Reduse Reviewed

Apple Cider Vinegar is made out of pure apple juice through firstly an alcoholic fermentation process, then secondly through acetobacter agents, turning the alcohol into acetic acid, making it a vinegar. Traditionally, Apple Cider Vinegar has been used to treat gout, arthritis, various skin conditions, allergies, even high cholesterol. When diluted, it helps lower high fever, particularly in infants. Apple Cider Vinegar is currently very popular in the body building and weight control circles as a weight loss agent. While no scientific studies to that matter have been conducted, the overall content of Apple Cider Vinegar, rich with health promoting compounds such as vitamins and minerals, particularly iron, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus, but also in some high quality products pectin and malic acid, make it a valuable nutritional supplement.

Bioperine, a standardized extract from the fruit of Piper nigrum L (black pepper) or Piper longum L (long pepper). It contains 95 percent of piperine. Bioperine is used in conjunction with other herbs or vitamins to increase their absorption and digestion to make them more effective.

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that temporarily wards off drowsiness and boosts alertness and energy.

Cayenne, which contains Capsaicin, a thermogenic substance. A thermogenic raises your core temperature, which allows you to burn more calories from food, particularly when eating a high fat meal.

Chromium Picolinate - The popular nutritional supplement, which has been invented to treat chromium deficiency, is also a popular weight loss and muscle growth product. Due to the chromium role it plays in sugar and lipid metabolism in humans, it has been deemed helpful as a supplement, in particular with the body building communities. The argument is that chromium picolinate improves the uptake of glucose by enhancing the effect insulin has in the body, providing better blood circulation. Bad dietary habits, in particular in the United States, have lead to the population verging on the brim of chromium deficiency. Body Building aficionados really require a wholly balanced diet, which in turn requires adequate amounts of chromium be present in the metabolism, even more so if the individual is practicing a serious exercise program.

Citrus Aurantium is the Latin name for a citrus tree which grows bitter oranges. Traditionally being used by Chinese medicine and herbologists, the extract of the orange and the peel was used as a dietary supplement in concoctions with other herbs to suppress appetite. While other active ingredients of the citrus aurantium may contribute and even promote the effect, the main ingredient used in all weight loss products is synephrine, an alkaloid similar to ephedrine. It is a phenethylamine; it influences the alpha1 adrenergic receptor, constricting blood vessels, additionally increasing the heart rate and the blood pressure. In most cases the use of synephrine is paired with a diet and body building plan, where weight loss and muscle building is essential.

Fennel Seed is oval in shape and belongs to the parsley family. This is yellowish brown or green in color and is a dried fruit. This seed has its origin in Egypt and India. Fennel seed goes well with Italian sausages and curry powder mixes. Fennel has the flavor of anise, but is sweeter, aromatic and less pungent. The name is acquired from ‘marathon’, the Greek word in reference to the famous battle that was fought against the Persians in the Fennel field. Fennel seeds are added to meat loaf and meatballs as it gives authentic flavor. This Italian flavor is highly preferred. The fennel seeds are saute with onion, sausage and sliced peppers to make pasta sauce. Fennel seeds are obtained from an aromatic medicinal plant. However, this seed emits pleasant flavor and is highly aromatic. The pungent flavor has made it a prominent ingredient as a spice to enhance the flavor of foods. This seed has essential oils and make strong seasoning.

Ginger Root refers to the rhizome of a plant called zingiber officinale that grows in moist and fertile tropical soil. Ginger is an underground stem extending to 12 inches above the ground. The ginger root has pungent phenol compounds and volatile oils. This is widely used as a medicine in Indian, Asian and Arabic herbal traditions. Ginger, in China is used to cure stomach upset, nausea and diarrhea since ancient times. Ginger is of great use to cure arthritis, diarrhea, Colic and heart conditions. Besides the medicinal value, Ginger is one of the indispensable ingredients as cooking spice and is also recommended to cure headaches, common cold, symptoms like flu and also painful menstrual periods. Ginger is widely used as medicine as it treats nausea, vomiting related to travel sickness, cancer chemotherapy and pregnancy. Though, there are effective medicines today, ginger root retain its position for its medicinal properties. It is also beneficial for heart disease as it reduces cholesterol and averts blood clotting. The ginger products are manufactured using dried or fresh ginger root and these are obtainable in extracts, capsules, tinctures and oils. Ginger is used in tea and in various drinks and foods.

Green Tea Extract- Camellia sinensis, or more commonly the tea plant is a genus of flowering plants which is generally being used to produce tea, including green tea, oolong, black tea, white tea and pu-erh tea, also called Bolay tea. The different oxidation process makes the final difference. Tea plants can grow out into a tree, but are generally pruned to allow for easy hand picking. While camellia sinensis is being cultivated all around the globe in tropical and subtropical regions, this South and Southeast Asian native is most popular when imported from India and China. Medical uses of tea stem from the traditional Chinese medicine, where it was used as a bronchodilator and to treat angina pectoris, coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular diseases. Green tea extract is used as appetite suppressant and thermogenesis increasing agent.

Gymnema Sylvestre is native to India, predominantly in tropical forests of India. This herb has traditionally been used in the Indian eclectic alternative medical system as the naturopathic treatment for diabetes. The active ingredients or bioactive constituents are a group of gymnemic acids, which have antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory as well as antisweetener properties. If used for a while, gymnema sylvestre, or rather the gymnemic acids, have the effect of reducing the blood sugar level. These glycosides are found in an extract of the leaves and it seems that the acids have a similar structure to saccharose. Besides the gymnemic acids, the plant contains also saponins, quercitol, stigmasterol and also some amino acid derivatives, namely trimethylamine, betaine and choline. When the leaves of gymnema sylvestre are chewed, you temporarily lose the ability to taste sugar.

Hydrocitric Acid or hydroxycitric acid, HCA, is an acid derived from citric acid, found naturally in garcinia cambogia and some other tropical plants. Deemed a potentially revolutionary compound in connection with the lipid metabolism, hydroxycitric acid is currently being touted as a wonder drug by weight loss and dietary supplement advocates. The historical significance of garcinia cambogia in India, as a food condiment and ingredient in curry herbal mixes, the use of hydroxycitric acid as a weight loss agent is nothing new. The traditional Indian medicine has used hydroxycitric acid, actually garcinia cambogia, as treatment for constipation, rheumatism, bowel problems, edema and irregular menstruation. One particular isomer of the hydroxycitric acid has been identified as an inhibitor of pancreatic alpha amylase and intestinal alpha glucosidase.

L-Carnitine helps to metabolize food into a source of energy to be burned for weight loss purposes.

Licorice Root, a widely used herb to disguise the unpleasant flavor of other ingredients. Studies have found licorice Root has strong positive effects on the cells of the digestive system and liver and may act as a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory.

Pantothenic Acid is actually a part of the Vitamin B complex, namely Vitamin B5 and is deemed an essential nutrient. It has a critical function in the synthesis and metabolism of core nutrients, such as fats, proteins and carbohydrates, and it forms the coenzyme – A, also called CoA, most notable for the role in oxidation and synthesis of fatty acids and pyruvate. The Greek origin of the name Pantothenic Acid already states that this Vitamin is found nearly everywhere, with prominent amounts in eggs, meat, legumes and whole grain cereals. In health and fitness circles the dietary supplement is very popular for its energy producing role, but also for the ATP process and for the maintenance of cholesterol and triglycerides levels in the body.

Phenylalanine- (S) alpha Amino beta phenylpropionic acid, or L-Phenylalanine, is an essential, electrically neutral amino acid, one of the twenty amino acids that are used by the human body to create proteins. L-Phenylalanine can also be turned into L-Tyrosine, also an amino acid, which converts into L-DOPA, a precursor to catecholamines like epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine. While it is naturally found in breast milk and also milk of mammals, it is also a component of the artificial sweetener aspartame, found in many diet soft drinks. Other sources of phenylalanine include beef, poultry, pork, seafood, sesame seeds, soy milk, walnuts, flax seed, cottage cheese and asparagus. Although widely available through food, L-Phenylalanine is also marketed as a supplement, particularly for body builders where muscle growth is the main factor.

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, which is naturally found in foods such as fish, milk and milk products, eggs, meat and poultry. Vitamin B12 is important for good health, necessary for the proper digestion and absorption of foods and for normal metabolism of carbohydrates, and fat. It helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells and is needed to make DNA. Vitamin B12 is bound to the protein in food. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach releases B12 from protein during digestion. Unlike other water-soluble nutrients, vitamin B12 is stored in the liver, kidney, and other body tissues. It can take several years before signs of the deficiency appear due to poor dietary intake. Vitamin B12 functions as a "methyl donor." A methyl donor is a compound that carries and donates methyl groups to other molecules, including cell membrane components and neurotransmitters. As a methyl donor vitamin B12 is involved in homocysteine metabolism and plays a critical role in proper energy metabolism, immune function, and nerve function. Therefore, vitamin B12 is clearly an added benefit for anyone wanting to lose weight, as without it, metabolism is not at its peak potential.

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.

White Willow Bark, which is often used as a natural alternative to aspirin, and is best not to be used by individuals allergic to aspirin. White willow bark extract offers little benefit to weight loss by itself but when used with other dietary supplements, it is thought to work as a thermogenic and help to elevate energy expenditure and promote the metabolsim of fat.

Yerba Matte is potent and refers to a drink that is brewed with dried leaves. It belongs to the holly family that is an evergreen member. This grows in Peru, Argentina, Brazil and Chile. This is as well found in plenty in Paraguay. The Yerba Mate plant is considered as stimulant, aromatic, astringent, bitter, purgative, diuretic and good for inducing sweat and reducing fever. Yerba mate contains many minerals and vitamins. The Yerba Mate leaf has nutrition and antioxidants in plenty and hence North Americans prepare strong tea using this leaf. Yerba mate powder is used to boost immunity and to detoxify blood, restore hair color, combat fatigue, tone nervous system, stimulate mind, control appetite, retard aging, reduce stress and as well eliminate insomnia. The tea is preferred with sugar or some people add mint and few replace the water with milk. The extraction can be done repetitively so that the properties stay beneficial.