Potent health protector - SELENIUM

What is selenium?

Selenium is an essential trace mineral that is required by our body for normal function of the immune system. We must obtain the sources externally because our bodies barely produce it.


Sources

Selenium is mostly found in plants (extract from soil), seafood or animal meats (eg. pig stomach).  Its content in food varies according to the growing area where the water and soils hold this mineral content. Likewise, animals that eat grains or plants that were grown in selenium-rich soil will have a higher level of selenium in their muscles and organs.

In New Zealand the soils are found to contain low level of selenium, and thus the cattle and sheep raised there have suffered a breakdown of muscle tissue, including the heart muscle. However, human intake of selenium is adequate because of imported wheat from Australia rich in this mineral. In general, we can derive selenium from the food we eat like pasta, rice and grains.

Why so important?

Selenium is an important part of the human antioxidant enzyme – glutathione peroxidase. It acts as a free radical scavenger, thus protect the healthy cells against harmful substances.

Free radicals are being produced during normal oxygen metabolism in the body and can damage the cells and contribute to various types of chronic diseases eg. cardiovascular disease, cancer and cataract. It plays critical roles in reproduction and thyroid hormone metabolism. Hence its deficiency is linked to a host of illnesses like thyroid disorder, cystic fibrosis, hepatitis, cirrhosis and male infertility. People who are at risk of deficiency include vegetarians, elderly, pregnant and nursing mothers, smokers, very ill patients and those without a balanced diet.

+ Selenium is clinically proven to help reduces the incidence of cancer by counteracting cancer cells and chromosome damage. A 10 year study in USA on 1312 persons showed that daily intake of 200 mcg of selenium could reduce the incidence of prostate, colon and lung cancers by half in 5 years' time and prevent its reoccurrence. Other research findings concluded that selenium blood levels were significantly lower in men with benign prostate or prostate cancer. For info, men appear to have a slightly greater selenium requirement as it is lost in semen and concentrate mainly in the testes and seminal ducts.

+ Studies conducted at the University of Miami indicate that taking selenium may enhance the survival rate of AIDS patients by increasing both red and white blood cell counts.

+ Its other functions are like involved in the production of thyroid hormone, helps to prevent heavy metal poisoning through its antagonistic effect to lead, arsenic, mercury, aluminum and cadmium.

+  Selenium supplements may be beneficial in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, especially when combined with vitamin E treatment. In some trials, symptoms have been shown to improve as blood selenium levels increase. However, the results of studies are mixed. Selenium may reduce inflammation through its antioxidant action, and through control of prostaglandins, hormone-like compounds that regulate the inflammation process.


+  As an antioxidant, selenium may be able to protect against the damage to lung tissue and enzymes caused by the free radicals produced by inflammatory cells in asthmatic airways. As a component of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase it helps to stabilize cell membranes.


In summary, it has numerous healing properties including:

Are all selenium products the same?

+ Basically there are two types of selenium products available in the market: organic and inorganic selenium. Inorganic selenium such as sodium selenate may have inconsistent quality and lesser bioavailability than the organic form. The most crucial fact is inorganic selenium is toxic and may cause organ and brain damage.

+ Latest scientific studies prove selenium yeast to be the safest selenium supplement. This is make possible with the yeast absorbing selenium into its cell and converting into safer organic selenium. There are also those products where the selenium component is merely attached to the yeast during the final manufacturing process and thus the toxins remain.

VIVA corner

Choosing the right product is so important. Getting one that has patented manufacturing process and has passed the safety test is safe for consumption and can be well-absorbed.

+  VIVA SELGUARD is a proprietary formula of peptide bonded organic selenium, clinically tested for purity and non-toxicity as it is completely incorporated into yeast cells. With a tablet containing 200 mcg and based on toxicity occurring only up to 5g/kg, only by consuming a million tablet per day can it pose a danger to life.


A clinical study on this product is published in the peer-reviewed international journal of cancer research and treatment Anticancer Research in May 2000 and the abstract was presented at the 1999 Annual Convention of the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR).

This in-vitro study illustrates its enhanced chemotherapeutic effects and the ability to promote cellular death of rogue cells (called apoptosis) and ensure normal cell growth for surviving ones. All this is made possible with its high antioxidant properties that can help to support a healthy immune system especially after a major attack.

+ As Vitamin A, C, E and selenium are powerful antioxidants, the combined effect is greatly enhanced to offer stronger protection to our cells and neutralising the negative effects of free radicals. VIVA VIVASHIELD‘s 4 in 1 combination is the first product in the world that has been clinically proven and clinically proven and published in the Medical Science Research 1996 Vol 24 No 5 to significantly reduce the levels of peroxides in the blood.

The Lifesaver - GERMANIUM

Introduction


The human body is unable to make own minerals and must derive from external sources through adequate food consumption. To be easily digested and absorbed, it requires sufficient gastric acid and pancreatic enzymes to extract the minerals from the digested food and good fats to utilize them. Hence, if the pH of the stomach is not acidic enough, the minerals will merely pass through the small intestine and flush out with any undigested food in the stool.


Less than fifty years ago many essential minerals were believed to be irrelevant to human health, including zinc, manganese and chromium. Today scientists recognize that all three are vitally important to proper metabolic functioning and health. Now researchers are devoting their attention to a number of ultra-trace minerals, including cobalt, silicon, gold and germanium. As a matter of fact, mineral imbalance is epidemic these days and can take the body several years to re-mineralize.


What is germanium?


Germanium is a trace mineral element that has received a great deal of publicity for its cancer-fighting properties.  Before you start using, differentiate the two forms:

+ Inorganic germanium (which has no nutritional benefits and is mainly used in the creation of computer chips).

The existence of germanium was first predicted by the Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev in 1871 who was the creator of the periodic table (a table which groups similar elements together based on their properties) and felt it made sense if he left gaps. One of these gaps was Element 32 which he predicted would be discovered at a later date and have similar properties to silicon.

In 1886 Element 32 was re-discovered by the German chemist Clemens Alexander Winkler when he was sent a new ore from a mine near Freiberg in Germany. The ore contained silver and sulphur but approximately 7% of it could not be identified. Winkler experimented on this new ore and managed to isolate Element 32 which he then named GERMANIUM after his native country.


Note that inorganic germanium is also sold as supplements under the names germanium dioxide and germanium lactate-citrate. Its potency can lead to liver damage and nerves and in critical cases, breakdown of kidney tissue, resulting in kidney damage, kidney failure and even death.

+ Organic germanium is found in the soil, in foods and aplenty in many of the important herbs and medicinal plants traditionally used in healing, including ginseng, pearl barley, garlic, shiitake mushrooms, aloe vera, garlic, and chlorella - leading to speculation that germanium accounted for much of their therapeutic activity.


Organic germanium was first successfully synthesized by Dr. Kazuhiko Asai of Tokyo, Japan in 1967.  He produced a water-soluble blend comprising germanium, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen  that was chemically identical to the form extracted from plants, but much less costly and thus more accessible to the public.


He reported that this organic mineral protects against cancer by stimulating the production of interferon, a substance that stimulates the production of natural killer (NK) cells in the bone marrow to combat cancer cells directly. He also reported its benefits to patients suffering from a wide variety of conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, asthma, stroke and stomach ulcers.  Other researchers investigated both animal models and humans in order to understand how one compound could help in so many disorders. concluded that germanium sesquioxide aids the body’s natural defenses against disease and aging. 


Hence, the difference between them is that high-purity organic complex has a variety of nutritional benefits and relatively safe to use - with virtually no demonstrated toxicity. As such, it is classified as a food supplement and not a drug.



How does the body uses germanium?


Dr. Otto Warburg, who won the Nobel prize for his cancer research, discovered that cancer cells cannot survive in an oxygen-rich environment. He confirmed that organic germanium carries oxygen across cellular membranes into the cell, which helps fight diseases caused by insufficient cellular oxygenation or oxidative free-radical damage.

As a powerful antioxidant, it protects the body from damaging free radicals (harmful by-products of oxygen related reactions) and has been proven to prevent a wide range of ailments and diseases. As such, it plays an important role in a properly functioning immune system. It should go towards:
- Boosting your immune system (by increasing the number of antibody-forming cells and activating macrophages and natural killer cells.)

- Restoring the function of B cells, natural killer cells and T cells as in auto-immune disorders.

- Stimulating the production of interferon (a protein used by cells for appropriate signaling to other cells and natural killer cells when under attack).

Thus it is useful in preventing:


- cancer namely leukemia, sarcomas, Iymphomas and adenocarcinomas, yet protecting surrounding noncancerous tissue from damage.
- AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
- asthma (a respiratory disorder which makes breathing difficult).
- arthritis (inflammation of the joints).
- liver cirrhosis 
- depression.
- heart disease.
- neuralgia (a condition which causes pain in the nerves).
- high blood pressure. (does not drop more than normal levels)
- osteoporosis (reduced bone mineral density).
- sinus infections and
- Treating cataracts (In traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the germanium-containing fungus lingzhi is used to replenish qi – the vital energy that flows within the body, lacking which results in symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, poor appetite, pale face and prone to illnesses due to a weakened immune system.)

How to use germanium?

Various studies have been performed to measure the amounts of ultra-traced elements in human diets. For germanium, the typical dietary intake for humans is 0.4 – 3.4 mg per day whilst its constituent in various natural foods is around 1 mg per day for the average diet.

In the thousands of patients who attended Dr. Asai’s Germanium Clinic, there were no reported cases of germanium toxicity. The dosage for several patients was reported as 40 mg per kg of body weight. Thus, a person who weighs 110 pounds would take 2,000 mg (2gm) per day. Even at such high doses, the product appeared to be safe. Pure germanium is not stored by the body and is completely excreted in the urine within 72 hours.


Other comments


In summary, germanium:

--  Helps produce interferon, a protein known to support and promote healthy immune system
--  Enhances the oxygen supply to our cells
--  Boosts the body's repair function and immune system
--  Neutralises free radicals and heavy metal detoxification
--  Retards metastatic spreading of the cancer cells and prevents surrounding non-cancerous cells from damage. Tests with various laboratory cancerous cell lines showed that very low concentrations can significantly inhibit DNA, RNA and protein synthesis at cellular levels.


Interfere with other cancer treatment?


A study published in 2004 in the Nutrition and Cancer journal showed that germanium inhibits the growth of highly invasive human breast cancer cells cultured in the laboratory through controlling abnormal cell proliferation. However, it functions best when used in conjunction with, rather than in place of, traditional or alternative cancer therapy. For advanced cancer cases, it leads to a general overall improvement in the quality of life as it is able to relieve pain.

Source: http://www.freefitnesstips.co.uk/germanium-explained.html

VIVA corner

Owing to the complexity and difficulty of the manufacturing process, the purity of germanium products commonly found in the market is generally low. Most of them contain toxic germanium dioxide which can cause kidney failure and death.

After years of intensive research, VIVA Life Science obtained a patent in 1995 for the processing method of organic germanium that ensured 100% purity using a rare breed of yeast. After being absorbed by this yeast, the organic germanium becomes natural germanium yeast that is easily absorbed, assimilated and eliminated by the body, with no fear of toxicity and side effects.

On further research, this G-FeronYeast was formulated, making VIVA the first manufacturing plant in the world to create this advanced invention with the application of high-tech bioengineering techniques. This innovation promises safety and efficacy for cancer patients and those with tough health challenges.

For information, each capsule of VIVA Germanium Sesquioxide contains 100 mg of pure, non-toxic germanium.

MYSTERY food – ROYAL JELLY

 

The Japanese considered Royal Jelly a superior nutritional supplement fit for the royal family. Its use as the main health and longevity enhancer of queen bees has led many people to believe that humans can experience the same benefits – longevity, increased virility, vigor and enhanced growth by consuming royal jelly regularly.

Legend has it that the Ancient Egyptians used it to keep their skin moisturised in the hot dry desert. Back in the modern societies, ladies take it to have clear and smooth complexion.

Differences in bee products

Note the components in the type of bee products available on the shelves.

- Fresh royal jelly is fairly sweet and slightly bitter in taste, and is totally different from honey (with cane sugar added).

- Both honey and pollen are food for the worker bees.

- Propolis is the sticky substance on bee hive.

How is royal jelly derived?

Worker bees produce the white or pale yellowish substance in their hypopharyngal and mandibular glands by catalyzing with their special digestive enzymes on digested plant materials and pollen.

When a bee hive needs a new queen bee, worker bees select several larvae and carefully nourish them with the gourment food secreted from their bodies. This substance is responsible for the development of the characteristic features of the mature queen bee such as her well-developed ovaries. If it were not for this special feeding, the larvae would develop into regular worker bees. Other worker bees or male bees can have it for 3 days after hatching, from the 4th day onwards they have to switch to honey and pollen.

A queen bee is 50% to 80% larger than the worker bees with an average life span of 5 years, while the worker bee only lives for 1- 2 months. Unbelievably, the queen bee can produce up to 2000 eggs a day and the total weight of these eggs is heavier than her.

Nutritional properties -

+ Under laboratory analysis, it comprises all the key ingredients for maintaining good health – namely water, sugars, all vitamins A – K, enzymes and minerals like potassium. A substance in it named royalisin contains a large concentration of all 18 amino acids – essential amino acids that the body cannot synthesize and so must consume on a regular basis including leucine, lysine, tryptophan, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine and valine, and nonessential amino acids the body is capable of synthesizing such as serine, glutamic acid, glycine, carnitine and arginine.


+  It contains various nutrients that help to regulate the central nervous system (compound acetylcholine) and endocrine system (reduces the symptoms of menopause). Acetylcholine is naturally synthesized within the body as a neurotransmitter required for proper neural system functioning especially by neural cells in transmitting chemical signals from cell to cell. Hence, more acetylcholine is linked to enhanced memory and brain function, whilst decreased acetylcholine levels can lead to memory-related conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease.


+ The secret to its effect on your skin lies in the body’s pH. When the pH balance of your skin is out of balance - breakouts, fine lines and wrinkles are formed. It contains parotin - an anti-aging agent that acts as a stimulator to promote cell metabolism and revitalize old cells i.e. skin tissues, muscle tissues and cartilage tissues. Packed with amino acids, it can increase collagen production (chiefly due to aging) to avoid sag or wrinkle as well as the epidermis cells and hairs made of keratin. It also works for any wound healing process. Hence, through this ability and the skin's renewal process every 30 days, regular intake should see noticeable difference in the complexion. No wonder, it is made a popular ingredient in skin cosmetics for aesthetic cause and problematic skin problems like psoriasis and chapped skin.

+ Rich in anti-cancerous components (1o – hydroxy-2 decenoic acid) and nutrients which can lower blood cholesterol and regulate blood pressure. 50-100 mg a day can bring down total cholesterol by 14% and total serum lipids by 10% in sample patients taken.

+  It reduces fatigue and boosts energy and metabolism with its high Vitamin B content (especially rich in Vitamin B6 and B5). This also helps in improving appetite and aids in better nutrient-absorption in the digestive tract. Taken with the right foods with increased metabolism reduces weight loss, not result in weight gain as what some takers have to complain about.

+ Royal Jelly is known for its calming effect on neurotic or depressed people. It works like anti-depressive and is effective whenever you feel strong negative emotions such as sorrow, sadness, fear etc. Experts agree that it can help people overcome moderate depression and many other symptoms of emotional problems or illnesses.

+  It contains natural antimicrobial properties to aid immune system in reducing inflammation.

In summary, it helps to improve the following health conditions:

· LIVER AILMENTS · ANABOLIC SUPPORT
· MENTAL EXHAUSTION · BROKEN OR WEAK BONES

· MENOPAUSE · BLADDER INFECTIONS
· PANIC OR ANXIETY ATTACKS
· CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE
· PARKINSON’S DISEASE · DEPRESSION
· RETARDED GROWTH · DIABETES
· SKIN BLEMISHES AND WRINKLES
· ENDOCRINE SYSTEM DISORDERS
· VIRAL AND BACTERIAL INFECTIONS
· HORMONAL IMBALANCES · WEIGHT CONTROL
· HIGH CHOLESTEROL LEVELS · WOUND HEALING
· HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE · WEAK OR TIRED EYES
· IMPOTENCE · INFERTILITY · INFLAMMATION

More profound benefits

+ Japanese researchers gave Royal Jelly to laboratory mice before transplanting different types of cancer cells in them. Results showed Royal jelly did have some dramatic effects on sarcoma cells. The life of the mice were prolonged for a fifth, with tumor cells shrunk about half the size as compared to the average untreated ones.

This experiment confirmed earlier findings that Royal Jelly can be a great fighter against the chemo and radio-therapy side effects. Amino acids present in it stimulate the growth of 5 different lymphocytes to aid recovery of the immune system and provide a defense against the attacking microbes.

Other tests conducted showed it demonstrated its ability to inhibit the growth-promoting effect of Bisphenol A on human breast cancer cells (MCF-7), but did not affect the proliferation of normal cells and assist in the rebuilding of the good cells that are being destroyed during therapy treatment. Hence, it is useful in prevention of the early onset of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and in the control of the active progression of the manifestations of SLE.

+ As a hepatroprotective agent, it exhibits marked protective effect on liver tissue especially against paracetamol-induced liver damage. Also, general use to strengthen detoxification function of the liver and improve overall liver function.

More comments

+ Low priced royal jelly may be inferior in quality. China Industry Daily News reported on 3/6/2008 that one-third of Chinese bee products were not up to standards. Most contain chloramphenicol, an antibiotic, which is not allowed in food in Australia. Exporters try to get away by re-labeling as an Australian product instead.

+ Pure royal jelly should remain in gel form with no change in structure and composition. As no chemicals are added there is no microbial contaminants and thus it can never spoil.

+ Remember to choose royal jelly in softgels to keep air and contaminants out. Keep the bottle in the fridge if not consumed regularly. Also note that at high temperatures its nutritional substances is easily destroyed. Upon denaturalized, the color will change from milky yellow or white to brown and become rotten and smell bad. Producers have to ensure that it is well-frozen to preserve its freshness and activity after being harvested.

+ Though Royal Jelly is a natural food to be taken any time, is better not to mix with other food. Preferably taken on an empty stomach in the morning. About 80% of people who consume Royal Jelly see results within 30 days but there are instances where results are observed in people only after 3 to 6 months. Scientists explained that it varies with individuals and one's metabolism can make much difference in the response time. People who have severe asthma or allergy are not advisable to consume this product.

Look around and you observe those who have been taking Royal Jelly constantly are radiant-looking, energetic and easily recover from fatigue because it aids in regulating their body metabolism rate.

In totality, this prized food for the queen bees works to preserve life and strength in the human anatomy of both sexes, which can delay the aging process and retain for as long as possible the elasticity of the mind and the youthful physical freshness of the body!

VIVA corner

Try Viva Royal Jelly for its clear superiority in potency and high purity. Most of the homogenous product in the market contain too much water as high as 12-40%. Do a simple test by putting a softgel in the freezer for few hours to see if it hardened. VIVA uses special low temperature process to achieve this high standard.

In each softgel of VIVA brand contains 16 mg of 10-HDA, processed under highly advanced technology to preserve the freshness and potency for easy absorption. Like all its products, company uses Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and HACCP to carefully monitor each step of production to ensure highest level of quality standard maintained throughout.