Thermo

Acetyl-L-Carnitine

L-carnitine is a derivative of the amino acid lysine and, as certain conditions outpace the body’s ability to produce it, l-carnitine is considered a conditionally essential amino acid. While endogenous biosynthesis of l-carnitine from the amino acids lysine and methionine is sufficient for essential processes – along with dietary sources of carnitine from protein-rich red meat, for example – dietary supplementation of carnitine may pose benefits in certain physiological conditions. Unfortunately, due to excess metabolism of l-carnitine by microorganisms in the small intestine, exogenous supplementation with oral l-carnitine has proved ineffective. ALCAR, an acetylated version of l-carnitine, has considerably higher oral bioavailability, due likely to only partial hydrolytic metabolism. Once in the bloodstream, ALCAR plays a fundamental role in the production of energy, acting as the catalyst for the beta-oxidation of long chain fatty acids by the mitochondria; regulating the CoA to Acyl-CoA ratio (necessary for the production of ATP); and the metabolism of carbohydrates. ALCAR also is an excitatory agent for neurons, increases neuronal transmission, and increases the production of neurotransmitters and neurohormones such as dopamine and serotonin.

Aronia melanocarpa Extract (4:1) (berry)

Aronia melanocarpa, also known as Black chokeberry, is a less known fruit species but used in many different forms, nutritional supplements being one of them. This fruit is extremely high in antioxidants, especially polyphenols and flavonoids. The berries of Aronia melanocarpa especially (and why this form is used in this product), have a large range of positive health benefits, such as high antioxidant activity and potential therapeutic benefits. Reducing inflammation is one of these targets. In addition to positively contributing to prevention of some metabolic disorders, this berry can also support suppression of adipogenesis (formation of new fat cells), positive lipid profiles, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose levels. In a study conducted on diet-induced obese mice, results showed that chokeberry treated test subjects exhibited significant decreases in body weight, serum triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol levels. This was primarily due to specific phenolic compounds isolated from Aronia melanocarpa extract were found to suppress adipogenesis by their ability to block major adipocyte marker proteins. These results are promising for Aronia melanocarpa to have positive health benefits associated with the prevention and/or treatment of obesity.

Olive Extract (Olea europaea) (leaf) (20% oleuropein)

Olea europaea, more commonly known as the olive, is a species of a small tree in the family Oleaceae, native to the coastal areas of southeastern Europe, western Asia and northern Africa, as well as northern Iran at the south end of the Caspian Sea. As the fruits, oils, and extracts of Olea europaea L. are a dietary component for a significant portion of the world’s population, the plant has become associated with a wide-range of physiologic and metabolic benefits. These properties are largely attributed to the phenolic compounds of olive leaves, including: caffeic acid, verbascoside, oleuropein, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, rutin, apigenin 7-Oglucoside, and luteolin 4′-O-glucoside. Collectively, these olive polyphenols are responsible for a wide-range of postulated health benefits. Some of these health benefits include anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, and anti-microbial effects as well as influence on crucial thyroid hormones which govern metabolism.

When it comes to influence on body composition, one study on mice investigating whether olive leaf extract can work to prevent high-fat diet induced obesity concluded with promising results. Mice that were fed a diet supplemented with olive leaf extract compared to a chow diet and high-fat diet, experienced significantly reduced body weight gain along with reductions in visceral fat pad volume and plasma lipid levels. When olive leaf extract was then provided to the high-fat diet fed mice, those mice in turn experienced reversals in specific signaling molecules and adipogenic genes that are upregulated in the presence of the high-fat intake. These results show that supplemental olive leaf can have positive benefits on obesity by regulating gene expression involved in formation of adipose cells and thermogenesis in the visceral adipose tissue. 

Caffeine Anhydrous

Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed, and perhaps one of the most reviewed, psychoactive compounds. Its physiological effects in a range of areas have been well-documented, including exercise performance, information processing, alertness and mood enhancement, attention, and awareness, along with its anti-lipogenic and lipolytic abilities.

The caffeine content in Thermo is not as high as some other thermogenics but it is at a level to where it can still provide some benefit towards performance. In endurance training, possible explanations for caffeine’s performance-enhancing effects lie in its metabolic effects on both lean and fat tissue. It is suggested that caffeine’s potent lipolytic (the breakdown of fat tissue into fatty acids) and oxidative (the actual ‘burning’ of fat) action allow the body to utilize these sources during prolonged submaximal exercise. As a consequence, muscle glycogen is spared and available for use later in the training session. Practically speaking, this means caffeine is forcing your body to preferentially use fat tissue as a fuel source, while sparing the glycogen which gives you the full-bodied look!

In short-term exercise, caffeine’s demonstrated role in the inhibition of cyclic AMP- phosphodiesterase’s (PDE), adenosine receptor antagonism, and adrenoreceptor agonism come into play. These three pathways collectively stimulate lipolytic activity, boost fat metabolism, increase metabolic rate and energy expenditure, and regulate the body’s thermogenic activity. The practical results of activating these pathways are increases to the contractile force of both cardiac and skeletal muscle (harder flexion), an increase in energy expenditure (freeing up more caloric energy to be used in contraction), dilation of vasculature (better blood flow), and improvements to both nitrogen retention and skeletal muscle protein synthesis (key components to muscle building).

Cocoa Extract (Theobroma cacao) (seed) (20% theobromine)

Cocoa has been shown through studies and application to have beneficial factors on fat loss, muscle building, and insulin sensitivity. This ingredient exhibits a mechanism of action in the body to increase cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) levels, which acts as a second messenger and regulator of many movements exhibited by all three types of cells in the human body. In this context, fat (adipose) tissue epinephrine utilizes cAMP to increase triglyceride hydrolysis and cardiac (heart) muscle epinephrine utilizes it to increase contraction rate. This action can have positive benefits on body composition and performance.

Theobromine, one of the main methylxanthine compounds found in cocoa is primarily effective in the increase of nitric oxide to in the blood stream, which is beneficial to produce the “pump” when ingested pre-workout. Another reaction that can be seen with theobromine is dilation of blood vessels. This can increase blood flow during vigorous exercise leading to increased time to exhaustion but also can pose benefits to individuals who suffer from high blood pressure. Theobromine also has a very high bioavailability and ability to stay in the body for extended periods of time (7-8 hours). Several studies have also looked at the effects of theobromine on human subjects and results have shown its ability to reduce oxidative stress on cells and regulation of gene expression.

Cocoa has also been shown to have positive benefits on reducing oxidative stress in the body due to its high antioxidant levels. In addition to this, the polyphenols that cocoa contains have been shown to reduce inflammatory signals within the body that can also be detrimental biomarkers.

By now you have read some of the amazing benefits of cocoa extract and why we have included it in this thermogenic agent. To summarize, and how cocoa extract can be beneficial for the goals of maintaining muscle mass, shedding body fat, reducing overall stress, and performing at your peak, cocoa extract does this by:

• Increasing power output due to elevated NO production via theobromine effects.
• Increasing adipose usage through cAMP action in the body.
• Improving senses of well-being due to high levels of polyphenols and antioxidants reducing overall stress on the body from workouts and life events.

Shoden® Ashwagandha Extract (Withania somnifera) (root and leaf) (35% withanolide glycosides)

Withania somnifera Dunal, colloquially known as Winter Cherry or Indian Ginseng, is an herb that features prominently in the traditional Indian medicinal system of Ayurveda. Known as Ashwagandha in Ayurveda, Withania somnifera is a critical ingredient in various Ayurvedic tonics and tinctures prepared as a traditional remedy for the treatment of various ailments.

Recently identified as a potent adaptogenic and target for therapeutic applications, Ashwaghanda has been the subject of numerous animals, pre-clinical, and clinical trials designed to examine its potential effects as an antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anxiolytic, antibacterial, antifungal, and immonumodulating compound. Ashwagandha’s broad therapeutic potential is hypothesized to be the result of its robust phytochemical profile, including a wide swath of alkaloids, sitoindosides, and the highly biologically active withanolide group. As the principally biologically active compounds within Ashwaghanda, withanolides such as withanone, withaferine A, withanolides A, D, and G have been identified, isolated, and extensively studied in the various applications noted above.

Arms Race Nutrition selected the potent Shoden^® Ashwagandha Extract due to these potential physiological benefits of withanolides to include in its Thermo formula. Shoden^® is a full-spectrum Ashwaghanda extract, standardized with 35% withanolides. Shoden^® offers a very high bioavailability and demonstrated optimal activity even at low doses. 

The high concentrations of withanolides within Shoden® has resulted in encouraging results in a number of human, clinical trials looking at the benefits on aerobic and anaerobic physical activity. In several randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled studies, Shoden® Ashwagandha showed positive impacts on reduction of stress induced cortisol, power output, rate of perceived exertion, capillary lactate levels, and oxygen intake (VO2 max). Shoden® has also shown increases in DHEA-S and testosterone in men when supplemented. 

Though each of these results is impressive, perhaps the most significant is reduction in cortisol. As detailed above, cortisol possesses a multitude of potentially degradative physiological effects, including: inhibiting glucose uptake, causing a constriction of the vasculature (vasoconstriction), the breakdown of glycogen, and inarguably the result most would desire to avoid, proteolysis (the breakdown of muscle tissue).

It is in the combination of these benefits where Shoden® really shines for promoting thermogenesis and fat loss. When energy levels are able to reach full potential, stress is controlled, and recovery and sleep are achieved at a high level, weight loss, fat loss, and muscle gain are able to happen at a more efficient rate. This of course is assuming that training and nutrition are also being executed to promote said results. 

NeuroFactor™ (Whole Coffee Fruit Extract) (Coffea arabica)

Neurofactor™, an extract derived from the whole fruit Coffea arabica plant, is a clinically proven ingredient shown to stimulate the production of the neuroprotein, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). BDNF has been shown to be crucial in the development, maintenance and repair of neurons and also protect against neuro-degeneration. One study comparing other coffee, caffeine, and polyphenol compounds, showed that they were not statistically significant in increasing BDNF % compared to NeuroFactor™. These increases from NeuroFactor™ climbed up to 143% of baseline measurements and were able to remain elevated for at least two hours post consumption, although these levels can remain elevated for longer. Low levels of BDNF have also been observed in those suffering from metabolic diseases or who have excessive amounts of body fat. BDNF’s therefore has been shown to possess the ability to aid in weight loss. Research has shown that it has the ability to suppress food intake due to hippocampal signaling in the brain and promote fat fighting effects due to its ability to activate the stress response and induce uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1), which is a specific protein that creates brown fat. This brown fat is readily available to be burned as fuel in the body. High levels of BDNF have also been shown to improve insulin resistance by regulating glucose metabolism and maintaining blood sugar levels, which can be beneficial for preventing weight gain.

Paradoxine® (Aframomum melegueta Extract)

Aframomum melegueta, more commonly known as Grains of Paradise, or the alligator pepper, is a plant in the Ginger (Zingiberaceae) family. Paradoxine® specifically is an ethanol extract of Grains of Paradise. Studies have shown that this extract can increase energy expenditure through its activation brown adipose tissue, a site that can exhibit more metabolic thermogenesis when utilized. The body has two types of fat, White Adipose Tissue (WAT), and Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT). WAT is the body’s energy storage cells, meaning that any calories that aren’t expended or used immediately, are stored as “white” fat. BAT on the other hand is used for diet and cold-induced thermogenesis (homeostasis when the body is exposed to cold). The size of the two types of fat cells is also vastly different. White cells being larger rounds cells with one single fat droplet, whereas brown cells are smaller in diameter and containing several smaller fat droplets. Paradoxine® works specifically to transform white fat cells into brown fat cells, thus potentially increasing energy expenditure and fat utilization.

Züm-XR® XR Caffeine

Züm-XR is a patented coating technology that allows the dissolution profile of certain ingredients, primarily caffeine, to have a longer lasting effect in blood serum levels. The release of those ingredients is initiated by an abrasion in the stomach and pH levels between the stomach and the upper gastrointestinal tract. The coating of the microbead technology is a patented timing system with pharmaceutical grade safe polymers. Comparatively speaking, the dissolution profile of Züm-XR caffeine to your typical immediate release caffeine showed that Züm-XR took a far greater amount of time, well over 120 minutes to complete the process of dissolution.

Saffron Extract (stigma) (Crocus sativa L.) (SaffSerene™)

SaffSerene™ patented Saffron is a deviate from non-GMO saffron flowers source from Turkey and Morocco. This particular Saffron extract contains 2% safronal, crocin, and pirocrocin as primary active constituents. Saffron has been used in ancient folk medicine as a plausible treatment for many different types on illnesses. Most of these specific medicinal properties are largely attributed to the compounds found in saffron such as crocetin, crocins, and other substnces having strong antioxidant and free radical fighting properties against pro-inflammatory cytokines. One of these diseases where saffron has shown potential benefits is obesity, or the increase in adipose tissue that results in excessive fat accumulation. Obesity is often a common link to other preventable metabolic diseases. This increase in body weight has the potential to increase oxidative stress and inflammation in the body which can be a driving force of these other risk factors. One combative intervention can be to increase the consumption of antioxidant in the diet. Studies have shown that diets rich in antioxidants have the ability to reverse central adiposity, metabolic and oxidative stress biomarkers, and the risk for cardiovascular disease. Although the specific mechanism of action for these improvements in weight gain are somewhat unclear, it is believed that saffron extract has the ability to decrease calorie intake by increasing satiety, block dietary fat digestion through inhibiting pancreatic lipase, and enhancing glucose and lipid metabolism.