Why should I take Xtra Antioxidants?

Xtra Antioxidants contains many different synergistic antioxidant nutrients, including the basic vitamins A, C, and E, as well as potent extracts from certain plants rich in antioxidant compounds, such as polyphenols and flavonoids. These high quality plant extracts are greatly concentrated to provide specific nutrients our bodies need. Depending upon your diet and lifestyle, you may not always have adequate amounts of the broad spectrum of antioxidants for optimal function of your body's antioxidant network. To ensure that you are provided with plenty of extra support and to maintain your reserves, take Xtra Antioxidants daily.

Supplements Vitamins A, C and E Intake

Nearly everyone has heard of antioxidants and the free radicals that they neutralize. Vitamins A, C, E, and other antioxidant vitamins are now household words. We tend to think of free radicals as the "bad guys" and antioxidants as "good guys". The flame of our life, however, is oxidation -- the controlled burning of fuel to produce energy. Free radicals are natural by-products of this process, and are also generated and used by our immune cells in carrying out their ordinary tasks to help maintain a healthy body.

Antioxidants represent  the "insulation" that allows us to safely handle this "fire", thus protecting our cells while the fire "warms our house". Processes that increase production of free radicals are collectively referred to as "oxidative stress".

Cellular protection is determined by the balance between oxidative stress and antioxidant intake, along with the reserves maintained in your body.

There is a baseline level of oxidative stress simply from using oxygen to burn fuel for the production of energy, which is necessary to stay alive and be active. Many factors of modern life, however, have increased oxidative stress dramatically:  smoking (both active and passive), alcohol, non-prescription and prescription drugs, environmental pollution, high altitude jet travel, and exposure to other chemicals. Cigarette smoke, for example, contains thousands of different chemicals, and a single puff of cigarette smoke contains trillions of free radicals. Cigarette smoke literally burns away antioxidant nutrients. Cigarette tars are long-lived free radical generators.c

Xtra Antioxidants contains many different potent antioxidant nutrients and extracts from certain plants known to be particularly rich in antioxidant compounds, such as polyphenols and flavonoids.

Included in this formula are high-quality,  concentrated extracts from the following plant sources:

• Turmeric (95% curcuminoids)

• Milk-thistle seed (80% Silymarin)

• Noni fruit

• Bilberry fruit

• Rosemary

• Ginkgo leaves

• Citrus fruit

• Soy

• Green tea leaves

Additional powerful antioxidant compounds that are also plant-derived such as hesperidin, quercetin, lycopene, lutein, and alpha-lipoic acid are also included.

Several of these compounds appear to have unique properties that make them particularly supportive and protective against oxidative stress in  specific organs, for example:  Ginkgo biloba and alpha-lipoic acid for the brain; lycopene for the prostate; lutein and bilberry for the eyes; and milk thistle and alpha-lipoic acid for the liver.

Glutathione, a peptide linkage of three amino acids (L-glutamic acid, L-cysteine, and L-glycine), is part of the fundamental antioxidant system present in every cell of virtually all animals.

Lutein promotes healthy immune function. There are already over 250 scientific articles referring to lutein’s potential in promoting the growth of healthy cells. Animal studies have shown that lutein supports the growth of natural white blood cells in mice, among other health promoting factors.

Lycopene is a natural carotenoid that has potent antioxidant activities. It is responsible for the bright red color of tomatoes, red grapefruit, guava, and watermelon, which are the richest natural sources of this carotenoid.

Lycopene is better absorbed from cooked tomato products than from raw tomatoes.

Research has also shown that lycopene supplements actually raise tissue stores of this carotenoid better than tomato juice.

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is equally soluble in lipids (fats and oils) and water, and so can move easily throughout both the lipid and water compartments of the body, enter the brain easily, and is especially effective at quenching free radicals within cell membranes. It is well absorbed when taken orally and  regenerates most of the other antioxidants including vitamins C and E, as well as co-enzyme Q-10. It is the most effective nutritional antioxidant in bolstering cellular and tissue levels of glutathione, which is a master physiological antioxidant that orchestrates the biological interaction of many other antioxidants.

Alpha & Beta Carotenes

Naturally this formula would not be complete without the "standard" antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E, as well as a natural carotenoid complex, which contains many carotene compounds derived from colored vegetables, including beta and alpha carotenes; cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin. In addition to their other important nutritional functions, folic acid (a B vitamin) and selenium (a mineral) serve as critical antioxidants.

Selenium is a trace mineral that activates an antioxidant enzyme called glutathione peroxidase, which help protect the body from free radical attack. Selenium also enhances the antioxidant effect of vitamin E. Additionally it is needed to activate thyroid hormones. Though many nutrition experts recommend at least 200 mcg daily, the Daily Value (DV) of selenium is  only 70 mcg. Many people don't even get 70 mcg of this critical nutrient unless their diet includes selenium-containing supplements or selenium-rich foods, such as yeast, whole grains, seafood, garlic, onion, Brazil nuts, or broccoli. Even these foods vary widely in their selenium content depending on the selenium content of the soil in which they were grown.  Brazil nuts are the richest known source of selenium; one ounce contains approximately 200 mcg. Selenium is also essential for healthy immune function.

Since the discovery that the central human retina (called the macula) concentrates two particular carotenoids, known as lutein and zeaxanthin, much research attention has been focused on these particular members of the carotene family. These carotenoids are found in highest concentrations in kale, spinach, collard greens, romaine lettuce, leeks, peas, and egg yolks.

People who eat a lot of spinach and kale, which are rich sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, have been reported to help maintain healthy youthful vision. Lutein and zeaxanthin, like the other carotenoids, are potent antioxidants. Lutein is also the only carotenoid found in the lens of the eye as well as in the macula of the retina which contains the highest concentration of light-sensitive nerve receptors.

Carotenoids are brightly colored compounds that provide red, orange, and yellow coloring to many fruits and vegetables. For decades, they were dismissed as mere food colorants, but today they are known to be vitally important to health. Virtually all of them have been found to be potent antioxidants, which protect various body tissues from free radical attack. Carotenoids found in foods and thought to be of greatest importance to health include alpha and beta carotene, lutein, lycopene, cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin. These are all found in natural carotenoid complexes, extracted from carotene rich plant food sources.

Therefore, carotenoid complexes have been included in Xtra Antioxidants to provide you with one of the most complete broad-spectrum antioxidant supplements on the market today.

Many people desire greater antioxidant protection than their diet and multi-vitamin/mineral supplement can provide; therefore, Xtra Antioxidants is an ideal choice.

A healthful diet, pure drinking water, regular exercise, meditation, and/or other stress management techniques, plus Xtra Antioxidants are enormously useful tools for the pursuit and maintenance of wellness.

References:
1.Emerit I. Free radicals and aging of the skin. EXS 1992; 62.
2.Schwartz JL. The dual roles of nutrients as antioxidants and prooxidants: their effects on tumor cell growth. J Nutr. 1996 Apr; 126(4 Suppl).
3.Quadro L, Gamble MV, Vogel S, Lima AA, et al. Retinol and retinol-binding protein: gut integrity and circulating immunoglobulins. J Infect Dis 2000 Sep; 182 Suppl 1.
4.Wiegard UW, Hartmann S, Hummler H, Safety of vitamin A: recent results. Int J Vitam Nutr Res 1998;68.
5.Yeum K, et al. Beta carotene intervention trial in pre-malignant gastric lesions. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 995;14.
6.Hsing SW, Comstock GW, Abbey H, Polk F. Serologic precursors of cancer. Retinol, carotenoids, and tocopherol and risk of prostate cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 1990;82.
7.Levy J, Bosin E, Feldman B, et al. Lycopene is a more potent inhibitor of human cancer cell proliferation than either alpha or beta-carotene. Nutr Cancer 1995; 24.
8.Packer L. C and Coleman C. The Antioxidant Miracle. New York: Wiley, 1999.
9.Chambers JC, McGregor A, Jean-Marie J, et al. Demonstration of rapid onset vascular endothelial dysfunction after hyperhomocysteinemia. An Effect reversible with vitamin C therapy. Circulation 1999;99.
10.Shoskes DA, Zeitlin SI, Shahed A, Raifer J. Quercetin in men with category III chronic prostatitis: A preliminary prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Urology 1999 Dec; 54.
11.Hartmann SSH, et al. The potent free radical scavenger alpha-lipoic acid imnproves memory in aged mice: putative relationship to NMDA receptor deficits.  Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior 1993;46:799-805.
12.Ames BN. Micronutrients prevent cancer and delay aging. Toxicol Lett. 1998 Dec 28;102-102:5-18.
13.Korkina LG, et al. Antioxidant therapy in children affected by irradiation from the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Biochemical Society Transactions. 1993; 21:314S
DIRECTIONS:  Two tablets, twice a day.

CAUTION:  Contains preformed Vitamin A.  Women trying to conceive or those pregnant should not consume more than 10,000 IU of preformed Vitamin A per day from both supplements and the diet together.

Formulated in the exclusive PhytoZyme™ base of plant enzymes for bioavailability and over 30 synergistic fruit, vegetable and herbal concentrates for "extra" phytonutrient cofactors.

Contains no artificial preservatives, sugar, starch, caffeine, salt, wheat, gluten, yeast, corn, milk, egg, shellfish, artificial flavoring or coloring agents.

Not tested on animals. Contains no ingredients from animal sources.

Supplement Facts
Serving Size	2 Tablets
Servings Per Container	60
Amount Per Serving		% Daily Value
Vitamin A
Preformed	1250	IU	25%
Carotenes	2500	IU	*
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)	250	mg	417%
Vitamin E (D Alpha Succinate)	120	IU	400%
Folic Acid	150	mcg	38%
Selenium (as Sodium Selenite)	50	mcg	71%
Alpha Lipoic Acid	30	mg	*
Bilberry Fruit Extract	25	mg	*
Bilberry Leaf	15	mg	*
Coenzyme Q-10	6	mg	*
Green Tea Leaf Extract	50	mg	*
Green Tea Polyphenols	20	mg	*
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract	50	mg	*
Ginkgo Flavoglycosides	12	mg	*
Ginkgo Lactones	3	mg	*
Hesperidin	20	mg	*
L-Glutathione	5	mg	*
Lutein Extract	10	mg	*
Xanthophyll (Total)	557	mcg	*
Lycopene Extract	10	mg	*
Psi-Psi-Carotene (Total)	302	mcg	*
Quercetin	75	mg	*
Zeaxanthin (Total)	31	mcg	*
Cryptoxanthin (from Carotenoids Complex)	11	mcg	*
Lemon Bioflavonoids Whole Fruit	50	mg	*
Lecithin (Soya)	50	mg	*
Phosphatidylserines	10	mg	*
Soya Isoflavones Extract	5	mg	*
Genistein	1	mg	*
Daidzein	0.8	mg	*
Glycitein	0.2	mg	*
Bromelain	50	mg	*
Milk Thistle Seed Extract	25	mg	*
Silymarin	20	mg	*
Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) Fruit	20	mg	*
Rosemary Leaf Extract	20	mg	*
Turmeric Root Extract	60	mg	*
Curcuminoids	57	mg	*
*Daily Value not established.

INGREDIENTS:  Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Dicalcium Phosphate, Vitamin E (D Alpha Succinate), Quercetin, Silica, Turmeric Root Extract, Bromelain, Gingko Biloba Leaf Extract, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Hesperidin, Lemon Bioflavonoids Whole Fruit, Soya Lecithin, Stearic Acid, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Bilberry Fruit Extract, Milk Thistle Seed Extract, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Carotenoids Complex, Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) Fruit, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Croscarmellose Sodium, Bilberry Leaf, Magnesium Stearate, Lutein Extract, Lycopene Extract, Coenzyme Q-10, L-Glutathione, Soya Isoflavones Extract, Vitamin A (Acetate), Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite, and PhytoZyme™ proprietary blend (Bromelain, Papain, Aloe Vera, Alfalfa, Parsley, and vegetable and fruit concentrates from Carrots, Broccoli, Spinach, Cauliflower, Asparagus, Celery, Beet, Chili Pepper, Green Bean, Pea, Sweet Potato, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Snow Pea, Tomato, Zucchini, Lima Beans, Mushroom, Banana, Cantaloupe, Cranberry, Guava, Lemon, Mango, Orange, Papaya, Peach, Pineapple and Grapefruit).