Ascorbic acid, commonly known as vitamin C, is an organic compound required for the production of collagen in humans. Humans cannot make their own vitamin C and so must obtain it either through their diet or in supplementary form. Dietary Sources Vitamin C can be found in many fruits and vegetables including most berries (e.g. [...]
About Uric Acid Uric acid is another substance that is created naturally by our body as it goes through the process of eliminating purine from the body. Purine is a substance that is naturally occurring in many food products with high concentrations in meat products. In another mystery of nature and biology it has been [...]
As science continues to push the boundaries in a search for new ways to extend and improve the life spans of humans, it should come as no surprise that many of the cures are found in substances and organic materials that have been a part of our environment for thousands of years. The latest example [...]
Tyrosol is an antioxidant that is naturally present in several foods such as wines and green tea. However, tyrosol is present most abundantly in olives. The antioxidant is present in the leaves, fruit, and, therefore, in the oil of the plant. It is classified as a phenolic antioxidant. Anything in the phenolic family has great [...]
Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) Acetyl-L- carnitine, commonly referred to as ALCAR, is very important to the human body. The nutrient is one of several forms of carnitine found within the body. The kidneys help to regulate the level of carnitines. All carnitines are antioxidants, helping to repair damage to cells and fight the effects of oxidative stress. [...]
N-Acetylserotonin (NAS) is more commonly known as melatonin. It is used by many in tablet or capsule form as a sleeping aide and has been available as a dietary supplement in the United States since 1993. There is a lot more to this naturally occurring compound than its ability to bring on sleep. It is [...]
Edaravone is an antioxidant, a type of molecule which has been proven to slow, reduce, or prevent the oxidation of surrounding molecules. As a free radical scavenger, edaravone is one of the newer types of antioxidants within the past ten years. Edaravone is an antioxidant currently marketed by Mitsubishi Pharma in Japan, where it has [...]
Hydroxytyrosol Sources Hydroxytyrosol is currently believed to be one of the strongest free-radical scavenging polyphenols in use. Hydroxytyrosol is produced by olive, normally the olives used in the production of olive oil. The majority of extracted hydroxytyrosol can be found in the byproduct water produced during the pressing process. The most of the polyphenol can [...]
Selegiline is sold under the trade names Eldepryl and Zelapar for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, and Emsam for the treatment of major depression. Selegiline belongs to a group of chemicals that are called monoamine oxidase type B inhibitors, or MAO-B inhibitors. These chemicals inhibit the activity of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase. This enzyme [...]
Glutathione, also referred to as L-Glutathione, L-gammaglutamyl, L-cysteinylglycine or GSH, is a tripeptide naturally occurring in the body. Existing in almost every cell of the body, Glutathione is a small molecule made up of three amino acids: cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid. Glutathione, however, must be generated within the cells before it can work effectively [...]
Selenium is a naturally occurring mineral that, when combined with proteins in the body, becomes a powerful antioxidant. It helps strengthen the body in many ways. The most important is how it affects the immune system. By building up the immune system it allows the body to fight off many diseases, such as cancer. Selenium [...]
N-Acetylcysteine (sometimes written N-Acetyl Cysteine), abbreviated NAC, is a metabolite of cysteine, a non-essential amino acid that is both found in foods and synthesized by the body from the amino acid methionine. In the body, NAC is rapidly broken down into intracellular glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that detoxifies harmful chemicals into less damaging compounds. NAC [...]
Overview of Carotenoids Carotenoids are an important group of vitamers of vitamin A. When referring to a vitamin such as vitamin A, it is important to note that vitamin A is not one substance or one molecule. In reality, vitamin A is a group term to collectively classify organic, chemical compounds that have the same [...]
Tocotrienols, which are members found in the Vitamin E family, are natural agents that, according to scientific research, have tremendous health benefits and may even affect how such illnesses as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain kinds of cancer are treated in the future. What Are Tocotrienols and Where Do They Come From? Tocotrienols can be [...]
Description of Oleuropein Oleuropein is the active ingredient or glucoside, found in green olives and olive leaf. Olive leaf is found on the olive tree. Another active ingredient found in olive leaf is hydroxytyrosol, polyphenols, flavonoids, and Oleocanthal. Oleuropein and olive oil, extracted from green olives and olive leaves, are known in alternative medicine for [...]
Recently, Yissum Research Development Company associated with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem announced that the University will use a portion of a $9 million dollar grant awarded to Avraham Pharmaceuticals, Pontifax, Clal Biotechnology Industries and Professor Marta Weinstock-Rosin to complete the Phase II efficacy trial in patients afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. The trial will be [...]
Rasagiline is a synthetic compound that is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. It is a relatively new drug and was approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) on May 16, 2006. Rasagiline is considered one of the primary monoamine oxidase inhibitors. History Rasagiline was developed in the very early 2000s by Teva [...]
Gallic acid is an organic acid found in a variety of foods and herbs that are well known as powerful antioxidants. Foods and herbs such as blueberries, walnuts, apples, flax seed and tea all contain Gallic acid. Gallic acid is also found in gall nuts, sumac, witch hazel, watercress, oak bark, and a variety of [...]
Overview Lipoic acid (LA) is an organosulfur compound, considered to be an antioxidant, a substance that renders harmless certain chemicals called free radicals. LA is a compound where a disulfide bond binds sulfur atoms and this distinction classifies it as “oxidized”. Alpha-lipoic acid is converted into dihydrolipoic acid on the body. This oxidization and conversion [...]
Coenzyme Q10 What is it? Coenzyme Q10, or ubiquinone as it is sometimes called, is a fat-soluble compound found in nearly every cell in the human body. Extremely high concentrations are found in organs, especially the heart and the liver. CoQ10 is called a vitamin-like substance, because the human body needs small quantities of it [...]
Oleocanthal is nature’s ingredient for pain relief. The reaction is similar to ibuprofen, with additional health benefits as well. Oleocanthal comes from extra-virgin olive oil. No other oil, from any source contains the anti-inflammatory drug. Oleocantahal is widely believed to help or control many diseases. One of the latest discoveries is oleocanthal’s ability to stop, [...]
Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric, a popular spice often used in Indian foods and curry. Curcumin is classified as a polyphenol and it is the compound that gives turmeric its bright yellow color. Besides being a popular dietary supplement, it is used as a food coloring. Turmeric comes from the Curcuma longa plant, [...]
The Mayo Clinic defines the natural chemical melatonin as being “a hormone produced in the brain by the pineal gland from the amino acid tryptophan.” This is an accurate statement, however, melatonin is much more than that one sentence would lead one to believe. Melatonin is produced not just in the brain, but in many [...]
Resveratrol: Is It The Next Fountain Of Youth? You may have been hearing about the new “wonder drug” or “fountain of youth pill, either on TV, radio, or internet. Resveratrol has been proclaimed as a “miracle drug” by many people. You may be wondering, “What is Resveratrol?” “Where can I get it?” “What does it [...]
Tocopherols (Vitamin E) Vitamin E is a vitamin that is fat-soluble and comes with antioxidant properties. There are eight different forms in which vitamin E may exist: Alpha tocopherol Alpha tocotrienol Beta tocopherol Beta tocotrienol Gamma tocopherol Gamma tocotrienol Delta tocopherol and Delta tocotrienol The most active form of vitamin E found in humans is [...]
What is L-Carnitine? L-Carnitine, a sub-type of Carnitine, is a naturally occurring amino acid critical to the burning of fatty acids for energy and prized for its antioxidant properties. Synthesized in the liver and kidneys, L-Carnitine requires two essential amino acids, lysine and methionine, for synthesis to take place. It also requires niacin, B6, and [...]