"SKIN BRUSHING" strengthen your immune system, eliminate toxins, increase cell renewal and more...

By Linda Redmond

© 2010-2011 Britt Beautiful Skin. All rights reserved.

I am so excited to blog about this simply wonderful product! I LOVE what Skin Brushing does for my skin and my energy. I play hockey with many of my games scheduled late in the evening, I need energy and motivation to get up and go! Skin Brushing most definitely gives me the vitality and energy to get up and play the game with vigor! This product works very intuitively.  I recommend you try it!!  Elisabeth (Beth)

Skin Brushing

Your Skin

The skin you were born with was soft and supple, that is the way it should be.

If your skin is dry or rough or stiff, it can’t effectively do its job.

Your skin is an amazing vital organ. It takes in the air and energy from the earth and heavens,

but also releases the toxins and impurities in your body.

Skin Brushing

Skin brushing has been practiced for thousands of years.

Asians use vigorous skin brushing with loofa sponges as prelude to the traditional hot bath.

Ancient Greek athletes used specialized spoon-like scrapers to remove the grime

after physical exertion and encourage circulation. American Indians skin brushed

with corncobs to enhance skin beauty and durability. Ancient people realized

this natural process of detoxification, enhanced health and beauty,

something our modern society has lost sight of.

One of the main functions of your skin is to detoxify your body, help it do its job!

After you become accustomed to skin brushing it will only add 5-10 minutes to your routine,

your health and appearance are worth it.

You will become more aware of your own body and its health.

You will see your skin improve in texture and appearance.

Ingredients

Britt Beautiful Skin is skincare that is nontoxic and actually heals and nourishes.
The oils are all organic, cold-pressed (not using high temperature or solvents), and unrefined.
Thereby retaining all the natural vitamins and anti-oxidant properties that are
normally destroyed by modern harsh processing.

People have been using oil on their skin for thousands of years.
If you read the The Odyssey you will find that Odysseus used oil on his body, the ancient
Egyptians used oil on their bodies as well, and you can bet they didn’t use parabens.

Apply the oil on the body and the face. You will see that your skin becomes more balanced.
I have found natural oils work just as well if not better than any expensive product,
and I am not building up any toxic chemicals in my body or the environment.
Imagine if we all stopped using the products that have harmful chemicals in them.

Application

Two Simple Steps

1. Brush your skin as shown, anywhere from three times a week to every day
depending on your skin type. It is important to follow the steps in order to
protect and enhance your natural system of lymphatic flow.
Use a dry brush on dry skin either before or after you shower. Use the natural
bristle brush with the pressure you prefer. Everyone is different; children and the elderly
should start with a light pressure and increase the pressure over time.
The core of the body is done first, then the extremities.
The armpit, groins and neck have abundant lymph nodes and should be
circulating before areas that drain into them.
Caution: Do not brush areas of inflammation, sunburn or open wounds.
2. After a shower or bath, apply the oil, massaging vigorously.

Britt Beautiful Skin facilitates that system of flow. Your body functions best

when your organs are soft and pliable. As we age, we become more yang or dry and contracted.

By brushing the skin, and applying the natural oils, you will increase your skin’s natural

youthful vitality and improve many elements of good health.

Benefits

improves circulation

bringing fresh blood and nutrients to every cell in your body.

enhances the flow of lymph in your body

The lymphatic system is like the sewer system of your body, every cell in your body is drained of toxins
by the lymphatic system.

strengthens your immune system

Your lymph system is a storage center for various immune cells
(T cell and B cell lymphocytes, plasma cells and phagocytes), which destroy viruses and bacteria.
Skin brushing improves your immune system to help fight all diseases, from colds to cancer!

increases cell renewal

Aging skin doesn't shed dead cells as easily as youthful skin, and is susceptible to cellular build-up,
which accounts for the dry, thick, leathery look of older skin. Skin brushing releases this dead outer layer
along with the toxins that accumulate.

helps eliminate toxins from your body

Your skin can shed up to a pound of toxins a day.

tightens the skin preventing premature aging

As we age, the sweat and oil gland functions decrease. Skin brushing stimulates the sweat and oil glands
and contributes to the return of moist, supple skin. Aging skin often has pore enlargement due to loss of skin tone and depleted skin function. When skin ages, it loses it's resilience. The connective tissue fibers become rigid and break down, causing the skin's support muscles to lose tone and volume and the skin to dehydrate and collapse into sags,wrinkles and lines. Skin brushing strengthens the skin pores and promotes healthy connective tissue and muscles by delivering nutrients and oxygen and decreasing the toxic build up in the skin.

invigorates your entire body

You will get a soft and healthy skin glow from your head to your toes.
You will notice the difference with the Britt Beautiful Skin system!

Linda Redmond www.brittbeautifulskin.com

 © 2010-2011 Britt Beautiful Skin. All rights reserved. Site by wellebee.com

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Do you know what your skin ate today?

http://jennpike.wordpress.com/2011/10/12/do-you-know-what-your-skin-ate-today/

Each day, we are more and more concerned and aware of the types of food and food products that pass our lips into our body; but have you ever stopped to think about what your largest organ – your skin – is taking in on a daily basis?

Did you know that the average woman uses 12 personal care products daily? Between her face wash, toner, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, hair gloss drops, foundation, powder, eye liner, lip gloss, blush, mascara, and body lotion a womans body is being inundated with chemicals, mainly xeno -estrogen forms, daily. And men aren’t too far behind, with about seven in their daily arsenal; shampoo, body wash, shaving cream, deodorant, face wash, moisturizer and cologne.

Xeno -estrogens as mentioned above, are chemical forms of the female hormone estrogen (xeno – meaning foreign and estrogen). This synthetic chemical form of the hormone is so closely related and resembling the natural hormone estrogen our bodies produce on its own, that our cells have the ability to uptake and absorb all too well.

This is the leading cause of Estrogen Dominance in woman, leading to and not limited to:

• spider veins and varicose veins
• cellulite
• heavy menstrual bleeding and bad PMS
• Fibrocystic breast disease
• Ovarian cysts and fibroids
• Headaches  and migraines
• Autoimmune disease or allergies
• weight gain around the “love handles” or abdomen, plus upper arm and face
• Fat gain in the hips

For men they may notice:

• Prostate enlargement
• Breast growth
• Erectile dysfunction
• Loss of morning erection
• Anxiety, mood swings and irritability
• Fat gain around abdomen

Additional harmful ingredients to avoid in your skin and body care products:

• Parabens in any form
• DMDM hydantonin
• Quaternium 15
• FD&C or D&C
• Cocamide DEA
• Phthalates
• Sodium lauryl sulphate
• Petroleum based ingredients (vaseline)

Remember: Your skin eats – or, more accurately, absorbs everything it comes in contact with.

If you’re having a hard time believing that your skin can actually absorb some of the ingredients from your favorite products, than you only have to think of three popular drugs that are transported into the bloodstream via a topically applied patch: nicotine to stop smoking, the birth control patch and nitroglycerin for angina pectoris.

The time is here for us to get back to basics in our approach to taking care of our bodies, on the inside and out!

Many of us have lost sight of our true selves in an effort to become flawless, smoothed, or physically enhanced without considering the side effect or consequences. With consistent practice of holistic health, beauty and lifestyle habits you will learn to feel and look your best.

I have attached two of my favorite homemade products to use on my body; one is a Coconut Brown Sugar Body Scrub and the other is Orange Lavendar Bliss-Oil for moisturizing. My whole family uses the oil daily.

Coconut Brown Sugar Scrub

1 1/4 cup organic brown sugar

6-8 tbsp organic coconut oil

15-20 drops of pure vanilla essential oil

In a glass bowl combine coconut oil and sugar until well mixed. Add the vanilla essential oil drop by drop blending as you do this. Once mixed, fill up a pretty glass jar or mason jar with your body scrub that has easy access to get the scrub out or place a small scoop or spoon inside.

Good for 2-3 months

Orange Lavender Almond Bliss-Oil

2 cups of pure almond oil

20-40 drops each orange essential oil and lavender essential oil

Alternate combining the orange and lavender oils into the almond oil until you have achieved the potency of scent you are looking for.

Good for up to 6 months (but it won’t last that long!)

Enjoy your new lush skin; chemical free and radiant!

Store in an easy to use spray bottle or squeezable PBA free container.

For best use try the scrub in the shower and follow with this delicious smelling oil!
by Jenn Pike: http://jennpike.wordpress.com/2011/10/12/do-you-know-what-your-skin-ate-today/

Nutrigenomics

Dr. McCord Nutrigenomics-What is Protandim? What is NRf2?
http://youtu.be/0t_93IK_s-4 

Essential Oils ~ Natural Household Solutions

Natural Household Solutions ~Thieves for houshold cleaning

Don’t think that essential oils can only be used for aromatherapy or massage therapy—they have so much more to offer!

While going about your daily household tasks you’ve probably stopped to consider the effects of artificial flavoring in foods or the synthetic compounds in your household cleaner. More than likely you’ve wondered if these mystery ingredients are even safe to use in your home.

Essential oils can eliminate these concerns when you incorporate them into your daily household routine. Replacing man-made synthetics with natural, plant-based essential oils removes questionable ingredients from your home and adds countless benefits. Whether you use essential oils to infuse your favorite dishes with flavor, clean your home without harmful chemicals, or supplement your existing first-aid kit with plant-based solutions, they're sure to safely and naturally enhance your experience.

In the Cooking with Essential Oils section, learn the difference between common vegetable oils—olive, flax, sesame, canola—and essential oils, as well as some of the best essential oils for flavoring your favorite dishes!

If you want to know which harmful synthetics are in your home, the Cleaning with Essential Oils section will teach you which chemicals—known to cause everything from skin to ovarian cancer—are in products you use every day and which essential oils and oil-infused products can replace them.

Every home should have a first-aid kit, and in the Essential Oils and First Aid section, learn which essential oils are good natural complements to your existing kit.

And to make your transition to essential oil cooking seamless, Young Living also offers a selection of top-of-the-line titanium cookware. Discover why your cookware makes a difference in the Cookware section.

Protandim: Science (Not) Fiction

Protandim: SCIENCE (Not) FICTION  

 It is all about PREVENTION!!

All Science and No Fiction are Backdrop for Nrf2 Biology
By Natalie Hollingshead

   The science behind revolutionary Protandim, the Nrf2 Synergizer, speaks for itself - but only if you understand what it's saying. Important terms like 'Nrf2 activator' and 'anti-fibrotic' may not be part of your vocabulary - and that's OK because the explanation isn't as complicated as it sounds. You don't need a degree in human biology or employment in the medical science industry to understand (or share) the science behind the supplement.

THE PROBLEM
   Our cells create free radicals when we eat, breathe and sleep, or perform any number of common activities. These free radicals are molecules with an odd number of electrons. As such, they are highly reactive and toxic, and cause cellular deterioration, or oxidative stress.
   The older we get, the more oxidative stress our cells naturally produce. Inflammation in cells also increases, as does fibrosis ( the formation of scar tissue).
   Our body creates antioxidant enzymes to fight against oxidative stress. It also produces anti-inflammatory enzymes to fight inflammation, and anti-fibrotic enzymes to fight fibrosis.
   There are hundreds of genes in each of these enzymes families and together they form what scientists call the 'survival genes'.
   An important enzyme activator called Nrf2 tells our bodies to make these crucial enzymes. However, as we age, our body makes less Nrf2, and subsequently, less of these "survival genes."
"Many of the so-called diseases of age such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and neuro-degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's are all characterized by a decline in the so-called survival genes," says Joe M. McCord, Ph.D., a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado. "The fact that the Nrf2 is going down as we grow older is the reason the whole system gets out of whack."

THE SOLUTION
   Fortunately, scientists have discovered a way to activate and elevate the Nrf2 in our cells using Protandim, the trademarked Nrf2 Synergizer.
   Protandim is made from five natural, plant-based ingredients that are weak Nrf2 activators on their own: milk thistle, turmeric,green tea, bacopa and ashwagandha. Together, McCord says, they have a synergy that is 18 times greater than the sum of the individual components.
   Every Protandim pill activates Nrf2, which in turn does its job of regulating the various genes that make the body function at an optimal level.
   "By elevating or activating the Nrf2 in our cells, you can return that entire balance back to the way it is in a young, healthy person," McCord says. "We  know biochemically exactly what Protandim is doing."
   Protandim uses the body's own resources to stave off age-related declines by simply telling the body to do what it already knows how to do - but do more of it. That principle is what really sets Protandim apart in the world of anti-oxidant supplements, McCord says.
   "Many of the conventional anti-oxidants are adding foreign molecules that are intended to react directly with oxidants that your body is making," he says.
   While several of the seven peer-reviewed studies done on Protandim show the supplement's potential to reverse age-related conditions, the main focus is on prevention.
   "It's all about prevention," McCord says. "All of those diseases I named are very difficult to treat. For instance, every cancer has multiple mutations that are in any of thousands of different sites. Every cancer is very unique and that is why it is very hard to cure. Prevention is much easier to bring about than a cure."
  
 

9th Peer Review

Protandim~ The 9th peer reviewed study on the effects of Protandim has hit www.pubmed.gov  The study is titled “Oxidative Stress in health and disease: The therapeutic potential of Nrf2 activation” and can be found by searching on Protandim.


Oxidative stress in health and disease: The therapeutic potential of Nrf2 activation. The Abstract:

For the past 40years or so, oxidative stress has been increasingly recognized as a contributing factor in aging and in various forms of pathophysiology generally associated with aging. Our view of oxidative stress has been largely "superoxide-centric&qu ot;, as we focused on the pathological sources of this oxygen-derived free radical and the types of molecular havoc it can wreak, as well as on the protection provided by the antioxidant enzymes, especially the superoxide dismutases, catalases, and glutathione peroxidases.

 In the last decade our view of oxidative stress has broadened considerably, and it is now often seen as an imbalance that has its origins in our genes, and the ways in which gene expression is regulated. At the center of this new focus is the transcription factor called nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2, or Nrf2. Nrf2 is referred to as the "master regulator" of the antioxidant response, modulating the expression of hundreds of genes, including not only the familiar antioxidant enzymes, but large numbers of genes that control seemingly disparate processes such as immune and inflammatory responses, tissue remodeling and fibrosis, carcinogenesis and metastasis, and even cognitive dysfunction and addictive behavior. Thus, the dysregulation of Nrf2-regulated genes provides a logical explanation for the connections, both direct and indirect, between observable oxidative stress and perhaps 200 human diseases involving these various physiological processes, each reflecting a network involving many gene products. The evolutionary self-association of these many genes under the common control of Nrf2 suggests that the immune and inflammatory systems may present the largest demand for increased antioxidant protection, apart from constitutive oxidative stress resulting from mitochondrial oxygen consumption for metabolic purposes. Gene expression microarray data on human primary vascular endothelial cells and on the SK-N-MC human neuroblastoma-derived cell line have been obtained in response to the dietary supplement Protandim, a potent composition of highly synergistic phytochemical Nrf2 activators. Pathway analysis of results shows significant modulation by Protandim of pathways involving not only antioxidant enzymes, but of those related to colon cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer disease.
Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Reduce Stress to Enhance Your Digestion and Metabolism

Posted on August 21, 2011. Filed under: Nutrition |

You’ve probably heard the old saying “You are what you eat” at least a thousand times. Every morsel is broken done into it’s smallest parts and becomes part of you. When you think of food in very simple terms like this — that it literally turns into you — then food takes on a whole new meaning doesn’t it? Do you want to turn into a bowl of white pasta and cream sauce or a bowl of vibrantly coloured vegetables with avocado and seeds? Hopefully the latter. Real food is so incredibly beautiful and fresh!

But let’s take it one step further….

You are also what you assimilate or absorb. No matter how nourishing your diet is, if your digestion is not on track then it’s possible that all your best intentions will not be reflected in your skin, energy levels, mental health and so on. Some of the main reasons that you may have digestion problems include (but are certainly not limited to):

• Stress – physical, emotional, mental
• Lack of good bacteria in the gut
• Improper food combining
• Years of an unhealthy lifestyle: alcohol, smoking, drugs, exposure to environment toxins
• Drinking too many caffeinated beverages
• Yo-yo dieting, abusing laxatives (herbal teas or over-the-counter meds)
• Lack of exercise
• Eating foods you are allergic/sensitive too, regardless if they are healthy for someone else

The list goes on and on of plausible reasons for not feeling like your gut is on track and therefore, not properly absorbing the molecules that are going to become you – vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids etc. This lack of proper absorption is going to impact how you feel every day.

Add insult to injury, if  you are not excreting your wastes in a timely fashion, then you can easily feel sluggish, bloated and re-absorption of toxins can occur setting off your body’s alarm system and setting the stage for ill health.

Let’s tackle one of these reasons that your gut is not on track: STRESS.

Ugh, stress rears it’s ugly head when you least want it to doesn’t it? Your stomach is literally your second brain. Yes! Your stomach is very intimately connected to your brain and your emotional state. What you manifest in your head, will immediately impact your gut health. When you are stressed and your body is in sympathetic nervous system mode the last thing your body is going to do is allow energy to be used for your digestive processes.

Instead, your body will be focused on making you alert, increasing your heart rate and blood pressure and shuttling glucose to the blood stream to be used as energy, aka the stress response. Digestion takes a backseat, stomach acid and digestive secretions are halted and your gut is at a standstill until the stress is gone.

These are some ways to make sure your stress levels are low when it comes to food, to help improve your digestion.

1. Eat mindfully: Turn of the TV, radio, computer and sit down to relax while you eat. Make your food look beautiful, engage in meaningful conversation with your friends or family and appreciate what your food is doing for you AND how it taste, not just the latter

2. Do not,  I repeat, do not, eat at your desk. Leave, even for 20 minutes to a quiet and calm area where you can eat in peace.

3. Prepare your meals with love and good intention. Meaning, don’t cook while angry and DO send loving positive energy into your food. Cook with music on, make it fun! Try out a new recipe, cook with a friend and put effort into your meal.

4. Never rush your meals. Chew every morsel until almost liquid. Many people struggle with this. Even I catch myself chewing too quickly sometimes. Think of it this way — chew your food until it no longer resembles the shape or texture it went into your mouth. For example, if you eat an apple, then you shouldn’t be able to feel the difference between the peel and flesh when you swallow.

5. Take 10 deep belly breaths at three distinct times throughout the day. This literally calms your central nervous system.

6. Do YOGA! Yoga has changed my life personally. I used to be one of those people who would say “There’s no way I would do yoga over going for a run or an intense workout at the gym”. Now, I enjoy every moment of calm and peace that yoga brings to my heart and soul. I am so thankful for yoga in my life. It has reduced stress, anxiety, helped me to have more nourishing relationships with others and helped me release toxic emotions that were stressing my body.

Eat up and a great day!

Jenn has been intrigued, inspired & drawn to the studies of health and wellness for as long as she can remember. Her passion and interest led her towards studies in human anatomy, physiology, psychology, various modalities of exercise and fitness, nutrition, yoga and pilates. She holds a diploma in Exercise & Health Sciences, is a Medical Rehab Specialist, Master Personal Trainer, Stott trained Pilates Instructor, Yoga Alliance certified Yoga Instructor and Registered Holistic Nutritionist.

Protandim

Another supportive tool worth sharing in my passion to educate others on disease prevention and improving our health! The following provides us with valuable information on the magnitude of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and how PROTANDIM can help!  This 4 minute clip aired on The Today Show, October 17th, 2011. One of many credible reports that inflammation is the link to disease - and we know that Protandim is likely the answer to breaking that link! Chronic Inflammation - the silent killer.

• Now Doctors order a C-Reactive Protein test to check for level of inflammation in blood stream!
• Protandim reduces C-Reactive Protein (CRP) by 20% 2009 - Patent #7,579,026
• Protandim- 1 pill/once a day reduces oxidative stress (which leads to inflammation and cellular damage) by 40-70% as shown through Peer Reviewed Science 2005 - Oxidative Stress Study.
• Protandim is effective at reducing Oxidative Stress by 40-70% in all who take it!

There is no denying that Oxidative stress is a direct link to inflammation and hundreds of diseases! Visit www.pubmed.gov and enter oxidative stress. There are now over 92,000 peer reviewed studies on oxidative stress and that number grows every day!

 www.abcliveit.com

 attached is a document/diagram that shows the link of oxidative stress to disease!

READ more on Protandim below
TO PURCHASE: Click on Protandim LifeVantage Website link

Strengthen Your Immune System & Prevent Disease and Illness

 

 1. Scientifically Proven Unlike most competing products, Protandim has been the focus of several clinical trials and proven to be a super-powerful free-radical fighter. These trials, as well as studies that support its individual ingredients, demonstrate that Protandim is capable of minimizing oxidative stress in the body.

  2. Superior Antioxidant Power Because it stimulates the production of antioxidant enzymes, Protandim delivers exponentially more antioxidant activity than conventional antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C, E, and betacarotene (a form of Vitamin A). While antioxidant molecules from supplements, foods, and juices can only defeat free radicals on a one-to-one basis (one antioxidant molecule can neutralize only one free-radical molecule) the antioxidant enzymes which Protandim helps your own body produce are catalytic and are NOT used up when they neutralize free radicals.  Therefore, these antioxidants can defeat free radicals many times over.  One antioxidant molecule produced by Protandim can defeat one million free radicals per second 24/7.  No other antioxidant supplement can match Protandim's antioxidant power!

  3. Reduced Oxidative Stress Protandim is the ONLY supplement clinically proven to completely eliminate the age-dependent increase in oxidative stress by reducing oxidative stress levels to those of a 20-year-old in just 30 days.

  4. Enhanced Overall Health Low oxidative stress levels are associated with a healthy cardiovascular system, a healthy brain, proper immune function, and improved overall wellness.

  5. Healthy Immune Support Due to its tremendous production of antioxidant enzymes, Protandim promotes a healthy immune system.

  6. Anti-Aging Ability Protandim is the only supplement in the world clinically proven to reduce cellular aging by an average of 40%.

  7. Increased Glutathione A recent clinical study demonstrated that Protandim produces a 300% increase in glutathione, a key antioxidant and anti-aging compound.

  8. Reduces Inflammation Protandim greatly reduces inflammation, associated with less pain in the body.

  9. One-of-a-Kind

 Protandim, a fundamentally new antioxidant approach in chemoprevention using mouse two-stage skin carcinogenesis as a model.

The Science: Authors

Liu J, et al. Show all

Liu J, Gu X, Robbins D, Li G, Shi R, McCord JM, Zhao Y.

Journal

PLoS One. 2009;4(4):e5284. Epub 2009 Apr 22.

Affiliation

Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, United States of America.

Abstract

Oxidative stress is an important contributor to cancer development. Consistent with that, antioxidant enzymes have been demonstrated to suppress tumorigenesis when being elevated both in vitro and in vivo, making induction of these enzymes a more potent approach for cancer prevention. Protandim, a well-defined combination of widely studied medicinal plants, has been shown to induce superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities and reduce superoxide generation and lipid peroxidation in healthy human subjects. To investigate whether Protandim can suppress tumor formation by a dietary approach, a two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis study was performed. At the end of the study, the mice on a Protandim-containing basal diet had similar body weight compared with those on the basal diet, which indicated no overt toxicity by Protandim. After three weeks on the diets, there was a significant increase in the expression levels of SOD and catalase, in addition to the increases in SOD activities. Importantly, at the end of the carcinogenesis study, both skin tumor incidence and multiplicity were reduced in the mice on the Protandim diet by 33% and 57% respectively, compared with those on basal diet. Biochemical and histological studies revealed that the Protandim diet suppressed tumor promoter-induced oxidative stress (evidenced by reduction of protein carbonyl levels), cell proliferation (evidenced by reduction of skin hyperplasia and suppression of PKC/JNK/Jun pathway), and inflammation (evidenced by reduction of ICAM-1/VCAM-1 expression, NF-kappaB binding activity, and nuclear p65/p50 levels). Overall, induction of antioxidant enzymes by Protandim may serve as a practical and potent approach for cancer prevention.

PMID

19384424 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PMCID

PMC2668769 Free Full Text

Free full text: Public Library of Science

The chemopreventive effects of Protandim: modulation of p53 mitochondrial translocation and apoptosis during skin carcinogenesis.

Authors

Robbins D, et al. Show all

Robbins D, Gu X, Shi R, Liu J, Wang F, Ponville J, McCord JM, Zhao Y.

Journal

PLoS One. 2010 Jul 30;5(7):e11902.

Affiliation

Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, United States of America.

Abstract

Protandim, a well defined dietary combination of 5 well-established medicinal plants, is known to induce endogenous antioxidant enzymes, such as manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). Our previous studies have shown through the induction of various antioxidant enzymes, products of oxidative damage can be decreased. In addition, we have shown that tumor multiplicity and incidence can be decreased through the dietary administration of Protandim in the two-stage skin carcinogenesis mouse model. It has been demonstrated that cell proliferation is accommodated by cell death during DMBA/TPA treatment in the two-stage skin carcinogenesis model. Therefore, we investigated the effects of the Protandim diet on apoptosis; and proposed a novel mechanism of chemoprevention utilized by the Protandim dietary combination. Interestingly, Protandim suppressed DMBA/TPA induced cutaneous apoptosis. Recently, more attention has been focused on transcription-independent mechanisms of the tumor suppressor, p53, that mediate apoptosis. It is known that cytoplasmic p53 rapidly translocates to the mitochondria in response to pro-apoptotic stress. Our results showed that Protandim suppressed the mitochondrial translocation of p53 and mitochondrial outer membrane proteins such as Bax. We examined the levels of p53 and MnSOD expression/activity in murine skin JB6 promotion sensitive (P+) and promotion-resistant (P-) epidermal cells. Interestingly, p53 was induced only in P+ cells, not P- cells; whereas MnSOD is highly expressed in P- cells when compared to P+ cells. In addition, wild-type p53 was transfected into JB6 P- cells. We found that the introduction of wild-type p53 promoted transformation in JB6 P- cells. Our results suggest that suppression of p53 and induction of MnSOD may play an important role in the tumor suppressive activity of Protandim.

PMID

20689586 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PMCID

PMC2912769 Free Full Text

Free full text: Public Library of Science

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Related Citations

Show all

• Manganese superoxide dismutase deficiency enhances cell turnover via tumor promoter-induced alterations in AP-1 and p53-mediated pathways in a skin cancer model.
• Protandim, a fundamentally new antioxidant approach in chemoprevention using mouse two-stage skin carcinogenesis as a model.
• Mitochondrial uncoupling inhibits p53 mitochondrial translocation in TPA-challenged skin epidermal JB6 cells.
• p53 translocation to mitochondria precedes its nuclear translocation and targets mitochondrial oxidative defense protein-manganese superoxide dismutase.
• Final Report on Carcinogens Background Document for Formaldehyde.

Protandim ~ Approach for Cancer Prevention

 Protandim Studies

Oxidative stress is an important contributor to cancer development. Consistent with that, antioxidant enzymes have been demonstrated to suppress tumorigenesis when being elevated both in vitro and in vivo, making induction of these enzymes a more potent approach for cancer prevention. Protandim, a well-defined combination of widely studied medicinal plants, has been shown to induce superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities and reduce superoxide generation and lipid peroxidation in healthy human subjects. To investigate whether Protandim can suppress tumor formation by a dietary approach, a two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis study was performed. At the end of the study, the mice on a Protandim-containing basal diet had similar body weight compared with those on the basal diet, which indicated no overt toxicity by Protandim. After three weeks on the diets, there was a significant increase in the expression levels of SOD and catalase, in addition to the increases in SOD activities. 1Importantly, at the end of the carcinogenesis study, both skin tumor incidence and multiplicity were reduced in the mice on the Protandim diet by 33% and 57% respectively, compared with those on basal diet. Biochemical and histological studies revealed that the Protandim diet suppressed tumor promoter-induced oxidative stress (evidenced by reduction of protein carbonyl levels), cell proliferation (evidenced by reduction of skin hyperplasia and suppression of PKC/JNK/Jun pathway), and inflammation (evidenced by reduction of ICAM-1/VCAM-1 expression, NF-κB binding activity, and nuclear p65/p50 levels). Overall, induction of antioxidant enzymes by Protandim may serve as a practical and potent approach for cancer prevention.

Citation: Liu J, Gu X, Robbins D, Li G, Shi R, et al. (2009) Protandim, a Fundamentally New Antioxidant Approach in Chemoprevention Using Mouse Two-Stage Skin Carcinogenesis as a Model. PLoS ONE 4(4): e5284. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0005284
Editor: Joseph Alan Bauer, Cleveland Clinic, United States of America

Received: February 11, 2009; Accepted: March 20, 2009; Published: April 22, 2009
Copyright: © 2009 Liu et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Funding: The Skin Cancer Foundation. http://www.skincancer.org/ The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
* E-mail: yzhao1@lsuhsc.edu

Introduction Top

Cancer is affected by alterations in multiple physiological events including apoptosis, inflammation, differentiation, and angiogenesis. Oxidative stress, resulting from the imbalance between antioxidants and prooxidants, has been recognized to play an important role in cancer development. Consistent with that, antioxidant enzymes, especially superoxide dismutase (SOD), have been demonstrated to reduce tumorigenesis both in vitro and in vivo [1]–[2].

SOD not only suppresses cell proliferation, but also affects inflammation. The association between chronic inflammation and cancer is now well established [3]–[7]. One important mechanism of inflammation-induced cancer is due to oxidative stress [8]–[11], which results from the release of free radicals from activated immune cells and cytokines.

A new approach to antioxidant therapy via the induction of antioxidant enzymes (including SOD and catalase) has been developed [12]. The dietary supplement, Protandim, is a combination of five phytochemicals from medicinal plants long recorded in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine. One capsule of Protandim (675 mg) consists of the following: B. monnieri (45% bacosides), 150 mg; S. marianum (70–80% silymarin), 225mg; W. somnifera (1.5% withanolides), 150 mg; C. sinensis (98% polyphenols and 45% (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate), 75 mg; and C. longa (95% curcumin), 75 mg [12]. Protandim has been tested in healthy human subjects, producing increased SOD and catalase activities and decreased lipid oxidation levels in the blood samples without causing overt toxicity [12]. Being a critical step, studies have been performed to optimize the dosing of Protandim. At the current dose, none of the five ingredients alone significantly induces antioxidant enzymes; however, subtraction of any ingredient significantly reduces the induction. In summary, the bioactivities of each ingredient form a synergistic effect when combined [13].

In this study, the cancer preventative activity of Protandim is tested using a well-established two-stage skin carcinogenesis mouse model. The mouse skin carcinogenesis is a well-developed model to screen anti-cancer reagents. In this model, a tumor initiator (e.g., dimethylbenz[a]anthracene [DMBA]) is first treated to cause mutations of the oncogene Ras. A tumor promoter (e.g., 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate [TPA]) is then applied to selectively promote the growth of Ras-mutated skin epidermal cells. As a phorbor ester, TPA can directly activate protein kinase C [14]. However, low concentrations of TPA can also exert inhibitory effect on cell proliferation either alone or in combination with anti-cancer drugs in human pancreas cancer cells [15], and human prostate cancer cells [16], [17]. A phase I dose escalation trial of TPA has been performed in patients with relapsed or refractory malignancies and the tolerated dose has been established [18].

INFLAMATION

Use the links below to browse our complete library of articles on inflammation.
Inflammation — the key to chronic disease? by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP. Is chronic inflammation really the cause of heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and autoimmune diseases from rheumatoid arthritis to psoriasis? Here you’ll find links to the many and varied aspects of inflammation — and how to lower the flames in your body naturally.
What is chronic inflammation? by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP. A primer on the concept of chronic inflammation and its roots in an imbalanced immune system. When we understand the differences between normal acute inflammation and unhealthy chronic inflammation, we can appreciate the power of making better choices.
Reducing inflammation — the natural approach, by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP. Reducing inflammation is a powerful way to improve your health and well-being. And it’s simpler than you might think. Here’s our guide to reducing inflammation the natural way, including tips for an anti-inflammatory diet, natural anti-inflammatory supplements, and how to evoke your body’s own natural anti-inflammatories.
Joint pain or arthritis — quieting the inflammatory noise, by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP. Many of us experience joint pain and arthritis symptoms with greater frequency and intensity as we grow older, but ignore the messages our bodies are sending us. We may think our aches and pains are just the “normal process of aging.” But no matter what’s causing your joint pain, you can benefit from this safe, simple, and natural approach to joint pain relief.
Natural flu prevention, by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP. Vaccines aren’t the only step you can take when it comes to flu prevention. Learn about natural ways to prevent influenza infection from WomentoWomen.com
Lessons from lupus — what an inflammatory disease can teach us about menopause (and vice versa!), by Dixie Mills, MD, FACS. Women with the inflammatory disease lupus have symptoms similar to perimenopause. Learn how quieting inflammation can support women’s health in both!
What is lupus?, by Dixie Mills, MD, FACS. The autoimmune disease called lupus is very common in women. Find out more about lupus symptoms and how lupus is diagnosed.
Should a woman with lupus take birth control pills or HRT?, by Dixie Mills, MD, FACS. Flares in women with lupus can be related to hormonal imbalance, but should women with lupus take hormones? Women to Women talks about the safety of birth control and HRT in women with lupus.
Allergies and sensitivities — causes and solutions, by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP. Allergies and sensitivities are on the rise — so much so that by some estimates over 60 million Americans now suffer from allergies, and millions more from sensitivities. Conventional medicine doesn’t try to identify the causes, frequently ignoring anything but an acute allergic response. But we’ve seen dramatic improvements in our patients’symptoms with our natural holistic approach.
Causes of inflammation, by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP. We are all exposed to some degree of inflammation, and in fact, it’s necessary to keeps us alive and well. But here’s a look at some of most common causes of the chronic inflammation that steals back our health and longevity — many of which are well within our control.
Foods and herbs for boosting immunity and respiratory health, by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP. Reduce the duration and severity of flu and cold symptoms naturally with herbs and foods that support immune and respiratory health.
Vitamin D and flu prevention, by Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD. Seasonal and pandemic flu viruses may be worrisome, but keeping your vitamin D levels optimal can help your immune system health.http://www.womentowomen.com/healthtopics_inflammation.aspx

Underlying Causes of Cancer

Please continue beyond this post to read about Detoxing ~ "the Healing Crisis", and about the product called Protandim. ~ also please see links on right learn more about Protandim and "Thieves Oil"

Cancerous cells are always being created in the body. It's an ongoing process that has gone on for eons. Consequently, there are parts of your immune system designed to seek out and destroy cancer cells.

Cancer has been around as long as mankind, but only in the second half of the 20^th century did the number of cancer cases explode. Contributing to this explosion are the excessive amounts of toxins and pollutants we are exposed to, high stress lifestyles that zap the immune system, poor quality junk food that's full of pesticides, irradiated and now genetically modified, pathogens, electromagnetic stress, lights, and just about everything that wasn't here 200 years ago. 

All these weaken the immune system, and alter the internal environment in the body to an environment that promotes the growth of cancer.

Cancer is not a mysterious disease that suddenly attacks you out of the blue, something that you can't do anything about. It has definite causes that you can correct if your body has enough time, and if you take action to change the internal environment to one that creates health, not cancer, while at the same time attacking cancerous cells and tumors by exploiting their weaknesses.

Cancer tumors begin when more cancerous cells are being created than an overworked, depleted immune system can destroy.

Constant exposure to tens of thousands of manmade chemicals from birth onward, chlorinated and fluoridated water, electromagnetic radiation, pesticides and other toxins, leads to the creation of too many free radicals and excessive numbers of cancerous cells.

Alone this would be enough to raise cancer levels, but combined with an immune system weakened by a diet of refined and over processed food, mineral depleted soils, and too much exposure to artificial light at night, the immune system at some point no longer is able to keep cancer in check, and it starts to grow in your body.

DID YOU KNOW?  Research shows that the immune system needs 9 1/2 hours of sleep in total darkness to recharge completely -- the authors of the book Lights Out explain. When was the last time you had this much sleep?

Because of this stress and the overload of toxins, you end up with a malfunctioning immune system, and a body that is not capable of destroying the excessive numbers of cancerous cells that develop. Some, sooner or later, survive and multiply. And then you have cancer. Of course, our diets loaded with sugar and refined carbohydrates don't help. Refined carbohydrates digest so fast they act like sugar, and cancer cells love sugar. They have about 15 times more receptor cells for capturing sugar than healthy cells.

Overcoming cancer is a process of reversing the conditions that allowed the cancer to develop, and going after and killing cancerous cells.

The exact causes don't have to be known, though certainly the more varied the approaches taken to correct those conditions, the more likely you are going to hit on what works best in a particular case. What you need to do is to strongly and dramatically interrupt and reverse the cancer-causing conditions in your body so that it becomes healthier, and stops breeding cancer.

The more cancer there is, the more serious the condition, meaning much more has to be done -- fast. It may be too late, or it may not. No one knows where that cutoff point is as some people given only a few days to live have pulled through and conquered cancer when they applied these strategies.

What The Medical Industry Won't Tell You
About Treating Cancer

There was a woman whose daughter was in the advanced stages of brain cancer.  She asked her oncologist if it was ok to give her daughter a superfood called blue green algae. Her doctor told her that it was no problem, that in fact a number of his patients had used that supplement with success in fighting cancer. Naturally she wondered why he didn't tell her about this product a year before when they came to him.

Unfortunately, he couldn't tell her about this or any "natural or alternative health therapies" and stay employed.  Insurance regulations would preclude such suggestions.  And he could get into administrative trouble by recommending natural, non-drug treatments for cancer. ://www.cancerfightingstrategies.com/causes.html

DETOXING ~ HEALING from the inside out

Detoxing ~ The "Healing Crisis"

During the healing process, you may experience some discomfort and you may feel like you are catching something. In extreme cases of toxicity, you may actually feel quite ill. However, rest assured that it is your body’s way of cleansing – getting rid of these toxins once and for all. During your cleansing, if you feel sick, chances are it is from toxins, bacteria and viruses that are being released into your body from your fatty deposits.
The best way to get rid of these symptoms is to drink plenty of water <http://www.the-natural-path.com/benefit-of-drinking-water.html>  and continue with the detoxification process.
 http://www.the-natural-path.com/healing-crisis.html
 Contrary to the often-lengthy periods of ill health on the downhill road, the dips on the uphill road are usually short and sharp. They are called 'healing crisis' although I prefer the less dramatic name 'healing reaction', also 'cleansing reaction' or simply 'reaction'. After each reaction we advance to a higher level of health than before the reaction.A healing crisis will occur only when an individual is ready both physiologically and psychologically.
 http://www.health-science-spirit.com/healingcrisis.html
 Symptoms of the healing crisis may at first be identical to the disease it is meant to heal. But there is an important difference: elimination. A cleansing, purifying process is underway and stored wastes are in a free-flowing state.
Physical reactions of the healing crisis could include skin eruptions, nausea, headache, sleepiness, unusual fatigue, constipation, diarrhea, head or chest cold, ear infections, boils, or any other way the body uses to loosen and eliminate toxins. An initial healing crisis usually lasts around three days but if the energy of the patient is low, it may last a week or more.
Your body needs juices, and especially water to help carry off the toxins. This is a time for rest.http://www.upwardquest.com/healing-crisis.htmlWhat you have to remember is that all these signs and symptoms of healing crisis is good news! It occurs when the vital forces within the body builds up enough strength to handle the healing process.Remember that our body has a natural mechanism to continuously want to heal itself. Sometimes the environment is so clogged up that it hinders the body from doing so.
One of the major blockage is the toxin build up in our body.
Hence, our body’s ability to naturally heal depends on the ability to create this healing environment therefore, eliminating toxin build up at the cellular level. A gush of these toxins being dumped into our blood stream all at once is the primary cause of the crisis.
As a result, the severity of the symptoms would depend on the amount of this toxins gushing into the bloodstream. More toxins accumulated, results in more release, resulting in more crisis.
The symptoms can be sudden and severe, testing your faith in the process of healing.
When you are experiencing Herxheimer’s reaction, the most important thing you want to avoid is taking medications! It will immediately halt and suppress the healing process.http://www.enaturalhealthcures.com/healing-crisis.html

WHY PROTANDIM ?

1. Scientifically Proven Unlike most competing products, Protandim has been the focus of several clinical trials and proven to be a super-powerful free-radical fighter. These trials, as well as studies that support its individual ingredients, demonstrate that Protandim is capable of minimizing oxidative stress in the body.
2. Superior Antioxidant PowerBecause it stimulates the production of antioxidant enzymes, Protandim delivers exponentially more antioxidant activity than conventional antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C, E, and betacarotene (a form of Vitamin A). While antioxidant molecules from supplements, foods, and juices can only defeat free radicals on a one-to-one basis (one antioxidant molecule can neutralize only one free-radical molecule) the antioxidant enzymes which Protandim helps your own body produce are catalytic and are NOT used up when they neutralize free radicals.  Therefore, these antioxidants can defeat free radicals many times over.  One antioxidant molecule produced by Protandim can defeat one million free radicals per second 24/7.  No other antioxidant supplement can match Protandim's antioxidant power!
   3. Reduced Oxidative Stress Protandim is the ONLY supplement clinically proven to completely eliminate the age-dependent increase in oxidative stress by reducing oxidative stress levels to those of a 20-year-old in just 30 days.
   4. Enhanced Overall Health Low oxidative stress levels are associated with a healthy cardiovascular system, a healthy brain, proper immune function, and improved overall wellness.
   5. Healthy Immune Support Due to its tremendous production of antioxidant enzymes, Protandim promotes a healthy immune system.
   6. Anti-Aging Ability Protandim is the only supplement in the world clinically proven to reduce cellular aging by an average of 40%.
   7. Increased GlutathioneA recent clinical study demonstrated that Protandim produces a 300% increase in glutathione, a key antioxidant and anti-aging compound.
   8. Reduces InflammationProtandim greatly reduces inflammation, associated with less pain in the body.
   9. One-of-a-KindProtandim is the first Nrf2 activator on the market, meaning that it interacts with the DNA within your cells. Protandim helps your body balance and regulate its 25,000 genes.

Protandim

WHY PROTANDIM?

• A VALUABLE TOOL TO PROTECT OUR BODIES
• Developed and founded by Dr. Joe McCord
• Professor of Medicine at University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
• Bachelor of Science Chemistry from Rhodes College, Memphis
• Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Photodoctorate Studies at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
• Member of Life Vantage's Science Advisory Board
• Dr. Joe McCord has spent the last 40 years investigating the science of free radicals and aging. He has been awarded the prestigious Elliot Cressen Award for his work. Other winners of this award include Henry Ford, Orville Wright and Alexander Graham Bell
• OXIDATIVE STRESS - Our bodies way of aging/rusting- BIOLOGICAL /CELLULAR RUSTING
• AGING/RUSTING occurs resulting in our body's inability to battle the free radicals.
• FREE RADICALS are caused by the breakdown of the foods we eat, intense exercise, toxins in products we use, and toxins in the air. These free radicals damage our cells rendering them less effective in fighting disease. They cause Oxidative Stress and Oxidative Stress is linked to more than 200 diseases.
• PROTANDIM: is made up of 5 natural Phytonutrients/potent botanicals:
• Green Tea- Increases metabolism; burns fat
• Tumeric- provides a healthy response to inflammation
• Milk Thistle- supports liver health
• Bacopa- Increases SOD (superoxide dismutase) and catalase (anti-aging enzyme's in our body)
• Ashwagandha- used for centuries in India for numerous application
• PROTANDIM: Completely validated by Science
• Dr McCord has spent forty years studying the antioxidant enzymes and their roles in normal physiology and in disease states and his research has lead to
• the study of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase- can each eliminate an amazing one million free radicals per second without being used up. "due to their superior ability to eliminate free radicals, these enzymes can also slow the genes associated with aging, thereby re-setting the "inner age" of your cells to a more youthful level," says Dr. McCord.
• Independent Universities/ Research Institutions: Numerous international universities and other research institutions have studied, or currrently are investigating, the health benefits of protandim.
• The health topics currently under scientific investigation or in planning stages deal with the alleviation of oxidative stress linked to the following conditions:
• Altitude sickness
• Skin cancer
• Photoaging of the skin
• Renal failure
• Ostoearthritis
• HIV/AIDS- associated lipodystroyphy
• Pulminary hypertension
• Periodontal disease
• Heart disease
• Coronary artery bypass graft
• Asthma
• Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• Metabolic syndrome
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Optic neuropathy
• TEN KEY BENEFITS
• Scientifically Proven
• Superior Anti-aging Power - because it stimulates the production of your own antioxidant enzymes to the levels you had when you were 20, Protandim can deliver more antioxidant activity than conventional antioxiidant vitamins such as Vitamin C. Peer reviewed clinical studies demonstrate this superiority.
• Health Immune Support: Due to its tremendous production of antioxidant enzymes, Protandim promotes a healthy immune system.
• Cardiovascular Protection: Low oxidative stress levels are associated with a healthy cardiovascular system, a healthy brain, and improved overall wellness.
• Anti-Aging Ability: Protandim is the only supplement in the world clinically proven to reduce cell aging by an average of 40 percent.
• Increased Glutathione: A recent clinical study demonstrated that Protandim produces a 300 percent increase in glutathione, which is a key antioxidant and anti-aging compound.
• One-of-a-kind: In simple terms, there is no other product like Protandim. It's unique formulation based on boosting antioxidant enzymes leads the market in fighting oxidative stress
• Proprietary and Patented: Protandim is a proprietary formula owned by LifeVantage. The Company holds three patents associated with the product.
• Leading Edge: The revolutionary formulation behind Protandim is a result of decades of research and work by Dr. Joe McCord.
• All- Natural: Protandim's ingredients are all-natural (see above)
• TESTIMONIALS
• softer hair
• healthier nails
• softer skin
• reduction in anxiety
• reduced and eliminated allergies
• helpful with symptoms of depression
• reduces pain and aching joints
• increased mental clarity
• increased stamina
• increased vitality
• helpful with eczema
• increased energy
• wake up refreshed from sleep
• need less sleep
• increased concentration
• effective in reducing symptoms of arthritis, skin cancer, MS

Thieves Essential Oil

I love this oil !!