November 2008

Science confirms benefits of Amla

Doctors of chiropractic have a natural affinity for the use of herbal remedies and often offer herbal products to their patients. Despite scare tactics used by the pharmaceutical industry, most botanical therapeutics are exceptionally safe and can be a perfect complement to chiropractic's subluxation corrective services.

Yet, according to Jeanne D'Brant, DC, founder and developer of New York Chiropractic College's certificate program in herbal studies, effectively incorporating herbals into a chiropractic practice requires "the basic knowledge of herbs, their categories of action, their biochemistry, formulary considerations, dosage, pediatric concerns, etc."

Dr. D'Brant also noted, in a recent letter to The Chiropractic Journal, that Ayurvedic herbs have centuries of anecdotal evidence supporting their efficacy, and more recently, research has validated some of these claims. "I support the positioning of the chiropractic profession in a central role of leadership in promoting the core concept of wellness," she stated.

In recent years, the risks of chemical pharmaceuticals have been widely reported and health care professions -- and the public they serve -- are increasingly drawn to more natural approaches that are wellness- rather than disease-oriented.

One herbal substance getting a great deal of attention lately is the fruit from the Amalaki tree (Emblica officinalis) also known as the Indian gooseberry or, more commonly, simply Amla. Amalaki has undergone intense scrutiny as a result of the popularity of the nutritional drink Zrii, particularly after the drink won endorsement from the Chopra Center for Wellness.

Because of its widespread use as a medicinal plant in India, Amalaki has already been the subject of several scientific studies and its therapeutic properties have been documented.

Among other benefits, research has shown that it has in vitro antiviral and antimicrobial properties [1], as well as a possible efficacy in relieving or treating inflammation, cancer, age-related renal disease, and diabetes. [2,3,4]

A human pilot study demonstrated reduction of blood cholesterol levels in both normal and hypercholesterolemic men. [5] Another probed the effects on a formula containing Amla on memory, total serum cholesterol levels and brain cholinesterase activity in mice. The researcher concluded that "Anwala churna may prove to be a useful remedy for the management of Alzheimer's disease on account of its multifarious beneficial effects such as, memory improving property, cholesterol lowering property and anticholinesterase activity." [6]

Other research has linked Amla to the inhibition of Aldose Reductase (AR) and the possible prevention of secondary complications of diabetes including cataract [7]. According to researchers: "The inhibition of AR by Amalaki tannoids is 100 times higher than its aqueous extract and comparable to or better than quercetin. Furthermore, the isolated tannoids not only prevented the AR activation in rat lens organ culture but also sugar-induced osmotic changes. These results indicate that tannoids of Amalaki are potent inhibitors of AR and suggest that exploring the therapeutic value of natural ingredients that people can incorporate into everyday life may be an effective approach in the management of diabetic complications."

Another study revealed that Amla may play a part in the prevention of dyslipidaemia and oxidative stress in the ageing process. [8]

Although the list of therapeutic benefits is impressive, many Western doctors have reacted with the same skepticism they exhibit toward acupuncture, Ayurvedic, Traditional Oriental Medicine, or any Eastern health care method that is seen as an alternative to Western pharmacology -- just as they do toward chiropractic.

Ironically, some doctors of chiropractic are similarly dismissive and critical of their colleagues who have chosen to use, recommend or distribute the Zrii drink.

"A few doctors have been unwilling to review the scientific literature on Amla and the other Zrii ingredients, and have classified it as bogus, just as MDs have done to them for decades," noted Timothy Feuling, president of Chiropractic Benefit Services and founder of the Zrii Chiropractic Team.

"Fortunately," he added, "many more chiropractors have done their homework and been convinced of the health benefits of this remarkable nutritional drink. They have had tremendous success introducing the product to their circle of contacts and, in doing so, have generated not only a lot of good will but a significant stream of revenue."

Feuling added that as doctors learn about the scientific evidence supporting Amla as well as Zrii's other ingredients, they will consider it as an ideal complement to their chiropractic practices. "More and more chiropractors will choose to get in on the ground floor of a key component of the wellness revolution," he noted.

(To learn more about Zrii visit http://oneworld.myzrii.com, e-mail oneworld@zriioffice.com, or call toll-free 1-877-411-6560 ext.  2934.)

References

1. Saeed S, Tariq P. "Antibacterial activities of Emblica officinalis and Coriandrum sativum against Gram negative urinary pathogens." Pak J Pharm Sci. 2007 Jan;20(1):32-5.

2. Ganju L, et. al. "Immunomodulatory effects of agents of plant origin." Biomed Pharmacother 2003 Sep;57(7):296-300.

3. Yokozawa T, et al. "Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) attenuates age-related renal dysfunction by oxidative stress." J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Sep 19;55(19):7744-52.

4. Rao TP, et. al. "Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) extracts reduce oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats." J Med Food. 2005 Fall;8(3):362-8.

5. Jacob A, et. al. "Effect of the Indian gooseberry (Amla) on serum cholesterol levels in men aged 35-55 years." Eur J Clin Nutr. 1988 Nov;42(11):939-44.

6. Vasudevan M, et.al, "Memory enhancing activity of Anwala churna (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.): an Ayurvedic preparation." Physiology & Behavior, 91:1, 16 May 2007:46-54.

7. Suryanarayana P, et. al. "Inhibition of aldose reductase by tannoid principles of Amalaki : implications for the prevention of sugar cataract." Mol Vis. 2004 Mar 12;10:148-54.

8. Yokozawa T, et. al. "Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) prevents dyslipidaemia and oxidative stress in the ageing process." Br J Nutr. 2007 Jun;97(6):1187-95.