Bromelain is a natural powerful digestive enzyme found in pineapple. Bromelain may have blood-thinning and anti-inflammatory properties and may be helpful in supporting joint and muscle health.* In a double-blind trial, patients with sinusitis received bromelain or a placebo for six days. Both inflammation and breathing difficulty were reduced to a significantly greater extent in the bromelain group vs. the placebo.45
Coenzyme Q-10 is a naturally-occurring compound found in every cell in the body. Also known as ubiquinone, which comes from the word ubiquitous, meaning "found everywhere." CoQ10 plays a key role in producing energy in the mitochondria, the part of a cell responsible for the production of energy in the form of ATP. Coenzyme Q-10 may help support healthy heart and circulatory function as well as immune health.* In a double-blind trial, 144 people who had recently experienced a heart attack were given either placebo or 120 mg of CoQ 10 daily for 1 year, along with conventional treatment. The results showed that participants receiving CoQ 10 experienced significantly fewer heart-related problems, such as episodes of angina pectoris or arrhythmia, or recurrent heart attacks.46,47
Digestive Enzymes (Amylase, Lactase, Protease, Cellulase, Lipase) break down the nutritional components of foods (carbohydrates, protein, and fat), making these nutrients available for supporting the vital functions of the body.
Flaxseed oil is a natural oil derived from the seeds of the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum), one of the most concentrated vegetarian plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids found in nature. It is a rich source of alpha linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid that cannot be made by the body and must be obtained from diet. Some studies suggest flaxseed oil may help to promote cardiovascular, immune, and skin health.*
Fish oil is oil derived from the tissues of fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines and is a rich source of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA and DHA play important roles in normal growth and development, brain function and inflammation. Fish oil may support cardiovascular, joint and immune health and may help support digestive health.* A 4-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the potential benefits of fish oil in individuals with depression. 60% of the fish-oil treated group showed at least a 50% reduction in depression scores by the end of the trial compared to only 10% of the placebo group.48
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Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a form of linoleic acid, an omega-6 essential fatty acid that is naturally occurring in meat and dairy products. It is thought to help support healthy body composition and metabolism.* It is also thought to have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties.* A 2007 meta-analysis published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that, when taken at a dose of 3.2 grams per day, CLA produces a modest loss in body fat in humans.49
Evening primrose oil is a natural oil derived from the seeds of the evening primrose plant (Oenothera biennis). It is one of the richest sources of the essential fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and may be useful for supporting joint and skin health, as well as supporting female health.* A 2011 review of herbal therapies for rheumatoid arthritis by the Cochrane Collaboration concluded that GLA (in the form of borage oil, evening primrose oil or black current seed oil) may help reduce pain and improve function.44
Probiotics are the "good" bacteria naturally found in the digestive tract. These beneficial microorganisms may help to maintain a healthy intestinal flora and support digestive health.* They also may help maintain colon health and healthy cholesterol levels.* An 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 70 overweight people found that a probiotic treatment could reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol by about 8%.50
5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is the immediate precursor of serotonin which plays a key role in sleep, emotional moods, pain control and inflammation.* In a 6-week study of 63 people given either 5-HTP or an antidepressant in the Prozac family, researchers found equal benefit between the supplement and the drug. However, 5-HTP caused fewer and less severe side effects.52
Acetyl -l-carnitine is a molecule that occurs naturally in the brain, liver, and kidneys. It is involved in energy metabolism and may help to promote physical and mental energy.* It also has antioxidant activity and helps to promote brain function and mental acuity while protecting the brain from oxidative stress.* Acetyl-l-carnitine may also play a role in helping to regulate blood sugars and circulation.* In 2004, the journal Diabetes Care published an analysis of two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, involving a total of 1,257 people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy which evaluated the potential benefits of acetyl-l-carnitine. The results showed that use of acetyl-l-carnitine improved sensory perception and decreased pain levels, as well as appeared to promote nerve fiber regeneration.53
L-arginine is an amino acid that stimulates nitric oxide, a compound involved in circulatory and immune function. It also may help support lean muscle and metabolism of fat.* In addition, l-arginine helps support collagen synthesis and therefore may be helpful for healing and tissue repair.* It may also support male sexual function.* Three double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of individuals with congestive heart failure found that oral arginine could significantly improve symptoms as well as objective measurements of heart function.54,55,56
L-asparagine is necessary for the synthesis of many proteins and is required for a healthy central nervous system.* It is also important in the metabolism of ammonia.
L- carnitine helps transport long-chain fatty acids so they can be metabolized into energy. This is particularly important in organs such as the heart, which uses fatty acids as a primary source of energy. Therefore, l-carnitine may help support heart health, in addition to supporting healthy fat metabolism and liver health.* It may also help to regulate blood sugars.* In one controlled study of individuals with exercise-induced angina, it was found that those taking carnitine showed improvement in several measures of heart function, including a significantly greater ability to exercise without chest pain.57
L-cysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that helps synthesize keratin, a protein found in skin, hair and nails. It is also an antioxidant which is a precursor to l-glutathione, which is involved in one of the body's detoxification systems and may support a healthy liver.* It also may help to support muscle and joint health.*
L-glutamine is a major fuel source for intestinal, immune, and brain cells and therefore may support healthy brain function, digestion and immune health.* It also regulates nitrogen transport to and from muscle tissue, thereby helping to support lean muscle.* It may also help play a role in regulating blood sugar.* A double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the benefits of supplemental glutamine taken at the end of exercise in endurance athletes and found a significant decrease in infections among treated athletes. Only 19% of the athletes taking glutamine got sick, as compared to 51% of those on placebo.58
L-glycine is involved in protein synthesis and therefore may help support muscle repair and formation.* It also is an important amino acid in the structure of collagen and therefore may help promote healthy tissues and healing.* Glycine's potential usefulness for treating individuals who have undergone strokes was investigated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 200 participants. The results suggest that glycine can protect against the spreading damage to the brain that usually follows a stroke and can prevent neural damage.59
L-histidine is an amino acid that is used to develop and maintain healthy tissues in all parts of the body. It may possess anti-inflammatory properties. It also stimulates the release of the digestive enzyme gastrin and may help support healthy digestion.* It is also required by the body to regulate and utilize essential trace minerals such as copper, zinc, iron, manganese and molybdenum.*
L-isoleucine is a branched-chain amino acid that along with the other two branched-chain amino acids (valine and leucine) helps to promote muscle repair and health.* Isoleucine is also broken down for energy within the muscle tissue and therefore helps support energy production.* Isoleucine is also involved in hemoglobin formation and may help to support healthy blood sugar levels.* A 2011 study in the Journal of Nutrition found that a higher dietary branched chain amino acid (isoleucine, leucine, and valine) intake is associated with lower prevalence of overweight status/obesity among healthy middle-aged adults from east Asian and western countries.60
L-leucine is a branched-chain amino acid that works along with the other branched-chain amino acids isoleucine and valine to repair and protect muscle.* Leucine also helps promote growth hormone production and may promote the healing of bones, skin, and muscle tissue.* It also may help to regulate blood sugar.* A 2011 study in the Journal of Nutrition found that a higher dietary branched chain amino acid (isoleucine, leucine, and valine) intake is associated with lower prevalence of overweight status/obesity among healthy middle-aged adults from east Asian and western countries.60
L-lysine is an essential amino acid that may have anti-viral properties and may help support the health of the immune system.* It is also used by the body to produce collagen and therefore may support healthy skin.* In addition, it plays a role in supporting muscle and bone health as well as lipid metabolism.*
A 1997 review found that when taken in sufficient doses, regular use of lysine supplements might be able to reduce the number and intensity of herpes flare-ups.61
L-methionine is an essential amino acid that acts as a powerful antioxidant. The body is able to convert methionine to cysteine which acts as a precursor to the detoxifying antioxidant l-glutathione. Methionine also helps to support fat metabolism and may support liver and arterial health.* A 2006 study found evidence that methionine supplements might improve immune function in people with HIV.62
L-phenylalanine plays a key role in the synthesis of tyrosine, an amino acid that is required for synthesis of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, brain chemicals that are involved in supporting healthy mood and brain function.* Two double-blind comparative studies found that phenylalanine may be as effective as the antidepressant drug imipramine, and possibly work more quickly.63,64
Serine is needed to produce tryptophan, an amino acid that is used to make serotonin, a brain chemical that supports a healthy mood.* It also is a component of the phospholipid phosphatidylserine, which is found in high concentrations in the brain and may help support overall mental function.*
L-taurine plays a variety of roles in maintaining the normal functioning of the brain, eyes, heart and vascular system.* It also helps to support the immune system and blood glucose control.* In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of people with congestive heart failure, those taking taurine (vs. placebo) showed highly significant improvement in breathlessness, heart palpitations, fluid buildup, and heart x-ray, as well as standard scales of heart failure severity.65
L-theanine is an amino acid commonly found in green tea that helps to support GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) levels. GABA is an important neurotransmitter involved in nervous system function. L-theanine helps maintain GABA levels and may help to promote a calm, relaxed mood.* It may also help to support the immune system and may have cell-protective properties.* Studies have shown l-theanine to have a direct influence on brain activity, such as reducing stress.
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