|
Moducare is a pine extract that contains sterols, naturally occurring compounds found in all plants. Sterols have been shown to enhance immune function and support the body's inflammation response.
What are sterols?
Sterols are fats found in every plant, whether it is a fruit or vegetable. Chemically, sterols are very similar to the animal fat cholesterol. Animals make and use cholesterol, but plants use phytosterols.
Sterols are abundant in all plants, but because of the processing of most foods, naturally occurring sterols are leeched from plants. And even if we could eat plant foods rich in sterols, we would have to eat 500-700 grams of fresh fruits and vegetables to derive 100 grams of sterols. This makes supplementing sterols helpful.
Research findings and clinical studies
Ten years of clinical trials at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa have revealed that the active compounds found in Moducare are potentially effective immune supporters. One study, published in the International Journal of Immunopharmacology, showed that sterols have a significant effect on T-cells. Another experiment showed an increase in Natural Killer Cell activity when sterols were used.
'Sterols and Sterolins and Gut Health' By Patrick Bouic, PhD, Healthy Immunity Fifth Edition Many inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract involve the cells of the immune system and an immunological response to an offending agent. The diseases may be grouped as follows:
- “Allergic” in nature: such as Celiac disease or gluten allergy (or also called gluten-induced enteropathy)
- “Inflammatory” in nature: such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which includes ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
- “Autoimmune” in nature: such as pernicious anemia (where vitamin B12 uptake is inhibited due to the presence of an antibody)
Irrespective of whether the disease is purely inflammatory in nature or has an underlying autoimmune component, the end result is damage to the mucosal lining of the GI tract, and a state of chronic inflammation. Certain bacteria or viruses may cause the initial onslaught but once the immune response has been set in motion, it becomes a self-perpetuating cycle of inflammation, tissue damage, more inflammation and so on. It is therefore, imperative to break the cycle by avoiding certain foods and by using supplements that stop the inflammation.
Research using sterols and sterolins has shown that these important molecules have potent immune-modulating properties. This means that they can intervene at the level of the immune cells, getting these cells under control, either by switching off the secretion of factors which promote inflammation, or by switching on other factors which control the release of “bad” factors. It has been shown that sterols and sterolins are able to stop the release of inflammatory factors such as Interleukin-6 and TNF-alpha, both of which are involved in the tissue damage to the mucosal membrane of the gut. Also, sterols and sterolins are able to enhance the activity of the TH1 T-helper cells, cells that control autoimmune processes. These same cells are also underactive in cases of allergies (including gut allergies): due to this underactivity, the cells, which release allergic factors, go uncontrolled.
Although clinical studies have not been conducted using sterols and sterolins, based on the above science, it is foreseeable that taking sterols and sterolins in cases of IBD or Celiac disease, or even pernicious anemia, will result in controlling the immune onslaught taking place on the mucosal surface. Sterols and sterolins will decrease the release of the inflammatory factors, get the good T cells to secrete the good factors, and induce a state of balance in the immune response. By so doing, it will allow repair mechanisms to kick in and recovery from such chronic conditions to take place.
Ingredients
3 Capsules contain:
Sterols (beta sitosterols) (from pine) 60 mg
Sterolins (glucoside sitosterolin) (from pine) 600 mcg
Inactive Ingredients: Rice flour, magnesium silicate
Contains No: soy, sugar, acacia, barley, wheat, corn, millet, dairy, lactose, yeast, gluten, artificial sweeteners, artificial colorings, salicylates or preservatives.
Daily Use: 1 capsule 3 times a day on an empty stomach. Double the dose to 2 capsules, 3 times a day during the first week for maximum results. Do not take with animal fats including milk because they inhibit absorption. Not to be taken by recipients of organ and tissue transplants.
Diabetics should consult their doctor before use as Moducare may reduce Insulin requirements.
Moducare should not be taken by pregnant or lactating women, or by young children under 5 years.
|
