Overall daily vitamin and mineral support with additional supplementation for:

• Joint Health
• Eye Health
• Immune Health
• Brain Health
• Memory Enhancement
• Increased Mental Energy
• Increased cognitive function
• Increased Attention and Focus
• Improved Reaction Time
• Improved Sleep quality
• Stress Control
• Comedown-free energy
• Natural, high quality ingredients

Our Total Gamer Man and Woman Tablets help to support not only your nutritional needs, but also your gaming specific needs for daily wellness, vitality and optimised gaming performance. We have developed formulations specifically for men and women so that supplementation is enhanced for men and women.

Contains over 30 nutrients to contribute to:

Game ON

Sugar Free, Caffene Free, Crash Free energy supplement. Game On is our intra-game supplement that will help keep you focused and in the zone

Also supports:

• Memory Enhancement
• Increased Mental Energy
• Increased cognitive function
• Increased Attention and Focus
• Improved Reaction Time
• Improved Sleep quality.
• Stress Control
• Comedown-free energy
• Natural, high quality ingredients

Respawn

Designed to help you unwind and relax. We understand it can be all to easy when the adrenaline is pumping or playing with friends to go for that one more game! Respawn is designed to help you calm, relax and put the mouse/controller down ready for a good night sleep.

• Improved Sleep quality.
• Stress Control
• Fatigue Control
• Comedown-free energy
• Cognition enhancing effects
• Natural, high quality ingredients

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) is one of the richest natural sources of anthocyanins. These polyphenolic components give bilberry its blue/black color and high antioxidant content, and they are believed to be the key bioactives responsible for the many reported health benefits of bilberry and other berry fruits. Although bilberry is promoted most commonly for improving vision, it has been reported to lower blood glucose, to have anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering effects, and to promote antioxidant defense and lower oxidative stress¹.

Bilberry has a long history of use for eye disorders and in promoting vision. There have been numerous studies of the effects of bilberry on various aspects of vision and ocular disorders, including cataract, retinopathy, macular degeneration, and night vision^2-6.

There is supporting scientific evidence of beneficial effects of bilberry in relation to ocular disorders and vision loss. A study by Jang et al⁷ showed that a bilberry extract (100 μM anthocyanins) protected against photooxidation of pyridinium disretinoid A2E, an autofluorescence pigment that mediates a detergent-like disturbance of cell membranes and light-induced damage to cells, and that the effects were due at least in part to the quenching of singlet oxygen.

References

1. Benzie IFF and Wachtel-Galor. Herbal Medicine, 2^nd Edition – Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2011. Chapter 4 – Bilberry.
2. Camire M.E.  Herbs Botanicals and Teas. Lancaster, PA: Technomic Publishing Company; 2000. Bilberries and blueberries as functional foods and nutraceuticals; pp. 289–319.
3. Upton R, editor. Bilberry Fruit Vaccinium myrtillus L. Standards of Analysis, Quality Control, and Therapeutics. Santa Cruz, CA: American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium; 2001.
4. Canter P.H, Ernst E. Anthocyanosides of Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) for night vision-a systematic review of placebo-controlled trials. Surv Ophthalmol. 2004;49:38–50.
5. Ghosh D, Konishi T. Anthocyanins and anthocyanin-rich extracts: Role in diabetes and eye function. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2007;16:200–8. 
6. Zafra-Stone S, Taharat Y, Bagchi M, Chatterjee A, Vinson J.A, Bagchi D. Berry anthocyanins as novel antioxidants in human health and disease prevention. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2007;51:675–83. 
7. Jang Y.P, Zhou J, Nakanishi K, Sparrow J.R. Anthocyanins protect against photooxidation and membrane permeabilization in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Photochem Photobiol. 2005;81:529–36.

Side Effects

Mechanistic studies as well as evidence from animal studies and some clinical trials support the benefits of bilberry supplementation as part of a healthy diet¹. 

References

1. Chan SW, Tomlinson B. Effects of Bilberry Supplementation on Metabolic and Cardiovascular Risk. Molecules. 2020. Apr; 25(7): 1653.

L-Arginine is a smi-essential amino acid found in various foods such as meat and nuts¹

Administration of l-arginine by intravenous infusion or via oral absorption has been shown to induce peripheral vasodilation in humans, and to improve endothelium-dependent vasodilation². L-Arginine has also been found to promote nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation and increases in regional cerebral blood flow³.

While L-arginine has been shown to decrease stress and anxiety in healthy individuals⁴. It may also enhance mental focus and acuity during sporting events that require it by increasing blood flow to the brain.

Arginine supplementation has been shown to increase time to exhaustion during exercise⁵, improve recovery⁶, and offset muscular fatigue^7,8.

Enhanced mental flexibility has been shown to benefit athletes when faced with quick decisions and associated adaptations that may be required the for optimum performance of certain sports, especially field sports. In addition, elite athletes have been shown to score higher on tests assessing mental flexibility than non-elite-athletes; therefore, enhanced mental flexibility may offer the “edge” that many athletes seek⁹. Cognitive flexibility enhances sports performance by decreasing anxiety and stress during competition¹⁰. Improved cognitive flexibility has been observed in team sports¹¹. The ability to focus attention and anticipation, which are both part of cognitive flexibility, is heightened in the higher-level sport participant¹². Cognitive flexibility is associated with sport success¹³. These enhancements in cognitive function may benefit several types of athletes, including gamers in in eSports.

References

1. McRae M.P. Therapeutic Benefits of l-Arginine: An Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses. J. Chiropr. Med. 2016;15:184–189. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2016.06.002.
2. Bode-Böger SM, et al. L-arginine-induced vasodilation in healthy humans: pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1998 Nov; 46(5):489-497
3. Morikawa E, Moskowitz MA, Huang Z, Yoshida T, Irikura K, Dalkara T. L-argiinine infusion promotes nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation, increases regional cerebral blood flow, and reduces infarction volume in the rat. Stroke. 1994 Feb;25(2):429-35
4. Smriga M., Ando T., Akutsu M., Furukawa Y., Miwa K., Morinaga Y. Oral treatment with L-lysine and L-arginine reduces anxiety and basal cortisol levels in healthy humans. Biomed. Res. (Tokyo, Jpn.) 2007;28:85–90. doi: 10.2220/biomedres.28.85. 
5. Yavuz H.U., Turnagol H., Demirel A.H. Pre-exercise arginine supplementation increases time to exhaustion in elite male wrestlers. Biol. Sport. 2014;31:187–191. doi: 10.5604/20831862.1111436.
6. Rector T.S., Bank A.J., Mullen K.A., Tschumperlin L.K., Sih R., Pillai K., Kubo S.H. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of supplemental oral L-arginine in patients with heart failure. Circulation. 1996;93:2135–2141. doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.93.12.2135. 
7. Dong J.Y., Qin L.Q., Zhang Z., Zhao Y., Wang J., Arigoni F., Zhang W. Effect of oral L-arginine supplementation on blood pressure: A meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. Am. Heart J. 2011;162:959–965. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2011.09.012.
8. Schaefer A., Piquard F., Geny B., Doutreleau S., Lampert E., Mettauer B., Lonsdorfer J. L-arginine reduces exercise-induced increase in plasma lactate and ammonia. Int. J. Sports Med. 2002;23:403–407. doi: 10.1055/s-2002-33743.
9. Huijgen B.C., Leemhuis S., Kok N.M., Verburgh L., Oosterlaan J., Elferink-Gemser M.T., Visscher C. Cognitive Functions in Elite and Sub-Elite Youth Soccer Players Aged 13 to 17 Years. PLoS ONE. 2015;10:e0144580. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144580. 
10. Han D.H., Park H.W., Kee B.S., Na C., Na D.H., Zaichkowsky L. Performance enhancement with low stress and anxiety modulated by cognitive flexibility. Psych. Investig. 2011;8:221–226. doi: 10.4306/pi.2011.8.3.221. 
11. Aslan S. Examination of Cognitive Flexibility Levels of Young Individual and Team Sport Athletes. J. Educ. Train. Stud. 2018;6:149–154. doi: 10.11114/jets.v6i8.3266. [
12. Afonso J., Garganta J., Mesquita I. A tomada de decisão no desporto: O papel da atenção, da antecipação e da memória. Revista Brasileira de Cineantropometria Desempenho Humano. 2012;14:592–601. doi: 10.5007/1980-0037.2012v14n5p592.
13. Vestberg T., Reinebo G., Maurex L., Ingvar M., Petrovic P. Core executive functions are associated with success in young elite soccer players. PLoS ONE. 2017;12:e0170845. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170845.

Side Effects

Of the available studies on orally administered l-arginine in humans, few reported any adverse effects following acute or chronic treatment. Doses up to 30 g/day have been generally well tolerated, with the most common adverse effects of nausea and diarrhoea being reported infrequently at higher doses—from 15 to 30 g¹. No changes in liver function, blood glucose, or plasma electrolytes have been reported. In the absence of appropriately designed safety studies, caution should be taken if l-arginine is used in infants, pregnant or lactating individuals, and those with viral infections and serious compromised renal or hepatic function².

References

1. 1. Hendler SS, Rorvik D (Eds.), PDR for nutritional supplements(1^st Ed.), Thomson Healthcare (2001), pp 248-254
   2. Gad MZ. Anti-aging effects of L-arginine. Journal of Advanced Research. 2010. Volume 1, Issue 3. Pp169-177.

Glucosamine is a natural human metabolite of connective tissue components such as glycosaminoglycans (GAG), glycoproteins, proteoglycans, etc.¹

Glucosamine is reported to alleviate joint pain and swelling, improve mobility and joint function, decrease the duration of morning stiffness, restore the loss of articular cartilage by chondroregeneration^2,3,4. It has been shown to protect cartilage by inhibiting phospholipase A2 (PLA2), MMPs, and collagenase, the enzymes responsible for cartilage resorption⁵.

References

1. Watson RR et al. Polyphenols: Mechanisms of Action in Human Health and Disease (Second Edition), 2018, Chapter 27: Pages 373-394.
2. Kirkham SG, Samarasinghe RK. Review Article: Glucosamine. J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong). 2009 Apr; 17(1):72-6
3. Poolsup N, Suthisisang C, Channark P, Kittikulsuth W. Glucosamine Long-term treatment and the progression of knee osteoarthritis: systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Ann Pharmacother. 2005 Jun;39(6):1080-7
4. Towheed TE, Maxwell L, Anastassiades TP, Shea B, Houpt J, Robinson V, Hochberg MC, Wells G. Glucosamine therapy for treating osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Stst Rev. 2005 Apr 18;(2).
5. Gruenwald J, Petzold E, Busch R, Petzold HP, Graubaum HJ. Effect of glucosamine sulfate with or without omega-3 fatty acids in patients with osteoarthritis. Adv Ther. 2009 Sept; 26(9):858-71.

Side Effects of Glucosamine

Mild gastrointestinal disturbance is the most common adverse effect. Other adverse effects include headache, drowsiness, insomnia and skin reactions¹.

References

1. Truven Health Analytics. DRUGDEX®. Glucosamine [Internet]. Last updated 11/19 [cited 4/2/20]. Available from micromedexsolutions.com

Chondroitin is one of the building blocks of cartilage – the tough tissue that acts as a shock absorber around joints in humans and animals. Studies have shown that chondroitin may have an anti-inflammatory effect on cells and can prevent the breakdown of cartilage^1,2. Moreover, Singh et al³ searched seven databases and found that Chondroitin (alone or in combination with glucosamine) was better than placebo in improving pain in participants with osteoarthritis in short-term studies.

References

1. Campo GM, Avenoso A, Campo S, D’Ascola A, Traina P, Sama D, et al. Glycosaminoglycans modulate inflammation and apoptosis in LPS-treated chondrocytes J Cell Biochem 2009a. 106:83-92
2. Lengendre F., Bauge C, Roche R, Saurel A.S., Pujol J.P. Chondroitinsulfate modulation of matrix and inflammatory gene expression in IL-beta-stimulated chondrocytes-study in hypoxic alginate bead cultures. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2008. 16:105-114
3. Singh JA, Noorbaloochi S, MacDonald R, Maxwell LJ. Chondroitin for osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Jan 28;1.

Side Effects

Most of the clinical trials reported a great safety profile and a good tolerability of Chondroitin. The frequency of side effects and the drop-off rate were equivalent in CS and placebo groups. No significant severe side effects were observed with Chondroitin¹.

References

1. Monfort J., Martel-Pelletier J., Pelletier J.P. Chondroitin sulphate for symptomatic osteoarthritis: critical appraisal of meta-analyses. Curr Med Res Opin. 2008a. 24: 1303-1308

Zeaxanthin is a non-provitamin A carotenoid that belongs to the xanthophyll family.

Lutein is a stereoisomer of zeaxanthin. Both of these carotenoids are generally found together in plant sources including green leafy vegetables, where the content can be as high as 40mg per 100g, while in yellow/orange fruit and vegetables, the concentration is less than 1mg per 100g. It is recognised that both lutein and zeaxanthin predominantly accumulate in the retina and the concentrations increase gradually towards the centre of the macula, where it can be approximately 1000-fold higher than in other tissues. Their presence in eyes is relevant as they have been shown to protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. In addition, zeaxanthin has been shown to protect against oxidative stress in different tissues as well as systemic inflammation¹.

Light exposure, especially blue light (wavelength ranged between 400 and 500nm) has been hypothesized as a risk factor for AMD. Zeaxanthin has been shown to function as a blue light filter and reduce the intensity of blue light that reaches the retina and thus protect against AMD development².

References

1. Murillo AG, Hu S, Fernandez ML. Zeaxanthin: Metabolism, Properties and Antioxidant Protection of Eyes, Heart, Liver, and Skin. Antioxidants (Basel. 2019. Sep; 8(9): 390.
2. Bone RA., Landrum JT., Mayne ST., Gomez CM., Tibor SE., Twaroska EE., Macular Pigment in Donor Eyes with and without AMD: A case-control study. Investig. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2001;42:235-240.

No apparent toxicity or side effects with lutein¹. In repeat dose toxicity studies in the rat, mouse, and dog, synthetic zeaxanthin was well tolerated at high dosages with no indication of target organ toxicity or preneoplastic organ changes. Taken together, these data indicate that no carcinogenic hazard is expected from direct intake of zeaxanthin. A study in primate did not indicate any evidence of ocular toxicity or excessive accumulation. A published study in ferret provides limited support for the absence of any stimulating effect of zeaxanthin consumption on the incidence of lung cancer in heavy smokers.

The regulatory study that gave rise to the lowest overall NOAEL of 150 mg zeaxanthin/kg bw/day was a comprehensive two-generation study in the rat. In their evaluation of the safety of synthetic zeaxanthin as a Novel Food, the EFSA NDA Scientific Panel² applied a 200-fold safety factor to this NOAEL to define an ADI of 0.75 mg/kg bw/day, or 53 mg/day for a 70 kg adult. The EU in 2013³ formally approved upper use levels of 2 mg/day (equivalent to 0.03 mg/kg bw/day) as this was the use level proposed by the applicant⁴. Information from human intervention studies also supports that an intake higher than 2 mg/day is safe, and an intake level of 20 mg/day for up to 6 months was without adverse effect.

References

1. Kachick F et al. The Effect of Lutein and Zeaxanthin Supplementation on Metabolites of These Carotenoids in the Serum of Persons Aged 60 or Older. Investigative ophthalmology & Visual Science. 2006. Dec; 47:12:5234-5242.
2. EFSA NDA Panel. Statement on the safety of synthetic zeaxanthin as an ingredient in food supplements. EFSA Journal. 2012;10(10, article 2891)
3. EU Commission. Commission implementing decision of 22 January 2013, authorising the placing on the market of synthetic zeaxanthin as a novel food ingredient under regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council.  Official Journal of the European Union, 24.1.2013, 2013.
4. Edwards JA. Zeaxanthin: Review of Toxicological Data and Acceptable Daily Intake. J Ophthalmol. 2016; Jan 13.

May contribute to:

Neuroprotective qualities¹

Cognitive enhancement and improved spatial and visual recognition memory²

Enhanced memory, brain function and learning^1,2,3

1. Mori K, Obara Y, Hirota M, Azumi Y, Kinugasa S, Inatomi S, Nakahata N. Nerve growth factor-inducing activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells. Biol Pharm Bull. 2008.
2. Luigi A, Rocco ML, Bianchi P, Manni L. Nerve growth factor: from the early discoveries to the potential clinical use. J Transl Med. 2012
3. Conner JM, et al. NGF is essential for hippocampal plasticity and learning. J Neurosci. 2009. Sep 2; 29(35)

Ashwagandha is a plant native to India where it has been used for centuries for its restorative and stress-relieving qualities^1,2. Its main active substances are alkaloids and steroidal lactones that are collectively known as withanolides, which are believed to be responsible for Ashwagandha’s physiological activity³. One small study showed that Ashwagandha improved both cognitive and psychomotor performance⁴.

Research has shown that Ashwagandha enhances calmness without creating drowsiness⁵. It is also believed that Ashwagandha promotes the formation of dendrites, which is a marker of increased connectivity in the brain and is associated with enhanced cognition⁶.

References

1. Pratte MA, Nanavati KB, Young V, Morley CP. An alternative treatment for anxiety: A systematic review of human trial results reported for the ayurvedic herb Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). J Altern Complement Med. 2014. Dec 1; 20(12): 901-908.
2. Mishra LC, Singh BB, Dagenais S. Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Wthania somnifera (ashwagandha): a review. Altern Med Rev. 2000 Aug;5(4):334-46.
3. Yates B. Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera): An overview of the research and clinical indications. http://cdn.naturaldispensary.com/downloads/A%20Research%20Review%20of%20Ashwagandha.pdf. Website accessed 26.03.2021.
4. Pingali U, Pilli R, Fatima N. Effect of standardized aqueous extract of Withania somnifera on tests of cognitive and psychomotor performance in healthy human participants. Pharmacognosy Res. 2014. Jan-Mar; 6(1): 12-18.
5. Uphadyay G, Khoshla S, Kosuru R, Singh S. Anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antistress activities of the aqueous extract of Cinnamomum tamala Nees and Eberm in rats. Indian J Pharmacol. 2016. Sep-Oct: 48(5): 555-561.
6. Konar A, Shah N, Singh R, Saxena N, Kaul S, Wadhwa R, Thakur MK. Protective Role of Ashwagandha Leaf Extract and its Component Withanone on Scopolamine-Induced Changes in the Brain and Brain-Derived Cells. PLoS One. 2011;6(11)

SIDE EFFECTS

Ashwagandha appears to be very safe and well-tolerated when taken in moderate doses. Side effects are rare and are typically associated with large doses. The most commonly reported side effects are indigestion, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort and drowsiness¹.

Ashwagandha could potentially interact with other supplements and medications so it is important to always consult your healthcare professional prior to taking any supplements. It may increase the effects of sedative drugs and other anxiolytics. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not take Ashwagandha. Infants and children should not take Ashwagandha due to limited safety information for these populations.

References

1. WebMD: Ashwagandha. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-953/ashwagandha. Website accessed 26.03.2021

Has been shown to relax the mind without causing drowsiness¹. These calming effects may have several benefits including boosting attention, focus and learning ability through sensorimotor gating or filtering environmental stimuli to prevent an overload of irrelevant information in the higher cortical centres of the brain. Studies show that this ‘gating’ effect reduces distraction and improves cognitive alertness, increasing the ability to focus and enhancing overall cognitive efficiency^2,3.

May contribute to improved sleep quality and may induce a feeling of calmness⁴.

Studies have shown that L-Theanine effectively reduces cortisol concentrations⁵, reduced both psychological and physiological stress responses⁶ and promotes alert relaxation⁷.

1. Nobre AC, Rao A, Owen GN. L-Theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008. 17 Suppl 1: 167-8
2. Ota M1, Wakabayashi C, Matsuo J, Kinoshita Y, Hori H, Hattori K, Sasayama D, Teraishi T, Obu S, Ozawa H, Kunugi H. Effect of L-theanine on sensorimotor gating in healthy human subjects. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2014. May; 68(5): 337-43.
3. Park SK, Jung IC, Lee WK, Lee YS, Park HK, Go HJ, Kim K, Lim NK, Hong JT, Ly SY, Rho SS. A combination of green tea extract and l-theanine improves memory and attention in subjects with mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled study. J Med Food. 2011. Apr;14(4):334-43
4. Yoto A, Motoki M, Murao S, Yokogoshi H. Effects of L-theanine or caffeine intake on changes in blood pressure under physical and psychological stresses. J Physiol Anthropol. 2012. Oct 29;31(1):28.
5. Miodownik C, Maayan R, Ratner Y, Lerner V, Pintov L, Mar M, Weizman A, Ritsner MS. Serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and cortisol to sulfate of dehydroepiandrosterone molar ratio associated with clinical response to L-theanine as augmentation of antipsychotic therapy in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder patients. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2011. Jul-Aug;34(4):155-60
6. Kimura K1, Ozeki M, Juneja LR, Ohira H. L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses. Biol Psychol. 2007. Jan;74(1):39-45.
7. Mason R. 200mg of Zen L-Theanine Boosts Alpha Waves, Promotes Alert Relaxation. Alternative & Complementary Therapies. 2001.

L-Theanine Side Effects

L-Theanine is considered extremely safe and has been designated as a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) ingredient by the US Food and Drug Administration¹.

In animal testing, even very high dosages continued over prolonged periods failed to produce toxicity or carcinogenicity².

There are no documented serious L-theanine side effects. Minor side effects, including dizziness and headache, are infrequently reported when L-theanine is taken in combination with caffeine.

References

1. Theanine. PubChem Open Chemistry Database. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/L-Theanine#section=Top. Website visited 26.03.2021.
2. Borzelleca JF, Peters D, Hall W. A 13-week dietary toxicity and toxicokinetic study with l-theanine in rats. Food Chem Toxicol. 2006. July;44(7):1158-66

May contribute to:

Memory Enhancement¹,

Increased mental energy, Attention, Concentration and Focus²

1. Cacabelos R, et al. Therapeutic effects of CDP-choline in Alzheimer’s disease. Cognition, brain mapping, cerebrovascular hemodynamics and immune factors. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1996. Jan 17; 777:399-403
2. Silveri MM, et al. Citicoline enhances frontal lobe bioenergetics as measured by phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy. NMR Biomed. 2008. Nov;21(10):1066-75

Clinical Trials and studies indicate that CDP Choline has no documented serious side effects, even at high doses. However, indigestion, headache, insomnia and diarrhoea have infrequently been reported as possible side effects¹. No studies on the effect on pregnant women have been completed so those who are pregnant or breastfeeding are advised to refrain from supplementing with CDP choline.

References

1. Secades JJ, Frontera G. CDP-choline: pharmacological and clinical review. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 1995. Oct;17 Suppl B:1-54.

Rhodiola Rosea is a Eurasian plant that has been shown to improve short-term memory, stress symptoms, associative thinking, perceptive speed and concentration^1,2. (9), (13)

It has also been shown to reduce fatigue³ (12) and relieve many

• Physical symptoms of fatigue¹ (9)
  • Muscle aches and soreness
  • Tiredness
  • Headaches
• Cognitive symptoms of fatigue⁴ (6)
  • Irritability
  • Impaired judgement
  • Impaired decision-making ability

Rhodiola Rosea’s mechanisms of action are still being studied but it appears to act principally by modulating different signalling pathways via many phytochemical components that act as monoamine oxidase inhibitors⁵ (21), and molecular networks in the brain. This is thought to increase levels of important neurotransmitters associated with mood stabilisation, drive and energy, which in turn is thought to improve neuronal communication and positively impacts mood, reduces fatigue and enhances cognition⁶. (22).

References

1. Edwards D et al. Therapeutic effects and safety of Rhodiola rosea extract WS 1375 in subjects with life-stress symtoms-results of an open-label study. Phytother Res. 2012. Aug;26(8):1220-5
2. Darbinyan V et al. Rhodiola Rosea in stress induced fatigue – a double blind cross-over study of a standardized extract SHR-5 with a repeated low-dose regimen on the mental performance of healthy physicians during night duty. Phytomedicine. 2000 Oct;7(5): 365-71.
3. Panossian A, Wikman G, Sarris J. Rosenroot (Rhodiola rosea): traditional use, chemical composition, pharmacology and clinical efficacy. Phytomedicine. 2010. Jun;17(7):481-93.
4. Shevtsov VA et al. A randomised trial of two different doses of SHR-5 Rhodiola rosea extract versus placebo and control of capacity for mental work. Phytomedicine. 2003. Mar; 10(2-3): 95-105.
5. Chianga HM et al. Rhodiola plants: Chemistry and biological activity. Journal of Food and Drug Analysis. 2015. Vol23, Issue 3. Pages 359-369.
6. Diermen D et al. Monoamine oxidase inhibition by Rhodiola rosea L. roots. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009. Mar 18;122(2):397-401.

SIDE EFFECTS

Rhodiola Rosea appears to be generally safe, non-addictive, and well tolerated by adults taking moderate doses for limited periods of time. The most common side effects include mild to moderate dizziness, anxiety, agitation, insomnia, nausea, restlessness and increased libido. Side effects tend to be dosage-dependent and are more pronounced when larger doses are taken so it is important to take the minimum effective dose to eliminate/minimise side effects¹.

References

1. Fintelmann V, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of a Rhodiola rosea extract in adults with physical and cognitive deficiencies. Adv Ther. 2007. Jul-Aug; 24(4):929-39.

This is an essential amino acid that helps the body make proteins and certain brain signalling chemicals. The body changes L-tryptophan into a brain chemical called serotonin. Serotonin helps control mood and sleep. Taking L-Tryptophan might decrease the amount of time it takes to fall asleep and improve mood in healthy people with sleep problems¹.

SIDE EFFECTS

L Tryptophan has been linked to Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS). Some research suggests that the illness that led to several people being affected in 1989, was due to contaminants that got into the supplements during manufacturing in a factory in Japan.

L-Tryptophan supplements have since been re-introduced into the US market. Side effects may include Blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, head twitching, hives, nausea, loss of muscle coordination and muscle stiffness, strong, pounding heart-beat (palpitations), sweating and tremor. L-Tryptophan can interfere with many different medicines. Do not take L Tryptophan if you are on antidepressants as this may lead to serotonin syndrome.

L-Tryptophan should be used with caution in pregnant women. Talk to your doctor before taking this supplement if you have liver cirrhosis (liver scarring)².

References

1. Richard DM, et al. L-Tryptophan: Basic Metabolic Functions, Behavioural Research and Therapeutic Indications. Int J Tryptophan Res. 2: 45-60. 2009.
2. Ratini M. L-Tryptophan – WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/l-tryptophan-uses-and-risks. Website accessed 18.03.2021.

Added to promote calmness, relaxation and to aid stress relief and sleep.

SIDE EFFECTS

The available data suggests that short-term therapy with lavender is relatively safe. Gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and dyspepsia have been reported¹.

References

1. Koulivand PH, et al. Lavender and the nervous system. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 681301; 2013