Page 88
The Willner Window Product Reference Catalog, Winter 2014
since 1911
• Willner Chemists •
the nutritional supplement professionals
Willner Chemists Phyto-Tech™ Herbal Supplements
RHODIOLA 5 (Standardized)
RHODIOLA 5 (Standardized)
Description:
Phyto-Tech Rhodiola 5 (Standardized), also known as arctic root or golden root, has been used for centuries in traditional Russian and
Scandinavian medicine to increase physical endurance, work productivity, longevity, resistance to high altitude sickness, and to treat fatigue, depression,
anemia, impotence, infertility, gastrointestinal complaints, infections and nervous system disorders. Each ml provides 250 mg of Rhodiola Rosea, standard-
ized to 5% Rosavins.
Indications:
Who might benefit from this herbal supplement? Those suffering from low energy or fatigue; those who suffer from mental fog, poor mem-
ory, or learning problems; those who are looking to increase their stamina, endurance and athletic performance; those who are under high stress; those
with sexual or fertility problems..
Keywords:
Stress, Fatigue, Energy, Mental Performance, Stamina and Endurance, Athletic Performance, Depression
Ingredients:
Rhodiola Rosea 5% Rosavin, Alcohol Pure Grain, Water Pure Deionized.
Cautions:
Keep out of the reach of children; shake well before using. Do not use during pregnancy or nursing..
Dosage:
30 drops in water or juice, 2-3 times daily, or as needed.
Complimentary Formulas:
Phyto-Tech
Ginseng Energy Blend;
Phyto-Tech
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf 1:1.5
References:
Numerous studies have proved Rhodiola to be a powerful adaptogen that increases ones resistance to chemical, biological, and physical stressors and protects the body from breakdown due to
chronic stress. Rhodiola stimulates the activity of serotonin, dopamine, and norepineprhine in the cerebral cortex, brain stem and hypothalamus, and increases the permeability of the blood brain barrier to pre-
cursors of dopamine and serotonin. This enhances the effects of these neurotansmitters on the brain and improves cognitive functions (thinking, analyzing, evaluating, calculating and planning), learning, attention
span, memory and work productivity. Rhodiola also relieves fatigue and normalizes mood in depressed individuals, and has antioxidant properties that help protect the nervous system from oxidative damage. By
stimulating cognitive function, improving resistance to stress and fighting free radicals, Rhodiola can have immediate effects on cognitive function and memory and can also provide long-term support to help pre-
serve future brain functions.
A study involving 56 healthy male and female physicians working the night shift (age 24-35) were given 170 mg of rhodiola extract for 6 weeks. Their mental performance was evaluated using tests to determine
speed of visual and auditory perception, attention capacity, and short-term memory. A significant improvement in mental performance tests was observed in the treatment group during the first two-week period.
Another double-blind, placebo controlled study involving 60 foreign students at a Russian high school showed that supplementation by the students with Rhodiola resulted in a decrease of mental fatigue and situ-
ational anxiety and an increase in physical work capacity, coordination, kinesthetic sensitivity, and general well-being.
For athletes or anyone seeking to enhance physical performance, Rhodiola has been shown to improve strength, endurance, cardiovascular measures, coordination and recovery time. In one study, 42 master
level competitive skiers were given either Rhodiola rosea extract or placebo 30-60 minutes before a 20 km race on skies that involved carrying a rifle and shooting targets at stops. The athletes receiving Rhodiola
showed a significant increase in shooting accuracy, less arm tremor, better coordination, and their heart rates returned to normal more quickly.
Rhodiola has also been found to have cardioprotective and anticancer benefits and can increase fertility in both men and women.
In 1986 it was discovered that the chemical composition that sets rhodiola rosea apart from other species of rhodiola are three cinnamyl alchohol-vicianosides identified as rosavin, rosin and rosarin. The term
rosavins is used to include all three of these chemical compounds. Rosavins are known as the marker compound that differentiates true rhodiola rosea extract from other Rhodiola species.
Ordering Information:
Phyto-Tech™ Rhodiola 5 Standardized
One Fluid Ounce, Product Code: 57032
controls.
α
-tocopherylquinone (
α
TQ) is the
primary product of
α
-tocopherol oxidation,
while 5-nitro-
γ
-tocopherol (5-NO2-
γ
-toco-
pherol) is a product of reaction between
γ
-
tocopherol and reactive nitrogen species.
Thus, both ratios reflect vitamin E depletion
(specifically
α
- and
γ
-tocopherol) due to
OS/NS. OS/NS levels have been proved to
increase in central nervous system (CNS) and
peripheral tissues, such as blood, of subjects
with AD and MCI, and a great deal of evi-
dence supports the putative role of OS/NS in
the propagation of cellular injury. Cellular
injury can lead to various kinds of damage
observed both in brain aging and neurode-
generation. Levels of OS/NS can be also
affected by different conditions, including
lifestyle (such as smoking) and diseases (such
as cancer, diabetes mellitus).
In another study we performed in the same
cohort, we found a significant
negative correlation between
indices of vitamin E
OS/NS and volumes
of brain regions usu-
ally affected in AD
(amygdala, hippocam-
pus, entorhinal cortex,
medial temporal lobe),
meaning that higher
indices of vitamin E
oxidative/nitrosative damage
were associ-
ated with
increased brain
atrophy.
Focus:
Let’s talk
about dietary
sources of all the
Vitamin E forms.
Mecocci:
The main dietary
sources of vitamin E are
vegetable oils. All 4 toco-
pherols are found in wheat germ oil,
almonds, sunflower and olive oil, which are
mainly rich in
α
-tocopherol.
γ
-tocopherol is
the major form of vitamin E in corn oil and
soybean oil. Major food sources of all 4
tocotrienols are rice bran, barley, oats, and
palm oil. Palm oil is one of the most abun-
dant natural sources of tocotrienols. It con-
tains a mixture of tocopherols and
tocotrienols, and is used by the food industry
(e.g., bakery products, breakfast cereals).
α
-
tocotrienol is the predominant form of
tocotrienol in oat and barley, while
β
-
tocotrienol is the major form of tocotrienol
found in wheat. Rice bran oil, common in
Asian countries, is a major natural source of
γ
-tocotrienol. Other dietary sources of vita-
min E are animal fats, dairy products, fruit,
and vegetables.
α
-tocopherol is the main
form of vitamin E present in the European
diet, while
γ
-tocopherol intake is higher than
α
-tocopherol in the USA diet. Since foods
containing vitamin E usually contain more
than one form, people who intake foods rich
in vitamin E usually intake more than one
form (often all eight congeners, although in
different amounts, depending on the food
composition). It is thus expected that plasma
levels of different forms are positively corre-
lated. The studies we conducted were the
first to analyze all eight natural forms in
human beings in relation to cognitive impair-
ment. It would be premature at this stage to
point at one specific form of vitamin E as a
key compound to prevent or treat AD (we
would then be making the same mistake that
has been made with alpha-tocopherol).
The key conclusion that we have reached
is that low plasma levels of tocopherols and
tocotrienols are associated with the risk of
cognitive impairment/AD in older adults,
which reinforces the hypothesis that each of
the natural forms of vitamin E plays a unique
role in human health. Evaluating only
α
-toco-
pherol therefore likely does not provide the
most accurate measure of vitamin E status in
humans.
Larger studies with assessments of vitamin E
forms at several points in time are warranted
to clarify the role of the vitamin E family in
preventing or slowing the onset and progres-
sion of age-related cognitive decline and
dementia.
Vitamin E was discovered about 90 years
ago, but it has only been in the last few
years that researchers have started to focus
on non-
α
-tocopherol forms in relation to
human health.
Focus:
In what way might the vitamin E
isomers interfere with the cascade of events
that lead to brain damage in Alzheimer’s?
Mecocci:
All vitamin E forms act as antioxi-
dants, and each congener has additional bio-
logical properties, often not shared by the
other forms. Such properties, including anti-
inflammatory activity and modulation of cell
signaling, can be relevant for neuroprotec-
tion. People with AD or cognitive problems
are often consumers of
α
-tocopherol supple-
ments, even though there is no evidence of a
beneficial effect. In general,
α
-tocopherol is
the most commonly used vitamin E supple-
ment, due to the belief that this form of vita-
min E may attenuate morbidity and mortality.
However, current data on mortality and
α
-
tocopherol supplementation at high doses
emphasize that such a micronutrient, if
unbalanced, may not be as harmless as previ-
ously thought. In fact, an increased risk of
hemorrhagic stroke and mortality has been
reported in users of high doses of alpha-toco-
pherol supplements. Additionally, in the last
decade a large amount of studies showed
that each form of vitamin E is functionally
unique, but the possible role of different vita-
min E forms in human health and disease is
still not clear. Several studies are investigating
the role of vitamin E forms in different disor-
ders, including cancer, cerebrovascular and
cardiovascular diseases. There are also clini-
cal trials ongoing to test therapeutic effects of
vitamin E congeners in these disorders.
We decided to focus on the entire vitamin
E family to help explain its possible role in
age related cognitive impairment and AD.
We are aware that we need to take into
account the “full picture” meaning that we
need to keep in mind that people eat foods,
not nutrients, and that they eat them in com-
bination, not in isolation. Vitamin E is only
one of the nutrients which might play a role
in AD.
Vitamin E was discovered about 90 years
ago, but it has only been in the last few years
that researchers have started to focus on
non-
α
-tocopherol forms in relation to human
health. Many questions related to this issue
still do not have a definite answer. Current
developments in vitamin E research clearly
indicate that members of the vitamin E family
are functionally unique and not redundant
with respect to their biological function. We
hope to eventually determine the composi-
tion of vitamin E supplements best suited to
AD prevention trials and to refine dietary
recommendations for healthy cognitive aging.
Reprinted from
Focus on Allergy Research
Group
To see the original article, go to
http://www.allergyresearchgroup.com/focus
/201311_mecocci.htm