The endothelium is the inner lining of blood vessels that regulates arterial health. The reason for so many of today’s circulatory problems is the breakdown of endothelial function and structure.

The good news is that scientists have discovered three nutrients that have been clinically shown to help maintain healthy endothelial function and arterial circulation.

1. Pomegranate restores healthy blood flow

In a group of aging humans with risk factors for cardiovascular events, pomegranate or placebo was ingested on a daily basis. After twelve months, blood flow through the carotid arteries improved 44% in the pomegranate group, whereas carotid blood flow worsened by 9% in the placebo group.1

In another similar group, pomegranate or placebo was ingested daily. After only three months, coronary artery blood flow improved by 18% in the pomegranate group, but worsened by 17% in the placebo group.2 A standardized pomegranate extract is one of the three active components of the new Endothelial Defense formula.

2. Cocoa rapidly improves endothelial function

Endothelial function can be evaluated by using a sensitive ultrasound test to assess blood flow velocity. In a controlled human study, arterial blood flow improved by 37% following ingestion of standardized cocoa polyphenols and this persisted about eight hours. This same study showed a 36% decrease in undesirable platelet activation in the cocoa polyphenol groups.3 The cocoa polyphenols appear to exert their beneficial effect by enhancing endothelial nitric oxide. The age-related depletion of nitric oxide is considered a major impediment to healthy arterial blood flow. A standardized cocoa polyphenol extract is the second active component of the new Endothelial Defense formula.

3. SOD protects against nitric oxide degradation

Aging results in a reduction of our body’s production of the critical antioxidant called superoxide dismutase (SOD). One consequence of SOD depletion is excess degradation of endothelial nitric oxide. An orally active superoxide dismutase (SOD) called GliSODin® has been clinically proven to support healthy arterial function and structure…while boosting levels of the body’s most powerful antioxidant enzymes (SOD and catalase).4-7

Studies show that damaging carotid artery thickness increases by 0.04 mm every 10 years. However, the recent study with GliSODin® suggests that 2.8 years of supplementation may turn back the clock on 10 years of age-related damage due to carotid artery wall thickening.8 The third ingredient of the new Endothelial Defense formula is the patented GliSODin® in the identical dose used in the successful human study.

In response to these of research findings, the Endothelial Defense formula has been upgraded to provide the three best documented nutrients to help maintain healthy arterial blood flow.