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by author Brad J. King, MS, MFS
When we are young, our bodies have a tremendous ability to repair. This is called anabolic metabolism–the ability to repair our cells faster then they break down. Anabolic metabolism also creates a great atmosphere for fat burning and muscle enhancement. In other words, instead of merely living, we feel truly alive.
What if you could provide each of your body’s cells with the nutrients they require to keep energy production at peak capacity? Would you be interested? Of course–after all, who couldn’t use a little more energy? The three power nutrients I call the “energy trio”–carnitine, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA)–when used properly, may help you, once again, experience your energy potential.
In order to understand the importance of these three nutrients, let’s first look at how your body produces energy. Inside the majority of your trillions of cells lie numerous little energy producers called mitochondria. These tiny energy factories are responsible for producing at least 90 percent of the energy-carrying substance adenosine triphosphate (ATP). How much energy you have depends on how well your mitochondria are functioning. Here’s how the energy trio maintains abundant energy.
L-carnitine
Fatty acids are the primary fuel source for ATP production; however, they cannot cross the mitochondrial membrane without help. The natural vitamin-like substance L-carnitine provides this help and acts as an energy transporter by shuttling fatty acids directly into the mitochondria to be burned as energy. According to a 2004 study appearing in the journal Metabolism, healthy adults can greatly enhance their fat-burning ability by supplementing with L-carnitine. The recommended dosage is 500 mg to 2 grams daily.
CoQ10
Although mostly known for its cardiovascular benefits, CoQ10 is essential to creating the spark that ignites fatty acid oxidation (fat burning). Aside from this role, CoQ10 also acts as a powerful antioxidant inside the mitochondria (where the majority of free radicals are formed). The recommended dosage is 30 to 100 mg daily.
Alpha-lipoic acid
Aside from being one of the most powerful and versatile of the antioxidants, ALA helps to increase overall ATP levels, thus enhancing energy levels. Research from the Linus Pauling Institute, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2002), indicates that ALA in association with L-carnitine can greatly increase energy production and reverse the negative energy decline associated with aging in rodent models. The recommended dosage is 50 to 300 mg daily.
In the face of poor lifestyle choices, the energy trio is by no means a magic formula for regaining abundant energy; however, with a proper diet and regular exercise, the energy trio can help make you feel truly alive again.
Looking for Energy in All the Wrong Places
In our search for the elusive energy kick we too often find it by consuming copious amounts of caffeine, ephedrine, energy drinks, or high-energy bars. All these stimulants provoke a temporary excitatory response from the body, but they actually take more from the body than they give.
Brad J. King, MS, MFS, is a nutritional researcher and author of five books, including the international best-seller Fat Wars (Wiley, 2004). Subscribe to his free monthly newsletter at fatwars.com.
Source: alive #274, August 2005
