Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Effects of
LifePak® Supplementation on Antioxidant Status, Free Radical Activity and
Resistance to LDL-Oxidation.
C.R. Smidt, Ph.D.,1 D.L. Woehler, R.D.,2 R.J. Seidehamel, Ph.D.,3 S. Devaraj,
Ph.D.,4 I. Jialal, M.D., Ph.D.4
ABSTRACT
Objective: The present study investigated whether LifePak®, a
comprehensive optimum potency multiple nutrient supplement, can improve
antioxidant status, decrease free radical activity, and improve resistance to
LDL-oxidation in healthy volunteers.
Design: One-hundred-fifty non-smokers, ages 18-65 years, were
recruited in the Houston, Texas area. Subjects were not taking any other dietary
supplements and consumed typical American diets with less than 5 servings of
fruits and vegetables. Seventy-five subjects were supplemented with LifePak® and
another 75 subjects received placebo (each in 2 packets of 3 capsules each
daily) for 6 weeks.
Measurements: Blood and urine samples were taken at the start and end
of the supplementation period and analyzed for serum antioxidant nutrients, such
as vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids and vitamin A, as well as serum oxygen
radical absorption capacity, and markers of free radical damage, including serum
total alkenals, hydroperoxides, and urinary alkenals, 8-hydroxyguanosine, and
8-epi-PGF2". Plasma samples were prepared for LDL (low-density lipoprotein)
oxidizability assays.
Results: LifePak® supplementation significantly improved antioxidant
status as evidenced by increased serum levels of $-carotene (from 0.236+0.200
µg/ml to 0.461+0.245 µg/ml; p<0.001), "-carotene (from 62+54 ng/ml to 355+194
ng/ml; p<0.001), and vitamin E ("-tocopherol, from 8.94+2.06 µg/ml to
15.96+5.21 µg/ml, p<0.001), with no changes in the placebo group. LifePak®
significantly increased total serum oxygen radical absorption capacity by 5.0%
(p<0.05) and lowered serum total alkenals by 9.6% (p<0.001). LifePak®
effectively improved LDL's resistance to oxidation, as the lag time was
prolonged by about 18% (from 46.0+10.2 min to 54.5+13.9 min; p<0.001).
Conclusions: LifePak® supplementation for 6 weeks significantly
increased antioxidant status, reduced serum alkenals, and improved LDL
resistance to oxidation in healthy non-smokers consuming typical U.S. diets.
1 Interior Design Nutritionals, Nu Skin Enterprises, Provo, UT
2 Research
for Health, Inc., Houston, TX
3 RJS Consulting, Evansville, IN
4 Center
for Human Nutrition and Dept. of Pathology, The University of Texas Southwestern
Medical Center, Dallas, TX
.
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