By Paul Bubny

No question about it: America is suffering from an energy deficit, and not the kind that has resulted in unprecedented price hikes at the gas pump, either. One reason that people who exude vitality stand out in any given location is because there are relatively few of them. “At least 75 percent of Americans complain of feeling a regular lack of energy,” said Jery Cochern, founder and CEO of Pure Essence Labs, based in Las Vegas.

Frank Shallenberger, M.D., H.M.D., author of Bursting With Energy, would put the percentage even higher, depending on the age group. For the past seven years, Shallenberger has used a patented computer program called Bio-Energy Testing, which analyzes the real-time conversion of oxygen to carbon dioxide in his patients while they are at rest and while under an exercise protocol. Based on his experiences, Shallenberger, who is also a consultant to Vitamin Research Products (Carson City, NV), estimated that 10 percent of people under age 30 are energy deficient, a figure that increases to 20 percent of people ages 30-40, 60 percent of people ages 40-50, 85 percent of people ages 50-60, and 100 percent of people over 60.

The main causes, as Shallenberger sees them, are a decrease in mitochondrial function and a decrease in the ability to metabolize energy from fat.

Cochern attributed energy deficiency to cells in the body not working efficiently. “Cells in certain systems extract nutrients from foods, water, and air,” he said. “Cells in other systems convert these nutrients into energy, and carry the resulting energy to still other cells that conduct over one million different types of metabolic reactions. When all these reactions occur efficiently, we enjoy abundant energy levels. When of any them begin to fail, we face energy shortages. Cells fail because of poor nutrition, lack of exercise, extreme stress, exposure to synthetic chemicals, or damage to the cellular structure by free radicals.”

Even among those who are meeting some of the basic requirements to keep energy production going, there is a demand for products to support a more active lifestyle. As an illustration, the energy-enhancement category, as defined by Chicago-based market intelligence firm Mintel International—specifically, energy bars, energy drinks, and protein powders/drinks—blossomed from $2 billion in retail sales in 1998 to $5 billion last year. The natural products industry has answers for these consumers, as well as for the majority whose stores of vitality are running too low to engage in regular fitness activity.

A lack of such activity, in Shallenberger’s view, is part of the problem. “For the majority of people, this means not exercising at all,” he said. “However, using Bio-Energy Testing, I have been able to determine another less obvious, though just as serious, problem: Almost everyone who does regularly exercise does it too hard. Exercising too hard wears out the adrenal glands, results in increased levels of tissue acidity, increases the rate of free radical damage, and decreases fat metabolism.”

However, Shallenberger said, the “first and foremost” factor in energy deficiency is diet. “Virtually everyone I examine eats way too many calories and way too many carbohydrates,” he said. “This deadly combination is more responsible for decreased energy than any other single factor, because it dramatically shifts the metabolism from fat to glucose’ ”

Garden of Life founder Jordan Rubin, Ph.D., N.M.D. would cite another health-impairing factor pertaining to diet: depletion of the soil in which food is grown. “Years ago, humans ingested beneficial soil and plant-based microbes through food grown in rich, unpolluted soil,” said Rubin. “But for the last 50 years, our soil has been sterilized with pesticides and herbicides, destroying both good and bad bacteria.”

He added that this, along with the modern use of antibiotics, chlorinated water, pollution, and poor dietary habits, has wiped out much of the beneficial bacteria in our bodies needed to maintain healthy intestinal and immune system functions.

Give It A Rest
Another factor in an energy deficit is a sleep deficit, said Shallenberger. “We all need about eight hours of sleep containing at least one hour of deep, or Stage 4, sleep. However, the reality is that most people give themselves much less, and often due to the effects of melatonin deficiency, stress, alcohol, and coffee, there is very little Stage 4 sleep.

“The other very common cause of disturbed sleep is obstructive apnea, which is almost always a consequence of decreased fat metabolism,” he continued. To rapidly induce sleep and provide an optimal amount of Stage 4 sleep, Shallenberger recommended a combination of 0.5 mg of melatonin, 100 mg of 5-HTP, 100 mg of theanine, and 1,000 mg of niacinamide.

DMV International, an ingredient supplier with U.S. headquarters in Delhi, NY, recently launched an alternative for inducing energy-producing sleep, called Cysteine Peptide. First consumer research showed that Cysteine Peptide, a whey protein hydrolysate, gave consumers energy and motivation and helped them sleep better.

The principle behind the ingredient is that as the body ages, it decreases the production of glutathione, which is needed to break down toxic substances, alcohol, and stimulants (i.e., caffeine). Alcohol and caffeine are well known for disrupting sleep patterns—and in the case of caffeine, drinking more to overcome sleepiness only compounds the problem.

“Helping the body to remove these substances supports restorative sleep, leaving consumers energized and full of vitality” said Fiona Taylor, market development manager at DMV International, which conducted the research among consumers aged 50-plus.

Recent coverage of America’s sleep-deprivation problem, while pointing up the cost in terms of productivity as well as its potential for leading to accidents, has also indicated that scientists don’t fully understand why sleep is necessary, since the body is able to rest simply by being idle. But necessary it is, nonetheless, since a sleep-deprived brain leads to sluggish physical as well as mental processes. “We feel mentally drained because the brain lacks sufficient glucose to fuel our thought processes,” said Cochern. “Most of us relate to being mentally drained, more so than physically, simply because our daily lives have become more mental than physical.”

Shallenberger observed, “The subjective assessment of energy production associated with the single most common complaint doctors ever hear, ‘I’m tired,’ is usually an indicator of both mental and physical energy deficits. Since the mind typically uses up to 60 percent of all the energy being generated in the body when it is at rest, mental function is very closely tied to energy deficits. Indeed, research is now showing that Parkinson’s disease as well as Alzheimer’s are both caused by decreased energy production.”

Key Nutrients
Shallenberger enumerated several nutrients that “almost always have to be supplemented to some degree in order to have optimal energy production.” Many of these are included in the products discussed below from leading manufacturers:

• Niacin, or vitamin B-3, is “the single key cofactor in mitochondrial function and is almost always deficient. It is often required in doses up to 300-500 mg per day.

• Pantothenic acid, vitamin B-5, which Shallenberger described as “the essential cofactor in the production of most of the adrenal steroids. Pantothenic acid quickly becomes depleted in times of stress, i.e. ‘everyday modern life.’ In particular, pantothenic acid enhances the endogenous production of the glucocorticoids, including cortisone. There is an abundance of data in the literature demonstrating that impaired adrenal gland function, including impaired production of adrenal hormones, can occur as a result of pantothenic acid deficiency. Pantothenic acid is also a key factor in mitochondrial function. A minimum of 500-1000 mg per day is often required.”

• Licorice extract, due to its glycyrrhizin content, “inhibits the metabolism of cortisol in the liver, thus resulting in more sustained levels even in the face of major amounts of stress. Cortisol is the major fat-burning hormone that is almost always depleted in patients complaining of being tired.”

• Adrenal extract, “by providing many of the micro-cofactors needed for optimum adrenal response, is well known to stave off adrenal fatigue and burnout.”

• Citrus aurantium, a standardized extract of orange peel containing 10 percent synephrine alkaloids, “increases fat burning and facilitates weight loss by increasing the body’s basal metabolism by approximately 3 percent, and by stimulating both thermogenesis and lipolysis. These effects are due to its ability to stimulate the release of adrenaline and norepinephrine and by activating beta-3 adrenergic receptors (i.e. it functions as a beta-3 adrenergic receptor agonist). Synephrine also stimulates the release of dopamine. Dopamine influences mood, and optimal dopamine levels are required for ‘good moods.’ ”

• Theanine “increases dopamine levels in the brain, and acetyl-l-carnitine enhances the release of dopamine from dopaminergic neurons and improves the binding of dopamine to dopamine receptors in the brain. These two work great together with citrus aurantium.”

• Tyrosine is another precursor for the production of dopamine, and dopamine increases the body’s basal metabolic rate. Tyrosine also has a positive effect on metabolism by its effect on the thyroid gland, and by facilitating the production of norepinephrine. I use on the order of 250-500 mg per day.”

• Green tea extract “has its own thermogenic effect which enhances the noradrenalin releasing properties of l-tyrosine and synephrine by inhibiting catechol-O-methyl-transferase, the enzyme that degrades norepinephrine. Other studies indicate that the addition of a moderate dose of green tea polyphenols to synephrine increases synephrine’s thermogenic response by 400-500 percent!”

• Shallenberger also uses thyroid and liver extracts. “These two work particularly well when combined with all of the above nutrients.”

• Chromium must often be supplemented “in so-called ‘mega doses’ of 1,500-3,000 mcg per day in order to improve the insulin resistance that almost always occurs in the over-40 group. Two other great nutrients to help improve insulin sensitivity are mormodica charantia (bitter melon) and galega officialis.”

• Lipoic acid in a dose of 100-300 mg/day, in combination with 1,000-3,000 mg per day of l-carnitine, “seems to be one of the real essentials to optimizing energy production in almost any age. I see an enormous amount of effect just from these two nutrients.”

• CoQ10 similarly is “often required in doses anywhere from 100-300 mg/day. When Bio-Energy Testing demonstrates a total decrease in energy production across the board, I know I am dealing with CoQ10 deficiency.”

• Last but not least, Shallenberger cited omega-3 oil supplements. “I am not quite sure how these oils play such an important role in energy production but I know they do. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that they enhance insulin sensitivity, and maybe even improve the synthesis of cardiolipin, the key lipid in mitochondrial function.”

Different Approaches
Leading supplement manufacturers take a variety of approaches in formulating products to promote energy. For instance, Pure Essence products build energy in the body “by improving cellular function,” said Cochern. “This is done by providing spirulina, the world’s most energy-packed whole foods, and a group of the world’s most revered Superior Tonic Herbs. These herbs are not stimulants, and are safe for daily use. They provide hundreds of phyto-nutrients that act as anti-oxidants, and in other ways repair and prevent the damage done to cells. By improving cellular function, they improve the body’s ability to produce energy for itself.”

C’est Si Bon (Torrance, CA) produces a product known as Chlorenergy that consists solely of Chlorella vulgaris. In the company’s view, that’s plenty, as it describes chlorella as “a complete super green food once considered by NASA as a food for [the] future… Chlorenergy has 16 vitamins, 14 minerals, two essential fatty acids, four dietary fibers, natural chlorophyll, and more.”

Garden of Life, based in West Palm Beach, FL, produces a combination of adaptogenic “super tonic” herbs and phytochemicals collectively known as Clear Energy. The herbs include American ginseng, Cordyceps sinensis, reishi mushroom, astragalus root, codonopsis root, schizandra berry, polygonum, licorice root, Rhodiola rosea, Rhapontium carthomoides, and maca extract.

“While most energy formulas focus on providing energy for the body, our Clear Energy formula is designed to invigorate both the body and the mind,” according to Garden of Life. “It is made without stimulants and addictive chemicals common to other energy formulas. In addition, the powerful adaptogenic herbs included in the formula are uniquely effective due to our proprietary Poten-Zyme process, which allows for greater nutrient bio-availability.”

Nature’s Plus (Melville, NY) bills its entire product line as “The Energy Supplements.” With such a motto, it’s little wonder that the company groups no fewer than 100 of its products under the structure/function heading of “natural energy production.” Among the recent introductions in this category include Potent C Energy Powder, an orange-juiced flavored powder that serves up coQ10, green tea, ginger, bee pollen, “and Rare Earth Trace Elements” along with vitamin C.

Similarly, Vitamin Research Products groups 20 of its products, ranging from B-vitamin supplements to medium-chain triglycerides to combination formulas, under the heading of “Bioenergizers.” An example is Blast Off, which combines the stimulatory neurotransmitter precursor amino acids l-phenylalanine and l-tyrosine with caffeine, as well as the rain forest tonic herbs guarana and yerba mate. The result, according to the company, is “a synergistic formula that helps maintain high levels of dopaminergic neurotransmitters in your brain, so you avoid the ‘running on empty’ letdown.”

Before it became a necessity to do so, Natural Balance (Castle Rock, CO) last year removed ephedra from products such as Turbo Charge, Extra Strength Guarana, Ultra Diet Pep, and Diet Pep. In its place are Korean ginseng in the case of Turbo Charge and Extra Strength Guarana, and green tea extract in the case of the two Diet Pep products. “Green tea extract helps dieters manage their weight by boosting their calorie-burning energy and metabolism,” said Scott Smith, vice president of corporate development. “Its natural antioxidants provide significant additional health benefits, so green tea is the natural next step in herbal diet formulas.”

New from Cytodyne LLC (Hicksville, NY) is Xenadrine-NRG, which the company describes as “a revolutionary new extended-release energy supplement which utilizes a unique ‘power-pellet’ delivery system. Its patented formula is specifically designed to help increase energy levels within 30 minutes and then keep on working to maintain those levels for up to eight full hours.”

Leading off the ingredients list is Norambrolide, a fermented sage compound that has been shown in unpublished in-vitro research to increase levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). In some metabolic processes, cAMP is involved in activating cellular enzymes and other substances that help move fat out of the fat cells. Xenadrine-NRG also includes a proprietary blend known as Thermozanthin, including yerba mate, guarana, green tea, and cocoa seed extract. The formula is rounded out by vitamin B-12.

For workout as well as everyday use, Maximum Human Performance (Cedar Grove, NJ) manufactures TakeOFF, the active ingredients of which include Citrus aurantium, a guarana/green tea blend, l-tyrosine, triple ginseng, an adrenal support blend, and ginkgo biloba. The company indicates it for “anyone age of 18 or over who is looking to: burn fat, increase energy, [and] improve concentration and performance.” Wrestling champion Kurt Angle is the official endorser for TakeOFF.

Having already put the Everlast brand name on energy bars and supplements, Vitamin Branding Corp. (New York City) has introduced a line of single-serve vitamin packettes. Among the three new introductions is Energy Blast, containing vitamin B-6, panthothenic acid, green tea extract, Korean ginseng, DMAE, royal jelly, spirulina, and cocoa extract.

“The introduction of our single-serve vitamin packettes is in furtherance of our strategy within Everlast Nutrition to focus on high-turn items that can be displayed near registers in counter displays,” said Seth Ratner, vice president of sales and marketing at Vitamin Branding Corp. “The Everlast brand name attached to vitamin packettes gives credibility to a subcategory in nutrition that has historically been popular, but largely unbranded.”

A single-ingredient approach is another option. “American ginseng is the perfect solution because with its cooling and calming properties it can provide stress relief (no more road rage) while providing a slow steady energy. We call this a calm energy,” said Ron Rambadt, former director of sales and marketing at Hsu’s Ginseng Enterprises (Wausau, WI), which largely put American ginseng on the map in the 1970s. “The Korean or Chinese ginseng will provide the quick energy, but the duration is much shorter and there is no stress relief.”

Man (and woman) cannot live by energy supplements alone. Manufacturers stressed that the pathway to an energized life also includes proper diet, exercise, exercise, and time for relaxation and/or meditation. VR