Knowledge base

Every ingredient, explained.

Plain-language notes on every ingredient we use: what it does, when to be careful, and the studies behind it.

#

  • 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan)

    5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is the molecule your body makes from the amino acid tryptophan on the way to serotonin, supplied in supplements from Griffonia simplicifolia...

A

  • Activated carbon

    Also known as activated charcoal, is a form of carbon that has been processed to have small, low-volume pores that increase its surface area

  • Aloe vera

    Is a perennial succulent plant species known for its thick, fleshy leaves

  • Alpha amylase

    Is a type of amylase enzyme that specifically breaks down starch molecules into smaller carbohydrates like maltose and glucose.

  • Alpha-GPC

    Or alpha-glycerophosphocholine, is a natural compound found in the brain and various food sources.

  • Alpha-keto glutaric acid

    Also known as 2-oxoglutaric acid or α-ketoglutaric acid, is a key intermediate in the Krebs cycle, or the citric acid cycle, a central metabolic...

  • Amylase

    Is an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into simpler sugars.

  • Arabinogalactan

    Is a type of polysaccharide found in many plant species, including larch trees.

  • Artichoke extract

    Is derived from the leaves of the artichoke plant (Cynara scolymus), a member of the thistle family.

  • Ashwagandha

    Scientifically known as Withania somnifera, is an ancient medicinal herb native to India and North Africa.

B

  • Banaba leaf

    Scientifically known as Lagerstroemia Speciosa, is a tropical flowering plant native to Southeast Asia.

  • Beet powder

    Is made from dried and ground beetroot, the taproot portion of the beet plant, typically the red or purple varieties.

  • Beta-glucanase

    Is an enzyme that breaks down beta-glucans, a type of polysaccharide found in the cell walls of plants, fungi, bacteria, and some algae.

  • Betaine hydrochloride

    (HCl) is a compound derived from sugar beets, commonly used in dietary supplements to support digestive health

  • Bifidobacterium bifidum (Bb-02)

    Is a strain of bacteria belonging to the Bifidobacterium genus, which is commonly found in the human gastrointestinal tract.

  • Bifidobacterium lactis

    Is a type of bacteria commonly found in the human gut.

  • Black pepper extract

    Also known as Piperine, is derived from the dried fruit of the Piper nigrum plant.

  • Boron

    Is a trace mineral naturally found in soil, water, and certain foods.

C

  • Calcium

    Is a mineral that is essential for the proper functioning of the human body, particularly for bone and teeth health, muscle function, nerve transmission,...

  • Calcium D-glucarate

    Is a natural compound found in fruits and vegetables, as well as in the human body.

  • Cat's claw

    Also known as Uncaria tomentosa, is a woody vine native to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical areas of Central and South America.

  • Cellulase

    Is an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of cellulose, a complex carbohydrate found in plant cell walls, into simpler sugars like glucose.

  • Chamomile extract

    Is derived from the flowers of the chamomile plant, primarily the German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) or Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile).

  • Chitosanase

    Is an enzyme that acts like molecular scissors, cutting up chitosan, which is a tough material found in the shells of crustaceans like shrimp...

  • Choline

    Choline is an essential nutrient the body uses to build cell membranes, make the messenger acetylcholine and move fat out of the liver. Adults...

  • Chromium

    Is a trace mineral found in soil, water, and various foods.

  • Citrus pectin

    Is a soluble fiber extracted from the peel and pulp of citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits.

  • Clinoptilolite

    Marketed under the brand name G-pur, is a naturally occurring zeolite mineral with a crystalline structure.

  • Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

    Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble compound the body makes itself and uses to produce cellular energy. It has no RDA or upper limit....

  • Copper

    Is a trace mineral found in various foods and supplements that plays a crucial role in many physiological processes within the body.

D

E

  • Edta

    Short for Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid, is a synthetic compound that is often used as a chelating agent in various industrial and medical applications.

G

  • GABA

    GABA is the brain's main calming, or inhibitory, neurotransmitter. As a supplement it is sold for stress and sleep, but a 2020 systematic review...

  • Glucoamylase

    Is an enzyme that helps break down complex carbohydrates, like starch, into simpler sugars, such as glucose, making it easier for the body to...

  • Glutamine

    Is a conditionally essential amino acid, meaning that while the body can produce it, there are instances where dietary sources or supplementation may be...

  • Glycine

    Is a non-essential amino acid found in proteins.

H

  • Hemicellulase

    Is an enzyme that breaks down hemicellulose, a complex carbohydrate found in plant cell walls.

  • Himalayan Shilajit Extract

    Himalayan Shilajit Extract is a natural substance found in the Himalayan mountains, primarily in regions such as Nepal, Bhutan, and India.

  • Humic and fulvic acids

    Are organic compounds that are naturally found in soil, sediment, and water.

I

  • Inositol

    Is a type of sugar alcohol that is naturally found in various foods and is also produced by the human body.

  • Iron

    Children aged 1 to 13 need 7 to 10 mg of iron a day, men need 8 mg and women aged 19 to 50...

L

  • L-citrulline

    Is a non-essential amino acid produced naturally by the body and also found in certain foods.

  • L-methionine

    Is an essential amino acid, meaning it must be obtained from the diet as the body cannot produce it on its own.

  • L-ornithine

    Is a non-protein amino acid that is naturally produced in the body.

  • L-Phenylalanine

    Is an essential amino acid, meaning it must be obtained from the diet as the body cannot produce it on its own.

  • L-theanine

    Is a non-protein amino acid found primarily in tea leaves, particularly green tea.

  • L-Tryptophan

    Tryptophan is an essential amino acid and the only building block the body uses to make serotonin, and then melatonin. Only about 3% of...

  • L-tyrosine

    L-tyrosine is an amino acid the body uses to build dopamine and norepinephrine. In a 2015 research review, extra tyrosine helped thinking mainly in...

  • Lactase

    Is an enzyme that breaks down lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products, into its two component sugars, glucose and galactose.

  • Lactobacillus acidophilus

    Is a type of bacteria that naturally resides in the human gastrointestinal tract, particularly in the intestines.

  • Lactobacillus paracasei (LPC-37)

    Is a strain of bacteria belonging to the Lactobacillus genus, which is known for its probiotic properties.

  • Lipase

    Is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of fats, breaking down triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol.

  • Lithium orotate

    Lithium orotate is a low-dose supplement that gives 4.8 mg of elemental lithium, a trace mineral, per capsule, with a label serving of one...

M

  • Magnesium

    Adults need 310 to 420 mg of magnesium a day and children aged 1 to 13 need 80 to 240 mg, according to the...

  • Manganese

    Is a trace mineral that is essential for various biological processes in the body, including metabolism, bone formation, and antioxidant defense mechanisms.

  • Marshmallow

    Scientifically known as Althaea officinalis, is a flowering plant native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa.

  • Methionine

    Is an essential amino acid, meaning it must be obtained from the diet since the body cannot produce it.

  • Methylfolate

    Is the active form of folate, a B vitamin essential for various bodily functions, including DNA synthesis and repair, cell division, and neurotransmitter synthesis.

  • Milk thistle

    Scientifically known as Silybum marianum, is a flowering herb native to the Mediterranean region and widely cultivated around the world.

  • Molybdenum

    Is an essential trace mineral that plays a crucial role in various biological processes, including enzyme function, metabolism, and detoxification.

  • Msm

    Short for Methylsulfonylmethane, is a naturally occurring compound found in plants, animals, and humans.

  • Mucin

    Is a glycoprotein that forms the main component of mucus, a slippery substance produced by mucous membranes in the body.

N

  • N-acetyl L-tyrosine (NALT)

    Is a form of the amino acid tyrosine that has been acetylated for improved stability and bioavailability.

  • NAC (N-acetylcysteine)

    NAC (N-acetylcysteine) is a form of the amino acid cysteine that the body uses to make glutathione, its main antioxidant inside cells. It has...

O

  • Okra

    Also known as 'lady's fingers' or 'bamia,' is a flowering plant in the mallow family.

  • Omega-3 fatty acids

    Omega-3s are essential fats. EPA and DHA, the long-chain forms, come mostly from fish, fish oil and algae, because the body turns less than...

  • Ox bile acids

    Are natural substances produced in the liver of cattle.

P

  • Passion flower extract

    Is derived from the passion flower plant, scientifically known as Passiflora incarnata, a climbing vine native to the southeastern United States, Central, and South...

  • Pau d'arco

    Also known as Tabebuia avellanedae or Tabebuia impetiginosa, is a type of tree native to the rainforests of South and Central America.

  • Pepsin

    Is an enzyme found in the stomach that helps break down proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids.

  • Phosphatidylserine

    (PS) derived from sunflower lecithin is a phospholipid compound naturally found in cell membranes, particularly in the brain.

  • Potassium

    Is an essential trace mineral and electrolyte found in many foods.

  • Primavie

    Is a patented form of purified Shilajit, a resinous exudate found in the Himalayan mountains.

  • Protease

    Is a type of enzyme that aids in the breakdown of proteins into smaller peptides or amino acids.

  • Prune powder

    Is made from dried and ground prunes, also known as dried plums.

Q

  • Quercetin

    Is a flavonoid found in many fruits, vegetables, and grains, such as apples, onions, grapes, berries, and tea.

R

  • R-lipoic acid

    Also known as alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), is a naturally occurring compound found in small amounts in certain foods and produced by the body.

  • Red Deer Extract

    Is derived from the antler velvet of the red deer (Rhaponticum Carthamoides), a species native to parts of Europe and Asia.

  • Relora

    Is a proprietary blend of two herbal extracts: Magnolia officinalis and Amur phellodendron.

S

  • Saccharomyces boulardii

    Is a beneficial yeast strain often used as a probiotic supplement.

  • Selenium

    Is a trace mineral that is essential for various physiological functions in the body, including antioxidant defense, thyroid hormone metabolism, and immune system function.

  • Sensoril

    Is a patented form of ashwagandha extract.

  • Serrapeptase

    Is a proteolytic enzyme extracted from the silkworm.

  • Skullcap root extract

    Is derived from the Scutellaria lateriflora plant, which is native to North America.

  • Slippery elm

    (Ulmus rubra) is a tree native to North America, primarily found in the eastern United States and Canada.

  • Stinging nettle leaf

    Scientifically known as Urtica dioica, is a perennial flowering plant native to Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa.

  • Suntheanine

    Is a patented form of L-theanine, an amino acid found primarily in tea leaves, especially green tea.

T

  • Taurine

    Is an amino acid-like compound found naturally in the body. It's often referred to as a conditional amino acid because it's not essential in...

  • Turmeric extract

    Is derived from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, which belongs to the ginger family and is native to Southeast Asia

V

  • Valerian extract

    Is derived from the roots of the valerian plant, scientifically known as Valeriana officinalis, a perennial herb native to Europe and Asia.

  • Vanadium

    Is a transition metal that is found naturally in many foods and also occurs in the environment.

  • Vitamin A

    A fat-soluble vitamin crucial for vision, immune function, and cell growth. It exists in two forms

  • Vitamin B1 (thiamin)

    Adults need 1.1 to 1.2 mg of thiamin (vitamin B1) a day, and children aged 1 to 13 need 0.5 to 0.9 mg, according...

  • Vitamin B12

    Adults need 2.4 mcg of vitamin B12 a day and children aged 1 to 13 need 0.9 to 1.8 mcg, according to the NIH...

  • Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)

    Adults need 1.1 to 1.3 mg of riboflavin (vitamin B2) a day, and children aged 1 to 13 need 0.5 to 0.9 mg, according...

  • Vitamin B3 (niacin)

    Adults need 14 to 16 mg of niacin (vitamin B3) a day, and children aged 1 to 13 need 6 to 12 mg, according...

  • Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)

    Adults and teens need about 5 mg of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) a day, and children aged 1 to 13 need 2 to 4...

  • Vitamin B6

    Adults need 1.3 mg of vitamin B6 a day, and children aged 1 to 13 need 0.5 to 1.0 mg, according to the NIH...

  • Vitamin B7

    Also known as biotin, is a water-soluble vitamin that is part of the B complex group of vitamins.

  • Vitamin B9

    Also known as folate or folic acid, is a water-soluble B vitamin. It plays a crucial role in cell division and red blood cell...

  • Vitamin C

    Adults need 75 to 90 mg of vitamin C a day and children aged 1 to 13 need 15 to 45 mg, according to...

  • Vitamin D

    Most children and adults need 15 mcg (600 IU) of vitamin D a day, and adults over 70 need 20 mcg (800 IU), according...

  • Vitamin E

    Is a group of fat-soluble compounds with antioxidant properties that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

  • Vitamin K

    Is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a vital role in blood clotting and bone health.

Z

  • Zeolite

    Is a naturally occurring mineral composed of hydrated aluminosilicates, with a porous crystalline structure.

  • Zinc

    Adult men need 11 mg of zinc a day and adult women 8 mg; children aged 1 to 13 need 3 to 8 mg,...