NOOTROPICS Food for the Brain

Nootropics are supplements, and food sourced nutrients that enhance cognitive function, particularly executive functions, learning, memory, creativity, and motivation, in healthy individuals. If you eliminated all the water from your brain, you’d be left with mostly fats in the form of lipids. The rest is comprised of various amino acids, proteins, micro-nutrients and glucose.

 

If everything in your brain is functioning optimally, alertness, concentration, energy, learning, memory and mood are all working as they should. When you feel that slump right after lunch, or are wide-awaken late in the evening when you should be slowing down for sleep, it’s often because of the effects of food on your brain.

 

Thankfully, there are nootropic foods and supplements that can optimize brain function.

 

Some foods considered to be nootropic include:

Eggs a top source of choline, which is critical for proper signaling at your neuronal membranes.

Dark green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach, top sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids which can lead to faster processing speed even with young, healthy individuals.

Broccoli sprouts and other cruciferous vegetables which have a high bioavailability of sulforaphane which activate the NRF2 pathway, a powerful master-modulator of inflammation.

 Blueberries are rich in anthocyanins which have been shown to protect the brain against aging.

Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring and sardines (beware of mercury content) all contain omega 3s.

Turmeric is another powerful activator of the NRF2 pathway. Turmeric's other benefits include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Ginseng: Panax ginseng has been shown to reduce brain fatigue and significantly improve performance on difficult tasks like mental math problems.

Green Tea: While it contains small amounts of caffeine, it is more notably known for its catechins and L-theanine content. Theanine is a powerful cognitive booster shown to promote relaxation without sedation, while catechins are flavanols (similar to those in dark chocolate) which seem to favorably promote brain function.

Coconut Oil: The presence of medium chain fats in coconut oil makes it different from other fats that are high in long chain fats because it makes it easier for your body to absorb, and your liver uses this fat and converts it into ketones. Ketones are crucial source of energy for your brain and boosts brain activity. They’re also beneficial for people with Alzheimer’s and memory loss. The compound cytokinin helps prevent the protein aggregation that is common in Alzheimer’s.

 

Sourcing the Right Foods

As always, there is a caveat. Unfortunately, nutrients in food are not nearly what they were compared to 50 years ago because of modern farming practices and the depleted soils and land your food is grown in or raised on. We suggest that if possible you source certified organic fruits and vegetables and wild-caught fish.

 

Other issues include environmental toxins we are exposed to, the influence of over-the-counter and prescription drugs, digestion problems, certain diseases and natural aging which all affect how well your brain performs.

 

And this is where supplements may become beneficial. But beware, if you are going to supplement, make sure you source high-quality, preferably pharmaceutical-grade supplements that have an absorption rate of 90% or more. They may cost you more but want them to work… don’t you?

 

Nootropic Supplements

The following is a short list of beneficial nootropical brain food supplements: Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Phosphatidylserine, Bacopa Monnieri, Alpha-Glycerophosphocholine (alpha-GPC), L-Tyrosine, N-Acetyl L-Carnitine Hydrochloride, Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Vinpocetine (from Vinca minor), Caffeine, Toothed Clubmoss Aerial Part (Huperzine 1%).

 

Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract

Concentration, coordination, and endurance do seem to improve when taking schisandra fruit extract. Influence of schisandra on the central nervous system, adaptogenic and ergogenic activities...

 

The dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans contained in the extract from the fruits of S. Chinensis represent a group of natural chemical structures, which are now considered protectants against neuronal cell death and cognitive impairment in neurological disorders. In addition, the activity of polysaccharides contained in the fruits of S. Chinensis is also studied in this respect. It has been shown that they, too, play an important role by raising the level of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system (Chen et al. 2012; Zhao et al. 2013).

 

Extracts from the fruits of S. Chinensis are used in neurasthenia and states of exhaustion; they improve the ability to learn and memorize, indirectly increase alertness, improve concentration and mental performance. They are used as adjuvant substances in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Meniere’s diseases, and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). The fruit extracts exhibit antidepressant activity without inducing drowsiness (Jeong et al. 2013; Sa et al. 2015).

–Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5378736/

 

Phosphatidylserine (PS)

Have you ever heard of phosphatidylserine? Most people haven’t, but would you believe it’s actually present in every single human cell? Yes, it’s true. Phosphatidylserine has many vital functions throughout the body’s tissues and organs, but most importantly, it’s a key building block for the billions of cells in your brain.

 

Phosphatidylserine also affects the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain related to mood, and research has shown it can decrease the severity of depression. In a one preliminary trial, elderly women suffering from depression who were given 300 milligrams of PS every day for 30 days experienced an average 70 percent reduction in the severity of their depression. (6)

-Source: https://draxe.com/phosphatidylserine/

 

The Brain Fuel That Supercharges Your Mental Performance by 44%...

Imagine you were given a memory test of 100 questions. You got only 56 right… but then you took a “smart pill,” and took the test again. Your new score… a perfect 100!

 

Sounds unbelievable, I know. But believe it or not, that’s what happened in an Italian study. In the study, 170 patients aged 55 to 80 were given a pill to take daily. After 3 months, they saw their memory and learning ability improve by a whopping 44%! What’s more, they also improved their speech and word association skills.

 

What is this pill? It’s called PS (phosphatidylserine). PS is a building block of cell membranes. It maintains healthy cell membranes, so your brain cells can communicate efficiently. It speeds up your brain, so you feel sharper, focus better, and think quicker.

 

Even more stunning…

Stanford Scientists Prove It Can Cut 12 Years Off Your Brain Age...

 

In a study performed jointly at Stanford and Vanderbilt Universities, scientists tested PS on 149 patients with memory loss. First, they had the patients perform various memory tests. Then, they gave half the patients PS and half a dummy pill. After 12 weeks, they had the patients do the tests again.

 

Result: Those who took PS saw a huge improvement in their memory, learning, and cognition. They could remember the names and faces of people they never met … find misplaced objects quickly … and recall telephone numbers easily. They could even recall entire paragraphs from memory!

 

But here’s something even more surprising. While the average age of the patients was 64, the results showed that they had a mental capacity of age 52. That means, their brains were 12 years younger than their actual age!

 

But the benefits of PS don’t end there…

 

It Can Stop Stress-Related Memory Problems

When you’re stressed, you become more forgetful. For instance, when you’re running late for an appointment, you’re more likely to forget to bring your wallet or cellphone with you. You may even be more accident-prone.

 

The good news is, you can relieve your stress and lift your mood—simply by taking PS. In one study, participants reported significant stress relief—after taking PS.

 

In another study of 425 elderly patients, those who took PS not only had a better memory and learning ability. But they also felt happier and had more interest in their surroundings. What’s more, they also showed improved social and communication skills. That’s amazing!

 

In all, over 63 clinical studies and 2,800 research papers show PS can restore memory loss, lift mood, and boost mental performance. -Source: https://www.advancedbionutritionals.com

 

Bacopa Monnieri

The Brain-Boosting Alternative Treatment to Psychotropic Drugs

Supplementing Bacopa monnieri has been shown to improve cognition, by means of reducing anxiety. It is also reliable for improving memory formation. Though effects of this nature are usually studied in the elderly, Bacopa monnieri appears to affect young people as well, making it a useful nootropic, a term used for a supplement primarily ingested for its effects on the brain. -Source: https://examine.com/supplements/bacopa-monnieri/

 

Available in capsule or tablet form, current evidence suggests that bacopa may enhance the communication of brain chemicals involved in cognition, learning, and memory and inhibit inflammation in the brain.

 

A small, double-blind, 12-week study conducted at the Neuropsychology Laboratory at the School of Biophysical Science and Electrical Engineering in Australia had volunteers take 300 milligrams of bacopa daily while other volunteers received a placebo. Prior to the study commencing, researchers tested all volunteers on visual information processing, memory and speed of information processing.

 

The tests were repeated five and 12 weeks after the study began. A significant improvement among the volunteers in the bacopa group was found compared to those in the placebo group, leading researchers to conclude that it “may improve higher order cognitive processes that are critically dependent on the input of information from our environment such as learning and memory.”

-Source: https://draxe.com/bacopa/

 

Alpha-Glycerophosphocholine (alpha-GPC)

Alpha GPC (L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine), a unique form of choline, has been proven to boost attention, mental focus, memory, and cognitive ability. It helps build brain cell membranes as well as contribute to the formation of acetylcholine neurotransmitters that are vital for memory and cognitive function.

 

Alpha GPC is the exact form of choline found in human cells and in choline-rich breast milk. This special nutrient assists the formation of new brain cells and helps maintain brain plasticity, both key factors in brain anti-aging. Several dozen clinical trials support the use of this safe and effective nutrient for healthy brain function in people both young and old.

-Source: https://www.wellnessresources.com/news/alpha-gpc-for-focus-memory-and-cognitive-ability

 

Tyrosine (L-Tyrosine)

One of the most interesting potential benefits of Tyrosine is that it is effective at reducing stress levels. This is related to the production of stress hormones Epinephrine and Norepinephrine. A number of studies have borne this out, finding that Tyrosine is useful under conditions of not only stress but also cold, fatigue, prolonged work and even sleep deprivation.

 

When ingested directly in the form of a powder, pill, or capsule it will cross over the blood-brain barrier and enter into the central nervous system fairly quickly.

 

Tyrosine is a building block, or precursor, to a number of important neurotransmitters within the brain. These neuro-chemicals are used by your neurons to communicate with each other and generate electrical signals.

 

By increasing levels of the neurotransmitters Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine, Tyrosine is able to influence a wide range of processes and functions within the body. In particular, these chemicals are involved in functions related to alertness, attention and focus in the brain.

-Source: https://nootriment.com/tyrosine/

 

N-Acetyl L-Carnitine Hydrochloride (ALCAR)

ALCAR benefits center around improved mental and physical performance, increased energy, focus, and strength, as well as enhanced whole-body health. One of the most exciting benefits of this supplement for the general population is that it helps your body metabolize fat. It actually works together with your mitochondria to facilitate this process.

 

One of the primary benefits of Acetyl-L-Carnitine is as an antioxidant that can help to remove toxins and other waste products from brain tissues. This amino acid is considered to be neuroprotective because it has the ability to cross the blood brain barrier. -Source: https://nootriment.com/alcar-benefits/

 

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) is a chemical made in the brain and often taken as a supplement to relieve anxiety, improve mood, reduce PMS symptoms, and treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

-Source: https://www.onemedical.com/blog/all-stress/stress-supplements/

 

Vinpocetine (from vinca minor)

Vinpocetine is a biosynthetic alkaloid, harvested from Vincamine extract which is found in the periwinkle or Vinca Minor plant. You will see Vinpocetine referred to as a nootropic or cognitive enhancement supplement and as a neuro-protectant, meaning it can protect neurons from certain forms of brain damage. Another effect is to improve the removal of waste products from brain cells as well as supporting increased neuron growth and maintenance.

 

Students say this nootropic allows them to study lots of material and retain much more of it compared to other stimulants like caffeine. If you work long hours doing highly technical tasks like mathematical analysis, Vinpocetine can improve your mental stamina so you do not get fatigued as early. It also seems to have a positive effect on mood and motivation, though this may be an indirect as opposed to direct result.

-Source: https://nootriment.com/vinpocetine-benefits/

 

Natural Caffeine

Caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter in your brain, which causes a stimulant effect. This improves energy levels, mood and various aspects of brain function including memory, mood, vigilance, energy levels, reaction times and general mental function.

 

Johns Hopkins University research indicates that caffeine may enhance long-term memory. Participants who were given 200-miligram of caffeine after studying a series of images were better at distinguishing these same images from similar ones when tested the next day.

 

‘We’ve always known that caffeine has cognitive-enhancing effects, but its particular effects on strengthening memories and making them resistant to forgetting has never been examined in detail in humans,’ said senior author Michael Yassa, an assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences at Johns Hopkins University.

 

This double-blind study was designed to reveal a deeper interaction between memory and caffeine. ‘Identifying these images requires the brain to make a more difficult discrimination — what we call pattern separation, which seems to be the process that is enhanced by caffeine,’ said Professor Yassa

-Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5708303/Here-9-caffeine-benefits-proven-scientists-PLUS-one-healthiest.html

 

Toothed Clubmoss Aerial Part (Huperzine 1%) aka Chinese Club Moss

Huperzine-A (Hup-A) is a water-soluble alkaloid nootropic derived from Chinese Club Moss (Huperzia serrata) aka Toothed Clubmoss. Huperzine-A improves cognition, memory, learning, and recall, and is an antioxidant, helps neuroplasticity, and protects against glutamate-toxicity.

 

Huperzine-A is a reversible acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor. Which means it prevents the breakdown down of acetylcholine (ACh) boosting short-term memory and long-term brain health.

 

Neurotransmitters: Huperzine-A prevents the enzyme AChE from breaking down acetylcholine, improving cognition and memory.

 

Brain Energy: Huperzine-A supports brain cell mitochondria, the primary energy sources fuelling brain cells and brain cell function.

 

Neuroprotectant: Huperzine-A works as an antioxidant and boosts the activity of other brain antioxidants, preventing free radical damage in brain cells and boosting brain cell longevity.

-Source: https://nootropicsexpert.com/huperzine/

 

Where to Source High-Quality Nootropic Supplements

All the above mentioned supplements in a blended capsule (high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade with over 90% absorption rate) are available from Level Thrive

 

Bonus Tips for Reducing Brain Fog

• To reduce overwhelm, drop multi-tasking. Allow yourself to focus on one thing at a time.
• Consider the effect that medications may be having on your mental clarity. Have you noted that changes in medication affect your cognition?
• Increase healthy fats in your diet. After all, the brain is more than 60% fat! Start by adding 1 tbsp of coconut oil daily (or drink a Power Smoothie!).
• Eliminate processed sugar from your diet. The resultant stabilization of blood sugar will help reduce and possibly even eliminate some of the worst psychiatric pretenders, including anxiety, brain fog, and fatigue.

Nootropic Power Smoothie

When you’re strapped for time or just want easy, reliable fuel, drink a delicious power smoothie.

Ingredients:

1/2 a cup of fresh or frozen organic blueberries (no added sugar)

250 ml (8 oz) of filtered water, coconut water or unsweetened almond, coconut or macadamia milk

2 tablespoons of collagen hydrolysate as a protein base (Thrive Form: https://brainspahealth.le-vel.com/Products/THRIVE/SGTMove )

1 sachet of Thrive Pure (full of essential B vitamins) https://brainspahealth.le-vel.com/Products/THRIVE/Pure

1 tablespoon of sprouted nut butter or organic grass-feed butter

3 pastured egg yolks (remove if vegetarian or vegan)

1 tablespoon of organic cold-pressed coconut oil

1 tablespoons of raw cocoa powder or raw cacao

Instructions: Blend and enjoy!

Disclaimer Note: just because an herbal supplement may be natural doesn't mean its safe. If you are under a doctor’s care or on any kind of medications, always check with your therapist or physician before taking any herbal supplements. These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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It is designed as being a expressing of information and knowledge through the investigation and practical experience of the numerous authors. You should try to make your individual healthcare decisions dependent on your research and in collaboration with a qualified health care professional.