Phix

Ingredient Benefits

Vitamin A, as mixed carotenoids

Mixed carotenes contain several naturally occurring antioxidants that can act as precursors to vitamin A. Unlike most beta-carotene supplements, mixed carotenes are all-naturally occurring forms of these nutrients. Recent research has shown that mixed carotenes can help protect DNA from oxidative damage. Beta-carotene, even in doses much higher than seen here, is not known to cause any acute toxicity.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C supplementation has a mild fatigue-reducing effect. Long term use of this antioxidant has been linked to improved immune response and reduction in inflammation. Some, but not all, research indicates that Vitamin C speeds recovery from strenuous exercise.

Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Niacinamide, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12

The B vitamins are important for proper energy metabolism. They are generally used as a group, to ensure against imbalance. Caffeine-containing products have a diuretic effect, making it particularly important to replenish B vitamin supply.

Biotin, Pantothenic Acid

Biotin is necessary cofactor in fat metabolism, and is used to help burn carbohydrates to make fuel. Pyridoxine is a necessary cofactor for more than a hundred biochemical reactions, including production of several important neurotransmitters in the brain and burning of carbohydrates for chemical energy. Low levels of pyridoxine intake have been associated with fatigue and depression.

Chromium

Chromium helps to balance blood sugar levels, preventing extremes of high and low blood sugar. By preventing hypoglycemic episodes, chromium may be helpful in prevention of fatigue. Chromium supplementation has been found to help relieve medication-resistant depression.

Potassium

Potassium supplementation has been shown to have a mild positive effect on fatigue, and a stronger effect if potassium levels are low. Potassium depletion can occur with medications, dehydration, and heavy exercise. Imbalance in potassium levels is thought to be an important trigger for muscle fatigue.

NADH

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) is an active form of Vitamin B3 involved in the process of energy production at a cellular level. Clinical research has found NADH superior to other standard forms of therapy in people with chronic fatigue syndrome. NADH also appears to help support healthy nervous system function, and has been used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Caffeine from Yerba Maté

Yerba maté is a plant native to South America with a moderate stimulant activity. It has a pleasant, nutty flavor, and is a traditional hot drink in many countries of the Southern hemisphere. Researchers have found that extracts of this plant can aid weight loss, both through the stimulant effect and by beneficial changes in gastrointestinal physiology. Yerba maté has been shown to help prevent tissue damage related to high blood sugar.

Eleuthero

Eleutherococcus extracts have been found to improve stress response in healthy adults, particularly by balancing cardiovascular physiology. Some, but not all, research suggests that Eleutherococcus can help treat fatigue and improve athletic performance, as well. There has been a mild immune-enhancing effect demonstrated with this type of ginsenge. The amount of extract in phix was chosen to match effective doses used in research studies.

Catechins from decaffeinated Green Tea Extract

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Green tea extracts have been of interest due to a number of potential health benefits, including antioxidant protection, mild stimulant activity, and even potentially cancer prevention. Green tea extracts appear to help stimulate and maintain weight loss, with an effect greater than would be expected based on caffeine content alone.

Ingredient Benefits

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

GABA is a key inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Many common sleeping medications act by stimulating the GABA receptor. Since GABA crosses very slowly into the brain, high blood levels of GABA appear to give a mild and sustained sedative effect without the risk of excessive sedation seen with GABAergic medications.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is a necessary cofactor in the production of GABA, and a relatively common nutrient deficiency. In particular, it has often been used in the treatment of anxiety related to premenstrual syndrome or menopause.

Chamomile

Chamomile has been used in botanical medicine as a relaxing bedtime drink for centuries. Recent research has indicated that the key constituent apigenin has modulatory effects on the GABA system. In addition to providing an additional active ingredient to Phix Sleep, chamomile also gives it a pleasant flavor when prepared in the traditional manner (slightly warmed, sipped slowly).

Magnesium

Along with vitamin B6, magnesium is a necessary cofactor in GABA production. It also has been shown to help calm the periodic leg movements that are often involved in restless leg syndrome.

Lemon Balm

An herbal formula containing lemon balm was judged to be equivalent to a common sleep medication in terms of efficacy, but unlike medication it caused no hangover effect the following morning. Lemon balm also exerts its calming effect, at least in part, through modulation of the GABA neurotransmitter pathway.

Sour Jujube

Sour jujube has been used as a calming sleep aid in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 2000 years. Recent research suggests that at least part of the relaxing effect of sour jujube comes through inhibition of excitatory pathways in the hippocampus region of the brain.