Schizandra (Schizandra chinensis) of the family Schizandraceae, is a creeping vine with small red berries that is native to Northern China. As a traditional medicinal herb, Schizandra, called Wu-wei-tzu in China, has been used as a tonic for the treatment of chronic fatigue. During the early 1980's, Chinese doctors began researching Schizandra as a possible treatment for hepatitis, based on its potential for liver-protective effects and the nature of its active constituents. As a result of that research, Schizandra is now a recognized "adaptogen," capable of increasing the body's resistance to disease, stress, and other debilitating processes.

In Asia, this adaptogenic property is said to "stimulate immune defenses, balance body function, normalize body systems, boost recovery after surgery, protect against radiation, counteract the effects of sugar, optimize energy in times of stress, increase stamina, protect against motion sickness, normalize blood sugar and blood pressure, reduce high cholesterol, shield against infection, improve the health of the adrenals, energize RNA-DNA molecules to rebuild cells and produces energy comparable to that of a young athlete."

Studies conducted on Schizandra's effects have noted that the herb has a stimulating effect in low doses. Western herbalists commonly recommend Schizandra as support for the lungs, liver and kidneys, and to help with depression due to adrenergic exhaustion. In Russia, Schizandra is used to treat eye fatigue and increase acuity.

CAUTION: Schizandra should not be used during pregnancy except under medical supervision because it promotes uterine contractions during labor. Schizandra should be avoided by persons with peptic ulcers, epilepsy and high blood pressure.

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid found in common protein foods. Like other nutrient amino acids, phenylalanine comes in L- (from the Latin levo for left) and D- (from dextro for right) forms. The directions refer to minor differences in the amino acids' molecular structure, as evidenced by light refraction. L-phenylalanine is predominantly a nervous system stimulant, mood enhancer, and appetite suppressant. While D-phenylalanine also apparently has antidepressant properties, it is taken primarily to control chronic pain. Synthetic DL-phenylalanine (DLPA), which is a primary effector of mood elevation in the Jumpstart mix, is half L-phenylalanine and half D-phenylalanine. DLPA has some of the effects of both forms of phenylalanine, although most people take it for the pain-relieving effects of D-phenylalanine.

With the help of essential cofactors (such as pyridoxine, a form of vitamin B6, which is used with B12 to activate many of the critical ingredients of Jumpstart), the body transforms phenylalanine in a series of steps into the amino acid tyrosine and then into the important neurotransmitters dopamine and noradrenaline. These neurotransmitters affect brain and nervous system function to elevate mood and increase alertness. D-phenylalanine has also been shown to promote the action in the brain of the small protein molecules known as endorphins and enkephalins. These are natural, morphine-like biochemicals that reduce pain and promote mild euphoria. D-phenylalanine is thought to work by inhibiting the enzymes that normally break down endorphins and enkephalins. This allows endorphins and enkephalins to stay active longer, thus enhancing mood and preventing the perception of pain. D-phenylalanine can also be converted in the body into the compound phenylethylamine, which is thought to have mood-boosting effects.

There is some evidence to suggest DLPA can help alcoholics or other drug addicts during withdrawal, and is well known to have as significant an antidepressant effect as many of the more common prescribed drugs. A 1985 study found that DLPA improved the mood and mood stability of subjects with attention deficit disorder. It is claimed that phenylalanine can promote sexual arousal, and there is evidence that phenylalanine can increase mental alertness (Grevet et al. 2002) and release hormones reducing appetite.

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: On occasion people report headaches or nausea from taking DLPA. Certain people should avoid all forms of phenylalanine supplements, such as anyone with high blood pressure and women who are pregnant or lactating. It should not be used by anyone taking MAO inhibitor antidepressants - combining phenylalanine and MAO inhibitors can lead to dangerously high blood pressure. Young children, anyone with psychosis, and those suffering from malignant melanoma or the condition known as phenylketonuria, a genetic disorder of phenylalanine metabolism, should also not take phenylalanine supplements.

Tyrosine:

• A precursor for biosynthesis of neurotransmitters
• A precursor for adrenaline and thyroid hormones
• Used to treat depression, anxiety, and allergies
• Combined with tryptophan to treat drug abuse
• Suppresses appetite
• Tyrosine deficiency will result in depression and mood disorders
• As a dietary precursor, one of the major nutritional ingredients that affects neurotransmitter synthesis and brain functions

Tyrosine is a nonessential amino acid synthesized in the body from phenylalanine. It is an important nutritional ingredient and factor for biosynthesis of the brain neurotransmitters epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Tyrosine is also used to produce one of the major hormones, thyroxin, which plays an important role in controlling metabolic rate, skin health, mental health, and growth rate.

Tyrosine is specifically used to treat depression because it is a precursor for those neurotransmitters that are responsible for transmitting nerve impulses and essential for preventing depression. In fact, in a study of healthy women who underwent phenylalanine/tyrosine depletion, the results showed a lowering of mood (Leyton et al. 1999). Another study, this time with healthy male volunteers in a randomized, double blind study, reinforced the earlier research (Grevet et al. 2002). Results were similar in that the men, after being fed deficient phenylalanine/tyrosine mixtures, experienced depressed mood and alertness.

Tyrosine has been tested on humans for increasing their endurance to anxiety and stress under fatigue. It was proven in research studies that tyrosine supplementation results in increased performance over a control group (Avraham et al. 2001). Tyrosine was also used with the amino acid tryptophan for treatment of cocaine abuse (Tutton et al. 1993).

Tyrosine is a mild antioxidant, reacting with free radicals that can cause damage to cells and improving health and physical well-being. It is also thought that tyrosine promotes sexual drive. Tyrosine may also be used as a mild appetite suppressant.

Rhodiola has well-documented qualities as a powerful adaptogen (an endurance enhancer). In this capacity it appears to help the body stay healthy and perform in top-notch condition despite physical exhaustion or environmental stresses, such as high heat or pollutants in the air and water.

In recent years, dozens of uses for Rhodiola rosea have been discovered, including treating depression and fatigue, enhancing memory and intellectual capacity, increasing work performance and endurance, and stimulating the nervous system. Many of these potential benefits relate to the herb's adaptogenic qualities.  Rhodiola Rosea is an excellent adaptogen which actually supports the adrenal glands, working with the body to reduce stress while boosting energy, balancing the stimulants so as to not overtax the system.

One particularly interesting aspect of rhodiola is that it appears to work differently within the body than other adaptogens -- the best known of which is the very popular herb Siberian ginseng. Rhodiola's unique mechanism of action excites researchers because it means this herb may be able to provide a therapeutic alternative to established adaptogens. Other studies on rhodiola have shown benefits in such varied areas as increased learning capacity and memory enhancement, regulation of menstrual periods and infertility, reduction of side effects from cancer chemotherapy, increased sexual libido and erectile dysfunction, enhancement of thyroid gland function, increased capacity for work and endurance, and protection from environmental toxins.

Rhodiola is a good example of the intelligent blend of remarkable ingredients in Jumpstart's formula. It epitomizes the core qualities of this product, including the ability to:

Improve performance capacity. A handful of studies have shown that rhodiola increases performance in individuals who are working under stressful conditions. For example, a small 2000 study published in the journal Phytomedicine examined the herb's effect on mental fatigue in a group of 56 healthy young Armenian doctors doing night duty. In this double-blind study, measures of mental fatigue (such as impaired short-term memory, associative thinking, audio-visual perception) were very much improved after supplementation with a rhodiola extract as opposed to a placebo.

Ease chronic fatigue syndrome. Rhodiola appears to have clinical benefits for chronic fatigue syndrome through a variety of mechanisms--including raising levels of neurotransmitters, improving metabolism of fatty acids, and enhancing energy molecules, such as ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and CP (creatine phosphate).

Fight fatigue and boost energy. Even for individuals who don't have chronic fatigue syndrome, rhodiola is becoming increasingly popular to counter the exhaustion that occurs from working the body too hard, either physically or mentally. With rhodiola, problems of fatigue- or exhaustion-related sleep, appetite, and headache may lift. Those struggling to recover from an intense work schedule may also benefit from the herb's apparent energy-boosting powers.

Prevent stress-related illnesses. Because rhodiola is an adaptogen, it's likely that this herb can help boost resistance to physical stresses--and the illnesses that commonly follow, from immune-system suppression to high blood pressure and heart disease. Acute stress in particular tends to shift the body's levels of endorphins and monoamines, neurochemicals that rhodiola helps to rebalance. More clinical research is clearly needed to demonstrate this effect, but the hope is that rhodiola taken during times of acute stress may help to stabilize the body.

Vitamins, Minerals, Beauty and Fitness