Unfortunately, we are late again. There is a lot going on around our offices. Several of our formulas are being reformulated to meet the needs of today’s health-care professionals. Also, we have had to pitch in and do some website building for ourselves. Anyone who has had to learn to build a website in a short period, with no prior experience or expertise, will understand the tremendous amount of time and effort required to overcome the learning curve. With the explosive growth of the web, the people who are competent in web design are simply swamped with business. Therefore, we amateurs are being pressed into service. Thank goodness for programs like Microsoft’s Front Page 2000 which makes it easier for us HTML illiterates. It is a reality in today’s world that a presence on the Internet is an absolute necessity for virtually any business. Please visit our site (www.rockyfork.net) and tell us what you think. And remember- all Rocky Fork Formulas customers are entitled to a link on our links page so send us your URL’s. Our e-mail address is sales@rockyfork.net

In this issue we will begin to profile our newly introduced products. This time we will profile Cardio Complex HS, Liver Complex HS. Also, we will discuss the enzyme information sheet that is included with this newsletter.

As we mentioned before, several products are currently being redesigned. The formula for Vitamin C has already been changed. It is still 1 gram of Vitamin C and 200 mg of Bioflavonoids, but it now contains 5 mg of Rutin, 1 mg of 4:1 Rose Hips, 2.5 mg of Alfalfa and 5 mg of Hesperidin Complex.

Prostate Complex is being redesigned and is almost ready to go into production. It will become Prostate Complex HS in keeping with our new designation system. Improvements include changing our Saw Palmetto extract to an 85% liposterolic extract as used in most of the scientific studies. We are now using a standardized extract of Pygeum africanum. We have also added Lycopene, a terpenoid nutrient that has been shown to be beneficial in preventing prostate disease and maintaining prostate health. Stinging Nettle root extract, and Standardized Flower Pollen extract (Secale cereale) have also been cited in several studies as being highly beneficial in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Flower Pollen extract was demonstrated to be equally effective in BPH as Saw Palmetto in European studies.

Our Adrenal Complex is currently in the research phase and improvements to the product will be made in the near future. Several herbs and support factors are under consideration for inclusion in the updated formula. Your input would be appreciated.

We are also currently designing two thyroid supplements. We have been in the research phase for this product for some time and we have decided that separate supplements are warranted for hypoactive and hyperactive thyroids. Due to the complexity of thyroid dysfunction, we would like any input you may have before finalizing formulations for these products.

A word about the new HS designation on our products is in order. The ‘H’ stands for herbs (and botanicals) while the ‘S’ stands for support factors. The designation is an indicator of our commitment to provide products containing the triad of nutrients. One side of the triad is raw gland concentrates. While we know that we are in the minority in using raw gland concentrates in our formulations, we feel that their use is warranted by the tremendous normalizing effect they provide in glandular dysfunction and the growing body of scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness. The second side is herbs and botanicals. The effectiveness of herbs is beyond question and serious research into the function of herbs, their active ingredients and mode of action has recently increased. The triad’s third side is vitamins, minerals and other nutrients needed to restore normal metabolic function to your patients.

All of the formulations were designed using published research, textbooks and scientific references as well as the recommendations of experienced health care professionals.

Our first profile of new products is of CARDIO COMPLEX HS. Each capsule of this excellent heart support product contains 160 mg of lyophilized bovine heart. Concentrated heart tissue is often used by alternative practitioners as a rich source of nutrients that can help restore normal function and provide raw material for rebuilding damaged hearts. Lyophilization is used to preserve naturally occurring enzymes and other critical nutrients. Also contains 48 mg of Hawthorne berry, 48 mg of Motherwort and 75 mg of gugulipid, an extract of guggal. Research indicates Hawthorn has been effective in increasing coronary flow via coronary vasodilation and heart rate in cardiac insufficiency. Hawthorn has also been demonstrated to be effective against myocardial ischemia, prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. Studies indicated a reduction of cholesterol, triglycerides, blood viscosity, and fibrinogen levels. Some studies also suggest that Hawthorn has vasorelaxation properties and may help reduce blood pressure. Motherwort has many of the same characteristics and is often used in combination with Hawthorn for a synergistic effect. Gugulipid was used to decrease serum cholesterol levels and to increase the HDL to LDL ratio in several studies. In other studies triglyceride and cholesterol levels showed significant reductions. Ten mg of Co-enzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) is included because studies have indicated that congestive heart failure (CHF), cardiac arrhythmias and hypertension have responded positively when it is included in treatment. Co-enzyme Q10 has also been used to reduce hypoxic injury to the myocardium, ischemic heart disease, toxin-induced cardiopathy and hypertension. Twenty mg of L-Carnitine has been included. L-Carnitine aids in the uptake of long chain and medium chain fatty acids and also is an important intermediate in b-oxidation and therefore enhances the energy available to the cell. Co-enzyme Q10 and L-Carnitine work synergistically to increase heart muscle contraction. N, N Dimethylglycine is a constituent of the so-called "Russian formula" of Provitamin B-15. It is an important intermediate in Folic acid metabolism, contributes to the reduction of cholesterol, enhances cellular oxygen utilization and some report reduction of blood pressure after use. Eight mg of Vitamin B6 and 4 mg of Vitamin C are present to help in the uptake of L-Carnitine. 15 mg of Vitamin B1 is included because a growing body of evidence indicates that many cardiac problems are accompanied by thiamin deficiencies. One hundred sixty-seven mcg of Vitamin B12 and 67 mcg of Folic acid (as well as Vitamin B6) are in the product to help metabolize homocysteine to methionine. A growing body of evidence implicates high homocysteine levels in heart and circulatory disorders. Sixty-five mg Calcium aspartate and 90 mg of magnesium aspartate are included because these two minerals are extremely important in maintaining strong heart contractions and preventing arrhythmias.

LIVER COMPLEX HS. Lyophilized liver (250 mg) is the base of this product just as lyophilized heart is the base of the previous product. One hundred mg of a standardized (80% silymarin) extract of Milk Thistle extract, is the primary herbal ingredient. Milk Thistle has a growing reputation in combating many liver conditions. Milk Thistle extract acts as an anti-oxidant, greatly increases the production of glutathione and enhances liver regeneration. Dandelion root (10 mg) has long been used by holistic practitioners to treat a large variety of liver conditions. These include hepatitis, gall stones, liver congestion, jaundice. Dandelion root has also demonstrated some cholesterol lowering effects and even pre-menstrual syndrome symptom reduction (presumably due to enhancement of estrogen clearing via methylation). Its method of action is to increase bile production in the liver and bile flow both out of the liver and the gall bladder. Cascara sagrada (5 mg) administered in amounts less than those that give a laxative effect contribute greatly to gall bladder contractions and, therefore, bile flow with the result being a reduction of liver congestion. N, N Dimethylglycine is present for many of the same reasons that it is in the Cardio Complex HS, especially its role in Folate metabolism. It is also involved in L-Methionine synthesis. Vitamin B1 is extremely important in detoxification of environmental toxins via methylation and helps reduce oxidized glutathione. It also works synergistically with Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD) to prevent oxidation of liver cell membranes. Vitamin B2 is also an extremely important nutrient in liver detoxification and regeneration functions. Riboflavin acts as a synergist with SOD and glutathione in performing this function. Vitamin B12 (250mcg) promotes the flow of fat and bile both to and from the liver. It works synergistically with Folic acid (100mcg), especially in pernicious anemia and in L-Methionine synthesis. L-Methionine, in turn, is converted to S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAM or SAMe) the most important methylating and, therefore, detoxifying agent. Vitamin C (along with Vitamin B6 (5 mg)) helps aid in the uptake of L-Carnitine and is a detoxifying agent for environmental toxins itself. Inositol (35 mg) is an important liver metabolite. Choline (35 mg) is used in the synthesis of Betaine (trimethylglycine or TMG) another intermediate in L-Methionine synthesis. L-Carnitine is used in mobilizing and utilization of fatty acids and is useful in fatty liver degeneration. Designed to enhance liver function and for use in conditions like fatty liver degeneration and cirrhosis. May also be helpful in disorders like dyspepsia and hyperchlorhydria.

Well, we thought our test kits were in production. Alas, a glitch has occurred and we are back to square one. For those of you who are unfamiliar with our test kit plans, let us fill you in. We have designed a portable test kit containing samples of all of our products. It was designed for use in EAV, applied kinesiology, and other testing. The case is lightweight, sturdy and portable. The cases we chose are similar to cases used to transport cameras, video recorders, etc and have a carrying handle and foam inserts in which the sample bottles are placed. If you are interested in one of our kits please contact us and we will let you know details and availability dates. For those of you who have already requested a kit, we are diligently working on getting them to you. Thank you for your patience and understanding.