VitaLaVita™ supplements provide high purity Life Vita™ DHQ (Dihydroquercetin), an extremely powerful antioxidant with an ORAC rating of 28,000+ µM TE/g, which is also supported by validated cell-based antioxidant protection assay using human erythrocytes (CAP-e) to document antioxidant capacity of Dihydroquercetin and answer on the question - can an antioxidant enter and protect a living cell.
The CAP-e bioassay for Life Vita™ DHQ (Dihydroquercetin) is minimum 9 units (Gallic Acid Equivalents) per gram. This antioxidant protects cell membranes by helping to block the formation of the damaging hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals.
DHQ inhibits free radicals to support cardiovascular health.
Laboratory studies indicate that in certain conditions DHQ displays more potent antioxidant properties than vitamins C, E or carotenes and displays potent synergy with other antioxidants.
The Science behind DHQ:
DIHYDROQUERCETIN works as an antioxidant in the biochemistry of oxygen free radicals. The antioxidant activity of DHQ arises from its ability to donate a hydrogen atom from molecular hydroxyl groups to a free radical, and yield a resonance-stabilized phenolic radical. Also, the amphiphilicity of the DHQ is related to the ability to trap chain-initiating radicals at the interface of the membranes, preventing progression of the radical chain reaction. In addition to radical scavenging properties of DHQ in aqueous and organic environments, the antioxidant activity of molecule arise from the protection or enhancement of endogenous antioxidants, as well as its ability to chelate transition metal ions, and inhibit the propagation of the lipoxygenase reaction.
In cell membranes, DIHYDROQUERCETIN is known as a "chain-breaking antioxidant" because it intercepts lipid peroxyl radicals (ROO· or LOO·) and so terminates lipid peroxidation chain reactions.
Hydroxyl radicals and peroxyl radicals are thought to be responsible for oxidative damage observed in lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. DNA can be oxidatively damaged at both the nucleic bases (the individual molecules that make up the genetic code) and at the sugars that link the bases. Although all cells have some capability of repairing oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA, cells stay healthier longer when excess oxidative damage is avoided.
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) is a measure of the scavenging capacity of antioxidants against peroxyl radicals and Dihydroquercetin (Life Vita™) is shown to be a flavonoid with high Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (28,000+ µM TE/g).