Im often asked, how do we know the ingredient of Protandim work as claimed, that there is a synergistic formula in Protandim, and maybe this is just marketing? I understand the question, and then I read a study by
Dr Joe McCord.
This study he and his colleges documented the research and results behind
Protandim. A very important point must be made however, that while this study was submitted by McCord and funded by LifeVantage, the study was peer reviewed and published. This means the study was first sent to at least 2 anonymous and independent groups in the science community, to review and retest his findings. The review process is important to make certain that the science is authentic, and the procedures used are void of bias or problems., that the interpretation by the author is accurate. In addition, this article above, was after it being peer reviewed, published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine, one of the worlds most highly respected journals in this field.
Lets summarize the study, and its conclusion about Protandim:
The study measured the results synergistic induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in Protandim. The study purpose was to see how HO-1 was regulated with the Protandim ingredients in mice and human cells in vitro (the lab). The study showed several comparisons, using the individual ingredients, or in other blends, and the Protandim formula was by far more effective. I loved this comment: "Parallel preparations of Protandim extracts were also prepared with one of the components omitted", in other words the study not only showed how individual ingredients worked, but how other combinations worked of Protandim worked (or in reality did not work).
Dr McCord has made comments on video how even testing different mixtures of Protandim resulted in no effect, or even a negative one (meaning it increased oxidative stress). This science is very solid. I often ask myself, would there be a better Protandim formula out there? Maybe. But there is a synergistic formula that works. Read the study, its conclusion: "All components together however, produced a strongly synergistic induction of around 3-9 fold in a dose-dependent manner, greatly exceeding the sum of the parts."
In science we see all sorts of synergistic models. Ever wonder why your calcium supplement is often blended with magnesium as an example? The KEY, and this is very important. Are the synergistic claims backed up by peer reviewed science? If they are great, if not, it might be just marketing. In the case of Protandim, there is. And not just the aforementioned peer reviewed study, but several studies, all confirming that Protandim lowers oxidative stress. The important factor however to remember, the untold story, is these universities who have been studying Protandim, knew about its ingredients long ago. As an example, curcumin, one of the ingredients in protandim has been studies for its Nrf2 activation properties (and HO-1) ability, but it wasn't powerful. Protandim changed that, which is why you see over 2 dozen universities now researching Protandim.. because yes, its a real synergistic formula that lowers oxidative stress.
The complete study can be read here.
