Boost Prain Power

THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO BOOST YOUR BRAIN POWER. A few are testosterone, estrogen and thyroid. These of course aren’t found in our brain formula.

Menopausal women often become dingy. When estrogen drops too low this is bound to happen. It only takes a tiny dose of estrogen cream to eliminate this problem.

Testosterone is important for brain function too. With testosterone replacement in men who use their brain power at work; they can often notice the difference in cognition after injections are started.

Low thyroid certainly effects brain performance. Tweaking replacement to ideal levels makes an obvious improvement in many. I’m sure if we had a way to actually, objectively test brain performance before and after thyroid replacement; we would always see a marked improvement.

Piracetam is another trick. There is a story behind this one. This was developed behind the iron curtain to keep their fighter pilots thinking optimally under stresses like sleep deprivation and high Gs (gravitational forces). It is derivative of the amino acid/neurotransmitter, GABA. It is completely safe/nontoxic at far higher doses than needed for our purposes. One way that piracetam helps memory is to increase your brain’s polyribosomes. These are structures in our brain’s that allow us to recall stuff like why did I come to this room?….what was the point I was trying to make?….what’s his name? The polyribosomes you build while on piracetam will remain viable for several months after you discontinue taking it.

A loading dose of piracetam may be something like 4,000 to 8,000m.g daily, divided into 3 doses. Subsequently the daily dose may be 1,500 to 2,500 divided into 2 daily doses. After 6 to 12 months you may be able to quit taking it and still retain the effect for who knows how long. The effect of piracetam would be catapulted by using all of the previous tactics along with adding 2 grams of phosphatidyl choline and a few cups of coffee per day.

I use 1,600 m.g. of piracetam in the A.M. along with 4 Brain Formula. This is enough to give objective results in my case. I bet not many would need the extra choline if already on the brain formula.

Brain Formula is innovative medicine’s custom formula for brain power. It contains most of the ingredients mentioned below.

They call it “brain fog” for a reason: When your mind is tired, even the simplest mental tasks can feel like navigating a cognitive maze. Your concentration is dull, your memory is fuzzy…and your brain is stuck on stupid……what was i just talking about?…..why did i come into this room?……….what was his name?

There’s no doubt that a slow brain can take a serious toll on your quality of life. And if your daily activities include driving or operating machinery, “brain fog” also is a threat to your physical welfare. But luckily, boosting your intake of several nutrients can help you to cut through the fog and revitalize your mind with a much-needed “shot” of pure, focused energy—resulting in clear, sharp mental focus that will last the whole day long.

The one of these nutrients is phosphatidylserine (PS)—a “phospholipid” that is necessary for building cell membranes, especially in neurons, and forming acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter that plays an integral role in short-term memory. Dozens of clinical trials have demonstrated that PS can deliver a powerful boost to a sluggish brain, with results showing that a daily dose of this nutrient can dramatically enhance memory and mental performance, quality of life, sociability and mood within a few months.

Anyone can benefit from PS supplementation, with studies revealing that it can balance levels of the “fightor-flight” hormone cortisol and enhance both mental and physical performance during occasional periods of stress.4 Another nutrient brain-booster is acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC)—a powerhouse nutrient that augments PS by providing abundant cellular energy as ATP, which is needed to activate your brain’s circuits and revitalize tired neurons. ALC works with PS to boost acetylcholine production and to restore the function of the membranes of your mitochondria, which serve as your cells’ energy factories. ALC also acts to provide the mitochondria with more of the fatty acids they need to generate the vital cellular “fuel” called ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

AMP (adenosine monophosphate) is phosphorylated to ATP and then used to create energy. This is how we create energy from oxygen. Increasing AMP will increase brain energy in addition to boosting your overall energy. Even though AMP isn’t part of brain formula, it is the main ingredient in our AMP+ injections.

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) is an important nutrient for brain health. It is a key nutrient for mitochondria which are the powerhouse for brain cells. The mitochondria convert the energy which is stored in sugar into the energy which the cell can use to do is work in the form of ATP. An ample supply of Niacinamide makes the generation of ATP more efficient and reduces the level of toxic free radicals (a bi-product of making ATP).

Dimethyl-amino-ethanol (DMAE) is a precursor of acetylcholine, a main neurotransmitter responsible for carrying messages between brain cells and from the brain to the muscles to control our movements. Unlike choline, it easily passes the blood/brain barrier where it stimulates the cholinergic nervous system. A variety of cognitive and disruptive disorders may be caused or aggravated by a lack of acetylcholine. Since DMAE affects acetylcholine production, these issues may be improved with long-term, consistent DMAE use. As long ago as 1974, research was conducted showing that DMAE was comparable to some prescription drugs in improving learning and behavioral problems associated with shortened attention span. Depression in older people also is often caused by lack of acetylcholine in the brain. In a controlled, doubleblind study with normal human volunteers, findings demonstrated an increase in daytime energy, attentiveness and concentration, sounder but less sleep, and improved mood and personality. Additionally, in research and clinical practice it has been used to improve memory in older adults. In adults, high-dose DMAE is especially useful in lipofuscin dissolution. Lipofuscin is a brownish cellular pigment consisting of molecular waste formed by the inefficient metabolism of fatty acids, resulting from oxidative stress. In the skin, especially the back of the hand, this debris manifests as either “age spots” or “liver spots,” which act as a sentinel for lipofuscin potentially present inside the body, including the brain, neurons and heart. DMAE has the ability to dissolve lipofuscin and can work both inside and on the body. The mechanism for this action is fat emulsion. DMAE has properties similar to that of lecithin. Lecithin emulsifies fat in the liver and both of these substances produce acetylcholine in the body. However, DMAE and not lecithin is capable of lessening lipofuscin. magnesium must be present for many enzymatic reactions to occur in the body, the two elements work synergistically to help clear lipofuscin. In other research, topical DMAE has been found to be effective and safe in the improvement of wrinkles and skin firmness. The mechanism of action is related to the fact skin cells contain acetylcholine receptors as well as DMAE’s anti-inflammatory actions and its ability to scavenge free radicals. Because of DMAE’s free radical scavenging ability, when it was added to the heart’s pumping cells (myocytes) in another in-vitro study, they were protected from damage caused by a lack of oxygen and blood flow to the heart (ischemia). High-dose DMAE can help protect against accelerated aging by removing cellular debris caused by many factors present in twenty-first century daily life. DMAE and choline, included in brain formula, are the precursors to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetylcholine, important for learning, memory and attention, is found in low levels in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Studies using animal models have shown that DMAE stimulates brain neurons and improves working memory performance. Vitamin B5 is a precursor of coenzyme A, which is important for energy metabolism as well as the biosynthesis of acetylcholine. Huperzine-A inhibits the breakdown of acetylcholine and has been shown in clinical trials to significantly improve cognition, behavior, mood and quality of life. L-phenylalanine, also part of brain formula, is an essential amino acid that is converted into the amino acid L-tyrosine, the precursor for the synthesis of several other neurotransmitters including norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine. These are stimulatory neurotransmitters that regulate mood, sex drive, memory, alertness and learning. L-phenylalanine is also metabolized to phenylethylamine, a moodelevating compound that occurs naturally in the brain. Vitamin B12 is important as reduced levels are associated with faster rates of cognitive decline. Pyroglutamic acid acts as a neuroprotective agent and has been shown to improve memory in older subjects in clinical trials. Vinpocetine enhances memory by improving cerebral circulation, antioxidant activity and increasing utilization of glucose and oxygen. Clinical trials have shown that vinpocetine supplementation significantly improved cognitive function in subjects with ischemic stroke and mild cognitive impairment. Ginkgo biloba leaf has been extensively studied as a memory enhancer. Ginkgo also has antioxidant and free-radical scavenging properties, improves microcirculation, decreases platelet aggregation and protects neurons from oxidative damage. Numerous human trials have demonstrated that standardized Ginkgo leaf extract significantly improves cognitive function in a wide range of cognitive disorders and is particularly indicated for memory loss, attention, alertness, vigilance, arousal and mental fluidity. In a recent study, researchers reviewed the previous randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials in which Ginkgo biloba extract was supplemented to dementia patients for at least 6 months. The data from 6 clinical trials was collected and analyzed. The results of this analysis showed that cognitive function was significantly improved in the subjects supplemented with Ginkgo biloba extract compared to the subjects receiving placebo. The study authors concluded, “Considering baseline risk in the assessment of treatment effect, Ginkgo biloba extract was found to be effective for cognitive functions in dementia with the treatment of 6 months.” Brain formula also contains specialized, natural ingredients shown to regenerate neurites and dendrites in the brain, thus improving cognitive processes. Aging in the brain is characterized by loss of neurons, neurites and dendrites, which disrupts the neural communications network, resulting in physiological and behavioral impairments. Evidence suggests that reductions in the levels of brain growth factors, like nerve growth factor, lead to declining brain cell function and degenerative diseases. Brain formula should be taken by individuals who want to increase the number of brain cells, which will promote increased brain processing speed and improved cognition. Brain formula can provide a rapid improvement in mental processing speed and clarity as well as longerterm brain support. It can instantly refresh the brain and can be used as a late-afternoon pickup; in addition, Brain formula provides cognitive support for those under increased stress. Brain formula can give an immediate boost for those times when thought processes are sluggish and can be the ideal solution to eliminate “brain fog.” The nutrients in the product also nourish the brain over time, adding long-term support to its short-term brain-boosting action. Brain formula includes phosphatidylserine and acetyl-L-carnitine. Phosphatidylserine has been shown to improve cognitive impairments in elderly subjects with moderate to severe cognitive decline. In a placebo-controlled study, supplementation with 300 mg per day of phosphatidylserine for 6 months resulted in significant improvements in behavioral and cognitive measurements compared to the placebo group. Phosphatidylserine also is useful in younger individuals. Research indicates that phosphatidylserine reduced elevated blood cortisol levels while improving mental and physical performance in younger subjects, who were under stress. Vinpocetine, huperzine, DMAE and ginkgo are specifically known to support memory enhancement. Recently more studies on ginkgo have been published. One new study in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease found that ginkgo significantly increases cell proliferation in the hippocampus of both young and old mice. And that it stimulates new neuron growth. It also reduces the deposits of amyloid-beta plaques thought to be responsible for the brain damage seen in Alzheimer’s. These results lead to the conclusion that ginkgo will help prevent and treat Alzheimer’s dementia. In another new double-blind trial of 400 subjects with Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia, ginkgo improved dementia scores while subjects receiving the placebo experienced a deterioration of scores. Ginkgo can be used synergistically with natural cognitive enhancers such as huperzine-A, investigated for its ability to significantly improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, and vinpocetine, a constituent of the common periwinkle (Vinca minor). In a 16-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 203 people with mild to moderate dementia, vinpocetine produced significant benefit in the treated group. DMAE is another nutrient involved in brain health. DMAE’s effects have been studied in behavioral disorders in children. Dr. Leon Oettinger, Jr., found that DMAE accelerated mental processes, improved concentration span, abolished early morning fogginess, relieved lassitude and mild depression and improved IQ. Ashwagandha, an exotic Indian herb, has remarkable stress-relieving properties comparable to those of powerful drugs used to treat depression and anxiety. In addition to its excellent protective effects on the nervous system, ashwagandha may be a promising alternative treatment for a variety of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Ashwagandha has powerful antioxidant properties that seek and destroy the free radicals that have been implicated in aging and numerous disease states. Even more remarkable, emerging evidence suggests that ashwagandha has anti-cancer benefits as well. Scientific studies support ashwagandha’s ability not only to relieve stress, but also to protect brain cells against the deleterious effects of our modern lifestyles. For example, in validated models of anxiety and depression, ashwagandha has been demonstrated to be as effective as some tranquilizers and antidepressant drugs. Specifically, oral administration of ashwagandha for five days suggested anxiety-relieving effects similar to those achieved by the antianxiety drug lorazepam (Ativan®), and antidepressant effects similar to those of the prescription antidepressant drug imipramine. In a remarkable animal study, examination of the brains of sacrificed animals showed that 85% of the brain cells observed in the animals exposed to chronic stress showed signs of degeneration. It is this type of cellular degeneration that can lead to long-term cognitive difficulties. Amazingly, when ashwagandha was administered to chronically stressed animals, the number of degenerating brain cells was reduced by 80%! In one of the most complete human clinical trials to date, researchers studied the effects of a standardized extract of ashwagandha on the negative effects of stress, including elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Many of the adverse effects of stress are thought to be related to elevated levels of cortisol. The results were impressive. The participants subjectively reported increased energy, reduced fatigue, better sleep, and an enhanced sense of well-being. The participants showed several measurable improvements, including a reduction of cortisol levels up to 26%, a decline in fasting blood sugar levels, and improved lipid profiles. It looks like this herb would be a good one for treating stress related symptoms. Some studies have noted that ashwagandha supported significant regeneration of the axons and dendrites of nerve cells. Furthermore, ashwagandha extract supported the reconstruction of synapses, the junctions where nerve cells communicate with other cells. The investigators concluded that ashwagandha extract helps to reconstruct networks of the nervous system, making it a potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. In another study, researchers found that ashwagandha helped support the growth of nerve cell dendrites, which allow these cells to receive communications from other cells. This finding suggests that ashwagandha could help heal the brain tissue changes that accompany dementia. In another study, the researchers noted that ashwagandha helped promote the growth of both normal and damaged nerve cells, suggesting that the herb may boost healthy brain cell function as well as benefit diseased nerve cells. Ashwagandha also shows promise as a treatment for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, chronic neurodegenerative conditions for which there currently are no cures. In a recent study using a standardized model of human Parkinson’s disease, ashwagandha extract reversed all the parameters of Parkinson’s-type neurodegeneration significantly and in a dose-dependent manner. Remarkably, an earlier study showed that ashwagandha extract inhibits acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down one of the brain’s key chemical messengers. Drugs currently used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, such as Aricept work the same way. In addition to ashwagandha’s documented brain boosting effects a recent analysis showed that ashwagandha extract inhibited the growth of human breast, lung, and colon cancer cell lines in the laboratory. This inhibition was comparable to that achieved with the common cancer chemotherapy drug doxorubicin. In fact, researchers reported that withaferin A, a specific compound extracted from ashwagandha, was more effective than doxorubicin in inhibiting breast and colon cancer cell growth. In the Feb 19 2002 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. In the published papers Ames and fellow researchers report that a combination of two dietary supplements — alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC)—can dramatically increase energy levels and improve memory in aging laboratory rats. Ames and his fellow researchers report that the two compounds work by quenching free radicals that tend to build up inside mitochondria—the power plants of cells in the body. Deterioration of mitochondria is an important cause of aging and the decline of memory and the bodys energy, Ames and colleagues contend. With the two supplements together, these old rats got up and did the Macarena, Ames stated. The brain looks better, they are full of energy—everything we looked at looks more like a young animal. scientists have reported gathering anecdotal evidence from more than 50 healthy older human volunteers taking the combination of the two antioxidant supplements. The volunteers have reported a wide variety of positive effects, the company says, including: Increased energy, elevated mood, steady emotional state, improved sleep, enhanced cognitive function, weight loss or improved weight control, decreased age pigment (lipofuscin) and lower blood pressure A new clinical trial investigated the effect of chromium picolinate supplementation in older adults with cognitive decline. In this study, 26 older adults received either chromium picolinate supplementation or placebo for 12 weeks. The subjects were evaluated for depression and memory at the beginning of the study and again after the 12 weeks of supplementation. Some of the subjects were also evaluated with functional MRI to evaluate brain activity. The results showed that the subjects receiving chromium picolinate supplementation showed improvement on learning, recall and recognition memory tasks. In addition, the MRI indicated that the subjects supplemented with chromium picolinate had increased activation in specific areas of the brain including the right thalamic, right temporal, right posterior parietal and bifrontal regions, compared to the subjects in the placebo group. The researchers stated, “These findings suggest that supplementation with chromium picolinate can enhance cognitive inhibitory control and cerebral function in older adults at risk for neurodegeneration.” Even though chromium isn’t included in our brain formula, large doses are found in our, multi, immune formula and weight loss formula. In a recent study, researchers evaluated the levels vitamin D in a sample group of 3,369 European men between the ages of 40 and 79. They also measured the subjects’ cognitive performance, based on the results of three different tests—the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure test, the Camden Topographical Recognition Memory test, and the Digit Symbol Substitution test—while accounting for other neurological factors such as physical activity, functional performance, and depression. The important, initial results showed that higher levels of vitamin D corresponded to better scores on all three cognitive tests; however, further data adjustment to isolate interacting variables revealed that the vitamin D levels only had a significant impact on one—the Digit Symbol Substitution test. Even so, the lowest levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D still remained the strongest indicator of poor cognitive function in this group— reason enough for the study authors to speculate that ample amounts of vitamin D play an important role in preserving your brain’s health as you age. Vitamin D also has proven benefits for osteoporosis and against breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, plus heart disease. There is very little vitamin D in our diet and sunscreen blocks the sun’s vitamin-D-producing rays. As we age we also loose most of our ability to produce vitamin D from sunshine. Also, at our latitude there is no vitamin D production in winter no matter what your age is. So the only way to get enough D in the winter is to take it. Even though there is no vitamin D in our brain formula, good doses are found in our multis, immune formula and bone formula. In addition we offer vitamin D separately in doses of 5,000, 10,000, 50,000 unit caps as well as by injection at 500,000 per dose. The preceding was adapted from several sources but mainly from VPR and the life extension foundation. I have trusted these sources for my own health for about 30 years now. Besides being available at the clinic, most of the nutrients mentioned can be purchased from our virtual pharmacy at www.innovativemedicine.org or from www.lifeextension.com.