Animal Cuts Reviewed

Alpha Lipoic Acid or thioctic acid is a natural anti-oxidant found in every cell of the human body. By converting blood sugar into energy, this nutrient produces the required energy for bodily functions. Since Alpa lipoic acid is an anti oxidant, it helps in neutralizing harmful chemicals known as free radicals to protect brain and nerve tissues. As compared to some of the common antioxidants like vitamin E and C, lipoic acid is fat and water soluble. It not only increases the formation of glutathione but also improves insulin sensitivity, therefore making the body reduce fat and add lean mass. You can either opt for the natural or synthetic lipoic acid supplement. Alpha lipoic acid is available in vegetables like spinach and broccoli and meat products like kidney and liver.

Betaine HCL, or betaine hydrochloride, is not an essential nutrient, but it helps in absorption of proteins, vitamin B12, iron and calcium and helps in the digestive tract with the protein and fat breaking up abilities. It is a supplemental source of hydrochloric acid, with a low pH level. Besides the obvious use against indigestion and heartburn, other uses have been proclaimed for betaine HCL, such as lowering the homocysteine level, helping with thyroid conditions and others. With progressing age, hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes may decrease, with a poor digestion as a result. With betaine HCL, when taken at the beginning of a meal, proper digestion can be accomplished. Betaine HCL is most commonly provided with the addition of pepsin, a digestive enzyme.

Choline- Grouped with the Vitamin B complex, choline is deemed an essential nutrient. It is a natural amine and an organic compound, which serves several physiological purposes. Choline improves the structural integrity of cell membranes and provides signaling roles, assisting with the system of communication, which controls basic cellular activities and manages cell actions. Deemed a nootropic drug, choline as a dietary supplement is supposed to increase the cognitive behaviour and alertness. As a building block of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, choline certainly seems to be nootropic, but recently the application of choline as a nutritional supplement helping to reduce body fat because of the activity in the lipid metabolism was observed. Infant formulas that are not derived from cow’s milk are ordered by the FDA to supplement choline.

Chromium Picolinate is a combination of chromium and picolinate acid. Combined with exercise, it is commonly used to lose weight through reducing appetite, increasing metabolism rate and melting fats. This, however, has not been proved clinically. It is also believed to increase energy, life span, prevent acne and improve a person’s mood. Being considered a natural alternative to steroids, it is recommended to athletes. Chromium is found in fish, poultry, whole-grains, cheese and meat. It helps in the proper working of cells by improving the efficiency of insulin. Picolinate acid helps in the proper absorption of chromium. A combination of chromium picolinate and other supplements may be risky, hence professional advice should be sought before using it. Pregnant or nursing women should also be careful.

Chromium Polynicotinate is a nutritional supplement designed primarily as nutritional support for certain conditions that are typical for sufferers from diabetes mellitus type 2 or age related diabetes. Recent studies have revealed that supplemented chromium can reduce high blood glucose levels, lowering or eliminating nonenzymatic glycation. Further studies reveal that supplementing chromium polynicotinate can help with depression symptoms as well as reduce systolic blood pressure elevation caused by sucrose. People with chromium deficiencies have trouble maintaining stable blood sugar levels. Chromium polynicotinate can assist in regulating the levels of blood sugar, but it also helps with the control of cholesterol, promote the fat removal process and encourage buildup of lean muscles. For these characteristics it is a popular supplement for body building and any muscle building sports enthusiasts.

Citrilene (Hydroxycitric acid)- Citrilene is derived from citric acid found in tropical plants. Citrilene suppresses the appetite and makes your feel full because of its increased production glucose and glycogen. It helps the body to make use of glycogen efficiently. It inhibits ATP-citrate lyase enzyme responsible for producing fat and effectively triggers off safe weight loss. It enhances glycogen production in the liver and converts the body proteins and fats into glucose. After the discovery of Citrilene, it is being used as a major component in several weight loss medicines. It is being used since centuries in Southeast Asian as a food condiment to make food rich and enjoyable. Since it increases the production of glucose and glycogen it could be dangerous when used by diabetic patients as it increases the level of insulin in the body.

Dandelion contains over two dozen other nutrients but primarily contain large concentrations of vitamins A, C, and K as well as calcium, potassium, iron and magnesium.

Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), which is also known under the name epigallocatechin 3-gallate, is the ester of catechin, gallic acid and epigallocatechin. It is found in tea and is believed to be one of the most important antioxidants today. Epigallocatechin 3-gallate is currently investigated for the inhibitory effects on the life cycle of HIV-1 virus, the human immunodeficiency virus type 1, which causes AIDS. Although EGCG has shown significant benefits in laboratory studies, the clinical trials on humans have not been conducted yet. The antioxidant qualities of EGCG and the associated reduction of free radicals have made epigallocatechin 3-gallate a very popular supplement, especially with the body building and athletic communities. It is furthermore suggested that EGCG has therapeutic potential with several forms of cancer and in setting of liver fibrosis.

Ginger Root- Ginger is a spice which originated in Asia, where it is grown primarily in India and the Southeast of Asia. Currently it is used all over the world for culinary purposes. Several other uses, besides that of a spice, have been encountered, like in Ginger Ale, ginger tea, but also ginger beer. Gingerbread is perhaps the most popular example of ginger use, but historically it has been labeled as a stimulant and a carminative. Indonesia traditionally uses herbal preparations with ginger, which is supposed to reduce fatigue and help control all kind of digestive problems. Ginger is also known to help with morning sickness and is an ingredient in motion sickness remedies. Nausea in many forms, including chemotherapy, is treated with ginger as well.

Grapefruit Extract, also known as citrus seed extract is a liquid that is derived from the seeds, pulp as well as the white membranes of grapefruit. Some scientists claim that grapefruit extract possesses antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties while others recommend it for the treatment of earache, throat infections etc. There are two ways in which grapefruit extract is prepared. One is the natural, self-made grapefruit extract which is made by grinding the seed and pulp and then mixing them with glycerine. The second method is the commercial way in which the seed, pulp, glycerine and synthetic preservatives are all blended together. Grapefruit extract is believed to have a lot of scope in the health food industry. However one has to be careful as grapefruit can have several interactions with certain drugs like warfarin.

Guarana is a South American climbing plant belonging to the genus of trees and shrubs called Maple. This plant is common around the Amazon and very present in Brazil. The fruit of the guarana plant is being used in that country to produce a diversity of soft drinks and beverages, having the double caffeine content of the coffee bean. Other nutrients that are contained in the seed besides caffeine are protein, fat and starch, but also adenine, choline, guanine, resin, tannin and xanthine, just to name a few. The cognitive effects of guarana are well documented, but the appetite suppressant qualities of guarana are relatively new. A study has proven that a combination of yerba mate, guarana and damiana leads to a tenfold weight loss quantity when compared with a placebo.

Guggulsterone- Commiphora wightii, or the so called Guggul tree is a flowering shrub or rather a small tree which can grow up to a size of 4 meters. Once very common in India, it is now there listed as endangered, but not in northern Africa or elsewhere in central Asia. It was very popular in the Indian Ayurvedic medicine, but also currently in the western medicine for treating of heart problems. The hydrocarbon secretion of Guggul contains a plant sterol, guggulsterone, which in the human body seems to act as an antagonist to the farnesoid X receptor. Furthermore, guggulsterone is active in increasing the natural thyroid production. This in turn stimulates the metabolism and may raise the body temperature, burning stored excess fat.

Inositol Monophosphate is a carbocyclic polyol and secondary messenger in eukaryotic cells, where it is crucial for several of the cellular functions, including cell growth, migration, endocytosis and cell differentiation. Myo-inositol used to be classified as the Vitamin B8, belonging to the Vitamin B complex, but further scientific studies have found that it could be synthesized by the body, therewith disqualifying it as a vitamin. Of all the functions that inositol has been associated with, mostly biological processes, like nerve guidance, serotonin activity modulation, gene expression and intracellular calcium concentration control; for the body building and athletic community the breakdown of fats and reduction of blood cholesterol seem to be most significant, besides the cell membrane potential maintenance.

L-Carnitine - The body’s fat is turned into energy by the help of L carnitine. Its production in the body is done by the kidneys and the liver. However, it’s found to be stored and present in the brain, sperm, heart and skeletal muscles. The amount of L carnitine or cartinine produced in ones body is sufficient for conversion of fat into energy. However, some people might have deficiencies in cartinine production. Carnitine has several benefits however it must not be taken without doctor’s prescription. Carnitine has been useful in the treatment of stable angina and there is evidence to support this. Apart from this, it has also found to be useful for someone who had a heart attack or heart failure.

L-Theanine is very commonly found in tea and is an amino acid, biochemically related to glutamine. The psychoactive properties of theanine are derived from the ability to cross the blood brain barrier. It has been proven that theanine can reduce stress, promote relaxation and improve alertness and mood when imbibed together with caffeine, a natural combination found in any tea, especially green tea. Gamma-aminobutyric acid levels are increased, when theanine is ingested or imbibed, as are serotonin and dopamine levels. It is believed that l-theanine is aiding the immune system by strengthening the capacity of delta T cells. Laboratory tests have proven that blood pressure reduction and lowering of 5-hydroxyindoles in the brain are promoted by theanine.

Niacin, also called Vitamin B3, exists in two main forms, niacin and niacinamide. The niacin form produces a flushing and itching of the skin when taken at higher dosages and this feeling is only temporary.

Octopamine, which is a trace amine, recently believed to be a lipotropic for fat loss. Octopamine has low oral bioavailability and is readily broken down by MAOI, as well as metabolized by the gut wall, which may mean it would not work well when taken orally, but more research is needed to prove its positive or negative effects.

PEA (Phenylethylamine), an endogenous amine that is related to amphetamine. Phenylethylamine (PEA). It is thought to help create a euphoric mood.

Phenylalanine- (S) alpha Amino beta phenylpropionic acid, or L-Phenylalanine, is an essential, electrically neutral amino acid, one of the twenty amino acids that are used by the human body to create proteins. L-Phenylalanine can also be turned into L-Tyrosine, also an amino acid, which converts into L-DOPA, a precursor to catecholamines like epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine. While it is naturally found in breast milk and also milk of mammals, it is also a component of the artificial sweetener aspartame, found in many diet soft drinks. Other sources of phenylalanine include beef, poultry, pork, seafood, sesame seeds, soy milk, walnuts, flax seed, cottage cheese and asparagus. Although widely available through food, L-Phenylalanine is also marketed as a supplement, particularly for body builders where muscle growth is the main factor.

Soy Isoflavones- Soy is said to prevent illnesses and promote good health because it is high in isoflavones. Isoflavones are basically a class of phytochemicals. These compounds are only found in plants. It also resembles the human estrogen in chemical structure but is weaker. Isoflavones help avoid a lot of diseases because they mimic human estrogen at certain sites in the body. Chick peas, soy beans and other legumes are a good source of isoflavones. But it’s the soy beans that have the maximum amount of isoflavones in them. Soy are rich in most of the isoflaones but genistein and daidzein are the most beneficial of them all. Isoflavones are of a lot of use when it comes to fighting diseases. They have been proved to relieve a lot of menopausal symptoms as well.