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This multivitamin and mineral formula includes a B-50 complex for extra adrenal support, thyroid nourishment, and for energy. The higher folic acid dose along with vitamins B6 and B12 are valuable for heart protection and maintaining healthy homocysteine levels. In our clinic, this formula is a mainstay for men and women, hence we view it as “Wo/Men’s Symmetry”. It has the full range of purely natural mixed carotenoids, including beta-carotene isomers, alpha-carotene, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin and lutein which are all potent antioxidants and no synthetic beta-carotene which has been shown to be relatively ineffective and potentially unsafe.

The carotenes are isolated from the sea vegetable Dunaliella salina. Vitamin C is buffered with calcium and rosehip extract for maximum absorption. There is an unusually high dose of mixed bioflavonoids, which are building blocks for collagen and strengthen blood vessel walls, benefiting arteries and veins, along with additional amounts of the specialty bioflavonoids rutin and hesperidin which are vein and artery nutritives. “Wo/Men’s Symmetry” contains boron, silica and vitamin K for bone density support, and a gentle dose of iodine that is essential for thyroid function.

About this product

Natural carotenes are a group of red, orange, and yellow pigments found in the chloroplasts and chromoplasts of plants including fruits, vegetables, algae, and whole grains. They shield plants from sun-induced free radical damage, providing powerful protection for a lifetime in the sun. Plant carotenoids are water-soluble and do not accumulate in our bodies, so toxicity is almost unheard of. More than five hundred carotenoids are known, some of which convert into active vitamin A in our tissues. Along with other antioxidants such as vitamin C and selenium, carotenes including lutein, help protect all cells and tissues from scavenging free radicals, reduce oxidative stress and cell damage, and decrease harmful lipid peroxides. They boost the cells’ own protective glutathione levels, and superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme action.

Higher tissue levels of healthful phytochemical carotenes are protective against many degenerative conditions, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, cataracts, macular degeneration, arthritis, and skin damage. They are linked with decreased rates of cancers of the ovary, mouth and pharynx, lung, digestive tract, endometrium, and breast. Lycopene, a specific carotenoid high in tomatoes, may reduce prostate cancer risk by fifty percent, and beta-carotene may cut the risk by 36 percent as found by research at Harvard and other centers. Carotenes add to the action of sunscreen to protect the skin against sun damage and reduce sunburn; probably due to “light reflection” from subtly increased skin pigmentation. Our eye tissue is naturally rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, which can absorb damaging light frequencies and lower macular degeneration risk. Natural carotenes can increase the thickness of the macula by 21 to 39 percent, and thus boost its resilience over four or more months.

For joints, studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and other journals showed that people with the lowest intakes of beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin are twice as likely as those with the highest intakes to develop rheumatoid arthritis or another type of inflammatory arthritis.

Other antioxidant benefits come from Vitamin C which shields the body against lipid peroxidation, damaging free radicals and reactive oxygen species that form during normal metabolism as well as through exposure to environmental toxins and pollutants and from oxidative protein damage. It can protect heart artery endothelial function, and help the arteries dilate to improve coronary blood flow. It may also stabilize peripheral blood vessel linings to gently reduce high blood pressure and help prevent varicose veins. In smokers, vitamin C reduces the inflammatory marker plasma C-reactive protein by 24%. In addition, vitamin C helps the regeneration of other antioxidants such as vitamin E; as an antioxidant, it is promising for disorders associated with oxidative damage including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cataracts, and macular degeneration.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient that is critical for the formation of collagen, the main structural protein in connective tissue, cartilage and tendons, and necessary for skin, bone, and joint health, as well as for wound healing. Vitamin C has a crucial role in gum health, and the inner ear, eye and retina health. For gingivitis, vitamin C reduces gum bleeding and helps reverse periodontal disease. It also helps with absorption and utilization of iron and folic acid. For adrenal function, it is an important cofactor for the adrenal glands to manufacture their stress-managing hormones including cortisol and is a treatment for adrenal fatigue.

Selenium is a trace mineral, found in soil; the natural selenomethionine form is found in plants. Selenium is a cofactor for the enzymes glutathione peroxidase and catalase in the antioxidant defense system. It can calm auto-immune activity: research shows that for adults with thyroiditis, selenium reduces thyroid peroxidase antibodies by about 6% to 30% after 3-12 months of use. Selenium also seems to boost sense of well-being and mood. Selenium is needed in protective enzymes in the thyroid. Selenium, in combination with vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenes significantly diminishes oxidative damage to cholesterol, making it less sticky.

Bioflavonoids are plant pigments that give fruits and flowers their colors. Citrus flavonoids including rutin and hesperidin are documented to help normalize capillary permeability and help varicose veins, hemorrhoids, reduce bruising, and maybe calm allergies. Flavonoids, as well as vitamin C, were discovered by the biochemist Albert Szent-Gyorgyi who received the Nobel prize for identifying their benefits. Bioflavonoids are building blocks for collagen, the body’s basic connective tissue protein, and thus are important for healing after injury or surgery. For gingivitis, bioflavonoids strengthen the collagen matrix; they cross-link directly with collagen and increase capillary integrity. They help raise vitamin C levels in tissues, which protects against free radical damage and further contributes to stabilizing collagen, blocking the enzymes that could cleave it apart. Bioflavonoids help maintain and rebuild healthy gum tissue, and are valuable for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and they improve night vision.

Vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid work together in several heart protective actions: They reduce homocysteine, a body waste molecule which damages the endothelial cells that line arteries and could contribute to cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, migraines, macular degeneration, hearing loss, brain atrophy and possibly Alzheimer’s disease. People with low levels of P5P, the active form of vitamin B6, have a five times higher chance of having a heart attack. Vitamin B6 also gently lowers blood pressure, protects “bad” LDL cholesterol from oxidative damage that could make it stick in arteries, and reduces platelet clumping and the risk of clots.

Contents

3 capsules provide:

Vitamin A (as retinyl palitate) 375 mcg RAE
Pro Vitamin A (as natural mixed carotenoids) 1500 mcg RAE
Vitamin C (as calcium ascorbate, buffered) 500 mg
Vitamin D2 (as ergocalciferol) 200IU 5 mcg
Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopheryl succinate) 134 mg
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 15 mcg
Thiamin (Vitamin B1, thiamine HCL) 50 mg
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2, riboflavin-5-phosphate) 25 mg
Niacin (as Vitamin B3, inositol hexaniacinate) 50 mg NE
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine HCL) 50 mg
Folate (as L-5 Methylfolate) 850 mcg DFE
Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) 75 mcg
Biotin 150 mcg
Pantothenic acid (as Vitamin B5, d-cal pantothenate) 50 mg
Calcium (as malate and ascorbate) 225 mg
Iodine (kelp) 75 mcg
Magnesium (Citrate Malate) 100 mg
Zinc (picolinate) 10 mg
Selenium (L-selenomethionine) 75 mcg
Copper (aspartate) 1.5 mg
Manganese (citrate) 5 mg
Chromium (polynicotinate) 50 mcg
Potassium (citrate) 50 mg
Bioflavonoids (from citrus) 200 mg
Rosehips (Rosa canina) fruit 25 mg
Rutin 5 mg
Hesperidin 5 mg
Boron (as citrate) 1.5 mg
Silica 250 mcg

Other Ingredients: Vegan capsule (HPMC, water), magnesium stearate

This product does not contain artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, preservatives, binders, ingredients of animal origin, milk derivatives, lactose, wheat, gluten, eggs, fish, shellfish, salt, sugars, or GMOs.

Cautions

Always take natural remedies under the supervision of your health care provider. Do not use “Wo/Men’s Symmetry” without the advice of your healthcare professional if you are also taking blood thinning drugs such as warfarin, heparin as vitamin K can counteract the anticoagulant effects. There may a slight increase of blood-thinning effect with high doses of natural remedies including clove, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, curcumin, vitamin E and fish oil. NSAID drugs such as aspirin, Plavix, ibuprofen, or naproxen can also have blood-thinning effects that are potentiated by vitamin K.

Vitamin K might lower blood sugar: along with other natural remedies including chromium, gymnema, banaba, or cinnulin, it might lower blood sugar too much. Monitor blood sugar regularly. Rarely gas, bloating or diarrhea can occur with large doses of vitamin C or magnesium, and resolve when doses are reduced. Do not use calcium without the advice of your physician if you have a history of kidney stones or soft tissue calcification.

Do not take calcium within three hours of thyroid medicines or tetracycline antibiotics. Calcium can interfere with the action of diltiazem and sotalol and reduce the efficacy of verapamil.

Additional calcium may be needed during pregnancy and during lactation: follow the guidance of your physician. Do not use magnesium during pregnancy without medical guidance. Magnesium occasionally causes looser stools. Do not use “Wo/Men’s Symmetry” during pregnancy or lactation unless under the guidance of your physician as there is insufficient data about safe use during pregnancy.