Aloe Vera - It Makes You Feel Great

The fact that Aloe Vera is highly beneficial to health is no accident. It is not some "old wives tale", nor is it only used by those "hippy" alternative superstitious types, although ironic as it may seem, they have probably been benefiting from the use of this amazing plant for much longer than the rest of us. If we all understand WHY it works then hopefully its use will become more common as a healthy option for treating a plethora of conditions. The substantial research into the active components of this plant has indeed been well documented. Aloe Vera contains over 75 known active ingredients and over 200 biologically active compounds which synergistically work together to create healing as well as to maintain overall good health. Due to this synergy it would be very difficult to re-create exactly the same substance in a laboratory, hence, its use is mainly limited to those who have been lucky enough to learn about its remarkable benefits. I'm here to tell you that the Aloe Vera plant is readily available to us all, and is helping hundreds of thousands of people around the world in their fight against disease.

The following list of some of these active ingredients will endeavour to explain the Aloe Vera and why it makes you feel great.

The Health-Giving Properties Of Aloe Vera Include:

Polysaccharides; These are the most important types of sugars, being complex long-chain sugars involving glucose and mannose (gluco-mannans) which do not get broken down like other sugars (ie glucose, sucrose etc). Instead, they appear in the bloodstream in their original form. Once in the blood stream, they exert their healing and immuno-regulating effects. In the makeup of the total solids found in Aloe Vera, polysaccharides represent approximately 20-25%.

Some of these polysaccharides are not absorbed but stick to certain cells lining the gut and form a barrier preventing absorption of unwanted material, for example this is particularly beneficial in helping prevent 'leaking gut syndrome', as well as a myriad of other conditions. In cancer patients, polysaccharides increase the production of tumour necrosis factor, which is a natural chemical that functions to shut off the blood supply to malignant tumours.

Most commercially produced Aloe Vera contains very little polysaccharides as they are destroyed in the processing phase by either heat or enzymes, or both.

Acemannan (one of the Polysaccharides); Improves cellular metabolism and regulates the flow of nutrients and wastes in and out of the cells. It is known for its ability to restore and boost the immune system by increasing the activity of T-Lymphocytes. Producing immune system agents (interferon and interleukin) which help destroy viruses, bacteria, and tumor cells, as well as parasites and fungus. It is currently being used for treatment of AIDS and Feline leukemia.

Saponins; 'Soap-like' substances which are strong anti-microbial agents, combating bacteria, viruses, fungi, and yeasts, they cleanse and have antiseptic properties.

Lignins; which help Aloe penetrate deeply into the skin to deliver its therapeutic effects.

Cholesterol, Campesterol, Lupeol and B-Sitosterol; these are anti-inflammatory fatty acids from plant sterols which have antiseptic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. This explains why Aloe is such an effective treatment for burns, cuts, scrapes and abrasions, as well as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever and ulcers of all kinds, both internal and external.

Dietary Nutrients; Potassium - helps with fluid balance, Calcium - normal muscle contractions and heart health as well as forming healthy teeth and bones, Magnesium - strengthens teeth and bones, maintains healthy muscles and nervous system, activates enzymes, Zinc - accelerates wound healing, mental alertness, assists with healthy teeth, bones, skin, immune system, and is a digestive aid, Manganese - activates enzymes, builds healthy bones, nerves and tissues, Iron - production of haemoglobin in red blood cells, transportation of oxygen throughout the body, Copper - essential for red blood cells, production of skin and hair pigment , Chromium - assists with protein metabolism and balancing of blood sugars, Sodium - regulates body liquids, helps with nerve and muscle performance and with delivering nutrients into cells, Phosphorus - assists with metabolism and body pH.

8 Essential Amino Acids; Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Valine, and Tryptophan. The human body requires 22 Amino Acids, the body makes all of them except for the above eight Essential Amino Acids which we must get from our diet.

Salicylic Acid; which is an aspirin-like compound with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-bacterial properties. It also has the ability to reduce fevers, not unlike the effects of aspirin.

Vitamin A, B & C; These Vitamins are also powerful anti-oxidants which help boost the immune system and fight off free radicals, as well as a host of other benefits to health.

Allantoin; which promotes skin regeneration and healing.

Enzymes; their main function is to break down the proteins we eat into amino acids which then turn the food we eat into fuel for every cell in our body, enabling those cells to function properly. The main enzymes include: Amylase - breaks down sugars and starches, Bradykinase - stimulates immune system, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, Catalase - prevents accumulation of water in the body, Cellulase - aids digestion, Lipase - aids digestion of fats.

Anthraquinones; These are anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and analgesic, the most important anthraquinones are aloin and emodin. They break up unwanted residue such as pus and dead cells, then bring blood to the region and flush out these residues from things like wounds and ulcers. They can also decrease the growth rate of urinary calcium crystals which contribute to the formation of kidney stones.