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Advantura Citrus Aurantium (Synephrine extract or Citrus aurantium)

Bitter Orange, also known as Seville Orange was known to the early Greeks, and was probably the first orange grown in Europe in the 12th century. The unripe peel contains appreciable quantities of neohesperidin (14%), and five adrenergic amines (synephrine, N-methyltyramine, hordenine, ocdtopamine, and tyramine).

Synephrine is a well known bronchial dilator, and is used extensively in with diet pills and weight loss formulas. It also serves as a substitute for ephedrine and caffeine. Its primary use is to treat chest congestion and indigestion, stimulate gastrointestinal functions, and improve circulatory and liver functions.

It has been clinically shown that the combination of these adrenergic amines stimulate beta-3 receptors with minimal impact on other receptor sites. This increases the metabolic rate without affecting heart rate or blood pressure. They release adrenaline and noradrenaline only in the beta-3 receptor sites (mostly adipose tissue and the liver.) It does NOT cross the blood-brain barrier.

Stimulation of the beta-3 receptor sites elicits the breakdown of lipolysis (fat.) Simultaneously, this stimulation increases the metabolic rate (thermogenesis), which burns calories. 

Synephrine offers all the advantages of a stimulant, without the drawbacks. It functions to burn fat, increase physical performance, and build lean muscle mass.

Synephrine functions in three specific ways: it burns fat, increases physical performance, and helps build lean muscle mass.

Source: www.nwbotanicals.org

Grapefruit Seed

Grapefruit Seed is an active botanical extract that may be one of the most powerful supplements that effectively helps to destroy bacteria, viruses, fungal strains and many kinds of parasites, microbes and disease-causing pathogens.

Moreover, the high vitamin-C content is a potent immune enhancer that helps to ward off colds and flu; and the biotin in its high vitamin-B content helps to efficiently utilize dietary body fats.

The Grapefruit tree is from the pomelo (Citrus maxima) family, a native to India and other parts of Asia.

Botanically, it only distinguished itself from the pomelo in the 1830s, when it got the name Citrus paradisi. Grapefruit came to Florida about 1809, and did not extend west until the advent of the railroads, but the fruit grows now in warm climates throughout the world, where it thrives as a crop in light, sandy, well-drained soil in full sun with ample moisture during the growing season.

Antioxidant Activity

Bioflavonoids, also called Flavonoids, are natural plant pigments. They are a group of antioxidant substances present in most plants, concentrating in seeds, bark, flowers, and fruit skin or peel. The human body cannot produce these phytochemicals, so we must get them through diet or supplementation.

Vitamin C Synergy

Bioflavonoids have a synergistic effect on Vitamin C activity. An interesting observation (made by some Indian researchers from the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences) relates that vitamin C in the extract of the fruit amla has more than ten times the bio-availability of synthetic Vitamin C. Careful analysis reveals that the bioflavonoid tannins present in the amla fruit protected and enhanced the vitamin C activity.

Source: www.algaecal.com

Mango Fruit Extract

The raw mango is a valuable source of vitamin C. It contains more vitamin C than half-ripe or fully ripe mangoes. It is also a good source of vitamin B1 and B2 and contains sufficient quantity of niacin. These vitamins differ in concentration in various varieties during the stages of maturity and environmental conditions. The ripe fruit is very wholesome and nourishing. The chief food ingredient of mango is sugar. The acids contained in the fruit are tartaric acid and malic acid, besides a trace of citric acid. The human body uses these acids to help maintain the alkali reserve of the body.

Natural Benefits and Curative Properties

The mango is famous for its medicinal properties both in unripe and ripe states. The unripe fruit is acidic, astringent and anti scorbutic. The skin of the unripe fruit is astringent and stimulant tonic.

The bark is also astringent and has a marked action on mucous membranes.

The ripe mango is anti-scorbutic, diuretic, laxative, invigorating and astringent. It tones up the heart muscle, improves complexion and stimulates appetite. It increases the seven body nutrients, called 'dhatus' in Ayurveda. They are food juice, blood, flesh, fat, bone marrow and semen. The fruit is beneficial in liver disorders, loss of weight and other physical disturbances.

Natural benefits of the Mango

• Gastro-Intestinal Disorders: Unripe green mangoes are beneficial in the treatment of gastro-intestinal disorders. Eating one or two small tender mangoes in which the seed is not fully formed with salt and honey is found to be very effective medicine for summer diarrhea, dysentery, piles, morning sickness, chronic dyspepsia, indigestion and constipation.
• Bilious Disorders: Mangoes are an excellent fruit remedy for bilious disorders. The acids contained in the green mango increase the secretion of bile and act as an intestinal antiseptic. Therefore, green mango tones up the liver and keeps it healthy.
• Blood Disorders: The mango is valuable in blood disorders because of its high vitamin C content. It increases the elasticity of the blood vessels and helps the formation of new blood cells. It aids the absorption of food-iron and prevents bleeding tendencies. It increases body resistance against tuberculosis, anemia, cholera and dysentery.
• Loss of Weight: The mango is an ideal ingredient for loss of weight. The mango is rich in sugar but deficient in protein. Mangos thus combine very well with other fruit sources and lead to improvement in health, vigor and weight control.

Source: www.best-home-remedies.com

Bromelain

Bromelain reduces pain associated with arthritis.

In a clinical study of adults who experienced mild acute knee pain for three months or less, Bromelain demonstrated anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, reducing the symptoms of osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis.

In one study, volunteers who suffered from knee pain were randomly allocated to groups to receive either 200 mg or 400 mg of Bromelain per day. Patients in both treatment groups showed a significant reduction in pain, with greater relief reported by those patients given the higher dose. The patients also reported less stiffness in their knees and improved physical function. The researchers concluded, "Bromelain may be effective in ameliorating physical symptoms and improving general well-being in otherwise healthy adults suffering from mild knee pain in a dose-dependant manner."

Bromelain acts as a blood thinning agent (anti-coagulant properties of Bromelain)

Bromelain, an extract from pineapple stem, has demonstrated antithrombotic and anticoagulant activities in vivo. Bromelain reduced the adhesion of bound, thrombin stimulated, fluorescent-labeled platelets to bovine aorta endothelial cells, and demonstrated to be as effective as the proteases papain and trypsin, based on mass concentrations.

Bromelain acts with the body to activate the body's own natural immune response

A healthy immune response is critical for effective immunity against disease. In a study conducted in London, England doctors demonstrated that Bromelain can help the immune response by enhancing IFN-gamma-mediated nitric oxide and TNFalpha production by macrophages.

Bromelain's effect was independent of endotoxin receptor activation and not by direct modulation of IFN-gamma receptors. The researchers concluded, "These results indicate a potential role for Bromelain in the activation of inflammatory responses in situations where they may be deficient, such as may occur in immunocompromised individuals."

Other proposed uses

Bromelain has also shown promise treating sepsis in children, as a therapy for people in treatment for autoimmune disorders, and as an effective treatment to improve protein utilization in nursing home patients.

Source: www.bromelain.net

Papaya Leaf (Also known as Carica papaya, Custard Apple Leaf.)

The papaya is a small tropical tree with a straight stem marked by scars where leaves have fallen directly from it. Papayas do not have branches. The papaya fruit is pear-shaped with a bright golden-yellow skin. The flesh of the fruit is a brighter orange-yellow, juicy and silky smooth, with a sweet and sour flavor. The shiny gray or black seeds in the interior of the fruit have a peppery taste and are edible.

The papaya is an extraordinarily useful plant. In the tropics around the world papaya is the breakfast fruit, served either green or ripe. The juice is a popular beverage, and the leaves and young stems are steamed and served as a vegetable. The fruit yields an enzyme, papain, best known as a digestive aid but most commonly used to "clear" freshly brewed beer.

The leaf contains beta-carotene, calcium, carpaine, fats, flavonols, niacin, papain, tannins, and vitamin C (in higher concentration in the leaf than in the fruit). The leaf, unlike the fruit, is not a source of the protein-dissolving enzyme papain, but the latex (sap) in the leaf stem is. Papain remains in leaf preparations dried over low heat, but it may be destroyed in products that are dried at high heat.

For convenience you take it as a capsule or extract.

Source www.wikipedia.com

Spirulina

Why is spirulina a "superfood?"

Because it contains the most remarkable concentration of nutrients known in any food, plant, grain or herb. It's the highest protein food- over 60% all digestible vegetable protein. It has the highest concentration of beta-carotene, vitamin B-12, iron and trace minerals and the rare essential fatty acid GLA. These make spirulina a great whole food alternative to isolated vitamin and minerals.

The scientific research with spirulina identifies some unusual health giving phytonutrients. What are they?

Spirulina's dark color comes from a rainbow of natural pigments. They harvest sunlight at different wavelengths and protect from too much sun. These pigments offer unusual health benefits and help synthesize many enzymes necessary for regulating body metabolism. They are chlorophyll (green), carotenoids (yellow and orange) and phycocyanin (blue), the dominant color.

Beta Carotene is an anti-cancer antioxidant nutrient. Is natural different from synthetic beta-carotene?

Spirulina is the richest Beta Carotene food, with a full spectrum of ten mixed carotenoids. About half are orange carotenes: alpha, beta and gamma and half are yellow xanthophylls. They work synergistically at different sites in our body to enhance antioxidant protection.

What are the benefits for an aging population?

Spirulina is an ideal anti-aging food: concentrated nutrient value and easily digested and loaded with antioxidants. Beta Carotene is good for healthy eyes and vision. This all-vegetable, low fat protein means we can lighten up on a meat-centered diet that can aggravate arthritis and raise cholesterol. When we choose to eat less meat, vegetables like spirulina are good sources of more iron and essential minerals.

As people age, many who don't eat enough, eat restricted diets or suffer from poor digestion may experience low energy from being undernourished. Spirulina builds healthy lactobacillus, aiding assimilation and elimination and relieving constipation. Older people really notice an energy boost. In Japan, 73% of those taking spirulina are over 50 years old!

Source: www.healthrecipes.com