Xtend-Life-Questionst
8th November 2005
Please click on the question of interest:
Commet: From Diane. (Subject: Bone Density...)q1
I receive your newsletter every week and I thought I'd pass on some interesting info to you. I have been using your Cholesterol supplement for a little over a year now with pretty good results. In October my ob-gyn doctor wanted me to do another bone density test because it had been at least 2 years since my last one.
The results were staggering: there was a substantial increase in bone mass and density.
They wanted to know what had changed that would cause this to occur. The only real change was that since the first test was done, I had added the cholesterol supplement to my diet. I pursued this with my family doctor who did some research and told me today that there is some evidence that Policosanol has positive influence on bone mass, in some people. What a pleasant side effect this is for me!
As a side note, I tried to reduce to just one tablet per day, instead of 2, after a year. But my recent cholesterol screening suggests that I really do need to take 2 a day, even though my HDL continues to increase (now it is 60) and my C-reactive protein level is also excellent still. (The LDL and triclycerides started going back up when I dropped down to one capsule a day). So I sure hope you don't stop producing this wonderful combination of ingredients in your cholesterol formula.
I've tried some of these ingredients, separately, in the past and they have not done much for me. But the specific combination of ingredients that you use, and the dosage that you use, certainly helps me stay off drugs. Thank you.
Response: From Warren.
This is most interesting... and I must say very pleasing. Thank you for sharing it with us. I will ask Dr Munem if he can shed any light on why you are receiving these beneficial side effects.
We get many people saying that they feel better on the Cholesterol formula but this is the first time that we have heard of this 'side effect'. As you suggest I doubt that it is the policosanol on its own that is giving you the benefit, but rather the combination of all the ingredients.
I'm also pleased to see that all your blood markers as well as your cholesterol level continue to improve. If we can come up with a feasible explanation for your improved bone density we will publish it in the newsletter.
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Question: From J. (Subject: Alternative to certain illegal substance?)q2
I came to your site by via Google when I typed in Griffonia simplicifolia but I can't actually find it listed in your products. I do have fibromyalgia (quite mild now), arthritis and I don't sleep well. I also have reflux though I can control that by a certain illegal herb but would prefer tabs than smoking as I don't smoke. I do take medication ~ Lipex 20mg, Amitrip 10mg, Imovane (sometimes) and Losec.
Answer: From Nicolien.
Regarding Griffonia simplicifolia, this is the herb that 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is made of. 5-HTP is an ingredient in our Neuro-Natural products. To view our Neuro-Natural products, please click here. "5-HTP is produced from the seeds of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia. It is used for sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, migraine and tension-type headaches, fibromyalgia, binge eating associated with obesity, attention deficit disorder (ADD), and as adjunctive therapy in seizure disorder and Parkinson's disease. Taking 5-HTP seems to significantly improve symptoms of depression, even in patients with treatment-resistant depression. There is evidence that 5-HTP might be comparable to the conventional antidepressants fluvoxamine and imipramine (Tofranil). 5-HTP appears to improve the symptoms of fibromyalgia, including pain severity, morning stiffness, and sleeplessness."
Regarding fibromyalgia, there are some articles on the internet that you may find interesting to read about fibromyalgia. Go to www.findarticles.com, then choose "health and fitness", then choose Alternative Medicine Review. Type in the search box 'fibromyalgia' and choose in the box next to it "this publication". You will find a few articles that may be useful to you. There are a few more articles that you may find interesting about fibromyalgia, you can find them in the same way. Go to www.findarticles.com, then choose 'health and fitness', then choose Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients. Type in the search box 'fibromyalgia' and choose in the box next to it 'this publication'.
Also regarding fibromyalgia, you may like to know that fibromyalgia seems closely linked to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, in that much of the diagnostic criteria overlap. The major criteria for fibromyalgia are: generalized aches or stiffness, six or more typical tender points, generalized fatigue, chronic headache, sleep disturbances, neurological and psychological complaints, joint swelling, numbing or tingling sensations, irritable bowel syndrome and variation in symptoms related to activity, stress levels, and weather changes. The central cause of pain in fibromyalgia is thought to be a low level of serotonin. Research has demonstrated that the "axis" connecting three glands primarily responsible for the stress response (hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals: HPA-axis) may be dysfunctional in people with fibromyalgia. Primary goals in treatment of fibromyalgia should be: raising serotonin levels (such as with taking an anti-depressant or our Neuro-Natural Serenity formula), improve sleep quality and maintain adequate magnesium levels.
To view our Neuro-Natural Serenity product, click here. The same is valid for Serenity as with our Arthrit-Eze, that it is best to leave a gap of at least 3 hours between taking Serenity and prescription medications.
Also our Omega 3/DHA fish oil and our Arthrit-Eze may be helpful in fibromyalgia as well. To view Arthrit-Eze, please click here. To view our Omega 3, please click here.
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Important notice: All material provided 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.
