anti-aging nutrition & education center

Selenium an essential trace mineral and important antioxidant that has been found to work synergistically with vitamin E. Supplemental beta-carotene and selenium enhanced the immune function among a group of healthy elderly subjects in a one study. Supplemental selenium has also restored cell proliferation defects associated with aging in mice by increasing the number of high-affinity IL-2 receptors. Results of dozens of animal and in vitro studies have pointed to the role of selenium in helping to prevent and treat c. One review article has cited numerous epidemiological studies indicating a significant inverse association between selenium intake and the risk of c in humans.

Selenium may also play a role in preventing heart disease and diabetes. Selenium and vitamin E administered together protected rabbits against heart muscle changes associated with a high-fat diet. Combined supplementation of selenium and vitamin E has protected the kidneys from glumerular lesions in diabetic rats. Supplemental selenium has exhibited insulinlike effects in diabetic mice. It has decreased elevated serum glucose levels in experimentally induced diabetic rats as well.

Immune function can also be improved by selenium. One study found that selenium supplementation improved T-cell response to phytohaemoagglution and significant progressive increase in delayed-type hypersensitivity in haemodialysis patients. Another showed that supplementation led to enhanced immune response in patients suffering from short-bowel syndrome. Other conditions selenium has shown to benefit include Keshan disease, kidney damage, lupus, poor mood, myotonic dystrophy, ulcers and dental cavities.

American Biologics Selenium Forte 90 tablets $8.03

Vitamin A/Beta Carotene, a precurser to vitamin A, are powerful antioxidants intimately involved in the aging process and conditions associated with it. Both are abundant in green leafy vegetables and other fruits and vegetables, including carrots, sweet potatoes, yams, apricots, and melons. Results of studies found that the median life span of the common housefly could be increased by up to 17.5 percent following an increase in dietary vitamin A to adequate from inadequate levels during the various stages of development.

Results of numerous studies have shown the following:

significant lower plasma levels in Alzheimer's patients
inverse associations between serum concentrations and dietary levels of beta-carotene and the risk of development of cataracts
retinoids should be considered as possible therapeutic agents in treating rheumatoid arthritis
combined supplementation with elemental iron has been shown to reverse anemia in pregnant women
high doses of vitamin A and vitamin E have halted the progression of symptoms associated with abetalipoproteinemia.
retinol has been found to be safe and effective treatment for acne
vitamin A injections have been effective in children with chronic cholestasis
oral beta-carotene supplementation effectively normalized excess lipid peroxidation in vitamin A deficient cystic fibrosis patients
supplemental beta-carotene combined with other antioxidants has exhibited antidiabetic effects in rats.
topical treatment of primary herpetic kerattitis with retinoic acid significantly reduces the severity of epithelial lesions in rabbits and topical instillation into the eyes of rabbits reduced the rate of incorporation of thymide into DNA by 27%
successful as a topical agent among patients suffering from plantar warts, and against papillomas in rabbits
effective in the treatment of menorrhagia
high doses of corticosteroids and vitamin A have produced clinical recovery in patients suffering from pneumonia
daily supplementation of vitamin A proved to have beneficial effects on the course of retinitis pigementosa
significantly reduced the incidence and size of stress-induced ulcer formation in rats and duodenal ulcers in human patients
a decrease in beta-carotene levels along with other antioxidants can alter the local immune response in women, creating disturbances in vaginal flora, candida overgrowth, and vaginal candidiasis development
supplemental retinyl acetate, beta-carotene, or in some cases all-trans-retinoic acid effectively enhanced wound healing in rats
supplemental vitamin A has been shown to benefit patients suffering from xeropthalmia, and children and adults suffering from varying degrees of blindness
presupplementation with beta-carotene can prevent beta-carotene depletion in the skin caused by ultraviolet radiation and in turn extend the prevention of free radical damage due to such radiation
high intake of beta-carotene may protect women against developing ovarian c
beta-carotene has proved to be an important dietary variable in improving survival in breast c patients.
retinoic acid has been shown to be an effective treatment for chemically induced tumors
remission and inhibition of new oral leukoplakia in subjects who chewed tobacco-containing betel quids on a daily basis
patients with oral lesions from smokeless tobacco use experience a dramatic improvement of the oral mucosa
daily oral administration of vitamin A significantly reduces the number of tobacco related new primary tumors in lung c patients relative to controls.
vitamin A has exhibited protective effects against lung c in males and bladder c in both sexes
local application of vitamin A acid had beneficial effects on women with moderate cervical dysplasia
complete or partial remission and pain reduction for benign breast disease patients
significant immune potentiating effects in male patients with mestastastic unresectable squamous cell carinoma of the lung
supplementation with beta-carotene-rich foods can counteract the c causing-effects of smoke from cigarettes by maintaining vitamin A levels in smokers
vitamin A may produce an enhancement of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, natural killer cell activity and blastogenic response to plant mitogens in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Mortality rates were significantly reduced in children aged four to twenty-four months hospitalized from measles following supplementation with vitamin A. Data showed that children taking vitamin A had significantly faster recovery times with respect to pneumonia and diarrhea, they had less croup, spent less time in the hospital, and had a lower death rate during hospitalization. Mortality and susceptibility to infection and diarrhea have been shown to be greater in vitamin A deficient children, particularly with respect to measles, preventing as many as 1-3 million deaths each year worldwide. Vitamin A supplementation has led to a reduction in the incidence of respiratory disease in children.

Vitamin A intake has reduced childhood mortality rates in developing countries as well, including children born to mothers infected with HIV. Vitamin A deficiency has been linked to suppressed immunologic status and clinical outcomes in patients infected with HIV, and an increased rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. High-dietary vitamin A was associated with a retarded death rate in mice infected with LP-BM5 murine leukemia, an AIDS-like condition. ARC patients supplemented with beta-carotene experienced a decrease in the progress towards AIDS, as well as recoveries from asthenia, fever, nocturnal sweating, diarrhea, and weight loss.

Vitamin A may produce a total remission of leukoplakias and a reduction of micronucleated cells. The formation of new leukoplakia was completely suppressed by vitamin A and repressed by 50 percent as a result of beta-carotene within six months. Withdrawal of either beta-carotene or vitamin A supplementation resulted in the reappearance of leukoplakias and an increase in the frequency of micronuclei in oral mucosa. Lower doses of both agents prolonged the effect of the original treatment by a minimum of eight additional months. Another study reported results of a large trial of locally applied beta-trans retinoic acid that showed it to be an effective agent in reversing moderate cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

American Biologics Beta Carotene $15.18
PhysioLogics Multi-Carotene $21.99

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is a powerful antioxidant.

Results of numerous studies have shown the following:

has been shown to elicit positive effects in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease
vitamin B1 is a proven fatigue fighter
thiamin may have significant increases in energy intake, appetite, body weight, and general well-being
vitamin B1 has been shown to improve left ventricular function in congestive heart failure patients
patients suffering from pulmonary and myocardial insufficiency have benefited from postoperative vitamin B1 injections
thiamine has exhibited anti-HIV activity in-vitro
thiamine has produced improvements in neuropsychological function In epileptics including visuo-spatial analysis, visuo-motor speed, and verbal abstracting ability
cholinomimemetic effects on the central nervous system of healthy young adults
thiamine has significantly reduced blood glucose levels in patients with liver cirrhosis
vitamin B1 can improve conditions of seasonal ataxia

Vitamin B2

Results of numerous studies have shown the following:

animal and in vitro studies point to the efficacy of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) in inhibiting the risk of c and heart disease
supplemental vitamin B2 has also been shown to be useful in the treatment of geriatric depression
vitamin B2 has exhibited antibacterial effects in mice and antistroke potential in rats
migraine patients receiving riboflavin have shown significant improvement following treatment. Riboflavin deficiency is known to induce cataract formation in animals.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is central to the body's manufacture of neurotransmitters, which are crucial to proper mental function.

Results of numerous studies have shown the following:

improved memory in healthy elderly men when administered in doses of pyridoxine HCL
normalization of vitamin B6 levels in HIV-infected patients suffering from a deficiency led to significant improvements in CD4 cell number as well as other functional parameters of immunity
oral administration of vitamin B6 coupled with iron led to significant improvements in hemodialysis patients
administration of pyridoxine may lead to significant improvement in children suffering from bronchial asthma
vitamin B6 treatment has proven effective in the treatment of autistic children
high vitamin B6 intake suppressed the development of experimentally induced tumors in mice by regulating PLP growth or by immune enhancement.
pyridoxine can regulate human melanoma cells in vitro
vitamin B6 can kill hepatoma cells in vitro and may be an effective antineoplastic agent
vitamin B6 has also been highly useful against carpal tunnel syndrome
cardiogenic diets supplemented with vitamin B6 and zinc led to a reduction in the number of dental carries in rats
gestational diabetes can be caused by increased xanthurenic-acid synthesis during pregnancy and vitamin B6 supplementation can normalize the production of xanthurenic-acid by restoring tryptophan metabolism and thus improve oral glucose tolerance in such patients
vitamin B6 has also improved symptoms associated with PMS, pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting, and primary hyperoxaluria.

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) has been shown to exhibit anti-tumor effects and enhance cognitive performance in mice. In vitro studies point to its immune-enhancing activity on human T-cells. Vitamin B12 also appears to be useful in the treatment of patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Supplementation has significantly improved cognitive function in HIV-infected patients. It can produce benefits in pernicious anemia patients. Two elderly patients deficient in vitamin B12 and suffering low immunoglobulin levels experienced a return to normal of such levels following supplementation with vitamin B12. Results of another study found that supplementation with vitamin B2 led to marked improvements in outpatients suffering from recurrent aphthous initially deficient in vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 supplements have the potential to reverse some of the negative effects of chronic exposure to nitro oxide inhalation common to dental settings. Subjects with normal vitamin B12 levels who received supplements via injection scored better on the MMPI relative to subjects not receiving the supplements. Supplemental B12 has produced positive effects in hepatitis patients. Chronic multiple sclerosis patients taking vitamin B12 every day for six months showed improvement in both abnormalities of the visual and brainstem auditory-evoked potentials relative to controls. Vitamin B12 supplementation per day may advance human circadian rhythms by increasing circadian clock light sensitivity in healthy subjects. Additional studies highlight the ability of vitamin B12 to improve sleep as well.

PhysioLogics Vitamin B12 Complex 30 capsules $7.99
PhysioLogics Vitamin B12 Complex 60 capsules $14.39

Vitamin B17 the Secret to Anti-Aging

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluable vitamin and essential antioxidant found in many fruits and vegetables. An insufficient intake of antioxidants has been linked to a higher risk of c and many other forms of degenerative diseases.

Results of numerous studies have shown the following:

a significant relationship between low vitamin C intake and higher risks of heart disease mortality and overall mortality
connections between vitamin C and other antioxidants and cataracts
shown to be essential as a scavenger of free radicals, which is important in collagen formation, and hormone and neurotransmitter synthesis.
the presence of ascorbic acid in children resulted in a faster rate of cell proliferation and reached higher densities
collagen biosynthesis was found to be inversely related to age, while the stimulation by ascorbic acid appeared to be age independent
beta-carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C have all been shown to produce an increase of singlet oxygen protection of erythrocytes
significant positive correlations have been found between dietary ascorbic acid and HDLC, the intake of carbohydrates and protein and total fat in subjects over sixty-five
significant negative correlations were found between dietary ascorbic acid and LDLC and LDLC/HDLC, suggesting a preventive role of ascorbic acid in atherogenic diseases
high vitamin C serum concentrations have resulted in lower blood glucose response
vitamin C is a potentially effective agent in enhancing immune functions in the elderly
patients with age-related diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, vascular disease and hypertension have experienced positive results following treatment with metal chelator EDTA and antioxidants such as vitamin C, E, beta-carotene, selenium, zinc, and chromium
benefits for arthritis patients
patients suffering from cataracts have also found relief from treatment with vitamin C
low vitamin C intake and consuming less than 3.5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day were found to be associated with an increased risk of cortical cataracts
significantly prevented selenite-induced catacts in rats as well
asthma symptoms have been shown to decrease following vitamin C supplementation
improves dermatitis
synthetic ascorbic acid solution decreased symptoms in 74% of patients suffering from perennial allergic rhinitis
can counter the effects of alcohol toxicity, smokers toxicity and produce antihistamine effects
can also induce antipsychotic effects and reduction of autistic symptom severity
ascorbic acid and alphatocopherol significantly improved neutrophil (PMN) locomotroy defect in patients suffering from blunt trauma
has exhibited anticandida activity in vitro
heavy smokers who consumed supplemental ascorbic acid experienced improvements in sperm quality relative to fertility
vitamin C may be effective against hepatitis, herpes, fatigue liver disease, Menkes disease, neutrophil dysfunction, obesity, ocular inflammation, opiate addiction, Paget's disease, pancreatitis, schizophrenia, sickle cell anemia, stress, stroke, sunburn, tetanus, glaucoma, glutathione deficiency, HTLV-I associated myelopathy, respiratory infections, cognitive impairment, retinal light damage, and symptoms associated with menopause
research also indicates ascorbic acid aerosol in a dose of approximately 1 mg a puff up to a maximum of 300 mg/day could be effective and novel way to stop smoking
gingival bleeding has been linked to vitamin C deficiencies.
improvements in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease
improvements in patients suffering from diabetes
beneficial in the healing of various wounds and have produced results in patients recovering from surgery, decubital ulcers, leg ulcers, and other unspecified injuries.
plays a central role in immune health
improved cell-mediated immune function indicated by significant increases in the total number of T-cells, T4 subsets, T4 to T8 ratio, and the proliferation of lymphocytes in response to phytohaemagagglutinin
inhibits human natural killer cell activity in dose-dependent manner while not effecting effector/target cell binding or interferon or interlekin-2-induced increases of NK activity
proven capable of combating the deadly effects of AIDS, including the suppression of HIV directly.
evidence suggests deficiencies in vitamin C can be a risk factor for developing c, while vitamin C supplementation may be a useful therapy against the disease
protective effects have been shown for cs of the pancreas, oral cavity, stomach, esophagus, cervix, rectum, breast, and lung
Plasma vitamin C has been found to reduce the risk of c by 60%
supplementation decreases gastric mucosal DNA damage in c patients, which suggests that it may provide a protective role against the onset of gastric c
increasingly being recognized for its potential benefits for patients suffering from heart disease
both unstable patients as well as patients with stable coronary artery disease requiring coronary artery bypass grafting benefited from treatment with vitamin E, vitamin C, and perioperative allopurinol
vitamin C and vitamin E supplementation for ten days prior to donating blood resulting in a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation in stored red cells in both irradiated and non-irradiated samples relative to controls
reduced platelet adhesiveness and platelet aggreation in coronary artery disease patients
significant reductions in body fat, systolic blood pressure, and pulse, and a significant increase in high density lipoprotein
significant fall in serum cholesterol

American Biologics Super C Ascorbs 90 tablets $13.86
American Biologics Super C Ascorbs 180 tablets $26.29
American Biologics Super C Ascorbs 500 tablets $65.89
PhysioLogics Vitamin C 1000 - 90 capsules $11.99
PhysioLogics Ester C $12.99

Vitamin D is a fat-soluable vitamin that stimulates calcium absorption, and the efficacy of vitamin D in preventing bone loss is well established.

Results of numerous studies have shown the following:

can significantly reduce the rate of bone loss and bone fracture in women
reduces blood pressure in hypercalcemic patients
may also be effective against c
associated with the reduction of colorectal c
a potential treatment for prostate c
prevented bone loss in Crohn's disease patients
produced dramatic improvements in postmenopausal women suffering from severe migraines
significant improvements of psoriatic lesions
produced healing in patients suffering from rickets.

Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) can be found in eggs, wheat germ, green leafy vegetables, and various oils. Like vitamin C, vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant central to combating the aging process at both the cellular level and in the context of preventing and treating many degenerative conditions associated with it. Vitamin E is an essential nutrient, in that it is not synthesized in the body, and protects cell membranes from free-radical reactions.

Results of numerous studies have shown the following:

protects against oxidative stress produced by vigorous exercise
may enhance immune function
reduction in the production of lipid peroxides in the serum and liver, thus inhibiting the aging process
in combination with mannitol, and dexamethasone have exhibited significant cerebral protective effects in the dogs
Vitamin E-enriched lipoproteins have been shown to increase neuron longevity in vitro
shown to protect against oxidative damage caused by gene coding of superoxide dismutase on chromosome 21 resulting in excess activity of the enzyme, again suggesting its potential as a preventative approach to Alzheimer's
iseveral studies involving rats suggest that supplemental vitamin E may work directly to lessen the severity of the rheumatoid arthritis
pain relief and improvement in mobility in osteoarthritis patients
antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and pyruvate can thwart the cataractogenic effect of oxyradicals andmay be effective in cataract treatment or prevention
adults with high levels of two or more of either vitamin E, C, or carotenoids have a decreased risk of cataracts compared to those with low levels of one or more
numerous in vitro and en vivo studies in different animals species have shown that vitamins E and C offer protective effects against light-induced cataracts as well as sugar and steroid cataracts
intramuscular injections of vitamin E have been shown to partially correct deficits in cystic fibrosis patients suffering from severe vitamin E deficiency and neurologic disease
positive results for acne
may be useful in the treatment of patients suffering from neurological complications associated with abetalipoproteinemia
effective treatment for alcohol-related immunosuppression
may be useful in reversing anemia by reducing the fragility of red blood cells in regular dialysis patients
alpha-tocopherol could be an effective means of protecting the brain against anoxic damage due to its antioxidant effects, and halting or improving neurological disorders associated with progressive ataxia
has been shown to improve cerebeller symptoms of adult-onset celiac disease.
children suffering from cholestasis have benefited following treatment with supplemental vitamin E at varying doses
improved symptoms in women with benign breast c
improved severe PMS symptoms
improvement for children suffering from respiratory tract infections
protection against intraventricular hemorrhage, intracranial hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, and retrolental fibroplasis in newborns
tardive dyskinesia patients may benefit
may provide protection against the harmful effects of smoking as a result of its antioxidant activity
increased therapeutic efficiency of drugs such as AZT
has also been shown to result in a decrease in the progression of disease to AIDS
reduced oxidative stress and improved insulin action in noninsulin dependent diabetics
significant improvement in gluccose utilization and hepatic response to insulin in both normal subjects as well as diabetics.
improved pulmonary hemodynamics, lipid metabolism, and lipid peroxidation in patients with diabetic nephroangiopathy. The use of alpha-tocopherol acetate significantly decreased lipid peroxidation activity in middle-aged patients with insulin independent diabetes.
capable of protecting against tumor growth and carcinogenesis
can reduce the toxicity of several anti-c therapies
have shown similar patterns across a variety of different types of c, including breast, colon, lung, etc.
total resolution of oral lesions in six of nine chemotherapy patients who took vitamin E
topical application of 400 mg/ml of vitamin E in oil form applied to lesions for one week in patients receiving chemotherapy for oral musositis
use in the prevention and treatment of heart disease.
useful therapy for coronary heart disease
significant reductions in the indexes of oxidative stress in both smokers and nonsmokers
vitamin E plus aspirin is an effective preventative therapy for transient ischemic attacks and related cerebrovascular disorders
decrease in serum triglycerides and fibrinogen.
associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease among middle-aged men
proved effective in hyperlipoproteinemia and may be considered a useful agent for combating the risk of coronary heart disease
disseminated granuloma anulare, endotoxemia, enteritis, epilepsy, gastric mucosal injury and gastrointestinal disease, pneumonia, male infertility, flu, keloids, Keshan disease, kidney damage, lead intoxication, leg cramps, liver damage, muscle damage, spinal injury, spondylosis, steatorrhoea, stroke, thalassaemia, thymus damage, thyroid dysfunction, tuberculosis, ulcerative colitis, ulcers, uveitis, veno-occlusive disease, vitiligo, brain injury, vision problems, retinal degeneration, glomeruslerosis, hearing loss, hepatitis, yellow nail syndrome, sickle cell anemia, UV-induced skin damage, hyperlipidemia, periodontal health, Parkinson's disease, sexual dysfunction, short bowel syndrome, burns, wound healing, hemolysis, lung damage, and neurological dysfunction.
capable of enhancing the workings of the immune system

American Biologics Vitamin E 100 tablets $20.79
Intensive Nutrition Vitamin E $19.90
PhysioLogics E with Tocotrienols 60 softgels $29.99

Zinc an essential trace element in the body, zinc is involved in many biological functions including cell division and differentiation, programmed cell death, gene transcription, biomembrane functioning, and countless enzymatic activities that make it central to the aging process itself. Zinc has been shown to protect against the deteriorating vision associated with age-related macular degeneration.

Results of numerous studies have shown the following:
can improve cell-mediated immunity in the elderly
produced benefits in patients suffering from arthritis
significant improvements in patients taking the zinc with respect to joint swelling, morning stiffness, walking time, and subjective patient reports of own conditions
significantly reduces serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in young adult males
c patients have experienced enhanced immune activity
efficacy in treating skin disorders such as acne, herpes, and eczema
AIDS patients have experienced beneficial effects on the immune system from supplemental zinc therapy
improved responsiveness to delayed hypersensitivity skin tests in patients suffering from alcohol cirrhosis
positive effects on weight gain in anorexic patients
improvements in patients suffering from cerebral palsy, inflammatory bowel disease, leprosy, sickle cell anemia, and Wilson's disease
has shown consistent beneficial effects against the common cold
significant increases in plasma zinc, serum testosterone, sperm count, libido, and frequency of intercourse in patients undergoing hemodialysis
was associated with more rapid neurologic recovery and visceral protein concentrations in severe closed head injury patients
has shown promise in the treatment of male infertility
obese patients have experienced significant weight loss following eight weeks of supplementation
has been found useful in the treatment of gastric ulcers (zinc sulphate), ulcerative stomatitis (zinc sulphate), and venous leg ulcers among the elderly (topical zinc oxide)
important part of treating periodontal disease in elderly patients
can reduce enlarged prostate size in men.

American Biologics Zinc Citrate 60 capsules $10.89
PhysioLogics ZincPlex 60 capsules $7.99