|
Come here for latest info on new supplements and visit the Nutrafitness Forums to post a question!
Acetyl-L-Carnitine: A relative of L-carnitine, this energy molecule is vital in delaying the deterioration of early onset Alzheimer's disease. It functions in the transport of fatty acids of mitochondria to be oxidized for energy, much like its relative. 3 grams were used in a study, but for prevention in a healthy person, half that is recommended. Let's Live, June '99 . In recent studies published this year, 2004, it was found that along with alpha lipoic acid, A-L-carnitine may help protect the brain from age related disease and increase energy.
Glucosamine : There are many forms of
this nutrient on the market, the most readily available is sulfate, along with
hydrochloride. This substance has been touted as a natural way to fight
arthritis and is excellent for treating inflammation and pain. Glucosamine is a
natural substance found in the body's connective tissues. The recommended dose
is 1500 mg's for the first couple of weeks, then sliding down to 500 or so. Grape Seed and Pycnogenol: Grape seed and Pycnogenol are both substances that contain proanthocyanidins or ocp's. Both are tremendous antioxidants and are touted as being 50 times more powerful than Vitamin C and 30 times better than Vitamin E. Grape Seed however, is less expensive to make so is less expensive than Pycnogenol (from Pine bark). It is recommended to take your body weight in mg's for the first week, then 50-100 mg's according to your needs after. In other words, if you weigh 150, you should take a 50 mg dose 3 times a day for a week. New studies show that Grape seed extract is important in helping to prevent heart disease. One in particular demonstrated that the extract reduced vascular cell damage and secretion of cell adhesion molecules in human endothelial cells, a root cause of many cardio disorders. CoEnzymeQ-10: Once called Ubiquinone, CoQ-10 is found in every cell in the body and is essential for life, and supplies vital nutrients for cellular energy. One of the more popular anti-oxidants, CoQ-10 can increase energy, lower gum disease, protect and strengthen the heart, and boosts the immune system. Vitamin E should be taken with this supplement to enhance absorbability. It's also useful in lowering high blood pressure and slows the aging process. Research mostly shows the best benefits on the heart, with pumping action as well as keeping the beat regular. It is non-toxic and 10-50mg is the avg dose. However it is very expensive and prices range from $24-55. Omega-3's: Polyunsaturated fatty acids essential for the body. They help with pain and inflammation of the joints, especially rheumatoid arthritis. Prevents heart disease, strokes and glucose intolerance. Assists in repairing dry skin, eczema etc. A few studies show it helps prevent skin cancer. There are two types most important of fatty acids, Omega3 and Omega6. Most people get too much Omega6. So concentration on taking supplements or eating better will help. This comes in various food forms, such as fish(the best), flax seeds, borage, and evening primrose oil, or you can buy them in pill form as well. Weight lifters have seen benefits with Omega3's because of shortened recovery time, and a decrease in the stiffness of joints. Prices for pill form range from $10-50. Aloe Vera: Most know the usefulness of Aloe on the skin especially for sunburn and other burns as well, but few know the internal benefits. It increases energy, better digestion, aids sleep, helps ulcers, sore throat. Lessons cravings for sugar and caffeine. Fights pain and cleans out the colon as well and can even help AIDS patients. Comes in the juice form as well as pill form. Make sure it's at least 98% pure aloe and prices range from $8-15. Shark Cartilage: As the name implies, this is cartilage from sharks. It blocks development of new blood vessels, and since cancer and some other diseases require new blood vessels, growth of cancer may stop. After this happens, it encapsulates the tumor. It can decrease pain and slows degeneration of arthritis. Non-toxic, it is very expensive but may be worth the price if you have not tried for cancer. $30-60. Quercetin: A bioflavinoid, it works to be a powerful antioxidant and is in anti-inflammatory. Mostly used when taken with C because of the increase absorption of that Vitamin. Strengthens capillaries and may help fight cancer because it suppresses malignant cells before they form tumors. Relieves allergies by stabilizing the walls of cells that contain histamines and seratonin. May be helpful to diabetics by preventing major complications such as cataracts and nerve damage. Inhibits bowel cancer and prevents heart disease. It is in some diet products now to increase and prolong the effectiveness of the other substances. GLA: One of the best EFA's, gamma-linolenic acid, is the start of a process that can increase immune, nervous, and cardio systems. Women who take it may experience less symptoms of PMS. Excellent in treating skin disorders such as dry skin and ezcema. It can be used to treat food and environmental allergies, help recovery after a heart attack because of it's increase in circulation, and reduces inflammation and pain from various arthritis symptoms. Main sources are found in pill form from Evening Primrose(most popular), black currant, and borage seed oil, with increasing doses of GLA respectively. Prices range from $10-40. DMAE: Fairly unheard of, DMAE is substance that is found within the brain. It stimulates the production of choline, then acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter. It penetrates the blood brain barrier and so is effective in helping the brain with memory and learning. Elevates mood, increased intelligence and may increase longevity. It is helpful for children who are hyperactive or have attention deficit. Mild stimulant and may help with chronic fatigue. It has no know side affects, though you should not overdose it. Mostly comes in liquid form and should be taken with B-5. Prices range from $15. SAMe: S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine, Preliminary research shows this might be the next all around supplement to take as it helps with everything from mood lifting to joint pain and inflammation reduction. It is derivative of the amino Methionine. More info and feedback on thie new supplement forthcoming. New info: SAMe is a member of the methyl group found within the body. Methyl groups promote methylation, a process whereby homocysteine, a potentially dangerous amino acid, is converted into methionine. In the body it is essential for the synthesis of melatonin, the anti-aging hormone that regulates sleep patterns. It also helps to protect DNA from mutations that could promote cancer, prevents peripheral nerve damage due to lack of oxygen, and may play a role in deactivating harmful homocysteine. In a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, 15 patients suffering from major depression were treated with SAMe for three weeks and experienced 50 percent improvement according to regular evaluation procedures. For aches and pains, a study in Europe resulted in effective treatment of fibromyalgia. Most people can feel results in less than a week. Always take on an empty stomach. Weight Trainers: Try SAMe to help alleviate joint pain caused by heavy lifting. References: Journal of Rheumatology 21: 905-911, American Journal of Medicine 1997-1998. MSM: Another all around supplement, it can be found from pure form to toothpaste and eye drops. It is close to DMSO, but has cut out the awful sulfur smell you get with DMSO. It relieves chronic pain, inflammation and is an antioxidant, so is good for arthritis sufferers especially rheumatoid. New info: MSM is found in plants, meat, eggs, poultry, and dairy foods. It is difficult to get MSM through food, and on the basis of numerous studies on the role of MSM in the body, a mild deficiency can contribute to many medical problems. These studes show that adequate MSM used as a treatment may be beneficial for many ailments. It is particularly effective in relieving some allergy symptoms and asthma. Within 2-3 weeks those treated with MSM, showed no allergic symptoms. Also effective for arthritis. Both MSM and glucosamine are sulfur compounds and work well together; for wound healing, promoting the formation of collagen, which helps produce new skin. Some people report MSM is helpful for hair and nails, especially brittle ones, and with hair, shinier and thicker. See also: MSM and weight training. Melatonin: This is a hormone produced in the brain and is abundant in young people but then tapers off with age. It is secreted at night during sleep, so regulates metabolic rate and helps you sleep more soundly at night. For some it can act like a mild sedative, mostly works once you get to sleep. It inhibits secretion of estrogen and slows breast, cervical, and skin cancer. Anti-aging because it allows one to sleep better at night, the best retarder of aging. You probably should not take if you are under 40, simply because your body doesn't need it. Smaller doses may actually be more beneficial. Doses range from 1mg-3mg and is inexpensive. More info: Melatonin may lower nighttime blood pressure. It has no effect taken only once(Hypertension, 43: 192-197, 2004) Enada/NADH: More info on this product forth coming. So far it is useful in increasing energy levels, so for those who have Chronic Fatigue may find benefits from usage. It too, is very expensive. $35 for 30 pills. Lycopene: A member of the carotenoid family (it's like beta-carotene), the best sources are tomatoes and tomato products. Researches believe that it is even more powerful an antioxidant than beta-carotene and is also a premium anticancer agent. The most intriguing study showed that men who ate the most pizza had much lower rates of prostate cancer than those who did not. This was do the tomato sauce on the pizza. Many other more promising studies show great results concerning cancer growth suppression. It's particularly effective againsts smoking-induced cancer. Helps protect the skin from photodamage as well. This is one supplement you who are over 50 should consider, especially if you don't eat one tomato a day. Drinking a glass of V-8 or tomato juice is not enough. Dosage: Take one 6-10mg capsule daily with meals. CLA: Conjugated Linoleic Acid is an essential fatty acid that new studies show CLA along with the fatty acid benefits, may aid in weight control and muscle hypertrophy. One study in Sweden, found feeding overweight patients CLA helped release fat from fat cells and increased metabolism and muscle mass- compareed to placebo. Bad cholesterol also declined. (J. Nutri., 130: 2943-2948, 2000) It is found in whole dairy products like milk and cheese. Still other studies show little or no effect on body composition. One theory on the discrepancies is that the isomers differ in the supplements. The best combination was found by Riserus and Co. reporting that 3.4 grams/day of trans-10, cis-12 of CLA for 12 weeks increased insulin resistance and glucose levels. These findings suggest that specific isomers may have varying effects on the body in humans and that there may still be some potential for CLA to server as an effective weight los supplement in humans. (Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord, 25(8), 1129, 2001)Additionally, reduction of abdominal adipose tissue in obese middle-aged men. Coming soon:
|