Guaraná contains tetra methylxanthine(approximately 5.8%) a compound almost identical to caffeine; it also contains large amounts of theophylline, theobromine, tannic acid & is rich in saponins. The fact that Guaraná seed is fatty means that even ground into a powder, it is not readily water soluble & therefore not quickly absorbed by the body. The caffeine is released slowly over as much as 6 hours so the energy boost that is experienced from Guaraná is not like that of coffee(with a sudden rush & quick drop-off), but continues to escalate over hours. The tannic acid is astringent & probably accounts for its use as a digestive tonic. The saponin content may be partially responsible for its long term effects (saponins are the agents responsible for the energizing effects of Ginseng when it is taken over long periods). Theobromine & theophylline are two constituents of Guaraná that educated chocoholics will recognize. Theophylline is a stronger stimulant than even caffeine, but it is present in smaller amounts than caffeine. Theobromine is the stimulant/euphoriant so craved by chocoholics.

Stress-Plex-Forte™, from Douglas Laboratories, is a comprehensive B supplement providing all essential B vitamins & related nutrients, including a significant amount of vitamin C. As co-enzymes, the B vitamins are essential components in most major metabolic reactions. They play an important role in energy production, including the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates & proteins. B vitamins are also important for blood cells, hormones, & nervous system function. As water-soluble substances, B vitamins are not generally stored in the body in any appreciable amounts (with the exception of vitamin B-12). Therefore, the body needs an adequate supply of B vitamins on a daily basis. Thiamin, riboflavin & niacin are all essential coenzymes in energy production. Thiamin is converted quickly into thiamin pyrophosphate, which is required for glycolytic & Krebs cycle reactions. Thiamin also appears to be related to nerve impulse transmission. Riboflavin is a component of the coenzymes FAD & FMN, which are intermediates in many redox reactions, including energy production & cellular respiration reactions. Niacin is also a component of the coenzymes NAD & NADP, which are involved in energy production, as well as biosynthetic processes. Vitamin B-6 is a coenzyme in amino acid metabolism. It is necessary for the metabolism of homocysteine & the conversion of tryptophan into niacin. Vitamin B-6 dependent enzymes are also needed for the biosynthesis of many neurotransmitters, including serotonin, epinephrine, & norepinephrine. Vitamin B-12 & folic acid are coenzymes in DNA & RNA metabolism. Both of these B vitamins assist in homocysteine metabolism. Folic acid serves as a methyl donor & vitamin B-12 as a coenzyme in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine. Biotin & pantothenic acid are also coenzymes essential for energy production from dietary fats, carbohydrates & proteins. Pantothenic acid is a component of coenzyme A & of phosphopantetheine, & is therefore essential for Krebs cycle operation. Biotin is involved in many carboxylation reactions associated with gluconeogenesis, the Krebs cycle, & fatty acid synthesis. While not truly vitamins, choline, inositol, & paraaminobenzoic acid are important nutrients related to B vitamins. Choline serves as a methyl donor for homocysteine metabolism following conversion to betaine, as a structural component of cellular membranes as phosphatidylcholine, & as a neurotransmitter as acetylcholine. Inositol aids in cellular response to hormonal signals, serves as a source of arachidonic acid, & is active in cellularmembranes as phoshatidylinositol. Finally, paraaminobenzoic acid has antioxidant properties.

Coenzyme Q-10 (or ubiquinone) is an important ratelimiting nutrient that is a cofactor in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, the biochemical pathway in cellular respiration from which adenosine triphosphate (ATP) & metabolic energy is derived. Since nearly all cellular activities are dependent upon energy, coenzyme Q-10 is essential for the health of all human tissues & organs. Coenzyme Q-10 is a naturally-occurring antioxidant nutrient which retards free radical formation in biological systems. Coenzyme Q-10 resembles vitamin E & vitamin K in chemical structure. Biochemically, it functions much like vitamin E in that it participates in antioxidant & free radical reactions. Healthy humans who consume a well-balanced diet have the ability to synthesize coenzyme Q-10. Unhealthy individuals & those on an inadequate diet may not synthesize coenzyme Q-10 in sufficient quantity. According to Dr. Karl Folkers & other experts, humans can biosynthesize coenzyme Q-10 from tyrosine or phenylalanine & mevalonic acid, which are small molecules abundant in the body. This is complex biochemical process that requires 15 separate steps & many enzymes, coenzymes, vitamins & minerals. Only by such a process can the respiratory chain receive proper levels of coenzyme Q10.