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The Asphalia Story
(from: http://www.imperfectlynatural.com/features/61)
On a secluded hillside in the Welsh valleys a
small specialist biological research laboratory has recently
discovered and now produces a new kind of food supplement
potentially able to solve a number of common health problems, - all
at the same time. It is based on the plant version of a powerful
brain hormone which normally organises our sleep patterns, keeps us
from ageing, and protects us against free radical damage.
Coghill Research Laboratories of Pontypool South Wales
has been conducting research for over a quarter century. It
specialises in a branch of biology known as bioelectromagnetics, the
science investigating interactions between the physical energies of
electricity and magnetism on the one hand and living organisms (like
you and me) on the other.
The lab has pioneered new
therapeutic uses for static magnets, but their principal focus has
been the so-called “electropollution”, - the way chronic exposure to
weak electric fields and radiations from a myriad sources such as
cell phones and powerlines can sometimes lead to serious ill health.
The World Health Organisation and the UK Government now both accept
that these exposures could cause cancer: for example, studies show
that children living near powerlines are twice as likely to get
leukaemia, and frequent users of cellphones over time are likely to
get brain tumours.
Not content with simply identifying the
basic problem, Roger Coghill’s lab set out to find a solution to the
health risks posed by the ”electrosmog” which surrounds us all
today. He first found out that these electric fields cause the
formation of free radicals in our bodies’ fluids. Free radicals can
damage DNA, leading to mutated cells, but cause all kinds of other
damage too. However, they can be neutralised by what are called
anti-oxidants, and these also abound in nature. As well as being
found in fresh fruit and vegetables (vitamins for example) we can
actually also make our own anti-oxidants, - enzymes like catalase
and superoxide dismutase made in the body are capable of scavenging
free radicals. At night, when the need to repair cells lost during
our every day activities are repaired, we create a large number of
free radicals, so Nature provides an additional anti-oxidant called
melatonin to scavenge them.
But Nature had not until a
century or so ago ever encountered the electromagnetic fields
(“EMFs”) of modern life, so we are not prepared for them by
evolution. It also transpires that electric fields not only increase
free radicals in our body, but also suppress the synthesis of
melatonin – a double whammy!
Following up this research
the lab found that certain plants contain copious melatonin, and
that supplementing the diet with these puts back the lost melatonin,
thereby protecting cells from free radical damage. Experiments with
rats and mice showed that supplemental melatonin could extend life
and vitality, while experiments with volunteers indicated that sleep
was also significantly improved. In today’s society where at least a
quarter of us don’t get a decent night’s sleep this was an exciting
finding. Finally as we get older our ability to make melatonin
decreases, and free radicals gradually overwhelm the body’s
diminishing defences, the main reason we age.
The
lab’s research discovered that a certain edible plant contained more
than any other , and they started to grow it in the valley pastures.
Sure enough, when dried and milled to a fine powder the plant gave
people the best natural sleep they had since childhood, and also
protected them from electrosmog. Users started reporting improved
complexions, a clue that the supplement was having an anti-ageing
effect. The lab called the product Asphalia, from the ancient Greek
word for safety
Scientists already knew that many
cancer patients are low in melatonin, for example breast cancer
patients have only a tenth of normal levels. Supplementing the diet
with melatonin is adjuvant to these patients. But other new
applications continue to emerge: a 2007 study by the world famous
Pasteur Institute reported that autistic children have only half the
level of melatonin they should have. When an autistic child was
given Asphalia he began to talk for the first time, having never
previously uttered a word.
The health food trade warmly
welcomed this natural plant form of Asphalia, especially since it
had been approved for over the counter sale, whereas ordinary
melatonin can only be obtained on prescription. Already over 200
health food shops stock it and regularly re-order. Britain’s top
nutritionists like Jan de Vries also recommend Asphalia as being a
non addictive side-effects free aid to sound sleep.
Despite
the strong scientific evidence, at present arguments still rage
between electrotechnical industry and independent researchers
claiming that cellphones or powerlines can damage health, so the
public is confused and bewildered. Some firms offer pendants,
buttons, hands free kits, netting and other claimed protective
devices, mostly without the sort of solid peer-reviewed scientific
research that supports Asphalia.
With interest from
countries as far apart as Australia and Romania, and recent
financial support from the Welsh Assembly Government, the future
looks bright for this new approach to the stresses caused by modern
life. A month’s supply costs only around $16.00, less than a daily
cup of coffee.
coming soon to a health food store near
you!
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