Aloe Vera Supplements & Vitamins (cream, gel, liquid, drinks) Products
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Aloe Vera is a well-known perennial plant with yellow flowers and tough, fleshy spear like leaves arising in a rosette configuration. The leaves are up to 20 inches long and 5 inches across at the base, tapering to a point. The outer margin of the (eaves are characterized by saw like teeth. There may be as many as 30 leaves per plant.
The leaf is composed of three distinct layers: an outer layer of tough tissue, a corrugated lining just beneath the outer layer, and the inner layer (the major portion of the leaf), consisting of a semisolid, gelatinous transparent gel. The bitter latex of the corrugated layer protects the plants from predators. Should an animal bite the leaf, the sap causes irritation. The dried aloe latex (sap) derived from the corrugated layer is the source of the plant's laxative properties. The gel is the portion of the aloe plant referred to in this profile.Aloe products, for both internal and external use, are widely used in the United States. Despite this widespread acceptance, there are very few controlled studies on Aloe Vera. The use of aloe orally (other than for the well-accepted laxative effect of the latex) has not been fully studied. Preliminary and anecdotal studies indicate that when taken internally, Aloe Vera products may be helpful in asthma, diabetes, immune system enhancement and HIV infection, and healing peptic ulcers.
Asthma
In one study the oral administration of an extract of Aloe Vera gel for six months was shown to produce good results in the treatment of asthma in some individuals. However, the Aloe Vera extract was not effective at all in patients with more severe asthma who were dependent upon corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone).
Diabetes
Aloe Vera gel preparations have produced blood-sugar-lowering effects in animal and human experiments. In addition to being potentially effective on its own, aloe gel preparations have been shown to enhance the blood-sugar-lowering effects of the drug glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase). Individuals with diabetes who ingest aloe gel preparations will need to monitor their blood sugar levels and notify their physician of any significant changes, as insulin or drug dosages may need to be adjusted.Low immunity, immune support, and HIV infection.
Low immunity, immune support, and HIV infection
A key polysaccharide component of Aloe Vera gel, acemannan, has demonstrated significant immune-enhancing and antiviral activity in experimental studies. In fact, acemannan in injectable form is approved for veterinary use in fibrosarcomas (a type of cancer) and feline leukemia. Its action in feline leukemia is quite impressive. Feline leukemia is caused by a virus that is similar to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS. The feline leukemia virus is so lethal that once cats develop clinical symptoms they are usually put to sleep to avoid unnecessary suffering. However, acemannan therapy has been shown to be effective in roughly 70 percent of cases.
Preliminary studies indicate acemannan may be useful as a support to current conventional HIV and AIDS therapy in minimally affected HIV-infected individuals (i.e., those who have a T4 cell count greater than 150 mg and a p24 core antigen level of less than 300). Unfortunately, acemannan does not appear to be helpful at all in more advanced stages of HIV infection, based on the results of a comprehensive study that assessed the safety and efficacy of acemannan in sixty-three patients with advanced HIV disease receiving zidovudine (AZT) or didanosine (ddl) Peptic ulcers
Peptic ulcers
The use of Aloe Vera gel internally to treat peptic ulcers was first studied in 1963. Unfortunately, there has been little research since. In the 1963 study, twelve patients with X-ray-confirmed duodenal ulcers were given 1 tablespoon of an emulsion of Aloe Vera gel in mineral oil once daily. At the end of one year, all patients demonstrated complete recovery and no recurrence. Based on experimental evidence, the healing effect was thought to be due to Aloe Vera gel inhibiting the release of hydrochloric acid, as well as acting as an extremely good demulcent, which both heals and prevents irritants from reaching the sensitive ulcer.
Available Forms
Aloe Vera is available as a gel, a concentrate, a juice, acemannan, latex, and a powder.
- Aloe Vera gel: Naturally occurring, undiluted tissue obtained from the leaves of Aloe Vera. The inner cells of the leaf produce a slightly viscous, clear gel or mucilage that is separated from the outer cells with care to avoid the laxative-containing latex. Aloe gel is 96 percent water with various polysaccharides (complex sugars), enzymes, minerals, and amino acids in solution. When frozen it becomes a red, gelatinous substance.
- Aloe Vera concentrate: Aloe Vera get from which the water has been removed.
- Aloe Vera juice: An ingestible product containing a minimum of 50 percent Aloe Vera gel mixed with water.Acemannan - A water soluble, long chain polysaccharide component of Aloe Vera.
- Aloe Vera latex: bitter yellow latex from the outer cells of the leaf that is dried to give a yellow to dark brown solid material (called aloes in many older pharmacy texts). This material is a strong laxative containing various anthraquinone com-pounds usually designated as aloin (see Aloe Latex, Whole Leaf, and Aloin).
- Aloe Vera leaf powder: Dried Aloe Vera powder from the entire leaf. Contains dried gel and latex, including aloin.
Cautions and Warnings
As detailed information is currently lacking on Aloe Vera preparations, it is recommended to follow the manufacturer's dosage recommendations.
Possible Side Effects
Preparations containing Aloe Vera gel are generally well tolerated, with no known side effects.
Drug Interactions
Preparations containing Aloe Vera gel may increase the effectiveness of drugs that lower blood sugar levels in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes (type 2 diabetes) such as glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase). If taking this type of drug, please inform the prescribing physician that you are taking Aloe Vera gel.
Food and Nutrient Interactions
None known.
Usual Dosage
Aloe Vera gel: Typical dosage is 1 tablespoon twice daily.
Aloe Vera concentrates: Typical dosage is the equivalent of 5 g of the gel one to three times daily.
Aloe Vera juice: As detailed information is currently lacking as to the optimal dose of Aloe Vera juice, it is recommended that no more than 1 quart be consumed in any one day.
Acemannan: Typical dosage is 800-1,600 mg per day.
Overdosage
There have been no reports of overdosage with preparations containing Aloe Vera gel or juice.
Pregnant/breast feeding women
Since the safety of Aloe Vera preparations during pregnancy and lactation has not been fully determined, their use is not recommended during these times.
Children
Aloe Vera gel preparations are suitable for children at one-half the adult dosage.
Seniors
No special precautions are known.
Aloe Latex, Whole Leaf, and Aloin
The outer cells of the leaf of Aloe Vera produce bitter yellow latex that contains aloin, the laxative component of the plant. Although an effective laxative, aloin-containing preparations produce more irritation and cramping than other stimulant laxatives. The use of aloin and aloe latex preparations as a laxative has been largely replaced by less irritating agents such as senna and cascara.Preparations containing aloin should not be used during pregnancy or lactation. Nor should they be used in people experiencing unexplained abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction, or inflammatory conditions of the intestines (such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis). Aloe Vera latex preparations should not be used in children less than twelve years of age and should not be used for more than ten days.
Preparations containing aloin can produce excessive bowel activity (griping, bloody diarrhea, nau-sea), and in very high doses possible kidney damage and potassium loss. Use of these preparations for long periods of time (e.g., nine to twelve months) may produce pseudomelanosis colt, a condition in which the lining of the colon turns black. This condition is generally reversible within four to fifteen months after discontinuation of the laxative.
Preparations containing aloin should not be used in conjunction with other laxative agents. Aloin and other stimulant laxatives may decrease the absorption of other drugs that pass through the gastrointestinal tract. If you are currently taking an oral medication, talk to your pharmacist or doctor before self-medicating with aloin.
Aloin may potentiate the action of digoxin and other heart medications due to potassium depletion. The use of aloin with thtazide diuretics and cortico-steroids may further decrease potassium levels.
Dosage is based upon the level of aloin, 50 to 200 mg daily. For example, the dosage of an aloe product containing 25 percent aloin would be 200 to 800 mg daily.
Overdosage with preparations containing Aloe Vera latex can lead to severe diarrhea and electrolyte disturbances. As little as 1,000 mg taken daily for several days can be fatal.
Preparations containing aloin should not be used during pregnancy, as aloin may stimulate uterine muscle activity and possibly cause uterine contractions. Preparations containing aloin should also be avoided during lactation, as they may be secreted in breast milk and produce a laxative effect in the nursing child.
Aloin preparations should not be used in children under twelve years of age.
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