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In order to officially be called an 'adaptogen', the ingredient must meet the following 3 requirements:1 Adaptogens must be non-specific and must assist the human body in resisting a wide range of adverse conditions, such as physical, chemical or biological stress. 2. Adaptogens must maintain homeostasis in humans, that is, these substances can offset or resist physical disorders caused by external stress. 3. Adaptogens must not harm the normal functions of the human body Adaptogens can function in different ways, but the main way adaptogens function is by effecting either the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis or Sympatho Adrenal System (SAS) in...

Curcumin is the most bioactive substance in turmeric, with a wide variety of benefits such as antioxidant, anti-tumor, metal toxicity, neuroprotection, kidney, liver, and heart health, gut inflammation, and more. Curcumin by itself has very poor bioavailability when consumed, in this article we outline different methods to enhance bioavailability, explaining how, and which method gives the best result for delivering the most effective curcumin.   FIGURE 1: The many benefits of curcumin displayed in humans0     Curcumin and Bioavailability Turmeric has been used as a spice and for medicinal treatment for over 4000 years in India for treatment of...

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid responsible for the red pigmentation in salmon and krill. It is the most stable carotenoid structure and a potent antioxidant with proven cardiovascular, brain, and immune system benefits. Many of its benefits come from its unique molecular structure, which we will discuss in this article. Carotenoids Carotenoids are known to have benefits in human health for their health benefits to reduce disease – particularly eye diseases and certain cancers1. Some common carotenoids are beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein. Carotenoids are comprised of two different types: xanthophyll or carotenes, which cannot be synthesized by humans and must come...

Dietary supplements offer a myriad of health benefits, but it is important that what the research concerning a particular supplement is showing in vitro is what is actually occurring in humans in vivo. In order to make sure this occurs, it is important for the supplement to have high bioavailability, whereas many supplements are poorly bioavailable. The bioavailability of supplements depends on the molecular properties of the compound and the route of administration in the body. Bioavailability is the fraction of the drug or supplement that is given that will reach systemic circulation.   Methods of Administration For drugs and...

Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid (TUDCA) is a water soluble secondary bile acid that is found in large amounts in bear bile. In humans, trace amounts of TUDCA are formed when primary bile acids undergo bacterial metabolism to UDCA, and are then conjugated with Taurine to give TUDCA. TUDCA is a very promising molecule known for its ability to counteract regular bile acid toxicity in the liver, but also has many other beneficial effects. Another unique ability of TUDCA is its ability to prevent protein unfolding in the Endoplasmic Reticulum, reducing cell death. This ability is responsible for many of the benefits of...