Single formula unlocks the four strongest secret weapons of a life-extending diet

The Mediterranean diet has gained nearly universal acceptance as the world’s healthiest. Based on centuries of observation, not to mention a truckload of modern research, it’s an undisputable fact that people who live in the Mediterranean area and follow the diet have one of the highest life expectancies in the world. This longevity is due at least in part to the remarkably low rates of coronary heart disease, certain cancers, and many other potentially life-threatening diseases residents of this area experience.

But you don’t have to completely change the way you eat-or move to the Mediterranean-to receive the health benefits of this diet, including a longer life. In fact, it could be as easy as taking two pills a day.

Although olive oil may be the most famous aspect of the Mediterranean diet, it turns out there are four other elements that are actually more powerful when it comes to promoting good health. Dr. Arnold J. Susser from Great Life Labs took those four elements and put them all in one formula called Botanical Vitality 100+.

These ingredients have been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol and to protect against premature aging, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and cancer-just to name a few of the benefits. And two ingredients in particular-red grapes and pomegranates-contain what Susser refers to as “miracle-like molecules.”

Uncorking the secret to longevity

The French put their own spin on the Mediterranean diet with what is known as the French paradox-the whole “eat, drink, and be healthy” concept. The French eat a notoriously fatty diet, yet they have an extremely low rate of heart disease. In 1992, investigative scientists found out why. The secret is in the wine.

Studies show that people who drink wine regularly have lower rates of cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease.1 The true benefits of red wine, though, don’t come from the alcohol, but from the grapes themselves. Resveratrol, one of the miracle molecules in Botanical Vitality, is a strong antioxidant found in red grapes. Research has shown resveratrol to have a wide variety of benefits:

• It’s good for your heart. It inhibits blood clotting and helps to prevent bad cholesterol from depositing plaque into the arteries, two of the main problems that lead to heart disease.2
  
• It promotes balanced hormones. As a phytoestrogen, resveratrol has all the benefits of estrogen without the harmful effects. As such, it can help prevent diseases like breast cancer, prostate cancer, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease.3
  
• It’s an anti-inflammatory and appears to be a safe, natural COX-2 inhibitor.4
  
• It has antiaging effects. Resveratrol has the ability to “turn on” a family of survival genes called sirtuins. When sirtuins are activated, there is an increase in the production of an enzyme that prolongs the time a living cell has to repair DNA genetic material.5

Although there hasn’t been a study on humans, researchers introduced resveratrol to various plants and animals and found that it tricked each organism into switching on its antiaging sirtuin gene. Doing so caused the organism’s cells to live an average of 70 percent longer.6

Heart-healthy benefits that are skin-deep

Another benefit of red grapes is found in the substance that gives all dark colored berries and grapes their color, anthocyanins. Red grapes and mulberries are full of these potent antioxidants. Anthocyanins are extremely powerful protectors of your arteries-stronger than even vitamins C and E. They work by preventing the plaque buildup on your artery walls that can lead to heart disease.7

According to Dr. Susser, “Because anthocyanins are vasoprotective, particularly in the microcapillaries, they are valuable to people with circulation-related diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and varicose veins.”8

The anthocyanins in red grapes and mulberries could also help treat arthritis and other degenerative joint conditions because of their anti-inflammatory properties.9

Power-packed pomegranates

Studies continue to reveal the healing potential of pomegranates. They are a powerful source of antoxidants, they help lower bad cholesterol, they help lower high blood pressure, and they help fight against cancer. In fact, they are even more powerful than green tea and blueberry, cranberry, and orange juices.10

One study, published by the European Atherosclerosis Society, showed that after two weeks of consuming pomegranate juice, patients with high blood pressure reported a 5 percent drop in systolic blood pressure, thanks to a 36 percent reduction in angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). This allows the blood vessels to relax, which lowers blood pressure, increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart, and reduces strain on sensitive blood vessels in the brain, heart, and kidneys.11

A study published in the June 2004 issue of Clinical Nutrition involved patients with carotid artery stenosis, a pre-stroke condition marked by lack of blood flow to the brain due to clogging of the carotid artery. After one year of daily pomegranate juice supplementation, carotid artery swelling went down by as much as 30 percent. Antioxidants increased by 130 percent, and systolic blood pressure was reduced by 21 percent.12

The specific “miracle molecules” in pomegranate extract are called hydroxylated polypenols (which break down into polyphenols and ellagic acid). As Dr. Susser explained, “Hydroxylated polyphenols have shown great promise as powerful antioxidants helping to protect us against premature aging associated with free radical damage.”

Ellagic acid has been shown to be effective in both treating and preventing cancer. It treats cancer by binding to carcinogens and initiating apoptosis (programmed cell death). It prevents the disease by binding to healthy DNA and acting as a shield against attacks from carcinogens.13 Studies show that ellagic acid is even effective in people who are genetically predisposed to the disease.14

In addition to fighting cancer, hydroxylated polyphenols also help protect against premature aging by helping fight free radical damage and by preventing the oxidation of bad cholesterol.15

Every little bit helps

The remaining compounds in Botanical Vitality all have unique benefits of their own. Quercetin, an additional antioxidant found in red grape skins, has also demonstrated a broad range of therapeutic activity-from antihistamine to anti-inflammatory properties. As an antioxidant, it protects from damage caused by the effects of bad cholesterol. Quercetin is also considered to be a phytoestrogen and was found to inhibit breast cancer cells in one study.16

Soy lecithin, an extract from soybean oil, reduces the amount of pure cholesterol in the bloodstream. It’s also an essential source of choline, one of the main components of all membranes.17

Finally, phytic acid, which comes from rice bran extract, is a natural plant antioxidant. Research has shown that it is the most potent natural iron chelator and that it has strong antibiotic and antioxidant effects. This also makes it anticarcinogenic.18

Support for the long haul

Botanical Vitality 100+ decreases arterial plaque buildup, supports healthy circulation allowing better utilization of nutrients for increased energy, supports healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and reduces oxidative damage. With all of these healthful benefits, it is not hard to imagine that it could help you add a few extra years to your life.

If you decide to try Botanical Vitality 100+, you can expect to notice results within one month. Although results do vary, many people say they experience increased mental clarity and an increased energy level.

There are no reported safety issues or contraindications with Botanical Vitality 100+. Recommended dosage is two capsules daily. Susser also encourages you to show the product label to your physician and to always maintain regular medical care if you have a medical condition or are taking any medications.

To find out more about Dr. Susser and Botanical Vitality, go to his website,www.drsusser.com .

Botanical Vitality, Great Life Labs. Ph. (800)526-4240;www.greatlife.com .A bottle of 60 capsules (a 30 day supply) is US$33 plus shipping. All Great Life products carry a 60-day satisfaction guarantee.

References

[1] Gronbaek M., et al. “Type of alcohol consumed and mortality from all causes, coronary heart disease, and cancer.” Annals of Internal Medicine 2000 Sep 19;133(6):411-9.

2 Frankel EN, et al. “Inhibition of human LDL oxidation by resveratrol.” Lancet 1993 Apr 24;341(8852):1103-4.

3 Bowers JL, et al. “Resveratrol acts as a mixed agonist/antagonist for estrogen receptors alpha and beta.” Endocrinology 2000 Oct;141(10):3657-67.

4 Subbaramaiah K, et al. “Resveratrol inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 transcription in human mammary epithelial cells.” Ann NY Acad Sci 2000;889:214-223.

5 Howitz KT, et al. “Small molecule activators of sirtuins extend Saccharomyces cerevisiae lifespan.” Nature 2003 Sep 11; 425 (6954):191-6. Epub 2003 Aug 24 (http://webweekly.hms.harvard.edu/archive/2003/8_25/inprint.html ).

6 ibid.

7 Rice-Evans CA. “The relative antioxidant activities of plant-derived polyphenolic flavonoids.” Free Radical Res 1995 Apr; 22(4): 3785-93.

8 Mian E, et al. “Anthocyanosides and the walls of the microvessels: further aspects of the mechanism of action of their protective effect in syndromes due to abnormal capillary fragility” Minerva Med 1977 Oct 31; 68(52): 3565-81.

9 Wang H, et al. “Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of anthocyanins and their aglycon, cyanidin, from tart cherries.” J Nat Prod. 1999 Feb;62 (2):294-6.

10 Gil Mi, et al. “Antioxidant activity of pomegranate juice and its relationship to phenolic composition and processing.” J Agric Food Chem . 2000 Oct; 48 (10): 4581-9.

11 Aviram M and Dornefeld, L. “Pomegranate juice consumption inhibits serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity and reduces systolic blood pressure.” Atherosclerosis . Volume 158, Issue 1, September 2001, 195 -198

12 Aviram M, et al. “Pomegranate juice consumption for 3 years by patients with carotid artery stenosis reduces common carotoid intima-media thickness, blood pressure and LDL oxidation.” Clin Nutr 2004 Jun; 23(3): 423-33

13 Barch DH, et al. “Structure-function relationships of the dietary anticarcinogen ellagic acid.” Carcinogenesis 1996,17/2(265-269).

14 Losso JN, et al. “In vitro anti-proliferative activities of ellagic acid.” J Nutr Biochem . 2004 Nov;15(11): 672-8.

15 Aviram M, et al. “Pomegranate juice flavonoids inhibit low density lipoprotein oxidation and cardiovascular diseases: studies in atherosclerotic mice and in humans.” Drugs Exp Clin Res . 2002; 28(2-3): 49-62.

16 Miodini P, et al. “The two phyto-oestrogens genistein and quercetin exert different effects on oestrogen receptor function.” Br J Cancer 1999;80:1150-5.

17 Zeisel, SH. “Choline: needed for normal development of memory.” Journal of American College of Nutrition 2000. 19:528S-531S.

18 Free Radical Biology Medicine, Volume 8, 1990; Journal Biological Chemistry , August 25, 1987.