Turmeric may be the most effective nutritional supplement in existence.
Many high quality studies show that it has major benefits for your body and brain.
Here are the top 10 evidence-based health benefits of turmeric
Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color.
It has been used in India for thousands of years as a spice and medicinal herb.
Recently, science has started to back up what the Indians have known for a long time… it really does contain compounds with medicinal properties (1).
These compounds are called curcuminoids, the most important of which is curcumin.
Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.
However, the curcumin content of turmeric is not that high… it’s around 3%, by weight (2).
Most of the studies on this herb are using turmeric extracts that contain mostly curcumin itself, with dosages usually exceeding 1 gram per day. It would be very difficult to reach these levels just using the turmeric spice in your foods.
Therefore, if you want to experience the full effects, then you need to take an extract that contains significant amounts of curcumin.
Unfortunately, curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. It helps to consume black pepper with it, which contains piperine… a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2000% (3).
I personally prefer to swallow a few whole peppercorns along with my curcumin supplement, in order to enhance absorption.
Curcumin is also fat soluble, so it may be a good idea to take it with a fatty meal.( or a coconut oil pill)
I purchase only the highest grade and certified to prove it. It comes to you from the Island of Wakaya. Whole Sale pricing is available for a one time fee of $70.00, No Monthly minimum
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Monday, December 19, 2016
Wakaya Turmeric from Fiji at YOLLO Wellness helps Hashimoto
Excess inflammation is always present in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (the suffix "itis" denotes inflammation in the thyroid gland), and intestinal permeability has been found as a common factor in every case of autoimmunity. In some cases, people with Hashimoto’s may also have heavy metal toxicity. Turmeric can be helpful in reducing whole body inflammation, healing the gut, as well as detoxifying from heavy metals.
Studies of the effect of curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric on the thyroid gland and autoimmunity have showed encouraging results.
1. Research shows that curcumin can help to protect the intestinal barrier from invasion by bacterial infection and can help heal a leaky gut.
2. According to a 2014 study in the journal Food Chemistry and Toxicology; "Curcumin reduces the hepatotoxicity induced by arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead and mercury, prevents histological injury, lipid peroxidation and glutathione (GSH) depletion, maintains the liver antioxidant enzyme status and protects against mitochondrial dysfunction."
3. Curcumin showed tumor inhibiting activity in thyroid cancer.
4. Curcumin was protective against the genetic damage and side effects induced by radioactive iodine that is sometimes used to treat Graves’ disease
5. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory benefits that can be helpful in down-regulating autoimmune conditions. Specifically, curcumin produces an anti-inflammatory effect by down-regulating Th-1 cytokines (TNF-A, IL-1, 2, 6, 8, 12), which may be overactive in Hashimoto’s. Curcumin has been found to reduce joint inflammation in the Th-1 autoimmune condition rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, it seems to have therapeutic anti-inflammatory effects in a variety of gastrointestinal conditions, showing improvement in Crohn’s disease (Th-1), Ulcerative colitis (Th-2) and irritable bowel syndrome.
Survey Results
In my survey of 2232 people with Hashimoto's, 680 people reported that they had tried curcumin. 56% reported that it was helpful, 40% did not see a change in how they felt, while 3% said it made them feel worse.
When asked about the specific benefits seen from the use of turmeric, 64% of people reported that it helped them with reducing pain symptoms. Other positive benefits were an increase in energy (seen in 35%), improvement in mood (seen in 34%), and an improvement in thyroid antibodies (12.5%).
Pain is the most obvious manifestation of inflammation in the body, so I'm not surprised that those that had pain saw an improvement with curcumin use. While most people with Hashimoto's do have inflammation, only some will present with pain symptoms. Poor energy, mood changes and thyroid antibodies are also indicative of inflammation and it was encouraging that curcumin also impacted those parameters, but it should be noted that improvements in those symptoms may be less obvious to notice, and may also take a bit longer to manifest.
While curcumin can also boost glutathione (an antioxidant that's often depleted in Hashimoto's), reduce inflammation, help with healing the gut, and detoxifying from heavy metals, it's difficult to assess these improvements symptomatically.
While most people with Hashimoto's will benefit from the addition of turmeric, I would say that if you are currently experiencing pain, you will see the most benefit.
Turmeric from FIJI Wakaya Perfection YOLLO Wellness helps with Hashimoto
Excess inflammation is always present in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (the suffix "itis" denotes inflammation in the thyroid gland), and intestinal permeability has been found as a common factor in every case of autoimmunity. In some cases, people with Hashimoto’s may also have heavy metal toxicity. Turmeric can be helpful in reducing whole body inflammation, healing the gut, as well as detoxifying from heavy metals.
Studies of the effect of curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric on the thyroid gland and autoimmunity have showed encouraging results.
1. Research shows that curcumin can help to protect the intestinal barrier from invasion by bacterial infection and can help heal a leaky gut.
2. According to a 2014 study in the journal Food Chemistry and Toxicology; "Curcumin reduces the hepatotoxicity induced by arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead and mercury, prevents histological injury, lipid peroxidation and glutathione (GSH) depletion, maintains the liver antioxidant enzyme status and protects against mitochondrial dysfunction."
3. Curcumin showed tumor inhibiting activity in thyroid cancer.
4. Curcumin was protective against the genetic damage and side effects induced by radioactive iodine that is sometimes used to treat Graves’ disease
5. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory benefits that can be helpful in down-regulating autoimmune conditions. Specifically, curcumin produces an anti-inflammatory effect by down-regulating Th-1 cytokines (TNF-A, IL-1, 2, 6, 8, 12), which may be overactive in Hashimoto’s. Curcumin has been found to reduce joint inflammation in the Th-1 autoimmune condition rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, it seems to have therapeutic anti-inflammatory effects in a variety of gastrointestinal conditions, showing improvement in Crohn’s disease (Th-1), Ulcerative colitis (Th-2) and irritable bowel syndrome.
Survey Results
In my survey of 2232 people with Hashimoto's, 680 people reported that they had tried curcumin. 56% reported that it was helpful, 40% did not see a change in how they felt, while 3% said it made them feel worse.
When asked about the specific benefits seen from the use of turmeric, 64% of people reported that it helped them with reducing pain symptoms. Other positive benefits were an increase in energy (seen in 35%), improvement in mood (seen in 34%), and an improvement in thyroid antibodies (12.5%).
Pain is the most obvious manifestation of inflammation in the body, so I'm not surprised that those that had pain saw an improvement with curcumin use. While most people with Hashimoto's do have inflammation, only some will present with pain symptoms. Poor energy, mood changes and thyroid antibodies are also indicative of inflammation and it was encouraging that curcumin also impacted those parameters, but it should be noted that improvements in those symptoms may be less obvious to notice, and may also take a bit longer to manifest.
While curcumin can also boost glutathione (an antioxidant that's often depleted in Hashimoto's), reduce inflammation, help with healing the gut, and detoxifying from heavy metals, it's difficult to assess these improvements symptomatically.
While most people with Hashimoto's will benefit from the addition of turmeric, I would say that if you are currently experiencing pain, you will see the most benefit.
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Turmeric From FIJI at YOLLO Wellness 3033 Fort Myers Florida
It’s a quintessential spice in curry, a relative of ginger and one of the healthiest ways to add flavor — and color! — to a home-cooked meal.
Turmeric has been used to relieve everything from liver problems to depression to ringworm in folk medicine, but, like many alternative therapies, there’s not always much research to back up the ancient wisdom.
But that doesn’t mean turmeric’s powers are to be discredited altogether. Here, a look at what we do know about this powerful seasoning.
Turmeric can tame heartburn and an upset stomach.
In a small 1989 study, supplements made from the turmeric plant were found to be more effective at curbing heartburn and indigestion symptoms than a placebo, possibly because of the plant’s known powers to fight inflammation, Everyday Health reported.
In a small 1989 study, supplements made from the turmeric plant were found to be more effective at curbing heartburn and indigestion symptoms than a placebo, possibly because of the plant’s known powers to fight inflammation, Everyday Health reported.
A compound in turmeric may ward off heart attacks...
Curcumin, the compound in turmeric responsible for that bright hue, is behind a whole host of the health benefits attributed to the spice. A 2012 study examined one perk of curcumin in particular: the ability of the extract to prevent heart attacks among bypass patients. The study followed 121 patients who had bypass surgery between 2009 and 2011. Three days before surgery through five days after, half of the patients took curcumin capsules, while the other half took placebo pills. During their post-bypass hospital stays, more people in the placebo group experienced a heart attack (30 percent) compared with those in the curcumin group (13 percent), Reuters reported. While not a substitute for medication, the researchers pointed out, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin may contribute to as much as a 65 percent lower chance of heart attack among bypass patients.
... Delay diabetes...
Among people with prediabetes, curcumin capsules were found to delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes in a 2012 study. Over nine months, study participants were given either curcumin supplements or placebo capsules. Just over 16 percent of people taking the placebo pill were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes by the end of the study, while no one taking curcumin was. Again, researchers chalk these results up to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powers of the compound.
Among people with prediabetes, curcumin capsules were found to delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes in a 2012 study. Over nine months, study participants were given either curcumin supplements or placebo capsules. Just over 16 percent of people taking the placebo pill were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes by the end of the study, while no one taking curcumin was. Again, researchers chalk these results up to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powers of the compound.
... And even fight cancer.
While studies in humans are still in very early stages, lab and animal studies have shown promising effects of curcumin in the fight against cancer. Curcumin “interferes with several important molecular pathways involved in cancer development, growth and spread,” according to the American Cancer Society, even killing cancer cells in the lab setting and shrinking tumors and boosting the effects of chemotherapy in animals.
Another compound in turmeric may protect the brain.
Aromatic turmerone or ar-turmerone is not as well-studied as curcumin, but it also likely plays a part in the turmeric puzzle. In a recent study, researchers found ar-turmerone promotes repair to stems cells in the brain. The study examined the effects of the compound in rats on a type of stem cell that is also found in adult brains. These stem cells are involved in recovery from neurodegenerative diseases like stroke and Alzheimer’s. The compound could potentially be used in the treatment of these diseases in the future, the findings suggest.
Aromatic turmerone or ar-turmerone is not as well-studied as curcumin, but it also likely plays a part in the turmeric puzzle. In a recent study, researchers found ar-turmerone promotes repair to stems cells in the brain. The study examined the effects of the compound in rats on a type of stem cell that is also found in adult brains. These stem cells are involved in recovery from neurodegenerative diseases like stroke and Alzheimer’s. The compound could potentially be used in the treatment of these diseases in the future, the findings suggest.
The new study builds upon a larger body of research suggesting curcumin may improve overall memory in Alzheimer’s patients, due to a wide range of possible pathways, according to a 2008 review.
Turmeric may curb joint pain.
Curcumin has been definitively deemed to carry anti-inflammatory powers, although its exact pathways still aren’t completely understood. However, that knowledge has led to a number of studies examining the benefits of turmeric to people with joint pain or arthritis. One of the most promising found that turmeric extract supplements worked just as well as ibuprofen in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
A few words of caution.
The FDA doesn’t regulate dietary supplements the same way it regulates food or conventional medication, so not every supplement is created equal. Also, certain supplements, including those made from turmeric, can interact with other medications. Turmeric may slow blood clotting, for example, so people taking drugs with the same effect, like anticoagulants, should be cautious about taking turmeric supplements, according to the National Institutes of Health. And of course, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before starting any kind of supplements.
The FDA doesn’t regulate dietary supplements the same way it regulates food or conventional medication, so not every supplement is created equal. Also, certain supplements, including those made from turmeric, can interact with other medications. Turmeric may slow blood clotting, for example, so people taking drugs with the same effect, like anticoagulants, should be cautious about taking turmeric supplements, according to the National Institutes of Health. And of course, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before starting any kind of supplements.
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Kava The anti Stress supplement Yollo Wellness
Dr. Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D., Founder of the American Herbalists Guild
The belief that there is an herb for every human condition is attested by the unique virtues of Kava. A member of the pepper family (Piperaceae), it is a large leafed swamp-loving shrub that can grow to an average height of six feet and rarely from ten to twelve feet. The greatest concentration of the active psychotropic constituents called kava lactones is found in the fresh roots and rhizomes.
Kava has four main therapeutic properties. First it is one of the most powerful of all the herbal antispasmodics especially useful for relieving nervous tension throughout the mind and body. Second, it is an anti-anxiety herb that will quickly almost instantly dissipate effects of the many fears and apprehensions that are so much a part of the hectic lifestyle of nineties. Third, it is an effective diuretic with potent anti-spasmodic and anti-pathogenic properties making it useful for a variety of genito-urinary dysfunctions ranging from cystitis, prostatitis, venereal disease (such as gonorrhea), vaginal leucorrhea (including yeast infections), nocturnal urination and general fluid retention. Fourth, Kava is a carminative that improves appetite and digestion. The combination of these properties makes Kava useful for the treatment of arthritic and rheumatic conditions, which is one of its traditional medicinal uses among South Sea Islanders. Topically, kava can be applied as a fomentation or ointment for mild general anesthesia for the local relief of sore muscles. It can also be chewed and kept in the mouth for the temporary relief of toothaches.
Besides the above described properties and uses, among the many traditional medicinal uses for Kava are as follows:
- anxiety and depression
- insomnia
- to relieve fatigue and to increase energy
- Genito-Urinary tract disinfectant for urinary and reproductive organs infections
- as a cure for rheumatism
- for asthma
- for worms and parasites, a common problem in tropical climates
- for obesity
- as a poultice for headaches
- as a warm sweat inducing tea for the treatment of colds and fevers
- topically for various skin diseases including fungal infections and leprosy
The safety of Kava is attested to the fact that it was given as a tonic to children who were weak and recovering from disease.
How to Take Kava
Kava is available as a whole root and powder. Kava lactones are insoluble in water and are destroyed by heat. Ideally the herb should be first powdered and then infused only in COLD water for a few minutes. It must then be carefully squeezed through a cloth to release the activity constituents from the root stock fiber. Another method of taking Kava is as an alcoholic extract. In this, not all Kava products are the same the wide difference in price reflects the concentration of kava-lactones in the standardized products. Again the dosage range is wide, ranging from 10 to 30 drops as a single dose of the standardized extract taken as needed or three times daily.
For some, the flavor and strange numbing sensation of Kava is a disincentive for regular usage. My personal perception shared with many of my herbalist friends and colleagues in our spontaneous Kava gatherings, is that the peculiar flavor and sensations of Kava as a shared experience allows a greater sense of rapport and perhaps a feeling that we are partaking in a time honored tradition. However, there are many quality standardized Kava tablets available for those times when the full Kava experience is neither desired or needed.
Proper Dosage
Because of its relative safety, the effective daily dose of kava is wide ranging from 70 mg to 200 mg of kavalactones, which are recognized as the major biochemical anti-anxiety constituents. To promote a deep restful sleep one should take a dose of from 150 mg to 200 mg. approximately 20 or 30 minutes before retiring.
A study of 58 patients in 1991 suffering from anxiety found that the effective daily dose of kava was 70 mg.1 Another study in the same year demonstrated the effectiveness of Kava in relieving some of the discomfort of menopausal women, including hot flashes, insomnia and general nervousness with 100 mg of kavalactones daily.2
Psychotropic Effects
Kava is a very experiential herb. Taking it is like imbibing the soothing, spiritual essence of the South Pacific Islands on a mild warm sunny day accompanied by a pleasant westerly breeze. Its effects when properly ingested are almost instantaneous. In the above doses, it will soon induce an immediate sense of ease, warmth and relaxation that continues to increase over a span of several hours. There is never any accompanied drowsiness or disorientation, just a sense of ease and well being, It does not interfere with one's ability to focus, concentrate or otherwise navigate. Dr. James Duke, botanist, ethnobotanist, author of the Green Pharmacy (publ by Rodale) nevertheless recommends that it not he taken when indulging in alcohol beverages or when driving. An early observer (Hocart) exclaimed "As I experienced it, it gives a pleasant, warm, and cheerful, but lazy feeling, sociable though not hilarious or loquacious; the reason is not obscured."3
Toxicity, Side Effects and Contraindications
Moderate use as described has not shown any harmful reactions. However, habitual overuse in high doses, much higher than indicated above, can lead to lack of motivation, weakness, leg paralysis and a peculiar scaly skin rash. It is not habit forming. In all cases studied, all observed symptoms have been found to he completely reversible when Kava consumption is discontinued.
In my own clinical experience I routinely prescribe Kava alone or in combination with such herbs as St. John's Wort and/or the famous traditional Chinese formula for menstrual irregularities, moodiness and depression, called Bupleurum and Peony Combination (Xiao Yao Wan). These are the major herbs and formulas I have found to effective in most cases of anxiety and depression.
I now always travel with my bottle of Kava extract to lighten up and ease some of the accompanying anxieties of traveling. Many find that it helps tremendously if it is taken before going for a dental appointment. Kava is also useful to as part of a treatment for tobacco, alcohol and drug withdrawal. Women have found Kava to be very beneficial for painful menstruation and menopausal abnormalities.
With all of its positive benefits and virtual absence of negative effects, more than one of my herbalists colleagues have exclaimed, "kava is simply too good to be legal." The fact of the matter is that it is legal, it is safe and truly a remedy for the stress filled nineties.
Bibliography and Sources:
- Ellingwood, Finley; American Materia Medica and Pharmacognosy
- Kilham, Chris; Kava: Medicine Hunting in Paradise, publ by Park Street Press, Rochester, Vermont.
- Steinmetz, E.F.; Kava Kava, Famous Drug Plant of the South Sea Islands, publ by Level Press, San Francisco 1960
- Hobbs, Christopher; Kava -- Elixir of the Pacific, article by Christopher Hobbs 1996
- Faust, Robert H. PH.D; Kava-Kava or Awa - a "new" role for an old crop in Hawai'i, Delivered at the First international botanical Conference on Kava and other Medicinal Plants of the South Pacific, sponsored by the American Herbal Products Association and several medicinal companies from May 14-17, 1997.
1 Kinzler, E. Kromer, J., & Lehmann, E. "Clinical efficacy of kava extract in patients with anxiety syndrome: double-blind placebo-controlled study over four weeks," Arzneimittel-Forsch 41: 584-88, 1991
2 Warnecke, G. "Neurovegetative dystonia in the female climacteric. Studies on the clinical efficacy and tolerance of kava extract WS 1490," Forschr Med 109: 120-22, 1991
3 Gatty, R. "Kava -- Polynesian Beverage Shrub." Economic botany XX; 241-49.
kava and anxiety YOLLO Wellness
The Effectiveness of Kava for Anxiety
The use of kava for anxiety is well founded. Kava is effective as both a supplement and a tea. Learn about its benefits, safety, dosing and interactions.
Kava is a traditional drink in the South Pacific that promotes quick relaxation. It’s also sold as an herbal remedy for anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Research shows it to be effective for treating anxiety — on par with prescription tranquilizers. Yet there’s concern that it could pose some serious health risks. Temporary bans have been put on kava in Europe, North America, and Australia. So what’s the truth about kava?Today I’m going to tell you what you need to know before trying kava as an anti-anxiety remedy.You’ll learn how safe and effective it is, how much to take, possible side effects, and interactions to watch out for.
Traditional Uses for Kava
Many societies have a non-alcoholic, mood-altering drink that’s an important part of the culture. South America has yerba mate, Japan has matcha, and the South Pacific has kava (also called kava-kava). The people of Polynesia, Micronesia, and Hawaii have been making a ceremonial drink from the root of the kava plant, a member of the pepper family, for 3,000 years. It’s scientific name, Piper methysticum, means “intoxicating pepper.”
To make the drink, the root is pounded with water until it reaches the desired consistency. Most people think kava tea looks, smells, and tastes a little like mud. But no one drinks kava for the taste! They drink it for the way it makes them feel. The first sip pleasantly numbs your mouth. Shortly, a warm relaxed feeling spreads throughout your body creating a sensation similar to that experienced from a full body massage. Mentally you’ll feel like all is right with the world, calm and pleasantly relaxed but still clear-headed. Your anxieties will melt away and you feel a kinship with your fellow man.
Besides being a ceremonial drink, kava has also traditionally been used medicinally to treat insomnia, fatigue, asthma, urinary infection, and mood swings associated with menopause.
Proven Mental Health Benefits of Kava
Kava is so effective at reducing anxiety it’s been called “nature’s Valium.” The active ingredients in kava are a group of phytonutrients called kavalactones. Because some of the kavalactones bind to brain receptors associated with addictions and cravings, it shows potential for treating substance abuse of all kinds including alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, and heroin. Numerous studies consistently find kava effective at treating anxiety without the side effects of prescription drugs.One study concluded that kava is a safe and effective alternative to antidepressants and tranquilizers for anxiety without the addiction problems associated with benzodiazepines.
It’s been found to work as well as prescription medications for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) by increasing the level of the relaxing brain chemical GABA. More research needs to be done but kava shows promise for treating ADHD. Studies have shown kava to be excellent for improving mental well-being in menopausal women — especially for depression and anxiety — without disrupting their estrogen levels. Besides treating anxiety, other studies show kava to increase overall well-being, cheerfulness, and sleep quality while reducing aggression and stress.
How to Use Kava for Anxiety
Anyone who has taken part in the traditional kava ceremony will tell you it’s a unique experience.
You can try to replicate it with commercially available kava powder to make your own tea at home. You put it in a cloth bag, add to water, and squeeze and knead the bag until the tea reaches the desired consistency.This is not very convenient and since kava’s taste is not its main selling point, most people looking for anxiety relief prefer kava supplements. Kava supplements are available in capsule, tablet, liquid extract, and even herbal sprays which are marketed as natural remedies for anxiety, stress, and insomnia.
Kava Dosage for Anxiety
A cross section of studies shows that the minimum dose needed to effectively treat anxiety ranges from 210-240 mg. University of Maryland’s Complementary and Alternative Medicine Guide suggests 300 mg per day for anxiety. Kava can make you drowsy so it’s recommended you start by taking it in the evening and, as they say, “do not use while operating heavy machinery.” Kava does not alleviate anxiety immediately in everyone. While some people feel more relaxed after one dose, for others it can take up to two months to experience the desired level of anxiety relief.
Kava Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings
For all of its benefits, there are several circumstances where kava should be avoided.
Its safety has not been determined and so kava should be avoided by pregnant women, nursing moms, and children. Kava does not mix well with other substances. There are hundreds of drugs that interact negatively with kava. If you take any prescription medications, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist before trying it.Until then you can cross-check kava with your medications using this drug interaction checker. Avoid taking kava with other anti-anxiety remedies such as 5-HTP, melatonin, or St. John’s wort. When taken together they can make you too drowsy. There’s one strange side effect experienced by some people in the Pacific who use kava daily — kava dermopathy. It’s a scaly rash similar to psoriasis and appears only after many months of heavy use. This condition is fortunately reversible once kava use is discontinued. Other occasional side effects of kava include allergic reaction, upset stomach, and loss of appetite.
Kava and Liver Damage: A Look at the Facts
You may have heard that kava can cause liver damage. There are certainly enough scary warnings about kava’s dangers to be found online. Let’s take a look at the facts surrounding this controversy. A handful of cases of liver damage in kava users were reported in 2000. While liver damage sounds serious, a look at the numbers should turn off any alarms in your head. There were 30 cases reported in Europe, but it’s never been clearly established whether it was kava itself that caused liver damage or some other factor. A review of 85 scientific studies on kava toxicity found no consensus as to what was behind this handful of cases. One possible explanation is that there was something wrong with the product itself, such as preparation methods or product contamination. There’s reason to believe that manufacturers were not following traditional extraction methods. They were using parts of the plant besides the root and using alcohol rather than water extraction. Renowned herbalist Dr. John Christopher has this to say about why kava, which has been safely used for thousands of years, has suddenly become “toxic”. “If you don’t respect traditional use or people who learn by experience then you will get yourself in trouble.” Another explanation is that there may have been extenuating circumstances among the victims such as existing health problems or their combining kava with alcohol, drugs or other herbs. When you consider that prescription drugs are now the fourth leading cause of death in the US causing over 100,000 deaths per year, it makes the reaction to kava seem overblown, it not downright hysterical. As a common sense precaution, avoid kava if you have any liver problems, regularly drink alcohol, or take medications that put a burden on liver function. And if you show any signs of jaundice — yellowing of the skin or eyes — discontinue kava use immediately.
According to the US National Library of Medicine’s LiverTox database, your risk of liver damage from taking a kava supplement is less than 1 in 1,000,000.
Can You Buy Kava? The Current Legal Status Around the World
Since the liver damage scare, the legal status of kava around the world has been in constant flux. Here in the United States, kava is readily available. You can buy kava tea and supplements online or at health food stores. You can also buy kava-containing relaxation drinks that bill themselves as the “antidote to energy drinks.” Watch out Starbucks!
Some cities have kava bars where you can enjoy drinking kava the traditional way — communally with your friends.
Unfortunately, in many other countries the regulation of kava is more restricted and less straightforward. In 2015, a 15-year ban on kava in Germany was finally lifted while kava restrictions in the United Kingdom were tightened. If you are wondering about the status of kava where you live, a good place to start is Kona Kava Farm’s blog post Kava Worldwide Legal Status. This kava distributor is located in the US and ships kava to most of the world, so they have real world expertise about where kava can and can’t be shipped. Their success rate for shipping to Canada, the UK, France and Germany is over 90%, but is only 50% to Australia. Currently it looks like Poland is the only country with an outright ban on kava, making it illegal to even have it in your possession. Another place to find up-to-date information on the legal status of kava in your country is at Kava.guru.
Kava for Anxiety: The Bottom Line
Kava, both as a traditional drink and as a modern-day supplement, is well established as an effective remedy for anxiety.And while the safety of kava was brought into question by a scare that it could cause liver damage, this concern is largely unfounded. If you decide to try kava for anxiety, take some common sense precautions. Don’t mix it with alcohol, drugs, or supplements known to cause liver problems. And if you exhibit any side effects, discontinue use of kava immediately.
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Kava for sale at YOLLO Wellness 3033 Winkler Ave Fort Myers, Florida
What kava is, what it’s used for, common myths
Kava is a root that has been used ceremonially, medicinally and recreationally for over 2500 years in Polynesian, Melanesian and Micronesian cultures. Recently, kava bars have been popping up in the United States, and demand for the root is growing steadily.
Travis Lowin and Tyler Blythe are co-owners of The Root of Happiness Kava Bar, which has loc...ations in Davis and Rancho Cordova. When they opened their own kava bar, Lowin and Blythe saw that there was a significant lack of testing in the field.
“Originally, what we noticed with kava is that there really wasn’t a standard of quality,” Lowin said. “Is it being tested for purity microbiologically? Are you [testing] for pure microbes whenever it comes in? Is it being ran through for not only the purity, but also the quality?”
Because of the lack of quantifiable standards in the kava industry, Lowin and Blythe made it a personal mission to test their products before offering them to the public, and they established a system for measuring kava potency and quality.
“Everything we serve here, you can literally pull out the binder and go through,” Lowin said. “From our concentrated powders, to our lemon honey concentrate, to the raw materials in general.”
Kava is largely associated with having calming properties, both for the body and the mind. Glenn Reddy, a second-year economics and computer science major at Vanderbilt University, was recently visiting a friend in Davis when he decided to go to The Root of Happiness.
“Because it was something that was entirely legal, and it was something that you didn’t have to be 21 for […] I really didn’t expect much at all,” Reddy said. “[After a few drinks] I was very content to relax and to sit on the very plush couches. It felt really nice.”
Kava’s relaxing properties can be directly attributed to its chemical composition.
“The active ingredients [in kava] are kavalactones. There’s 18 total identifiable kavalactones, six of which contribute the pharmacological effect,” Blythe said. “It’s not like a standardized, one-chemical deal […] It’s six different chemicals, and each chemical has multiple pharmacological contributions to the whole effect.”
These kavalactones interact with the human body to produce calming effects in multiple ways. In addition to affecting calcium channel blockers, kavalactones interact with the endocannabinoid system, which has a role in the modulation of pain and inflammation.
“The human body already has this fascinating endocannabinoid system and within it, you [have a] very intricate network of cannabinoid receptors that our body naturally knows how to use to process naturally occurring chemicals, let’s say in plants, that interact with that system,” Lowin said. “We found kavalactones, [which] obviously come from kava, but directly interact with a benefit within the endocannabinoid.”
As indicated by the name, the cannabinoid system is also affected by cannabis. However, it also is stimulated by black pepper, rosemary and other plants, according to Blythe.
A curious abnormality of kava usage is the reverse tolerance principle. Kava users find that the more often they consume kava, the less kava they have to take to feel the effects. This idea seems counterintuitive when compared to more commonly consumed substances like alcohol and coffee, whose effects are abated with time. According to Blythe, one possible explanation is the stability of the kavalactones.
“There’s long-term acting chemicals that hang around in kava. Whether [or not] they’re affecting you on a noticeable level, they’re still lingering around, they are long half-life chemicals,” Blythe said. “That’s one explanation for what it is, is that they hang around. Maybe for a day or two, maybe for longer. After you’ve been [consuming the chemicals] day after day after day, it accumulates in your system.”
One of the largest concerns around the root deals with a reported trend between kava usage and liver toxicity. According to Blythe, these concerns can be ameliorated.
“What happened in the early ‘90’s to 2000’s is that a bad batch of kava got made, and due to the poor quality controls, record keeping wasn’t up to spec,” Blythe said. “That [instance] traced back to one pharmaceutical company in Germany, Schwabe Pharmaceuticals, who had made a batch of [bad] kava extract and gotten a bunch of people sick.”
Because the recordkeeping was so poor, Blythe said that there are still a lot of unanswered questions about the purity, quality and extractions methods that Schwabe Pharmaceuticals used. However, even the reported cases of liver toxicity were few and far between, according to Blythe.
“We have 500 million daily doses of kava being distributed within Europe over a 10 year period [and] 37 cases of possible correlation of liver toxicity were reported,” Blythe said. “A group of three German scientists who were in charge of investigating those cases narrowed all of them down to three [legitimate] cases […] So out of 500 million daily doses distributed over a decade in Europe, due to one [bad] batch of kava, we had three cases of liver toxicity and never again.”
In starting Root Of Happiness, Blythe and Lowin are excited to offer kava as an alternative to other substances. Winding down at the end of the day with a bowl of kava as opposed to the traditional cold beer is the more relaxing option, according to Blythe.
“[Kava] soothes all your day to day tension,” Blythe said. “It kinda feels like how you should feel without kava. Just kind of calm, and soothing and easy going.” Call me for your Kava!!
Kava is a root that has been used ceremonially, medicinally and recreationally for over 2500 years in Polynesian, Melanesian and Micronesian cultures. Recently, kava bars have been popping up in the United States, and demand for the root is growing steadily.
Travis Lowin and Tyler Blythe are co-owners of The Root of Happiness Kava Bar, which has loc...ations in Davis and Rancho Cordova. When they opened their own kava bar, Lowin and Blythe saw that there was a significant lack of testing in the field.
“Originally, what we noticed with kava is that there really wasn’t a standard of quality,” Lowin said. “Is it being tested for purity microbiologically? Are you [testing] for pure microbes whenever it comes in? Is it being ran through for not only the purity, but also the quality?”
Because of the lack of quantifiable standards in the kava industry, Lowin and Blythe made it a personal mission to test their products before offering them to the public, and they established a system for measuring kava potency and quality.
“Everything we serve here, you can literally pull out the binder and go through,” Lowin said. “From our concentrated powders, to our lemon honey concentrate, to the raw materials in general.”
Kava is largely associated with having calming properties, both for the body and the mind. Glenn Reddy, a second-year economics and computer science major at Vanderbilt University, was recently visiting a friend in Davis when he decided to go to The Root of Happiness.
“Because it was something that was entirely legal, and it was something that you didn’t have to be 21 for […] I really didn’t expect much at all,” Reddy said. “[After a few drinks] I was very content to relax and to sit on the very plush couches. It felt really nice.”
Kava’s relaxing properties can be directly attributed to its chemical composition.
“The active ingredients [in kava] are kavalactones. There’s 18 total identifiable kavalactones, six of which contribute the pharmacological effect,” Blythe said. “It’s not like a standardized, one-chemical deal […] It’s six different chemicals, and each chemical has multiple pharmacological contributions to the whole effect.”
These kavalactones interact with the human body to produce calming effects in multiple ways. In addition to affecting calcium channel blockers, kavalactones interact with the endocannabinoid system, which has a role in the modulation of pain and inflammation.
“The human body already has this fascinating endocannabinoid system and within it, you [have a] very intricate network of cannabinoid receptors that our body naturally knows how to use to process naturally occurring chemicals, let’s say in plants, that interact with that system,” Lowin said. “We found kavalactones, [which] obviously come from kava, but directly interact with a benefit within the endocannabinoid.”
As indicated by the name, the cannabinoid system is also affected by cannabis. However, it also is stimulated by black pepper, rosemary and other plants, according to Blythe.
A curious abnormality of kava usage is the reverse tolerance principle. Kava users find that the more often they consume kava, the less kava they have to take to feel the effects. This idea seems counterintuitive when compared to more commonly consumed substances like alcohol and coffee, whose effects are abated with time. According to Blythe, one possible explanation is the stability of the kavalactones.
“There’s long-term acting chemicals that hang around in kava. Whether [or not] they’re affecting you on a noticeable level, they’re still lingering around, they are long half-life chemicals,” Blythe said. “That’s one explanation for what it is, is that they hang around. Maybe for a day or two, maybe for longer. After you’ve been [consuming the chemicals] day after day after day, it accumulates in your system.”
One of the largest concerns around the root deals with a reported trend between kava usage and liver toxicity. According to Blythe, these concerns can be ameliorated.
“What happened in the early ‘90’s to 2000’s is that a bad batch of kava got made, and due to the poor quality controls, record keeping wasn’t up to spec,” Blythe said. “That [instance] traced back to one pharmaceutical company in Germany, Schwabe Pharmaceuticals, who had made a batch of [bad] kava extract and gotten a bunch of people sick.”
Because the recordkeeping was so poor, Blythe said that there are still a lot of unanswered questions about the purity, quality and extractions methods that Schwabe Pharmaceuticals used. However, even the reported cases of liver toxicity were few and far between, according to Blythe.
“We have 500 million daily doses of kava being distributed within Europe over a 10 year period [and] 37 cases of possible correlation of liver toxicity were reported,” Blythe said. “A group of three German scientists who were in charge of investigating those cases narrowed all of them down to three [legitimate] cases […] So out of 500 million daily doses distributed over a decade in Europe, due to one [bad] batch of kava, we had three cases of liver toxicity and never again.”
In starting Root Of Happiness, Blythe and Lowin are excited to offer kava as an alternative to other substances. Winding down at the end of the day with a bowl of kava as opposed to the traditional cold beer is the more relaxing option, according to Blythe.
“[Kava] soothes all your day to day tension,” Blythe said. “It kinda feels like how you should feel without kava. Just kind of calm, and soothing and easy going.” Call me for your Kava!!
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