Chinese Wolfberry for Promoting Immunity

 Sunday, July 8th, 2012

Chinese Wolfberry (Gei Zi) – New Antioxidant Discovery

Special Health Advisory on Immmunity and Anti-Aging 
by D. Gary Young        

 

The Chinese Wolfberry story began 1996 when Professor Chao visited me at our Riverton office. He was on a special teaching and information-gathering assignment from the Natural Science University in Beijing, China. He had heard of essential oils and was fascinated by their potential.

 

As we started discussing the medical properties of essential oils, he told me of another powerful botanical that had been used for centuries in Inner Mongolia but had only recently been researched. It was called the Chinese wolfberry (also known by its Latin name, Lycium barbarum, or colloquial name, “goji berry”.

The people who consumed this fruit apparently lived free of common diseases like arthritis, cancer and diabetes. Moreover, their life expectancies reached over 100 years.

 

Both the wolfberry and ginseng have  been  highly  regarded  for centuries as the foremost nutritional and therapeutic plants in China. In fact, the Chinese hold a strong belief that human life might be extended significantly by using either of these herbs for an extended period of time.

 

Unfortunately,  ginseng  is  considered  too  strong  for continuous use, and large amounts may not be suitable for people with high blood pressure or heart disease. On the other hand, the wolfberry is much milder, with no known risk from continuous use.

 

Contains 500 Times More Vitamin C Than Oranges

 

In 1988, the Beijing Nutrition Research Institute conducted detailed   chemical   analyses   and   nutritional   composition studies of the dried wolfberry fruit.

 

What they discovered was stunning.

The Chinese Wolfberry contained over 18 amino acids (that is six times higher in proportion than bee pollen), 21 trace minerals,  more  beta  carotene  than carrots, and an astonishing 500 times more vitamin C by weight than oranges. It is also packed with vitamin B1, vitamin B6 and vitamin E.

 

The fruits and pedicels of Chinese Wolfberry were effective in increasing white blood cells, protecting the liver and relieving   hypertension.   The   alcoholic extract of wolfberry fruits inhibited tumor growth in mice by 58%, and the protein of wolfberry displayed an insulin-like action that was effective in promoting fat decomposition and reducing blood sugar.

 

Another clinical experiment by the Ningxia Institute (Register No.870306, October 1982 to May 1985) studied the effects of wolfberry on the immune, physiological and biochemical indexes of the blood of aged volunteers. The results were amazing, indicating that the wolfberry caused the blood of older people to noticeably revert to a younger state.

 

Can The Chinese Wolfberry Boost Immune Function?

According to a report of the State Scientific and Technological Commission of China, the wolfberry contains compounds known as lycium polysaccharides, which appeared to be highly effective in promoting immunity. These results were validated in a number of clinical trials.

 

In one study on a group of cancer patients, the wolfberry triggered an increase in both, lymphocyte transformation rate and white blood cell count (measures of immune function).

 

In  another  study  involving  a  group  of  50  people  with lower-limit white blood cell counts, the wolfberry increased phagocytosis and the titre of serum antibodies (another index of immune function). Unhealthy levels of titre of serum antibodies have long been associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (also known as Epstein-Barr). Does this mean that the Chinese wolfberry could be used as a weapon against Epstein-Barr? The possibilities are intriguing.

 

In another study, consumption of wolfberry lead to a strengthening  of  immunoglobulin  A  levels  (an  index  of immune function). Because the decline of immunoglobulin A is one of the signs of aging, an increase in these levels suggests that the wolfberry may enable injured DNA to better repair itself and ward off tissue degeneration.

 

Is The Chinese Wolfberry A Powerful Antioxidant?

 

As we grow older, the levels of lipid peroxide in our blood increase, while levels of health-protecting antioxidants, like superoxide dismutase (SOD), decrease. In a clinical study of people who consumed doses of Chinese wolfberry, SOD in the blood increased by a remarkable 48% while hemoglobin increased by 12%. Even better, lipid peroxide levels dropped by a whopping 65%.

 

Does The Chinese Wolfberry Protect Eyesight?

A test was conducted on the effects of wolfberry on eyesight. Twenty-seven people were tested and showed a dramatic improvement in both dark adaptation and vitamin A and carotene  content  of  their  serum  (measures  of  eyesight acuity)
.

Gary Sees Dramatic Changes

 

Over the past six years, I had become somewhat lax with my exercise regimen because of two badly damaged ankles. So this Christmas, I buckled down and started a fitness program, combining moderate exercise two to three times a week with two  daily  servings  of  Power  Meal  alone  and  with  meals. (Power Meal contains Chinese Wolfberries.)

 

By the middle of March, while I was studying in Turkey, I started noticing physical changes: My skin looked brighter and my energy level was higher. I averaged a fifteen-hour day between my studies and lab practice.

 

When I returned home, I discovered that I had dropped 12 pounds, paired off three inches from my lower abdomen, and gained three inches in my chest.

 

Then, two weeks ago while I was in Phoenix, I went out for a one-mile run. I felt limber and energetic and performed the run with ease. Last week at my home in Utah, located at an altitude of over 5,000 feet above sea level, I went out for a 2.7 mile run  and  was not  fatigued  at  all–even in  the thinner high-altitude air.

 

Two  days  later,  I  ran  4.3  miles  without  feeling  tired  and without leg pain. I could have continued on another three or four miles but decided not to push it. These results take on even more significance when you consider that, prior to my try-out in Phoenix, I had not run in over six years

 

News For Athletes, Dieters And Cancer, AIDS and MS Patients

 

These types of physiological effects prompted me to probe deeper into the chemistry of the wolfberry.

What I discovered was startling:

The Chinese wolfberry not only contains super oxide dismutase,    phenylpropanoids,   anti-cancer   factors    and anti-senility factors, but it also sports a high concentration of the branched-chain amino acid L-leucine.

 

Leucine is an essential amino acid that we do not make in our bodies, so we can only get it from our diet. It is present in small quantities in both, plant and animal food, and is a natural component of breast milk.

 

But leucine is regarded as more than just an essential amino acid: It also supports immune function, burns fat and builds muscle.

How?

Because leucine forms the building block of a very unique compound called HMB (Beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate). Through its phenylpropanoid activity, the wolfberry helps convert leucine into HMB.

 

What makes HMB such a breakthrough in health- maintenance? According to noted researcher, Richard Passwater, Ph.D.,

HMB showed that it lowered total and LDL cholesterol levels in blood and helped strengthen the immune system while building muscles and burning body fat. This news is certainly of interest to body builders and other athletes, but it may also become of interest to cancer, AIDS and muscular dystrophy patients.

 

Because leucine forms the building block of a very unique compound called HMB (Beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate). Through its phenylpropanoid activity, the wolfberry helps convert leucine into HMB.

 

What makes HMB such a breakthrough in health- maintenance? According to noted researcher, Richard Passwater, Ph.D., HMB showed that it lowered total and LDL cholesterol levels in blood and helped strengthen the immune system while building muscles and burning body fat. This news is certainly of interest to body builders and other athletes, but it may also become of interest to cancer, AIDS and muscular dystrophy patients.

http://organicguidemalaysia.com/article/chinese-wolfberry-new-antioxidant-discovery/

The Best Summer Superfoods

Dr. Isaac Eliaz | Jul 19, 2013

Besides being delightfully delicious, colorful and refreshing, many types of berries are impressing researchers with their array of remarkable health benefits. Fresh berries as well as powders, extracts and frozen versions represent a prime example of what are being called “superfoods” because they contain high levels of specialized compounds, beyond the traditional vitamins and minerals in most whole foods. Called phytonutrients, these unique plant compounds are shown to provide a wealth of important benefits.

New Research On Blueberries And Strawberries

Researchers recently demonstrated the remarkable brain-protecting benefits offered by blueberries and strawberries, showing they help clear accumulated toxins in the brain. They were also shown to offer protection against radiation damage. These results add to the growing body of data demonstrating that berries, both common and exotic, can deliver powerful health benefits.

Phytonutrients are produced by plants for specific purposes, such as warding off fungal and bacterial infections, and protecting against other types of harmful exposures. Fortunately for us, these unique compounds provide numerous health benefits thanks to their multiple mechanisms of action.

Perhaps the most well-known benefits of many phytonutrients are their antioxidant activities. The free-radical scavenging abilities of many berries have been shown to effectively fight the oxidative damage that contributes to chronic illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. Different phytonutrients also give berries and other plants their vibrant colors — hence the common saying today: “Add more color to your diet.” Many of these compounds are in the flavonoid family, including anthocyanins, which give berries their distinctive colors. Many berries offer potent anti-inflammatory benefits, immune support, hormone balancing, cardiovascular benefits, anti-cancer actions and much more.

Variety, Color And Remarkable Benefits

An amazing variety of berries are currently available in the United States, including blackberry, red raspberry, cranberry, blueberry, black raspberry and strawberry. Because of the growing interest in berries — not just as food but in supplements and other products — other less common varieties are being increasingly cultivated. Boysenberries, Marion berries, pomegranate and black currant are gaining more attention — particularly pomegranate for its powerful antioxidant, anticancer and cardioprotective benefits.

In addition, there are a number of lesser-known berries that have been consumed for millennia in the traditional diets of tribal communities worldwide. More exotic berries such as goji, mangosteen, acai, maqui and sea buckthorn are commonly consumed in other parts of the world and are now available as extracts, dried berries and powders here in the United States.

The Amazing Maqui Berry

Maqui berry is native to the Patagonia region and has been used by the Mapuche people for a variety of ailments, including sore throat, diarrhea, ulcers, hemorrhoids, fever and tumors. According to tradition, the Mapuche warriors ate very little solid food and drank a fermented beverage made from the maqui berry several times per day. Their extraordinary stamina and strength is attributed to the consumption of this drink.

Laboratory analysis of the maqui berry shows it to contain the highest antioxidant value of any known berry, as measured by what is called an ORAC rating. Analysis shows that maqui’s high ORAC rating is due to the berry’s generous levels of phytochemicals called polyphenols and anthocyanins. There are similar accounts of increased energy and stamina and other health benefits from more unusual berries, such as the gogi berry from the Himalayas.

What Is ORAC?

Let’s take a moment to look at the ORAC scale. This scale was developed by food nutrition researchers at Tufts University’s Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

ORAC refers to “Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity.” This test, done in the laboratory, measures a food’s antioxidant ability and gauges the food’s ability to neutralize free radicals while reducing oxidative damage. It is recommended that you consume an ORAC equivalent of 3,000 ORAC per day. The average diet in the U.S. provides about 1,200 ORAC per day.

More recently, however, there has been controversy about the use of this scale; research shows that there are many mechanisms involved in the effects of plant compounds and the specific ORAC value may not be the best way to assess these benefits and effects. Nevertheless, ORAC still provides insight into a food’s ability to offer protective antioxidant benefits.

Another measurement for assessing the value of various plants is their flavonoid content.
Flavonoids are a large grouping of plant compounds; close to 4,000 different flavonoids have been identified thus far.

Anthocyanins are a type of flavonoid produced by the plant for protection. When we consume them, they protect tissues from inflammation and oxidative damage, helping to prevent heart disease, cancer and other inflammatory diseases. Remember, oxidative damage is caused by unstable molecules called free radicals that are missing an electron and so grab one from a nearby molecule. This triggers a chain of reactions that cause damage to cell membranes and DNA, contributing to accelerated aging and chronic disease.

Anthocyanins prevent oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol and strengthen blood vessel walls, protecting against cardiovascular disease and stroke. Red wine is also high in anthocyanins. For those who don’t drink alcohol, pomegranate juice and maqui juice contain higher levels, with blueberry juice not far behind. A word of caution, though, fruit juice is high in sugars and tends to spike blood sugar; so it’s much better to eat the whole fruit or add a powdered extract to a protein smoothie.

As scientists continue to explore the numerous mechanisms of action and health benefits offered by berries, these remarkable superfoods may top the list as some the most health-supporting, disease-fighting foods on the planet. Include a daily serving of a mixture of berries in your diet for optimal wellness.

http://easyhealthoptions.com/alternative-medicine/the-best-summer-superfoods/

Eight Exotic Superfoods to Boost Your Immune System

By Wendy Warner and Kellyann Petrucci from Boosting Your Immunity For Dummies

 

Exotic superfoods are more mysterious, perhaps even harder to find, but well worth your efforts. These exotic superfoods have been used in other parts of the world for their powerful healing punch successfully. Get to know some of these unusual superfoods and figure out how to implement them into your overall superfood regimen.
 

Enlarge 1 Extracts from acai berries may destroy cancer cells, particularly those associated with leukemia. Acai berries (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) are grown on the palm trees in the Amazon rainforest of northern Brazil. The name of the game with acai berries is pure antioxidant and nutrient power. They fight leukemia. A well-known study, done by the University of Florida, found that extracts of the acai berry destroyed human cancer cells grown in a lab. More studies are needed to confirm its effects, but this step is definitely in the right direction. They reduce inflammation. One of the best things that acai berries can do for you, due to the large amounts of anthocyanins they contain, is reduce inflammation associated with chronic diseases. Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, fatigue syndromes, digestive discomforts, aches, and pains are all helped by reducing inflammation. They shield your heart against disease. The pulp of acai berries has deep healing agents that contain antioxidants and fiber that reduces cholesterol — and keeps your digestive system healthy to boot!	Enlarge 2 Goji berries are richly immersed in antioxidant power. Goji berries (pronounced go-gee), which are the commercial name for wolfberries, have been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine. Battle cancer: The phytochemicals in goji berries may have powerful anticancer effects. A 1994 study published in the Chinese Journal of Oncology stated that goji berries have a positive effect on treatments when used in conjunction with other cancer therapies. Support weight loss: Goji berries contain natural compounds that are lipotropic, meaning they help carry fat away from the liver and burn those extra calories. Protect your heart: Goji berries have compounds to lower cholesterol, are natural defenders against free radical damage, and release levels of homocysteine, a protein associated with heart disease and inflammation. Prevent age-related eye problems: Goji berries have a high level of antioxidants, like beta carotene and zeaxanthin, which are important for vision. Zeaxanthin protects the eyes, specifically the retina, and may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration. Boost your libido: This amazing superfood not only raises your spirits, but it also raises your libido! Goji berries raise testosterone levels, and, therefore, your sex drive goes up.	Enlarge 3 Dulse is a sea vegetable with many vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and other natural food chemicals with antioxidant properties. Dulse is reddish brown and comes in whole leaves, powdered, or as a condiment. This sea vegetable is chewy with a salty finish. Dulse flakes give a great flavor to salads. You can also eat it right out of the package!
Enlarge 4 Hijiki is a sea vegetable that looks like black angel hair pasta. Called the “beauty vegetable” in Japan for the shiny hair and beautiful skin it gives to those who indulge, this sea vegetable helps nourish the thyroid, promotes healthy skin and hair, and promotes a healthy immune system.	Enlarge 5 You can find virtually every nutrient in sea kelp. Kelp is a great source of iodine, which is a vital nutrient that many are deficient in and that your thyroid needs. Kelp noodles are delicious and a wonderful way to add sea vegetables to your diet.	Enlarge 6 Kombu, another sea vegetable, provides minerals that are particularly important in your diet. Kombu is a type of brown algae that has a beautiful dark purple hue. You can find kombu fresh, frozen, or dried. It comes in thick strips or sheets. It has a savory taste and can be used as a food flavoring, food topping, or a nice salty addition to soups.
Enlarge 7 Nori is the most popular sea vegetable because it’s used to make sushi. You can find nori in colors from dark purple to marine green. You can use it as a condiment for soups, salads, and casseroles or cut into strips.	Enlarge 8 Another great sea vegetable, wakame, provides a salty taste that comes from a balance of sodium and other minerals from the sea. Wakame (pronounced wah-ka-may) is a tender grayish green sea vegetable, and when you soak wakame, it expands many times its original size. Eat it raw as a snack, add it to soups and stir-fries, or roast it and sprinkle on salads and stews. Wakame becomes soft and melts in your mouth when cooked. What a great way to add minerals to your foods! Sea vegetables also give you a good dose of fiber to promote digestive health.

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/eight-exotic-superfoods-to-boost-your-immune-syste.pageCd-storyboard,pageNum-9.html#slideshow

New Antioxidant Discovery on the Chinese Wolfberry

Special Health Advisory on Immunity and Anti-Aging

D. Gary Young
(No article date)

The Chinese Wolfberry story began 1996 when Professor
Chao visited me at our Riverton office. He was on a special
teaching and information-gathering assignment from the
Natural Science University in Beijing, China. He had heard of
essential oils and was fascinated by their potential.

As we started discussing the medical properties of essential
oils, he told me of another powerful botanical that had been
used for centuries in Inner Mongolia but had only recently
been researched. It was called the Chinese wolfberry (also
known by its Latin name, Lycium barbarum, or colloquial
name, "goji berry".

The people who consumed this
fruit apparently lived free of
common diseases like arthritis,
cancer and diabetes. Moreover,
their life expectancies reached
over 100 years.

Both the wolfberry and ginseng
have been highly regarded for
centuries as the foremost nutritional and therapeutic plants in
China. In fact, the Chinese hold a strong belief that human
life might be extended significantly by using either of these
herbs for an extended period of time.

Unfortunately, ginseng is considered too strong for
continuous use, and large amounts may not be suitable for
people with high blood pressure or heart disease. On the
other hand, the wolfberry is much milder, with no known risk
from continuous use.

In 1988, the Beijing Nutrition Research Institute conducted
detailed chemical analyses and nutritional composition
studies of the dried wolfberry fruit.

What they discovered was stunning.


The Chinese Wolfberry contained over
18 amino acids (that is six times higher in
proportion than bee pollen), 21 trace
minerals, more beta carotene than
carrots, and an astonishing 500 times
more vitamin C by weight than oranges. It
is also packed with vitamin B1, vitamin B6
and vitamin E.

The fruits and pedicels of Chinese
Wolfberry were effective in increasing
white blood cells, protecting the liver and
relieving hypertension. The alcoholic
extract of wolfberry fruits inhibited tumor growth in mice by
58%, and the protein of wolfberry displayed an insulin-like
action that was effective in promoting fat decomposition and
reducing blood sugar.

Another clinical experiment by the Ningxia Institute (Register
No.870306, October 1982 to May 1985) studied the effects of
wolfberry on the immune, physiological and biochemical
indexes of the blood of aged volunteers. The results were
amazing, indicating that the wolfberry caused the blood of
older people to noticeably revert to a younger state.

Can the Chinese Wolfberry Boost Immune Function?

According to a report of the State Scientific and Technological
Commission of China, the wolfberry contains compounds
known as lycium polysaccharides, which appeared to be
highly effective in promoting immunity. These results were
validated in a number of clinical trials.

In one study on a group of cancer patients, the wolfberry
triggered an increase in both, lymphocyte transformation rate
and white blood cell count (measures of immune function).

In another study involving a group of 50 people with
lower-limit white blood cell counts, the wolfberry increased
phagocytosis and the titre of serum antibodies (another index
of immune function). Unhealthy levels of titre of serum
antibodies have long been associated with Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome (also known as Epstein-Barr). Does this mean that
the Chinese wolfberry could be used as a weapon against
Epstein-Barr? The possibilities are intriguing.

In another study, consumption of wolfberry lead to a
strengthening of immunoglobulin A levels (an index of
immune function). Because the decline of immunoglobulin A
is one of the signs of aging, an increase in these levels
suggests that the wolfberry may enable injured DNA to better
repair itself and ward off tissue degeneration.

Is the Chinese Wolfberry a powerful antioxident?

As we grow older, the levels of lipid peroxide in our blood
increase, while levels of health-protecting antioxidants, like
superoxide dismutase (SOD), decrease. In a clinical study of
people who consumed doses of Chinese wolfberry, SOD in
the blood increased by a remarkable 48% while hemoglobin
increased by 12%. Even better, lipid peroxide levels dropped
by a whopping 65%.

Does the Chinese Wolfberry Protect the Eyesight?

A test was conducted on the
effects of wolfberry on eyesight.
Twenty-seven people were tested
and showed a dramatic
improvement in both dark adaptation and vitamin A and
carotene content of their serum (measures of eyesight
acuity).

Gary Sees Dramatic Changes

Over the past six years, I had become somewhat lax with my
exercise regimen because of two badly damaged ankles. So
this Christmas, I buckled down and started a fitness program,
combining moderate exercise two to three times a week with
two daily servings of Power Meal alone and with meals.
(Power Meal contains Chinese Wolfberries.)

By the middle of March, while I was studying in Turkey, I
started noticing physical changes: My skin looked brighter
and my energy level was higher. I averaged a fifteen-hour
day between my studies and lab practice.

When I returned home, I discovered that I had dropped 12
pounds, paired off three inches from my lower abdomen, and
gained three inches in my chest.

Then, two weeks ago while I was in Phoenix, I went out for a
one-mile run. I felt limber and energetic and performed the
run with ease. Last week at my home in Utah, located at an
altitude of over 5,000 feet above sea level, I went out for a 2.7
mile run and was not fatigued at all--even in the thinner
high-altitude air.

Two days later, I ran 4.3 miles without feeling tired and
without leg pain. I could have continued on another three or
four miles but decided not to push it. These results take on
even more significance when you consider that, prior to my
try-out in Phoenix, I had not run in over six years.

News for Athletes, Dieters and Cancer, Aids and MS Patients

These types of physiological effects prompted me to probe
deeper into the chemistry of the wolfberry.

What I discovered was startling:

The Chinese wolfberry not only contains super oxide
dismutase, phenylpropanoids, anti-cancer factors and
anti-senility factors, but it also sports a high concentration of
the branched-chain amino acid L-leucine.

Leucine is an essential amino acid that we do not make in our
bodies, so we can only get it from our diet. It is present in
small quantities in both, plant and animal food, and is a
natural component of breast milk.

But leucine is regarded as more than just an essential amino
acid: It also supports immune function, burns fat and builds
muscle.

How?

Because leucine forms the building block of a very unique
compound called HMB (Beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate).
Through its phenylpropanoid activity, the wolfberry helps
convert leucine into HMB.

What makes HMB such a breakthrough in healthmaintenance?
According to noted researcher, Richard Passwater, Ph.D.,

HMB showed that it lowered total and LDL cholesterol levels
in blood and helped strengthen the immune system while
building muscles and burning body fat. This news is certainly
of interest to body builders and other athletes, but it may also
become of interest to cancer, AIDS and muscular dystrophy
patients.

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/94520123/New-Discovery-on-the-Chinese-Wolfberry-Special-Health-Advisory-on-