In addition to Ionic Trace Minerals, Trace⁴⁴ contains the following key ingredients to maximize absortion and health benefits:

Citric Acid: Citric acid is a colorless, crystalline organic compound common to citrus fruits. It is present in practically all plants and in many animal tissues and fluids. Biologically, it serves as one of a series of compounds involved in the processing of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in the body.  Citric acid is used in Trace⁴⁴ as a natural flavor, preservative, and pH buffer.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): It has long been accepted that a diet rich in vitamin C provides protection against cancer and heart disease. A Californian study concluded that people who consume more than 750 mg/day of vitamin C reduce their risk of dying prematurely by 60 percent. Other researchers have found that people who suffer from asthma, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease have much lower levels of vitamin C in their blood than do healthy people. Vitamin C is a wonder nutrient and there is no doubt that many of the serious degenerative diseases plaguing the civilized world today can be prevented or even reversed through an adequate intake of this essential vitamin. The current US RDA for vitamin C is 90 mg/day, yet most researchers now agree that it is entirely safe even in daily quantities of 10 g or more. For these reasons, Trace⁴⁴ utilizes a health dose of vitamin C (290 mg / bottle or 300% the US RDA) as an integral part of the product.

Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalmin) is a critical nutrient that acts to, among other compounds, facilitate chemical transport between oxygen and hemoglobin in the blood. It is therefore a critical vitamin and must be acquired through the food we eat. Taken often as a supplement, vitamin B12 can increase energy levels, athletic performance, metabolism, and overall awareness by increasing the oxygen content of our blood. These are the primary reasons for its presence in Trace⁴⁴. On the other hand, low levels of vitamin B12 have been associated with fatigue, asthma, depression, Alzheimer’s, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, tinnitus, diabetic neuropathy and low sperm counts. Clearly, it is very important to maintain adequate body stores of this crucial vitamin. The amount of vitamin B12 actually needed by the body is very small, probably only about 2 micrograms or 2 millionth of a gram/day. Unfortunately, vitamin B12 is not absorbed very well so larger amounts need to be supplied through the diet or supplementation. The richest dietary sources of vitamin B12 are liver, especially lamb's liver, and kidneys. Eggs, cheese and some species of fish also supply small amounts, but vegetables and fruits are generally poor sources. Several surveys have shown that most strict, long-term vegetarians are vitamin B12 deficient. Oral supplementation with vitamin B12 is safe, efficient and inexpensive. Most multi-vitamin pills contain 100-200 microgram (mcg) of the cyanocobalamin form of B-12. Trace⁴⁴ contains 100 mcg per serving. As vitamin B12 is water soluble, its presence in solution accelerates absorption, increasing the delivery rate for a more immediate effect.

Guarana: Guarana is a shrub native to the Amazon, where it has historically been used in much the same way as chocolate to prepare various foods, drinks and medicines. Today, powdered guarana seed is known and used worldwide as an ingredient in nutraceutical beverages for its thermogenic and energizing effects. Guarana supplementation is reported to increase mental alertness, fight fatigue, and increase stamina and physical endurance. Presently, guarana is taken daily as a health tonic by millions of South Americans who believe it helps to overcome heat fatigue, combats premature aging, detoxifies the blood, and is useful in the prevention of obesity, dyspepsia, fatigue, and for arteriosclerosis. While South Americans have been using guarana for centuries, western research has begun to verify that the indigenous uses are well-grounded in science. The use of guarana as an effective energy tonic and for mental acuity and long-term memory was just recently validated in 1997, when guarana was reported to increase physical activity, endurance, and memory of rats with single doses. Interestingly, the study revealed that a guarana performed better and more effectively than did a comparable dosage of caffeine or ginseng extract . There is little toxicological risk associated with guarana, as animal studies have shown the seed is non-toxic at even high dosages of up to 2 grams per kilogram of body weight. With Guarana's positive health benefits as well as being a natural energy enhancer, it's popularity in beverages has grown steadily worldwide. It is the aim of Trace⁴⁴ to capitalize on the popularity of this ingredient by combining it with electrolytes, vitamin B12, and ionic trace minerals in a sports beverage that combines health, hydration, and great taste.

Green Tea Extract: Green Tea is popular for its widespread medicinal benefits, it being used to treat everything from headaches to depression. Today, scientific research in both Asia and the west is providing hard evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea. For example, research indicates that green tea consumption is associated with reduced instances of cardiovascular and liver disease and cancer. There is also research indicating that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol. The mechanism of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots, which are leading causes of cardiovascular disease. Trace⁴⁴ uses a blend of green tea extract with 50% polyphenols to promote these healthy effects. In addition to health benefits, green tea is also known to boost metabolism and to provide energy, in limited amounts. This is another reason why this ingredient is used in Trace⁴⁴. The elevation of metabolism and energy levels are key factors in the physical and mental health of both recreational and professional athletes.

Fructose: In Trace⁴⁴, fructose is used as a source of carbohydrates, as a sweetener, and as an accelerator for absorption in the digestive system. During exercise, carbohydrates are burned by the body for energy in the form of glucose. It is therefore necessary to supplement the body’s depleted levels of carbohydrates, especially for endurance athletes. Fructose is an excellent source of carbohydrates as it is the naturally-occurring sugar commonly found in fruits. Ordinary table sugar (cane sugar or sucrose) is absorbed from the digestive tract quickly relative to water, causing the pancreas to release large amounts of insulin, the natural hormone required to metabolize the sudden big surge in blood sugar levels. The average amount that blood sugar rises after eating a given amount of a particular carbohydrate is called that carbohydrate's glycemic index. Natural fruit sugar, fructose, has one of the lowest glycemic indices of any food - with a rating of only 20, compared to 31 for skim milk, 59 for sucrose (ordinary table sugar), and 98 for an equal weight of potatoes. This means that 1 ounce of fructose raises your blood sugar only about 1/3 as much as an ounce of sucrose, and releases about 1/3 as much insulin. For these reasons, fructose represents an excellent alternative to sucrose-based sweeteners used in popular sports drinks. With respect to bodily absorption, the solution concentration of fructose in Trace⁴⁴ is approximately 3%. Numerous studies indicate that the absorption of water through the small intestine may be accelerated with a solution of sugars and electrolytes. Most studies indicate that water can be absorbed from healthy small intestines at rates ranging from 0.4 l/h to 0.9 l/h when 2-8% carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions are repeatedly ingested during either rest or moderate intensity exercise. Maximum absorption rates are common to more dehydrated subjects ingesting 6-8% solutions. In Trace⁴⁴, sugar levels are set at 3% as most of the general population does not require the maximum absorption. It is thought that the average athlete will benefit from a healthy blend of carbohydrates and nutrients rather than the sugar spike common to other sports beverages, which increases insulin release and may result in weight gain for non-endurance athletes.

Natural Flavoring: Extracts from natural ingredients are used in Trace⁴⁴ to add refreshing flavor. These ingredients do not play a role in the function of the beverage, but rather are added to make drinking more enjoyable.

Sodium Chloride: Sodium chloride is a dietary mineral essential to life. As one of the primary electrolytes in the body, sodium is responsible for the maintenance of osmotic gradients in cells, as well as the exchange between intracellular and extracellular nutrients. Doctors and scientists strongly agree that sweating, caused by high body temperatures and/or long term exercise, may lead to sodium deficiencies in the human body. The immediate effects of this are dizziness and muscle cramps. While it is now agreed upon by researchers that it is unnecessary to replace sodium during short-term exercise (less than 2 hours), 50 mg of sodium are present in Trace⁴⁴. The electrolyte is present to help provide a baseline concentration, if the body needs it, and promote increased absorption rates in the small intestine. Relative to traditional sports beverages, Trace⁴⁴ has less than 1/3 the sodium for the same serving size.

Natural colors: Colorants extracted from natural fruits may be added to color the beverage, providing a light coloration.