Superhero Nutrients for Your Aging Brain

September 14th, 2012 | Posted by Arlene Wisser in Get it from the Experts!

Sept 13, 2012 from Dr Colgan:  Because of our aging population, research in brain health has been expansive, looking for powerhouse compounds that can put an end to cognitive decline. Isagenix Brain Boost & Renewal is on the forefront of science, providing nutrients that have been shown to support mental focus, concentration, decision making, and memory function by maintaining normal metabolic activity in the brain. This proprietary formula, created in collaboration with Michael Colgan, Ph.D., includes powerful ingredients that have been clinically proven to enhance brain health.

Meet the superheroes of Isagenix Brain Boost & Renewal and their special powers to fight cognitive decline and promote healthy aging:

  • The Chisel. Curcumin is a potent antioxidant dietary spice that has been used to promote good health in Chinese culture for thousands of years. Recent studies show it may help reduce formation of beta-amyloid proteins, which can build up in the brain contributing to cognitive decline (1;2). Curcumin can chisel away dangerous beta-amyloid so it doesn’t accumulate in the brain.
  • The Locksmith. Piperine is used as a “bio-enhancer,” meaning that it promotes more uptake and better use of compounds such as coenzyme Q10, resveratrol, and curcumin. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, it is thought to act as a key that stimulates transport in the gut and inhibits elimination, allowing for improved biovailability (3;4). In other words, piperine unlocks the “doors” in the gut so bioactives can enter and stay in the body to do their job.
  • Mr. Power House. R-alpha-lipolic acid can cross the blood-brain barrier to protect against oxidative stress in the brain. It improves mitochondrial function; so, improving how brain cell use energy (5;6). R-alpha-lipolic acid is more effective with paired with N-acetyl carnitine which by itself has shown to improve memory in laboratory animals (7-9).
  • The Cell Generator. Green tea (Camellia sinesis) is a powerful antioxidant and neuroprotector that can modulate blood flow in the brain, lathering it with important nutrients needed to function optimally (10;11). In a recent study, EGCG—a key component of green tea—was found to promote the generation of brain cells and contribute to improved short-term and long-term memory in mice (12). It is possible that EGCG works a similar way in the human brain.
  • Twitch. Citicoline is a precursor for the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine (13). With the help of citicoline, acetylcholine can enhance the communication between brain cells, contributing to muscle activation and sensory perception.
  • The Suppressor. L-carnosine is a dipeptide (two amino acids bound together) that is can reduce glycation of brain tissue, a process of oxidation caused by a buildup of sugar-derived molecules on the brain (14). Glycation does to your brain what pouring syrup would do to a computer keyboard—create a sticky mess that impairs functionality.

When most people think of aging, they imagine gray hair, wrinkles, and dentures; what is more important than the changes on the outside of the body is what is happening inside, especially in terms of the brain. Our brains are ticking clocks, enduring physical change as we age which manifest into impaired memory, decreased ability to learn, and weakened sensory perception. The causes of these changes are believed to be a combination of reduced cellular activity and oxidative stress that can lead to brain tissue shrinkage and inefficiency of neurotransmitters (chemicals that transmit signals between cells).

Don’t let your health fall victim to the evil villain—get the superhero ingredients in Isagenix Brain Boost & Renewal to improve memory and promote mental focus, concentration, and decision making. As Dr.  Colgan says, “The best investment you will ever make is in the future health of your brain.”

 

References

1. Begum AN, Jones MR, Lim GP et al. Curcumin structure-function, bioavailability, and efficacy in models of neuroinflammation and Alzheimer’s disease. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2008;326:196-208.

2. Aggarwal BB, Sung B. Pharmacological basis for the role of curcumin in chronic diseases: an age-old spice with modern targets. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2009;30:85-94.

3. Bhardwaj RK, Glaeser H, Becquemont L, Klotz U, Gupta SK, Fromm MF. Piperine, a major constituent of black pepper, inhibits human P-glycoprotein and CYP3A4. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2002;302:645-50.

4. Wattanathorn J, Chonpathompikunlert P, Muchimapura S, Priprem A, Tankamnerdthai O. Piperine, the potential functional food for mood and cognitive disorders. Food Chem Toxicol 2008;46:3106-10.

5. Maczurek A, Hager K, Kenklies M et al. Lipoic acid as an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2008;60:1463-70.

6. Carlson DA, Smith AR, Fischer SJ, Young KL, Packer L. The plasma pharmacokinetics of R-(+)-lipoic acid administered as sodium R-(+)-lipoate to healthy human subjects. Altern Med Rev 2007;12:343-51.

7. Montgomery SA, Thal LJ, Amrein R. Meta-analysis of double blind randomized controlled clinical trials of acetyl-L-carnitine versus placebo in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer’s disease. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2003;18:61-71.

8. Thal LJ, Calvani M, Amato A, Carta A. A 1-year controlled trial of acetyl-l-carnitine in early-onset AD. Neurology 2000;55:805-10.

9. Thal LJ, Carta A, Clarke WR et al. A 1-year multicenter placebo-controlled study of acetyl-L-carnitine in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Neurology 1996;47:705-11.

10. Mandel SA, Weinreb O, Amit T, Youdim MB. Molecular mechanisms of the neuroprotective/neurorescue action of multi-target green tea polyphenols. Front Biosci (Schol Ed) 2012;4:581-98.

11. Tomata Y, Kakizaki M, Nakaya N et al. Green tea consumption and the risk of incident functional disability in elderly Japanese: the Ohsaki Cohort 2006 Study. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;95:732-9.

12. Wang Y, Li M, Xu X, Song M, Tao H, Bai Y. Green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) promotes neural progenitor cell proliferation and sonic hedgehog pathway activation during adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Mol Nutr Food Res 2012;56:1292-303.

13. Arenth PM, Russell KC, Ricker JH, Zafonte RD. CDP-choline as a biological supplement during neurorecovery: a focused review. PM R 2011;3:S123-S131.

14. Hipkiss AR. Could carnosine suppress zinc-mediated proteasome inhibition and neurodegeneration? Therapeutic potential of a non-toxic but non-patentable dipeptide. Biogerontology 2005;6:147-9.

source: http://www.isagenixhealth.net/blog/2012/09/13/superhero-nutrients-for-your-aging-brain/

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