Optimize Performance, Endurance, Immunity and Stress Management

Race Horses and Athletes Don’t “Fade in the Stretch” with DMG

DMG (N-N-Dimethylglycine) is an extremely valuable anti-stress nutrient, ergogenic food factor and pro-oxygen nutrient that can enhance both physical and mental performance. For years it has been used by veterinarians and horse trainers for optimizing endurance and stamina. It reduces pre-race stress, improves racing speed and gives greater endurance.⁽¹⁾

DMG functions by increasing oxygen utilization and retarding lactic acid buildup. The buildup of lactic acid is responsible for muscle fatigue which causes runners, both human and animal, to “fade in the home stretch.”⁽¹⁾

Tested on college athletes, DMG increased maximum oxygen absorption 27%. Athletes taking DMG had a 23.6% increase over placebo controls in length of exercise time before exhaustion.(1)

DMG Effects Both Humoral and Cell-Mediated Immune Response

Research has shown that DMG increases antibody production in human volunteers after they are challenged with a vaccine. Both their antibody response and cellular immunity limbs of the immune system were stimulated. B cells are stimulated to produce higher antibody responses (humoral branch). Plus T cells and macrophages are potentiated (cellular immunity branch).^(1,2,3)

A double blind study with 20 human volunteers showed a fourfold increase in antibody response to pneumococcal vaccine in those receiving DMG orally as compared with controls. Those taking DMG also had a significantly higher mean response of leukocyte inhibition factor to streptokinase-streptodornase and to pneumococcal antigens after immunization with the vaccine.^(1,2,3)

In another experiment, in vitro responses of lymphocytes taken from patients with diabetes and those with sickle cell disease to three mitogens (PHA, Con A and pokeweed) were increased 300% after DMG was added. These results suggest that DMG produces more than immune restoration — it brings on immune potentiation.^(1,2,3)

A series of animal experiments using rabbits demonstrated that DMG produced:

• An increase of 300-500% in antibody activity as compared to controls.
• Measurable increases in T cell proliferation.
• Doubling of interferon production.
• Possible antiviral activity.

The rabbits were tested with typhoid and influenza antigens.^(1,2)

An earlier Russian study reported restoration of immune response in X-irradiated animals (rabbits and guinea pigs) after DMG treatment. The DMG treated animals responded to Brucella vaccine. Controls did not.^(2,4)

DMG Improves Cardiovascular Health and Stress Management

DMG is not classified as a vitamin in that it has not been found essential in the diet for prevention of a deficiency disease. Rather, it is an accessory food factor, or metabolic enhancer, necessary for optimum health and the prevention of stress related syndromes.⁽²⁾

DMG acts as a probable homeostatic agent that can normalize the negative effects of stress, which may include neutralization of free radicals in the body.⁽²⁾ Fatigue is less intense and the time taken to return to normal condition is shorter. The same effect seen in race horses is known to occur for executives, career women, athletes and other active people.⁽¹⁾

Heart disease, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and other troubles put a great deal of stress on the cardiovascular system. A clinical evaluation of DMG using over 400 geriatric patients showed a positive correlation between DMG and improvement in the heart and blood circulatory system.⁽²⁾

The patients taking DMG, almost universally, experienced such favorable reactions as:

• Uplifted feelings of well-being, vitality and mobility.
• Overall improvement in circulation as measured by the Doppler method.
• Decrease in elevated serum cholesterol levels
• Reduction or elimination of pain in those with stable angina pectoris.
• Fewer recurrences for patients suffering from cardiac arrhythmias.
• Decrease in blood pressure for those with hypertension.
• Improvement in heart response in patients undergoing exercise stress tests.
• Elevated systolic blood pressure was reduced from a high of 98 to levels of 85 to 88.
• Lowered average triglyceride levels from 200 to 110 mg.

Both the DMG treated group and controls were also on a prescribed program of diet and exercise.^(1,2)

The increase of available oxygen in their tissues produced a drop in the blood pressure readings of a group of hypertensive patients and brought their pressure readings down into the normal range. At the same time there was a notable improvement in their mental and physical performance as a result of taking DMG.⁽¹⁾

Over the past few years DMG has been used in the U.S. and the Soviet Union as a nutritional adjunct in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, allergies, chronic fatigue, emphysema and other respiratory problems, liver disorders, alcoholism, immune response deficiencies and sports practice. A number of doctors are having some success using a combination of DMG, Coenzyme Q₁₀ and organic Germanium for treatment of viral conditions such as Epstein-Barr virus and Cytomegalovirus.⁽²⁾

DMG and Pangamic Acid: Confusion in Early Research

N,N-Dimethylglycine constitutes the active part of a synthetic compound called Pangamic Acid which was first reported on by Krebs in 1951. Although research goes back to 1941 and earlier, it was in the 1960′s and 70′s that the Russians published extensive work on the calcium salt of Pangamic Acid. Believing it to be a vitamin, they called it vitamin B-15.

As reported in the American patent issued to the Soviet researchers, Bukin and Garkina, the Calcium Pangamate formula is based on N,N-Dimethylglycine and also contains free DMG as well.

Pangamate is simply a synthetic carrier for DMG. Unfortunately much of the Russian research incorrectly referred to Pangamate as being the active, naturally occurring substrate instead of Dimethylglycine (DMG). This has caused decades of confusion in the scientific literature.

The Soviet research on their DMG based formula demonstrated three basic properties:

• A lipotropic effect due to the presence of labile methyl groups.
• Stimulation of the oxidative metabolism of tissues.
• A detoxifying capacity.

Studies done in America with DMG support many of the findings of the earlier work done in Russia.

References

1. Walker, Morton, D.P.M., “Therapeutic Benefits of DMG, Dimethylglycine” Health World, March/April, 1990.

2. Walker, Morton, D.P.M., “Some Nutri-Clinical Applications of N,N-Dimethylglycine,” Townsend Letter for Doctors, June, 1988.

3. Graber, Charles D., Goust, Jean M., Glassman, Armand D., Kendall, Robert and Loadholt, C. Boyd, “Immunomodulating Properties of Dimethylglycine in Humans,” Journal of Infectious Diseases, Vol. 143, No. 1, January, 1981.

4. Nizametidinova, G.A., “Effectiveness of Calcium Pangamate Introduced into Vaccinated and X-irradiated Animals”, Reports of the Kazan Veterinary Institute, 112:100-104, 1972.

WARNING: This publication and the product contained herein have not been approved or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This publication, and the product contained herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The product relates to nutritional support only.

Sangre de Drago “Dragon’s Blood”

Sangre de grado is a medium-sized to large tree that grows from 10–20 m high in the upper Amazon region of Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. Although tall, the trunk is usually less than 30 cm in diameter and is covered by smooth, mottled bark. It has large, heart-shaped, bright-green leaves and unique, greenish-white flowers on long stalks. Its Peruvian name, sangre de grado, means “blood of the dragon” (in Spanish). In Ecuador, it’s named sangre de drago (which means “dragon’s blood” as well). When the trunk of the tree is cut or wounded, a dark red, sappy resin oozes out as if the tree is bleeding—earning this local name. The genus Croton is a large one, with 750 species of trees and shrubs distributed across the tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres. Crotons are rich in active alkaloids, and several species are well-known medicinal plants used as purgatives and tonics.

Sangre de Drago, Dragon's Blood, Croton lechleri

TRIBAL AND HERBAL MEDICINE USES

Sangre de grado’s red sap or latex (and also its bark) has a long history of indigenous use in the rainforest and in South America. The earliest written reference dates its use to the 1600s, when Spanish naturalist and explorer P. Bernabé Cobo found that the curative power of the sap was widely known throughout the indigenous tribes of Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador. For centuries, the sap has been painted on wounds to staunch bleeding, to accelerate healing, and to seal and protect injuries from infection. The sap dries quickly and forms a barrier, much like a “second skin.” It is used externally by indigenous tribes and local people in Peru for wounds, fractures, and hemorrhoids, internally for intestinal and stomach ulcers, and as a douche for vaginal discharge. Other indigenous uses include treating intestinal fevers and inflamed or infected gums, in vaginal baths before and after childbirth, for hemorrhaging after childbirth, and for skin disorders.

Sangre de grado resin and bark are used in traditional medicine in South America today in much the same manner as indigenous ones. In Peruvian herbal medicine it is recommended for hemorrhaging, as an antiseptic vaginal douche and, topically, for healing wounds. It is also used internally for ulcers in the mouth, throat, intestines and stomach; as an antiviral for upper respiratory viruses, stomach viruses and HIV; internally and externally for cancer and, topically, for skin disorders, insect bites and stings. In Brazilian traditional medicine the sap currently is used for wounds, hemorrhaging, diarrhea, mouth ulcers, and as a general tonic.

† The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information is intended for education and information purposes only. This information is not intended to be used to diagnose, prescribe or replace proper medical care. The plant described herein is not intended to treat, cure, diagnose, mitigate or prevent any disease.

Uña de Gato “Cat’s Claw”

Cat’s claw (U. tomentosa) is a large, woody vine that derives its name from hook-like thorns that grow along the vine and resemble the claws of a cat. Two closely related species of Uncaria are used almost interchangeably in the rainforests: U. tomentosa and U. guianensis. Both species can reach over 30 m high into the canopy. U. tomentosa has small, yellowish-white flowers, whereas U. guianensis has reddish-orange flowers and thorns that are more curved. Cat’s claw is indigenous to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical areas of South and Central America, including Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Trinidad, Venezuela, Suriname, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama.

Uña de Gato, Cat's Claw, Uncaria tomentosa

There are other species of plants with a common name of cat’s claw (or uña de gato) in Mexico and Latin America; however, they are entirely different plants, not belonging to the Uncaria genus, or even the Rubiaceae family. Several of the Mexican uña de gato varieties have toxic properties.

TRIBAL AND HERBAL MEDICINE USES

Both South American Uncaria species are used by the indigenous peoples of the Amazon rainforest in very similar ways and have long histories of use. Cat’s claw (U. tomentosa) has been used medicinally by the Aguaruna, Asháninka, Cashibo, Conibo, and Shipibo tribes of Peru for at least 2,000 years. The Asháninka Indian tribe in central Peru has the longest recorded history of use of the plant. They are also the largest commercial source of cat’s claw from Peru today. The Asháninka use cat’s claw to treat asthma, inflammations of the urinary tract, arthritis, rheumatism, and bone pain; to recover from childbirth; as a kidney cleanser; to cure deep wounds; to control inflammation and gastric ulcers; and for cancer. Indigenous tribes in Piura use cat’s claw to treat tumors, inflammations, rheumatism, and gastric ulcers. Other Peruvian indigenous tribes use cat’s claw to treat diabetes, urinary tract cancer in women, hemorrhages, menstrual irregularity, cirrhosis, fevers, abscesses, gastritis, rheumatism, tumors, and inflammations as well as for internal cleansing and to “normalize the body.” Reportedly, cat’s claw has also been used as a contraceptive by several different tribes of Peru (but only in very large dosages). Dr. Fernando Cabieses, M.D., a noted authority on Peruvian medicinal plants, explains that the Asháninka boil 5 to 6 kg (about 12 pounds) of the root in water until it is reduced to little more than 1 cup. This decoction is then taken 1 cup daily during the period of menstruation for three consecutive months; this supposedly causes sterility for three to four years.

Cat’s claw has been used in Peru and Europe since the early 1990s as an adjunctive treatment for cancer and AIDS as well as for other diseases that target the immune system. In herbal medicine today, cat’s claw is employed around the world for many different conditions, including immune disorders, gastritis, ulcers, cancer, arthritis, rheumatism, rheumatic disorders, neuralgias, chronic inflammation of all kinds, and such viral diseases as herpes zoster (shingles). Dr. Brent Davis, D.C. has written several articles on cat’s claw and refers to it as the “opener of the way” for its ability to cleanse the entire intestinal tract and its effectiveness in treating stomach and bowel disorders (such as Crohn’s disease, leaky bowel syndrome, ulcers, gastritis, diverticulitis, and other inflammatory conditions of the bowel, stomach, and intestines). Dr. Julian Whitaker, M.D. reports using cat’s claw for its immune-stimulating effects, for cancer, to help prevent strokes and heart attacks, to reduce blood clots, and for diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome.

† The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information is intended for education and information purposes only. This information is not intended to be used to diagnose, prescribe or replace proper medical care. The plant described herein is not intended to treat, cure, diagnose, mitigate or prevent any disease.