Serenity Station

Overview:

With many studies showing that the majority of Americans are overworked, a number of people would welcome something that helps increase energy levels. Of course, it is also important to use only all-natural sources that are completely safe. NALT shows promise in the energy arena. But what exactly is NALT and how does it work? What benefits are offered?

What is NALT?

The official name of NALT is N Acetyl L-Tyrosine. It is an all-natural derivative of L-Tyrosine, a non-essential amino acid. This substance is made from Phenylethylamine or PEA. Interestingly enough, PEA is another closely-related amino acid. Tyrosine is also found in a number of foods including meat, fish, eggs, nuts, beans, wheat, oats, and dairy products.

How does NALT Work?

As an energy booster, NALT works by helping to produce two powerful brain chemicals, noradrenaline and dopamine. These chemicals are primarily responsible for mood and movement. This effect helps users to relieve feelings of stress and anxiety as well as improving mood and induces a feeling of general well-being.

Many studies have also indicated that NALT result in an increase in excitement. Neural receptors within the brain are either inhibitory (reducing activity) or excitatory (increasing activity). Those which increase activity, such as those affected by NALT, are usually responsible for improving energy, alertness, mental energy, and improving mood.

What are the Additional Benefits?

In addition to helping to boost mood and energy levels, NALT has evidence to support that it may increase focus and concentration. It may even help to release a hormone in the stomach that has been shown to be helpful at controlling appetite. This release could be great help for those looking to diet more effectively or better control their weight.

Several studies have also shown NALT to be effective at increasing blood flow and improving circulation in the body. These benefits may also lead to a reduction in blood pressure, especially for those who are already experiencing periods of high stress.

This supplement is also very fast-acting and capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier. Evidence also supports that it may have an effect on improving memory and general cognition. There are even some researchers who feel this supplement might also act as an antioxidant and potentially help to protect neurons within the brain.

What is the correct Dosage of NALT?

The recommended dosage for NALT is 500 to 2000 mg about 30-45 minutes before any acute stressor like exercise. This dosage can be split into several daily administrations.

Overview:

DMAE is also known by its chemical name, dimethylaminoethanol bitartrate. It is a natural compound that has many uses including skin care and as a dietary supplement and nootropic. As a supplement, it is essential to the production of acetylcholine, a powerful brain chemical that helps nerve cells transmit signals and communicate with one another. What is DMAE and how does it help to boost mood? Are there additional benefits of taking a DMAE supplement?

DMAE Benefits:

DMAE is normally found in small amounts in the brain already. This important supplement has numerous benefits including the ability to help boost mood, improve intelligence, and even improve memory and learning. Research has also shown this supplement has the ability to stabilize and prevent the uncontrolled leakage of key enzymes within cells. More specifically, many researchers consider this type of enzymatic leakage to be a main trigger for aging as well as damage to connective tissues.

Most of the aforementioned benefits are explained by the effect that DMAE has on acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is one of the most powerful brain neurotransmitters. Once ingested, the DMAE supplement enters the bloodstream and begins the process of converting into this neurotransmitter. This transformation in turn helps to create or support many of the cognitive benefits listed above.

How DMAE Bitartrate Helps Boost Mood:

With an increase in the production of acetylcholine, mood is improved. This chemical is considered to be an excitatory neurotransmitter, making brain cells and neurons fire off rapidly. In other words, it is stimulatory and helps to make you feel good. This is especially true considering that the major parts of the brain affected by acetylcholine direct mood and movement. DMAE should also help to reduce any feelings of stress, nervousness, or irritability.

Another interesting fact about DMAE is that it is involved in the production and conservation of energy. Every time we move or contract a muscle, we use a little bit of DMAE. Supplementation actually helps to boost our energy levels without taxing the metabolism and this helps to improve or promote a feeling of general wellbeing.

DMAE Dosage:

While there is not any recommended dosage for DMAE, most experts agree that a good range to follow is between 100 and 300 mg per day.

Overview:

Both 5-HTP and melatonin are known for helping in the areas of relaxation, mood, and anxiety. Anyone who is having trouble sleeping, relaxing, suffering from an inordinate amount of stress or anxiety, or even having struggles with mild depression has probably considered taking one of these supplements. NEWtrition is one of the leading providers of high quality 5-HTP and melatonin. But which product is best for each purpose? Could it be possible that these supplements may even be more effective when taken together as part of a stack?

NEWtrition 5-HTP Capsules Review:

5-HTP is an amino acid that can be found in the seeds of a woody climbing shrub native to West Africa (the Griffonia simplicifolia plant). It is also found in a number of foods like turkey, milk, potatoes, and pumpkin. It is thought to work by crossing the blood-brain barrier, where it is then converted into the neurotransmitter serotonin.

The increase in the release of serotonin is primarily responsible for most of the effects of 5-HTP. This is why the supplement is thought to be effective or at least helpful to issues as far ranging as obesity, PMS, migraines, anxiety, mild depression, and possibly even some types of addictive behavior.

NEWtrition Melatonin Capsules Review:

Melatonin is thought to be effective at restoring the natural circadian rhythms of the body. There is also evidence to suggest that it helps to regulate other hormones, including control of the timing and release of female reproductive hormones. This means that someone who works irregular hours or travels frequently and experiences jet lag could benefit from taking a melatonin supplement.

This supplement also has a number of additional common uses. It may help with anxiety, ADHD, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, and even menopausal symptoms. There is even some evidence to suggest that it can help to reduce the effect of sunburn.

Overall Impressions:

5-HTP is an amino acid and melatonin is a hormone. However, there do seem to be similar crossover effects and benefits. For example, both supplements are used for help with anxiety, ADHD, depression, fibromyalgia symptoms, and frequent headaches. On the other hand, melatonin also seems to be more effective at helping to restore normal sleep patterns.

Ultimately, the supplement that you should take depends on your particular situation. If you are simply looking to help restore normal sleep patterns, then melatonin is best. On the other hand, if you are looking for extra support to help with stress, anxiety, and even a combination of issues, you should consider using both as a stack.

Overview:

In this always-on-the-go world, relaxation seems like a pipedream. High levels of stress can lead to issues like anxiety and insomnia. Fortunately, there are a number of natural products and supplements that can help aid in relaxation which in turn will make it easier to fall asleep. Since being able to relax and to sleep is extremely beneficial to overall health and well-being, why not consider some of these all-natural supplements?

GABA:

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) is an amino acid that is produced in the brain from glutamate (another amino acid) and thiamine (vitamin B6). Generally, people who are having difficulty resting and sleeping have an over-active or “excited” brain. GABA acts as the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the body, meaning that it helps to reduce this excitability. There are a number of other benefits to this supplement including support for muscle-building chemicals.

Valerian Root:

Valerian root is a perennial herb that acts as a non-addictive natural sedative. This supplement also helps to support a healthy neurotransmitter balance. Clinical research has shown valerian root to have a number of benefits including the ability to reduce nervousness, tension, and anxiety. Valerian root may also be able to help alleviate mild to moderate mood swings and insomnia. For some users, valerian root requires 10 to 15 days of continued use before noticeable effects occur.

5-HTP:

The main benefit of 5-HTP supplementation is an increased production of serotonin. This occurs both in the brain and the liver. Since serotonin is reported to have a wide range of effects on the brain, 5-HTP is often used to help deal with addictive behavior, anxiety, mild depression, and relaxation/sleep issues. It is thought that stress and poor-eating habits actually cause the body to release higher levels of serotonin. Supplementation with 5-HTP can help to restore a healthy balance, allowing the body to more easily relax.

Melatonin:

Melatonin has long been thought to be one of the most effective supplements for sleep and relaxation. Melatonin plays a vital role in controlling and restoring the natural circadian rhythms of the body. Many people who are engaged in stressful work or who have irregular schedules find that this supplement helps to induce relaxation and improve sleeping patterns.

Are you suffering from poor sleeping patterns? This could be due to a number of reasons including too much stress, poor diet, not enough exercise, or a number of other factors. Even if someone is experiencing a fair amount of anxiety, this can certainly affect sleep. Many people these days also have difficulty ‘unwinding’ or a relaxing after a long day, which means they do not get as much sleep as they need. Sleep Aid RX may be an all-natural solution to help you relax and sleep better.

What is Included in Sleep Aid RX?

Sleep Aid RX is a proprietary formulation of all-natural ingredients. These include Lemon Balm, Passion Flower, Melatonin, Valerian Root, and GABA. Each of these substances by themselves has been shown to have some excellent sleep aid properties. Taken together there is some evidence to suggest that it might have a synergistic effect, acting stronger together than they would individually. You can buy Sleep Aid Rx here.

Lemon Balm Benefits

Lemon Balm has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years, going all the way back to the ancient Greeks. It is believed to help soothe tension and even may have some effects on symptoms normally associated with mood disorders. In some parts of the world, notably Europe, it has been used as for anxiety and insomnia. There is evidence to suggest that it helps people relax, fall asleep faster, and ease sleep disorders.

Passion Flower

This substance is a plant native to the southeast and midwestern portions of North America. It has been used as a folk remedy to help alleviate anxiety for a number of years. There are also some studies which indicate the flower might also have aphrodisiac properties. Users do report that this supplement has helped reduce their restlessness, anxiety, and nervousness. An unexpected additional benefit is that Passion Flower also seems to have mild anti-cough properties. This would almost certainly help someone who was experiencing sleep problems and a mild cold at the same time.

Melatonin Benefits

As a precursor to the powerful hormone serotonin Melatonin is one of the most common sleep aid supplements. There is a lot of scientific research indicating that it helps to reduce anxiety and can exert a calming effect on the body. It is also believed helpful in restoring balance to the natural circadian rhythms, which will benefit those people who have irregular schedules and are often needing to be awake at night.

Valerian Root

This is an interesting ingredient that actually helps out all of the others. For starters, it is believed to increase the level of circulating GABA, helping the brain to sort of ‘turn off’ and relax. Additionally, it will not cause grogginess in the morning.

This product should be considered by anyone with sleep issues. Given all of the powerful (yet still natural) ingredients, Sleep Aid RX has the very real potential to give you back the ability to get a good night’s sleep once again.

In the supplement world today we are constantly introduced to new compounds and research that provide evidence that suggests certain supplements are best when paired with others. In fact, some supplements require the aid of another synergistic ingredient to have any significant effect at all. One such synergistic relationship that is being talked about in many circles today is the combination of DMAE and alpha-GPC. The synergistic effects of this pair have been linked to an improved state of mood, improved focus, attention, mental energy, and mental clarity. With that said let’s take a look at both supplements individually and break down just what it is that makes this combination so great.

Abbreviated DMAE, dimethylethanolamine is a transparent, pale-yellow liquid that has many health benefits as a standalone supplement. A study conducted in 2003 by German scientists looked at the efficacy of DMAE in increasing vigilance and alertness in addition to having a positive influence on mood. The study concluded that supplementation of DMAE does result in a psychological state of better feeling of well being  this conclusion is supported by both a subject mood analysis and the monitoring of electrical patterns in the subjects brain activity. Known as a “mind-health” compound this supplement acts an ant-aging device in that it reduces the buildup of what is known as the “age pigment”, a substance that is involved with cognitive impairment and decline with age. As if that wasn’t enough, DMAE has the ability to act as an anti-oxidant in the body protecting neurons and cells from certain types of oxidation.

L-alpha-glycerophosphocholin, or alpha-GPC for short, is a cholinergic compound that is an easy to absorb source of dietary choline. Alpha-GPC is known for its ability to increase physical output and cognition. Although alpha-GPC is found naturally in the brain and in milk, the compound is available as a nootropic dietary supplement. Research identifying the physical benefits that come with supplementation of alpha-GPC is published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition; the results conclude that a dose 45 minutes prior to a training session resulted in an increase of post-exercise serum GH and peak bench press power. As for an increase in cognition, alpha-GPC works as a cognitive stimulatory agent through increasing the activity of protein Kinase C in neurons. You can buy alpha-GPC here.

With the facts before you it is not hard to draw your own conclusions as to how these two supplements can work together to create unique health and wellness benefits. The compounds have a very beneficial synergistic relationship in that they are able to enhance and prolong the benefits that come with supplementation. It is important to note that these compounds are classified as nootropics, meaning dosage and supplementation is an important piece of the puzzle. I would recommend a dose of 300-600mg for alpha-GPC and DMAE dosage should start around 200mg while working up to but not exceeding 700mg. As always one should be attentive to his/her own personal response to any supplement and adhere to the dosage information provided on your products packaging/label.

Sources

http://examine.com/supplements/DMAE/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12844472

http://examine.com/supplements/Alpha-GPC/#summary_full

http://www.jissn.com/content/5/S1/P15

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8246681

Whether you wake up every morning to a 5k run or if you find it harder and harder to get out of the bed in the morning everyone can benefit from an increase in energy. It may mean the difference between finishing that last set; it could mean getting that report in to your boss earlier than usual. If you find yourself suffering from a lack of energy in your day to day life or if you just want an extra boost to increase your fitness results then look no further. Glutamine supplementation is a healthy and natural method of increasing your overall energy levels, read on to get the full scoop.

What is Glutamine?

Glutamine is one of the 20 naturally occurring amino acids existing in nutritional protein. It is considered a conditionally essential amino acid in that it becomes essential during bouts of intense endurance exercise or physical trauma. Additionally, in humans, glutamine is the most abundant free amino acid.

In summary glutamine is a form of an amino acid supplement that is non-stimulatory and provides a number of health benefits when supplemented correctly, particularly in those who may have a deficiency (of glutamine) and/or those who exercise regularly. Glutamine is sold as a stand-alone supplement, can be found in high levels in whey/casein protein and can also be found in different meats and eggs.

Functions of Glutamine

Glutamine as a supplement plays a key role in a variety of biomechanical functions including: protein synthesis (all 20 proteinogenic amino acids do this), regulation of acid-base balance in the kidneys (produces ammonium), cellular energy (what we’re after!), nitrogen donation for anabolic processes (more energy), carbon donation for citric acid cycle (even more energy), and the nontoxic transportation of ammonia .

Benefits of Supplementing Glutamine

The benefits of glutamine supplementation have a wide range of impact in the human body. What we want to focus on is how glutamine can help support a healthy and consistent increase in overall energy. This is achieved due to the fact that glutamine is the primary transporter of nitrogen for your muscle cells, meaning an increase in glutamine – specifically when levels are depleted through training – can help to return that energy lost. You may be familiar with the notion that the recovery process is one of the most important factors in making real and consistent progression; therefore through the use of glutamine we can give ourselves an important advantage that allows us to recharge more rapidly and increase overall output.

Glutamine Dosage

As with all supplements, dosage should be based on a combination of high attentiveness to your body’s personal response and the adherence to the information/warnings included with your products packaging. Standard adult dosage ranges from 5g -30g and is typically broken up into several smaller doses throughout the course of the day. If you are looking for a supplement to support an increase in overall energy levels, or are just focused on recovering as fast as possible so you can get back in the gym, glutamine supplementation is a great option that is hard to ignore.

Sources:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18059593

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10368336

Everyone has experienced feelings of anxiety from time to time in their lives. For some it can be a crippling disorder that prevents us from living a happy and meaningful life, inducing panic attacks and intense bouts of worrying and fear. For others it may only be a fleeting feeling of tenseness or being on edge that won’t seem to go away no matter what you do. If you think you have tried it all I urge you to read on and discover the anxiety curbing effects that the combination of theanine and inositol can produce.

Theanine is an amino acid that is commonly found in tea and to be more specific it can be found in high amounts in green tea. It is also available as an oral dietary supplement. It is commonly used as a nootropic in combination with caffeine as it produces a synergistic effect. In a number of double blind placebo controlled studies research has shown that supplementing theanine can have a direct influence on brain activity, reducing stress and relaxing the mind without causing drowsiness. In other studies, theanine benefits include improved memory and cognitive function as well as (ding ding!) reducing anxiety. To top it all off there are little to no side-effects that have been discovered from the result of supplementing theanine; even at the highest doses recorded. Therefore we can conclude the use of theanine is a viable option as a standalone anti-anxiety supplement, but we aren’t stopping there.

So, what is inositol? Inositol is a chemical compound that is found in many foods; in particular fruit, especially cantaloupe and oranges. Inositol is created in your body when the phytic acid that is found naturally in foods such as seeds, nuts, legumes and whole grains interact with the bacteria in your digestive system. With its own mountain of research behind it inositol has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of disorders that may stem from high levels of anxiety including panic attacks and mood disorders. In one double blind placebo controlled study researchers looked at subjects with lower than normal levels of inositol and administered doses accordingly, the results concluded that inositol supplementation was synonymous with lowered levels of depression and ultimately anxiety. Through the combination of these two supplements we can see the potential for a lowered overall state of anxiety.

As with all supplements it is important to find the correct dosage and to implement the supplement safely into your routine. Dosage amounts for theanine should be based on personal response but as always refer to your packaging for more information, a safe bet would to be stay under the 1000mg mark. As for inositol dosage, research has shown that 18g per day is safe but when combining with other supplements dosage should always be based off your personal response, as always refer to your products label for more information.

Sources

1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7726322
2. Kimura K, Ozeki M, Juneja LR, et al. l-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses. Biol Psychol. 2006 Aug 21
3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7416064

Green tea derives from a tea plant that is native to Asia and is called camellia sinensis. It is also the same plant that is the source of black tea. However, green tea is different not because of the plant that is used to make the tea but because it is processed in a different way compared to other teas. Green tea is also the least processed out of all of the other commercial teas and the method used helps to preserve more of the nutrients and health benefits that come with the tea. Green tea has been used for thousands of years in both Japan and China and has a good reputation for providing some great and effective health benefits including helping with anxiety by providing calming effects.

Green tea extract is another more concentrated form of green tea which is associated with a variety of different health benefits many of which are supported by scientific research. What is green tea extract? Essentially it is a more concentrated and nutritional form of green tea. Green tea extract acts as a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from damaging effects of free radicals. Green tea has been used for therapeutic purposes for a long time. It is made by steaming the leaves lightly and then allowing them to dry which helps to retain the properties and nutrients of the plant. Oolong tea is made by allowing the leaves to ferment slightly before drying and black tea is made by allowing the leaves to ferment for a little bit longer. Fermentation breaks down the active ingredients in the tea making the green tea or the extract.

Green tea extract is standardized in the production phase which means that it will be guaranteed that a certain percentage of the active ingredients remain present in the green tea extract capsules. Benefits of green tea extract include helping to aid in weight loss, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, promoting oral health, helping the body fight viruses, reducing inflammation, fighting infection, promoting immune health, and slowing the aging process. Pure green tea extract is generally what you will want to look for if you want to get the maximum benefits of green tea extract.

Many people believe that green tea extract has curative effects because recent studies have indicated that the antioxidants that green tea contains help strengthen the immune system and boost health. Additionally green tea has been used for anxiety for quite some time and according to reviews has had some promising effects. Many people report that green tea extract has a calming effect on them and helps to calm their anxiety. Although green tea is not particularly known for its anti-anxiety effects it can be quite effect and especially when it is combined with L-theanine. So overall green tea is great for health but its effectiveness on anxiety is minimal at best but in some people can be a good for anxiety. However, in some cases people have actually reported that green tea increased their anxiety so you may want to watch out if that is the case for you and stop taking green tea immediately. Green tea can be purchased on drugstore.com, at Wal-Mart, vitamin shops and Amazon.

Sources:

1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18468736
2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21303262
3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18326618

L-Theanine also known as just theanine is a non essential amino acid and glutamic acid analog that is usually found in many different types of tea. It is similar in structure to glutamine which is one of the most abundant amino acids in the human body. Theanine is originally extracted from green tea leaves and it has been commonly researched for its potential sedative properties and ability to have a calming effect. Theanine is an analog of glutamate which is a critical neurotransmitter that has been implicated in improving memory and learning processes. What theanine does is stimulate the GABA receptor and it is also a fat soluble nootropic. Since theanine is an analog of glutamine it has been proven to be effective for both physical stress and mental stress. There have been plenty of studies that show theanine is anxiolytic, which can potentially be attributed to raising the dopamine levels.

In addition to helping theanine users improve their scores on tests and improve their memory, benefits of theanine also include lowering blood pressure and anxiety. Reports have shown that theanine can also help assist the body in improving the efficiency of the immune system by increasing antibacterial proteins and increasing the amount of fighting gamma delta T-cells. There was one study that showed that theanine can promote memory improvement and health in cases that were related to repeated cerebral ischemia in rats. The study also showed that theanine also has neuroprotective qualities and helped to promote neuronal cell health. Theanine dosage is recommended to be between 200 and 400 milligrams per day taken in two 200 milligram doses.

Melatonin is made by the pineal gland and is a natural hormone. The pineal gland is very small and around the size of a pea, it is located in the center of the brain. The pineal gland helps to regulate sleeping cycles on 24 hour cycles which helps tell the body when it is tired and needs sleep. Melatonin is suppressed by light and stimulated by darkness and this is the reason we usually want to sleep at night but stay awake during the day. Melatonin controls the circadian rhythm in the body which makes us feel tired and lets us know when it is time to get some rest. When there is a change in our schedule melatonin can be disrupted and thrown off very easily. Jetlag also disrupts our normal melatonin cycles.

Melatonin supplements are available for people who would like to fix their sleeping schedule and get back on track the natural way. Benefits of melatonin in addition to its sleep inducing properties are that it can also help to alleviate anxiety and depression. Melatonin affects the serotonin levels in the body which lowers the effects of depression, sadness and anxiety. Additional studies on melatonin effects have shown that there is less of it in people who have cellular irregularities, heart problems, and joint pain. Combining theanine and melatonin can be very effective and many people have reported positive effects but taking them in combination are usually not necessary. However if you take one and it is not as effective, adding the other can sometimes work wonders.

Sources:

1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18681988
2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11083131
3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9243626