Bayberry (Myrica californica)

Dysbiosis, Bacterial

Bayberry leaf (or other sources of the alkaloid berberine) appears to kill enterobacteria, yeasts and amoeba. The control of dysbiotic symptoms usually requires several grams per day.

Prostate Cancer

Among the various forms of vitamin E, researchers discovered that one, gamma-tocopherol, may have value as an anti-cancer agent. Gamma-tocopherol occurs naturally in plant seeds such as walnuts, pecans and sesame seeds.

According to a study, gamma-tocopherol inhibited the production of lab-cultured human prostate cancer cells. And although the presence of gamma-tocopherol caused cell death by interrupting the synthesis of sphingolipids (certain fatty molecules, which are important components of cell membranes), it left healthy human prostate cells unaffected. As researchers increased the amount of gamma-tocopherol, cancer cells slowed in growth and healthy cells grew normally.

“This is the first time gamma-tocopherol has been shown to induce death in lab-grown human cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone,” said the head researcher of the study.

Since gamma-tocopherol does not appear in most manufactured nutritional supplements, researchers have suggested combining it with another form of vitamin E: Alpha-tocopherol.

Alpha-tocopherol is the major form of vitamin E found in the body and, in contrast to gamma-tocopherol, is found in most manufactured nutritional supplements. It has justifiably earned a good reputation as an antioxidant, which helps fight against damage caused by unwanted free radicals. Thus, it is better to supplement a diet with mixed forms of vitamin E, as together they will enhance the positive effects found in each. [Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences December 21, 2004;101(51): pp.17825-17830]