Introduction Panax ginseng, used medicinally for thousands of years in China, Korea, and Japan,1 is well known as an adaptogen and a restorative tonic that is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western herbal preparations.2,3 Eclectic uses for Panax ginseng include fatigue, infertility, liver disease, amnesia, colds, menopause, and erectile dysfunction.2-4 There are many spec...

Introduction Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) is a member of the Ericaceae family, and is also known as European blueberry, huckleberry, whortleberry, or blueberry. It is a shrubby perennial plant one to two feet in height and can be found in the mountains and forests of Europe and the northern United States. Its branches contain alternating, elliptical, bright green leaves, and its flowers, whic...

Introduction L-Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid involved in numerous areas of human physiology, including production of nitric oxide (NO) – a key messenger molecule involved in vascular regulation, immune activity, and endocrine function. Arginine is also involved in protein production, wound healing, erectile function, and fertility. Arginine is not considered essential because humans c...

Introduction Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA – also known as thioctic acid) was discovered in 1951 as a molecule that assists in acyl-group transfer and as a coenzyme in the Krebs cycle. In the 1980s, the scientific community realized alpha-lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant. Several qualities distinguish alpha-lipoic acid from other antioxidants: ALA can be synthesized by animals and humans;1 it neu...

Copyright©2000 Thorne Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No Reprint Without Written Permission N-acetylcysteine Introduction N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is the acetylated precursor of both the amino acid L-cysteine and reduced glutathione (GSH). Historically it has been used as a mucolytic agent in chronic respiratory illnesses as well as an antidote for hepatotoxicity due to acetaminophen overdose...

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) represent a collection of heterogeneous malignant bone marrow stem cell disorders that result in the production of dysplastic and ineffective blood cells. The disease is marked by gradually worsening cytopenias and a variable risk for the eventual transformation to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). The risk of developing MDS increases with age, and disease onset ...

Approximately 30% of patients with breast cancer will develop metastatic breast disease. Metastatic breast cancer is considered an incurable disease, with complete remission rarely achieved after treatment. The goal of treatment for metastatic breast cancer patients is to increase overall survival time and delay disease progression while ameliorating symptoms and improving or maintaining qualit...

While some complementary and alternative techniques have been studied scientifically, high-quality data regarding safety, effectiveness, and mechanism of action are limited or controversial for most therapies. Whenever possible, it is recommended that practitioners be licensed by a recognized professional organization that adheres to clearly published standards. In addition, before starting a n...

Nigella sativa (N. sativa) (Family Ranunculaceae) have been used for thousands of years as a curative remedy for various disorders. N. sativa seed reveal a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities including immunopotentiation and antihistaminic, antidiabetic, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. It is known as a source of thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, dithy...

Introduction Many well-recognized problems are associated with excessive intake of dietary fat, including obesity, insulin resistance, coronary heart disease, and some forms of cancer. While intakes of saturated, trans, and arachidonic fatty acids have been linked to the development of chronic disease, research shows omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids, specifically fish oils, are essential in the preven...