Plant-based anti-aging formula.

SPF Boost provides you with vitamin D and polypodium leucotomos extract.

SPF Boost’s unique blend of polypodium leucotomos extract is an antioxidant-rich compound derived from a fern native to South America. The antioxidizing powers of polypodium leucotomas can fight free radicals - toxins in your skin which augment the sun damage. By weakening those free radicals, your skin may be less prone to the negative effects of the sun.

SPF Boost’s vitamin D has been documented by long-established and cutting edge research to promote skin and bone health.

The Research

Fernblock, a Nutriceutical with Photoprotective Properties and Potential Preventive Agent for Skin Photoaging and Photoinduced Skin Cancers

Int J Mol Sci. 2011; 12(12): 8466–8475.

Abstract

Many phytochemicals are endowed with photoprotective properties, i.e., the capability to prevent the harmful effects of excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. These effects include photoaging and skin cancer, and immunosuppression. Photoprotection is endowed through two major modes of action: UV absorption or reflection/scattering; and tissue repair post-exposure. We and others have uncovered the photoprotective properties of an extract of the fern Polypodium leucotomos (commercial name Fernblock). Fernblock is an all-natural antioxidant extract, administered both topically (on the skin) or orally. It inhibits generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induced by UV including superoxide anion. It also prevents damage to the DNA, inhibits UV-induced AP1 and NF-κB, and protects endogenous skin natural antioxidant systems, i.e., CAT, GSH, and GSSR. Its photoprotective effects at a cellular level include a marked decrease of UV-mediated cellular apoptosis and necrosis and a profound inhibition of extracellular matrix remodeling. These molecular and cellular effects translate into long-term inhibition of photoaging and carcinogenesis that, together with its lack of toxicity, postulate its use as a novel-generation photoprotective nutriceutical of phytochemical origin.

Safety and Efficacy of Oral Polypodium leucotomos Extract in Healthy Adult Subjects

J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015 Feb; 8(2): 19–23

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the safety of oral Polypodium leucotomos extract administered twice daily to healthy adults for 60 days and assess its ability to provide protection against exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Design: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Setting: A single clinical research center. Participants: Healthy adult men and women between 18 and 65 years of age with Fitzpatrick skin types I to IV. Measurements: Safety assessments included a physical examination, vital signs, and clinical laboratory parameters including hematology, comprehensive metabolic panel, and prothrombin time-partial thromboplastin time were obtained at baseline and at the end of the study. Reports of adverse events were recorded. Efficacy assessments were changes in minimal erythema dose testing, ultraviolet-induced erythema intensity response, and sunburn history during the prior 60 days. Results: After two months of treatment, there were no changes in any safety assessments. The subjects in the placebo group showed a greater likelihood of experiencing >1 episodes of sunburn (2 vs. 8 subjects; p=0.04) At Day 28, Polypodium leucotomos extract-treated subjects showed greater likelihood of an increased minimal erythema dose (8 vs. 1 subject; p=0.01) and greater likelihood of decreased ultraviolet-induced erythema intensity (10 subjects vs. 3 subjects; p<0.01). Conclusion:Polypodium leucotomos extract 240mg taken twice daily for 60 days was a safe and effective means for reducing the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation. Based on the excellent safety profile of Polypodium leucotomos, additional studies using higher doses may be warranted.

The impact of oral Polypodium leucotomos extract on ultraviolet B response: A human clinical study

July 2017Volume 77, Issue 1, Pages 33–41.e1

Objective

This study was designed to objectively evaluate the molecular and photobiologic effects of oral administration of Polypodium leucotomos extract (PLE).

Methods

In all, 22 subjects with Fitzpatrick skin phototype I to III were enrolled. On day 1, subjects were irradiated with visible light, ultraviolet (UV) A1, and UVB (using 308-nm excimer laser). Evaluation was done immediately and 24 hours after irradiation. On days 3 and 4, irradiation and evaluation process was repeated after ingestion of PLE.

Results

Clinical assessments and colorimetry data showed a decrease in UVB-induced changes in 17 of 22 subjects post-PLE administration; histology findings demonstrated such a decrease in all 22 subjects.

Limitations

Only 2 doses of PLE were given. Furthermore, subjects with skin phototypes I to III only were studied.

Conclusion

The results suggest that PLE can potentially be used as an adjunctive agent to lessen the negative photobiologic effects of UVB.

Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Polypodium Leucotomos Extract in the Treatment of Melasma in Asian Skin: A Pilot Study

JCAD Online Editor | March 1, 2018

Abstract: Melasma is a common pigmentary disorder with a multifactorial etiology that can hinder its management. The aqueous extract of the fern Polypodium leucotomos (PLE), Fernblock® (IFC, Madrid, Spain), has demonstrated antioxidant and photoprotective activities and has been used for the treatment of several pigmentary disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral PLE in the treatment of melasma in Asian patients. Forty healthy adult patients with clinical diagnoses of melasma who were receiving treatment with topical 4% hydroquinone cream and sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 50+ were recruited for inclusion in this study from the National Skin Centre in Singapore. They were randomized to receive either oral PLE supplementation or placebo for 12 weeks. Patients were assessed at baseline, Day 28, Day 56, and Day 84 using the modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI); melanin and erythema indexes; VISIA® photography (Canfield Scientific, Parsippany, New Jersey, USA); and the Melasma Quality of Life (MelasQoL) questionnaire. Adverse events were recorded. Following four, eight, and 12 weeks of treatment, there were statistically significant differences between the mMASI scores of both groups as compared with the baseline scores (p?0.01). mMASI scores of the PLE group at eight and 12 weeks were also significantly lower than those of the placebo group (p?0.05). At the end of the study, a significant improvement was reached in both groups (both p?0.01), with no significant differences between them. The scores of the melanin and erythema indices displayed a slight improvement in both groups, without significant differences among them. MelasQoL score showed an improvement in the PLE group versus the placebo group. Our results demonstrate that the PLE aqueous extract product significantly improves and accelerates the outcome reached with hydroquinone and sunscreen almost from the first month of treatment in comparison with the placebo. There were no significant side effects reported. The oral PLE aqueous extract product appears to be a safe and effective adjunctive treatment for melasma in combination with topical hydroquinone and sunscreen.

This page consists of a library of scientific materials, such as the reports of scientific tests, also called studies that are relevant to your health. This page of our web site is intended to be educational in nature only. Section 5 of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (“DSHEA”) permits SPF Boost LLC to make available to you relevant scientific information as long as SPF Boost LLC is not promoting any of its products when doing so. Consistent with that law, SPF Boost LLC wants you to understand that it is not in the business of marketing, including advertising, and selling SPF Boost as a product that is intended to prevent, treat, mitigate, or cure any disease or any sign or symptom of a disease. SPF Boost® is a dietary supplement that is intended to deliver some specific non-disease health benefits to you.

Please keep in mind that it is important to read the text of the entire study report, although the Discussion, Results and Conclusions part of each study report and other publication will probably be of most interest to most viewers and readers. Finally, please remember the conclusions of the authors of each study may not be shared by all scientists or, possibly, by no other scientists. Often, there are opposing views of the benefit, including the extent of that benefit, of a particular ingredient or product.