Maybe you forget where you parked your car more often than you used to—or misplace your glasses more commonly than you’d like to admit. At the end of the day, there’s no denying that these “senior moments” are a natural part of aging. But how can you know if they’re really harmless… or a warning sign that the worst is yet to come?
The truth is, you can’t—in fact, emerging research reveals that serious neurodegenerative conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can cause gradual cognitive changes decades before severe symptoms settle in.1 -2 The good news: Choosing the right neuroprotective supplements now can make a critical difference to your brain’s health in the long run.
Your first goal should be to banish both oxidative stress and the deadly protein cross -linking that promotes amyloid plaque—two well -known factors in Alzheimer’s disease development.3 -5 The amino acids carnosine and histidine can be powerful allies in this effort, as they’re both potent cross -linking inhibitors that are proven to reduce neurotoxicity—while additional antioxidants like lipoic acid and n -acetyl -cysteine (NAC) can combat the inflammation -causing free radical damage.6 -7
Nutrients that nourish your neuronal health can provide your brain with an extra layer of protection. Acetyl carnitine, for example, has been shown to increase vital levels of the antioxidant glutathione during an in vitro study—and in combination with acetyl carnitine arginate, it can also increase nerve growth factor (NGF) production, while cutting levels of toxic amyloid beta by as much as 46 percent.8 -11 Similarly, studies have shown that the compound uridine can restore your neural communication network by encouraging neurite and dendrite regrowth.12
Botanicals like Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) and Ginkgo biloba play an equally important role in preserving your brain’s health. Animal studies show that Gotu kola supplementation can decrease amyloid beta overproduction in genetically prone mice, while scavenging for free radicals and reducing cell membrane and DNA damage at the same time.13 -16 Likewise, similar studies on Ginkgo biloba show that it can cut levels of amyloid precursor protein in half after just 16 months of use.17
Finally, consider supplementing with natural substances like choline and DMAE, which can boost your brain’s production of acetylcholine—the neurotransmitter responsible for muscle control and memory, among other things. Additionally, nutrients such as pyroglutamic acid, L -phenylalanine, vinpocetine, and huperzine -A have been shown to boost levels of essential neurotransmitters and to increase nourishing oxygen -flow to the brain. Human clinical trials reveal that these nutrients (singularly or in combination with others) can benefit patients with mild cognitive impairment, while supporting memory, mood, attention and focus.18
Adding all of these key neuroprotective compounds into your daily regimen may sound like a tall order—but luckily, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, you’ll find each and every ingredient above in just three brain -boosting formulas—AGEBlock®, Neuron Growth Factors (NGF™) and Extension IQ—available now through Vitamin Research Products.
References:
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2. Birch, CS, Brasch, NE, McCaddon, A, Williams, JH. A novel role for vitamin B(12): Cobalamins are intracellular antioxidants in vitro. Free Rad Biol Med. 2009 Jul 15; 47 (2): 184 -8.
3. Pacifico, A, Schubb, H, Ugolini, V. Structural changes characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. Texas Arrhytmia Institute. 2008.
4. Nakamura M, Ando Y. [Amyloidosis and oxidative stress]. Rinsho Byori. 2003 Feb;51(2):140 -5.
5. Jesudason EP, Masilamoni JG, Ashok BS, Baben B, Arul V, Jesudoss KS, Jebaraj WC, Dhandayuthapani S, Vignesh S, Jayakumar R. Inhibitory effects of short -term administration of DL -alpha -lipoic acid on oxidative vulnerability induced by Abeta amyloid fibrils (25 -35) in mice. Mol Cell Biochem. 2008 Apr;311(1 -2):145 -56.
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9. Chauhan, NB, Siegel, GJ. Effect of PPF and ALCAR on the induction of NGF -and p75 -mRNA and on APP processing in Tg576 brain. Neurochem Int. 2003 Aug; 43 (3): 225 -33.
10. Westlund, KN, Lu, Y., Werrbach -Perez, K., Hulsebosch, CE, Morgan, B., et al. Effects of nerve growth factor and acetyl -L -carnitine arginyl amide on the human neuronal line HCN -1A. Int J Dev Neurosci. 1992 Oct; 10(5):361 -73.
11. Scorziello, A., Meucci, O., Calvani, M., Schettini, G. Acetyl -L -carnitine arginine amide prevents beta 25 -35 -induced neurotoxicity in cerebellar granule cells. Neurochem Res. 1997 Mar; 22 (3); 257 -65.
12. Pooler, AM., Guez, DH, Benedictus, R., Wurtman, RJ. Uridine enhances neurite outgrowth in nerve growth factor -differentiated PC 12 (corrected). Neuroscience. 2005; 134(1):207 -14.
13. Dhanasekaran, M, Holcomb, LA, Hitt, AR, Tharakan, B, Porter, JW, Young, KA. Centella asiatica extract selectively decreases amyloid beta levels in hippocampus of Alzheimer’s disease animal model. Phytother Res. 2009 Jan; 23 (1): 14 -19.
14. Veerendra Kumar, MH, Gupta, YK. Effect of Centella asiatica on cognition and oxidative stress in an intracerebroventricular streptozotocin model of Alzheimer’s disease in rats. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2003 May -Jun; 30(5 -6):336 -42.
15. Veerendra Kumar, MH, Gupta, YK. Effect of different extracts of Centella asiatica on cognition and markers of oxidative stress in rats. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2002 Feb; 79(2):253 -60.
16. Soumyanath, A., Zhong, YP., Gold, SA., Yu, X., Koop, DR., Bourdette, D., Gold, BG. Centella asiatica accelerates nerve regeneration upon oral administration and contains multiple fractions increasing neurite elongation in -vitro. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2005 Sept; 57(9):1221 -9.
17. Augustin, S., Rimbach, G., Augustin, K. Schliebs, R., Wolffram, S., Cermak, R. Effect of a short and long -term treatment with Gingko biloba extract on amyloid precursor protein levels in a transgenic mouse model relevant to Alzheimer’s disease. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2009 Jan 15: 481 92): 177 -82.
18. Valikovics, A. Investigation of the effect of vinpocetine on cerebral blood flow and cognitive functions. Ideggyogy Sz. 2007 Jul 30; 60 (7 -8): 301 -10.
