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10 Ways to Boost Brain Power

As we get older we tend to become more forgetful, it’s a consequence of age that we all have to accept. Unfortunately, memory problems and concentration difficulties can, and do, happen at any age. We’ve all experienced feelings of brain fog and fatigue, the lack of energy, difficulty retaining and recalling information, completely losing your train of thought and the dreaded afternoon slump.

A poor sleep schedule, unbalanced nutrition, anxiety and hormone imbalances can all impact your brain power. But it can be hard to eat all the best foods, get the sleep you need, exercise regularly and keep your hormones and stress in check all the time - especially with how busy and hectic our lives can be. But no-one likes not feeling 100% themselves and being unproductive, and for some nootropics have been able to turn their lives around. 

Nootropics are natural or synthetics supplements that can be beneficial for boosting brain function, alertness, and memory. Nootropics might not be a popular buzzword that’s constantly thrown around and you might not have even heard of them before - but it’s highly likely that you’ve already had some without even realising. One of the most-consumed and popular nootropics is caffeine. Most commonly found in coffee, tea and fizzy drinks, caffeine is the reason that many of us say we can’t start the day without our morning coffee or tea. 

In this blog, we’re going to focus on natural nootropic ingredients that can help you look after your brain.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids 

A regular in our blogs, Omega 3 Fatty Acids are known for their importance in heart and brain health. In fact, the brain is largely made up of fat and Omega 3s are vital for building new brain and nerve cells and are especially vital for our memory and learning. 

Research has found that DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), a type of Omega 3 fat, could help our brain cells to communicate better with each other and improves message relays. DHA plays an important role in maintaining the function and structure of our brain. EHA (eicosapentaenoic acid), the other Omega 3 fatty acid, also has anti-inflammatory effects that may help protect the brain from damage and ageing. 

As we age, our body’s fatty acid levels start to decline, causing the brain to shrink. This can lead to poor brain function, poor memory, poor concentration and overall cognitive decline. Boosting your body’s levels of vital Omega 3 can prevent brain decline and help to improve cognitive ability. 

Caffeine

A natural stimulant we’ve all heard about, caffeine can be found in our tea, coffee and sneaky afternoon dark chocolate treat. Caffeine works by increasing chemicals in our brain that help improve mood, quash fatigue and improve alertness, helping us to feel more awake. Studies on explicit memory in young adults found that ingesting coffee in the morning can significantly improve memory during sub-optimal times - i.e. before early morning exams.

Studies have found that caffeine can help make people feel more energised and improve memory and reaction times. For most people, an intake of up to 400mg a day is considered to be safe for healthy adults. It’s important to remember, however, that too much caffeine can be counterproductive and has been linked with anxiety and sleep problems. 

Phosphatidylserine

A type of fat known as a phospholipid which plays a key role in cell cycle signalling. Phosphatidylserine is found in the brain, protects the cells there and carries messages between them. They’re important for helping to keep the brain sharp and alert and it has been suggested that levels of Phosphatidylserine start to decrease with age. Some studies have linked plant-derived Phosphatidylserine with improving memory function in elderly people with memory problems. 

Acetyl L-Carnitine

An amino acid naturally produced in the body which plays a vital role in the production of energy within our bodies. Acetyl L-Carnitine is important in our heart and brain function, muscle movements and many other bodily functions. In regards to the brain, studies have found that Acetyl L-Carnitine improves memory function and overall cognitive ability in older people with some memory loss. It was also found to reduce physical and mental tiredness. 

Ginkgo Biloba

A tree native to China that has been grown for thousands of years, Ginkgo Biloba is a herbal supplement that is used commonly around the world. It contains high levels of flavonoids and terpenoids, compounds known for their strong antioxidant effects in removing free radicals and toxins to reduce cellular damage. Ginkgo Biloba is also thought to improve blood flow to the brain, by increasing levels of nitric oxide in the blood. This works to dilate the blood vessels and thus improve blood flow. 

Bacopa Monnieri

An adaptogen and nootropic herb used in ayurvedic medicine to improve brain function. It works by interacting with the dopamine and serotonin neurotransmitters to improve neuron communication. It also works by enhancing the rate at which our nervous system communicates by increasing the growth of nerve endings called dendrites. Studies have found that Bacopa Monnieri helps improve memory and cognitive performance.

L-Theanine

An amino acid found in tea leaves that elevates levels of GABA, serotonin and dopamine in the brain. These neurotransmitters are chemicals that work to regulate emotions, mood, concertation, alertness and sleep in the brain. Increasing levels of these neurotransmitters can help promote relaxation and can help with sleep. L-Theanine enhances alpha brain waves which support relaxation, focus and creativity. It also reduces levels of stress chemicals in the brain and protects brain cells from damage caused by stress and age. 

L-Tyrosine

An amino acid that works as an important precursor for several important neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. These help regulate stress, mood and cognitive performance. 

Choline

A water-soluble nutrient that humans cannot produce and therefore must be sourced from our diet. The synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), which is critical for the normal function of our brains and bodies, is largely dependent on choline. ACh is also crucial for cognition, learning and memory. 

Cinnamon

A strong anti-inflammatory that breaks down in the body to create sodium benzoate, which encourages neurons in the brain to make new connections, therefore helping to increase overall brain perforation and function. It also helps reduce brain inflammation which is thought to help relay mental impairment. 

Here at The Naturality Lab we have combined all of these special brain-boosting vitamins, minerals and herbs into the Ultimate Mental Focus Formula. Helping you to boost your brain in 4 ways:

  1. Fights off the effects of stress with cortisol balancing adaptogens, ginseng and ashwagandha.
  2. Boosts physical and mental energy with natural stimulants like caffeine, guarana, green tea, B vitamins and iodine. 
  3. Increases mental performance, alertness and concentration with L-theanine, L-tyrosine and choline. Helping to boost alpha waves and increase “good mood” neurotransmitters.
  4. Improves memory with Bacopa Monnieri, Ginkgo Biloba, Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Omega 3 DHA to nourish the brain and improve blood flow to support recall.

Our Ultimate Mental Focus Formula capsules are the ideal way to feel focused and get things done. Each dose contains a similar amount of caffeine you would find in a cup of coffee, so taking it in the morning would be the ideal time so as not to impact your sleep. 



 

Sources: Connor S, Tenorio G, Clandinin M T & Sauv Y (2012) DHA supplementation enhances high-frequency, stimulation-induced synaptic transmission in mouse hippocampus. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism; Sherman S M, Buckley T P, Baena E & Ryan L (2016) Caffeine Enhances Memory Performance in Young Adults during Their Non-optimal Time of Day. Front Psychology; Kato-Kataoka A et al (2010) Soybean-Derived Phosphatidylserine Improves Memory Function of the Elderly Japanese Subjects with Memory Complaints. J Clin Biochem Nutr; Malaguarnera M et al (2008) Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALC) treatment in elderly patients with fatigue. Arch.Gerontol.Geriatr; Malaguarnera M et al (2011) Acetyl L-Carnitine improves cognitive functions in severe hepatic encephalopathy: a randomized and controlled clinical trial. Metab Brain Dis; Calabrese C, Gregory W L, Leo M, Kraemer D, Bone K & Oken B (2008) Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med;