CHF #22

ZINC 30 Plus

The mineral zinc plays a crucial role in a great many bodily processes, including those involved with the immune system, tissue regeneration, the digestive system, your sense of taste and smell, reproductive systems, and in controlling levels of blood sugar. Up to three thousand of the tens of thousands of different proteins that make up our bodies require zinc in order to exist. It is a cornerstone of the process of protein synthesis, and can be found primarily in muscle tissue where the majority of newly synthesized protein is needed, as well as in the blood, eyes, bones, skin, and right throughout your body.

Zinc is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are needed to combat the effects of oxidants, also known as free radicals, which are a by-product of the process which releases energy from carbohydrate, protein and fats in the body. Free radicals, left unchecked, bind to and destroy healthy tissue cells, which can lead to a myriad of health problems, including the development of cancerous tumors.
Many enzymes have zinc as a component, and some of these enzymes are responsible for critical processes such as DNA synthesis and hormone regulation. Some of these processes contribute to proper function of the immune system, so adequate levels of zinc are important for protection from infectious diseases.

As is the case with many vitamins and minerals, zinc works in synergy with other elements in the body, sometimes supporting and being supported by other vitamins and minerals. For example, zinc is a component in the metabolizing of vitamin A and collagen, therefore zinc deficiency can lead to vitamin A deficiency.

The prostate gland in males uses more zinc than any other gland, therefore, zinc is necessary for good prostate health.

Good foods containing zinc are red meats (lamb and liver have the highest amounts), and with sufficient zinc in the soil where they are grown, whole grains, seeds, beans, nuts and black currants.s receiving pyridoxine HCI, only 33 percent responded with an increase in plasma pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (P5P); however, the level increased in all of the patients receiving P5P.*

Folate is provided as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), which bypasses metabolic steps to folate bioactivity. Despite research showing that folic acid and 5-MTHF have equivalent bioavailability and that supplementation with large doses of folic acid can "force" its conversion to the more active form, 5-MTHF may be the preferred form to replenish folate. This may be especially applicable to those with digestive challenges or genetic variations in folate metabolism. In this formula, 5-MTHF is provided as Quatrefolic-the glucosamine salt of 5-MTHF. In vitro and in vivo studies have proven that Quatrefolic has greater stability, solubility, and bioavailability over calcium salt forms of 5-MTHF. Folate is stored in small amounts in red blood cells (RBC), and RBC folate has been shown to be higher after supplementation with 5-MTHF compared to folic acid and placebo. Likewise, patients given 5 mg of 5-MTHF experienced plasma levels of 5-MTHF 700% greater than patients given folic acid.*

Another unique ingredient in this formula is benfotiamine (S-benzoylthiamine O-monophosphate), a safe, fat-soluble analog of thiamine. One study showed that it not only raised blood and tissue levels of thiamine at least five times higher than the water-soluble salt, but it also remained bioavailable after oral administration up to 3.6 times longer than thiamine salt. Benfotiamine is the most potent of a class of thiamine-derived compounds present in small quantities in members of the Allium genus. The superiority of its biological activity compared to thiamine rests in its structure-a thiazole rings opens to allow easy diffusion through a membrane and then closes to become structurally active.*

Benfotiamine increases transketolase activity, thereby diverting from three natural, yet destructive metabolic pathways: 1) it decreases the glucose metabolites that lead to the buildup of certain types of detrimental advanced glycation end products (AGEs); 2) it normalizes protein kinase C activity; 3) it protects the retina by preventing the activation of NF-kappaB therein. Research suggests it may also protect the kidneys and endothelial cells. Benfotiamine is useful for replenishing thiamine, this may be especially true in individuals that use the vitamin at a higher rate or in those with lifestyle habits that deplete it.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.