Since recorded time, herbs have been regarded by many cultures as a source of healing, magical, and spiritual power. The Celtics, the Ancient Egyptians and Chinese thought an herb's healing force was derived from its connection to the spiritual world. Specific herbs or plants were used as part of religious ceremonies as a symbol to be worshiped and as a means to cleanse the body of disease.

Modern-day scientists are only now identifying and isolating remarkable chemical compounds (phytonutrients) within various herbs that can help defend us against a variety of health concerns and possibly help improve our longevity and quality of life as we age. This issue of Health Science Update explores several of the most popular and beneficial herbs. What's best is that each of these herbs, plus many more, are all contained in MDR Longevity Antioxidants, one of MDR's most advanced nutritional supplements. Knowing that many Americans don't get the daily 6-9 servings of health-protective fruits and vegetables, the MDR Doctors hand-picked just the right ingredients that contain nature's most powerful antioxidants, many of which we are lacking in our diets. Also, we need a wide variety of foods with colors such as bright yellow, dark green, and red. Longevity Antioxidants was specially formulated with phytonutrients derived from many of nature's most colorful fruits and veggies.

As in all MDR supplements, the ingredients in Longevity Antioxidants were chosen on the basis of safety, effectiveness, and scientific evidence. Each of the following ingredients contained in Longevity Antioxidants offers its own specific benefit, but more importantly, they work synergistically to help support general health and well-being.

<h2>NUTRIENTS FOR THE BRAIN</h2>

One of the biggest health concerns today is Alzheimer's disease. Over 4.5 million Americans suffer from this degenerative disease and the numbers continue to climb. Currently there is no cure. But with advances made in nutritional science, there may be nutritional compounds that help maintain brain health. Two particular herbs under study for their possible role in helping to maintain healthy memory and brain function are Ginkgo Biloba and Turmeric.

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<h2>GINKGO BILOBA</h2>

Ginkgo Biloba may help improve memory formation and memory retrieval. Emerging research has shown that acetylcholine (brain chemical) depends upon the metabolism of glucose and insulin. It was found that Ginkgo Biloba shows beneficial effects both on brain glucose and energy metabolism and on behavior. When compared to a placebo, Ginkgo Biloba sped up short-term working memory processing in normal adults more quickly. One word of caution about Ginkgo: Gingko thins the blood and may interfere with several blood-thinning prescription drugs, which could be potentially harmful. The Health Science Team took the precaution of using small, safe amounts of Gingko. This precautionary measure is applied in every other ingredient included in Longevity Antioxidants.

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<h2>TURMERIC</h2>

A hallmark of Alzheimer's is inflammation in the brain, which is caused by the accumulation of plaque and formation of fibrils in brain cells. There are a number of drugs currently out on the market that help reduce inflammation and plaque, thereby slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease. But as wonderful as these drugs are, in some people, they can cause several side effects.

In an ongoing effort to find a natural alternative to anti-inflammatory drugs, researchers at the departments of Medicine and Neurology, University of California, made a landmark discovery: Circumin derived from the curry spice turmeric had amazing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Animal studies showed that treatment with turmeric suppressed cognitive deficits and amyloid plaque accumulation associated with Alzheimer's disease by about 43-50%! Since this study, numerous other trials were conducted that showed similar results. Since curry is not a common spice used in everyday American fare, Longevity Antioxidants provides this vitally important healthy-brain support nutrient you need now and for the future.

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<h2>NUTRIENTS FOR BREAST &amp; PROSTATE HEALTH</h2>

Also topping the list of worrisome health concerns is cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, about 212,920 women in the United States will be found to have invasive breast cancer in 2006. It is also estimated that there will be about 234.460 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2006. There are wonderful strides being made in cancer treatment. And we are told that eating healthy cuts the rest. But sometimes diet alone is not enough. Naturally occurring sources of powerful antioxidants and anti-carcinogenic compounds may help provide a solution to living healthier, longer. Ingredients that may help are Broccoli Sprouts Powder and Lycopene, which are found in MDR Longevity Antioxidants.

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<h2>BROCCOLI SPROUTS</h2>

A study conducted at the Tokyo University of Agriculture reported that after treating 12 healthy participants with 100 grams per day of broccoli sprouts for one week, their cholesterol metabolism improved, HDL increased, and oxidative stress markers decreased. The TNO nutrition and Food Research Institute, Zeist, in the Netherlands reviewed several case-control studies, 64% of which showed that Broccoli sprouts have anti-carcinogenic properties due to their high concentration of a group of compounds called Glucosinolates. Another study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine reported that Sulforaphane, a constituent of many edible cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, suppressed growth of prostate cancer cells in culture.

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<h2>LYCOPENE</h2>

We all love pasta and pizza made with a rich, red tomato sauce. But did you know that besides its great taste, tomato sauce and other tomato products contain one of nature's most powerful prostate cell protectors? The phytonutrient is called Lycopene. Studies now show that Lycopene, a potent antioxidant, helps protect prostate and other cells from DNA damage, a cause for cancer. Laboratory tests on animals have shown that prostate tumor cells treated with Lycopene shrunk considerably. The only drawback of getting Lycopene from foods is that it needs fat to be absorbed into the body. A convenient and healthy way to get your daily share of Lycopene is by taking Longevity Antioxidants. The Lycopene in Longevity Antioxidants is a special form of Lycopene that is more easily available to be absorbed into the blood-stream without requiring the intake of fat.

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<h2>NUTRIENTS FOR HEART &amp; IMMUNE HEALTH</h2>

It's impossible to discuss achieving longevity and good health without examining various ingredients that help support optimal cardiovascular function. To date, one of the most revered healthy-heart diets is the Mediterranean Diet, which consists of fish, vegetables, and olive products.

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<h2>OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT</h2>

Olives have played a large role in medicine for centuries. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, often prescribed olive oil to his patients for its therapeutic benefits, just as many medical practitioners do today. The Mediterranean Diet, which is rich in olive oil and fish, is highly recommended for heart patients and anyone wishing to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.

Olive leaves may also have anti-microbial effects against some bacteria and fungi. Researchers inoculated a group of micro-organisms with olive leaf water extract. The extract killed almost all bacteria tested, with-in 3 hours. One particular organism, Candida Albicans, was killed following a 24-hour incubation period. Escherichia Coli cells were also subjected to a similar treatment, which resulted in complete destruction.

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<h2>GRAPE SEED EXTRACT</h2> (GSE)

Current studies show that polyphenols, key molecules in grapes, confer spectacular antioxidant activity well beyond vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene. A study conducted at the SChool of Pharmacy and Creighton University reported that when animals were treated with grape seed extract, their cardiovascular function, improved dramatically with a 49 and 63% reduction in foam cells ( a sign of early-stage atherosclerosis), and an inhibition of DNA damage to cardiac tissue. Human studies revealed that treatment with GSE resulted in a reduction of oxidation of LDL (bad cholesterol), and protection of arterial walls.

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<h2>QUERCETIN</h2>

Quercetin is a powerful phytonutrient, or bioflavonoid, found in red grapes. Bioflavonoids are known for their ability to help maintain the integrity of blood vessels and arteries. That means blood vessels can better accommodate changes in blood flow. A study of the cardio-protective properties of red grape polyphenol extract was conducted on 30 male patients with coronary heart disease at the University General Hospital in Attikon, Greece. Results showed that after supplementation, there was an increase in dilation of arteries (improved blood flow), which is vital to healthy cardiovascular function. Quercetin is an important component of any healthy=heart supplement and a key to improved longevity.

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<h2>NUTRIENTS FOR HEALTHY BLOOD SUGAR &amp; VISION </h2>

In addition to addressing heart immune health, the Science Team at MDR reviewed that alarming statistics concerning the rise of Diabetes. This disease can lead to any number of diseases, one of which is diabetic retinopathy (eye problems). After examining all available data, the ingredient Pycenogenol, a key ingredient in Longevity Antioxidants, seemed to offer the best support of vision. Also in the formula are Alpha Lipoic Acid and Lutein for additional antioxidant protection for the eyes.

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<h2>PINE BARK EXTRACT</h2>

Pycnogenol (PYC), an extract of French Maritime Pine Bark (Pinus pinaster), is a potent antioxidant with potential health benefits. According to one important study, PYC may confer vision protection to patients with diabetic retinopathy, a potential cause of vision loss in people with diabetes mellitus. In this case, blood vessels leading to the retina develop vascular lesions, deposits, and hemorrhage. However, Pycnogenol helps increase capillary integrity. In two open case studies and two double blind studies (one controlled against Calcium Dobesilate and another against placebo) and, finally, one multi-center field study with 1169 diabetics, results showed that Pycnogenol helps slow the progression of retinopathy and partly recovers visual acuity. Pycnogenol was shown to improve capillary resistance and reduce leakages into the retina. Treatment with Pyncogenol had a favorable outcome in the majority of the patients with diabetic retinopathy.

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<h2>ALPHA LIPOIC ACID</h2>

When the body has an increase in blood sugar, this increase triggers beta cells in the pancreas to produce insulin. Insulin then carries the sugar to cells where it is used for energy, thereby normalizing levels of glucose in the blood. People with pre-diabetes or diabetes have an increased resistance to secreting insulin. Over time, excess sugar in the blood can cause oxidative stress to many parts of the body such as the heart, eyes, liver and kidneys. But what scientists have found is that Alpha Lipoic Acid helps increase antioxidant defenses, reduces insulin resistance, and therefore improves glucose transport into cells. That means less damage to parts of the body susceptible to damage caused by elevated blood sugar levels.

Also, what's so amazing about ALA is that animal studies showed it protected pancreatic beta-cells from damage. Beta-cells produce insulin, which is needed to transport glucose out of the blood and into cells! So ALA is a vitally important component of Longevity Antioxidants and MDR CardioTone and is extremely beneficial to our eyes, heart, liver, kidneys, and brain. Also in Longevity Antioxidants is L-Carnosine, which may play a role in reducing cell damage caused by sugar (glycation). A study conducted in France showed that when cultures were treated with L-carnosine and other antioxidants (such as NAC, also in Longevity Antioxidants), cell death was decreased.

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<h2>LUTEIN</h2>

When we were young, much to our disappointment, our mothers doled out a portion of spinach at dinner time. Little did any of us know that the antioxidant lutein in spinach might one day protect us from the leading cause of blindness, age-related macular degeneration.

Lutein, a powerful antioxidant, us used by the macula, a part of the eye that helps protect the retina by filtering out harmful blue light from the sun. As we age, our levels of Lutein may drop, allowing free radicals to oxidize the light-filtering pigment in the macula. Once oxidized, the macula is unable to protect the retina from the blue light, which can lead to Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD). The good news? Lutein helps neutralize free radicals in the macula. But because the body does not naturally make Lutein, we must rely on outside sources, such as Longevity Antioxidants, to increase levels of Lutein in the eyes. Researchers at the Medical Center Eye Clinic in North Chicago found that visual function improved in patients with ARMD taking Lutein supplements alone or with other antioxidants, underscoring the importance of Lutein in maintaining healthy vision. MDR uses FloraGlo Lutein which is derived from Marigolds and is the most concentrated source of natural Lutein.

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<h2>THE EVIDENCE IS IN</h2>

Clinical studies confirm that these "traditionally used" plant extracts do indeed possess superior health-protective properties. And although it's clear that individually, they offer specific health benefits, when combined, they form the blueprint for an even healthier, longer life. That's why MDR developed Longevity Antioxidants, an evidence-based daily supplement that combines these and many more beneficial ingredients. Like the mathematical saying goes, "the whole is greater than the sum of the parts", and Longevity Antioxidants adds up to good health and longevity.

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