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Hydrolyzed collagen protein (HCP, also known as gelatin) is the chief structural protein that makes up connective tissues in the body (skin, hones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments}. Hydrolyzed collagen is simply a modified form of the protein that has been broken down into smaller pieces by enzymes. The hydrolysis process disrupts the ability of collagen to form a gel and thus makes the protein easier to incorporate into dietary products and may ease the digestion and absorption of the amino acids by the intestine. HCP is often used as a general protein source in bodybuilding products because it is relatively inexpensive, but the use of I ICPas a protein for muscle building is flawed because of the incomplete nature of the amino acid profile in gelatin. Because of the high composition of amino acids found in collagen protein, HCP has most recently been used to promote joint health, nourish cartilage and bones, and help athletes recover from exercise and sports-related injuries.

JAs a joint support supplement, HCP is typically much less expensive compared with other popular joint supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin, but the To Read More Click Here

5-HTP (5 hydroxy-tryptophan) is a naturally occurring substance in the human body that is also the rate-limiting step in the biochemical synthesis of serotonin. In this synthesis, [,-tryptophan is converted to 5-HTP by the enzyme tryptophan hydrolase, and then serotonin is produced from 5-HTP. If the tryptophan hydrolase enzyme is inhibited, serotonin is not produced. Several factors might inhibit this enzyme, such as stress, vitamin B6 deficiency, insufficient magnesium, and insulin resistance. No significant level of 5-HTP is in the diet, but dietary supplements of 5-HTP made from the African plant Griffonin simplicifolia are available. Supplementation of 5-HTP bypasses any deficiency or dysfunction in this enzyme’s metabolism of serotonin and therefore results in higher serotonin levels.

Although the hypothesis that serotonin levels can be improved with the supplementation of 5-11TP is probable, the clinical evidence for its efficacy is poor, and more well-designed studies are needed to ascertain which conditions respond best to supplementation. Additionally, wider availability of 5-HTP supplements requires quality assurances To Read More Click Here

Vegetarianism is the practice of eating a plant-based diet of fruits, seeds, vegetables, nuts and beans. Vegetarians typically eat eggs, dairy products and other animal derivatives, while vegans steer completely clear of anything containing animal products. The commonality between the different levels of vegetarianism is that none eat the actual meat of an animal.

Beyond this common tie, however, there is perhaps surprising variation among the diets of those who consider themselves to be vegetarians. For example, lacto-vegetarians include milk in their diet, while ovo-vegetarians eat eggs, and lacto-ovos eat both. Pure vegans, meanwhile, do not use any products containing animal derivatives, which may even extend to the use of cosmetics and other products that were tested on animals. At the other end of the spectrum, semi-vegetarians exclude most meat from their diet, particularly meat from mammals, although they will eat poultry and fish. Raw vegetarianism allows only the consumption of uncooked nuts, fruits, seed or vegetables. Fruitarianism is a group of vegetarians who insist on eating only fruits, nuts, seeds and plant matter which To Read More Click Here

Choline is an essential B vitamin that functions as a precursor for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and as a bull ding block for phospholipids in cellular membranes and lipoproteins and for the methyl donor betaine. It can be manufactured in the body (from the amino acid methionine), although whether it can be made in sufficient amounts for optimal health is a matter of some debate. Folk acid and vitamin B12 are also needed to process choline. Choline plays a role in liver function, cardiovascular health, and brain development {as an amine precursor for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine). In 1998, the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) of the National Academy of Sciences established adequate intake (AI) levels for choline of 550 mg/day for men and 425 mg/day for women. In setting AI levels for choline, the FNB also noted that “there are few data to assess whether a dietary supply of choline is needed at all stages of the life cycle and it may be that choline requirement can be met by endogenous synthesis at some of these stages” (National Academy of Sciences, 1998).

Nevertheless, numerous cboline-based dietary supplements To Read More Click Here

Feverfew is a member of the daisy family. It has been used in traditional medicine as far back as the first century for inflammatory conditions and to prevent the occurrence of migraine headaches. Traditionally consumed as whole fresh or dried leaves or as a tea, feverfew is available in supplemental form as an encapsulated powder standardized for the potential active ingredient known as par-thenolide. Although many feverfew extracts are standardized to parthenolide, the predominant sesquiterpene lactone, it is unknown whether parthenolide is necessary for the antimigraine effect for which feverfew supplements are so popular and effective, feverfew extracts standardized for parthenolide, as well as extracts not standardized, have been shown effective for reducing the occurrence of migraine headaches and for reducing the severity and range of side effects of migraine episodes thai do occur.

Migraines can cause excruciating pain and often completely incapacitate the sufferer, feverfew is relatively inexpensive and safe and has shown clear effects in reducing the number of migraine attacks in some people. Although some studies suggest that To Read More Click Here