In a randomized scientific study to look at the metabolic effects of NMN administration in people, researchers at the prestigious Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, USA, have found that the compound previously demonstrated to counteract aspects of aging and improve metabolic health in mice also has clinically relevant effects in people. The research article can be read in full here.
A healthy body typically features a coherent brain, exceptional memory processing, an optimal immune system, strong muscles, sturdy bones, and well-functioning organ systems. As we age, each of those pieces become less and less efficient. The purpose of healthy ageing support medicine is to maintain or regain total overall health - as well as longevity - regardless of advancing age. Over time, cells undergo multiple chemical processes of aging - namely, oxidation, glycation, and methylation. During oxidation, unstable compounds known as free radicals can lead to cell damage and interact with other compounds to produce harmful chemicals. Through glycation, these chemicals attach to and negatively affect mitochondria, proteins, and DNA. Subsequently, DNA linked to other chemicals and lacking sufficient methyl groups cannot continue to produce generations of new DNA for future cells, and cell regeneration comes to a halt. If your body can no longer produce new, healthy cells to continue to maintain its tissues and functions, aging and eventual death occurs.
NMN works toward restoring functional proteins and DNA. To get NMN into your cells, Magnesium and Black Pepper Extract are used. Magnesium is not only an excellent anti inflammatory that can assist with lower blood pressure, but it also is involved in hundreds of biochemical cell reactions in your body. Black Pepper is an excellent antioxidant that assists NMN metabolism and reduces free radicals that damage cells. Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) is used as it is essential to administer the utilisation of NMN into cells. Vitamin B2 as Riboflavin metabolize fats and protein and produces energy. NMN is quickly absorbed from the gut into blood circulation within 2–3 min and also cleared from blood circulation into tissues within 15 min.
Several studies have researched the effects of GSE in high blood pressure. A review of 16 studies in 810 people with high blood pressure found that taking 100–2,000 mg of GSE daily significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure (the top and bottom number) by an average of 6.08 mmHg and 2.8 mmHg, respectively. Those under the age of 50 with obesity or a metabolic disorder showed the greatest improvements. The most promising results came from lower doses of 100–800 mg daily for 8–16 weeks, rather than a single dose of 800 mg or more. Another study in 29 adults with high blood pressure found that taking 300 mg of GSE daily lowered systolic blood pressure by 5.6% and diastolic blood pressure by 4.7% after 6 weeks.
Some studies suggest that GSE may improve blood flow. In an eight week study in 17 healthy postmenopausal women, taking 400 mg of GSE had blood-thinning effects, potentially reducing the risk of blood clots. An additional study in eight healthy young women assessed the effects of a single 400-mg dose of proanthocyanidin from GSE immediately followed by six hours of sitting. It was shown to reduce leg swelling and edema by 70%, compared with not taking GSE. In the same study, eight other healthy young women who took a daily 133-mg dose of proanthocyanidins from GSE for 14 days experienced 40% less leg swelling after 6 hours of sitting.
An elevated blood level of LDL (bad) cholesterol is a known risk factor for heart disease. The oxidation of LDL cholesterol significantly increases this risk and plays a central role in atherosclerosis, or the buildup of fatty plaque in your arteries. GSE supplements have been found to reduce LDL oxidation triggered by high fat diets in several animal studies. Research in humans shows similar results. When eight healthy people ate a high fat meal, taking 300 mg of GSE inhibited the oxidation of fats in the blood, compared with a 150% increase seen in those who did not take GSE. In another study, 61 healthy adults saw a 13.9% reduction in oxidized LDL after taking 400 mg of GSE. Additionally, a study in 87 people undergoing heart surgery found that taking 400 mg of GSE the day before surgery significantly reduced oxidative stress. Therefore, GSE likely protected against further heart damage.
Increasing flavonoid consumption may improve collagen synthesis and bone formation. As a rich source of flavonoids, GSE may thus help increase your bone density and strength. Animal studies have found that adding GSE to either a low calcium, standard, or high calcium diet can increase bone density, mineral content, and bone strength. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that results in severe inflammation and the destruction of bone and joints. Animal studies have shown that GSE may suppress bone destruction in inflammatory autoimmune arthritis. GSE also significantly reduced pain, bony spurs, and joint damage in osteoarthritic mice, improving collagen levels and reducing cartilage loss.
Flavonoids’ combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are thought to delay or reduce the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. One of the components of GSE is gallic acid, which animal and lab studies have shown can inhibit the formation of fibrils by beta-amyloid peptides. Clusters of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. Animal studies have found that GSE may prevent memory loss, improve cognitive status and brain antioxidant levels, and reduce brain lesions and amyloid clusters. One 12-week study in 111 healthy older adults found that taking 150 mg of GSE daily improved attention, language, and both immediate and delayed memory.
Your kidneys are particularly susceptible to oxidative damage, which is often irreversible. Animal studies have shown that GSE may reduce kidney damage and improve function by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory damage. In one study, 23 people diagnosed with chronic renal failure were given 2 grams of GSE daily for 6 months and then compared with a placebo group. Urinary protein decreased by 3% and kidney filtration improved by 9%. This means that the kidneys of those in the test group were much better able to filter urine than the kidneys of those in the placebo group.
GSE displays promising antibacterial and antifungal properties. Studies have shown that GSE inhibits the growth of common foodborne bacteria, including Campylobacter and E. coli, both of which are often responsible for severe food poisoning and abdominal upset. In lab studies, GSE has been found to inhibit 43 strains of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Candida is a common yeast-like fungus that can sometimes result in candida overgrowth, or thrush. GSE is widely used in traditional medicine as a remedy for candida. In one study, mice with vaginal candidiasis were given an intravaginal GSE solution every 2 days for 8 days. The infection was inhibited after 5 days and gone after 8.
The causes of cancer are complex, though DNA damage is a central characteristic. A high intake of antioxidants, such as flavonoids and proanthocyanidins, are associated with a reduced risk of various cancers. The antioxidant activity of GSE has shown potential to inhibit human breast, lung, gastric, oral squamous cell, liver, prostate, and pancreatic cell lines in lab settings.
Your liver plays an important role in detoxifying harmful substances introduced to your body through drugs, viral infections, pollutants, alcohol, and more. GSE appears to have a protective effect on your liver. In test-tube studies, GSE reduced inflammation, recycled antioxidants, and protected against free radical damage during toxin exposure. The liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is a key indicator of liver toxicity, meaning that its levels rise when the liver has sustained damage. In one study, 15 people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and subsequent high ALT levels were given GSE for 3 months. Liver enzymes were monitored monthly, and results were compared with taking 2 grams of vitamin C per day. After 3 months, the GSE group experienced a 46% reduction in ALT, while the vitamin C group showed little change.
Several animal studies have found GSE can aid wound healing. Human studies show promise as well. In one such study, 35 healthy adults who had undergone minor surgery were given either a 2% GSE cream or placebo. Those using the GSE cream experienced full wound healing after eight days, while the placebo group took 14 days to heal. These results are most likely due to high levels of proanthocyanidins in GSE triggering the release of growth factors in the skin. In another eight week study in 110 healthy young men, a 2% GSE cream improved skin appearance, elasticity, and sebum content, which can help reduce the signs of aging.
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New Zealand produced Astaxanthin has been voted one of the most potent Astaxanthins in the world. It is unique as it is a New Zealand world first product of algae that originates from Haematococcus pluvialis, a microalgae that produces a protective antioxidant in response to light or other environmental stresses. Astaxanthin is the most powerful natural antioxidant in the world. As a free radical absorption, Astaxanthin is 65 times more powerful than Vitamin C, 54 times more powerful than Beta Carotene and 14 times more powerful than vitamin E.
Plantonin's AstaNZ Plus natural Astaxanthin supports the body's natural oxidative defences against free radicals. Astaxanthin takes a couple of weeks of supplementation as it does not work overnight but rather bioaccumulates in the body.
Benefits of our Plantonin AstaNZ Plus include:
Plantonin's AstaNZ implements a unique cultivation process that mimics astaxanthin accumulation in nature, utilising mountain spring water and natural ultraviolet rays from the sunshine. Consuming Plantonin's AstaNZ Plus is considered to be environmentally sustainable as it causes no environmental damage to other marine life, unlike the environmental damage that can be caused by over fishing.
Omega-3 fatty acids are very important for your health. Eating whole foods that are rich in omega-3s, like fatty fish is the best way to get enough. If you don’t eat a lot of fatty fish, you may want to consider taking a Plantonin Green Lipped Mussel. While fish oil contains two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids being Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), the green-lipped mussel also contains a third called Eicosatetraenoic Acid (ETA). While all omega-3 fatty acids have the ability to reduce inflammation by blocking the enzymes (lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase) that contribute to it, ETA is a rare form that goes one step further: it actually works at the gene level to lower the production of cyclooxygenase. This means less inflammation, less pain, and more mobility for your canine companion.
Benefits of New Zealand Green Lipped mussels are:
Green Lipped Mussel are sourced from licensed marine farms in the South Island of New Zealand. Consuming New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel is considered to be environmentally sustainable as the harvest method causes no environmental damage to other marine life unlike the environmental damage that may be caused by over fishing.
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If you are new to the benefits of Citicoline, you should know that it is a naturally occurring compound that your brain uses to work correctly. Citicoline supplements can be taken orally in order to support higher brain function and restore the cognitive mechanisms within the brain.
What Exactly is Citicoline?
Citicoline is a naturally-occurring brain chemical that comprises part of your brain’s building block of cell membranes. Other names that Citicoline is known by include 5-Cytidine diphosphate choline, Cytidine Diphosphocholine and Cytidinediphosphocholine.
What is Citicoline Used For?
Citicoline is widely used for conditions related to brain function. It is believed that Citicoline is a key component that is needed by the brain in order to perform all brain activities, including memory and cognitive function.
How Was Citicoline Discovered?
Citicoline was originally discovered in Asia. It was developed in Japan to treat victims of stroke who had lost some cognitive function due to the complications of stroke. As the efficacy of Citicoline was proven, it then spread rapidly throughout Europe in the form of a prescription drug. Today, Citicoline is still prescribed by European physicians for patients dealing with cognitive decline due to circulatory and vascular problems. In the United States, Citicoline is available as a dietary supplement without a prescription.
What Are The Benefits of Citicoline?
Numerous benefits can be gained by supplementing with citicoline. Taken orally, citicoline has been shown to improve long-term circulatory issues in the body that lead to cerebrovascular disease. Cerebrovascular disease is a condition that inhibits the proper circulation of blood and fluids throughout the brain for effective cognition skills. With the addition of citicoline in the diet as a supplement, the improved blood circulation in the brain can lead to better memory and clearer thinking. Citicoline can help reduce the number of times that you “forget” the little things or can’t remember everyday things like where you left your keys.
Another common use for citicoline is to improve mood. Neurotransmitters within the brain are partially responsible for the way you feel through your waking hours. When those neurotransmitters are not functioning at their peak, you may feel sad or even depressed. Even though things may be going well for you, you may feel unable to conjure up feelings of happiness about your situation. You may wonder why this is, but the problem could be in your brain, not your heart. Citicoline is often recommended by therapists to improve the mood so that you do not feel so depressed. Citicoline works gently over time. It’s recommended that you choose a quality Citicoline ingredient that is soy free, non-GMO, corn free and gluten free. This will ensure the purest citicoline supplement possible for your needs.
]]>The History of PEA
Although you may have never heard of PEA, it was first discovered more than 60 years ago. As early as the 1940s, scientists found that supplementing the diet of children with powdered egg yolk promoted a healthy immune response and decreased their risk of developing rheumatic fever. Further research lead to the discovery that egg yolks contained this special compound, PEA, which was providing those immune health benefits. PEA has now also been found in peanuts and soy.
Besides being found in certain foods, PEA is made in our body by many of our cells. Both animals and humans make PEA as part of a healthy immune response. PEA is also made in response to inflammation. It helps to protect our immune system from overreacting. The protective benefits of PEA support healthy immune and inflammatory responses in the body.
PEA and the Cannabinoid Family
PEA can be considered part of the cannabinoid family. It does not come from cannabis (marijuana or hemp), but it works in a very similar way to CBD (cannabidiol). You have probably heard of CBD, one of the main compounds in cannabis. It is very popular these days and is available in everything from oils, to creams, to food products. Unlike its chemical cousin THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD does not have psychogenic effects. In other words, CBD does not make you feel high. CBD products are touted for many potential health benefits, including joint, mental, and nerve health, to name a few.
CBD and THC are plant cannabinoids, as they are found in cannabis (a plant). PEA is also a cannabinoid, but it is classified as an endocannabinoid because it is made in the body (‘endo’ means ‘within’). The body does not make CBD and THC.
PEA and its Benefits to Our Endocannabinoid System
PEA, along with other endocannabinoids, and the body’s cannabinoid receptors, are all part of what is called the Human Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS is responsible for maintaining the body’s homeostasis (balance). In other words, when something in our environment creates a reaction in our body, the ECS helps to regulate our response to that reaction and helps the body ‘return to baseline,’ or keep us in balance.
There is a lot yet to learn about the ECS, but as our knowledge grows, so does our understanding of how cannabinoids work in the body. Both PEA and CBD target various receptors in the ECS and can work together to support endocannabinoid signalling. When PEA and CBD work together, there is a boost in their overall therapeutic effect. This is often referred to as the ‘entourage effect.’
Though PEA may be less well-known than CBD, PEA has been thoroughly researched over the years, and the amount of research continues to grow. PEA is involved in various body functions and has been shown in several trials to support joint, nerve, and immune health. It is also a safe choice for those concerned about required drug testing or looking for a non-cannabis option.
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