BROAD SPECTRUM ANTIOXIDANT FAQS
Indications/Contraindications
1. Who should use Broad Spectrum Antioxidant?
2. Who should not use Broad Spectrum Antioxidant?
Product Benefits
3. What is the primary benefit of using Broad Spectrum Antioxidant?
4. What makes VitaMedica’s Broad Spectrum Antioxidant product unique?
Product Formulation
5. What are free-radicals and how do antioxidants work?
6. Can nutritional supplements prevent photo-aging?
7. What levels of the skin do nutritional supplements effect?
Product Timing & Dosing
11. What is the recommended dosing for Broad Spectrum Antioxidant?
12. What other VitaMedica products may be beneficial to support a more youthful-looking appearance?
1. Who should use Broad Spectrum Antioxidant? Broad Spectrum Antioxidant is indicated for individuals who wish to provide internal protection from free-radical damage. For this reason, this product is ideally suited for individuals who are 35+ years of age or for those who spend a significant amount of time outdoors, with direct sunlight exposure.
2. Who should not use Broad Spectrum Antioxidant? Nutritional supplements have an excellent safety track record. However, certain individuals should seek the advice of their doctor before beginning the product particularly diabetics, pregnant or lactating women. Broad Spectrum Antioxidant should not be taken in conjunction with VitaMedica’s Healthy Skin Formula.
3. What is the primary benefit of using Broad Spectrum Antioxidant? Antioxidant protection at the dermal level. As the name identifies, Broad Spectrum Antioxidant provides a broad range of antioxidants in an oral form. Just as a broad spectrum sunscreen provides protection against a wide range of UV rays, Broad Spectrum Antioxidant provides a wide range of protection against multiple types of free-radicals.
4. What makes VitaMedica’s Broad Spectrum Antioxidant product unique? The formulation includes a broad range of vitamins, minerals and botanicals known for their potent antioxidant activity, in a dosing level that provides benefit to the dermis. Broad Spectrum Antioxidant is formulated with the key skin vitamins - vitamin A (from Betatene®), vitamin E and vitamin C. The supplement also includes key antioxidant minerals - zinc, copper, selenium and manganese. The botanicals included in the formulation include Flora-GLO lutein®, green tea, grape seed extract, ginkgo biloba, cysteine, alpha-lipoic acid and milk thistle. Providing a broad range of antioxidants provides greater protection to a variety of organ systems including the skin and eyes.
5. What are free-radicals and how do antioxidants work? A free-radical is a molecule that can easily bond with another molecule or atom because it has an unpaired electron. This in turn, creates chemical reactions that can wreck havoc on the body. Free-radicals form as a by-product of normal cellular activity. In addition, exposure to ultraviolet light, pollution, and cigarette smoke also contribute to free-radical formation. Even diet and stress can affect the level of free-radical formation in the body. This is important because excessive free-radical formation can damage cells and tissue. Researchers also believe that free-radical damage contributes to aging. Fortunately, the body has a number of mechanisms in place to neutralize free-radicals. Three enzymes are particularly important in this process and include superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. These enzymes act as antioxidants by bonding with the unpaired electron, thereby neutralizing its potential damaging effect on the body.
6. Can nutritional supplements prevent photo-aging? Yes. Sun, wind, heat, dryness and pollution are types of environmental factors that affect the skin. Photo-aging is the most common type of environmental damage and is the result of repeated and excessive exposure to UV radiation. It can result in skin that is wrinkled, discolored and sagging. In essence, photo aging is really the outward representation of considerable free-radical production in the body. While the body produces a number of enzymes designed to eliminate and neutralize free-radicals, a number of essential nutrients also play a role in this process. Of particular importance are vitamin E, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and selenium. By supplementing with these powerful antioxidants, the body has extra ammunition to protect itself against free-radical damage. Because antioxidants quench free-radical damage, they in fact help to prevent photo-aging.
7. What levels of the skin do nutritional supplements effect? Nutritional supplements are delivered to the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin. Although today’s topical products have come a long way in improving their delivery systems, the reality is that these products can’t really penetrate below the epidermal layer. This is because the skin’s defense system is designed to make penetration difficult to prevent against the elements and infection. The system also protects the skin from the loss of moisture, hormones, proteins and essential nutrients. Unlike topicals, nutritional supplements are delivered to the epidermis and to the dermal layer via the bloodstream. In this way, essential nutrients help to build new cells (including collagen and elastin), provide free-radical protection and contribute to a host of other skin cellular activities.
8. Broad Spectrum Antioxidant contains vitamin A from Betatene®. What is Betatene and what benefit does it provide? Betatene is a well-researched, branded ingredient with excellent antioxidant protective benefits. Although most people have heard of beta-carotene, a number of other carotenes exist including alpha-carotene, gamma-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin, and lutein. While not all of the carotenes convert to vitamin A, all provide excellent antioxidant protective benefits. Most supplements contain just beta-carotene and in many cases, the source is not natural but is synthesized. Betatene is a naturally occurring blend of carotenes, which includes beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein. Betatene is derived from D. salina algae and is grown on the world’s largest cultivated algae farm, located in Whyalla, Australia. Research has shown that using a blend of antioxidants (in this case carotenes) provides better antioxidant protection than just a singular antioxidant.
9. Broad Spectrum Antioxidant contains lutein from Flora-GLO®. What is Flora-GLO lutein and what benefit does it provide? Flora-GLO lutein is a well-researched, branded ingredient with excellent antioxidant protective benefits. Lutein is a type of carotenoid that is often found in combination with other carotenoids. Carotenoids are fat-soluble compounds some of which convert into vitamin A (e.g., beta-carotene) and others which have excellent antioxidant properties (e.g., alpha-carotene, cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, lycopene, lutein). Carotenoids give fruits and vegetables their color. Beta-carotene is found in foods like carrots and apricots; lycopene is found in tomatoes; and lutein is found is dark green and yellow vegetables. Clinical studies have shown that lutein provides antioxidant protection effects to skin cells suffering from sun-induced free radical damage. Lutein also reduces the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in adults.
10. I noticed in the Supplement Facts panel the word “chelate” after each mineral. What does chelate mean? In general, our bodies absorb vitamins without much difficulty, but minerals are not absorbed so well. Chelation is a process that combines a mineral with an amino acid. This process of chelation enhances the absorption of the minerals by “fooling” the body into thinking it is absorbing the amino acid attached to the mineral. The mineral is pulled into the body along with the amino acid, ensuring its absorption. Chelated minerals are more expensive because of the extra step required to attached the amino acid to the mineral. However, this expense is worth it due to the improved absorption.
11. What is the recommended dosing for Broad Spectrum Antioxidant? The recommended dosing for Broad Spectrum Antioxidant is 2 capsules daily, taken with food.
12. What other VitaMedica products may be beneficial to support a more youthful-looking appearance? A wide variety of VitaMedica products are designed to be used as part of an integrated age management program. Maintaining youthful-looking skin is a reflection of a health-promoting diet which is rich in fruits, vegetables and high-quality protein and fat sources. VitaMedica’s targeted products are designed to fill-in the gaps where diet leaves off. HA+A Hydrating Nutraceutical and HA+A Hydrating Serum both help to augment the skin’s natural hyaluronic acid levels to hydrate and protect the skin from dehydration and aging. DermalNutrients is a specialized protein powder that is fortified with dermal nutrients to support collagen & elastin development and to boost the immune system. VitaMedica’s high-potency Multi-Vitamin & Mineral provides all of the essential vitamins & minerals necessary for optimal health and great looking skin. VitaMedica’s Omega-3 supplements, including Flax Seed Oil and Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil provide an excellent source of these important polyunsaturated fats.