Energy Drinks Exposed

By King Hoover
Energy Drink and Caffeine Controversy

Well, if you're Russ Weiner, founder of ROCKSTAR energy drinks, you would say it takes being the son of two world-class herbalists who have written 20 books on health and nutrition. Let's look at the ingredients in ROCKSTAR and their functions.

Per serving (2 per can) ROCKSTAR offers:
L-Taurine- 946 milligrams- Helps stabilize the excitability of membranes which is very important in the control of epileptic seizures. Taurine and sulfur are considered to be factors necessary for the control of many biochemical changes that take place in the aging process; aids in the clearing of free radical wastes. Taurine also functions to fuel intense muscular contractions making it good for working or working out. Taurine is a non-essential sulfur-containing amino acid that functions with glycine and another amino acid as a neuroinhibitory transmitter. It also plays an important role in bile acid metabolism. Taurine is one of the most abundant bile acid where it helps to emulsify dietary fats in the intestine, promoting digestion.

Guarana- 200 milligrams- Brazilian herb with some stimulant properties, guarananine is related to caffeine’s class of chemicals. Guarana also has about 5.5% caffeine by weight.

Caffeine- 75 milligrams- Caffeine is really broken down into 3 distinct compounds in the body that contribute to its overall effect. They are 1st Paraxanthine (84%) increasing lipolysis (the emptying of fat cells so the fatty acids can be burned) and free fatty acid levels in the blood. 2nd Theobromine (12%) Dilates (opens) blood vessels allowing for the easier transport of more fatty acids and other nutrients to the brain and muscles (and makes you have to go to the bathroom). This is the principle stimulant chemical in chocolate. 3rd Theophylline (4%) Relaxes the smooth muscle of the bronchi in the lungs and separately is used to treat asthma. The therapeutic dose of this chemical is much higher than the levels attained by caffeine consumption. NOTE: this is the same effective chemical in the thigh-reducing crèmes so popular a few years ago.

Inositol- 25 milligrams- A lipotropic or fat transporting vitamin, helps reduce cholesterol levels, hardening of the arteries and prevent hair loss. This is a low dose though, recommendations are much higher for any real lipotropic effect.

L-Carnitine- 25 milligrams- The major function of carnitine is to act as a carrier of fatty acids into the mitochondria where they can be burned for fuel, which makes it important for fat loss.

Eleutherococcus Senticosus- 25 milligrams- This is the ‘formal name’ for Siberian Ginseng, its one of the lesser known but more common types you find in supplements today. The #1 thing to remember about ginsengs is that that their designation, or category, in the U.S. Pharmacopea is as an adaptogen. This is a very difficult category to get into because the compound has to have a protective effect against all 3 types of stresses: Chemical, Psychological (nervous system) and Physical. This is a pretty low dose and herb effectiveness is based on how much of the active-compounds are present, but here are some of the benefits of including this ginseng on your diet.

Specifically, Siberian ginseng may help to help prevent stress-related illnesses by managing our body’s responses to stress, relieve symptoms of chronic Fatigue syndrome and Fibromyalgia, increase mental alertness and accuracy and increase our resistance to respiratory tract infections.

Milk Thistle- 20 milligrams- This herb contains a collection of chemicals that have 2 main functions for the health of the liver and since the liver performs hundreds of vital processes every hour of the day, it’s a good idea to take care of it. 1st Protection of the liver cells from damaging chemicals in your diet, environmental toxins and free radical damage. . .2nd Enhancing the production by the liver cells of enzymes vital to the liver’s proper functioning, thus speeding recovery from an injury and even stimulating regeneration of new liver tissue.

Ginkgo- 15 milligrams- The Ginkgo tree is so unique, it has its own classification in flora. It has been used as food and medicine for 4,000 years and traditional Chinese herbalists still rely on it to treat asthma, bronchitis and brain disorders. Its primary uses are: Improves memory and other cognitive functions, enhances circulation to the brain, heart, limbs, ears and eyes, may help reduce cardiovascular risks, potent antioxidant effects, used in treating cerebral insufficiency, senile dementia, Alzheimer's disease.

Again, this is a small dose, but I have outlined some of the benefits of adding Ginkgo to your supplement program.

B-2 or Riboflavin- 200% of the USRDI- Like other B vitamins, it supports energy production by aiding in the metabolizing of fats, carbs and proteins, it is also required for red blood cell formation and respiration, antibody production, regulating growth hormone and thyroid production.

Vitamin C- 60 milligrams 100% of the USRDI-
B-5 or Pantothenic Acid- 50% of the USRDI- The B’s work together to break down carbs, fats and proteins, but B-5 has some interesting functions in helping to control acne, preventing arthritis conditions and reducing allergies.

Niacinamide- 50% of the USRDI- Similar role in energy metabolism as we’ve discussed, but is also helpful in living cell and DNA repair. Even a small deficiency slows metabolism, decreases cold-tolerance and is a potential contributing factor towards obesity.

B-6 – 50% of the USRDI- This vitamin is a component of a large number of enzymes, so much so that almost every body system relies on it for optimal function. It is beneficial for maintaining nerve health, minimizing the symptoms of PMS, promotes health kidney activity and lung function.

B-12 – 50% of the USRDI- B-12 is often called ‘the energy vitamin’, but few folks know why. Anemia is the lack of sufficient red blood cells and therefore, not enough oxygen being carried to all your systems- kinda like suffocating on the inside. Until 1948, pernicious anemia would very likely kill you, unless you choked down 2/3 of a pound of raw liver every day, now we can just take a small amount of the vitamin responsible.

Even a slight deficiency will have negative health effects, depression, forgetfulness, even incontinence can result. It is essential to every cell in your body since it must be on hand for DNA synthesis.