The artichoke is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world and rich of precious ingredients like tanning agents and bitter constituents (e.g. cynarin and encymes). In our fast moving time wholesome digestion is affected by stress, hecticness, nicotine and junk food. EuRho®Vital Artichoke capsules is able to regulate the digestion of fat in a natural way by activating the bile flow. Nutritional fat will be better digested; the digestibility of rich meals is advanced. Additionally the bitter constituents support important functions of liver and stomach.
1. General information about Artichoke :
Artichoke extract has been shown to improve digestion, liver function, and help lower high LDL cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease and arthrosclerosis. The artichoke is a large, thistle-like plant native to the regions of southern Europe, North Africa and the Canary Islands. More recently, artichoke is growing in southern Europe, as well as South America. The roots and the flower heads may also contain beneficial compounds, however, the leaves contain the higher concentration of these compounds. The leaves of the artichoke were thought to be an aphrodisiac, a diuretic and even a breath freshener. Artichokes were once used as a blood cleanser and were thought to help detoxify the liver. Today information about the phytochemicals in these vegetables confirms some of the ancient claims. Research is now underway to determine what role the artichoke will play in maintaining good health and preventing disease.
In sixteenth-century Europe, the artichoke was also considered a "noble" vegetable meant for consumption by the royal and the rich. In traditional European medicine, the leaves of the artichoke were used as a diuretic to stimulate the kidneys and as a "choleretic" to stimulate the flow of bile from the liver and gallbladder. (Bile is a yellowish-brown fluid manufactured in the liver and stored in the gallbladder; it consists of numerous substances, including several that play a significant role in digestion.) and now artichoke leaf continues to be used in many countries.
The artichoke leaf extract has choleretic, lipid-lowering, antioxidant and hepato-protective effects. It has also been shown to help alleviate abdominal pain. Current research also verifies antiemetic effects of the leaf extract confirming its indication for dyspeptic syndrome. With these clinical and experimental results, it has been determined that artichoke leaf extract is suitable for treating chronic gastrointestinal and specific liver/gallbladder conditions with elevated blood fat values.
Laboratory investigations are ongoing all over the world regarding the clinical applications of artichoke leaf extract. These investigations include such areas as HIV, cancer and diabetes, and studies so far have been promising. Further investigations continue to find and support the use of artichoke leaf extract as a herbal remedy.
Liver function
Artichoke enhances detoxification reactions, as well as protect the liver from damage. This combination of benefits is very important to healthy liver function. During detoxification of the liver, the toxic substance is often initially converted to an even more toxic form. Without adequate protection, every time the liver neutralizes a toxin, it is damaged in this process. Artichoke extract has been shown to provide these valuable preventitative health benefits and protection.
Benefits in digestion
Artichoke has been shown to help alleviate abdominal pain. Current research also verifies antiemetic effects of the leaf extract confirming its indication for dyspeptic syndrome. With these clinical and experimental results, it has been determined that artichoke leaf extract is suitable for treating chronic gastrointestinal and specific liver/gallbladder conditions with elevated blood fat values.
Germany's Commission E has authorized its use for "dyspeptic problems." Dyspepsia is a term that corresponds to the common word "indigestion," indicating a variety of digestive problems including discomfort in the stomach, bloating, lack of appetite, nausea, and mild diarrhea or constipation. At least one substantial double-blind study indicates that artichoke leaf is indeed helpful for this condition.
Cholesterol lowering and cardiovascular health
It is estimated that in America today, approximately 100 million people have high or borderline high levels of serum LDL cholesterol, with an estimated 1,100,000 new cases of recurrent coronary heart attacks per year. One third of these cases will lead to death. We have foods made with hydrogenated oils, saturated fats, high amounts of processed sugar, and fruits lacking important nutrients. Total cholesterol measurements include LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein). Oxidized LDL is damaging to the arteries, and causes the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in humans, whereas HDL is beneficial. LDL cholesterol levels should be under 130 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol levels should be above 35 mg/dl with total cholesterol levels under 200 mg/dl according to the American Heart Association. Serum cholesterol levels of 200 mg/dl or above are a major risk factor for Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) which is the single leading cause of death in America today.
Intestinal health
Artichoke contains indigestible organic matter that reaches the colon and is substrate for intestinal micro biota. The capacity of artichoke to modify metabolic activities of colonic bacterial enzymes and antioxidant status has been studied .The artichoke diet increased the weight of the cecum content and caused hypertrophy of the cecum wall. Artichoke modified bacterial enzyme activities which enhances the capacity of microbial enzymes to metabolize glycosides and nitrocompounds. The antioxidant status in cecal contents was more favorable in the artichoke group. Free-radical scavenging capacity and reducing power were significantly higher in the group fed with artichoke than in the control group. These findings suggest that the indigestible fraction of artichoke may affect the intestinal health.
Increase bile secretion
The beneficial health side effects of artichoke leaf extract are due to the promotion of bile flow in the body. The increased bile flow promotes the digestion of fat and contributes to the protection of intestinal mucosa, which is sensitive to acids since the bile fluid contains a considerable amount of bicarbonate. Larger quantities of bile acids entering the duodenum stimulate intestinal peristalsis resulting in better digestion. As the human body consumes toxins in many different forms through food, water, and the air we breathe, these toxins constantly bombard the liver. Bile serves as a carrier, moving these toxins from the liver on to the intestine for further elimination.
When bile excretion is inhibited (cholestasis), these toxins and cholesterol may remain in the liver and have damaging effects. Bile flow inhibition may manifest itself as bile duct obstruction or gallstones. Other reasons that may factor into bile inhibition are excess alcohol ingestion, viral hepatitis, and certain chemicals and drugs.
Dyspeptic syndrome
Another major benefit of artichoke leaf extract is the discovery of its role in dyspeptic syndrome (irritable stomach, nervous gastropathy, meteorism and flatulence, irritable colon functional biliary tract disease). As more and more clinical studies are conducted, the benefits of artichoke leaf extract in the treatment of dyspeptic syndrome confirms its antioxidant health benefits.
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