L

Lactose

Sugar in milk which many people, especially adults, have an intolerance to (indigestion) to a lack of the enzyme lactasein their bodies.

 

Lecithin

Dry powder source of phospholipids high in B-fatty acids.

 

Leptin

This protein was been portrayed as the way to a cure for obesity. Leptin was first described as an apiodocyte - derived signaling factor, which, after interaction with its receptors, induced a complex response, including control of bodyweight and energy expenditure. It could be quite a fat burner. Research shows that people who used high doses of leptin for six months lost weight, most of it body fat.

 

Leucine

One of the three branched chain amino acids. They are called BCAA's because they structurally branch off another chain of atoms instead of forming a line. Studies have shown that BCAA's help to stimulate protein synthesis and inhibit its breakdown, so BCAA's have powerful anabolic and anticatabolic effects on the body. They may also potentiate the release of some anabolic hormones, such as growth hormone.

 

Regular ingestion of BCAA's help to keep the body in a state of postive nitrogen balance. In this state, your body much more readily builds muscle and burns fat. Studies have shown that athletes taking extra BCAA's have shown a loss of more bodyfat than those not taking BCAA's.

 

Leucine appears to be the most important BCAA for athletes, as it can affect various anabolic hormones, and have an effect on preventing protein degradation. HMB is a metabolite of Leucine. Some experts have suggested that if you do not have Leucine in your body, you will not have muscle growth.

 

Linoleic Acid

An essential fatty acid (EFA) that your body cannot make itself. It is found in polyunsaturated oils such as safflower, sunflower, walnut oil, etc. This is considered a type of 'good' fat. You need approxiamately 2% of your daily calories as EFA's.

 

Lipotropic nutrients

Substances that prevent or curtail the buildup of fat in the liver, such as B-fatty acids and methionine.

 

Lutein

A carotenoid phytonutrient with antioxidant properties especially important to eye protection.

 

Lycopene

Most powerful of the carotenoid antioxidants; shown to be beneficial in prostate protection and treatment.

L-Arginine

L-Arginine is an amino acid whose primary function is a vasodilator that can help treat erectile dysfunction, and produces performance enhancement prior to exercise as well. As vasodilator, it can cause a drop in blood pressure. L-arginine stimulates the production of growth hormones necessary for small children to grow into adults. It is also especially useful in the healing process from trauma, sepsis, and burns.

Studies indicate that L-arginine shows some promise in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, by reducing blood pressure and lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol.It is also believed to help with impotence and fertility problems in men. These studies are still ongoing, but show great promise in these areas.

L-Arginine can also boost immunity and therefore may be helpful in keeping you healthy and well. It also accelerates wound healing which is greatly needed in the case of major burns or injuries.

 

L-Carnitine

Carnitine is a quaternary ammonium compound biosynthesized from the amino acids lysine and methionine. In living cells, it is required for the transport of fatty acids from the cytosol into the mitochondria during the breakdown of lipids (fats) for the generation of metabolic energy. It is often sold as a nutritional supplement. Carnitine was originally found as a growth factor for mealworms and labeled vitamin Bt. Carnitine exists in two stereoisomers: Its biologically active form is L-carnitine, whereas its enantiomer, D-carnitine, is biologically inactive.

Antioxidant effects:
The carnitines exert a substantial antioxidant action, thereby providing a protective effect against lipid peroxidation of phospholipid membranes and against oxidative stress induced at the myocardial and endothelial cell level.

The use of carnitine showed some promise in a controlled trial in selected cases of male infertility by improving sperm quality. L-carnitine supplementation has also shown to have beneficial effects in the treatment of varicocele, a major cause of male infertility.

Some studies show that oral carnitine reduces fat mass, increases muscle mass, and reduces fatigue. All of these effects may contribute to weight loss.

 

L-Glutamine

L-Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid found in human muscle and plasma. Over 60% of the free-floating amino acid pool in skeletal muscle cells is made up of L-Glutamine. It is also a primary nitrogen donor, meaning that it moves the nitrogen around in the body to where it is needed. Maintaining a positive nitrogen balance is absolutely necessary for muscle building.

L-Glutamine was once considered a non-essential amino acid because the body can make its own from the amino acids glutamic acid, isoleucine and valine. Recently, however, is has become known as a conditionally essential amino acid because in times of physical stress, such as intense exercise and surgery, the body requires more of it to maintain its glutamine stores in blood and muscle. When glutamine stores are depleted, you may experience decreases in strength, stamina, and recovery.

In addition to L-Glutamine’s role in muscle maintenance, it is also a key amino acid for intestinal stress and maintaining the immune system. Whenever you are under stress (colds, flu, stress at home or work), you run the risk of your body robbing L-Glutamine needed for muscle maintenance. Under these circumstances, L glutamine becomes a conditional amino acid, meaning the body can’t make enough on its own to meet the demands of the added stress.