There is evidence to support the use of betasitosterol for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

The suggested Sportron nutritional support for this condition is:

• Phytogard 2 capsules twice a day 
• Uritron 1 tablet daily 
• Gentron 1 capsule daily

Caffeine is not a banned substance for sportsmen. This used to be the case but according to the latest list published by the World Anti-Doping Agency (2009) caffeine is not a banned substance.

World Anti Doping Code 2009 (PDF - 173KB)

I am taking one Calcitone tablet a day which contains 400 iu of vitamin D. I am also taking 10ml of Melotone syrup per day which contains 100 iu of vitamin D.  This means that my daily intake of Vitamin D is 500 iu.  I understand the RDA is 400 iu per day. Am I taking too much vitamin D?

A vitamin D intake of 500 iu is not too high and is within currently recommended upper safe levels.

You are correct in saying that the RDA is 400 iu. There is currently is a lot of evidence to support a higher daily intake than this, 1000 iu has been suggested in some of the scientific literature. However, the RDA is not yet been changed.

Amino acids are the fundamental constituents of all proteins i.e. the building blocks of proteins. Breakdown of the proteins in the body yields the following amino acids:
Alanine,  Argenine, Asparagine, Aspartic acid, Cysteine, Cystine, Glutamic acid, Glutamine, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine,  Proline, Serine, Threonine and  Tryptophane.

Some of these amino acids can be synthesized by the body while others, the essential amino acids, must be obtained from protein in the diet

Homocysteine is a sulphur containing amino acid that is an intermediate in the synthesis of the amino acid cysteine. It is becoming increasingly recognized that elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood are a risk factor for vascular disease independent of diabetes, hypertension, raised cholesterol and smoking.

This has stimulated interest in factors that affect the blood level of homocysteine. Deficiencies in B-vitamins important to methionine metabolism namely folic acid, vitamin B12 and pyridoxine (B6), are all associated with elevated homocysteine. Of these, it is apparent that folic acid deficiency is the most important contributor to raised homocysteine levels.

All you need to know about Peptopro^® can be found on the website.

It is of animal origin. Casein is a milk protein and Peptopro^® is a hydrolysate of casein.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are a group of unsaturated fatty acids that are essential for growth but cannot be synthesized by the body. The primary EFAs are linoleic acid (omega 6) and alpha linolenic acid (omega 3).

Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce the inflammatory response by inhibiting arachidonic acid metabolism and promoting the production of less inflammatory mediators.

Yes, the level is well within safe limits for pregnant women. Pregnatone contains 4000iu (International Units) of vitamin A in the form of beta carotene.

According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science in the USA the following recommendations for vitamin A apply to pregnant women:

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 2541iu
Tolerable Upper Safe Level (UL) is 9900iu

The important points to note are:

• While Pregnatone contains more than the RDA for vitamin A for pregnant women, this level is well within the UL 
• Betacarotene is water soluble and not stored in the liver as retinol, the fat soluble form of vitamin A. Betacarotene is an ideal form in which to obtain vitamin A in a supplement.

Sportron does not have any specific guideline. However, there is a very good publication available from the Department of Health called "SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL GUIDELINES ON NUTRITION FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH TB, HIV/AIDS AND OTHER CHRONIC DEBILITATION DISEASES"

The cause of Autism is not clearly understood. Genetic factors and brain damage may play a significant role in causing this condition. The symptoms have to be managed as the child will not outgrow the condition.

Ultragard Forte is an excellent anti-oxidant supplement and combined with Phytogard, which contains plant sterols, selenium and zinc, you will boost your daughter’s immune system.

Calcitone is not a salt of calcium as in the case of calcium carbonate or calcium gluconate. The calcium in Calcitone is Foodstate^® calcium. Foodstate^® calcium is derived originally from various calcium salts.

The salt of calcium is added to a food complex e.g. a yeast or yoghurt culture and re-natured into Foodstate^® calcium. This involves formation of chemical bonds between the calcium ions and the protein carriers provided by the yeast/yoghurt culture. Thus Foodstate^® calcium is not a salt of calcium but a molecularly bonded form of calcium.

Sportron does not really recommend the prophylactic use of Infagard for children as the product has an alcohol base. Sportron recommends Respitron Syrup and Phytogard Syrup to boost the immune system in children. Infagard may be used for children with acute infections. For more information see Doses for Children.

Yes, although it may be necessary to crush the tablet for younger children. See Doses for Children.

The correct amount of Phytogard Syrup for a 2 and a half-year-old is 2,5 ml daily. This is equivalent to half a capsule. For more information see Doses for Children.

The amount to give is 2,5 ml once or twice daily. For more information see Doses for Children.

Cortisone is the name used to describe a group of corticosteroids secreted by the adrenal cortex or manufactured synthetically.

Cortisone is used to treat inflammatory conditions. It is an immuno-suppressant drug.

Side effects include gastric ulcers and bleeding, nervous and hormone disturbances, muscle and bone changes and eye changes.

When used appropriately, it is effective for the management of acute and chronic inflammation.

In addition to Ultragard Forte, both Phytogard and Omegatone may be used with Cortisone treatment.

Yes, dietary guidelines for individuals suffering from high cholesterol and other special dietary needs are available. For more information see Sportron Diets.

You should recommend 1/2 Completron (adult) and 2.5ml Melotone daily. When the child is older, Glucoplex may be an option. Adult Completron is recommended because it contains Chromium which is important for blood glucose balance and is not in Completron Junior.

Yes, Femtron may interfere with the efficacy of the contraceptive pill. The herbs in the herbal blend of Femtron "normalize" the hormones of the female reproductive system. Working effectively, this herbal blend may, in theory, interfere with the suppression of ovulation which will then decrease the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill.

FoodState products represent a new generation of nutrients which have superior ability in terms of absorption, bioavailability and utility. The underlying technology is a breakthrough in the process of efficient delivery of nutrients in the body. FoodState technology is the fruit of 25 years of work by a Hungarian Scientist, Andrew Szalay, who in turn had worked under Albert Szent Gyorgi (Nobel Prize Winner and discoverer of Vitamin C)

Two unique features differentiate FoodState products :

FoodState nutrients are molecularly bonded to the food elements which constitute whole food.  These include proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, enzymes, bioflavonoids and others.  The nutrients are in concentrated form and the products are presented without water or fibre.

Nutrients in FoodState products are attached to specific peptide combinations which are attached to the nutrients and act as delivery mechanisms for the efficient transporting of these nutrients to the sites in the body where they are required.  This is the real secret behind FoodState technology.  Each vitamin and mineral is bonded to an exclusive peptide combination which potentiates utilization in the body.  The science relating to the peptide carrier feature has been corroborated by other scientists and in one case, the scientist received the Nobel Prize for demonstrating that peptides have “intrinsic signals” which determine their destination in the body.

Numerous independent scientific trials conducted at different Universities have conclusively demonstrated the superiority of FoodState nutrients with respect to absorption and bioavailability.  The trials tested FoodState nutrients against the commonly available supplements which are all in a chemically isolated form.  All supplements available today are in a form where they have either been extracted from a natural source such as an orange, or they have been synthetically produced in a laboratory.  In both cases they are chemical isolates.
Chemical isolates never occur in nature.  The body, therefore, has to process nutrients in an unnatural form.  The body is designed to process whole food where the food elements enhance absorption, bioavailability and utility.

Chelation

Some companies combine minerals with amino acids to produce what are known as chelated minerals or amino-acid chelates.  Chelation certainly improves bioavailability, but chelated minerals are less effective than FoodState minerals for 3 primary reasons.  Firstly, the amino acids employed in chelation are not the mineral-specific peptide combinations present in FoodState nutrients.  Secondly, chelated minerals are not bonded to other food elements, and thirdly, it is well known that chelated bonds are weak and break easily in the gut.          

The Real FoodState

To differentiate therefore between products which utilize FoodState technology, and other products, we need to keep in mind :

Food products are not FoodState technology products.  For example Soya is a natural food product with defined benefits but it is not a FoodState product where nutrients are concentrated in food complexes with specific protein carriers.

Herbal products are not FoodState technology products.  Many herbal products provide wonderful health giving properties and we support their appropriate use.  They are natural products but again, they are not FoodState products where nutrients are concentrated in food complexes with specific protein carriers.

Other vitamin and mineral products available in South Africa are not FoodState technology products.  Some companies present their vitamin and mineral products as being in a food form or a food matrix.  These nutrients are typically mixed with food material, but not bonded to food elements, (proteins, carbohydrates, fats, enzymes, bio-flavonoids etc).  They remain chemical isolates and they do not contain specific peptide carriers for efficient delivery of nutrients in the body.

Other Applications of FoodState Technology

FoodState technology is being used today in many new applications.  For example, drug companies are attaching specific peptide carriers to drugs for better delivery to the organs where they are required.  In addition, FoodState technology is used in the food fortification market to improve nutritional value, as well as for other advantages, including flavour enhancement.  FoodState technology is also being used in skin care products where peptide carriers are utilized to enhance percutaneous absorption and delivery of active compounds for improved dermal function.

Manufacturing & Distribution of FoodState Products

FoodState nutrients are manufactured at only one facility in the world, in New Jersey in the United States of America.  The proprietary process has not been copied by any other manufacturer.
Two companies in South Africa distribute FoodState® technology products.  These companies are Sportron International (Pty) Ltd and their sister company, Regal Nutrients (Pty) Ltd (also trading as FoodState Nutrients).

Sportron has an international license to distribute these products.  This license is given to Sportron by the United States manufacturer who developed and owns the proprietary manufacturing process.

The following factors influence the formation of gallstones and you will notice that some are unchangeable:

• More common in women.
• Increased risk with age.
• Some ethnic groups are more predisposed than others.
• Obesity.
• A diet high in saturated fat and refined foods.
• A family history of gallstones.

Prevention then means changing the diet and keeping obesity in check. The other risk factors cannot be changed.

Yes, dietary guidelines for individuals suffering from a hiatus hernia and other special dietary needs are available. For more information see Diets.

PXE is the abbreviation for a disease called Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum, which is a connective tissue disorder.

Yes, dietary guidelines for individuals with spastic colon and other special dietary needs are available. For more information see Diets.

No. The following information will help you to understand why the caffeine content of the energy drink is not an issue

Caffeine in Energy Drink

• 20 ml Energy Drink concentrate added to water makes 500ml Energy Drink and contains 80mg caffeine.
• About 500mg caffeine (equivalent to about 8 cups coffee consumed in a short space of time) would result in 12mcg/ml of urine of the end product of caffeine breakdown. This is the marker tested for "controlled substances".
• 80mg per 500ml Energy Drink is well within the limit.
• According to the information Sportron received, caffeine is no longer a controlled substance. Please check this information with the controlling body for drugs in sport.

Omegatone is an essential fatty acid nutritional supplement that contains Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids in a 4:1 ratio.

Although no definite recommendation has been made, current research indicates may be the optimal ratio1. Omegatone is an excellent nutritional supplement for the management of concentration problems like ADHD, cardiovascular disease and inflammatory conditions.

Nutrition Information

• Evening primrose oil 125 mg
• (8 % GLA) = 10 mg GLA
• Salmon oil 200mg
• (12% EPA; 8% DHA) = 24 mg EPA + 16 mg DHA = 40 mg
• FoodState® Vitamin B6 complex 5 mg
• FoodState® Magnesium complex 20 mg
• FoodState® Zinc complex 20 mg

 1 Simopoulos AP. Making sense of the dietary omega 3 / omega 6 balance. The South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2002; 15(Suppl1):S28-S29.

Therefore, ratio of active ingredients is 40mg (EPA + DHA) to 10 mg (GLA) i.e. 4:1