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Benefits
• Maintains immune
system health
• Powerful
antioxidant—fights free radicals
• Antioxidant
cycling
• Reduces glycation
Features
• Unique combination
of powerful antioxidants:
- Green tea extract
- Grape seed extract
- N-acetylcysteine
- Alpha-lipoic acid
- Selenium
- Rosemary extract
- Lycopene
• High level of
antioxidant EGCG
• 60-count capsules
The immune system is
the army that protects us from invaders. It extends
throughout all body systems and is linked to our brain and
affected by our state of mind. It protects us from bacteria,
viruses, and cancer cells. Its basic strategy is simple:
recognize the enemy and attack. The immune system is perhaps
the "most important" body system when considering
living well and maintaining good health. A healthy immune
system can meet all challenges.
Free radicals
and antioxidants
Free radicals are
highly reactive forms of oxygen that damage cells throughout
the body. As your body creates energy at the cellular level,
oxygen is metabolized, changing its structure. In this
process, the oxygen molecule loses one electron, turning it
into a free radical. Free radicals also are created through
detoxifying rancid fats and chemicals, such as drugs, food
additives, and preservatives; and by cigarette smoke,
pollutants, sunlight, radiation, and emotional stress.
According to Richard
Passwater, Ph.D., in his book Lipoic Acid, The Metabolic
Antioxidant, free radicals can result in approximately 80
different age-related diseases. These include cancer, heart
attack, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, cataracts, and
Alzheimer’s disease. Antioxidants fight free radicals and
thus protect us from age-related diseases.
Green Tea
The antioxidants found
in green tea are polyphenolic catechins. The best known of
these are epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC),
epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).
Each of these molecules is an increasingly potent
antioxidant. EC cannot neutralize as many free radicals as
EGC, which cannot neutralize as many free radicals as ECG,
which cannot neutralize as many free radicals as EGCG.
In laboratory studies
presented at a September 1997 meeting of the American
Chemical Society, EGCG proved to be 100 times more effective
at neutralizing free radicals than vitamin C and 25 times
more effective than vitamin E.
Research does suggest
that this antioxidant power may translate into helping to
maintain immunity. In animal studies conducted in Japan in
the early 1990s, green tea polyphenols increased activation
of macrophages, B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, and natural
killer cells. All of these are white blood cells, which are
the "foot soldiers" of the immune system.
Even the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration has published articles on green tea. The
March 1996 issue of the FDA Consumer states that
"recent studies do show some evidence that
polyphenols—chemicals in tea with antioxidant and other
biochemical properties—may, in fact, have value in
protecting against some serious ailments." (FDA
Consumer 30, no. 2 [1996])
Grape seed
extract
Grape seed extract
contains powerful antioxidants known as oligomers of
proanthocyanidins (OPCs). Some studies say that OPCs are 20
times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more
powerful than vitamin E. Grape seed is one traditional
source of OPCs, although they are present throughout the
plant world.
In a review of the
benefits of the OPCs found in grape seed extract,
Bombardelli and Morazzoni (Fitoterapia 66, no. 4 [1995])
note that OPCs’ antioxidant effects are generally credited
for their other benefits. The authors note that these
include an antimutagenic effect; that is, they inhibit the
mutation of DNA. The authors point out that chronic
degenerative diseases are believed to be a result of
environmental mutagens (substances that cause mutation).
OPCs may be able to counter these mutagens.
OPCs also have
"cosmetic" value. They protect collagen and
elastin, which are an important part of the makeup of skin.
It is the interlacing of collagen and elastin which gives
skin its strength, elasticity, and smoothness. When these
two substances are damaged, the skin loses elasticity—the
result can be wrinkles. OPCs help restore damaged collagen
and elastin and protect them against further damage. You
could say that OPCs are an oral cosmetic to keep skin
healthy.
N-acetylcysteine
Although little known,
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a powerful antioxidant and a
powerful tool in maintaining immunity. It has been used
since the 1960s as a mucolytic—that is, a substance that
breaks up mucus, especially in lung tissue—and has also
been used for years in hospital emergency rooms to
counteract acetaminophen poisoning.
Clinical trials in
Europe have indicated that NAC may also offer protection
against the flu and flulike symptoms.
NAC provides benefits
because it helps increase the levels of one of the body’s
most important and most powerful antioxidants: glutathione.
The body itself produces glutathione to help it deal with
the free radicals generated as part of our own metabolism.
N-acetylcysteine is used by the body to create more of this
powerful and indispensable antioxidant.
Research into NAC also
indicates that it may enhance the production of human
T-cells, an important part of the immune system.
Alpha-lipoic
acid
Alpha-lipoic acid is a
"new" antioxidant that may turn out to be the most
important of all antioxidants. First of all, it is the only
antioxidant that is both water-soluble and fat-soluble. This
means that it can access all parts of our cells, which have
both water-soluble and fat-soluble components. This enhances
its ability to destroy free radicals throughout the entire
cell.
Alpha-lipoic acid also
works with other antioxidants to boost their levels. When
you take alpha-lipoic acid, you are also increasing your
levels of vitamins C and E, glutathione, and coenzyme Q10.
Alpha-lipoic acid is
especially powerful as an anti-aging substance. Aging can be
described as a process that reduces the number of healthy
cells in the body. The major factors in reducing healthy
cells are free radical damage and glycation.
Glycation is the
process in which protein in the body reacts with excess
blood sugar (glucose). This damage is as detrimental to our
health as that caused by free radicals. Alpha-lipoic acid
may keep blood sugar under control, which reduces glycation,
and thus slows the aging process. Both free radicals and
glycation affect the appearance of proteins found in the
skin. Thus, a secondary benefit of alpha-lipoic acid (and
all antioxidants) is that we look "young for our
age."
Selenium,
rosemary extract and lycopene
Selenium is an
antioxidant mineral. It works together with other
antioxidant enzymes to fight free radicals. Selenium is very
important because it forms part of the structure of the
important antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which
in turn recycles glutathione. Selenium may also protect
against cancers and cardiovascular disease.
Rosemary extract is
increasingly under scrutiny for its antioxidant properties.
Like other antioxidants, it inhibits and fights free
radicals. Recent studies show that rosemary extract, and its
constituents carnosol and ursolic acid, enhances the
activity of enzymes that can detoxify carcinogens: animal
studies show that the extract results in an increase in
glutathione-S-transferase, one of these enzymes. Other
animal studies have indicated a beneficial effect on the
promotion of skin and mammary tumors.
Lycopene, an
antioxidant carotenoid found in abundance in tomatoes, has
been found to be twice as effective as beta carotene and 100
times more effective than vitamin E in counteracting the
free radical singlet oxygen. Singlet oxygen is a dangerous
free radical. Lycopene first received attention when it was
discovered that it significantly reduces the risk of
developing prostate cancer.
AIM Proancynol
2000®
AIM Proancynol 2000®
combines the proven antioxidants found in green tea and
grape seed extracts with powerful antioxidant
"newcomers" N-acetylcystiene and alpha-lipoic
acid, as well as rosemary extract, selenium, and lycopene.
The Power of
Synergy
What makes AIM
Proancynol 2000® powerful is the synergy between its
various components. They are not only powerful individually,
but also work together in what is known as antioxidant
cycling. Antioxidant cycling is the term that describes how
antioxidants work together to extend each others’ lives
and make each other more powerful.
When the antioxidant
vitamin E disables free radicals, it becomes a minor free
radical. Both vitamin C and alpha-lipoic acid convert the
radical form of vitamin E back to its antioxidant-self.
However, when vitamin C recycles vitamin E, it changes to a
free radical. Alpha-lipoic acid and glutathione can both
"recycle" vitamin C back into a potent
antioxidant.
Glutathione not only
recycles vitamin C, but is the cells’ primary antioxidant.
According to Lester Packer, Ph.D., maintaining high levels
of glutathione is critical for life—low glutathione levels
are a marker for death at an early age. Glutathione
diminishes as we age and cannot be boosted significantly
through supplements.
N-acetylcysteine is
used by the body to manufacture glutathione, and
alpha-lipoic acid regenerates glutathione, ensuring that the
body has an adequate supply. Selenium is part of the enzyme
glutathione peroxidase, which recycles glutathione.
OPCs also play a role
in cycling as they sacrifice themselves in order to
neutralize harmful free radicals within the body. In doing
so, they make it possible for vitamins C and E and selenium
to do less "antioxidant" work, allowing these
nutrients to perform their other functions in the body.
You can see how the
ingredients found in AIM Proancynol 2000® work together to
provide optimum free radical protection.
How to use AIM
Proancynol 2000®
• Take 2 capsules
per day. Best taken with meals.
• Shelf life is 2
years, sealed. Close tightly after opening and store in a
cool, dry, dark place (70-75 °F; 20.1-23.8 °C). Do not
refrigerate.
Q & A
Who should use AIM
Proancynol 2000®?
Anyone who is
concerned with overall health and a healthy immune system.
AIM Proancynol 2000® is especially suited to those who have
a lifestyle that may generate more free radicals than
normal. This would include living in polluted environments,
smoking, or participating in extensive exercise (exercise
creates free radicals).
Is there anyone
who should not take AIM Proancynol 2000®?
There are no known
safety considerations concerning the ingredients in AIM
Proancynol 2000®. However, due to the alpha-lipoic acid
present, diabetics should monitor their blood sugar levels.
Pregnant women and people who are using other medications or
who have serious health problems should always consult their
health practitioners when adding new substances to their
diet.
Does the green tea
extract contain caffeine?
The green tea used in
AIM Proancynol 2000® is decaffeinated using a water
filtration-decaffeination process. Like all decaffeinated
products, some amounts of caffeine remain.
What can you tell
me about the ingredients found in AIM Proancynol 2000®?
The extracts (green
tea, grape seed, and rosemary) are obtained by using an
alcohol and water extraction process. Although the original
plants are not organically grown, any impurities that were
present in the raw materials are not present in the finished
product. The grape seeds are derived from both red and white
grapes. The rosemary is standardized to 6 percent carnosic
acid. The alpha-lipoic acid is derived from potatoes.
About free
radicals
Think of a fire. It is
continuously burning, creating energy. In this process,
sparks are thrown off. If the sparks are minimal, or land in
a safe place, there is no damage. However, if the sparks
multiply, or land on something flammable, a greater fire and
destruction may result. However, if we put a grill around
the fireplace, the sparks hit this and fall to the ground
extinguished. They can do no harm, no matter how many are
produced.
This is what happens
to us. Our bodies continuously produce free radicals, which
are our sparks. These sparks are multiplied because of the
foods we eat and the environment in which we live. When too
many free radicals are created, they can result in
damage—many of today’s most frequent diseases, such as
heart disease, stroke, cancer, cataracts, and immune
disorders are due to free radicals.
Antioxidants serve as
our grill, extinguishing free radicals before they can
damage us.
Suggested Reading
Mitscher, Lester A.,
Ph.D., and Victoria Dolby. The Green Tea Book. Garden City
Park, NY: Avery Publishing Group, 1998.
Packer, Lester, Ph.D.,
and Carol Colman. The Antioxidant Miracle. New York: John
Wiley & Sons, 1999.
Passwater, Richard,
Ph.D. Lipoic Acid: The Metabolic Antioxidant. New Canaan,
CT: Keats Publishing, Inc., 1995.
Schwitters, Bert (with
Jack Masquelier). OPCs in Practice. Rome: Alpha Omega, 1993.
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