Leading US vitamins and supplement maker Weider Nutrition is launching a new supplement for prostate health under the company's Schiff brand.
The dietary supplement contains a combination of calcium D-glucarate, lycopene, saw palmetto extract, selenium, vitamin D and copper. Schiff claims that the formula is one of the first to use calciumD-glucarate, a patented form of glucaric acid that appears naturally in thebody and can also be found in fruits and vegetables.
"Calcium D-glucarate helps promote prostate health by assisting in the removal of unwantedcompounds from the body," said Luke Bucci, vice president ofresearch for Schiff. "We've carefully formulated Schiff Prostate Health toinclude the amounts of other powerful nutrients - such as lycopene,standardised saw palmetto extract, and selenium - tested by researchers."
Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that protects the cell membrane and DNAfrom oxidation. Schiff claims that this major carotenoid found in prostate tissue is absorbed better when consumed from supplements than from fresh tomatoesor tomato juice.
Schiff Prostate Health uses a supercritical fluid extract (using carbon dioxide instead of harsh organic solvents) for itsstandardised saw palmetto extract. The company said it has matched the dose and sourceof saw palmetto extract previously used in studies on men. Saw palmetto helps maintainhealthy urinary tract function as well as healthy prostate tissue.
The selenium in the supplement is SelenoExcell yeast selenium, the form chosen toconduct long-term human research studies, according to Schiff. Selenium is an essential traceelement which activates the major intracellular antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase.
Schiff marketing claims the product contains the highest amounts of active ingredients per serving among leading brands. Each capsule of Schiff Prostate Health contains 50 milligrams of calcium D-glucarate, 12 milligrams of lycopene, 667 milligrams of saw palmetto extract, 70 micrograms of selenium, 400 IU of vitamin D, 15 milligrams ofzinc and one milligram of copper.
Men are advised to take two capsules of Schiff Prostate Health daily. The supplement will be available from late autumn in the US at a suggested retail priceof $16.99-$19.99 for a 60-count bottle.
Schiff also makes Move Free joint care supplements.