Ingredients

General:

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, whose powerful antioxidant properties help to protect cellular lipids, which make up all cell membranes in our bodies. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant by both eliminating and preventing the production of free radicals; unstable molecules within the body that damage our cells. Small amounts of vitamin E can naturally be found in nuts, seeds, plant-based oils, as well as fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin E and cell health:

Scientists have studied the benefits of vitamin E against the negative effects of oxidative stress. When combined with alpha lipoic acid, an ingredient that is also found in the HALO formulation, vitamin E was effective in reducing cellular lipid damage among children chronically exposed to low doses of radiation in Chernobyl. In a study with healthy subjects undergoing routine abdominal or pelvic CT scans, those who received Vitamin E prior to the procedure had 22% less cellular DNA damage compared to those taking a placebo. A scientific review supported these findings, showing that vitamin E decreased DNA damage and cell death while eliminating free radicals after exposure to radiation.

References:

1. L. Korkina, Biochemical Society Transactions, 1993
2. S.M. Jafarpour International Journal of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, 2018
3. TA Smith, Journal of Translational Medicine 2017

Health Canada Says:

• Source of antioxidants that helps to protect against cell damage caused by free radicals.
• Source of antioxidants that helps to reduce the oxidative effect of free radicals.
• An antioxidant that protects the fat in body tissues from oxidation.
• A factor in normal growth and development.
• A factor in the maintenance of good health.
• Source of vitamin to support biological functions which play a key role in the maintenance of good health.

General:

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an important antioxidant found within the mitochondria of human cells. It’s important to note that the mitochondria is both the powerhouse of the cell and also one of the main sources of free radicals in the cell. CoQ10 has an important role in supporting both energy production and anti-oxidant defences. Naturally occurring CoQ10 levels within the body decrease with age, so individuals may choose to increase their CoQ10 levels with supplements or foods rich in CoQ10 such as organ meats, including heart and liver.

COQ10 and cell health:

In a preclinical model, CoQ10 treatment prior to radiation exposure protected the mitochondria from oxidative stress injury, which in turn allowed the cells to function with less disruption. Treatment with CoQ10 before radiation exposure has also been shown to protect cells from DNA damage. A scientific review supported these findings, showing that CoQ10 decreased DNA damage while eliminating free radicals within the cell after exposure to radiation.

References:

1. R.S. Said, Journal of Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 2019
2. M. Brand, PLOS ONE, 2015
3. TA Smith, Journal of Translational Medicine 2017

Health Canada Says:

• Source of antioxidants that helps to protect against cell damage caused by free radicals.
• Source of antioxidants that helps to reduce the oxidative effect of free radicals.

General:

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a compound that helps the mitochondria within our cells produce energy. As ALA is both water and fat-soluble, it is also known as the universal antioxidant. This is because it is capable of neutralizing harmful free radicals both inside and outside the cell. The antioxidant properties of ALA are known to strengthen the effects of other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E and COQ10, all ingredients that also make up part of the HALO formulation.

ALA and cell health:

The antioxidant properties of ALA are supported by the work of scientists worldwide. In fact, ALA therapy has been shown to decrease the presence of free radicals in advanced stage cancer patients. Additionally, when administered before radiolabeled medical imaging procedures in preclinical trials, ALA was found to both protect cardiovascular tissue and reduce the amount of radiation-induced DNA damage within the body. A scientific review supported these findings, summarizing that ALA decreased DNA damage while eliminating free radicals after exposure to radiation.

References:

1. G. Mantovani, Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology, 2003
2. R. El Gebalya, Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology, 2019
3. TA Smith, Journal of Translational Medicine 2017

Health Canada Says:

• Source of antioxidants that helps to protect against cell damage caused by free radicals.
• Source of antioxidants that helps to reduce the oxidative effect of free radicals.

General:

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a vitamin and antioxidant whose presence in citrus fruits like oranges is recognized around the world. During the early days of sea exploration, and without access to nutrients from fruits and vegetables, many sailors famously developed scurvy, which was actually vitamin C deficiency. The term “Limey” as a slang for the English stemmed from the practice of including citrus fruit juice in the daily rations of members of the British Navy to help stave off scurvy. Our bodies use vitamin C to produce collagen and neurotransmitters and metabolize proteins. It also helps to support our immune systems and protect against oxidative stress. An added bonus: vitamin C helps our bodies absorb quercetin, another component of the HALO formulation.

Vitamin C and cell health:

As an antioxidant, immune health booster, and even radioprotector, Vitamin C really does it all. In order to protect your body from the harmful effects of radiation induced oxidative stress, researchers have found that taking vitamin C before or after radiation exposure has beneficial effects in decreasing cell death, DNA damage and inflammation. Treatment with vitamin C before radiation exposure and routine medical CT scan imaging has specifically been shown by scientists to protect cells from DNA damage. A scientific review supported these findings, showing that vitamin C treatment decreased DNA and lipid damage after exposure to radiation.

References:

1. K Kawashima, Scientific Reports, 2018
2. M Saygin, Toxicology and Industrial Health, 2018
3. S.M.Tao, European Journal of Radiology, 2019
4. M. Brand, PLOS ONE, 2015
5. TA Smith, Journal of Translational Medicine 2017

Health Canada Says:

• Source of antioxidants that helps to protect against cell damage caused by free radicals.
• Source of antioxidants that helps to reduce the oxidative effect of free radicals.
• A factor in the maintenance of good health.
• Helps in the development and maintenance of bones, cartilage, teeth and/or gums and in connective tissue formation.
• Helps in wound healing.
• Helps in collagen formation to maintain healthy bones, cartilage, teeth and/or gums.
• Helps support immune function.
• Helps to maintain the body's ability to metabolize nutrients.

General:

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid antioxidant that occurs naturally in marine algae and lends its beautiful red pigment to algae-consumers including lobsters, shrimp, krill, salmon and even flamingoes. Astaxanthin is considered to be one of the most powerful carotenoid antioxidants, with more antioxidant punch than even the well-known beta-carotene.

Astaxanthin and cell health:

As a natural protector of marine plants, Haematoccus pluvialis algae produces astaxanthin to protect its cells from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays. Because of this amazing natural phenomenon, scientists have investigated the protective effects of astaxanthin on skin. In preclinical exposure of skin cells to UV radiation, astaxanthin treatment reduced radiation-induced inflammation and protected against apoptosis, a scientific term for cell death. Furthermore, astaxanthin has been shown to reduce UV-induced stress responses in skin cells. These results have been mimicked with human astaxanthin supplementation, which has been shown to reduce DNA damage while also demonstrating anti-inflammatory effects in the body.

References:

1. Y. Yoshihisa, Experimental Dermatology, 2015
2. E. Camera, Experimental Dermatology, 2009
3. J.S. Park, Nutrition and Metabolism, 2010

Health Canada Says:

• Source of antioxidants that helps to protect against cell damage caused by free radicals.
• Source of antioxidants that helps to reduce the oxidative effect of free radicals.

General:

Zeaxanthin is a carotenoid antioxidant that is best known for its role in protecting the eyes from the harmful effects of certain light sources such as the sun and its UV rays. Zeaxanthin is abundant in dark green vegetables such as kale and collard greens, yellow fruits and vegetables such as corn, and in the yolks of eggs. It is also the vibrant yellow-red pigment of this carotenoid that gives paprika (made from peppers), corn and saffron their distinct colours.

Zeaxanthin and cell health:

In addition to its function as an antioxidant within the eye, preclinical zeaxanthin supplementation has also been shown to protect the skin against UV-induced photoaging, better known as premature skin ageing, and inflammation caused by exposure to harmful UV rays. Studies have also shown that zeaxanthin also protects against age associated macular degeneration that is accelerated by long-term sun radiation exposure. Double bonus: keeping us healthy and beautiful with its antioxidant properties!

References:

1. S. Gonzalez, Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2003
2. S. Astner, Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2007

Health Canada Says:

• Source of antioxidants that helps to protect against cell damage caused by free radicals.
• Source of antioxidants that helps to reduce the oxidative effect of free radicals.
• Provides antioxidants for the maintenance of eye health.
• Helps to support eye health in conditions (associated with sunlight damage) such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
• Helps to reduce the risk of developing cataracts.
• Helps to improve macular pigment optical density.

General:

Vitamin B12 and folic acid, also known as folate or vitamin B9, are both B vitamins. These two vitamins work together to make red blood cells and repair DNA in your body. Foods that are abundant in folic acid include legumes such as beans, peas and lentils, as well as green vegetables such as asparagus, spinach, romaine lettuce and broccoli. Foods that are abundant in vitamin B12 include animal products such as meat, shellfish and eggs.

Folic acid and B12 and cell health:

The capabilities of this vitamin B duo make folic acid and vitamin B12 ideal ingredients to protect against the harmful effects of oxidative stress. In fact, preclinical research has found that folic acid supplementation leads to reduced radiation-induced cell death, less chromosome instability, less cell membrane damage and lower amounts of DNA damage. In addition, twelve weeks of folic acid supplementation in healthy adults greatly increased levels of S-adenosylmethionine, a compound that is involved in stabilizing DNA within the body.

References:

1. Pote, Translational Stroke Research, 2006
2. G. Padula Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, 2016
3. S.A. Hussein, BVMJ, 2018
4. G.P. Basten, British Journal of Cancer, 2006

Health Canada Says:

• Helps to form red blood cells.
• Helps in the normal function of the immune system.
• Helps in energy metabolism in the body.
• Helps to maintain healthy metabolism.
• Helps to maintain the body's ability to metabolize nutrients.

General:

Selenium is a mineral with exciting antioxidant properties. It’s found in the soil, and so the amount of selenium in fruits and vegetables depends on the amount of selenium in the soil where they were grown. Similarly, the amount of selenium found in animal products depends on the amount of selenium in the food that these animals are fed. Once consumed, your skeletal muscle stores approximately one third of the selenium in your body.

Selenium and cell health:

The activity of glutathione peroxidase, the main antioxidant defense system in our cells, decreases with exposure to oxidative stress. Perhaps the notable protective effect of selenium comes from its ability to increase glutathione peroxidase activity within our cells. In a preclinical research study, a combination of selenium and vitamin E, an ingredient that is also found within the HALO formulation, protected cells against the typical radiation-induced decrease in glutathione peroxidase activity. Several research studies investigating this effect in humans also show that selenium treatment increases glutathione peroxidase function within the body.

Treatment with selenium has also been shown to both protect cells from DNA damage and cause repair in already damaged DNA. A scientific review supported these findings, showing that selenium decreased DNA damage after exposure to oxidative stress from UV radiation.

References:

1. M. Jacobs, Cancer Research, 1983
2. O. Sedighi Nephro-Urology Monthly, 2014
3. Z. Jahangard-Rafsanjan,i Bone Marrow Transplant, 2013
4. M. Brand, PLOS ONE, 2015
5. Young R. Seo Oncogene 2002
6. TA Smith, Journal of Translational Medicine 2017

Health Canada Says:

• An antioxidant that helps protect against oxidative stress.
• Source of antioxidants that helps to protect against cell damage caused by free radicals.
• Source of antioxidants that helps to reduce the oxidative effect of free radicals.
• A factor in the maintenance of good health and normal growth and development.
• Helps to maintain normal function of the thyroid gland.