|
|  |
Go XanGo
544 hits
| Aug 01, 2004 1:36 am |
|
Received this as a PM from a Ryze member.. How would you respond to these points? |
John C. Venezia, CLU ChFC
 | |
Recently I received this as a PM from a Ryze member.. He evidently represents Pharmanex of something. How would you respond to these various points? Please read this carefully and give me your specific points of refute. Would much appreciate it!! John "V"
He said...
If you want an antioxidant boost what would be better, green tea or Xango? Supplement watch.com can give you the results. Here they are.
Antioxidants - Reviews
These products have been independently evaluated by a team of scientists
Green Tea as an Antioxidant
Virtually everybody reading this page will have heard the term "antioxidant" by now (probably more times than you care to count). As a very broad generalization, the term "antioxidant" refers to the activity possessed by numerous vitamins, minerals and other phytochemicals to serve as protection against the damaging effects of highly reactive molecules known as free radicals. Free radicals have the ability to chemically react with, and damage, many structures in the body. Particularly susceptible to oxidative damage are the cell membranes of virtually all cells and the very source of our genetic material - DNA. Free radical reactions and oxidative damage have been linked to many of the diseases of aging such as heart disease and cancer.
The free radical theory of aging (and disease promotion) holds that through a gradual accumulation of microscopic damage to our cell membranes, DNA, tissue structures and enzyme systems, we begin to lose function and are predisposed to disease. Literally thousands of scientific studies have clearly documented the beneficial effects of dozens of antioxidant nutrients. There is certainly no shortage of nutrients and phytochemicals that possess significant antioxidant activity in the test tube - in fact, it seems as if every nutraceutical on the market possesses some degree of antioxidant activity. It is very well established that an increased dietary intake of antioxidant phytonutrients is linked to a reduced rate of oxidative damage as well as reduced incidence of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Perhaps the best specific data regarding antioxidant activity and the potential for real health benefits exists for green tea extract.
Aside form being the second-most consumed beverage in the world (water is the first), green tea has been used medicinally for centuries in India and China. The active constituents in green tea are a family of polyphenols (catechins) and flavonols which possess potent antioxidant activity. Large polyphenol molecules called tannins form the bulk of the active compounds in green tea, with catechins comprising nearly 90%. Several catechins are present in significant quantities; epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG makes up about 10-50% of the total catechin content and appears to be the most powerful of the catechins - with antioxidant activity about 25-100 times more potent than vitamins C and E. A cup of green tea may provide 10-40mg of polyphenols and has antioxidant activity greater than a serving of broccoli, spinach, carrots or strawberries. A number of commercial green tea extracts are standardized to total polyphenol content and/or EGCG content (but many are not).
Several epidemiological studies show an association between consumption of total flavonoids in the diet and the risk for cancer and heart disease. Men with the highest consumption of flavonoids (from fruits and vegetables) have approximately half the risk of heart disease and cancer compared with those with the lowest intake. The primary catechin in green tea, EGCG, appears to inhibit the growth of cancer cells as well as play a role in stimulating apoptosis (programmed cell death), both of which are crucial aspects for cancer prevention. In terms of heart disease protection, the potent antioxidant properties of polyphenols would be expected to reduce free radical damage to cells and prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol - both of which would be expected to inhibit the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
This review concerns the specific actions of green tea extract as a powerful antioxidant (versus its use as a weight loss agent which has also been reviewed here). In this regard, green tea may be used by consumers looking for a broad-spectrum antioxidant or as specific treatment/prevention for certain cancers. For either of these uses, as a general antioxidant or as an "anti-cancer" agent, SupplementWatch urges you to look for the highest polyphenol content with the lowest caffeine content at the best price. Aside from the clear benefits of green tea as an antioxidant, however, recent studies have suggested a role catechins in promoting weight loss - and another review (using a different set of criteria) evaluates the value of specific green tea extracts as adjuncts to a weight loss regimen.
Supplement Company Rating Score
Tegreen 97 Pharmanex Try it 97 The best product on earth for preventing prostate cancer and providing an antioxidant boost.
Cell Protector Formula GNC Try it 92
GNC Herbal Plus Standardized Green Tea GNC Try it 90
Isagenix Antioxidant Isagenix Try it 90
GNC Preventive Nutrition Ultra Pycnogenol GNC Recommended 88
Natrol Green Tea Natrol Recommended 88
Herbal Harvest Green Tea Extract
Nature's Bounty Recommended 85
Tri-OPCs GNC Recommended 80
Oxygenics Metagenics Recommended 80
Juice Plus NSA Incorporated Promising 73
Standardized Green Tea Extract (with Red Clover) Nature's Way Promising 71
Standardized Green Tea Extract
Nature's Way Promising 71
Green Tea Power Nature's Herbs Promising 71
Ambrotose - AO Mannatech Promising 70
GNC Natural Brand Green Tea Extract GNC Hold off 69
XanGo Xango Corporation Don't waste your money 55
Score 55
Rating Don't waste your money
Supplement XanGo
Company Xango Corporation
Claims Score 10
Claims The brand name "XanGo" is created from the words xanthones and mangosteen. XanGo is a fruit drink that contains mangosteen and claims "to harness the incredible nutritional power of the whole mangosteen fruit". Mangosteen is a fruit grown primarily in Southeast Asia where it is often called "Queen of Fruits" due to its pleasant flavor. The mangosteen fruit contains a compound called xanthones, which is thought to have antioxidant properties. XanGo is marketed as an energy booster and rejuvenator as well as a source of the antioxidant xanthone.
· Antioxidant protection against free radicals
· Cholesterol reduction
· Energy enhancement
Theory Score 15
Theory The human body produces free radicals during everyday life. Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with an odd number of (unpaired) electrons. Free radicals are very unstable and react quickly with other compounds. Once formed, free radicals can start a chain reaction of cell damage finally resulting in death of the cell. Antioxidants, such as vitamins A,C, and E, and selenium, are chemicals found in whole foods (especially fruits and vegetables) that help to protect the body's cells from the harmful effects of free radicals. Xanthone is a compound found in mangosteen fruit that may have antioxidant properties.
The XanGo fruit drink contains a variety of fruit juice concentrates including reconstituted garcinia mangostana juice (mangosteen), apple juice concentrate, pear juice concentrate, grape juice concentrate, pear puree, blueberry juice concentrate, raspberry juice concentrate, strawberry juice concentrate, cranberry juice concentrate, cherry juice concentrate, citric acid, natural flavor, pectin, xanthan gum, sodium benzoale, and potassium sorbate.
Science Score 7
Science There have been a number of studies on mangosteen fruit and the antioxidant properties of xanthones. In one study, six xanthones found in the mangosteen fruit were isolated from the fruit peel. These xanthones were then tested in vitro (in a test tube) on various tissue cell carcinomas. Of the six xanthones isolated, garcinone E was found to have potent cytotoxic (cancer fighting) effects on cancer cells of the liver, stomach, and lung.
In another study, a mangosteen derivative called gamma-mangostin was found to directly inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme activity in rat glioma cells. The COX enzyme catalyzes the first step in the creation of prostaglandins from a common fatty acid. It adds two oxygen molecules to arachidonic acid to begin a set of reactions that ultimately creates a host of free radicals. Currently, no clinical trials have proven mangosteen fruit to have anticancer effects in humans and no published studies have proven xanthones to be beneficial to human cells. Additionally, no studies have directly investigated the antioxidant effects of xanthones found in the XanGo fruit drink.
Safety Score 18
Safety There have been no reported side effects associated with XanGo. Although the suggested serving of 1 ounce contains only 3 grams of carbohydrate, people with diabetes should avoid drinking large amounts of the fruit drink since it contains a high amount of concentrated sugars.
Value Score 5
Value The manufacturer suggests drinking 1 to 2 ounces of XanGo each morning. A 26-ounce bottle of XanGo costs approximately $25 dollars, which totals $1-2 per serving. There are other brands that sell a similar product for $17.50 per 26-ounce bottle. Even if xanthones are potent antioxidants, the amount found in a 1-ounce serving of XanGo is unlikely to have health benefits. For someone interested in increasing their antioxidant intake, a much cheaper (and probably more effective) route would be to increase their intake of whole fruits and vegetables - or even to add a well-balanced antioxidant supplement to their daily regimen. As for the energizing properties of XanGo, there are no ingredients besides calories that will provide added energy.
Not a glowing review! These are a group of independent researchers and scientists making these reviews. Why would people want something that is not proven?
(End of his Message)....Private Reply to John C. Venezia, CLU ChFC (new win) |
|
