Glossary of Basic Nutritional Information

The following topics are discussed below, including ciatations to references in the primary literature.

The information that follows is intended to educate about nutrition research and is not a claim of the action for any company's product.

Carotenoids

Carotenoids are powerful antioxidants that have been reported to have significant potential anti-cancer and skin restorative properties and a stimulator of the immune system. They have also been shown to be important in the regulation of cell development, vision, and reproduction.

1. Diaz, MN, et al., Antioxidants and atherosclerotic heart disease, New Engl. J. Med. 337:408-416(1997).
2. Keli, SO, et al., Dietary flavonoids, antioxidant Vitamins, and incidence of stroke. The Zutphen study, Arch. Int. Med. 156:630-636(1996).
3. Khachik, F, et al., Lutein, lycopene and their oxidative metabolites in chemoprevention of cancer, J. Cell. Biochem. Suppl. 22:236-246(1995).
4. Martinez-Cayuela, M, Oxygen free radicals and human disease, Biochimie 77:147-161(1995).
5. Maxwell, SR et al., Free radicals and antioxidants in cardiovascular disease, Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 44:307-317(1997).
6. Monget, AL, et al., Effect of 6 month supplementation with different combinations of an association of antioxidant nutrients on biochemical parameters and markers of the antioxidant defense system in the elderly, The Geiatrie/Min.Vit.AOX network, Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 50:443-449(1996).
7. Sardesai, VM, Role of antioxidants in health maintenance, Nutri. Clin. Pract. 10:19-25(1995).
8. Sinatra, ST et al., Free radicals, oxidative stress, oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL), and heart disease: antioxidants and other strategies to limit cardiovascular damage, Conn. Med. 59:579-588(1995).
9. Weisburger, JH, Nutritional approach to cancer prevention with emphasis on vitamins, antioxidants, and carotenoids, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 53:226S-237S(1991).

Coenzyme A

The pantothenic acid and its metabolite, pantethine, are used by the body to produce Coenzyme A. Coenzyme A has been found to be needed for individuals with low energy, elevated cholesterol, arthritis, chronic alcoholism, peptic ulcers, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

1. Arsenio L, et al., Effectiveness of Long-term treatment with pantethine in patients with dyslipidemias, Clin. Ther. 8:537-545(1986).
2. Binaghi, P, et al., Evaluation of the cholesterol-lowering effectiveness of pantethine in women in perimenopausal age, Min. Med. 81:475-479(1990).
3. Donati, C, et al., Pantethine improves the lipid abnormalities of chronic hemodialysis patients: Results of a multicenter clinical trial, Clin. Nephrol. 25:70-74(1986).
4. Gaddi, A, et al., Controlled evaluation of pantethine, a natural hypolipidemic compound, in patients with different forms of hyperlipoproteinemia, Atherosclerosis 50:73-83(1984).

General Nutritional Information

1. Krezski, T, et al., Combined extracts of Urtica dioica and Pygeum africanum in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: double-blind comparison of two doses, Clin. Therapeutics 15:1011-1020(1993).
2. Weisburger, JH, Nutritional approach to cancer prevention with emphasis on vitamins, antioxidants, and carotenoids, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 53:226S-237S(1991).

Glutathione

The tripeptide Glutathione (GSH) is produced by the body from three amino acids, N-acetyl-cysteine, L-glutamic acid and glycine. GSH is the primary protective agent for oxidative stress in cells and acts through the Glutathione redox cycle. GSH functions in the detoxification of xenobiotics, carcinogens, free radicals and peroxides; the regulation of the immune system; and the maintenance of cell membranes and the structure, function and turnover of cellular proteins and enzymes.

1. Dean, RT, et al., Biochemistry and pathology of radical-mediated protein oxidation, Biochem. J. 324:1-18(1997).
2. Holdiness, MR, Clinical pharmacokinetics of N-acetylcysteine, Clin. Pharmacokinet. 20:123-134(1991).
3. Martinez-Cayuela, M, Oxygen free radicals and human disease, Biochimie 77:147-161(1995).
4. Richie, JP, The role of glutathione in aging and cancer, Exp. Gerontol. 27:615-626(1992).
5. Rouse, K, et al., Glutamine enhances selectivity of chemotherapy through changes in glutathione metabolism, Ann. Surg. 221:420-426(1995).
6. Sardesai, VM, Role of antioxidants in health maintenance, Nutri. Clin. Pract. 10:19-25(1995).
7. Weisburger, JH, Nutritional approach to cancer prevention with emphasis on vitamins, antioxidants, and carotenoids, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 53:226S-237S(1991).

Herbal preparations

1. Todd, GP, Nutrition, health and disease, Whitford Press (West Chest, PA), 1985.
2. Tierra, M, Planetary herbology, Lotus Press (Twin Lakes, WI), 1988.

Lipoic Acid

Lipoic acid (Thioctic acid) is a naturally occurring anti-oxidant (free-radical scavenger). It has been found to be useful in supporting treatment for diabetes, especially neurologic complications. It has also been reported to be effective for such conditions as atherosclerosis, cerebral damage, heavy metal poisoning and radiation damage.

1. Barbioli, B, et al., Lipoic (thioctic) acid increases brain energy availability and skeletal muscle performance as shown on vivo ³¹P-MRS in a patient with mitochondrial cytopathy, J. Neurology 242:472-477(1995).
2. Biewenga, GP, et al., The pharmacology of the antioxidant lipoic acid, Gen. Pharmacol. 29:315-331(1997).
3. Packer, L, et al., Neuroprotection by the metabolic antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid, Free Radic. Bio. Med. 22:359-378(1997).
4. Peimian, OU, et al., Thioctic (lipoic) acid: A therapeutic metal chelating antioxidant? Biochem. Pharmacol. 50:123-126(1995).
5. Ziegler, D, et al., Alpha-lipoic acid in the treatment of diabetic peripheral and cardiac autonomic neuropathy, Diabetes 46:S62-S66(1997).

Melatonin

Melatonin is a natural product of the pineal gland and functions as a natural regulator of sleep and other conditions, such as depression, seasonal affective disorders (SAD) and jet-lag. Melatonin has also been reported to act as a free-radical scavenger and stimulator of the immune system.

1. Brzezinski, A, Melatonin in humans, New Engl. J. Med. 336:186-195(1997).
2. Cardinali, DP, et al., Melatonin site and mechanism of action: single or multiple? J. Pineal Res. 23:32-39(1997).
3. Liebmann, PM, et al., Melatonin and the immune system. Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. 112:203-211(1997).
4. Reiter, R, et al., Pharmacological actions of melatonin in oxygen radical pathophysiology, Life Sciences 60:2255-2271(1997).
5. Reiter, RJ, et al., Melatonin in relation to cellular antioxidative defense mechanisms, Horm. Metab. Res. 29:363-372(1997).
6. Van Coevorden, A, et al., Neuroendocrine rhythms and sleep in aging men, Am. J. Physiol. 260:E651-E661(1997).
7. Weisburger, JH, Nutritional approach to cancer prevention with emphasis on vitamins, antioxidants, and carotenoids, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 53:226S-237S(1991).

Phospholipids

Phosphatidyl-serine is an integral part of cell membranes, especially in the brain and other nervous tissues. It has been found to be a useful aid memory and learning problems, especially in individuals over 50 year of age or with brain damage due to disease, drug and alcohol use, and pollution.

1. Cenacchi, B, et al., Cognitive decline in the elderly: a double-blind, placebo-controlled multi-center study on the efficacy of phosphatidylserine administration, Aging Clin. Exp. Res. 5:123-133(1993).
2. Crook, TH, et al., Effects of phosphatidylserine in age-associated memory impairment, Neurology 41:644-649(1991).
3. Crook, TH, et al., Effects of phosphatidylserine in Alzheimer’s disease, Psychopharm. Bull. 28:61-66(1992).

Phytonutrients

Phytonutrients derived from a variety of green foods work to assist the natural stamina, energy balance, detoxification systems and to fight cell degeneration.

1. Weisburger, JH, Nutritional approach to cancer prevention with emphasis on vitamins, antioxidants, and carotenoids, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 53:226S-237S(1991).

Probiotic Bacteria

Probiotic bacteria, when taken orally, help to produce a balanced intestinal tract and digestive system and assist the digestion of lactose and cellulose resulting in improvement of such problems as bad breath, bloating, gas and stomach cramps. Probiotic bacteria are especially useful when anti-biotic therapy kills the native bacteria of the digestive tract and can be useful in reducing the toxicity of resulting from intestinal candida infections.

1. Jiang, T, et al., In vitro lactose fermentation by colonic bacteria is modified by Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation, J. Nutr. 127:1489-1495(1997).
2. Jiang, T, et al., Modification of colonic fermentation by bifidobacteria and pH in vitro. Impact on lactose metabolism, short-chain fatty acid and lactate production, Dig. Dis. Sci. 42:2370-2377(1997).
3. Lin, MY, et al., Influence of nonfermented dairy products containing bacterial starter cultures on lactose maldigestion in humans, J. Dairy Sci. 74:87-95(1991).

Tocopherols

The tocopherol family of compounds make up the class of anti-oxidant vitamins know as Vitamin E. There are four major forms a , b , g and D . All of these compounds exhibit free-radical scavenging ability. The a tocopherol is primarily concerned with free-radicals associated with oxygen while the g tocopherol is primarily concerned with the nitrous oxide generated free-radicals.

1. Christen, S, et al., g -Tocopherol traps mutagenic electrophiles such as NOx and complements a -tocopherol: physiological implications, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 94:3217-3222(1997).
2. De Rijk, MC, et al., Dietary antioxidants and Parkinson disease, Arch. Neurology 54:762-765(1997).
3. Dean, RT, et al., Biochemistry and pathology of radical-mediated protein oxidation, Biochem. J. 324:1-18(1997).
4. Diaz, MN, et al., Antioxidants and atherosclerotic heart disease, New Engl. J. Med. 337:408-416(1997).
5. Hu, JJ, et al., Effects of dietary supplementation of alpha-tocopherol on glutathione and DNA repair activities, Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 5:263-270(1996).
6. Kendler, BS, Recent nutritional approaches to the prevention and therapy of cardiovascular disease, Prog. Cardiovasc. Nurs. 12:3-23(1997).
7. Luoma, PV, et al., High serum alpha-tocopherol, albumin, selenium and cholesterol, and low mortality from coronary heart disease in northern Finland, J. Intern. Med. 23749-54(1995).
8. Martinez-Cayuela, M, Oxygen free radicals and human disease, Biochimie 77:147-161(1995).
9. Maxwell, SR et al., Free radicals and antioxidants in cardiovascular disease, Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 44:307-317(1997).
10. Meydani, SN, et al., Vitamin E supplementation and in vivo immune response in healthy elderly subjects, J. Amer. Med. Assoc. 277:1380-1386(1997).
11. Miller, NJ, et al., Total antioxidant activity of low density lipoproteins and the relationship with a -tocopherol status, FEBS Letters 365:164-166(1995).
12. Monget, AL, et al., Effect of 6 month supplementation with different combinations of an association of antioxidant nutrients on biochemical parameters and markers of the antioxidant defense system in the elderly, The Geiatrie/Min.Vit.AOX network, Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 50:443-449(1996).
13. Saintot, M, et al., Tumor progression and oxidant-antioxidant status, Carcinogenesis 17:1267-1271(1996).
14. Sardesai, VM, Role of antioxidants in health maintenance, Nutri. Clin. Pract. 10:19-25(1995).
15. Sinatra, ST et al., Free radicals, oxidative stress, oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL), and heart disease: antioxidants and other strategies to limit cardiovascular damage, Conn. Med. 59:579-588(1995).
16. Weisburger, JH, Nutritional approach to cancer prevention with emphasis on vitamins, antioxidants, and carotenoids, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 53:226S-237S(1991).

Ubiquinone

Ubiquinone, also known as Coenzyme Q-10, is abundant in human cells and is important in cell health and energy production by providing a major role in electron transport. Studies have found that ubiquinone can enhance the health of the heart during organ failure, as well enhance the treatment of allergies, respiratory problems, cognitive function deficits, obesity, and diabetes.

1. Ferrara, N, et al., Protective role of chronic ubiquinone administration on acute cardiac oxidative stress, J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 274:5858-865(1995).
2. Kendler, BS, Recent nutritional approaches to the prevention and therapy of cardiovascular disease, Prog. Cardiovasc. Nurs. 12:3-23(1997).
3. Sinatra, ST et al., Free radicals, oxidative stress, oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL), and heart disease: antioxidants and other strategies to limit cardiovascular damage, Conn. Med. 59:579-588(1995).

Vitamins and Minerals-General

1. Diaz, MN, et al., Antioxidants and atherosclerotic heart disease, New Engl. J. Med. 337:408-416(1997).
2. Holdiness, MR, Clinical pharmacokinetics of N-acetylcysteine, Clin. Pharmacokinet. 20:123-134(1991).
3. Kendler, BS, Recent nutritional approaches to the prevention and therapy of cardiovascular disease, Prog. Cardiovasc. Nurs. 12:3-23(1997).
4. Maxwell, SR et al., Free radicals and antioxidants in cardiovascular disease, Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 44:307-317(1997).
5. Monget, AL, et al., Effect of 6 month supplementation with different combinations of an association of antioxidant nutrients on biochemical parameters and markers of the antioxidant defense system in the elderly, The Geiatrie/Min.Vit.AOX network, Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 50:443-449(1996).
6. Saintot, M, et al., Tumor progression and oxidant-antioxidant status, Carcinogenesis 17:1267-1271(1996).
7. Sardesai, VM, Role of antioxidants in health maintenance, Nutri. Clin. Pract. 10:19-25(1995).
8. Sinatra, ST et al., Free radicals, oxidative stress, oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL), and heart disease: antioxidants and other strategies to limit cardiovascular damage, Conn. Med. 59:579-588(1995).
9. Weisburger, JH, Nutritional approach to cancer prevention with emphasis on vitamins, antioxidants, and carotenoids, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 53:226S-237S(1991).

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Last modified: July 13, 1999