In the News

INDEPENDENT CLINICAL STUDIES

Aloe vera is the most studied herb in the natural products industry. However, no other brand sold in health food stores has ever conducted an independent study on its own products before. Competitors of Lily of the Desert continue to use anecdotal information about aloe vera in general, also known as “borrowed science”. In 2008, Lily of the Desert’s science and research team wanted to take aloe vera science to the next level. They strategically decided to have human clinical studies conducted that meet the “Gold Standard” on Lily of the Desert formulas containing Aloesorb™. These clinical trials included studies on absorption/bioavailability, immune support, antioxidant support and nitrate level reduction support. The results were significant, showing that Lily of the Desert products with Aloesorb™ were unique and extremely beneficial for the consumer.

ABSORPTION/BIOAVAILABILITY ALOE VERA STUDIES

Aloe polysaccharides are considered to the main biologically active component of Aloe. The International Aloe Science Council sponsored a study using a generic aloe juice to evaluate the absorption ability of aloe verses water when taking vitamin C, a water soluble supplement. In that study it showed increase absorption of over two times in subjects taking vitamin C with aloe vera than those who took the vitamins with water.

A recent independent human clinical study which met the “Gold Standard” on Lily of the Desert formulas with Aloesorb™ showed subjects taking the vitamin C with Lily aloe vera juice received over a twenty times increase in the absorption of vitamin C (water soluble supplement) in the first hour versus those subjects who took the vitamin C with water. This evidence demonstrates that Lily of the Desert formulas with Aloesorb™ are a wonderful “supplement companion” for absorption of vitamins and nutrients.

The University of Mississippi study also showed that Lily of the Desert as the only brand sold in natural and health food stores to have the highest concentration of polysaccharides as well as the highest range and molecular weight. By adding Aloesorb™ to all formulas, Lily of the Desert has enhanced the bioavailability of vitamins, minerals, and herbs for consumers.

It also confirmed that the higher molecular weights of polysaccharides provide the most benefit for absorption. The University of Mississippi study also showed that Lily was the only brand sold in health food stores to have the highest concentration of polysaccharides as well as the highest range and molecular weight. By adding Aloesorb™ we have enhanced the bioavailability of vitamins, minerals, and herbs of our products.

Learn more about Aloesorb™ and Lily of the Desert’s remarkable clinical trial results in The Science of Aloe Vera (PDF).

IMMUNE SUPPORT

The immune system is a series of biological processes within the body that protect against disease by indentifying and killing pathogens. A major part of the immune system are the white blood cells, which form the first line of defense in the immune system by creating “barrier” that hunts down and kills foreign particles in the body. A compromised immune system, especially drops in white blood cell counts, can lead to infections and disease. Likewise, a “boost” to the immune system would indicate that the body was better suited to fight off infections and diseases naturally.

A recent independent clinical study which met the “Gold Standard” on Lily of the Desert formulas with Aloesorb™ showed a 16% increase in white blood cell counts over the placebo group. White blood cells are a key part of the body’s immune system, and by increasing the amount of white blood cells, the body is better suited to fight off infections and diseases naturally.

ANTIOXIDANT SUPPORT

The human body is constantly being bombarded with free radicals from the environment which can cause irreparable damage to our health. Likewise, humans are also bombarded by the suggestion that they need to take antioxidants to protect themselves from harms of free-radical attacks. But how does a person know that antioxidants are really protecting their body from this damage? How can they tell?

Companies often use what is referred to as an ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) test as a means of measuring antioxidant support, and in this, ingredients are given an “ORAC value or score“. The assumption is made that the higher the ORAC value, the more effective that particular antioxidant or product is when taken. In actuality, the ORAC test measures the capacity of an antioxidant/ingredient to neutralize free radicals in a test tube, and does not provide any indication if that particular antioxidant or ingredient really protects people from free radical damage within the body. A case in point would be that a new antioxidant or ingredient had an ORAC value determined to be 10,000, but only 10% of this ingredient is absorbed by the body making the true ORAC value to the end-user only 1,000. Clearly, the determined ORAC value of 10,000 is inaccurate and misleading to the consumer. Obviously, someone looking for an antioxidant to protect against free radicals would want a better test method to determine if that antioxidant actually works.

Lily of the Desert uses a more realistic method of measuring the effectiveness of the antioxidant in the body, known as Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP). The ORP test measures the “reducing power” of the tissues of the body. The greater the ORP value, the more reducing power the body has to neutralize the dangerous free radicals in the body (not in a test tube).

A recent independent clinical study which met the “Gold Standard” on Lily of the Desert formulas with Aloesorb™ showed a 40% improvement in Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP). This provides an indication that people who consume any Lily of the Desert formula with Aloesorb™ have 40% more protection to defend themselves against free radical damage in the body, thus giving them a powerful every-day antioxidant.

NITRATE REDUCTION SUPPORT

Metabolism refers to what the body does with nutrients after they are absorbed. If the metabolism of nutrients is efficient, the presence of toxic byproducts (ammonia and nitrates) is insignificant and energy is produced. If the metabolic process is disrupted or compromised, levels of energy are decreased and those byproducts begin to accumulate in the body. Nitrates and ammonias are major examples of toxic byproducts. High nitrate particle numbers are a direct result of poor digestion and metabolism, and the liver treats the undigested nitrates as toxins. If those nitrates are not removed or reduced, damage can occur.

A recent independent clinical study which met the “Gold Standard” on Lily of the Desert formulas with Aloesorb™ showed a significant (11%) decrease in nitrate levels in the body. These results demonstrate an improvement in the metabolism of nutrients in the body by reducing the amount of toxic byproducts (ammonia and nitrates). This evidence clearly indicates that Lily of the Desert formulas with Aloesorb™ support a healthy digestive system.

Read additional details on The Science of Aloe Vera (PDF).

See Comparison Chart of aloe vera brands.