More on Dr. Yibing Wang

What is guarana seed?
Guarana seed was traditionally used by indigenous people of the Amazon rain forest as a beverage and medicine. In the early 1800’s the plant was introduced into France by a physician who had been working in Brazil and it came to be employed in the treatment of numerous ailments. Today, nutritionists believe it may be supportive for athletic performance, fatigue and weight control.

The primary active constituents in guarana are guaranine (which is nearly identical to caffeine) and the closely related alkaloids theobromine and theophylline.

What are the benefits of caffeine?
Caffeine’s effects (and hence those of guaranine) are well known. It stimulates the central nervous system, increasing metabolic rate, and has a mild diuretic effect.¹ One recent research study showed that caffeine consumption may have benefits for performance and safety in the workplace.² The results of another study showed that caffeine may modulate a higher brain function through its effects on distinct areas of the brain, particularly as it relates to working memory.³ Working memory represents the type of brain activity needed to remember things for a short period of time such as looking at a phone number and mentally storing it until its been dialed. While all of these results are promising, the research does not suggest increased consumption of what is considered normal just yet.

What are some of the caffeine levels of products that are currently on the market?
¹ Leung A Y, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2d ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996, 293-94.
² Smith A P. Caffeine at work. Human Psychopharmacology 2005; 20 (6): 441-5.
³ Influences of Caffeine Excess on Activation Patterns in Verbal Working Memory, study results presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), 2005.
Please Note: If you are pregnant or nursing consult with your health care provider before using caffeine or guaranine.

Vemma a Hit with Athletes

Recently, Vemma voluntarily requested that ConsumerLab.com, a leading independent tester of health, wellness and nutrition products, evaluate our formula to verify that it contains no banned substances, including stimulants, narcotics, anabolic agents, diuretics, masking agents and beta-blockers that could cause professional athletes to be disqualified from competition. ConsumerLab.com confirmed Vemma as a “zero-tolerance level” product that does not contain any World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned substances.

Now, professional and college athletes can freely enjoy Vemma as a part of their nutritional regime!

Click here to read Vemma’s official press release!