Developed based on a thorough review of the scientific evidence, NutraOrigin's Renuagin formula includes only ingredients with documented efficacy and safety, and contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. The ingredients described below will give you a better understanding of how Renuagin works to promote healthy aging.*
The Free Radical Theory of Aging
Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause damage to healthy tissues. We get exposed to free radicals through pollutants, cigarette smoke, processed foods and pesticides. However, the body also produces free radicals as part of normal metabolism, so they are impossible to avoid completely.
As long as the body's antioxidant defenses are strong, free radicals do not cause a problem. However, when the amount of free radicals within cells outnumbers the amount of antioxidants, damage to cells, tissue and DNA can occur. In fact, many scientists believe that free radical damage is the main cause of biological aging.
While nothing can stop you from getting older, making sure your body is stocked with high levels of antioxidants can help you age better.* All of the ingredients in Renuagin have antioxidant properties; however each one also has unique health benefits.*
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Rhodiola rosea extract
For many years, Rhodiola rosea remained a closely guarded secret of the Soviets, who intensely studied the herb in an effort to improve the physical performance of their Olympic athletes. Russian researchers have categorized Rhodiola as an adaptogen because of its ability to help the body adapt to chemical, biological and physical stressors.* (1) Now that the word is out, many people around the world enjoy the overall energy boost they receive from taking Rhodiola.
Human research has confirmed that Rhodiola improves endurance exercise capacity compared to placebo.* (2) Double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have also shown that Rhodiola's anti-fatigue effect increases mental performance in individuals under unusual stress, such as night-duty physicians, (3) sleep-deprived military cadets, (4) and foreign students during exam time.* (5)
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also known as ubiquinone, is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like substance that is present in most human cells.* CoQ10 is a component of the electron transport chain and partakes in aerobic cellular respiration, producing energy in the form of ATP.* (6,7) It is also one of the body's most important antioxidants - protecting proteins, cholesterol and DNA from oxidative damage - and has the capacity to regenerate vitamins C and E.* (8,9)
Unfortunately, as we age, our stores of CoQ10 may become depleted, so supplementation may be indicated.* (9) Human research has shown that coenzyme Q10 benefits exercise capacity (10,11) and cardiovascular health (12,13,14).*
Green Tea Extract
Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) is made from the same plant as black tea; however, because it is less processed, it retains higher levels of active constituents. The main antioxidants contained within green tea are catechin polyphenols, and scientists have paid particular attention to a constituent called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). A recent USDA tea study noted that among all the catechins, EGCG was the most potent by a wide margin.
Modern research has revealed several ways that green tea benefits healthy aging.* One human clinical trial, which pitted green tea capsules against placebo in 111 healthy volunteers, found the green tea caps maintained blood pressure and cholesterol that was already within a healthy range, reduced oxidative stress and supported a healthy response to inflammation.* (15) Green tea has also been shown to protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation,* (16,17) benefit endothelial function,* (18) increase fat oxidation in overweight individuals* (19,20) and improve antioxidant status.* (21)
Lutein
Lutein belongs to a class of antioxidant plant pigments called carotenoids. Bright yellow in color, it gives marigolds their cheery hue, and is also present in orange squash and yellow bell peppers. Lutein is recognized for its ability to protect the eyes from free radical damage.*
Lutein accumulates in the retina of the eye, where it filters out damaging UV light.* Populations studies have shown that macular carotenoid levels decline with age and that people who retain high levels of lutein in the macula as they get older are more likely to enjoy eye health than people with lower levels.* (22,23) Animal research also indicates lutein may protect the skin from the damaging effects of UV light.* (24)
Mucuna Pruriens
Mucuna pruriens is a tropical legume that has been used in the East Indian medical system of Ayurveda for thousands of years.
What is remarkable about Mucuna is that it contains the amino acid L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa). L-dopa is a precursor to dopamine, a neurotransmitter needed for cognition, mood and sleep.* By providing the body with the raw materials it needs to manufacture dopamine, Mucuna can increase its levels within the brain.* (25) Additionally, L-dopa has been shown to stimulate the release of human growth hormone.* (26)
Resveratrol
An antioxidant found in some fruits and their derivatives, especially mulberries, grapes, and red wine, resveratrol has received a tremendous amount of scientific and media attention over the past decade.
Resveratrol is believed to activate the SIRT1 gene, which plays a role in glucose control, mitochondrial function, fat accumulation, exercise tolerance and weight management.* (27,28) Resveratrol also scavenges harmful hydroxyl radicals, protecting healthy tissues from harm.* (29)
Produced naturally by plants, resveratrol levels in foods and wines vary greatly, making it a good compound for standardized supplementation.
Quercetin
Quercetin is an antioxidant found in fruits, vegetables and certain beverages. It forms naturally when glucobrassicin, a phytochemical found in cruciferous vegetables, is broken down.
Quercetin and resveratrol are perfect partners. Once ingested, resveratrol may bind to other substances, which significantly hampers the body's ability to absorb it. However, quercetin actually prevents resveratrol from binding, increasing the amount that is available for absorption.* (30,31,32) Laboratory research has validated that the combination of quercetin and resveratrol is more powerful than either substance alone.* (33)
Carnosine
Carnosine is a natural dipeptide made up of two amino acids: beta-alanine and L-histidine. It is found in high amounts in the muscles and the brain.
The main benefit of carnosine is that it may act as an anti-glycating agent.* (34,35,36) Glycation is a destructive process in which proteins and sugars react, creating what are called advanced glycation end products or AGEs. AGEs have been implicated in the aging process - negatively affecting the brain, heart and other parts of the body.
In addition, carnosine is also an antioxidant, so it has a double-protective role of preventing glycation and neutralizing free radicals.* (37)
Selenium
Selenium, an essential mineral, is an important building block for the creation of glutathione peroxidase, one of the body's most significant antioxidant enzymes for inhibiting free radicals.*
Some scientific evidence suggests that consumption of selenium may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer. However, FDA has determined that this evidence is limited and not conclusive.
Research has shown that blood levels of selenium decrease significantly with age. (38) This may result in reduced antioxidant activity.*
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- Olsson EM, von Sch?ele B, Panossian AG. "A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of the standardised extract shr-5 of the roots of Rhodiola rosea in the treatment of subjects with stress-related fatigue." Planta Med (2009) Feb;75(2):105-12.
- DeBock K, et al. "Acute Rhodiola intake can improve endurance exercise performance." Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab (2004) Jun;14(3):298-307.
- Darbinyan V, et al. "Rhodiola rosea in stress induced fatigue-a double blind cross-over study of a standardized extract SHR-5 with a repeated low-dose regimen on the mental performance of healthy physicians during night duty." Phytomedicine (2000) 7:365-371.
- Shevtsov VA, et al. "A randomized trial of two different doses of a SHR-5Rhodiolarosea extract versus placebo and control of capacity for mental work." Phytomedicine (2003) 10:95-105.
- Spasov AA, et al. "A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of the stimulating and adaptogenic effect of Rhodiola rosea SHR-5 extract on the fatigue of students caused by stress during an examination period with a repeated low-dose regimen." Phytomedicine (2000) 7:85-89.
- Ernster L, Dallner G. "Biochemical, physiological and medical aspects of ubiquinone function." Biochim Biophys Acta (1995) 1271:195-204.
- Dutton PL, et al. "4 Coenzyme Q oxidation reduction reactions in mitochondrial electron transport." Coenzyme Q: Molecular Mechanisms in Health and Disease, CRC Press, Boca Raton FL (2000) 65-82.
- Quiles JL, et al. "Coenzyme Q supplementation protects from age-related DNA double-strand breaks and increases lifespan in rats fed on a PUFA-rich diet." Exp Gerontol (2004) 39(2):189-94.
- Crane FL. "Biochemical functions of coenzyme Q10." J Am Coll Nutr (2001) Dec;20(6): 591-8.
- Hofman-Bang C., et al. "Coenzyme Q10 as an adjunctive in the treatment of chronic congestive heart failure. The CoQ10 Study Group." J Card Fail (1995) Mar;1(2):101-107.Close window
- Ylikoski T., et al. "The effect of coenzyme Q10 on the exercise performance of cross-country skiers." Mol Aspects Med (1997) 18 (Suppl):S283-290.
- Langsjoen H., et al. "Usefulness of coenzyme Q10 in clinical cardiology: a long-term study." Mol Aspects Med (1994) 15 (Suppl):S165-175.
- Singh R.B. et al. "Effect of coenzyme Q10 on risk of atherosclerosis in patients with recent myocardial infarction." Mol Cell Biochem (2003) Apr;246(1-2):75-82.
- Burke B.E., Neuenschwander R., Olson R.D. "Randomized, double blind placebo controlled trial of coenzyme Q10 in isolated systolic hypertension." South Med J (2001) Nov;94(11):1112-1117.
- Nantz MP, et al. "Standardized capsule of Camellia sinensis lowers cardiovascular risk factors in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study." Nutrition (2009) Feb;25(2):147-54.
- Gomikawa S, et al. "Effect of ground green tea drinking for 2 weeks on the susceptibility of plasma and LDL to the oxidation ex vivo in healthy volunteers." Kobe J Med Sci (2008) May 23;54(1):E62-72.
- Inami S, et al. "Tea catechin consumption reduces circulating oxidized low-density lipoprotein." Int Heart J (2007) Nov;48(6):725-32.
- Alexopoulos N, et al. "The acute effect of green tea consumption on endothelial function in healthy individuals." Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil (2008) Jun;15(3):300-5.
- Boschmann M, Thielecke F. "The effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate on thermogenesis and fat oxidation in obese men: a pilot study." J Am Coll Nutr (2007) Aug;26(4):389S-395S.
- Auvichayapat P, et al. "Effectiveness of green tea on weight reduction in obese Thais: A randomized, controlled trial." Physiol Behav (2008) Feb 27;93(3):486-91.Close window
- Erba D, et al. "Effectiveness of moderate green tea consumption on antioxidative status and plasma lipid profile in humans." J Nutr Biochem (2005) Mar;16(3):144-9.
- Bernstein PS, et al. "Resonance Raman measurement of macular carotenoids in normal subjects and in age-related macular degeneration patients." Opthamology (2002) Oct;109(10):1780-7.
- Beatty S, et al. "Macular pigment and age related macular degeneration." Br J Opthalmol (1999) 83:867-877.
- Lee EH, et al. "Dietary lutein reduces ultraviolet radiation-induced inflammation and immunosupression." J Invest Dermatol (2004) Feb;122(2):510-7.
- Manyam BV, Dhanasekaran M, Hare TA. "Neuroprotective effects of the antiparkinson drug Mucuna pruriens." Phytother Res (2004) 18:706-712.
- Boyd A, et al. "Stimulation of human-growth-hormone secretion by L-dopa." New Engl J Med (1970) 283:1425-29.
- Stefani M, et al. "The effect of resveratrol on a cell model of human aging." Annals N.Y. Acad. Sci (2007) 1114:407-418.
- Elliott PJ, Jirousek, M. "Sirtuins: Novel targets for metabolic disease". Current Opinion in Investigational Drugs (2008) 9(4):1472-4472. PMID 18393104.
- Jang M, et al. "Cancer chemopreventive activity of resveratrol, a natural product derived from grapes." Science (1997) 275:218-220.
- de Santi C, et al. "Glucuronidation of resveratrol, a natural product present in grape and wine, in the human liver." Xenobiotica (2000) Nov;30(11):1047-54.Close window
- de Santi C, et al. "Sulphation of resveratrol, a natural compound present in wine, and its inhibition by natural flavonoids." Xenobiotica (2000) Sep;30(9):857-66.
- de Santi C, et al. "Sulphation of resveratrol, a natural compound present in wine, in the human liver and duodenum." Xenobiotica (2000) Jun;30(6):609-17.
- ElAttar TM, Virji AS. "Modulating effect of resveratrol and quercetin on oral cancer cell growth and proliferation." Anticancer Drugs (1999) Feb;10(2):187-93.
- Hipkiss AR. "Glycation, ageing and carnosine: are carnivorous diets beneficial?" Mech Ageing Dev (2005) Oct;126(10): 1034-9.
- Hipkiss AR, Michaelis J, Syrris P. "Non-enzymatic glycosylation of the dipeptide L-carnosine, a potential anti-protein-cross-linking agent." FEBS Lett (1995) Aug 28;371(1):81-5.
- Hipkiss AR. "Carnosine, a protective, anti-ageing peptide?" Int J Biochem Cell Biol (1998) Aug;30(8):863-8.
- Tamba M, et al. "Hydroxyl radical scavenging by carnosine and Cu(ii)-carnosine complexes." Int J Radial Biol (1999) 75(9): 1177-1188.
- Brooks JD, et al. "Plasma selenium level before diagnosis and the risk of prostate cancer development." J Urol (2001) 166(6):2034-8.
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