Essentially, smart nutrients are food additives containing vitamins, minerals, extracts made from organic herbs, and food-grade chemicals.
Originally smart nutrients are present as food additives and “Designer Foods”.
Some of these designer foods may contain slimming (amphetamine-like substances such as ephedrine and caffeine from both synthetic and natural sources extracted from guarana) and muscle invigorating products (creatine).
Smart nutrients contain such active ingredients as:
antioxidants (Vitamins. A, C & E)
vitamins B (B1, B3, B6 & B12)
lecithin (refined from soy meal)
amino acids (phenylalanine & taurine)
pure caffeine
phytoextracts (GINKGO biloba & ginseng)
phenylalanine (aiming at counteracting the effects of ecstasy and cocaine)
Thus, food additives may be marketed as counteracting the negative effects of ecstasy and cocaine respectively).
However, in the case of caffeine, be it synthetic or from natural sources, when used in moderation, it is a safer alternative to illegal stimulants.
As well, for sensitive people, doses of megavitamins in smart foods and smart nutrients may not be so smart after all.
For megadoses of vitamins are potentially harmful on doses higher than their respective RDI (Recommended Daily Intake).
E.g. pyridoxine (B6) is neurotoxic when taken in doses over 50 Mg.
In contrast to B6, thiamine (B1) is relatively harmless at higher doses, and may even be used to improve brain function, and as a safer alternative to insect repellants.
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