Antioxidants are powerful free radical fighters, and supplementation with them is an excellent way to replenish our natural arsenals and make our bodies stronger and more impervious to the daily free radical onslaught.
Antioxidants come in many forms, and a broad mix of these is known to improve effectiveness against the damaging effects of free radicals. The mix of 20 different antioxidants in eRadicator from Healing America is most impressive. It includes important nutrients like vitamin A, selenium, and the essential amino acid L-methionine, in addition to such “powerhouse” antioxidants as superoxide dismutase, EGCG (green tea extract), alpha lipoic acid, tocotrienol (rice bran extract -- vitamin E), and lycopene. N-acetyl-cysteine in eRadicator supports production of the most important cellular-level antioxidant in the body, glutathione. Lutein, bilberry extract, and zeaxanthin are included for eye health. Quercetin, ginkgo, curcumin, grape seed and grape skin extracts, lycopene and nordihydroguairetic acid round out the potent array of antioxidants in eRadicator.

IMMUNAL
The special combination of potent immunological revitalizers - acemannan, beta glucan, larch arabinogalactin, and astragalus -- make Immunal one of the most powerful herbal immune enhancers available today. These ingredients not only support critical parts of the immune system individually, they also provide broad-spectrum immune enhancement, revitalizing all the pieces at the same time.
Acetylated mannan, or “acemannan” -- has both immune-stimulating and antiviral properties. Studies show acemannan activates several types of white blood cells, which are essential players in the body's proper immune system function. Beta glucan modulates the proper functioning of the immune system as a whole and may help with disorders resulting from misdirected immune function. It also can help with regulation of LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol levels.
Larch arabinogalactan is a potent direct stimulator of healthy immune function. It also serves as a “prebiotic” -- it promotes the growth and activity of “friendly bacteria” in the intestinal tract. These bacteria produce substances important for supporting healthy immune system function. Finally, astragalus has been shown to provide immune support by enhancing T-cell activity and stimulating macrophages. It is also one of the foremost adaptogens, meaning it helps the body to naturally cope with and reduce the negative effects of stress.

eN-ZYME
Supplementing with enzymes to ensure proper digestive processes is an important part of a program for maintaining good health. Enzymes function in the body in two essential ways. They can be thought of as the “deconstructionists” of nutrition. One of their primary functions is the digestion -- or breakdown - of various food items and even toxins in the body.
However, enzymes also play a very powerful role as “aiders and abettors” in many body systems and functions. They help speed along different body processes, from digestion to the rebuilding of tissues that have been damaged by injury, disease, surgery, etc. And enzymes are very efficient workers. Each one performs a specialized task within the body.
Scalarcore’s broad-spectrum supplement - eN-Zyme - helps enhance digestion and metabolism, and reinforces the body's vital enzymes necessary for optimal functioning. The blend of protease, peptidase, bromelain, papain, amylase, sucrase, lactase, cellulase, maltase, alpha galactosidase, and lipase help digest fats, carbohydrates, soluble fiber, lactose, sugars, and proteins.

ALKA-MIN
They may make up only a fraction of our body's total composition, but trace minerals play a vital role in nearly every body process. They help generate and conduct billions of tiny electrical impulses, impulses that basically run our bodies, from the heart to the brain.
Trace minerals serve other vital purposes in our body functioning as well. They are the catalysts and activators of other key nutrients. They serve as building blocks of enzymes, hormones, and other substances that support vital body functions. They help maintain the delicate balance of body fluids and pH levels. They are important for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients from the food we eat.
The mix of ionic trace minerals in Scalarcore's Alka-Min supplement comes from the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Selenium acts as an antioxidant. Boron regulates metabolism. Chromium is an essential trace mineral that aids in glucose metabolism, regulation of insulin levels, and the maintenance of healthy cholesterol levels. In addition to its antioxidant function, manganese improves glucose metabolism and helps protect against bone loss. Copper is necessary for the absorption and utilization of iron. Finally, zinc plays a central role in the function of over 300 enzymes in the body. These are involved with such things as wound repair, immunity, fertility, protein synthesis, cellular reproduction, vision and free radical protection.

AlliPRO
As most people are probably aware, our digestive systems are home to an incredible collection of microscopic organisms that actually function with the body to digest food and assist with metabolism. In fact, the healthy intestinal tract contains more than 100 trillion microorganisms from some 400 different species. The human body is estimated to contain 10 times as many microorganisms as its own cells! It is a delicately balanced ecosystem that needs proper support.
There are many factors that negatively influence the healthy flora balance in the digestive tract, including age, stress, medicinal antibiotics as well as the large amount of antibiotics in the meat and chicken we eat,
 

and radiation and chemotherapy. The chlorine found in most drinking water can wipe out entire strains of friendly bacteria from our intestines. Even the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like many common over-the-counter painkillers can have an impact on this important balance.
That’s why it’s so important to re-establish the healthy microflora in the digestive system on a regular basis, but particularly following any type of cleanse, or an illness. Many of us have been encouraged to “eat yogurt” following a bout of intestinal flu, for instance. The thought is, yogurt contains active cultures that can replenish what is stripped out of the intestines during illness. Unfortunately, much of the yogurt commonly available is very limited in the microorganisms it can supply to the intestinal tract, since it is often pasteurized to improve shelf life.
Scalarcore’s AlliPRO is a unique prebiotic/probiotic that reintroduces plenty of beneficial micro-organisms (probiotic) into the digestive tract. Plus it contains patented stabilized allicin, a prebiotic that selectively targets the enzyme systems of harmful organisms, clearing these pathogens out of the way of more robust growth of the beneficial organisms. Once the helpful organisms have a stronghold, they crowd out the harmful ones through what is known as competitive exclusion.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
We hear all the time that eating a healthy, balanced diet is vital for maintaining good health. Unfortunately, the realities of living in today’s world makes that an unreachable goal for the overwhelming majority of people. A recent survey found that 88% of Americans admit that they don’t consume the recommended minimum of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Add in factors that reduce quality of the readily available food supply, and it’s easy to understand why degenerative health problems are increasing.
The need for supplementation of key nutrients missing or inadequately represented in our diets has become clear. The Scalarcore Power Maintain System is a powerful mix of supplements that address this need in a way that can make a tremendous difference in maintaining a level of health that we would all like to have.

CAUTIONS
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. The products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, but rather are dietary supplements intended solely for nutritional support.

SOURCES:
Pennington JA. Intakes of minerals from diets and foods: is there a need for concern? J Nutr 1996;126(9 Suppl):2304S-8S.

Morris CD, Carson S. Routine vitamin supplementation to prevent cardiovascular disease: a summary of the evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med. 2003 Jul 1;139(1):56-70. Review.
Balch JF. The Super Antioxidants: Why They Will Change the Face of Health Care in the 21st Century. M. Evans and Co. 1998.

Smythies JR. Every Person's Guide to Antioxidants. Rutgers Univ Press. 1998.

Finley JW. The antioxidant responsive element (ARE) may explain the protective effects of cruciferous vegetables on cancer. Nutr Rev. 2003 Jul;61(7):250-4. Review.

Prior RL. Fruits and vegetables in the prevention of cellular oxidative damage. Am J Clin Nutr. 2003 Sep;78(3 suppl):570S-578S. Review.

Ooi VE, Liu F. Immunomodulation and anti-cancer activity of polysaccharide-protein complexes. CurrMed Chem. 2000 Jul;7(7):715-29. Review.

Wasser SP. Medicinal mushrooms as a source of antitumor and immunomodulating polysaccharides. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2002 Nov;60(3):258-74. Review.

Rosensweig NS. Diet and intestinal enzyme adaptation: implications for gastrointestinal disorders. Am J Clin Nutr 1975 Jun; 28(6):648-55. Review.

Malvy DJ, Favier A, Faure H, Preziosi P, Galan P, Arnaud J, Roussel AM, Briancon S, Hercberg S. Effect of two years' supplementation with natural antioxidants on vitamin and trace element status biomarkers: preliminary data of the SU.VI.MAX study. Cancer Detect Prev. 2001;25(5):479-85.