Essentials of Youthful Aging

The prevalence of obesity and undernutrition only continue to grow despite continued practical advice from nutritionists to eat less and make fruits and vegetables a greater part of our diets. Rampant overeating of the wrong foods characteristic of the average adult in the United States has not afforded increased intake of vitamins and minerals.

On the contrary, clinical and epidemiological studies find that most Americans receive suboptimal intakes of these micronutrients and that most suffer from either undernutrition or are likely to exhibit a moderate deficiency in at least one essential vitamin or mineral.

We are indeed a population that is overfed yet undernourished. Consider these facts:

• In 2009, less than 25 percent of U.S. adults consumed five or more fruit or vegetable servings per day (1).
• Most Americans receive only suboptimal levels of vitamins and minerals needed to protect long-term health.
• Recent evidence suggests that young adults may be deficient in B12 at much higher percentages than previously thought.
• Remarkably, vitamin E intake is inadequate in 93 percent of all U.S. adults.
• Almost all U.S. adults are extremely low in vitamin D.
• Even with dietary supplementation, many U.S. adults do not meet estimated average requirements for vitamins D, A, E, C, and the mineral calcium (see chart) (2).

Experts agree that the incidence of “subclinical,” or moderate nutritional deficiencies, have become far too common. 
These may cause metabolic and cellular harm over time. While nutrient intakes are high enough to prevent overt, classical symptoms of deficiency states, they are too low for our body’s optimal function (3). For example, vitamin C in the diet may be enough to prevent symptoms of scurvy, but not enough to maximize function as a coenzyme in skin health, or efficient quenching of free radicals, or in keeping the immune system vigilant. Other examples of subclinical or moderate insufficiencies have been described for magnesium, zinc, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Each of these nutrients is necessary to protect our cells and their components.

Vitamins and minerals work in synergy to keep cells functioning efficiently and our physical structures intact. Even a subclinical deficiency of one can affect the others. Folate and B12, for example, are required as methyl donors for maintaining DNA stability, important for cell health, and metabolizing homocysteine, a cardiotoxic amino acid (4 & 5). Additionally, seven vitamins and minerals are required in the diet daily for just one of many steps in mitochondrial energy production. Finally, a low vitamin E status requires other antioxidants such as vitamin C and selenium to take on greater responsibility in protecting our cells from free radicals.

Why take a multivitamin?

Do you spend time reading the nutrition facts panels of every food label and adding up vitamins and minerals to be sure you are meeting all dietary requirements? As the authors of a study published in the Journal of Nutrition (1) summed up nicely, “nearly the entire U.S. population consumes a diet that is not on par with recommendations.” It’s a staggering conclusion.

If it weren’t for the fortification of foods and dietary supplementation, another recent study just published in the same journal (2) found that many Americans would fail to meet even the minimum nutritional requirements set by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Based on national surveys (NHANES) from 2003 to 2006, dietary supplements were responsible for improving the status of 17 micronutrients among more than 16,000 participants.

Comparing the percent of individuals meeting the estimated average requirement (EAR) of vitamin D, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E based on NHANES data and projected estimates by supplementing with Ageless Essentials Daily Pack.

Multivitamins are the most commonly used dietary supplement and play a large role in ensuring adequate nutrient intake in the diets of a large portion of the population. Not only do multivitamins help people meet their nutrient needs, but studies have also shown that taking them on a regular basis is associated with long-term health:

• Reduced risk of accelerated metabolic disruption, mitochondrial decay, and degenerative pathologies associated with aging (3)
• Improved maintenance of healthy concentrations of serum homocysteine, C-reactive protein, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides (4,5)
• Improved maintenance of glucose metabolism and cardiovascular health (5,6)
• Improved cognitive performance, especially verbal memory, and mood (7)
• Improved calcium balance for cardiovascular and bone health (8-10)
• Improved maintenance of chromosomal telomere length, a biomarker of aging (11)

Essentials for Men/Women

Isagenix is redefining what it means to age gracefully. Taking control of your health is as easy as taking Ageless Essentials with Product B. Its component Essentials for Men/Women is designed to provide optimal doses of vitamins and minerals for healthy aging.

To create the most advanced multivitamin supplement, Isagenix laid the groundwork for Essentials for Men/Women by performing a thorough review of the latest scientific studies. The focus was to ensure that the pack reflected quantities and quality of nutrients that meet criteria in line with updated nutritional guidelines, therapeutic doses and forms.

The tablets are designed with sustained-release technology by using forms of nutrients with different molecular weights, sizes, and solubility rates. The combination of these elements creates a staggered release of nutrients into the small intestine, providing steady passage and absorption of the various nutrients into the bloodstream. The multivitamins (unlike typical “whole-food” supplements) take into account the avoidance of anti-nutrient components such as phytates and reduction of mineral competitiveness. The separation into AM and PM packets also divides the doses over the course of the day for optimal absorption.

Lastly, Isagenix adheres to a “no compromise” policy that guarantees the products will deliver the nutrients we promise. We include the right amount of nutrients listed on the label, often with a responsible overage, to be sure that the product will deliver the same potency for the duration of its two-year shelf life. All raw materials are tested for purity and potency. Isagenix even ups the ante by performing Finished Product Safety verification through independent, third-party laboratories.