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What's In This Stuff?

Have you ever looked on the back of a food or medication label and asked, "What's in this stuff?" Most of us have experienced being overwhelmed by a barrage of long words we don't understand. If you've had the same experience with Myo-Med, here’s some enlightenment.

You have probably heard of menthol, the listed active ingredient. Menthol is actually derived from mint. It stimulates the skin to change temperature. This leads to an increase in blood flow to the area and an endorphin rush.

Cetyl Myrestoleate is naturally occurring fatty acid that has been treated so that it no longer bonds with oxygen and therefore won't oxidize over time. This complex was designed to enhance and lubricate cell membranes. It also may enhance the fluids that cushion bones and joints. By helping the cell membrane, Cetyl Myrestoleate may enable the cells to quickly repair and regenerate.

There are multiple homeopathic elements in Myo-Med cream. Homeopathic ingredients are those derived from plants and animals that have not undergone pharmaceutical processes. Bryonia alba, rhus tox, and deodorized garlic oil are some of the homeopathics in Myo-Med. Vitamin E and shark liver oil may also be considered homeopathic by the above definition.

Rhus tox (Rhus toxicondendron) is derived from poison ivy. Its use is based on the homeopathic principle that like cures like. We all know that poison ivy can cause inflammatory reactions of the skin. One study has shown that in small amounts, like that found in Myo-Med, it can reduce swelling, blood vessel leakage and pain associated with inflammation.

Bryonia Alba is derived from a vine like plant native to the woods of Europe. It is generally used to help with intense pain and inflammation. Some studies on bryonia have shown that it effectively reduces pain, fever, and inflammation.

Safflower oil and vitamin E were added to Myo-Med cream to act as lubricators and tissue regenerators. These two agents act as lubricants by virtue of the fact they are oils.

Most people are very familiar with garlic oil. In Myo-Med, it has been deodorized for obvious reasons. Because this is in an oil, it acts as a lubricant as well. It also helps reduce clotting of the blood. This happens because garlic reduces platelet (cells that are essential to clots) aggregation or stickiness.

Finally, phospholipids are fats with water soluble parts that encapsulate the ingredients in Myo-Med and move them across cell membranes deep into injured tissues. Cetyl Esters derived from Vitamin C were added to the cream because of their reported anti-oxidant and tissue regenerative properties. The remaining listed ingredients bind or stabilize the products in the cream. Hopefully, this information helps you decide how Myo-Med might help you maintain a more active and pain free life.

Copyright © 2008 Lisa Hill, M.D., A Myo-Med Info Article. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reprint this article on your website without alteration if you include this copyright statement and leave the hyperlinks live and in place.

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