Globally, people are struggling with obesity, and many are seeking effective, non-conventional methods of weight reduction, such as herbal and natural dietary supplements. Among the more popular remedies are the ‘fat burners’ which are believed to raise metabolism, burn more calories, and hasten fat loss. Cellfood is marketed as such a supplement, with a range of products claiming various health benefits, including weight loss. This article delves into the ingredients of Cellfood, its purported benefits, and potential risks associated with its use, particularly in the context of weight loss.
What is Cellfood?
Cellfood is a remarkable formula that oxygenates and feeds the cells- cleaning, nourishing, and tuning up the body’s systems throughout the day. It’s created by a proprietary process in which nutrient-rich plant substances are held in a negatively-charged suspension of deuterium sulfate. The result is a remarkable formulation that- by utilizing the same technology used decades ago to split the atom- splits water molecules within the body by weakening the bonding electrons, and gives birth to cascades of vital, life-giving oxygen. Since Cellfood is colloidal and negatively charged- just like the blood and lymph fluid- there is a natural synchronicity between Cellfood and the body’s own fluids. Cellfood and its nutrients move through the cell walls easily, and are absorbed and assimilated quickly and efficiently. Cellfood’s unique structure oxygenates and feeds the cells- cleaning, nourishing, and tuning up the body’s systems throughout the day.
Cellfood Composition
Cellfood contains 78 minerals, 34 enzymes, 17 amino acids, electrolytes, and dissolved oxygen. Lumina’s original supplement comes in a bottle that looks quite a lot like one of those treatments you use in an aquarium. This bottle has enough in it to last for one month. You simply use 8 drops of Cellfood in purified water or juice 3 times a day.
Cellfood Weight Loss Claims
This Cellfood product claims to help you to lose weight, even while you sleep. DNA-RNA Cell Regeneration Formula contains a proprietary blend of ingredients that Lumina won’t reveal.
The Science Behind Cellfood
Cellfood’s unique structure oxygenates and feeds the cells- cleaning, nourishing, and tuning up the body’s systems throughout the day. When you mix Cellfood with purified water or juice and ingest it, its proprietary water-splitting action begins the moment you take the first sip. This cascading time release of oxygen typically peaks within 8-12 hours, and then keeps working hour after hour.
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An in vitro study conducted at the International Observatory of Oxidative Stress (Italy) showed Cellfood to be effective in the modulation of oxygen bioavailability in blood plasma and in lowering the risk of oxidative stress (the main cause of premature aging).
Addressing Free Radicals
Free radicals are atoms (or groups of atoms) that are missing an electron. These highly reactive molecules become even more dangerous in the human body when they react with and damage other important cellular components like DNA. Antioxidants are directly responsible for the prevention of cellular damage by neutralizing and eliminating free radicals.
Cellfood and Athletic Performance
In addition to the numerous general health benefits, Cellfood has now become the supplement of choice for many professional athletes. Notably, Cellfood does not contain any ingredients that are on the lists of banned substances for professional and amateur athletic competitions.
Concerns Regarding Weight Loss Supplements
Despite patient perceptions that herbal remedies are free of adverse effects, some supplements are associated with severe hepatotoxicity. Because they are not subject to regulatory testing by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), herbal remedies continue to be a popular choice due to their perceived safety and easy availability.
Several slimming aids and herbal medications associated with severe hepatotoxicity have been reported in the literature. Fat burners are believed to raise metabolism, burn more calories and hasten fat loss.
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Case Study: Hepatotoxicity and Weight Loss Supplements
The present report describes a young healthy woman who presented with fulminant hepatic failure requiring emergent liver transplantation caused by a dietary supplement and fat burner containing usnic acid, green tea and guggul tree extracts. Thorough investigation, including histopathological examination, revealed no other cause of hepatotoxicity. The present case adds to the increasing number of reports of hepatotoxicity associated with dietary supplements containing usnic acid, and highlights that herbal extracts from green tea or guggul tree may not be free of adverse effects.
A previously healthy 28-year-old female bodybuilder with no risk factors for liver disease presented to her local emergency center with fatigue, malaise, inability to exercise and new-onset jaundice. Her symptoms worsened over a span of one week before hospitalization. The patient was a professional bodybuilder taking a multi-ingredient, nonstimulant health supplement and fat burner (Somalyz and Lipolyz, Species Nutrition, USA).
Somalyz contains usnic acid (4 mg), propionyl-L-carnitine (167 mg), phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine (50 mg), gamma-aminobutyric acid (667 mg) and vitamin E (27 IU) per capsule. Lipolyz contains usnic acid (12 mg), propionyl-L-carnitine (500 mg), green tea extract (300 mg), guggulsterone Z and guggulster-one E (10 mg), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (2 mg) and vitamin E (20 IU) per capsule. She was taking one to two capsules of Somalyz at bedtime and one capsule of Lipolyz with meals three times a day as recommended for one month before illness.
On evaluation at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, there were no stigmata of chronic liver disease. Blood work revealed a total serum bilirubin level of 82.08 mmol/L (normal range 1.71 mmol/L to 20.5 mmol/L), a direct bilirubin level of 47.88 mmol/L (1.71 mmol/L to 13.6 mmol/L), a serum alanine aminotransferase level of 1220 U/L (1 U/L to 53 U/L), a serum aspartate aminotransferase level of 577 U/L (1 U/L to 50 U/L), an alkaline phosphatase level of 111U/L (30 U/L to 110 U/L), a gamma-glutamyl transferase level of 125 U/L (8 U/L to 35 U/L), an international normalized ratio of 2.6 and a serum creatinine level of 53.04 μmol/L (44.2 μmol/L to 106.2 μmol/L).
Etiological workup included the following: negative viral serology (hepatitis A virus immunoglobulin M, hepatitis B virus surface antigen and core antibody, hepatitis C virus antibody [polymerase chain reaction assay], cytomegalovirus DNA and Epstein-Barr virus immunoglobulin M); negative syphilis rapid plasma regain; negative autoimmune markers (antinuclear antibody, antiliver kidney muscle antibody, antimitochondrial antibody and antismooth muscle antibody); and normal serum gamma globulins. Extensive toxicology screening was negative, with no features of acetaminophen toxicity (acidosis, high lactate or renal failure). She had normal levels of ferritin, ceruloplasmin and alpha-1 antitrypsin. A pregnancy test was negative.
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A computed tomography scan of her abdomen revealed a normal size liver with a patent portal vein, hepatic artery, hepatic vein and normal biliary anatomy. The patient’s encephalopathy worsened and she remained unresponsive. A computed tomography scan of her head was normal. An intracranial pressure monitor was placed, which measured an intracranial pressure of 19 mmHg and a cerebral perfusion pressure of 77 mmHg to 82 mmHg. She underwent successful cadaveric orthotopic liver transplantation on hospital day 2. By postoperative day 4, she was awake and alert.
Histology of the native explanted liver showed confluent necrosis resulting in parenchymal collapse. Reticulin stain confirmed the extensive parenchymal collapse. High-power magnification showed the formation of ductular hepatocytes in periportal areas.
Usnic Acid: A Closer Look
Usnic acid is a component of nutritional supplements that are promoted for weight loss and have been associated with liver-related adverse events including mild hepatic toxicity, chemical hepatitis and liver failure requiring liver transplantation. Usnic acid is derived from a lichen species of the genus Usnea. It has been investigated for diverse uses as an antimicrobial, an anti-inflammatory, an antioxidant, an analgesic/antipyretic, an antiproliferative and as a natural supplement for weight loss.
Several previous reports described liver failure associated with the use of LipoKinetix, a multi-ingredient preparation containing usnic acid (6-8). In 2002, Favreau et al (6) reported on seven patients who developed acute hepatitis after using LipoKinetix. This dietary supplement contains sodium usniate, norephedrine, yohimbine, 3-5-diiodothyronine and caffeine; both usnic acid and ephedra alkaloids have been associated with severe hepatotoxicity.
Sanchez et al (8) reported severe hepatotoxicity in a husband and wife (both 38 years of age) who were bodybuilders taking the multi-ingredient health supplement UCP-1 (BDC Nutrition, USA) for three months. UCP-1 contains usnic acid (150 mg), L-carnitine (525 mg) and calcium pyruvate (1050 mg) per capsule. The wife developed fulminant hepatic failure requiring liver transplantation. The husband experienced submassive necrosis but did not require liver transplantation.
Another herbal remedy containing usnic acid - well known to be hepatotoxic - is kombucha tea. Usnic acid has been shown to uncouple oxidative phosphorylation in a murine model, with resultant loss of mitochondrial respiratory control and inhibition of ATP synthesis. A direct hepatotoxic effect analogous to carbon tetrachloride-induced liver toxicity has also been described (10). Usnic acid is a weak inhibitor of cytochrome CYP2D6 and a potent inhibitor of cytochrome CYP2C19. Based on potent inhibition of CYP2C enzymes, usnic acid has significant potential to interact with other medications (5).
Green Tea Extracts
Chinese green tea extracts are derivatives of the leaves of Camellia sinensis, which belongs to the aceae family. Green tea extracts have been marketed as effective weight-loss supplements, and for the prevention and cure of solid tumours. Although there is little scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of green tea extracts, serious side effects, including acute liver failure, are increasingly being reported (13,14). Similar cases have been reported from France and Spain resulting in the removal of the green tea extract ‘Exolise’ from the market (15). Two cases of fulminant hepatic failure associated with green tea extracts have been reported (16,17). Mitochondrial toxicity and the formation of reactive oxygen species have been demonstrated with epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a key constituent of green tea extracts.
Gum Guggul
Gum guggul and its constituents are increasingly being used as dietary supplements. Gum guggul is the oleoresin of Commiphora mukul, a plant native to India. Its extracts include compounds known for their hypolipidemic properties - the Z and E isomers of guggulsterone and its regulated guggulsterols. Human exposure to gum guggul most often occurs from ingesting herbal remedies or pharmaceuticals, and from the use of cosmetics. Side effects include skin rashes, irregular menstruation, diarrhea, headache, mild nausea and, with very high doses, liver toxicity.
Regulatory Landscape
According to the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, dietary supplements are regulated as foods and are not subject to regulation as drugs by the FDA; manufacturers are not compelled to provide safety data to the FDA. However, increasing reports of liver failure due to usnic acid have triggered a regulatory warning and one voluntary product withdrawal (LipoKinetix) (20). Usnic acid is still available and advertised on the Internet as an ingredient in various other dietary supplements and fat burners.
Other Cellfood Products
This is a gel that is used as a topical cream or it can be left on the face to create a mask. According to Lumina, their ingredients can’t be revealed because they are proprietary. This silica product is designed for joint and bone health. It is available in a 4 oz bottle and is taken mixed with water. This multivitamin spray contains 12 vitamins plus Cellfood in an oral spray. SAM-e is S-Andenosyl methionine and it is used by European doctors to treat depression.
Pricing and Availability
Lumina doesn’t set restrictions on sale price like some brands do with their products, so you’ll find that the prices range quite widely. If you know specifically what you are looking for, take the time to shop around because it’s worth it.
Evaluating the Evidence
The few studies done on humans is against placebo. Compared to a real world peer reviewed study, the studies provided by Lumina are a bit lacking. They are small studies that only lasted for one month. It is important to understand the difference between a lab study and a human study. You will be doing yourself a favor if you take the time to read through reviews of Lumina’s products rather than depending on their science.
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