A-Free

A-Free™

Reduce allergic reaction

Supports liver and immune functions

Supports cell membrane stabilization

No drowsiness

What causes allergies? Allergies are caused by a malfunction of the immune system that causes a reaction towards generally harmless substances called allergens. When the body is exposed to allergens, it reacts as if there is a malicious foreign invader in the body. The immune system begins to mount an immune response by making IgE antibodies that will target the antigen. Mast cells start breaking open to release inflammatory substances, histamine, which travels throughout the body to fight off the “harmful” invader. This inflammation causes a variety of symptoms depending on where the histamine is released. Common allergy symptoms include a runny nose, watery eyes, shortness of breath, sneezing, hives, and much more may be representative of the mast cells reacting. Zinc in A-Free also helps with seasonal flu symptoms.

FUNCTIONS:

Methylsulfonylmethane or (MSM) is an organosulfur compound which has excellent utility as a natural source of “biologically active sulfur”. Sulfur is essential in regulating the immune system. Three major products of sulfur amino acids glutathione (GSH), homocysteine (Hcy), and Taurine (Tau) influence the inflammatory aspects of the immune response in vitro and vivo. Intaking additional supplements raises plasma levels of these amino acids and ameliorates inflammation in the body. [1] This claim is backed up by a study done evaluating the efficacy of MSM in the reduction of Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) symptoms. The study took fifty-five subjects and consumed MSM orally per day for 30 days after the 7^th day there was a significant reduction in upper and total respiratory system. All respiratory improvements were maintained throughout the study as well. [2]

Riboflavin is more commonly known as vitamin B2, a vitamin found in food and used as supplementation. It is a water-soluble vitamin that is crucial to maintaining human health. The vitamin is a major component of two coenzymes, flavin mononucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide. These two coenzymes are involved in metabolism, energy production, cellular function, growth and development, and metabolism. [3]

Sophara Flavscens extract also known as Ku Shen is a plant that has a history of use in traditional Chinese medicines known to have ‘cooling’ and antiphlogistic properties. It contains a variety of bioactive molecules, but Matrine and the two related structures are the main components. Matrine and Oxymatrine have the properties to reduce NF-kB activation after injury, and various other bioactive possess general anti-inflammatory effects. [4] This plant also has a variety of antitumor effects including Matrine significantly inhibiting the proliferation of HepG2 cells found in the liver in dose and time dependent manner and caused apoptosis of HepG2 cells. [5] 

Zinc acetate is salt that has been used in lozenges for treating the common cold. One of the most notable things about this salt is that in trials there was an average of 42% reduction in the duration of colds. [6] Zinc plays an important role in the immune system. It is crucial for normal development and function of cells mediating innate immunity. It also plays a prominent role as an antioxidant and stabilizes membranes, indicating its role in the prevention of free radical induced injury during inflammatory processes.

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus lysate is a powder made from specially prepared lactobacillus bacterium’s cell wall fragments. These cell wall fragments support the growth of healthy intestinal flora by being a source of immune activating proteins in the intestinal villa. What makes this probiotic strain so useful is its effectiveness in activating the immune system and its effectiveness in treating allergies. The probiotic can modify the immune system so that instead of giving a bad response against the allergen it produces a protective response. [7] It is very effective in clinical trials as a tool in food allergy prevention and to decrease the allergic response.

Manganese gluconate is a combination of the mineral manganese with glutamic acid.

Ganoderma Lucidium extract or the reishi mushroom has been used in Chinese Medicine for centuries. Its mechanism is focused on moderating the immune system through induction of cytokines and enhancement of immunological effectors [8]. The mushroom can reduce immune activity when the system is overstimulated, which is key to controlling allergic reactions. It does so by slowly inhibiting histamine releases which prevent inflammation, and other commonly felt allergy symptoms. Additionally, it increases the proliferation and maturation of T and B lymphocytes, NK cells, and dendritic cells in vitro and in vivo. This bolsters the immune system by stimulating the production of various types of white blood cells. The mechanism behind this is due to the polysaccharides contained inside the fungus which triggers the production of cytokines and other colony stimulating factors. [9]

Xanthium sibiricum extract also known as Siberian cocklebur is another plant used in traditional Chinese Medicine. It has the properties of being bitter, acrid, warm, and sweet and is associated with the lung meridian which explains its many uses in treating respiratory diseases and disorders. The herbal preparation is commonly used to treat sinus congestion, chronic nasal obstructions, and respiratory allergies.

Scutellaria baicalensis is a plant also known as the Huang qin or Skullcap can be found growing naturally in Asian countries. The active compound is harvested from the roots and rhizomes of the plant which contains almost seventy flavonoids. [10] Therefore, it is used to treat a multitude of ailments including allergy control, inflammation, headaches, and more. Currently research in the United States shows that the skullcap has potential for anti-aging and contains healthy inflammation fighting molecules. [11]

SUGGESTED USE

Adults take 1-3 capsules. Three times daily after meals or as directed by a healthcare professional.

INGREDIENTS

Rihizoma Smilacis, Nypa Fruticans, Mistletoe, Pandanrus Odoratissimus, Phyllantus Urinaria, Plantago Asiatica

SIDE EFFECTS

No adverse side effects reported.

STORAGE

Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct light. Keep out of reach of children.

Citations:

1.     Grimble, R. F. (2006). The effects of sulfur amino acid intake on immune function in humans. The Journal of nutrition, 136(6), 1660S-1665S.

2.     Barrager, E., Veltmann Jr, J. R., Schauss, A. G., & Schiller, R. N. (2002). A multicentered, open-label trial on the safety and efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. The Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 8(2), 167-173.

3.     Rivlin RS. Riboflavin. In: Coates PM, Betz JM, Blackman MR, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. 2nd ed. London and New York: Informa Healthcare; 2010:691-9.

4.     Quang TH, et al. Anti-Inflammatory and PPAR Transactivational Properties of Flavonoids from the Roots of Sophora flavescens. Phytother Res. (2012)

5.     Zhang Y, et al. Effects of matrine against the growth of human lung cancer and hepatoma cells as well as lung cancer cell migration. Cytotechnology. (2009)

6.     Hemilä, H. (2011). Zinc Lozenges May Shorten the Duration of Colds: A Systematic Review. The Open Respiratory Medicine Journal, 5, 51–58. http://doi.org/10.2174/1874306401105010051

7.     Matricardi, P. M., Bjorksten, B., Bonini, S., Bousquet, J., Djukanovic, R., Dreborg, S., ... & Renz, H. (2003). Microbial products in allergy prevention and therapy. Allergy, 58(6), 461-471.

8.     Chien C. M, Cheng J. L, Chang W. T, editors. et al. Polysaccharides of Ganoderma lucidum alter cell immunophenotypic expression and enhance CD56+ NK-cell cytotoxicity in cord blood. Bioorg Med Chem. 2004;12:5603–9. 

9.     Wachtel-Galor S, Yuen J, Buswell JA, et al. Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi): A Medicinal Mushroom. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 9.

10.  Gao, Z., Huang, K., Yang, X., & Xu, H. (1999). Free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of flavonoids extracted from the radix of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-General Subjects, 1472(3), 643-650.

11.  Huang, W. H., Lee, A. R., & Yang, C. H. (2006). Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of polyhydroxyflavonoids of Scutellaria baicalensis GEORGI. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry, 70(10), 2371-2380.