::Algonot Plus::

COMMON QUESTIONS

Q:
Why is Algonot Plus different than other glucosamine and chondroitin supplements?
A:
Algonot Plus was formulated using scientific information. It contains equal amounts of glucosamine and chondroitin (other brands contain less chondroitin) and it makes the chondroitin easier to absorb through the use of olive seed oil. Algonot Plus also contains quercetin, a natural flavonoid that reduces swelling and helps protect cells from further damage.

Q:
Can I take Algonot Plus with my current medication?
A:
Yes, you can. There are no known side effects associated with taking Algonot Plus with other medications. Nonetheless, you should certainly tell your doctor that you are taking Algonot Plus together with your prescribed medication.

Q:
When will Algonot Plus start working?
A:
Within 3-4 months Algonot Plus will work to reduce the swelling caused by inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, interstitial cystitis, and prostatitis.

Q:
How does arthritis advance in my body?
A:
Arthritis can develop after trauma or because of excessive weight, old age or for other unknown reasons. It destroys the soft cartilage between the bones in the joints. When people have osteoarthritis, their bodies usually can't produce enough new cartilage to replace the cartilage destroyed by the disease. The result is inflammation and pain.

Q:
What can glucosamine and chondroitin do for my osteoarthritis?
A:
Glucosamine and chondriotin can actually help to rebuild the cartilage (joints) damaged by arthritis. Also, glucosamine and chondroitin supplements may help guard against further cartilage damage.

Q:
How is Algonot Plus different from other glucosamine and chondroitin supplements?
A:
Algonot Plus combines glucosamine and chondroitin with the natural flavonoid quercetin and unrefined olive seed oil. Quercetin has been shown to reduce inflammation that often accompanies osteoarthritis. Olive seed oil allows the body to absorb up to three times as much chondroitin (as opposed to other brands) improving the overall effectiveness of the supplement.

Q:
How does Algonot Plus work?
A:
Algonot Plus is a unique formulation that:

1.Blocks the chain reaction that advances arthritis
2.Builds new cartilage
3.Relieves osteoarthritis related inflammation and swelling
4.Increases absorption of the active ingredients
5.Provides the unique antioxidant benefits of olive seed oil, especially vitamin E

Q:
What is the recommended amount of Algonot Plus for me to take?
A:
Recommended amounts of Algonot Plus are as follows: for the first three months take 2 capsules, three times a day or 3 capsules, twice a day with food. After the first three months take 2 capsules, twice a day.

Q:
What scientific evidence supports Algonot Plus?
A:
Algonot Plus was developed by T.C. Theoharides, Ph.D.,M.D. Algonot Plus is supported by a Scientific Advisory Board that includes internationally recognized physician scientists who have published extensively on inflammation and pain. To learn more about the published research click here.

Q:
What are your thoughts on IC and pregnancy?
A:
If it is good for the mother to be and the family, pregnancy should not be avoided. Usually symptoms get better as pregnancy progresses. Patients may worry that symptoms may become worse after delivery and they often do. However, one can return or add the appropriate therapy soon after delivery to prevent any worsening. The final decision will have to rest with the family and the health providers.

Q:
Do you recommend "CystoProtek" to women trying to conceive?
A:
The ingredients in the Algonot series are natural, of high purity and known to be safe. We would rather the mother to be take no drugs or other substances at least during the first trimester if possible. However, this decision is very personal and has to be discussed with the health providers keeping the best interest of the mother and the child to be in mind. If a mother absolutely needs some therapy/support in order to function adequately, then such should be recommended.

Q:
What about after the child's birth?
A:
The Algonot product ingredients are known to be safe. Quercetin is likely to get into the milk because it is lipohilic (likes oil) but should not have any adverse effects.

Q:
Is it safe for children to take CystoProtek for IC?
A:
Yes, with the exception that one should be cautious they do not choke because of the size. It may be prudent to make a pin-hole and squeeze the contents into apple juice, peanut butter, yogurt, etc. (if the child is not allergic) Please keep in mind the the yellowish color is due to the quercetin and can stain clothing.

Q:
I have read about glucosamine and chondroitin being bad for the liver. Would taking these be bad on the liver after a certain amount of time?
A:
There is no real evidence that glucosamine or chondroitin can damage the liver if taken in highly pure form as in the Algonot products. If glucosamine were to be taken in powder form as 1.5 g/day, it could cause diarrhea and interfere with glucose metabolism in diabetic patients.

Q:
I have read about glucosamine and chondroitin being bad for the liver. Would taking these be bad on the liver after a certain amount of time?
A:
There is no real evidence that glucosamine or chondroitin can damage the liver if taken in highly pure form as in the Algonot products. If glucosamine were to be taken in powder form as 1.5 g/day, it could cause diarrhea and interfere with glucose metabolism in diabetic patients.

Q:
I have read about glucosamine and chondroitin being bad for the liver. Would taking these be bad on the liver after a certain amount of time?
A:
There is no real evidence that glucosamine or chondroitin can damage the liver if taken in highly pure form as in the Algonot products. If glucosamine were to be taken in powder form as 1.5 g/day, it could cause diarrhea and interfere with glucose metabolism in diabetic patients.

Q:
I have read about glucosamine and chondroitin being bad for the liver. Would taking these be bad on the liver after a certain amount of time?
A:
There is no real evidence that glucosamine or chondroitin can damage the liver if taken in highly pure form as in the Algonot products. If glucosamine were to be taken in powder form as 1.5 g/day, it could cause diarrhea and interfere with glucose metabolism in diabetic patients.

Q:
Since My diagnosis of I.C. 2 months ago, I have been on Elmiron and ProstaQ.
However, my symptoms seem worse now than before my bladder distention procedure.
Am I not giving these treatments enough time?
A:
These two formulations could induce GI upset, and some patients report worsening of symptoms.
Elmiron has to be taken for about 4 months to work in 20-30% of patients. Data for CystQ is not available and it is difficult to know if there are any drug-drug interactions as the formula of CystaQ is proprietary.
However, the worsening of the symptoms could be due to many factors, such as stress, foods, infections, etc. and those would have to be addressed before one worries about the medications

Q:
Since My diagnosis of I.C. 2 months ago, I have been on Elmiron and ProstaQ.
However, my symptoms seem worse now than before my bladder distention procedure.
Am I not giving these treatments enough time?
A:
These two formulations could induce GI upset, and some patients report worsening of symptoms.
Elmiron has to be taken for about 4 months to work in 20-30% of patients. Data for CystQ is not available and it is difficult to know if there are any drug-drug interactions as the formula of CystaQ is proprietary.
However, the worsening of the symptoms could be due to many factors, such as stress, foods, infections, etc. and those would have to be addressed before one worries about the medications

Q:

Qeustion: Why are there two kinds of hydroxizine? There are two different salts (preparations).

A:
Answer: The hydroxyzine pamoate is supposed to be a little better absorbed than the hysdroxyzine hydrochloride (HCl), but no studies have been done to prove it.

Followup Question: Is there one that is better for IC and in particular, in conjunction with Algonot Plus Cystoprotek 5 in 1?

Answer: No. The most important issue is the fillers and dyes that are used in these, as well as in the generic forms that some patients seem to be
sensitive, too.; In that case I suggest hydroxyzine elixir (5 mg per teaspoon), although some elixirs have a little alcohol and patients
should read the label carefully as any amount of alcohol is likely to bother them.
As with any health products, we urge you to consult with your health providers first and Dr. Theoharides will be glad to communicate with them directly at their request.

Q:

Question: I have read about glucosamine and Chondroitin being bad for the liver. Wouldn't taking CystoProtek be bad on the liver after a certain amount of time?

A:
Answer: There is no real evidence that glucosamine or chondroitin can damage the liver if taken in highly pure form as in the Algonot products. If glucosamine were to be taken in powder form as 1.5g day, it could cause diarrhea and interfere with glucose metabolism in diabetic patients.

Q:

Question: Since My diagnosis of IC, 2 months ago, I have been on Elmiron and ProstaQ. However, my symptoms seem worse now than before my bladder distention procedure. Am I not giving these treatments enough time?

A:
These two formulations could induce GI upset, and some patients report worsening of symptoms.
Elmiron has to be taken for about 4 months to work in 20-30% of patients.
Data for CystQ is not available and it is difficult to know if there are any drug-drug interactions as the formula of CystaQ is proprietary.

However, the worsening of the symptoms could be due to many factors, such as stress, foods, infections, etc. and those would have to be addressed before one worries about the medications
As with any health products, we urge you to consult with your health providers first and Dr. Theoharides will be glad to communicate with them directly at their request.

Q:

Question: What do you feel is the most effective treatment for urgency?

A:
Ditropan excel and/or some muscle relaxants such as valium, etc. could be of help.
As with any health products, we urge you to consult with your health providers first and Dr. Theoharides will be glad to communicate with them directly at their request.

Q:

Question: Do you have to take the CystoProtek and/or ProstaProtek for the rest of your life or can it be tapered off eventually?

A:
Some patients have tapered dosage after they established a significant benefit. CystoProtek has only been available for the last year therfore, we have not established a timeframe or a need for life long dosage.

Followup Question:When do you taper off? (like if you are symptom free for a length of time > etc).
If I were to judge from Algonot-plus, some patients have scaled it back to one capsules day eventually, but it is impossible to know. Hopefully, the bladder may heal enough that none will be required after a few years.

Q:

Question: I was diagnosed with IC, but along with IC symptoms, I also have myofascial trigger spot back pain, mainly in upper back. I was wondering if CystoProtek would also help with this symptom. If so, what in the CystoProtek is helping with this back unofficial pain?

A:
Some of the symptoms sound like fibromyalgia and could be helped by the quarantine present in CystoProtek, but I am not sure to what extent. We do have some patients on it (or on the similar Algonot-plus) just for fibromyalgia and they report doing well. We would like to hear from you after a few months

Q:

Question: Is the over expression of type II estrogen receptors one of the mechanisms by which raloxifene helps to build bone mass and lower osteoporotic fracture risk? If so, will the blockage of type II receptors by quercetin diminish the effectiveness of raloxifene against osteoporosis?

A:
We do not know. In fact, we a re not even sure what these receptors (mostly found in the nucleus instead of the cell surface) do.

Q:

Question: Similar question for risedronate and alendronate (although not because of estrogen receptors): could simultaneous use of quercetin diminish their effectiveness against osteoporosis?

A:
At best, you may get a synrgistic effect; at worst, you will get the action of one or the other. I do not believe they would cancel out, as they appear to act similarly

Q:

Question: Similar question if, in addition to Elavil, we add alprazolam (which my wife is also taking for the IC) to the mix: Are there any interactions between quercetin, Elavil, alprazolam, and raloxifene (or risedronate or alendronate) that would either worsen the IC or diminish the effectiveness of the osteoporosis drugs?

A:
None that I know It is my wife�s hope and intention eventually to rely solely on CystoProtek and Aloe Vera and to discontinue the use of synthetic medications.

Q:

Question: How will these products help people?

A:
Algonot Products uniquely blocks, builds and relieves. It blocks inflammation and cartilage destruction, it builds new cartilage and relieves the pain associated with stiff, arthritic joints. As a result, Algonot-Plus has to be taken daily for at least three months in order to have sufficient time to address the underlying processes leading to arthritis and pain. The first benefit patients will notice is a reduction in the stiffness of their joints.

Q:

Question: Who should take Algonot Products, and for what purpose?

A:
The main condition for which Algonot products were developed is osteoarthritis, the most common joint disease. Almost 20 million people in the USA suffer from osteoarthritis and about 1000 more are diagnosed each year. Arthritis can develop after trauma or because of excessive weight, old age or certain disease. It destroys the soft cartilage in the joints that protects the bones from rubbing against each other. When people have osteoarthritis, their body usually can not produce enough cartilage to replace that destroyed by the disease; as a result, inflammation develops that leads to further damage and pain.

Algonot Products and specificaly AthroSoft, because of its high absorption of chondroitin and the presence of quercetin, can also be used in another related condition, rheumatoid arthritis. In this case, Algonot-plus blocks the inflammation that otherwise develops and leads to cartilage and bone destruction.

We have also develped other Algonot Products that can be used in other conditions where there is inflammation, without infection, such as:

� Algonot Plus Original Formula For Fibromyalgia, a condition of general body aches,
� ProstaProtek for Chronic prostatitis that afflicts most males over 60 years old with pain,
� CystoProtek for Interstitial cystitis which causes severe bladder pain and frequency of urination in about one million women
� Algonot Plus Original Formula For Irritable bowel syndrome which causes pain and bloating in the intestines
� Algonot Plus Original Formula ForInflammatory bowel disease, a serious condition with a lot of inflammation and pain in the large intestine.

Q:

Question: What makes Algonot products unique, when compared to others?

A:
This is the only product that delivers enough of three active ingredients to the joints and other areas of body stress. One of these ingredients (glucosamine) helps the body synthesize new cartilage, the second (chondroitin sulfate) is readily incorporated into damaged cartilage and prevents it from further erosion, while the third ingredient (quercetin) reduces the inflammation that destroys the joint and causes stiffness and pain. In addition, the unique addition of olive seed oil, not only permits 3-5 times higher absorption of the three active ingredients, but adds its own antioxidants, such as vitamin E, that are helpful in reducing tissue damage and prolong its healthy function.

Q:

Question: Why is Algonot-Plus superior to any other available preparations containing glucosamine?

A:
Algonot-Plus is a unique patented and Trademarked formula designed to give long-term relief from arthritis. It was created under the guidance of an internationally recognized Scientific Advisory Board and the contents are of select sources, and of the highest purity certified by an independent laboratory, to provide the safest product of the best possible quality. Algonot-plus, unlike other products, has no dyes, preservatives or fillers.

Algonot-plus uses sulfated material because our body needs sulfated glucosamine and chondroitin. Many other products use plain glucosamine or acetyl glucosamine, or chondroitin, because they are cheaper. The following chart compares Algonot-Plus to other glucosamine and/or chondroitin supplements. It as to be noted that most of the available chondroitin preparations sold derive chondroitin from cow trachea imported from Europe and one, therefore, runs the risk of possibly contracting mad cow disease. Algonot-Plus gets its chondroitin from shark cartilage from Latin America and its soft gel capsule is made of pig gelatin to avoid the usual bovine source.

Algonot-plus gets its quercetin from the Saphfora plant from Latin America for purity and safety. Some food supplements advertise their content of �bioflavonoids� or �citrus flavonoids,� while others claim pure quercetin from fava beans. Unfortunately, these preparations are likely to be detrimental rather than helpful. For instance, there are about 30,000 flavonoids all derived from plants, but we have shown that only about six are useful. Moreover, about 15% of people from the Mediterranean area Greeks, Israelis and Italians) lack a specific enzyme and could get hemolytic anemia (destruction of their blood cells) if they wee to eat fava beans.

Comparison of chondroitin containing products to Algonot

Product

Most Available Chondroitin Sulfate

Algonot

(Algos = Greek for pain + not)

Main Ingredient

Mixture of chondroitins

Chondroitin sulfate C

Source

Cow trachea

Shark cartilage

Amount per dose

150 mg

300 mg

Sulfation required for action

Unknown

High

Absorption

<5%

>15%

Target

Unknown

Mast cells, bone cells

Other Ingredients

Vitamins, fish oils

(some preparations)

Quercetin, vitamin E, olive seed oil

Additional Advantages

None known

Anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, cytoprotective

Adverse Effects

Risk of mad cow disease, stomach upset, allergy to fish oils and to fava beans

None known

Patent Protection

No

Yes

Targeted Conditions

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic prostatitis, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease

Q:

Question: How did this research get initiated and done?

A:
Dr. Theoharides (see biographical statement at the end of this document) has been studying the mechanism of allergic reactions, and the role of mast cells, for close to 20 years. During this time, he came to realize that the mast cell, which we only thought responsible for allergic reactions, is critically important in inflammation and the in pathogenesis of arthritis and the other conditions mentioned above. As a result, he focused on ways he could block the activation of this cell and its secretion of many noxious substances. His work in this field has been published in more than 200 scientific papers.

Q:

Question: What are mast cells?

A:
Of the millions of cells that make up our bodies, one type known as mast cells has an important role in asthma and other allergic reactions. One way to think of a mast cell is as resembling a soccer ball filled with many ping pong balls. The real mast cell membrane, in fact, encloses many molecular sized toxins (the ping pong balls) that are secreted when mast cells are activated by a trigger, which often is some type of allergen. More recently, mast cells have become implicated in inflamed joints and in many painful inflammatory conditions such as interstitial cystitis, mastocytosis, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines and possibly multiple sclerosis.

Q:

Question: What has Dr. Theoharides� research shown?

A:
His research showed that chondroitin sulfate is very effective at blocking the activation of mast cells. Specifically, when chondroitin was added to a solution containing mast cells and known mast cells triggers, it was determined that the rate of activation of the mast cells was significantly reduced. In another test, when a flavone called quercetin was added to a solution containing activated mast cells, it was found that the secretion of toxins from the mast cell was significantly blocked. Finally, when chondroitin and quercetin were both used, it was discovered that they acted synergistically to dramatically reduce the stimulation and activation of mast cells by known triggers. The overall result was that mast cells were inhibited rather than stimulated. For a graphic presentation of this data, click on the �mechanism

Q:

Question: Has the Algonot-Plus research been published?

A:
Key publications appeared last year in influential American and foreign Journals:

� Alexandrakis M, Singh L, Boucher W, Letourneau R, Theofilopoulos P and Theoharides TC. Differential effect of flavonoids on inhibition of secretion and accumulation of secretory granules in rat basophilic leukemia cells. International Journal of Immunopharmacology 21:379-390, 1999.

� Theoharides TC, Wang L, Pang Z, Letourneau R, Culm KE, Basu S and Correia I. Cloning and cellular localization of the rat mast cell 78-kDa protein phosphorylated in response to the mast cell �stabilizer� cromolyn. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 294:810-821, 2000.

� Theoharides TC, Patra P, Boucher W, Letourneau R, Kempuraj D, Chiang G, Jeudy S, Hesse L and Athanasiou A. Chondroitin sulphate inhibits connective tissue mast cells British Journal of Pharmacology 131:1039-1049, 2000.

� Middleton E, Kandaswami C and Theoharides TC. The effects of plant flavonoids on mammalian cells: implications for inflammation, heart disease and cancer. Pharmacological Reviews 52:673-751, 2000.

Q:

Question: How safe are the dietary supplements from Algonot?

A:
Algonot-plus, unlike many other products, is made of entirely natural and pure ingredients. We have made sure that there is no potential danger. Glucosamine used in most of the available products sold in the USA is derived from cow trachea imported from Europe, in which case one runs the risk of possibly catching �mad cow disease.� The risk of mad cow disease is so serious in Europe that bovine gelatin has been banned from all cosmetic products

� Gavaghan H. Report flags hazards of risk assessment. Science 290:911-912, 2000.

For this reason, the chondroitin sulfate in Algonot-plus is obtained from shark cartilage imported from Latin America. For the same reason, the gelatin used for the shells of the capsules is obtained from pigs to avoid bovine material.

Q:

Question: Can I take Algonot Products together with other drugs?

A:
Algonot-plus can be taken together with any other drug used to treat arthritis, or the other conditions mentioned. In fact, a patient should remain on the drugs they are on and start reducing them slowly only after they have being on Algono-plus for at least 3 months.

Q:

Question: Can I take Algonot Products if I am allergic to sulfonamide antibiotics?

A:
Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are unrelated to sulfonamide antibiotics and there is no evidence that the �sulfated� portions cross-react. Consequently, there is no risk of a person allergic to sulfonamides having an allergic reaction to Algonot-plus. Moreover, Algonot-plus is, itself, anti-allergic and would reduce the likelihood of such possibility even if it were to occur.

Q:

Question: Are Algonot Products FDA approved? If not, do you see an FDA approval in the future?

A:
Algonot-Plus is a food supplement and does not require FDA approval. This is why the description of this product focuses on prevention and strengthening of affected joints, rather than its being a �pain killer.� The label is reviewed by the FCC (Federal Trade Commission). It should, however, be pointed out that food supplements are not allowed to make any claims for treatment of any disease. This is why the label of Algonot-plus states:

Especially formulated, based on published scientific evidence, to work together delivering more of the bioactive ingredients to the joints and other sites of body stress

Q:

Question: Why do Algonot Products contain olive seed oil?

A:
Chondroitin Sulfate is one of the most important ingredients in any of the joint relief products currently on the market. But chondroitin is a composed of a very large molecule (with a molecular weight of 100,000 compared to glucose, for example, at less than 500). As a result, it is very hard to get the body to absorb chondroitin into tissues where it can do some good. Most chondroitin is flushed through the body and has no effect. Research has shown that combining this component with olive oil increases the amount absorbed by up to three times, more than 15% in many cases compared to less than 5% of chondroitin administered in regular pill form.
� Palmieri et al. Metabolic fate of exogenous chondroitin sulfate in the experimental animal. Arzneim.-Forsch./Drug Res. 41:768-772, 1991.

After oral administration of tritiated (3-H) chondroitin sulfate to the rat and dog, 70% of the radioactivity was absorbed BUT the high molecula weight fraction (THAT IS USEFUL) was about 10%. Additionally, if the degree of sulfation was high, the absorption WAS NEGlIGIBLE.
� Conte et al. Metabolic fate of exogenous chondroitin sulfate in man. Arzneim.-Forsch./Drug Res. 41:768-772, 1991.
After intravenous administration of chondroitin sulfate (16,000 daltons) , more than 50% in exreted in the urine in the first 24 hours, while the absolute bioavailability (how much reaches the blood) after oral administration 1s 13.2%. Keep in mind that this size (16,000 daltons) has almost no protectivevalue in laboratory experiments.
� Conte et al. Metabolic fater of partially depoymerized chondroitin sulfate administered to the rat. Drugs Exptl. Clin. Res. 17:27-33, 1991.
The major exretion of both intramuscular and oral administration is in the urine. The size of chondroitin sulfate bigger than 4000 daltons (NOTE: the bigger the more effective, preferrably over 100,000 and highly sulfated) was only a few percent of the total administered. Six times more material had to be administered by mouth to reach the level administered intramuscularly .
� Baici et al. Analysis of glycosaminoglycans in human serum after oral administration of chondroitin sulfate. Rheumatology International 12:81-88, 1992.
They found NO absorption and considered the protection in the joints after oral administration an unfounded theory.
� Conte et al. Biochemical and pharmacokintetic aspects of oral treatment with chondroitin sulfate. Arzneim.-Forsch./Drug Res. 415:918-925, 1995.
A medicinal preparation of low molecular weight (14,000 daltons) chondroitin sulfate (Condrosulf, Germany) was orally administered to male healthy volunteers in a single daily dose of 800 mg or in two doses of 400 mg each per day. The highest amount of 2.5 microg/ml was achieved in the blood 4-8 hr after admiistration and was down by 80% at 24 hours. Keep in mind that this size (14,000 daltons) has almost no protective value in laboratory experiments.
In the studies mentioned above, chondroitin sulfate was of small moelcular weight, low degree of sulfation and it was tritiated, a method that usually gives higher readings; yet., absorption ranged from 0-10% after oral administration.
When chondroitin sulfate of about double the size used in those studies (26,000 daltons) was used and was 14-C-labled, ONLY 0.4% of the oral dose administeredin rats was intact chondroitin sulfate in the blood, even though 4% was recovered intact in the urine (unpublished obervations). One is, therefore, forced to conclude that at best maybe 4% of roal chondroitin sulfate of molecular weight 26,000 daltons is absorbed from the intestine intact.
The companies selling chondroitin sulfate as food supplement for,arthritis DO NOT provide information on the size or the degree of sultation of chondroitin sulfate. In other words, at best they may get 4% abosrption and at worst 0%. Yet. sales of chondroiin sulfate are about $0.5 billion per year in the USA. In fact, the MERCK INDEX (10th edition, 1983, p. 2190) lists chondroitin sulfate as having an evrage molecular weight of 50,000 daltons depending on the source and method of preparation. It is the gigher molecular weight and higher degree of sulfation that are biologically active in laboratory and clinical experiemtns, but it is these that are almost impossible to absopr orally in a powder form.
The innovation of ALonot-plus is that chondroitin sulfate (together with glucosamine sulfate and quercetin) are mixed in unrefined olive seed oil, thus forming micelles that increase the absorption as the intestine is particularly suited for absorbing oils and lipids, while it exluded polarized molecules with ionic charges (sulftate).

Q:

Question: Does the olive oil have any other benefits?

A:
It was recently shown that polyphenols, coumpunds that are particularly rich in olive seed oil. Have protective action against experimental arthritis:

1989 Martinez-Dominguez E, de la Puerta R, Ruiz-Gutierrez V. Protective effects upon experimental inflammation models of a polyphenol-supplemented virgin oil diet. Inflamm Res 50:102-106, 2001.

Actually, olive oil has also been shown to have protective action in the development and/or severity of rheumatoid arthritis:
� Alarcon de la Lasra C, Barranco md, Motilva V, Herrerias JM. Mediterranean diet and health: biological importance of olive oil. Curr Pharm Des 7: 933-950, 2001.
� Linos A, Kaklamani VG, Kaklamani E, Koumantaki Y, Giziaki E, Papazoglou S, Mantzoros CS. Dietary factors in relation to rheumatoid arthritis: a role for olive oil and cooked vegetables? Am J Clin Nutr 71: 1010, 1999.
� Brzeski M, Madhok R, Capell HA. Evening primrose oil in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and side-effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Br J Rheumatol 30: 370-372, 1991.
� Kremer JM, Lawrence DA, Jubiz W, DiGiacomo R, Rynes R, Bartholomew LE, Sherman M. Dietary fish oil and olive oil supplementation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical and immunologic effects. Arthritis Rheum 33: 810-820, 1990.

Olive oil is well known for its cytoprotective, longevity-producing effects, along with possible anti-cancer properties. The Island of Crete, where Algonot obtains its olive oil, is known to have among the highest longevity rates in the world and is also a leading consumer of olive oil. The olive oil in Algonot-Plus comes from the seeds of the olive rather than the olive itself, and is unrefined. It is unsaturated and we believe it is an important part of the diet of anyone interested in the benefits of nutrition based on natural ingredients.
� Bosku D. Olive oil. World Review Nutrition Diet 87:56-77, 2000.
� Trichopoulou A, Kouris-Blazos A, Vassilakou T, Gnardellis C, Polychronopoulos E, Venizelos TM, Lagiou P, Wahlqvist ML and Trichopoulos D. Diet and survival of elderly Greeks: a link to the past. Am Journal Clinical Nutrition 61:1346S-1350S, 1995.
� Trichopoulou A, Lagiou P, Kuper H and Trihopoulos D. Cancer and Mediterranean dietary traditions. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarker Prevention 9:869-873, 2000.

Q:

Question: Why did you choose olive seed oil from Crete?

A:
The people of Crete have one of the highest longevity rates (live longest) in the world. I visited Crete many times, often invited to lecture at the Medical School in Heraklion. During these visits, I made an effort to speak with some of the oldest leaving Cretans up on the hills and mountains and inquired on their diet and protection from the sun. Many of them told me that they would sell their olive oil and use the olive seed oil for their salad, as well as a sunscreen. The trick was to get the olive seed oil (what one gets from the olive skin and pits) soon after harvest from the top of the containers when it was purest and of low acidity. After visiting and testing a number of facilities all over Greece, I chose a specific one in Crete from which we obtain the olive seed oil soon after harvest, have it filtered through miniscule filters to remove any solids, and also remove almost all of the water present to reduce the acidity to almost that of olive oil. This olive seed oil is not treated with any chemicals (unrefined) because such treatments remove most of the useful anti-oxidant and cytoprotective molecules. If you have ever seen olive seed oil, its color is deep green as compared to amber/light green for olive oil. The beneficial, protective properties of live seed oil were recently recognized by the cosmetic industry in France which has recently marketed beauty creams based entirely on olive seed oil.

Q:

Question: How much Algonot Products should be taken and for how long?

A:
One should start with one capsule in the morning and one in the evening with meals for one week. Two capsules should then be taken twice daily with meals for at least three months before any improvement is noticeable. Heavier individuals or those with long standing or severe symptoms would have to advance to two capsules three times per day after three months. Once the bottle is opened it should be preferably stored in the refrigerator or any other cool place.

The bottle should be shaken each time because the capsules may occasionally stick to each other when they are warm. Any �oily� smell does not mean anything other than the fact that the smell of the olive seed oil may be noticeable after a while, especially if the bottle is not kept cool.

Q:

Question: Where can I buy Algonot Products?

A:
Algonot products is not available in all retail stores yet. You can order Algonot-Plus by calling the toll-free number 1-800-ALGONOT or through the website algonot.com