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By Michael A. Smith, MD

The supplement market certainly has plenty of “adequate” products, but is “passable” what you’re aiming for? Let’s be honest, if living healthier longer is your goal, the average multivitamin out there probably won’t meet your needs. If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re looking for a product that goes above and beyond most traditional multivitamins. A product that gives you everything you’re looking for to take your regimen to the “longevity” level.

Does such a product exist? We think so. It’s our flagship multi-nutrient, the Life Extension Mix^™. Notice we call it a “multi-nutrient” and not just a multivitamin. That’s because it provides not only all of the vitamins and minerals, but also supplies a heavy dose of fruit and vegetable extracts known for their health-promoting effects.

Plant Extracts Make this a Powerful Formula

What really makes this product so powerful is the additional plant extracts. You see, study after study shows that people who eat the most fruits and vegetables have much lower incidences of health problems. This makes sense to us.

But here’s the problem: few people consistently eat enough plant foods to protect against common age-related decline. So that’s why most of us take a multivitamin. However, commercial multivitamins do not provide all of the vital plant components needed to maintain good health. And if they do provide plant extracts, they don’t contain the right amount of the active compounds from the extracts.

To ensure that you get the right amount, Life Extension uses standardized plant extracts. These powerful extracts make the Life Extension Mix™ an even greater value. Let’s discuss the concept of standardization further.

What is Standardization?

A standardized extract is a plant extract that has been processed so that it contains a specified amount of a certain compound, usually the one thought to be the most important active compound. The amount is then listed on the label with the intent to inform consumers that the product contains the listed amount of active compounds.

Not all manufacturers standardize their plant extracts. And if they do, it’s often not right. Our product development team and scientific advisory board work together with the manufacturers to ensure the appropriate standardization is used for all of our plant extracts.

Standardization of the active compound is usually reported as a percent of the total amount of the extract in the product. Here’s a sample of what to look for on a label:

Why is Standardization Important?

Life Extension® uses standardized extracts because it’s the only way to ensure maximum benefit. Or another way to put it … you’re getting the best bang for your buck.

For example, green tea contains EGCG, a potent antioxidant with many health benefits. However, to reap the rewards of green tea, you need to take an extract that’s 45% EGCG. And of course, that’s exactly what we provide in our green tea extracts — 45% EGCG.

Here are some of the key standardized extracts in the Mix. The nutrients listed are considered to be the key active compounds:

• Citrus bioflavonoid complex from Citrus aurantium L. including the peel and fruit, standardized to 50% hesperidin.
• Decaffeinated green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract from the leaf, standardized to 45% epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG.
• Ginger root extract standardized to 5% gingerols.
• Milk thistle seed extract standardized to 85% silymarin.
• Pomegranate fruit extract standardized to 30% punicalagins.

Additional Plant Powerhouses

This year we included a rich source of anthocyanins from maqui berry and a rich source of proanthocyanidins from tart cherry. These potent plant-derived antioxidants promote cardiovascular wellness, support comfortable muscle and joint function, and support blood sugar levels already in normal range.^1,2,3

We’ve also included plant extracts that cover you from head to toe. For instance, there’s olive fruit extract which supplies monounsaturated fats for healthy skin and nerves. Broccoli extract supports healthy cell growth,⁴ while pomegranate and sesame lignans provide antioxidant support.^5,6 The wild blueberries we included can help with memory.⁷

We don’t believe that one product can possibly cover everything. But all you need to do is look at the label and you’ll get the sense that this one comes pretty darn close. If extending your life is possible, and we think it is … this is where it begins.

References

1. Int J Mol Sci. 2010 Apr 13;11(4):1679-703.
2. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2010 Dec;20(6):843-52.
3. Biofactors. 2010 May-Jun;36(3):159-68.
4. Food Funct. 2011 Oct 14;2(10):579-87. Epub 2011 Sep 21.
5. J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Feb 21;55(4):1491-500. Epub 2007 Jan 23.
6. Mol Cell Biochem. 2004 Jul;262(1-2):195-202.
7. J Agric Food Chem. 2010 Apr 14;58(7):3996-4000.

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By Michael A. Smith, MD

Glycemic load is a measurement of how carbohydrates impact blood sugar, specifically post-meal sugar spikes. For example, pinto beans have a glycemic load that’s three times lower than white potatoes. This means that, gram for gram, pinto beans cause less of a sugar surge.

Glycemic load is important to consider when trying to manage and control sugar metabolism — which is the ultimate goal for diabetics. Why? Because with large sugar spikes there’s a greater risk for insulin resistance — the hallmark of type 2 diabetes.

But new research is showing additional benefits of a low glycemic-load diet. It turns out that carbohydrates with a low glycemic load can also lower inflammation and boost blood levels of adiponectin. Let’s take a look at each one.

Slowly Digested Carbs Reduce Inflammation

In a controlled, randomized feeding study involving 80 men and women — half of normal weight and half overweight or obese — a low glycemic diet in overweight and obese participants reduced levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, by 22%.¹

Lead author and member of the Cancer Prevention Program in Seattle, Marian Neuhouser said, "This finding is important and clinically useful since C-reactive protein is associated with an increased risk for many cancers as well as cardiovascular disease. Showing that a low-glycemic-load diet can improve health is important for the millions of Americans who are overweight or obese."

This supports the research conducted at the University of Toronto. Dr. Masters and colleagues concluded that whole grains with low glycemic load — like quinoa, bulgur wheat, barley, oats, rye — lower CRP and are helpful in treating different types of inflammatory conditions like arthritis.²

So far, so good. But now it gets really interesting. Neuhouser’s team identified a key hormone affected by low glycemic carbs, which is called adiponectin.

Low Glycemic Carbs Increase Adiponectin

Neuhouser’s team also found that among overweight and obese participants, a low-glycemic-load diet increased the hormone adiponectin by 5%. Granted, this is a modest increase, but any increase in this powerful hormone will have positive effects.

We call adiponectin a command signal. It’s produced and released by fat cells and has profound effects on insulin sensitivity. It’s also been shown to have anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic roles.^3-6

Basically, as adiponectin levels increase, insulin sensitivity improves. The result is better sugar metabolism. All of this from complex carbs? Who knew!

The Type of Carb You Eat Makes a Huge Difference

Yes, you can eat carbs — just make sure they’re the right kind — those with a low glycemic load. In Neuhouser’s study, high-glycemic load carbohydrates were identified as:

• Low in fiber
• Highly processed
• Canned syrups
• White flour

Don’t eat carbs like this. Instead, eat low glycemic-load carbohydrates. Dr. Neuhouser describes such carbs as:

• High in fiber
• No to little processing
• Whole grains and oats
• Not white

By the way, this was a well-designed feeding study. All participants were given identical diets in terms of carbohydrate content, calories and macronutrients. All food was provided by the Hutchinson Center's Human Nutrition Laboratory, and study participants maintained weight and physical activity throughout the study. The diets only differed in glycemic load — high versus low.

Neuhouser is confident in saying, "Because the two diets differed only by glycemic load, we can infer that the changes we observed in important biomarkers were due to diet alone.”

The Right Carbs to Eat – Low Glycemic Load

Here’s a list of carbs with the lowest glycemic load. These are the carbs to eat and enjoy.


Please note: The values shown are from www.nutritiondata.self.com. Each number is based on one cooked serving. Most experts consider a low glycemic load to be less than 25.

Glycemic Load versus Glycemic Index

Remember, glycemic load is a measurement of immediate blood sugar impact — the higher the number, the greater the impact. This is different from glycemic index which is a measurement of sugar content.

A great example that clearly shows how the two are different is watermelon. Take a look at each measurement below:

• Watermelon’s glycemic index = 71
• Watermelon’s glycemic load = 3

You see, even though watermelon has a lot of sugar, as indicated by its high glycemic index, it’s immediate impact on blood sugar is low because each bite is still mostly water.

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So eat away … well, at least eat within limits. As we know, overeating anything is never a good idea. However, since these low glycemic load carbs can help ease inflammation and improve sugar metabolism, they’re certainly worth working into your diet.

References

1. J Nutr. 2010 Mar;140(3):587-94.
2. J Nutr. 2010 Mar;140(3):587-94.
3. Atheroscler Suppl. 2005 May;6(2):7-14.
4. Int J Cardiol. 2008 May 7;126(1):53-61.
5. Clin Nutr. 2004 Oct;23(5):963-74.
6. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2003 Sep;5(5):349-53.

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By Michael A. Smith, MD

As pretty as it sounds in theory, walking in a winter wonderland often leads to sinus allergies and infections. This time of year, sinus pain and headaches are far too common among us. Adding insult to injury, many of us are used to reaching for minimally effective and side-effect prone over-the-counter medications.

The good news is that nature provides a number of highly effective and non-toxic alternatives. We’ll get to those in a moment. But first, let’s review some of the symptoms associated with sinusitis. This is important because in rare cases, and if not treated properly, sinusitis can actually progress to the point of requiring surgery.

Here are the common symptoms of sinusitis:

• Thick and/or colored nasal discharge
• Headache
• Pain in the forehead
• Toothache
• Swelling around the eyes
• Earache
• Tenderness on the sides of the nose

Most of us experiencing one or more of these more benign symptoms will head out to the local convenience store looking for an OTC drug that promises quick results. And we’re usually disappointed with our purchase.

Now, here’s a list of symptoms that most definitely require a visit to your doctor since they represent a more serious situation and may necessitate aggressive treatment:

• Upper jaw pain
• Pain in the eyes
• Neck pain
• Loss of sense of smell
• Stiff neck

Let’s take a look at some natural alternatives to those side-effect prone over-the-counter drugs.

Quercetin is Better than Most Medications

Quercetin is one of a thousand or so members of the bioflavonoid family. It’s a colored pigment found throughout the plant kingdom, where it provides plants with antioxidant protection against environmental stresses. Here are some of its anti-allergy and sinus protecting properties:

• When used in nasal sprays with other herbal preparations, quercetin significantly reduces nasal and sinus symptoms, comparable to antihistamine sprays.¹


• Quercetin safely and effectively relieved nasal and sinus symptoms in fast developing IgE-mediated allergies — the cause of many acute cases of sinusitis.²


• In laboratory studies, quercetin inhibits histamine release, which is implicated in sinus pain and pressure and fluid build-up. As fluid builds up, this increases your risk for secondary sinus infections.^2,3

Quercetin is available as a supplement in pill or capsule form. In the past, it was combined with bromelain to aid absorption. However, more advanced formulations today derive quercetin from a food-based source blend, ensuring high rates of absorption without bromelain.

NAC is a Natural Mucus Thinner

N-acetylcysteine, better known as NAC, is a special form of the amino acid L-cysteine. NAC raises levels of glutathione, a potent internal antioxidant.⁴

For many years, NAC has been used to treat bronchitis and other lung conditions as an expectorant or mucus thinner.⁵ It’s also a powerful anti-inflammatory. Just make sure to take NAC on an empty stomach for the best results.

Rosmarinic Acid Prevents Fluid Build-up

Rosmarinic acid is a plant antioxidant found in basil, sage, mint, rosemary, and perilla leaf.⁶ Oral supplementation with extract of rosmarinic acid has been shown to suppress allergic reactions in mice and, more recently, in humans.^7,8

Rosmarinic acid relieves symptoms by preventing the activation of immune cells involved in the initial response to an allergen. Blocking the initial response is important because once the body starts to react to an allergen, the resulting fluid build-up increases the risk for sinus infection.⁹

Now that you know how rosmarinic acid works, you might be thinking that if it can stop immune cell activation, it might have an overall weakening effect on your immune system. Well, don’t worry because it doesn’t.

Most experts, like those from The National Institute for Environmental Studies in Japan, believe that rosmarinic acid only affects immune cells involved in the initiation of an allergic response and other immune cells for fighting bacteria and viruses and cancer are not affected.

How to Enjoy Winter without Sinus Pain

Go ahead and use quercetin, NAC, and rosmarinic acid daily this winter to prevent any problems with your sinuses. If you do have a bad day and your sinuses start acting up, consider adding the following to your regimen for a few days:

1. DHEA
2. Olive leaf extract
3. Oil of oregano
4. Lactoferrin
5. Garlic extract
6. Zinc

Do you have a favorite combination of nutrients that work for you? Share your approach in the comments below.

References

1. Phytomedicine. 2004 Jan;11(1):36-42.
2. Altern Med Rev. 2000 Oct;5(5):448-54.
3. Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao. 1990 May;11(3):285-8.
4. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2002 May;40(5):496-8.
5. Respir Care. 2007 Sep;52(9):1176-93; discussion 1193-7.
6. Indian J Exp Biol. 1999 Feb;37(2):124-30.
7. Biol Pharm Bull. 2001 Oct;24(10):1206-9.
8. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2004 Mar;229(3):247-54.
9. J Immunol. 2004 Jan 1;172(1):79-87.

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By Maylin Rodriguez-Paez

Vitamin D, along with diet and exercise, has emerged as one of the most important preventive factors in human health. Life Extension has been talking about the need for more vitamin research for years … and it seems mainstream medicine is finally listening. Vitamin D blood testing is at last becoming an integral part of yearly physical exams. Thank goodness.

Studies since the 1990s have clearly shown a link between low vitamin D and many conditions including heart attacks, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, strokes, and even cancer.^1-5 Interestingly, vitamin D deficiency seems to be linked to depression as well.

Research Linking Vitamin D with Depression

A significant number of studies have recently looked into the question of whether or not low vitamin D can precipitate depression. Most depression experts believe there is a link, given the fact that every cell in the human body, including brain cells, has a vitamin D receptor. That means that this important vitamin plays a role in the normal to even optimal functioning of all cells.

In one study, Dutch researchers measured vitamin D levels in over 1,000 individuals aged 65 to 95. Of the total group, 26 were suffering from major depression and 169 from minor depression. They discovered that vitamin D blood levels were 14% lower in depressed subjects than non-depressed subjects.⁶

Similar findings were seen in another study involving more than 12,000 people. Participants with lower levels of vitamin D were more likely to experience depressive symptoms.⁷ These studies lead to the following question: What is it about vitamin D that makes us feel happy?

Vitamin D is a “Feel Good” Neurotransmitter Booster

It turns out that vitamin D supports serotonin and dopamine production. Serotonin and dopamine are integral to our feelings of happiness. Most antidepressant medications work by modulating serotonin and dopamine activity in the brain.

In a fascinating study, scientists discovered how sunlight directly influenced serotonin production. Blood samples were taken from 101 men during exposure to different amounts of sunlight. Serotonin metabolites were highest when men were exposed to the brightest sunlight.⁸ This makes sense when you remember that vitamin D is produced in the skin when exposed to the sunlight.

In another study, investigators injected mice with radioactively labeled vitamin D and found that it concentrated in adrenal cells. They discovered that in cultured adrenal cells vitamin D increased the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase, which is the rate limiting enzyme responsible for dopamine production.⁹

Does Your Body Make Enough Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is the only vitamin that can be made by the skin upon sun exposure. However, during the winter it becomes increasingly difficult to make enough.¹⁰ The days are shorter and people avoid going outdoors because it’s too cold.

Here’s an interesting fact: If you live above the 34th parallel your body won’t make vitamin D during the winter months.¹¹ The following map shows where the line crosses the United States. If you live above the line, there’s no D for you when you need it most — during the cold and flu season.
Although foods like fish, eggs, and dairy are potential sources of vitamin D, you probably won’t get enough by just eating these foods alone. This is why supplementation is really important.

D2 or D3? That's the Question

Life Extension’s own research shows that it may take between 5,000 to 10,000 IU of supplemental vitamin D daily to bring individuals to optimal blood levels (50–80 ng/ml). Before you start supplementing with vitamin D, you should ask your doctor to perform a 25-hydroxy vitamin D test (or order one yourself). This will measure the amount of Vitamin D that circulates in your bloodstream, and it can pinpoint a deficiency.

Please note: Vitamin D is found in two main forms: vitamin D2 (from plants) and D3 (from animals). There is a growing concern that vitamin D2 is not as good or as absorbable as vitamin D3.

The truth is that our bodies have the capacity to convert both D2 and D3 into the active form of vitamin D. A study conducted by Boston University School of Medicine found that 1,000 IU of vitamin D2 daily was as effective as 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 in maintaining serum vitamin D levels.

However, there is research showing that higher dosages of vitamin D3 are better absorbed. Whatever form you decide to use, follow up with a vitamin D blood test to ensure you obtain optimal levels.

For thousands of years, the sun has represented happiness and life. Until recently, we didn’t know exactly how the sun influenced our mood. Now we know that vitamin D is the missing link in this age-old mystery.

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Have you had your vitamin D blood level checked? If not, do it right away!

References

1. Int J Epidemiol. 1990 Sep;19(3):559-63.
2. Arch Intern Med. 2007 Jun 11;167(11):1159-65.
3. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1997 Oct;216(1):21-7.
4. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2005 Jun;15(3):188-97.
5. Cancer Causes Control. 2005 Mar;16(2):83-95.
6. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008 May;65(5):508-12.
7. Mayo Clin Proc. 2011 Nov;86(11):1050-5
8. Lancet. 2002 Dec 7;360(9348):1840-2.
9. Brain Res Mol Brain Res. 1996 Feb;36(1):193-6.
10. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1988 Aug;67(2):373-8.
11. Khalsa, Soram. Vitamin D Revolution. Hay House Publishing, 2009.

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By Michael A. Smith, MD

Starting your diet is only half the battle. Sticking with it is the other, more difficult half. Diets ultimately fail because they are too restrictive and, if we’re going to be perfectly honest, people get hungry! And it’s not necessarily a lack of will or loss of self-control that leads to cheating, it can also be physiological.

Here’s how it works: Your body doesn’t like it when you eat less. A drop in calories will eventually force your body to initiate counter-measures to make up for the loss of energy. One big counter-measure is increasing your appetite, especially for quick energy snacks — which, of course, are loaded with sugar.

So how can you avoid the inevitable increase in appetite that so often comes along with dieting? One way to do this is to make your diet less restrictive and incorporate nutrients that can help with appetite, sugar absorption, and supporting your metabolism. This way you’re using the diet more as a guideline to losing weight.

Which Nutrients Can Help with Weight Loss?

We like the following nutrients because they have solid track records based on research and testimonials. They can help you by allowing for more flexibility when you’re on a diet. For instance, let’s say your diet restricts the number of carbs you can eat to only 20% of your total calorie intake. That’s pretty tough for most of us. But by incorporating sugar blocking nutrients, you can actually eat a few more carbohydrates without entirely ruining the diet. This way you’ll potentially stick with the diet longer and have a greater chance of reaching your weight loss goals.

The nutrients in the table below belong to one of three broad categories, with overlap for some:

1. Appetite Suppression
2. Sugar & Fat Blockers
3. Metabolic Boosters

Are carb cravings your problem? Then try a sugar blocker. Or, maybe your metabolism has completely shut down after dieting. What you should try, in that case, are the metabolic boosters. If hunger pains are your issue … you literally feel sick because you’re so hungry … try something in the appetite suppression category. Make sense?

For more details about the nutrients listed, feel free to call one of our advisors at 1-800-226-2370. They‘ll be more than happy to help you find the perfect nutrients to meet your needs.

Weight Loss Nutrient	Category	Mechanism of Action	Suggested Dosing
Irvingia gabonensis (African Mango)	Appetite Suppression	Decreases appetite by breaking leptin resistance (leptin is a hormone that signals the brain to stop eating). The average weight loss was around 20 pounds in 10 weeks.1	150 mg twice a day.
White Kidney Bean	Sugar Blocker	Inhibits amylase, the digestive enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates to be absorbed into the bloodstream as glucose. Resulted in a loss of 6.5 pounds on average in just 30 days.2,3,4	445 mg twice a day. Take 15 minutes before the heaviest meals of the day.
Brown Seaweed Kelp and Bladderwrack	Sugar Blocker	Together they block two digestive enzymes: amylase, which helps break down starches into glucose molecules, and glucosidase, which breaks down simple carbohydrates into glucose.In laboratory studies, reduced after-meal fluctuations in blood sugar by up to 90% when compared to non-supplemented animals and reduced blood insulin levels by as much as 40%.5	250 mg/day.
Green Coffee Bean Extract	Sugar Blocker	A rich source of chlorogenic acid which inhibits the digestive enzyme glucosidase and the sugar producing enzyme glucose-6-phosphase. The result is lower after-meal blood sugar levels.6	200 to 400 mg/day.
L-Arabinose	Sugar Blocker	Inhibits the digestive enzyme sucrose, which breaks down sucrose to fructose and glucose in the digestive tract for absorption into the bloodstream. The result is improved blood sugar and insulin levels.7	550 mg twice a day. Take 15 minutes before the heaviest meals of the day.
Propolmannan	Fat Blocker	A soluble fiber that binds to bile acids in the small intestine and helps transport them out of the body.8Overall, this will help decrease the number of fat calories from entering into your bloodstream. In placebo-controlled studies, participants lost on average 8 pounds in just 8 weeks.9,10	2 grams twice a day. Take 15 minutes before the heaviest meals of the day.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid	Metabolic Booster	A study that showed a dose of 3.4 g CLA per day for 12 weeks seems to be sufficient to reduce body fat mass (BFM) significantly in overweight and obese humans.11 Another study showed 3.2 g per day increased lean body mass over a 12 week period.12 And a six month study on overweight adults showed CLA decreased body fat in specific regions of the body for all participants.13	3 to 4 grams per day
Fucoxanthin	Metabolic Booster	Unlike many “fat burners” that stimulate the central nervous system, Fucoxanthin works directly in fat cells.14,15 Scientists have found that its weight loss benefits are enhanced by combining it with pomegranate seed oil. The active ingredient in pomegranate oil reduces blood supply to fat cells and prevents them from increasing in size.16,17	200 to 400 mg a day. Take 15 minutes before the heaviest meals of the day.
Green Tea Extract	Metabolic Booster	Its principal antioxidant is epigallocatechin-3-gallate or EGCG. It promotes a healthy resting metabolic rate.18	150 to 300 mg/day.

Losing weight can be hard, we completely understand. It’s even tougher when your own body’s response seems to sabotage your best dieting efforts.

We suggest fighting back by using the nutrients above to help make your diet a little less restrictive. Please let us know how they work out for you!

References

1. Lipids Health Dis. 2009 Mar 2;8:7.
2. Altern Med Rev. 2004 Mar;9(1):63-9.
3. Altern Ther Health Med. 2007 Jul-Aug;13(4):32-7.
4. Int J Med Sci. 2007 Jan 24;4(1):45-52.
5. InSea2™-In Vivo technical report (Animal assay).doc
6. Nagendran MV. Effect of Green Coffee Bean Extract (GCE), High in Chlorogenic Acids, on Glucose Metabolism. Poster presentation number: 45-LB-P. Obesity 2011, the 29th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Obesity Society. Orlando, Florida. October 1-5, 2011.
7. J Nutr. 2001 Mar;131(3):796-9.
8. Int J Obes. 1984;8(4):289-93.
9. Curr Ther Res. 1989 Nov;46(5):908-12.
10. J Nutr. 2000 Dec;130(12):2943-8.
11. J Nutr. 2007 May;137(5):1188-93.
12. Br J Nutr. 2007 Mar;97(3):550-60.
13. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005 Jul 1;332(2):392-7.
14. Int J Mol Med. 2006 Jul;18(1):147-52.
15. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2010 Jan;12(1):72-81.
16. Br J Nutr. 2009 Jul;102(1):54-9.
17. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2006 Feb;50(2):176-87.
18. J Med Food. 2006;9(4):451-8.