Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

If you are interested in adding IP6 to your health regimen, whether to heal disease or prevent it, this product is not the best way to go about it. Research has indicated that IP6 is most effective if taken with inositol, and this product has no inositol. You would need to take inositol at the same time, as a separate supplement, to get the most benefit out of these IP6 capsules, which is not very convenient or cost effective. IP6 is also ideally taken in powder form, because recommended dosages are in grams, not milligrams. If one were to take this supplement, one would need to take at least 2 pills per day to obtain a dose of 1 gram. (See below for dosage recommendations based on scientific research.) A much more ideal way of taking IP6 would be products that include inositol with the IP6 and come in powdered form, such as the following: Enzymatic Therapy, Cell Forte, IP-6 & Inositol, Ultra Strength Powder, Citrus Flavored, 14.6 oz (414 g) IP-6 International, IP6 Gold, Immune Support Formula, Tropical Fruit Flavor, Powder, 14.6 oz (414 g) Below is information based on my own personal research on IP6 which I am sharing for fellow customers who like to be very well informed about any supplements they take. Note that the list of scientific research I've provided below is only a small sample of the many studies that have been performed on IP6. Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) is a type of naturally occurring carbohydrate initially studied by scientists for its antioxidant function. IP6 is found in many different plant sources. People on a high-fiber diet containing fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains obtain IP6 from their diet, though not enough to be considered a therapeutic dose. In all mammals, including humans, IP6 is crucial for regulating essential cellular functions, in particular, normal cell proliferation and lifespan. Each time a normal cell divides, the ends of its chromosomes become shorter. Eventually they are so worn down, the damaged cell cannot function properly, and it commits suicide for the common good by activating apoptosis, the scientific name for cellular death. This is an innate form of protection for the whole body. In contrast to this process, cancer cells are “immortal.” Instead of the ends of their chromosomes becoming shorter over time, they retain their length by continually scavenging bits of DNA and tacking them back on. Scientists have studied the underlying mechanism of apoptosis for decades because it plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis (origin/cause) of many different diseases. In the case of cancer, as stated above, too little apoptosis occurs. But many diseases, in particular, autoimmune diseases and degenerative diseases, are caused by the opposite problem, too much apoptosis. Examples of autoimmune diseases include: celiac disease, diabetes mellitus type 1, Graves' disease, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and AIDS. Examples of degenerative diseases include: Alzheimer's, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease), cystic fibrosis, macular degeneration (AMD), multiple sclerosis (MS), muscular dystrophy (MD), osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and Parkinson's disease. For the past 15 years and more, IP6 has received a great deal of attention from researchers due to its proven role in regulating apoptosis, preventing either too much apoptosis or too little. The latter ability has gotten a great deal of attention from cancer researchers. Encouraging apoptosis in cancer cells can help control tumor growth and metastasis. In addition, the antioxidant properties of IP6 enhance the immune system, which further contributes to the body’s ability to destroy cancer cells. For patients undergoing chemotherapy, research has indicated that IP6 can enhance the positives of chemo while reducing its many negative side effects, thereby improving quality of life for cancer survivors. Research has also found that IP6 can help prevent the formation of kidney stones, lower cholesterol, and prevent the formation of plaque in the arteries. It also has been found to help prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Oral supplements of IP6 such as this product have been shown by research to be rapidly absorbed into cells. Researchers have also discovered that when IP6 is combined with inositol, there is a significant synergistic effect against a variety of cancer types, in particular, colon, breast and lung cancer, which greatly exceeds the anticancer activity of these individual compounds when taken alone. Extrapolating the therapeutic dose for IP6 + Inositol powder for cancer (and for other serious diseases), based on the dosages used in scientific research, these would be: To prevent cancer: 1-2 grams per day, ideally in a divided dose, twice per day. To treat cancer, degenerative or autoimmune diseases, or to mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy: 8-12 grams per day, with no less than 6 grams per day, and no more than 18 grams per day, taken for at least six months. If possible, take as a divided dose, twice per day. Take on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before eating, or 2 hours after eating. PRECAUTIONS Because IP6 has anti-platelet activity, it may increase the risk of bleeding when used with other anticoagulants or anti-platelet drugs. IP6 may bind in the stomach with mineral supplements, such as calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc, and reduce their absorption. Ideally take minerals and vitamins at least 2 hours, and preferably 4 hours, before or after taking IP6. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ON IP6 Tantivejkul K, Vucenik I, Eiseman J, Shamsuddin AM. Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) enhances the anti-proliferative effects of adriamycin and tamoxifen in breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2003 Jun;79(3):301-12. Tantivejkul K, Vucenik I, Shamsuddin AM. Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) inhibits key events of cancer metastasis: II. Effects on integrins and focal adhesions. Anticancer Res. 2003 Sep-Oct;23(5A):3681-9. Tantivejkul K, Vucenik I, Shamsuddin AM. Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) inhibits key events of cancer metastasis: I. In vitro studies of adhesion, migration and invasion of MDA-MB 231 human breast cancer cells. Anticancer Res. 2003 Sep-Oct;23(5A):3671-9. Vucenik I, Shamsuddin AM. Protection against cancer by dietary IP6 and inositol. Nutr Cancer. 2006;55(2):109-25. Vucenik I, Ramakrishna G, Tantivejkul K, Anderson LM, Ramljak D. Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) blocks proliferation of human breast cancer cells through a PKCdelta-dependent increase in p27Kip1 and decrease in retinoblastoma protein (pRb) phosphorylation. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2005 May;91(1):35-45. Vucenik I, Shamsuddin AM. Cancer inhibition by inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) and inositol: from laboratory to clinic. J Nutr. 2003 Nov;133(11 Suppl 1):3778S-3784S.