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What are
PhytoSterols and Sterolins?
Plant sterols and sterolins are
plant "fats" (cholesterol) present in all fruits and vegetables. They are
biologically active molecules isolated from plants called "phytochemicals"
that have been clinically proven to significantly modulate the effects of
the immune system. Without this plant cholesterol in our diet, the immune
system may become too stressed to produce enough invader-fighting T-cells
or may over-produce cells responsible for the auto-immune
response.
Why
Do We Need PhytoSterols and Sterolins in Supplement Form?
Just
eating more fruits, vegetables and seeds will not address our chronic
deficiency. Because sterolins are dissipated within 8 hours after
harvesting, our foods today have little or no sterolin (glucoside) content
left in them. Even organic store produce is usually out of the ground for
longer than 8 hours. Tragically, modern food processing techniques remove
sterols and sterolins from most foods in an effort to improve the
appearance or shelf life of the products. Our home food preparation
techniques such as freezing (which releases glucoside-destroying enzymes)
and boiling also wipe out these beneficial substances. Lastly, because in
their natural state, sterols and sterolins are hard to digest even with
perfectly functioning digestive systems, we need supplementation in a
highly absorbable form to get the true benefit of these remarkable plant
cholesterols. Clinical Studies* Prove PhytoSterols and Sterolins Boost
Immunity In nature, the function of Plant Cholesterol is to bolster an
under-active immune system and, at the same time, turn off an overactive
immune system. When both sterols and sterolins are taken in the ratio
naturally occurring in plants, it helps to balance the cells of the immune
system to function optimally. Scientists have long been searching for a
drug that could effectively balance the T-cells, strengthening the immune
system against disease yet controlling the autoimmune reaction. The
answer, as always, has been provided by nature. By enhancing only the
function of the TH1 cells and not the TH2 helper cells,
PhytoSterols/Sterolins provide that crucial balance.
Immune Enhancement:
PhytoSterols/Sterolins modulate
the function of T-cells that specialize in fighting viruses and certain
bacteria living inside the cells. Prof. Patrick Bouic, head of immunology
at the University of Stellenbosch medical school in Cape Town, South
Africa, says research has definitively proved PhytoSterols/Sterolins
enhance the T-cells - white blood cells produced by the Thymus gland that
keep the cellular immune system functioning.
One type of T-cell,
the Helper Cells, excretes proteins that regulate the immune system; they
are divided into two types, Type I and Type 2. These cells must be in
balance at all times to retain health. TH-1 CD-4 (Type 1) cells govern the
intra-cellular process, help control other T-cells (CD8 positive cell) and
produce important immune regulatory chemicals called "Lymphokines".
Critically, lymphokines regulate the activity of CD8 positive or
"Suppressor" Cells, the last line of defense inside the cell walls against
pathogens that have managed to get by the extra-cellular "infantry"
antibodies produced by B-cells. When the TH-1 cells are deficient,
infection, chronic inflammation and ultimately tissue-damaging disease
will result. In over 133 double-blind clinical studies to date, sterolins
have been shown to significantly enhance the proliferation of the CD4 TH1
cells and to increase the production of the immune chemicals or
"lymphokines" (Interleukin 2 [IL2], Gamma-interferon [IFN-g and
IFN-y).*
Reducing Auto-Immune Response:
Our body's immune
system is like a production line in a factory. Every step in the process
is dependent on every other step. Illness, viruses and infections create
an imbalance by suppressing our TH-1 cells. TH-1 cells control the TH-2
(Type 2 Helper) cells release of chemicals (IL4, IL6 and IL10) that
enhance the activity of B-cells. B-cells produce antibodies that attack
invaders outside the cell walls. Therefore, a drastic reduction of the
TH-1 immune chemicals (lymphokines) will allow the TH-2 cells to
overproduce their chemicals that will, in turn, create too many B-cells or
antibodies. Too many antibodies can cause an auto-immune reaction.
Uncontrolled overactivity of B-cells is thought to be responsible for
debilitating or chronic autoimmune disorders such as Rheumatoid Arthritis,
Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Myasthenia Gravis (MG)) and many
others.* Even many allergies and asthma have an autoimmune response
factor.
Studies have shown that the pro-inflammatory IL6 and TNF-a
chemicals produced by the TH-2 cells are "switched off" when the cells are
cultured in the PhytoSterols/Sterolins. According to Dr. Bouic, "It
appears the plant fats offer effective anti-inflammatory activity at sites
of chronic inflammation by switching off the very factors which initiate
the process".*
PhytoSterols and Sterolins Effective in Women's
Health
Dr. Joseph Pizzorono and Dr. Michael T. Murray of John
Bastyr College in Seattle are enthusiastic about the use of plant-based
sterols as opposed to conventional drug estrogens for hormone replacement.
The PhytoSterols/Sterolins have absolutely no side effects and can help
balance the estrogen dominance occurring in females of all ages. John Lee,
a leading researcher into women's health issues, states: "Phyto-hormones
are gentle compounds which can be substituted for the body's estrogens.
They tend to protect a woman from the xenoestrogens (pesticides and
herbicides that occupy the same receptor sites as natural estrogen) doing
damage. I consider them a very benign and helpful source of
hormones".
Symptoms Responding to PhytoSterols and
Sterolins*
Studies show response by patients with a number of
immune dysfunctions including chronic fatigue syndrome, MS, and diabetes.
Anecdotal reports as well as some on-going studies indicate
PhytoSterols/Sterolins also benefit those suffering from allergies,
viruses, fibromyalgia, tumors and BPH, lupus, TB, psoriasis, and some
tumors. Plant fats can protect bone marrow that may be damaged by
chemo-therapy. Sterolins are precursors to pregnenolone and then DHEA:
according to Dr. Bouic, supplementation with the substance will increase
DHEA levels to the optimum over the longer term.*
Malignancies:
PhytoSterols and Sterolins may block the development of tumors in
colon, breast and prostate glands by altering cell membrane transfer in
tumor growth. Studies indicate after 5 days, breast cancer cell cultures
supplemented with b-sitosterol had 66% fewer breast cancer cells than
controls. Another study showed a 28% inhibition of prostate-cancer cell
growth after being exposed to B-sitosterol for five days in vitro. "When
we treated prostate-cancer cells with phytosterols, cell proliferation was
inhibited. We found the same effect in vitro with breast and colon-cancer
cells" (University at Buffalo Press Release 4/29/99 (breast) and 10/25/98
prostate)
Anti-Inflammatory:
PhytoSterols/Sterolins have been
shown effective in carrying out anti-inflammatory activity at sites where
chronic inflammation is present. By blocking the abnormal production of
the inflammatory proteins, plant fats can inhibit inflammatory conditions.
They decrease the blood levels of Cortisol. Studies show significant
reduction of inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferers. Trials are
continuing on RA.
Tuberculosis:
Dr. Bouic began with clinical trials of
50 TB patients. After six months, the 25 who had received Sterols and
Sterolins, as well as regular therapy, had gained considerably more weight
than those who had not. The supplement had also boosted their immune
systems (from study done at Tygerberg Hospital South
Africa)
HIV:
After 10 years of clinical trials on HIV
sufferers, Prof. Patrick Bouic has discovered that PhytoSterols/Sterolins
boost the immune system so well they halt the deadly decline of
virus-fighting T-cells in immune-compromised patients. "I want to
emphasize that this is not a cure but rather a strategy, so individuals
can maintain their immune responses to the AIDS virus," he states. The
development has so impressed the discoverer of HIV, Luc Montagnier, that
he now advocates the use of PhytoSterols/Sterolins in conjunction with
antiviral treatments. (AIDS Analysis Africa, Vol 7, No. 4, Dec 96/Jan
97)
Athletes:
An
inherent anti-inflammatory property of the PhytoSterols/Sterolins can help
prevent discomfort associated with strenuous exercise and
activity.
Cholesterol:
PhytoSterols and Sterolins help block excess animal cholesterol
absorption (University at Buffalo).
Source
Most of the studies mentioned herein have been
done on the Hypoxis Plant (Wild African Potato Plant).
RevivAllTM is product made
from the whole-food form Hypoxis sprouts and other sprouts; no chemical
extraction is ever used.
We make
two products with PhytoSterols/Sterolins: RevivAllTM and Primal
DefenseTM.
RevivAllTM contains 90
capsules of 300 mg. each of which 200 mg. are the PhytoSterols/Sterolins
blend. Primal DefenseTM contains 150
capsules of the beneficial bacteria formula; each capsule has 80 mg. of
the PhytoSterols/Sterolins blend. The Sterols and Sterolins are in their
natural whole food form from the following organically grown sprouts:
Hypoxis (African Potato Plant)), Oilseed, Lupins, Fenugreek, Wild Barley,
Wheat, Soybean and African Sunflower. These sprouts are in a base of
soluable extract of Rice Bran. An exclusive processing method uses
hydroponically grown sprouts, harvested at their peak and freeze-dried
within 15 degrees of growing temperature. There is no chemical
residue.
* Information taken from "Sterols and Sterolins, Natural, Nontoxic
Immunomodulators and Their Role in the Control of Rheumatoid Arthritis",
article by Prof. Bouic, Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Aug/Sep
1999.
"The Importance Of Sitosterol And Sitosterolin In Human And
Animal Nutrition", Karl H. Pagel, University of Natal, Durban So. Africa
appearing in So African Journal of Science Vol 93, June 97
The Immune
System Cure, Van der Haegle & Bouic, Kensington Books, 1999 Synopsis
of studies by several sources including P.E.R.C. Studies were conducted by
Professor Bouic and Dr Karl Pagel.
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