INGREDIENTS

Nicotinamide: Plays an essential role in energy production and nutrient synthesis. When UV damages the skin, DNA repair enzymes launch into repairing the damage. Despite the sophisticated systems we have, they are never able to fix all of the damage. The remaining damage can lead to skin aging and skin cancers. Niacinamide helps cells replenish the energy they expend in repairing their DNA and can influence cellular response to DNA damage which may help prevent cancer development. UV radiation itself suppresses the immune system, niacinamide has been shown to inhibit UV induced immunosuppression, which may also play a role in skin cancer development. Niacinamide does not increase the threshold for UV induced sunburn.

In a key trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine (N Engl J Med 2015; 373:1618-1626), patients with a history of non-melanoma skin cancer were treated with niacinamide at the same dose as found in SpectrumRx for one year or a placebo. The group receiving the nicotinamide had a 23% reduction in new skin cancers during the year as compared to patients receiving placebo.

Polypodium Leucotomos (PL) Extract: Is a tropical fern plant native to Central America and parts of South America. Historically, ferns have been used for medical purposes since before ancient Europe. The Mayans even drank it as a tea. Polypodium leucotomos has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may explain its ability to prevent damage caused by excessive sun exposure and its helpfulness in ameliorating certain skin conditions. Extracts have been shown in numerous studies to prevent both UVA and UVB induced toxicity and DNA damage through reduction of free radicals.

It is important to note that photoprotection does not imply chemoprevention (prevention of skin cancers) as no studies on the reduction of skin cancers have been published. It should also be noted that nothing takes the place of topical sunscreens in protecting you from skin cancer.

Milk Thistle: This flowering plant comes from the same family of plants as the daisy. It grows in Mediterranean countries and is used to make natural remedies. The silymarin in milk thistle can also protect the skin from UV ray damage and has been shown to have chemopreventive effects against chemical and photocarcinogenesis in various animal tumor models. A wide range of in vivo studies support that silymarin possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties which may lead to the prevention of skin cancer in in vivo animal models.
Nat Prod Res. 2012;26(23):2211-4. Biochem Pharmacol. 2013 Apr 15;85(8):1066-76.

Vitamin D: The importance of vitamin D has received much press over the last few years. Vitamin D is made in our skin in response to UV radiation. Many people don’t do this efficiently and UV exposure is proven to lead to skin cancer. No matter what roles Vitamin D may play in our health, it is better obtained through supplements and is no excuse for unhealthy behavior in the sun. You cannot obtain Vitamin D from a tanning bed (tanning beds emit mostly UVA, whereas Vitamin D production requires UVB); a tanning bed will dramatically increase your risk of skin cancer.

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Warnings

• Pregnant or nursing mothers should consult with their doctor before taking any supplement.
• Spectrum is not a substitute for other forms of sun protection and is not a sunscreen pill.
• MVMs providing nutrients at or up to 100% of the U.S. recommended daily allowance do not typically interact with medications, but it is always recommended to discuss a supplement with your doctor or pharmacists before taking.
• Niacin and niacinamide containing supplements may increase homocysteine levels in some patients. Please consult with your physician if you have a history of elevated homocysteine.