The Science Behind EsseCore

EsseCore products are your body’s defense against cellular inflammation, and your first step towards feeling better.

The cells in your body are constantly damaged from various causes; lack of sleep, stress, poor nutrition, poor air quality, dehydration, toxins, exercise, etc. Damaged cells are referred to as ”free radical” cells. Because these cells have been damaged, they are no longer complete. In order to make themselves complete, or whole again, free radical cells steal a piece of a complete cell. When this happens, inflammation is created in your body and more damage is caused. Whenever inflammation is present, free radicals are present, and they begin to circulate throughout your body. When free radicals are circulating in your body, they create more damaged cells. The production of free radical cells can become chronic, creating toxicity in your body. New cells are created from existing cells. If your existing cells are damaged, the new cells created will also be damaged. When changes are not implemented, and inflammation continues over a long period of time, your body is set up for aging, and potentially life threatening illness. You can make healthy, new cells, by making changes in your diet and lifestyle.

EsseCore products provide you with nutrients essential for the reduction of inflammation, the creation of healthy new cells, and renewed health.

Clinical Trials

Passion Flower

1. “A 1968 survey of British herbal sedatives revealed passion flower as the most popular”.

Tyler V. Herbs of Choice: The Theraputic Use of Phytomedicinals. Binghmton, N.Y. Pharmaceutical Products Press; 1994:119. Ross MS, Anderson LA. Selection of plants for phytopharmacological study based on modern herbal practice. Int J Crude Drug Res. 1986; 24:1-6.

2. “Human studies of Passiflora species as a sedative/ anxiolytic have been conducted.”

Yaniv R, Segal E, Trau H, Auslander S, Perel A. Natural premedication for mast cell proliferative disorders. J Ethnopharmacol. 1995; 46:71-72

3. “In a multi-center, double blind trial of 91 patients, Passiflora (in combination with Euphytose) exhibited statistically significant differences when compared with placebo in the treatment of adjustment disorder with anxious mood.”

Bourin M, Bougerol T, Guitton B, Broutin E. A combination of plant extracts in the treatment of outpatients with adjustment disorder with anxious mood; controlled study vs=2 0placebo. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 1997; 11: 127-132

4. “Passion flower’s ability to reduce anxiety makes it useful for asthma, palpitations, and other cardiac rhythm abnormalities, high blood pressure, insomnia, neurosis, nervousness, pain, and other conditions.”

Chevallier A. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. New York, NY: DK Publishing; 1996; 117

Bruenton J. Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. Paris, France: Lavoisier Publishing Inc; 1995:284-285

Duke J. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, Fl. CRC Press; 1985: 347

5. “The results suggest that Passiflora extract is an effective drug for the management of generalized anxiety disorder, and the low incidence of impairment of job performance with Passiflora extract compared to oxazepam is an advantage.”

Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata L.). A reliable herbal sedative Wien Med Wochenschr. 2002; 152 (15-16): 404-6.Toxicity of Passiflora incarnata L.

6. “Passiflora extract may be an effective adjuvant agent in the management of opiate withdrawal. An 20extract from Passiflora herb reverses tolerance and dependence of several addiction – prone psychotropic drugs, including morphine, nicotine, ethanol, diazepam and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.”

Akhondzadeh S, Naghavi HR, Vazirian M, Shayeganppour A, Rashidi H, Khani M, Passiflora in the treatment of opiates withdrawal: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. J Clin Phar Ther. 2001 Oct; 26(5): 369-73

7. “Passionflower may also relieve anxiety in people who are recovering from heroin addiction. In a recent study including 65 addicts, those who received passionflower in addition to a standard detoxification medication experienced significantly fewer feelings of anxiety than those who received the medication alone.”

Akhondzadeh S, Naghavi HR, Vazirian M, Shayeganppour A, Rashidi H, Khani M, Passiflora in the treatment of opiates withdrawal: a double- blind randomized controlled trial. J Clin Phar Ther. 2001 Oct; 26(5): 369-73

Tart Cherry:

1.“Tart cherries contain powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins-which provide the distinctive red color and may hold the key to the benefits locked inside.”

Chandra A. Nair Mg, Iezzoni A. Evaluation and characterization of the anthocyanin pigments in tart cherries (Prunus cerasus L.). Journal of Agircultural and Food Chemistry 1992;40:976-969.

Wang H, Nair MG, Strasburg GM, Chang YC, Booren Am, GrayJI, DeWitt DL. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of anthocyanins and their aglycon, cyaniding from tart cherries. Journal of Natural Products. 1999; 62: 294-296. Wang H, Nair MG, Iezzoni AF, Strasburg GM, Booren AM, Gray JI. Quantification and characterization of anthocyanins in Balaton tart cherries. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 1997; 7:2556-2560.

2. “Studies suggest that the disease fighting properties of tart cherry pigments possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti aging and anti- carcinogenic properties. Tart cherries are on of the richest sources of anthocyanins.”

Blando F, Gerardi C, Nicoletti I. Sour cherry (Prunus csrasus L.). Anthocyanins as ingredients for functional foods. Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology. 2004; 2004:253-258.

3. “Anthocyanins are more effective than vitamin C, four times more potent as an antioxidant than the well known vitamin E.”

Rice-Evans Ca, Miller NJ, Bolwell PG, Bramley PM, Pridham JB. The relative antioxidant activities of plant derived polyphenolic flavonoids. Free Radical Research 1995; 22:375-383

4. “Anthocyanins have been compared to ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen for their anti-inflammatory action.”

Seeram NP, Bourquin LD, Nair MG. Degradation products of cyaniding glycosides from tart cherries and their bioactivities. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2001; 49: 4924-4929.

5. “A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that tart cherries ranked 14th, in the top 50 foods for highest antioxidant content per serving- surpassing well-known leaders such as red wine, prunes, dark chocolate, and orange juice.”

Halvorsen BL, Carlsen MH, Phillips KM, Bohn SK, Holte K, Jacobs DR, Blomhoff R. Content of redox-active compounds (I.e. antioxidants) in good consumed in the United States. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2006; 84:95-135.

6. “Tart cherries are one of the few known food sources of melatonin, a potent antioxidant that helps improve the body’s circadian rhythms and natural sleep patterns.”

Burkhardt S, Tan DX, Manchester LC, Hardeland R, Reiter RJ. Detection and qauntification of the antioxidant melatonin in Montmorency and Balaton tart cherries (Prunus cerasus). Journal of Agricultural and Food Cehmistry. 2001; 49: 4894-4902

7. “Studies suggest that melatonin may help protect the vascular system, lessen inflammation, and reduce ischerria and reperfusion injury associated with surgery.”

Tan DX, Manchester LC, Reiter RJ, Qi WB, KarbownikM, Calvo JR. Signifigance of melatonin in anti-oxidative defence system; Reactions and Products, Biological Signals and receptors. 2000; 9:137-159. Tan DX, Manchester LC, Hardeland R, Lopez- Burillo S, Mayo JC, Sainz RM, Reiter RJ. Melatonin: A Hormone, a Tissue Factor, an Autocoid, a Paracoid, and an Antioxidant Vitamin. Journal of Pineal Research. 2003; 34:75-78. Cuzzocrea S, Reiter RJ. Pharmacological Action of Melatonin in shock, inflammation and Ischemia / reperfusion injury. European Journal of Pharmacology. 2001; 4261: 1-10. Lissoni P, Rovelli F, Meregallis S, Fumagalli L, Musco F, Brivio F, Brivio O, Esposti G. Melatonin as a new Possible Anti-Inflammatory agent. Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents. 1997; 11: 157-159. Reiter RJ, Tan DX, Osuna C, Gitto E. Actions of Melatonin in the reduction of Oxidative Stress. Journals of Biomedical Science. 2000: 7: 444-458. Reiter RJ, Tan DX. Melatonin in plants. Nutrition Reviews 2001; 59:286-290.

8. “Compounds in cherries may inhibit inflammatory pathways associated with gout. Additional studies suggest the consumption of cherries may be beneficial for the management and prevention of inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory pain.”

Kelley DS, Rasooly R, Jacob RA, Kader AA, Mackey BE. Consumption of Bing Sweet Cherries lowers circulating concentrations of inflammation markers in healthy men and women. Journal of Nutrition. 2006; 136: 981-986. van Acker SA, Tromp MN, Haenen GR, vander VijghWJ, Bast A. Flavonoids as scavengers of nitric oxide radical. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 1995; 214: 755-759.

9. “A study from the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Human Nutrition Research Center at the University of California, Davis found that men and women who supplemented their diets with 280 grams of cherries for 28 days had a 25 percent redu ction in C-reactive protein levels, suggesting reduced inflammation associated with atherosclerosis risk.”

10. “Researchers at USDA’s Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tuft’s University in Boston state that there is “…ample research (that) indicates age-related neuronal-behavorial decrements are the result of the oxidative stress that may be ameliorated by antioxidants.”

Joseph J, Shukitt-Hale B, Denisova N, et al. Reversals of age related declines in neuronal signal transduction, cognitive, motor behavorial deficits with blueberry, spinach, or strawberry dietary supplementation. Journal of Neuroscience. 1999; 19: 8114-8121

11. “This oxidative damage has been linked to higher risk for memory loss, dementia, and even Alzheimer’s disease, while antioxidative-rich phytonutrients, such as the phenols, help reverse the course of neuronal and behavioral aging, and possibly improve memory.”

Galli RL, Shukitt-Hale B, Youdim KA, Joseph JA. Fruti polyphenolics and brain aging. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2002; 959: 128-132. Joseph J, Denisova N, Villalobos- Molina R, et al. Oxidative stress and age related neuronal deficits. Molecular Chemincal Neuropathology. 1996; 28: 35 – 40. Andres- Lacueva C, Shukitt-Hale B, Galli RL, Jauregui Q, Lamuela-Raventos RM, Joseph JA. Anthocyanins in age related blueberry fed rats are found centrally and may enhance memory. Nutirtion and Neoroscience. 2005; 8: 111-120. Shukitt- Hale b, Carey AN, Jenkins D, Rabin BM, Joseph JA. Beneficial effects of fruit extracts on neuronal function and behavior in a rodent model of accelerated aging. Neurobiology of Aging. 2006; July 10. Lau F, Shukitt- Hale B, Joseph J. The beneficial effects of fruit polyphenols on brain aging. Neurobiology of Aging. 2005; 26suppl: 128-132.

Magnesium:

1. “Insomnia is one of the central, or neurotic, symptoms of chronic magnesium deficiency. A number of parasomnias (night terrors; nocturnal verbal and motor automatisms; restless leg syndrome) may be related to magnesium deficiency.”

Durlach J et al. Magnesium and therapeutics. Magnes Res 7(3/4): 313-28, 1994. Popoviciu L et al. Parasomnias (non-specific nocturnal episodic manifestations) in patients with magnesium deficiency.

Rom J Neurol Psychiatry 28(1): 19-24, 1990. Popoviciu L et al. Clinical, EEG, electromyographic and polysomnographic studies inrestless leg syndrome caused by magnesium deficiency. Rom J Neurol Psychiatry 31(1):55-61, 1993.

2. “Sleep in magnesium deficiency us usually agitated with frequent nocturnal awakenings. Nocturnal instrument monitoring reveals major disorders of sleep organization. The deficiency may be severe enough to be diagnosed on the basis of clearly low blood magnesium levels.”

Popoviciu L et al. Clinical, EEG, electromyographic and polysomnographic studies inrestless leg syndrome caused by magnesium deficiency. Rom J Neurol Psychiatry 31(1):55-61, 1993.

3. “Conversely, a high magnesium, low aluminum diet has been found to be associated with high-quality sleep time and few nighttime awakenings, and magnesium supplementation has been reported to reduce sleep latency and result in uninterrupted sleep.”

Penland J. Effects of trace element nutrition on sleep patterns in adult women. Fed AM Soc Exp Biol J 2:A434, 1998. Davis W, Ziady F.U. of Pretoria, S. Africa –presented at the Second International Symposium on Magnesium, Montreal, 1976.

4. “Our study indicates that magnesium treatment may be a useful alternative therapy in patients with mild or moderate restless leg syndrome or periodic limb movements during sleep- related insomnia.”

Hornyak M, Voderholzer U, Hoagen F, Berger M, Riemann D. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Albert- Ludwigs- University, Freiburg, Germany.

5. “Without sufficient magnesium, the nerve cells cannot give and receive messages and become excitable and reactive. This causes a person to become stressed, highly sensitive and nervous. Feelings of nervousness, irritability and being unable to relax are signs of needing magnesium. Muscles need magnesium in order to relax.”

A. Rosanoff, Ph.D. The Center for Magnesium Education & Research.

6. “Aspects of low magnesium status are remarkably like aspects of aging.”

Saito, N. and S. Nishiyama (2005). (Aging and magnesium). Clin Calcium 15(11): 29036

7. “Magnesium plays a vital role in the stress reaction; stress can deplete the body of magnesium; low magnesium both triggers and increases the stress response; adequate magnesium allows the stress reaction to naturally subside.”

Seelig, M.S. (1994)

8. “Consequences of magnesium deficiency on the enhancement of stress reactions; preventative and therapeutic implications (a review).”

J Am Coll Nutr 13(5): 429-446

9. “Finland in the 1970’s had one of the highest death rates due to heart disease. After a 20 year program that included the rising of magnesium intakes, the country had one of the lowest death rates due to heat disease.”

Karppanen, H.R., Pennanen, et al. (1978)

Omega 3 Fatty Acids:

1. “It now appears that diet is a very important variable in the equation as to how people respond to depression and stress.”

Glaser R, Beversdorf, D, Lemeshow S, Porter, K. Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine, Ohio State University

2. “…Researchers have shown that clinically depressed people – those with more severe depression – often have lower omega-3 levels in their blood, and several studies have shown that supplementing diets with omega-3 improves depression.”

Glaser R, Beversdorf, D, Lemeshow S, Porter, K. Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine, Ohio State University

3. “…researchers could look at how depression and diet might interact to affect inflammation.”

Glaser R, Beversdorf, D, Lemeshow S, Porter, K. Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine, Ohio State University

4. “…research has shown that an increase in omega-3 fatty acids in the diet has specific health benefits, especially in patients with depression, cardiovascular disease and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.”

Belury, M. Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine, Ohio State University.

5. “This study has shown that even in people who did not take supplements, maybe just a little bit more omega-3 could help reduce markers for both stress and depression.”

Belury, M. Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine, Ohio State University.

6. “Studies have discovered that omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory effects due to their ability to convert into anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.”

Katsumata, et al. “Delayed Administration of Ethyl Eicosapentate improves Local Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism Without Affecting Infarct Volumes in Rat Focal Ischemic Model.” European Journal of Pharmacology. 1998; 372:187- 74.

7. “Omega-3 fatty acids may be relevant to the treatment of people with heart disease due to the fact that inflammation is believed to pay a role in heart disease progression. By increasing the amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in the diets of people with heart disease, the rate of inflammation may decrease, and disease progression could be possibly be delayed.”

Xiao, et al. “Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Modify Mouse Hippocampal Neuronal Excitability During Excitotoxic or Convulsant Stimulation.” Brain Research. 1999; 846:112-121

8. “According to the frustration-aggression hypothesis, frustration enhances readiness to get aggressive against external trigger-factors.”

Berkowitz, L. 1969. Roots of Aggression: a Re- examination of the Frustration- Aggression Hypothesis. L. Berkowitz, Editor. Atherton, New York. 136 pp.

9. “In this context, the stability in the extra-aggression percentages in the DHA group indicates aggression-controlling effects of DHA.”

Berkowitz, L. 1969. Roots of Aggression: a Re- examination of the Frustration- Aggression Hypothesis. L. Berkowitz, Editor. Atherton, New York. 136 pp.

10. “The reports…all indicate important effects of DHA (or n-3 fatty acids) on the central nervous system functions during prenatal and postnatal periods.”

Neuringer, M., W.E. Connor, D.S., Lin L. Barstad, and S. Luck 1986. Biochemical and functional effects of prenatal and postnatal w 3fatty acid deficiency on retina and brain in rhesus monkeys. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 83:4021-4025.

Yamamoto, N.M., Saitoh, A. Moriuchi, M. Nomura, and H. Okuyama. 1987. Effects of dietary a-linolenate/linoleate balance on brain lipid compositions and learning ability in rats. J. Lipid Res. 28:144-151.

11. “Mills et al. reported that EPA, another major n-3 fatty acid in fish oils attenuated blood pressure increase during isolation stress in rats.”

Mills, D.E. and R.P. Ward. 1986. Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 w3) on stress reactivity in rats. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 182: 127-131.

12. “In conclusion, DHA intake prevents aggression enhancement at times of mental stress. We believe that this effect of DHA is important for understanding how fish oils prevent disease like CHD (coronary heart disease).”

Tomohito Hamazaki, Shigeki, Sawazaki, Miho Itomura, Etsuko Asaoka, Yoko Nagao, Nozami Nishimura, Kazunaga Yazawa, Toyomi Kuwamori, Masashi Koybayashi. The First Department of Internal Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama 930-01; Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical Univeristy , School of Medicine; Yokkaichi Univeristy, Junior College, Yokkaichi 512; Sagami Chemical Research Center, Kanagawa 229, and Toyama Womens’ Junior College, Toyama 930-01, Japan

13. “But the lab of Serhan, the Simon Gelman prodesor of anesthesia at HMS and BWH, has recently uncovered potent products biosynthesized from omega-3 fatty acids, called resolvins and protectins, that counteract inflammation. The discovery of these molecules is important…because it shows the function of omega-3 is “not just to compete with omega-6…” J. Kang. Harvard Medical, Dental and Public Health Schools. Sept 1, 2006. Molecular Medicine. Light Shone on Disease-fighting Effect of Omega-3s.