XTEND-15sec-NEWSt
14th February 2005
Please click on the summary link of interest:
Is your freedom of choice regarding supplements really at risk? n1
Warren Matthews comments: In the 21st December issue of Xtend-15sec-News we published an article by James J. Gormley about CODEX and the potential threat that it poses to all users of supplements no matter where in the world they live. If you missed it I would suggest that you visit the archives of the newsletter.
Since then a number of subscribers have expressed concern about developments and have been looking for more information. We have found another article which will help readers better understand what is going on and how these moves could adversely affect all of us. The article in question is an interview with John Hammell of International Advocates for Health Freedom.
Although it was published early last year its contents are still relevant today. There are many resources and links in the article for those folk who would like to know more. I would urge you to read this article so not only will you get a better appreciation of what is quietly happening but you will also be able to pass this knowledge on to other people.
We have been rather quiet on this subject over the last couple of years whilst we observe the unfolding of events. However, things are 'heating up' somewhat now, not only in Europe and other parts of the world but even here in New Zealand.
New Zealand is under extreme pressure to 'harmonize' its supplement regulations with Australia under a new joint Aust/NZ agency which would adopt most of the current Australian regulations which stifles innovation by limiting availability to new ingredients and technology.
The most worrisome aspect of this new agency is that it will be controlled by a single all powerful Managing Director based in Australia outside the reach of the New Zealand Government. So, if it goes ahead New Zealand will effectively be giving up its sovereignty to Australia. But…worse than that, this all powerful agency will be outside the normal democratic processes in both countries!
Whereas I don't necessarily agree with all the statements in the article which we are providing to you today, I certainly agree with the overwhelming majority of it. Please read it and forward today's newsletter to as many friends that you can, so overall awareness of what is happening can be increased. To access the article please click here. (If you have a slow internet connection you may like to download the file by right clicking on the mouse and selecting 'Save Target As...' to download it. Please note that this is a link to a .PDF file which is almost 1 MB in size.)
If you are a New Zealand subscriber you can get more info on the New Zealand situation by going to the NZ Health Trust website - http://www.nzht.co.nz.
We will bring you updates as events unfold whether that be in Europe, the USA, NZ, Aust or some other part of the world.
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Research may lead to innovation in cholesterol-lowering fruit juice...n2
New research on the cholesterol-lowering effects of limonin glucoside derived from citrus fruits could lead to new developments in fortified fruit drinks, reports Jess Halliday.
A team led by Gary Manners of the USDA-ARS Processed Foods Research Unit at the Western Regional Research Center in California is embarking on the first human study of the effects of limonin glucoside on cholesterol levels. To read this article please clicking here.
Warren Matthews comments: Actually there is already plenty of scientific evidence which supports limonin glucoside as a useful natural substance in lowering cholesterol levels. It can also help with triglycerides as well. However, both the supplement industry in general, and the food industry is somewhat slow in recognizing this.
We have been aware of it for some time which is why it is an important component in our latest natural cholesterol lowering formula. If you would like more info on this please click here.
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Important notice: All material provided within XTEND-15sec-NEWS is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not to be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken solely on the contents of this publication. Consult your physician or a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health and wellbeing or on any opinions expressed within this newsletter. The information provided in this newsletter is believed to be accurate based on the best judgment of the editor but the reader is responsible for consulting with their own health professional on any matters raised within.
Research may lead to innovation in cholesterol-lowering fruit juice (Full Article)f1
2/9/2005 - New research on the cholesterol-lowering effects of limonin glucoside derived from citrus fruits could lead to new developments in fortified fruit drinks, reports Jess Halliday.
A team led by Gary Manners of the USDA-ARS Processed Foods Research Unit at the Western Regional Research Center in California is embarking on the first human study of the effects of limonin glucoside on cholesterol levels.
Manners told NutraIngredients-USA.com that, if the hoped for results are achieved, they could "represent a very nice potential to add to other fruit drinks a natural compound that provides the ability to provide some cholesterol-lowering effect".
For example, if limonin glucoside were added to a berry drink, the consumer would benefit from both the antioxidant effects of the berries and the cholesterol-lowering effects of limonin glucoside.
Tasteless, soluble limonin glucoside is the most abundant of the oxygenated triterpenoid compounds known as limonoid glucosides that are found in citrus fruits. It is present in orange juice at levels equivalent to vitamin C.
Tests with animals and human cells carried out by Manners and others suggest that pure limonin glucoside may possess significant anti-tumor properties. It can be extracted from the by-products of citrus processing in large quantities.
The first stage of the research is expected to commence at the beginning of May and run until the end of June. The purpose of this pilot is to ascertain the levels of the compound to be used in the study and observe any toxicity, which Manners said is more a matter of protocol than likelihood.
"Based on studies done so far, there is no toxicity in these compounds at reasonable levels. They have been fed to animals at 3 percent of their diet," he said.
The major part of the study will commence towards the end of this year, after a consolidation period of a few months. The results will be published in a peer review journal, said Manners.
It will also look at the anti-inflammatory effects of limonin glucoside - an area for which there is no prior evidence but which Manners believes to be worthy of investigation.
As for limonin glucoside, investigation of this citrus compound has occupied Manners for some years now. Its cholesterol-lowering properties have already been observed in animals, and lab tests carried out in 2002 showed that human liver cells exposed to limonin glucoside produced less of the apo B compound associated with higher tests.
In June 2003 Manners published the findings of a study showing the extended bioavailability of limonin glucoside in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry.
For this experiment 16 healthy men and women drank a dose of pure limonin glucoside dissolved in 4 ounces of water. Doses ranged from one eighth to one teaspoon, that is, between four and 30 times the level of limonoid glucosides in a glass of orange juice.
The researchers looked at the levels of limonin - a byproduct of limonin glucoside - in blood samples taken from the participants three, six, 12 and 24 hours after the dose was administered.
Limonin was found to be present in the blood plasma of all but one of the participants, with the highest concentration present after six hours. In five of the participants limonin was still present after 24 hours, indicating a longer bioavailability than other natural compounds.
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