A proprietary French maritime pine bark extract manufactured by Horphag Research.

For more details, see “Pycnogenol Review & Information“.

An extract from French maritime pine bark containing proanthocyanidins (also known as “procyanidin oligomers” or PCOs). Pine bark extract is a potent antioxidant and has been shown to enhance nitric oxide (NO) production and vasodilation in animal and human experiments.  It also appears to be an effective treatment for chronic venous insufficiency and diabetic retinopathy.  Anti-inflammatory, glucose lowering, analgesic and fertility-enhancing effects have also been observed in trials with human subjects.

A proprietary Fenugreek extract from TSI Health Sciences, that’s standardized to provide 20% 4-hydroxyisoleucine.  TSI claims its in-house, pilot studies show Promilin can help reduce glucose concentrations in “healthy, non-diabetic individuals” without affecting insulin levels – but their data is not available on their web site; nor has it been published in any peer-reviewed journal.

See Caralluma fimbriata.

A niacin-bound derivative of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (it’s also spelled pikamilon). Picamilon has been extensively investigated in Russia, but little researched in the West. It allegedly increases cerebral blood flow and induces a state of relaxation, without drowsiness.

See L-Phenylalanine.

Also known as Country Mallow and “Bala”. Sida cordifolia is an herb used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of ailments.  In-vitro and animal studies have shown it has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.  In the West, it’s best known as an alternate source of ephedrine alkaloids.

Also known as beta-phenethylamine or 2-phenethylamine.  PEA is a biogenic amine synthesized from the amino acid phenylalanine.  Although it’s found in a number of foods, chocolate is the best-known source of dietary PEA.  PEA was once thought to be the reason people are “chocoholics (due to its mood-elevating properties); but it’s too rapidly metabolized to be very effective.

Phenethylamine is the “parent” molecule for a number of biologically active “substituted phenethylamines,” including several neurotransmitters (dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine), ephedrine, amphetamine/methamphetamine and mescaline.

The botanical name for white kidney beans.  Phaseolus vulgaris extracts contain “Phaseolamin”, an inhibitor of alpha-amylase - the enzyme responsible for digesting dietary starches.   In theory, phaseolamin-containing “carb-blockers” can help with weight loss by limiting the carb calories absorbed from foods.  An early study on a commercial supplement, “Phase 2″, showed a non-significant trend for weight loss…a couple of follow up studies have been more promising, although the results have not been overwhelming.

See Paul’s review “Carb Blockers – Do Carb Blockers Really Prevent the Absorption of Carbohydrates?” for more information.

See Saw Palmetto.