PRODUCT EFFICACY

Research is extremely important in designing safe and effective micronutrient formulations. The Dr. Rath Research Institute is constantly researching new combinations of micronutrients with regard to their metabolic efficacy. These studies document that the selection and dosage of each micronutrient in such combinations are crucial to their final efficacy. Most effective nutrient combinations are based on the principle of synergy which is the mutually reinforcing effects of the individual components.

A comprehensive series of tests illustrate how different combinations of micronutrients can support or enhance important biological functions in various types of cells.

Effects of micronutrient combinations on the growth of healthy cells

Growth of healthy cells is paramount in the development of our body organs and maintaining healthy body functions. Cells undergo a continuous process of renewal in which old and damaged cells are eliminated and replaced with new ones. To support this process, cells require a regular supply of micronutrients working as catalysts in various biochemical processes taking place in the cell.

Scientists at the Dr. Rath Research Institute studied the effects of various micronutrient synergies on the growth of fibroblasts, the cells that compose human connective tissue such as skin and other body organs. The results show that in comparison to control cells without the addition of micronutrients, the cells exposed to properly combined micronutrients experienced faster growth.

The zero line on the graph represents control cells (without micronutrients) while each column indicates a growth-promoting effect of a specific micronutrient composition. The taller the column the higher growth rate of tested cells. In the presence of compositions A and B the growth of skin fibroblasts was over 50% higher than the cells in control, while composition C was the most effective in enhancing fibroblast growth by over 90%.

A:    Different vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids and phytobiologicals
B:    Green tea extract, curcumin, resveratrol, cruciferous plant extract, and quercetin
C:   Vitamins C, E, B6, and D, folic acid, lysine, proline, copper, betaine, chondroitin sulfate, acetylglucosamine, and pycnogenol

Effects of micronutrient combinations on the production of collagen type i

Connective tissue gives the body organs both support and protection. The important molecules that are produced by the connective tissue cells (mainly fibroblasts) are collagen fibers. Collagen fibers have a similar function in the body as the steel girders in a high-rise building.

Among several types of collagens, the collagen types I and IV have particular importance in the body. Collagen type I is the most abundant collagen in the human body building our skin, blood vessels, tendons, bones and teeth.

Researchers at the Dr. Rath Research Institute investigated how various micronutrient combinations affect the synthesis of collagen type I in human skin fibroblasts. The results show that in the presence of two of the tested micronutrient combinations (A and B) the cells produced about four times more collagen (increase between 390%-450%) than control cells without the addition of micronutrients. In the presence of combination C containing vitamin C and the amino acids lysine and proline, the production of collagen type I in skin fibroblasts increased almost 600%. The zero line on the graph represents control cells (without micronutrients).

A: Different vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids and phytobiologicals
B: Vitamins C, E, B6, and D, folic acid, lysine, proline, copper, betaine, chondroitin sulfate, acetylglucosamine, and pycnogenol
C: Vitamin C, lysine, and proline

Effects of micronutrient combinations on the production of collagen type iV

The collagen type IV produced by fibroblasts and other types of cells is a main component of basement membranes which form biological barriers and structural support for epithelial and endothelial cells in various body organs. The integrity of basement membranes is particularly important for optimum function of the blood vessel walls and the cardiovascular system. Collagen type IV is also involved in cell adhesion, cell migration and other vital processes.

The Dr. Rath researchers investigated how different micronutrient combinations affect the production of type IV collagen at the genetic level by activating its gene in the nucleus. The study was conducted on cells building the arterial walls (human aortic fibroblasts). The results of the study provide evidence of the favorable effects of micronutrient combinations B and C that stimulated gene expression of collagen type IV by 160% and 180%, respectively. However, micronutrient combination A activated gene expression of collagen type IV even more reaching the 200% mark. The zero line on the graph represents control cells (without micronutrients).

A: Different vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids and phytobiologicals
B: Vitamins C, E, B6, and D, folic acid, lysine, proline, copper, betaine, chondroitin sulfate, acetylglucosamine, and pycnogenol
C: Vitamin C, lysine, and proline

EFFECts OF MICRONUTRIENT COMBINATIONS ON BIOENERGY PRODUCTION (ATP)

Virtually all biological processes that occur in our cells consume biological energy. The decisive molecule for providing this energy is adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is a highly efficient molecule that is capable of storing biological energy within its structure. It is produced in the mitochondria, the energy-producing power stations of our cells, as a universal energy carrier.

Highly active cell systems and organs such as the heart muscle cells and brain cells have a particularly high energy turnover. For example, the movement of our muscles while walking or doing sports is only possible with the help of ATP molecules.

In order to produce the ATP molecules our body cells require a continuous supply of nutrients to keep the energy-generating cycle running.

The studies on the effect of selected micronutrient combinations on ATP formation were performed on human smooth muscle cells of the arterial wall. These cells have a particularly high energy demand and therefore possess a large number of mitochondria (energy-producing power stations).

Combinations A and C showed a slight increase (16% and 12%, respectively) in ATP concentration. However, combination B which was specifically developed for optimizing bioenergy production proved to be particularly effective with a 44% increase in ATP concentration. The zero line on the graph represents control cells (without micronutrients).

A:    Different vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids and phytobiologicals
B:    Vitamins C, E, and B1-B12, biotin, carnitine, coenzyme Q10, and taurine
C:   Coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E

EFFECTs OF MICRONUTRINET COMBINATIONS ON THE PROTECTION OF CELLS AGEINST FREE RADICALS

Exhaust gases, contaminated water, cigarette smoke and other environmental toxins contain various free radicals, highly reactive molecules that are capable of causing serious damage to the body cells. In particular, these molecules include reactive oxygen species (ROS). This process is also referred to as "biological rusting."

A healthy organism has protective mechanisms to effectively prevent cell and tissue damage caused by ROS. Antioxidants directly react with ROS and neutralize their damaging effect, thereby rendering them harmless. When the amount of free radicals exceeds the amount of antioxidants, this state is called oxidative stress. It has been associated with numerous health conditions as well as early aging. Micronutrients, such as certain vitamins and plant polyphenols, are the most important antioxidants capable of scavenging a wide variety of free radicals.

In the search for the most powerful antioxidant combinations the Dr. Rath researchers applied the commonly used method called Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC). In the study all scientifically developed combinations showed antioxidant potential. However, combinations B and C, which were developed particularly to provide antioxidant protection and support healthy cell growth, presented the highest antioxidant potential with values reaching 1300 and 1430 TEACs, respectively. The zero line on the graph represents control cells (without micronutrients).

A:    Different vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids and phytobiologicals
B:    Vitamin C, lysine, proline, arginine, green tea extract, quercetin, selenium, copper, and manganese
C:   Vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid, buffered vitamin C and ascorbyl palmitate, and bioflavonoids

EFFECTs OF MICRONUTRIENT COMBINATIONS ON THE PROTECTION OF THE CELLS FROM DAMAGE CAUSED BY ELEVATED SUGAR LEVELS

Glucose (sugar) is a primary source of energy for the majority of cells in our body. However, an excess of sugar in the diet can have adverse consequences which burden and damage cells. A prolong surplus of glucose in the blood makes cell surfaces “sticky” which considerably impairs their functions. In addition, high blood sugar levels restrict the absorption of vitamin C into the cells. If cells are exposed to very high glucose levels for longer periods of time, they die.

In the study the Dr. Rath researchers tested how various micronutrient combinations can protect human cells (smooth muscle cells) from the damaging effects of high glucose levels. They compared the survival rate of cells exposed to high concentrations of glucose in the presence of micronutrient combinations with the survival rate of control cells which were exposed to the same concentrations of glucose but without the addition of micronutrients.

The results showed significant protection of cells by the micronutrients. The survival of cells treated with combinations A and C were higher by 60% and 80%, respectively. Most effective however was composition B providing a 100% higher survival rate in comparison to control cells. The zero line on the graph represents control cells (without micronutrients).

 
SHOP NOW: