Is a synergistic formula of 5-hydroxytryptophan (100 mg) and vitamin B6 (20 mg) per serving for supporting overall neurotransmitter metabolism by providing precursors of serotonin. 5-HTP readily enters the blood–brain barrier; however, conversion into serotonin requires the cofactor vitamin B6, which is included in this formula. 5-HTP Supreme may be used during the day to support a healthy mood and normal appetite, or it may be used at bedtime to support sleep.
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Zinc is a vital trace nutrient that displays activity in every human cell. The body contains around 2g zinc, 55-60% of which can be found in skeletal muscle, 25-30% in bone and the remaining distributed throughout other bodily fluids and tissues.
Zinc belongs to the class of type 2 nutrients, which are considered to be the building blocks of all cells. The synthesis of any new tissue requires type 2 nutrients, and zinc’s main biological functions are, therefore, catalytic, structural, or regulatory in nature.
The human body holds around 2-3g of zinc, which is distributed throughout the body. Intracellular levels are tightly controlled. An estimated 0.1% of zinc is found in serum, 60% is stored in skeletal muscle, 30% in bone and 5% in the skin. Zinc is also distributed in small amounts among other tissues, including the brain, kidneys, liver, and heart.
Zinc metalloenzymes are the most abundant of all trace mineral-dependent enzymes in the body, and as a result, zinc is involved in many cellular reactions required for the normal biological activity of the immune system, skin and bone.
Being innately involved in the normal development and function of all cells, Zinc is vital for the optimal functioning of the immune system. Zinc presides over the effective commission of both innate and adaptive immunity, assisting with the health and functioning of neutrophils, monocytes and NK cells, as well as the development of T & B-lymphocytes, macrophages and NK cells, as well as the generation of acquisitional immunity. Zinc’s involvement in immune processes is also intricately tied to inflammation and wound healing.
The skin contains around 5% of the total body store of zinc (50-70μg/g dry weight), mostly sequestered in the epidermis. Zinc is essential for producing zinc finger motifs and biomembranes in DNA transcription factors and is therefore required for building all new body tissues.
It is required for the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes, stratum corneum formation and metabolism and epidermal tight junction function. Any imbalance of epidermal zinc stores affects enzyme and transcriptional activity and zinc finger protein function, ultimately resulting in epidermal barrier dysfunction and sub-optimal skin health.
Zinc deficiency can also hamper wound healing, and supplementation and topical application can be used to restore zinc levels, enhance re-epithelialisation and collagen synthesis, reduce inflammation, and enable optimal wound healing.
Zinc is present in high concentrations in the retina and choroid of the eye. It functions as both a tissue protectant having antioxidant activity in the retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and a visual function aid in that it modulates synaptic transmission, modifies plasma membranes in the photoreceptors and regulates the light-rhodopsin reaction. It is also involved in the enzymatic conversion of retinol to retinal, which is a critical step in the visual cycle.
Around 30% of the total body zinc stored resides in skeletal tissue; adequate dietary intake is vital to ensure bone quality. Zinc is a vital cofactor for several enzymes involved in producing bone matrix components and oversees the cycle of bone deposition and resorption. It is also complexed with fluoride in hydroxyapatite crystals.
The steroid receptor superfamily of transcription factors is zinc-dependent. These zinc finger transcription factors arbitrate the physiological response to numerous hormonal and metabolic signals. Inadequate zinc intake has been linked to low serum concentrations of several hormones, including testosterone.
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Description:
Magnesium is an essential mineral that acts as regulating cofactor in over 300 enzymatic reactions, affecting 80% of the body’s metabolic functions including energy synthesis, brain, bone health and heart and skeletal muscle function. Endogenous magnesium stores are primarily (99%) located in bone, muscles and soft tissues and intracellularly (in either ionised form, bound to proteins, molecules or ATP), while 1% occurs in serum (in the biologically active free-ionised form, bound to protein or anions) and red blood cells. Magnesium homeostasis is regulated by the intestines (absorption), bones (storage) and kidneys (urinary excretion). Following magnesium ingestion, intestinal absorption occurs within an hour, and following reabsorption by the kidneys is transported to the liver and subsequently circulates systemically in the blood before renal excretion. However, the amount of magnesium that is absorbed (and renally reabsorbed) is highly variable due to the influence of many factors, significantly endogenous magnesium status – low levels result in higher absorption while high levels induce lower absorption rates (up to 80% vs 30-50%, respectively). Other factors that influence magnesium absorption include chronic insufficient intake of magnesium or absorption cofactors (selenium, B6 and D), excessive phytate, saturated fat, fibre, alcohol, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, caffeine, alcohol, excessive or insufficient protein intake, age, stress, hormones (elevated thyroid hormones, oestrogen), medications, gastrointestinal dysfunction, diabetes, excessive lactation, heat and prolonged exercise. Consequently, it is estimated that at least half of the average Western population do not meet the daily recommended magnesium intake levels (which aim to prevent frank rather than subclinical deficiencies), while 10-30% have a subclinical magnesium deficiency. In addition, magnesium deficiency prevalence is also attributed to reduced fruit and vegetable magnesium concentrations, over-consumption of refined grains and processed foods, inadequate intake of magnesium-rich foods (leafy greens, nuts and whole grains), the high amount of magnesium lost during food preparation and processing and the increased consumption of purified drinking water.
It is also likely to be influenced by the challenges associated with accurately diagnosing magnesium deficiency due to serum levels (comprising 1% of total body magnesium) not being an accurate indicator of magnesium status, as well as the types of symptoms and health effects associated with subclinical magnesium deficiency. Such symptoms include impaired appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, numbness, tingling, muscle contractions, cramps, seizures, sudden behaviour or personality changes and irregular heartbeat. Taken together, maximising the therapeutic potential of magnesium requires these many factors to be considered, and when supplementation is indicated, the use of magnesium sources with enhanced efficacy and biological activity.
Magnesium chelates
Along with the many factors discussed, the bioavailability and efficacy of magnesium supplementation is determined by dose frequency and load. It is also significantly influenced by the certain chemical properties of the chelated ligand, including its solubility and capacity to bind to magnesium’s active sites (the latter being associated with reduced magnesium hydration and laxative potential). The higher solubility and active-site binding capacity of organic and amino acid-based ligands contribute significantly to their optimal bioavailability. The chelates used in Tri-Mag Supreme™, amino acid chelate, orotate and glycerophosphate, have each been demonstrated to have optimal bioavailability and capacity to support endogenous magnesium levels/concentrations.
Bone health
The importance of magnesium for supporting bone health is emphasised by the high proportion of the body’s total magnesium stored in bones (60-70%). The mechanisms by which magnesium maintains healthy bones is multifaceted and includes increasing bone crystal formation, size and brittleness via binding to the hydroxyapatite crystal surface, promoting osteoblast synthesis and osteoclastic bone resorption (the latter by increasing pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion) and supporting vitamin D activation, which influences bone growth and maintenance.
Muscle health
The second highest concentration of endogenous magnesium body stores is in skeletal muscle tissues (27%). Like its role in bone tissue, magnesium is involved in a number of functional processes required to maintain muscle health. These mechanisms include supporting healthy protein synthesis and turnover balance, energy metabolism (as a cofactor for adenosine triphosphate) and maintaining normal muscle contraction, relaxation and neuromuscular function (as a Ca2+ antagonist).
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Magnesium is one of the most ubiquitous and essential minerals in the body. It is a critical nutrient in almost every cellular metabolic and biological process, with enzyme databases listing over 600 enzymes that use magnesium as a co-factor and a further 200 being directly activated by magnesium. As a structural component of the hydroxyapatite mineral matrix of bone, a natural calcium channel blocker, a required element for electrolyte balance and proper functioning of sodium-potassium pumps, magnesium plays a crucial role in supporting physical strength and mobility, muscle contraction, neurological health and cardiac function. Magnesium’s role as an enzyme cofactor for processes that generate ATP underlies its importance in energy production and metabolic processes. Protein synthesis (DNA and RNA), carbohydrate metabolism and neurotransmission are also fundamental metabolic processes that are reliant upon adequate magnesium status.
Magnesium is a critical regulator of the activity rate of the Sodium-Potassium ATPase pump (Na+, K+- ATPase pump) which is required for removal of sodium from inside the cell in exchange for potassium.6 This makes Magnesium vital for maintaining the electrical potential of skeletal muscles and nerves, and for neurotransmission across neuromuscular junctions. Magnesium deficiency can affect pump activity leading to increases in intracellular sodium, potassium and calcium. Calcium homeostasis (in part reliant on magnesium driven calcium efflux) is vital for the health of the cardiovascular system as an imbalance can contribute to alterations in blood vessel function (vasospasm and smooth muscle function) and heart rhythm. Magnesium is intimately involved in both contraction and relaxation phases of muscle movement. Right from the start, magnesium is involved the production of energy that fuels muscle function by being involved in oxygen utilisation, the production of energy (ATP and phosphocreatine) and the balance of electrolytes (particularly sodium, calcium and potassium) which is critical for the maintenance of electrical potentials that drive muscle activity. Magnesium is a critical co-factor in acetylcholine-receptor binding which triggers the initial electrical potential – the maintenance of which is influenced by magnesium (via ATPase pumps). Magnesium then regulates troponin expression and stabilises actin by creating an ATP-magnesium-actin bond without which, cross bridge formation does not occur. ATP (synthesised and then coupled with magnesium) then fuels the contraction phase. The relaxation phase is also mediated by magnesium. The rate of cross bridge disengagement is influenced by magnesium, as is the rate of calcium removal from the cell via calcium pumping mechanisms and competitive binding.
Magnesium is involved in the production of energy in several ways. Firstly, it is a co-factor in ATP synthesis and regeneration, and then a co-factor in every other process in which ATP is transferred and utilised. It is also involved in the maintenance of red blood cell embranes thereby supporting oxygen transport, the oxidation of pyruvate and subsequent creation of acetyl CoA, adequate functioning of mitochondrial enzyme processes and the metabolic breakdown of carbohydrates and fatty acids.
Magnesium plays a role in insulin signalling, insulin receptor kinase phosphorylation and the post receptional activity of insulin. It is involved in glycogen breakdown, affecting the activity of phosphorylase b kinase which in-turn releases glucose-1-phosphate for use. Magnesium also directly influences the activity of the GLUT4 receptor, allowing glucose entrance into the cell, and is a co-factor in every enzymatic reaction involved in glycolysis. Magnesium therefore plays a major role in the maintenance of blood glucose and cellular glucose metabolism.
The human body contains about 25g of magnesium and about 60% of this is held in the bone. A third of this sits on the surface, ready to replenish extracellular magnesium levels when they run low. The rest is tightly bound in hydroxyapatite crystals. Magnesium is required for the activation of Vitamin D which then assists with calcium absorption and metabolism. It also plays a key role in bone strength, remodelling and conservation. It is therefore extremely important for normal bone composition and structure.
Taurine is a non-essential sulphated amino acid that shows similar biological activity to magnesium. Taurine works alongside magnesium to stabilise electrically active cell membranes in skeletal and cardiac muscle and modulate calcium movement in and out of cells. This has a protective effect in the cardiovascular system by supporting healthy heart function (including heartbeat and cardiac output). It also limits neurotransmitter release resulting in an inhibition of neuronal excitement. Taurine may also support muscle function and enhance muscle performance by alleviating muscle soreness (through antioxidant mechanisms), modulating calcium activity, improving ATP efficiency in the mitochondria, supporting energy production via the glycolytic pathway, improving anaerobic capacity and reducing lactate accumulation in skeletal muscle.
Nicotinamide riboside is a biological precursor of Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) – a vital intermediate in several metabolic processes. NAD+ has been shown to be an important factor in healthy ageing, potentially through its antioxidant and protective effects. The systems that seem to benefit the most from increases in NAD+ levels after NR supplementation are the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and nervous systems.
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Magnesium is one of the most ubiquitous and essential minerals in the body. It is a critical nutrient in almost every cellular metabolic and biological process, with enzyme databases listing over 600 enzymes that use magnesium as a co-factor and a further 200 being directly activated by magnesium. As a natural calcium channel blocker, muscle relaxant, facilitator of calming effects upon the nervous system, and a required element for electrolyte balance and proper functioning of sodium-potassium ATPase pumps, magnesium plays a crucial role in supporting, muscle contraction and relaxation, neurological health, neurotransmission and psychological balance.
Magnesium is a critical regulator of the activity rate of the Sodium-Potassium ATPase pump (Na+, K+- ATPase pump), which is required for the removal of sodium from inside the cell in exchange for potassium. This makes Magnesium vital for maintaining the electrical potential of skeletal muscles and nerves and for neurotransmission across neuromuscular junctions. As well as moderating the function and activity of the Na+, K+- ATPase pump, subsequently affecting both contraction and relaxation phases of muscle movement, magnesium also contributes to skeletal muscle function by facilitating oxygen utilisation, ATP production and electrolyte balance. In the nervous system, Magnesium is vital for neurotransmitter binding and subsequent transmission. Magnesium can cross the blood-brain barrier and acts as a calcium antagonist at neuromuscular junctions, affecting NMDA receptors. It also agonises GABA receptors, thereby having an overall calming effect on the nervous system. Magnesium absorption is seen as a challenge as various factors such as solubility, gastric pH, the formation of a hydration shell, and transport can influence magnesium bioavailability. Organic forms such as citrates, amino acid chelates, glycinates, aspartates and glycerophosphates tend to have the most optimal bioavailability profiles.
Saffron is a herb that has been used for thousands of years for its effects on inflammation and the nervous system. Saffron contains three main constituents that show the most biological activity, and they are known collectively as “lepticrosalides”. They include crocin, picrocrocin and safranal. Modern investigations have confirmed Saffron’s traditional uses, particularly its effects on mood and sleep. The ability of Saffron to improve sleep quality is thought to be brought about by mechanisms relating to its possible influence over melatonin production, improvements in delta powdered sleep phases and non-rapid eye movement sleep Moreover, the general calming effects that Saffron brings to the nervous system may also contribute to its ability to promote a more refreshing sleep Driving Saffron’s effects on emotional well-being and mood balance are its serotonergic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuro-endocrine (dampens HPA response to stress), neuroprotective and soporific activity. Saffron’s constituents can interact with the cholinergic, glutamatergic and GABA systems whilst increasing cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) providing neuroprotective effects
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Magnesium is one of the most ubiquitous and essential minerals in the body. It is a critical nutrient in almost every cellular metabolic and biological process, with enzyme databases listing over 600 enzymes that use magnesium as a co-factor and a further 200 being directly activated by magnesium. As a natural calcium channel blocker, muscle relaxant, facilitator of calming effects upon the nervous system, and a required element for electrolyte balance and proper functioning of sodium-potassium ATPase pumps, magnesium plays a crucial role in supporting, muscle contraction and relaxation, neurological health, neurotransmission and psychological balance.
Magnesium is a critical regulator of the activity rate of the Sodium-Potassium ATPase pump (Na+, K+- ATPase pump), which is required for the removal of sodium from inside the cell in exchange for potassium. This makes Magnesium vital for maintaining the electrical potential of skeletal muscles and nerves and for neurotransmission across neuromuscular junctions. As well as moderating the function and activity of the Na+, K+- ATPase pump, subsequently affecting both contraction and relaxation phases of muscle movement, magnesium also contributes to skeletal muscle function by facilitating oxygen utilisation, ATP production and electrolyte balance. In the nervous system, Magnesium is vital for neurotransmitter binding and subsequent transmission. Magnesium can cross the blood-brain barrier and acts as a calcium antagonist at neuromuscular junctions, affecting NMDA receptors. It also agonises GABA receptors, thereby having an overall calming effect on the nervous system. Magnesium absorption is seen as a challenge as various factors such as solubility, gastric pH, the formation of a hydration shell, and transport can influence magnesium bioavailability. Organic forms such as citrates, amino acid chelates, glycinates, aspartates and glycerophosphates tend to have the most optimal bioavailability profiles.
Saffron is a herb that has been used for thousands of years for its effects on inflammation and the nervous system. Saffron contains three main constituents that show the most biological activity, and they are known collectively as “lepticrosalides”. They include crocin, picrocrocin and safranal. Modern investigations have confirmed Saffron’s traditional uses, particularly its effects on mood and sleep. The ability of Saffron to improve sleep quality is thought to be brought about by mechanisms relating to its possible influence over melatonin production, improvements in delta powdered sleep phases and non-rapid eye movement sleep Moreover, the general calming effects that Saffron brings to the nervous system may also contribute to its ability to promote a more refreshing sleep Driving Saffron’s effects on emotional well-being and mood balance are its serotonergic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuro-endocrine (dampens HPA response to stress), neuroprotective and soporific activity. Saffron’s constituents can interact with the cholinergic, glutamatergic and GABA systems whilst increasing cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) providing neuroprotective effects
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Formerly Active Body Collagen
The BODYBALANCE® Bioactive Collagen Peptides (BCPs) in Active Muscle Collagen are produced using certified technology resulting in specific peptides optimised to provide targeted structural and functional benefits. These BODYBALANCE® BCPs are a rich source of crucial amino acids necessary for tissue building and repair, contributing to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass and bone health. BCPs help to maintain healthy protein synthesis to support the growth and maintenance of lean muscle mass.
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