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The recent surge in the
commercially available nutritional products, perhaps,
is based on the statement, “… forget your Recommended
Daily Allowance! Recent scientific
breakthroughs have nearly conclusively linked the prevention
of certain diseases with megadoses of a few ordinary
vitamins, minerals and fiber”, by Global Business Research
(Am J Clin Nutr 1996; 63:139-140). Observing such a
surge in commercial production of nutritional supplement,
a renown clinician and nutritionist, Dr. Victor Herbert
who recently passed away, cautioned by saying “Supplement
help some, harm some and do nothing for most, so the
bottom line is a wash” (Am J Clin Nutr 1994;60:157-160).
Another renowned scientist, Dr. J. Blumberg wondered,
“Are antioxidants (nutrients) at an awkward age!” (J
Am Coll Nutr 1994; 13:218-219). This frustrated situation
arises, perhaps, mostly due to not knowing the basic
concept of nutrition. At least the following two steps
needed to be carefully considered in developing an active
and effective nutritional supplement.
1. Chelation:
Nutrition, of course, comes from natural
sources. Many natural/herbal products
have, therefore, been shown to have beneficial effects
on human health. Nutrients contained
in these natural/herbal products, however,
remain in some chelated or coordinated form, these
nutrients are combined with other materials such as
minerals or amino acids (peptides). Consequently,
mixing nutrients, as in a commercial multivitamin preparation,
should not be expected to provide the necessary
nutritional benefits equivalent to their  natural/herbal
sources. Chelation/coordination between nutrients occurs
via a weak bond, formed by a suitable manufacturing
process without applying any severe conditions, such
as heat and/or chemicals. For example, chelations of
chromium (Cr) with certain nutrients (dotted lines as
shown to the right), which have previously been shown
to regulate metabolic conditions and/or enhance immune
functions, have been achieved by such processes.
Such chelated products
are easily absorbed in the body while retaining their
nutritional properties as expected from their natural
sources.
2.
An Integrated Antioxidant System:
The recent findings suggest
that cell death (apoptosis) in human body is associated
with the inactivation of Mitochondria in the cell. This
cellular component is considered to be the powerhouse
of the cell and in fact, for the whole human body. When
Mitochondria produces power, it also generates many
oxygen species, known as Free Radicals or Oxidants which
are very harmful for the body. To minimize and/or inactivate
these Oxidants, body needs Antioxidants. Beta carotene,
vitamin E and C are commonly taken as such Antioxidants.
But many studies have shown that this is not so, rather
they could be harmful if taken inappropriately. That’s
why, perhaps, Dr Blumgerg, as mentioned above, expressed
his frustration. However, studies have also shown that
these exogenous antioxidants work in an integrated manner
with endogenous antioxidants in the human body, as depicted
in following diagram.
 All the nutrients namely beta carotene,
vitamin E and C, within the circular system in the diagram
come from the natural sources while GSH (glutathione)
is a powerful endogenous (within the human body) antioxidant.
Many other endogenous antioxidants, like this, work
in an integrated manner with the above exogenous antioxidant
nutrients to provide the human body a perfect anti-oxidative
protection. This system not only helps in generating
power by Mitochondria, thus even impeding aging process,
but also helps in bolstering immune system in the human
body.
These technologically
advanced chelated and integrated antioxidant nutrients
are essentially the active ingredients
of the products of LSTI, certainly much different
from many commercially available multivitamins, and
showed highly desirable outcomes in both laboratory
and human studies.
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