Caffeine Anhydrous Caffeine anhydrous affects the CNS causing more alertness and allowing for more intense focus. Once thought to be a 'nutrition no-no' for athletes, caffeine has taken center stage in the past few years as a legitimate aid to performance. This benefit has been recognized by the makers of sports nutrition products like energy gels, drinks, and now without the sugar crash in Throttle Matrix! A growing body of laboratory research supports caffeine as an effective ergogenic aid. (An ergogenic aid is a substance that improves athletic performance.) The most dramatic performance improvements (20-50 percent) are seen during prolonged (over two-hours) endurance exercise (3,4,7,8,9,12). Caffeine is also reported to benefit short-term intense exercise lasting about five minutes at maximal output (1,2,10,11). Caffeine and Performance Scientific References L-tyrosine Populations in need of L-tyrosine include: athletes, the obese or overweight, and the elderly. Hard training athletes may benefit from supplementing with L-tyrosine as it helps to offset fatigue and stress associated with intense training. L-tyrosine also serves to protect the integrity of the skin. Melanin, a substance which acts to protect the skin when the epidermis has been exposed to ultraviolet light, is derived from L-tyrosine. If a shortage of melanin is present within the body [because of a lack of L-tyrosine], skin defenses will be compromised. Melanin, which is derived from L-tyrosine, chemically reacts with sunlight to form a protective shield that protects the deeper layers of skin tissue. Because persons suffering from depression frequently have low blood levels of this amino-acid, it may prove beneficial for members of this population to supplement with L-Tyrosine.5 People suffering from neurological degeneracy may also benefit from supplemental L-tyrosine.6 Members of the obese population may benefit from supplemental L-tyrosine. The thyroid is responsible for the manufacture of T-cells. L-tyrosine influences the manufacture of thyroxin [T-cells], which influences basal metabolic rate. Because of this, L-tyrosine may prove effective for weight loss. Individuals suffering from immune system destroying viruses like HIV, AIDS or hepatitis may find supplementing with L-tyrosine to be beneficial. Disease processes that ravage the immune system often induce catabolism, and thus muscle wasting. A loss of muscular protein results in increased for osteoporosis and bone fractures. To retain bodily protein, skeletal muscle, and thus anabolism, supplementing with L-tyrosine may be beneficial.