• The active ingredients are released over a period of time, enabling them to work more effectively throughout the day.

• Sufficient amounts of folic acid, B-6 and B-12 to help prevent high homocysteine levels, which have been associated with heart attacks. Folic acid also has promising anticarcinogenic properties, especially against colon, lung and cervical cancer, and it helps prevent birth defects.

• Co-enzyme in nucleic acid and protein and lipid synthesis.

• Combined with important antioxidants, including Alpha Lipoic Acid, Pine Bark Extract, Lycopene, Bilberry Extract (from blueberries), Grape Seed Extract, Ginkgo Biloba, as well as Taurine, and Zinc to promote good nutritional health, and protect against the damage of harmful "free radicals".

• Helps to combat stress.

• This Product is best for those who do not have special digestive problems, which may interfere with the ability to absorb these specially prepared tablets.

• B-Long, as well as all of Montiff's highest quality nutraceuticals, has desiccant pads to insure optimal freshness.

Recommended to Enhance Structure & Function Relating to Nutritional Needs and Deficiencies Pertaining to:

• Releasing B-Vitamins during an extended period to provide the cells with the nutrients needed for maximum Krebs’ cycle activity.

• Providing a B Complex with all the B-Vitamins, including the active forms of B-2 and B-6.

• Sufficient amounts of folic acid, along with B-6 and B-12, to help prevent and reduce homocysteine levels, which are associated with heart attacks and strokes.

• Helping to metabolize amino acids, carbohydrates and lipid synthesis.

• Maintaining proper neurotransmitter function and a healthy nervous system.

• Helping to combat stress.

• Providing antioxidants to help prevent free radical damage.

WHY IS SUSTAINED RELEASE IMPORTANT?
B-Vitamins are essential for amino acid metabolism, and healthy brain, cell, and nerve function. There is no storage capacity for B-Vitamins, and excessive amounts, which are not immediately utilized, are excreted. Therefore, it is best to provide these nutrients in small amounts over an extended time. The sustained release tablet provides a longer acting delivery system to insure proper function of the Krebs’ cycle, and provide the necessary biochemistry for healthy cell activity.

What are the Functions of B-Vitamins?

• Vitamin B-1 (Thiamin) is necessary for proper function of the nervous system, and muscles, including the heart muscle. It is involved in glucose metabolism and is essential for energy production.

• Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin) is important for healthy skin, mucous membranes and energy metabolism.

• Vitamin B-3 (Niacin or Niacinamide) works in the glycogen energy cycle, oxidating fatty acids for energy.

• Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine and the active Pyridoxal 5’Phosphate) is essential for amino acid metabolism, hemoglobin formation, and a healthy nervous system.

• Vitamin B-12 (Cyanocobalamin) is essential for all cells, including red and white blood cells, as well as a healthy nervous system. It is also essential to help prevent harmful homocysteine levels.

• Folic Acid is important for healthy cell production, including red and white blood cells, and it helps prevent and reduce harmful homocysteine levels, which can cause heart attacks and strokes. There is also growing evidence of its anticarcinogenic properties, especially against lung, colon & cervical cancers. It also helps prevent birth defects.

• Pantethine or Pantothenic Acid (B-5) has multiple roles in energy metabolism, is a coenzyme, and is important for proper neurotransmitter health. It is also known as the “stress vitamin”.

• Biotin is important for gluconeogenesis and fatty acid synthesis, and is essential for healthy hair, skin and muscle tissue.

• Choline Bitarate is important for nerve transmission to the brain and a healthy nervous system, as well as regulation of the gallbladder and proper liver function.

• Inositol, a Lipotropic, works with Choline and biotin to control hypertension and arteriosclerosis, as well as metabolizing fatty acids, lowering cholesterol and controlling fatty deposits on the liver.

• Niacinamide is a vasodilator with an affect on cholesterol, hormones and growth.

• Para-Amino Benzoic Acid (PABA) a component of folic acid, is an antioxidant, and helps maintain healthy flora balance of the intestine.

What is Homocysteine?
High levels of Homocysteine can be corrosive &  damage the inner surface of the blood vessel  linings, (endothelium) exposing the underlying layers of blood vessels forming clots, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. This has been noted in many medical studies in journals, including New England Medical Journal, JAMA and Lancet. Homocysteine naturally occurs from sulphur-bearing amino acid metabolism.  The sulphur-bearing amino acids are Methionine, Cystine & Cysteine.  (Taurine is also a sulphur-bearing amino acid but can not be metabolized to Homocysteine). Whether one has high or low levels of homocysteine depends upon whether one has high or low levels of three B vitamins - B-6, B-12 and Folic acid. Adequate intake of B-6, B-12 and Folic acid are necessary to prevent excessive buildup of homocysteine levels, which can cause arteriosclerosis.

Why are Antioxidants Important?
Antioxidants are molecules that help attack “free radicals”, which can damage healthy cells and lead to aging and degenerative diseases. They are anticarcinogenic, important for cardio-vascular health, and have many other beneficial properties. The antioxidants included for increased protection in this unique B-LONG SUSTAINED RELEASE complex are:

• ALPHA LIPOIC ACID is a powerful antioxidant that helps destroys more “free radicals” than any ather antioxidant, and enhances the effects of other antioxidants.

• BILBERRY EXTRACT has powerful anti-aging properties.

• LYCOPENE (found in tomatoes) has high antioxidant properties, and is especially important for prostate health.

• GINKGO BILOBA EXTRACT has free radical scavenging properties, and platelet activating factor, contributing to protection of vascular endothelia. It also helps protect brain functions associated with memory and may prevent hypoxic damage and other changes in neurotransmitter functions caused by aging.

• PINE BARK (a flavonoid) EXTRACT helps prevent nitric oxide deficiencies, and has anti-inflammatory properties. It also potentates other antioxidants, such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Glutathione.

• GRAPE SEED EXTRACT is high in flavonoids and free radical scavenging activity. It inhibits stomach mucosal injury, and may help prevent gastric ulcers and intestinal adenomas, as well as increasing glutathione levels. It is anticarcinogenic and helps prevent cataracts.

• ZINC is a mineral that is a free radical terminator, is important for prostate health, and is involved in numerous biological actions.

• TAURINE, (an amino acid) helps combat “free radicals” found in smog, and potentiates the action of Vitamin E.

• MAGNESIUM OXIDE is important for enzyme activity. It is also essential for calcium and potassium uptake and is necessary for cardiovascular health.

SOME BENEFITS OF B-LONG

• B-LONG has a full spectrum of the highest quality B-Vitamins with active forms of B-2 and B-6, in a sustained release tablet to provide a longer delivery system.

• ANTIOXIDANTS are included in this unique complex for extra protection against “free radical” damage.

• Sufficient amounts of folic acid, B-6, and B-12 are included for prevention and reduction of harmful homocysteine levels.

REFERENCES:

1. Packer, Lester, Ph.D., Colman, Carol, The Antioxidant Miracle Dec., 1999.

2. Clayman, Charles, B. MD., Medical editor, The American Medical Assoc.. Family Medical Guide, 1994.

3. Wilson, Peter, WF, “Homocysteine, Vitamins, and Cardiovascular Disease”, Reuters Medical News, 2000.

4. Welch, GN, Loscalzo J., “Review: Homocysteine and Atherothrornbosis”, New England J. of Med., 1998.

5. Kim, Y. MD., Folic Acid, "J. Nutri. Biochem.”, Feb. 1999.

6. Balch, J. MD., Balch P., CN, Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 1997.