Part 2 The Impact of Advanced Glycation End Products on Collagen
December 11, 2022Part 1 Importance of Creatine + GAA Combo and Why It Stands Apart
January 23, 2023Part 3 Strategies to Combat Aging
In the first two parts of this series, I mentioned two major drivers of aging: ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs).
In this instance, I am referring to the manifestation of aging that is most visible, such as how it shows up through our external appearance. Our external appearance is, in many ways, a reflection of our internal health.
AGEs and UVR are ubiquitous and unavoidable. Fortunately, there are ways we can mitigate their deleterious effects and influence on our physical appearance and overall health.
RADIANT
I want to first discuss the product RADIANT, the scientific evidence behind its formulation, and why it’s a premium product.
RADIANT contains Lustriva, ElastaGlo, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), hyaluronic acid, and collagen.
Vitamin C is necessary for activating the hydroxylation enzymes for collagen biosynthesis. Hyaluronic acid (HA) gives our skin that plump, youthful, hydrated look. Unfortunately, both collagen and HA start to deplete by around age 25.
Lustriva®
Lustriva® is a complex that combines inositol-stabilized Arginine Silicate (ASI) with Magnesium Biotinate, a new and superior form of biotin and silicon. Most beauty-from-within concept formulas use standard biotin. Lustriva not only has the benefit of a more bioavailable form of biotin, but it also contains more bioavailable forms of arginine and silicon, all complexed together. These constituents all work synergistically together and augment each others effects.
Magnesium biotinate is a novel complex of magnesium ionically bound to biotin. Its bioavailability is 40 times greater than that of D-biotin. There is also the added benefit of having magnesium, which not only serves as a chaperone to help increase nutrient delivery, but is also a critical mineral involved in a plethora of biochemical reactions in the body.
Arginine helps increase blood flow velocity, which increases nutrient delivery to the target tissues. The version of arginine in Lustriva, ASI, is a more bioavailable source of arginine, silicon, and inositol which provides multiple health benefits, collectively. It has been validated to increase levels of arginine, silicon and nitric oxide production. This form of arginine is a more sustained release. It has been shown to work within 15 minutes after ingesting and significantly increases arginine levels for up to 6 hours. A study of physically active males who supplemented 1500 mg of ASI daily for 4 days, reported significantly increased pre-workout energy levels and increased muscle hyperemia after exercise. ASI has also been demonstrated to boost cognitive performance in randomized control trials. Having this superior form of arginine also has the added benefit of silicon, which is the third most abundant trace mineral in the body. It is important for optimal collagen synthesis and activation of hydroxylating enzymes (which activate the synthesis of collagen), improving skin strength and elasticity. It has been suggested that a higher silicon content in the hair results in a lower rate of hair loss and increased brightness. Silicon is also the predominant mineral in nails, so it’s crucial for the appearance and health of nails as well.
As I mentioned, ASI increases nitric oxide production and blood flow velocity. This, in turn, increases nutrient delivery and absorption from all of the ingredients in the formula. In pharmacokinetic studies, both Magnesium Biotinate and Bonded Arginine Silicate show superior absorption of biotin and silicon, respectively.
Lustriva enhances hair growth and density, increases nail growth, and improves skin elasticity and overall appearance
One double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized control trial showed:
- Increased hair thickness in just 3 weeks
- Reduced facial wrinkles
- Reduced fine lines and improved skin texture
Preliminary research on Lustriva has shown the following:
- Lustriva lessened skin inflammation caused by UV exposure, as well as improved
- hydroxyproline levels (a measurement of collagen content) in the skin.
- Lustriva significantly reduced epidermal thickness and wrinkle formation caused by UV exposure. As discussed in article 1 of this series, chronic UV radiation has been shown to increase epidermal thickness and wrinkle formation.
- Lustriva improved skin elasticity after UV exposure.
- Lustriva reduced photodamage
- Lustriva reduced the formation of wrinkles and striations caused by UV exposure.
ElastaGLO
Another ingredient in RADIANT is ElastaGLO. ElastaGLO is a fermented, hydrolyzed elastin from the connective tissue of the bonito fish. Collagen is the main component of skin; elastin holds the collagen bundles together and gives skin its elasticity. Aging causes elastin production to slow down, therefore skin loses elasticity
and wrinkles begin to form. Elastin helps restore the elasticity of skin. ElastaGLO has been shown to provide additional benefits, including improvements in vascular elasticity and blood flow. It supports joint mobility, healthy ligaments, and a healthy, non-sagging bust.
RADIANT and AGEless Defense
AGEless Defense is a blend of compounds that have been scientifically demonstrated to combat AGEs. However, it also contains ingredients that have been shown to protect the skin against photo-damage from UVR and metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes (T2D). Stacking RADIANT and AGEless Defense together will boost your fight against aging as these products complement each other well.