At this very moment, a silent defense network circulates through our bloodstream as a united front against disease and aging. What it is and where its members come from varies, but they share one powerful aim: to neutralize dangerous excess fractions of oxygen known as "free radicals."

Free radicals occur when stable oxygen molecules are transformed into a highly reactive, unstable form of oxygen. These unstable forms of oxygen are produced in the normal process of cell metabolism, which means the daily tasks of assimilating nutrients, creating energy, reproducing, repairing cellular damage, and disposing of waste left over from all the other functions. Free radicals are also produced in the body by alcohol, cured meats, artificial colorings and flavors, petrochemicals, inhaled fumes, herbicides, asbestos, smog, ultraviolet radiation, X rays, chemotherapy, smoking, emotional stress, physical trauma, some drugs, and a myriad of other sources. Free radicals, in excessive quantities, are now increasingly regarded as primary forces of destruction in nearly all living things.

"Antioxidants" and "free radical scavengers" are terms for a certain group of nutrients that prevent the destruction of healthy cells in the body caused by too many free radicals. The stabilization of free radicals is a means of strengthening bodily structure and improving overall metabolic functions. Antioxidants act as defusers of these free radical molecular time-bombs.

Although most living organisms have extremely efficient protective systems for defending themselves against the ravaging effects of excessive free radicals, our natural defenses are falling far short of what is necessary for health and vitality. Not only are most Americans creating far more free radicals in their bodies now than a few decades ago because of numerous environmental toxins, but the supply of antioxidants provided in our diet has also fallen sharply.

Antioxidants are very effective in protecting us from free radical damage, but getting sufficient antioxidants from our diets is nearly impossible. Supplementation is now more crucial to good health than ever.

The Players

Carotenoids are one of the most common dietary agents that have been studied as cancer-preventive agents. Although the number of naturally occurring carotenoids isolated from various sources is in excess of 600, the number of carotenoids that are abundant in common foods is less than 50. While beta-carotene is recognized as the most biological active of these different carotinoids, its activity is greatly enhanced when combined with other naturally-occurring carotinoids, such as alpha-carotene, Zeaxanthin, Cryptoxanthin, Lutein, and Lycopene. These potent protectors of our immune systems are referred to as "natural mixed carotinoids," and are found in the Syntra-Shield.

Likewise, the effectiveness of vitamin E largely depends on whether it is synthetic or natural. Vitamin E, as it is found in nature, is actually eight different components: four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. But since the alpha-tocopherol component of vitamin is the most active, this single component has become almost synonymous with vitamin E in the medical community. Many researchers now feel that this position, held for over 40 years, is severely outdated. Recent findings indicate that natural, mixed, tocopherols are over twice as effective in the body as d-alpha tocopherol alone. Biologically-active, natural, mixed tocopherols are found in the Syntra-5 LifePac.

The four ACES of the antioxidant community are important players in any preventative health program, but other recently-discovered antioxidants are now known to offer many times the amount of free radical protection than even the four ACES. They're called OPC's.

Oligomeric ProanthoCyanidins (OPC's) are a sub-group of natural compounds (Pycnogenol® being one of the more well known) that belong to the family of over 20,000 different natural bioflavonoids. They're often associated in nature with vitamin C and have been isolated from many natural foods such as: apples, quinces, cherries, grapes, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, sorghum, strawberries, beans, hops, and rose hips. The most concentrated natural sources of OPC's are found in grape seeds. OPC's are water soluble and usually destroyed or discarded during cooking, making it necessary for daily supplementation to provide adequate levels in the body.

Scientific research confirms the ability of OPC's to neutralize free radicals and to help conserve and regenerate vitamins C and E. In fact, OPC's are believed to neutralize free radicals 20 to 50 times better than vitamins C and E! OPC's also strengthen capillary walls by making the elastin and collagen fibers more resistant to destruction from free radicals. The medical application of this activity alone is responsible for countless health benefits.

Green Tea is literally a chemical soup of numerous antioxidant polyphenols such as catechins and quercetin, which have been shown to increase blood antioxidant activity by over 40% within 30 minutes of drinking one cup of strong green tea.

Coenzyme Q10 is a potent energy source and powerful antioxidant, but perhaps its greatest talents are displayed deep within our cells. Inside each body cell is a power plant called a mitochondrion. Inside this cellular power plant, a number of sequenced steps occur to produce the energy that keeps us alive and moving. Whenever several steps are necessary to produce an end product, the body speeds up the process using a special protein called an enzyme. Sometimes two or more substances must combine to produce one enzyme. These substances are called coenzymes, and in mitochondria one of the most important coenzymes keeps the power plant fires stoked and burning. Its name is coenzyme Q10 (co Q10). It aids in the production of energy, and is a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger. Like vitamin E, Co Q10 is an antioxidant that protects fat molecules from becoming oxidized.

Ginkgo Biloba is a synergistic masterpiece of active flavonoid ingredients. Researchers have found so many active ingredients and so many sites in the body where the compounds are active, that to isolate just a few of the more active ingredients would diminish this remarkable herb's properties significantly! Ginkgo Biloba, like vitamin E and Co Q10, protects fats from oxidation. Since the brain has a higher proportion of unsaturated to saturated fats than anywhere else in the body, it's no wonder that ginkgo biloba has proven itself effective in improving memory, improving concentration, accelerating learning, increasing blood flow and oxygenation of tissues, improving the transmission of nerve signals, and generally improving brain function.

Garlic is an incredibly complex mixture of active chemicals that was called "Russian penicillin" during World War II. This pungent bulb has impressive talents. It lowers LDL (low density lipoproteins), the "bad-for-you" form of cholesterol while increasing HDL (high density lipoproteins), the good form of cholesterol; lowers blood pressure; improves blood flow to the arms and legs; kills bacteria, fungus, yeasts, viruses, and parasites; and prevents fats other than LDL cholesterol from being oxidized or from infiltrating the blood vessel wall. One speaker at the 4th International Congress on Phytotherapy, held in Munich in 1992, noted that no other antioxidant could claim as many triumphant benefits to cardiovascular health as garlic.

Lycopene is a remarkable antioxidant found almost exclusively in tomatoes. Recent research has shown Lycopene to be effective in improving mental and physical functioning. German tests show Lycopene more powerful in eliminating specific free radicals than even much-touted beta carotene.

Quercetin is a bioflavonoid called a flavone. Found largely in citrus, quercetin has been found to possess strong antiallergic and anti-inflammatory activity. It has also been found to strengthen the immune system.

Bilberry is rich in an active ingredient called anthocyanosides. This potent berry helps protect the body's collagen against free radical damage. Collagen is the protein-based substance that gives tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and skin their tensile strength and shape; aids in keeping red blood cells from clumping together; helps keep blood sugar at an even level in cases of diabetes; and helps relax smooth muscle. With its abilities to strengthen collagen and blood vessels, bilberry has long been known to improve vision and prevent bleeding under the surface of the skin, i.e. red eyes, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, etc.

Milk Thistle is an herb that has been used for centuries in the treatment of liver disorders. It contains some of the most potent liver-protecting substances known to exist. It contains many bioflavonoids which act in the body to increase membrane strength and reduce membrane permeability. It stimulates protein synthesis, while accelerating the process of liver regeneration in damaged tissues.

Syntra-Shield is the most complete, potent, and synergistic blend of antioxidants ever developed. This broad spectrum approach to antioxidant protection is further enhanced by our Enzyme Delivery Package (EDP) 1520. EDP 1520 is a proprietary enzyme delivery formula designed to provide maximum bioavailability for the unique blend of antioxidants found in Syntra-Shield. No matter how potentially active a vitamin or phytochemical is, its activity is useless unless it can be delivered to the proper receptor sites in the body. EDP 1520 insures that ability.

Suggested Use: Adults - As a dietary supplement, take one tablet with each meal. Children - one or two tablets daily. Store in a cool, dry place.

Contains no sugar, starch, salt, wheat, corn, yeast, soy derivatives, lactose, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, colors, or dyes.