Supporting
Your Wellness Goals
Compiled by John Hutchinson from other sourcesHere are a few ingredients to consider as contributing to optimizing wellness during weight loss strategies and increased exercise and physical activities.
[Compiled from 5 articles on Leucine, jh]
L-citrulline is used for Alzheimer’s
disease, dementia, fatigue, muscle weakness, sickle cell disease, erectile
dysfunction, high blood pressure, and diabetes. It is used for heart disease,
body building, increasing energy, and for improving athletic performance.
The rind of watermelon (Citrullus
lanatus) is a good natural source of citrulline. Watermelons contain an
ingredient called citrulline that can trigger production of a compound that
helps relax the body's blood vessels, said scientists in Texas, one of the
nation's top producers of the seedless variety.
Found in the flesh and rind of
watermelons, citrulline reacts with the body's enzymes when consumed in large
quantities and is changed into arginine, an amino acid that benefits the heart
and the circulatory and immune systems.
Citrulline can be obtained from
supplements or from foods. Nobel Prize recipient, Professor Louis Ignarro says
that when the amino acids -- citrulline and arginine -- are combined, our
body's cells are encouraged to produce a beneficial gas called nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide can reduce blood pressure and lower cholesterol, according to Dr.
Ignarro’s website. Citrulline also helps reduce lactic acid and ammonia in your
muscle tissues. It promotes energy and assists the immune system.
In addition
to watermelon, citrulline can be sourced from almonds and walnuts, although the
higher concentrates come from walnut seedlings. Onions and garlic, liver,
garbanzo beans, soy, peanuts, and dark chocolate are other food sources for smaller
amounts of citrulline.
[Compiled from 6
articles on Citrulline, jh]
__________________________________________
Alpha
Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a powerful
antioxidant that promotes a healthy metabolism. ALA is both fat and water
soluble, which enables it to effectively penetrate every part of the cell. ALA
stimulates metabolic switches that increases the amount of energy available to
our cells. This helps to optimize cellular energy, metabolism, and glutathione
levels.
As a dietary supplement, alpha-lipoic
acid appears to help increase insulin sensitivity, and may be especially useful
in addressing metabolic syndrome. In addition, ALA works with other
antioxidants to help neutralize free radicals and reduce cellular damage. It
also acts as a synergist with B vitamins to help in the production of energy from
the proteins, carbohydrates and fats consumed through foods. Researchers have
investigated the use of alpha-lipoic acid in the treatment of diabetic
neuropathy, liver ailments and glaucoma. It may improve memory via its
protective effects on brain and nerve tissue.
Lipoic acid is present in both plants
and animals and is an integral component of the photosynthetic process of
chloroplasts. Very small quantities of lipoic acid are contained in green food
sources such as spinach, broccoli, and kale.
For 20 years, ALA supplements have been
used to treat HIV, sciatica, cancer, liver problems, hepatitis, strokes,
vascular disease, diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, burning
mouth syndrome and Alzheimer's. Some doctors also believe ALA can even help slow
the aging process.
How much to take? Oral alpha-lipoic acid
is reported to be well tolerated in doses up to 600 milligrams per day, and
200-300 mg a day is frequently used in Europe as a therapeutic adjunct in
treating diabetic neuropathy. As a general antioxidant, a dosage of 20 to 50 mg
daily is commonly recommended. Check with your health provider for the best
dosage for your body.
[Compiled from 4 articles on ALA, jh]______________________________________________
Glutathione (GSH) is produced by every
cell in your body. It is the primary protector and detoxifier of the cell. For
years, scientists and medical professionals have looked for ways to effectively
raise glutathione levels. Because glutathione cannot be effectively absorbed
through the intestinal tract, it must be supplemented via its essential
building blocks, the amino acids cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid. While
glycine and glutamic acid are readily available through regular diet, it is
much more difficult to absorb the required amounts of cysteine. Until recently,
N-acetyl Cysteine (NAC) was the most consistent means of enhancing the body's
ability of maintaining optimal glutathione levels. Riboceine bonds L-Ribose and
L-Cysteine into a form with a high
absorption rate that delivers the cysteine into our cells. The pure form of
Riboceine has been developed by Dr. Nagasawa and is available in capsules…
Numerous dairy products are excellent
dietary sources of cysteine. Ricotta cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt are
particularly rich sources. The consumption of the breast, or light, meat of
chicken or turkey can also increase your dietary intake of cysteine. Wheat germ
is a very important dietary source of cysteine. Another way to increase your
dietary intake of cysteine is to add oat flakes or granola to your diet.
Granola is a mixture of oats, nuts, honey and dried fruits that is baked until
crispy. Consumption of oat flakes and granola, in addition to providing the
benefits of cysteine, can reduce your cholesterol levels. Research performed at
the University of Minnesota Department of Food Science and Nutrition showed
that regular consumption of oats over a six-week period greatly reduced total
cholesterol levels as well as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The
results suggested that oat consumption can offer prevention against heart
disease due to its cholesterol-lowering properties.
[Compiled
from 5 articles on L-cysteine, l-ribose, and RiboCeine, jh]_________________________________________________
Pantotheine (pantothine), a daughter molecule of pantothenic
acid, contains the additional sulfur amino acid CYSTEINE. It may lower serum
cholesterol and TRIGLYCERIDES in those with elevated levels, while pantothenic
acid has little effect.
Pantothenic Acid is a widely distributed
water-soluble VITAMIN and a member of the B complex (B5). The name is derived from the Greek word pantothen,
meaning "'everywhere." Indeed, pantothenic acid is present in all
cells, whether plant or animal. The commercially available form is the calcium
salt, calcium pantothenate. Pantothenic acid plays a pivotal role in energy
production from FAT, CARBOHYDRATE and PROTEIN. Pantothenic acid forms the core
of COENZYME A, the enzyme helper that carries FATTY ACIDS throughout
metabolism, including fat synthesis and fat degradation.
Pantethine is a dietary supplement that
is related to vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). It is used for lowering cholesterol,
preventing inflammation, boosting the activity of the immune system, treating
an inherited condition called cystinosis, treating gastrointestinal (GI)
diseases, and improving athletic
performance. It is also used for improving
energy, lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke, improving adrenal
function, protecting against mental and
physical stress, and preventing allergy symptoms in people who are allergic
to formaldehyde.
Pantethine might increase the
concentrations of chemicals that lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides. Mushrooms,
cheese, oily fish, avocados, eggs, lean meats, sunflower seeds, and sweet
potato are all good sources for Vitamin B5.
[Compiled
from 5 articles on Pantotheine, jh]_______________________________________________
Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is characterized
by the presence of ginsenosides.
Ginseng is believed to restore and enhance normal well-being, and is currently
one of the most widely bought herbal supplements. Ginseng (Panax) is believed
to provide an energy boost, lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, reduce
stress, promote relaxation, treat diabetes, and treat sexual dysfunction in
men.
Some studies have found that ginseng may
boost the immune system. Several studies in people have also shown that ginseng
may lower blood sugar levels. There is some early evidence that ginseng might
temporarily -- and modestly -- improve concentration and learning. In some
studies of mental performance, ginseng has been combined with ginkgo.
There are at least 11 types of ginseng.
This focuses on the Asian variety only (Panax). Ginseng is a plant and the
powder used is taken from the root of the ginseng plant.
[Compiled from 4 articles on Ginseng, jh]__________________________________________
Potassium is an essential dietary mineral because it helps: build
muscle, prevents excess fluid retention and maintain a healthy electrolyte
balance, optimize nerve functions, the release of energy from protein, fat, and
carbohydrates during metabolism, regulate blood pressure, our heart and kidneys
to function properly.
Because Potassium helps us to build
muscles, helps our muscles work properly and helps us convert the food we eat
into energy, it is particularly important to those of us who have weight loss
goals. Bigger muscles burn more calories, so by helping us to build slightly
bigger and stronger muscles, Potassium has a direct impact in helping us to
turn our bodies into calorie burning machines.
By helping to provide the energy we
need, helping our muscles (including our heart) work efficiently and
effectively and ensuring a proper balance of electrolytes, Potassium helps us
exercise daily, which is critically important to anyone wanting to shed a few
unwanted pounds. Because Potassium is excreted from our body in sweat, those of
us who are exercising to lose weight need to be extra diligent, conscious of
the fact that we also need to be replacing the Potassium lost during exercise. As
you can see, because daily exercise is a critical element to successful long
term weight loss and improved general health, all of us with weight loss goals
need to have sufficient levels of Potassium in our bodies at all times.
B6
and B12: These B vitamins help the
body in converting carbohydrates into glucose or sugar, which is burned in
order to produce energy for proper body function. These are often referred to
as B complex vitamins, and are essential for the breakdown of fats and
proteins. They help maintain muscle tone, protect the mucus lining in the
digestive tract and mouth, and promote upkeep of nervous system and the organs
like the liver, skin, hair, and eyes. Cobalamine is an excellent anti-stress
vitamin since it is believed to enhance the health functioning of the immune
system and improve the body’s ability to fight stressful conditions.
Thiamine or Vitamin B1 is an incredibly versatile vitamin. Not
only does it influence weight loss, but it also affects your growth, your
nervous system and your cardiovascular health. It's found in a number of foods
you eat every day. It's also important to take note of how you prepare your
food, as thiamine can be easily destroyed by many cooking processes. Vitamin B1
is also a requirement of cells to create adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is
essentially the fuel on which your entire body runs.
Vitamin B1 itself will not cause you to
lose weight. It is an essential part of a balanced and healthy diet to
facilitate weight loss. Thiamine will help your body to turn carbohydrates into
energy, but if your body does not use or otherwise burn that energy, it will
still be stored as fat in your body. But, if you do stay active and use that
energy, vitamin B1 will keep your body burning those fats and carbohydrates
while helping to improve your muscle tone at the same time.
[Compiled from 8 articles on vitamins and minerals,
jh]
