Christmas Stocking Stuffer Picks 2011, Health favorite: Onnit newcomers

By April MacIntyre Dec 17, 2011, 3:09 GMT

One of the most thoughtful gifts to give this year are health supplements that are targeted for optimal performance and enhanced sleep and stress relief.

One of the most thoughtful gifts to give this year are health supplements that are targeted for optimal performance and enhanced sleep and stress relief.

Cancer is caused by mutations of healthy cells, and mutations are affected by heredity, free radicals, heavy metals, toxins, stress, obesity, carcinogens, chronic infections and more. Yet our bodies produce mutations all the time, as healthy people are able to ward off cancer with Killer T Cells and other immune assassins. But as we age and stress our systems, these defenses weaken.

American company Onnit produces targeted precision nutrients for everyone that address brain function, sleep and sports' performance. Perfect sizes to tuck in a stocking!

The company was influenced by Craig Harter, who passed away in 2010. Harter left a manifesto for his nephew Aubrey Marcus, who penned an homage to his late uncle on the Onnit Site, after a letter left to him revealed Harter's wishes for his family and loved ones regarding health:

With regards to nutrition, Harter compiled a list:

NEVER
a. Cigarettes

ALMOST NEVER
a. Sodas
b. Deep fried carbohydrates
c. Artificial sweeteners
d. High Fructose Corn Syrup

RARELY
a. Food dyes
b. Preservatives
c. Deep Fried Protein
d. White Sugar

SELDOMLY
a. Dairy
b. White Flour
c. Alcohol

OFTEN
a. Cook with spices, garlic, onions, ginger, cilantro, and fresh herbs
b. Snack on fresh raw fruits, nuts, and vegetables.

ALWAYS (If Possible)
a. Switch from regular table salt to pink Himalayan salt or Celtic sea salt.
b. Buy Organic Lean Beef, Chicken, Eggs, & Produce and choose wild caught fish and shrimp over farm raised.
c. Drink home filtered water avoiding plastic bottles and tap water if possible.
d. Finish meals of cooked protein as early in the day/evening as possible (difficult to digest during sleep)

In the arena of supplements, Onnit took Harter's advice and created natural and precise nutrient supplements that are made in the USA:

Alpha Brain™ – Low maintenance doses helpful to help keep neurotransmitter levels strong particularly for those over 40.
New Mood™ – Great for anti-anxiety and mood lift (Stress causes cortisol which weakens the immune system)
ShroomTech™ Sport – Great source of antioxidants and helps provide energy to workout.

These supplements, along with the dietary advice from Harter, combined with common sense stress busters such as avoiding the Debby downers, energy vampires and seeking activity that incudes cardio and Yoga, Tai Chi and even regular massage and good quality sleep, guarantee the most health conducive scenario for anyone to live their life.

Monsters and Critics got to try Alpha Brain, New Mood and Shroom Tech-Sports.

Alpha Brain is designed with a complete balanced nootropic to improve cognitive function, mental drive, and foster creativity through the dream state.

Acetylcholine boosting supplements raise sharpness and acuity, while powerful antioxidants give you mental drive and help rid brain fog. Dopamine boosting herbs, along with GABA and Oatstraw help with focus and mental calm, because a frantic mind is not an Alpha mind. You take 1-2 capsules in the morning and can repeat the dosage six hours prior to sleep. I preferred the AM dosing, as I took Onnit's New Mood for the sleep enhancing properties.

The ShroomTech™ Sport Edge is what you take before the gym or any endurance activity (we make no judgements here). This formulation helps combat fatigue and motivation blahs, by giving that extra feeling of energy you need when you're about 40 minutes into a cardio workout. Clinical studies have demonstrated increase in oxygen utilization by upwards of 50%, and several measures of increased performance in a variety of stamina based training trials.

The magic bullet in this is cordyceps, which works by increasing ATP synthesis, the basic unit of energy production, thereby promoting better oxygen efficiency, faster energy recovery, and reduction of fatigue. Rhodiola rosea, a powerful adaptogen works symbiotically with the mycellum in cordyceps while green tea extract offers a potent antioxidant that attacks the reactive oxygen species that slow down athletic recovery. Siberian ginseng and ashwagandha are renowned energy boosting herbs, and a powerful dose of Methyl B-12 round out this safe, natural, and balanced formula. Ideal for competitive and casual athletes alike.

For the anxietal types or insomniacs, try New Mood, which gave me some trippy dreams the first night I used it. After that, it balanced out and I had deep restful sleep, and felt great when I awoke. There is perhaps no single more important hormone when it concerns mood and happiness than Serotonin. According to Web MD “Of the approximately 40 million brain cells, most are influenced either directly or indirectly by serotonin. This includes brain cells related to mood, sexual desire and function, appetite, sleep, memory and learning, temperature regulation, and some social behavior.”

It is during the deeper sleep cycles that all major brain hormones are produced and restored– serotonin is certainly no exception. New Mood has two crucial building blocks of serotonin, L-tryptophan and 5-HTP, along with minerals, vitamins and herbs that can help induce a state of meditative calm and positive mood.

The building blocks of Serotonin begin with the amino acid L-tryptophan. L-tryptophan is commonly found in high amounts in both turkey and bananas and on its own has a mild relaxing and soporific effect. This is one of the reasons that after a large turkey dinner, you are tired. A portion of L-tryptophan however, also gets converted to 5-HTP (5-hydroxytriptophan) which is the direct precursor to Serotonin (5-HT or 5-Hydroxytryptamine). At this point the amount and availability of pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) then determines the rate and quantity by which L-tryptophan and 5-HTP are converted along the chain of reactions to Serotonin.

All supplements are made in the USA, and can be ordered here