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Astaxanthin, considered by some researchers to be the most potent known antioxidant, has been receiving attention in the health & nutrition industry recently. The Isotonix Blog will spend the next few days introducing you to this ingredient, which research has shown effective in numerous areas of health.

by Sean Wells / Content Specialist

Maintaining healthy vision is important for everyone, and both age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and general eye fatigue are ongoing problems for many of us. In these areas, astaxanthin—a powerful anti-aging antioxidant—has proven itself a great asset for eye health. This is true in part because astaxanthin is both an antioxidant and a carotenoid—making it similar to vitamin A, but far more powerful in its potential benefits for the eyes.

courtesy of Google.com

The antioxidant capabilities of astaxanthin work to reduce inflammation in eye muscles and improve blood flow to the eyes— especially in the capillary vessels that supply blood to the retina. Although an entirely natural substance, astaxanthin has displayed a level of efficacy equivalent to the anti-inflammatory steroid prednisolone.  Of prime importance is the fact that astaxanthin easily absorbs into the tissues of the eye, while many other potentially helpful nutrients are inhibited by the protective network of the blood-brain barrier.

As a result, astaxanthin delivers its benefits to the eyes with more potency than any of the other carotenoids, displaying approximately 10 times the power of vitamin A. At the same time, its high-powered antioxidant activity protects against free radical damage and oxidative stress. Taken together, these two factors effectively reduce the risk of cataracts and ARMD in addition to alleviating symptoms of eye strain and helping the eyes to perform at their best.

In one randomized, placebo-controlled study , researchers found that people working on computer monitors had a 54 percent reduction in eye fatigue and experienced improvements in eye focus when they took 6 mg of astaxanthin per day for four weeks compared with individuals who took a placebo. Similar studies in other groups have shown that supplementing with astaxanthin results in an improvement in objective visual performance. Also noteworthy, and at least as important,  are the decrease in actual feelings of eye strain and eye fatigue as reported by testers, as well as faster recovery after the use of computer monitors and TVs.

The protective power of antioxidant supplementation has been well-established. Never before, however, has an antioxidant emerged that is so powerful and also so unique in its abilities. Those seeking a powerful agent of preventative nutrition for healthy vision need to look no further—a clear answer is astaxanthin.

Astaxanthin, considered by some researchers to be the most potent known antioxidant, has been receiving attention in the health & nutrition industry recently. The Isotonix Blog will spend the next few days introducing you to this ingredient, which research has shown effective in numerous areas of health.

by Sean Wells / Content Specialist

Like any antioxidant, astaxanthin has the ability to quench the activity of free radicals. By doing so, it is helpful for offsetting the damage they inflict, which is believed to be the underlying cause of a myriad of health concerns. What sets astaxanthin apart from other antioxidants—apart from its sheer potency—is its unique ability to positively affect muscle tissue, including the cardiac muscle. For this reason and many others, astaxanthin shows great potential for the prevention of heart disease.

There is evidence that astaxanthin can help improve cholesterol profiles by decreasing low density lipoprotein (LDL, also known as “bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides, and by increasing high density lipoprotein (HDL,  or “good” cholesterol), as well as lower blood pressure. These benefits have been demonstrated in both human and animal trials.

Courtesy of Google.com

In 1992, an early study demonstrated that astaxanthin raised HDL, the good cholesterol—a great result on its own, but there was much more to come. In 2000, a clinical trial in Japan found a very promising effect in the decrease of LDL both in test tubes and in human volunteers, making it clear that astaxanthin both decreased the bad and increased the good. This particular study also subdivided test groups into variable dose categories and generally found that the higher the amount of astaxanthin in the system, the greater the potential cardiovascular benefits.

Finally, in 2003, another clinical trial was done in Eastern Europe on men with high cholesterol. Subjects supplemented with 4 mg of astaxanthin for thirty days. At the end of the study, subjects taking astaxanthin showed an average decrease in both total cholesterol and LDL of 17%, and an average decrease of triglycerides of 24%. In an ongoing search for the optimal dose, more recent research has suggested that a slightly higher amount—on the order of 5 or 6mg—might be best.

With regard to blood pressure, astaxanthin offers benefits by positively influencing endothelial function—that is, enabling blood vessels to relax more effectively. In addition, with its potent antioxidant activity reducing general inflammation of all body tissues, astaxanthin reduces the number of inflammatory cells that promote arterial plaque and reduce blood flow. Another study centered on supplementing with 6 mg of astaxanthin per day for only ten days. While scientific studies typically prefer a longer time for their testing, it is perhaps all the more noteworthy that at the end of this ten day period—in other words, a little over 200 hours later—a significant improvement in blood flow had already been discovered in the treatment group.

While it’s true that antioxidants have been discovered with similar cardio-protective properties, never before has one appeared that seems to be so powerful or fast-acting. Despite its status as a newcomer, astaxanthin has thus far shown all the signs of a potential leader in the area of preventative nutrition.

Astaxanthin, considered by some researchers to be the most potent known antioxidant, has been receiving attention in the health & nutrition industry recently. The Isotonix Blog will spend the next few days introducing you to this ingredient, which research has shown effective in numerous areas of health.

by Sean Wells / Content Specialist

The high-potency antioxidant astaxanthin—confirmed to display free radical scavenging abilities some 500 times that of vitamin E—is rapidly gaining recognition as the next big thing in anti-aging.

Courtesy of MSNBC.com

The reason an antioxidant is best qualified for such an honor is because the low-grade, long-term damage inflicted by free radicals within the human body is increasingly considered to be responsible both directly and indirectly for many of the major health concerns of our time, including Alzheimers, diabetes and heart disease. Consequently, the free radical quenching abilities of antioxidants are now viewed as more valuable than ever, and astaxanthin has displayed great promise in addressing these.

This same long-term free radical damage, however, is also considered a primary catalyst of the aging process itself—the process that many forward-thinking doctors and researchers are starting to regard as something that can be addressed just as effectively as any of the more direct disorders listed above. While it may not be possible to literally “turn back the clock”, it is a legitimate claim—verified in several studies—that a high-potency antioxidant like astaxanthin can greatly contribute to the grace with which we age.

The thinking is that what we call aging is really referring to the gradual slowing down, and sometimes malfunctioning, of our own internal defenses. As a result, the damage done to our bodies over decades of living is able to catch up and eventually overtake us. With the introduction of a little reserve capacity—in the form of antioxidants like astaxanthin—we might retain much of our vitality and strength.

For cardiovascular health, astaxanthin is able to improve cholesterol profiles by lowers blood pressure by protecting and strengthening blood vessels, as well as the heart itself.

Because it is able to bond to muscle tissue, it can increase endurance capacity during exercise and shorten the recovery time afterward. It is able to cross the protective blood-brain barrier—which most antioxidants cannot—and is able to protect the integrity of brain and nerve cells. This same cellular protection extends to the outside of the body; astaxanthin promotes greater elasticity and moisture in skin, and its general capacity to improve circulation applies here as well.

Although the full range of potential applications for this new antioxidant is still being investigated—researchers first started looking into the possibilities for astaxanthin in human nutrition in the late 1990s—this compound is highly unique and enormously powerful. It is very likely to establish itself among the truly groundbreaking components of anti-aging nutrition.

With Thanksgiving just days away, it’s time to start thinking about everything involved with the holiday: The family, the fun, the festivities. Oh yeah – the food.

Turkey. Ham. Stuffing. Pumpkin pie. Cranberry sauce. Sweet potato casserole. Pumpkin pie (it’s so good, it deserves a second mention).

It’s a holiday of indulgence. We indulge during the feast, then we indulge in leftovers in the days – sometimes hours, depending on when your feast begins – following. And for the most part, it’s not meager helpings; most Thanksgiving plates are bountiful. After all, isn’t that what the holiday was meant to celebrate all those centuries ago – bountiful harvests?

But that bounty can quickly lead to indigestion, soreness and more if you don’t take proper care. This means eating within your means (best to leave the second – maybe even third – plate for leftovers), eating slowly and chewing your food properly, and taking digestive enzymes.

What Are Enzymes?

Enzymes are responsible for every activity of life, and are especially important for the body’s proper absorption and utilization of food. Research has shown that maintaining normal levels of key enzymes is important to maintaining overall health. There are two classifications of enzymes in the body: digestive, which help us utilize the nutrients in foods; and metabolic, which are responsible for bodily reactions such as energy production and detoxification.

We’re here to focus on digestive enzymes. Proteases (aids in digesting protein), amylases (aids in digesting carbohydrates), and lipases (aids in digesting fats) are the three primary digestive enzymes, which function as the biological catalyst to breaking down food. In today’s world of processed and fast foods, the body must work harder to break down food and absorb the nutrients. And poor eating habits – including improper or inadequate chewing and eating on the run – contribute to reduced levels of digestive enzymes, meaning the body isn’t working at its peak performance to absorb nutrients in the foods we eat.

In addition, food enzymes – present in all those great Thanksgiving staples – are sensitive to heat. That means they are usually inactivated when food is cooked to serve, leaving your body with the challenge of trying to break down foods for absorption into your system with no help from the natural enzymes that would otherwise be present in many of the foods we eat.

All of these things might make your Thanksgiving feast a nutritional nightmare. But by supplementing with digestive enzymes, you’ll be able to maximize the activity of the body’s own enzymes and the “friendly” bacteria your body needs to not only break down the feast and help prevent the occasional upset stomach, but also to absorb the nutrients from those foods.

By making digestive enzymes part of your Thanksgiving routine, you’ll be able to give thanks for all that this holiday is about – the family, the fun, the festivities. Oh yeah – the food.

One of the luxuries in life is to be able to get anything you want, customized to fit their needs.  Think of buying a car. You can buy right off the lot and get what the dealer is providing you if you’d like. But if you want the car YOU want, there are options, features and colors to choose from – all to match your personal wants and needs.

So why should your supplements be any different? Market America has worked to make customized nutrition available to everyone based on their wants and needs.  That was the topic on Saturday afternoon at Market America 2011 Product Symposium.

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Contributed by Rachel Dillard / Market America Product Management team

Market America 2011 Product Symposium kicked off Friday morning in Greensboro, and what better way to begin than getting back to the basics?

That was the focus of this morning’s session, as the Market America team, led by Director of Product Management Tanya Smith, discussed with nearly 600 attendees the fundamentals behind some of Market America’s most popular products: Isotonix OPC-3®, Isotonix® Multivitamin, and Heart Health™ Essential Omega III Fish Oil with Vitamin E.

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Many older adults (65 years and older) express concern about mild cognitive problems – “senior moments” – such as finding the right word, remembering a name, or forgetfulness.  Although family members and their doctors may view the senior moment as benign, that is not always the case.  Affected individuals may experience emotional distress because they are aware of decline in mental sharpness; they might limit their driving or financial management to avoid making mistakes; or they worry their self-perceived memory loss might predict dementia.

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Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and play an important role in metabolism. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are a special class of essential amino acids that the body obtains from proteins found in food, especially meat, dairy products, and legumes. They include leucine, isoleucine and valine. “Branched-chain” refers to the chemical structure of these amino acids. BCAAs account for about 35% of the amino acids in muscle protein.

BCAAs are absorbed into the bloodstream and are taken up directly by the muscles. This means that dietary intake of BCAAs correlates to plasma levels and concentrations in muscle tissue.  BCAAs are also used by the body as an energy source and thus are oxidized during exercise. This process, the metabolic breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones that often results in a release of energy, is called “catabolism.”

But BCAAs do more than act as building blocks and energy sources.

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More and more, research shows that omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA, in particular) play an important role in promoting cell health. Eating omega-3 rich foods such as salmon, flax seeds and walnuts, and taking supplements are two ways to receive the proper amount of omega-3 fatty acids.  Research about omega-3 fatty acids has come a long way in showing how these acids aid in the development of the brain, nerves and tissues.

Now, new studies suggest that pregnant women who supplement their diets with high dosages of DHA omega-3 oils may also boost their infants’ immune system.  The journal Pediatrics reports that mothers who took DHA supplements during their pregnancy had babies that appeared to be ill, on average, 14 percent less than children whose mothers did not receive a DHA supplement.

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Every Market America event is highlighted by the announcement of great new products and services, and this year is no exception.

Today on stage at Market America 2011 International Convention in Greensboro, Tanya Smith, director of Product Development and Web Merchandising, presented some of the most exciting releases in recent years, including Might-a-Mins® Spectrum Essential Omega 3 and Gene SNP™ Custom Cocktail by Isotonix®.

In addition, Smith was joined on stage by Market America Executive Vice President Dennis Franks and former NFL star and inspiration for the 2006 movie Invincible Vince Papale to unveil the newest supplement in the company’s anti-aging line: Prime™ Invincible Health & Wellness Formula by Isotonix.

Here are some of the highlights from today’s presentation:

Might-a-Mins Spectrum Essential Omega 3: Formulated specifically for children to help support brain health and immune function, Might-a-Mins Spectrum Essential Omega 3 delivers highly-concentrated, bioavailable omega 3s in a delicious fruit flavored emulsion with no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners.*

Gene SNP™ Custom Cocktail: Expanding on this exceptional, state-of-the-art program, the Gene SNP Isotonix Custom Cocktail helps you achieve optimal nutrient intake by carefully formulating a customized supplement based on an analysis of your diet, lifestyle and genetics. With your personalized health recommendations from the Gene SNP DNA Analysis and your personalized supplement recommendations, there is no more guesswork, just the facts – and the proper supplements with Gene SNP Isotonix Custom Cocktail.*

Prime Invincible Health & Wellness Formula by Isotonix: Don’t let aging slow you down! Prime Invincible Health & Wellness Formula by Isotonix is a powerful formula specifically addressing the select needs of mature adults. This product is designed for individuals who are looking for an alert and active lifestyle, supporting a healthy heart, healthy memory, joint comfort and muscle retention. Prime Invincible Health & Wellness Formula by Isotonix – for a lifetime making you invincible as you age.*

Optimal Wellness Kit: To be part of the Essentials for Health campaign, you need a solid foundation. Start by ensuring your body gets the proper vitamins and nutrients it needs. The Optimal Wellness Kit contains three essential supplements – Isotonix Multivitamin, Isotonix Activated B-Complex and Heart Health Essential Omega III with Vitamin E – that will help you promote long-term health and optimal nutrition.*

Isotonix® Prenatal Activated Multivitamin: A upgraded version of our existing product, Isotonix Prenatal Multivitamin delivers metabolically active forms of folic acid and other nutrients crucial for a healthy pregnancy.

Isotonix® Greens: Available exclusively through the Isotonix Custom Cocktail, Isotonix Greens is an isotonic vegetable supplement containing organic ingredients. This formula provides you with vitamins, minerals, nutrients and phytonutrients to promote healthy functioning of the digestive tract.*

For those of you in Greensboro for this year’s Market America International Convention, you can hear more about all of the great new products just launched on stage at tomorrow’s New Products breakout, which will be held in Imperial Ballroom at Sheraton Greensboro Hotel at Four Seasons starting at 8 p.m.

If you’re not at this year’s event, you’re missing out! But you can still connect with us and get updates about all of the great new products and services from Market America 2011 International Convention on its social media pages:

Facebook.com/Isotonix
Twitter.com/Isotonix (@Isotonix)

Facebook.com/PrimeAntiAging
Twitter.com/PrimeAntiAging (@PrimeAntiAging)

Facebook.com/GeneSNP
Twitter.com/GeneSNP (@GeneSNP)

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product(s) is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.