[h=2]Tung Oil[/h]Tung Oil has been included in Brite as a major source of CLnA, as well as the specific isomer a-Eleostearic Acid (AEA). Aside from all of the above cellular browning benefits from CLnA, researchers looking directly at the effects of Tung Oil found that when they added it to the diet of hens, they demonstrated a remarkably small amount of adipose tissue weight compared to non-Tung fed counterparts. They also noted reduced tryglyceride levels in heart and adipose tissue (10).
Also another point of interest, research shows that a portion of ingested AEA converts to CLA in the body (11). And while the body of research supporting the fat loss potential of CLA has been inconclusive, a 2013 study published in the journal Lipids found that a combination of CLA and alpha linoleic acid (see Perilla Oil below) blocked adipogenesis (12).
Additionally, AEA has been shown to act as a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM), thereby potentially reducing some of the negative effects of excess estrogen (13).
[h=2]Bitter Melon Seed Oil[/h]Bitter Melon Seed Oil (BMSO) is a another source of CLnA as well as AEA. In addition to the previously stated benefits of CLnA and AEA, Bitter Melon has also been shown to be a direct PPAR-a activator, which is one of the most important players in all three stages of fat burning (14). It has also been shown to cause apoptosis in undifferentiated adipocytes, thereby inhibiting the creation of new fat cells (15).
BMSO has also been shown in multiple studies to upregulate mitochondrial biogenesis and UCP1 (16),(27). And in an exciting study published in 2013, BMSO was shown to have a direct browning effect on WAT cells (17).
[h=2]Korean Pine Nut Oil[/h]Korean Pine Nut Oil (PNO) has been shown to upregulate UCP1 levels via its Pinolenic Acid content, as well as activate PPAR alpha and delta. Based on these findings, the researchers concluded PNO may have potential to counteract obesity (18).
In addition, a recent study showed that mice supplemented with PNO, when overfed, gained significantly less weight vs. the control group, demonstrating potential as an anti-obesity agent (19).
[h=2]Perilla Seed Oil[/h]Perilla Seed Oil (PO) is rich in Alpha Linoleic Acid (ALA), which has been shown to upregulate UCP1 levels and improve glucose metabolism (20). As discussed above, it also has an anti-adipogenic effect when coupled with CLA, for which Tung Oil is a precursor.
In comparison to feeding of olive oil or beef fat, Perilla Seed Oil (PO) was shown to reduce body fat and lower serum triglycerides, as well as suppress the late phase of adipocyte differentiation (21,22).
ALA has also been shown to decrease several fat storing enzymes and upregulate fatty acid oxidation (23).
[h=2]Peppermint Oil[/h]Peppermint oil activates a cellular protein called TRPM8, also known as the cold and menthol receptor (24). Upon activation we see an increased expression of UCP1 in WAT cells, causing a direct browning effect (25).
[h=2]Borage Oil[/h]Borage Oil is a rich source of Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA), a fatty acid with a long list of benefits. For our purposes, GLA has been shown to increase expression of UCP1, decrease body fat storage, and increase fat oxidation (26).
[h=2]OxyMatrine[/h]OxyMatrine has been shown to reduce fatty acid synthase (FAS, a fat storing enzyme) and Srebf1, increase CPT1A (an essential component of beta oxidation), and activate PPAR-a (27).
An exciting recent study looking at OxyMatrine's potential effect on non-alchoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) found some impressive results. These included reduced body fat, lower triglycerides, lower cholesterol, lower fasting insulin, improved insulin sensitivity, and PPAR-a activation (28).
Further investigation showed that OxyMatrine was able to combat the majority of the effects typically seen when overfeeding diabetic rats. It was able to decrease fasting glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, triglycerides and LDL levels, while boosting insulin sensitivity, HDL and muscle cell GLUT-4 content (29).
[h=2]Acetyl-L-Carnitine[/h]Carnitine has been shown to increase UCP1 levels in rats (30). Acetyl-l-Carnitine also plays an important role in optimizing fat oxidation in browned adipocytes (31).
[h=2]Phytol[/h]Phytol is an organic alcohol that converts to phytanic acid during metabolism. Phytanic acid has been shown to cause a browning effect in pre-adipocytes as well as activate UCP1 in existing brown fat cells, enhancing their fat burning function (32,33).
[h=2]Trans-Retinoic Acid[/h]Trans-Retinoic Acid, from botanicals such as Rosehip Oil, has been included in the formula due to its potential ability to encourage adipocyte browning, again through UCP1 activation (34–36). It has also been shown to decrease cellular triglyceride content, while upregulating lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation, therefore shifting WAT to behave in a more metabolically oxidative fashion (37).
[h=2]Product Usage[/h]Brite comes in a liquid suspension, and should be consumed three times daily (preferably with meals). While acute fat loss effects can and should be expected, the most pronounced benefits will likely be achieved over continued use due to the gradual conversion of WAT to Brite cells, helping those that are typically efficient at fat storage adopt a more naturally lean, fat burning phenotype.
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