So, what is acetyl L-carnitine and why is it so important to anybody who is feeling fatigued? Here’s what we know. The amino acid L-carnitine is well known for its key role in the burning of fats. Specifically, L-carnitine transports fatty acids to the innermost section of the mitochondria (the cellular power plants for energy) where they are used to create adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of the body. Studies have shown that carnitine deficiency lowers ATP levels in various tissues. Carnitine deficiency also increases the susceptibility to fatigue from, and decreases the rate of recovery following, strenuous physical activity.

Acetyl L-carnitine (ACL) is the acetyl ester of the amino acid L-carnitine, which transports fats into the mitochondria. In the mitochondria these fats are converted to an energy source. A nutrient and naturally occurring metabolite that is involved in lipid, carbohydrate and protein metabolism, ALC is naturally present in the human and animal body. The heart, brain, muscles, and testicles contain considerable concentrations of ALC, but its levels are dramatically reduced as we age.

An ALC/L-carnitine deficiency also increases the body’s susceptibility to fatigue and injury following strenuous physical activity. For these reasons, supplementing with L-carnitine has long been a favorite in weight-training circles, but as MRM has learned, ALC surpasses the metabolic potency and bioavailability of traditional L-carnitine to offer a range of holistic health advantages.

Acetyl L-Carnitine vs. L-Carnitine
Because it possesses its own acetyl acid group, ALC facilitates energetic pathways that L-carnitine supplementation alone cannot supply. The acetyls from ALC can combine with coenzyme A (the metabolized form of the vitamin pantothenic acid, which is responsible for metabolizing fatty acids) to create acetylcoenzyme A (A-CoA). This molecule plays a vital role in the citric acid cycle (the biological reactions within mitochondria that provide cellular energy). ALC can also give its acetyl group to choline to form the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. When cellular energy charges and A-CoA stores grow low, ALC supplementation replenishes both. And when cellular energy charges are high, L-carnitine can convert back to ALC to conserve the acetyl until it is needed for future energy generation.

How ALC Supports Metabolism
A 1993 Russian study observed that ALC administration for 10 days significantly increased maximum running speed and endurance. This tracks with a 2004 test that saw 59 percent of 30 patients suffering from fatigue report sizable improvements in their mental and bodily energy after ingesting ALC daily for 24 weeks. A 1997 study found that those runners taking 2 g of L-carnitine daily increased their top running speed by as much as 5.7 percent. While both L-carnitine and ALC are established providers of athletic performance boosts, as an esterified compound, ALC possesses impressive bioavailability to traverse cell walls and the bloodbrain barrier into the central nervous system. Indeed, a 2004 study appearing in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences compared ALC to L-carnitine’s effects, finding that while “ALC and L-carnitine were similar in increasing ambulatory activity in old rats and elevating carnitine levels in blood and brain…ALC was effective… in decreasing oxidative damage.” And, unlike the other ALC products on the market, MRM’s patented ALC formula maximizes this already potent bioavailability by virtue of being the first available via a liquid delivery system. The combination of enhanced bioavailability and ALC’s natural antioxidant capabilities demonstrates ALC’s versatility in supporting exercise and in supporting healthy stress levels and brain health.

Natalie says:
“Digestive Enzymes are enzymes that specifically work in the digestive system to facilitate the digestion, absorption, and transportation of nutrients. They also work to promote timely elimination of digestive waste products that are not of use to the body. Without enzymes, our cells would not get adequate nutrition and we would not survive.
Enzymes function as catalysts to enhance and dramatically speed up biochemical reactions that occur in every one of our cells. They are only activated in water, so staying hydrated is very important for enzymes to work effectively. Enzymes must be present to ensure proper digestion of nutrients, energy production, metabolism, transportation of fluid to cells, and elimination of toxins among many other functions.

Enzymes exist in foods to help our body’s breakdown what we eat. Raw, uncooked foods are the only foods that contain enzymes. Since the majority of our diets are cooked foods, we significantly limit the enzymes available in our food for digestion, thus putting more stress on our digestive systems. Some supplemental enzymes should be taken with food to enhance digestion and absorption of nutrients, whereas other supplemental enzymes should be taken on an empty stomach to support circulation, decrease inflammation, support our immune systems and combat stress. Imbalances in these factors have been scientifically proven to be associated with or the cause of numerous diseases.”

Folic acid is the man made version of an essential vitamin naturally found in foods. When the vitamin is natural and found in foods it is called folate, but when it is added to foods, such as grains, or taken as a vitamin supplement it is called folic acid. A deficiency of folate can wreak havoc on the body causing a type of anemia, and making you feel horrible. More to the fact having a deficiency of folate while pregnant has been directly related to abnormal fetus development and death. It is recommended that every woman of child bearing age should take a folic acid supplement to avoid such dangers as this, but folic acid is beneficial to everyone, even men.

Folate/folic acid is a water soluble B vitamin that helps produce DNA and form healthy new cells; when folate/folic acid combines with vitamin B12 it helps create new red blood cells. This ability to create DNA and red blood cells is essentially what makes taking a folic acid supplement so important. Foods that are rich in folate, or enriched with folic acid, are dark green vegetables, beans and grains including cereal. Also, fruits such as cantaloupe, honey dew melon, oranges, and grapefruit juice are a great source of folate as well.

Most folic acid supplements deliver 400mcg of the vitamin daily. While this is the normal amount of folic acid in a supplement, it is still important to check the labels to be sure. It is important to know that getting too much folate from food is impossible, BUT you can take too much folic acid. Remember folate is naturally occurring, and folic acid is the supplement. No one should consume over 1000 mcg of Folic Acid daily, this can lead to nerve damage in people with lower amounts of vitamin B12. There is no reason to tally your total folate for the day, before deciding to take a folic acid supplement, as the two have no effect on one another. They are essentially the same thing, but different enough to not infere with one another.

Taking a folic acid supplement is important for anyone, but for women of child bearing age it is extremely important. Many women, not planning on getting pregnant, don’t take a folic acid supplement because they are not planning a pregnancy, but the unplanned babies are equally as important as the planned ones. And the fact of the matter is 90% of pregnancies are unplanned. So, let’s do our part and keep our unplanned, surprise babies, healthy as well!

The Goji berry is a small red berry that grows in the subtropical regions of China, Mongolia and Tibet. This berry has been used for over 6,000 years by Chinese, Tibetan, and Indian herbalists to promote a healthy liver, healthy eyesight, improved sexual function and fertility, as well as strength in the legs. However, this is not the only benefits the Goji berry possesses; it has also been linked to boosting the immune system, improving circulation, and promoting longevity.

There have also been many claims of the Goji berry being an extremely powerful anti aging supplement. As a matter of fact, one of the companies that markets a popular Goji berry supplement claims that a man named Li Qing Yuen consumed Goji berries daily and lived to be 252 years old… This particular claim is likely untrue. However, ingesting large numbers of antioxidants does have powerful anti-aging effects on the body, and the Goji berry is loaded with these same powerful antioxidants. So logically taking a Goji berry supplement would keep you young and healthy longer.

While the Goji berry has been used for over 6,000 years in the east it has yet to gain the recognition is deserves in the west. It is because of this one small fact that researchers have failed to put the Goji berry through a series of vigorous testing and research.  The Chinese Journal of Oncology printed a study they performed in 1994; researchers found that 79 people with cancer responded better to their treatment when Goji was added to their treatment.

In other Chinese studies researchers have remarked on the powerful antioxidants present in the Goji berry. While others have stated that Goji extract may prevent the growth of cancer cells, reduce blood glucose, and lower cholesterol levels. The antioxidants in the Goji berry alone make this berry worth its weight in gold. Even with out the popularity of the western world the eastern scientists have presented more than enough evidence to show that the Goji berry is a tremendous asset to anyone’s daily supplement routine.

The Goji berry can be found in many different forms. While the most popular form is the great tasting juice from the berry itself, it can also be found in other forms such as the dried berry, Goji berry tea, and the very beneficial Goji berry extract. This extract is often found in pill form and is a great alternative for people who dislike the taste of the juice or tea.

Skin health is all too often something people take for granted. When we are young and our skin is nice and taut, 99% of us never think about the future, or the negligence we have on our skin. A common misconception among the general public is that skin care is not necessary until you reach middle age, this could not be any further from the truth.

Taking care of your skin now is essential to the look and texture of your skin in the future. You see, our skin, like other systems and nutrients in our body slows the production of certain elements when we age, so when you notice the damage it is often too late to reverse it. However, if you prevent the damage, and keep the skin healthy from the start the damage will hold off until much, much later in life.

Another misconception is that the answer to aging is with the application of chemicals and harsh products. This, like the previous misconception is very wrong, chemicals and other toxic additives can sometimes have the reverse effect on your skin…hence the terms chemical burn or allergic reaction, which has the possibility to leave permanent damage.

Mother Nature gave us all we need when it comes to skin care and anti-aging. Nature has been delivering moisturizing products naturally for much longer than any company has been mixing weird ingredients and claiming to have bottled the fountain of youth. A woman who picked up on this fascinating fact early, and long before the all natural fad train left the station, was a woman named Annemarie Borlind.

Annemarie Borlind created a huge line of effective and excellent all natural skin care products. The great thing about these products is they work with your body to alleviate the skin condition you are suffering from. Ms. Annemarie has a product for just about every ailment you can think of; as a chronic sufferer of Acne she initially created several acne skin care treatments to clear the skin naturally without the use of harsh chemicals.

The Annemarie Borlind “Blemished Skin Cleansing Gel” gives the skin a deep cleaning while nourishing it with herbal extracts, but not over drying it. This brilliant combination of herbs leaves the face completely clean without stripping the skin of its essential oils. Remember most other acne face washes have harsh chemical based active ingredients, which can cause irritation and over drying. This wash can be followed up by applying a “Blemished Skin Cleansing Mask”; this mask will prevent any new break outs from occurring, and give the skin a fresh glow.

Although. Not everyone has acne; maybe you simply need a really good moisturizer for your hands or body. If you are in search of an all natural moisturizer look no further than an amazing Annemarie Borlind body moisturizing products. Her line of moisturizers is so very specific to you personal needs that it is as if she has created the product specifically for you. You can browse the full line of her products and choose your specific type depending on the fragrance, or severity of dryness.

Alpha Lipoic Acid, or ALA is a fatty acid that is naturally found inside every cell within the body, the role of this fatty acid is to convert glucose to energy. However, the truly amazing thing about alpha lipoic acid is that it is also an amazing antioxidant. What sets alpha lipoic acid apart from other antioxidants like vitamin C and E, is that fact that ALA is able to function in water and fat. Researchers also believe that this particular antioxidant has the ability to collect old used up antioxidants, vitamin C and glutathione, and recycle them once it has collected them. This helps the body in tremendous ways as glutathione is responsible for ridding the body of harmful substances. But, believe it or not, this is not all that ALA does for our bodies.

There are several actions that ALA performs within the body on a day to day basis that keep us up and running. First and foremost ALA is an antioxidant, so it destroys free radicals that could harm our cells. However, there are also several conditions that an ALA supplement could help treat. For instance, peripheral neuropathy is a condition in which the there is a problem with the nerve that carries messages to and from the brain; this condition can be extremely painful, and sometimes difficult to treat effectively. But, researchers and studies suggest that ALA is beneficial in alleviating symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

Other conditions that researchers suggest ALA may be helpful in treating is cataracts, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, burning mouth syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. But in order to definitively suggest ALA as a treatment, researchers must organize large study groups with conclusive results. These suggestions are being made on the bases of small study groups with positive conclusive results.

So, now that you know what ALA does… where does it come from?

Alpha Lipoic Acid is made by the body, but can be found in very small amounts in certain foods, these foods include:

• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Peas
• Brussel Sprouts
• Rice Bran
• Organ Meat

ALA is only found in very small amounts in these foods, so using a supplement to aid the body in making, or restoring, the ALA in your system is always a good idea. Most definitely if you have any of the conditions listed above. Researchers have noted that taking an ALA supplement on an empty stomach may aid the body in absorption. Diabetics should be sure to speak with their healthcare provider before starting an ALA regimen. This is because of the effects that ALA has on blood sugar; ALA has shown very positive results on controlling blood sugar, which can cause problems when taking medications used to lower blood sugar. Always remember to abide by the product guidelines when taking any supplement.

With all the commercials circulating for osteoporosis it is no new fact that calcium is needed to build and maintains strong healthy bones, but in actuality you need this essential mineral for a lot more than building healthy bones. Calcium plays a role in many life sustaining actions throughout the day such as regulating your heart beat, clotting your blood, conducting nerve impulses, and stimulating hormone secretions. The tricky thing is that your body not only uses calcium everyday, it loses calcium everyday as well. If you do not supplement, or get enough calcium through your diet, your body will take what it needs from the stored calcium in your bones and teeth.

The average adult should get a recommended 1,000-1,200mg of calcium daily. However, many people do not get this required amount because of strict or poor diets. The problem occurs after the age of 30 -35, after this point the body no longer stores calcium in the bones, which leaves your body reliant on you to consume calcium rich foods or a supplement. If you do not supplement, the body will continue to try and get calcium from your bones, where it is no longer stored, and this over time will lead to osteoporosis.

The typical adult consumes only 20% of their recommended daily amount of calcium; this is why doctors often suggest taking vitamin D in conjunction with a calcium supplement because, Vitamin D aids the body in absorbing the mineral. Calcium exists in nature as a compound, therefore when you purchase a supplement it usually comes in one of three forms: calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, or calcium phosphate. There is really not much difference between the three other than the amount of calcium vs. the amount of the other mineral. You should try to get the supplement that contains the most calcium, rather than the most filler; it may also be beneficial to find one that combines both the calcium and the vitamin D.

Another key point to look for is the purity of the supplement, if the supplement is a good name brand than it should be safe. However, if the name brand is one you have never heard of before you should be sure that it meets the USP standards. Always avoid calcium that comes from unrefined oyster shell, bone meal, or dolomite because of the risk of dangerous toxins. Calcium has been known to interfere with the absorption of certain medications, if you are taking prescriptive medication check with you pharmacist about spacing your meds appropriately to avoid an interaction. If you experience side effects such as constipation or gas try switching to a different brand of calcium.

Once you decide which supplement to take and when to take it, you may start noticing other subtle effects that researchers have linked to taking a calcium supplement. Researcher have linked adequate amounts of calcium in the body to better weight management, control of hypertension, restoration of a normal reproductive cycle, less severe menopause and PMS symptoms, and prevention of certain cancers… among other things. Now that you know how to choose a supplement, and why to take a calcium supplement, the only thing left to do is to buy a bottle of Calcium with vitamin D and start your healthier daily regimen.

Natalie counts down the top 10 best foods you could eat.

In a fast food nation, eating healthy food becomes difficult to do. Yet a poor diet contributes to low energy, obesity, stress, health problems and high medical bills. If you eat better, you will feel better and this video discusses some of the foods you should avoid.