Cox2Tame Brochure- Natural COX-2 Inhibitors

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. A Synergistic Blend of Herbal Extracts Known To Be Natural Inhibitors of the Cyclooxygenase-2 Enzyme

. Omega-3 Fatty Acids for the Production of Anti-inflammatory PGE3 Prostaglandins

. GLA to Support the Synthesis of Healing PGE1 Prostaglandins

. Devil's Claw Iridoid Glycosides Clinically Proven to Improve Joint Motility and Flexibility

. Natural Salicylates from White Willow Bark

. Curcumin, Ginger, Quercetin, Resveratrol and Green Tea to Reduce Cellular Pro- Inflammation Signals and Gene Expression

The COX-2/Inflammation Connection

The cyclooxygenase enzyme is the body's common site of action for a number of processes which lead to inflammation and pain as a result of its pivotal role in the production of a pro-inflammatory family of prostaglandins. These particular prostaglandins are hormone-like signaling agents which are manufactured primarily from arachidonic acid.

Synthetic inhibitors of the cyclooxygenase enzyme, unfortunately, can cause a variety of problems, primarily damage to the gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys. Cardiovascular issues recently have been added to this list. These problems associated with synthetic inhibitors arise because the cyclooxygenase enzyme is actually two enzymes rather than one.

One of the cyclooxygenase enzymes is highly desirable even under conditions of active inflammation. Cyclooxygenase- 1 (COX-1) is important for producing prostaglandins that protect the stomach and kidneys against damage by acid and other forms of assault. Only discovered in 1991, it is cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) which activates many pathways which use arachidonic acid to manufacture inflammation-inducing prostaglandins. Most synthetic inhibitors block both pathways, and therefore both protect and damage the body at the same time. Serious gastrointestinal side effects can be caused by inhibitors of COX-1. Recently, a new class of synthetic inhibitors that block only COX-2 has been proposed as safe alternatives, but this promise has not turned out to be entirely true in practice. COX-2 may have a critical role for immune function, in regulating sodium, water and body temperature, in nerve transmission, and in the proper operation of several organ systems, including the brain and the kidneys. Therefore, it is desirable to support the body's own mechanisms for influencing COX-2. Inflammation, moreover, is a signal of damage to local tissues as well as being a cause of such damage. Free radicals and strong oxidants appear in the body from many different sources and attack tissues through pathways not limited to those controlled by COX-2. There are other arachidonic acid-activating pathways in the body, for instance, those of 5-lipoxygenase and 12-lipoxygenase, which also can be influenced by natural mechanisms.

Omega-3 and GLA

To Control Arachidonic Acid Jarrow FORMULAS® COX2Tame uses the omega- 3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), derived from fish oil that has undergone molecular distillation to ensure maximum purity. Although these are closely related fatty acids, EPA and DHA have somewhat different roles within the body. EPA exerts its major activity by suppressing the arachidonic acid cascade and by increasing the production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins (PG), in particular the series or "family" of prostaglandins called PGE3. Supplying EPA, a substrate for the body's natural regulators of COX-2, thus can support the body against many types of damage. Conditions which are characterized by chronic inflammation can compromise the function and integrity of the joints and other tissues. The body can readily reconvert DHA back to EPA, and DHA has its own special benefits. For instance, DHA is critical for the proper functioning of the nervous system and it also exerts beneficial effects upon blood lipids levels and cardiovascular health.

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is one of the better known fatty acid nutrients. Under ideal circumstances, it is made in the body via the conversion of linoleic acid, one of the two essential fatty acids. GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid. Like EPA, it serves as a precursor to a family of hormonelike prostaglandins, in this case the series called PGE1. The PGE1 family is involved in anti-inflammatory, antispasm, anti-infection and similar actions in the body, including reducing the "stickiness" of the blood. In other words, GLA is a perfect complement to EPA and DHA.

Devil's Claw Inhibits COX-2

Certain natural herbal extracts exert beneficial effects upon COX-2. Devil's Claw is one of these. The active components appear to be its iridoid glycosides, such as the harpagosides which are unique to Devil's Claw. Even as a crude whole powder, Devil's Claw alone taken at the rate of 1.5 gram/day for 60 days received favorable results from greater than 80% of those tested in clinical trials with regard to improvement in the range of motion and relief of stiffness. Results were reported within eight days, and the only negative reports were slight digestive discomfort in two out of 43 patients. With regard to the gastrointestinal tract, Devil's Claw appears to act much like the herbal bitter, gentian root. It improves the functioning of the gallbladder, increases the release of bile salts, and has a favorable impact upon cholesterol and fatty acid levels in the blood.

More Help From Herbs

Curcumin, the yellow pigment from tumeric, is another of the powerful natural anti-inflammatories derived from plants, in part because of its antioxidant and free radical scavenging actions. This famous member of the ginger family is the ingredient which gives Indian curries their bright yellow color. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is used to improve digestion and the health of the intestinal tract. It is a primary herb recommended to maintain joint health, but also in cases of infections and liver problems. Chinese medicine, similarly, uses tumeric in cases of liver dysfunction and joint stiffness. It is postulated that curcumin activates cellular sites which are sensitive to adrenal hormones, such as cortisol.

White Willow bark (Salicis cortex) is a source of salicin and salicortin. Acetyl-salicylic acid, the active component of aspirin, was originally created by alterring an extract of white willow bark. Ancient Chinese herbalists used the bark to relieve pain and fever, and similar recommendations can be found in the writings of the Greek physician Dioscorides. When European colonists first came to North America, they discovered that Indian tribes on this continent already used the bark of willows to treat pain, inflammation and fever. A number of other herbs contain antioxidants and related compounds which act either to directly inhibit COX-2 or to disrupt the signaling process which actives COX-2 gene expression. COX2Tame also utilizes ginger, quercetin, resveratrol and green tea to provide comprehensive support to the body's own natural mechanisms for controlling COX-2 and its negative effects.

Usage And Safety

As a dietary supplement, take 1 to 3 softgels per day at mealtime with water or juice, or as directed by your qualified health consultant. NOTE: Individuals taking anticoagulant medication should consult a physician before taking this product.

References

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Source: Jarrow Formulas