American Ginseng is a plant having leaves growing in a circle. The flowers are umbrella shaped and are yellowish green in color. American ginseng can be used only if it is four to six years old. Hence, it is expensive, but, is now grown on farms. American ginseng roots and the root hairs are used to make products. American ginseng is more relaxing than the Asian ginseng that has stimulating effects. American ginseng is available in water and alcohol extracts, capsules, powders and tablets. This is also obtainable in various combinations and herbs. American ginseng is not recommended for children. This herb helps in strengthening the body as well as in treating disease. These can trigger side effects and also can interact with other supplements, herbs or medications. The side effects of American ginseng include insomnia, anxiety, high blood pressure, diarrhea, vomiting, vaginal bleeding, nosebleed, headache and breast pain. Women in the stages of breast feeding or pregnancy are not recommended.

Biotin, also called Vitamin H or Vitamin B7. Biotin is a water-soluble B-Complex Vitamin that is needed for the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins.

Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that occurs naturally in food and helps produce and maintain new cells.

Ginkgo Biloba, actually ginkgo biloba, is a unique species of a tree, is also deemed a living fossil, because it is deemed an ancient genus. All other genera are extinct, but in China it has been cultivate for centuries, so this species survived. While it was believed that no ginkgo plants were present in the wild, some areas in eastern China have been recently discovered. Ginkgo biloba extract is usually derived from the leaves and the inner seed of the fruit. It is due to certain flavonoid glycosides and terpenoids that certain nootropic properties have been observed, leading to clinical trials in treatments of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In body building circles, this extract is being used as concentration and memory enhancer, increasing blood flow with antioxidant properties as an additional bonus.

Korean Ginseng is an herbal medicine used for treating various conditions. It is made from a red root of a plant which grows in Korea. It is used in traditional Korean medicines to aid memory power, for better endurances and as an anti-inflammatory agent. It protects the body from stress and fatigue, improves the level of blood sugar in diabetes patients, strengthens the immune system and may also help in treating impotence and erectile dysfunction in men. Traditionally it was taken for increasing vigor after recovering from a debilitating illness. A bottle of Korean ginseng normally contains a genuine ginseng root in it. It is taken in doses of 100-250 mg twice daily. However it does have adverse effects on patients having gynecologic problems, hypertension and asthma.

L-Arginine is one of the most common naturally occurring amino acids. In adults, arginine is deemed semi-essential, while for infants it is believed to be essential alpha amino acid. The functions of L-Arginine are multiple, it plays roles in the healing of wounds, immune function, hormone release, ammonia removal and cell division. It is also believed to be a precursor of nitric oxide, increasing the muscle mass, reduce body fat, decrease blood pressure and a dozen other functions, such as reducing the recuperation time after a serious injury, bone fractures and similar in particular. Since that L-Arginine can be produced by the human body, ingestion is conditionally not necessary, but sources include dairy products, meat such as beef and pork, poultry, but also vegetables like nuts, seeds, oatmeal, wheat flour and more.

Niacin is a vitamin that wards against pellagra, a disease characterized by a vitamin B3 deficiency. Niacin is made from pyridine and is often called vitamin B3 or nicotinamide, because they all three have similar formulas. Niacin and nicotinamide are comparable in make up, but only niacin works to lower cholesterol levels. The restoration of DNA is also known to be a positive side effect of taking niacin. A fairly large number of individuals, particularly those in third world countries or those suffering from alcoholism, have been shown to be lacking in niacin. Niacin is often taken as a supplement by those with high cholesterol levels, as it has been proven to lower “bad” cholesterol and raise “good” cholesterol.

Pantothenic Acid is actually a part of the Vitamin B complex, namely Vitamin B5 and is deemed an essential nutrient. It has a critical function in the synthesis and metabolism of core nutrients, such as fats, proteins and carbohydrates, and it forms the coenzyme – A, also called CoA, most notable for the role in oxidation and synthesis of fatty acids and pyruvate. The Greek origin of the name Pantothenic Acid already states that this Vitamin is found nearly everywhere, with prominent amounts in eggs, meat, legumes and whole grain cereals. In health and fitness circles the dietary supplement is very popular for its energy producing role, but also for the ATP process and for the maintenance of cholesterol and triglycerides levels in the body.

Riboflavin, an easily absorbed micronutrient, is also known by the name of Vitamin B2. It plays a key role in maintaining the health of animals as well as humans. A wide variety if cellular processes require this vitamin. It plays a key role in energy metabolism, just like other B vitamins. It is the kind of micronutrient which required for the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and ketone bodies. There are a lot of food products that are a good source of Vitamin B2. Matured soybeans, yeast, mushroom, livers, kidneys, leafy vegetables, milk, cheese, almonds are such products that are rich in this vitamin. But riboflavin does get destroyed if exposed to light. Riboflavin is a non toxic vitamin. Hence, there is no harm in taking it orally.

Selenium is a trace mineral that plays an important role in several metabolic pathways such as glutathione-peroxidise pathway. Selenium works with Vitamin E which gives its strong antioxidant effects and improves the immune system. It protects the body from prematurely aging. It also help prevent free radical damages that may cause heart diseases and cancer. It is essential in the proper function of the thyroid hormones, and promotes efficient metabolism. It is also beneficial in the reproductive health particularly of men because it facilitates in the sperm production, and prevents infertility. Selenium also helps reduce inflammation which is beneficial to those with rheumatism to reduce pain.

Thiamine, also called Vitamin B1 or Thiamin, is needed to help the body utilize energy from proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Thiamine is commonly found in breads and cereals. Thiamine is water-soluble and is concentrated in muscle tissue as it passes thru the body.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin with known toxicity. Although its toxicity has been exaggerated, it is a factor worth keeping in mind. Carotine is converted in the human body to Vitamin A, it comes from vegetable sources. Vitamin A is necessary for normal growth and for skeletal development.

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble member of the vitamin B complex. It exists in thre forms and often occurs in nature as a mixture of these three forms. Vitamin B6 is involved in protein, fat, and sugar metabolism.

Vitamin C is well known for its powerful ability to help boost the immune system as well as fight off damage causing free radicals. As an anti-oxidant, vitamin c binds with free radicals, preventing them from damaging cells. This damage can cause early aging and even has been linked to some cancers. By taking vitamin C supplements, you are helping prevent these free-radicals, as well as giving your immune system a boost as well. Vitamin C is integral to cellular metabolism as well and a lack of vitamin C can cause a myriad of issues, including scurvy.

Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol is a secosteroid and is structurally similar to steroids, such as testosterone and cholesterol. Depending upon its biochemistry and physiology, it has both inactive ( unhydroxylated cholecalciferol ) and active ( hydroxylated cholecalciferol at 1 and 25 position)forms in the body. The active form is actually a hormone and thus has profound effects on the body. It maintains the proper functioning of several body organs but its major function is to increase the blood calcium and phosphorus level by promoting their absorption from the intestines and then later to promote the reabsorption of calcium form the glomerular filtrate in the kidneys. In this way it has profound effects on the health of the bones by not only supporting the remodeling process but also proper bone mineralization.

Zinc, a mineral needed for cell division and repair as well as proper functioning of the immune system. Zinc is also an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body.