HPL Mix

Below is a description of many of the nutrients in HPL Mix, including some of the reasons why they were included. As far as we know, this is the most advanced and comprehensive high-potency nutritional supplement available in the market today. Though high levels of many nutrients are included, it is not designed as a variable dose supplement. It is important to take the complete daily dose, preferably spread throughout the day, with meals.

The HPL Mix is our own concoction. It comes in powder form, that you mix with juice or water. We buy Life Extension Mix in bulk from the Life Extension Foundation, and then buy bulk powders of gingko biloba, lipoic acid, coq10, curcumin extract, ginseng extract, green tea extract, n-acetyl-cysteine, acetyl-l-carnitine, magnesium, silymarin, boron, vanadyl sulfate, vinpocetine, saw palmetto extract, magnesium/potassium aspartate, carnosine, calcium citrate, tocotrienols, nettle root extract, and bioperine, and add all that in. It is subject to continual updating as new science emerges.

To see the complete listing of all the suppliments, click Here

HPL Mix is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease as defined by the FDA. The information below has been gathered from various sources. Some of the reasons we take these supplements are well established, while others are more theoretical and may be disproven in the future. Understand that this is for informational purposes only, and has not been previewed or approved by the FDA, or any other governmental agency.

Vitamins

Vitamin B – high levels of all the B-complex vitamins are part of the mix. Also, enzymatically active and better-utilized forms of B2 (riboflavin 5-phosphate), B5 (pantothene), and B6 (pyridoxal 5-phosphate) are included. B vitamins are involved in the transfer of energy, and are non-toxic. Generous levels of all B vitamins are included.

Vitamin C – HPL Mix contains water-soluble vitamin C in the form of mineral ascorbates, a less acidic form than the cheaper ascorbic acid. It also contains ascorbyl palmitate, a fat-soluble form of vitamin C that can reach areas of the body that normal vitamin C cannot, protecting the body against lipid peroxidation.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. Studies show that vitamin C protects the blood vessel walls, lowers blood pressure, helps neutralize the negative effects of cigarette smoke, and so much more. It appears that high levels of vitamin C may lower heart disease risk by 25% – 50% or more. Total dosage: 2605 mg/day.

Vitamin E - Most inexpensive multi-vitamins contain the synthetic dl-alpha-tocopherol form of vitamin E. HPL Mix contains natural d-alpha-tocopherol, which is much better utilized by the body. Vitamin E protects against damage from UV radiation, relieves symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, and reduces the risks of many cancers. In addition to the common alpha-tocopherol, HPL Mix contains a mix of tocopherols including gamma-tocopherol, which has recently been recognized as an important neutralizer of free radicals. (Studies show that men with the highest levels of gamma-tocopherol have a five times lower risk of prostate cancer.) Furthermore, it contains a form of vitamin E called tocotrienols, which have been shown to decrease thromboxane (20-26%) and platelet aggregation (15-30%), and reduce total and LDL cholesterol by over 20% for 75% of those tested. HPL Mix includes 400 mg d-alpha/day, 120 mg mixed tocopherols/day, and 400 mg/day of tocotrienols/day (7.5% palm source).

Lipoic acid – is not officially a “vitamin” because it is produced in minute amounts by the body, though in decreasing amounts as we get older. Unique among antioxidants, lipoic acid is both fat and water-soluble. It can help regenerate vitamin E, coQ10, vitamin C, and even itself. Even more impressive is its ability to dramatically raise levels of the body’s own endogenous antioxidant, glutathione. There is significant evidence that lipoic acid protects against stroke, heart attack, diabetes, cataracts, and radiation poisoning. Esteemed antioxidant researcher Lester Packer considers it to be perhaps the most powerful of all antioxidants. A very generous 200 mg/day are included in HPL Mix.

Botanical Concentrates

Epidemiological studies prove conclusively that people who eat a diet high in the right fruits and vegetables have dramatically lower risks of degenerative disease. Eating well is the true base of any nutrition protocol. But as science continues to learn more about which substances in foods and herbs produce which health benefits, we can supplement so that we are reaching a "super" level of nutrition. Below are some of the phytonutrients (plant extracts) in the formula.

Bilberry - increases micro-capillary circulation, strengthens capillaries, and stimulates the formation of new capillaries. This herb was actually used to help WWI pilots increase their night vision. Standardized to 25% anthocyanadins.

Broccoli concentrate - contains sulforaphane, which has been shown to block formation of tumors initiated by chemical carcinogens. It also contains naturally occurring d-glucarate. Glucorinidation is a process by which the body combines toxins with water in order to remove them from the body. This process tends to slow down as the body ages, and d-glucarate helps reverse that decline.

Citrus bioflavonoids - high levels are linked with reduced risks of platelet aggregation, as well as the destruction of liver toxins.

Curcumin is a potent antioxidant extract from the spice turmeric. Its antioxidant effects are particularly effective within the cell mitochondria, helping to prevent DNA damage. In addition to being a potent antioxidant, curcumin suppresses the enzyme COX-2. By suppressing COX-2, curcumin is thought to help prevent the development of colon cancer and alleviate arthritic conditions. Curcumin also inhibits abnormal platelet aggregation that can lead to a heart attack or stroke, and has anti-inflammatory properties. It also reduces cholesterol by interfering with intestinal cholesterol uptake, increasing the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids, and increasing the excretion of bile acids. And finally, it has potent anti-inflammatory properties.

Ginger, supplied in a standardized extract of 4% gingerols, has been shown to inhibit abnormal blood platelet aggregation while increasing ATP and “calcium pumping” in the heart. It also increases glutathione levels and can help lower cholesterol levels.

Ginseng is an adaptogenic herb that has been used for millennia as an anti-aging food. Adaptogens tend to bring the body back to a balanced state, regardless of which direction that is. Controlled research has shown improved oxygen uptake, improved cardiovascular performance, and increased ability to concentrate.

Grape seed extract contains some of the most powerful free radical scavengers known. They cross the blood brain barrier to protect brain cells from oxidation, inhibit enzymes that cause inflammation, and help improve capillary flexibility.

Green tea extract – Green tea contains five major polyphenol compounds, including epigallocatechin-gallate (ECGC), one of nature’s most powerful polyphenol antioxidants. It can lower LDL cholesterol, inhibit blood clotting, enhance immunity, and has a powerful anticancer effect, according to Lester A. Mitscher, Ph.D., University of Kansas. The polyphenols count in 350 mg of standardized extract is equivalent to about 3 cups of green tea.

Labiatae contains high levels of the flavonoids apigenin and luteolin, consistently shown to slow the growth and proliferation of cancer cells.

Lutein and zeaxanthin consumption has been shown to correlate with low rates of macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the elderly.

Lycopene - a red carotenoid from tomatoes that help prevent prostate and pancreatic cancer, and helps prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

Raspberry extract - provides 38.5% ellagic acid, an agent shown to prevent binding of carcinogens to DNA, and to reduce the incidence of cancer in cultured human cells. Populations that consume diets high in ellagic acid have been shown in studies to have lower rates of cancer.

Saw palmetto extract, and nettle root extract – these are only included in the men’s formula. As men age, a greater percentage of their free testosterone is converted to DHT, or dehydro-testosterone, which has been implicated in prostate enlargement and is thought to be a factor in male pattern baldness. The remaining free-testosterone is increasingly bound by sex-hormone binding globulin. These two plant extracts inhibit both of these actions, and should help maintain youthful levels of testosterone.

Amino Acids and other chemicals

N-acetyl-cysteine – helps the body produce its own antioxidant, glutathione, which can suppress free radicals within the cells. It is also very important for keeping the immune system strong. Dosage: 600 mg/day.

Taurine – protects against free radicals within the cells, and protects the eyes from peroxidation and glycation. Dosage: 500 mg/day.

L-lysine – helps reduce risk factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease. Dosage: 500 mg/day.

TMG (Trimethylglycine) – is the most effective facilitator of youthful methylation metabolism known. Impaired methylation is related to a variety of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and neurological disorders. TMG can lower levels of plaque-forming homocysteine, improve liver detoxification, protect DNA, and possibly slow normal aging. Dosage: 100 mg/day.

Carnosine – One of the major factors of aging is glycation, in which proteins in the body irreversibly link together. Carnosine is one of the few nutrients found to inhibit this reaction. Dosage: 500 mg/day.

Minerals

Calcium – we currently include 471 mg/day of calcium, primarily in the form of calcium citrate, a fairly well-absorbed version.

Chromium is one of the most deficient minerals in the American diet. Two extremely bio-available forms are included, chromium picolinate and chromium polynicotinate. Chromium is essential for insulin metabolism, and adequate levels help normalize blood sugar. Dosage: 200 mcg/day.

Magnesium – sometimes called “natures calcium channel blocker”, it helps protect arteries, heart valves, and brain from excessive calcium. Very generous levels are part of the mix, including the well-absorbed magnesium aspartate.

Selenium – used by the body to form a potent antioxidant enzyme called glutathione peroxidase, selenium is deficient in many soils, particularly in the southeast United States. Adequate levels reduce incidence of cancer, heart disease, and arthritis. Dosage: 200 mcg/day.

Vanadyl sulfate – toxic in large amounts, but beneficial for stabilizing blood sugar in small amounts. 39 micrograms are included.

Zinc – two of the most bioavailable forms of zinc are part of the formula, including patented Optizinc (zinc methionate). Zinc is important for exercise recovery, immune function, and prostate health, among other things. Dosage: 35 mg.

Alcohol Protectives

Alcohol breaks down in the body into acetaldehyde, a chemical with structural similarities to formaldehyde. The ingredients below can detoxify acetaldehyde, and help the body rid itself of toxins.

N-acetyl-cysteine – is, as mentioned above, used by the body to make glutathione, one of the body's most important endogenous antioxidants. Glutathione helps the body breakdown alcohol, and its by-product, acetaldehyde. Dosage: 600 mg/day.

Silymarin - an extract of the milk thistle plant, silymarin has been shown to exhibit extraordinary liver-protecting properties. Dosage: 150 mg/day, of an 80% extract.

Cognitive Enhancers

Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) - About 95% of cellular energy occurs in the mitochondria, and diseases of aging are increasingly being referred to as "mitochondrial disorders." Acetyl-L-carnitine is the biologically active amino acid involved in the transport of fatty acids into the cell's mitochondria for the purpose of producing energy. Acetyl-L-carnitine has been shown to protect brain cells against aging-related degeneration and to improve mood, memory, and cognition. It increases glucose uptake in brain cells, and raises levels of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter. The most important effect of acetyl-L-carnitine, however, is to maintain the function of the cell's energy powerhouse, the mitochondria.

Choline bitartrate and phosphatidylcholine both help the brain maintain adequate levels of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter.

CoQ10 – Studies have shown that short-term supplementation with moderate amounts of coQ10 produced profound antiaging effects in the brain. Previous studies have shown that coQ10 may protect the brain via several mechanisms including reduction in free radical generation and protection against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Newer studies document that orally supplemented coQ10 specifically enhanced metabolic energy levels of brain cells.

Aged humans have only 50% of the coQ10 compared to young adults, thus making coQ10 one of the most important nutrients for people to supplement. CoQ10 is possibly the most important supplement for cognitive functioning to take on a daily basis, as it plays a critical role in brain cell energy metabolism. Dosage: 80mg/day.

Ginkgo biloba – Ginkgo trees live to be over 2000 years old. This is a standardized extract from the leaf. It increases circulation in the micro-capillaries, and helps control nitric oxide, a substance involved in concentration, brain cell communication, and learning. Numerous studies show that ginkgo improves attention span, memory, reaction time, perception, and learning ability. Ginkgo also inhibits biosynthesis of the stress hormone cortisol, thus conferring anti-stress benefits. Dosage: 60mg/day.

Vinpocetine - is a pharmaceutical extraction from the periwinkle plant. It is well established that normal aging results in a reduction of blood flow to the brain and a decrease in the metabolic activity of brain cells. Vinpocetine functions via several important mechanisms to correct many known causes of brain aging. The biological actions of vinpocetine show that it enhances circulation and oxygen utilization in the brain, increases tolerance of the brain toward diminished blood flow, and inhibits abnormal platelet aggregation that can interfere with circulation or cause a stroke. Dosage: 10 mg/day.