Primo Health Blog

Cayenne
(Capsicum annuum; C. frutescens)

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

Background:

Cayenne or Capsicum consists of the dried fruit of Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum annum, or a large number of hybrids of these species and varieties within the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family that are capsaicin rich. Because these plants have been cultivated for such a long time, peppers from them differ widely from one another in size, shape, and potency. They are not true peppers but were misnamed by the early Spanish explorers who confused their pungency with the pepper they were used to, namely black pepper (Piper nigrum) in the Piperaceae family.

Detoxification: Dietary Supplements to Support & Promote the Process

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS

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.”

The good news is that the body was designed to detoxify and excrete xenobiotics. The bad news is our bodies may not always be equipped to handle the volume of modern, environmental pollutants and toxic substances. This problem may be exacerbated by the fact that the refining of many of our foodstuffs has caused them to provide considerably less of the nutrients that are essential to the detoxification process.^{1 2}

Depression: A Role for Dietary Supplements in It’s Treatment

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS

Are you depressed? If so, you’re not the only one. In fact, approximately 20.9 million American adults have a mood disorder, and approximately 14.8 million experience major depressions¹; the primary cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15- 44.² Another 3.3 million Americans suffer from chronic, mild depression.³

Colds, Flu & Sinusitis: Herbal Relief 

By Gene Bruno, MHS, RH(AHG)

Cold, influenza (flu) and sinusitis are three common upper respiratory conditions that affect a great many people. Besides being upper respiratory infections, they also have in common that three herbs (Andrographis, Eleuthero and Echinacea) have been shown to be effective in their treatment. This article will discuss the research associated with these herbs on the aforementioned conditions. First, however, let’s have a brief review of the conditions

Cellulite Reduction

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

Cellulite is more common in women than in men. The reason for this is that a layer of connective tissue is more irregular and discontinuous in women than in men.¹ The dimpled, “cottage cheese” appearance of cellulite is simply fat tissue which is pressing through connective tissue. This might be compared to wearing a button-up-the-front shirt which is too small for you, and seeing your tummy press through the shirt openings where the fabric is straining against the buttons. Nonetheless, as “unsightly” as cellulite is, it is actually no different than any other type of body fat.

This is good news for cellulite sufferers since they can apply many of the same effective strategies for losing cellulite, as they would use for losing body fat in other areas. This includes the use of natural agents such oligopeptides and chitosan which reduce dietary fat absorption, as well as thermogenic agents which help promote “fat burning.” In addition, a new dietary supplement strategy is currently being promoted in our industry which purports to enhance cellulite reduction. This strategy was originated by Dr. Gianfranco Merrizi.

Bromelain

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

Bromelain is a proteolytic (i.e., proteindigesting) enzyme found in pineapples. Bromelain has proteolytic action on a variety of proteins, breaking them down into smaller peptides and amino acids¹. Beyond its protein digesting capacity, research has shown that bromelain has anti-inflammatory activity. This is not surprising since different proteolytic enzymes, including bromelain, have been used to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions including sports injury and other acute trauma. Positive results have been observed over a thirty year period in both animal models and human trials.

Building Immunity & Promoting Wellness With Botanicals & Antioxidants

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

The components of the body's immune system provide protection against the ravages of undesired invaders like free radicals, bacteria and viruses or defective cells such as those found in cancer. These dangerous entities are detected, located and destroyed by a competent immune system.^{1 2} A weak or sub- functioning immune system, however, cannot effectively fight off these undesired invaders. The result is more frequent illnesses such as colds or flu. Severe and debilitating disease states can also develop.

Immune system sub-function often results from a combination of poor nutrition, chronic stress and various environmental pollutants. Of these three factors, poor nutrition is probably the most significant. The broad reaching ramifications of poor nutrition were discussed in a report by former Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop. The report was prompted by increasing evidence that many of the leading causes of death in the United States, as well as much of this country's burden of chronic disease, are linked at least in part to dietary excesses and imbalances.

Breast Enlargement Botanicals

Quick Overview

Pulmonary Revive™ is a combination of high quality, standardized herbal extracts including CordycepsPrime™, combined with propolis, bromelain (2400 GDU/gm) and vinpocetine as BioVinca®. This unique combination of superior quality ingredients makes Pulmonary Revive™ an especially effective formula for supporting lung health.

Quick Overview

Immunitone Plus™ is an herbal formula that is designed to support healthy immune system function during cold and flu season. It contains herbs that support normal natural killer (NK) cell activity and the balance of cytokines, which are the regulatory proteins released by immune cells as part of a normal immune system response.* The standardized herbs in this formula contain optimal and consistent amounts of the most active ingredients. Immunitone Plus™ is suitable for long term use and for all age groups.

Product Desription

This powerful immune supportive formula combines herbs that have antiviral and antibacterial abilities as well as the ability to maintain Natural Killer (NK) cell activity and cytokine synthesis. Immunitone Plus is safe enough to use for chronic viral conditions, and in cases of a weak immune system and acute illness.* There is impressive research on every ingredient of Immunitone. This formula is extremely powerful yet safe enough to use in high doses for acute applications, while also being suitable for long-term use in chronic conditions. This formula contains green tea standardized to a very high level of EGCG as well as standardized Echinacea augustifolia, Andrographis paniculata, and even Goldenseal. Standardized herbs contain optimal and consistent amounts of the most active compounds.