Indications
Significant anti-inflammatory benefits indicate Recovery® may be used to reduce inflammation and improve quality of post-trauma recovery.
Athletic Performance, Aging, Arthritis , Bursitis, COPD, Dermatitis, Epiphysitis, Fasciitis, Injury, Laminitis, Muscle tension/spasms, Navicular, OCD - Osteochondrosis, Post-surgical recovery, Tendinitis and Wound healing
The ability to decrease catabolism of cell structures associated with trauma and degenerative disease is what gives Recovery® a potentially broad-spectrum indication profile. Preliminary results observed by clinicians over the last 10 years warrant further research for treatment of chronic skin, respiratory, gastrointestinal and autoimmune conditions.
Pathophysiology
Degeneration, Trauma and Disease
When oxygen is utilized by the body, damaging "exhaust" called reactive oxygen species (ROS) are released. ROS include hydroxyl radicals, superoxides, hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide, to name a few. ROS, in smaller quantities, play necessary roles in metabolic processes, however, when ROS production increases and the ability to neutralize ROS decreases, the overall effect on tissues is destructive. (1-4)
Increased cellular production of ROS are linked to most degenerative conditions including heart disease, arthritis, cancer, periodontal disease, liver disease, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes, gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases and asthma. (5-7)
ROS react with cellular components initiating destructive chain reactions that result in degeneration of tissue and disease causing potential inflammation and pain. (1,3)
Antioxidants, such as Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), alpha lipoic acid and NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and anti-catabolic enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase minimize the damaging effects of ROS. Researchers at Biomedica believe that younger healthy cells produce much larger quantities of these antioxidants and anti-catabolic enzymes. (3,5)
Aging and disease results in diminished cellular production of the above stated protective compounds, which leads to increased damage to the membrane structures; inevitably, damage to membrane structures diminishes cellular ability to repair traumatized tissue. (1,7)
Damage to membrane and extracellular matrix (ECM) structure leads to decreased ideal first-intention healing involving parenchymal elements. (8-10)
This results in:
- Decreased production of long chain glycosaminoglycans with a compensatory increase in shorter chain glycosaminoglycans, which leads to dehydration of tissue and decreased membrane receptivity (9,11,12)
- Decreased cellular ability to receive growth factors (somatomedins, insulin, etc.), which are necessary for cellular repair, maintenance, protection and communication* (13-15,41)
- Deposition of heavily glycosylated, compact and inflexible collagen types V and VI (12,16-22)
- Increased granulomatous second intention healing involving stromal elements (i.e. development of scar tissue), which leads to loss of cellular/tissue function (9,42)
Consequences:
Loss of cellular and tissue function results in further inability to repair damage, leading to increased tendency to bruising, excessive inflammation, spasm, joint stiffness, digestive abnormalities, respiratory distress. (7,9,15,20,21,23,24)
* Insulin normally acts as a shuttle to drive amino acids, glucose, fatty acids, glucosamine and other precursor biochemicals into the cell so that the cell may synthesize required structures for tissue repair.
Pharmacology
What is Recovery®EQ?
Recovery® is a functional food engineered to treat and prevent degeneration and inflammation at the “root”.).(43,44)
The primary active ingredient in Recovery®EQ...Nutricol®, a potent proprietary bioflavonoid complex containing EGCG, proanthocyanidins, theaflavin and resveratrol extracted from grapes and green tea (de-caffeinated), is the primary active ingredient in Recovery®.
Nutricol® reinforces membrane and matrix structure (halts damage that initiates inflammatory and spasmodic reactions) (26,27,31,45,46)
Nutricol® increases membrane receptivity to hormones such as insulin, IGF and thyroxine (required for anabolic repair/healing) (13,14)
Site of Action:
Nutricol® embeds in the cell membrane and matrix (43,44,48)
Cell Membranes and Extracellular Matrix (ECM)
The significant water and fat soluble antioxidant actions of Nutricol® produce the following anti-catabolic and anti-inflammatory effects:
1. Reinforces membrane and matrix structures by decreasing the catabolism of aldimine reducible cross-linking present in collagen fibers; this acts to reinforce the strength and elasticity of connective tissue structures such as cartilage, synovium, ligaments, tendons, fascia, bone, blood vessel walls and the dermis of the skin (26,27)
2. Neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS) and catabolic enzymes before they can negatively impact cellular and extracellular structure and function; this results in increased membrane receptivity to growth factors such as insulin, somatomedins and thyroxin that are required for anabolic repair and cellular maintenance (4,10,13,28-30,35,49)
3. Decreases catabolism of membrane and matrix collagen and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) structures via decreasing the pathological production of catabolic enzymes and other biochemicals such as collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, tumor necrosis factor, nitric oxide synthase and xanthine oxidase*; these biochemicals are released from immune, microbial and damaged cells and cause further damage to connective and epithelial tissue structures, resulting in joint pain, inflammation, capillary fragility and other soft-tissue damage (4,25,31-35)
4. Stabilizes cell membranes, preventing the release of compounds that promote inflammation such as histamine, serine proteases, prostaglandins and leukotrienes by non-competitively inhibiting the release of associated inflammatory enzymes such as cyclo-oxygenase, lipoxygenase and phosphodiesterase (33,36)
5. Improve protective epithelial mucosal surface integrity (digestive, respiratory & genitourinary tract) (37-40)
Cell Biostructure
* Xanthine oxidase is an enzyme that is involved in the production of ROS - free radicals. (4,50)
Administration and Ingredient Profile
Suggested use |
Introduce gradually over a two week period to a concentrated dose of ½ scoop per 300 lbs body weight. Mix with food. After 30 - 60 days it may be possible to reduce intake to ¼ scoop per 300lbs body weight. |
Primary Active Ingredient |
Nutricol® (1,000 mg) |
Secondary Ingredients |
trimethylglycine (TMG), glucosamine hydrochloride, methyl sulfonyl methane, vitamin C, natural vitamin E, magnesium absolutely no base fillers or additives |
Side-effects and Precautions
Allergies
Recovery® contains hypoallergenic ingredients; however, the introduction of any new food or drug may result in an allergy.
*Increasing the dose too rapidly may result in temporary loose stool, fatigue and hypersensitivity at previous trauma sites.
Summary
By implementing Recovery® (a Biostructural® Medicine), healthcare professionals can safely and effectively manage inflammatory conditions, halt tissue damage and improve the quality and rate of healing.
Recovery® is believed to decrease trauma (from disease, surgery and injury) by increasing the stability of the membrane and matrix and membrane receptivity growth factors.
Recovery® use has produced significant results in treating trauma, inflammation, pain and poor healing.
Safely Combining with Drugs
Due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-catabolic action, combining Recovery® with drugs can lead to reduced drug toxicity:
Anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs/cox-2 inhibitors)
Most conventional NSAIDs interfere with cyclo-oxygenase and prostaglandins. Cell damage still continues because:
1. Oxidation of membranes remains unblocked
2. With standard NSAIDs, the production of PG1 and PG3, normally involved in repair, are also blocked
Recovery benefits alone or combined with NSAIDS include:
1. Inhibiting the inflammatory cascade or “domino effect” by increasing a cell’s ability to neutralize lysosomal enzymes and ROS released from neighboring damaged cells -reducing trauma.
2. Increasing delivery of certain hormones, neurochemicals and nutrients into the cell and enhancing waste transport out of the cell - improving cell communication.
Studies have shown that the addition of ingredients in Recovery with Sulindac (NSAID) results in a synergistic effect on prevention of colon cancer in rats and a reduction in GI side-effects that accompany Sulindac usage (Ohishi et al. Cancer Lett 2002, 177(1):49-56)
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids mimic cortisol, which reduces inflammation; however, corticosteroids inhibit immune response and ability to repair, predisposing individuals to risk of infection and accelerated rate of tissue breakdown.
Excessive levels of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), an enzyme that produces nitric oxide, are involved in the initiation and progression of cancer and inflammation. Studies have shown higher levels of nitric oxide in various inflammatory bowel diseases, and that corticosteroids have no effect on reducing NOS. (N Leonard, et. al. J. Clin. Pathology: 1998, 51: (10) 750-753)
Recovery® may compliment corticosteroids as it can normalize levels of NOS (Yu-Li Lin et.al. Molecular Parm: 1997 (52):465-472).
Acetaminophen
Recovery® ingredients reduce acetaminophen-induced kidney & liver toxicity (Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol 2000; 107(1-2):137-66), (Ray S.D., Arch Biochem Biophys 1999 Sep 1; 369(1):42-58).
Many cases have demonstrated Recovery® may be superior to acetaminophen for chronic pain relief.
Recovery® decreases the need for acetaminophen
Antibiotics
2 studies report anti-bacterial action was enhanced when Recovery® ingredients were combined with ampicillin/sulbactam, benzylpenicillin, oxacillin, methacillin, cephalexin (Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2001, (48), 361-364), (Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 2001, 45, (6), 1737-1742).
Anti-coagulants
Over the last 5 years, Biomedica has made observations with several patients on warfarin and Recovery®. There were no changes in prothrombin time reported, nor any signs of increased bleeding. In vitro studies show no effect on thromboplastin times or prothrombin times. Recovery® may have anti-platelet activity related to normalizing excessive platelet adhesiveness. (Kang WS., Thromb Res 1999 Nov 1; 96(3):229-37)
Amiodarone, Doxorubicin, Idarubicin, 4-HC
The ingredients in Recovery® reduce organ and serum toxicity induced by these drugs (Bagchi D., Drugs Exp Clin Res 2001; 27(1): 3-15), (Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol 2000; 107(1-2): 137-66)
Toxicology
Recovery® has significant benefits with very low risk. All ingredients are thoroughly researched, naturally-occuring and non-toxic.
Nutricol® constituents have been clinically observed to possess anticarcinogenic properties in the liver, lung, breast, pancreas, bladder, prostate, skin and most of the gastrointestinal system (Fujiki. (1999) J. Cancer Res Clin Oncol.125:589-97).
Effects on Liver Function
Due to anti-catabolic and anti-oxidative actions, Recovery® may aid in the proper elimination and metabolism of drugs and other toxins by supporting 4 Phase II liver pathways (glutathione conjugation, taurine conjugation, methylation, and sulfation).
Dairy
Mixing Nutricol® with milk (except yogurt) inhibits absorption.
Allergies
Recovery® contains hypoallergenic ingredients; however, the introduction of any new food or drug may result in an allergy.
Nutricol®
EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate)
The LD50 in male rats is greater than 5,000 mg/kg and 3,090 mg/kg in female rats. The rats were Sprauge-Dawley rats (Yamane et al. (1995) Cancer 7:1662-7). Found to be non-toxic for Rodents and Humans (Fujiki et al. 1998).
Procyanidolic oligomers, resveratrol
The LD50* found to be greater than 5,000 mg/kg body weight in a single oral intubation to fasted male and female albino rats. (Bagchi et al. (2000) Toxicology 148:87-197)
Glucosamine (2-amino-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucose)
No mortalities in mice or rats at very high levels. LD50 is greater than 5,000 mg/kg of body weight orally. (Pharmatherapeutica 1982; 3(3):157-68) Theoretically, long-term use of very high-doses of glucosamine may result in hyperglycemia.
*Recovery has demonstrated hypoglycemic effects. Nutricol® increases membrane insulin sensitivity. Biomedica recommends that Recovery® is safe to administer to stable Type II diabetics.
MSM (methyl sulfonyl methane)
MSM has very low toxicity, with an LD50 in rats that exceeds 20,000 mg/kg body weight per day. In dogs, no toxicity was reported in a 30-day test receiving 3,000 mg/kg body weight per day, administered both orally and intravenously. There was a drop in hematocrit in the later stages of the high dose intravenous study that returned to normal post-treatment. (Metcalf, J.W. (1986) MSM status report, Eq. Vet. Data 7:332-334).
TMG (trimethylglycine)
Safety studies show TMG to be very safe, with an acute LD50 in rats of over 11,000 mg/kg body weight. (Life Science Research 1990).