Chromium Picolinate
Problems in carbohydrate metabolism playa large causative role in the
American tendency to put on excess weight. Chromium as part of the glucose
tolerance factor (GTF) is thought to improve the absorption of glucose
into the cells, making it more useful for energy. Since the GTF also potentates
(makes insulin more effective) the effects of insulin, less insulin is
needed and blood sugar levels are stabilized. This means that energy levels
also are stabilized and the extreme fluctuations of hunger associated
with hypoglycemia are avoided. The usefulness to the dieter and to those
with diabetic tendencies is obvious. The American diet is notoriously
deficient in chromium and it is commonly estimated that as many as 90%
of all Americans are marginally deficient in chromium or worse. Unless
you have optimal chromium nutrition, your insulin metabolism, your muscle,
your strength, your supply, and use of glycogen and fats as fuel, your
endurance and your level of body fat will all be sub- optimal. Suggested
dosage is 1 mg per day in divided dosages, to prevent the possibility
of developing a tolerance at this dosage level, it is advisable to discontinue
for one week out of each month.
Choline & Inositol (Lipotropics)
Technically, "lipotropic" refers to any substance that decreases
the rate at which fat is stored in liver cells and accelerates the rate
at which fat is dismantled into water, carbon dioxide, and energy. They
usually aid in the detoxification of metabolic wastes and other toxins.
Lipotropics increase resistance to disease by stimulating the activity
of the thymus gland and may be useful in preventing gallstone formation.
Among these are Choline, and Inositol. Suggested dose is 1 with each meal.
Complete Essential Fatty Acids
Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is a fatty acid nutrient and is technically
an Omega-6 fatty acid. It serves as a precursor to a family of hormone-like
substances or "activated fatty acids" known as prostaglandins
(PG), in particular the series called PGE-1, meaning the prostaglandin
family uE" derived from GLA. The PGE-1 family is involved in anti-inflammatory,
anti- spasm, anti-infection and similar actions in the body, including
reducing the stickiness of the blood. One explanation of the effectiveness
of GLA is that it appears to increase the level of brown fat NA/K ATPase
activity. Brown fat readily burns fat stores for energy, and this specific
enzyme (NA/K ATPase) controls the rate of metabolism. Borage Oil and Evening
Primrose Oil are both sources of GLA. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is also
a fatty acid nutrient and is technically an Omega-3 fatty acid. It has
been shown to act as a substrate for the activities of various B vitamins.
A deficiency of Omega-3 fatty acids is implicated as a basic cause for
major mental illnesses, and it also plays a role in regulating parts of
the nervous system through the body as well as improving immune response.
Flax Seed Oil and Deep Sea Fish Oil are both sources of ALA. The importance
of both these fatty acids cannot be stressed enough and we encourage you
to read more on the Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids (there is an abundance
of information on this subject).
DHEA
DHEA is a hormone substance secreted by the adrenal glands. It is the
second most abundant steroid produced in the body. DHEA blood levels peak
at about age twenty to twenty-five in both men and women and decline to
less than 5% of this peak by the age of eighty. Evidence indicates that
DHEA is very safe - safer in fact than aspirin. Besides providing the
building blocks of many of the body's most important hormones, DHEA works
by inhibiting an enzyme called G6PD (glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase),
which serves to store fat. The unstored fat is then either shunted into
energy pathways or excreted. Obese individuals have been recognized as
excreting less DHEA through the urine than do non-obese individuals, and
this suggest that they are producing much less of this pro-hormone. DHEA
is known to increase the insulin sensitivity of cells, an important factor
in both diabetes and obesity. It also increased sensitivity to thyroid
hormone, thus improving thermogenesis, fat metabolism and energy production.
Finally, it improves liver function, thus ameliorating a weakness common
to obese individuals. Once again, there have been many books written about
DHEA and all of its benefits. Suggested dosage is 25 mg per day.
L-Carnitine
L-carnatine is an amino acid that is supplied in the diet primarily through
animal muscle meats and is also manufactured in the body, mainly in the
liver and kidneys. It serves to transport fatty acids across the cell
membrane and into the mitochondria, where these fatty acids are burned
for energy. It also aids in the removal of waste products from the cell.
It increases the rate of oxidation of fats in the liver, and this suggests
that it plays a role in improving energy generation from this angle as
well. There is no scientific doubt that a cellular deficiency of carnitine
can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, obesity, and elevated
blood lipid and triglyceride levels. The dosages commonly suggested for
improved fat metabolism are 500 to 2000 mg daily in separate dosages on
an empty stomach. To prevent the possibility of developing a tolerance
at these dosages, it is advisable to discontinue taking L-carnitine for
one week out of each month.
Phosphatidyl Serine Complex
PS is a type of fat found in every cell of the body that contains the
mineral phosphorous. PS imbedded into cell membranes can control many
important functions, including the movement of molecules in and out of
the cell, the transport of cellular messages from the outside of the cell
to its interior and communications between cells. It can also help protect
cell membranes from damage that can occur from intense training, age,
and free radicals. Most of the extensive research on PS involves its ability
to improve brain function and memory. Research has also shown that PS
may be a powerful suppressor of cortisol, the catabolic hormone. With
all the adverse effects of excess cortisol on muscle building, including
muscle recovery, it can be theorized that since PS blunts cortisol release,
you can maximize your training gains and optimize muscle recovery and
muscle function by taking this supplement. Suggested dosage is 400 to
800 mg per day right after training or 30 minutes before bedtime.
