GABA
February 19, 2009 by About Supplements
Filed under Body Building Supplements
GABA
What is it?
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is primary inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the brain and is produced from glutamate and vitamin B6, via the enzymes L-glutamic acid decarboxylase and pyridoxal phosphate. There are neurotransmitters that cause excitation in the brain and there are neurotransmitters that have the opposite effect. The balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters is essential to proper brain function and has direct effects on all facets of human physiology, mood, health, and well-being.
What is it supposed to do?
Because GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, it’s associated with inducing relaxation, reducing stress, and as a sleep aid. For example, drugs in benzodiazepine family (e.g., zanex, etc) have been shown to induce relaxation by stimulating GABA receptors, and hence induce relaxation. There’s a long list of drugs that work by interacting with GABA receptors (GABA receptor agonists) or act by increasing levels of GABA in the brain, with varying effects.
This is an extremely simplified explanation for an incredibly complex –and not fully understood – system, but it will have to suffice for this section.
As a supplement, GABA has a reputation for improving sleep and causing mild relaxation. Particular to the interests of bodybuilders and other athletes, GABA has been sold as a growth hormone (GH) releaser due to GABA’s known role as a modulator of GH release.
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Beta-alanine
February 19, 2009 by About Supplements
Filed under Body Building Supplements
Beta-alanine
What is it?
Beta-alanine is the only naturally occurring beta amino acid. Beta amino acids have their primary amino groups attached to the beta, rather than the alpha carbon. Although beta-alanine is involved in the formation of other, larger molecules, it is not found in proteins.
What is it supposed to do?
Beta-alanine is being touted as “the new creatine” and the latest breakthrough supplement in the world of sports nutrition. It’s used by the body to synthesize carnosine (L-beta-alanyl-L-histidine). Carnosine performs a variety of valuable roles, including: inhibiting the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which can damage tissues, chelating metal ions, and scavenging free radicals. Carnosine’s importance to athletic performance, however, lies in its ability to buffer hydrogen ions produced in skeletal muscle during high intensity exercise. It is thought that direct supplementation with carnosine precursors might be as – or even more – effective at increasing muscle carnosine stores than supplementing directly with carnosine. So why not just use carnosine you ask? Though you will find more in depth information in the next section, here’s the reason in a nutshell: Studies show ingested carnosine is simply broken down into its constituent parts and reformed into carnosine. Studies generally find that ingesting beta-alanine is actually superior for increasing tissue carnosine levels then ingesting carnosine itself.
For more detailed information, including effectiveness, dosages, possible side effects as well as independent science based reviews of over 60 ingredients for gaining muscle mass we recommend the well respected Will Brink’s supplement review module found in his complete BodyBuilding Revealed program.
Visit this site for further details:
www.Bodybuildingrevealed.com/ingredients
CLA
February 19, 2009 by About Supplements
Filed under Diet - Weight Loss Supplement Reviews
CLA
What is it?
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is a fatty acid derived from the essential fatty acid Linoleic Acid. CLA is found predominantly in dairy products and some meats and appears to be a fat with some unique effects on the metabolism of animals and (hopefully) people.
What is it supposed to do?
CLA has been sold as both a fat loss supplement and as a sports nutrition product for adding muscle. The sellers of CLA focus on the fact that in animals such as rats and mice, CLA causes rats and mice to lose bodyfat while adding lean tissue (i.e. muscle).
Like so many products, CLA may have legitimate health uses. CLA can be found as different isomers (i.e., cis-9/trans-11 and trans-10/cis-12 isomers) and recent research suggests different isomers are responsible for different effects, such as anti cancer, anti obesity, etc.
For more detailed information, including effectiveness, dosages, possible side effects as well as independent science based reviews of over 60 weight loss ingredients we recommend the well respected Will Brink’s supplement review module found in his complete Fat Loss Revealed program.
Visit this site for further details:
www.fatlossrevealed.com/diet-ingredients
L-Carnitine
February 19, 2009 by About Supplements
Filed under Diet - Weight Loss Supplement Reviews
L-Carnitine
What is it?
L-Carnitine is an amino acid like substance the body synthesizes from the amino acid Lysine. The vitamins B-6, niacin, C, with iron and the amino acid methionine are required for production of carnitine in the body. The major dietary source of carnitine comes from animal meats, especially red meats (i.e. steak from cows, lamb and sheep). Carnitine has many functions in the human body, but is best known for its ability to shuttle long chain fatty acids across the membrane of cells so they can be burned (oxidized) for energy by the mitochondria.
Mitochondria are often referred to as the “power house” of cells where energy is produced. The actual process of how carnitine shuttles fatty acids to the mitochondria is fairly complex and detailed. Suffice to say, it involves several enzymes and steps before the fats you want to burn end up being utilized by the mitochondria. So, the carnitine shuttle system is essential for the body to be able to burn fats as energy, and this information can be found in any decent biochemistry text book.
What is it supposed to do?
As the above section mentions, carnitine is sold in hopes that it will help the body shuttle more fatty acids into cells to be used as energy rather than stored as abdominal blurring blubber. The idea is that taking in additional carnitine will supposedly help the body burn more fat for energy and make dieting more effective. Carnitine is also sold as a sports supplement for increasing energy and may have several medical uses. The concept is pretty straight forward, but does it actually work?
For more detailed information, including effectiveness, dosages, possible side effects as well as independent science based reviews of over 60 weight loss ingredients we recommend the well respected Will Brink’s supplement review module found in his complete Fat Loss Revealed program.
Visit this site for further details:
www.fatlossrevealed.com/diet-ingredients
5-HTP
February 19, 2009 by About Supplements
Filed under Supplement News
5-HTP
What is it?
5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) is a precursor to the neuro-transmitter serotonin. 5HTP can be produced synthetically, but many supplements contain 5HTP derived from the Griffonia simplicifolia seed.
What is it supposed to do?
As mentioned above, 5HTP converts into the neuro-transmitter serotonin in both the brain and the peripheral tissues. As most people know, serotonin is a very hot topic and area of research right now due to serotonin’s effects on mood, depression, etc. Serotonin is probably the most studied neurotransmitter since it has been found to be involved in a wide range of psychological and biological functions. Serotonin ( also called 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) is involved with mood, anxiety, and appetite. Elevated levels of serotonin can cause relaxation and reduced anxiety. Low serotonin levels are associated with low mood, increased anxiety (hence the current popularity of the SSRI drugs such as Prozac and others), and poor appetite control. Needless to say, Increased brain serotonin levels are associated with an improved ability of people to cope with stress, whereas a decline in serotonin activity is associated with depression and anxiety. Elevated levels of serotonin in the body often result in the relief of depression, as well as substantial reduction in pain sensitivity, anxiety and stress. It has also been theorized that a diet-induced increase in tryptophan will increase brain serotonin levels, while a diet designed for weight loss (e.g., a diet that reduces calories) may lead to a reduction of brain serotonin levels due to reduced substrate for production and a reduction in carbohydrates. Many people on a reduced calorie intake in an attempt to lose weight find they are often ill tempered and more anxious. Reductions in serotonin may be partially to blame here. The basic theory is 5HTP increases brain serotonin levels which should lead to improved mood states and a reduction in food intakes.
For more detailed information, including effectiveness, dosages, possible side effects as well as independent science based reviews of over 60 weight loss ingredients we recommend the well respected Will Brink’s supplement review module found in his complete Fat Loss Revealed program.
Visit this site for further details: