Primo Health Blog

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

Quick Overview

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is a naturally occurring fatty acid that has been shown to be useful to support proper fat burning, healthy blood sugar levels, and to modulate inflammation. CLA also has strong antioxidant properties.*

This product is a rich source of CLA, standardized to contain a minimum 78% conjugated linoleic acid as cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 isomers in a 50:50 ratio.

Conjugated Linolenic Acid The Anti-Fat Fatty Acid

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

Fat is evil. Fat is bad. Fat makes you fat. People follow low-fat diets to avoid excessive fat intake. People take supplements to help them reduce fat absorption as well as body fat. About the last thing you’d choose to do is voluntarily consume excess fat in supplement form right? Not if that fat is CLA.

What is CLA?

CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) is a free fatty acid that may prove to be essential to our diet. Studies show that CLA can play a vital role in reducing body fat and improving muscle tone. In the past, it was readily available in beef and dairy products, but today, it is no longer present in great quantities. To obtain about 1000 mg of CLA in food you would have to consume three pounds of hamburger, twenty-five slices of American cheese or half a gallon of ice cream. Of course the adverse effects of eating these high saturated fat foods might eclipse the benefits obtained from the CLA. Consequently, the use of a CLA supplement is a sensible alternative and may even help you reduce body fat. Researchers think that CLA helps reduce body fat deposits by promoting apoptosis (programmed cell death) in fat cells.¹

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.

Colostrum 

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

Colostrum is the first milk that a mammal produces after pregnancy. This secretion of colostrum does not last for long; rather, it is created for the newborn to give it vital nutrients, antibodies, and other factors it needs right after birth. Therefore, after a few short days, the production of colostrum all but stops.¹

So what makes colostrum special for adult individuals? In fact, through hundreds of years of use and over 1,000 clinical studies, colostrum has been demonstrated to be safe and effective for a variety of clinical conditions. These include viral illnesses, allergies and autoimmune diseases, heart disease, cancer, weight-loss programs, athletic stress, leaky gut syndrome, wound healing, and muscle repair and growth.² In short, the most important components of colostrum can basically be broken down into two major categories: immunity modulator and growth factors.

Product Description

Coenzyme Q10

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

Free radicals

Chemically, free radicals can be defined as a molecule with an unpaired electron. In the process of trying to balance itself by gaining or losing an electron, the free radical causes oxidative damage on a cellular level. CoQ10 has the unique property of being able to accept or donate an electron without itself becoming a free radical. By doing this CoQ10 can help neutralize free radicals and the oxidative damage they cause. This is significant since numerous disease states are thought to be due to excessive oxidative stress of free radicals, including hydroxyl radical, peroxynitrite, superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide. In addition, CoQ10 may inhibit certain enzymes involved in the formation of these free radicals.

Product Description:

Electro-pH™ Complex supports the body's fluid electrolytes through key minerals, including potassium, magnesium, sodium, and calcium. The potassium and sodium are in bicarbonate form for nutritional alkaline support.‡ Additionally, the formula utilizes trace minerals (zinc, selenium, and molybdenum).

Suggested Use

Mix 1 scoop with up to 8 ounces of water. Mix well before drinking. Use once a day, or as directed by your healthcare professional.

Storage instructions: Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Keep this bottle tightly closed.