|
|
TB Men's Prem. |
Life Force |
| Recommended Max. daily intake per product: |
7 tablets/day |
4 tablets/day |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Number of Ingredients |
96 |
47 |
|
|
|
| Total cost per product: (1 Month Supply, $US) |
|
|
|
$96.50 |
$44.50¹ |
| Minerals |
Minerals |
Minerals |
|
|
|
| Boron (from 12.3 mgs of Boron Citrate) |
700 mcgs |
4 mgs |
|
|
|
| Calcium (Total Balance) as Calcium-D-Gluarate |
200 mgs |
----- |
| Calcium (Life Force) as calcium carbonate, malate, chelate, & citrate |
----- |
200 mgs |
|
|
|
| Chromium (from 323 mcgs if Chromium Nicotinate) |
120 mcgs |
200 mcgs |
| Copper (from 2 mgs of Copper Gluconate) |
200 mcgs |
2 mgs |
| Magnesium (from 70 mgs of Magnesium Citrate) |
200 mgs |
200 mgs |
| Manganese (from 6 mgs of Manganese Citrate) |
2.24 mgs |
6 mgs |
| Potassium (from 20 mgs of Potassium Citrate) |
100 mgs |
100 mgs |
| Selenium (from 224 mcgs of L-Selenomethionine) |
100 mcgs |
200 mcgs |
| Silicon (From 40mgs Horsetail Extract, Equisetum Arvense L.) |
6 mgs |
NIL |
| MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) |
100 mgs |
50 mgs |
| Zinc Citrate (from 10mgs of Zinc Citrate) |
31.1 mgs |
30 mgs |
| Zinc Acetate (from mgs of Zinc Acetate) |
33 mgs |
NIL |
|
673.4 mgs |
592.4 mgs |
Notes:
1. All mineral totals for Total Balance are listed as elementals. An assumption has been made that all minerals listed for Life Force are also elemental, but this is uncertain.
2. This Men's Premium version of Total Balance contains extra Zinc from acetate which follows a metabolic pathway directly to the prostate where it is needed.
| Trace Elements |
Trace Elements |
Trace Elements |
|
|
|
| Iodine (from 500 mcgs of Potassium Iodide) |
750 mcgs |
200 mcgs |
| Rubidium (from 200 mcg Rubidium Chloride) |
200 mcgs |
NIL |
| Molybdenum (from 150 mcg Sodium Molybdate) |
63 mcg |
200 mcgs |
| Tungsten (from 2 mg Sodium Tungstate) |
1.67 mgs |
NIL |
| Strontium (from 4 mg Strontium Chloride) |
2 mgs |
NIL |
|
67.6 mgs |
0.400 mgs |
Notes:
The additional 6 trace minerals included in the Total Balance Mens Premium formula are important co-factors for the health of the nervous system and bones and to assist in improving the efficacy of other nutrients.
| Active Enzymes |
Active Enzymes |
Active Enzymes |
|
|
|
| Amylase (15,000 SKB/g) |
30 mgs |
NIL |
| Bromelain (2000 GDU) |
50 mgs |
NIL |
| NattozimesTM (35,000 FU/g) |
50 mgs |
NIL |
| Lipase (8,000 LU/g) |
20 mgs |
NIL |
|
150 mgs |
NIL |
Notes:
These enzymes are important co-factors in helping reduce the molecular size of some nutrients to help them to pass through the intestinal wall for better absorption.
| Vitamins & Co-Factors |
Vits & Co-Factors |
Vits & Co-Factors |
|
|
|
| Vitamin A - (Total Balance) 5000 IU's from (Mixed Natural Carotenoids consisting of Alpha-Carotene, Beta-Carotene and Xanthophylls) |
3 mgs |
----- |
| Vitamin A - (Life Force) 25,000 IU's (Beta-carotene 20,000 IU's & palmitate 5000 IU's) |
----- |
15 mgs |
|
|
|
| Biotin |
400 mcgs |
300 mcgs |
| Folic Acid |
300 mcgs |
800 mcgs |
| Inositol (as Hexaphosphate & Myo-Inositol; from Rice Bran) |
110 mgs |
100 mgs |
| PABA (Para-Amino Benzoic Acid) |
50 mgs |
NIL |
|
|
|
| Tocotrienols - (Total Balance) TOCOMIN(R)Natural Full Spectrum Palm Tocotrienol / Tocopherol Complex (oil) 30% min |
10 mgs |
----- |
| Tocotrienols - (Life Force) TOCOMAX(R)Natural Full Spectrum Palm Tocotrienol / Tocopherol Complex (powder) 20% min |
----- |
20 mgs |
|
|
|
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine HCL) |
10 mgs |
100 mgs |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) |
10 mgs |
100 mgs |
| Vitamin B3 (as Niacinamide and Niacin) |
28 mgs |
100 mgs |
| Vitamin B5 (Calcium D-Pantothenate) |
40 mgs |
110 mgs |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCL & pyridoxal- 5-Phosphate) |
8 mgs |
100 mgs |
| Vitamin B12 (Dibencozide) |
25 mcg |
400 mcgs |
| Vitamin C (as Calcium Ascorbate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid) |
220 mgs |
1000 mgs |
| Vitamin D3 (as Cholecalciferol; Natural) |
400 IU (0.01 mgs) |
200 IU (0.005 mgs) |
| Vitamin E (Natural; as Succinate) |
100 IU (86 mgs) |
400 IU (344 mgs) |
|
|
|
| Vitamin K (Total Balance) as Vitamin K2 |
180 mcgs |
----- |
| Vitamin K (Life Force) as Vitamin K1 |
----- |
200 mcgs |
|
575.9 mgs |
1990.5 mgs |
Notes:
1. For Life Force - 2763 mgs of actives are allocated to all other nutrients after Vitamin C.
2. For Total Balance - 5054 mgs are allocated to all other nutrients after Vitamin C.
3. The vitamin totals are one of the key facts to consider when comparing elite supplements. Use this link to read about this topic vitamins and value for money
| Amino Acids |
Amino Acids |
Amino Acids |
|
|
|
| L-Arginine HCL |
90 mgs |
NIL |
| L-Carnosine |
150 mgs |
NIL |
| L-Cysteine |
50 mgs |
NIL |
| N-Acetyl Cysteine |
75 mgs |
200 mgs |
| L-Glutamine |
50 mgs |
NIL |
| L-Glutathione (Low molecular weight) |
50 mgs |
NIL |
| L-Lysine HCL |
165 mgs |
NIL |
| L-Methionine |
90 mgs |
NIL |
| L-Ornithine HCL |
50 mgs |
NIL |
| L-Proline |
50 mgs |
NIL |
| L-Pyroglutamic acid |
50 mgs |
NIL |
| L-Taurine |
50 mgs |
NIL |
|
|
|
| L-Tyrosine (Total Balance) |
100 mgs |
----- |
| N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine (Life Force) |
----- |
50 mgs |
|
|
|
| N-Acetyl Glucosamine (from marine sources) |
80 mgs |
NIL |
|
1100 mgs |
250 mgs |
Notes:
1. Amino acids are crucial to good health and few people obtain sufficient from diet alone. Modest supplementation of these important nutrients is essential.
2. L-Glutathione is one of the most important nutrients in the body. It is rarely used in supplements because it is very expensive (80 times more expensive than Vitamin C) and also because it needs to be released in the upper intestine, which can only be achieved by enteric coating the tablet.
3. L-Tyrosine is an important precursor for the manufacture within the body of CoQ10 when combined with other co-factors in Total Balance.
| Male Health Support |
Male Health Supp. |
Male Health Supp. |
|
|
|
| Beta-Sitosterol (95% total sterols) |
200 mgs |
NIL |
| Chrysin (99% From Passion Flower - Passiflora incarnata) |
100 mgs |
NIL |
| Lycopene (Total Balance - 6% From Tomatoes) (Life Force - NB) |
15 mgs |
6 mgs |
| Nettle Root Extract (from Urtica dioica L.) |
100 mgs |
NIL |
| Red Clover Extract (5% isoflavones; from Trifolium Pratense) |
50 mgs |
NIL |
| Saw Palmetto (25% Fatty Acids; From Serenoa repens) |
160 mgs |
NIL |
|
625 mgs |
6 mgs |
Notes:
NB. = Company would not divulge the potency
1. Total Balance contains Beta Sitosterol, Nettle Root Extract, Saw Palmetto and extra Lycopene for the benefit of the prostate. Life Force contains only Lycopene (6 mg), less than half the amount included in Total Balance
2. Total Balance Mens Plus also contains a specialized ingredient 'Chrysin' to help prevent the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. This is a key ingredient for men's formulas
| Flavanoids |
Flavanoids |
Flavanoids |
|
|
|
| Grape Seed Extract (Total Balance) - 95% Proanthocyanidins; Vitis vinifera |
50 mgs |
----- |
| Grape Seed Extract (Life Force) - Proanthodyn™ - NB |
----- |
60 mgs |
|
|
|
| Green Tea (Total Balance) - 98% Polyphenols; 80% Catechins; Camellia Sinensis |
100 mgs |
----- |
| Green Tea (Life Force) - 95% polyphenols, 35% EGCG |
----- |
50 mgs |
|
|
|
| Hesperidin (98%; from Bitter Orange) |
80 mgs |
NIL |
| Myricetin (70% Dihydromyricetin) from Wax Myrtle - Myrica Cerifera) |
70 mgs |
NIL |
| Luteolin (98%) |
20 mgs |
NIL |
| Quercetin - NB |
NIL |
50 mgs |
| Rutin (95% from Blue-Green Algae) |
10 mgs |
10 mgs |
| Isoflavones (40% Isoflavones) |
50 mgs |
NIL |
|
380 mgs |
170 mgs |
Notes:
NB. = Company would not divulge the potency
'Quercetin' is a well known bioflavonoid. I asked the research team at Xtend-life why their Total Balance formulas don't contain Quercetin. They replied that the 1st to 5th generation Total Balance formulas contained Quercetin - but the latest 6th generation formula does not as it is uneccessary due to the large network of phytonutrients already present.
| Immunity Stimulating Blend |
Immunity |
Immunity |
|
|
|
| Aloe Vera Polysaccharides (200:1; from spray-dried Aloe Barbadensis Miller) |
50 mgs |
NIL |
| Beta-1,3 Glucan (94%; from Yeast) |
50 mgs |
NIL |
| Tea Polysaccharides (25%; from Camellia Tea species) |
50 mgs |
NIL |
|
150 mgs |
NIL |
Notes:
In the Total Balance formula there are a number of the most potent (and expensive) immunity enhancing nutrients such as Beta Glucan, Polysaccarides, Resveratrol and others which are not found in Life Force. This is an important fact to consider.
| Specialty Nutrients |
Spec. Nutrients |
Spec. Nutrients |
|
|
|
| 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan; 99%; from Griffonia simplicifolia) |
50 mgs |
NIL |
| Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) |
6 mgs |
NIL |
| Alpha Lipoic Acid |
50 mgs |
80 mgs |
| Astaxanthin (10%) |
40 mgs |
0.200 mgs |
| Coenzyme Q-10 (Ubiquinone) |
20 mgs |
40 mgs |
| DMAE - Dimethyl-aminoethanol (as bitartrate) |
NIL |
60 mgs |
| Choline (as bitartrate) |
94 mgs |
100 mgs |
| DMG (Dimethyl Glycine) |
90 mgs |
NIL |
| Lutein |
50 mgs |
4 mgs |
| Phosphatidyl Choline (as Lecithin) |
100 mgs |
100 mgs |
| Phosphatidyl L-Serine |
50 mgs |
NIL |
| Policosanol (from Sugar Cane; 95% total Policosanols; 60% 1-Octacosanol) |
10 mgs |
NIL |
|
|
|
| Piperine - (Total Balance) 95% from Black Pepper) |
30 mgs |
----- |
| Piperine - (Life Force) Black Pepper Fruit Extract ??% (Bioperine®) |
----- |
6 mgs |
|
|
|
| Resveratrol - (Total Balance - Natural 50% Trans-Resveratrol) |
50 mgs |
NIL |
| Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) |
150 mgs |
NIL |
| SAMe (S-Adenosylmethionine) |
100 mgs |
NIL |
| TMG (Trimethyl Glycine) |
100 mgs |
NIL |
| Vinpocetine (96%; from Vinca minor) |
2 mgs |
NIL |
| Zeaxanthin (5%; Optisharp™; from Marigold) |
10 mgs |
NIL |
|
1,002 mgs |
390 mgs |
Notes:
1. Resveratrol is an absolutely key ingredient. It's a powerful anti-cancer phytonutrient that works through more than a
dozen anti-cancer mechanisms - and is also an important immunity stimulating nutrient.
2. It should be noted that not all carotenoids are 'equal'. Some are much more potent than others which reflects in their cost. For example, Zeaxanthin costs more than 20 times as much as Lutein.
3. This Total Balance formula includes the right precursors and cofactors to stimulate the body to create more of its own Coenzyme Q10. Therefore 20 mgs is ample. Very few supplement formulas are sophisticated enough to do this.
| Herbal Extracts |
Herbal Extracts |
Herbal Extracts |
|
|
|
| Alfalfa Extract |
10 mgs |
NIL |
| Bacopa Extract (50% Bacosides; from Bacopa monnieri) |
50 mgs |
NIL |
|
|
|
| Bilberry Extract - Total Balance (25% Anthocyanins) |
40 mgs |
----- |
| Bilberry Extract - Life Force - NB |
----- |
20 mgs |
|
|
|
| Black Cumin Extract - (from Nigella sativa; 4:1 extract ratio) |
50 mgs |
NIL |
| Ginger Extract (5% Gingerols; from Zingiber officinale) |
50 mgs |
NIL |
|
|
|
| Gingko Biloba - Total Balance (25% Flavonoglycosides; 6% Terpene Lactones) |
50 mgs |
----- |
| Gingko Biloba - Life Force (24%, 50:1 Extract) |
----- |
40 mgs |
|
|
|
| Hawthorne Berry Extract (4:1) |
NIL |
50 mgs |
| Myrrh (5% Guggulsterones) |
50 mgs |
NIL |
| Olive-Leaf (20% Oleuropein; from Olea europaea) |
50 mgs |
NIL |
| Pine Bark Extract (95% Proanthocyanidins; from Pinus Massoniana) |
50 mgs |
NIL |
| Silymarin (Milk Thistle) Extract (85% Silymarins; from Silybum marianum) |
100 mgs |
144 mgs |
|
|
|
| Turmeric Extract - Total Balance (98% Curcumin; from Curcuma longa) |
50 mgs |
----- |
| Turmeric Extract - Life Force (95%) |
----- |
50 mgs |
|
550 mgs |
364 mgs |
Notes:
NB. = Company would not divulge the potency or standardization details
1. One of Life Force's greatest weaknesses is the low number of medicinal herbal extracts it contains.
2. The large number of medicinal herbal extracts included in Total Balance are specifically designed to complement each other to maximize their individual potencies.
| SUMMARY |
|
|
|
SUMMARY |
SUMMARY |
|
|
TOTAL BALANCE MEN'S PREMIUM |
LIFE FORCE (No Iron) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Active Ingredients |
Active Ingredients |
|
|
|
|
Daily (mgs) |
Daily (mgs) |
| With Vitamin C, Calcium and Magnesium |
5,206 |
3,763 |
| Without Vitamin C, Calcium and Magnesium |
4,586 |
2,363 |
|
|
|
|
Monthly |
Monthly |
| With Vitamin C, Calcium and Magnesium |
156,180 |
112,890 |
| Without Vitamin C, Calcium, and Magnesium |
137,580 |
70,890 |
|
|
|
| Enteric Coating (Increases the efficacy of some ingredients manifold) |
Yes |
No |
|
|
|
| Cost per day |
$3.22 |
$1.48 |
|
|
|
¹ Published retail price @ http://www.vitaminlife.com/ 120 tablets, No-Iron formula, Feb,2010
FAQs
Q. Why separate out the Vitamin C, Calcium and Magnesium?
A. Vitamin C, Calcium and Magnesium are very cheap (in some cases 1/80th - 1/100th the cost of some ingredients in Total Balance).
Supplement manufacturers commonly 'fill up' their formulas with excessive doses of these cheap ingredients, under the guise of 'optimal amounts'.People who use elite grade health supplements are health conscious and are usually taking in reasonable quantities of vitamin C, magnesium and Calcium in their regular diets. They only need a top up.
These ingredients should therefore be included in sufficient quantities to meet most peoples needs. Separate supplementation for these nutrients is recommended only if a need has been demonstrated. The cost for additional 'top up' supplementation for Vitamin C would be around $1.80.
Q. What are the 'elementals' referred to in the mineral section?
A. This is an area of confusion with many people. You cannot have the actual mineral on its own in the supplement. It must be in another form to ensure it can be absorbed by the body. For example, calcium citrate only has around 24% of calcium present. The elementals is the actual amount of the mineral provided in the supplement. Most companies however only list the gross amount of the material used, creating a problem when puting together nutritional supplements reviews.
Q. What is 'Enteric Coating'?
A. Learn about enteric coating by following this link. In brief it protects the ingredients as they pass through the stomach and releases them in the upper intestine where most nutrients in the body are then transported into the blood stream.
Q. What ingredients are protected by enteric coating the tablets?
A. Click here to see a list of some key ingredients which are vulnerable to degradation by stomach acid. The most important ones are L-Glutathione, Resveratrol and L-Carnosine.
Q. What roles do the ingredients that are not in Life Force play?
A. If you go to the Ingredients tab on any of the Total Balance product pages on the xtend-life website you will find explanations on each ingredient, together with relevant clinical data.
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