Coffee extract is known to support lipid and glucose metabolism via inhibition of glucose-6-phosphate activity, and consequently blocking 11ß hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11ßHSD1) action. As is well known, the inhibition 11ßHSD1 activity (conversion of the weak glucocorticoid, cortisone, into the much more potent glucocorticoid, cortisol) is important in the management of metabolic dysfunctions and inflammatory conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity.
Cortisol, a catabolic hormone released in the adrenal cortex, is the main glucocorticoid form in humans. Elevated cortisol levels induce breakdown of muscle tissue. Its secretion is usually triggered by stress, both physical and psychological. Essentially, cortisol exerts a metabolic action by elevating glucose levels during exercise, for instance, via inducing protein (amino acid) and lipid mobilisation in adipocytes and skeletal muscle cells. Beyond this, cortisol stimulates hepatic production of enzymes that mediate gluconeogenic, glycogenetic, and related pathways. This leads to conversion of amino acids and glycerol into glucose and glycogen. In this instance, cortisol acts much like insulin as a non-discriminatory storage hormone. Clearly, the metabolic action of cortisol ultimately leads to adipose-cell accumulation, especially of the visceral-adipose-tissue type.
So, not only would cortisol induce fat accumulation, it would also initiate and sustain the systematic breakdown of muscle tissue. Enter coffee extract. By inhibiting 11ßHSD1 activity, this agent down-regulates the conversion of cortisone to metabolically active cortisol, leading to a reduction of skeletal-muscle and adipose-tissue glucocorticoid levels. This supports effective protein synthesis and shunts fat accumulation. Furthermore, considering the existence of a positive relationship between high levels of circulating cortisol and insulin insensitivity, reductions in cortisol levels induce improvements in cellular insulin sensitivity with benefits for blood-glucose optimization, diabetic states, and fat loss.
So, coffee extract is a simple-but-potent compound that has a myriad of benefits including supporting the reduction in cellular visceral fat content and body weight via 11ßHSD1 inhibition; inducing favourable changes in lipid levels, thus providing considerable cardiovascular support; improving insulin sensitivity, thus providing diabetic-amelioration support; preservation of muscle mass via its anti-catabolic action induced through cortisol down-regulation; supporting the management of obese states; and so on.
Whether you are dieting, whether you want to preserve muscle mass, or you simply wish to reduce cortisol levels to reap the associated string of benefits, whether you wish to enrich your current fat-loss stack, or whether you are in PCT (there appears to be a significant associative negative relationship between testosterone and cortisol), coffee extract is one non-hormonal-but-potent agent that can help you reach your goals smarter.
Steveoph would say getting coffee extract or VAT Attack constitutes a
Strategicmove! :thumbsup:
