Primo Health Blog

Herbal Teas for Detoxification

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS, RH(AHG)

In her 1962 groundbreaking book Silent Spring, Rachel Carson wrote: “For the first time in the history of the world every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death.” Of course humans have always been exposed to potentially harmful chemicals from plants and other sources, but Rachel Carson’s point is well taken. Modern living exposes all of us to an unprecedented number of chemicals on a daily basis. This includes environmental toxins such as heavy metals, pesticides, industrial compounds and chemical byproducts, medications, cosmetic additives, inorganic chemicals, etc. These chemical substances which are foreign to the biological system are referred to as “xenobiotics.”

Herbs for Prostate Health

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS

Prostatitis is a swelling of the prostate gland, usually caused by infection. The patient feels urgent needs to urinate frequently and has a burning sensation during urination. Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is an enlargement of the prostate gland, common among men after 50 years of age. Among other considerations, a metabolite of testosterone called dihydrostestosterone is thought to contribute to the enlargement of the prostate in BPH. The condition is not malignant or inflammatory, but may lead to obstruction of the urethra, interfering with the flow of urine. This can increase frequency of urination, the need to urinate during the night, pain, and urinary tract infections. Since the main function of the prostate is to produce the seminal fluid, a man with BPH can become sterile, although his libido is not necessarily affected. On the other hand, the male with prostate problems often has serious problems with his sex life, primarily because of the urine retention situation and possible low grade infection.

Chlorella: Unlocking the Secrets of a Superfood

Chlorella is a single-celled freshwater microalgae that has flourished for nearly two billion years. Photosynthesizing its energy from the sun, chlorella is a powerhouse of nutrients. It is a natural source of vegetarian protein—about 60 percent—a very high level for a plant. Due to this high protein concentration and chlorella’s naturally rapid growth rate, after World War II, chlorella was investigated as a possible food source.

Chlorella is rich in amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals—including B-vitamins, vitamins A and D, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. This unique combination of nutrients within chlorella is a primary reason why scientists around the world are actively researching* medicinal uses for this aquatic-based superfood.

Quick Overview

Mitochondrial NRG™ is a formulary blend of nutrients, nutraceuticals, botanicals, and Krebs cycle intermediates designed to support ef­ficient mitochondrial metabolism and energy (ATP) production for increased vitality.* 

Mitochondrial NRG™ was designed to support the function of the mitochondria, “the powerhouse of the cell.” This formula may be ap­propriate for anyone wishing to promote overall cellular and tissue vitality and health, including those wanting to increase energy out ­put for athletic performance.

Herbal Diuretics To Help Lose Water Weight

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS

Do you have excess “water weight”? Do you want to reduce water retention? If you answered yes to one or both of these questions, then you may wish to consider herbal diuretics. Herbal diuretics can help promote a healthy balance of fluids in body tissues.

The Problem of Excessive Tissue Fluid

Make no mistake, excess fluid which is stored in the tissues has nothing to do with fat weight. The fluid is strictly water weight. Nonetheless, water weight is still an important consideration regarding a total weight loss program. This is particularly the case for women to tend to retain fluids in their tissues at a much higher rate than men. Even though the fluid retention may only be temporary, many women who are trying to lose weight feel discouraged when they put on an article of clothing some morning, and it feels tighter rather than looser. Psychologically, this discouragement may cause them to give up as they;re thinking, “What’s the use in dieting and exercising? I’m fatter than I was two weeks ago!” Of course it is only water weight, but they may not realize it. Hence the value of natural herbal diuretics which can help reduce the amount of fluid retention. Now, when they try on article of clothing, there is a good chance that it will feel looser rather than tighter. This may provide the needed encouragement to continue following their weight loss program.

Cranberry & UTI

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are no fun— especially for women who are 10 times more likely than men to have a UTI because of anatomic construction of the female urinary system. As a matter of fact, approximately 20% of women have at least one UTI in their lifetime. UTI is often marked by urinary frequency, burning, pain with voiding, and, if the infection is severe, visible blood and pus in the urine. UTI are caused by gram-negative bacteria, most commonly Escherichia coli (E. coli). The best news for anyone who is suffering from UTI, and/or who tends to experience recurrent UTI, is that cranberries are the sworn enemy of UTI.

Herbal COX-2 Inhibitors

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences 

On September 30, 2004, the pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co., Inc. announced a voluntary worldwide withdrawal of VIOXX^® (rofecoxib), its arthritis and acute pain COX-2 inhibitor medication. The company’s decision, was based on data from a new, three-year prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, which showed that after 18 months of use, VIOXX^® increased relative risk for confirmed cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke.¹ Almost immediately commentary began about the potential for natural COX-2 inhibitors to fill the VIOXX^® void.²

It is the position of this author that natural COX- 2 inhibitors may very well provide a viable alternative to VIOXX^®. To understand why this might be so, let’s first discuss the COX-2

The History of Basil

"Basil" is derived from the Greek word basilikon for "royal." Native to India, Africa and Asia, basil has been known:

• As a token of love in Italy
• An icon of hospitality in India
• For its medicinal use in China
• As a passport to help the deceased to enter Paradise in Egypt

Used as a botanical in embalming bodies in Egypt, basil is now prominently used in a number of the world's cuisines, including Italian, Thai, Vietnamese and Laotian. It's powerful content of antioxidant flavonoids makes it an important staple in maintaining a healthy diet.

Have a “Good Hair Day"

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS

Having a bad hair day? If so, you’re not alone. Many people are dissatisfied with the appearance of their hair. In some cases, this might be because they are experiencing hair loss, slow growing hair, dry, brittle, or otherwise poor quality hair, and prematurely graying hair. Although the use of external products, such as shampoos, conditioners and hair “tonics” of various sorts common approaches to these problems, the internal use of certain nutrients and other natural substances may do much to support the appearance of healthy and beautiful hair. Before discussing these nutrients/natural substances, let’s first review some background information about hair, hair problems and hair loss.

Cinnamon:
A Supplement for Diabetes, Body Composition, Cardiovascular Health & Antioxidant Protection
By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS

Don’t you just love the smell and taste of cinnamon in a warm, gooey cinnamon bun? As it turns out, the cinnamon may actually provide you with some significant health benefits (although the same can’t be said of the gooey bun; sorry). So let’s take a closer look at cinnamon.

Background

The use of cinnamon for health is not new. In fact, cinnamon bark has been used for several thousand years in traditional Eastern and Western systems of medicine, for such purposes as anorexia, bloating, dyspepsia with nausea, flatulent colic, and spastic conditions of the GI tract.¹ Cinnamon also has a history of traditional use in Korea, China and Russia for treating people with diabetes.²