Clayton's Health Facts: Hordenine.

Clayton South, SPN (ISSA), is a recognized expert in the bodybuilding / fitness industry with over 150 bodybuilding, fitness and nutrition publications to his credit.


What Is It?
And Where Does It Come From?

Hordenine (C10H15NO) is a compound that is found in many grains, grassy plants, and in some species of hallucinogenic cactus. It is chemically related to the amino acid tyramine.


What Does It Do?
And What Scientific Studies Give Evidence To Support This?

Hordenine is quickly gaining a reputation as an effective supplement that helps people lose weight and keep it off. The research on hordenine and fat loss is minimal, but scientists hypothesize that hordenine helps people lose weight, in part, by stimulating norepinephrine release. This makes hordenine a central nervous system stimulant.

The Central Nervous System.
The human central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. These lie in the midline of the body and are protected by the skull and vertebrae respectively.

This collection of billions of neurons is arguably the most complex object known.

The central nervous system along with the peripheral nervous system comprise a primary division of controls that command all physical activities of a human.

Neurons of the central nervous system affect consciousness and mental activity while spinal extensions of central nervous system neuron pathways affect skeletal muscles and organs in the body.

Norepinephrine - an excitatory hormone that energizes the body - is lipolytic; it liberates lipids from adipose tissue. When this occurs, liberated lipids are oxidized for energy - burned - and a reduction in overall body fat percentage should occur.

Once fatty acids are liberated, oxidized and body composition changed, hordenine is thought to realign the set point of the body. Set-point-theory (it's actually a hypothesis with evidence both for and against the concept) stipulates that the body prefers equilibrium and will resist changes in body mass.

This process makes body composition change difficult and is one reason why losing body fat is difficult. By realigning the set-point to reflect the new body weight, hordenine helps you not only lose weight, but also keep it off for good.

Hordenine also helps with weight loss and healthy weight maintenance by slowing the digestion of food. This makes it easier to go longer between meals - lowering overall caloric intake, speeding satiation during feeding periods, and eliminating hunger pains and food cravings.

Hordenine has also found anecdotal use as a bronchodilator - making it a promising asthma treatment option. More research is needed to show its mechanisms of action.

What Is A Bronchodilator?
A bronchodilator is a medication intended to improve bronchial airflow. Treatment of bronchial asthma is the most common application of these drugs. They are also intended to help expand the airways and improve the breathing capacity of patients with emphysema, pneumonia and bronchitis. Bronchodilators, particularly non-prescription ones, are often misused as stimulants.


Who Needs It?
And What Are Some Symptoms Of Deficiency?

Hordenine is not an essential nutrient and no daily requirement (RDA) exists. No symptoms of deficiency exist.

All persons in good health can benefit from supplementing with hordenine.


How Much Should Be Taken?
And Are There Any Side Effects?

Adhere to label directions.

Do use not use hordenine if you are taking other central nervous system stimulants (riphenidate, dextroamphetamine, nitroglycerine, pseudoephedrine and other stimulants), as hordenine is contraindicated and may result in anxiety, rapid heart beat, difficulty sleeping, headaches, nausea and dizziness.

Do not use hordenine if you are taking blood pressure medication, alpha blockers, beta blockers or asthma or allergy medications. Hordenine is contraindicated and may cause adverse effects.

What Does 'Contraindicated' Mean?
Contraindicated is a medical term to indicate a situation in which a medication or treatment should not be administered. For example, prescribing a medication to which a patient has allergies is contraindicated.

Consult with a physician prior to using any nutritional supplement.