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Can We Really Slow Down the Aging Process? - Protandim

This interesting article is a look at the pros and cons of using supplements or in this case, Protandim, to slow down the aging process. The question is: do these supplements really work or are they a waste of money? In my opinion, the best way to stay young and slow down the aging process is:

• Eat properly - make sure that your body is getting all the vitamins and minerals that it needs
• Do not over-eat
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid stress
• Get enough sleep
• Keep your mind engaged as much as possible with work and leisurely pursuits
• Supplement your diet with Omega 3 (from a reputable company checking the label for type of fish used and that it is contaminant, pollutant-free)

There are several steps most of us take as seniors to give us the best opportunity to continue to live healthy, active lives as we get older. There are basic healthcare issues like choosing the insurance option that will give us the coverage we need (often this becomes a question of whether standard supplement to medicare will do the trick of if Medigap insurance is needed). There are also dietary choices we make, exercise regimens we create, and much more. However, even when you still feel like you’re in great shape, the aging process will still continue at its steady pace.

Now, there are some in the supplements industry, however, that believe that aging process can be slowed down significantly. Protandim is a supplement that claims that it fights the aging process in a way that no other supplement can by focusing on cell deterioration and the body’s production of “rogue molecules called free radicals,” which cause Oxidative Stress or Oxidative Damage. The makers and distributers of Protandim assert that their product, unlike other antioxidant supplements, is “the only supplement clinically proven to reduce oxidative stress by an average 40%, slowing down the cell aging process to the level of a 20-year-old.” (from Protandim)

It’s a great pitch. After all, many of us seniors wouldn’t mind feeling a little more like we’re 20 again from time to time (at least physically, that is). Along with this claim, the folks behind Protandim also state that their product can affect the stress and damage caused by free radical production in a way that antioxidant diets and exercise cannot.

As with most supplements, there are those who swear by Protandim and others who do not believe in the claims made by its producers. However, it is not specifically the “anti-aging” message that many detractors have gone after. There are other claims made by LiveVantage's Chief Operations Officer, Kirby Zenger (LiveVantage is the company behind Protandim) that have some people in the medical community as well as others simply concerned with senior health issues up in arms.

Protandim and Claims About Cancer

There are many who believe that statements made by Zenger at a distributors meeting suggest that Protandim can be used to fight cancer, and when hearing the Zenger’s words it’s not too difficult to see why one would think that:

“The most beautiful thing you guys have right here is LSU confirmed EVERYTHING. And it confirmed that Protandim works against the what? [Audience member replies: 'cancer']. The BIG C! Who gets that anywhere in the world, including Pharma companies? If we ONLY had that, you guys, we will WIN. We got 8 others so far; 20 others in the works. No one can touch us; they won't touch us for YEARS.” (from Protandim Scams).

Those who attack these claims also attack some of Zenger’s statements regarding the science used to back-up these claims. They believe that the “science” Zenger discusses has not, as he suggests, been confirmed by an independent third-party. They also point to the fact that Protandim has not gone through the testing for Cancer-related treatments, and that the company has not subjected Protandim to the clinical trials that would garner support from the FDA for such a claim.

There are many of us who are dreaming of the miracle cure for cancer and a range of other diseases. There are also many of us who would love to slow this whole aging thing down, and when it comes to aging, there are lifestyle choices that can help. However, before latching onto Protandim or any other supplement or medicine, make sure you have done the research. Make sure you know exactly what you are taking before you start taking it, and consult with your doctor or other trusted medical professional before you make any major healthcare-related decisions.

Remember, it’s easy for a company to claim something, but it’s important that as a senior consumer, you take the time to investigate those claims. We all know how marketing works and we know how easy it is to get caught up in it. If you need proof, just think about how eager you were to buy things when you were in your 20s. See, there are some good things about aging.