BRAIN FUNCTION

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BRAIN FUNCTION

 

Brain Function supplies essential fatty acids, phospholipids and

specific nutrients essential for healthy brain function, maximizing

the production and release of neurotransmitters and supporting

normal brain cell flexibility and function. These substances are

critical for any nutritional protocol addressing memory or cognitive

deficits.

 

Acetyl-L-Carnitine:

....a naturally occurring substance derived from the amino acid, L-

carnitine, that has been shown to improve memory and enhance overall

performance in some individuals with Alzheimer's disease. It is

structurally similar to acetylcholine, the memory neurotransmitter.

It is an antioxidant, and protects the cell membranes of neurons

against free radical mediated damage. In addition, it promotes

phospholipid metabolism and enhances brain energy production.

 

Phosphatidylserine:

....a naturally occurring compound present in the brain, related to

lecithin. A large amount of brain tissue is made up of fatty

material called phospholipids. These phospholipids are very

important, holding cells together and actually controlling what

enters and leaves the brain cells. Phosphatidylserine is one of the

more important phospholipids in the brain, helping to store and

retrieve information. Studies have shown that oral

phosphatidylserine improves memory, learning and cognitive functions

in Alzheimer's patients.

 

DHA (Docosahexanoic Acid):

....a fatty acid that functions as an important structural component

of cell membranes surrounding nerve cells. Some researchers believe

that changes in the composition and metabolism of fatty acids like

DHA may contribute to Alzheimer's disease. In addition, DHA seems to

play a role in regulating the movement of calcium into brain cells.

Too much calcium in the cells can lead to the formation of the toxic

proteins found in Alzheimer's plaques. Supplemental DHA can now be

obtained from in fish oil and algae.

 

Choline:

....another important component of cell membranes, and an important

part of the messenger system, the acetylcholine neurotransmitter,

that allows neurons to transmit signals from one brain cell to

another. Choline is available in various supplement forms: CDP

choline (cytidine diphosphate choline), phosphatidyl choline,

choline bitartrate, etc)

 

Brain Function

 

Essential Fatty Acids, Phospholipids and synergistic nutrients

essential for healthy Brain Function, maximizing the production and

release of neurotransmitters and maintaining normal brain cell

flexibility and function. These substances are critical for any

nutritional protocol addressing memory or cognitive deficits.

 

Three (3) tablets provide:

 

DHA (Neuromins-algae & fish oil) 50 mg

Phosphatidylserine (Leci-PS) 50 mg

Neurocholine (choline, phosphatidylcholine, CDP choline) 300 mg

Acetyl-L-Carnitine 150 mg

Standardized Ginkgo Biloba Root Extract 30 mg

(24% ginkgo flavonglycosides/6% terpene lactones)

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) 100 mcg

 

Available in bottles of 50 Tablets

Product Code: 30441

 

Antioxidants:

" As researchers understand more about how we age, one thing has

become abundantly clear: One of the most significant reasons people

age is our cells' increasing inability to fight off destructive

oxygen free radicals. ...Alzheimer's patients suffer from higher

than normal levels of free radicals. Recently, Canadian scientists

discovered that some Alzheimer's patient's brain tissue produced

nearly 50% more free radicals than did controls. Studies like this

one lead investigators to conclude that there is great promise for

Alzheimer's patients in the potential of antioxidants to help reduce

the inflammation and inadvertent cell death caused by the body's own

immune system's oxidative stress on cells. " (Lombard, ibid)

 

The fat-soluble antioxidants, in particular, are being looked at in

this regard, as they are able to better cross the blood-brain

barrier and enter the regions of the brain where they are most

desperately needed. The antioxidants that seem especially indicated

are the following: CoQ10, vitamin E, tocotrienols, carotenoids,

alpha-lipoic acid, n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), vitamin C and

flavonoids/polyphenols such as grape seed extract or fruit

polyphenol extracts.

 

Ginkgo Biloba:

Decreased blood flow to the brain plays a major role in age-related

disorders. Ginkgo extracts have been shown to enhance both cerebral

and peripheral blood circulation, and also functions as a powerful

antioxidant. Studies in Europe, as well as a recent study in the

United States, have shown ginkgo to be an effective treatment for

Alzheimer's disease. (See additional information on ginkgo below)

 

" Dr. Donald Brown, a naturopathic physician... points out that the

human brain has a higher proportion of unsaturated fats among brain

cells than anywhere else in the body.2 It is, therefore, no wonder

that ginkgo, which protects those fats from free radical destruction

(lipid peroxidation), has proven itself effective in improving

memory, reducing the effects of head injury, improving

concentration, accelerating learning, increasing blood flow and

oxygenation of tissues throughout the body, improving the

transmission of nerve signals, and generally improving brain

function... "

 

Soy Isoflavones:

There is evidence that the incidence of Alzheimer's increases in

women as estrogen levels fall. Estrogen may play a protective role,

but due to the controversy surrounding estrogen replacement therapy,

a good alternative may be to supplement with soy isoflavones (soy

concentrates and genistein-rich extracts)

 

Other Nutrients:

There is evidence that B-Complex vitamin deficiencies, as well as

zinc deficiency may play a role as well. And concern over aluminum

toxicity highlights the importance of adequate intake of magnesium,

which can decrease the absorption of aluminum. Thus, it is very

important that a broad spectrum multivitamin and multimineral

supplement be taken.

 

Alzheimers Disease:

 

Among the conditions related to deterioration of normal brain

function, Alzheimer's Disease is perhaps one of the most tragic. The

incidence of Alzheimer's seems to be increasing. Can nutritional

supplements play a role in the prevention or treatment of

Alzheimer's disease?

 

There is reason to think the answer is yes. Recent research is

encouraging. A recent study, published in the Journal of the

American Medical Association, for example, showed that an extract of

ginkgo biloba can be of benefit in the treatment of Alzheimer's

disease and multi-infarct dementia. This placebo-controlled, double-

blind study demonstrated an improvement that could be equated with a

six-month delay in the progression of the disease.1

 

" The results of the JAMA study are in agreement with other

investigations on the efficacy of ginkgo in senile dementia and

Alzheimer's disease. Similar results with ginkgo in Alzheimer's were

recently reported in the journal Phytomedicine (Kanowski et al.,

1997)... " 2

 

A study on 18 elderly men and women showed that two doses of ginkgo

biloba extract significantly increased the speed of information

processing.4 Other studies have shown that ginkgo improves

mental/mnestic performance, improves memory, helps with equilibrium

problems, tinnitus, etc. 5

 

Because of the importance of this problem, some additional

information on Alzheimer's disease should be provided:

 

Definition: A progressive, degenerative condition that involves the

deterioration of nerve cells in the brain, resulting in memory loss

and disorientation.

 

Causes: The exact cause remains unknown, but several possibilities

are currently under investigation:

 

-exposure to aluminum, mercury, etc

-viral infection

-reduced levels of acetylcholine

-nutrient deficiencies (vitamin B12, B1, zinc, potassium, selenium

and boron)

-hormonal imbalance (estrogen)

-immune system dysfunction

-elevated glutamate levels

 

Nutritional Therapies:

" The focus of nutritional therapy for Alzheimer's patients is on

improving memory, language, reasoning, and judgement by assisting

with the synthesis and release of neurotransmitters, increasing

blood flow, reducing the production of amyloid via interleukin-6,

and slowing or stopping the progression of oxidative damage to the

brain. These goals may be accomplished through nutritional therapy

in combination with medical and hormonal interventions. The

nutritional therapy includes supplements, standardized herb

extracts, and hormone balancing. " 3

 

Brain Function

 

Essential Fatty Acids, Phospholipids and synergistic nutrients

essential for healthy Brain Function, maximizing the production and

release of neurotransmitters and maintaining normal brain cell

flexibility and function. These substances are critical for any

nutritional protocol addressing memory or cognitive deficits.

 

http://www.willner.com/Products/brainfun.htm

 

References:

 

1. LeBars, P.L. et al. A placebo-controlled, double-blind,

randomized trial of an extract of Ginkgo biloba for dementia. JAMA,

Vol. 278:1327-1332. 1997. 2. Kanowski S, et. al. Phytomedicine, Vol

4, No. 1:3-13 as reported in HerbalGram No. 42. 3. Lombard &

Germano, The Brain Wellness Plan, Kensington Pub, 1997) 4. Holgers,

KM, et al. Ginkgo biloba extract for the treatment of tinnitus.

Audiology (Switzerland) 33:85092; 1994. 5. Haguenaur, JP et al.

Treatment of disturbances of equilibrium with Ginkgo biloba extract.

 

A Multicentre, double-blind, drug versus placebo study. Presse Med

15:1569-1572; 1986. 6. Rai, G.S. et al. A double blind, placebo

controlled study of Ginkgo biloba extract (`Tanakan') in elderly out-

patients with mild to moderate memory impairment. Curr Med Res Opin

12:350-355; 1991. 7. Hopfenmuller W. Proof of the therapeutical

effectiveness of a ginkgo biloba special extract meta-analysis of 11

clinical trials in aged patients with cerebral insufficiency.

Arzneim-Forsch (Germany) 44:1005-1013; 1994. 8. Grassel, E. Effect

of Ginkgo biloba extract on mental performance. Double-blind study

using computerized measurement conditions in patients with cerebral

insufficiency. Fortschr Med 110:73-76; 1992. 9. Itil, T & Martorano

D. Natural substances in psychiatry (Ginkgo biloba in dementia).

Psychopharmacol Bull 31:147-158; 1995.

 

 

 

Willner Chemists - The Nutritional Supplement Professionals

100 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017 & 253 Broadway, New York, NY

10007

2900 Peachtree Rd, NE, Atlanta GA 30305

1-800-633-1106 or 1-212-682-2817 or FAX: 1-212-682-6192

©2001, Willner Chemists. All rights reserved.

 

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