System-Six Reviewed

5-HTP is a precursor to serotonin, which gives the human brain a happy feeling. Lack of serotonin can cause depression and other serious health problems. 5-HTP is commonly used to aid in sleep and may also reduce our mental desire for sweets which will benefit individuals looking to lose weight.

Betaine HCL, or betaine hydrochloride, is not an essential nutrient, but it helps in absorption of proteins, vitamin B12, iron and calcium and helps in the digestive tract with the protein and fat breaking up abilities. It is a supplemental source of hydrochloric acid, with a low pH level. Besides the obvious use against indigestion and heartburn, other uses have been proclaimed for betaine HCL, such as lowering the homocysteine level, helping with thyroid conditions and others. With progressing age, hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes may decrease, with a poor digestion as a result. With betaine HCL, when taken at the beginning of a meal, proper digestion can be accomplished. Betaine HCL is most commonly provided with the addition of pepsin, a digestive enzyme.

Cayenne, which contains Capsaicin, a thermogenic substance. A thermogenic raises your core temperature, which allows you to burn more calories from food, particularly when eating a high fat meal.

Choline was discovered in 1864 by Andreas Strecker, Choline is a water soluble organic compound. This nutrient is found in the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and lipids which make up cell membranes. Choline is a member of the Vitamin B Complex group and it is generally required for physiological purposes like structuring of cell membranes, as a precursor molecule for neurotransmitter acetylcholine and to protect the livers from accumulation of fat. Besides the infant or fetus brain development, choline can also prevent memory loss caused due to aging. Your homocysteine levels related to cardiovascular diseases and cholesterol can be lowered by it. The recommended intake of choline which is found in peanut butter, beef liver, cauliflower and almonds is 550 mg for men and 425 mg for women.

Chromium Picolinate is derived from picolinic acid and chromium and is sold as a chemical compound as a nutritional supplement deemed to combat chromium deficiencies. Chromium Picolinate has shown some positive effects in treatments of atypical depression, particularly instances where carbohydrate cravings were significantly reduced made the weight loss community become interested. Currently chromium picolinate is being marketed as a supplement supposed to help body builders and athletes to develop muscles, burning excess fat, a claim which could not be verified but is persistent. While chromium is essential in the insulin metabolism, assisting in stabilizing the body’s sugar levels in the blood, the actual effect of chromium picolinate supplement in muscle building humans requires further research. In body building circles, chromium picolinate is deemed an essential part of a proper diet.

Citrus Aurantium is the Latin name for a citrus tree which grows bitter oranges. Traditionally being used by Chinese medicine and herbologists, the extract of the orange and the peel was used as a dietary supplement in concoctions with other herbs to suppress appetite. While other active ingredients of the citrus aurantium may contribute and even promote the effect, the main ingredient used in all weight loss products is synephrine, an alkaloid similar to ephedrine. It is a phenethylamine; it influences the alpha1 adrenergic receptor, constricting blood vessels, additionally increasing the heart rate and the blood pressure. In most cases the use of synephrine is paired with a diet and body building plan, where weight loss and muscle building is essential.

Garcinia Cambogia- Gambooge, a subtropical version of the Garcinia genus and native to Indonesia, is the local name for garcinia cambogia. It bears a pumpkin like yellow coloured fruit, which extract, together with the rind, is in India a curry condiment. Extracts are also being used in several herbal appetite suppressants, but also in some energy providing products and supplements. In the body building community, besides the weight loss properties of garcinia cambogia, the main component, hydroxycitric acid, or HCA, seems to increase the levels of lipolysis in athletes. HCA may even prove to be more effective in combined use with carnitine and pyruvate. In India, garcinia cambogia was traditionally used to treat edema, constipation, irregular menstruation and against intestinal parasites. Further uses include combating rheumatism and bowel related troubles.

Ginger Root- Although used in cooking ginger is also used as a medicine. Medically it is a carminative, i.e. something that prevents the formation of intestinal gas, and as a stimulant, and is widely used for both colic and dyspepsia. Pregnant women are often recommended to eat ginger in the mornings in order to avoid morning sickness. It is generally safe to take although it is contraindicated in those taking Warfarin and also in those with gall stones as it can stimulate the liver’s production of bile. There is some evidence that ginger can ease arthritic pain and it is possible that it has blood thinning properties and may lower cholesterol levels

Gotu Kola, also known as hydrocotyle, centella asiatica or indian pennywort. Gota Kola is commonly used for wound healing, and improved mental function. The most active constituents are the triterpene saponins, which include asiaticoside, brahmoside, brahminoside, brahmaic acid and madecassoside.

Green Tea Extract is currently being promoted by the health conscious community as a weight loss product, which does not do this incredible concoction of helpful ingredients justice. Many green tea extracts nowadays exclude caffeine, to avoid the associated side effects and lower the ingestion of this legal addictive stimulant. The main characteristic of the green tea extract should be the antioxidative effect, which surpasses Vitamin C twentyfold. But the other traits are not to be forgotten, it is anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogen and anti-radiation. The unique combination of green tea catechins, derivatives of apicatechin, and flavonoids, which belong to the same family, are proven scavengers of free radicals and an unavoidable addition to any dietary supplement combination, body building or weight loss as the target objective.

Guarana has in recent times received widespread popularity because of an energy drink. It is actually a climbing plant in the family related to maple and is native to the Amazon region, predominantly in Brazil. It is a flowering plant with big leaves, but the fruit is the most prominent component, not bigger than a coffee bean. Guarana fruit has about the double content of caffeine when compared to the coffee bean. Besides the cognitive and fatigue reducing effects of caffeine, guarana displays also other interesting properties, such as the assistance in a weight loss program; namely, guarana affects the perception of the satiation, making the person feel full sooner. Further antioxidant and antibacterial effects have been noted as well. In combination with linoleic acid, guarana has shown fat cell reduction effects in mice.

Inositol works as a second messenger within our bodies to stimulate the release of calcium from its storage place within our bodies; it allows the transmission of neural signals to be enhanced.

L-Carnitine is produced from amino acids present in the body. It burns fat for the release of energy for the body to function and is therefore, one of the more well known agents of weight loss. L-Carnitine is also believed to have an effect in the delay of Alzheimer’s disease. Conditions, such as angina, cause insufficient production of L-Carnitine. It is commonly found in breast milk, red meat and dairy products. Low levels of L Carnitine can cause cramps in the muscles, low blood sugar and tiredness. When using supplements of L-Carnitine, a person must use suitable amounts of Vitamins C and B, along with iron supplements. Proteins from animals and other foods, rich in nutrition will assist in meeting the required levels of nutrition.

L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that is nonessential. It is synthesized from the body from phenylalanine which is also an amino acid. L-Tyrosine has the power to have an effect on the neurotransmitters and this affects various health conditions including depression, mood disorders and Parkinson’s disease. Many such studies have proved that L-Tyrosine helps people having depression. It acts as a precursor and eases the effects of psychosocial, environmental and physical stress. L-Tyrosine turns into melanin by the skin cells and the dark pigment prevents the ultraviolet light from affecting. The thyroid hormones playing a significant role in the process of the body also contain tyrosine. L-Tyrosine is commonly found in all the dairy products, fish, oats, wheat, meat and also in all other protein containing foods. This is also found to be beneficial for people trying to withdraw alcohol. L-Tyrosine has not exhibited severe side effects, yet taking it should be recommended by doctors.

Niacin, also called Vitamin B3, exists in two main forms, niacin and niacinamide. The niacin form produces a flushing and itching of the skin when taken at higher dosages and this feeling is only temporary.

Pantothenic Acid, commonly called Vitamin B5, it is a water-soluble member of the vitamin B complex. Pantothenic acid is involved in adrenal gland function and is required to fight stress.

Riboflavin, an easily absorbed micronutrient, is also known by the name of Vitamin B2. It plays a key role in maintaining the health of animals as well as humans. A wide variety if cellular processes require this vitamin. It plays a key role in energy metabolism, just like other B vitamins. It is the kind of micronutrient which required for the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and ketone bodies. There are a lot of food products that are a good source of Vitamin B2. Matured soybeans, yeast, mushroom, livers, kidneys, leafy vegetables, milk, cheese, almonds are such products that are rich in this vitamin. But riboflavin does get destroyed if exposed to light. Riboflavin is a non toxic vitamin. Hence, there is no harm in taking it orally.

Selenium , an essential mineral that is toxic at high dosages. Selenium plays an important function in the antioxidant enzymes that protect cells against free radicals. Selenium also promotes proper thyroid hormone metabolism.

Spirulina, unicellular blue - green algae, is one of the earliest photosynthetic life forms on earth. This micro-organism is rich in vegetable proteins, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, enzymes, lipids, phytochemicals and essential amino acids. Since it is very easily digestible and provides a balance of necessary nutrients, it has become a potential source of probiotic, whole food. For instance, the blue colored pigments called phycocyanin are known to combat cancer. For these reasons, Spirulina is also considered to be a beneficial biochemical and medical resource. Through ages, the alga has been widely used for its nutritional properties by the indigenous people of North Africa and Mexico. But now, Spirulina is used in dietary supplements also. Commercial preparations of Spirulina are available in the form of powder, capsules, and tablets.