www.musculardevelopment.com February 2009
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MDFuture
Pharmacy
Additional herbals of interest in this area of “detoxification, anti-stress” include Carqueja (Baccharis trimera), grapevine (Vitis vinifera) and the West Indian cherry (Malpighia). I would expect that these natural food products will also be of consumer interest before long for their broad health-sup- portive effects. Expect to see at least some of these in prod- ucts that are commonly used before long.
As an aside, for those of you wondering what herbs may be coming into the weight-loss arena next, there is scant research and a buzz on Ortosifone, also known as
Orthosiphon aristata. This botanical is commonly found
mainly throughout South East Asia and tropical Australia. It is known as pokok misai kucing in Malay. It is believed to have antiallergic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties. More recently, this product has been found to have anti-diabetes properties.3Other ingredients to watch include “Cogent db” (a finished product with decent data for its effects on blood sugar regulation, made by Cybele Herbal Laboratories, Kerala, India). The product is a specific blend of nine herbals with a consistent effect, one that is useful to anyone fighting with weight or blood sugar- control issues.4,5
An additional “eastern” treatment for fertility issues in women is also having some effect on the weight-loss mar- ket. This herbal product is known as Tian Gui and is popular traditional Chinese medicine. A recent study detailed that in addition to its “fertility” effects in women, it also had a con- comitant effect in reducing (significantly reducing) body- weight. Thus, there is a growing buzz in examining Tian Gui as a weight-loss aid.6For those of you who live near an active Asian community or marketplace, this is a TCM prod- uct that may be worth looking into.
For those of you who do not have the ability to go to an international food market or travel to the far east, a new study has demonstrated that the Juniper chinensis extract is associated with an anti-obesity (fat loss or prevention) effect when ingested (so far, just in animals). Juniper chi-
nensis is rich in flavones, lignans and essential oils, with di
and norditerpenes along with having anti-carcinogenic effects and other health-promoting effects.7The type of extract used is known as a “hot water extract” and this method left what the researchers believe to be the strongest Juniper chinensis product. The concentration of pure extract to total product appears to be about a 4 per- cent bulk product. This means that mass production should not be an issue if the studies continue to confirm a weight- management effect. Therefore, if the animal studies are borne out, this too will become a popular weight-manage- ment product.
Anabolics?
I do not think that there is a soul who would not want to maximize his anabolic state or effect of exercise.
Unfortunately, sometimes life makes it so that you do not always have the choices to make. If you happen to be a man and at least 18 years of age, the pharmaceutical indus- try may just have the “T” that you are looking for. It is typi- cally believed that low libido, lack of energy and loss of motivation may all be signs or symptoms of low testos-
terone. A simple blood or saliva test can determine if you have low testosterone (not compared to your own physiol- ogy but to lab normals), if your number is in a certain sec- tor of lab values; then you can get treatment with replace- ment or supplemental testosterone.
An easier and still legal method of obtaining supervised testosterone is by entering a clinical trial. A clinical trial is a study to evaluate if a product or method has utility. In other words: does the intervention work? If you believe that you have low or sub par testosterone, AdvanceMed Research in the Northern New Jersey (Lawrenceville) area is seeking men to evaluate a new anabolic.
Some overweight men (and especially those who are overweight, obese and diabetic) suffer from reduced growth hormone and/or testosterone levels. It is estimated that 50 percent of men with type 2 diabetes have low testosterone levels and do not even know it. Thus, their quality of life suffers for no reason whatsoever. Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have joined up to examine the phenomena of “belly fat” and low GH levels. If you believe or think that your extra weight is due to a hormonal issue, you may want to contact David Mun at MIT for a free evaluation
([email protected]). Off topic, but for those of you with an interest in the long-acting injectable testosterone brand- ed as Nebido…it seems that it is very easy to get or obtain in Moscow, Russia.
Lastly, as sort of related to testosterone, some men have a problem with…how do you say it? Finishing faster than what they would like. Yes, some men suffer from premature ejaculation (PE). Typically, a physician can prescribe a low- level, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor such as Paxil®to increase pleasure time. Some physicians send the patient to a psychologist or tell the person to use numbing creams to deaden the pleasure sensation and delay gratification.
Now Radiant Research of St. Louis is investigating a new intervention for “PE” and this drug appears only to be known as oral UK-390,957 and it is made by Pfizer.8Yes, another company is evaluating if giving testosterone cream plus Viagra (or generic) would have a synergistic effect bet- ter than either alone for men with PE. I believe that Indevus Pharmaceuticals is sponsoring the trial. The study is under the general direction of Dr. Bhasin at Boston University Medical Center (call 617-638-8616 if interested).
References:
1. November 5, 2008. Cell Press (www.cellpress.com) “Drug mimics low-cal diet to ward off weight gain, boost running endurance.”
2. Shaman Australia Communications (accessed 11-7-08)
3.www.cababstractsplus.org/google/abstract.asp?AcNo=20043156862
4. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part C: Toxicology &
Pharmacology Volume 131, Issue 1, January 2002, Pages 19-25.
5. Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism, 5(3):156-162, May 2003.
6. Advances in Gynecological Endocrinology: The Proceedings of the Plenary Sessions of the 8th World Congress of Gynecological
Endocrinology, Florence, Italy, December 2000. By Italy World Congress of Gynecological Endocrinology 2000 Florence, Andrea R. Genazzani, F. Petraglia, P. G. Artini. Published by Taylor & Francis, 2002; Page 67-78.
7. Biol Pharm Bull, 2008;31(7):1415-1421.