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Total Balance Comparison
Total Balance Women's Plus Comparison with LifePak Women (December 2006)
Quick Facts
General
The fundamental difference between Total Balance Women’s Plus and LifePak Women is that Total Balance is aimed towards natural balancing of hormones and providing all essential nutrients. LifePak Women has added Calcium and Cranberry powder which may be helpful for urinary infections.
Monthly Cost
The monthly cost of LifePak Women is approx 18% more than the full dose of Total Balance Women’s Plus based on published retail prices, not taking into account loyalty program discounts or any discounts that LifePak may offer, and ignoring the extra cost to ‘upgrade’ LifePak as referred to in ‘Value for Money’ below.
Ingredient Content
1. Total Balance Women’s Plus has approx double the quantity of nutrients than LifePak Women.
2. If the Vit C, Calcium and Magnesium are excluded Total Balance has almost three times the quantity of nutrients.
3. LifePak Women has a total of 41 ingredients compared with 81 ingredients in Total Balance Women’s Plus.
Delivery System
Total Balance Women’s Plus is enteric coated which enables the release of all the active ingredients in the upper intestine instead of the stomach. All ingredients are therefore protected against degradation by stomach acids. LifePak does not have this sophisticated delivery system.
Value for Money and Effectiveness
LifePak is missing many of the highly active and beneficial ingredients present in Total Balance. It would be expensive for LifePak users to add these missing ingredients to their supplement regime! For example, to purchase just 7 of the missing 40 ingredients…Reservatrol, L-Glutathione, L-Carnosine, Beta-Glucan, Tumeric, Zeaxanthin and Policosanol it would add approximately another $92.00 to the monthly cost of LifePak
| TB Women's Plus | LifePak Women | | Recommended daily intake per product: | 6 tablets/day | 2 packets/day | | Total capacity and cost per product: | 180 tablets - US$73.50 | 60 packets - US$84.80 |
| Minerals | Minerals | Minerals | | Boron (from 12.3mgs of Boron Citrate) | 750mcgs | 3mgs | | Calcium (100mgs Cal. Citrate, 70mgs DiCal. Phosphate) | 37.2mgs | 1,000mgs | | Chromium (from 323mcgs if Chromium Nicotinate) | 40mcgs | 200mcgs | | Copper (from 2mgs of Copper Gluconate) | 280mcgs | 1000mcgs | | Iron (as Iron Chelate) | NIL | 10mgs | | Iodine (from 500mcgs of Potassium Iodide) | 382mcgs | 100mcgs | | Magnesium (from 70mgs of Magnesium Citrate) | 10.5mgs | 500mgs | | Manganese (from 6mgs of Manganese Citrate) | 1.68mgs | 2mgs | | Potassium (from 20mgs of Potassium Citrate) | 7.23mgs | NIL | | Selenium (from 224mcgs of L-Selenomethionine) | 90mcgs | 140mcgs | | Silicon | NIL | 3mgs | | Vanadium | NIL | 20mcgs | | Zinc (from 10mgs of Zinc Citrate) | 3.21mgs | 15mgs | | 61.37mgs | 1,534.46mgs |
Notes:
1. LifePak allocates 24 mgs to minerals other than Calcium and Magnesium. Total Balance 13.67mgs.
2. All minerals for Total Balance are listed as elementals. An assumption has been made that all minerals listed for LifePak are also elemental, but this may not be the case.
3. Total Balance does not include Vanadium as there is evidence which suggests that this substance can be toxic in the presence of Chromium or Iodine.
4. Total Balance does not include Silicon as it could possibly cause metabolism problems with other nutrients present in these formulas. Adequate amounts are normally present in the diet.
| Trace Elements | Trace Elements | Trace Elements | | Indium (from 2mg Indium Sulfate) | 676mcgs | NIL | | Lithium (from 319mcg Lithium Carbonate) | 60mcgs | NIL | | Rubidium (from 200mcg Rubidium Chloride) | 141mcgs | NIL | | Molybdenum (from 150mcg Sodium Molybdate) | 59.5mcgs | 75mcgs | | Tungsten (from 2mg Sodium Tungstate) | 1.11mgs | NIL | | Strontium (from 4mg Strontium Chloride) | 1.32mgs | NIL | | 3.36mgs | 0.075mgs |
Notes:
The additional 5 trace minerals included in the Total Balance 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 | | Bromelain (2000GDU) | 30mgs | NIL | | Enzidase(R) FP Concentrate (400,000HUT) | 30mgs | NIL | | IsolaseTM | 20mgs | NIL | | IsolaseTM PRO | 30mgs | NIL | | Lipase (8,000LU/g) | 10mgs | NIL | | 120mgs | 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 | Vitamins & Co-Factors | Vitamins & Co-Factors | | Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) | 6mgs | NIL | | Betaine HCL (Trimethyl Glycine) | 70mgs | NIL | | Beta Carotene - providing 5000IU's (from Algae) | 32mgs | | | Note: LifePak use a combination of Vitamin A and Beta Carotene | | 15,000IU | | Biotin | 500mcgs | 300mcgs | | Folic Acid | 300mcgs | 600mcgs | | PABA (Para-Amino Benzoic Acid) | 50mgs | NIL | | Piperine (95% from Black Pepper) | 10mgs | NIL | | Tocotrienols (TOCOMIN(R)) | 10mgs | NIL | | Vitamin B1 (Thiamine HCL) | 10mgs | 7.5mgs | | Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 10mgs | 8.5mgs | | Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) | 24mgs | 40mgs | | Vitamin B5 (Calcium D-Pantothenate) | 40mgs | 30mgs | | Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCL) | 6mgs | 20mgs | | Vitamin B12 (Diencozide) | 10mcgs | 30mcgs | | Vitamin C (as Calcium Ascorbate) | 60mgs | 500mgs | | Vitamin D3 (as Cholecalciferol) | 300IU | 400IU | | Vitamin E (as D-Alpha-Tocopherol Succinate) | 100IU | 300IU | | Vitamin K | NIL | 40mcgs | | 328.81mgs | 596.97mgs |
Notes:
1. For LifePak - 106.97mgs of actives are allocated to all other nutrients after Vitamin C.
2. For Total Balance - 236.81mgs are allocated to all other nutrients after Vitamin C.
3. Xtend-Life considers 15000IU's to be too high a dose of Vitamin A/Beta Carotene.
4. Total Balance incorporates 10mgs of a broad spectrum Tocotrienol to complement the Vitamin E and to increase its potency.
| Amino Acids | Amino Acids | Amino Acids | | Acetyl L-Carnitine | 100mgs | NIL | | L-Carnosine | 100mgs | NIL | | L-Glutathione (reduced) | 110mgs | NIL | | L-Methionine | 20mgs | NIL | | L-Proline | 100mgs | NIL | | L-Tyrosine | 200mgs | NIL | | N-Acetyl L-Cysteine | 35mgs | NIL | | 665mgs | NIL |
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.
| Flavanoids | Flavanoids | Flavanoids | | Citrus Bioflavonoids | NIL | 25mgs | | Hesperidin 94% (from Bitter Orange) (Glycoflavonoids) | 80mgs | NIL | | Myricetin (70% dihydromyricetin) from Wax Myrtle | 70mgs | NIL | | Polyphenol and Flavonoid Blend | NIL | 190mgs | | Quercetin (98%) from Buckwheat | 150mgs | 50mgs | | Rutin (from Blue-Green Algae) | 10mgs | NIL | | Soy Isoflavones | 50mgs | 25mgs | | 360mgs | 290mgs |
Notes:
1. Polyphenols are present in the Green Tea extract in Total Balance.
2. Additional Isoflavones are included in Total Balance Women's Plus because of a general deficiency of this nutrient in adults.
| Natural Supplements | Natural Supplements | Natural Supplements | | Alpha Lipoic Acid | 50mgs | 30mgs | | Alpha Carotene | NIL | 2mgs | | Beta-1,3 Glucan (94%) | 40mgs | NIL | | Borage seed powder | NIL | 150mgs | | Carotenoid Blend | NIL | 9mgs | | Cranberry powder | NIL | 400mgs | | DIM (3,3' Diindoloylmethane) | 50mgs | NIL | | DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) | 200mgs | NIL | | DMG (Dimethylglycine) | 25mgs | NIL | | Evening Primose powder | NIL | 150mgs | | Inositol (98% Myo-Inositol) | 35mgs | 250mgs | | Lutein (Carotenoid) | 5mgs | 2mgs | | Lycopene (Carotenoid) | NIL | 5mgs | | MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) | 215mgs | NIL | | Natural Soluble Fibre (from Seaweed) | 27mgs | NIL | | N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine (from marine sources) | 90mgs | NIL | | Phosphatidyl Choline (as Lecithin) | 75mgs | NIL | | Policosanol (60% Octacosanol) from sugar cane | 10mgs | NIL | | Polysaccharides (from Camellia Tea species) | 40mgs | NIL | | Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) | 50mgs | NIL | | Trans-Resveratrol (50%) | 32mgs | NIL | | Zeaxanthin (Carotenoid) | 2mgs | NIL | | 946mgs | 998mgs |
Notes:
1. Total Balance contains a significant number of very potent immune enhancing nutrients such as Beta Glucan, Polysaccarides, Resveratrol and others which are not found in LifePak Women.
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. The Cranberry powder in LifePak is not an extract, which is why it is much weaker. This is why it is not included in the Herbal Extract section.
| Herbal Extracts | Herbal Extracts | Herbal Extracts | | Aloe Vera Polysaccharides 200:1 (spray-dried) | 50mgs | NIL | | Bilberry (25% Anthocyanins) | 50mgs | NIL | | Black Cohosh extract (8% Triterpene Glycosides) | 100mgs | NIL | | Black Cumin (from Nigella Sativa) | 100mgs | NIL | | Dong Quai extract (1% Lingustilide) | 100mgs | NIL | | Ginger (5% gingerols) | 100mgs | NIL | | Gingko Biloba 25/6 | 50mgs | 40mgs | | Gotu Kola (10% Asiaticosides) | 100mgs | NIL | | Green Tea (98% Polyphenols & 80% Catechins) | 100mgs | 67.5mgs | | Grape Seed extract (95% Polyphenols) | NIL | 50mgs | | Hawthorne Berry (2% Vitexin Rhamnoside) | 100mgs | NIL | | Mahonia Grape (from Mahonia Aquifolium) | 100mgs | NIL | | Myrrh (5% Guggulsterones) | 50mgs | NIL | | Olive-Leaf (20% Oleuropein) | 100mgs | NIL | | Turmeric (98% Curcumin) | 180mgs | NIL | | Wild Yam (6% Diosgenin) | 100mgs | NIL | | 1,560mgs | 92.5mgs |
Notes:
1. The herbal extracts included in Total Balance are specifically designed to complement each other to maximize their individual potencies.
2. There are a number of herbal extracts included in this formula specifically for women...such as Black Cohosh, Dong Quai and Wild Yam. These herbals are beneficial in reducing menopausal symptoms.
| SUMMARY | SUMMARY | | TB Women's Plus | LifePak Women | | | | | Active Ingredients | Active Ingredients | | | | | Daily (mgs) | Daily (mgs) | | With Vit C, Cal and Mag | 4,194 | 3,512 | | Without Vit C, Cal and Mag | 4,087 | 1,512 | | | | | Monthly | Monthly | | With Vit C, Cal and Mag | 125,820 | 105,360 | | Without Vit C, Cal, and Mag | 122,610 | 45,360 | | | | | Enteric Coating (This increases the efficacy of some ingredients manifold) | Yes | No | | | | | Cost per day | US$2.38 | US$2.82 |
FAQs
| | | | Q. Why separate out the Vitamin C, Calcium and Magnesium?
| | | | A. Most calcium deficiencies are not due so much to lack of calcium intake but rather through loss of calcium being leached from the bones. Total Balance has been designed to help prevent that loss. Calcium and Magnesium are very cheap (in some cases 1/80th - 1/100th the cost of some ingredients in Total Balance).
Sufficient amounts of these minerals are included to meet the needs of most people. Separate supplementation for these minerals is recommended only if a need has been demonstrated. The cost for additional 'top up' supplementation for these three nutrients would range between $1.80 for Vitamin C and around $2.50 per month for Calcium/Magnesium combination.
| 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% Calcium present. The elementals are the actual amounts of the minerals provided in the supplement. Most companies however only list the gross amount of the material used.
| 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 bloodstream.
| Q. What ingredients are protected by enteric coating the tablets?
| | | | A. There are a number, but the most important ones are L-Glutathione, Resveratrol and L-Carnosine.
| | | Q. What roles do the ingredients that are not in LifePak 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 detailed explanations on each ingredient, together with relevant clinical data.
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