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Everyone, it seems, is using curcumin in cognitive formulations, and Natural Factors is no different here. Its Theracurmin is a solubilized curcumin, which reduces the particle size to form a colloidal formulation that increases absorption. This formulation also includes short-term memory enhancer botanical Bacopa monnieri, as well as a special enhanced form of quercetin shown to help protect memory [or brain function] by inhibit beta-amyloid plaque—the bad stuff at the core of Alzheimer’s. It also contains a celery seed extract shown in mice studies to have neuroprotective effects on beta-amyloid plaque and help recover from brain trauma and strokes.
L-theanine is the amino acid found in green tea that’s responsible for relaxation but without drowsiness. Its ability to affect the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin may also be responsible for its chill effects. That’s why supplement companies use it in stress formulations. Bonus: This supplement comes in a gummy, and how stress-free can you get with that?
We are all fat heads—the brain is mostly comprised of fat, in particular the healthy fats such as the omega-3 DHA that makes up about 30 percent of the brain. Nordic has taken its expertise in offering omega-3s and formulated a brain-health juggernaut that starts with a high concentrate of 560mg DHA. It also has 280mg of EPA, which seems more influential on behavior and mood. It also includes brain-health ingredient huperzine A, a neurotransmitter that increases levels of acetylcholine and used in TCM to enhance memory. And then it is topped off with the patented curcumin branded ingredient called Longvida—like most branded curcumins it features enhanced bioavailability, but Longvida also has a number of published human clinical studies showing sustained attention, working memory and mood compared to placebo.
Adaptogenic herbs are only the beginning of this formulation—one of four in Procera’s line of Brain Performance Series (the others are Sleep, Protect and its flagship AVH, which has been the subject of a successful human clinical trial into its utility for brain health support around memory). What we like about Mood is the addition of Zembrin, a branded ingredient shown in human studies to make happy people … happier.
The two top health complaints of Americans is energy and sleep. You can’t get one without the other. This powder stack contains magnesium, L-theanine—the relaxation amino acid—and melatonin. Combined, it should promote the rapid onset of sleep, improve the quality of sleep and lead to deeper and more refreshing sleep. This can be easily poured into a glass of water before bedtime.
For years, Natural Vitality has owned the burgeoning magnesium market with its savvy marketing (“Calmfulness”) and its full line of magnesium powders. Leave it to Garden of Life to come up with what at first glance seems like a classic Me-Too product, but then you see the magnesium is from USDA Organic peas, and also comes with 1 billion CFUs of a trio of probiotic strains for good measure.
Terry Naturally has a number of line extensions built around its flagship curcumin ingredient, BCM-95, which contains turmeric essential oils to improve bioavailability of the curcumin. It also contains phospholipids, which serve to both improve absorption of the curcumin as well as being a brain-health ingredient in its own right. And let’s not overlook rosemary; in folk medicine, the saying is “rosemary is for remembrance.”
The most popular nutritional ingredient on the market today is the cannabinoid from cannabis, CBD. The human body has an entire endocannabinoid receptor system, which governs areas of the body such as pain, hunger and mood. (No surprise there.) This full-spectrum hemp extract brings balance to the body, and is third-party tested for purity and potential heavy metal contamination.
The most popular nutritional ingredient on the market today is the cannabinoid from cannabis, CBD. The human body has an entire endocannabinoid receptor system, which governs areas of the body such as pain, hunger and mood. (No surprise there.) This full-spectrum hemp extract brings balance to the body, and is third-party tested for purity and potential heavy metal contamination.
The brain-health category continues to innovate and offer real solutions to people with cognitive concerns. From improving some aspects of memory—there are officially seven different types of memory—to stress relief and sleep aids, new product launches show there is still room to grow in keeping the brain and all its responsibilities functioning optimally.
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