Antioxidants

Pycnogenol-a patented extract of French pine bark.  It is packed with proanthocyanidins--members of the bioflavonoid family that are also extracted from grape seeds. These proanthrcyanidins are powerful.  In tree bark or grape seeds their job is to essentially provide protection from damage.  Pycnogenol has anti-inflammatory properties and is a powerful antioxidant as well.  Studies show that it helps keep blood vessels healthy by opening them up, and animal studies show that Pycnogenol helps strengthen capillaries.  It's also been shown to lower blood pressure and inhibit the ability of blood platelets to stick together and form clots.

Resveratrol-is a compound found in red wine and the skin of dark grapes.  It has been shown in studies to inhibit the growth of several cancer cell lines and tumors.  It's a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.  It ramps up detoxification enzymes in the liver and protects the heart.  Research has even shown that it may reduce insulin resistance, a factor in type 11 diabetes.

The total amount of resveratrol in a capsule isn't as important as the amount of trans-resveratrol, the particularly potent and bioactive form that has all the benefits. 

Astaxanthin-is a memeber of the carotenoid family.  It is found in microalgae and seafood, and it's what gives wild salmon their color.  It's a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.  Most of the research so far as been on animals, but scientists suggest that astaxanthin may be a potent therapeutic agent against cardiovascular disease.  Animal studies have shown that astaxanthin can lower blood pressure, protect the brain, and reduce inflammation.  It's been shown to have a significant protective effect against sunburn.

Curcumin-is the general name for a group of compounds found in the spice turmeric, which gives curry its yellow color.  Curcumin has anticancer activity, it supports liver health, and it's a powerful antioxidant.  But the one property that stands out is its  power as an anti-inflammatory.  In India, where 94% of the turmeric in the world originates, curcumin is used to relieve arthritis.  It's good for muscle pain as well as joint inflammation.

There are at least 30 studies indicating tht curcumin has an antitumor effect.  One study, published in 2006 in the journal Oncogene, showed that curcumin inhibited the growth of human colon cancer cells.

The downside of many curcumin supplements is that they aren't very well absorbed.  But EuroPharma has fixed that problem by coming up with a patented blend of curcumin known as BCM-95 that used micronized curcumin mixed with turmeric essential oils.

Jonny Bowden  PhD.  CNS

Antioxidants

Vegan cheesecake right?

Antioxidants are your body's natural defense systems against free radicals. We get antioxidants in the food you eat and in certain herbs, or you can make them in your body. The following is a partial list of major antioxidants offered by Dr. Diana Schwarzbein. Some interfere or are contraindicated with different medications, so be sure to consult your physician or pharmacist before using any of them.

.Alpha lipoic acid-this biochemical is produced in the body in small quantities, but it is a very powerful antioxidant. Studies show that it can help people with diabetes decrease the damage from high blood-sugar levels.

.Bilberry-this herb keeps your capillaries and red blood cell membranes strong and flexible, and it may enhance vision.

.Burdock-this herb has been shown to protect against cancer by controlling cell mutations.

.Carotenoids-this class of vitamins is found in red, yellow, green and orange vegetables and fruits. Alpha- and beta-carotenes , lycopene and lutein are the most commonly known. They may help protect you against cancer by reducing oxidative damage to you DNA. It is important to taken them together as a complex instead of individually.

.Co Enzyme Q-10-this biochemical is made in the body. It is most famously known for its protective effects against heart disease.

.Curcumin-is found in the spice turmeric. It stops the oxidation of cholesterol, thereby protecting you against plaque formation in your arteries.

.Estradiol-this hormone is the natural human estrogen made by the ovaries. It helps neutralize free radicals.

.Flavonoids-plant extracts are very potent antioxidants. They are found in fruits, vegetables, spices, seeds, nuts, flowers and bark. They protect your antioxidant vitamins from oxidative damage.

.Garlic-this herb helps prevent fats from being oxidized.

.Ginkgo Biloba-this herb is a powerful antioxidant that protects your brain, retina (back of your eye) and cardiovascular system.

.Glutathione-this protein is produced in the liver from the amino acids cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine. It helps defend your body from cigarette smoke, radiation, cancer chemotherapy and toxins such as alcohol. The rate at which we age has been correlated with the amount of glutathione in our system. Glutathione can be taken in supplement form, or its production can be boosted by taking N-acetylcysteine and L-Methionine.

.Grape seed extract-this plant extract is made from the seeds of the wine grape. It can cross the blood-brain barrier and protect your brain and spinal nerves from oxidative damage.

.Green tea- it is the polyphenols in green tea that are protective. They help shield your DNA from free radical damage.

.L-Methionine-this amino acid neutralizes hydroxyl radicals that are formed during strenuous exercise or exposure to high levels of radiation. Hydroxyl radicals damage all cell types.

.Melatonin-this hormone is a potent universal antioxidant. It is one of the few antioxidants that protects your mitochondria (the energy making organelle inside your cells). Do not take this in supplement form.

.N-acetylcysteine (NAC)-This biochemical is a more stable form of the amino acid cysteine. It can be taken in supplement form. It is used to produce glutathione in your liver. Discuss the use of NAC with your physician if you are diabetic because it may interfere with the action of insulin.

.Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen (NADH)-This biochemical is made in the body and plays a central role in DNA repair and maintenance. It may also prevent the neurotransmitter dopamine from auto-oxidation that may damage sensitive parts of your brain.

.Pycnogenol-This plant extract is produced fro the French maritime pine tree. It is in the same class of antioxidant a grape seed extract so it also can cross the blood-brain barrier and protect your brain and spinal nerves from oxidative damage.

.Selenium-this essential trace mineral partners up with vitamin E to protect tissues and cell membranes. CAUTION:Amounts higher than one miligrams daily may be toxic.

.Silymarin-this herb is extracted from the seeds of the milk thistle plant. It has been used for years to treat liver disease.

.Superoxide dismutase-this enzyme neutralizes the most common and possibly the most dangerous free radicals--superoixde radicals.

.Vitamin A-this vitamin protects your eyes, lungs, and skin.

.Vitamin C-this vitamin is one of your body's first lines of defense against free radicals in your body fluids.

.Vitamin E-this vitamin helps prevent the oxidation of fats. It partners up with selenium to protect your cell membranes . CAUTION: do not take more than 1,000 IU a day.

Zinc-this essential trace mineral prevents the oxidation of fats.