Cortiguard

Studies of cortisol and blood type showed that Type As and Bs had higher and more rapid rises in cortisol levels than the other blood types when subjected to stress: In this case having to “mirror-write” while listening to a tape loop of a baby crying. An increasing amount of evidence indicates that individuals of differing blood groups have extremely different responses to the same stressor. Equally surprising, the genetics of blood group also appear to alter susceptibility to developing certain neuro-psychiatric disorders. This formula is designed to enhance the health of the nervous system and strengthen resistance to the physical effects of stress, especially in those individuals who are type A or B.

Cortiguard contains the following therapeutic components:

Panax ginseng (Korean ginseng). The combination of its historical reputation and the abundance of animal research (some human research as well) have elevated Panax ginseng (often just referred to as ginseng) to being virtually synonymous with the term adaptogen. It appears fairly certain that ginseng can actually help the adrenal gland to respond to stress by actually either making the adrenal gland bigger (so more capable of a response) or decreasing cortisol when it is already too high. But, maybe even more importantly, ginseng appears to make your body more sensitive or responsive, perhaps thereby allowing your body to make more cortisol when it is required but allowing a quicker normalization of cortisol once the stress is removed. These activities lie at the very core of the definition of adaptogen, which implies a capability for a bi-directional or normalizing effect on physiological function in the face of stress.

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng). Eleutherococcus is better known by its common name, Siberian ginseng (and is occasionally seen in health food or vitamin stores as Ci Wu Jia). Although it is called ginseng, technically speaking, it not a ginseng at all and is, botanically speaking, not a close relative of Panax ginseng. Russian researchers in the 1940’s and 1950’s did a great deal of research on plants that function as adaptogens. Eleutherococcus was arguably the plant that consistently produced the best adaptogenic effects in their research. The data gathered indicated that ingestion of extracts from this plant increased the ability to accommodate to adverse physical conditions, improved mental performance and enhanced the quality of work under stressful conditions. This plant also appears to have an overall normalizing effect on the stress response, allowing better performance in the face of more stressful conditions, and, similar to Panax ginseng, a greater sensitivity or enhanced ability to re-establish hormonal balance after stress. This herb also has a strong reputation for preventing stress-induced exhaustion.

Boerhaavia diffusa. The alkaloid fraction of the root of Boerhaavia diffusa has a dramatic effect in buffering against elevation of plasma cortisol levels under stressful conditions. Subsequent to this buffering of cortisol, Boerhaavia alkaloids also prevent a drop in immune system performance. Indicating a bi-directional adaptogenic activity, these same plant alkaloids also act to reverse the depletion of adrenal cortisol associated with adrenal exhaustion. Since blood type A (and B) is most impacted by the tendency to over produce cortisol, this herb is tailor made for these blood types.

Bacopa monniera. Bacopa (‘Brahmi’) is an Ayurvedic botanical with apparent anti-anxiety, anti-fatigue and memory-strengthening effects. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is clinically used for memory enhancing, epilepsy, and insomnia and as a mild sedative. Study results have suggested that Brahmi is a potent antioxidant. 12 Administration of extract from Bacopa monnieri, to children with mental retardation, was reported to significantly improve short-term and long-term memory. (13) Modern research has validated the Ayurvedic claims indicating that Bacopa monniera can improve performance in various learning situations. (14) Results suggest that Bacopa, like the anti-Parkinson drug deprenyl, exhibits a significant antioxidant effect after subchronic administration, which, unlike the latter, extends to the hippocampus as well. The results suggest that the increase in oxidative free radical scavenging activity by Bacopa may explain, at least in part, the cognition-facilitating action of Bacopa, recorded in Ayurvedic texts, and demonstrated experimentally and clinically. (15)

• Bacopa has additional effects on both bowel disturbance and allergy. Among 169 patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), either standard therapy, a compound Ayurvedic preparation containing Bacopa monniere, or placebo were given in a double-blind randomized trial for 6 weeks. The Ayurvedic preparation in 57 patients was found effective in 64.9 percent, while standard therapy (60 patients) was useful in 78.3 percent. Patients on placebo (52 patients) showed improvement in 32.7 percent only. Ayurvedic therapy was particularly beneficial in diarrhea predominant form as compared to placebo. (16) Bacopa has also been shown to stabilize mast cells, an anti-allergy mechanism of action not unlike that of many conventional anti-allergy medications. Extracts of Bacopa monnieri were tested for mast cell stabilizing effect. They exhibited potent activity comparable to disodium cromoglycate, a known mast cell stabilizer. (17)

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Apparently, even dating back to anecdotal reports of Europeans interacting with the Native American Indians, it is reported that eating an animal’s adrenal gland could reverse symptoms of scurvy. Not surprisingly, medical science has found that the adrenal glands are a place of extremely high body levels of vitamin C and, under stress, your requirement for this vitamin goes up. Evidence also shows that vitamin C, in amounts greater than the RDA, is needed to optimally support the adrenal glands function and buffer against high cortisol when individuals are exposed to high levels of stress. In effect, a deficiency of this vitamin will raise cortisol levels and make it much more likely someone will remain in the “resistance” stage of the stress response.

B Vitamins (vitamins B1, B5 and B6). While without question, an absolute deficiency in any of the B vitamins would be detrimental; several of these vitamins are critical for a healthy response to stress. Experimental and clinical results have shown thiamin (vitamin B1) to be an effective nutrient to protect the adrenal gland from functional exhaustion when undergoing stress. A combination of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and vitamins B1 and B6 has been shown to improve the stress response and simultaneously normalizes the rhythmic activity of cortisol. Pantethine is the most physiologically active form of vitamin B5. Deficiency of this nutrient or its precursor, pantothenic acid, results in a decrease in adrenal function with the most noted symptom of deficiency being fatigue; while evidence indicates supplementation normalizes the adrenal glands capacity to respond to stress.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid. Lipoic acid, primarily known as a superior antioxidant, has been shown to prevent the accumulation of stress hormones in heart tissue secondary to stress (very important for blood type A’s with their higher risk for heart disease). Lipoic acid also enhances the elimination of some stress hormones and can partially restore some of the immune suppression, which occur secondary to high cortisol levels.

Magnolia Bark (Magnolia officinalis). The bark of the Magnolia tree (Magnolia officinalis) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for thousands of years to treat “stagnation of qi” (low energy), to help ease digestion and to support emotional wellbeing.

Research has indicated that magnolia extract has a calming effect and helps reduce occasional tension in part by binding to adenosine and GABA receptors. (8) In addition, animal studies suggest that magnolia extract may promote positive mood, calm occasional physical and emotional stress, and, through cortisol modulating effects, may help with controlling binge eating when stressed. (9) The aromatic bark contains magnolol and honokiol, two polyphenolic compounds that have demonstrated anti-anxiety and anti-angiogenic properties. (10,11)

When discussing stress, it is useful to look at the model created by the noted stress researcher Hans Selye. He provided the classic model for the progression of our adaptation to stress. He observed that given any source of external biological stress, an organism would respond with a predictable biological pattern in an attempt to restore its internal balance. He termed this the General Adaptation Syndrome or Biological Stress Syndrome and divided the response into 4 categories. the “alarm reaction” characterized by an immediate activation of the nervous system and adrenal gland. A “resistance phase” characterized by hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) activation. A “pre-exhaustion phase” characterized by adrenal enlargement, ulcers, and immune system under-activity. Lastly, “exhaustion phase” where the individual’s adaptive capacities are almost completely diminished.

Alarm would be the “fight or flight” or initial responses. In an ideal world, once the stressful event has passed we would then shift away from “alarm” and re-establish our internal balance. Unfortunately real life situations do not always allow for this recovery. This is especially the case for blood type A’s, who seem to internally switch into “fight or flight” with even minor stress and live in the “resistance” stage of the stress response.

Because of this, from a health perspective, the importance of calming the nervous system or reducing stress is paramount for all blood type A’s. When it comes to reducing stress levels, blood type A’s have to do more, for less return. Strategies to move them out of the “resistance” stage (to sensitize their ability to regulate cortisol levels) are imperative, as are strategies to prevent an arrival at “exhaustion”. Herbal adaptogens and extra nutritional support can help buffer against excessive elevation of cortisol, to re-sensitize the body to better regulate the cortisol stress response, and to protect the adrenal gland from functional exhaustion.

The main effect of Cortiguard is to assist in the proper modulation of cortisol. In general, it works well in groups A and B, although it also has some utility in-group AB as well. Indications for its use are well known:

• Sleep disturbance (awakening after 2-3 hours of sleep, and experiencing difficulty in resuming sleep)
• Poor response to exercise
• Lowered immunity due to stress

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