Botanical name(s): Cimicifuga racemosa or Actaea racemosa.  Black cohosh is a perennial plant that is a member of the buttercup family.  Rhizome extracts are used to treat symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, anxiety and depression. Clinical studies, however, are conflicting: some demonstrate benefits, while others don’t.

For more information, see: “Black Cohosh, Benefits and Side Effects“.

A polyphenolic compound (”curcuminoid”) found in the spice turmeric.  Curcumin has antioxidant activity in-vivo, as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.  Curcumin is viewed as a promising compound for the prevention/treatment of various diseases (including CVD and Alzheimer’s disease), but its therapeutic potential may be limited by poor oral bioavailability. Methods to improve delivery are currently being sought.

For more information, see the Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center.

Cytidine 5-diphosphocholine; also known as “citicoline”.  A bioavailable source of choline and precursor to the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine (cell membrane phospholipid)and acetylcholine (neurotransmitter).  Like alpha-glycerophosphocholine, CDP-choline has neuroprotective and cognitive effects, with potential therapeutic applications for stroke, senile dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

A proprietary proteolytic enzyme preparation produced by Triarco Industries which is added to protein supplements to improve digestion/absorption.  According to the manufacturer’s own studies, however, relatively large doses (2.5–5g) are needed to make a significant impact.  This is more than is typically added to most commercial protein supplements.

An Indian cactus typically eaten as a vegetable.  Caralluma fimbriata also has a reputation as a hunger/appetite suppressant and is used as “famine food” in rural India.  This is why extracts are used in a number of weight loss supplements.  Caralluma fimbriata also contains a range of pregnane glycosides which allegedly interfere with the body’s ability to accumulate body fat (the proposed mechanism is similar to Garcinia cambogia). 

A proprietary Caralluma extract is currently being marketed under the name Slimaluma®, although a controlled study on this ingredient indicates the weight/fat loss benefits are relatively modest.

Diosgenin is a plant steroid found in certain medicinal herbs, such as wild yam and fenugreek.  It’s a plant steroid that bears some resemblance to human sex steroids, and can serve as a precursor for their synthesis, but the necessary conversion steps take place only in the laboratory – not the human body.  Although diosgenin has potential medical uses (such as reducing serum cholesterol), it does not have any known hormonal effects when consumed in supplemental form.

See Wild Yam.

A delivery form of caffeine used in a number of fat loss supplements.  Dicaffeine malate is alleged to be easier on the stomach than caffeine, as well as more effective – due to the role that malate plays in energy production (it’s a Citric Acid Cycle intermediate).  There is no proof of either claim, however.

Also known as “Malabar Spinach”—a tropical vine eaten as a vegetable in Asia and Africa. A handful of cell-culture and rat experiments (performed by the same research group in Cameroon) demonstrated that Basellla extracts could increase testosterone production, but there is zero data in humans; nor any info on what constitutes an effective dose.

See DHEA.