5-HTP is short for 5-Hydroxytryptophan, which is an amino acid. As a transitional component in tryptophan metabolism, 5-HTP is also a compound which in the metabolic pathway precedes the monoamine neurotransmitter serotonin. As a dietary supplement, 5-HTP is suggested for use as an antidepressant, sleeping aid, but also as an appetite suppressant. Vitamin B6 helps 5-HTP decarboxylate into serotonin, with assistance of a lyase enzyme, namely the aromatic L amino acid decarboxylase. The theory is that 5-HTP, when ingested as a supplement, leads to increased serotonin production. While mainly being used as an appetite suppressant in the body building community, it also improves cognitive abilities, but also endurance and stamina. While there are some concerns in use of 5-HTP and MAO inhibitors in combination, sensitive users report only positive effects, that is why it was included in Banitrim.

7-Keto, or 7-oxo-DHEA, as it is less commonly known, was developed through the research of the steroid dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, and the correlated aging effects. DHEA metabolite 7-Keto, discovered as 3b -Acetoxyandrost - 5 - ene-7, 17- dione roughly sixty years ago, was just recently developed as the DHEA supplement. DHEA is the most common steroid, naturally appearing in the human blood. The DHEA levels in blood decline with the age, therefore a DHEA supplement may make sense even outside the body building circles. Touted as not hormonal and not androgenic derivative of DHEA it is supposed to activate thermogenic enzymes, thereby increasing the metabolic rate, which leads to an increase in burned calories per day, no matter if actually working out or not.

Cassia Extract, also known as Cinnamomum aromaticum or Cinnamomum cassia, is a species in the Family Lauraceae, a very close relative of Cinnamomum verum, or cinnamon. Just like the more famous true cinnamon, the aromatic bark is being used as a spice. Cassia trees are evergreens and can grow up to fifteen meters tall. Interestingly enough, in the United States and Canada, Cassia is sold as cinnamon, the spice, and the true cinnamon, the C. verum, is largely unknown. It is native to Asia, mainly south of China, India, Vietnam and Bangladesh. Cassia bark is one of the fifty fundamental herbs of the traditional Chinese medicine and recent studies have established that Cassia extract may lower the fasting blood sugar. The caused insulin sensitivity is due to the ingredients polyphenols.

Chromium.

Evodiamine, an alkaloid extract from the Evodiae Fructus plant is known as Evodiamine. It has been referred to as a “hot nature” herb in Chinese literature and medicine. Based on animal studies, Evodiamine increases the natural fat burning rate and stimulates vanilloids for reduction of fat intake. It increases body temperature, influences the adrenal glands to secrete catecholamines and also affects the metabolism of certain drugs. Since it acts like a thermogenic and increases the overall temperature, more fat and calories are burnt due to its intake. This alkaloidal compound has anti obesity effects due to UCP1 (uncoupling protein 1) thermogenesis. In part, evodiamine can prevent diet induced obesity from developing further. It is available in the form of supplement or through Evodiae Fructus plant.

Gymnema Sylvestre is at home in India, predominantly southern and central tropical forests, and has been widely used in traditional Indian medicine as a herb for naturopathic treatment of diabetes, but also in connection with digestive problems, obesity, hyperglycemia, anemia and high cholesterol. It is known to block sweetness receptors in the tongue and is widely considered a sugar blocker. It is also able to reduce cravings for carbohydrates, such as sweet tooth, by simply chewing the leaves of the plant. Main active components are so called gymnemic acids, which are a group of oleanane type saponins. Dammarene saponins, also an ingredient, are gymnemasides. It has been observed that gymnemic acids display some antidiabetic, anti inflammatory and anti sweetener effects, making it an interesting weight control agent.