Active Principles of Nutritional Products

The recent surge in the commercially available nutritional products, perhaps, is based on the statement, "...forget your Recommended Daily Allowance! Recent scientific breakthroughs have nearly conclusively linked the prevention of certain diseases with mega doses of a few ordinary vitamins, minerals and fiber", by Global Business Research (Am J Clin Nutr 1996; 63: 139-140). Observing such a surge in commercial production of nutritional supplement, a renown clinician and nutritionist, Dr. Victor Herbert who recently passed away, cautioned by saying "Supplement help some, harm some and do nothing for most, so the bottom line is a wash" (Am J Clin Nutr 1994; 60: 157-160). Another renowned scientist, Dr. J. Blumberg wondered, "Are antioxidants (nutrients) at an awkward age!?" (J Am Coll Nutr 1994; 13:218-219). This frustrated situation arises, perhaps, mostly due to not knowing the basic concept of nutrition. At least the following two steps needed to be carefully considered in developing an active and effective nutritional supplement.

1. Chelation Nutrition, of course, comes from natural sources. Many natural/herbal products have, therefore, been shown to have beneficial effects on human health. Nutrients contained in these natural/herbal products, however, remain in some chelated or coordinated form, these nutrients are combined with other materials such as mineral or amino acids (peptides). Consequently, mixing nutrients, as in a commercial multivitamin preparation, should not be expected to provide the necessary nutritional benefits equivalent to their natural/herbal sources. Chelation/coordination between nutrients occurs via a weak bond, formed by a suitable manufacturing process without applying any severe conditions, such as heat and/or chemicals. For examples, chelations of chromium (Cr) with certain nutrients (dotted lines as shown to the right), which have previously been shown to regulate metabolic conditions and/or enhance immune functions, have been achieved by such processes. Such chelated products are easily absorbed in the body while retaining their nutritional properties as expected form their natural sources. 

 

2. An Integrated Antioxidant System The recent findings suggest that cell death (apoptosis) in human body is associated with the inactivation of Mitochondria in the cell. This cellular component is considered to be the powerhouse of the cell and in fact, for the whole human body. When Mitochondria produces power, it also generates many oxygen species, known as Free Radicals or Oxidants which are very harmful to the body. To minimize and/or inactivate these Oxidants, a body needs Antioxidants. Beta carotene, vitamin E and C are commonly taken as such Antioxidants. But many studies have shown that this is not so, rather they could be harmful if taken inappropriately. That's why, perhaps, Dr. Blumberg, as mentioned above, expressed his frustration. However, studies have also shown that these exogenous antioxidants work in an integrated manner with endogenous antioxidants in the human body, as depicted in the following diagram.
 
 

All the nutrients, namely beta carotene, vitamins E and C, within the circular system in the diagram come from the natural sources with GSH ( gluthione is a powerful endogenous within the human body) antioxidant. Many other endogenous antioxidants like this, work in an integrated manner with the above exogenous antioxidant nutrients to provide the human body a perfect anti-oxidative protection. This system not only helps in generating power by Mitochondria, thus even impeding the aging process, but also helps in bolstering the immune system in the human body.

These technologically advanced chelated and integrated antioxidant nutrients are essentially the active ingredients of the products of LSTI, certainly much different from many commercially available multivitamins, and showed highly desirable outcomes in both laboratory and human studies.

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