X-Message-Number: 23227 From: Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2004 06:26:19 EST Subject: Re: Protandim, interesting antiaging reference Content-Language: en In a message dated 1/7/2004 5:01:05 AM Eastern Standard Time, writes: www.lifelinenutraceuticals.com Hello, Kevin, and fellow Cryoneters, The above reference website is rather impressive. Having been a member of Life Extension Foundation for perhaps 10 years, and reading virtually every word of the LEF monthly publication, along with independent reference and textbooks, I consider myself a well educated layman on antioxidants and health/nutrition matters. I also subscribe to and read another 10 or 12 publications dealing with science, nutrition, technology, and life extension. (And four others dealing with investment and insurance innovations, but these are not relevant here.) Included in this mix is Scientific American. SA worked hard to maintain their rep as a bastion of scientific conservatism and skepticism on their special issue on anti-aging, which I think was issued sometime in 2003. And, like yourselves, I spend a great deal of time on the net doing what passes for "research," especially in the health and supplements arenas. So I was interested and indeed intrigued by the above referenced website. The website developers certainly proved they can lift logos from websites of magazines and organizations. The quotes taken from professional journals, magazines, and newspapers have the full color logos above the quotes, providing a high credibility look to the site. Just reading the full site, one has the "feel" of doing research. This is illusory, of course, but it is certainly impressive marketing. I commend this, I am not put off by it, but I must caution myself and continually remind myself that this is not *Real research. If the protein fraction can indeed "upregulate internal levels of antioxidants," as claimed, this is indeed a HUGE announcement, and product. The "independent research" cited certainly "sounds" good, the verbiage is clearly designed for the well educated and justifiably skeptical consumer. But, I had a BIG and disappointing red flag with the following, quoted from the above website under "Independent research verifies effectiveness" Studies were performed to provide additional confirmatory data from independent laboratories regarding the up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes with protandim . The studies were performed in external laboratories where researchers were blinded as to the treatments. Three renowned independent research facilities participated in the studies. Cellular studies support the huge beneficial effects of PROTANDIM Independent-lab cellular studies with rat primary cortical (brain) cultures established protandim's ability to up-regulate SOD levels, supporting its anti-aging efficacy. Various dosing tests were conducted in order to establish protandim's maximum effect and time course of SOD up-regulation. Protandim's up-regulation response remained elevated over a considerable, multi-day time period. (End quote) However, WHERE are the studies referenced? Unlike the other sections of the website, which show where data and quotes came from, there is ZERO references in this section allegedly showing a "double blind, placebo controlled study." Maybe I missed these, for this *IS real research, if it is indeed TRUE, and independently duplicated and verified. But in this real test, the real "bottom line," the site fails to provide any way of checking to see if this is the "real deal" or merely exceptionally well written marketing for the latest in antiaging "snake oil of the month." This does not mean that Protandim and its producers Ceramedix (sp?) are fraudulent, or that they may not indeed be on to the next "Big thing" in genuine nutraceuticals. Just that we should remain a bit cautious and skeptical. But not necessarily cynical. Thank you, Kevin, for this most interesting reference. And to all other responders for your scientific and appropriately skeptical observations. Without the cynicism and automatic naysaying of some crusty scientists who try to be most scientific and credible by their level of cynicism about new possible cures for aging. If there is a product that increases indogenous antioxidants, I want to take it. And invest in the company. Kind Regards, Long, Happy, Prosperous Life to you all, Rudi Hoffman Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8" [ AUTOMATICALLY SKIPPING HTML ENCODING! ] Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=23227