Taurine

Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid, needed for proper maintenance and functioning of skeletal muscles. It is considered to be the second most abundant in muscles after glutamine. Taurine has been known to increase muscle mass and strength. It acts similarly to creatine in that it expands the body's cells by helping the muscle cell itself hold more water. Taurine can work like diuretic, keeping potassium and magnesium inside the cell while keeping excessive sodium out. Taurine is so important to high performance athletes, because it reduces muscle damage caused by exercise, accelerate recovery between workouts and helps in protein synthesis. Supplementation with taurine has been shown to increase growth hormone. It acts as an antioxidant and protects against toxicity of various substances. While preventing oxidative stress, it also helps to maintain skin hydration. Taurine can enhance attention and cognitive performance. It occurs naturally in seafood, meat, eggs, poultry and dairy products (absorption of taurine from beverages may be more rapid than from foods). Taurine is beneficial for adult human blood pressure, adipose tissue regulation and prevention of obesity. It has also been shown to help people with congestive heart failure by increasing the force and effectiveness of heart-muscle contractions. Taurine can lower blood cholesterol and act as a glycation inhibitor. It can prevent atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and cirrhosis. Because it aids the movement of potassium, sodium, and calcium in and out of the cell, taurine has been used as a supplementation for epileptics as well as for people who have uncontrollable facial twitches. Taurine is a derivative of cysteine.

Lecithin

Lecithin is an important phospholipid needed by all living cells. It is produced within our own bodies, and can be found in the major organs: the heart, the liver, and the kidneys. Lecithin is a dietary supplement, appropriate for patients with fat metabolism disturbances and people exposed on heavy sports activity. It contains essential fatty acids and influences the fat transport, the cell and liver functions, intercellular signaling, the reproduction, the memory abilities and the physical endurance. Lecithin is a basic choline source for the body and a key building component of the cell membranes. It plays a role of an antioxidant, emulsifier and lubricant. It is non toxic and is fully metabolized in the organism. When it breaks down body fat the liver converts it into usable energy. Lecithin can be found in foods such as - cabbage, soy beans, meat, seeds, nuts and eggs. It has been proven to decrease cholesterol, reverse atherosclerosis, restore damaged livers, promote cardiovascular health and prevent mental fatigue (even patients with Alzheimer’s disease reported an improvement in memory and orientation). Lecithin can help maintain a healthy pregnancy and ideal infant development. Athletes can use it to boost physical performance in endurance sports and promote weight loss.

L-Cysteine

L-Cysteine is a non-essential amino acid (biosynthesized in humans) which serves an important structural role in many proteins. It is closely related to Cystine which is formed by two molecules of L-Cysteine. Cysteine contains sulfur and is also used to manufacture L-Glutathione and L-Taurine. It is important in detoxification and can even protect the body from damage caused by radiation. L-Cysteine is used in producing antioxidants and protects the brain and liver from alcohol, drugs and cigarette smoke damage. It is important for the repair of hair and nail tissue. Other benefits include healing of severe burns, formation of skin, building muscles and reducing the effects of aging. Although classified as a non-essential amino acid, in rare cases, Cysteine may be essential for individuals with metabolic diseases, infants or the elderly if a sufficient quantity of methionine is not available in the body. You can find Cysteine in many foods - chicken, pork, turkey, duck, eggs, milk, broccoli, garlic, onion, red peppers, wheat germ and oats. L-Cysteine enhances immune system function and promotes the activity of white blood cells. It is also used in treating angina, bronchitis and acute respiratory distress. During a hypoglycemia attack (too much insulin in the blood causing an unsafe drop in blood sugar) Cysteine can be used to inactivate insulin, allowing blood sugar levels to normalize. L-Cysteine supplements are recommended for bodybuilders and athletes due to the regular physical stress which weakens their immune systems. Cysteine can prevent the breakdown of muscle tissue and enhance sport endurance because it produces energy by converting to glucose. Bodybuilders can benefit form its effectiveness in building lean muscle tissue and fat burning.

Diabetics should avoid supplements that contain Cysteine because high levels of Cysteine can inactivate insulin.

L-Arginine

The L-form of arginine is one of the 20 most common natural amino acids. Arginine is a semiessential amino acid, depending on the developmental stage and health status of the individual. Infants are unable to meet their requirements and arginine is nutritionally essential for them. Most of the time this conditionally nonessential amino acid can be manufactured by the human body, and does not need to be obtained directly through the diet. The biosynthetic pathway however does not produce sufficient arginine, and some must still be consumed through diet. You can find it in a wide variety of foods (seafood, dairy products, poultry, beef, pork, oatmeal, wheat germ, some nuts and seeds). Arginine plays an important role in cell division, the healing of wounds, the release of hormones, immune function, removing ammonia from the body. It reduces adipose tissue body fat and the risk of heart disease. Arginine stimulates the release of growth hormone and increases muscle mass. It is also necessary for the synthesis of creatine. The benefits are many - synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), improved insulin sensitivity, decreased blood pressure, increased blood circulation throughout the body (including the sex organs), improved sperm production and reproductive ability.

Antioxidants

Although oxidation reactions are crucial for life, they can also be damaging. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, which start chain reactions that damage cells. An antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Low levels of antioxidants cause oxidative stress and may damage or kill cells. Diets high in fruit and vegetables, which are high in antioxidants, promote health and reduce the effects of aging. Antioxidant supplements can help prevent many diseases ( cancer, stroke and neurodegenerative diseases ). During exercise, oxygen consumption can increase vastly. This leads to a large increase in the production of oxidants and results in damage that contributes to muscular fatigue during and after exercise. Antioxidant substances include Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid), Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Glutathione, Lutein, Selenium, Beta Carotene, Lycopene, Lignan, Coenzyme Q10, Polyphenols.

Testosterone

Testosterone is a steroid hormone which is primarily secreted in the testicles of males and the ovaries of females. Small amounts are also made by the adrenal glands. It's produced in greater amounts by males, and less by females. Testosterone plays a key role in men's health. Although it is the principal male sex hormone, testosterone is very important for women too. It affects the brain, bone and muscle mass, the vascular system, fat distribution, genital tissues, sexual functioning and energy levels. Testosterone is an anabolic steroid. Its effects include

growth of muscle mass

and strength, increased bone density and strength, stimulation of linear growth and bone maturation. Its androgenic effects include male secondary sex characteristics (a deepening of the voice, growth of the beard and axillary hair etc). Anabolic steroids increase muscles' protein synthesis. As a result, muscle fibers become larger and repair faster than the average person's. If you are taking any steroids, testosterone is the core steroid you cannot go without. Caution - very high doses of testosterone bring many undesirable effects and potential long term adverse health effects.

L-Carnitine

L-Carnitine is a natural nutrient also used to be known as vitamin BT. It is a quaternary ammonium compound biosynthesized from the amino acids lysine and methionine. In living cells, it is required for the transport of fatty acids from the cytosol into the mitochondria during the breakdown of lipids (or fats) for the generation of metabolic energy. In a few words L-Carnitine turns fat into energy. Due to its fundamental role in energy metabolism, carnitine is typically used to support all bodily functions that have a high energy demand. Extensive research has shown the effectiveness of L-Carnitine in applications such as exercise, heart health, weight management, brain wellness and infant nutrition. A small amount of L-Carnitine is naturally produced on a daily basis within the human body and high concentrations of L-Carnitine are present in the human heart and in skeletal muscle. The highest concentrations of carnitine are found in red meat and dairy products.

In the course of human aging, carnitine concentration in cells diminishes, affecting fatty acid metabolism in various tissues. Carnitine has been proposed as a treatment for many conditions. Some of the conditions carnitine may help treat are serious, and in those cases the supplement should be taken under the supervision of your doctor, as an adjunct therapy to conventional medicine. For other conditions, such as fatigue or improving exercise performance, carnitine appears safe.