|
NP046 Genoma CardiaTAGS: ANTIOXIDANTS/HERBAL FORMULAS | CARDIO | LIPID SUPPORT Heart - circulatory support formula INTRODUCTION Genoma Cardia is a combination of Hawthorne Berry and L- Taurine, designed to provide a broad spectrum of cardiovascular support. It was indicated in Eat Right for Your Type that “Hawthorne is a great cardiovascular tonic. Type A’s should definitely add it to their dietary regimen. As Dr. D’Adamo says “...this herb cannot be praised highly enough. Extracts of Hawthorne should be used to fortify breakfast cereals, just as vitamins are.” This herb is very useful in maintaining the health of the cardiovascular system in types A, B and AB. Hawthorne berries have been used since the Middle Ages to support the heart and normalize cardiovascular functions. Today, Hawthorne berries are one of the most valuable medicinal herbs used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and circulatory disorders. DESCRIPTION/ BACKGROUND The main constituents of Crataegus are flavonoids, triterpene saponins and a few cardioactive amines; however, the primary cardiovascular protective activity of the plant is generally considered to be a result of its flavonoid content, particularly the oligomeric proanthocyanadins (OPC’s). The OPC’s are highly concentrated in the leaves, berries, and flowers and are responsible for providing the pigment that gives the berries their deep reddish-brown color. These flavonoids have very strong activity, working synergistically to enhance the activity of vitamin C, and promote capillary stability. The berries and flowers of Crataegus oxycantha were historically used as cardiac tonics in a variety of functional heart disorders. Recent research has demonstrated Crataegus extracts exert a wide range of positive actions on heart function, supporting and validating historical observations.
TABLE 1: Key agents in Genoma Cardia. Hawthorne Berry Standardized Extract (from Crataegus laevigata, standardized to 5% flavonoids). Extracts from Crataegus increase coronary blood flow enhancing the oxygen flow to and utilization by the heart. (1) Cardioprotective effects of a standardized extract of Crataegus have been demonstrated in an animal model. Results suggest Crataegus preserves cell membrane integrity and protects heart tissue from damage. (2) An interesting aspect of Hawthorne is the comments in many herbal texts that it seemed to remove “a hurried feeling”. In western medicine, a link to stress is often associated with heart disease. In simplistic terms, Chinese traditional medicine also recognized agitation as being a disruptive force on heart function. Perhaps this energetic aspect of the plant has much to do with its well-deserved reputation. Because of the high content of flavonoid compounds, particularly the OPC’s, extracts of Crataegus have significant antioxidant activity. (3) Crataegus extracts appear to work synergistically to promote a lowering of cholesterol. Extracts are able to upregulate hepatic LDL receptors resulting in greater influx of plasma LDL- cholesterol into the liver. Crataegus also prevents the accumulation of cholesterol in the liver by enhancing cholesterol degradation to bile acids, promoting bile flow, and suppressing cholesterol biosynthesis. (4) In general, Crataegus appear to be a unique plant, capable of actually enhancing functional aspects of the cardiovascular system. L-Taurine. Cardiomyopathy (an inflammation of the heart tissue) is also benefited by proper doses of the amino acid l-taurine, which is the one amino acid found to be consistently low in the diets of vegans, but quite abundant in the type O diet. Taurine is the amino acid found in highest concentration in the “free amino acid pool’ in heart tissue; apparently it is used extensively in rebuilding heart muscle. Terminalia arjuna Bark Standardized Extract (Standardized to 0.5% arjunolic acid). Terminalia arjuna (TA) is a medicinal plant used as a cardiotonic in Ayurveda. Besides others, scientific evidence dictates its strong hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties. TA extract was able to significantly inhibit platelet aggregation both in patient and control groups. Significant attenuation in calcium release and expression of CD62P was also observed with TA extract. Data clearly demonstrates that the bark extract of TA decreases platelet activation and may possess antithrombotic properties. The possible mechanism of action could be by desensitizing platelets to the agonist by competing with platelet receptor or by interfering with signal transduction. Thus, TA can be exploited for its therapeutic potential in CAD and related cardiovascular disorders. Salvia miltiorrhiza Root (5:1 Extract). Tanshinone IIA is a derivative of phenanthrene-quinone isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza, which is a traditional herbal medicine that is used to treat cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies showed that Tanshinone IIA possesses cytotoxic activity against many kinds of human carcinoma cell lines, induces differentiation and apoptosis and inhibits invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. Its mechanisms are thought as inhibiting DNA synthesis and proliferation of cancer cells, regulating the expression of genes related to proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, inhibiting the telomerase activity of cancer cells, and changing the expression of cellular surface antigen. (5) The crude herb (dried root) and its preparations are currently used in China to treat patients suffering from heart attack, angina pectoris, stroke and some other conditions. The use of S. miltiorrhiza has been increasing in the management of stroke. Pharmacological examinations showed that the plant and its active ingredients, tanshinones and salvianolic acids, have anticoagulant, vasodilatory, increased blood flow, anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenging, mitochondrial protective and other activities. (6) Recently Tanshinone IIA has been reported to have apoptosis inducing effects on a large variety of cancer cells. Tanshinone IIA exhibited induction of apoptosis by activation of caspase-3, downregulation of anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2 and bcl-xl and upregulation of pro-apoptotic protein bax, as well as disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, treatment by Tanshinone IIA could reduce cell adhesion to and invasion through ECM in leukemia NB4 cells. These data provide a potential mechanism for Tanshinone IIA-induced apoptosis and cell growth inhibition in leukemia NB4 cells. (7) Coenzyme Q10. “The positive effect of exogenous administration could be explained on the basis of the well-known involvement of CoQ10 in mitochondrial bioenergetics and of its widely recognized antioxidant properties.” The use of coenzyme Q-10 supplements appears to be effective in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension. The safety of CoQ10 has been established in studies and no major side effects have been associated with CoQ10 use. (8) Based on its safety and apparent efficacy, the use of coenzyme Q-10, in combination with conventional medications, can be recommended for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. One caveat to remember is that without a small amount of lipid (fat) in the gut the absorption of CoQ10 is virtually nil. Thus, to insure proper assimilation, CoQ10 should be taken with the largest meal of the day. (9) In general, Hawthorne must be given for prolonged periods of time to produce good results. It is recommended that you use it for a month and then take 1 week off before restarting supplementation. A trial period of 3 months (so 3 cycles) will usually be enough to assess whether Hawthorne is helping. TYPICAL DOSAGE Typical dosage is One (1) capsule twice daily with meals as a dietary supplement. PRODUCT HISTORY REFERENCES
|