Throughout life, cells known as osteoblasts construct bone matrix and fill it with calcium. At the same time, osteoclasts work just as busily to tear down and resorb bone. This fine balance is regulated by many factors, including systemic hormones and cytokines. Bone mass reaches its peak by the middle of the third decade of life and plateaus for about ten years, during which time bone turnover is constant, with bone formation approximately equaling bone resorption.1

As our bodies age, this fine balance is lost. As the relative hormone levels shift in midlife — more drastically in women than in men — the osteoclasts gain the upper hand and bone mass begins to dwindle. Some bone is already being lost by the time women reach menopause, but the rate of loss can increase up to tenfold during the first six years after menopause.

Bone density loss is not just associated with calcium deficiency, but also with an insufficient intake of a host of other nutrients4-8 including magnesium9,10 and vitamin D3.11,12 In order for calcium to help maintain healthy bones, adequate amounts of vitamin D3, zinc,8,13-14 magnesium,15 manganese,7 and other nutrients should be available so that calcium and phosphorus can be incorporated into the bone matrix. Additionally, many forms of calcium are not particularly well absorbed.16-18

While loss of bone mineral density is more commonly experienced by women, aging men can also have this issue.19 Both men and women may suffer significant deficits of magnesium if they do not supplement. Magnesium is not only needed to maintain strong bones, but it is critical to promoting a healthy vascular system.20-21 In fact, magnesium is critical for facilitating hundreds of enzymatic reactions that our bodies require to maintain optimal health.22-23

To overcome the impediments that preclude aging adults from achieving optimal calcium status, Life Extension offers a proprietary comprehensive mineral formula called Bone Restore which has been designed to support healthy bone density and strength. Bone Restore provides 1200 elemental milligrams of calcium from three different forms, along with the critically important nutrients magnesium,15 boron,4,24-26 zinc,8,13-14 silicon,27-29 manganese7 and vitamin D11,12 needed  for healthy bones.

In fact, the boron in this formula, called FruiteX B® OsteoBoron®, is a natural boron/carbohydrate complex, similar to what is found in fruits and vegetables and is more bioavailable than boron citrate. Scientific research has established the beneficial effects of boron on the strength of bones and joints.4,30-32

One reason why aging people suffer bone loss even though they are taking calcium supplements is that they may not be absorbing enough elemental calcium. Bone Restore provides calcium in capsule form to ensure that it breaks down fully in the digestive tract. Unlike calcium tablets, these capsules burst open within five minutes of swallowing, making the minerals and vitamin D3 immediately available for absorption.

Vitamin C, as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble substance found in citrus fruits and green vegetables. It is an important antioxidant that protects the body from free radicals and fights oxidative stress,38-41 both of which threaten the immune system. In fact, a major immune-supporting activity of vitamin C is boosting glutathione levels in human lymphocytes,42 cells that make up about 25% of all white cells in the blood. Scientists have determined that the body needs high levels of vitamin C during periods of stress.43,44

Because humans do not manufacture vitamin C internally, it must be obtained through dietary sources or supplements. Few people realize, however, that vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient that is quickly oxidized and excreted by the body,45 which limits its efficacy. Until now, those seeking to capture vitamin C’s optimal health benefits have had no choice but to consume it several times throughout the day.

Fortunately, a flavonoid antioxidant known as dihydroquercetin functions as a vitamin C “supercharger.” Studies demonstrate that dihydroquercetin acts to inhibit the oxidation of vitamin C, thereby helping maintain its concentration and recycle vitamin C throughout the body.46,47 This synergistic relationship between dihydroquercetin and vitamin C48 greatly enhances the efficacy of both molecules in the body’s organs and tissues. Vitamin C with Dihydroquercetin was formulated for those seeking to obtain optimal efficacy and antioxidant protection from a vitamin C supplement.

It’s hard to find a natural antidote to today’s overstressed world. The encouraging news is that lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), a plant native to the Mediterranean region, has been clinically proven to help with anxiety and sleeplessness. What’s more, lemon balm produces these calming effects while also enhancing memory and attention!9-11

Cyracos® lemon balm extract is prepared from special lemon balm chosen for its high concentrations of hydroxycinnamic and rosmarinic acids. These active lemon balm constituents appear to enhance mood by modulating specific nicotinic and muscarinic receptors in the cerebral cortex of the brain. Aside from relieving everyday stress and sleep problems, the anxiety-relieving properties of this plant extract may also offer smokers relief from the mental stress of quitting, aid in leveling mood swings, and help reduce the emotional hunger associated with dieting (or calorie restriction).

Relaxation-Promoting Effects of L-Theanine

The Japanese have long known that L-theanine, an amino acid derived from green tea, is a natural relaxant that diminishes stress12—without drowsiness, impaired thought, or other side effects.

L-theanine produces calming effects in the brain in ways that have been compared to meditation, massage, and aromatherapy. L-theanine induces relaxation without causing drowsiness. In fact, studies show that L-theanine enhances the brain’s ability to concentrate, learn, and remember. Unlike caffeine, L-theanine increases GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), an inhibitory neurotransmitter that not only induces relaxation but also produces a sense of well-being. L-theanine may normalize levels of dopamine, a critical brain hormone that is depleted by various stress factors.

A Host of Health-Enhancing Benefits

Research shows that L-theanine has numerous health-enhancing effects, including promoting healthy cognitive function. In studies of neurons in cell culture, L-theanine reversed glutamate- or other neurotoxicant-induced neurotoxicity, a major cause of normal brain aging.13-15 Based on an enormous amount of published data showing the multiple beneficial effects of lemon balm extract and L-theanine, Life Extension has combined these potent but safe nutrients into a new formula called Natural Stress Relief.

Note that the amount of L-theanine in this product is double that of most L-theanine standalone supplements. The reason for this potency increase is reports of greater benefit when at least 200 mg of L-theanine is taken.

The L-theanine used in the Natural Stress Relief is Suntheanine®, the only pure form of L-theanine available worldwide and the only form protected by 40 internationally recognized patents and scientifically proven in clinical studies to be safe and efficacious. Independent laboratory analysis has verified that certain other products on the market claiming to contain “L-theanine” are only half L-theanine, the other half being a different form of theanine known as “D-theanine” which has not been scientifically evaluated in published studies.

Alpha-lipoic acid consists of two different forms (isomers) that have vastly different properties. The “R” form is the biologically active component (native to the body) that is responsible for lipoic acid’s phenomenal antioxidant effect. The “S” form is produced from chemical manufacture and is not very biologically active. Alpha-lipoic acid supplements typically consist of the “R” and “S” form in a 50/50 ratio. That means a 100 mg alpha-lipoic acid supplement is providing 50 mg of the biologically active “R” form.

The human body normally produces and uses the “R” form of lipoic acid. This active form, R-lipoic acid, significantly supports healthy inflammatory response58-60, is a potent free-radical scavenger and has been shown to be more potent than the combined “R” and “S” forms that ordinarily comprise alpha-lipoic acid supplements.61-68

Life Extension is continually searching for innovative nutritional technologies. Now, through dedicated research and development, the discovery of a newer form of R-lipoic acid is being seen as the “next-generation” antioxidant powerhouse.

Life Extension’s Super R-Lipoic Acid has demonstrated superior bioavailability, stability, and potency for a variety of health benefits. This breakthrough converts the biologically active “R” form of lipoic acid to sodium-R-lipoic acid, which, in a recent human study achieved 10–30 times higher peak blood levels than pure R-lipoic acid.69 Not only does this newer lipoic acid formulation reach higher peak blood levels,70 it also achieves them sooner, up to 12 times faster than R-lipoic acid, ensuring rapid uptake from the plasma into the tissues.69 A recent study showed that oral ingestion of Super R-Lipoic Acid reached peak plasma concentrations within just 10–20 minutes of supplementation.70

Unlike other forms of lipoic acid, Super R-Lipoic Acid is more stable in the body. The increased stability of this enhanced formulation is the reason for its greater absorption and bioavailability compared with R-lipoic acid.

The superior antioxidant effects of R-lipoic acid are already well known for supporting healthy mitochondrial function. Now, Super R-Lipoic Acid provides even more potent benefits for preserving youthful cellular energy levels.

Throughout life, cells known as osteoblasts construct bone matrix and fill it with calcium. At the same time, osteoclasts work just as busily to tear down and resorb bone. This fine balance is regulated by many factors, including systemic hormones and cytokines. Bone mass reaches its peak by the middle of the third decade of life and plateaus for about ten years, during which time bone turnover is constant, with bone formation approximately equaling bone resorption.1

As our bodies age, this fine balance is lost. As the relative hormone levels shift in midlife — more drastically in women than in men — the osteoclasts gain the upper hand and bone mass begins to dwindle. Some bone is already being lost by the time women reach menopause, but the rate of loss can increase up to tenfold during the first six years after menopause.

The use of diets high in collagen to improve bone health dates back to ancient cultures. Now Life Extension® brings you an exciting formulation with KoAct™, a patent-pending chelated form of calcium and collagen designed to maintain optimal bone health. KoAct™ helps maintain bone strength and mineral density. This remarkable ingredient allows for greater strength and flexibility, so your bones can absorb energy, reducing the risk of age-related injuries. Additional plant extracts from bamboo and dried plum have also been added for their bone-protective minerals and polyphenols.

If you need extra bone support, ask your health care professional how Bone Strength Formula with KoAct™ can be part of a comprehensive nutritional program in conjunction with proper resistance exercise. Life Extension offers many mineral formulas that may complement Bone Strength Formula with KoAct™ to ensure optimal mineral intake.

Children need a sound nutritional basis upon which to grow and develop, so it’s important to ensure that they eat a balanced diet. However, with busy schedules, and fast or preprocessed foods, children may not meet all of their recommended daily value of nutrients each day. A daily multi-nutrient supplement can help provide the nutrition they need to grow up strong and healthy.

The Children’s Formula Life Extension Mix contains ingredients from Life Extension Mix™ in amounts that are suitable for children four years and older. Each easy to chew tablet contains ten essential minerals and vitamins, including A, D and C—important for a child’s healthy development and growth.

Any supplement is only as good as a child’s willingness to take it. Parents know that children can be finicky about the taste no matter how nutritious. Children’s Mix has been reformulated for a more appealing berry flavor. We have also removed a select few nutrients that were interfering with a great-tasting product.

Food supplements containing a mix of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, amino acids, essential fatty acids, phospholipids, and probiotics have been shown to help with childhood attention and self-control problems.87-88

Despite scientific validation, many people still do not take vital health-promoting nutrients because they don’t want to swallow numerous pills. This problem has been solved with a one per day softgel that includes a variety of health-promoting nutrients. Life Extension Super Booster™ contains critical oil-based nutrients that cannot be incorporated into dry, powder based formulas like Life Extension Mix™.

Just one Super Booster softgel provides:

• Gamma-tocopherol – If one consumes only alpha-tocopherol, the critically important gamma tocopherol is displaced from cells within the body.70 While alpha-tocopherol vitamin E suppresses lipid peroxidation, the gamma-tocopherol form quenches the dangerous peroxynitrite free radical. It is especially important for those who take vitamin E supplements to make sure they consume at least 200 mg gamma-tocopherol daily.
• Sesame lignans – Sesame lignans augment the antioxidant effects of both alpha and gamma-tocopherol. In a human study, gamma-tocopherol plus sesame lignans was 25% more effective in suppressing measurements of free-radical damage than gamma-tocopherol and tocotrienols.84-86
• Vitamin K2 – Vitamin K1 from dietary plant sources is poorly absorbed and only a small fraction gets into the bloodstream. Vitamin K2 is absorbed much more efficiently. Scientific studies show K2 provides superior benefits for the bones, arteries, and other tissues. The MK-4 form of vitamin K2 is the most rapidly absorbed and is now routinely used in Japan to maintain healthy bone density. MK-4, however, only remains active in the blood for a few hours. The MK-7 form of K2, on the other hand, remains bioavailable to the human body over a sustained 24-hour period. Super Booster provides more MK-7 to keep calcium in the bone and out of the arteries.
• Lycopene – Evidence suggests that people who ingest the carotenoid lycopene enjoy healthier prostate function. Lycopene also helps guard against LDL oxidation.
• Lutein – The carotenoid lutein helps maintain healthy cell division, supports the macula of the eye, and protects the endothelial lining of the arteries.
• Ginkgo – Hundreds of studies substantiate the multifaceted effects of Ginkgo biloba in promoting healthy circulatory and neurologic function.
• Chlorophyllin – Studies indicate that chlorophyllin may be the most potent nutrient to protect against environmentally-induced damage to DNA.
• Selenium – Some scientific evidence suggests that consumption of selenium may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer. However, the FDA has determined that this evidence is limited and not conclusive. Selenium’s effects in boosting glutathione are well-established.

Super Booster saves money by combining a variety of costly nutrients into one daily capsule. If you add up the price of the individual ingredients contained in Super Booster, you’ll find you would spend two to three times more for the same potency if these nutrients were consumed separately.

Super Omega-3 EPA/DHA with Sesame Lignans & Olive Fruit Extract

The body needs fatty acids to survive and is able to make all but two of them: linoleic acid (LA), in the omega-6 family, and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in the omega-3 family. These two fatty acids must be supplied by the diet and are therefore considered essential fatty acids (EFAs).

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in cold-water fish (and fish oil), perilla and flaxseed oils, are essential elements of a healthy diet. Fish oils contain the essential fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are usually lacking in the typical Western diet, which is filled with foods containing high amounts of omega-6 fats.23 EPA and DHA can be synthesized in the body from ALA, but EPA and DHA synthesis may be insufficient under certain conditions and for most people that consume Western diets.

While the polyunsaturated fats known as omega-6 fatty acids are essential to life, most Americans and citizens of other Western nations consume far too many omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and not enough omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. In fact, some Western diets consist of 20 parts of omega-6 to only one part of omega-3. For optimum health, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids should be between 1:1 and 4:1.25 The severe imbalance that occurs with most people contributes to the development of long-term health problems.

Studies associate the Mediterranean diet — rich in omega-3 fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids such as that found in olive oil, and antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, and herbs — with lowered cardiovascular risk and increased life span.26-32 Other studies support omega-3’s importance in cardiovascular health.33,34

Life Extension’s Super Omega-3 is a premium, scientifically-validated fish oil concentrate, derived from sustainable sources, that contains a proprietary, full-spectrum blend of synergistic nutrients to provide scientifically-validated cardioprotective health benefits.

An abundance of scientific research substantiates the wide-ranging health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil and monounsaturated fatty acid and polyphenols in olive fruit.35-43 No other commercially available fish oil supplement contains this level of essential fatty acids, sesame lignans and olive fruit polyphenols.

Super Omega-3 from Life Extension uses a patented EPA/DHA extraction process that results in a pure, stable and easy-to-tolerate fish oil extract. While most fish oil is distilled to decrease contaminants such as mercury and PCBs, the Pure+™ fish oil used in Super Omega-3 is produced with a patented method that purifies the oil with a highly advanced distillation process to reduce pollutants to virtually undetectable levels. The result is an improved fish oil that exceeds the standards set by international rating agencies.

The unstable nature of fatty acids like fish oil limits their biological efficacy in the body. Scientific studies show that when sesame lignans are supplemented with fish oil, the beneficial effects are augmented.44

Sesame lignans help guard against lipid peroxidation, thereby extending the stability of DHA in the body. These lignans also direct fatty acids toward pathways which can help with inflammatory reactions. Super Omega-3 provides standardized sesame lignans to enhance the overall benefits of the improved EPA/DHA fish oil blend.

To emulate a Mediterranean diet, Super Omega-3 provides a standardized olive fruit extract to deliver the polyphenol hydroxytyrosol, a powerful antioxidant that protects normal LDL from oxidation and counters dangerous free radicals.45-48 Research shows that a combination of olive oil and fish oil supplements helps with inflammation better than a placebo or fish oil alone.49 Therefore, Super Omega-3 provides the equivalent polyphenol content of 6 ounces of extra virgin olive oil.

Super Omega-3 provides a concentrated olive fruit extract standardized for hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol and oleuropein polyphenols. Research shows the value of oleuropein in favorably altering gene expression, delaying senescence in specialized skin cells, and helping maintain normal platelet activation.

Curcumin is impressing scientists around the world with its remarkable multiple health benefits. Curcumin is a polyphenol present in the spice turmeric and was first used by Indians over 3,000 years ago in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Modern science has found that curcumin has remarkable antioxidative, immunomodulatory, proapoptotic, hepatoprotective and antiangiogenic properties.68-73 Curcumin is also found to increase detoxifying enzymes and promote healthy DNA function.74-78

Studies have tied inflammation to overexpression of a protein molecule called nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB). NF-kappaB acts like a switch to turn on genes that produce the body’s inflammatory responses. Because NF-kappaB’s expression increases in aging adults, scientists have sought ways to modulate NF-kappaB and its effects in the body.

Curcumin has been shown to exert powerful inhibitory effects on NF-kappaB activation within the body.79 Curcumin inhibits overexpression of NF-kappaB. In addition, curcumin inhibits the metabolism of arachidonic acid, as well as activities of cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, and cytokines (interleukins and tumor necrosis factor).80,81

Other clinical trials suggest roles for curcumin in helping maintain healthy lipid profile, bowel, and joint functions.82.83 Curcumin can also help maintain normal healthy platelet function,84-87 and have immunomodulatory effects by inhibiting histamine release from mast cells.88 Other studies show curcumin’s potential for supporting healthy brain function and offering neuroprotection.89-95

Curcumin may effectively support pancreatic islet health.96,97 Curcumin’s multifaceted effects include protecting against estrogen-mimicking chemicals,98,99 protecting against damaging free radicals, and promoting normal cell cycle growth.

The problem is that curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. Super Bio-Curcumin® absorbs up to seven times better than conventional curcumin. So this patent-pending formula represents the most cost-effective way to supplement with this critical nutrient.100,101 Studies show that one 400 mg capsule a day of this turmeric compound can provide curcumin blood levels equal to ingesting 2,500–2,800 mg of commercial curcumin supplements. And not only does this novel turmeric formulation provide far greater peak blood levels, but the curcumin remains in the bloodstream almost twice as long as conventional supplements. And this enhanced absorption delivery complex provides other beneficial turmeric compounds in addition to standardized curcumin.

Each 400 mg capsule of Super Bio-Curcumin® is equivalent to 2,772 mg of a typical 95% curcumin extract.

Cognitex is formulated to take advantage of the latest developments and ingredients for cognitive health. The latest ingredient in the Cognitex formula is uridine-5’-monophosphate, a critical brain nutrient.13

Uridine-5’-monophosphate (UMP) is a basic building block of RNA and DNA as well as of phosphatides such as phosphatidylcholine that are critical to optimal brain function and the health of neuronal cell membranes. Naturally found in the milk of nursing mothers, UMP is essential for the growth and development of infant brains.14 Animal studies suggest that dietary supplementation with UMP may increase brain acetylcholine and phosphatide levels, and enhance some cholinergic functions.15,16

The Cognitex formula provides other critical extracts that support healthy brain function, such as blueberry standardized for both anthocyanins and pterostilbene.

Anthocyanins, found in blueberries, are considered one of nature’s most potent antioxidants and have demonstrated properties that extend well beyond suppressing free radicals.17,18 Research suggests that Pterostilbene, another blueberry constituent, may help maintain healthy lipid and glucose levels.19 Through their unique biological effects, anthocyanins may help support DNA structure.20

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a crucial building block in the brain. In fact, brain tissues are especially rich in this nutrient. However, aging causes a decline in the PS content of cells throughout the body including brain cells, which can lead to cognitive decline. hosphatidylserine helps the brain use its fuel efficiently. By boosting glucose metabolism and stimulating production of acetylcholine, supplemental phosphatidylserine has been shown to improve the condition of patients experiencing age-associated memory impairment or cognitive decline.11,12 Thus, replacing this brain food is essential.

Cognitex contains a compound that mimics the naturally occurring PS in the brain. Sharp-PS® GOLD, fortified with omega-3 fatty acids, delivers PS to the brain to help maintain youthful cognitive function. These unique nutrients have been extensively studied and may be of tremendous benefit for the aging brain.12

The brain is a metabolically active organ that produces high levels of free radicals. These free radicals can bombard the cell membranes of neurons causing premature loss of function. Cognitex contains a number of phytonutrient-based antioxidants that work best in a lipid (fat) rich environment like the brain.

While antioxidant nutrients provide essential free radical protection, many have limited capacity once they have spared an electron to balance a free radical. Cognitex contains a novel rosemary extract that is rich in carnosic acid, which provides multi-step protection against free radicals in a process called the carnosic acid cascade.21 At each step of free radical interaction a new compound is formed, which in turn is a powerful antioxidant in itself.

Nutritional support for the brain can be challenging because the “blood-brain barrier” can keep out not only harmful substances but beneficial nutrients and drugs as well. Cognitex contains a grape seed extract called Leucoselect® Phytosome™. By pairing proanthocyanidins from grape seed extract with phosphatides from soy lecithin in the Phytosome™, the uptake and distribution to target tissues of the grape seed polyphenols is enhanced.

Once in the brain, the grape seed polyphenols trap dangerous hydroxyl free radicals that turn fat rancid. These fats make up the outer lipid membrane of trillions of brain cells. These polyphenols also protect blood circulation and oxygen flow by improving the tone and elasticity of blood vessels.22-24

High levels of procyanidins from grape seed extract do not ensure an extract is going to have a beneficial effect on the brain. Polyphenols with higher molecular weight cannot be absorbed. Leucoselect® Phytosome™ contains smaller size molecules for advanced neurological activity.

Taking dietary supplements can seem like an act of faith since we often cannot feel their effects. Cognitex provides a patented, nonstimulant phytonutrient called Sensoril®. Sensoril® is a proprietary standardized extract of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), also known as “Indian ginseng,” which is used in Ayurvedic traditional medicine for boosting brain function and alleviating mental fatigue. Advanced extraction practices allow for a highly concentrated yet balanced brain nutrient. The effects can often be felt immediately with greater alertness and focus but without jitteriness.

Stress can be very damaging to the brain, especially memory function. Sensoril® also helps modulate cortisol secretion, which positively influences the stress response.25-27

Cognitex provides a NeuroProtection Complex onsisting of highly concentrated standardized extracts of hops, ginger, and rosemary that help suppress inflammatory cytokines.28-32

Brain cells, such as neurons, are fed by blood vessels. Some of these (for example, microcapillaries) can be so small that red blood cells carrying oxygen pass through them very inefficiently. Vinpocetine enhances blood flow by dilating blood vessels and reducing blood viscosity. Vinpocetine enhances cerebral metabolism by helping to maintain healthy blood flow, which enhances oxygen utilization.33

L-alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine (Alpha-GPC), a precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, is naturally present in all the body’s cells. A decline in acetylcholine levels coincides with advancing age and is a hallmark of neurodegeneration. Cognitex provides Alpha-GPC as a crucial building block for the production of acetylcholine in the brain.34,35 The safety and importance to life of Alpha-GPC is evidenced by its substantial presence in human breast milk.36,37 Proper acetylcholine function is essential to muscle control, sleep, and cognition. Alpha-GPC plays a key role in both the synthesis and the catabolic recycling of phospholipids. Alpha-GPC supplementation may result in enhanced phospholipid synthesis, including synthesis of the phosphoinositides available for signal transduction at central nervous system level.38

Booster softgels contain nutrients that support arterial health and provide comprehensive protection from the effects of oxidative damage caused by free radical assaults. Like the Super Booster formula, Booster Softgels provide significant cost savings over purchasing each ingredient separately. This particular formula is still being offered because it does not contain vitamin K. Coumadin® (Warfarin) drug users are advised to avoid high-dose vitamin K supplements.

Americans have rightly been told to avoid table salt for decades in order to reduce their risk of hypertension and related health conditions. When iodized table salt is reduced, people can unknowingly lower their iodine intake to suboptimal levels. Analyses from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) show that urinary iodine levels have plummeted since the 1970s.

Iodine is a health-promoting trace element essential for life. Its primary biological role lies in the production of the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).1 T4 and T3 contain four and three atoms of iodine per molecule, respectively. The thyroid gland actively absorbs iodide from the blood to make and release these hormones into the blood.

Iodine is found abundantly in sea vegetables and plants. In areas where no marine foods are eaten, people have lower iodine levels.2 For this reason, US commercial salt manufacturers have added iodine to their product since the 1920s, in order to deliver this key ingredient to your diet. However, we now know the dangers associated with eating too much table salt, resurrecting the dilemma of where to get healthy sources of iodine.

Ironically, health-conscious people are often most likely to develop low iodine levels.3 One reason is that athletes and people engaged in heavy physical effort deplete their natural stores of this trace mineral through perspiration, increasing their need for it. Vegetarians also have substantially greater likelihood of low levels of iodine than carnivorous people, since foods of plant origin are less rich in iodine than animal-derived foods. One study demonstrated iodine deficiency in 25% of vegetarians and 80% of vegans.4

The good news is that you can avoid iodized table salt without sacrificing the health benefits of iodine. For the first time, Life Extension® introduces Sea-Iodine™, a low-cost proprietary formula that health conscious individuals can take each day to support optimal iodine levels. Using standardized extracts harvested from a blend of marine algae, Sea-Iodine™ brings you the health of the sea while avoiding the well known dangers of excessive salt intake. The purified algae extracts found in Sea-Iodine™ come from the pristine waters of Iceland, Nova Scotia, Italy and Norway, providing over 667% of the Recommended Daily Value of natural iodine.

For those members who would like the convenience and economy of taking vitamin D and Sea-Iodine™ in just one capsule, Life Extension® offers Vitamin D3 with Sea-Iodine™. As a result of startling evidence of a widespread vitamin D deficiency, prominent nutritional scientists are calling on Americans to increase their vitamin D intake to 1000 IU per day and higher. Life Extension® recommends that healthy adults supplement each day with at least 1000 IU of vitamin D. Elderly adults may benefit from higher doses such as 2000 IU daily, and even up to 5000 IU daily.

The health of the vascular system is overlooked in the effort to support sexual function in aging men. Blood flow through the delicate lining of the arteries (the endothelium) is essential to sexual arousal. So it should come as no surprise that endothelial function is closely associated with male sexual capacity.21 Life Extension has discovered supportive clinical research for a scientifically validated, natural dietary supplement formula to promote endothelial function and blood flow to the place men need it most — for maximum performance.

The ingredients found in Prelox® Natural Sex for Men® have yielded compelling and highly satisfactory results in five independent clinical studies.22-26

Our analysis also confirms that unlike some performance enhancement supplements marketed as “natural,” Prelox® Natural Sex for Men® is not adulterated with trace amounts of prescription drugs. The patented blend of the following natural ingredients positively affects the male physiology in these three ways, to provide optimal support:

1. Pycnogenol® (standardized French maritime pine bark extract) activates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNO-S),27 the enzyme required to make nitric oxide. Nitric oxide (NO) relaxes the vessels that enable efficient blood flow — the key to healthy male sexual activity and overall vascular health. Pycnogenol® further amplifies this relaxing effect by extending the amount of time nitric oxide remains in the bloodstream.
2. L-Arginine is the biological precursor to nitric oxide synthesis in the endothelium.27 It interacts synergistically with Pycnogenol® to sustain nitric oxide levels sufficient for healthy sexual function.
3. Icariin, a natural plant compound used in traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to deactivate the enzyme normally responsible for winding down male sexual response, further promoting sustained activity.28

Findings from published scientific literature indicate that resveratrol may be the most effective plant extract for maintaining optimal health and promoting longevity.29 Resveratrol is a phytoalexin, a natural plant antibiotic which is produced by Vitis vinifera as a response to attack by molds. Because of the widespread use of pesticides in modern wine making, including the practice of copper sulphation, the level of resveratrol in modern wines has plummeted. Red wine contains resveratrol, but the quantity varies depending on where the grapes are grown, the time of harvest and other factors. In fact, usually only one to three mg of resveratrol per liter of red wine is currently found, even in the most robust red wines. After years of relentless research, a standardized resveratrol extract is now available as a dietary supplement.

Research funded by the Life Extension Foundation showed that a combination of low-dose (20 mg) resveratrol plus grapeseed extract mimicked many of the favorable gene expression changes seen in calorie-restricted animals. Other studies, however, indicate that higher doses may be needed to obtain all of resveratrol’s positive benefits including promoting healthy insulin sensitivity, enhanced mitochondrial function, reduced expression of inflammatory factors, and protection against the toxic effects of a high-fat diet.

Life Extension has evaluated published studies on resveratrol to establish the doses humans might need to take to duplicate the remarkable laboratory findings. The results of Life Extension’s analysis yield a wide range of potentially effective doses: from 20 to 250 mg a day and higher. The resveratrol potency you choose may be based on your current state of health and/or your desire to reach the upper limits of a healthy human life span.

Pterostilbene, a stilbene compound from the same family as resveratrol, has been shown to work synergistically with resveratrol, to unlock one’s longevity genes … thus conferring even greater anti-aging benefits.

Optimized Resveratrol contains 250 mg of standardized trans-resveratrol (our maximum potency) plus 0.5 mg of trans-pterostilbene … two plant extracts from the same family that work synergistically to activate one’s longevity genes.

The mitochondria are the cells’ energy powerhouses, and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential component of healthy mitochondrial function.23 CoQ10 is required to convert the energy from fats and sugars into usable cellular energy. Yet, the body’s production of CoQ10 declines significantly with advancing age.24 With an ample amount of CoQ10, the mitochondria can work most efficiently throughout the entire body including the most densely populated area, the heart.25 CoQ10 is also a potent antioxidant, helping protect proteins, LDL, and DNA of mitochondria from oxidation and supporting mitochondrial function.26

More people are supplementing with CoQ10 than ever before. One reason is increased awareness that "statin" drugs used to lower LDL and cholesterol deplete CoQ10 levels in the blood, and possibly the tissues.27

What most doctors don’t know, however, is that normal aging may result in more of a reduction in CoQ10 than taking statins. For example, while statin drugs have been shown to reduce plasma CoQ10 by 40%,28 the aging process reduces CoQ10 levels in the heart muscle wall by 72%.29 What is particularly frightening is the deficit caused by the dual effects of aging30 and statin drug use that can result in severe depletion of cellular vitality.28

When CoQ10 is orally ingested, only a certain percentage is actually absorbed into the bloodstream. Findings in human subjects indicate that higher doses of CoQ10 provide significantly better effects than the doses supplement users typically take. Since CoQ10 is a comparatively expensive nutrient, an alternative to taking higher doses is to increase the amount of CoQ10 that is absorbed. Life Extension® offers the highly bioavailable ubiquinol form of CoQ10 in a patented delivery system with a superior absorption level.31

CoQ10 is notoriously difficult to absorb. When it comes to choosing a CoQ10 supplement, the primary factor is how many swallowed milligrams actually make it into your bloodstream. A recent study showed that in seriously ill patients, conventional ubiquinone CoQ10 was hardly detectable in the blood whereas ubiquinol resulted in significant blood level increases and subsequent clinical improvements.
Scientific studies show that ubiquinol absorbs up to 8 times greater than ubiquinone, and higher levels of ubiquinol remain in the blood far longer than ubiquinone. In studies measuring exercise-induced fatigue, ubiquinol was 90% more effective than ubiquinone. In middle-aged mice, ubiquinol was shown to be 40% more effective in slowing measurements of aging compared to ubiquinone.32

This latest formulation contains an organic compound called PrimaVie® shilajit that research shows doubles levels of CoQ10 in the mitochondria.33

Shilajit has been shown to help restore and sustain cellular energy. The latest studies reveal that when shilajit is combined with CoQ10, cellular energy gains substantially increase.

In a breakthrough preliminary study, the combination of CoQ10 and shilajit produced a 56% increase in cellular energy production in the brain — 40% better than CoQ10 alone. In muscle there was a 144% increase, or 27% better than CoQ10 alone.34

Researchers have found that shilajit works to boost CoQ10’s beneficial effects by:

1. Stabilizing CoQ10 in its superior ubiquinol form, thereby prolonging its action at the cellular level.35,36
2. Facilitating more efficient delivery of CoQ10 into the mitochondria, resulting in greater cellular energy output.37-41 Scientific analysis shows that shilajit itself is rich in essential compounds that promote mitochondrial metabolism. Part of shilajit’s beneficial effects derives from its ability to help the mitochondria convert fats and sugars into adenosine triphosphate, or ATP — the body’s main source of energy.37-41

Super Ubiquinol CoQ10 with Enhanced Mitochondrial Support™ combines super absorbable ubiquinol CoQ10 with shilajit to generate a powerful synergy that supports more youthful cellular energy production than CoQ10 alone.34,36,37

Berry Complete
"High-ORAC† Complex"
30 vegetarian capsules
Item Catalog Number: 01206

While thousands of published studies support the benefits of conventional antioxidants (like vitamins E and C), scientists have discovered that extracts from brightly colored fruits and vegetables possess far greater antioxidant capacity.32-39 In fact, human epidemiological studies show that those who regularly consume these potent plant-based anthocyanins and other polyphenols remain far healthier in their advanced years. If you’re not eating the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, especially the dark-skinned varieties, you could be lacking optimal antioxidant protection against toxic free radicals.

To measure the antioxidant strengths of food and other substances, scientists use an ORAC score.40 A higher score means that a particular food is better at protecting the body’s cells from free radical-induced damage. But problems with availability, freshness and cost mean that obtaining a wide variety of high-ORAC fruits and vegetables daily can be difficult.

So Life Extension® developed the Berry Complete formula to provide a concentrated blend of fruit and vegetable extracts with some of the highest ORAC scores around. Each capsule is packed with scientifically proven polyphenols and anthocyanins from seasonal and perishable fruits and legumes with the highest ORAC values. Just one capsule provides the antioxidant capacity of more than 50% of the daily recommended five-a-day intake of fruits and vegetables.

Ultra Natural Prostate formula has been upgraded numerous times so that it contains the most scientifically substantiated nutrients to help protect the prostate gland and maintain its healthy function. The latest formulation of Ultra Natural Prostate contains the following key ingredients:

• Standardized lignans. Standardized lignans from flax and the Norway spruce trees convert to enterolactone in the intestine, which is then absorbed into the bloodstream. Enterolactone has demonstrated anti-estrogen and anti-DHT effects that are of particular importance for the aging prostate gland.4-7
• 5-LOXIN® Boswellia extract. Published studies show that normal aging and poor diet cause increasing levels of a dangerous enzyme (5-lipoxygenase),8,9 which can affect prostate cells. 5-LOXIN® is a patented extract from the boswellia (Boswellia serrata) plant that has been shown to suppress 5-lipoxygenase and other pro-inflammatory factors.10-12
• Nettle root extract (Urtica dioica). Testosterone converts to estrogen at higher rates as men age. Prostate cells are sensitive to estrogen’s growth stimulatory effects. Nettle helps support prostate cells against excess estrogen levels.13
• Saw palmetto extract with DeepExtract™. A number of normal biological events in aging men affect prostate function and structure. Saw palmetto has been shown to interfere with DHT activity in the prostate, inhibit alpha-adrenergic receptor activity (to support normal urinary flow), and help control inflammatory actions in the prostate gland.14-16 DeepExtract™ is a patented, ultra-high pressure CO2 technology engineered to recover far greater amounts of bioactive, high-molecular weight fatty acids from the saw palmetto berry during the extraction process. The result is a superior formula containing key ingredients in higher concentrations than many other extracts.17
• Pumpkin seed oil extract. This supercritical extract from “medicinal” pumpkin seed oil enhances the composition of the free fatty acids found in saw palmetto, and therefore enhances its benefits.
• Pygeum. Normal aging results in levels of certain prostaglandins increasing in the prostate gland. Pygeum africanum extract helps suppress prostaglandin E2, keeping the prostate gland placid and promoting prostate comfort.18
• Beta-sitosterol is the most biologically active constituent of pygeum.19-24 A standardized pygeum extract plus beta-sitosterol from other plant sources is included in this formula to help maintain healthy prostate structure.
• Cernitin®. This European pollen extract has been shown to relax smooth muscle tone of the urethra, counteract DHT, and help regulate inflammatory reactions.25-28
• Boron. In addition to helping protect bones, this mineral has been shown to slow elevation of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) — seemingly a result of boron’s positive effect on the presence of protein-degrading enzymes in the prostate gland.29-32
• Lycopene. This carotenoid associated with the tomato’s red color helps maintain healthy DNA gene function in prostate cells.33-41

Ultra Natural Prostate formula provides scientifically validated standardized plant extracts that have been shown to promote healthy prostate function. No other prostate protection formula provides such a broad array of nutrients to support the multiple factors involved in maintaining a healthy prostate gland.

An avalanche of favorable studies has resulted in record numbers of Americans supplementing with vitamin D. Since it is virtually impossible to obtain adequate vitamin D from food sources, supplementation with 5,000-10,000 IU daily is required by most aging individuals.

Overlooked by almost everyone (except Life Extension® members) is the critical importance of vitamin K. If one is concerned enough about their health to take higher dose vitamin D, it seems absurd to miss out on the proven benefits of vitamin K. For instance, vitamin D facilitates calcium absorption into the bloodstream and thus plays an important role in maintaining bone density. Less recognized is the need for vitamin K to transport calcium from the bloodstream into the bone. Vitamin K is also required by calcium-regulating proteins in the arteries.1-5 Together these two vitamins help maintain youthful calcium skeletal distribution while promoting vascular health.6-11

Vitamin K can be found in small amounts in the diet, but to obtain the desired higher potencies requires supplementation. Most Life Extension members obtain optimal potencies of long-acting vitamin K in the Super Booster or Super K formulations. An increasing number of new members, however, are asking for high-potency vitamin D—but are not taking any supplemental vitamin K.

To directly address this critical problem, Life Extension® has put together a new formula called Vitamins D and K with Sea-Iodine™. Like vitamins D and K, few Americans obtain optimal amounts of iodine. As people seek to limit their salt intake, this deficit is exacerbated since iodized salt is the principal source of this mineral in many diets. We expect the issue of iodine insufficiency to receive more media attention as new studies uncover the problems this creates. Sea-Iodine™ is included in this formula to provide iodine without the harmful effects of sodium.

Individuals consuming more than 2,000 IU/day of vitamin D (from diet and supplements) should periodically obtain a serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D measurement. Do not exceed 10,000 IU per day unless recommended by your doctor. Vitamin D supplementation is not recommended for individuals with hypercalcemia (high blood calcium levels). People with kidney disease, certain medical conditions (such as hyperparathyroidism or sarcoidosis), and those who use cardiac glycosides (digoxin) or thiazide diuretics should consult a physician before using supplemental vitamin D. If you have a thyroid condition or are taking antithyroid medications, do not use without consulting your healthcare practitioner. If you are taking anti-coagulant or anti-platelet medications, or have a bleeding disorder, consult with your healthcare provider before taking this product.