Xtend-Life-Questionst
Issue 25th July 2006
Please click on the question of interest...
Snake oil salesman?... I am amazed at your comments regarding your advice that runners age more quickly because of the amount of oxygen they use. Most of your comments in this area are absolute rubbish. Maybe you have no background in biochemistry or physiology but may I suggest that your advice or comments are run past someone who has before you allow the public to read these. The impression that you make to any health professional is that you are simply another snake oil salesman. I am also saddened as another New Zealander. You tarnish us all. More...
Sun Chlorella… I recently received an email that linked me to a website that praised the use of Sun Chlorella, a brand of chlorella. The website states that Sun Chlorella is "a single-cell freshwater green algae with an unusually high concentration of important nutrients, including a variety you won’t find in any vitamin or mineral supplement. This superfood contains vital key nutrients your body needs to purify your system and to trigger your body’s own natural revitalizing power." "Doctors love Sun Chlorella because it contains over 20 nutrients that can’t be found in these concentrated amounts!" Supposedly this is the top-selling food supplement in Japan. What do you know about this product? More...
Testosterone Sometimes after taking these products I get the feeling that a lot more testosterone is released. Are any of the ingredients known to have any effect on testosterone? More...
Question: from Rob in the UK (Subject: Snake oil salesman?...)q1
I am amazed at your comments regarding your advice that runners age more quickly because of the amount of oxygen they use. Most of your comments in this area are absolute rubbish.
Maybe you have no background in biochemistry or physiology but may I suggest that your advice or comments are run past someone who has before you allow the public to read these.
The impression that you make to any health professional is that you are simply another snake oil salesman. I am also saddened as another New Zealander. You tarnish us all.
Editors Note: He is referring to the last issue of Xtend-Life-Questions
Answer: from Warren
Hey Rob…don’t you think that it is a bit 'rich' calling me a snake oil salesman and that I tarnish all New Zealanders?
I don't know what your background is, but I suggest that you do some further research on the matter before you resort to name calling. I am confident that if you do so you will find it is well established that athletes are indeed exposed to greater levels of free radicals. This is due to them have a higher level of air ‘ingestion’ through sustained exertion.
I have attached a few references which you may find helpful:
Antioxidants and Physical Performance (review) Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 35(1&2):131-141 (1995).
Increased blood antioxidant systems of runners in response to training load. Clinical Science (1991). 80, 611-618.
Exercise, Oxidative Damage and Effects of Antioxidant Manipulation (review). Journal of Nutrition 122(3 suppl): 766-73, 1992 Mar.
Antioxidants: role of supplementation to prevent exercise-induced oxidative stress (review). Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 25(2):232-6, 1993 Feb.
Acta Physiol Scand 1994 Jun;151(2):149-58. Lipid peroxidation and antioxidative vitamins under extreme endurance stress.
Aguilo, A., et al. (2004). Antioxidant diet supplementation influences blood iron status in endurance athletes. IJSNEM, 14(2), 147-160.
Machefer, G., et al. (2004). Extreme running competition decreases blood antioxidant defense capacity. J Am Coll Nutr, 23(4), 358-364.
Mackinnon LT. Chronic exercise training effects on immune function. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000 Jul;32(7 Suppl):S369-76.
Peake, J. M. (2003). Vitamin C: Effects of Exercise and Requirements with Training. IJSNEM, 13, 125-151.
Sen CK. Antioxidants in exercise nutrition. Sports Med. 2001;31(13):891-908.
Speich M, Pineau A, Ballereau F. Minerals, trace elements and related biological variables in athletes and during physical activity. Clin Chim Acta. 2001 Oct;312(1-2):1-11.
Shephard RJ, Shek PN. Heavy exercise, nutrition and immune function: is there a connection? Int J Sports Med. 1995 Nov;16(8):491-7.
Sen CK. Antioxidants in exercise nutrition. Sports Med. 2001;31(13):891-908.
Speich M, Pineau A, Ballereau F. Minerals, trace elements and related biological variables in athletes and during physical activity. Clin Chim Acta. 2001 Oct;312(1-2):1-11.
Shephard RJ, Shek PN. Heavy exercise, nutrition and immune function: is there a connection? Int J Sports Med. 1995 Nov;16(8):491-7.
Takanami Y, Iwane H, Kawai Y, Shimomitsu T. Vitamin E supplementation and endurance exercise: are there benefits? Sports Med. 2000 Feb;29(2):73-83.
Urso ML, Clarkson PM. Oxidative stress, exercise, and antioxidant supplementation. Toxicology. 2003 Jul 15;189(1-2):41-54.
Vasankari T, Kujala U, Sarna S, Ahotupa M J Sports Med Phys Fitness 1998 Dec;38(4):281-5 Effects of ascorbic acid and carbohydrate ingestion on exercise induced oxidative stress. Department of Physiology, University of Turku, Finland.
Watson, T.A., et al. (2005). Antioxidant restriction and oxidative stress in short-duration exhaustive exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 37(1), 63-71
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Question: from Sandra (Subject: Sun Chlorella…)q2
I recently received an email that linked me to a website that praised the use of Sun Chlorella, a brand of chlorella. The website states that Sun Chlorella is "a single-cell freshwater green algae with an unusually high concentration of important nutrients, including a variety you won’t find in any vitamin or mineral supplement. This superfood contains vital key nutrients your body needs to purify your system and to trigger your body’s own natural revitalizing power." "Doctors love Sun Chlorella because it contains over 20 nutrients that can’t be found in these concentrated amounts!" Supposedly this is the top-selling food supplement in Japan.
What do you know about this product? Are these claims just marketing hype or are these algae tablets a worthwhile food supplement? Since chlorella is a fresh water algae wouldn't consuming it have the same health risks as farm-raised fish, due to surface water run-off containing toxic chemicals?
Answer: from Warren
There is a lot of hype surrounding this product. This is no doubt in part due to the method of selling it, which is primarily by multi-level marketing. I personally would not take this product, but on the other hand if someone is on a poor diet and not taking a broad spectrum nutrient supplement it is likely to be of some benefit it taken with regular breaks.
With regard to the potential of it containing toxins I couldn’t comment with certainty about this, but I suspect it is not likely to be contaminated as this particular company is I believe a reputable one and I would suspect that they test each batch for any contaminant. However, that is something you would have to ask them direct.
Below I have included some information about chlorella from a good natural medicine database which you may find interesting.
Chlorella
Also known as:
Bulgarian chlorella, Bulgarian green algae, Freshwater green algae, Freshwater seaweed, Green Alga, Green Algae, Seaweed.
Scientific Name:
Chlorella pyrenoidosa; Chlorella vulgaris; other Chlorella species.
People Use This For:
Orally, chlorella is used as a food supplement and source of nutrients, including protein, nucleic acids, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Chlorella is also used orally for cancer prevention, stimulating the immune system,
improving response to flu vaccine, increasing white blood cell counts (e.g., in people with HIV infection or cancer), preventing colds, to protect the body from the effects of radiation (e.g., during cancer therapy), to protect the body from toxic metals such as lead and mercury, and to slow aging. It is also used orally to increase beneficial flora in the gastrointestinal tract in order to improve digestion, and to help treat ulcers, colitis, Crohn's disease, and diverticulosis. Chlorella is also promoted for the prevention of stress-induced ulcers; treatment of constipation, bad breath, and hypertension; as an antioxidant; to reduce serum cholesterol; to increase energy; to detoxify the body; and as a source of magnesium to promote mental health, relieve premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and reduce asthma attacks. It is also used orally for fibromyalgia.
Topically, chlorella is used for treating ulcers, postirradiation dermatitis, vulval leukoplakias, and trichomoniasis.
Safety:
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately short-term. Chlorella appears to be safe for up to 2 months.
There is insufficient reliable information about the safety of chlorella for its other uses.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.
Effectiveness:
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
Fibromyalgia. Preliminary clinical research shows subjective improvements in general symptom and pain scores in people with fibromyalgia taking chlorella tablets plus a liquid extract containing malic acid daily for two months.
Glioma. Early research suggests chlorella tablets plus chlorella liquid extract might help people with glioma better tolerate chemotherapy and radiotherapy, possibly by improving immune system function; however, there appears to be no effect on tumor progression or survival.
More evidence is needed to rate chlorella for these uses.
Mechanism of Action:
Chlorella is a single-celled, freshwater green alga, also referred to as seaweed. The whole plant is processed for medicinal use and is a rich source of chlorophyll. The cell wall must be broken down before it can be digested by humans. Chlorella contains significant amounts of protein, lipid, carbohydrates, fiber, nucleic acids, vitamins, and minerals. There is some evidence that consuming chlorella can increase serum vitamin B12 levels. However, it has been suggested that the vitamin B12 found in chlorella might be in an inactive form which can raise serum levels without contributing biological activity.
In vitro and animal research indicates that substances in chlorella might have antitumor, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities.
Chlorella might stimulate the immune system by increasing the number and activity of macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. It might also stimulate interleukin production. A polysaccharide from the cell wall of chlorella might also induce production of interferon. However, chlorella doesn't seem to affect antibody response to influenza vaccine in humans. The photosensitizing components in chlorella have been identified as pheophorbides.
Adverse Reactions:
Orally, chlorella can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramping, flatus, and nausea, especially during the first week of treatment. It can also cause fatigue. Green discoloration of the feces has also been reported, presumably due to the chlorophyll content of chlorella. Allergic reactions, including asthma and anaphylaxis, have been reported in people taking chlorella, and in those preparing chlorella tablets. Photosensitivity reactions have also occurred following ingestion of chlorella. Rarely, chlorella and other algae causes infections in humans.
ALLERGIES, INCLUDING IODINE SENSITIVITY: Chlorella has been associated with significant allergic reactions, and is also reported to contain iodine.
IMMUNODEFICIENCY: Chlorella preparations might cause pathogenic colonization, particularly in patients who are immunocompromised. Use with caution in these patients.
Dosage/Administration:
ORAL: For fibromyalgia, doses of 10 gram tablets plus 100 mL liquid extract (Wakasa Gold) daily have been used. For improving tolerability of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in people with brain tumors, chlorella tablets, up to 20 grams daily, plus 150 mL liquid extract daily have been used.
TOPICAL: No typical dosage.
Comments:
Since chlorella is a naturally occurring organism, its content can vary with growing, harvesting, and processing conditions. By varying the cultivation conditions, it has been reported that a dried preparation of chlorella can contain from 7-88% protein, 6-38% carbohydrate, and 7-75% fat. Most chlorella sold in the United States is cultivated in Japan or Taiwan. Processing of the chlorella cultures includes destroying the cell walls, dehydration and sterilization. Commercially available products include tablets and liquid extracts. The latter contain "chlorella growth factor", described as a water soluble extract of chlorella, containing amino acids, peptides, proteins, vitamins, sugars, and nucleic acids.
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Question: from Michael (Subject: Testosterone)q3
Sometimes after taking these products I get the feeling that a lot more testosterone is released. Are any of the ingredients known to have any effect on testosterone?
Answer: from Warren
I understand that you use both Total Balance Men’s Plus and Neuro-Natural Memory.
Neuro-Natural Memory has no effect on testosterone levels at all…although Total Balance Men’s Plus does. But, having said that I am not sure how you are assessing that you are ‘releasing’ more testosterone after you take them.
The Total Balance Men's Plus contains a number of ingredients that may help the production of testosterone, but additionally it also contains a specific ingredient called Chrysin which clinical trials have shown will raise testosterone levels by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. The reason why most men have declining levels of testosterone as they age is not so much because they are producing less testosterone but rather that an excessive amount of it is being converted to estrogen.
If perhaps you feel that additional testosterone is being released after you have the Total Balance or Neuro-Natural due to perhaps an increase in libido, it is possible that the Neuro-Natural could be contributing to this as a result of the additional brain nutrients that it has which in turn could promote an improved sense of wellbeing…but…this is only conjecture. The raising of testosterone levels by Total Balance takes place over months….it is not instant.
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.
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