5-Hour energy
Ingredients & Safety

Vitamins

Vitamin B6
Vitamin B12
Niacin (Vitamin B3)
Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)

Energy Blend

Citicoline
Tyrosine
Phenylalanine
Taurine
Malic Acid
Glucuronolactone
Caffeine

Safety

Phenylketonurics
Large amounts of vitamins
Niacin flush

Vitamins

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 was first researched in the 1930’s. Its original name was “antidermatitis factor” because skin inflammation seemed to increase when foods with vitamin B6 were absent from the diet.  It is difficult to find a molecule in our bodies that doesn’t rely on vitamin B6 for its production. It plays a key role in the production of amino acids, the building blocks of protein. It is used in the creation of DNA. It’s involved in over 100 crucial chemical reactions in our bodies. It helps form nearly all new cells in our bodies.

Here is a brief list of the other things vitamin B6 does:

• Helps our nervous system function properly.
• Required for the production of hemoglobin, the compound in
  red blood cells that transports oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• Increases the amount of oxygen carried in our blood.
• Helps maintain a healthy immune system.
• Aids in the processing of carbohydrates for energy.

Food sources of vitamin B6 include fortified cereals, beans, meat, poultry, fish, and some fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

Two Nobel Prizes have been awarded for research involving the study of vitamin B12.  Like other B-complex vitamins, vitamin B12 is involved in a variety of important functions. Perhaps its most important function is the development of red blood cells. Another is the development of nerve cells. B12 also participates in the production of amino acids, and the processing of carbohydrates into energy.

Niacin (Vitamin B3)

The first laboratory isolation of vitamin B3 occurred during research studies of tobacco in the 1930s, hence niacin is also known as “nicotinic acid.”  Niacin is important in energy production. It plays a key role in converting fats, proteins, carbohydrates and starches into usable energy.  It also helps remove toxic chemicals from the body, and has been shown to increase the level of HDL (good cholesterol) in the blood.  Because niacin opens capillaries and increases blood flow near the skin, elevated doses can cause skin flushing in some people. This is characterized by a red and itchy face and neck that lasts a few minutes. (A form of niacin called niacinamide causes little or no flushing.)  Food sources of Niacin include: meat and dairy products, leafy vegetables, broccoli, tomatoes, avocados, nuts and whole grains.

Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)

Folate gets its name from the Latin word “folium” for leaf. A researcher in the 1930’s discovered that anemia of pregnancy could be corrected by a yeast extract. The active ingredient in this process was later identified as folate, and was extracted from spinach leaves in 1941.  Folic acid, or folate, helps produce and maintain new cells in our bodies. It’s also needed to make DNA and RNA, the building blocks of cells. It works with vitamins B12 and vitamin C to break down proteins and form hemoglobin. It’s very important in pregnancy and preventing birth defects.  Folic acid deficiency has been linked with irritability, mental fatigue, forgetfulness, confusion, depression, muscular weakness and insomnia.  Food sources of folate include leafy green vegetables, fruits, dried beans and peas.

Energy Blend

Citicoline

• Supports healthy cognitive function.
• Maintains healthy memory and thinking ability.
• Protects healthy brain cell function.
• Sustains healthy cell membranes in the brain.
• Helps brain cells communicate by keeping cell membranes in good condition.
  

Citicoline has been used extensively for the promotion of optimal neural and cognitive function and has been shown to be useful in promoting normal healthy brain aging. The human brain is a delicate organ of the body, constantly being attacked by various factors in our lifestyles including environmental pollution, internal toxicity, stress and a lack of proper diet and nutrients. Citicoline may help combat the ravages of these effects by stimulating the nervous system to maintain optimum sustainability to preserve our ability to think cognitively and retain our memories. There have been many studies citing positive results for using Citicoline to improve performance and memory. Numerous scientific studies have also indicated the ability of Citicoline to maintain healthy cognitive function as we age, promote optimal visual function and protect neural structures from free radical damage.

Tyrosine

An amino acid that transmits nerve impulses to the brain, elevates mood, improves memory and increases mental alertness. It’s present in meat, dairy, fish and grains.

Phenylalanine

An essential amino acid that elevates the mood, enhances memory, alertness and learning and suppresses the appetite. It’s found in dairy products, avocados, legumes, nuts, leafy vegetables, whole grains, poultry and fish. Click here to read more about phenylalanine.

Taurine

A naturally occurring chemical substance present in meat, fish and dairy products. Vitamin B6 is required by the body to synthesize Taurine from other nutrients. Adult humans have high concentrations of Taurine in white blood cells, skeletal muscles, the heart and central nervous system. It plays a role in digestion, and is used to process potassium, calcium and sodium in the body, as well as maintain the integrity of cell membranes.

Malic Acid

A naturally occurring chemical our bodies require. It is a biochemical product of the Kreb’s Cycle, a chain of reactions involved in the production of cellular energy. The body synthesizes Malic Acid during the process of converting carbohydrates to energy. It also helps remove high levels of phosphorous and aluminum from the body. The main food source of Malic Acid are fruits, especially apples, which contain the highest concentrations.

Glucuronolactone

A natural metabolite found in the human body. It is produced by the metabolization of glucose in the liver, and has been clinically shown to reduce sleepiness and sleep-related traffic accidents. It is widely known to improve mental performance, reaction time, concentration and memory.

Caffeine

Provides a boost of energy and feeling of heightened alertness. Caffeine also facilitates the rapid absorption of nutrients, including B-vitamins. Original 5-Hour Energy contains caffeine comparable to a cup of the leading premium coffee. Extra Strength 5-Hour Energy contains caffeine comparable to 12 ounces of the leading premium coffee. Decaf 5-Hour Energy contains about as much caffeine as a half cup of decaffeinated coffee.

Safety

Phenylketonurics

“Phenylketonurics: Contains phenylalanine.” This scary sounding warning has given phenylalanine a bad rap among those with imaginations that run toward conspiracy theories. What’s a phenylketonuric? What’s a phenylalanine? Why am I in danger from it?

The answers are simple. Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid (must be acquired in food) that is used by the brain to produce norepinephrine, a chemical that transmits signals between nerve cells and the brain; keeps you awake and alert; reduces hunger pains; functions as an antidepressant and helps improve memory. It is present in nearly all foods containing protein. Phenylketonurics are people that have a genetic disorder called phenylketonuria (PKU). People with this disorder are unable to metabolize phenylalanine and must adhere to a low protein diet and abstain from foods containing phenylalanine. Babies are tested for PKU at birth so if you have it you already know it. If you never heard of PKU, don’t sweat it. Your doctor figured it out for you years ago.

It’s the presence of phenylalanine in the artificial sweetener aspartame (e.g. Equal, NutraSweet) that has spawned these warnings and suspicion of phenylalanine. Aspartame is used to sweeten many sugar free beverages and chewing gums. But the amounts of phenylalanine in aspartame are an incredibly low risk factor. Far larger quantities of phenylalanine would be obtained by consuming most protein rich foods. Please note: 5-Hour Energy does not contain Aspartame.

Large amounts of vitamins

5-Hour Energy contains large amounts of B Vitamins. These vitamins are water-soluble which means that which is not absorbed by the body is simply expelled with no toxic effects. In fact, people on Vitamin B therapy from a doctor receive much larger doses than the amount in 5-Hour Energy.

Niacin flush

A small percentage of people are sensitive to Niacin (Vitamin B3) and may experience a “Niacin Flush” (hot prickly feeling, skin redness) that lasts a few minutes. This is caused by Niacin increasing blood flow near the skin. This can be avoided by taking half a bottle or less at a time.

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