Immunity Booster Kit

What are the different forms of vitamin D and why did you select vitamin D3 for EnDuro D?

• Vitamin D1. In 1919, German researcher Adolf Windaus discovered three forms of vitamin D: D1, D2, and D3. When it was found that D1 was actually a mixture of compounds instead of a pure vitamin D product, the term D1 was dropped.
• Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is the plant-derived form.
• Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the sun-derived form, animal-derived (lanolin) form, and the one we chose for EnDuro D because it effectively raises bodily levels of active vitamin D better than D2.

What makes Endurance C different that other vitamin C products?

There are many reasons!

Endurance C contains two forms of vitamin C:

• Calcium Ascorbate, known as "neutral C," "buffered C," or "non-acidic C," with a pH of 7.0-7.4. (Unlike "regular" Vitamin C, ascorbic acid, which is highly acidic and may cause gastric distress). While the compound is mostly vitamin C (90%), it also contains a beneficial 92 mg of calcium (10%).
• Ascorbyl Palmitate is a highly bioavailable, non-acidic, fat-soluble form of Vitamin C that can reach specific tissue areas that standard vitamin C cannot. Thus, ascorbyl palmitate can neutralize specific free radicals that water-soluble vitamin C can't. It also protects against the oxidation of lipids, a broad group of macronutrients that are heavily involved in many essential bodily functions (e.g., hormone regulation, nerve impulse transmission, fat-soluble nutrient transport, and more).

But there's MUCH more than just vitamin C in Endurance C. We've added the following nutrients/compounds, working synergistically to provide a tremendous range of benefits that you don't get in the typical vitamin C supplement:

• Citrus Bioflavonoids. While not strictly vitamins, bioflavonoids have impressive vitamin-like properties, which is why this group of compounds is known as Vitamin P. Citrus fruits contain several bioflavonoids, such as diosmin and naringin tangeretin, diosmetin, marirutin, neohesperidin, nobiletin, and others. These bioflavonoids work synergistically with vitamin C to support the immune system with antioxidant properties. Citrus bioflavonoids also enhance circulation, reduce aches and soreness, and help support joint health.
• Hesperidin 95% HPLC is a major bioflavonoid found primarily in lemons, oranges, and tangerines. Hesperidin possesses potent antioxidant properties for supporting vital immune system function, but it can also help blood vessels function better, thus promoting optimal circulatory and cardiovascular health. Additionally, hesperidin helps reduce aches and soreness, supports insulin sensitivity, and may also help protect cognitive health.
• Quercetin is a highly versatile bioflavonoid obtained from various sources, including citrus fruits, apples, onions, and more. Quercetin has extraordinary antioxidant properties, making it a top nutrient for immune system health. Quercetin possesses properties that strongly reduce aches and soreness, as well as helping to alleviate discomforts associated with allergies. Additionally, quercetin is believed to be highly beneficial for brain and cardiovascular health while also normalizing blood pressure and blood sugar—lastly, quercetin and vitamin C work in tandem in optimizing each other's absorption.
• Rose Hips (Rosa canina). A natural source of Vitamin C, rose hips are a rich source of antioxidant carotenoids and polyphenols. One of these is tiliroside, which has antioxidant properties assisting non-stimulant fat loss.

What are the Tocopherol Complex and EVNol components in AO Booster?

The vitamin E family has eight members of four tocopherols and four tocotrienols—alpha, beta, delta, and gamma (EVNol is a trademarked tocotrienol complex), all of which are contained in AO Booster. Studies suggest that a mixture of tocopherols and tocotrienols yields optimal health benefits, versus regular vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) alone.

Dr. Karin Granstrom Jordan writes, “While alpha-tocopherol has long been known as an important antioxidant, research has now shown that the complete vitamin E team is much more effective. The different vitamin E forms have complementary effects as free radical scavengers. Together they can fight a wider spectrum of free radicals than alpha-tocopherol alone.”

Without detracting from the long-known multiple benefits of d-alpha tocopherol, the gamma tocopherol component may be as important, if not more so. Research has suggested that supplementing with just the alpha tocopherol component (which is what you typically find in most supplements) may lower the body's gamma tocopherol level significantly.

According to vitamin E expert, Dr. Maret G. Traber, “While both alpha- and gamma-tocopherol are potent antioxidants, gamma-tocopherol has a unique function. Because of its different chemical structure, gamma-tocopherol scavenges reactive nitrogen species, which, like reactive oxygen species, can damage proteins, lipids, and DNA.”

In addition to its impressive antioxidant properties, gamma tocopherol has been shown to provide superior anti-inflammatory benefits. Inflammation is a primary culprit in virtually all degenerative diseases. Gamma tocopherol also increases the levels of both alpha tocopherol and gamma tocopherol, whereas alpha tocopherol alone may lower the body's levels of gamma tocopherol. AO Booster has more gamma tocopherol than the other three tocopherols combined.

Tocotrienols may be even more potent free radical scavengers than the tocopherols. According to research by Dr. Lester Packer and Dr. Barrie Tan, tocotrienols may have 30-60 times more antioxidant power than alpha tocopherol.

In addition to their powerful antioxidant properties, tocotrienols provide a wide range of health benefits such as:

• Powerful support for helping protect against cancer. Like tocopherols, tocotrienols help inhibit several mechanisms necessary for tumor development and growth.
• Improving cholesterol levels. Tocotrienols effectively block the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which is one of the metabolic steps in producing cholesterol.
• Protecting against cardiovascular disease. Tocotrienols have been shown to decrease blood levels of homocysteine (elevated levels are implicated in cardiovascular disease.) One study found that tocotrienols provided this benefit even more powerfully than folate, which is often thought of as the premier homocysteine-lowering nutrient.
• Protection from heart attack or stroke. Tocotrienols provide resistance to ischemia, which is defined as an inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body, especially the heart muscles.
• Improving metabolic syndrome. Tocotrienols positively influence, and may help to reverse, many aspects of metabolic syndrome. This syndrome includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and excess abdominal fat.
• Support against liver cancer and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Emerging research is revealing that tocotrienols provide powerful support for liver health, with equally potent protection against liver cancer and NAFLD.

SUMMARY

The benefits that the combination of all four tocopherols and all four tocotrienols provide are just the tip of the iceberg. Research continues to reveal even more potential benefits, such as protection against diabetes, osteoporosis, and neurodegenerative diseases. The tocopherols and tocotrienols that are supplied by food sources are incomplete and minimal, making a combination of diet and supplementation a necessity.

Why are nutrients that used to be measured in International Units (IU) now measured in milligrams or micrograms?

Q: Why are nutrients that used to be measured in International Units (IU) now measured in milligrams or micrograms, and what is the difference between these two measurements?

A: International Units (IU) was historically used to measure vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin D, and vitamin E. However, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required that supplement facts labels change IU to metric units, which is why you now see milligrams (mg) or micrograms (mcg).

It’s important to know that even though there is a new standard of measurement, the amounts of the nutrients have not changed in any of the affected Hammer Nutrition products.

Vitamin D – 1 IU = 0.025 mcg
Example: 1 softgel of EnDuro D contains 2,000 IU of vitamin D, now expressed as 50 mcg.

Olive Leaf Extract – Derived from the olive trees and contains oleuropein, a naturally occurring compound found within the leaves and fruit.

Quercetin – A bioflavonoid found in onions, apples, leafy vegetables, and other plants.

Resveratrol – A compound found the root of the Japanese knotwood plant, as well as in the skin of red grapes and berries.

Bromelain – An enzyme derived from pineapple.

Calcium Ascorbate – Commonly referred to as “neutral C,” or “buffered C,” calcium ascorbate is approximately 90 vitamin C, and approximately 10% calcium.

Ascorbyl Palmitate – A fat-soluble form of Vitamin C.

Citrus Bioflavonoids – Compounds found is citrus fruits,

Hesperidin 95% HPLC – A major bioflavonoid found primarily in lemons, oranges and tangerines.

Rose Hips (Rosa canina) – A natural source of Vitamin C.

VITAMIN D

D3 (cholecalciferol)
The sun-derived form, animal-derived (lanolin) form, and the form that is believed to effectively raise bodily levels of active vitamin D better than D2.

VITAMIN K

K2 (Menaquinone)
The form often found in foods that contain fat and suggested to be a better-absorbed form than K1 that also circulates in the blood longer than K1.