Latest Supplements Articles

FXR could slow growth of Tamoxifen-resistant cancer cells.

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:38:04 -0700

A new FXR (farnesoid X receptor) antibody study has revealed that activation of the FXR protein could slow the growth of breast cancer cells resistant to Tamoxifen. The FXR products as seen on our antibody database have previously been used to show that FXR reduces proliferation of breast cancer cells. However, it was not known if it would have the same effect on Tamoxifen-resistant tissue.

FXR is a nuclear receptor that is mainly found in hepatic tissue. Following a recent revelation that it is also found in breast cancer cells, it has become a focus of research in this area.

One of the steroid receptor superfamily, FXR (also called NR1H4, or nuclear receptor subfamily 1/group H-4) binds to a class of lipids called farnesoids, at DNA sequences known as hormone response elements (HREs). Activation by bile acid ligands is followed by translocation to the nucleus, where a heterodimer is formed with RXR, a promiscuous mediator which dimerises with a number of proteins.

Antibody studies have shown the primary function of FXR is to suppress CYP7A1 (cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase) via a negative feedback pathway, thus regulating bile salt levels. Its expression in breast cancer cells, and its effect on controlling their growth, led to a study to see its effect on cells resistant to the cancer drug Tamoxifen.

Two cell-lines were used: MCF-7TR, which is tamoxifen-resistant, and MCF-7, which is sensitive. The findings indicated that FXR slowed cell proliferation, irrespective of whether the cells were tamoxifen-resistant or not. In fact, the effect was enhanced in the resistant cells.

The study suggests that FXR works by inhibiting expression of the growth factor signalling mediator HER2, which is over-expressed in breast cancer cells, disrupting growth regulation and leading to enhanced malignancy. Tamoxifen-resistant cells appear to have a greater dependency on HER2, explaining why FXR had a greater effect on these cells.

We at Novus Biologicals have a broad antibody database covering breast cancer research, to which we are adding all the time.

mTor pathway antibodies as tools for research

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 19:55:36 -0700

Antibody suppliers have thousands of products devoted to the study of the mTor pathway. It is a complex area covered by many protein families, with a wide variety of regulatory signals. These include growth factors, hormones, amino acids and other nutrients, cell energy levels, hypoxia and various stress factors.

The mTor (mammalian target of Rapamycin) pathway is studied in a variety of diseases. It is a serine/threonine protein kinase belonging to the PIKK (Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase-related Kinase) family of proteins. Antibody studies have shown that mTor kinase is the key modulator of proliferative signal transduction.

The mTor pathway is centred on activation of mTor kinase, which causes increased protein synthesis and DNA transcription, owing to phosphorylation of downstream protein targets. This triggers cell growth, cell proliferation and mitochondrial metabolism. Other areas of the mTor pathway control angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), and promotion of cell survival by suppression of apoptosis and autophagy mechanisms. Disruption in the signalling pathways contributes to many human clinical conditions including cancer, metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease.

Our antibody catalogue has a large number of products covering the mTor pathway, which is subdivided into two complexes. The mTor 1 complex (known as mTORC1), is the larger of the two complexes and controls protein synthesis, which leads to angiogenesis (via the VEGF pathway); cell cycle progression and cell growth; mitochondrial metabolism and adipogenesis. The complex also controls the ATG1/Beclin1 membrane denudeation pathway (leading to autophagy induction).

The mTor 2 complex (mTORC2) comprises mTOR, Rictor (rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR), GbL and mSIN1 (stress-activated protein kinase interacting protein 1). Studies have shown this complex to function as an important regulator of cytoskeleton organisation, via stimulation of Rac1, Cdc42, paxillin, RhoA, protein kinase C-alpha and F-actin stress fibres. It also stimulates PDK1 phosphorylation of AKT, leading to AKT signalling of the cell survival mechanism.

Antibody suppliers, such as us at Novus Biologicals, are constantly updating our catalogues to take account of new developments in the study of mTor pathways.

Show me the whey

Wed, 26 May 2010 00:05:35 -0700

Whey protein powder has become a popular bodybuilding supplement over the last few years. It’s hard to walk past a health shop without seeing big signs for it, it’s not uncommon to see adverts for it on TV and you can absolutely guarantee that you’ll see it advertised all over your local gym. Whey protein powder has become incredibly popular due to the fact that is reasonably priced and packed with protein which is essential for helping to build muscle.

Most people are aware of whey protein but probably have very little idea of how it is produced and how it is good for the people that consume it. Whey is a by-product of cheese production, it is the product left after milk has been curdled and strained. Whey protein powder is good for bodybuilders due to the fact that it has a high density of easy to digest protein. This protein helps to increase the levels of amino acids in the blood which in turn is taken up by the muscles to help increase mass. During exercise, whey also helps to open up blood vessels to allow a better flow of nutrients to help both repair and rebuild muscles. Some studies have also suggested that whey can help to increase levels of antioxidants which help to defend your body from toxins.

With whey protein being available in so many convenient forms such as those we stock at from mybodybuildingsuperstore.com, there’s no reason why more and more people should not be able to benefit from everything that whey protein powder has to offer. Whey protein powder is a naturally occurring by product of cheese production so there’s no worry about filling your body with chemicals or anything harmful. A natural way to self improvement is a must for anyone looking to maximise the benefits of their work out.

Suitable for all

Tue, 25 May 2010 20:26:36 -0700

Typically, bodybuilding supplements have a reputation for being aimed at certain groups of people. Most people assume that these bodybuilding supplements are only for huge guys with no necks, a steroid problem and the ability to lift a small car.

In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Bodybuilding supplements such as whey protein powder are suitable for all athletes. Whey protein powder is especially good at helping to build muscle due to its high levels of protein. However, this doesn’t just mean that it is suitable for bodybuilding enthusiasts (although it is certainly of benefit to them as well); it is suitable for anyone looking for an improvement in muscle strength. Rowers who require a lot of core, explosive strength would certainly benefit. Athletes in all disciplines would benefit from whey protein. Even young footballers looking to add a little extra bulk and strength would certainly benefit from whey protein powder.

What makes whey protein accessible to large groups of people is the fact that it comes in so many forms. Again, it doesn’t have to be the stereotypical bodybuilder gulping down a large glass of some foul looking liquid. Health companies have got smart and started putting proteins into everyday foods such as cereal bars, cookies and even brownies, such as those we stock at mybodybuildingsuperatore.com. These tasty and easy to eat food types have made it easier for everyday sports enthusiasts to get their fill of protein without the complexity and time of making unpleasant looking drinks.

With easy and convenient foods containing large amounts of protein being so readily available, any sports enthusiast that is truly dedicated to self improvement would be foolish not to make the most of them. These convenient products have made it quick and easy for everyone to be able to fill there body with beneficial bodybuilding supplements.

Herbal Supplements -Supplements Are More Than a Flintstones Vitamin!

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:57:31 -0800

Many people think of herbal supplements and they think of that grainy, fruity, Flintstones character from the world of cartoons. Surely you can't be serious, they may say. But I eat healthy, they may say. I don't need that. What few people seem to realize is that even if you are eating organically grown food in a perfect diet, you still do not get the nutrients you need in one day's time because of how nutritionally deficit our foods have become. The nutrients in our food are depleted because our soil is depleted, and if you are not buying local, fresh, organic produce, they are even worse due to the processing and shipping practices.

Omega 3 nutrients are one of the biggest lacks in society's diet today. It is found in high quality fish. Many doctors today suggest taking an Omega 3 herbal supplement of some kind because of the cardiovascular support this nutrition provides. Health supplements can provide these Omega 3 needs as well. The Goji Berry has been in the news lately, and it's no wonder why! The Goji Berry is one of the world's most powerful antioxidants available. Goji Berry has proven effective at providing energy, circulation, immunity, and is also well known for its incredible ability to aid in weight loss.

Not every herbal supplement is designed to provide you with the supplementation to your diet, however. Some help you shed the things that the world has programmed into your mind. Scientists have been able to prove that Hoodia, only 100% certified pure South African Hoodia, will make your brain and stomach think you are completely full and not hungry at all. This one can help someone who has emotional or mental reasons for eating more than they should, and herbal supplements can help. Scientifically, this is a real concern for people.

Another great herbal supplement that is gaining popularity around the world is organic Acai Berry supplements. Acai Berry is grow in Brazil and is a super antioxidant, this wonderful berry has 10 times the antioxidant power of red grapes and two times the antioxidant power of blueberries, and packs 10 to 30 times the Anthocyanins of red wine

These products are so incredible and we believe in them so very much. We believe that our herbal supplements will be so beneficial for your long term health that we are offering many ways for you to try it for yourself. Consider joining an herbal supplement club or take a look at one of our many free offers available. Many of our product selections and packages give you free bottles of your chosen health supplement. Find out how much better you will feel when you have used a natural choice to improve your quality of life.

Lose weight and look great with Fatburn7

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:30:26 -0800

Chubby cheeks are no longer desired now. People are trying to get leaner and have a sculpted-looking body. Many obese people are blindly following different kinds of weight loss supplements and diet pills without having proper information about it. As a result besides burning the body fats they face severe health problems too.

In any weight losing process it is very essential to understand the function of the diet medications and supplements before consuming them. Numerous diet pills and weight loss supplements are emerging in the market everyday with attractive offers and promising claims to lure the customer towards them. Therefore a sensible customer should take the advice of the nutritionist or any health expert before taking a decision on the type of supplement he would like.

People who believe that by starving themselves they can lose weight easily are mistaken; instead by doing this their body loses the immunity and gets prone to harmful rare diseases. Therefore various world wide health experts advice to consume the diet pills and weight loss supplements along with a balanced diet every time. And the good quality diet pills and weight loss supplements are always prepared with the combination of nature, science and research.

Before purchasing any kind of diet pills or weight loss supplements, it is very essential to go through its ingredients once. An effective diet pill and weight loss supplement must contain some of the following natural ingredients described below.

Chromium picolinate- a mineral that helps in increasing the lean muscle and regulates glycemic control.
5-HTP- a serotonin precursor that helps in controlling hunger.
Chad de Bugre- an appetite suppressant and energy stimulant.
Irvingia Gabonensis- effective in weight management and fat metabolism
Green tea extract- an antioxidant that boosts the thermogenic capabilities.
Gugglesterone- for optimal thyroid functioning.

These are some of the few essential natural ingredients that should be included in the pills and supplements designed for the weight management program. All the above mentioned ingredients together work to burn fat, promote oxidation of fat, increase the metabolic rate, suppress the appetite, reduce the fatty deposit, decrease the carbohydrate cravings and finally reduce the circumference of the waist.

The ordinary diet pills and weight loss supplements available in the market sometimes contain high concentration of caffeine, difficult to identify at times and therefore can cause side effects like increased blood pressure or heart rate.

An effective diet pill and supplements created by the knowledgeable medical doctors and research scientists promote a healthy way of life. Such pills often come in the form of vegetable capsules. These diet pills and weight loss supplements wonderfully works on athletes, body builders and common man too.

People who are presently unhappy with their diet pills and weight loss supplements can look out on the online stores for some effective capsules. Further, it is strictly advised by the stores to consult a doctor before using their products to avoid serious medical conditions that may happen in exceptional cases.

Could Compound in Red Wine Help Cancer Patients?

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:16:03 -0800

For years, consumers and natural health advocates have been convinced of the benefits of resveratrol, the healthy by-product of red-wine grapes, but recently, the National Cancer Institute decided it was time to investigate further.

Teaming with a leading biotech firm, the National Cancer Institute is out to evaluate how derivatives of resveratrol can potentially impede cancer cell development. Human studies have just started, so conclusive evidence is not yet in hand. Still expert observers are intrigued.

"There is an abundance of very well done basic preclinical science to suggest a central role for resveratrol to reduce inflammation and potentially have a role in cancer and heart disease prevention and treatment," said Bryan C. Donohue, M.D., F.A.C.C., Chief, Division of Cardiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center - Shadyside Hospital. "The funding by the National Cancer Institute of studies to examine the potential benefit of resveratrol among cancer patients points out the importance of this intriguing molecule. Important early stage clinical trials are now underway examining resveratrol's effectiveness among patients with heart disease, cancer, dementia and a host of other modern plagues."

In the meanwhile, many individuals simply looking for greater energy, enhanced clarity of thought and advanced overall well being are already benefiting from resveratrol supplementation, according to Dr. Donohue.

"I have had occasion to introduce hundreds of patients to daily resveratrol supplementation, ranging from healthy adults interested in health maintenance and prevention to more elderly individuals with specific health concerns," Dr. Donohue said. "The experience to date has been very gratifying. People have experienced greater energy, increased exercise tolerance, crispness and clarity of thought and a general bounce in their overall level of well-being. Simply feeling vividly well is a great way to begin the important campaign of achieving improved health."

"There are a wide variety of resveratrol products on the market, and many of them include low concentrations of the ingredient or they are of poor quality," Dr. Donohue said. "I recommend to my patients resveratrol supplements that have a high concentration of the ingredient. I prefer the product line from Vinomis (www.vinomis.com), because their products contain a concentration of 98 percent resveratrol plus pure red wine grape concentrate, and their Web site is an outstanding resource for independent studies and scientific information about natural compounds. My feeling is that patients who are well-educated about their health options make better choices."

Does the Government Get It About Vitamin D?

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 06:44:40 -0800

What if there was one pill you could take that could possibly help reduce your risk for 17 types of cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, and childhood asthma - and it wasn't a prescription drug? It's a pill that some recent studies indicate could lower the incidence of breast cancer by as much as 50 percent and reduce our national cost of cancer treatment by $25 billion annually, while costing consumers only pennies a day.

That pill exists, according to Dr. Soram Khalsa a member of the medical staff at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. It's Vitamin D, a nutrient that has been in common use since the 1920s, and new data suggests it could help stem the tide of many chronic conditions at a cost of under 10 cents a day.

Dr. Khalsa -- a board-certified internist, 30-year practitioner and pioneer of integrative medicine and author of the book The Vitamin D Revolution from Hay House (www.vitamindrevolution.com) -- knows that the lack of Vitamin D in Americans has been cited as a factor in just about every major ailment suffered by Americans, and he is on a crusade to stop the trend before millions more suffer.

Dr. Khalsa believes that the U.S. recommended daily allowance (RDA) of Vitamin D is outdated and too low, based on the long standing premise that Vitamin D only helps fight rickets. "In the past ten years, medical science has discovered that Vitamin D in higher doses can help prevent numerous other illnesses, yet the RDA does not reflect that new understanding. Simply put, the government is behind the curve."

"The world's best Vitamin D researchers are convinced that as many as one billion people worldwide are deficient in Vitamin D," Dr. Khalsa said. "Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in conditions including cancer, coronary artery disease and even chronic pain. Estimates indicate that the economic burden of Vitamin D deficiency in the U.S. alone could cost between $40 -$56 billion annually. The bottom line is that dozens of scientific studies have proclaimed resoundingly that the incidence of these illnesses is lower in people with higher levels of Vitamin D in their systems, and is higher in those who lack it. It's just that simple."

"By increasing one's Vitamin D levels from the currently accepted range of 20 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml) in their blood to a range of about 40 ng/ml - 70 ng/ml, the risk of cancer and other Vitamin D long-latency deficiency diseases can be reduced. It is now known that most organs, in the body have Vitamin D receptors. Vitamin D, which is really a hormone and not really a vitamin at all, circulates throughout the body and interacts with cells, tissue and organs. Researchers are now finding that Vitamin D interacts with more than 2,000 genes - Vitamin D is the only substance of its kind in the body."

Dr. Khalsa added that the best way to find out if you are Vitamin D deficient is through a simple blood test you can request from your physician or even perform with a home test kit. Some of the symptoms of very low Vitamin D levels can include:

• Muscular weakness
• Feeling of heaviness in the legs
• Chronic musculoskeletal pain
• Fatigue
• Frequent infections
• Depression

In 2002, the Journal of the American Medical Association urged adults to take a daily multivitamin. With the same urgency, Dr. Khalsa would like to see every adult taking 1000 IU - 2000 IU per day of Vitamin D as part of their wellness regimen. "Although most of the evidence that vitamin D helps protect against cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis is retrospective and epidemiological, there is no harm in taking a higher dose now while the prospective studies are being carried out. At most, the extra vitamin D will do no harm. At best, it will probably bring us great benefit."

"Because of the vast lack of access to basic healthcare, we have a massive population of people who walk around like ticking time bombs," he said. "They don't feel good, and don't know why, but because their health issues aren't debilitating or pressing, they don't seek out medical care that is either too expensive or just plain not available. As a result, their risk for an immense array of illnesses skyrockets while they find it easy to ignore their own need for care. By adopting an integrative model of health care that incorporates safe and accepted self-care and complementary medicine strategies like adding Vitamin D, consumers can actively participate in managing their health - proactively mitigating certain risks and improving the quality of their daily lives."

Fatburn7 - Diet pills that transform bodies into art

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:28:12 -0800

Getting up in the morning and rushing to the gym to work out for more than an hour followed with a hectic day at work where all you eat are salads and soups and avoiding partying on weekends to avoid rich food and drinks sure is a really heavy price to have a great body. While one can go ahead and leave no stone unturned to try and get the perfect body, they will eventually realize that weight loss supplements can bring forth a better effect on your body and allow you to live a normal life.

In creating the perfect diet pills that promise to transform your life; a team of pharmacists, physicians and research scientists will get engaged to do the right research on the ingredients that have been studied well for their weight loss properties. With the backing of an appropriate certification that ensure both good quality and immense potency, some weight loss supplements are designed to work hard on your body throughout the day to ensure that you end up looking like a Greek god who has come back to inhabit earth.

Our body weight is normally manipulated by factors like energy output and exercise or expenditure, calorie intake or the food intake and the efficiency of the body in processing those calories that stops them from turning into fat. Thus, well researched weight loss supplements aim at addressing these factors and aid in burning fat, suppressing appetite, increasing metabolism, preventing fat deposit formation, increasing muscle tissue formation and reduce the craving for the major fat producing carbohydrates. So diet pills which target these attributes will undoubtedly be the drug that hits the markets such that it will be consumed by men and women alike.

Weight loss supplements have to cater to men and women very differently as their bodies are extremely different and hence their metabolism and functioning is just as different. Men are more focused on building muscle than on losing weight but these two are strongly related as shedding body weight is essential in developing a lean body and getting the washboard abs that all body conscious men desire. Thus these diet pills focus on burning belly fat, increase lean muscle tissue and in increasing metabolism in men that will enable men to gain better abdominal definition and develop a good muscular physique that will be equivalent to doing a really vigorous workout.

Women are normally more weight conscious and thus will be essentially looking after their dietary habits as a woman's agenda is in weight loss and not in gaining too much muscle that makes her appear masculine. Thus weight loss supplements will change the way a woman feels about weight loss as it will target the problems women face in losing weight like difficulty with exercise, thyroid imbalance and difficult diet regimens. So diet pills work wonders on women by delivering a slender waistline, suppressing appetites and cravings for carbohydrates that render them confident enough to sport fashionable outfits.

The world will be at your feet once you have diet pills that can transform your body into an art form that should be worshipped. So the next time you are to attend a classy event amongst celebrities you know what you have to do to make even Jennifer Lopez realize why you are the hottest woman walking the red carpet.

10 Tips to Choosing the Right Vitamin Supplements

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:39:25 -0800

The ever growing concern for health and health related products as caused a boom in the natural vitamin supplement industry. Vitamins are essential in maintaining optimum health. However, our body is unable to manufacture most of them on its own and it is necessary to get them from other sources. Most diets do not sufficiently provide the necessary nutrients making supplements a valuable part of maintaining good health.

Once a person is ready to find supplements best suited to their body and lifestyle, they are often discouraged to find the overwhelming amount of them on the market. Various brands and dosages line the shelves. Often natural vitamin supplements come in several forms, such as pill, capsule or liquid. The guiding question becomes, how to choose the right natural vitamin supplement. Here are 10 important things to consider:

• Remember to consider minerals and other trace nutrients which are necessary for many vitamins to work properly.
• When you have a choice between natural or synthetic vitamins, natural is a better choice as studies have shown that our body more readily utilizes them.
• Choose a reputable manufacturer and shop from reputable dealers.
• Request a Certificate of Analysis (COA) from the manufacturer which provides an analysis of the supplement and can give a clear indication of quality.
• Do your research and know what vitamins you really need. Vitamins can get costly, so knowing what you need before you shop can save you time and money.
• Gain a working understanding of how different vitamins work together and within your body.
• In most cases, choose capsules as they are more easily digested.
• Make sure the supplements are as fresh as possible. While natural vitamin supplements are better, they do have a shorter shelf life.
• Purchase a guide to supplements and know what supplements will help you achieve your desired health effect.
• Enlist the help of an expert. Reputable health supplement dealers, even online, will have knowledgeable staff readily available to help you find what you need.

Many times people thing of pharmaceuticals as their first and only option but forget that those often come with many unwanted and sometimes dangerous side effects. However, pharmaceuticals are not the only or even the best choice in many cases. Providing the body what it needs to perform optimally and living a healthy lifestyle should always be first choice. Some people are often held back by the cost of many natural vitamin supplements and do not realize that there are many brands and price points offered and often forget that the modest cost of good health now can save them much in health care costs later. In an age of rising health care costs, natural vitamin supplements are a wise investment. While choosing them can be a daunting task, with a little effort or by enlisting the help of an expert in the field can help you make your selections.