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The Active Ingredient
What Makes Aloe Vera Work
There have been numerous worldwide scientific studies by authoritative and
respected medical researchers revealing aloe's wide spread health benefits for people and animals
as well.
The initials MPS loosely used, describes the mgs. of
mucopolysaccharides, however, the "M-P-S" actually stands for the test used, called Methyl Precipitate Solids which is the
solution that a small sample of aloe is tested in to measure the solids, or mucopolysaccharides in an
aloe product.
The active ingredient contained in aloe vera is mucopolysaccharides. They are
long-chain sugars found in large amounts in the plant and properly prepared whole-leaf
aloe juice and juice concentrates. Scientists and the Health field have just begun in the
last few years to recognize the major role that mucopolysaccharides (MPS) play in
human and animal health. They are found in every single cell in the body and are as vital
to a healthy body as bricks are to a brick house.
The human body stops manufacturing MPS around puberty. After this, one must begin to
receive them from outside sources.
One of the very best sources comes from whole leaf aloe vera. Experts agree
that mucopolysaccharides contribute to good health and their deficiency can produce drastic
degenerative diseases.
This unique mechanism of this major active ingredient of the aloe vera plant,
coupled with its direct antiviral activity, explains why whole leaf aloe shows promise in a wide
range of human and animal diseases including AIDS, cancer and ulcerative colitis.
Scientific studies on aloe vera have been published for decades proving its effectiveness
in a multitude of conditions: radiation and other bums, cancer in animals, HIV, digestive
problems, skin ulcer and wound healing, immune modulation, infections (virus, bacteria
and fungus), toxicity, pruritis, hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and inflammatory arthritis, AIDS, burns, boils, bursitis, bruises, contusions,
chapped / cracked skin, colds, carbuncles, colic, Candida, constipation, dermatitis, dandruff, denture (gum) sores,
diabetes, actinic keratoses, edema, Epstein-Barr virus (chronic fatigue syndrome), fungal
infections, genital herpes, gingivitis, hemorrhoids, herpes simplex and tester, hypertension, infections, insect
bites, menstrual cramps and irregularity, nausea, parasites (especially protozoan infections), peptic and duodenal ulcers, psoriasis,
radiation dermatitis, rashes, reflex esophagitis, stings, sprains, seborrhea, staph
infections, sunburns, tendinitis, ulcerations, ulcerative colitis, vaginitis, varicose veins,
viral infections, warts, yeast infections. One brand of cold-processed whole-leaf Aloe
vera ("Brand A") demonstrated the highest in active polysaccharides in independent lab
tests by Ivan Danhof, M.D., Ph.D.
I know you must be thinking that no one plant or product could affect - in some positive
way - all of the above. If so, it would be a miracle. Webster defines a miracle as "an
extraordinary event manifesting outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment;
and a divinely natural occurrence that must be learned humanly." By this definition, it is
no wonder why thousands of Aloe vera users worldwide have commonly referred to it as
a "miracle plant." Is Aloe vera really a miracle plant? Many facts and continued research
are available, so you may decide for yourself. Organized medicine and pharmacology
have not embraced Aloe, because it cannot be patented and its usage threatens literally
hundreds of prescription and non-prescription drugs. Aloe vera is hypoallergenic and has
no known side effects even in large doses.
Taken internally, Aloe vera generally makes people feel better. "Feeling better" may
not seem scientific enough but may relate to Aloe's ability to detoxify the body, a
phenomenon reported by Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D., formerly of the Linus Pauling Institute, in
his scientific paper, "Effect of Orally Consumed Aloe Vera Juice on Gastrointestinal
Function in Normal Humans," published in 1985. Dr. Bland studied for one
week the effects of Aloe vera juice consumption on urinary indican, stool specific gravity and
gastric and bowel motility.
Urinary indican values decreased, indicating lowered bowel bacterial conversion of
tryptophan and possible improved protein digestion and absorption, as well as reduced
bowel putrefaction. This change, by itself, could help prevent colon cancer.
Specific gravity of the stool was reduced on the average
of 0.37 with decreased stool transit time, without diarrhea. Stool cultures were generally
more normal, especially in the two-thirds of test subjects that had, prior to the trial, high amounts of bowel yeast
(Candida albicans). Aloe promoted a more favorable balance of gastrointestinal symbiotic bacteria and decreased yeast populations. All subjects who had indigestion,
irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, and gastritis reported symptomatic relief after this
short, seven-day research study.
The Aloe vera in this 1985 study was yellowish in color, had a somewhat bitter taste,
was pasteurized and contained preservatives. Since this study, new 1990's technology
has improved the healing potential of Aloe with the advent of whole-leaf processing.
This technique removes only the aloin (a cathartic), but uses the entire whole leaf instead
of merely tile clear inner gel. Scientific research has proved that the outer leaf and
rind,
- Allowing the transfer - of gases in the
lungs.
- Facilitating absorption of water, electrolytes and nutrition in the G1 tract.
MPS are as vital to a healthy body as bricks are to a brick house. The human body stops
manufacturing MPS around puberty. After this, one must begin to receive the MPS from
outside sources. One of the very best sources comes from whole leaf Aloe vera. Experts
agree that MPS contribute to good health and their deficiency can produce drastic
degenerative diseases. But not all Aloes are alike. Consumers of Aloe are beginning to
learn that if an Aloe product looks like water (instead of yellowish or reddish), it
probably is water or heavily diluted.
As discussed, "100% Aloe vera" can be put on the label of an Aloe beverage or product
that only contains a fraction of Aloe. A manufacturer can put one gallon of pure Aloe in
100 gallons of water, mix it, and call it "100% Aloe vera;" and it's legal. Where is the
FDA when you really need it?
To repeat, real Aloe vera does not look like or taste like water. This fact is emphasized
because even if the consumer has no other information to judge the Aloe he is buying
(although independent lab tests are now available), then the product's appearance and
taste are the first line of defense against being defrauded. If an Aloe is not at least
yellowish in color, you are not buying Aloe vera, no matter what the seller claims. You
have the right to ask the seller for proof. Hopefully, the FDA will demand this in the near
future.
Scientific studies of Aloe vera have been published for decades proving its effectiveness
in a multitude of conditions: radiation and other burns, cancer in animals, HIV, digestive
problems, skin ulcer and wound healing, immune modulation, infections (virus, bacteria
and fungus), toxicity, puritis, hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and inflammatory
conditions (external or internal), to name a few.
The references at the end of this article highlight just some of the international scientific
research studies on Aloe vera over the years and the studies are accelerating in 1992.
Cold processed Whole leaf Aloe vera is perhaps my number one daily health supplement
that I take without fail, and the one I prescribe most frequently for most patients, as well
as members of my family. My own skin, scalp, digestion, elimination and energy have
all improved since I started on Brand "A" whole leaf Aloe products. My own research
with "God's miracle plant" will continue. "So far, so good," is an understatement.
With all the chemicals being used in apples today, I
think a new maxim will emerge: "Drinking Aloe today, keeps the doctor away."
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