What does the BioPhotonic Scanner measure?
The BioPhotonic Scanner measures the level of carotenoid antioxidants in the skin. The level of skin carotenoids is a good reflection of carotenoids in the body, which in turn is an important indicator of the strength of your body's antioxidant system.

How did the BioPhotonic Scanner come about?
The scanner was developed by the department of Physics, and several collaborators from the University's School of Medicine at a major University.

What are carotenoids?
Carotenoids are red, yellow and orange pigments distributed throughout nature, particularly in the fruits and vegetables we eat. They are among the most beneficial antioxidants and work to balance out the destructive effects of free radicals. LifePak contains the most important carotenoids: lycopene, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and lutein.

Why is it important to know the level of carotenoids in your body?
There are many different kinds of antioxidants but carotenoids are important because they are some of the more potent antioxidants around, protecting our cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. Higher levels of antioxidants in the body may indicate a higher level of cellular protection from free radical damage. Carotenoids are an important part of the body's antioxidant network, and are an important indicator of the overall strength of the body's antioxidant health.

What is the antioxidant system?
In the body, a comprehensive network of antioxidants works together in synergy to afford effective protection from free radical damage. This is known as the antioxidant system. The antioxidant system consists of both intrinsic and extrinsic antioxidants. Intrinsic antioxidants are made in the body, often from nutrients we obtain in our diet. The antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPX, catalase, etc.), L-glutathione and coenzyme Q10 are important intrinsic antioxidants. Extrinsic antioxidants can not be made by our body and so must be obtained from our diet. Examples of extrinsic antioxidants include vitamins E & C, alpha-lipoic acid, carotenoids and flavonoids. To promote an optimal antioxidant system, it is important to include all of these nutrients in the diet. LifePak is a comprehensive dietary supplement to help you achieve an optimal antioxidant system.

How does the BioPhotonic Scanner work?
BioPhonotic technology is a new advancement in laser technology and is made possible by applying optics concepts to the investigation of living human tissues. In the Biophotonic scanner we use the fact that essentially, each species of molecules in the body can generate a different set of colors of light when stimulated with a laser beam. Therefore this color spectrum is a unique optical fingerprint of a particular molecule species. The instrument uses a blue laser with a wavelength of 473 nm. When this laser hits a carotenoid molecule, a unique fingerprint spectrum with a prominent peak at 510 nm is generated by the carotenoid molecules. The green light is emitted out of the skin a captured by a highly sensitive light detector. A computer analyzes the amount of this green light and produces a numeric reading called the Body Defense Score.

What does my Body Defense Score mean?
Your Body Defense Score (BDS) is an immediate numeric reading of your own skin carotenoid content and an important indicator of the overall strength of your body's antioxidant defense system. As you continue to participate in the LifePak supplementation program, you can track your Body Defense Score for evidence of improved antioxidant activity and protection. Knowing your Body Defense Score empowers you with a personalized assessment that can be used to develop an antioxidant defense strategy.

What is the Body Defense Index?
The Pharmanex Body Defense Index (BDI) is a summary of Body Defense Scores from participants scanned to date. By correlating numeric readings with a comprehensive dietary and lifestyle survey, scientists have been able to determine how Body Defense Scores relate to antioxidant protection. Based on this comparative index, you can determine if your antioxidant level is weak, marginal, average or optimal. However, since individual results may vary, it is most important to track the change in your own Body Defense Score, by getting scanned every 60 days to see how LifePak is improving your health.

How can I improve my score?
You can begin by eating more fruits and vegetables that are rich in carotenoid antioxidants. Daily consumption of a dietary supplement such as LifePak that provides a full spectrum of powerful antioxidants including 15 mg of antioxidant carotenoids may also result in a higher score. Remember, high body fat percentage and exposure to pollution, cigarette smoke, and sunlight may negatively impact your antioxidant defense levels. Changes to your diet or lifestyle activities will take about 30 to 60 days before they are reflected in your Body Defense Score.

What are the factors that contribute to my Body Defense Score?
There are several variables that factor into your Body Defense Score, such as your genetic ability to absorb carotenoids, your diet (generally fresh fruits and vegetables contain the highest level of nutrients), antioxidant supplements, medications, smoking, sun exposure and your environment. People will absorb carotenoids from foods, and LifePak, differently. When taking LifePak, you need to make sure to take it with meals, because the fats from food are necessary to absorb LifePak's carotenoids and the fat-soluble vitamins. People who take LifePak in between meals or with fat-free meals will not get the full benefits of LifePak. If you would like to increase your Body Defense Score, determine what factors you are able to control and make the change.

My Body Defense Score is different from my last scan, why does it vary?
It is normal to have slight variations in the Body Defense Score due to several factors. First, the instrument's measuring variability is accurate within +/-5%, causing a small variability between repeated measurements. Second, skin carotenoids vary slightly depending on the exact location that is being scanned on the palm of the hand. Lastly, dietary changes, dietary supplementation, sun exposure, and smoking causes more long-term changes in skin carotenoids that can result in a different score.

Why is the BioPhotonic Scanner unique?
The BioPhotonic Scanner technology is the first application of biophotonic technology in the nutritional field and is only available through Pharmanex. Pharmanex has acquired global exclusive rights to apply this patented technology to dietary supplement markets and that means that no other company will be able to use this technology for the next 18 years. Biophotonic measurement will become the assessment tool of the future and Pharmanex representatives have the privilege to be among the first to use this extraordinary technology. The BioPhotonic Scanner offers our customers verifiable proof that LifePak and other Pharmanex products are truly making a difference in their overall health and well being.

Are there scientific studies validating the BioPhotonic Scanner?
In accordance with the Pharmanex 6S process, the BioScan technology is substantiated with both independent and Pharmanex sponsored research. Scientific reviews of the technology and application to measure skin carotenoids were published by Hata et al. (J. Invest. Dermatology 155:441-448, 2000) and Gellermann et al.(Optics Letters 26:1179-1181, 2001). Furthermore, a good article describing the technology in layman's terms has been published by Gellermann et al. in the September 2002 issue of the journal Cosmetic Dermatology. Pharmanex performed an in-house study with 1,375 subjects, showing that the Body Defense Score correlates well with LifePak usage and fruit and vegetable consumption. Another in-house study showed that LifePak supplementation leads to dramatic increases in the Body Defense Score within 4 weeks with further increases at 8 and 12 weeks. More clinical studies are being conducted that will result in scientific publications. With the ability to scan thousands of people easily and safely, Pharmanex will be able to obtain valuable data about fruit and vegetable consumption, assess overall antioxidant nutrition and make advancements in such areas as skin and antioxidant health.