"The market research firm Global Industry Analysis (a worldwide business strategy and market intelligence source) projects that a (baby) boomer-fueled consumer base, 'seeking to keep the dreaded signs of age at bay' will push the U.S. market for anti-aging products from about $80 billion now to more than $114 billion by 2015." -- The Huffington Post, August 2011

At a recent meeting of business people at the First Unity Church in Northeast St. Petersburg, many of them in the health profession, a presentation was made by two individuals in the natural dietary supplement industry.

They identified what they consider the culprit of the aging process and what they believe based on scientific research is the solution.

Their solution is a low-cost dietary supplement called "Protandim."  

It is available only through the LifeVantage Corp., which is responsible for developing it. Janice Woody, an independent distributor for the company, said the presentation was the first of many talks she will be making in Pinellas County to educate people on aging and the merits of Protandim in slowing this process down.

She and her co-presenter, retired physician Dr. Edward Evors, noted their evidence is based on numerous independent studies by universities and research institutions. The studies show that Protandim is truly a major breakthrough in anti-aging.

So what is truly the villain causing us to age faster than we would like? 

They said it is all about something called "oxidative stress."  As defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, in the most basic of terms, oxidative stress is "physiological stress on the body that is caused by the cumulative damage done by free radicals inadequately neutralized by antioxidants and that is held to be associated with aging."

What Protandim, through various research studies seems to have achieved, is the ability to reduce oxidative stress by as much as 40 percent.  It does so by allowing an individual's body to produce its own antioxidant enzymes and combat the free radicals that rust the body from within. 

And where are these free radicals coming from?  As noted in various scientific literature, the free radicals are created within your body as you live your everyday life.  They can occur when you eat, breathe (without knowing) toxins in the air, smoke or drink, are exposed to the sun or live a stressful life (as many of us do), among other reasons. Hence, medical experts say the more you can do to eliminate the free radicals in your body, the better your health and the better you will slow the aging process.

While this anti-aging solution is considered a form of "alternative medicine," the presenters pointed out there is a growing validity in the "traditional medicine" world for Protandim, based on the numerous independent studies that have been done on a global scale. 

These have included U.S. studies validating Protandium as a "breakthrough" in anti-aging at: the University of Colorado, Denver Health Medical Center, Children's Hospital - Denver, University of Florida, University of Kentucky, University of Michigan, Louisiana State University and Vanderbilt University. 

In addition, recognized scientist, Dr. Joe McCord, a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado's Health Sciences Center, has come out endorsing Protandim as "the best solution so far" for fighting the aging process. 

Dr. McCord, as pointed out by the presenters, has spent decades studying antioxidant enzymes and their roles in normal physiology and in disease states.  In particular, Dr. McCord was trying to find safe and effective ways to increase the enzyme activity to restore normal oxidation balance and to eliminate oxidative stress.

In the publication "Sound Concepts" published by LifeVantage, Dr. McCord wrote, "As a scientist, I feel the most exciting benefit provided by Protandim is knowing that I have eliminated the progressive, age-dependent increase in oxidation stress that accompanies aging.  Scientists know that the so-called diseases of aging are closely associated with oxidated stress.  This product has been completely validated by science."

And one might say also to some extent the news media.  Woody noted that Protandim was the topic of an investigative report on ABC News' Primetime, which readers can view by going to: www.abchealthreport.com, and featured on NBC's Today Show and the PBS's program, Healing Quest.

While Woody says she wants to get the word out to older citizens in the community by doing talks at such places as senior centers, she is open to speaking to adults of all ages about Protandim since, "This product is for everyone.  It slows down the aging process at the cell level in all mammals.  It has a cumulative effect so more benefits are seen with long term use."

Furthermore, she said a number of athletes in the Tampa Bay area use this product to improve their performance and recovery after competition and hard workouts.  Additionally, the product has been approved by the Banned Substances Control Group for use by professional and Olympic athletes.

For more information on Protandim visit the National Institutes of Health website: www.pubmed.gov. 

To contact Janice Woody about a possible speaking engagement at your retirement community, community center, club or organization, or house of worship, she can be reached at: jwoody4@earthlink.net or by phone at (626) 277-8146.