Why we selected this company:

Gaia Herbs and Professional Solutions strive to produce pure plant medicines of exceptional quality and purity while enriching the ecology of the earth and the health and harmony of the people that use their phyto-medicines.  Gia Herbs’ mission is all about organics and making phyto-medicines with the highest degree of quality and integrity. To this end, Gaia Herbs and Professional Solutions have proudly invested in cultivation of 250 acres of certified organically grown herbs on our own farm in North Carolina. Our efforts in science & research yield unsurpassed quality botanical medicines.

Why we selected this product:

The effects of Eleutherococcus senticosus and Panax ginseng on steroidal hormone indices of stress and lymphocyte subset numbers in endurance athletes.

Gaffney BT, Hügel HM, Rich PA.

School of Nursing. Faculty of Nursing and Health, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, Queensland, Australia. B.Gaffney@mailbox.gu.edu.au

A clinical trial was undertaken to investigate the effects of Eleutherococcus senticosus (ES) and Panax ginseng (PG) on competitive club-level endurance athletes engaged in their normal in-season training. Participants were matched for training stress and received a 33% ethanolic extract (8 mL/day) containing either ES, PG (equivalent to 4 g and 2 g/day of dried root, respectively), or a placebo. A pre-test and post-test were used to evaluate the effects of six weeks of supplementation on cortisol, testosterone, and testosterone to cortisol ratio (TCR) as well as circulating numbers of total T-cells, T-helper cells (CD4), T-suppressor cells (CD8), CD4 to CD8 ratio, natural killer cells, and B lymphocytes. None of the immune system variables changed significantly nor showed any clear trend from pre to post test in any of the treatment groups. No significant change in testosterone, cortisol or TCR was observed in the PG group. In the ES group, however, TCR decreased by 28.7% from 0.0464 to 0.0331 (P=0.03). The main contribution to this decrease appeared to be a non-significant (P= 0.07) 31% trend towards increased cortisol rather than a very small non-significant (P = 0.36) 7% decrease in the calculated mean for testosterone. This result suggested that contrary to initial expectation, ES increased rather than decreased hormonal indices of stress, which may be consistent with animal research suggesting a threshold of stress below which ES increases the stress response and above which ES decreases the stress response.

PMID: 11798012 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Life Sci. 2001 Dec 14;70(4):431-42.

OXIDATIVE STRESS - Green Tea, Camellia Sinensis, Flavonoids, Antioxidants

In a study involving 34 subjects, consumption of one liter of green tea per day for a period of four weeks was found to significantly reduce various markers reflecting the development of oxidative stress. For the first 3 weeks of the study, subjects consumed one liter of water daily, after which blood samples were taken and markers related to oxidative stress measured. For the next 4 weeks, subjects consumed one liter of green tea per day. Measurements taken after the 4 week green tea intervention found significant reductions in serum levels of the lipid peroxidation products, MDA and MDA+4-HNE, and in oxidative stress within the erythrocyte, as assessed by reductions in membrane-bound hemoglobin (MBH) and an increase in the band 3 monomer, suggesting a normalizing effect on the band 3 profile. Antioxidant capacity was also found to increase after consumption of green tea. These results suggest that daily consumption of green tea may reduce measures of oxidative stress, thereby offering a protective effect against diseases related to oxidative stress. Additional research is needed to further examine this potential protective role, and to determine the optimal method for preparing green tea to maximize its protective effects.

"The effect of green tea in oxidative stress," Coimbra S, Castro E, et al, Clin Nutr, 2006 May 12 [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Faculdade Farmacia, Servico Bioquimica, Universidade Porto, Portugal).

Benefits for the body:
Supports the Over-Worked Individual from Normal Fatigue and promotes Adaptation to Stress and Supports the Body's Stamina

Interesting facts:
This formula is useful for anyone who suffers from fading vitality and depleted energy, particularly those individuals who are constantly exposed to overwork, stressful environments or
situations, and excess strain to mind or body. This formula efficiently combines herbs which are well known for their influence on energy, with those that address adrenal function, circulatory health, and non-specific resistance to stress (including oxidative / free radical stress). The result is a comprehensive approach for supporting mental and physical stamina.

Ingredients:
ALCOHOL-FREE CONCENTRATED EXTRACTS OF:
FORMULA MG EXTRACT PER 3 CAPSULES
Green Tea leaf (Camellia sinensis)                         90 mg
Eleuthero root (Eleutherococcus senticosus)         90 mg
Schizandra berry (Schizandra chinensis)               75 mg
Korean Ginseng root (Panax ginseng)                     51 mg
Cola nut (Cola nitida)                                                   42 mg
Ginkgo leaf (Ginkgo biloba)                                        36 mg
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis & G. glabra)     30 mg
Nettle seed (Urtica dioica)                                             6 mg
Prickly Ash bark (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis)          6 mg

STANDARDIZED TO FULL SPECTRUM ACTIVITY PROFILE
Polyphenols (from Green Tea)                                     72 mg
Ginsenosides (from Korean Ginseng)                        7.5 mg
Eleutherosides B+E (from Eleuthero Root)              0.72 mg

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.  If in doubt consult with a licensed naturopathic physician before use.  Physicians at Genesis Health Systems can be reached at 480.284.8155 and we are happy to consult with you about this product and helping you achieve optimal health.