Androvite® is intended to provide proper nutrition for adult men.* It is a magnesium-emphasized nutritional supplement that may be used as part of a total dietary program, which consists of change in lifestyle, dietary guidelines, exercise, and Androvite®.

ATP Cofactors™ is a specially formulated high potency vitamins B-2/B-3 combination, containing 100 mg of Riboflavin and 500 mg of Niacin (as inositol hexanicotinate) per tablet. ATP Cofactors™ is intended to be used as part of a complete nutritional program, emphasizing magnesium instead of calcium.

Background Information
The unit of energy available from food is called calories. The metabolism of the macronutrients carbohydrates, fats, and proteins supply these calories. However, the body can not use these calories as a source of energy to perform life sustaining functions unless these calories are converted to a substance called ATP, which is the energy currency used by the body. About one-half of the calories obtained from food are used to maintain body temperature and body water in a state essential for normal enzymatic activities and cell membrane fluidity. Therefore, 50% of the calories ingested are converted to ATP and the other half is used to pay a form to taxation in order to keep body temperature in the ideal range. In order to convert food to ATP and use ATP as a source of energy, several micronutrients are required: vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. There is a close interaction and synergism between these micronutrients. For example, the B-complex vitamins, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin and pyridoxine cannot function well without being activated by phosphorylation. This phosphorylation is magnesium dependant. Therefore, adequate magnesium is required to optimize the performance of the B-complex vitamins.* The synthesis of ATP by intact respiring mitochondria requires the presence of oxygen, magnesium, ADP, inorganic phosphate, and the substrates from the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids.* The generation of these substrates depends on the presence of adequate amount of vitamins, minerals and trace elements.* When all substances are presenting optimal concentrations, the integrity of the mitochondrial membrane and the capacity of the enzymatic system in the respiratory chain become rate limiting.*(1) 

Rationale for the use of ATP Cofactors™
As previously discussed, ATP is the universal currency of energy used in biological systems to maintain an organism in a state that is far from thermodynamic equilibrium with the environment, that is far from death. The active from of ATP is a complex of ATP with mainly magnesium, but also with manganese.* In case of manganese deficiency, magnesium can replace manganese.* The turnover of ATP is extremely high. For example, a human at rest consumes one half of his/her weight of ATP daily. The synthesis of ATP from ADP plus high energy phosphate group is called oxidative phosphorylation and is dependant on the electron flow through the electron transport chain via electron carriers.(2) NADH and FADH2 are the major electron carriers in the synthesis of ATP. The B vitamins, niacin and riboflavin, are the precursors of the Cofactors NADH and FADH2.* These Cofactors play an important role also in the oxidation and organification of iodide by generating hydrogen peroxide via the NADPH oxydase system.*(3,4) In some conditions, the body cannot efficiently synthesized NADH and FADH3 from Niacin and Riboflavin because of defect/damage to the enzymes involved in this conversion.*(5-8) More Riboflavin and Niacin are needed to override the inefficient enzymes in order to obtain adequate levels of cofactors.* There is evidence that a lack of these vitamins can lead to a deficient organification of iodide.*(3) Preliminary results suggest that high dosage of vitamins B-2 and B-3 combined with 100-150 mg of elemental iodine in the form of Lugol tablets can help support overall well being.*(3,4) ATP Cofactors™ should be used as part of a complete nutritional program emphasizing magnesium instead of calcium for best results.*(9-12) We recommend the following multivitamin-mineral combinations: 

For pre-menopausal women: Optivite PMT®*
For post menopausal women: Gynovite Plus®*
For men: Androvite®
Extra magnesium may be ingested using the magnesium supplement Mag 200®

References: 
1. Abraham GE, Flechas JD. Journal of Nutritional Medicine, 3:49-59, 1992
2. Biochemistry, 2nd edition. Stryer and Lubert (ed.) Freeman, New York, 1975; 240-246.
3. Abraham GE, Flechas JD. The Original Internist, 14:77-82, 2007.
4. Figueiredo MD1, Cardoso LC, Ferreira AC, Campos DV, da Cruz Domingos M, Corbo R, Nasciutti LE, Vaisman M, arvalho DP. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001 Oct;86(10):4843-8. PMID: 11600551
5. Niepomniszcze H, Targovnik HM, Gluzman BE, Curutchet P. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1987 Aug;65(2):344-8. PMID: 3597712
6. Moreno JC, Bikker H, Kempers MJ, van Trotsenburg AS, Baas F, de Vijlder JJ, Vulsma T, Ris-Stalpers C. N Engl J Med. 2002 Jul 11;347(2):95-102. PMID: 12110737
7. Kusakabe T. Metabolism. 1975 Oct;24(10):1103-13. PMID: 1165726.
8. Goei GS, Abraham GE. J Reprod Med. 1983 Aug;28(8):527-31. PMID: 6685186.
9. Chakmakjian ZH, Higgins CE, Abraham GE. J Appl Nut. 37:12, 1985.
10. Abraham GE, Rumley RE. J Reprod Med. 1987 Jun;32(6):405-22. PMID: 2956416
11. Abraham GE, Grewal H. J Reprod Med. 1990 May;35(5):503-7. PMID: 2352244
12. Abraham GE. J Nut Med. 2:165-178, 1991

Gynovite® Plus is a complete nutritional supplement formulated for postmenopausal complaints.* This supplement emphasizes magnesium over calcium. Based on a review of the published literature, magnesium also plays an important role for healthy bones, for instance, in laboratory animal studies.*(1) Countries with the highest consumption of calcium had the highest incidence of hip fracture, and the lowest hip fracture rates in post menopausal women were observed in countries with daily calcium intake as low as 400-500 mg.*(1) Several other nutrients which play important roles in bone integrity are in Gynovite® Plus.* 

An increase in bone density was observed in 19 post-menopausal women following supplementation with Gynovite® Plus.*(1) Compared to a 0.7% increase in 7 women not on Gynovite® Plus, a increase of 11% was observed in the 19 women followed for the same period of time less than one year.* Repeated bone density measure following 2 years on Gynovite® Plus showed a further increase in bone density.*(1) Fifteen of the 19 women were below fracture threshold at the beginning of the study. Within one year only 7 of them still had values below that threshold.*(2) For best results, Gynovite® Plus should be used as part of a total dietary program.

References: 
1. Abraham GE. J Nut Med. 2:165-178, 1991.
2. Abraham GE, Grewal H. J Reprod Med. 1990 May;35(5):503-7. PMID: 2352244.

Iodoral® is a tablet form of Lugol solution. One 12.5 mg tablet of Iodoral® supplies an amount of total elemental iodine comparable to the average daily intake of this essential element by mainland Japanese.*

General Information
Iodine is an essential element. Although its main function is in the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland, other organs in the body have a need for iodine in order to function normally.*(4) 

Several studies have demonstrated a need for iodine intake.*(1,2) The minimum amount of iodine determined in these studies is equivalent to 0.1 mg/kg body weight/day.* For example, for a 50 kg woman, the daily amount of iodine would be 5 mg.* The thyroid gland needs iodide to function properly. The original study done 80 years ago in adolescent girls used 9 mg iodide daily.*(3) 

During the early 1900's, the iodine/iodide solution called Lugol solution was used extensively, effectively and safely in medical practice, for both low activity and above normal activity of the thyroid gland.*(4) The recommended daily intake for iodine supplementation was 2 to 6 drops of Lugol solution, providing 12.5 to 37.5 mg total iodide. That amount was mentioned as lately as 1995 in a book on Pharmaceutical Sciences.(5) 

Several investigators have shown convincing evidence for the need for adequate iodine intake.*(6) Japanese women living in Japan consumed a daily average of 13.8 mg total elemental iodine and some research suggests this is an important factor for their relative health.*(6) In the 1960's, one slice of bread in the USA contained the full RDA of 0.15 mg iodine. Over the last 2 decades, iodine was replaced by bromine in the bread making process. Bromine may block thyroid function and may interfere with iodine in the body.*(4),(7) 

The RDA limits for vitamins and minerals were established after World War II. One of the last essential elements included in the RDA system was iodine, established in 1980 and confirmed in 1989.(8) The RDA for iodine was based on the amount of iodine/iodide needed to prevent goiter, extreme stupidity and hypothyroidism.*(9) The optimal requirement of the whole human body for iodine has never been studied. Therefore, the optimal amount of this element for physical and mental wellbeing is unknown. Based on demographic studies, the mainland Japanese consumed an average of 13.8 mg daily and they are one of the healthiest people on planet earth.*(6) Lugol solution is a time-tested preparation with a proven track record for over 150 years.* Two drops contain 12.5 mg iodine/iodide, an amount very close to the 13.8 mg average intake of mainland Japanese.* 

Rationale For This Formulation
Administration of iodine/iodide in liquid solution is not very accurate, may stain clothing, has an unpleasant taste and can cause gastric irritation. Iodoral® is a precisely quantified tablet form containing 5 mg iodine and 7.5 mg iodide as the potassium salt. To prevent gastric irritation, the iodine/iodide preparation is absorbed into a colloidal silica excipient, and to eliminate the unpleasant taste of iodine, the tablets are coated with a thin film of pharmaceutical glaze.*(10)

References:
1. Ghent, W., et al, Can. J. Surg., 36:453-460,1993.
2. Eskin, B., et al, Biological Trace Element Research, 49:9-19, 1995.
3. Marine, D., Atl. Med. J., 26:437-442, 1923.
4. Abraham,G.E., The Original Internist, 11:17-36, 2004.
5. Gennaro A.R., Remington: 19th Edition, 1995, Mack Publishing Co, 1267.
6. Abraham, G.E., Flechas, J.D., Hakala, J.C., The Original Internist, 9:30-41, 2002.
7. Epstein, S.S., et al, Prevention Program Macmillan, NY, 1998, pg5.
8. Abraham, G.E., The Original Internist, 11:(2) 29-38, 2004.
9. Abraham, G.E. Townsend Letter, 245:100-101, 2003.
10. Abraham, G.E., Flechas, J.D., Hakala, J.C., The Original Internist, 9:5-20, 2002.

High Potency Iodoral® IOD-50 is an iodine/potassium iodide supplement that supplies 50 mg elemental iodine.

General Information
Iodine is an essential element. Although its main function is in the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland, other organs in the body have a need for iodine in order to function normally.*(4) 

Several studies have demonstrated a need for iodine intake.*(1,2) The minimum amount of iodine determined in these studies is equivalent to 0.1 mg/kg body weight/day.* For example, for a 50 kg woman, the daily amount of iodine would be 5 mg.* The thyroid gland needs iodide to function properly. The original study done 80 years ago in adolescent girls used 9 mg iodide daily.*(3) 

During the early 1900's, the iodine/iodide solution called Lugol solution was used extensively, effectively and safely in medical practice, for both low activity and above normal activity of the thyroid gland.*(4) The recommended daily intake for iodine supplementation was 2 to 6 drops of Lugol solution, providing 12.5 to 37.5 mg total iodide. That amount was mentioned as lately as 1995 in a book on Pharmaceutical Sciences.(5) 

Several investigators have shown convincing evidence for the need for adequate iodine intake.*(6) Japanese women living in Japan consumed a daily average of 13.8 mg total elemental iodine and some research suggests this is an important factor for their relative health.*(6) In the 1960's, one slice of bread in the USA contained the full RDA of 0.15 mg iodine. Over the last 2 decades, iodine was replaced by bromine in the bread making process. Bromine may block thyroid function and may interfere with iodine in the body.*(4),(7) 

The RDA limits for vitamins and minerals were established after World War II. One of the last essential elements included in the RDA system was iodine, established in 1980 and confirmed in 1989.(8) The RDA for iodine was based on the amount of iodine/iodide needed to prevent goiter, extreme stupidity and hypothyroidism.*(9) The optimal requirement of the whole human body for iodine has never been studied. Therefore, the optimal amount of this element for physical and mental wellbeing is unknown. Based on demographic studies, the mainland Japanese consumed an average of 13.8 mg daily and they are one of the healthiest people on planet earth.*(6) Lugol solution is a time-tested preparation with a proven track record for over 150 years.* Two drops contain 12.5 mg iodine/iodide, an amount very close to the 13.8 mg average intake of mainland Japanese.* 

Rationale For This Formulation
Administration of iodine/iodide in liquid solution is not very accurate, may stain clothing, has an unpleasant taste and can cause gastric irritation. Iodoral® is a precisely quantified tablet form containing 5 mg iodine and 7.5 mg iodide as the potassium salt. To prevent gastric irritation, the iodine/iodide preparation is absorbed into a colloidal silica excipient, and to eliminate the unpleasant taste of iodine, the tablets are coated with a thin film of pharmaceutical glaze.*(10)

References:
1. Ghent, W., et al, Can. J. Surg., 36:453-460,1993.
2. Eskin, B., et al, Biological Trace Element Research, 49:9-19, 1995.
3. Marine, D., Atl. Med. J., 26:437-442, 1923.
4. Abraham,G.E., The Original Internist, 11:17-36, 2004.
5. Gennaro A.R., Remington: 19th Edition, 1995, Mack Publishing Co, 1267.
6. Abraham, G.E., Flechas, J.D., Hakala, J.C., The Original Internist, 9:30-41, 2002.
7. Epstein, S.S., et al, Prevention Program Macmillan, NY, 1998, pg5.
8. Abraham, G.E., The Original Internist, 11:(2) 29-38, 2004.
9. Abraham, G.E. Townsend Letter, 245:100-101, 2003.
10. Abraham, G.E., Flechas, J.D., Hakala, J.C., The Original Internist, 9:5-20, 2002.

MAG-200® provides magnesium with para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA).

It is difficult to overstate the importance of magnesium for health.* Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and the second most abundant in muscles and other organs. Only potassium levels are higher than magnesium in soft tissues (non-bone tissues). Potassium cannot be retained in soft tissues and leaks out if magnesium is deficient.* 

Adequate amount of magnesium is also required for the absorption and utilization of calcium, favoring the deposition of calcium in bone where it belongs and preventing deposition of calcium in the soft tissues and kidneys where it does not belong.* 

Magnesium is required in adequate amount for the normal activity of 300 enzymes, including those involved in the transfer of energy from foods to physical and mental activities.* It is a very important stabilizer of polynucleic acids, substances where genetic information is stored.* The Mag-200™ daily nutritional program is a magnesium-emphasized dietary program which consists of avoiding foods that block the absorption, interfere with the utilization of, and increase the loss of magnesium; and magnesium supplementation.

Optivite® PMT is the first multivitamin - multimineral supplement formulated for use by women with Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).* Available to PMS sufferers over the past 30 years, Optivite® underwent several clinical studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals: 3 open trials (1-3) and 2 double blind placebo-controlled studies.*(4,5) A 50% reduction of PMS complaints has been observed in those studies following 1 to 3 months on this supplement.* When 313 PMS sufferers were followed for up to 5 years on this program, an interesting observation was that the number of tablets of Optivite required to maintain the improvement in PMS decreased over time:

• 5.2 + 0.36 tablets between 2 and 6 months
• 4.8 + 0.6 tablets between 7 and 12 months
• 4.3 + 0.48 tablets between 13 and 24 months
• 3.2 + 0.34 tablets over 24 months.*(1)

With over 100,000 women on this program during the first 5 years of availability of Optivite®, not a single documented case of Vitamin A toxicity or peripheral neuropathy due to Vitamin B-6 has been reported.*(1) Optivite® is recommended as part of a total dietary program to obtain best results.*(6,7)

References:
1. Abraham GE, Rumley RE. J Reprod Med. 1987 Jun;32(6):405-22. PMID: 2956416
2. Goei GS, Abraham GE. J Reprod Med. 1983 Aug;28(8):527-31. PMID: 6685186
3. Fuchs N, Hakim M, Abraham GE. J Appl Nut. 37:1 1985.
4. Chakmakjian ZH, Higgins CE, Abraham GE. J Appl Nut. 37:12, 1985.
5. London RS, Bradley L, Chiamori NY. J Am Coll Nutr. 1991 Oct;10(5):494-9. PMID: 1955626
6. Abraham GE. J Appl Nut. 36:103, 1984.
7. Abraham GE. J Reprod Med. 1983 Jul;28(7):446-64. PMID: 6684167