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Turmeric and Milk Thistle: Discussing The Latest Research

Join hostess and Vitamark Diamond, Meme Groseth (MG), and Vitamark Vice President, Tom Mitcham (TM), as they discuss the potential health benefits of Turmeric (found in Vitamarin and CellRich) and Milk Thistle(found in Vitamarin):

MG: Are you there Tommy?

TM: I sure am Meme, and I can't wait to give that free product. Tonight's free product is our Vita Enhanced Water product--certainly a product that I hope everyone on this call is familiar with. As I have told you before my grandchildren see Vita Enhanced Water as a miracle for their owies.* It truly seems to be when it comes to cuts, scrapes, and bruisesand insect bites!* I have seen potential bruises not develop and burns thought to be serious only become pink with immediate and frequent applications of Vita Enhanced Water.*

MG: I am really excited about this free product as should everyone on this call be especially if you are on the 100BP AutoShip because the Vita Enhanced Water is the Feb. free AutoShip product. This amazing product has many benefits: its molecular structure facilitates better hydration (both inside and out).* That same molecular structure allows for a more efficient nutrient delivery at the cellular level(this surfactant property also may impact medications you are taking and make them more absorbent to the bodythis is why we say dont take Vita Enhanced Water at the same time you are taking medications; but take it at least 3 hrs before/after) and Vita Enhanced Water allows for a more efficient toxin release.* It helps establish an alkaline atmosphere within the body (this is important when you realize that most diseases exist within an acid environment).* It also enhances antioxidant capability.* All of these benefits allow the body to address a myriad of health concerns from immune challenges and blood sugar concerns to digestive issuesa whole gamut of issues.* I would urge each of you to try the Vita Enhanced Water and discover its many benefits for people and pets, yourself!

TM: Now to give that free product! Don't forget to call out your name before answering. Now for the first question:

Q1: How is Vitamark offering an opportunity for people to taste the new Chocolate Chip(CC) Appetizer Diet (AD)Cookie.
Ans: Vitamark is placing a free sample of the CC AD Cookie into every order for a limited time.
Winner:

Q2: Who was the # 1 Platinum Group and #1 Personal Group for the week of Jan. 26th 2007?
Ans: Platinum/ Doug & Kimberr Jarvis Personal/Cookie Weight Loss Group of Texas
Winner:

Q3: What famous personage originated in Bari, Italy, the first port of call on the Global Leadership Cruise.
Ans: Bari, Italy is the 2nd most economically important city in southern Italy and is home to the beautiful gothic Cathedral of San Sabino and Saint Nicolas of Bari, the original Santa Claus according to the Italians.
Winner:

Q4: Name 3 people who are "in qualification" for the 2007 Vitamark Global Leadership trip.
Ans: Recognize all in qualification: Michael & Linda Dlouhy, Ron & Fran Flanders, Dawn Harrod, John & Becky Harrod, Calvin Iwashita, Richard Dennis, Doug & Kimberr Jarvis, RS Mallory, Kevin & Judith May, Art & Ann Jonak, Mary Jo Leonard, Wydell & Loretta Madison, Jerry & Nancy Olthoff, Mike & Tiffany Potillo, Keith & Liz Schreiter, Eric Svensson, Delores Thomas, Robero & Cleta Torres, and Anna Valentin
Winnner:

MG: Congratulations to all our winners-don't forget to call the home office to claim your free Vita Enhanced Water.

MG: Tom will be sharing some information with us tonight about turmeric(found in CellRich and Vitamarin) and milk thistle(found in Vitamarin). We will not be making any claims that Vitamark products cure, treat or prevent any diseases. We are simply educating you to the amazing impact that these two ingredients have on your health.

TM: Meme, you know me I always like to start off by seeing if anyone has a testimonial to share. Some of you may have shared your testimonial previously, don't hesitate to do it again there are always new people on the call who have not heard it. We'll start with 2 testimonials and save the rest for the end of the call don't be shy remember you get free product when you share. Now who'll be first?

TESTIMONIALS

MG: Thanks for sharing. Now for that information on turmeric and milk thistle:

TM:Thanks, Meme, Ill begin with some general information from an unlikely source who both paints a portrait of milk thistle as friend and foe, Friend to people when it is used as an herb and foe to farmers and cattlemen as a weed. What is this organization that sings the praises of milk thistle and points out its practical shortcomings when allowed to proliferate? It's the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board.

TM: Milk thistle (Silybum marianum also called blessed milk thistle and variegated thistle)is considered a noxious weed by the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board( It is toxic and deadly to cattle in its wilted state and known for its ability to overtake established pasture lands). It is found mainly in Canada, California, Washington, Oregon, Texas and Nebraska[Meme I imagine you are quite familiar with this thistle since you raise cattle in Nebraska?]

MG:Commentsdescribe what it looks like.

TM: Curious, that milk thistle is considered a weed here while in parts of Europe it is used as food. The young leaves are used in salads, the stalks eaten like asparagus, and the heads boiled like artichoke. Whether you regard the plant as weed or food, one thing is for sure, almost everyone knows of the health benefits of the herb, milk thistle, when taken in supplement form. In fact, according to a report in the Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (Canada) milk thistle ranked 12th among the top selling herb supplements in the U.S. mass market, with sales of over $3m (m) in 1997. Why take milk thistle: According to the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board the active component of milk thistle is silymarin, a combination of 3 flavanoids, which is liver protective. And, silybin(part of the chemical structure of silymarin)is an antioxidant that also alters the membrane structure of the liver cell, blocking the absorption of toxins into the cell. Silybin stimulates the production of new liver cells to replace damaged cells*"For some references to research involving milk thistle, refer to the "More Information" section of the Vitamarin "Shopping" site.

MG: Does the research were talking about tonight deal with liver protection.

TM: No it doesnt, it deals with blood sugar concerns. The researchers first reported on-line in the journal Phytotherapy Research (doi:10.1002/ptr,1988). They conducted this randomized, clinical trial in Tehran, Iran with lead researcher, Fallah Huseini, of The Institute of Medicinal

Plants concluding: the results are very encouraging, and we now need to do further large multi-centre studies.

MG: What was the size and parameters of this study.

TM: The research involved 51 people with type-2 diabetes. They took part in a four-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. One group was assigned to receive a daily milk thistle supplement (200 milligrams three times per day); and, the other group received a placebo (three times per day). The participants (both groups) continued their conventional medications.

MG: What were the results that the lead researcher found so encouraging?

TM: Well, for one, that it lowered fasting blood glucose levels by 15%.* And, as if, that wasnt enough it alsohad beneficial effects(reduced the levels of) on glycosylated haemoglobin (glucose coated hemoglobin)levels(1.04%), total cholesterol levels(12%), LDL cholesterol(the bad cholesterol) levels(12%) and triglyceride levels(25%).*

The results show that although there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups of patients at the beginning of the study, silymarin [milk thistle extract] significantly lowered HbA1c(glucose coated hemoglobin or glycosylated hemoglobin) and fasting blood glucose levels in diabetic patients at the end of the study, wrote the researchers.*

Since, the researchers could not say what the actual mechanism behind the effects was, they called for more large multi-centre studies to further investigate the potential role of milk thistle extracts in type-2 diabetes.*

We dont know the exact mechanism of action for this effect, but this work shows that silymarin could play an important role [against] type II diabetes, said Huseini.

MG: This is significant in light of current estimates of 20 million diabetics in the U.S.

TM: Right you are Meme. now, we're not advocating milk thistle as a cure for diabetes, we're just verifying what we already know--this herb offers amazing health potential and bears watching as more research is done in this area. Now for that information on another important ingredient in Vitamarin and CellRich, turmeric

Turmerric is a common spice that contains curcumin, a substance that helps turn curry and mustard yellow might; and, which might also help treat deadly cystic fibrosis. That is according to a study by Yale University scientists published in the journal, "Science."

The study showed that eating large doses of curcumin, the substance found in the spice turmeric, significantly cut deaths among mice with the genetic disease.* The discovery excited a lot of people involved in the fight against this deadly disease as evidenced by the following statement:

Still, "it's very promising," said Dr. Peter Mogayzel Jr., director of the Cystic Fibrosis Center at Baltimore's Johns Hopkins Hospital. "This is research that really has the potential, I think, to benefit patients down the road." This research has also prompted The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and SEER Pharmaceuticals to fund a study of 12 CF patients once they identify an appropriate dosage level and identify any potential side effects.

MG: I'll bet this research, even though it is in the early stages, is of special interest to the nearly 30,000 American children and young adults stricken with CF. It attacks patients' lungs with a thick mucus, trapping bacteria. CF also interferes with digestion and vitamin absorption as the mucus clogs other organs. Eventhough we have found treatments for the lung infections and improvements in nutritional protocols to dramatically improve care and lengthen survival into their 30's, these only treat the symptoms. The curcumin research, published in the journal, "Science", shows a possible way to attack the disease's underlying cause.*

TM: The research focuses on Dr. Michael Caplan's different approach to the treatment of a protein, CFTR, that is responsible for balancing the salt content of the cells lining the lungs and certain other organs. When this protein does not function properly the chloride (salt)ions cannot escape, and an eventual salt buildup inside cells leads to the dangerous mucus formation. Dr.Caplan promotes the use of a special calcium-inhibiting strategy, which allows the chloride ions to escape. The problem, the drug that showed this strategy is effective also spur's cancer. The need for a substitute to inhibit calcium (turmeric does not block the absorption of calcium your body needs)in the way Dr.Caplan wanted led to the discovery that curcumin (which previous studies showed could be tolerated in fairly high dosages) seems to inhibit calcium in this special way.*

In a series of experiments, Caplan and Yale CF specialist Dr. Marie Egan showed:

Curcumin administered daily slashed the death rates of CF-stricken mice.*

The mice had the same genetic defect that causes the human disease, but they quickly die of a mucus-blocked digestive tract instead of lung damage. Only 10 percent of curcumin-treated mice died within 10 weeks, compared with 60 percent of untreated mice and the survivors gained weight.*

Curcumin-treated mice improved from very poor levels to almost normal in how well their nasal tissue released the chloride ions.*

MG: I understand that additional test-tube studies, performed with the University of Toronto, showed CFTR got to the cell surface and functioned after addition of curcumin.*

TM: Yes and it was the combination of scientific evidence that led to the CF Foundation's interest in doing human trials. Remember, we are not advocating the use of turmeric for CF; but, simply, pointing out the health potential of this major antioxidant, liver protective, immune supporting herb.* Those with an interest in CF, should follow the upcoming research. For more research studies involving curcumin/turmeric refer to the June,2005 Health Show in Jana's Corner and the "More Information" section of the Vitamarin "Shopping" site. You'll gain great respect for this amazing herb.

MG: Thanks for this information tonight. I know that I have gained even more respect for the health potential of milk thistle and turmeric! Well it 's time to say goodnight, Tommy.

TM: Before we go, I'd like to invite any of you that have been inspired to share your testimonial, to do so at this time.

TESTIMONIALS

TM: Thanks for sharing. Please remember that this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

REFERENCES
News Target (www.newstarget.com), 11/2/06; "Study shows milk thistle extract treats diabetes by lowering blood sugar, protecting liver"
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.