Energizer
CRANK YOUR METABOLISM into OVERDRIVE!
Energizer provides support for an increased level of alertness,
strength and a sense of well being during the activities of
the day. The product's composition offers a combination of
ingredients that synergistically function to produce energy
through a combination of mechanisms that include:
a) stimulation of the central nervous system (CNS) which can
increase your metabolic rate, b) liver detoxification and
protection, c) improved metabolic respiration and insulin
level optimization. The product is made of two
parts, the herbal blend, and the vitamin-mineral mix. The
herbal blend contains Ma Huang, Guarana and green tea, all
three herbs containing constituents that directly interact
with CNS. The green tea contains methylxanthines (caffeine,
theophylline and theobromine) that are responsible for diuretic
and CNS stimulation effects. Other important constituents
of the green tea include polyphenols that inhibit
tumor promotion and have anti-bacterial properties.
Guarana, the third herb affecting the CNS, is rich in caffeine,
saponins and tannins that all synergistically act to produce
stronger effects on the CNS than any one of these components
alone. Guarana has been used to combat drowsiness
and to enhance mental activity (3). In order to reduce
the potential side effects associated with CNS stimulation
(tremors, anxiety, irritability and dizziness), the Energizer
has incorporated ginseng and gotu cola to balance
the activities of the energy promoting herbs.
Ginseng
contains several active constituents, the principal actives
being ginsenosides that can counteract each other's activity
producing the adaptogenic properties of this herb. Ginseng
can act as a CNS stimulant and as a CNS depressant (4), thus
maintaining a balance from over stimulation. Gotu cola acts
as a CNS depressant increasing sleep time reducing fatigue
and improving memory (2).
Optimum
health depends on sound liver function. When the liver falters,
all other organs in the body are compromised, because the
liver is the major site for environmental and nutritional
detoxification. Anything absorbed during digestion initially
passes through the liver to be modified and cleared from toxins
prior to entering the blood. However, because the liver can
still function with up to 80% deterioration, symptoms due
to its poor functioning are often vague and may not be noticed
until the damage is severe. As a result, body metabolism can
be faltering, affecting energy levels, vigor and alertness
without necessarily exhibiting any other symptoms of a specific
disease state. Loss of appetite and overall energy loss can
be traced to a malfunctioning liver. Fortunately, the liver
has a great capacity to regenerate, and optimum nutrition
produces quick improvements. The Energizer contains three
herbs in its botanical blend that can help protect
and mend the liver; these are dandelion, turmeric
and milk thistle. All three herbs are liver tonics providing
anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant protection.
The active ingredients of turmeric are the curcuminoids acting
as anti-oxidants, scavenging reactive superoxide anions and
hydrogen peroxide. Turmeric has been approved for the treatment
of liver and appetite loss (5). Curcumin is noted to diminish
toxic effects of a number of cancer drugs and other chemicals
where marked hepatoprotective effects have been seen
(6). Such effects have been demonstrated in animal models,
but have yet to be verified in humans (7). Nevertheless, traditional
use of turmeric as a liver tonic has maintained
its popularity. Dandelion's beneficial effects on the liver
have shown that the herb increases the flow of the
bile from the liver and gallbladder helping to treat conditions
of jaundice and hepatitis (8). It also enhances
the liver's action to remove excess of estrogen from
the body thereby helping restore a healthy balance of hormones.
The third herb is milk thistle, containing the active principle
silymarin, actually a complex of four flavanoglycans that
exhibit liver protective and anti-oxidant effects.
This hepatoprotective effect is due to two mechanisms of action
(11). The first has to do with the alteration of the hepatocyte
cell membrane that prevents toxin penetration into the liver.
The second involves liver re-generation and the formation
of new hepatocytes (10). Therefore silymarin inhibits
liver damage from chemicals, drugs, alcohol and viruses
(9). Milk thistle also decreases insulin resistance in people
with alcoholic cirrhosis, and it has been used for
chronic hepatitis and bile inflammation.
Vitamins
play an important role in the metabolism of energy, particularly
B-vitamins that include pantothenic acid and its salts. Pantothenic
acid is part of acetyl CoA, a key enzyme for the metabolism
of carbohydrates and production of energy or for the alkylation
of fatty acids to allow their transfer into the mitochondria
for oxidation and production of energy. Pantothenic acid induces
the synthesis of Acetyl-CoA while it increases the
thermogenic response to glucose in the muscles. For
this reason, it may be expected that pantothenic acid can
enhance exercise performance and, indeed, this has been confirmed
with distance runners(13). Even so, the anti-oxidant
and anti-inflammatory activity make it useful for
strenuous exercise due to its capability to accelerate recovery.
As a precursor to acetyl-CoA, it is important for the production
of cholesterol, which is responsible for the production of
steroid hormones. Although Pantothenic acid is widely distributed
in foods, it is extensively destroyed during processing (12).
The Energizer supplements potentially low levels of this vitamin,
especially when needed during high-energy activities along
with additional minerals that complement the action of pantothenic
acid. Iron is included since this mineral participates in
the process of respiration during oxygen transport
for the production of energy. Iron deficiency leads
to anemia, the most common nutritional disorder in the world.
The function and synthesis of hemoglobin, which carries most
of the oxygen in the blood, depends on iron. The enzyme cytochrome
oxidase, responsible for the flow of electrons produced by
the oxidation of digested food to oxygen producing energy,
relies on iron. Therefore, iron is fundamental in the energy
production and function. Athletes taking
iron supplements can enhance performance,
especially in cases where the iron is deficient. On the other
hand, excess iron intake can be dangerous, especially for
certain people prone to hemochromatosis. The Energizer again
offers checks and balances to the formula to overcome iron
problems by incorporating zinc and manganese that reduce
iron uptake (14). Further, both of these elements
are intricately involved in the metabolism of insulin and
support the activity of the next element present in the product,
chromium. The incorporation of chromium into the product was
for optimum insulin action with respect to glucose uptake,
particularly for those athletes seeking energy through carbohydrate
load. The presence of chromium comprises part of the mineral
combination for maintaining the proper nutritional
balance of this product. What is achieved with the
Energizer is a three-fold mechanism of action involving stimulation
of the CNS, a support for detoxification and an enhancement
of metabolism with respect to oxygen and insulin use.
This triple action gives Energizer its potential for energy
while the checks and balances built into it reduce possible
side effects often associated withsimilar products.
References
1. Tyler V. Herbs of Choice, Pharmaceutical products press,
NY (1994)
2. Fetrow C. and Avila J. Handbook of Complementary and Alternative
Medicine, page 241, Springhouse Corp, PA (1999)
3. Henman AR, Ethnopharmacol. 6:311 (1982)
4. Natural Medicines a Comprehensive Database, 2nd edition,
page 425, Therapeutic Research Faculty (1999)
5. Blumenthal M. The Complete German Commission E Monographs,
Integrative Medicine Communications, Boston MA (1998)
6. BR for Nutritional Supplements, 1st edition, page 119,
Medical Economics Thouson Healthcare (2001)
7. Blumenthal M. Whole Foods July 1996
8. Duke J. The Green Pharmacy, page 377, St Martin's paperbacks,
NY (1997)
9. Flora K, et al, Am. J. Gastroenterol. 93:139 (1998)
10. Salmi A,et al, Scand. J. Gastroenterol. 174:517 (1982)
11. Lawson L and Bauer R. Phytomedicines of Europe Chemistry
and Biological Activity, page 263, Am Chem. Soc. Washington
DC (1998)
12. Shils ME. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, page
423, 9th edition, Williams & Wilkins Co, Baltimore Maryland
(1999)
13. PDR for Nutritional Supplements, 1st edition, page 343,
Thomson Healthcare, NJ (2001)
14. Berdanier C. Advanced Nutrition Micronutrients, page 188,
CRC Press, FL (1998) |
