Primo Health Blog

Essential & Non-Essential Fatty Acids

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences

Chemically, a fatty acid is an organic acid that has an acid group at one end of its molecule, and a methyl group at the other end.¹ Fatty acids are typically categorized in the omega groups 3, 6 and 9 according to the location of their first double bond (there’s also an omega 7 group, but these are less important to human health).² Now don’t panic if you’re not up on your chemistry; this isn’t going to be a chemistry lesson. I just wanted you to understand why a fatty acid might be called an omega 3 or omega 6 fatty acid.

DHEA

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences

Over 2500 medical articles have reported the benefits of dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, a hormone secreted from the adrenal glands. As a dietary supplement, DHEA has many applications to human health. Following is a discussion of some of these applications.

How DHEA works

Aging is a gradual deterioration of our various organs and systems. It is not just "getting older." People don't simply die because they are older. Death results from failure of an organ or system.

Promoting a Strong, Healthy Immune System

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS

Are you frequently the victim of the common cold or the flu? If so, you’re not alone. Each year there are one billion cases of the common cold in the United States,¹ and each year 5 to 20 percent of the population is infected with the flu.² Oh well, that’s life. Nothing much you can do about it, right? In fact, there is a great deal you can do about it if you focus on promoting a strong, healthy immune system. In part, this can be achieved through the use of specific nutraceuticals. This article will address those nutraceuticals.

Product Description:

ClearVite-GL™ (K95) is based on on our popular ClearVite™ formula and is designed to offer gastrointestinal and metabolic support.* This formula includes the powerful combination of hypoallergenic nutrients, amino acids, and minerals that our other ClearVite™ products have, but excludes sources of rice and pea protein for those with sensitivities to grains or peas, or who require low carbohydrate content.* It also contains no sugars, which makes it ideal for anti-yeast diets.* ClearVite-GL™ is also intended to support liver detoxication and chemical biotransformation with targeted nutritional cofactors.* It offers a pleasant, fruity flavor.

Herbal Teas for Detoxification

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS, RH(AHG)

In her 1962 groundbreaking book Silent Spring, Rachel Carson wrote: “For the first time in the history of the world every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death.” Of course humans have always been exposed to potentially harmful chemicals from plants and other sources, but Rachel Carson’s point is well taken. Modern living exposes all of us to an unprecedented number of chemicals on a daily basis. This includes environmental toxins such as heavy metals, pesticides, industrial compounds and chemical byproducts, medications, cosmetic additives, inorganic chemicals, etc. These chemical substances which are foreign to the biological system are referred to as “xenobiotics.”

Herbs for Prostate Health

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS

Prostatitis is a swelling of the prostate gland, usually caused by infection. The patient feels urgent needs to urinate frequently and has a burning sensation during urination. Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is an enlargement of the prostate gland, common among men after 50 years of age. Among other considerations, a metabolite of testosterone called dihydrostestosterone is thought to contribute to the enlargement of the prostate in BPH. The condition is not malignant or inflammatory, but may lead to obstruction of the urethra, interfering with the flow of urine. This can increase frequency of urination, the need to urinate during the night, pain, and urinary tract infections. Since the main function of the prostate is to produce the seminal fluid, a man with BPH can become sterile, although his libido is not necessarily affected. On the other hand, the male with prostate problems often has serious problems with his sex life, primarily because of the urine retention situation and possible low grade infection.

Chlorella: Unlocking the Secrets of a Superfood

Chlorella is a single-celled freshwater microalgae that has flourished for nearly two billion years. Photosynthesizing its energy from the sun, chlorella is a powerhouse of nutrients. It is a natural source of vegetarian protein—about 60 percent—a very high level for a plant. Due to this high protein concentration and chlorella’s naturally rapid growth rate, after World War II, chlorella was investigated as a possible food source.

Chlorella is rich in amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals—including B-vitamins, vitamins A and D, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. This unique combination of nutrients within chlorella is a primary reason why scientists around the world are actively researching* medicinal uses for this aquatic-based superfood.

Quick Overview

Mitochondrial NRG™ is a formulary blend of nutrients, nutraceuticals, botanicals, and Krebs cycle intermediates designed to support ef­ficient mitochondrial metabolism and energy (ATP) production for increased vitality.* 

Mitochondrial NRG™ was designed to support the function of the mitochondria, “the powerhouse of the cell.” This formula may be ap­propriate for anyone wishing to promote overall cellular and tissue vitality and health, including those wanting to increase energy out ­put for athletic performance.

Creatine & Ribose for ATP Production

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences 

If you’re looking for more energy to power you through your workouts, consider a dietary supplement strategy that includes both creatine, an ATP initiator, and ribose, an ATP sustainer. The combination of these two natural substances is a promising ergogenic strategy for improving athletic performance and endurance.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a high-energy compound which is often referred to as the body’s “energy currency.” This is truly an apt term since ATP provides a primary source of energy to power muscular activity. Although the biochemistry of ATP may seem complex, its contribution to energy metabolism can be explained simply: When the body splits off one of ATP’s three phosphates, its energy is released and the muscle cells channel some of that energy into mechanical movement.¹ Where an athlete is concerned, the goal of energy metabolism is to provide an adequate amount of ATP to power the muscles throughout the course of their physical activity. This requires the presence of creatine and ribose, natural substances which initiate and sustain ATP production.

Quick Overview

UT Synergy™ features UTIRose™, a patented, exciting and unique compound designed specifically to support the health of the urinary tract.* UTIRose™ is a patented extract of the Hibiscus species, Hibiscus sabdariffa. UTIRose™ is high in certain organic acids and polyphenols, especially flavonoids and proanthocyanidins. 

These compounds provide microbial inhibition (especially E. coli and C. albicans) and bacterial anti-adhesive properties. In comparisons with standard cranberry extract UTIRose™ showed better inhibition of microbial adherance and much better inhibition of C. albicans.