LarchVita™ EXTRA contains a synergistic combination of LarchVita™ DHQ (Dihydroquercetin) and vitamin C to support immune health.†
Larch Arabinogalactans (LAG), a low-molecular weight, long-chain dietary fiber, fermentable by gut microflora with the resulting health benefits for the gastrointestinal and immune systems.†
LarchVita™ EXTRA offers benefits of DIHYDROQUERCETIN (DHQ), also known as TAXIFOLIN, VITAMIN C, and low-molecular weight LARCH ARABINOGALACTAN (LAG) [ Larch Tree Extract (Arabinogalactan) ], derived from Larch tree species ( L. dahurica L., L. gmelinii, L. laricina Koch., L. occidentalis Nutt., and L. sibirica lebed. Family: Pinaceae).
Isolated from the Dahurian and Siberian Larch Tree species (Russia, Siberia & Far East), DHQ [LarchVita™ Dihydroquercetin] supports cellular structure and cell metabolism. Dihydroquercetin was shown to scavenge free radicals in different lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. It inhibited superoxide radical production and microsomal lipid peroxidation, thus offering antioxidant protection to the mitochondria, cellular membrane, and subcellular systems. Its antioxidant activity was shown to match antioxidant activity of vitamin E in the peroxidation process of liposome membranes from egg phospholipids induced by ferrous sulfate; to be greater than that of vitamin C in scavenging oxygen anion-radicals; and to greatly exceed that of trolox in vitro lipid peroxidation inhibition assay.
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LarchVita™ Dihydroquercetin molecular structure The ORAChydro value of LarchVita™ Dihydroquercetin is over 28,000µM TE/g. |
(Method: ALC114A, AUV203A, AOAC, USP, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2001; 49(10); 4619-4626) * The ORAChydro reflects water-soluble antioxidant capacity. Trolox, a water-soluble Vitamin E analog, is used as the calibration standard and the ORAC result is expressed as micro mole Trolox equivalent (TE) per gram. |
Due to the native molecule structure - functionality relationship with high potency to donate hydrogen atom, dihydroquercetin can penetrate the human erythrocytes easily and protect from oxidative damage (CAP-e assay by NIS Labs*), which in turn confirms LarchVita™ Dihydroquercetin bioavailability in human tissues.
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CAP-e Units per 1 gram: 9.9 -10.5 |
| *CAP-e assay as a cell-based antioxidant protection assay using erythrocytes to address the question of whether antioxidants in complex natural products enter the cytosol and contribute to the reduction of oxidative damage within the cell. |
Moreover, Dihydroquercetin is capable of reducing the ascorbyl radical, thus fulfilling the "ascorbate-protecting function", while ascorbic acid assists in restoring the bioflavonoid by regenerating its antiperoxidative properties.
Biological functions of Vitamin C are based on its ability to provide reducing equivalents for a variety of biochemical reactions. Because of its reducing power, vitamin C can reduce most physiologically relevant reactive oxygen species. Thus, Vitamin C was shown to reduce oxygen related radicals, such as superoxide, hydroxyl radical, peroxyl radical; sulphur radicals; and nitrogen-oxygen radicals.
Vitamin C also acts as a co-factor of eight enzymes involved in collagen hydroxylation, biosynthesis of carnitine and norepinephrine, tyrosine metabolism, and other enzymatic reactions. It also acts as a powerful water-soluble antioxidant that reduces harmful oxidants, quenches oxidants generated during phagocytosis, and promotes iron absorption. Along with other enzymatic and non-enzymatic components of the body's antioxidant defense system, vitamin C offers protection to the organs, tissues, and cells against reactive oxygen species, thus, ensuring overall well-being of the organism.
Dihydroquercetin was shown to be a potent metal chelating agent that is capable of deactivation of transition metals such as copper and iron, both of which are capable of generating the powerful hydroxyl radical. In this case, it works as a chelating agent that produces stable complexes with metals, like copper and iron, and prevents them from participating in free radical generation. Laboratory studies indicate that Dihydroquercetin forms metal complexes shown to be more effective radical scavengers than uncomplexed flavonoids.
The antioxidant reducing power of Vitamin C can also account for its role in protecting against tissue-damaging effects of some toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Vitamin C reduces transition metal-mediated reactions. When supplemented to lead-exposed animals, vitamin C was shown to inhibit peroxidation levels produced by lead-induced reactive oxygen species. High serum levels of ascorbic acid have been associated with a decreased prevalence of elevated blood lead levels. Vitamin C can have an indirect impact on the serum levels of heavy metals by increasing iron uptake, which competes with cadmium for the absorption site, and by restoring glutathione levels and reducing damage secondary to oxidative stress. Vitamin C de-activates such compounds as nitrosamines and hypoclrorous acid, which were shown to compromise the immune system.
Dihydroquercetin supports healthy immune system by preventing elevation of oxidized glutathione concentration and the oxidized/reduced glutathione ratio induced by inflammatory cytokines and by inhibiting the formation of activated immune cells.
Ascorbic acid enhances the immune system by stimulating lymphocyte production. Vitamin C appears to play a role in a number of neutrophil functions including increased chemotaxis, enhanced lysozyme-mediated non-oxidative killing, inhibition of the halide-peroxide-myeloperoxidase system without a pronounced bactericidal effect, and stimulation of the hexose monophosphate shunt.
Larch Arabinogalactan (LAG) supports healthy immune system functioning by enhancing various functional aspects of the immune system by decreasing number in lymphoid cells and increasing the number of peripheral blood monocytes.
Highly branched polysaccharides of Larch arabinogalactan is an excellent source of a non-digestible soluble dietary fiber that resists breakdown by enzymes and enters the large bowel intact where it is fermented by colonic microflora, with a resulting increase in the production of butyrate and propionate. Moreover, Larch arabinogalactan has been shown to decrease the generation and absorption of ammonia.
Evidence also indicates human consumption of Larch arabinogalactan has a significant effect on beneficial gut microflora, specifically Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Enterobacteriacea.
| LarchVita EXTRA (Immune Support) ORAC assay per capsule 2,220 µM TE/g. |
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The CAP-e assay is used to test whether natural products contain antioxidants capable of entering into and protecting live cells from oxidative damage. Thus, when any protective effect is seen in the CAP-e assay, it shows a biologically meaningful antioxidant protection by the product. |
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