Hello Goons and Goonettes! Welcome back to another installment of Blair’s Blogs! I’m glad you are here today to learn a little about Arc and its components. I’m also learning here with you while taking in all of Joey Savage’s research to build a summary of each ingredient and how they work together to build your immunity shield. Without further adieu, let's hop into it!
If you aren’t aware of who Joey Savage is, he is the face of Supplement Lab and he also formulates all of Glaxon’s products. You can check out his scientific genius on his YouTube Channel linked here.
Let's start with a bang, talking about citrus bioflavonoids. Flavonoids play important roles in plant physiology, having a variety of potential biological benefits such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, ect. Different flavonoids have been investigated for their potential immune building activities and cellular/molecular mechanisms of action on viruses. Flavonoids or polyphenols comprise the largest group of secondary metabolites found in vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, spices, as well as in red wine and tea. Flavonoids possess many biochemical properties and exert mechanisms of antioxidant actions. These actions can include actions like suppression of reactive oxygen species(ROS which are things like drought, salinity, chilling, nutrient deficiency, metal toxicity and UV-B radiation) formation, scavenging for said ROS, and protecting antioxidant defenses and much more. This makes citrus bioflavonoids a perfect component of Arc because of its unique way of protecting the body’s own defenses and outside invaders.
We can chat briefly(HAHA Blair, there's nothing brief about this) about Zinc and Copper levels & their balance in the body. Let's start by explaining Zinc. Zinc plays numerous roles in the body, the most notable is the catalytic and structural element in hundreds of metalloproteins. There are more than 3,000 zinc proteins in the human body, some of which are key enzymes, and some whose function unknown. Zinc ions also work as signalers in the human body; the body requires specific cellular concentrations of this mineral to ensure the zinc reactions can take place without disrupting the work of other essential ions. Zinc is considered a trace mineral; however, it is incorporated as a cofactor more often than many other essential vitamins, and concentration is almost as high as that of ATP. Its most common sources are meat, eggs, legumes, oysters, and many more foods. The most common uses of zinc in the body include antioxidant, cell division, DNA synthesis, immune function, protein synthesis, wound healing, ect. Zinc is lost through sweating; so, for an athlete, supplementation of zinc is especially important if you do not get a lot of zinc through your nutritional consumption. In addition to that, insulin resistance can also decrease zinc levels in the body. Zinc supplementation also increases the cellular compliments of innate immunity (e.g. phagocytosis by macrophages and neutrophils, NK cell activity, generation of oxidative burst, DTH activity), antibody responses and the numbers of cytotoxic CD8+T cells (Th1 response.)
Now onto the importance of Copper. Copper also plays a role as a cofactor in enzymes or other functions in several biochemical processes; this includes redox reactions, iron metabolism, antioxidant defense, immune function, and neuropeptide synthesis. Copper is essential for the human body; the RDA is around 900 ug/daily for adult men and women. Humans normally consume copper through their foods and drinking water(depending on the pipes and the groundwater makeup.) Copper and zinc are antagonists naturally, which means they work against one another and compete for binding sites. Excess zinc can lead to a copper deficiency and vice versa. When you have an imbalance in the two, it can lead to major health problems. Copper and zinc are also regarded as neurotransmitters and are in high concentrations in the brain hippocampus. A large number of studies have demonstrated that copper status alters several aspects of neutrophils, monocytes, and superoxide dismutase. This group also has a high incidence of acne, eczema, sensitive skin, headaches, poor immune function ect. All of the following are reasons why we have paired these two ingredients together in Arc to create its balance for boosting the immune system.
Moving from vitamins into algae; Let's talk Spirulina. Spirulina is a species of cyanobacteria that has been used for ages as a food supplement. Spirulina Platensis and Spirulina Maxima are the most important due to their high vitamin content. Many research studies show that Spirulina has numerous health benefits, including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial activities as well as positive effects against malnutrition, obesity, diabetes, and anemia. It has been stated by NASA that the nutritional value of 1000kg of fruits and vegetables amount to one kg of Spirulina(wow)! Spirulina exerts a variety of immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities by regulating key cytokines. Immunomodulatory activity from spirulina is powerful; it stimulates the immune system by increasing the phagocytic activities of macrophages, causing the NK cells to accumulate in tissues and by activating and mobilizing T(Thymus cells) and B(bone marrow) cells. Both T & B cells are the major cellular components of the adaptive immune response. T cells are involved in cell-mediated immunity, whereas B cells are primarily responsible for humoral immunity (relating to antibodies.) These cells are particularly important because they respond to foreign cells to fight infection, battle a virus to defend the body against bacteria. Our acquired immunity(adaptive immunity) uses these cells when invading organisms slip through the first line of defense.
Speaking of immunity cells, let's slide into talking about Lactoferrin. Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein of the transferrin family. Lactoferrin plays a huge role in host defense and exhibits a diverse range of biological activities including anti-microbial, anti-viral, antioxidant activities immunomodulation, ect. A review in the 1990’s described lactoferrin’s antiviral effects lie in the early phase of infection, preventing the entry of a virus into the host cells by either blocking cellular receptors or by direct binding to the virus particles. In addition to that, Lactoferrin significantly impacts the development of adaptive immune response (we’ve heard this before.) Lactoferrin exhibits its effects on the immune system by accelerating the maturation of the T-cell precursors into competent helper cells and by differentiation of immature B cells into antigen-presenting cells. If you read into that last sentence, now you understand the harmony between lactoferrin and spirulina and their effect of T and B cells. WOW, things are coming together, Goons!
Now onto the Bacteriophages, which are some the most interesting and complicated parts of Arc. Let’s first discuss bacteria: Intestinal health and gut bacteria have increasingly been linked to various chronic health outcomes. If you have an imbalance in the gut microbiota, you can have issues with stabilizing immune health functions, fighting viruses, IBS, ect. These can be outcomes of poor diet, stress, antibiotic use, and other lifestyle factors. Hence, why Joey has added: Bacteriophages. Bacteriophages are also known as “Phages,” and are the most abundant living entities on the planet and they are natural enemies of bacteria. Bacteriophages play an essential role in this ecosystem and in the human gut microbiome and have been suggested to be beneficial to influence the stability and maintenance of a healthy ecosystem. Phages have been estimated to compromise 35- 2,800 viruses (that's a lot folks.) It has also been discovered that it’s basically impossible for any virus or bacteria to mutate itself to be resistant to these phage cocktails. Phage’s motive is to attack host bacteria cells without affecting other microflora. The capability of phages is not only to target and destroy a specific bacterium but also replicate exponentially, it emphasizes their potential role in helping destroy infectious diseases. The best thing is: they are said to be safer than antibiotics. They are self-replicating, self-regulating, don’t disrupt human gut microbiota, and have no side effects. Several bacteriophages are “Generally Recognized As Safe” for human consumption by the FDA (is your pre workout GRAS? ;] ) In a double-blind study in 2019, scientists made treatments of 4 supplemental bacteriophage strains (LH01-Myoviridae, LL5-Siphoviridae, T4D Myoviridae, and LL12 Myoviridae) at a tier of 10 to the 6th power phages per dose included in PreforPro commercial capsules prepared by Deerland Enzymes for trials to target E. Coli. They collected stool samples of the subjects who had taken PerferPro. After 28 days, The results showed that 15 of the 21 participants that had detectable levels of E. Coli prior to start treatment showed reduced or undetectable levels after treatment. E. Coli reads were reduced by more than 40% after treatment and by only 14% after the placebo group. They concluded the study by saying that bacteriophage consumption caused minimum disruption to the gut microbiota but did elicit minor changes that were overall viewed as beneficial. Specifically, the reduction of E. Coli decreased proportions of potential pro-inflammatory, and increases in fermentative taxa that are capable of butyrate production suggest a shift toward a healthier gut environment.
Onto the most interesting part of Arc, in my opinion, is the ingredient Agarikon. Agarikon is a medicinal polypore mushroom containing a host of pharmacologically active compounds that beneficially affect human health. In North America, Agarikon is known as the “bread of ghosts” or “tree biscuits.” The indigenous people of the Northwest Coast, including the Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, and others, were the sole inhabitants of this region in past times. Spiritual life, the supernatural, and a respect for the environment and its resources were integral parts of daily life for these Indigenous people of the region. One large tree-dwelling mushroom (Agarikon) was revered for its medicinal and spiritual properties. This species of mushroom was a tool for the local healer and spiritual figure, the Shaman. When a Shaman dies, Agarikon is carved in various forms and figures and placed at the head of the grave to act as guardians. Agarikon was meant to protect the Shamans during their “long death sleep.” In the present day, Agarikon is used for its antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. The qualities of medicinal preparations obtained from Agarikon fruiting bodies are determined by the unique composition of its bioactive compounds, such as triterpenoids, polysaccharides, organic acids, coumarins, and phenolic compounds. Specifically, polysaccharides isolated from medicinal mushrooms and their derivatives have become equally important in increasing the body’s immunity. It has also been reported that Agarikon extracts present a moderate activity against some bacterial strains. As little as 1-2% of F. Officinalis (agarikon) extract is able to inhibit virus-induced cell damage by 50%. That’s incredible and a great edition to Arc’s components of immunity building ingredients.
Well, there you have it folks: a complete breakdown of Arc that even I can understand(HAHA.) I hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing and researching these ingredients. Joey really did make an amazing formula here for building the immune system and helping you get yourself right in 2020 as far as immunity goes. Arc is on sale on our website for a little while longer at $44.99. Go grab it while you can and protect yourself! I will catch you all later in the next blog. Bye!
Sources:
www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1601060113
http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.6(11).4588-00
https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/67/5/1064S/4666232?searchresult=1
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/3/666
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cbdv.202000213
https://doi.org/10.1080/21501203.2018.1536680
Soni A, Dubey M, Verma M, Dhankhar R, Kaushal V, Arti R and Sabharwal R: Revisiting the Role of Phycocyanin in Current Clinical Practice. Int J Pharm Sci Res 2014; 6(1): 4588-00.doi
Wakabayashi H, et al., Lactoferrin for prevention of common viral infections, J Infect Chemother (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jiac.2014.08.003
Elkhateeb, Waill & Daba, Ghoson & Elnahas, Marwa & Thomas, Paul. (2020). Fomitopsis officinalis mushroom: ancient gold mine of functional components and biological activities for modern medicine. 18. 285-289
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