Health & Fitness

Supplement Ingredients

by Staff

When you look at the ingredients in different supplements, it can be confusing if you don’t know what everything is. How can you decide on something to take if you don’t know all the effects it may have? In addition to many vitamins and minerals, here are some additional nutrients and ingredients that are commonly found in supplements.

Amino Acids: These are what proteins are made of. They can be classified as essential or non-essential, depending on whether your body needs to ingest them of whether it can manufacture them itself (respectively). If you take essential amino acids supplementally, your body’s requirement for non-essential amino acids increases.

Androstenedione: A weak androgenic steroid which is normally secreted by the adrenal cortex, testes, and ovaries.

Bioperine: Increases the body’s metabolism to burn fat faster and increase the efficiency of nutrient uptake.

Carnitine: An amino acid essential for the breakdown of fat into energy.

Choline: Helps prevent fat accumulation in the liver and aids in the detoxification of metabolic wastes and toxins.

CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid): speeds up protein and fat metabolism.

Coenzyme Q 10: Has strong antioxidant properties. Used in energy production at the cellular level.

Creatine Monohydrate: Shortens muscle recovery time.

Dietary Fiber – Consists of both soluble (dissolves in water) and insoluble (does not dissolve in water) fiber. Helps increase the efficiency of the digestive process. It may have a protective effect against many chronic illnesses and it may reduce LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol.

GLA (Gamma-Linolenic Acid): Anti-inflammatory, increases fat burning.

Glucosamine: Is found in cartilage and is essential in producing cartilage. May help with osteoarthritis symptoms.

Glutamine: A non-essential amino acid sometimes called a “brain fuel.” Important for muscle maintenance.

Hydrolyzed Collagen Protein (HCL): Promotes healthy joints and forms the framework of human cartilage.

Hydroxycitric Acid: Inhibits carbohydrated from turning into fats and works as an appetite suppressant.

Inositol: Prevents the accumulation of fat in the liver and aids in the detoxification of metabolic wastes and toxins.

Insulin: A pancreatic hormone that is needed for the metabolism of carbohydrates. Used in the treatment and control of diabetes mellitus.

Isoflavones: A compound found in soy that reduces serum cholesterol levels and alleviates menopausal symptoms.

L-Carnitine: A nutrient responsible for the transportation of fats to cells for use in energy production.

Lysine: Essential amino acid important for growth, tissue repair, and the production of hormones, enzymes and antibodies.

PABA: Needed in the formation of blood cells and the breakdown and use of proteins.

Phosphatidylserine (PS) : Aids in memory fuction snad protein synthesis.

Tyrosine: A nonessential amino acid that is important for neurotransmitter synthesis and mood regulation.

If you are shopping for supplements, make sure to talk to your doctor before deciding on what to take, since imbalance in your system can result in wellness complications.

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