Recently I posted a blog on a study showing that most kelp supplements are tainted with arsenic.  Many people have asked me what to do if they have been taking kelp supplements and are concerned about arsenic toxicity.  A new study provides the answer, Andrographis Paniculata.  I have touted the effects of this wonderful herb (called Kalmegh in the Ayurvedic tradition and Kan Jang in the Chinese tradition) for the treatment of cold and flu in the past.  This new study shows that Andrographis has a protective role in arsenic toxicity. 

Specifically, the researchers exposed human lymphocytes (white blood cells—immune cells) to arsenic.  The arsenic caused mutations in the white blood cells resulting in cell death and abnormal cell function (in humans this distorts the immune system and could result in cancer).  The researchers found that when they exposed lymphocytes to arsenic in the presence of Andrographis, the toxic effects were drastically reduced.  They concluded “It is thus concluded from this study that Andrographis has a protective role in arsenic toxicity.”

In my web store and at my Grass Valley office I carry what I believe to be the best Andrographis extract available.  Check it out here.

Read the study here.