BCAA is the abbreviation for Branched–chain amino acids. This is sometimes used to describe those amino acids that have aliphatic side-chains and are nonlinear. They are isoleucine, leucine, and valine. These three essential amino acids total up to approximately thirty three percent of skeletal muscle in the human body and it plays a crucial role in protein synthesis as well. BCAA is clinically used on burn victims and also to boost the strength of athletes. Bodybuilders show great interest in BCAA because it gets metabolized in the muscles and can be utilized to build proteins and produce energy. Studies reveal that, BCAA when regularly used increases hormone growth in the blood, thus resulting in improved muscular activity. Combining BCAA with beta-alanine reduces muscle injury.

Benfotiamine B1- Benfotiamine is a form of thiamine that is lipid soluble. In recent studies benfotiamine has been found to help with sciatica, vascular health, general nerve health, improved blood pressure, general cellular protection, anti-aging, fibromyalgia, prevention of lactic acidosis, and treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.  It is being used in neuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy. It strengthens the nervous system and even improves mental attitude. It is necessary in the treatment of beriberi, neuritis, and alcoholism. It can aide in digestion, fight sea sickness, promote growth, repel biting insects, and helps to regulate the heart.

Beta Carotene is rich in antioxidants and can be converted into vitamin A. Vitamin A is used in for several biological functions including the syntheses of certain glycoprotiens. Vitamin A deficiencies are linked to abnormal bone development, problems in the reproductive system, and exophthalmia. Beta carotene is converted into retinol. Retinol is essential for vision. Retinol is also converted into retinoic acid which is used for growth and cell differentiation. Beta carotene is naturally occurring in fruits, grains, oils, vegetables, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, spinach, green peppers, and apricots. Beta carotene is produced commercially from palm oil, algae, and fungi.

Biotin is required for the fatty acids and glucose formation so that essential energy is produced. Biotin also assists in the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Biotin is available in food naturally and the dietary sources of biotin comprise of brewer’s yeast, cauliflower, bananas, egg yolks, salmon, liver, sardines, mushrooms and legumes. The deficiency of biotin is uncommon. The other possibilities for having biotin as deficiency is genetic biotin deficiency, surgical stomach removal, excessive consumption of alcohol and infant dermatitis. Biotin deficiency leads to hair loss, skin rash, heart problems and high cholesterol. Biotin supplements are effective for eczema, acne, diaper rash, brittle nails and hair loss. People having a history of seizures should avoid using biotin. This is a B vitamin that helps in converting food to energy. It is mandatory that minimum 30 mg is taken daily as there are adequate health benefits. Normal biotin intake strengthens fingernails and also controls blood sugar levels.

Boron is a trace element with several health benefits. It is used for hormone regulation as it increases estrogen levels in post-menopausal women. It improves cognitive function for improved performance of hand-eye coordination, attention, perception, and memory. Boron may also be beneficial for people with joint disorders such as osteoarthritis. Boron helps regulate the use of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus in the body. In one study it was shown to control cell growth. This mineral also plays a role in how the body uses energy from fats and sugars.

Bromelain ~

Calcium, a mineral vital to the human body, Calcium is necessary for many bodily functions, such as muscle contraction, and proper heart function.

Choline- Grouped with the Vitamin B complex, choline is deemed an essential nutrient. It is a natural amine and an organic compound, which serves several physiological purposes. Choline improves the structural integrity of cell membranes and provides signaling roles, assisting with the system of communication, which controls basic cellular activities and manages cell actions. Deemed a nootropic drug, choline as a dietary supplement is supposed to increase the cognitive behaviour and alertness. As a building block of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, choline certainly seems to be nootropic, but recently the application of choline as a nutritional supplement helping to reduce body fat because of the activity in the lipid metabolism was observed. Infant formulas that are not derived from cow’s milk are ordered by the FDA to supplement choline.

Chromium.

Copper is a naturally occurring mineral in foods like shell fish, vegetables, avocado fruits, legumes, grains, nuts, and beef. As copper originates from the earth's crust, the surface water and ground water contains small traces of copper. Copper is implicated in many biochemical reactions within the human cells.

Creatine Monohydrate- Creatine is a naturally occurring compound that is formed in the various organs of the body, such as the pancreas, kidneys and the liver. Through the bloodstream it is transported to the muscles in the body. Creatine helps in building lean muscle mass and is extremely important to people who are into body building. Creatine monohydrate is a well known supplement that is used by a large number of athletes. Creatine monohydrate also has the ability to release the reserves of energy stored in the muscular tissues, thereby making it extremely important to athletes. Creatine, however, does have side effects that can cause cramps in the stomach, vomiting and dehydration, due to its ability to draw out water from the cells in the muscular tissue.

Folic Acid, also known as Vitamin B9 or Folacin is a water-soluble vitamin. It is very essential to several bodily functions including nucleotide synthesis to the remethylation of homocysteine. Vitamin B9 is also very important during the periods of rapid cell division and growth and thus it is essential that pregnant women have an adequate intake of folic acid. This is also because Vitamin B9 helps protect against a number of congenital malformations like spina bifida etc. Vitamin B9 should be a part of the diet of both adults and children as it is required to produce healthy red blood cells as well as prevent anemia. It is also necessary for fertility in both men and women. It isn’t difficult ingesting vitamin B9 since it is present in green leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuce, beans, peas, sunflower seeds, liver, baker’s yeast etc.

Inositol named as “myo inositol” is a nutrient that is considered to occur naturally and considered as “carbocyclic polyol”. One of the major advantage that inositol has is the prevention of fat formation around the liver. It is also good to promote healthy, thick hair growth. It improves the body metabolism by better conversion of nutrients into energy. Insufficient amount of inositol in the body can be dangerous leading to vision problems, constipation, hair loss and high cholesterol. Much has been talked about inositol being beneficial for the human body however; there is no good evidence that proves any noticeable difference by extra addition of inositol in ones diet. Some good sources of inositol include read beans, kidney beans, cantaloupes, organs and many more.

Iodine, a necessary element used by the body to make the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine. These Thyroid hormones are needed to maintain a healthy metabolic rate and cellular metabolism.

Isoleucine- An important essential amino acid is isoleucine which is also part of the three “branched chain amino acids” along with leucine and valine. Since it is an essential amino acid it cannot be synthesized in the body and thus isoleucine has to be ingested in the diet (almonds, chicken, eggs, cashews, fish, lentils, liver, meat etc.). Isoleucine is required for muscle recovery and also for the formation of haemoglobin. Isoleucine also assists in regulating blood sugar levels and energy levels. It is also involved in blood-clot formation. Isoleucine deficiency is present only in those people who are lacking in protein intake. Deficiency may lead to dizziness, fatigue, depression etc. Excessive amounts of isoleucine doesn’t seem to be a problem though it isn’t recommended for those with kidney or liver disease.

Leucine is an essential amino acid that works together with isoleucine and valine, forming the three branched chain amino acids (BCAA). Leucine is easily converted by to body to glucose, helping to regulate and maintain the blood sugar level. Leucine promotes muscle recovery, muscle repair and provides the body with energy. It also helps in burning fat that are least responsive to exercise and dieting. Leucine helps in toning the body and the muscles. Leucine prevents muscle loss by breaking down and converting to glucose, this prevents the body from breaking down muscle tissues to create energy, particularly during intense workouts and heavy weight lifting.

Magnesium is essential to all living cells and is a vital component to a healthy diet. Calcium absorption for the body largely depends on magnesium to facilitate this.

Manganese is a mineral that is required in small amounts to manufacture enzymes necessary for the metabolism of proteins and fat. It also aids the immune system and blood sugar balance. Manganese is also involved in the production of cellular energy, reproduction and bone growth.

Molybdenum is essential in regulating pH balance in the body, enhancing the body’s ability to burn fat. Very small amounts are needed. Molybdenum is necessary for the proper function of certain enzyme-dependent processes, including the metabolism of iron. Molybdenum also promotes normal cell function and helps in the activation of certain enzymes, it is a key component of the metabolic enzyme xanthine oxidase. Molybdenum is found in the liver, bones and kidneys. It supports bone growth and teeth strength. A deficiency may cause impotence in older men. High intakes of sulfur and diets high in refined and processed foods may decrease molybdenum levels.There is no recommended dietary allowance for molybdenum.

Pancreatin is an enzyme used to enhance low levels of digestive enzymes. It is often used by people having cystic fibrosis. It heals deficiency of pancreatic secretions. Also known as pancreatic acid, it is beneficial in cases of food allergies, autoimmune disease, celiac disease, cancer, and weight loss. Pancreatin is a mixture of pancreatic enzymes trypsin, amylase, and lipase, and is very similar in nature to another enzyme called pancrelipase. The main thing differentiating the two enzymes is that pancrelipase has more active lipase enzyme than pancreatin. Pancreatin is an efficacious enzyme supplement for replacing missing pancreatic enzymes that are essential in a number of body processes. It also helps eradicate routine cancer.

Pantothenic Acid is widely used for its effective use to treat acne. It is also used to relieve pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis and to relieve morning stiffness. Deficiency of Pantothenic acid is rare but can cause nausea, fatigue, headache and skin abnormalities. It plays a key role in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats to release energy. It is also vital in antibody formation which helps in building immune system and preventing infections.

Papain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes derived from the fruits of papaya and certain other plants. It helps catalyze several chemical reactions within the cells, particularly digestive enzymes. Papain acts by mildly soothing the stomach and aids in the digestion of protein. It relieves heartburn, indigestion, treat ulcer, and regulates the acidity in the stomach. In fact, Papain is often used tenderizer for meat. It is also an effective anti-inflammatory agent. It is also used to dissolve membranes in diphtheria and reduce fever, swelling and adhesion. Topically, it is used to cure boils, warts and freckes, and to treat burns and sore throat. Papain also has anticarcinogenic properties.

Selenium , an essential mineral that is toxic at high dosages. Selenium plays an important function in the antioxidant enzymes that protect cells against free radicals. Selenium also promotes proper thyroid hormone metabolism.

Valine- One of the several essential amino acids present in the human body is Valine. This is also a nonpolar, branched chain amino acid which is found in high concentrations in the muscles. Since it is an essential amino acid, valine is not synthesised in the body and thus must be ingested as part of the diet. Valine is available through foods like fish, poultry, peanuts, sesame seeds, lentils and cottage cheese. Valine is essential for muscle, growth and repair of tissue and for maintaining the body’s nitrogen balance. Since it has a branched chain, valine can be used as an energy source in the muscles and thus conserves glucose. Hence valine is often used by bodybuilders to support muscle growth and provide energy. A deficiency of valine in the body, caused by the inability of the body to metabolise valine leads to the Maple Syrup Urine Disease in which the person’s urine smells like maple syrup.

Vitamin B12, or rather the Vitamin B complex, is a group of vitamins that are all soluble in water and very often coexist in food sources. While every single Vitamin from the B complex group has a name, they are very often referred to by the number added to the Vitamin B group name, like Vitamin B1, which is thiamine, or Vitamin B2, which is riboflavin. Some other compounds have been added to the Vitamin B group at some time, but were later dropped, like adenine, orotic acid or adenosine monophosphate, where later research found that they are either synthesized by the human body or simply no Vitamins. Vitamin B complex supports the metabolism rate, maintains muscle tone and skin, raises functions of the nervous system and the immune system, promotes red blood cells and cell growth and division and much more.

Vitamin B2 , an easily absorbed micronutrient, is also known by the name of Riboflavin. It plays a key role in maintaining the health of animals as well as humans. A wide variety if cellular processes require this vitamin. It plays a key role in energy metabolism, just like other B vitamins. It is the kind of micronutrient which required for the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and ketone bodies. There are a lot of food products that are a good source of Vitamin B2. Matured soybeans, yeast, mushroom, livers, kidneys, leafy vegetables, milk, cheese, almonds are such products that are rich in this vitamin. But riboflavin does get destroyed if exposed to light. Riboflavin is a non toxic vitamin. Hence, there is no harm in taking it orally.

Vitamin B3, commonly called Niacin, exists in two main forms, niacin and niacinamide. The niacin form produces a flushing and itching of the skin when taken at higher dosages and this feeling is only temporary.

Vitamin B5, is water soluble and is needed by every cell in the body to maintain good health. It helps in breaking down carbohydrates, fats and proteins to provide the body with energy. It assists in the production of red blood cells and hormones and ensures a healthy pregnancy. It is also known to lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the body. It helps in reducing stress and treating people with rheumatoid arthritis. Pantothenic acid is found in small quantities in almost all foods but abundantly in meats, fish, poultry, avocados, peas, broccoli and whole grains. A deficiency which is rare, leads to leg cramps, gastrointestinal problems, anemia, insomnia, depression, a burning sensation in the limbs and a weakened immune system.

Vitamin B6 is soluble in water and is essential for good health. Our nervous system is dependent on this vitamin to function properly. It keeps the thymus, lymph nodes and the spleen that make white blood cells healthy, through cellular growth and protein metabolism. A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to a weakened ability to fight infections and will weaken the immune system. Vitamin B6 helps in the formation of Hemoglobin which increases the oxygen that is carried to the tissues. A deficiency can cause a type of anemia. Vitamin B6 helps to convert carbohydrates and other nutrients into glucose which maintains the sugar levels in our blood stream. Vitamin B6 is available in meat, fish, fortified cereals, poultry, some fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin C is L-ascorbic acid, or the active component of Vitamin C. Ascorbate, which is an ion of the ascorbic acid, is required for many metabolic reactions and is manufactured internally by most organisms, except humans. It is an essential nutrient and needs to be provided through nutrition. While oranges were traditionally deemed a good source of Vitamin C, the amount provided by an orange is dwarfed by the amount provided by the kakadu plum the richest Vitamin C plant resource of the world. Other notable sources are red peppers, parsley, Kiwifruit, Guava, Broccoli, Camu Camu, rose hip, Jujube, papaya, strawberries, lemon, melon and similar. Vitamin C is essential for tyrosine, carnitine and collagen synthesis, is the most widely available antioxidant and furthermore is vital for blood vessels, cartilage and scar tissue.

Vitamin D is actually a group of prohormones, all fat soluble, whereby ergocalciferol, or Vitamin D2 and cholecalciferol, also known as Vitamin D3 are the most common forms. The Vitamin D3 form is made when human skin is exposed to UV B radiation. The active form of Vitamin D is calcitrol and it is required in the body to manage phosphorus and calcium levels, but, among other functions, to affect anti tumor activity, immunomodulatory functions and much more. Vitamin D, or more accurately calcitrol, is being bound to a carrier protein, which allows it to be transported throughout the body to the various destinations. The Vitamin D receptors, steroid and thyroid hormone receptors, can be found in most organs, including the brain, skin, heart, breast, prostate and gonads.

Vitamin E consists of eight related vitamins that are all fat soluble and have antioxidant properties. The alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopherols with the corresponding tocotrienols all belong to the Vitamin E group, whereby the alpha-tocopherol has been found to be the most bioavailable form. Vitamin E is commonly found in food sources like eggs, milk, nuts, seeds, vegetable oil like olive oil, wholegrain foods, wheat germ, red palm oil, but also in asparagus and avocado fruits. While Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, several other properties have been noted as well, such as prevention of damage to neurons, cholesterol reduction and cancer prevention. Vitamin E has been also identified as a vital signaling molecule, whereby the primary necessity of Vitamin E to human survival is still not clear.

Vitamin K- The lipophillic, hydrophobic vitamins needed for the posttranslational modification of certain proteins is denoted by the Vitamin K. It is required mostly for blood coagulation. K3, K4 and K5 are the three types of synthetic Vitamin K that are used in many areas. Pet food industry makes use of Vitamin K3 whereas Vitmanin K5 is used to inhibit fungal growth. The main sources of vitamin K are spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and a few fruits like kiwifruit and avocado. Recent research shows that vitamin K helps in increasing bone mass. Research also shows that the consumption of vitamin K helps in promoting osteotrophic processes while at the same time slowing the osteoclastic processes. This process is done by achieving the calcium bonding in the bones.

Zinc is an essential mineral that is used in many healing processes to speed up the healing process in instance that include sunburned skin, diaper rash and helps prevent premature aging of the skin.