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


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