Primo Health Blog

A portal for functional health topics and news.

Posts about degenerative disease (2):

The Health Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
The Health Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid
anti-aging degenerative disease skin health smart supplementation

Alpha Lipoic Acid

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS

Smart SupplementationTM is a free series of educational literature created by Huntington College of Health Sciences (HCHS) as a public service. Although copyrighted, it may be freely photocopied and distributed, but may not be altered in any way. Smart SupplementationTM is not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition, consult your physician.

AIpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), also known as thioctic acid, has gained considerable attention as an antioxidant. ALA combats particularly nasty free radicals such as superoxide radicals, hydroxyl radicals, hypochlorous acid, peroxyl radicals, and singlet oxygen, thereby reducing oxidative stress. ALA is a small molecule, soluble in both water and fat. This allows it to work both inside the cell and at the membrane level, making ALA a particularly valuable antioxidant.

Supplement of the week: Designs for Health S-Acetyl Glutathione Synergy

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Supplement of the week: Designs for Health S-Acetyl Glutathione Synergy
anti-aging immune health degenerative disease smart supplementation

Quick Overview

Acetylated form of glutathione for optimum absorption and bioavailability

S-Acetyl Glutathione (S-A-GSH) is a unique form of glutathione, one of the most powerful antioxidants naturally produced in the body. It has an acetyl group (COCH3) attached to the sulfur atom of cysteine in the glutathione molecule. S-A-GSH is well-suited for oral ingestion, because this acetyl group protects glutathione from breaking down in the gastrointestinal tract; once absorbed and inside the cells it is removed, thus leaving the glutathione molecule intact.

This product also includes N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and vitamin B6, both of which are important for the production of glutathione.

Antioxidants: Our Defense Against Free Radicals

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Antioxidants: Our Defense Against Free Radicals
cardiovascular health anti-aging degenerative disease

By Art Presser, PharmD - President, Huntington College of Health Sciences

Smart SupplementationTM is a free series of educational literature created by Huntington College of Health Sciences (HCHS) as a public service. Although copyrighted, it may be freely photocopied and distributed, but may not be altered in any way. Smart SupplementationTM is not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition, consult your physician.

The terms “antioxidant” and “free radicals” are two of the most tossed around “buzz” words used in the health field today. What are they, and how do they effect our lives?

As researchers began to become interested in degenerative disease, aging, their causes, and how they can be prevented, they were lead to an interesting discovery. Our body and foods were already on the case. In fact, Hippocrates, who lived in around 400 BC, may have had the first insight. He said that in foods there are tiny substances that act on the body, and in some way change life. He went on to state that our lives depended on these changes. It amazes me, in 1996, just how “right on” Hippocrates was.

Alternative Treatments For Prostate Cancer

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Alternative Treatments For Prostate Cancer
anti-aging degenerative disease

Prostate cancer is a male cancer starting with abnormal cell growth in the prostate gland that may metastasize and spread to other parts of the body.  It is typically comprised of many very small slow-growing tumors and it strikes approximately one out of six American men (“About Prostate Cancer”, 2010).  Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in American men, yet it is highly treatable and preventable (Rakel, 2007, p. 848).

How To Treat Coronary Artery Disease, Pt 2

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
How To Treat Coronary Artery Disease, Pt 2
cardiovascular health anti-aging degenerative disease

This is Part 2 of a two part series on Cardiovascular Disease, specifically Coronary Artery Disease.  Click HERE to read Part 1 of this series.

Treatment Options and Lifestyle Changes

Biomedical Approach

Typical treatments include invasive interventions like percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, coronary artery bypass grafting, and other surgeries. These treatments attempt to alleviate symptoms. Drugs are used to lower three risk factors: LDL Cholesterol, blood pressure and platelet function. These may include aspirin, beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and lipid-lowering agents (statins). Patients are urged to quit smoking as a secondary prevention measure (Rakel, 2007, p. 301-303).

How To Treat Coronary Artery Disease, Pt 1

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
How To Treat Coronary Artery Disease, Pt 1
macronutrients anti-aging degenerative disease

Cardiovascular disease is a class of diseases that involve the heart and/or blood vessels. It is America's number one killer, taking almost one million American lives every year. It is primarliy a lifestyle disease that is preventable. Therefore, our greatest defense is education about heart health and prevention cardiovascular disease.  This is Part 1 of a two part series.

 

Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease is the primary form of cardiovascular disease.  It is considered a societal and lifestyle disease and it is the leading cause of death for women in the United States.  It can be expressed as acute myocardial infraction, angina, angiographic coronary stenosis and sudden cardiac death (Rakel, 2007, p. 295).  

How To Balance Blood Sugar Naturally

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
How To Balance Blood Sugar Naturally
weight management degenerative disease

Diabetes is a health condition where the blood sugar is constantly elevated. There are two types of Diabetes. Type One Diabetes is typically an autoimmune condition and results from the body not producing enough insulin. The islet cells of the pancreas that produce insulin are targeted by the immune system. Type Two Diabetes is typically caused by lifestyle and genetics, and results in the body not properly producing or using insulin.