1. Benefits of Massage
2. How Niacin lowers Cholesterol
3. Alpha-Lipoic Acid & Neuropathy

The Benefits Of Massage:

What exactly are the benefits of receiving massage? Massage can:

·   Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion. 

·   Enhance immune system by stimulating lymph flow—the body’s natural defense system.

·   Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.

·   Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.

·   Improve the condition of the body’s largest organ—the skin.

·   Increase joint flexibility.

·   Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.

·   Reduce spasms and cramping.

·   Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.

·   Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body’s natural painkiller.

·   Relieves headache pain.

·   Activates Parasympathetic Nervous System aiding in digestion.

By Cindy Clayton, D.C. & Nutritionist - Practices in the Portland Oregon Area.  

Cindy Clayton-Sudalnik, D. C.
Life Wellness Group, 
9921 NW Engleman St, 
Portland, OR 97229, 
(323) 394-0194

How Niacin Lowers Cholesterol

It has been known for years that increased levels of niacin in the blood stream is a very effective way of reducing cholesterol levels without the need of additional drugs. Numerous medical and university studies have shown that niacin lowers overall cholesterol levels.

These studies show that niacin reduces the bad cholesterol (LDL) by 10-20%, reduces triglycerides (fat in the blood) by 20-50% and raises the good cholesterol (HDL) by 15 to 35%. 

Niacin accomplishes these changes naturally in the following ways:

1)      It reduces the breakdown of fat from fat cells which is the source of raw material used by the liver to create excess triglyceriedes.

2)      It inhibits the liver from converting sugar to triglycerides.

3)      It inhibits the liver from creating the building blocks of the bad cholesterol (VLDL) and thus as a result the bad cholesterol drops naturally.

4)      Virtually every study done on niacin has shown it to increase good cholesterol and which then picks up the excess bad cholesterol in your blood and takes it back to your liver for disposal.   The higher the good cholesterol, the less bad cholesterol you’ll have in your blood.

In a study called the “Coronary Drug Project” which ran for 6 years and included 3908 patients to study the effects of niacin besides lowering both triglycerides and cholesterol levels there were other astonishing results:

The study found that the use of niacin led to a 14% reduction in non fatal heart attack, a 26% reduction in damage to blood vessels in the brain (stroke or blockage) and a 47% reduction in the need for coronary artery bypass surgery.

Unfortunately, the use of niacin to bring down cholesterol levels never became popular due to the high amounts of niacin needed, which created side effects due to “niacin flush”. (Niacin cannot be confused with niacinaide or nictoinamide which does not cause flushing and does not lower cholesterol levels).

For more information, see www.mcvitamins.com/cholesterol.htm

Alpha-Lipoic Acid & Neuropathy

Some research suggests that certain nerve diseases may occur as a result of free radical damage. Since alpha-lipoic acid can reach all parts of a nerve cell it can potentially protect nerve cells against further damage. This is the rationale behind studies on the potential benefits of alpha-lipoic acid for diabetic neuropathy.

Another group of nerve cells in diabetics, the autonomic nerves, which control the function of internal organs, may also become damaged. When this same phenomenon occurs in the heart, a condition known as cardiac autonomic neuropathy, it leads to irregularities of heart rhythm. There is some evidence that alpha-lipoic acid may be helpful for this condition.

For more information about neuropathy, see www.mcvitamins.com/neuropathy.htm