The Zylean Review

5-HTP or 5-Hydroxytryptophan is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body. It leads to an increase in levels of serotonin - a neurotransmitter which regulates behavior and mood, and melatonin – a hormone linked with the normal sleep pattern. 5-HTP is known to reduce anxiety and depression as it is an antidepressant. It is used in the treatment of insomnia, migraine and Fibromyalgia which causes pain in the muscles, tendons and ligaments, severe fatigue and disturbed sleep. It also assists weight loss by reducing appetite. It is found in small amounts in cheese and white meat. Using the supplement in excess can cause side effects like heart valve disease, nausea, etc. and hence it is essential to seek medical advice before using it.

Apple Cider Vinegar is made out of pure apple juice through firstly an alcoholic fermentation process, then secondly through acetobacter agents, turning the alcohol into acetic acid, making it a vinegar. Traditionally, Apple Cider Vinegar has been used to treat gout, arthritis, various skin conditions, allergies, even high cholesterol. When diluted, it helps lower high fever, particularly in infants. Apple Cider Vinegar is currently very popular in the body building and weight control circles as a weight loss agent. While no scientific studies to that matter have been conducted, the overall content of Apple Cider Vinegar, rich with health promoting compounds such as vitamins and minerals, particularly iron, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus, but also in some high quality products pectin and malic acid, make it a valuable nutritional supplement.

Bioperine is an extract from the fruit of Piper nigrum L (black pepper) or Piper longum L (long pepper) that contains 95 percent of piperine. Black pepper is a common household spice. Extract from black pepper has also been used extensively as a medicine. To reach the greatest quality during the harvest, the pepper is reaped before ripening and after that is placed to dry under the sun rays. Bioperine is known for its effect to enhance the efficiency of many supplement nutrients. Bioperine acts to enhance the body’s natural therogenic activity – giving the name thermonutrient. This enhancement brings about increased metabolic rate creating demand for supple of many nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, herbals, amino acids. It sets in motion a process that brings about better digestion and faster gastrointestinal absorption.

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that temporarily wards off drowsiness and boosts alertness and energy.

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.

Chromium Picolinate - The popular nutritional supplement, which has been invented to treat chromium deficiency, is also a popular weight loss and muscle growth product. Due to the chromium role it plays in sugar and lipid metabolism in humans, it has been deemed helpful as a supplement, in particular with the body building communities. The argument is that chromium picolinate improves the uptake of glucose by enhancing the effect insulin has in the body, providing better blood circulation. Bad dietary habits, in particular in the United States, have lead to the population verging on the brim of chromium deficiency. Body Building aficionados really require a wholly balanced diet, which in turn requires adequate amounts of chromium be present in the metabolism, even more so if the individual is practicing a serious exercise program.

Citrus Aurantium, More commonly called "bitter orange", which is taken from unripe oranges. Research shows that citrus aurantium can increase the metabolic rate without affecting heart rate or blood pressure, breaks down fat, burns calories and may act as an appetite suppressant.

Fennel Seed , which helps remove mucus and fat from the intestinal tract and is also a natural appetite suppressant.

Ginger Root is a dietary supplement that is not only used as a spice but has had a positive effect on some types of arthritis and raynauds disease.

Green Tea Extract, a bioflavonoid rich, potent extract used primarily for fighting free radicals. It contains a high content of polyphenols, which are a class of bioflavonoids. Green tea extract contains a potent antioxidant, EGCG, which is over 200 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing the pro-oxidants and free radicals that attack lipids in the brain. Green tea extract helps with thermogenesis and aids in the metabolism of fat. Green Tea has been used for years as a powerful antioxidant, it may also be helpful in shedding fat. The most obvious benefit to dieters is that it works without increasing the heart rate most often found in diet aids. The increased heart rate leaves dieters jittery and eventually, most dieters stop using the supplement and gain weight back. Now through using green tea extract, dieters get the weight loss benefits without any of the jittery effects, especially in obese individuals with hypertension and other cardiovascular complications.

Gymnema Sylvestre is native to India, predominantly in tropical forests of India. This herb has traditionally been used in the Indian eclectic alternative medical system as the naturopathic treatment for diabetes. The active ingredients or bioactive constituents are a group of gymnemic acids, which have antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory as well as antisweetener properties. If used for a while, gymnema sylvestre, or rather the gymnemic acids, have the effect of reducing the blood sugar level. These glycosides are found in an extract of the leaves and it seems that the acids have a similar structure to saccharose. Besides the gymnemic acids, the plant contains also saponins, quercitol, stigmasterol and also some amino acid derivatives, namely trimethylamine, betaine and choline. When the leaves of gymnema sylvestre are chewed, you temporarily lose the ability to taste sugar.

Hydrocitric Acid or hydroxycitric acid, HCA, is an acid derived from citric acid, found naturally in garcinia cambogia and some other tropical plants. Deemed a potentially revolutionary compound in connection with the lipid metabolism, hydroxycitric acid is currently being touted as a wonder drug by weight loss and dietary supplement advocates. The historical significance of garcinia cambogia in India, as a food condiment and ingredient in curry herbal mixes, the use of hydroxycitric acid as a weight loss agent is nothing new. The traditional Indian medicine has used hydroxycitric acid, actually garcinia cambogia, as treatment for constipation, rheumatism, bowel problems, edema and irregular menstruation. One particular isomer of the hydroxycitric acid has been identified as an inhibitor of pancreatic alpha amylase and intestinal alpha glucosidase.

L-Carnitine , which transfers long-chain fatty acids, like triglycerides into mitochondria , which is then oxidized to produce energy. L-Carnitine is commonly used for burning fat, increasing energy, improving resistance to muscle fatigue and suppressing appetite.

L-Tyrosine is a common amino acid and a para-isomer of tyrosine. It is deemed organic because of the carbon atom present and it is nonessential to survival, but works as a building block of protein. It is also viewed as a precursor of dopamine, which has several effects, like offsetting fatigue, mental and physical, as well as increasing the impression of well being. When the amino acid phenylalanine is broken down, L-Tyrosine can be won completely naturally. Besides being a precursor of the aforementioned neurotransmitter dopamine, L-Tyrosine is also deemed a precursor to some adrenal hormones, namely epinephrine and norepinephrine. In body building circles this supplement is popular to offset fatigue after a hard training or competition, but also to raise mental alertness while working out.

Licorice Root is cultivated in southern as well as central Europe. Licorice root is extensively used as flavor in candies and as well as in syrups, cough drops, laxatives and tonics. The licorice root is also useful in flavoring various types of beer, gelatins, meat products, puddings and frozen dairy desserts. Licorice is commonly found in all the Chinese herb combinations so that it maintains other herbs as well as promotes vitality. Licorice is a source of silicon, magnesium and thiamine. It is available in liquid extract and is helpful for people having problems with swallowing capsule. Licorice root capsule can be taken three times a day. Licorice root is useful for various ailments such as baldness, asthma, canker sores, athlete’s foot, depression, chronic fatigue, flu, colds, dandruff, coughs, gingivitis, emphysema, heartburn, viral infections, HIV, ulcers, fungal infections, tooth decay and liver problems. This root has anti-depressant compounds and is one of the impressive herbal medicines.

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.

Phenylalanine- (S) alpha Amino beta phenylpropionic acid, or L-Phenylalanine, is an essential, electrically neutral amino acid, one of the twenty amino acids that are used by the human body to create proteins. L-Phenylalanine can also be turned into L-Tyrosine, also an amino acid, which converts into L-DOPA, a precursor to catecholamines like epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine. While it is naturally found in breast milk and also milk of mammals, it is also a component of the artificial sweetener aspartame, found in many diet soft drinks. Other sources of phenylalanine include beef, poultry, pork, seafood, sesame seeds, soy milk, walnuts, flax seed, cottage cheese and asparagus. Although widely available through food, L-Phenylalanine is also marketed as a supplement, particularly for body builders where muscle growth is the main factor.

Vitamin B12 is a water-souble member of the vitamin B complex. Requirements are in the microgram range, which is lower than the milligram range of the other B vitamins. Vitamin B12 is involved in the production of red blood cells and is usually known as the anti-anemia vitamin.

Vitamin B6 is soluble in water and is essential for good health. Our nervous system is dependent on this vitamin to function properly. It keeps the thymus, lymph nodes and the spleen that make white blood cells healthy, through cellular growth and protein metabolism. A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to a weakened ability to fight infections and will weaken the immune system. Vitamin B6 helps in the formation of Hemoglobin which increases the oxygen that is carried to the tissues. A deficiency can cause a type of anemia. Vitamin B6 helps to convert carbohydrates and other nutrients into glucose which maintains the sugar levels in our blood stream. Vitamin B6 is available in meat, fish, fortified cereals, poultry, some fruits and vegetables.

White Willow Bark, more accurately the bark of the deciduous tree, has been known since the ancient times for its medicinal properties. Already the ancient Egyptians, but also Hippocrates, Assyrians and Sumerians have recognized that the powder extracted from the white willow bark is a very potent remedy for fever, but active against pains and aches as well. Salix alba, which is the Latin name for the white willow, contains an active alcoholic beta glycoside that contains D-glucose and is named salicin. Salicin is metabolized in human body to salicylic acid and is very closely related to aspirin. When ingested it has a quinine like bitter taste. Salicylic acid is anti inflammatory and keratolytic, and is commonly used as an additive in weight loss products.

Yerba Matte is potent and refers to a drink that is brewed with dried leaves. It belongs to the holly family that is an evergreen member. This grows in Peru, Argentina, Brazil and Chile. This is as well found in plenty in Paraguay. The Yerba Mate plant is considered as stimulant, aromatic, astringent, bitter, purgative, diuretic and good for inducing sweat and reducing fever. Yerba mate contains many minerals and vitamins. The Yerba Mate leaf has nutrition and antioxidants in plenty and hence North Americans prepare strong tea using this leaf. Yerba mate powder is used to boost immunity and to detoxify blood, restore hair color, combat fatigue, tone nervous system, stimulate mind, control appetite, retard aging, reduce stress and as well eliminate insomnia. The tea is preferred with sugar or some people add mint and few replace the water with milk. The extraction can be done repetitively so that the properties stay beneficial.