deflect the nervous tension and anxiety.Z

During that same time, I learned about Beta Factor and started taking it to strengthen my immune system. Again, I found that the Beta Factor quickly buffered my immunity. While people around me were getting sick, I was amazingly resilient.

Since then, I’ve also come to rely on EZ-Energy, which I take before I exercise or embark on any strenuous physical work. That product is awesome as well. We live in high altitude here in Colorado and I’ve noticed that the EZ-Energy allows me to breathe more deeply and I struggle less with maintaining my momentum when I’m bicycling or walking up steep mountains.

My only regret is that I didn’t know the profound power of adaptogens such as Rhodiola twenty years ago. But now that I’m aware of it, I’m almost positive my adrenal glands thank that herb every day.

Dr. Abram Ber

Born 68 years ago in Rumania to Jewish parents, by God’s grace, his immediate family was able to escape the horrors of the war by moving first to Italy, and finally settling in Montreal, Canada. Grace and perhaps a little luck brought him to Scottsdale, Arizona, where he has practiced homeopathic medicine for 30 years.

Abram Ber earned his medical degree from McGill University, with a specialty in anesthesiology. His training included the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Royal Victorian Hospital (resident staff of anesthesiology). It was during this period in his life that he connected the dots between nutrition, diseases, and healing. His quest for knowledge brought him to Arizona in the late 1970s, where he has been in private practice ever since.

In 1981, the board of medical examiners attempted to extinguish the brilliance of this man’s life. During a difficult two years, he was hounded for his practices of holistic medical treatment. Three other physicians (and a grass roots movement of patients) joined with him to bring about the legislation necessary to establish the homeopathic medical board in Arizona. Their combined money, effort, and time made it possible for all qualifying physicians to practice homeopathic and integrative medicine, without persecution, from then on.

Abram Ber holds license # 1, issued on February 11 1982. The homeopathic licensing board and AHIMA (Arizona Homeopathic and Integrative Medical Association) have been blessed with his ongoing volunteer efforts.

Instead of listing the positions and offices with his years of service in each (most positions and numerous times), we state that he has been continuously active to guide the state of Arizona into the next century.

He made the transition from a conventional medical practice when he realized that his role as a doctor was to create a holistic wellness model. His lifelong research has produced many natural health modalities that have assisted thousands in his busy Scottsdale office.

Modalities used by Dr. Ber include:

Environmental Medicine – Allergies to food, inhalants and chemicals treated by the use of sublingual drops to desensitize the patients’ allergic reactions.

Orthomolecular Medicine – Intravenous administration of vitamins and minerals.

Treatment of Glandular Weakness – Thyroid, adrenal, and non-toxic drug free

Chronic Health Challenges Treated:

• Yeast – Candida Albicans
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Allergies – Food, Environmental, and Inhalants
• Learning Disabilities (Focus on Children)
• Auto-Immune Disorders
• Bowel Problems i.e. Crohns, Irritable, Constipation…

Contact Information:

DR. ABRAM BER, M.D.
HOMEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN
5011 N. Granite Reef Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
480-941-2141