L-Theanine Decreases Toxicity from Chemotherapeutic Agent Doxorubicin

Recently studies have shown that the novel amino acid, L-Theanine, selectively improves the activity of chemotherapeutic agents in cancer cells but not in healthy cells. Now, a new study shows that while L-Theanine may improve the ability of chemotherapeutic agents to fight cancer, it may also function to protect healthy tissue. In a study using mice it was found that L-Theanine increases Glutathione levels in the heart and liver, and this may be the major mechanism in preventing doxorubicin (Adriamycin) toxicity in these tissues. The study is published in the August 30th, 2004 issue of Cancer letters.

Fish Oil Supplements Help Autoimmune Disease

52 Patients with Lupus, an autoimmune disease, were given either fish oil capsules or inactive placebo for 6 months. The fish oil supplements significantly decreased symptoms by almost 25% by the end of the study. Copper was also used in the study, but had no effect on the disease. The study appears in the August 2004 issue of the Journal of Rheumatology.

Help for Lungs of Patients with Right Sided Heart Attack

Heart attacks often affect the left side of the heart and impair the ability of the heart to pump oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. Right-sided heart attacks damage the ability of the heart to pump blood to the lungs. Inhaling Nitric Oxide improved the ability of the right side of the heart to pump blood to the lungs and improved blood vessel function in the lungs indicating improved function and decreased stress on the heart muscle. Blood pressure and heart rate weren't affected indicating that nitric oxide was not affecting the left side of the heart. The study is published in the August 18th issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Commentary by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph.

Do not confuse Nitric Oxide with laughing gas (nitrous oxide). The amino acid L-Arginine increases levels of nitric oxide in heart disease patients and maybe this is a simpler way to go. A caution is needed; if there are not enough circulating antioxidants to control nitric oxide, it can couple with hydrogen peroxide (naturally found in the body) and creates peroxynitrate - a very dangerous free radical. GliSODin SOD especially if containing Catalase, Natural forms of vitamin E including all 8 isomers of vitamin E, with enough vitamin C stabilizes nitric oxide and helps prevent the creation of peroxynitrate.