Heliocare ~ Revolutionary Oral Sun Protection!

Being outdoors and enjoying the sun is a major pastime for a lot of people, but it can be detrimental to your health if you don't take the necessary steps. With Heliocare pills, going out to enjoy the sun just got a little easier!

Heliocare pills are taken as an oral supplement and contain 3 natural ingredients (beta-carotene, green tea and a natural fern extract) that help protect against the harmful effects of the sun's UV rays. With Heliocare you'll increase your tolerance to the sun, reduce skin damage brought on by daily exposure and maintain your skin's elasticity.

Filled with natural antioxidants, Heliocare is the first oral sun protection not only clinically but microscopically proven to fight against UV-induced damage. Heliocare pills also provide cell protection in the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) and protect skin cell DNA.

Heliocare pills are taken daily and are active within half an hour of your first dose - other oral sun protection can take months to build up effective levels of protection. Since Heliocare pills are taken orally they are highly effective in protecting cells deep in the skin. Without the proper sun protection, damage to these deeper cells can cause premature aging, e.g. wrinkles.

How does Heliocare work?

Whether you take time in the sun or under a sun lamp, UV has many detrimental effects on your skin. It can directly cause DNA damage and can create "free radicals". Free radicals are high energy molecules that collide with proteins and lipids in the cell and cause direct cellular damage. Research is showing that in combination with a correctly administered sunscreen routine. Heliocare pills can help minimize the signs of the sun's damaging rays.

The antioxidants in Heliocare pills are shown to help clean up free radicals before they damage important cellular proteins. Heliocare supplements are taken once a day and are effective within a half hour of the first dose - many oral antioxidants can take months to build up a level of protection. Additionally, Heliocare is effective in protecting cells deep within your skin because it is taken orally. Serious damage to these deeper cells is accountable for many of the signs of photoaging like wrinkles or discoloration of skin.

Heliocare mixes the special properties of a natural fern extract (Polypodium leucotomos) with green tea extract and Beta-carotene - two very powerful natural antioxidants. This effective trio offers important antioxidant properties to care for your skin:

• Increased tolerance to the sun
• Reduced skin changes after chronic exposure to the sun
• Helps maintain your skin's elasticity
• Provides cell protection in the epidermis
• Protects skin cell DNA

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Heliocare®?

A: Heliocare® is an extract of the plant Polypodium leucomotos (a kind of fern). The plant had been used for generations in South America as a folk remedy for conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Interest at Harvard grew out of a desire to find substances that mitigated the toxicity of ultraviolet on skin. Dermatologists sometimes use high-dose UV therapeutically for certain skin conditions, like psoriasis. However, the side-effects are sometimes serious. PL was found to decrease the phototoxicity of UV. It was later appreciated that this effect would also be valuable in protecting normal skin too.

Q: How does Heliocare® work?

A: Heliocare® works as a potent oral antioxidant. UV [from the sun or from a sun lamp] has many detrimental effects on the skin: it can directly cause DNA damage, and it can create so-called "reactive oxygen species" (ROS) or "free radicals". ROS are high energy molecules that collide with proteins and lipids in the cell and cause direct cellular damage. This damage is responsible for the clinical effects of UV on skin; such as premature aging.

Q: What protection / recovery processes does Heliocare® offer?

A: Heliocare® can "mop up" the free radicals before they damage important cellular proteins. Although there are other oral antioxidants for the skin, including vitamins E and C, PL seems to work synergistically with the endogenous system. For this reason, taking Polypodium leucomotos is more effective than taking extra vitamin E or C.

Polypodium leucomotos it is NOT a replacement for topical sunscreens. Its main function is to enhance the body's ability to deal with UV that gets through topical sunscreens. It is particularly effective against UV-A, the rays that cause tanning. Many topical sunscreens do not block against this part of the UV spectrum. We are learning that UV-A is equally damaging to the skin as UV-B. This is why we say that there is no such thing as a safe tan (unless it is a fake tan that comes out of a bottle!).

The Heliocare® supplements are taken daily. They are active within 30 minutes of the first dose (unlike many oral antioxidants which take months to build up sufficient levels in the skin). Also, because they are taken orally they are effective in protecting cells deep in the skin. Damage to these deeper cells is responsible for many of the signs of photoaging (e.g. wrinkles.)

Q: . Do they replace sunscreen and sun barriers (like hats and sunglasses) or are they in addition to them?

A: They are definitely NOT a substitute for good sunscreens and protective clothing. They are rather for the sophisticated consumer: someone already doing everything possible to minimize the negative effects of the sun. They are simply another "layer" of protection. They do not reverse damage - they minimize future damage.

Q: Are they available to the public? If so, how long have they been on the market?

A: Heliocare® is just becoming available to the general consumer in the United States and has been available and widely used in Europe since 1982.

Q: Should I consult my physician?

A: Yes, you should always consult your physician before changing your diet and/or taking a dietary supplement. Your physician is the person best qualified to determine whether any supplements, or change in diet, may benefit your particular situation.

Q: Are there any side effects associated Polypodium leucotomos extracts taken as dietary supplements?

A: There are NO known side effects associated with Polypodium leucotomos extracts taken as dietary supplements. Heliocare's® unique proprietary Polypodium leucotomos extract has been safely used for over 20 years in Europe, especially in Spain.

Q: Is there any toxicity associated with Polypodium leucotomos extracts taken as dietary supplements?

A: Numerous in vivo [animal] and in vivo [human] clinical studies have shown NO toxicity associated with Polypodium leucotomos extract.

Q: Should I take Polypodium leucotomos extract if I am pregnant or nursing?

A: No. Do not use Polypodium leucotomos extracts during pregnancy or when nursing.

Supplement Facts - Heliocare

Ingredients: Polypodium Leucotomos, Maltodextrin, Gelatin, Green Tea, Betacarotene, Magnesium Stearate, Colors: Natural Red (E-122), Quinoline Yellow (E-104), Titanium Dioxide, Yellow Orange (E-110)

Recommneded Use: Take one capsule daily. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.

For Optimal Use: Combine with high SPF topical sunscreens and take one capsule daily in the morning. If intense sunlight exposure is expected during the day, take one additional capsule at noon.

Scientific Papers and Abstracts

Dec 2004 Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology - Oral Polypodium leucotomos extract decreases ultraviolet-induced damage of human skin.

Jan 2004 Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology - Orally administered Polypodium leucotomos extract decreases psoralen-UVA-induced phototoxicity, pigmentation, and damage of human skin.

Clinical Studies

Topical or oral administration with an extract of Polypodium leucotomos prevents acute sunburn and psoralen-induced phototoxic reactions as well as depletion of Langerhans cells in human skin. González S, Fitzpatrick TB, et al.
Photodermatology, Photoimmunology and Photomedicine, 13:50-60; 1997.

Orally administered Polypodium leucotomos extract decreases psoralen-UVA-Induced phototoxicity and damage to human skin. Middelkamp M, González S, et al.
Presented at WCD Paris, 2002 (preliminary results) and at IID/SID Miami 2003. Recently submitted and accepted for publication by the JAAD - Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, for January 2004.

Polypodium leucotomos Extract is an oral photoprotective agent against ultraviolet-induced damage to human skin. Middelkamp M, González S, et al.
Presented at WCD Paris, 2002 (preliminary results) and at IID/SID Miami 2003. Submitted for publication to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Pre-Clinical Studies

An extract of the fern Polypodium leucotomos modulates the Th1/Th2 cytokine balance in vitro and appears to exhibit anti-angiogenic activities in vivo. González S, Alvarez-Mon et al.
Anticancer Research, 20: 1567-1576; 2000.

An extract of Polypodium leucotomos appears to minimize certain photoaging changes in a hairless albino mouse animal model. Alcaraz MV, González S. et al.
Photodermatology Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 15: 120-126; 1999.

Inhibition of ultraviolet-induced formation of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, erythema and skin photosensitization by Polypodium leucotomos. González S, Pathak M.A, et al.
Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 12: 45-56; 1996.

Polypodium leucotomos extract as an antioxidant agent in the therapy of skin disorders. González S, Pathak MA.
Journal of Investigative Dermatology Vol. 1014: 651s; 1994.

In Vitro Studies

Fernblock(R), a Polypodium leucotomos extract, inhibits photoisomerization and photodecomposition of Trans-Uca and antagonizes Uv/Tio2-induced free radical production. Brieva A, Pivel JP et al.
Presented at WCD Paris, 2002 (preliminary results) and at IID/SID Miami 2003.

Predominant effects of Polypodium leucotomos on membrane integrity, lipid peroxidation and expression of elastin and matrix metalloproteinase-1 in ultraviolet radiation exposed fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Philips N, González S. et al.
Journal of Dermatology Science 32:1-9; 2003.

Photoprotective Properties of a Hydrophilic Extract of the Fern Polypodium leucotomos on Human Skin Cells. Alonso-Lebrero JL, Pivel JP et al.
Photochemistry and Photobiology 70: 31-37; 2003.

The Antioxidant Action of Polypodium leucotomos Extract and Kojic Acid: Reactions with Reactive Oxygen Species. Gomes AJ, et al.
Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research 34: 1487-94; 2001.