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Sea Cucumber
Internet
Special $ 6.95
Dr. Sands recommended using Sea Cumber with
Original CMO. Sea Cucumber (Beche-de-Mer) is a seabed dwelling marine animal
which feeds on microscopic algae, absorbing nutrients from the organic
matter. Sea Cucumber has been used for thousands of years by Asians
as a culinary delicacy.
or call 800-301-3337
Tall Ships,
Yankee Clippers, what precious cargo were they taking to the Far
East? Pearls or gold? NO, it was Sea Cucumber!
The Chinese have treasured Sea Cucumber since ancient times
for prevention of disease and as a longevity tonic. Traditional
Chinese medicine commonly uses sea cucumber in treating weakness,
impotence, debility of the aged, constipation due to intestinal
dryness, frequent urination, and joint problems.
Western medicine is successfully using Sea Cucumber
to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis,
and connective tissue disorders. Australia has approved the use
of sea cucumber as an over-the-counter treatment for arthritis and
the Japanese have a patent using sea cucumber chondroitin sulfate
for HIV therapy.
Beche de Mer (Sea Cucumber) is a marine animal
related to starfish and sea urchins containing mucopolysaccharides,
chondroitins, protein, vitamins A & C, riboflavin, niacin, calcium,
iron, magnesium, zinc, sodium, and carbohydrates. The nutrient content
of sea cucumbers is extremely broad, and total identification of
each innate constituent will probably never be established. The
University of Queensland Centre for Drug Design conducted a series
of chromotographs that displayed "an enormous number of compounds".
Some of the compounds identified unique to the animal kingdom include
two types of triterpenoidal oligoglycosides, one type occurring
with a sulfate group and the other without. Molecules of this general
classification are abundant in the plant kingdom, but are quite
rare among animal tissues. Other compounds found in abundance include
analogues of monosaccharide structure and analogues of sulfated
mucopolysaccharide configuration.
Sea Cucumber has shown an ability
to balance prostaglandins, which regulate the inflammatory process.
Sea cucumber has a cartilaginous body that serves as a rich source
of mucopolysaccharides; mainly chondroitin sulfate, known for its
ability to reduce arthritis pain. As little as 3 grams per day of
the dried sea cucumber has been helpful in reducing arthralgia (joint
problems). Chondroitin's action is similar to that of glucosamine
sulfate, the main building block of chondroitin.
Chondroitin building blocks can be repeated numerous
times. This is basically a glucose molecule (left portion) and glucosamine
molecule (right portion), which has been sulfated (O3S, at the top).
Long-chain sulfated polysaccharides, like chondroitin, also inhibit
viruses.
Russian, Japanese, and Chinese studies reveal
that sea cucumbers contain saponins (triterpene glycosides). These
compounds are structure similar to the active constituents of ginseng,
ganoderma, and other famous tonic herbs. Pharmacology studies indicate
anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties of the sea cucumber
saponins.
One of the sea cucumber saponins, representative
of the structures commonly found in these organisms.
In addition, the sea cucumber oil contains two
anti-inflammatory fractions. One fraction has fatty acids characteristic
of those found in fish; they can be used as a substitute for fish
oil in reducing inflammatory byproducts of fat metabolism, and to
nourish the brain and heart. The main compounds of interest in fish
oil are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid also found in sea cucumber, and
DHA (docosahaenoic acid), unique to fish:
Stereochemical representations of EPA (left) and
DHA (right). The double bond locations are different, causing a
different bending of the structures.
The other oil fraction is a mixture of branched chain fatty acids,
mainly 12-MTA (methyltetradecanoic acid). This compound, and the
more widely studied variant, 13-MTA, are potent inhibitors of the
5-LOX (lypoxygenase) enzyme system. 5-LOX inhibitors are one of
the key areas of modern drug development, with plans evolving to
use the compounds in treatment of asthma, ulcerative colitis, and
arthritis. In addition, cancer-inhibiting effects have been observed
in preliminary studies with prostate cancer cell lines and other
human cancer cells These fatty acids are thought to be produced
by bacteria that live within the sea cucumbers; they are also produced
by bacteria in other marine organisms, such as sponges and tunicates.

Sample branched chain fatty acid found in sea organisms. The central
chain is a simple carbohydrate. These long chains can interact with
cell membranes.
The
statements on this web site have not been evaluated by the Food
and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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