Lipoxanthin^®

The Science behind Lipoxanthin®

Millions of people in the US and worldwide are overweight or obese. For many, managing weight and body composition is challenging. Some nutritional supplements may make it easier for people to maintain weight and improve body composition.

One approach is to use compounds that enhance thermogenesis. Thermogenesis is the process of metabolizing fat to create heat in the body. Certain dietary substances are known to induce this process. These include ephedra (ephedrine), bitter orange (synephrine), chili peppers (capsaicin), green tea (EGCG), protein, pyruvate, and fucoxanthin. Some of these compounds stimulate the central nervous system as a component of their action. Non-stimulant thermogenic compounds promote fat burning through different mechanisms.

Thermogenic Blend

Fucoxanthin – a unique thermogenic compound

Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid compound that is common in many seaweeds and marine plants. It is related to compounds like beta carotene and chlorophyl and helps plants capture sunlight and convert it to energy. Fucoxanthin is present in many brown seaweeds eaten in some Asian cuisines, such as the dried seaweed nori used to wrap sushi.

Due to its unique molecular structure, fucoxanthin exhibits a number of potentially beneficial effects on animal cells as shown in preclinical research. These effects include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and antidiabetic actions. Among its more powerful actions, fucoxanthin appears to be an overall regulator of lipid metabolism in fat tissue. Preclinical research in rodents suggests that it exerts its thermogenic actions by inducing the expression of the uncoupling protein (UCP1) that promotes thermogenesis.

Types of brown seaweed in a traditional Japanese diet have been shown to reduce the weight of abdominal fat tissue in mice and rats ^[1,2] presumably from fucoxanthin as the active component. The same research found that the seaweed inhibited fat absorption, decreased serum triglyceride levels, and had an anti-obesity effect in mice
on a high fat diet. Fucoxanthin has been shown to inhibit intercellular lipid accumulation.^[3]

Fucoxanthin appears to be easily metabolized and highly bioavailable.^[4] Fucoxanthin shows few adverse effects on normal cells^[5] and no signs of toxicity even at high doses (750mg/kg per day for 4 weeks). ^[6]

One double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled human trial of fucoxanthin, found that obese, premenopausal women with fatty liver disease given a mixture of 300mg pomegranate seed oil and 300 mg brown seaweed extract standardized for 2.4mg of fucoxanthin showed statistically significant reduction of body weight, waist circumference, body and liver fat content, serum triglyerides, and C-reative protein (CRP). On average, the women in the study lost 11 pounds over 16 weeks.^[7] More human trials of fucoxanthin are currently underway.

Green Tea, Green Coffee and Caffeine

Lipoxanthin also incorporates thermogenic compounds that have a mild stimulant effect to maximize its effects.

Caffeine is one of the best known and best understood thermogenic compounds. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that also works within cells to inhibit the phosphodiesterase-induced degradation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) within cells. This helps maintain the cells’ energy burning processes. Caffeine has also been found to help potentiate the thermogenic effect of other thermogenic compounds—particularly during calorie restriction.

The caffeine in Lipoxanthin is derived primarily from coffee bean extract and green tea leaf extract. These extracts also contain phytochemicals such as epigallocatechin (EGCG) and chlorogenic acids, which are believed to help potentiate thermogenesis.

Gluco Support Blend

Berberine

Many people who are overweight or obese suffer from insulin resistance where the body’s cells no longer properly respond to insulin. Normally, insulin controls the levels of glucose (blood sugar) and lipids (fat molecules) in the blood by moving them into cells to be burned as energy. Cells that are insulin resistant no longer respond to normal levels of insulin and require the pancreas to produce higher and higher amounts of insulin in order to clear glucose and lipids from the blood.

Berberine is an alkaloid compound from barberry (Berberis vulgaris) and several other plants. Plants containing berberis have been used in Chinese traditional medicine for hundreds of years. In modern medicine it has shown several beneficial actions including antibiotic, cholesterol lowering, and blood sugar (diabetes) management, among others.

Several human studies have shown berberine to be effective in lowering elevated blood glucose.^[8] In fact, berberine is as effective as the leading prescription drug Metformin in lowering blood sugar.¹ Berberine has been shown to restore insulin sensitivity^[9] and modulates key molecules in the insulin-signalling pathway to increase glucose uptake in
insulin-resistant cells.^[10]

In one double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 24 subjects with metabolic syndrome received either 500mg of berberine or a placebo three times a day for three months. Those who received berberine experienced remission in their metabolic syndrome and displayed a significant decrease in waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, triglyceride profile, area under the curve (AUC) insulin and other markers of the syndrome. ^[11]

A 2015 analysis of 27 human studies totalling over 2,500 patients with Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipemia found significant improvements in biomarkers for both short term and longer term glucose metabolism when berberine was administered. Berberine was more effective than placebo and berberine combined with lifestyle intervention (such as exercise and calorie restriction) was more effective than lifestyle intervention alone. ^[12] The study also found that berberine lowers triglycerides and that no serious side effects were reported in any of the 27 studies of berberine.

Cinnulin PF® Cinnamon Extract

Cinnamon is one of the world’s most popular and widely used spices. Usage of cinnamon in Chinese medicine is said to date back over 4,000 years. Cinnamon was imported to Egypt and Europe from the Far East by 500 B.C. In addition to its value as a culinary spice, cinnamon has traditionally been utilized for immune health and supporting digestive function.

Cinnulin PF^® is the patented and clinically studied water–soluble extract of cinnamon containing Type-A Polymers. Cinnulin PF is extracted from
the Cinnamomum burmannii species and unlike raw cinnamon powder does not contain coumarin or other undesirable components. Cinnulin PF has been shown to support healthy blood sugar metabolism.

Researchers led by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have discovered that constituents in cinnamon bark called procyanidin Type-A polymers are the bioactive phytonutrients that help maintain the body’s ability to metabolize glucose in a healthy way. Cinnulin PF^®, is a clinically researched, patented water extract of cinnamon that contains these Type-A polymers.

Cinnulin PF is the only extract standardized for doubly-linked Type-A Polymers, specifically tetramers and trimers shown in clinical research to have a host of health benefits, particularly those related to Metabolic Syndrome. In a recent study, 83% of those given the active Type A Polymers experienced a significant decrease in fasting blood sugar (about an 8% drop), compared to only 33% in the placebo group. ^[13]

Moreover, subjects additionally showed statistically lower body fat, enhanced lean body mass, lower systolic blood pressure and saw improvements in various antioxidant measures.

Like berberine, cinnamon extract helps restore insulin sensitivity. One mechanism of insulin resistance is that protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP-1) blocks insulin receptor sites from recognizing insulin and therefore moving glucose into the cell.^[14] The cinnamon extract fractions in Cinnulin PF can regulate PTP-1 and insulin receptor sites to “unblock” the receptors ^[15] and therefore help control insulin resistance^[16] so that cells are again sensitive to insulin.

Studies have shown that cinnamon extracts can activate glycogen synthase, stimulate glucose uptake and inhibit glycogen synthase kinase.^[17,18,19] Glycogen synthase is a key enzyme in glycogenesis. It converts glucose into glycogen for storage. Glycogen synthase is stimulated by exercise and its concentration in the blood is highest 30 to 60 minutes after intense exercise.^[20]

Human trials have demonstrated Cinnulin PF’s role in reducing blood sugar and blood pressure levels and in improving body composition both from adding lean body mass and reducing body fat for people with insulin resistant conditions. In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 22 people with prediabetes (an advanced form of insulin resistance) and metabolic syndrome, half the subjects were supplemented with either 500mg/day of Cinnulin PF or a placebo. After 12 weeks, the subjects who received Cinnulin PF showed significant decreases in fasting blood glucose and systolic blood pressure and increases in lean body mass compared with the placebo group.^[21] Among the Cinnulin PF group, fasting blood glucose was reduced 8.4% (from 116.3 to 106.5mg/dL) on average; systolic blood pressure dropped, on average, 3.8% (from 133 to 128 mm Hg); and lean body mass increased 1.1% (0.6 kg) on average. Body fat also reduced slightly, but significantly for the Cinnulin PF group, on average -0.7% (-0.7kg). It is important to note that these body composition changes occurred without any change in diet or exercise patterns. No changes were observed in daily energy, macronutrient or
fluid intake during the study although there was a trend for the Cinnulin PF group to consume more total energy.

Chromax® Chromium Picolinate

Chromium is an essential trace mineral for humans.^[22] Chromium has several functions within the body, largely related to metabolism and glucose, lipid, and protein storage. Chromium appears to improve insulin signaling and improve insulin sensitivity. Administering chromium has been shown to normalize glucose and insulin levels in people with metabolic syndrome and diabetes. ^[23,24]

In one study, a group of overweight subjects with prediabetes were supplemented with 1000mcg/day of chromium (as Chromax brand chromium picolinate). The subjects improved insulin sensitivity, possibly due to direct action between insulin and muscle cells.^[25]

LipoCRP™ – Antioxidants to protect against fat inflammation signaling.

Our understanding of our fat cells has grown over the years as new discoveries are made. The adipose tissue has been shown to create and excrete chemical signals in the body. These chemical markers include the female hormone estrogen and the inflammation-causing cytokine interleukin 6, along with other biomarkers known as adipokines.

Obesity is now recognized as a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease^[26] rather than a failure to adequately balance energy consumption and expendature. Fat cells signal each other using these biomarkers and their inflammed state actually makes it difficult for lipids to be transported out of the cell for use in energy-production. Interleukin 6 is an inflammatory adipokine that may promote low grade
inflammation throughout the body. This inflammation can cause a variety of health concerns and contribute to the cross-talk between fat cells.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a biomarker for inflammation in the body. CRP levels rise when fighting an infection and typically fall rapidly once the infection heals. Healthy people typically have very low levels CRP in their blood (<10mg/L). Studies have found that a higher BMI (overweight and obesity) are associated with higher CRP concentrations.^[27] Obesity has been found to be the major cause of elevated CRP levels in people with metabolic syndrome—having a greater effect than exercise or smoking.^[28]

Studies have linked daily vitamin C supplementation with reduced CRP levels. (Note, though the names seem similar, C-reactive protein is not chemically related to vitamin C.) Two double-blind, placebo-controlled human trials of healthy, non-smokers found that supplementing with 500mg and 1,000mg of vitamin C daily corresponded to a reduction in serum CRP levels of 24% and 25% respectively. ^[29,30]

Other studies have shown marked correlation between obesity and low levels of vitamin C. One study found that marginal levels of serum vitamin C is associated with burning less fat and becoming more fatigued during exercise.^[31] Another study looked at a cross-section of rural Mexican women and linked vitamin C deficiency with a significantly higher incidence of obesity.^[32]

LipoCRP contains 1,000mg of vitamin C to dampen the signalling of fat cells and lower CRP levels. It also includes Hidrox^® freeze-dried olive pulp extract standardized for 3.5% hydroxytyrosol, a strong antioxidant and the most bioactive polyphenol from olives and an important part of the Mediterranean diet. In the body, hydroxytyrosol provides powerful antioxidant support and is active as an antioxidant in both fat and water soluble structures of the body.

Appendix A: References