• Supports normal response to UV radiation
• Protects from harmful sun radiation
• Prevents wrinkles, freckles, and skin discolouration
• Extends time of safe exposure to sun
• Natural photoprotective barrier for organism
• Increases ATP production in skin cells
• Intensifies elastin and collagen production
• Reduces risk of sunburn
• Stimulates DNA damage repair
• Increases cellular energy levels
• Inhibits skin photoaging
• Essential for skin health
• Protective filter in capsule
• Melanoma prevention
• Works all day long

Life Extension Shade Factor is a complete formula that supports the protection against the harmful activity of sunrays. It contains a natural golden serpent fern extract and a red orange extract and is enriched with vitamin B3. The synergic activity of its components protects the skin from the inside and supports the organism’s natural response to ultraviolet radiation.

The preparation is recommended for use both in summer and in winter (for example during hiking in the mountains). It is particularly advised for people who sunbathe often or whose job requires them to spend a lot of time outside, which exposes their body to the activity of UV rays. Tolerance to sun decreases with age, the skin is more susceptible to unsightly spots and discolourations; that is why middle-aged people and seniors should also consider supplementation.

How do UV rays damage the skin?
Sunlight is crucial for life. It is common knowledge that the sun improves mental well-being, and the activity of UV radiation on the skin makes it possible to synthesise vitamin D, which is also essential for the normal functioning of the organism.

Even short exposure to strong sunlight without proper protection can have serious consequences for health. UV radiation degrades collagen and elastin, that way causing irreversible changes in skin structure. It contributes significantly to the photoaging of the skin and to photocarcinogenesis. It induces photoimmunosuppression, that is the weakening of the immune system (ultraviolet rays destroy the Langerhans cells located in the skin, which constitute an element of the immune system and participate in the organism’s immune response).

Scientists have identified a number of natural compounds that do not block the access of radiation to the skin but stimulate its internal anti-sun protection and can prevent sun-induced damage.

Golden serpent fern (Polypodium leucotomos) is a plant found mainly in Central and South America. Its rhizomes and leaves are used for therapeutic purposes because they are rich in valuable polyphenols, monosaccharides, and flavonoids. Many clinical studies have demonstrated that the oral administration of golden serpent fern extracts plays the role of an internal sunscreen and is extremely efficient in protecting the skin from damage caused by the activity of ultraviolet rays. The mechanism of their activity is quite multi-layered.

Golden serpent fern is a powerful antioxidant. It neutralises various groups of free radicals, especially peroxide anions, hydroxides, lipid peroxides, and reactive nitrogen species, which replicate under the influence of UV radiation. It increases the concentration of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione transferase, glutathione peroxidase). That way it protects cells and other skin structures from the damage caused by the activity of free radicals.

Golden serpent fern inhibits the reduction of Langerhans cells in response to the activity of UV rays. Thanks to that it prevents immunity deterioration.

Golden serpent fern inhibits the formation of pyrimidine cyclobutane dimers. It is a type of DNA structure damage caused by UVB radiation that leads to DNA mutations which are dangerous for health.

Golden serpent fern has an anti-inflammatory effect. It protects skin tissues by inhibiting the permeation of the cells of the immune system (mast cells, neutrophils, macrophages), which release chemical substances in an inflammatory process after exposure to UV radiation. It inhibits the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), that is a key enzyme in promoting inflammations.

Golden serpent fern increases the expression of the p35 protein in skin cells in response to UV radiation. It is a specific regulator of cellular processes – it activates the mechanisms of DNA repair or its apoptosis if the damaged DNA structure cannot be rebuilt. Because of that, it is an important player in inhibiting neoplastic processes.

Golden serpent fern reduces the activity of matrix metalloproteinase – a group of enzymes responsible for breaking down elastin and collagen. Losing elastin and collagen is the main reason of premature skin aging. Interestingly, golden serpent fern can also stimulate collagen production.

Red Orange Complex® is a patented standardised extract of the fruit and peel of three orange species (Moro, Sanguinello, Tarocco), grown only in a specific area around the volcano Etna on Sicily. They are characterised by the natural content of numerous biologically active compounds, among which dominate anthocyanines, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonoids, and vitamin C.

UV radiation generates oxidative stress which results in the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Chronic inflammations accelerate aging and are a significant factor in the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. Additionally, ultraviolet radiation stimulates the production of free radicals and other harmful substances that damage the DNA. Red orange extracts prevent both phenomena.

Clinical tests have shown that orange extracts have enormous antioxidant potential – they reduce the concentration of oxidative stress biomarkers to the physiological level, increase the level of endogenous antioxidants (mainly glutathione and its derivatives). They can inhibit and even reverse skin damage caused by excessive exposure to sun.

Vitamin B3 (niacin), similarly to other vitamins of the B complex, participates in most essential vital processes. It affects metabolic transformations that result in energy release, participates hormone synthesis, determines normal protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism. It is also a promising way to reduce cell damage caused by sunlight and inhibit the mutagenic and immunosuppressant influence of UV rays.

Numerous tests have demonstrated that niacin stimulates regenerative processes in damaged DNA structures before, during, and after exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Niacin promotes skin cell reproduction, thanks to which it is able to support the treatment of skin damage caused by the sun and reduces its duration.

Niacin inhibits the production and release of melatonin, which is secreted in response to skin damage induced by ultraviolet radiation. Melatonin is responsible for the darkening of the skin; however, when there is too much of it, spots and discolourations can appear on the skin.

Niacin has great anticancer potential. Tests have demonstrated that by activating survival pathways (AKT, mTOR, and S6) in skin keratinocytes, it prevents cell mutations, their apoptosis and death caused by UV radiation.

To sum up, Shade Factor is an optimal combination of tested substances that protect the skin from the inside and minimise the damage caused by the sun. Sunscreens in popular creams and lotions are sometimes fallible – they are easily washed off with water and sweat, and the duration of their efficacy is rather short. The supplement works on the cellular level, protects and nourishes the skin all day long. It reduces the risk of sunburn and discolouration, extends the time of safe exposure to UV radiation, lets you enjoy the sun without the risk of losing your health or beauty. The preparation can be used in preventing melanoma.