Scientific studies suggest fucoxanthin has strong thermogenic properties, with implications for weight reduction.  Fucoxanthin increases expression of UCP1 in white adipose tissue (WAT). WAT is the type of fat predominantly found around the belly of adults. Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are mitochondrial transporters present in cell’s inner membranes. Fucoxanthin up-regulates the expression of UCP1 in WAT, increasing heat (thermogenesis), thereby contributing to reduced WAT weight. This stimulated oxidation reduces fat in mammals. Study participants experience a metabolic rate 18.2% higher than with diet alone. This is the first observation of thermogenic effect through UCP1 expression in WAT from a carotenoid.

Preliminary results from a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of Fucoxanthin in 140 overweight female subjects after 16 weeks showed significant reduction in visceral fat and body weight. Study participants lost an average of 14.5 pounds of body weight — 11.5 pounds more than the placebo group. Body fat loss was 11.8 pounds in the fucoxanthin group, compared to just 2.8 pounds in the placebo group.

Fucoxanthin can be found in Ultra Lean FX

Click above for more info on Beta Alanine

As the research rolls in the case for beta alanine as a performance enhancer gets better and better. Read the excerpt below from a recent study conducted on beta alanine.

Researches assembled a highly trained group of 33 college football players and split them into three groups: a creatine group that took 5g twice daily; a creatine and beta-alanine group that took the same amount of creatine but with 1.6g of beta-alanine twice daily; and a placebo group, who took nothing.

Prior to and following the 10-week study, the researchers measured the athletes’ body composition, body weight, one-repetition maximum in the bench press and squat, and had them keep a log of their dietary intake.

All were placed on a weight training program that included all the usual suspects: bench press, squat, dead lift, power clean, incline press and fly, row, etc.

Here’s what they found:

• When you combine creatine and beta-alanine, your training volume goes up and you get stronger. The athletes were able to knock out more reps with the same weights, and although this was the case with the other groups, it happened to a greater and more significant extent in the creatine plus beta-alanine group.

• One-rep max, the strength measure, climbed significantly higher in both the supplemented groups. In the bench press, the athletes taking only creatine increased their one-rep max by an average of over 30 pounds while the creatine plus beta-alanine group saw it rise by roughly 25 pounds. The placebo group experienced an insignificant 12 pound bump.

• Increases in one-rep squat max were similar. Both supplemented groups experienced significant gains: roughly 50 pounds for the creatine plus beta-alanine group and just under 50 pounds for the creatine group. For comparison, the placebo group pushed up their max a meager 10 pounds.

The most impressive results of beta-alanine, at least in this study, were its effects on lean mass gains and fat loss, effects not seen in either of the two other groups.

Only in the creatine plus beta-alanine group did the investigators record a significant increase in muscle mass, with percentage of fat dropping roughly 1.2%. This adds promise to a supplement that, until this study, could only be viewed as a performance enhancer. Fat loss is also a benefit you don’t get from creatine alone.

BioRhythm Olio

Fats that Burn Fat??  This may sound like a contradiction but the research on CLA and other healthy fats is clear.  Healthy fats can promote the body’s use of fat as fuel, changing the body’s fuel source from carbohydrates and protein, allowing it to tap into fats as a source of energy.  These fats promote two actions within the body.  The first is the breakdown of fatty acids allowing them to get into the blood stream to be used as fuel.  The second is to keep excess calories from being stored as body fat.

One of our favorite products is Olio.  This product combines CLA, Olive, Flax, and Fish Oil.  This blend of healthy fats not only promotes weight loss but is good for you as well.  If you haven’t seen all the press on omega 3 (fish, flax oil) fats you will soon.  These fats promote heart health buy keeping cholesterol levels low, and reducing inflammation.

Everyone knows testosterone builds muscle and increases sex drive. The question is how to get more of it without ending up in jail and without damaging your body with the negative effects associated with anabolic steroids. This is where natural testosterone compounds come into play. These products work by helping the body produce more testosterone through its own natural processes. One of the strongest products on the market for elevating natural testosterone is Nexx Gen Nutrition’s TNT. TNT uses a blend of seven different testosterone boosting and estrogen clearing compounds. Like many natural test boosting products this formula uses a strong dose of tribulus however this is not the run of the mill tribulus used in most products. TNT uses a tribulus extract that is standardized to 40% protodioscin. Protodioscin is the active part of the tribulus plant that causes your body to increase test production. Acetyl L-Carnitine is also used in this formula for its ability to affect lutenizing hormone. This is the hormone responsible for the signal that goes from the brain to the testicles telling your body how much testosterone to produce. Acetyl L-Carnitine also boosts natural energy levels as well as helping focus and mental clarity. The compound Avena Sativa is added in for its ability to free up testosterone within the body as most of the testosterone circulating in the body is bound up by SHBGH making it unavailable for muscle building purposes. DIM and Resveratrol in TNT help the body naturally rid itself of “bad” estrogens. Eurycoma Longfolia or LongJack was added to promote an optimal hormonal balance as studies have shown it can lower cortisol and increase testosterone. Fenugreek has been shown to bind to testosterone receptors creating more testosterone without shutting off the body’s natural production. This is one of the more effective and complete formulas on the market for natural testosterone production. Check it out the next time you are looking for a boost in performance.

Vitamins are like food, make good choices and they can greatly improve your health, choose poorly and it can be a waste of money or cause undesired side effects. A good multivitamin should be food based. This means that the vitamins and minerals come from real food sources so they are in their natural form. The body will recognize these nutrients and be able to assimilate them properly, food nutrients are what the body is designed to absorb.

One of our favorite products is ANS (Advanced Natural Solutions) Natural Vita Greens. This product is a food based vitamin with a complete profile of vitamins and minerals with added green foods and antioxidants.