Artichoke Extract for gallstones and as a liver and gallbladder bile stimulant; for high cholesterol; for digestive disorders; for irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and other bowel problems; to support liver function.

Artichoke Extract Promotes Fat Digestion and Metabolism Artichoke extract stimulates bile production, promoting fat digestion and metabolism. By stimulating bile, it supports liver and gallbladder function and may help relieve occasional indigestion. Medical experts theorize that it may also inhibit activity of the cholesterol production enzyme HMG CoA Reductase to balance LDL cholesterol and trigylceride production in the liver for cardiovascular support.

Benefits Of Artichoke

Not only have artichokes been a longtime part of a wholesome Mediterranean diet, but their uses for digestive support and liver health have been documented since the time of the Roman Empire in the 4th century B.C. Recently, scientists began documenting the scientific benefits derived from artichokes. Researchers discovered that compounds such as cynarin and chlorogenic acids extracted from artichokes effectively stimulated bile production, which helps to stimulate healthy digestion, relieve occasional indigestion, increase fat metabolism, support liver health, improve gallbladder function and promote cholesterol wellness.

Traditionally, artichoke globes and their leaf extracts have been used to promote digestive health. But it is the leaves that contain the highest concentration of beneficial antioxidant polyphenolic compounds such as cynarin, lute- olin and chlorogenic acids. Cynarin is what gives artichokes their pleasant bitter taste and was originally believed to be the only active component of artichoke extracts. However, researchers have discovered that the dried extract of the complete leaf is more potent than extracts containing just cynarin.

Artichoke Extract Promotes Digestive Health, Gallbladder Support, Fat Digestion and Fat Metabolism

The polyphenols in artichoke extract stimulate increased bile production in your body. Bile is one of the most important compounds your body can make to keep you healthy. Bile is made in the liver from cholesterol and triglyc- erides and stored in the gallbladder. It mixes and emulsifies fats to support fat digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. By supporting fat digestion it also supports overall diges- tive health and relieves occasional indigestion.

Liver Health and Cholesterol Wellness

In addition to having digestive benefits, artichoke extract also helps to maintain cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range. Medical experts theorize that this benefit may be due to the artichoke extract inhibiting the activity of the enzyme HMG CoA Reductase to decrease the amount of cholesterol made by your liver. Also, since cholesterol and triglyc- erides are used to make bile, the bile stimulating activity of artichoke extract may also help to remove excess cholesterol from the blood stream, which promotes your cardiovascular health. The antioxidants and bile stimulating effects of artichoke also help promote healthy liver function.

Can The Benefits Of Turmeric Help Prevent, Control, Or Kill Several Types Of Cancers

Turmeric Curcuma longa: The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, a relative of ginger is a promising disease-preventive agent probably due largely to its anti-inflammatory action – The Benefit Of Turmeric Alzheimer’s Disease, Arthritis And Cancer

One of the most comprehensive summaries of turmeric studies to date was published by the respected ethnobotanist James A. Duke, Phd., in the October, 2007 issue of Alternative & Complementary Therapies, and summarized in the July, 2008, issue of the American Botanical Council publication HerbClip.

Reviewing some 700 studies, Duke concluded that turmeric appears to outperform many pharmaceuticals in its effects against several chronic, debilitating diseases, and does so with virtually no adverse side effects. Here are some of the diseases that turmeric benefit and has been found to help prevent or alleviate:

Alzheimer’s disease: Duke found more than 50 studies on turmeric’s effects in addressing Alzheimer’s disease. The reports indicate that extracts of turmeric contain a number of natural agents that block the formation of beta-amyloid, the substance responsible for the plaques that slowly obstruct cerebral function in Alzheimer’s disease.

Arthritis: Turmeric contains more than two dozen anti-inflammatory compounds, including sixdifferent COX-2-inhibitors (the COX-2 enzyme promotes pain, swelling and inflammation; inhibitors selectively block that enzyme). By itself, writes Duke, curcumin – the component in turmeric most often cited for its healthful effects – is a multifaceted anti-inflammatory agent, and studies of the efficacy of curcumin have demonstrated positive changes in arthritic symptoms.

Cancer: Duke found more than 200 citations for turmeric and cancer and more than 700 for curcumin and cancer. He noted that in the handbook Phytochemicals: Mechanisms of Action, curcumin and/or turmeric were effective in animal models in prevention and/or treatment of colon cancer, mammary cancer, prostate cancer, murine hepatocarcinogenesis (liver cancer in rats), esophageal cancer, and oral cancer. Duke said that the effectiveness of the herb against these cancers compared favorably with that reported for pharmaceuticals.

Studies have suggested turmeric has broad anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects as well. But few Americans eat enough curry to achieve these protective effects. elderly villagers in India, who eat turmeric in their daily curries, have the world’s lowest rate of Alzheimer’s disease.

Turmeric Tea

Turmeric Benefit: Okinawans drink copious quantities of turmeric tea. Some brew it fresh, but others simply buy cans or powdered instant versions of unsweetened tea from their local stores.

How To Make Turmeric Tea: Experiment with the ingredients and flavorings until you find a combination that suits your taste:

1. Bring four cups of water to a boil.
2. Add one teaspoon of ground turmeric and reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Strain the tea through a fine sieve into a cup, add honey and/or lemon to taste.

According to the University Of Maryland Medical Center:

Turmeric Health Benefit

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been used for 4,000 years to treat a variety of ailments. Studies show that turmeric may help treat a number of illnesses, however, it is important to remember several facts when you hear news reports about turmeric’s medicinal properties. First, many studies have taken place in test tubes and animals, and the herb may not work as well in humans. Second, some studies have used an injectable form of curcumin (the active substance in turmeric). Finally, some of the studies show conflicting evidence. Nevertheless, turmeric may have promise for fighting infections and some cancers, reducing inflammation, and treating digestive problems.

Turmeric is widely used as a food coloring and gives Indian curry its distinctive flavor and yellow color. It is also used in mustard and to color butter and cheese. Turmeric has been used in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory, to treat digestive and liver problems, skin diseases, and wounds. Curcumin is also a powerful antioxidant; antioxidants scavenge particles in the body known as free radicals, which damage cell membranes, tamper with DNA, and even cause cell death. Antioxidants can neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause. In addition, curcumin reduces inflammation by lowering levels of two inflammatory enzymes (called COX-2 and LOX) in the body and stops platelets from clumping together to form blood clots.

Research suggests that turmeric may be helpful for the following conditions:

Indigestion or Dyspepsia

Curcumin stimulates the gallbladder to produce bile, which some people think may help improve digestion. In Germany, the German Commission E, an authoritative body that determines which herbs can be safely prescribed in that country, has approved turmeric for a variety of digestive disorders. And at least one double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that turmeric reduced symptoms of bloating and gas in people suffering from indigestion.

Ulcerative colitis

Turmeric may help maintain remission in people with ulcerative colitis. In one double-blind, placebo-controlled study, people whose ulcerative colitis was in remission received either curcumin or placebo, along with conventional medical treatment, for 6 months. Those who took curcumin had a relapse rate that was much lower than those who took placebo.

Stomach Ulcers

Turmeric does not appear to be helpful in treating stomach ulcers, and there is some evidence that it may increase the amount of acid in the stomach, making existing ulcers worse.

Osteoarthritis

Because of its ability to reduce inflammation, turmeric may help relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis. A study of people using an Ayurvedic formula of herbs and minerals containing turmeric, as well as Withinia somnifera (winter cherry), Boswellia serrata (Boswellia), and zinc, significantly reduced pain and disability. While encouraging for the value of this Ayurvedic combination therapy to help with osteoarthritis, it is difficult to know how much of this success is from turmeric alone, one of the other individual herbs, or the combination of herbs working in tandem.

Atherosclerosis

Early studies suggest that turmeric may help prevent atherosclerosis (the buildup of plaque that can block arteries and lead to heart attack or stroke) in one of two ways. First, in animal studies an extract of turmeric lowered cholesterol levels and kept LDL or “bad” cholesterol from building up in blood vessels, a process that helps form plaque. Because it stops platelets from clumping together, turmeric may also prevent blood clots from building up along the walls of arteries. However, it isn’t yet known whether turmeric would have this effect in humans, or how much you would have to take to see any benefit.

Cancer

There has been a great deal of research on turmeric’s anti-cancer potential, but results are still very early. Evidence from test tube and animal studies suggests that curcumin may help prevent, control, or kill several types of cancers, including prostate, breast, skin, and colon. Curcumin’s effects may be due to its ability to stop the blood vessels that supply cancerous tumors from growing, and its preventive effects may come from its strength as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage. More research is needed. Cancer should be treated with conventional medications; never rely on alternative therapies alone to treat cancer.

Diabetes

When researchers gave laboratory animals with diabetes turmeric, their blood sugar levels dropped, as did their blood cholesterol levels. But researchers don’t yet know whether turmeric would be helpful in treating diabetes in people. (See “Precautions” section.)

Bacterial and Viral Infections

Test tube and animal studies suggest turmeric may have antibacterial and antiviral properties, but whether it would be effective in humans is unclear.

Uveitis

A preliminary study suggests curcumin may help treat uveitis, an inflammation of the eye. In one study of 32 people with uveitis, curcumin appeared to be as effective as corticosteroids, the type of medication generally prescribed for this eye disorder. More research is needed.