LipoFlush – Effects on Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines, Insulin Resistance and Cortisol Part III by Dr. Mauro DiPasquale

One of the biggest changes in LipoFlush version III is the emphasis on the pro-inflammatory cytokines, a subject that is increasingly preoccupying researchers to the point that today they’re one of the hottest research topics.¹ Pro-inflammatory cytokines (markers and regulators of inflammation) have been implicated in obesity, visceral body fat (fat around the belly), a variety of diseases and in aging. As such, they’re becoming increasingly important when it comes to dealing with the human condition, including many diseases, the accumulation of body fat and quality and length of life itself.

But what’s interesting for our purposes is that these cytokines have been linked to changes in various hormones and functions in the body and can lead to increases in body fat, including abdominal fat, and decreases in muscle mass.

While the emphasis of some of the new diet pills is on cortisol and the effect it has on increasing body fat, in reality increased cortisol, especially local increases in body fat, is simply another manifestation of a system gone wrong, as evidenced by the increase in the pro-inflammatory cytokines seen in obesity, rather than the cause.^2,3 In fact increases in cortisol, insulin resistance, and a host of other maladaptive responses, often find their origins and manifestations in the increase in the pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Because this concept is so new and revolutionary, I cover it in much more detail in the article Is Obesity an Inflammatory Condition? For now it’s important to realize that LipoFlush is formulated to help us decrease the counter productive effects of the pro-inflammatory cytokines not only on body fat and skeletal muscle, but also on our health and longevity.

There are many ingredients in LipoFlush that target inflammation and in particular the pro-inflammatory cytokines including L-carnitine, phosphatidylserine, vitamins B6, B12, folic acid and D3, betaine, calcium, magnesium, curcumin, willow bark, quercetin, ginger, yerba mate, green tea extract, alpha lipoic acid, capsicum, kelp and various antioxidants.

L-carnitine (LCAR) is considered by many to be essential nutrient with critical roles in energy metabolism. Several studies have shown that LCAR decreases the production of some of the pro-inflammatory cytokines and has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects.^4,5 In a recent study the authors concluded that the use of L-carnitine can improve cellular defense against chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, most likely by modulating the specific signal transduction cascade activated by an overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress.⁶

Vitamin D deficiency is fairly common, especially in the more Northern climates.⁷ Several studies have found a link between vitamin D deficiency and various disorders that have an inflammatory link, including obesity, coronary artery disease, diabetes and the metabolic syndrome (see below). As well, studies have shown an association between vitamin D deficiency and inflammation in otherwise healthy people, and a decrease in inflammation with vitamin D supplementation.

Curcumin, which comes from the spice turmeric, is documented to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative benefits.⁸ As an antioxidant, curcumin reduces the activity of certain enzymes, inhibiting all branches of the arachidonic acid cascade, and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine synthesis. The rhizome of this plant has been traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory agent in Ayurvedic medicine. In a double-blinded trial, post surgical patients receiving curcumin experienced reductions in stiffness and joint swelling comparable to the effects of phenylbutazone, a potent anti-inflammatory drug.⁹

Of all the spices and herbal preparations it seems that only the spice turmeric has any anti-inflammatory effects. This was the conclusion of a study of a variety of Ayurvedic and herbal preparations, which was presented recently at the 9th Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology Congress. In this study, a variety of herbal and Ayurvedic preparations were tested in rats. The rats were fed oral doses of the varied herbal and Ayurvedic recipes. Only turmeric showed anti-inflammatory effects when tested on irritated paws of the rats.

Green tea also has significant health and anti-inflammatory properties.^10,11 Green tea extract may well prove to be more useful than green tea itself. A recent study found that green tea extract supplements retain the beneficial effects of green and black tea and allow larger doses of tea polyphenols to be used without the side effects of caffeine associated with green and black tea beverages.¹²

The bioflavonoid quercetin has been shown to have significant anti-inflammatory activity in cases of both acute and chronic inflammation^13,14 and protective effects against the pro-inflammatory cytokines.¹⁵ As well, several inflammation-promoting pathways are known to be inhibited by quercetin. For example quercetin is known to have antioxidative and antihistaminic effects.^16,17

As well, LipoFlush contains ingredients to decrease inappropriate increases in cortisol and thus augment the decrease in the pro-inflammatory cytokines. These ingredients decrease the factors responsible for both excess body fat and increased cortisol.

For example phosphatidylserine has been shown to not only to reduce levels of inflammatory mediators,¹⁸ but also to dampen the ACTH and cortisol response to physical stress and decrease the reaction of the body to stressors.¹⁹

Beta sitosterol, used mainly for people with prostate problems,²⁰ also has immune system, cortisol controlling and anti-inflammatory effects.²¹ In one study a mixture of beta sitosterols were tested on marathon runners. The supplemented group, but not the placebo group, showed increased immune cell numbers, decreased inflammation, and decreased cortisol levels.²²

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), a potent antioxidant^23,24,25 that can recycle other antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E and glutathione.^26,27 ALA was added to LipoFlush III to increase insulin functioning and sensitivity^28,29and decrease body fat by its actions on the pro-inflammatory cytokines^30,31and on secondary cortisol elevations. Interestingly enough a combination of ALA and CLA, also in LipoFlush, had a synergistic effect on increasing insulin sensitivity.³²

Besides the ground breaking effects that LipoFlush has on the pro-inflammatory cytokines, and on insulin sensitivity and body fat cortisol production, it has a host of other ingredients that together make LipoFlush the premier fat loss supplement.

:: Part I ::  Part II ::  Part III ::

:: Dr. Mauro Di Pasquale :: is one of the most influential voices on diet, performance and athletic training in the world. His innovative work in finding safe nutritional alternatives to anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs has won him praise from athletes, trainers and fitness experts around the globe. Dr. Di Pasquale was a world-class athlete for over 15 years, winning the World Championships in powerlifting in 1976 and world games in 1981.