More eleutherococcus
I am having a bit of a bad science rush of blood to the head after reading through Ben Goldacre’s, er, Bad Science book last week.
Budding triathletes
Eladon have been making some suggestions that the use of Eleutherococcus senticosus is supported by 40 years of Russian research and I quote:
“is used to this day by top class Russian athletes being first recommended by the former USSR Ministry of Sport for use by all Russian athletes including the Olympic teams as long ago as 1962.”
There does seem to be a lot of literature on this stuff aka Siberian Ginseng from the Eastern bloc and it is not the most accessible in the world. I am not entirely familiar with current trends in Russian high performance athletics so I won’t comment further. But I would highlight this systematic review from Canada which found no effect. Predictably the trials which had dubious methodology showed an improvement and those that were more rigorous did not. I am not too disappointed; my triathlon ability is more likely to be improved by a structured programme of regular exercise (ie more than once a week).
Their Elagen Sport capsules also have Coenzyme Q10 in them. Dr Aust can advise you further on this here.They will supply you with 90 capsules of their Elagen Sport version for £14.95 here. I couldn’t help noticing that there are now 50 years of scientific research on this page. It may help as they say – or it may do chuff all if the systematic review is on the button.
Eladon has a very clear statement at the bottom of their home page that they are not making any medical claims. Hmm…
‘Quack’ remedy for bored housewives?
According to Biochemist Dr Nicholas Miller, B.sc, P.hd, health food supplements are often perceived to be ‘quack’ remedies taken by bored housewives and bewildered hippies, however, few can deny that early 21st century lifestyles tend to be high-stress, high-pressure, performance orientated and plagued with toxins and pollutants of first-world technology. Eleutherococcus with its anti-stress, anti-toxic and stimulatory effects can delay hardening of the arteries, allow for harder work for longer hours without damage to health and can allow people to tolerate higher than normal levels of poisons. Its effect of generally strengthening the immune system combats poor diets and day-to-day viruses and has also been shown to be useful in the treatment of nervous disorders such as depression.
Dr Miller believes it is only a matter of time before the West accepts Eleutherococcus as an officially recognised medicine. “While of undoubted benefit for the sick or convalescent, it is also of boundless value as an invigorating prophylactic to ensure continued good health,” he remarks. “Eleutherococcus is for everybody, especially the overworked or the run-down – the major problem is to tell people in a way as to remove the barriers of cynicism and disinterest.”
The first sentence of this statement is a triumph of misdirection. I can see I am going to have brush up on my Russian and get into some of these papers.
“allow people to tolerate higher than normal levels of poisons”
Does that include alcohol?
To ND
But it doesn’t mean that vitamins don’t work.
Effectiveness of Eleutherococcus and non-effectiveness of CoQ is proved by method, which is DIFFERENT from method of your Canadian doers.
Answer, old fellow, and what if your Canadian wiseacres carry out their investigations with vitamins, but not with Eleutherococcus, eh? I bet, they will not find effectiveness of vitamins at all
It is necessary to THINK before writing of blog. Think by head, but not ar..e!
To Daddy
For additional information – Tincture of Eleutherococcus is being produced with use of 90% ethanol