Xtend-Life-Questionstop
14th March 2006
Please click on the question of interest:
The China Study...
Reading this book, I do not think there is any food on his suggested list that could build muscle!! no eggs?? Many well regarded authors hold them on a pedestal. I believe it's Dr Mercola who states that one could/should eat organics eggs raw!! So let's see, I get up in the morning and have my oatmeal--with--what? Just dry oatmeal, all carbs? Do you agree with this??
Garlic...
Why does XTEND-LIFE Total Balance Men's Plus not have garlic in it?
Question: From Mike. (Subject: The China Study...)1
Reading this book, I do not think there is any food on his suggested list that could build muscle!! no eggs?? Many well regarded authors hold them on a pedestal. I believe it's Dr Mercola who states that one could/should eat organics eggs raw!! So let's see, I get up in the morning and have my oatmeal--with--what? Just dry oatmeal, all carbs? Do you agree with this??
A site --wise traditions.com--talks about "raw' milk (cannot get it in New York City) and the health benefits. True?? You tell me :--) and lastly, what about his supplement suggestions? If I adhere to his book I will take B vitamins and vitamin D, that's it!! Do you agree with that??? Are all the ingredients in total balance in the foods he suggests?? I doubt it, or is his thinking routed in the direction that I do not need all those supplements??? HELP!!!
Answer: From Warren.
I can understand and appreciate the confusion. A lot of readers have expressed similar sentiments as a result of my recent articles. I will try to clarify my position on this.
The point of my articles about cancer was to raise questions and to let people be aware that there is some very strong evidence linking excessive protein intake with increased risk of cancer. The important factor here is 'excessive' protein intake... in other words more than the body can actually effectively utilize.
There are some components of The China Study which I do not agree with. For example, his assertion that there is no need to take any supplements other than the B's and Vitamin D. This is a suggestion that has been made by many over the years and is primarily directed at vegetarians who are generally deficient in those vitamins. The author is not factoring in at all the general decline of nutrients in food over the last couple of decades in particular... nor, is he taking into account the need for additional supplementation for optimal health and preventing degeneration of organs.
His prime focus is on what triggers off cancer and other diseases.
I have not become a vegetarian and have no intention of becoming one as I don't think that it is healthy. What I am doing is simply cutting back on my intake of meat and chicken and eating more vegetables and fruit...and I feel the better for it.
What I don't know is... if you are a body builder does the additional stress that you put on your muscles, enable your body to use extra amounts of protein before 'kicking off' the cancer promotion component? In other words can body builders who are trying to promote muscle growth, utilize more protein and thus are able to consume higher amounts before their protein intake is excessive?
My advice is simply to keep the information provided in the China study in mind and not go over the top in protein consumption as many people are inclined to do.
This issue of cancer etc is by no means an open and shut case. I personally take the view that the evidence suggesting the intake of excessive protein being a factor in promoting cancer is very strong. On the other hand I can't see any downside in reducing my intake of protein.
When faced with these sorts of situations I make my personal decisions based on a simple upside versus the downside formula.
back to top
Question: From Ken. (Subject: Mangosteen...)2
Could you give me some info, advice, comments on the following product (claims):
www.MangosteenExperiences.comAnswer: From Warren.
Mangosteen is a tasty fruit popular in Asia, and in particular in Thailand.A version of juice has become popular in recent years due to the efforts of MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) companies that promote it. These types of products (including Noni) tend to be hyped way out of proportion by zealous distributors.
There is no doubt that they have some good active ingredients within the juice and are good anti-oxidants but they may be limited in their range of action. They are not in the same category as a scientifically put together supplement such as for example Total Balance. MLM companies love those types of single ingredient products because they cost virtually very little to produce and are able to be sold at high prices. Below I have put some further information about mangosteen from a good natural medicine database.
Mangosteen
Amibiasine, Mang Cut, Manggis, Manggistan, Mangosta, Mangostan, Mangostana, Mangostanier, Mangostao, Mangoustanier, Mangouste, Mangostier, Manguita, Meseter, Queen of Fruits, Sementah, Semetah, Xango, Xango Juice.
CAUTION: See separate listing for Garcinia.
Scientific Name: Garcinia mangostana.
Family: Clusiaceae.
People Use This For: Orally, mangosteen is used for dysentery, diarrhoea, urinary tract infections (UTI), gonorrhoea, thrush, tuberculosis, menstrual disorders, stimulating the immune system, cancer, osteoarthritis, and improving mental health.
Topically, mangosteen is used for eczema and other skin conditions.
Safety: There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of mangosteen.
Pregnancy and Lactation: Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.
Effectiveness: There is insufficient reliable information available about the effectiveness of mangosteen.
Mechanism of Action: The applicable parts of mangosteen are the fruit, juice, rind, bark, and twigs. The fruit and juice are consumed as a healthful and medicinal food and drink. The dried and powdered rind is most commonly used for medicinal purposes. The bark extract, called Amibiasine, is used for amoebic dysentery.
Mangosteen fruit, rind, and bark seem to contain several pharmacologically active constituents. The activity of some of these isolated constituents has been characterized. But there is no reliable information about the effects of eating the whole fruit or taking the powdered rind or bark extracts.
The mangosteen rind reportedly contains tannins. Tannins can have an astringent effect on mucosal tissue and can reduce secretions. This astringent effect might reduce diarrhoea.
Mangosteen also contains xanthones that have antioxidant and other effects. The specific xanthones include alpha-mangostins, beta-mangostins, and gamma-mangostins. Alpha- and beta-mangostins appear to have in vitro activity against the human leukaemia cell line HL60 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Mangosteen also contains the xanthone derivatives garcinone B and garcinone E. These constituents also appear to have in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Garcinone E also has in vitro cytotoxic activity against hepatocellular carcinomas.
The alpha- and gamma-mangostins also appear to have serotonin and histamine receptor blocking effects.
Adverse Reactions: None reported.
Interactions with Herbs & Supplements: None known.
Interactions with Drugs: None known.
Interactions with Foods: None known.
Interactions with Lab Tests: None known.
Interactions with Diseases or Conditions: None known.
Dosage/Administration: No typical dosage.
Comments: Mangosteen is a tropical fruit. Its fruit is sourly sweet. It's often consumed as a dessert fruit or made into jams. It was thought to be Queen Victoria's favorite fruit.
Mangosteen juice is becoming a popular healthful and medicinal drink. It is usually marketed with the name xango juice. Some marketers claim that xango juice can treat diarrhoea, menstrual problems, urinary tract infections, tuberculosis, and a variety of other conditions. There is no reliable scientific evidence to support these claims.
back to top
Question: From Alvin. (Subject: Garlic...)3
Why does XTEND-LIFE Total Balance Men's Plus not have garlic in it? Answer: From Nicolien.
We don't use garlic in Total Balance because garlic is best taken as raw crushed garlic cloves, in food or by itself. This is when it is most effective. There is inadequate evidence supporting its efficacy in an extract or powder form. It is the pungent smelling component of garlic allicin which is believed to provide its health benefits and this component is generally lost during processing.
back to top
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.
