Four to five million Americans are diagnosed with some cognitive deficit each year. Some are considered normal and non-progressive, while others are deemed chronic and irreversible. Because of these staggering statistics, MedQuest has reformulated the brain formula to include a more comprehensive blend of cognitive-sustaining supplements. With Acetyl-L-Carnitine, DMAE, Gingko Biloba, amino acids Glutamine and Tyrosine, PS, and Lecithin as well as other brain nutrients, Mind Rx increases optimum cellular communication and protects the brain from stress-related toxins.
13 key neuronutrients for cognitive function.
This formulation is a prime example of why we emphasize a coordinated, multinutrient approach whenever possible to promote maximum benefit and safety. The brain's complex metabolism requires many different nutrients for optimum cellular communication and a balanced response to stress. Excessive or chronic release of adrenaline and cortisol, accumulated effects of toxins, and impeded flow of oxygen and nutrients can damage the brain and disrupt mental alertness, memory, and other functions. While using one or two neurosupportive nutrients can help target specific areas of function, care is needed to avoid potentially harmful effects of over stimulating only one neurotransmitter pathway. The ingredients in Mind Rx were chosen for their complementary and documented roles in neuronutrition and are supported by other key neuronutrients in the Daily Multiple vitamin/mineral formula. Used daily, this combined spectrum of nutrients may improve absentmindness and other mild memory problems associated with aging.
Numerous age-related changes take place in neuronal and behavioral function, even in the absence of neurodegenerative disease. These include impairment of brain microcirculation, alterations in neurotransmitter synthesis and function, imbalance in hormonal function in response to chronic stress, and free radical-induced damage to nerve cell membranes and metabolic activities. As a result, most individuals over the age of 40 experience some decline in memory retention, concentration, and acuity. This is technically referred to as Age-Related Cognitive Decline (ARCD) or Age-Associated Memory Impairment (AAMI).
Recent research strongly suggests that numerous dietary components can impede and, in some cases, reverse the course of deleterious neuronal aging. Normal age-related decline in cognitive function is characterized by decreased concentrations of multiple chemical transmitters. Thus, excessive activation of just one or a few pathways may result in an undesirable imbalance in nerve cell communication and brain function. Because optimal brain function is dependent upon the multiple neurotransmitter networking profile, the following nutrients in Mind Rx have been selected to help the body produce and maintain a proper balance of the different neurotransmitter pathways to support healthy mental capacity.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine: Acetylcholine is a principal neurotransmitter involved in memory and learning. Cholinergic function declines with aging and may be due to loss of nerve cells in learning and memory areas, a decline in neurotransmitter output, or a combination of both. Aging is also associated with a decline in the production of nerve growth factor (NGF) and the number of NGF receptors. Acetyl-L-carnitine, the acetylated ester of the amino acid L-carnitine, has been demonstrated to increase the synthesis and release of acetylcholine, retard and partially reverse the loss of neurons from the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, and partially reverse the negative changes in NGF metabolism. Acetyl-L-carnitine also increases cerebral blood flow in patients with cerebrovascular disease. The L-carnitine moiety is essential for the transport of long-chain fatty acids into nerve cell mitochondria where they serve as a primary fuel for cellular energy production. It also helps maintain the bound-to-free coenzyme A (CoA) ratio and removes toxic concentrations of acetyl-CoA within the mitochondria, thereby helping to ensure that energy production can continue. Due to its central role in energy metabolism, L-carnitine is especially needed to support tissues such as brain, which have a high-energy requirement.
L-Glutamine: A conditionally essential amino acid, L-glutamine serves as a major precursor molecule to the synthesis of two important neurotransmitters: the excitatory L-glutamic acid and the inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Glutamate also plays an important role in secondary metabolic functions in the neocortex where it assists detoxification of ammonia and serves as a building block of proteins.
L-Pyroglutamic acid: L-Pyroglutamic acid, a natural glutamate metabolite, increases acetylcholine release, cerebral blood flow, and brain metabolism. It stimulates cholinergic nerve cell metabolism by increasing the uptake and utilization of glucose while at the same time decreasing brain lactate dehydrogenase activity, thus enhancing anaerobic glycolytic activity. Blocking of glutamate receptors by L-pyroglutamic acid stimulates acetylcholine release in cortical cells. This causes GABA levels to rise, followed by cortical acetylcholine release.
L-Tyrosine: This non-essential amino acid is used by the brain to make catecholamine neurotransmitters including dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and L-DOPA. Norepinephrine has a general energizing effect while elevating mood, countering stress, and contributing to short-term memory and concentration. Dopamine also helps elevate mood and is the principal neurotransmitter involved in central nervous system control of muscle movement. Tyrosine has been reported to improve mental function that may be impaired by stress, sleep deprivation, and depression.
Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE): Dimethylaminoethanol is a naturally occurring compound produced in small amounts in the brain. Studies show that exogenous DMAE results in increased levels of choline in the blood and brain. However, unlike choline itself, DMAE crosses the blood-brain barrier more effectively, enabling it to reach the brain and increase choline levels more efficiently. The increased availability of choline in the brain is believed to speed the production of acetylcholine, a crucial neurotransmitter involved in memory, learning, recall and thought processes.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): This Ayurvedic herb exerts an anti-stress neuroprotective effect. This may be due to its antioxidant action and the ability to decrease stress-induced cortisol release. Cortisol interferes with the brain’s supply of glucose and neurotransmitter function, and causes excessive influx of calcium that, over time, produces increased free radical formation leading to nerve cell damage and death. Ashwagandha extract also increases cortical cholinergic activity thus contributing to an enhancement of memory and cognition.
Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) Extract: Polyphenolics, such as found in blueberries, exert potent antioxidant protection against oxidative stress in the central nervous system. Neurons become increasingly susceptible to oxidant damage with age, which may contribute, at least in part, to neurodegenerative changes. Considerable evidence exists showing that antioxidants neutralize free radicals and the consequent oxidative damage that they generate and may produce a slowing down or even a reversal of age-related declines in neuronal signaling and cognitive performance. Polyphenolics found in blueberry extract are among the most effective agents that neutralize free radical activity. Rats fed blueberry extract show significant reversals in neuronal signal transduction, cognitive, and motor deficits.
Ginkgo Biloba: Numerous studies support the effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba extract for improvement of cognitive function and memory. Two groups of compounds, ginkgo flavone glycosides and terpene lactones, are considered to be the primary active constituents. These are responsible for enhancing cerebral microcirculation through a relaxing effect on vascular walls and an anti-platelet aggregation activity. This produces an increased delivery of oxygen to nerve cells that facilitates glucose utilization and enhancement of memory and cognitive functions. Besides improving circulation, the glycoside and lactone constituents prevent oxidative damage to nerve cell membranes, mitochondria, and biochemical processes by suppressing the production of active nitrogen and oxygen reactive species and thereby producing an anti-inflammatory effect. Ginkgo is reported to enhance cholinergic activity by inhibiting age-related loss of acetylcholine receptors and stimulating choline uptake in hippocampal neurons.
Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus): Like ashwagandha, Eleuthero is reported to protect the brain by helping to reduce stress-induced release of cortisol. This occurs, at least in part, through an inhibition of enzymes that limit the binding of stress hormones to their receptors.
Vinpocetine: Vinpocetine, derived from vincamine, a compound found in the leaves of the periwinkle plant, has been widely used in Europe for many years to aid memory and support healthy brain function. It has been shown in numerous studies to exert its benefit on the brain through several mechanisms of action. Cerebral blood flow is increased through cyclic GMP-induced myorelaxation producing regional vasodilation, normalization of erythrocyte flexibility, and inhibition of platelet aggregation. Oxygen uptake by nerve cells is increased, thereby reducing damage caused by hypoxic conditions. Mitochondrial respiratory rate is increased in mitochondrial suspensions. This may act to increase glucose utilization and the rate of ATP production thus enhancing overall brain energy levels. Vinpocetine also acts as an antioxidant, preventing the formation of reactive oxygen free radicals and lipid peroxidation in synaptosomal preparations.
GlyceroPhosphoCholine (GPC): GPC has been extensively researched for its brain benefits.
Supplementation with GPC has been shown in numerous clinical studies to significantly benefit attention, mental focus, recall and other higher mental functions in young, middle aged and elderly subjects. In addition to being a normal metabolic precursor of acetylcholine, GPC also acts as a precursor to phosphatidylcholine, the most common phospholipids in nerve cell membranes. Therefore, GPC’s vital role to both the individual nerve cell and their electrical integration via acetylcholine production may account for its impressive spectrum of clinical benefits.
Phosphatidylserine: Phosphatidylserine exerts a restorative effect on memory via several different, but complementary actions. It corrects age-related cholinergic deficiency by increasing the availability of choline for acetylcholine synthesis and correcting the decline in cholinergic receptors. It helps maintain nerve cell membrane fluidity thus allowing for efficient transport of compounds, including glucose and other needed nutrients, both within and across the membrane in various brain regions. And, it helps balance the neuroendocrine response to stress characterized by the excessive release of ACTH, cortisol, and adrenaline.
Normal age-related cognitive decline may also be related to inadequate nutrient intake and antioxidant protection. Critical nutrients include the B-vitamins, vitamins C and E, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and chromium. Thus, it is recommended that Mind Rx be taken with a Daily Multiple vitamin/mineral/trace element supplements to achieve more comprehensive nutritional and antioxidant support for maintaining and improving concentration, learning, and memory.
Suggested Usage:
As a dietary supplement, take one tablet twice daily, or as directed by a physician.
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