Caffeine, is a naturally produced medicine from the seeds and leaves of many plants. It is also produced unnaturally to add to certain foods. Caffeine is termed as a medicine because it arouses the central nervous system, causing enhanced alertness. Caffeine gives most people a short-term energy boost and bump up mood. Caffeine is present in tea, many soft drinks, coffee, chocolate, and pain relievers and other over-the-counter medicines. Caffeine tastes very bitter in its natural form. However, most caffeinated drinks undergo processing to cover-up the bitter taste. You may feel caffeine’s effects for up to 6 hours though it is not stored in the body.

Creatine Monohydrate is an organic acid that is naturally found in humans. First discovered in 1832, the primary function of creatine monohydrate is to help in supplying energy to the muscles. About half of the stored creatine monohydrate in the body comes from food sources, mostly meat. Vegetarians tend to show lower levels of creatine monohydrate since vegetables don’t contain this acid. However since meat tends to contain high levels of saturated fat which is not good for the heart, one way in which creatine monohydrate can be made available is through supplements. In fact many body builders take creatine supplements to help in increasing muscle mass. Creatine monohydrate has also been shown to cause slight increase in strength in those with neuromuscular disorders and is now being considered as a therapy for several diseases like Parkinson’s, Huntington’s etc. especially because it is considered safe and so far has exhibited no side effects.

Glucuronolactone is produced in the human body by the metabolism of glucose in the liver. This naturally occurring chemical is an essential structural element of all connective tissues. Also found in plant gums, glucuronolactone speeds up the removal of harmful exogenic as well as endogenic substances to detoxify the body. This is used as an important ingredient in many popular energy drinks as it not only helps in fighting stress but also gives a sense of well being. MultiVit Rx can be a very healthy option if you want to take Glucuronolactone for enhancing your energy level. This metabolite has been clinically approved for reducing sleepiness. It can be extremely beneficial in enhancing memory, concentration and mental performance of a healthy individual. Deficiency of Glucuronolactone is very rare.

L-Histidine is an essential amino acid that produces histamine, which aides with allergy systems.

L-Isoleucine is an essential alpha-amino acid that is considered both, a ketogenic and a glucogenic amino acid. Since that L-Isoleucine is an essential amino acid, it cannot be synthesized by the body, therefore it needs to be ingested. The primary source of L-Isoleucine is as a component of proteins. It has become a prominent component of nutritional supplements, mostly with the body building and similar athletic communities, where it is believed that L-Isoleucine has the capability to increase endurance, but also to repair muscle tissue. It has been observed that L-Isoleucine ingestion allows power athletes to recover easier from very tough trainings and exhausting activities. This branched chain amino acid is one of the three main BCAA in the body, the other ones being valine and leucine.

L-Leucine with the food additive E number code E641 is classified as a flavor enhancer. Leucine is actually an essential alpha-amino acid and a vital part of so called “buffer” proteins, such as ferritin and astacin. You can find leucine in foods such as whole wheat bread products, nuts and brown rice. As a supplement, researchers have found that leucine slows the degradation of muscles and muscle tissues through an inflated synthesis of muscle proteins. In the human body, leucine can be found in the liver, but most prominently in the muscle and adipose tissues, where it is utilized in production of sterols. In body building circles L-Leucine as a dietary supplement is very popular for all these properties, but also for the preservation of muscle glycogen, nitrogen balance maintenance and more.

L-Lysine- Lysine is an essential alpha amino acid that needs to be ingested and cannot be synthesized by the human body. Sources of L-Lysine include meat, particularly red meat, lamb, poultry and pork, but also cheeses, like parmesan, some fish like cod and sardines and eggs. Several plants are rich in L-Lysine, soybean, lentil, spinach and buckwheat, but also buffalo gourd, watercress, locust bean and many other bean variants, including the common bean. L-Lysine is deemed vital for the overall production of protein, as a structural building block. It seems that L-Lysine also plays a prominent part in the absorption of calcium. Further properties include playing a role in the production of enzymes, hormones and antibodies, but also in the recovery from sports injuries and surgeries.

L-Methionine is an essential amino acid, actually an alpha amino acid, furthermore classified as nonpolar. This proteinogenic amino acid is the only one, besides cysteine, which contains sulfur. Methionine serves as an intermediate of phospholipids, such as phosphatidylcholine, but also lecithin, taurine, carnitine and cysteine. If methionine cannot be properly synthesized, the condition can lead to atherosclerosis. While it must be supplied with diet, this amino acid is deemed a powerful antioxidant, believed to be a scavenger of free radicals, and may assist with the breakdown of fats. Sources of L-Methionine include poultry and related products, including eggs, but also other meats, such as beef, cheese and fish. Methionine adenosyltransferase is converting methionine to S-adenosylmethionine, SAM, which in turn is involved in the creation of creatine, epinephrine, melatonin and further substances.

L-Phenylalanine gained notoriety with the aspartame controversy where extensive internet bombardment against the artificial sweetener prompted a thorough cleaning by The Coca Cola Company and other interest groups. Now it seems that aspartame has more benefits to health than aspirin. L-Phenylalanine is an essential alpha amino acid that is deemed analgesic and antidepressant. It is hydrophobic and nonpolar, one of only twenty common amino acids that are used to produce protein as coded by the DNA. L-Phenylalanine can also convert into L-Tyrosine, which can then become L-DOPA, going forth to become norepinephrine, dopamine or epinephrine. Phenylalanine is very often found in foods, protein rich foods like meat, milk and milk products, poultry and fish, but also as already mentioned in the artificial sweetener aspartame.

L-Threonine is an essential alpha amino acid, classified as polar. There are three proteinogenic amino acids that have an alcohol group, besides threonine there are tyrosine and serine. Like many other amino acids that are not synthesized in humans, threonine needs to be ingested through protein food sources that contain it, namely meat, poultry, cottage cheese, fish, sesame seeds and others. When ingested, threonine goes either through the threonine dehydrogenase and becomes pyruvate or, as in humans, it can be converted by the enzyme serine dehydratase to alpha ketobutyrate and continue towards succinyl-CoA. Threonine is also supposed to assist the protein balance by maintaining normal growth, but in addition to that, it seems to support the immune system, the central nervous system, the liver and the cardiovascular system.

L-Valine is an amino acid with stimulant activities. It not only helps in tissue repair but also promotes muscle growth. It is one of the three branched amino acids that are formulated for providing support to the human body for normal functioning. Derived from animal and vegetable protein, L-Valine is not only involved in the synthesis of protein and metabolism of glucose but it also regulates the immune system. L-Valine is also effective in maintaining the exercise recovery time and the balance of nitrogen in the body. Since the human body doesn’t produce this amino acid naturally, you need to acquire it through dietary supplements and food items. When taking L-Valine supplements, you must follow strict directions from the physician. Even though it doesn’t have any side effects, it helps to consult the physician before its usage.

Taurine is basically an amino acid that is not formed by the body. It is found freely in the bloodstream and in tissues. It is also found in abundance in the skeletal system, the heart and the nervous system. During times of extreme physical activity, the amounts of taurine in the body are depleted. Taurine has a tendency to act as a metabolic transmitter and can also be used as a detoxifying agent. It has been added to a number of products for infants as well. The popular energy drink ‘Red Bull’ is well known for its taurine content. Taurine is also recommended for use by people who suffer from manic depression. Taurine is tested and has proven to be an extremely safe dietary supplement.