Belo comes out with its first food supplement, Belo Medical Group
Release Date: 2010-08-04
Recent advances in skincare point to the growing importance of the protein glutathione in protecting cells from oxidative stress and maintaining the immune system.
Although much of its behavior awaits further medical understanding, glutathione was first isolated in yeast as early as 1929 while its role in cancer treatment dates from 1984.
However, current clinical trials have not established the supposed beneficial effects on cancer of mega-doses of glutathione or any antioxidant for that matter. Still, studies show that higher blood levels of glutathione have been associated with better health in elderly people.
There are no reported side effects of glutathione even when taken in large doses, except for the fact that it whitens the skin. And it is this side effect that has appealed to many Filipinos.
Dermatologist Victoria "Vicki" G. Belo says glutathione whitens the skin because it inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase.
"Glutathione prevents the concerned cells in the skin from manufacturing melanin, the pigment that is responsible for the brown to black coloration of the skin," Ms. Belo told reporters recently.
She added that glutathione whitens the skin by changing the body’s eumelanin (dark melanin) to pheomelanin (light melanin).
Ms. Belo said glutathione is naturally produced in the human liver and is found in many fruits, vegetables and meats. However, absorption rates of glutathione from food in the human gastrointestinal tract are low.
"Glutathione levels also decline with age, obesity and chronic disease. In fact, its levels decrease by 10% every 10 years starting at the age of 20. Decreased glutathione may be a result of prolonged stress and hyperactivity of the immune system, which in turn compromises body cells," she said.
Because of this, Ms. Belo, together with her daughter Cristalle Henares of Intelligent Skin Care, Inc., decided to come up with a new product that they hope will properly provide the whitening and anti-aging benefits of glutathione.
Called Belo Nutraceuticals Glutathione + Collagen, the product is the dermatologist’s first foray into commercial food supplements, after making it big with the launch of Belo Essentials skin products two years ago.
"The supplement market is growing at an exponential rate and technology allows for breakthrough products to be launched more often," Ms. Henares told reporters at the launch.
"The health and beauty industry is growing closer together than ever thought possible. The term ‘beauty in a capsule’ is becoming more than just a promise but a common reality."
Ms. Henares explained that Belo Nutraceuticals came from the combined term for "nutrition" and "pharmaceutical," since their food supplements aim to enhance overall health and beauty from within.
Backed by Ms. Belo’s 20 years of dermatological expertise (operating the Belo Medical Group clinics), Ms. Henares said Belo Nutraceuticals have been tested by third-party experts to guarantee that it delivers its promise of fairer, younger looking skin.
"Belo Nutraceuticals’ breakthrough patented formulation has gone through extensive testing and study to ensure its professional grade quality, safety and efficacy," Ms. Henares said.
Ms. Belo said Belo Nutraceuticals Glutathione + Collagen is a food supplement that combines the two active ingredients into one capsule.
"With its active ingredients, Belo Nutraceuticals Glutathione + Collagen acts as an antioxidant that boosts glutathione levels in cells as it helps detoxify the body," she said.
Meanwhile, Ms. Belo said collagen in the dermis provides skin with strength, elasticity and resilience. However, collagen decreases with age with collagen in the skin dropping by 20% from age 20 to 40.
"Collagen is the most dominant protein made up of different amino acids, occupying 30% in the body and 70% in the skin. It also exists as the most important ingredient of dermis. It inhibits formation of wrinkles by keeping the skin elastic and supple," Ms. Belo said.
Aside from glutathione and collagen, the food supplement contains sodium ascorbate (Vitamin C) which helps increase the glutathione levels in the blood, thus increasing the anti-oxidative property and whitening effect of the capsule on the skin.
It also contains hydroxyproline (known to enhance collagen synthesis and has moisturizing effect on the skin), alpha lipolic acid (which appears to be able to recycle antioxidants such as Vitamin C and glutathione even after they have been used up) and CoEnzyme Q10 (an antioxidant which helps protect the skin from the harmful effects of free radicals, thus preventing premature skin aging.)
"Based on the clinical study conducted, regular use resulted in visible results as early as two weeks. The capsule was taken twice daily by female respondents aged 18- to 60-years-old," Ms. Henares said.
Ms. Belo said it is recommended to take the food supplement in the morning with or without food.
While the product is generally safe, Ms. Belo does not recommend it for pregnant and lactating women.
Nutraceuticals Glutathione + Collagen is available in leading drugstores nationwide.
| Type: | NORMAL |
| Company: | Belo Medical Group |
| Country: | Philippines |
| Url: | http://www.bworld.com.ph/weekender/content.php?id=14984 |