Men ’ s Health : Natural health approaches for better prostate health
into astragalus indicates that the saponins within will help prevent fatty plaques forming in the arteries ; it may help to reduce high cholesterol levels and even reduce blood pressure . It will relieve stress and the symptoms of a weakened heart , i . e . breathlessness and distress , reducing the potential for blood clots while also reducing the retention of salt and water . For stroke sufferers , astragalus can help preserve the function of the nerves and strengthen the artery walls . It may also help those who have chronic heart failure , reducing the potential for frequent episodes .
Adrenal Health Adrenal health is constantly under pressure in these stressful times , and astragalus has been proven to stimulate the adrenal glands that can help those with adrenal stress . This would be especially important for cancer patients as the adrenal glands are suppressed during their treatment .
Cancer In the 1970 ’ s , research into this herb confirmed that it aided the body ’ s ability to fight against inflammation , viruses and bacteria ; it can also protect liver functions . Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy were given astragalus along with their treatment and bone marrow growth was encouraged so that extra white blood cells were produced to combat any invading organisms . This naturally increased survival rates .
The Aging Process The aging process begins in the cells , and due to a chemical compound within this herb , the enzyme telomerase ( hTERT ) is turned on . This enzyme helps maintain and lengthen telomeres that are the protectors at the end of the DNA strands . This helps to prevent them from being damaged or from shortening due to wear and tear . In adults , telomerase is usually switched off and so by protecting DNA for longer , this can help slow down the aging process . Research indicates that there is a direct connection between the length of these telomeres and age-related diseases including cardiovascular diseases . In addition to protecting chromosomes from degradation , this herb contains unique and active polysaccharides and increases the rate of immune system replication known as macrophages .
7