Intriguing research recently reported in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation acknowledges the well known, but unfortunate, fact that muscle strength declines with age, but suggests that this might result from a vitamin deficiency.

The elderly adults in this study who had weaker muscles were more likely to be among the 12 percent of women and 18 percent of men with sub-optimal vitamin D levels.

Previous research has determined that older individuals are prone to vitamin D deficiency as a result of less exposure to sunlight (vitamin D is made in the skin in response to light), and impaired ability of the skin to create vitamin D, and the consumption of fewer vitamin D-rich foods.

Wheatgrass juice is a powerful cleanser and may start an immediate reaction with toxins and mucus in the stomach resulting in possible nausea. Chlorophyll will bring toxins stored away in cells or in fatty tissue into the bloodstream. Start with 1 ounce and work up. drink on an empty stomach. Keep refrigerated and drink same day.

Wheatgrass juice is very high in enzymes and chlorophyll. it contains up to 70% chlorophyll, which is an important blood builder. The chlorophyll molecules closely resembles that of the hemin molecule, he pigment which combines with protein to form hemoglobin. The major difference is the chlorophyll molecule contains magnesium as it's central atom, and the hemin molecule contains iron. The molecular structure of these two substances is almost identical in all other respects.

The starch of the wheat berry is stored energy which when converted to simpler sugars is a quick energy source. It is especially good for athletes because it is a juice and is assimilated in 20 minutes. Wheat picks up 92 of the 102 minerals in the soil and contains all vitamins science has isolated. Because 1 ounce of juice equals 2 pounds of produce nutritionally, it naturally shuts off the appestat in the brain.

Science has proven that chlorophyll will arrest growth and development of unfriendly bacteria. It acts to produce an unfavorable environment for bacterial growth, rather than by any direct action upon the bacteria themselves. Rapp and Gurney at Loyola University established that water-soluble chlorophyll inhibits the action of proteolytic bacteria (which break down protein into simpler substances) and enzymes. Hence when taken internally, via mouth or rectum, it inhibits the putrefaction of protein by some of the bacteria that are commonly found in the digestive tract of meat eaters.

Dr. Chiu-nan Lai; Ph.D., at the University of Texas System Cancer Center, Dept. of Biology, Houston, Texas, has determined through using the Ames Bacterial Mutagenicity Test that chlorophyll is the active factor in wheat sprout extract which inhibits the metabolic activity of carcinogens. A 20-year study of 2,000 telephone company workers has found that a natural ingredient in carrots and leafy great vegetables significantly reduced the risk of lung cancer in cigarette smokers. They determined that a diet high in beta-carotene negated the bad effects of 30 years of smoking. The National Cancer Institute reports that 19 of 21 studies over the years have indicated diets high in beta-carotene contribute to at least 40% risk reduction in developing some kinds of cancer.

The bland soothing effect of chlorophyll (wheatgrass) ointments are very beneficial to the treatment of various skin diseases involving the outer and underlying layers of the skin, including: itching and burning of the rectum; ivy poisoning; weeping and dry eczema and even in conditions caused by insect bites or infection. For first and second degree burns, the use of chlorophyll has been established as an outstanding aid. Sunburn can also be alleviated by the use of chlorophyll ointment at the time of exposure. This can reduce discomfort, and possible infection, to a minimum. Applied after severe sunburn, it has the same gratifying results as on regular burns. The same can be said of x-ray burns. Chlorophyll can also reduce or eliminate foul odor associated with burns.

The United States Army exposed guinea pigs to lethal doses of radiation. The guinea pigs fed chlorophyll-rich vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli had half the mortality rate as those fed a non-chlorophyll diet.

Dr. Earp Thomas found that an ounce of wheatgrass in a gallon of fluoridated water would turn the fluorine into harmless calcium-phosphate-fluoride compound. Used in wash water it adds softness to the face and hands. In the bath, it is most soothing. It stops bleeding, eases itching, and helps sores and pimples to heal. Dr. Earp Thomas further discovered that fruits and vegetables contaminated by sprays were thoroughly cleaned and the negative food transformed by wash water with a wisp of wheatgrass placed in the water.

Dr. Theodore M. Rudolph says that daily use of chlorophyll is most beneficial, at least to a certain degree, and in combination with other accepted methods of treatment in hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), high blood pressure (hypertension) and even arthritis. It seems that the ability of chlorophyll to combine with oxygen and its cleansing ability, contributes much to the removal of foreign matter from the walls of the blood vessels thus bringing the desired relief.

Doctors R. Redpath and J. C. Davis found chlorophyll packs inserted into the sinuses had a drying effect, clearing up congestion, and gave immediate relief. Congested head colds were cleared up within 24 hours.

Chlorophyll stimulates peristalsis, improves the intestines and is a mild diuretic. E. Bircher, Research Scientist, says chlorophyll increases the functions of the heart, affects the Vascular System, the intestines, the uterus and the lungs. It raises the basic nitrogen exchange and is therefore a tonic which considering its stimulating properties cannot be compared with any other.

In the investigation of chlorophyll, Doctors Redpath and Davis, ear, nose and throat specialists at Temple University, treated over 1000 patients ranging in age from very young children to elderly people. They were suffering from a wide variety of ailments such as head cold, acute catarrh inflammation, hay fever and acute sinus infections. Dr. Gurskin, in commenting on his associates' experience with chlorophyll writes, "It is interesting to note that there is not a single case recorded in which either improvement or cure has not taken place."

The chewing of wheatgrass has a tendency to banish sleepiness and bring a new alertness.

Diseases of the veins, namely varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), are very common. CVI prevalence is as high as 25 percent in women and 15 percent in men, most commonly in middle and old age. Varicose veins can occur in the early decades of life, sometimes in a person's early 20s or 30s.

Varicosities are normally not painful, but CVI is different. In CVI, capillaries are affected by enzymes, which weaken the capillary wall. As a result, vessels become fragile and permeable, leading to edema, swelling, and pain. Patients with CVI often have symptoms of leg pain, itching, and fatigue. In serious cases, leg ulcers can develop. Medical treatment for CVI is the wearing of compression stockings and vascular surgery, known as venous striping.

Though support stockings work well for some patients, many people don't like wearing them, and the stockings do nothing to improve capillary strength. An herbal remedy for this condition is horse chestnut. The horse chestnut is an inedible relative to the sweet chestnut. It was introduced to the United States in the 18th century. The shiny brown nut, or seed, lying inside its prickly green case is the plant part from which the medicine is derived. The dried seeds are finely chopped and tinctured in a mixture of alcohol and water. Active ingredients include saponin, aescin, and aesculin. Horse chestnut works in venous system by inhibiting the enzymes that attack blood vessel walls.

Horse chestnut extracts have been used extensively in Europe, particularly Germany. Products containing the horse chestnut are among the most commonly prescribed herbal medicines in that country. Between 1973 and 1996, at least 18 randomized, clinically controlled trials evaluating the horse chestnut in the treatment of CVI have been performed in Germany and France. Results indicate that horse chestnut is as effective as compression therapy. Though one drawback is that it may take a patient on horse chestnut up to 12 weeks to achieve the effect accomplished in 4 weeks with compression stockings. One significant advantage of the horse chestnut is that, because it degrades destructive enzymes, the plant improves long- term venous health. Support stockings provide only symptomatic relief.

Horse chestnut is available in both internal and topical preparations, and it certainly can be used in conjunction with other treatments such as support hose and regular elevation of legs. Because large doses of horse chestnut can cause kidney problems, it is important to follow the label recommendations when using this herb.

Free radical activity subjects each cell in your body to at least 1000 hits in a 24 hour period, for each of our60 trillion cells. A sufficient number of hits to a cell may leave it beyond repair. When enough cells have died,the organ they support fails to perform as it should. Research demonstrates that the organs that suffer themost hits are those that burn the most energy, namely the heart, brain and kidneys.

There are many sources of free radicals. Environmental pollutants are a major source. Smoking fillsthe body with millions of free radicals, as well as exposure to an ozone depleted atmosphere. However, freeradicals can be neutralized by antioxidant compounds that give up one of their electrons and return the freeradicals to normal. Denham Harman M.D., of the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, who madethe initial breakthroughs on free radical research, has said, "We are at the point where the major risk foranyone over the age of twenty-eight in the US is aging."

By controlling free radicals, antioxidants can make the difference between life and death, and affecthow quickly and how well we age. There is significant scientific evidence demonstrating that those of us whoeat a diet rich in antioxidants and take antioxidant supplementll live longer, healthier lives. Antioxidantsoccur in apricots, broccoli, grapes tomatoes and carrots.

In every level of Nature there seems to be a master element. In juices it is carrot. In herbs it isgoldenseal. In the antioxidant family it appears to be lipoic acid. It is both water and oil soluble. This enablesit to eliminate free radicals both within and outside the cell. It also recycles and regenerates otherantioxidants such as vitamins C and E and consequently prolongs their activity. It also has been found tolower and stabilize blood sugar levels, helps macular degeneration and eases cataracts. It occurs naturallyin carrots, potatoes, yams, and sweet potatoes. In supplement form dosage should be 100mg to 200mgdaily.

According to a recent Japanese study reported in Atherosclerosis magazine, a small amount of grapeseed extract added to the diets of animals prevented a certain form of heart disease known as aorticatherosclerosis. This research may well apply to humans as well. Grapeseed extract is rich in a class ofpolyphenols known as proanthocyanidins. These were added to the food of rabbits in the study. Researchersfound that although the grapeseed did not affect the rabbits serum cholesterol levels, it did lowerconsiderably the cholesterol in the wall of the aorta, the major artery carrying oxygenized blood away fromthe heart. Typically in cases of atherosclerosis the smooth muscle cells show oxidation. The aortic walls ofthe rabbits fed grapeseed oil did not. Proanthocyanidins are powerful water soluble antioxidants. Theseconcentrate in the artery walls, so small doses are generally sufficient. Researchers suggest takinggrapeseed oil extract in doses of about 1.25 grams per day for a person at 110 pounds of body weight.

Vitamin E is an extremely important antioxidant for the heart, blood fats, blood clot formation and maintainingthe health of the cell membranes. In a study of 87,000 nurses enrolled in the Harvard University NursesHealth Study, it was found that an average daily intake of 200IU of vitamin E showed a heart disease declineof 41%. A British study at Cambridge University of 2002 men, found that those with existing heart disease who took 400 to 800IU per day of vitamin E reduced their risk of heart attacks by 77%.

Inadequate intake of vitamin E equates with an increase of lung, colon, stomach and breast cancer.

The richest sources of vitamin E are unrefined vegetable oils, wheat germ and seeds. A lowercaloric source for those who still count calories is d-alpha tocopherol, which is totally natural and better absorbed than the synthetic "d-l" form which is generally made from mineral oil.

The recommended daily allowance, which is in reality the recommended minimum daily allowance,is 30IU. The research conducted by the Schutte brothers in Canada, which is the definitive research recommends a minimum of 400IU per day.