| "Of all the things I've lost, it's my mind I miss the | | | | mass. Gluathione and L-cysteine are essential for |
| most" is a quote that is familiar to some and a reality | | | | T-cell production and helps with immune system |
| for many others. Our brains are marvelous miracles | | | | function. This is extremely important for the brain |
| to say the least. Over the years scientists have not | | | | because the brain is susceptible to bacteria and |
| only been able to examine and study how the brain | | | | viruses. |
| functions and malfunctions, but also how different | | | | Of course, I am sure you have heard of Ginko Biloba. |
| drugs and natural nutrients can affect the brain as | | | | It is one of the most popular herbs in the world that |
| well. Here we will discuss 8 nutrients in particular that | | | | has been proven to boost the brains ability to |
| have been rigorously studied and clinically proven to | | | | function. Ginko dilates the blood vessels in the brain |
| have a positive effect on the brain in terms of | | | | which increases the blood flow and nutrients to the |
| improving poor concentration, slow thinking processes | | | | brain. This function in and of itself helps with alertness |
| and impaired memory function. | | | | and focus. |
| The first nutrient is a wild herb that grows in wet, | | | | Vinpocetine is an herb taken from the periwinkle |
| marshy areas in India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and other | | | | plant, vinca minor. Like Ginko, it dilates the blood |
| areas, it's called Bacopa Monnieri. Before the written | | | | vessels and enhances circulation. But unlike other |
| word was readily available, men and women had to | | | | vasodilators, Vincopetine has a special ability to |
| rely on the spoken word to learn things. It is said | | | | concentrate the flow of blood in the brain only. It is |
| that in ancient times the holy men of India called the | | | | also a powerful antioxidant. Plus, some people who |
| Rishi were able to recite pages and pages of hymns | | | | have taken vincopetine have noticed the benefits |
| and prayers complete from memory. How could they | | | | immediately rather than over a course of time like |
| do this? It is believed that beyond the divine | | | | with other memory benefiting supplements. |
| inspiration they claimed to have received, their ability | | | | The common name for Huperzia Serrata extract is |
| to learn and recall information was due to their | | | | Chinese Club Moss. Its active ingredient is Huperzine |
| consumption of the wild herb Bacopa Monnieri. | | | | A. Huperzine A works by helping inhibit the enzyme |
| Since the ancient times, several double blind studies | | | | that breaks down acetylcholine, an important brain |
| have been done to test the efficacy of Bacopa | | | | chemical for learning and memory. It has been found |
| Monnieri. One study with 48 individuals of an average | | | | that in Alzheimer's disease, the degeneration neurons |
| age of 73.5 were given Bacopa Monnieri for 12 | | | | depend upon the lack of acetylcholine and |
| weeks. The study concluded that the Bacopa | | | | acetylcholine esterase. This nutrient appears to be an |
| Monnieri had enhanced their verbal recall ability and | | | | effective one for those with brain disorders such as |
| their ability to ignore irrelevant information. It also | | | | early stage Alzheimer's because of its ability to inhibit |
| recorded that depression, anxiety and heart rate also | | | | the enzyme that breaks down the acetylcholine |
| decreased with the group receiving the herb. The | | | | esterase. |
| study conclusion states "This study provides further | | | | Lemon Balm sounds sublime but it is actually a very |
| evidence that B. monnieri has potential for safely | | | | potent nutrient. The chemicals in Lemon Balm have a |
| enhancing cognitive performance in the aging." | | | | calming, even sedative effect. This may not sound |
| Because stress is bad for your health, especially your | | | | like a very appealing element to brain health, |
| brain, Bacopa is an excellent nutrient because it has | | | | memory, concentration or focus. But these elements |
| been proven to help with depression, anxiety and | | | | are extremely useful during times of excitability or |
| heart rate, which are often common ailments | | | | extreme stress when the brain has a difficult time |
| resulting from stress. From learning and memory recall | | | | slowing down enough to focus and concentrate. |
| to stress relief, Bacopa is a major player in the field | | | | According to one study the Lemon Balm showed to |
| of natural supplements for the mind. | | | | significantly increase calmness and alertness. It also |
| The second nutrient, Phosphotidylserine or PS is a | | | | showed a significant increase in the speed of |
| naturally occurring fat found throughout the body but | | | | mathematical processing, with no reduction in |
| especially in that of a healthy brain. PS has been | | | | accuracy. |
| studied near and far as well. According to an Italian | | | | Lastly, are brain and nervous system targeted |
| Study that followed 494 elderly subjects over a 6 | | | | Transfer Factors - Transfer Factors are smaller than |
| month period of time, all of the participants suffered | | | | small messenger molecules that transmit immune |
| from moderate to severe mental decline, as | | | | knowledge from one entity to another, such as is |
| measured by standard tests. Treatment consisted of | | | | done when a mother breastfeeds her child. Transfer |
| either 300 mg daily of PS or a placebo. The study | | | | Factors are non-specie specific, which means they |
| showed that the group that took PS did much better | | | | can be collected from other mammals in the form of |
| in both behavior and mental function than the placebo | | | | colostrum or egg yolks. |
| group. Their symptoms of depression were improved | | | | Targeted Transfer Factors are similar to regular |
| as well. | | | | transfer factors except that due to a special |
| The third nutrient is Glyceryl Phosphorlcholine, also | | | | patented process that collects the transfer factors |
| known as GPC is a special form of choline. Choline | | | | from egg yolks, they are able to target specific |
| helps with the production of neurotransmitters. | | | | areas of the body. In this instance they supply the |
| Neurotransmitters do many things, one of which is to | | | | brain and nervous system with the specific |
| boost cognitive performance. Because the levels of | | | | knowledge it needs for superior immune system |
| choline decrease over time as we age, obviously | | | | functioning. This one element alone is one of the |
| cognitive ability will decrease as well. GPC is the good | | | | most technologically advanced nutrients known to |
| form of choline for the body to absorb because it | | | | man. |
| can cross the blood-brain barrier, so it gets to the | | | | The good news is all of the nutrients we have |
| part of the body that needs it most; the brain. | | | | discussed can be found in an all in one formula. |
| N-Acetyl L- Tyrosine - NALT is a non essential amino | | | | Declining brain health in the form of disease, simple |
| acid that the body also uses as a precursor to the | | | | memory loss, fogginess and the like is an ever |
| production of neurotransmitters. Due to its role as a | | | | increasing problem for nearly all of us. Some might |
| precursor to the neurotransmitters norepinephrine | | | | consider it public enemy number one. I know I do. It |
| and epinephrine (two of the body's main | | | | can be induced by stress, free radical damage, toxic |
| stress-related hormones) tyrosine may also ease the | | | | substance overload, poor diet, lack of exercise, as |
| adverse effects of environmental, psychosocial, and | | | | well as a host of other conditions. Taking care of |
| physical stress. Because stress has such an adverse | | | | your brain health is one of the most crucial things you |
| reaction for our brains, NALT could provide the | | | | can do for yourself or someone you know that is |
| necessary strength and relief the brain needs to | | | | suffering from a malfunctioning brain. By taking all of |
| function more efficiently especially during on going | | | | the nutrients we have discussed you will be well on |
| stress related circumstances. | | | | your way to increasing the quality of life with a |
| N-Acetyl L -Cysteine - NAC is a known precursor to | | | | strong healthy mind that works to the peak of |
| glutathione. It is known to raise blood levels of | | | | perfection. Or close to it anyway. |
| glutathione and it may help to preserve lean muscle | | | | |