AFA + Protect
Complete Nutritional Support for Maximum Immune Support
AFA + Protect contains an immense amount of whole food-based micronutrients and bioactive compounds focused on supporting your immune system.
Your immune system functions optimally when the wide range of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, omega 3’s, enzymes, and antioxidants from AFA is paired with the bioactive compounds of Protect's 8 functional mushrooms. AFA raises your baseline nutrient levels, further enhancing the work of Protect’s immunomodulatory polysaccharides, polyphenols, and terpenes. This pairing supports a robust defense against invading bacteria, viruses, pathogens, antigens, and mediators of tissue damage. For maximum effect, you should combine this pairing with a real whole-food diet, regular exercise, sunshine and time in nature, and less sugar and alcohol. Stress management and good sleep will also support a fully functioning immune system.
AFA is a powerhouse for your immunity
AFA contains one of the highest amounts of Chlorophyll A which is the compound that gives AFA its green color. With magnesium at its center, Chlorophyll A cleanses the blood to slow the spread of invading cells and protects DNA during crucial cell division. AFA increases NK cell activity and the number of T marker and interferon cells which are immune modulators. Coenzyme Vitamin B6 activates over 60 enzyme systems that play a role in the production of red blood cells and immune cells. AFA also contains chelated vitamins A, and C plus complete B vitamins all chelated meaning these vitamins are pre-loaded with the minerals they need to work.
Phycocyanin is a rare bioactive compound responsible for the striking blue color pigment in AFA. It is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound that protects the cell receptors and supports the immune system. Recently approved by the FDA for research and is a new “ hot spot” for research. Phycocyanin is nature's first and ultimate antioxidant.
Stress plays a large role in how well your immune system functions. When the body is under stress it absorbs key nutrients in particular L-Arginine whose main focus is to bio-stimulate the Thymus gland, the engine for your immune system. When under stress the body absorbs the amino acid L-Arginine which means there is no longer enough L-Arginine available to support the Thymus gland, under stressful conditions. Other important minerals that support immune system function are; copper, iron, and zinc, all of which are present and absorbable in AFA
White blood cells also called T cells travel in our lymphatic fluid and give chemical orders to Natural Killer Cells. NK cells originate in bone marrow and mature in the thymus gland. NK cells shoot a phospholipase powered by zinc to kill off invading bacteria or viruses. The thymus gland needs zinc and L-arginine to produce active and energetic T cells and activate NK cells that protect regenerating cell walls with an interferon shield of sorts and stimulate protein synthesis so they can have strong cell walls.
Beta carotenes work to biostimulant the thymus gland responsible for crucial immune system functioning. Free Radical protection of immune cells is supported by antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD.) Specific immune system minerals chromium, copper, germanium, iron, and zinc all work together in concert to optimize your immune system's functionality. AFA even contains a small amount of polysaccharides that are associated with supporting the macrophage cells. Vitamin C daily is required for active white blood cells and AFA contains about 5 times that of spirulina and chlorella.
Antioxidant Beta Carotene other carotenoids and micronutrients stimulate the thymus gland and immunity cells to function properly killing off invading pathogens. Our immune cells receive specific protection from Beta carotene and a selenium-dependent enzyme glutathione peroxidase. AFA is truly a nutrient antioxidant-dense real food that is a champion for your immune system because it contains all the required compounds to maximize your immune potential.
Protect 8 Mushroom Blend
- Cordyceps
- Reishi
- Agaricus Blazei
- Maitake
- Chaga
- Turkey Tail
- Lion's Mane
- Shiitake
Our Protect functional mushroom blend contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants co-factors as it is a tinctured extract from a whole food source. However, for immunity, the power lies in the various immunomodulatory polysaccharides, terpenes, and polyphenols in these 8 mushrooms. These highly functional bioactive compounds fine-tune your immune system. Mushrooms can help to reduce the inflammatory response caused by pro-inflammatory cytokines and allow for T cells, B cells, and antibodies to work more effectively. Protect contains a very high amount of immune boost bioactive compounds and when paired with AFA makes a formidable duo.
Clinical Studies
Chaga:
1. Antimutagenic effects of subfractions of Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) extract
Food Bioscience,Volume 47,2022,101623, ISSN 2212-4292, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2022.10162341
3, Extracts of Phellinus linteus, Bamboo (Sasa senanensis) Leaf and Chaga Mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) Exhibit Antitumor Activity through Activating Innate Immunity
4, Effect of steam treatment on soluble phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus)
5. Targeting SARS-CoV-2 with Chaga mushroom: An in silico study toward developing a natural antiviral compound
6. Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) polysaccharides exhibit genoprotective effects in UVB-exposed embryonic zebrafish (Danio rerio) through coordinated expression of DNA repair genes
7. Anti-inflammatory, activities of extracts and compounds from the mushroom Inonotus obliquus
8. Chaga (Inonotus obliquus), a Future Potential Medicinal Fungus in Oncology? A Chemical Study and a Comparison of the Cytotoxicity Against Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells (A549) and Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells (BEAS-2B)
9. Inhibitory and Acceleratory Effects of Inonotus obliquus on Tyrosinase Activity and Melanin Formation in B16 Melanoma Cells
Turkey Tail
Pallav K, Dowd SE, Villafuerte J, et al. A randomized clinical trial. Gut Microbes. 2014;5(4):458-467. doi:10.4161/gmic.29558
Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Trametes versicolor in Women
Torkelson, C. J., Sweet, E., Martzen, M. R., Sasagawa, M., Wenner, C. A., Gay, J., ... & Standish, L. J. (2012). International Scholarly Research Notices, 2012.
Matijašević D, Pantić M, Rašković B, et al. Front Microbiol. 2016;7:1226. Published 2016 Aug 4. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2016.01226
TLR2 agonist PSK activates human NK cells and enhances the protection of HER2-targeted monoclonal antibody therapy
Lu H, Yang Y, Gad E, et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2011;17(21):6742-6753. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-11-1142
Cordyceps
Cordycepin Suppresses Excitatory Synaptic Transmission
Yao LH, Huang JN, Li CH, et al. Cordycepin suppresses excitatory synaptic transmission in rat hippocampal slices via a presynaptic mechanism. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2013;19(4):216-221. doi:10.1111/cns.12060
Cordyceps inhibits ceramide biosynthesis and improves insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis
Li Y, Talbot CL, Chandravanshi B, et al. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):7273. Published 2022 May 4. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-11219-3
Cordyceps fungi: natural products, pharmacological functions, and developmental products
Mechanism of Cordyceps sinensis and its Extracts in the Treatment of Diabetic Kidney impairments: A Review
Liu W, Gao Y, Zhou Y, Yu F, Li X, Zhang N. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:881835. Published 2022 May 13. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.881835
Bioactive principles from Cordyceps sinensis: A potent food supplement – A review
Shashidhar MG, Giridhar P, Udaya Sankar K, Manohar B. J Funct Foods. 2013 Jul;5(3):1013-1030. doi: 10.1016/j.jff.2013.04.018. Epub 2013 May 24. PMID: 32288795; PMCID: PMC7104994.
Reishi
Ganoderma lucidum Protects Dopaminergic Neuron Degeneration through Inhibition of Microglial Activation
Ganoderma lucidum improves physical fitness in women with fibromyalgia
The role of polysaccharide peptide of Ganoderma lucidum as a potent antioxidant against atherosclerosis in high-risk and stable angina patients
Lions Mane
Importance and management of micronutrient deficiencies in patients with Alzheimer’s
Cardoso BR, Cominetti C, Cozzolino SM. Clin Interv Aging. 2013;8:531-542. doi:10.2147/CIA.S27983
Relations of magnesium intake to cognitive impairment and dementia among participants in the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study: a prospective cohort study
Lo K, Liu Q, Madsen T, et al. BMJ Open. 2019;9(11):e030052. Published 2019 Nov 3. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030052
Folate, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12 intake and mild cognitive impairment and probable dementia in the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study.
Agnew-Blais JC, Wassertheil-Smoller S, Kang JH, et al. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015;115(2):231-241. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2014.07.006
AFA
Oral beta-carotene can increase the number of OKT4+ cells in human blood
Chia WY, Kok H, Chew KW, Low SS, Show PL. Can algae contribute to the war with Covid-19?. Bioengineered. 2021;12(1):1226-1237. doi:10.1080/21655979.2021.1910432
Current State of Evidence: Influence of Nutritional and Nutrigenetic Factors on Immunity.
Galmés S, Serra F, Palou A. Current State of Evidence: Influence of Nutritional and Nutrigenetic Factors on Immunity in the COVID-19 Pandemic Framework. Nutrients. 2020;12(9):2738. Published 2020 Sep 8. doi:10.3390/nu12092738
A Review of the Role of Micronutrients and Bioactive Compounds on Immune System
Cámara M, Sánchez-Mata MC, Fernández-Ruiz V, Cámara RM, Cebadera E, Domínguez L. A Review of the Role of Micronutrients and Bioactive Compounds on Immune System Supporting to Fight against immune challenges. Foods. 2021;10(5):1088. Published 2021 May 14. doi:10.3390/foods10051088
Immunity and inflammatory biomarkers in COVID-19: A systematic review
Iwamura APD, Tavares da Silva MR, Hümmelgen AL, et al. Immunity and inflammatory biomarkers in COVID-19: A systematic review. Rev Med Virol. 2021;31(4):e2199. doi:10.1002/rmv.2199
Immune Modulation From Five Major Mushrooms: Application to Integrative Oncology
Thymus Gland: A Double Edge Sword for Coronaviruses
Recent advances in the discovery of novel marine natural products and mycosporine-like amino acid UV-absorbing compounds
Rosic NN. [published correction appears in Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2021 Sep 22;:]. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2021;105(19):7053-7067. doi:10.1007/s00253-021-11467-9
Mycosporine-like Amino Acids and Other Phytochemicals Directly Detected by High-Resolution NMR on Klamath (Aphanizomenon flos aquae) Blue-Green Algae
Valeria Righi, Francesca Parenti, Luisa Schenetti, and Adele Mucci Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2016 64 (35), 6708-6715 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b02615
Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids: Potential Health and Beauty Ingredients
**These Statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to treat cure or prevent any disease.