HY-ALTITUDE ADVANTAGE™
If you're visiting a high altitude environment Altitude Advantage™ can help you maintain normal oxygen levels while maximizing energy, endurance and athletic performance. Altitude Advantage’s™ unique herbal formulation combines ancient herbal remedies with modern nutritional science creating a powerful supplement designed specifically for high altitude and oxygen challenged environments. Altitude Advantage™ improves circulation, reduces body swelling, lessens lactic acid build up and lessens fatigue. We have learned from the ancient Himalayan Sherpa’s as well as modern herbal science.

How should I take Hy-Altitude Advantage™?
Take two Altitude Advantage™ capsules once daily with one pre-mixed WA Hydrate & Recover starting five days prior to ascent to higher elevations. Increase dosage to two capsules twice daily with one pre-mixed WA Hydrate & Recover while climbing or staying at higher elevations.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
Hunting , biking, hiking, running, fishing, skiing, climbing, kayaking, or simply walking in high altitude can cause high altitude sickness, also called acute mountain sickness (AMS). AMS symptoms are headache, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, sleep disturbance and rapid, strong heartbeat. Only a few of the symptoms may appear, or different symptoms may appear at different times. The condition is aggravated by exertion. It is caused by low atmospheric pressures at high altitudes, giving a sensation of “thin air” – oxygen concentration actually remains constant at altitudes accessible to humans, but lower pressure results in reduced absorption of oxygen.

Some symptoms of AMS may occur with sudden travel from sea level to altitudes as low as 4,000 feet, and most individuals who travel to 9,000 feet experience some symptoms. AMS may be prevented by making only gradual ascents to elevations above 8,000 ft. About 40% of experienced mountain climbers will experience AMS at 15,000 feet, even when ascending gradually. All forms of altitude sickness include some level of edema, and more serious cases include life-threatening pulmonary or cerebral edema.

High Altitude Facts
The percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere at sea level is about 21% and the barometric pressure is around 760 mmHg. As altitude increases, the percentage remains the same but the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced. At 3,600 meters (12,000 feet) the barometric pressure is only about 480 mmHg, so there are roughly 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath so the body must adjust to having less oxygen.

In addition, high altitude and lower air pressure causes fluid to leak from the capillaries in both the lungs and the brain which can lead to fluid build-up. Continuing on to higher altitude without proper acclimatization can lead to the potentially serious, even life-threatening altitude sickness.

A study, conducted at Colorado ski resorts in 1993, found 65% of travelers developed some of these discomforts within the first 12 hours of arrival. The pleasures of being in the world's mountain ranges cannot be overstated, neither can the symptoms. Altitude sickness can occur in some people as low as 8,000 feet, but serious symptoms can occur over 12,000 feet.

Pollutants Also Limit Oxygen
Environmental pollutants also reduce the amount of oxygen we breathe. Athletes who live in polluted environments can experience decreased oxygen supply during exercise. This limits the body's normal functions causing lactic acid to accumulate in muscles leading to increased muscle soreness. Being physically fit won't necessarily protect you, but supplementing your oxygen intake with Altitude Advantage™ as well as Hydro²MAX™ for cellular repair caused by pollutant carcinogens and free radicals. This unique combination of anti-oxidants and natural herbs can enhance athletic performance, increase hydration, maximize cellular repair and increase metabolic function.

Ingredients: Vitamin C & E., Ginkgo biloba extract, ALTIMATE™ COMPLEX (Reishi extract, Golden Root Extract, Schizandra Extract , Grape Seed Extract)

High Altitude Health Check List

• If symptoms increase, go down, down, down!
  
  
• Different people acclimatize at different rates. Make sure everyone in your party is properly acclimatized before going any higher.
  
  
• Stay properly hydrated. Acclimatization is often accompanied by fluid loss, so you need to drink lots of fluids to remain properly hydrated, we recommend mixing Wilderness Athlete Hydro²MAX™ (at least four to six liters per day). Urine output should be copious and clear to pale yellow.
  
  
• Don’t over exert yourself when you first get to altitude. Light activity during the day is recommended rather than napping since respiration decreases during sleep which can intensify symptoms.
  
  
• Avoid tobacco, alcohol and other depressant drugs including, barbiturates, tranquillizers, sleeping pills and opiates. These further decrease the respiratory drive during sleep resulting in a worsening of symptoms.
  
  
• Eat balanced meals while at altitude. We recommend at least three Wilderness Athlete Energy Bars per day.

Remember: Acclimatization is inhibited by overexertion, dehydration, and alcohol. If you begin to show symptoms of moderate altitude sickness, don't go higher until symptoms decrease.

Q. Who should take Altitude Advantage™?
A. "Altitude Advantage™" is an excellent product for all mountain visitors and mountain sports enthusiasts. It can also assist athletes training and competing in polluted urban environments which often rob the body of necessary oxygen.

Q. When should I take Altitude Advantage™?
A. Altitude Advantage™ is best taken before physical activity in a high altitude or polluted environment.

Q. Who should not take Altitude Advantage™?
A. Avoid Altitude Advantage™ if you are a child under 4 years of age, pregnant or lactating, have hypertension or a peptic ulcer, are taking other medication or receiving medical treatment for a health condition, or have any questions about taking Altitude Advantage™ in light of a personal health condition. It's always helpful to check with your personal physician.

Herbal Giants In Altitude Advantage™ Proprietary Formulation: Gingko, Reishi, Golden Root, Schisandra, Grape Extract.

Gingko Biloba
Researchers divided a group of mountain climbers into two groups, which received either a total of 160 mg of a concentrated Gingko biloba extract or a placebo in two doses each day while climbing. The group ascended gradually to a base camp at 14,700 feet and from there made ascents to various higher altitudes. Only 14% of the members of the group taking ginkgo experienced one or more symptoms of altitude sickness, while 82% in the placebo group did so. None of the gingko group experienced the full symptoms of AMS, compared to 41% in the placebo group, The gingko group also had fewer instances of cold-related vascular problems.

The symptoms of AMS may be due in part to fluid retention in the cells secondary to deprivation of necessary oxygen to the cellular sodium pump. Fluid retention may be aggravated further in some individuals by an increase in secretion of anti-diuretic hormone

Reishi
Modern clinical research also supports many of the uses for this mushroom as described in TCM. It benefits immune health, cardiovascular health, and liver function. Research has also shown Reishi extracts to oxygenate the blood. Reishi extracts are frequently used by mountain climbers to combat altitude sickness and are contained in many of the performance enhancing herbal formulas used by Chinese athletes.

The Reishi mushroom is one of the most revered herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Now known as Ling zhi in China, there are references to its use in that country as far back as 100 B.C. where it was referred to as the "Herb of Spiritual Potency" and the "Ten-thousand Year Mushroom".

The focus of TCM is on actively promoting good health and the prevention of health problems. Reishi is one of the most highly regarded herbs in TCM for this purpose and the mushroom most often used as a general health tonic.
Modern clinical research also supports many of the uses for this mushroom as described in TCM. It benefits immune health, cardiovascular health, and liver function. Research has also shown Reishi extracts to oxygenate the blood. Reishi extracts are frequently used by mountain climbers to combat altitude sickness and are contained in many of the performance enhancing herbal formulas used by Chinese athletes.

Golden Root
Golden Root is an "adaptogen" and is said to stimulate and protect the immune system by reinstating the metabolic balance in the body after stressful situations. It helps the body adapt and return to normal function and a sense of well-being when exposed to stresses that would alter those functions. Use of Golden Root also promotes faster adaptation to climatic and social changes.

Athletes use Golden Root to improve physical performance and maintain energy and endurance levels in various sports. It is said to be particularly valuable for body builders, because it is thought to stimulate muscle energy status, glycogen synthesis in muscles and liver, muscle protein synthesis and anabolic activity. The herb is believed to increase strength and mobility and also to shorten recovery after strenuous and prolonged exercise and workouts.

Golden Root combats the effects of asthenia, an emotional stress condition that is characterized by sluggishness, low motivation, muscle weakness, continual fatigue, labored breathing, palpitations and excessive sleeping. In clinical tests, use of Golden Root reversed this condition.

Schisandra
Schisandra is a major source of Adaptogens, these amazing vital substances that increase the body's powers of resistance to stress and heighten both physical and mental capacities Schisandra exerts a healing influence on the central nervous system. The Adaptogens in Schisandra activate and normalize the functional status of the central nervous system Schisandra restores the cell's energy combustion under stress, and is a renowned stimulatory tonic which reduces the need for sleep, and inhibits the development of exhaustion and fatigue.

With Schisandra the body can do more and do it better! Physical strength is maintained under extreme physical strain - and is maintained after the strain too! This is a bonus for athletes and those pursuing athletic endeavors.

Grape Seed Extract
It is beneficial in treating degenerative and deteriorating diseases because of the potent antioxidant qualities it has Some expensive supplements, derived from pine bark, contain 85% proanthocyanidin while grape seed extract contains 95% proanthocyanidin.

It helps increase the effectiveness of vitamin C by acting as a carrier and as a restorer of oxidized vitamin C by working with glutathione.

These nutrients belong to the flavonoid family. The action of this nutrient is to act as an antioxidant and stabilize collagen and elastin - both important proteins in connective tissues, as well as blood vessels and muscles.

Although they are not essential nutrients to the body they do have a part to play in achieving optimum health.

These nutrients are water-soluble and free of side effects since excess is simply excreted in the urine. Another positive effect of these flavonoids in the body is the sparing of consumption of vitamin C.

PCO help with increasing intra cellular vitamin C levels, decreasing capillary permeability and fragility, scavenges oxidants and free radicals and uniquely binds to collagen in order to protect it from destruction.

Altitude Advantage™ is a dietary supplement. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.