GALILEO ONCE AGAIN

Galileo Galilei (15 February, 1564 – 8 January, 1642)

As you may remember, Galileo was a gifted mathematician that also worked in the areas of mechanics, optics, clocks and astronomy. It was his work in optics and astronomy that got him into trouble. While he did not invent the telescope, he did greatly improve on it which fostered his planetary discoveries and astronomical philosophies.
Galileo’s belief that neither the Earth nor our sun was the center of the Universe put him at odds with both the existing scientific and religious establishment. Eventually he was arrested for his beliefs and he later died while under house arrest.
Today everyone knows Galileo was right. However, he was still greatly persecuted in his time. Unfortunately science does not seem to learn from its past mistakes. Even today, in this “enlightened” age of science we continue to persecute those that go against established dogma, regardless of their credentials, their background, their scientific proofs.
Michael Holick, a dermatologist at Boston University, was recently asked to resign from the school's department of dermatology because of a book in which he describes the importance of sunlight in boosting vitamin D levels. Although the benefits of vitamin D in bone health have been long known, new research is emerging that suggests the fat-soluble vitamin may also help prevent different types of cancer. As a result, Holick argues that moderate amounts of sunlight—the main source of vitamin D—are more beneficial than dangerous, and he recommends that fair-skinned people who live in the Boston latitude spend a few sunblock-free minutes a couple of times per week outside, with their skin exposed. He summarizes his thoughts on the issue in The UV Advantage, scheduled to be released in May.
But his thoughts on the issue of whether sunlight helps or hurts have some dermatologists concerned. In a statement to The Scientist, Boni E. Elewski, president of the American Academy of Dermatology, argued that even a few minutes of sunlight exposure can be dangerous, and people can get what they need of the vitamin through supplements. “Any group, organization, or individual that disseminates information encouraging exposure to UV radiation, whether natural or artificial, is doing a disservice to the public,” Elewski said.
As many of you know, I’ve been talking for many years about the value of sunlight in not only making vitamin D but in boosting mood, helping pain, weight loss and easing depression. I really have a hard time with the current dogma that would have us believe that even a few minutes of sunshine could kill us! Humans have lived for thousands and thousands, if not a couple hundred thousands years on Earth. Many of our ancestors spent a good deal of time completely or mostly naked in the sun. Even today there are groups of people (often referred to as tribes) on several continents that live out their lives with very little covering their bodies to protect them from the evils of sunshine.
Certainly we can’t deny that melanoma or skin cancer is on the rise. But, we should be asking why all our ancestors didn’t die before reproducing and why there still lives today in Australia, Africa, South America and other areas around the world people with heavy duty sun exposure. (And hey, shouldn’t all the nudists be dead?) I think the missing link is diet.
First it’s important to realize that technically speaking, vitamin D is not a vitamin. It should be classified as a hormone. One of the characteristics of a vitamin is that it can not be made in the body. Vitamin D, of course, is made in the body - BUT- only in the presence of sunshine. Prior to supplements, which haven’t been around all that long, the only way to get this was pretty much through exposure to the sun.
We were all taught that vitamin D is responsible for strong bones by helping the body absorb calcium. Today we know its role in health goes far beyond that. As mentioned earlier, it seems to even fight some types of cancer. Because of these facts more and more scientists are saying we should be getting more sunshine if we want optimal health. Many researchers call for 15 minutes a day of sun exposure to at least your face and uncovered arms.
No one is saying we all need to get a heavy suntan. All the researchers know that sunburns cause damage to the skin which can lead to skin cancer. They are saying we should be getting healthy sunshine in moderation. The scientific evidence supports this view. And… isn’t good science about speculation and debate? So how is it that in this day and age we have a University removing a professor from his post for publishing a belief along with the supporting science behind his hypothesis?
My own personal belief, which is also held by a number of researchers and other heretics, is that the real key is diet. Everyone knows the diets of today are not the diets of our ancestors. One of the key ingredients missing in many diets: antioxidants. We know hardly anyone in the US eats the recommended servings of fruits and veggies every day… some people don’t eat a day’s worth in a week! There is a good deal evidence to suggest the lack of antioxidants is the real problem. When exposed to the sunshine the antioxidants protect us.
Can unprotected sunshine damage the skin and lead to possible cancer? Yes. One solution is to completely avoid the sun. Another is, fortify you with antioxidants and enjoy the benefits sunshine affords our bodies, as it was meant to be.

 

Gingko

I’m sure many of you have seen the recent headlines, “Ginkgo was found to have no impact on memory or learning in a group of healthy older adults who took it for six weeks while participating in one of the most scientifically rigorous studies ever done on the supplement.” - lead researcher Paul R. Solomon, PhD.
Let me ask you a question, if your car was running in tip top condition, not a thing wrong with it and even though you just had a full tune up a few weeks ago, you decided to give it another tune up… would you notice the car running any better? Would you get better gas mileage? Of course the answer is; no. If the car is already doing what the car is supposed to do, you can’t get much improvement - same with the body.
As you see above the study was done with healthy older adults that had no cognitive (mental) problems. Ginkgo Biloba (ginkgo or gingko – both are correct) is one of the most popular dietary supplements sold in the U.S., with sales topping $310 million in 1998. That alone makes me wonder about the design of this study. However, monetary issues aside, I think it’s very easy to see that this was a very poorly designed study. Gingko is not a super duper wonder drug that will make the average man smarter. (Even though women wish it worked that way.) Gingko is an herb that is used to help restore normal cognitive function. If you are already at normal, you’ve got nowhere to go.
I would also like to point out that this study, like almost all the studies being done on herbs now, was done on a single herb. While this may be standard Western protocol for drug testing… this is not how herbs are traditionally used in Oriental medicine.
China has a rich written history, including medicine. One of the oldest textbooks on herbal medicine dates back from at least 2,300 years ago. This text looks at the nature (we might say pharmacological activity) of over 360 different herbs. It is clear that certain herbs cannot be used together because their combined effect could be too strong, they could form a poison, or they could cancel each other out. From this knowledge it becomes clear that for the best therapeutic effect herbs should be combined in a way to maximize the desired benefits and eliminate any unwanted side effects. For this reason Traditional Chinese Medicine does not rely on the use of single herbs but uses formulas to achieve maximum results. This is also just what Symmetry does.
The study, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Society, did receive criticism from even other Western researchers. “Steven DeKosky, MD, says the Solomon study is far from definitive, because it only looked at the supplement's effect in the short term in people who had no evidence of mental decline. He says it is more likely that the supplement works as an antioxidant, slowing down or preventing decline in brain function over time. DeKosky is with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.”
So it is very important for you, as a consumer, to be aware of the hows and whys of studies like this. Certainly no one should allow one study to over ride hundreds of other studies, thousands of years of use, or your own clinical, practical evidence. Remember… Symmetry’s Clarity is not gingko; it is a proven formula that uses gingko as one of the main herbs in a synergistic formula proven beneficial for thousands, the world over!

Glucosamine Formula is a uniquely formulated Nutraceutical product specifically designed to support and harmonize optimal joint function through a powerful blend of synergistic ingredients from around the world, including:

Glucosamine - nutritional support for healthy joints and cartilage. Studies show it helps build and maintain collagen and connective tissue that forms the matrix substance of cartilage.

Hydrolyzed Gelatin - acts a lubricant to promote healthy joints. Studies suggest it may also promote connective tissue health.

Exclusive Nutraceutical Arthritis Blend
Boswellia - an ancient herb from the East often called Indian Frankincense as it is a close relative of the Biblical oil of renown. Studies have found it to be both anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic.

Curcumin - a highly prized herb in the centuries old healing systems of Ayurveda from India and Traditional Medicine from China. Traditionally it has been used to invigorate the blood and stop pain

Bilberry - has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and also helps strengthen capillaries.

Grape seed and skin extracts - provide additional powerful sources of antioxidants known as pycnogenols. These help slow the effects of free radical damage and slow the aging process. They may also strengthen blood vessels and connective tissues.

Curcuma root (Yujin)

Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Curcumae
Botanical Name: 1. Curcuma longa L.; 2. C. aromatica salisb.; 3. Curcuma zedoaria Rosc.; 4. Curcuma kwangsiensis S. Lee et C. F. Liang
Common Name: Curcuma root
Source of Earliest Record: Xinxiu Bencao

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The tuberous roots are dug in autumn or winter. After removing the fibrous roots, the roots are cleaned, boiled, dried in the sun and cut into slices.

Properties & Taste: Pungent, bitter and cold
Meridians: Heart, lung, liver and gall bladder

Functions:
1. To invigorate blood (remove stasis) and stop pain
2. To promote qi circulation and release stagnation
3. To cool blood and clear heat in the heart and pericardium
4. To relieve jaundice and facilitate gall bladder function

Indications & Combinations:
1. Qi and blood stagnation: a) pain in the chest, abdominal or hypochondriac regions Curcuma root (Yujin) is used with Red sage root (Danshen), Cyperus tuber (Xiangfu), Bupleurum root (Chaihu) and Bitter orange (Zhiqiao); b) dysmenorrhea due to qi and blood stagnation. Curcuma root (Yujin) is used with Bupleurum root (Chaihu), Cyperus tuber (Xiangfu), White peony root (Baishao) and Chinese angelica root (Danggui).
2. Mental derangement due to interior damp-warm attacking. Curcuma root (Yujin) is used with Grass-leaved sweetflag (Shichangpu) in the formula Changpu Yujin Tang.
3. Jaundice due to interior accumulation of damp-heat. Curcuma root (Yujin) is used with Oriental wormwood (Yinchenhao) and Capejasmine (Zhizi).

Pharmacological Action:
1. Antibacterial and antifungal
2. Cholagogue - increases the secretion and excretion of bile, decreases the amount of urobilinogen in urine
3. Mild analgesic
4. Helps resolve gallstones

Dosage: 6-12 g
Cautions & Contraindications: This herb should not be combined with Cloves (Dingxiang).

Boswellia / Boswellin

Scientific Name: Boswellia serrata

Parts used: Gum resin

Boswellin: Known as Indian frankincense, a purified compound from its gum resin has been found to have beneficial effects on rheumatic disorders.

The plant is from Ayurveda, the ancient and traditional medicine of India, practiced for more than 1,500 years. The Sushrita Samhita and Charak Samhita talk of the anti-rheumatic effects of guggal lipids - found in Boswellia. They are both anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic. It is closely related to the Biblical oil of renown. It is also used for diarrhea, dysentery, pulmonary diseases, boils, ringworm and other skin disorders as well as rheumatoid arthritis.

Researchers have found extracts of Boswellia to be more beneficial and less toxic than the drug of choice: Ketoprofen (benzoyl hydrotropic acid). It was therefore concluded that boswellic acids (BA) are non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory that prevent the breakdown of connective tissue. Use has been found to improve the blood supply to the joints and restore integrity of vessels weakened by spasm. Additionally use seems to reduce total body fat. Weight gain being a common side effect of inflammatory disorders. Patients treated with Boswellia (clinically) have shown a significant drop in the severity of pain and disability.

“Physicians may in due course be convinced of its superiority over the conventional drugs as it is a plant product being used since the ages and is absolutely free from any toxic and side effects.” - Regional Research Laboratory.

Bilberry

Scientific name: Vaccinium myrtillus
Parts used: Fruit

Modern research is finding that a variety of promising applications, including for atherosclerosis and ulcers.

Traditional use:
Astringent, anti-fever, and as a mouthwash and gargle.

Recent Scientific Findings:
Antiviral for herpes simplex virus II, influenza, and vaccinia viruses. Has been found to kill funguses, yeasts, bacteria, and protozoans. Prevents capillary fragility and inhibits platelet aggregation. It is therefore anti-inflammatory and a vasodilator prostaglandin. There may be antihistamine activity too. It has been shown to improve vision and treat pigmentary retinitis. More recent research has shown anti-cancer activity, anti-ulcer activity, and good effects for diabetics.