OT: Ashwaganda increases glutathione & counteracts too much copper

[Guest guest]

Listmates,

Here's a summary of the study below; it seems that Ashwaganda (present in

the new product Protandim, as well as BrainChild's Herbathione, and of

course, available separately)

http://www.protandim.com

http://www.lifelinetherapeutics.com/index.htm

http://www.brainchildnutritionals.com/Herbathionex.html

http://www.IllnessIsOptioinal.com

http://www.beyond-a-century.com

http://www.iherb.com

helps in conditions where there is too much copper--our kids have too much

copper! Ashwagandha also increases glutathione--well, that's a plus!!!

Ashwagandha increases glutathione peroxidase activity [glutathione

peroxidase is an enzyme in the body that is a powerful scavenger of free

radicals] and inhibits lipid peroxidation and protein oxidative

modification induced by copper. The effects are similar to those of

superoxide dismutase (SOD) and mannitol. The results indicate the

therapeutic potential of Ashwagandha in aging and copper-induced

pathophysiological conditions.

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) attenuates antioxidant defense in aged

spinal cord and inhibits copper induced lipid peroxidation and protein

oxidative modifications.

Drug Metabol Drug Interact. 2003;19(3):211-22.

Ashwagandha is classified in Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of

medicine, as a rasayana, a group of plant-derived drugs which promote

physical and mental health, augment resistance of the body against disease

and diverse adverse environmental factors, revitalize the body in

debilitated conditions and increase longevity. We investigated the effects

of Ashwagandha on copper-induced lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes

in aging spinal cord of Wistar rats. The activity of glutathione peroxidase

(GPx) decreased significantly in the spinal cord from adult to aged mice.

Treatment with Ashwagandha successfully attenuated GPx activity and

inhibited lipid peroxidation in a dose dependent manner. Ashwagandha

inhibited both the lipid peroxidation and protein oxidative modification

induced by copper. These effects were similar to those of superoxide

dismutase and mannitol. The results indicate the therapeutic potential of

Ashwagandha in aging and copper-induced pathophysiological conditions.

http://healthyherbs.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=healthyherbs&zu\

=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.raysahelian.com%2Fashwagandha.html

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/glutathione%20peroxidase