Summer is almost at an end and most in the U.S. are still experiencing a heat wave. For many of us our energies are running at an all time low; this is not unusual! The hotter it gets, the less energy you have. How can you increase the energy you need for enduring days such as these? Nutrition and supplementation!

If you are not eating properly your energy will wane. There is hope! Eating the right kind of foods plus adding the right supplements can contribute to improving your energy levels in the hottest days.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways you may be depleting your natural energy without even realizing it. First try to identify what may be compounding the issue.

Some causes of fatigue or lack of energy can be physiological (low thyroid or hormone levels), emotional (stress & anxiety) or lifestyle (not enough exercise or quality sleep).

Nutritionists suggest eating the “right” kind of foods for optimum energy. What kind of foods are you eating and what exactly are the “wrong” kinds of foods?

The following “simple sugar/carbohydrates” are considered bad or unhealthy for us:

• Cookies,
• Baked goods
• Candy bars
• Sodas
• High sugar fruit drinks
• White flour

But they taste so good! These types of foods are loaded with simple sugars and upon ingestion are directly absorbed into your body. Unlike other kinds of carbohydrates, they don’t need your body to break them down during digestion. When you eat foods loaded with these simple sugars/carbs they enter into your bloodstream quickly, increase your blood sugar and cause a quick energy boost, but just as quickly they decrease and often leave you feeling more drained than before.

When this happens, many think, “I need Caffeine.” Think again, although it is an effective short-term solution, it can also have a negative rebound effect. What can you do? Work on slowly eliminating the “simple sugar/carb” type foods from your diet and eventually you will begin to notice your natural energy levels return.

Did you know that carbohydrates can alter the level of serotonin in your brain and bring on feelings of relaxation and a sense of calm? When you eat a meal full of “simple sugar” carbohydrates you may feel so relaxed it’s hard to overcome the temptation to take a little nap. If you really want to stay alert, forgo “simple sugar” carbohydrates and use this easy trick —Eat Protein!

Protein is an essential component of the diet. It provides amino acids needed by our bodies to function properly. During digestion protein is broken down into its amino-acid building blocks. One amino acid, tyrosine, increases the production of the chemicals that are also released when you are under acute mental or physical stress and are well known for their ability to increase levels of alertness and energy levels.

Which foods provide the best protein?

Here’s the short list:

To help reduce the heat of summer there are various herbs known as refrigerants or cooling herbs. Here’s a list of herbs known to cool the body and reduce body heat externally by evaporation and or by inducing perspiration:

How about herbal supplements? The addition of adaptogens as energy boosting supplements to a “proper diet” could also give you the energy you’re craving as well. While there are many herbal supplements on the market promising increased & sustainable energy, in reality most contain a caffeine derivative such as green tea or guarana which may bring you to a crash situation just like caffeine and if prolonged, fatigued adrenals.

Dr. Israel Brekhman was a renowned Soviet scientist and recognized world authority on adaptogens. He was the visionary who, with a team of 1200 biologists and physicians, analyzed and investigated adaptogens in one of the most massive programs of human testing in scientific history. They produced thousands of clinical studies, definitively validating the safety and benefits of adaptogens.

Adaptogens naturally release your own energy, vitality and strength which can help you feel your very best all the times. This is extremely important for anyone who deals with stress on a regular basis. As we all know stress not only affects the body, but works its way deep down to the cellular level where it chokes and starves cells of their natural energy. You may not even realize its happening until it’s too late. Stress also reduces the efficiency and vitality of the cell itself, no matter what body system it belongs to.

So why not consider adaptogens. There is a proven winner with over 45 years of clinical studies, Rhodiola rosea.  Rhodiola rosea helps adjust all your neurotransmitter so that correct chemical out put can occur for up to 6 or more hours.  Positive changes in each cell can mean healthier functioning organs and overall body system as well. Adaptogens, such as Rhodiola rosea work with your body to help because they support the bodies own self regulatory defense systems.

What products carry this incredible adaptogen?

Rosavin^™, Rosavin Plus^®, ClearMind^® and EZ Energy^® all contain the original water extracted freeze dried Rhodiola rosea harvested in Siberia and have been  used in case study here in the U. S. The pure Rhodiola rosea found in these products is known to produce increased stamina, mental performance and help for men with E.D. Early on in history it was given to newlyweds to help promote desire & family production, however; the older European populations drank teas produced from this herb for greater mental cognizance and endurance. The centurion populations from Russia say that if you drink Rhodiola tea you’ll live for more than 100 years. I’m hoping that’s really true and glad I have it in my daily supplement regime.

If you’re looking for more than a good increase in stamina for working out or just starting a new exercise routine, then here’s the secret herbal formula containing Russian Rhodiola rosea and other adaptogens that few people know about! It’s EZ Energy^®. This new supplement containing only the highest potency extracts has been used by Russian Olympians. EZ Energy^® follows the foot path of an earlier product which also has over 45 years of clinical studies in Europe. Rhaponticum, one of the ingredients in EZ Energy^® is also reported to help convert fat to muscle mass up to 20 times faster than working out alone. It’s great for men & women and it can go anywhere you go without losing potency.

The ingredients found in EZ Energy^® are:

• Rhaponticum carthamoides 5% ecdysterone
• Rhodiola rosea-3%
• Schizandra extract-2%
• Aralia mandshurica extract-5%
• Panax Asian Meyer Ginseng

EZ Energy ^® won’t speed up your heart.  You may want to use this supplement when you really want to perform your best. Please remember to eat the proper foods, drink plenty of water take an adaptogen product. We know you’ll be happy with the out come.

Try any of our Rhodiola rosea products and receive a 15% discount, just use Code # RR082011.

To your health,

Ameriden

References:

1. Good Carbs verses Bad CarbsA Practical Guide to Carbohydrates and Fitness
   http://pilates.about.com/od/foodandweightloss/a/Good-Carbs-Bad-Carbs.htm
2. The Truth About Carbohydrates
   http://www.jigsawhealth.com/resources/carbohydrate
3. Adaptogens
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptogens
4. Rhodiola rosea: A Phytomedicinal Overview
   http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbalgram/issue56/article2333.html
5. The Beautiful Side of Rhododendron
   http://www.ameriden.com/healthspot/the-beautiful-side-of-rhododendron-caucasicum/
6. Freeze Dried vs. Spray Dried Rhodiola rosea
   http://www.ameriden.com/news/freeze-dried-vs-the-spray-dried-form-of-rhodiola-rosea/
7. Refrigerant/ Cooling Herbs
   http://www.anniesremedy.com/chart.php?prop_ID=46

By A. A. Spasov1, G. K. Wikman2, V. B. Mandrikov1, I. A. Mironova1, V. V. Neumoin1

1Volgograd Medical Academy, Volgograd, Russia
2Swedish Herbal Institute, Göteborg, Sweden

Summary

The objective was to investigate the stimulating and normalizing effect of the adaptogen Rhodiola rosea extract SHR-5 in foreign students during a stressful examination period. The study was performed as a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled with low repeated dose regime. The study drug and the placebo were taken for 20 days by the students during an examination period. The physical and mental performance were assessed before and after the period, based on objective as well as on subjective evaluation. The most significant improvement in the SHR-5 group was seen in physical fitness, mental fatigue and neuro-motoric tests (p < 0.01). The self-assessment of the general well-being was also significantly (p < 0.05) better in the verum group. No significance was seen in the correction of text tests or a neuro-muscular tapping test. The overall conclusion is that the study drug gave significant results compared to the placebo group but that the dose level probably was suboptimal.

Key words: Rhodiola rosea SHR-5, mental fatigue, controlled double-blind study

Read the rest of this article »

Did you know adrenal drain can deplete a woman's whole body?

• Are you tired after just getting up?
• Need coffee or other stimulants just to keep you going?
• Everything getting on your nerves?
• Don’t feel sexy? Oh, that’s the worst!

Does this sound like you?

As a women’s adrenal system encounters more and more stress without replenishment, many things can happen in her body. In addition to their primary role in dealing with stress, the adrenal glands have to^[1]:

• Balance blood sugar levels
• Balance more than 50 hormones in the body
• Help regulate inflammation throughout the body
• Help regulate their blood pressure and heart beat regularity
• Synthesize hormones, especially stress and sex hormones
• Support nervous system function (such as behavior, mood, excitability, memory), plus ward off negative thoughts

Because adrenals are intimately linked to so many other systems in the body, women with exhausted adrenals can end up with fuzzy thinking, insomnia, severe fatigue, thyroid disorders, and the worst, accelerated aging. Who wants that?

A clear choice to pursue should be a natural alternative such Adaptogens. One great adaptogen for the adrenals is Siberian Rhodiola rosea. Not only for its hormonal balancing ability, but for the many other benefits as well.

Most women who have tried Rosavin™ (a proprietary Siberian Rhodiola rosea) get the up they need when they are down: adrenal fatigue can be paused and even reversed over time in many cases. Doctors have witnessed it time and time again.

Since Adaptogens come from plants, consider why you would want to use a plant nutrient first.

Plant chemicals or Phytonutrients for adrenal health work with us instead of against us like those considered synthetic stimulants.

As much as you may look forward to that three o’clock latte or favorite cookie, there is a much healthier way to bring your energy back and the great news is it supports your adrenals rather than deplete them. The use of plants; either in whole-food form or in standardized supplements, can be more effective all-round for the purpose of healing and bringing back balance. It’s true, the power of plants and their extracts are finally making their mark in the United States. While people around the world have practiced botanical medicine and followed a plant-based diet for thousands of years, the United States has lagged far behind.

But now we have evidence-based research to back up the positive effects & benefits of these health promoting giants^[2].  Why do plants hold such wonderful healing properties? First, as humans we are made of thousand of molecules that link EXACTLY to the plant world, so our genes are well-versed in their language. Second, many medicinal plants hold adaptogenic properties, which means their molecules communicate thoroughly along our metabolic pathways, “reading” what our bodies need at a blazing speed and then provide what they truly need instead of second guessing synthetics, which can cause mutations and in some cases drug resistance. Synthetics or pharmaceutical drugs have been formulated to be effective on everyone, however, is that really true? No, they tend to deliver larger doses than necessary for some, shocking the systems in others and for some, Nada.

Dr. Israel Brekhman, the scientist who coined the term “adaptogen,” suggested that there is a better way to balance hormones naturally through adaptogens. An adaptogenic plant should have four properties:

• be harmless to the host
• have a general, rather non-specific effect
• increase the resistance of the recipient to a variety of physical, chemical, or biological stressors
• act as a general stabilizer/normalizing the user

Dr. Brekhman first helped to bring adaptogenic herbs to the attention of Western science. Researchers such as Dr. Zakir Ramazanov in the US and around the globe have since built upon his pioneering studies, demonstrating that adaptogens support the adrenal glands with their anti-fatigue and anti-stress properties. In 2009, Swedish researchers proposed one way it does this is by increasing the specific molecules we typically release to protect the body against physical and emotional stress. These “molecular chaperones” help treat and repair damaged proteins during times of intense physical demand. Having more “repair” molecules on board helps build our tolerance to stress and allows for less physical destruction. But don’t over do it!

While many do get immediate results using plant supplements or whole foods, don’t expect quick results. You may have to up or lower your intake to reach optimum efficacy for your own body & blood type. It’s important to remember that sometimes GOOD things take a little more time to work and phytonutrients/plant chemicals aren’t magic, but a great step towards natural balanced energy and healing of the adrenals. In order to fully recover from drained adrenals you have to find out what really caused the original stress or stressors to begin with. And don’t forget that you need to be mindful that adrenals need rest to heal.

Remember, the one-size-fits-all solution really doesn’t work

So here are some supportive measures you can take to ensure a full adrenal recovery:

• Sleep. Resist the temptation to burn the candle at both ends! Getting 8-10 hours a night of sleep is one of the best ways to restore your adrenal glands or take a nap during the day.
• Modify your exercise. Mornings are best for aerobic exercise this is when your cortisol is naturally highest. Try not to let your heart rate go above 90 beats per minute. Take relaxing walks, meditate, or any kind of stretching exercise that restores you instead of draining you.

• Eat well and often. One of the major dietary mistakes made by people with low adrenal output is not eating soon enough after waking. If you have adrenal fatigue, it is very important that you eat before 10:00 am. This is vital in helping to replenish the waning stored blood sugar supply after the previous night’s energy needs. Another important point, a hungry body puts stress on the adrenals, so don’t go too long without a meal or a healthy snack.

Eating certain adrenal supporting foods at specific times of the day can help your body return to a natural cortisol rhythm and avoid the “crash and burn” of sugar/caffeine highs and lows. You would do best by combining fat, protein and complex carbohydrates (like whole grains) at every meal and snack. This combination helps to provide a steady stream of energy throughout the day. It is important to remember that some foods are converted too quickly into energy (like sugary snacks or highly processed foods) and will quickly let you down. Stay away from sugar and white flour products, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, deep-fried foods and fast foods or junk foods.

• Relieve stress. Schedule a massage or enlist a partner or friend to give you one, put your feet up and enjoy a cup of tea, or call a loved one to “just talk.” Cultivate whatever it is that relieves tension and stress for you. Even just five minutes a day of quiet breathing or meditation can do wonders for your adrenals.
• Play. Take a good look at your life, cut out as many of the things that drain you as possible, replacing them with those that fulfill you. Engage with people, activities and work you enjoy. Go to the beach, play with your grandchildren, go dancing etc…whatever you have fun doing. Give yourself permission to do these things during this time of healing. You & your adrenals will find great pleasure in soaking these experiences up.
• Stop. Stop over-spending on things that actually can cause harm to your body.  Over drinking coffee or alcohol can send your body into a spin. Not to mention the $$$ wasted and not getting the results you really need. Do you spend a minimum of $3.50 per day just on designer coffees, that’s $17.00 a week or $70.00 per month-on, one cup a day! Alcohol-$$$$. Wouldn’t a healthy supplement be better for you? Think of the savings!

An adaptogen supplement such as Rosavin™ has the ability to optimize your serotonin and dopamine levels. It does this by influencing your opioid peptides such as beta-endorphins ^[3] which costs you under $25 a month. Here are some additional effects of Rosavin™:

• Lowering of stress induced catecholamines from the adrenal gland
• Anti-stress/stimulatory properties attributed to its phenyl-propanoid agents from its monoterpenes rosaridin, rosaridol and cinnamic alcohol.

Here’s an inexpensive Quick Adrenal Pick-Me-Up recipe you can make at home or office:

It’s a high-energy soup, called “Taz,” which comes from Dolores S. Downey’s “Balancing Body Chemistry with Nutrition” seminars.

16 oz. green beans
1 cup tomato juice
1 zucchini, sliced
1 cup chopped celery
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tbsp. raw honey
1 cup spring water
1 tsp. paprika
1 cup chicken broth

Directions: Combine the ingredients and let them simmer for approximately one hour or until the vegetables become tender. Add salt or pepper to suit your taste.

While cooking is not always possible you can keep the supplement Rosavin™ handy, it is U.S. case studied and proven to help women balance their over worked adrenals according to doctors and health care professionals.

Rosavin™ is the purest form of Siberian Rhodiola rosea and is safe taken once or twice a day and effective! For more information read the book “The Rhodiola Revolution” written by Dr. Richard Brown & Dr. Patricia Gerbarg. ^{[4] [5]}

Keep in mind whatever you do, there is hope for your adrenals and you can prevent them from going down the proverbial drain.

References:

1. http://www.womentowomen.com/adrenalfatigue/adrenalglandnutrition.aspx.
2. Treatment of subjects with stress-related fatigue. Pubmed. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19016404.
3. Pubmed. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2952180.
4. The Rhodiola Revolution.” Brown, Dr. Richard & Dr. Patricia Gerbarg.
5. “Efficacy and Tolerability”. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17901042.

What are Adaptogens? Adaptogens help the body and brain cells “adapt” to and resist physical, chemical and environmental stress. They also help the body by normalizing the immune system and glucocorticoid hormone levels in a positive way, bringing them into balance.

Rhodiola rosea is such an adaptogen with a common name called “Golden Root”, ever heard of it? It has more than 45 years of clinical studies and used in natural medicine for thousands of years.

How could something so good and with such a history of helping the body to adapt to and resist physical, chemical and environmental stress evade the medical community of the US? Five reasons:

1. There are 20 species of Adaptogens; most are unknown in the US market because they exist outside of the US.
2. Rhodiola rosea was kept as a “Soviet Secret” until after the Soviet Union collapsed. For those living in the Altai mountain range of Siberia, Rhodiola rosea has always been known as a natural medicine to help the body and brain cells “adapt”.
3. Since it is natural, US drug companies are not interested in something they cannot patent.
4. Alternative companies here in the US are not compelled by the FDA to run clinical trials nor do most have the money to invest in them.
5. It was not standardized until recent years. However, with that said here are reasons why you might want to investigate this compound.

Most drugs do not have 20 years of clinical studies, Rhodiola rosea has 45 years of documented clinical studies in Europe and in practice by professionals in the US for more that 12 years. Most drugs have multiple unwanted side-effects and cannot be taken with other drugs. Rhodiola rosea only has a couple minor side effects, heightened dreams and agitations at high amounts. Many professionals are claiming side benefits rather than side effects and rhodiola rosea can be taken with most drugs. It’s safe and inexpensive. The only draw back might be that health plans do not cover it, but then most health plans today have co-pays exceeding the cost of purchasing Rhodiola rosea on line. You need a brand you can trust, Ameriden brought it to the professional market in 1995, it’s the only brand used in US case studies and it is standardized. EXTRA: The vast majority of tests performed with Rhodiola rosea showed improved bodily functions, especially performance (mental and physical). There are also over 143 published articles related to studies with Rhodiola rosea on PubMed. Here are just a few:

Rhodiola Rosea PubMed References

Pharmacodynamics

• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12140895&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12410627&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12449069&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12360347&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11862018&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11410073&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11081990&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10707407&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10404532&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9621172&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9631727&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9324395&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9281128&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7756969&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1793747&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6936908&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=5700487&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6001303&dopt=Abstract

Pharmacokinetics (ADME)

• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9410196&dopt=Abstract

Genetics & Molecular Biology

• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9162281&dopt=Abstract

Animal Studies

• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11109531&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11596257&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9471597&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8312534&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7506072&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1343148&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1857451&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1835634&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2261879&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2573197&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3617612&dopt=Abstract
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=2279096&query_hl=21&itool=pubmed_docsum

Article by Abidoff -Fanna
Moscow, Russian Republic

Russian Rhodiola Rosea, gathered from near the Arctic.

WILL ADULTERATION POISON SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION AGAIN?

RHODIOLA ROSEA -Case Study of An Industry Disease.  Is There A Cure?

Standardized, clinically potent Rhodiola rosea is a unique and exciting herbal extract that has risen to a level of well-earned consumer excitement that unfortunately is attracting cases of product adulteration, usually justified by misinformation. Apparently the increased popularity of clinically effective forms of Rhodiola rosea now make it a target for counterfeiting with innocuous and ineffective substitutes being sold to a public still too naive to protect itself from low quality alternatives that simply do not work. Unfortunately, this sad tale is all too familiar to experienced innovators in the natural products industry.

The public does not yet fully understand that only true Rhodiola rosea extract containing sufficient standardized levels of its unique active constituents, rosavin, rosin, and rosarin can insure that the consumer is getting the form of the product that works!

Despite its rising popularity, public education about Rhodiola rosea is still in its infancy. That is why articles like this are an essential “preventative medicine” against the abuses and destructive consequences of new product misinformation typically used to justify substitution and adulteration.

The tragedy, of course, is that continuing misinformation will eventually destroy public enthusiasm for the real Rhodiola rosea and diminish its bright future. Regulators and industry critics will once again be warning disappointed consumers that they cannot trust the “unscrupulous and unregulated natural products industry” as a whole! In effect, the recurrent pattern of great products being prematurely discredited and ruine

d by competitive adulteration is a sickness that eats the heart out of the integrity and fundamental health of the entire phytomedicinal industry.

Rhodiola rosea is a perfect case study of how the natural products industry constantly finds itself under attack by critics and regulators because of its historical inability to prevent this type of abuse.

Judge for yourself. here are the facts:

Rhodiola rosea (also known as golden root) is part of the Crassulaceae family of plants, indigenous to the Polar Regions of Eastern Siberia.

1. The release of information on extraordinary~ health benefits of Rhodiola rosea by the former Soviet Union in the early 1990′ s has dramatically increased interest in this unique medicinal plant. After more than 35 years of intensive research, Russian, Bulgarian and Scandinavian scientists demonstrated that highly active constituents extracted from Rhodiola rosea regulated levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.
2. ‘Pharmacological and medicinal properties of any herbal extracts are a phenomenon strictly specific to unique species of the herbs…’ (Saratikov et al. 1987). Russian botanists have identified nearly 200 species of Rhodiola genus. According to the Russian Pharmacopoeia, key active constituents in Rhodiola rosea that are responsible for its unique pharmacological and medicinal properties are actually complexes of phenylpropanoids : rosavin, rosin and rosarin. If your extract does not contain all of these active constituents then there is no guarantee that what you have been taking will work anywhere as well as clinically true Rhodiola rosea extract that does work.
3. Some suppliers of so-called “standardized Rhodiola rosea” have standardized their products to 1% salidroside. Critical evaluation of results of recent research clearly shows that the presence of salidroside and its aglycon p-tyrosol is not specific to Rhodiola genus and not the source of Rhodiola’s extensive clinical value. First identified in white willow bark (Salix), salidroside was also found in more than 22 plants, algae and in some bacteria. These active compounds have also been found in virgin olive oil as well as olive leaf extract. The presence of salidroside or p-tyrosol in our diet does have some benefit.For example, P- tyrosol in our diet does have some benefit.
   For example, p-tyrosol plays an important role in protecting against LDL oxidation and helping to regulate heart arrhythmia. There are cheaper sources of abundant salidroside available from many other natural products. Rhodiola rosea as well as many other Rhodiola species also contain salidroside and p-tyrosol. But what is unique to the standardized Rhodiola rosea extracts that produced impressive clinical effects is their full specter of pharmacologically active rosavin, rosin and rosarin. The salidroside content alone cannot be used as the objective standard for product evaluation.
4. The key quality control discovery that allowed us to see the real effectiveness of this amazing extract was in knowing that it had to be standardized to the rosavins content (rosavin, rosin and rosarin) and not according to the salidroside content as presented in Tibetan and Chinese substitutes!  Thirty-five years of clinical Research clearly proves that only full potency Rhodiola rosea extract offer full effectiveness, not the salidroside!
5. The ability of the standardized Rhodiola rosea extract to help the body adapt to stress may lie in its special ability to enhance levels of serotonin, dopamine and other vital neurotransmitters.
6. Only the Rhodiola rosea extract containing all its key active compounds (rosavin, rosin and rosarin) improves the physical work ability, shorten the recovery period after prolonged muscular workloads, normalizing the parameters of the activity of the cardiovascular system.
7. During intensive muscular work Rhodiola rosea extract stimulates the production of energy, optimizing the processes of oxidative phosphorilation, activating the phosphorilation of creatine, and stabilizing the mitochondria’s ultra-structure, while stimulating the release of fatty acids from adipose tissue.
8. Only Rhodiola rosea extract containing all its unique active constituents has shown a positive influence on the higher mobility of the human body; improving mental ability, primarily enhancing the qualitative indicators of the performed work. The effect of “prompt adaptation” arises in the organism with the introduction of the Rhodiola rosea into the central nervous system. Rhodiola rosea prevents the beginning of pathological changes in the organism, caused by immobilizing and emotionally painful stress.
9. The adaptogenic characteristics of the standardized Rhodiola rosea preparations are displayed in an increase of the resistance of the organism to the action of physical and biological factors. Rhodiola rosea prevents the experimental development of hyper and hypoglycemia, leukocytosis, leucopenia, erythrocytosis, erythropenia and hypoxia.
10. The proven of effectiveness of Rhodiola rosea extract containing Rosavin and other key compounds in treating depression led Russian scientists to use it in combination with antidepressants. Patients’ general activity along with intellectual and physical productivity increased while duration of hospital stays and side effects normally associated with tricyclic antidepressants decreased. Rhodiola rosea is a safe and effective adjunct to conventional antidepressant therapy.
11. The Rhodiola rosea preparations increase the anti-tumor resistance of the organism. They significantly inhibit the growth of experimental tumors while decreasing the frequency of their metastases: Also, the life expectancy of animals with tumors is prolonged, decreasing the outcome of spontaneous tumor growth.
12. The Rhodiola rosea preparations are prescribed as a stimulative remedy for fatigue, for people with an inclination toward asthenia during work, which require increased mental workload, in sports medicine to fight exhaustion occurring during intense muscular work: It also accelerates the recovery processes during intensive training workouts.
13. In testing the response of exhaustive muscle workloads to Rhodiola rosea extract, it was found that the herb increases the activity of proteolytic enzymes and also significantly elevates the level of RNA and protein in skeletal muscles.

However, many new US Rhodiola products do not establish or maintain true clinical potency in their formulations. Consequently, they will not work and are not worth their price… especially since a clinically potent product is readily available and is verified.

Letting people know about the genetically true Rhodiola rosea extract presents a perfect opportunity to demonstrate the natural product industry’s ability to prevent recurrent threats and set a new standard of validity and integrity.  Demand that the truth be told about real Rhodiola rosea extract will insure that consumers get the benefits they expect and pay for; this is critical to preserving the goodwill of our loyal public.  Perhaps a more proactive, consumer centered self-help industry is needed to defend and promote objective standards in new product innovations. Participatory public PR campaigns are needed to brighten the image and reality of the natural products industry as a whole. The opportunity exists because the problem persists. Who will stand up for truth in marketing while offering integrity in product innovation? It will be those of us who really care about this industry and who have the principles and power to put our ideals into practice.

Closeup of Rhodiola Rosea flowers

This article presented by:

Dr. Musa T Abidoff MD, Professor of Medicine, President and CEO, Abidoff-Farma & Center of Modern Medicine, Russian Academy of Medicinal Science.Professor Satarov AD, Russian Academy of Medicinal Sciences, Academician Emeritus of Russian Academy of Sciences, President of Medicinal Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
Professor Krasnov, Russian Academy of Medicinal Sciences, Emeritus Academician of Russian Academy of Sciences, President of Medicinal Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.

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

Origins to Art

I am Tricia Meteer, professional photographer, artist & entrepreneur. I have a secret to share with you and I didn’t expect to find it at work.

It all started seven months ago. I was an executive with Origins and the Estee Lauder Corporation; hopping from one airplane to the next, crisscrossing time zones and hardly getting enough sleep. If you’re working for a living you can probably identify with this and how hard it is to balance a social and family life without feeling like a ping pong ball.

This combination was constantly fatiguing me as I would have to arrive on location with a smile on my face, ready to motivate, educate & lead 50+ employees then work with the clients too. To say the least my life was challenging and keeping stress in check became part of my life’s everyday diet. Read the rest of this article »

Stone Mountain Center…… where Stephen Larsen PhD focuses his attention on neurofeedback and nutraceutical support to help patients restore their lives.

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.

Read the rest of this article »

Laurel Dewey – Author

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 Read the rest of this article »

by Dr. Richard P. Brown, Dr. Patricia L. Gerbarg, and Dr. Philip R. Muskin
W.W. Norton, 2009

Many people use Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) because they want to enhance their health, prevent illness, slow the aging process, or participate more in their own health care choices.  Others find prescription medications to be ineffective, suffer unpleasant side effects, or fear long-term health risks.  Without the guidance of knowledgeable health care providers, many consumers have a hard time sorting out fact from fiction when trying to evaluate all the available information.  They may fall prey to practitioners who profit financially from the sale of products they recommend. The solutions this book shares are part of a new medical paradigm, integrating the best of standard and complementary treatments for long-term brain health, mental clarity, mental focus, memory, emotional health, and well-being.  The substantial but digestible text is peppered with “clinical pearls” and case vignettes. Read the rest of this article »