Q: What does this product do?
A: This formula provides provitamin A to help maintain eyesight, skin, membranes, and immune function. It is a source of antioxidant that decreases the adverse effects of free radicals on normal physiological functions. It helps in collagen formation to maintain healthy bones, cartilage, teeth and/or gums. It helps to maintain immune function. These are the Health Canada approved uses (NPN 80080977). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Q: What are free radicals and what do antioxidants do?
A: Free radicals are unstable molecules produced naturally by the body during normal processes like breathing and metabolism, and also from external sources like pollution and UV light. They can damage cells by taking electrons from healthy molecules. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating an electron, stopping the damage. This formula provides multiple antioxidants that work in different parts of the body.
Q: Why does this formula have ten ingredients instead of just one or two?
A: Different antioxidants work in different environments. Some work in water (inside cells and in the blood): Vitamin C, NAC, and glutathione. Others work in fat (in cell membranes): Vitamin E, CoQ10, and Beta-Carotene. Alpha Lipoic Acid works in both. Several of the antioxidants in this formula also help recharge each other: Vitamin C helps recharge Vitamin E, Alpha Lipoic Acid helps recharge Vitamin C and Vitamin E, and NAC helps the body make more glutathione (its own built-in antioxidant). Having multiple antioxidants together means broader coverage and longer-lasting activity.
Q: What is the difference between active and inactive forms of B vitamins?
A: Most B vitamin supplements use forms that the body must convert before it can use them. For example, most B12 supplements use cyanocobalamin, which the body must convert to methylcobalamin. Most folate supplements use folic acid, which requires an enzyme called MTHFR to convert it to the active form. Some people have a genetic variation that makes this conversion less efficient. This formula uses the active, ready-to-use forms directly: Methylcobalamin (B12), L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (Folate), and Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (B6). These are absorbed and used by the body without requiring conversion.
Q: What is NAC and why is it in an antioxidant formula?
A: NAC stands for N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine. It is a building block that the body uses to make glutathione, which is the body's own built-in antioxidant made inside cells. Glutathione is one of the most important antioxidants in the body but cannot be effectively absorbed from supplements directly. NAC provides the key ingredient (cysteine) that the body needs to make more of its own glutathione.
Q: What is CoQ10 and why is it from bacterial culture?
A: CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) is a compound found in almost every cell in the body. It helps cells produce energy and also protects cell membranes from free radical damage. The body's natural CoQ10 levels tend to decrease with age. The CoQ10 in this formula is produced by fermentation (bacterial culture), which means it is not derived from animal sources and is suitable for vegans.
Q: What is Beta-Carotene and how is it different from Vitamin A?
A: Beta-Carotene is a provitamin A, meaning the body converts it into Vitamin A as needed. The advantage of Beta-Carotene over preformed Vitamin A (retinol) is that the body only converts as much as it needs, so it does not build up to toxic levels. Beta-Carotene is also an antioxidant in its own right. The NPN approved use for provitamin A (helping maintain eyesight, skin, membranes, and immune function) is tied to Beta-Carotene in this formula.
Q: How do I take this product?
A: Adults: 2 capsules, 1 time per day. Take with a meal. Each bottle contains 60 capsules, a 30 day supply (1 month) at 2 capsules per day.
Q: Is this product suitable for vegans or vegetarians?
A: Yes. The capsule shell is made from Hypromellose, a plant-derived material. The CoQ10 is produced by fermentation, not from animal sources. This product is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. It is also non-GMO, gluten free, soy free, and dairy free.
Q: Are there any medications I should not take with this product?
A: Do not use this product if you are taking antibiotics or nitroglycerin. Consult a health care practitioner before use if you are taking blood pressure medication or blood thinner medication. If you experience sweating, paleness, chills, headache, dizziness and/or confusion, discontinue use and consult a health care practitioner, as these may be symptoms of serious low blood sugar.
Q: Who should consult a health care practitioner before taking this product? A: Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you are taking blood pressure medication or blood thinner medication, if you have diabetes, or if you have kidney stones.
