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The Willner Window Product Reference Catalog, Fall 2017
Since 1911
•
Willner Chemists: The Nutritional Supplement Professionals
Cautions: Pregnancy, Nursing
Dosage:
Take one 375 mg veggie capsule once or twice a day.
References:
Acai Berry (Euterpe oleraceae) is the fruit of a palm tree
native to South America. The pulp and skin of acai are rich in
anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and other fatty acids.
Studies have shown that acai has anti-inflammatory,
antioxidant, and apoptic (programmed cell death). effects A
study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food
Chemistry, showed extracts of Acai berries triggered apoptosis
in up to 86 percent of leukemia cells tested.
Mangosteen (Garcinia magostana) is a plant native to
Southeast Asia. Studies reveal that xanthones from the fruit
hulls of mangosteen have antioxidant, antibacterial,
antifungal, and anti?inflammatory properties. In one study
mangosteen’s xanthones significantly inhibited the growth of
leukemia cells. One xanthone in particular, alpha?mangostin,
showed complete inhibition of leukemia cells through the
induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death). Other
studies indicate xanthones from mangosteen inhibit the
activities of COX?1 and COX?2 enzymes, prevent oxidative
damage of LDL cholesterol, have cytotoxic effects on liver
cancer cells, and are antiproliferative, antioxidative, and
apoptic against breast cancer cells.
Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) polysaccharides exhibit anti-
tumor, immune enhancing and liver-protective properties.
Studies suggest that Goji polysacharides have positive effects
when used with conventional cancer treatments. A 1994
study done in China on patients with a variety of cancers
revealed that patients who were given Goji Berry
polysaccharides along with their conventional cancer
treatment had a 40.9 percent response rate to the treatment,
while patients who received conventional treatment without
the Goji Berry supplement had only a 16.1 percent response
rate. Additionally the Goji Berry supplemented patients
experienced longer remissions and had a significant increase
in natural killer cell activity. Goji berries contain high levels of
Zeaxanthin, a carotenoid necessary for healthy vision that is
present in high amounts in the macula of the human eye. The
Zeaxanthin in Goji berries is a naturally esterifed zeaxanthin
which has been proven to cause a higher increase in plasma
levels than the non-esterified form contained in many
supplements. Researchers have concluded that Goji is one of
the best antioxidants to promote healthy aging.
Pomegranate (Punica granatum) contains thousands of
phytochemicals including anthocyananins, ellagic acid
derivatives, catechins and procyandins, flavonols, fatty acids
and sterols. Human studies show that pomegranate
polyphenols and their metabolites offer protection against
various diseases. Pomegranate increases nitric oxide
production in the endothelial cells of the vascular system
protecting against cardiovascular disease. Studies show
consumption of the juice benefits patients with carotid artery
stenosis, those with hypertension, and those with coronary
heart disease. Pomegranate has been heavily studied in the
treatment of prostate cancer. In one study when men with
aggressive prostate cancer were given pomegranate juice
daily after treatment by surgery or radiation, there was over a
four-fold prolonged delay in prostate specific antigen (PSA)
doubling time, and the rate of PSA rise was reduced by 50%
over the course of just one year. Numerous other studies
demonstrate pomegranate inhibits inflammation, slows
cartilage loss in arthritis, improves sperm health, and
increases the overall antioxidant capacity of the blood.
The powerful antioxidants in Green Tea may help fight the
free radicals that contribute to skin, lung, and stomach cancer
as well as contribute to lowered blood pressure and LDL
cholesterol. Green Tea is rich in a type of polyphenol called
catechin. Catechins are 40 to 200 times more effective in
seeking out and destroying free radicals than Vitamin A, C
and E. These catechins include four major polyphenols
including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin gallate
(ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC) and epicatechin (EC). Of these
compounds EGCG is the most abundant in green tea and has
generated the most interest. Peer?reviewed scientific
research has consistently shown that EGCG is a potent
antioxidant, deactivating health-damaging free-radicals. By
virtue of its antioxidant effects EGCG has been shown to
exert a number of beneficial activities, such as reducing
inflammation, and normalizing cell and tissue functions. In
promoting cardiovascular health EGCG has been shown to
inhibit free-radical activity in the arteries, improving coronary
circulation. Other studies have shown that ECGC has a
benefit in normalizing blood glucose and protecting the
pancreas from oxidative damage, as well as in boosting
metabolism and burning fat. Green tea catechins and ECGC
in particular have also been shown to naturally support
detoxification and the elimination of toxic substances from
the body while protecting the liver.
Grape skin and grape seed extracts are anti-inflammatory and
radioprotective. They are abundant in a group of polyphenols
called procyanidins. Procyanidins are strong antioxidants,
lipid peroxidation inhibitors, and free radical scavengers.
Procyanidins have antimutagenic effects, meaning they can
counteract environmental mutagens, which are thought to be
one of the causes of chronic degenerative diseases.
Procyanidins also increase circulation making them helpful
for conditions such as venous insufficiency (a condition in
which the veins have trouble sending blood from the legs
back to the heart). A placebo controlled study showed that
treatment with procyanidins improved venous functionality
and reduced pain, cramps, edema and paresthesias (tingling).
Due to procyanidins positive effects on circulation, grape skin
and seed extracts are helpful for numerous vision disorders.
Studies show treatment with procyanidins from the extracts
. . . continued on page 20
Important Notice: The information given here is designed to help you make informed decisions about your health, and the proper use of dietary supplements. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, nor a substitute for any treatment
that may have been prescribed by your doctor. If you have a medical problem, you should seek medical help. Products described herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or mitigate disease.
Product Reference Guide: Willner Chemists Phyto-Tech™ Herbal Supplements
F
luid pressure within the eye (increased
intraocular pressure, or IOP) builds up
with age and can lead to a type of blindess
called glaucoma. Left untreated, an elevated
IOP may cause irreversible damage to the
optic nerve and retinal fibers resulting in a
progressive, permanent loss of vision.
However, early detection and treatment can
slow or even halt the progression of the
disease.
Most individuals with glaucoma are not
aware of problems with their vision. This is
because the central vision (for reading and
recognizing people) is only affected when
glaucoma has advanced to a late stage. Even
when central vision is still good, glaucoma
may affect the vision needed for driving and
other daily functions, including seeing steps or
reading.
It is estimated that over three million
Americans have glaucoma but only half of
those know they have it. Approximately
120,000 are blind from glaucoma, accounting
for 9-12% of all cases of blindness in the
United States. About two percent of the
population ages 40-50 years and eight
percent over 70 years of age have elevated
IOP. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of
blindness in the world, according to the
World Health Organization (WHO).
Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness
among African-Americans.
Without treatment, the loss of vision usually
gets worse over the course of many months or
several years. Loss of vision in glaucoma is
permanent, but with early treatment, the
damage to vision can be minimized. Even
when conventional treatment is utilized, the
progression of the disease can continue,
especially in certain types of glaucoma.
Any measures other than drugs and surgery
that can prevent and/or retard the progression
of glaucoma are obviously worth pursuing.
This study shows that a simple B-vitamin,
vitamin B3 or niacin, may serve that purpose.
In the lab, doctors gave vitamin B3 to aging
mice, which kept specialized cells-that
connect the eye to the brain via the optic
nerve-healthy longer. Doctors said that
because these ganglion cells were still
metabolically robust, they were better able to
resist damage from age-related increases in
ocular pressure.
“Glaucomas are neurodegenerative diseases
that cause vision loss, especially in the elderly.
The mechanisms initiating glaucoma and
driving neuronal vulnerability during normal
aging are unknown. Studying glaucoma-prone
mice, we show that mitochondrial
abnormalities are an early driver of neuronal
dysfunction, occurring before detectable
degeneration. Retinal levels of nicotinamide
adenine dinucleotide (NAD +, a key
molecule in energy and redox metabolism)
decrease with age and render aging neurons
vulnerable to disease-related insults. Oral
administration of the NAD + precursor
nicotinamide (vitamin B 3), and/or gene
therapy (driving expression of Nmnat1, a key
NAD +-producing enzyme), was protective
both prophylactically and as an intervention.
At the highest dose tested, 93% of eyes did
not develop glaucoma. This supports
therapeutic use of vitamin B 3 in glaucoma
and potentially other age-related
neurodegenerations.”
(Reference: Vitamin B3 Modulates
Mitochondrial Vulnerability and Prevents
Glaucoma in Aged Mice. PA Williams et al.
Science 355 (6326), 756-760. 2017 Feb 17. )
Vitamin B3 and Glaucoma
The pharmacists and
nutritionists at Willner
Chemists will be happy to
assist you in choosing the
appropriate supplements to
suit your specific needs.
