For more information on Sutherlandia frutescens, please visit www.Sutherlandia.org
African Product Line: Sutherlandia Pro™
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2 Size "0" Vegetarian Capsules (a daily dose) supply:
Sutherlandia frutescens microphylla
600
mg
L-Arginine (free base)
200
mg
Vitamin B6 (from Pyridoxine hydrochloride 24mg)
20
mg
Zinc (from Zinc L-monomethionine 50mg)
10
mg
Selenium (from Se-methylseleno-L-cysteine 240µg)
100
µg
Significance of Sutherlandia
Big Tree's Sutherlandia formulation is a product that
has been carefully designed to strengthen and support the immune system
thereby enhancing the body’s ability to ward off illness and mitigate
the effects of stress, be it mental or physiological.
Sutherlandia has application in the treatment of all
conditions that are associated with impaired immune function, stress or
general debility of the body. It strengthens the body's natural immune
response, supports the healing system and accelerates the recovery process.
The full botanical name of Sutherlandia is Sutherlandia
frutescens subspecies microphylla elite. It has been commonly referred
to as: Kankerbos (Afrikaans) and Cancer Bush (English).
Another traditional name is Phetola which means it
changes - meaning that the plant changes the course of many illnesses
towards a favorable outcome. (This is similar to the European concept
of an alterative.)
Sutherlandia enjoys a long history as a highly valued
component of African Traditional Medicine for:
Colds and flu
Asthma and bronchitis
Mild to moderate hypertension
Digestive disorders, peptic ulcers, gastrititus
and reflux oesophagitis
Hot flashes and irritability in menopause
Type 2 diabetes
Viral hepatitis
General immune system support and longevity
Sutherlandia frutescens is regarded as the most
significant and multi-purpose of the medicinal plants in Southern Africa.
It powerfully assists the body to mobilize its own resources (the immune
system) to cope with physical and mental stresses, and is therefore, correctly
speaking, an adaptogen (in the class of herbs such as Astragalus, Ginseng,
and Ashwagandha) and has even been referred to as African Ginseng.
In fact, Sutherlandia is considered the African adaptogen
par excellence. It is a herb with a profound effect on the body-mind-energy
system, maintaining and optimizing physical, mental and emotional wellness,
and it is as if Nature has combined, in a single plant, the immune stimulating
benefits of Echinacea, the adapatogenic effects of Panax Ginseng and the
energy of Ashwagandha.
L-Arginine The second ingredient, L-Arginine, is an amino acid present in
the proteins of all life forms. It is classified as a semi-essential,
or conditionally essential, amino acid. This means that under normal circumstances
the body can synthesize sufficient L-Arginine to meet physiological demands.
However, there are conditions, such as prolonged exposure to a highly
stressful environment (whether physiological or mental), where the body
cannot keep up. These put an increased demand on the body for the synthesis
of L-Arginine. Specifically, Arginine is important in the formation of
polyamines, molecules that newly formed B cells and T cells require during
their rapid growth and proliferation in the early stages of an infection.
Arginine also promotes wound healing and regeneration of the liver. The
form of Arginine used in this formulation is L-Arginine (L is the natural
form), free form and freebase for high bio-availability and rapid absorption
into the bloodstream.
Vitamin B6 The third ingredient, Vitamin B6, is pyridoxine hydrochloride,
which is both stable and bioavailable. Pyridoxine, or Vitamin B6 is a
water-soluble B-complex vitamin necessary for the proper function of over
70 different enzymes that participate in amino acid metabolism. Pyridoxine
also aids in maintaining sodium and potassium balance. It is required
by the nervous system, and is needed for normal brain function and for
the synthesis of the nucleic acids RNA and DNA, which contain the genetic
instructions for the reproduction of all cells and for normal cellular
growth. It activates many enzymes and aids in the absorption of vitamin
B12, supports immune system function, and is necessary for antibody production.
Selenium The forth ingredient, Selenium, is in the form: Se-methylseleno-L-cysteine
(SeSMC, patent pending). SeSMC or Methylselenocysteine is a selenoamino
acid that is synthesized by vegetables such as garlic and broccoli. It
is a newly developed, bio-available and safe form of the essential trace
mineral nutrient, Selenium. Selenium in the form of Selenocysteine is
an essential component of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase
and is also found in several proteins in the body.
The immunological role of Selenium is well documented.
Additionally, adequate Selenium nutrition offers a line of defense against
viral infections and chronic diseases as well. Methylselenocysteine, in
light of its high bioavailability and natural occurrence in food sources,
is the most efficacious Selenium supplement available.
Zinc
The fifth ingredient is Zinc. This is in the form of Zinc L-monomethionine
(U.S. Patent Nos. 4,764,633 and 5,278,329). This is the most bioavailable
form of Zinc currently available. In a high proportion of studies, including
those involving the entire range of essential micronutrients, both vitamins
and minerals, Zinc continues to show the most specific and, in many ways,
one of the strongest effects on the functioning of the immune system of
any micronutrient. Zinc has a unique role in thymus dependent T-cell mediated
immune response.
Zinc's immunomodulatory effects may be accounted for
by its membrane-stabilization effect, which affects signaling processes
involved, in cell-mediated immunity. Another role of zinc is in the maintenance
of the integrity of biological membranes resulting in their protection
against oxidative injury. Zinc has immunomodulatory activity and antioxidant
activity. Zinc also has putative, antiviral, fertility-enhancing and retinoprotective
properties.
Clinical and Supplement Uses
Preliminary scientific research, published peer-reviewed
scientific research, and clinical experience suggests that the key phytochemicals
in select chemotypes of Sutherlandia varieties are:
Immunomodulatory
Anti-inflammatory
Vaso-dilatory
Analgesic
Anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial
Anti-cancer
Inhibitors of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) - excess
production of TNF known to drive the wasting process in Cancer, TB
and AIDS patients.
In keeping with World Health Organization guidelines
for the assessment of herbal medicines, Sutherlandia is generally regarded
as safe on the basis of its long history of safe use in South Africa.
It is one of the few medicinal plants on the world market
that has been formally studied for safety, in this case, in Vervet monkeys.
The Medical Research Council of South Africa tested elite chemotype Sutherlandia
dried leaf powder for safety in 2001. The study was part of a Medical
Research Council Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) process to establish
a "clinical platform" to assess the safety and efficacy of promising
South African indigenous medicinal plants.
No toxicity was apparent in any variable studied by the
MRC.
Contraindications
None documented at this time.
What is an adaptogen?
Definitions of adaptogen:
a substance that invigorates or strengthens the system
(also called a tonic).
Increases the body's ability to adapt to internal
or external stress.
is a term that applies to herbs that maintain health
by increasing the body's ability to adapt to environmental and
internal stress. Adaptogens generally work by strengthening the
immune system, nervous system and/or glandular systems.
A substance that modifies the metabolism of the body
to combat particular forms of environmental stress.
herbs that act in a nonspecific way to strengthen
the body and increase resistance to disease and stress.
