Shape-Up Reviewed

Caffeine- The bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid caffeine is found in tea, coffee, soft drinks, chocolates, pain relievers, and a variety of over the counter medications. It is a psychoactive stimulant drug that causes increased alertness by stimulating the central nervous system. For the same reason, many people feel more energetic after consuming it. It even elevates the mood but these effects do not last for long. The effects of caffeine usually last for about five to six hours, though caffeine sensitivity varies from person to person. It has been found that people who consume lot of caffeine on a daily basis soon develop less sensitivity and may need to increase their intake to enjoy the same effect. Being a diuretic, a person consuming caffeine may have to urinate more often.

Chromium Picolinate is, besides chromium polynicotinate, a nutritional supplement designed to avoid or treat chromium deficiency. Insulin requires some modest levels of chromium in order to utilize glucose in healthy individuals. There is no record of chromium deficiency occurrences in regular population, only prolonged dieters in clinically observed and controlled obesity reduction treatments have registered any. Clinical trials have suggested that chromium picolinate may have antidepressant qualities, when applied to patients with atypical depression. Further observation signaled a reduction in carbohydrate cravings and seemed to regulate appetite. These results led to the incorporation of chromium picolinate into supplements for athletes who are working on body development and are looking to lose weight. It has been also observed that chromium picolinate is able to boost the blood levels of insulin for a limited time.

Green Tea Extract is of immense use to treat body ache, headaches and poor digestion. The green tea extract contains polyphenols to high levels and is an opulent source of antioxidant. It has the power of fighting free radicals more than vitamin E. the polyphenols present in green tea extract protect against respiratory and digestive infections. It blocks the carcinogens actions that promotes cancer and reduces the cholesterol levels. Green tea extract helps in metabolizing fat. The dieters can feel the weight loss without side effects and jitters. The green tea extract decreases the heart disease risk and also helps in preventing liver failure. The benefits of green tea extract are many, but as it contains caffeine, medical experts should be consulted prior to using it. Green tea extract also defends dental plaque. Green tea extracts prevents even liver transplant failure, but pregnant women should take green tea only after doctor consultation.

Guggulsterone- Commiphora wightii, or the so called Guggul tree is a flowering shrub or rather a small tree which can grow up to a size of 4 meters. Once very common in India, it is now there listed as endangered, but not in northern Africa or elsewhere in central Asia. It was very popular in the Indian Ayurvedic medicine, but also currently in the western medicine for treating of heart problems. The hydrocarbon secretion of Guggul contains a plant sterol, guggulsterone, which in the human body seems to act as an antagonist to the farnesoid X receptor. Furthermore, guggulsterone is active in increasing the natural thyroid production. This in turn stimulates the metabolism and may raise the body temperature, burning stored excess fat.

Kola Nut is native to Africa, mainly found in the tropical rain forests. There are about hundred and twenty tree species which belong to this family, their fruit, the kola nut, being the interesting feature. It has been traditionally used for chewing, with an effect where hunger cravings subsided. The popularity of the kola nut was established by The Coca-Cola Company, which used the kola nut as an ingredient in this popular drink. Many other similar drinks and also energy drinks feature this ingredient. The kola nut, although featuring caffeine, provides a xanthine mixture with catechins which not only stimulate the central nervous system but also has analeptic and lipolytic properties, as well as chronotropic effects. Further effects include enhanced alertness, physical energy, mood and tactile sensitivity, as well as appetite suppression.

L-Phenylalanine- The human body needs L-Phenylalanine for survival as it is an essential amino acid. It is found in food items that are rich in protein such as eggs, meat, dairy products, beans and fish. Since the body cannot produce L-Phenylalanine from other chemicals, you need to increase the intake of protein for fulfilling the nutritional needs. L-Phenylalanine is one of the chemical forms of Phenylalanine, an amino acid. It helps in building up of several proteins produced by human body. L-Phenylalanine supplements act as an appetite suppressant as it initiates the release of cholecystokinin, an intestinal hormone. Once this hormone enters the stomach, it signals your brain that you are not hungry anymore. According to experts, you should not take more than 500-1000 mg of L-Phenylalanine per day.

Theobromine, which is a mild diuretic and mild stimulant. Theobromine can be found in cocoa and chocolate products. Theobromine is most commonly used for its diuretic effect.

Vitamin B12- Also called Riboflavin, B2 is a water absorbed vitamin of which the body must replenish its supplies each day as it cannot be stored. It is necessary for the production of red blood cells and, like the other B vitamins, it works at supporting it supports energy production by helping in the metabolism of various foods.B2 is required for healthy skin as well as hair growth, the nails and has a role in regulating the activity of the thyroid gland. It is also necessary in order that the body can process amino acids found in proteins and fats and to activate vitamin B6 and folic acid.

Vitamin B16

White Willow Bark, or Salix alba, is a willow commonly found in Europe and adjacent parts of western and central Asia. The bark of the White Willow has been used for centuries against fevers and to ease pains and aches. Already Hippocrates wrote about the White Willow bark powder two thousand five hundred years ago. The active ingredient of the White Willow bark is called salicin, a relative to aspirin and chemical derivative of the salicylic acid. When ingested, salicin is converted to salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid. As a nutritional supplement, White Willow products are being propagated as weight loss additives, whereby the scientific community has yet to provide any corroboration to this allegation. Besides the well known anti inflammatory characteristics, any other uses have not been approved by the FDA.