Pycnogenol

Pycnogenol is a natural extract derived from the bark of French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster). It is a dietary supplement rich in antioxidants, particularly polyphenolic compounds, known for its various health benefits.

Main Benefits:

  1. Strong antioxidant: Protects body cells from free radical damage
  2. Vascular health: Improves blood flow and strengthens blood vessel walls
  3. Inflammation reduction: Has anti-inflammatory properties, may help with various inflammatory conditions
  4. Skin health improvement: Helps protect against UV damage and improves skin elasticity
  5. Cognitive support: May improve memory and concentration

Common Uses:

  • Relief of allergy and asthma symptoms
  • Improvement of cardiovascular system function
  • Reduction of menstrual pain
  • Help in treating eye problems such as diabetic retinopathy
  • Support for joint health

Research shows that Pycnogenol may help reduce blood pressure, improve blood sugar levels, and alleviate ADHD symptoms.

Dosage: The recommended dosage ranges from 50-200 mg per day, depending on the intended use. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting use.

Safety: Pycnogenol is considered relatively safe for use, with few reported side effects. However, caution should be exercised in cases of blood clotting disorders or before surgery.

Despite the promising benefits, additional research is needed to verify some of the health claims regarding Pycnogenol.

Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral vital for human health. It's a trace element involved in various biological processes in the body.

Main Functions of Zinc:

  1. Immune System Support: Enhances immune cell activity and helps protect against infections.
  2. Wound Healing: Accelerates healing processes and tissue renewal.
  3. Protein and DNA Synthesis: Essential for growth, development, and cell repair.
  4. Taste and Smell Support: Improves taste and smell gland function.
  5. Skin Health: Helps maintain healthy skin and prevent acne.
  6. Hormonal Function: Affects hormone production and regulation, including testosterone.
  7. Eye Health: Essential for proper vision, especially at night.

Rich dietary sources of zinc include red meat, chicken, fish, shellfish, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains.

Zinc deficiency can lead to decreased immune function, growth delays, skin problems, reduced sense of taste and smell, and fertility issues.

The recommended daily amount for adults ranges from 8-11 mg, with pregnant and nursing women requiring higher amounts.

It's important to maintain balanced zinc intake, as excess can interfere with the absorption of other minerals like iron and copper.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is an essential nutrient offering numerous health benefits.

Key Benefits:

  1. Nervous System Support: Essential for producing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, regulating mood and mental health.
  2.  Immune System Enhancement: Aids in antibody and white blood cell production, strengthening infection defense.
  3. Heart Health: Helps reduce homocysteine levels, linked to cardiovascular disease risk.
  4. Metabolism Support: Assists in protein, carbohydrate, and fat metabolism, contributing to energy balance.
  5. Sleep Quality: Participates in melatonin production, important for sleep-wake cycle regulation.
  6. Nausea Relief: Particularly effective in reducing morning sickness during pregnancy.
  7. Skin Health: Aids in collagen production and skin maintenance.
  8. Cognitive Function: Supports brain health and may help preserve cognitive abilities with age.
  9. B12 Absorption: Enhances vitamin B12 absorption, crucial for red blood cell production and nerve function.
  10. Inflammation Reduction: Has anti-inflammatory properties, may help with various inflammatory conditions.

Balanced B6 intake through diet or supplements, in consultation with a healthcare professional, can significantly contribute to overall health and improved quality of life.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for body function. It's the only vitamin containing metal (cobalt) and most complex of B vitamins.

Key Functions:

  1. DNA Production: Essential for DNA synthesis and repair in all cells.
  2. Nervous System Function: Participates in myelin production, protecting nerve cells.
  3. Red Blood Cell Formation: Crucial for proper red blood cell production and preventing anemia.
  4. Metabolism: Involved in fatty acid and amino acid breakdown.

Dietary sources: Primarily found in animal products like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. Vegetarians and vegans risk deficiency and may need supplements or fortified foods.

B12 Deficiency: Can cause anemia, fatigue, weakness, neurological and cognitive issues. Elderly, autoimmune disease patients, and gastric bypass surgery patients are at higher risk.

Absorption: Requires Intrinsic Factor produced in the stomach. Absorption issues can lead to deficiency even with balanced diet.

Recommended daily intake for adults is 2.4 micrograms. Pregnant and nursing women need higher amounts.

B12 is relatively safe at high doses, as excess is excreted in urine.

Copper

Copper is an essential mineral vital for various biological processes. Though needed in small amounts, it's crucial for proper health.

Main Functions:

  1. Red Blood Cell Formation: Aids in hemoglobin production and iron absorption.
  2. Nervous System Health: Essential for proper nerve function.
  3. Immune System Support: Supports immune cell activity.
  4. Bone Health: Participates in bone and cartilage formation.
  5. Antioxidant: Protects cells from oxidative damage.
  6. Energy Production: Vital for cellular energy production.
  7. Collagen and Elastin Synthesis: Contributes to skin and blood vessel health.

Dietary Sources: Nuts, seeds, legumes, mushrooms, avocado, and dark chocolate.

Copper Deficiency: Rare but can cause anemia, bone problems, neurological disorders, and weakened immunity.

Copper Excess: Rare, can occur in Wilson's disease or high exposure. May cause liver, kidney, and nervous system problems.

Recommended Daily Intake: 900 micrograms for adults. Slightly higher for pregnant and nursing women.

Medical Uses: Used in treating certain diseases and arthritis medications.

Important to maintain balanced copper intake as it competes with zinc and iron for absorption. A balanced diet typically provides adequate copper without supplements.

Boron

Boron is a trace element essential for human health, though its exact role is still being researched.

Main Functions:

  1. Bone Health: Aids calcium and magnesium absorption, strengthens bones
  2. Hormonal Metabolism: Affects sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone
  3. Cognitive Function: May improve memory and cognitive performance
  4. Joint Health: Helps reduce inflammation and arthritis symptoms
  5. Wound Healing: Contributes to faster recovery

Dietary Sources: Almonds, avocados, apricots, raisins, grapes, apples, beans, lentils, broccoli, and leafy greens.

Additional Benefits:

  • Improves vitamin D absorption
  • Supports cardiovascular health
  • Helps balance blood sugar
  • Boosts immune system

Recommended Daily Intake: No official recommendation; studies suggest 1-3 mg daily as beneficial.

Safety: Generally safe in food amounts. Excess may cause digestive, skin, and respiratory issues.

Biotin (Vitamin B7)

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, is a water-soluble B vitamin essential for various metabolic processes.

Main Functions:

  1. Metabolism: Helps break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for energy
  2. Hair Health: Promotes hair growth and health
  3. Skin Health: Maintains healthy skin and youthful appearance
  4. Nail Strength: Strengthens nails and prevents brittleness
  5. Blood Sugar Control: Helps regulate blood sugar levels
  6. Nervous System: Essential for proper nerve function

Dietary Sources: Eggs, nuts, seeds, salmon, avocado, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens.

Additional Benefits:

  • Supports pregnancy and fetal development
  • Improves heart health
  • Helps reduce inflammation

Recommended Daily Intake: 30 micrograms daily for adults. Pregnant and nursing women may need more.

Deficiency: Rare, but can cause hair loss, skin rash, depression, and fatigue.

Cosmetic Uses: Common in hair and skin care products due to strengthening properties.

Safety: Very safe, even at high doses. Excessive intake may affect certain blood test results.

Silica

Silica (silicon dioxide) is a natural mineral abundant in Earth's crust. While not considered essential, research indicates important roles in human health.

Main Functions:

  1. Bone Health: Enhances bone density and strength
  2. Connective Tissue: Supports flexibility and strength
  3. Skin Health: Promotes collagen and elastin production
  4. Hair/Nail Strength: Improves quality and strength
  5. Blood Vessel Health: Contributes to vessel wall flexibility

Dietary Sources: Barley, oats, brown rice, bananas, beets, carrots, unpeeled potatoes, certain mineral waters.

Additional Benefits:

  • Immune system support
  • Inflammation reduction
  • Joint health improvement

Recommended Intake: No official recommendation; studies suggest 20-50 mg daily may be beneficial.

Cosmetic Uses: Common in skin/hair products for appearance improvement.

Safety: Safe in food and supplement levels. Industrial silica dust exposure may cause respiratory issues.

Ester-C

Ester-C is an advanced form of vitamin C (calcium ascorbate-threonate), engineered to provide enhanced benefits compared to regular ascorbic acid.

Key Benefits:

  1. Enhanced Absorption: Better absorbed and retained longer than regular vitamin C
  2. Gentle Digestion: Neutral pH makes it gentler on stomach and intestines
  3. Immune Support: Strengthens immune system, helps fight infections
  4. Antioxidant: Protects cells from free radical damage
  5. Collagen Support: Aids collagen production for skin, teeth, and bone health

Common Uses:

  • Cold and flu symptom relief
  • Skin health improvement
  • Cardiovascular support
  • Iron absorption enhancement

Contains vitamin C metabolites like threonate for additional benefits.

Dosage: Typically 500-1000 mg daily. Consult healthcare provider before use.

Safety: Generally safe with low risk of side effects. Excessive intake may cause digestive issues or kidney stones in some individuals.

A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables remains the best source of vitamin C.

Folic Acid

Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9 or folate, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for human health.

Main Functions:

  1. Fetal Development: Prevents birth defects, especially neural tube defects
  2. DNA/RNA Formation: Aids in nucleic acid synthesis and repair
  3. Red Blood Cell Production: Prevents megaloblastic anemia
  4. Nervous System Support: Essential for proper nerve function
  5. Heart Health: May reduce homocysteine levels, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease

Dietary Sources: Green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, citrus fruits, fortified cereals and flour.

Pregnancy Importance: Women of childbearing age should take 400 mcg daily, especially before and during pregnancy.

Deficiency: Can cause anemia, weakness, fatigue, neurological issues. Risk groups include pregnant women, alcoholics, people with malabsorption.

Recommended Daily Intake: 400 mcg for adults, 600+ mcg for pregnant women.

Recent research examines its role in chronic disease prevention and cognitive health in aging

 

Pristine formula

Powerful Vitamin Supplement for Women and Men, for Hair and Skin Strengthening. Contains Pycnogenol for Anti-aging and Body Health Improvement.

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