Monthly Archives: March 2014

An In-Depth Look at Glutamine

glutamine1By Jacquie Eubanks BSN, RN

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body.  Glutamine is considered a non-essential amino acid, meaning it can be synthesized by the body under normal situations.  In the case of injury, illness, intense exercise or extreme stress, however, glutamine can be considered a conditionally-essential amino acid as the body may not be able to produce adequate amounts.  Glutamine plays a major role in many bodily processes including muscle preservation and metabolism, protein synthesis, wound healing and cell proliferation.  Glutamine is a major energy source for the immune system, a nutritional source for gastrointestinal cells and a source of fuel for the brain in the form of glutamic acid. 

Most of the body’s glutamine is produced in muscle tissue, where about 60% of all glutamine is synthesized.  The lungs and the brain also release small amounts.  The liver regulates the large amounts of glutamine derived from the gut.  Although intestinal cells, kidney cells and activated immune cells are the largest users, glutamine provides nitrogen and carbon in the form of fuel to many bodily cells.  After surgery or injury, nitrogen is necessary to heal wounds and keep vital organs functioning.  Much of this nitrogen comes from glutamine.  Glutamine provides support for muscle function and post exercise recovery and resistance.  It helps maintain the integrity of the intestinal tract and enhances the protective mucosal lining, which helps in nutrient utilization and absorption.

When the body uses glutamine more quickly than it can produce it, muscle wasting as well as decreased immunity function can occur.  Supplemental L-glutamine can be useful in the treatment of arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and intestinal disorders.  Because it can enhance mental function, it can be useful treating a wide range of problems such as developmental disability, fatigue, depression and senility.  L-glutamine is used to counter side effects of chemotherapy and can help protect the immune and digestive systems while undergoing radiation therapy.  L-glutamine is known to increase wellbeing in those who have suffered traumatic injuries and to aid in preventing infections in the critically ill.  L-glutamine is often used after surgery to reduce healing times and improve nitrogen balance, intestinal permeability and lymphocyte recovery.

L-Glutamine Powder by Pure Encapsulations provides free-form L-glutamine derived from fermented vegetables. 

L-Glutamine 500 mg (7940) by Douglas Laboratories supports the function of the entire gastrointestinal tract and its extensive immune system.

L-Glutamine Powder (Free-Form Amino Acid) by Biotics Research supports the rapid turnover of tissues such as intestinal cells and components of the immune system.

Featured Brand: Anabolic Laboratories

By Susan Brown

Family owned since 1924, Anabolic Laboratories has been committed to providing nutritional products of the highest quality that ensure total clinical satisfaction.  Anabolic Laboratories manufactures “pharmaceutical made” products in a federally regulated and inspected pharmaceutical facility.  From extensive raw material quarantine and testing through highly intensive manufacturing and stability testing processes, Anabolic Laboratories guarantees that all label claims have been verified for purity, potency, efficacy, absorbability and shelf life. 

Professional Supplement Center is pleased to announce the addition of Anabolic Laboratories’ excellent nutritional products to complement our exceptional and extensive offering of top-of -the-line supplements. 

Essential Nutrition PackEssential Nutrition Pack contains 30 individual packets to provide a solid nutritional foundation, promote health and prevent disease.  Each packet contains a disintegration-tested multivitamin tablet, concentrated EPA/DHA omega-3 fish oil softgels (2), vitamin D3 as cholecalciferol softgels (2) and magnesium capsules from organic chelate sources (2).
 
Bone Support Formula
 
Bone Support Formula includes three premium sources of calcium plus macro minerals, key vitamins and minerals, and soy isoflavones to support bone metabolism and menopausal health. 
 
 
 
Clinical Antioxidant Complex
Clinical Antioxidant Complex contains a potent blend of phyto-protective antioxidants to help maintain cell membrane integrity and fluidity while reducing damage from free radicals.  Key ingredients such as ALA, quercetin, green tea and grape seed extracts, along with vitamin C and lutein have strong scientific support and are included to insure maximum natural benefit. 
 
 
Salizain
 Salizain is an all natural pain reliever made from white willow bark extract which can eliminate minor discomforts, allowing healing to progress.  This formula includes bromelain to aid in soft tissue damage repair and select herbs to facilitate relief from minor aches and pains.
 
 
Neuro-EaseNeuro-Ease is a scientifically formulated nutrient complex that supports proper muscle tonicity and aids nervous system relaxation.   This non-drowsy formula contains standardized botanicals, high potency magnesium, and select vitamins, minerals and plant extracts to ease stress and aid inflammation management. 
 
Joint Support Formula
 
Joint Support Formula is a three part combination formula designed to provide a nutritional foundation for long term joint health as well as acute joint problems.  This product contains vitamin and mineral support, a botanical complex to fight inflammation and glucosamine sulfate as a primary connective tissue building block. 

How Probiotics Aid Optimal Health

ProbioticsgfxBy Jacquie Eubanks BSN, RN

Probiotics have been used for thousands of years in the belief that they hold the key to health and wellness.  Probiotics have increasingly undergone rigorous scientific evaluation and there is strong evidence that these friendly bacteria are helpful in treating and preventing a wide variety of ailments.  Research shows that probiotics are particularly useful in supporting the gastrointestinal tract, relieving digestive issues, warding off infection and boosting the immune system. 

The human microbiome is made up of trillions of bacteria that are intimately involved in promoting broad spectrum health at the molecular level.  The many diverse strains of probiotics that inhabit every normal, healthy bowel provide different benefits and work synergistically to keep pathogens in check and aid the digestion and absorption of nutrients.  Beneficial microflora help to regulate immune responses and promote the health and function of the inner intestinal lining, strengthening its ability to bar potentially dangerous organisms.  

Many factors contribute to an unhealthy balance of microflora, which can lead to an increased risk of metabolic and inflammatory chronic diseases.  Modern diets, unhealthy lifestyle factors, pollution, the overuse of antibiotics and even simple aging can shift the balance of a disease-preventing state towards a disease-promoting state.  A negative change in the intestinal microbiome is associated with chronic age-related diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer and metabolic syndrome.  Allergies, asthma and obesity are also related to an abundance of unhealthy bacteria.

Many chronic degenerative diseases are the result of a poorly functioning immune system.  The majority of the immune system is based in the gut, which produces more antibodies than the rest of the body combined.  Supplementation with probiotics can restore and rebalance the microbiome, strengthening its ability to interact with the immune system and boosting the population of cells that destroy harmful, infecting organisms.  Probiotics boost intestinal regularity and can significantly and beneficially impact minor digestive issues, as well as the  more serious conditions of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

Prebiotics are nondigestible carbohydrates, which provide the fuel that probiotics need to thrive.  When combined with a probiotic they form a mutually beneficial relationship, working together to maintain a healthy intestinal flora.  Tending to your gut microflora is essential to good health.  A healthy diet, which includes naturally fermented foods such as yogurt or pickled vegetables and devoid of sugars that nourish pathogenic bacteria, combined with  a high-quality supplement will support a flourishing population of beneficial bacteria, providing the body’s first line of defense against all illness and disease. 

BioDolphilus – Fos by Biotics ResearchBioDolphilus supplies the probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus (DDS-I strain) and Bifidobacterium bifidum in a prebiotic base of fructooligosaccharides.  Pleasant tasting powder can be mixed with a beverage of your choice. 

UltraFlora Advanced by Metagenics UltraFlora Advanced supports healthy intestinal and immune function on multiple levels with a patented blend of probiotics, prebiotic fibers, and immunoglobulins provided in a powder base.

Multi-Probiotic 15 Billion by Douglas Laboratories –  Multi-Probiotic 15 Billion supports intestinal flora with potent amounts of live beneficial prebiotics and probiotics.  One capsule contains a multi-strain blend of 15 billion CFU. 

OrthoBiotic by Ortho Molecular –  Ortho Biotic contains seven carefully assembled strains of probiotic microorganisms that bolster the immune system and promote the health and optimal functioning of the gastrointestinal system.  Proprietary blend of 20 billion CFU per capsule is scientifically formulated for room temperature storage.