Protandim

Protandim is a patented dietary supplement that increases the body’s natural antioxidant defenses. According to the maker LifeVantage, Protandim is not an antioxidant per se, but provides antioxidant therapy by inducing the genes that encode a family of protective enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Protandim’s mechanism of action is to prevent free radical damage by increasing endogenous catalytic pathways, whereas traditional antioxidant supplements provide only stoichiometric scavenging of free radicals or other oxidants.

Basically, Protandim stimulates the body’s own antioxidant mechanisms instead of simply adding antioxidants to your diet like traditional consumable antioxidant supplements.

A peer-reviewed, published, human clinical trial of Protandim demonstrated its ability to induce erythrocyte SOD and CAT and to decrease lipid peroxidation products in the circulation associated with normal aging (see Clinical Study below). The age related increase in oxidative stress markers was completely eliminated. So while no one claims Protandim is a cure for aging, it has been shown to greatly reduce or eliminate certain biochemical processes associated with aging.

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Ingredients

Protandim is a composition of five botanicals (more specifically, phytonutrients) that act with synergy such that the combined effect exceeds the sum of the individual ingredient contributions. This synergy means that simply adding the five ingredients to your diet isn’t as effective as taking the Protandim supplement.

The ingredients include silymarin from Silybum marianum, bacopasides from Bacopa monniera, withanolides from Withania somnifera, polyphenolics from Camellja sinensis, and curcumin from Curcuma longa. These compounds have been widely studied, and function as adaptogens. These phytochemicals are derived from plants more commonly known as milk thistle, bacopa, ashwagandha, green tea, and turmeric.

Clinical Study

The scientific evidence showing Protandim works is based on clinical study results using a TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) measurement, which reflects the damage to cell membranes from oxidative stress. This damage is caused by free radicals that are produced by our own metabolic processes, and naturally increases as we age. Increased TBARS also occurs as a result of obesity, strenuous exercise and lifestyle choices not conducive to good health, such as a high fat diet.

In the clinical study with men and women taking Protandim for 30 days, a 40 percent average decrease in TBARS was reported, and maintained for 120 days when Protandim was taken every day. Additionally, Protandim significantly increased activity of SOD and CAT antioxidant enzymes by 30 percent and 54 percent respectively, substantially increasing the body’s antioxidant defenses.

According to the company’s website, additional human clinical trials are underway or are being designed to investigate Protandim's ability to treat a variety of health conditions related to oxidative stress. The areas of independent investigation include heart disease, liver disease, asthma, photoaging of the skin, osteoarthritis, metabolic syndrome, and muscular dystrophy.

See also

Antioxidants
Catalase
Dietary supplement
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Free Radicals
Oxidative stress
Superoxide dismutase

References

Clinical Study: The induction of human superoxide dismutase and catalase in vivo: A fundamentally new approach to antioxidant therapy (2005) by Sally K. Nelson, Swapan K. Bose, Gary K. Grunwald, Paul Myhill, and Joe M. McCord ([1])
Observational Study of Parents Supplementing Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy with Protandim (2007) by Robin Sharp ([2]) Patent No. US 7,241,461 B2 (issued 10-Jul-07)