Guarana, whose botanical name is Paullinia Cupana is a shrub grown in the Amazon which produces berries that have been used medicinally. Very few human studies have been done with guarana. Guarana and kola nut enjoy great popularity in their native lands because they are also rich in caffeine, which serves as a stimulant. Guarana is often added to weight loss products. For effective weight loss, consider Hoodia-Extract or some of the other supplements listed below.
   A combination of hoodia, ginger, cinnamon, green tea extract, spirulina, acetyl-l-carnitine, choline, guggul, and several other herbs and nutrients, as found in Diet Rx, a very effective herbal diet pill for weight loss. Users of Diet Rx have lost several pounds within a week or two.

The following is a list of the ingredients in Diet Rx.
Ginger root (Zingiber officinalis), Green-Tea-Extract (Camellia sinensis, standardized to contain 50% polyphenols), Spirulina (Spirulina platensis), Hoodia-Extract (Hoodia gordonii, 20 to 1 extract), CLA fatty acids, Cinnamon root (Cinnamomum cassia), Apple-Cider-Vinegar, Apple pectin, Garcinia Cambogia CitriMax HCA-600 SXS (standardized to contain 60% hydroxycitric acid), Glucomannan konjac 4 to 1 extract, Alpha-Lipoic, Grapefruit extract (Citrus paradise, 4 to 1 extract), Acetyl-l-Carnitine for alertness, Banaba extract (standardized to contain 1 % corosolic acid), 5-HTP, Choline bitartrate, Inositol, Carnitine (Hcl), Pomegranate (standardized to contain 40 % ellagic acid), Bitter-Melon extract (Momordica charantia), Psyllium husk, Coleus forskohlii (standardized to contain 10 % Forskolin ), Fenugreek seed extract 4 to 1 (Trigonella foenum), Guggul herb (standardized to contain 10 % guggulsterones), and Inulin. Diet Rx does not have Chitosan.

Guarana side effects
Guarana has a high concentration of caffeine which may cause heart irregularities in those who are sensitive to caffeine.

Guarana extract with multivitamin supplement helps mental fatigue
One study shows guarana extract improves cognitive performance along with a multivitamin in a short term study, whereas long term guarana extract administration did not show benefits in mental tests.

Improved cognitive performance and mental fatigue following a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement with added guaranį (Paullinia cupana).
Appetite. 2007 Oct. Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK.
This study assessed the acute effects of either a vitamin/mineral / guaranį supplement or placebo drink in 129 healthy young adults. The vitamin/mineral / guaranį combination resulted in improved task performance, in comparison to placebo, in terms of both increased speed and accuracy of performing mental tasks throughout the post-dose assessment. The increase in mental fatigue associated with extended task performance was also decreased by the guarana multivitamin supplement.

The effects of long-term administration of guarana on the cognition of normal, elderly volunteers.
Galduroz JC, Carlini EA. Federal University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Rev Paul Med. 1996 Jan-Feb;114(1):1073-8.
Paulinia cupana (guarana) is a Brazilian plant given great prestige in popular medicine, for example as being a potent stimulator of brain functions. The authors assessed the effects of the long-term administration of guarana on the cognition of normal, elderly volunteers. Forty-five volunteers were studied, with a random distribution in three experimental groups: placebo, caffeine, and guarana, in a double-blind study. There were no significant cognitive alterations in these volunteers.

Guarana research - helpful for gastric ulcer
Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) offers protection against gastric lesions induced by ethanol and indomethacin in rats.

Guarana and weight loss
Weight loss and delayed gastric emptying following a South American herbal preparation in overweight patients.
Andersen T, Fogh J.Medical Center Charlottenlund, Trunnevangen 4A, DK 2920, Charlottenlund, Denmark.
J Hum Nutr Diet. 2001 Jun;14(3):243-50.
Obesity and overweight may soon affect more than half of the population in some regions of the world and are associated with diabetes, hypertension and other diseases that cause morbidity, mortality and high health-care expenditure. Among the herbal preparations known to non-western cultures are materials which may have applications in modulating physiological processes which influence gut motility, food intake and energy balance. One such mixed herbal preparation is 'YGD' containing Yerbe Mate (leaves of Ilex paraguayenis), Guarana (seeds of Paullinia cupana) and Damiana (leaves of Turnera diffusa var. aphrodisiaca). This study had two distinct aims: to determine the effect of a herbal preparation 'YGD' containing Yerbe Mate, Guarana and Damiana on gastric emptying; to determine the effect of the same preparation on weight loss over 10 days and 45 days and weight maintenance over 12 months. Gastric emptying was observed using ultrasound scanning in seven healthy volunteers following YGD and placebo capsules taken with 420 mL apple juice. Body weight was observed before and after 10 days of treatment with three YGD capsules or three placebo capsules before each meal for 10 days in 44 healthy overweight patients attending a primary health care centre. Forty-seven healthy overweight patients entered a double-blind placebo-controlled parallel trial of three capsules of YGD capsules before each main meal for 45 days compared with three placebo capsules on body weight. Body weight was monitored in 22 patients who continued active (YGD capsules) treatment for 12 months. The herb preparation YGD was followed by a prolonged gastric emptying time of 58 compared to 38 min after placebo. Body weight reductions were 0.8 kg after YGD capsules compared to 0.3 kg after placebo capsules over 10 days, and 5 kg after PGD capsules compared to 0.3 kg after placebo over 45 days. Active treatment with YGD capsules resulted in weight maintenance of the group (73 kg at the beginning and 72.5 kg at the end of 12 months). The herbal preparation, YGD capsules with guarana, significantly delayed gastric emptying, reduced the time to perceived gastric fullness and induced significant weight loss over 45 days in overweight patients treated in a primary health care context. Maintenance treatment given in an uncontrolled context resulted in no further weight loss, nor weight regain in the group as a whole. The herbal preparation with guarana is thus shown to be one that significantly modulates gastric emptying. Further clinical studies with dietetic monitoring of energy intake, dietary quality, satiety ratings, body weight and body composition are now indicated, and examination of the active principles contained in the three herbal components may prove. gurana research guarana and weight loss

Guarana suppliers
Dear Sirs, We are a Brazilian exporter company of several products from Brazil, mainly HERBS, EXTRACTS, SNAKE VENOM (bothrops jararaca, crotalus durissus terrificus). We are with a excellent price of Guarana extract 22% caffeine and Guarana extract 10% natural caffeine. Guarana extract 22% caffeine: USD 31.00/kg - FOB - Confins Airport - BRAZIL. Guarana extract 10% natural caffeine: USD 30.51/kg - FOB - Confins Airport - BRAZIL. Yours Sincerely,
Afonso Ronaldo de Figueiredo (Ceo) PROVER BRASIL FOR EXPORT LTDA. Website: www.proverbrasil.com.br

Index of Supplements and Herbs by a doctor

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