Individuals with neurological disorders are being offered new hope thanks to cutting edge nutritional science & nutritional supplements for the brain. Because of increasing media publicity revealing widespread negative reactions to synthetic pharmaceutical drugs which are commonly prescribed to treat symptoms of brain disorders, there is a universal groundswell in the use of natural alternative treatments involving supplementation.
A significant proportion of the population is starting to take control of their own health as they come to realize that pharmaceutical drugs do not treat the root causes & any underlying deficiencies that are contributing to neurological illnesses.
In addition to positive outcomes for individual persons with established neurological disorders, proactive consumers in good health are also using brain supplements as a powerful form of long-term preventative health-care. This wellness strategy ensures their brains receive an ongoing range of specific ‘brain nutrients’ which keep this vital organ in tip top shape to avoid disease & reduce free radical damage & degeneration.
This in turn allows them to enjoy the lifestyle they want through benefits including an improved sense of well-being, sharper & clearer thinking, improved memory, less headaches & better sleep. Brain supplements can also be used by those without classic neurological disorder symptoms, but who have a neurological weakness (either hereditary or acquired) which they would like to strengthen.
The Nutrient Keys to Brain Health
The brain is a complex, well-organized matrix of intricate nerve endings. Every second, billions of electrical nerve impulses travel back & forth to this organ, with chemicals acting as neurotransmitters, transporting impulses from one cell to another. Because studies have shown that many nervous system disorders are a direct result of nutrient deficiencies, if the brain has an inadequate amount of the nutrients it needs to manufacture neurotransmitters, it begins to malfunction, leading to many chronic conditions.
The most powerful nutrients for your brain as established through clinical research are listed below. Look for these key ingredients when searching for the most effective nutritional supplements for the brain.
You will not find every single one in a single supplement formula as manufacturers could not afford to do this in effective dose amounts while maintaining an affordable selling price. And so… Since each nutrient has differing properties some are more effective at certain disorders of the brain than others even though there is an overlap for many. So some ingredients will be needed in brain supplements aimed at memory but are not actually needed in one aimed at insomnia. The key ingredients in a supplement formula for anxiety & depression will differ slightly from those in a general brain formula, particularly in the dose amounts.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine for example is used for Alzheimer’s disease, age-related memory deficits, senile depression, Down syndrome, alcoholism-related cognitive deficits & cerebro-vascular insufficiency after stroke. And so… So you should find it in supplement formulas for general brain health, or depression/anxiety formulas & memory formulas but not in supplements for sleep disorders.
In terms of the exact ingredient list in brain supplements we need to rely on the experience & qualifications of the bio-chemists who formulate them. The best supplement companies proudly display Full details of their formulators on their websites. There is more. The accomplishments of the bio-scientist who formulates the multi nutrient nutritional supplement I’ve used for the past 7 years is quite remarkable. He has even created brain formulas for NASA’s Space Program. (The name of the supplement is Total Balance).
Please take time to study not just ingredient dose amounts but especially potency levels, particular of herbal extracts & the other key actives below. Higher potency levels offer far more effective health benefits & value for money… Reputable supplement companies always clearly display potencies for ALL INGREDIENTS.
? Huperzine A
? Vinpocetine
? Phosphatidyl Choline
? Phosphatidyl Serine
? Acetyl-L-Carnitine
? 5 ? HTP (5 ? hydroxytryptophan)
? Gingko Biloba
? SAMe
? Schizandra
? Valerian Root
? Passion Flowers
? DMAE
? Gotu Kola
? Bacopa
? Lithium
? Vitamin C
? Vitamin E
? Vitamin B complex
? Folic Acid
The Most Common Neurological Disorders
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It’s a progressive degenerative disorder characterized by a widespread loss of brain cells, beta-amyloid deposits in the cerebral blood vessels, development of plaque & the presence of neurofibrillary tangles. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown, how ever, research has found some clues pointing to nutritional deficiencies.
The Gingko Biloba herb is a key nutrient in nutritional supplements for the brain aimed at memory. There is a great deal of clinical evidence supporting the link between long term doses of Gingko & the potential to boost memory & brain function. Gingko has been double-blind tested many times for its ability to increase the oxygen content to the brain & other bodily tissues. So… Search for dose amounts of at least 100 mg. In terms of potency levels the extract must be standardized to 24% ginkgoflavonglycosides, containing 6% terpene lactones. Extract ratio of 50:1
?Other key memory ingredients that must be there are: Acetyl-L-Carnitine; Huperzine A; 5 ? HTP; DMAE; Phosphatidyl Choline; Phosphatidyl Serine; SAMe; Vinpocetine; Bacopa; Gotu Kola; Passion Flower; Schizandra
Depression, Stress, Anxiety
Millions of people worldwide suffer from depression, stress or anxiety. Root causes include heredity, 20th century lifestyles, environment & diet. Conventional treatments use prescription anti-depressants. However, these medications only suppress the symptoms & do not treat the root of the problem. Several natural substances have proven to be highly effective when combined correctly in nutritional supplements for the brain. They can repair neurotransmitter faults, improve mood & rebalance nutrient intake.
?The key ingredients are: 5 ? HTP; Acetyl-L-Carnitine; DMAE; Huperzine A; Phosphatidyl Choline; Phosphatidyl Serine; SAMe; Vinpocetine; Chamomile; Hops; Gotu Kola; Passion Flower; Valerian
Insomnia
Insomnia comes in two forms, sleep onset insomnia (the inability to fall asleep) & sleep maintenance insomnia (the inability to stay asleep) Invariably, people suffering from either type will end up with chronic sleep deficiencies. Insomnia can be caused by many factors such as mood disorders, illness, heartburn, menopause, diabetes & arthritis & periodic limb movement disorders. Nutritional supplements for the brain that target insomnia should contain the following key compounds as the main active ingredients:
?5-HTP; Phosphatidyl Choline; DMAE; Huperzine A; SAMe; Vinpocetine; Bacopa; Hops; Valerian; Chamomile; Passion Flower Brain wellness is a vital component to a healthy & happy Brett Seagrott is a health researcher who previously worked for a manufacturer in the nutritional supplement industry & is the author of http://www.nutritional-supplement-truths.com In his site Brett reveals a number of industry secrets that supplement manufacturers do not want consumers to know. He has evaluated leading, well known nutritional supplements & presents in-depth head to head comparisons & reviews of these supplements so that you can see which one emerges as the best in the market.
life. It effects every other system in the body. The brain is the most intricate & misunderstood organ in the body, which is the main reason why many prescription drugs used to treat problems are ineffective. Nutritional supplements for the brain provide a natural alternative for good neurological health.