An antioxidant is a compound that blocks the damaging effects of "free radicals. "Most commonly, antioxidants are abundant in whole foods, fruits, and vegetables, but they are also sold as dietary supplements for those who don't eat enough unprocessed whole foods.
If antioxidants are the good guys, then "Free Radicals" are unstable and damaging compounds found both in nature and as man-made compounds, regardless of origin, that have the potential to harm us. Free Radicals are commonly associated with environmental toxins and pollutants. Still, free radicals also occur in nature, including in our body, where they are produced as a by-product of respiration and metabolism.
Not all free radicals are harmful; in small amounts, our body will produce them and then use free radicals to help kill viruses and certain kinds of harmful bacteria. Scientists have shown that production and short, limited exposure to free radicals within the body also benefit human health in other ways because they provide enough stress to our cells to strengthen and become more resilient. The problem only occurs when these free radicals accumulate for our exposure to free radicals becomes excessive.
It is the long-term accumulation of free radicals within the body, which can do a lot of damage by breaking down cell walls, entering damaged cells, and damaging our DNA. So the body has developed several processes for mopping up free radicals before they can accumulate and do harm.
These processes include the production of the body's own powerful natural antioxidants. During times of illness or exposure to environmental toxins or radiation, our natural defenses are overwhelmed. We need additional support to help the body's natural defenses by consuming foods rich in antioxidants or taking antioxidant supplements for that extra antioxidant boost.
There are numerous antioxidants found in nature and whole foods. Still, two of the most important and famous antioxidants used in both food and dietary supplements include pine bark extract and grape seed extract.
According to some leading Western health authorities, only 5% of the adult population eats a diet that contains a sufficient amount of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables.
It's been well proven that someone who is already in good health and who eats the required daily intake of fruit and vegetables, avoids exposure to environmental toxins or radiation such as cigarette smoke or excess UV sunlight and avoids sunburn, has no need for additional antioxidant supplements; however, the data suggests that 95% of the Western population does not achieve this.
We created UAF1000+ to help improve the Antioxidant status of our customers, and in doing so, we found a remarkable fact. Not only was UAF1000+ an effective antioxidant, but it was a powerful anti-inflammatory. Some plant-based antioxidants help the body protect against oxidative stress, but these plant compounds (also called phytochemicals) will trigger the cell's immune defense system, which helps the cell fight against inflammation.
Among the best known of these potent antioxidants is pine bark extract, originally used as a medicinal her bin North America and Asia by many indigenous people.
Ingredients in UAF1000+
PINE BARK EXTRACT
Pine Bark Extract is one of the original "super antioxidants" to be discovered by French scientists. This highly researched antioxidant has been shown to have anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic properties. Pine Bark Extract excels in the brain by increasing memory, focus, and cognition.
Ref: A. Theadom, et al., (2013) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ene.12099
BLACKCURRANT EXTRACT
Blackcurrant Extract is an excellent source of vitamin C, antioxidants, and anthocyanins. Blackcurrant Extract will help strengthen your immune system, soothe sore throats, and ease flu symptoms. Blackcurrants are also high in potassium, which can help lower your blood pressure.
We know that blackcurrants are good for our eyesight because of their polyphenol content, but the benefits do not stop at eyesight and vision. Emerging science supports the benefits of blackcurrants for cardiovascular health, likely due to their ability to reduce inflammation and help prevent oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
The unique water extraction process keeps the molecular structure intact and concentrates the polyphenols.NZ blackcurrants have much higher bioactive content than expected because of the greater UV exposure in New Zealand compared to other parts of the world.
Ref: T Benn (2014) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955286314001181
KIWIFRUIT EXTRACT
Kiwifruit extract is a powerful blend of nutrients that help nourish, support, and regenerate the skin to keep it youthful and refreshed. Kiwifruit is packed with antioxidants that work like superheroes to fight free radicals that target collagen and elastin, ensuring skin maintains its elasticity and radiance. Regular consumption of kiwifruit extract promotes thicker and more radiant skin with fewer fine lines and wrinkles.
Ref: K. Jung (2005) https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bpb/28/9/28_9_1782/_article/-char/ja/
BOYSENBERRY EXTRACT
Boysenberry extract is a potent source of vitamin C, folate, potassium, and antioxidants. Boysenberries contain high levels of bioactive compounds called anthocyanins, and current research has linked anthocyanins to improved eyesight, reducing inflammation, lung function, and protection from cardiovascular disease.
- Promotes Lung Health
A 2016 study conducted on mice published in the American Journal of Physiology evaluated the lung function benefits of increased consumption of fruits high in polyphenols. Researchers found that regular boysenberry consumption has the potential to moderate chronic lung fibrosis in asthma and other chronic pulmonary diseases.
A 2021 study published in Food Science and Nutrition found that drinking boysenberry and apple juice concentrate promoted a shift toward an anti-inflammatory environment within the lungs. It reduced immune cell infiltration and tissue damage.
- Supports Cardiovascular Health
In 2014, a clinical study found polyphenolic extracts from boysenberry reduced blood pressure after only four weeks. These results suggest that the compounds found in boysenberry improve endothelial function (lining of blood vessels).Other studies have also reported that the color pigments (called anthocyanins) in boysenberry promote endothelial function and arterial blood flow.
Ref: T. McGhie (2006) https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf061833x
GRAPE SEED EXTRACT
NZ Grape Seed Extract is one of the world's most potent water-soluble antioxidants.NZ Grape Seed Extract goes into your body and fights free radical damage to slow down the effects of aging. NZ Grape Seed Extract is exceptionally high in antioxidant activity due to having been grown in a region with very high sunshine hours.
Our NZ Grape Seed Extract is made from NZ Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown in New Zealand's well-known Marlborough wine region.
The NZ Grape Seed is extracted with a proprietary process that uses only pure water. Ensuring this extract is completely water soluble and rapidly absorbable in the body while containing no solvent residues.
Ref: M. Adams (2009) https://www.naturalnews.com/025247.html
RED GRAPE SKIN EXTRACT
Red grape skin extract contains the bioactive compounds called flavonoids which support cardiovascular health, lower cholesterol, and stabilize blood sugar levels. Red grape skin extract also contains small amounts of the phytochemical; resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant for combating oxidative stress. Other health benefits of red grape skin include promoting healthy brain function and anti-aging.
NZ Red Grape Skin Extract is derived from Vitis vinifera varieties grown in New Zealand's well-known Marlborough wine region.NZ Red Grape Skin Extract is processed and extracted naturally from non-fermented grapes with a proprietary "water-only" process. This process is done without ethanol or other harsh chemicals.
Most commercial grape skin extract comes from grapes that have already been fermented as a by-product of making red wine. These other processes involve bleaching, which removes the anthocyanins from the grapes' skins.
Ref: N. Jariyapamornkoon (2013) https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6882-13-171
FULVIC ACID
NZ Fulvic Acid contains trace minerals, electrolytes, fatty acids, silica, probiotics, and prebiotics. Fulvic acid can boost the health of your digestive system by replenishing healthy nutrients and enzymes. Fulvic acid fights against tiredness and low energy associated with adrenal fatigue since mineral imbalance or deficiencies of nutrients can cause this.NZ Fulvic acid helps restore the body's essential trace minerals.
Ref: J. Winkler (2018) https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jdr/2018/5391014/