Nature’s Essentials has created a truly comprehensive and synergistic blend of the most widely studied ingredients that promote brain health and cognition combined into one synaptic stimulating, memory-boosting product. We have combined the ingredients in Brain Boost-Rx™ into one convenient formula that supports memory, cognitive function, and neuroprotection via a variety of mechanisms of action.   We haven’t randomly thrown together ingredients as some Brain products have done. Nearly all of the ingredients we have included have been subject to clinical studies with results that confirm the benefits in some measure of brain function. First we take a look at the ingredients in our Super Neuro Matrix™:

Huperzine A

Clinical Studies conducted on Huperzine A showed a significant beneficial effect on the improvement of cognitive function as measured by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Compared with placebo, Huperzine A showed a significant beneficial effect on the improvement of cognitive function as measured by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks, and by Hastgawa Dementia Scale (HDS) and Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) at 8 weeks and 12 weeks. Activities of daily living favored Huperzine A as measured by Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADL) at 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks. One trial found Huperzine A improved global clinical assessment as measured by Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR). [“Huperzine A for Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.” Yang G1, Wang Y, Tian J, Liu JP.

2013 Sep 23;8(9):e74916. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074916. eCollection 2013.]

Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine (abbreviated Ptd-L-Ser or PS) is an important phospholipid membrane component (i.e. component of the cell membrane) which plays a key role in cell cycle signaling, specifically in relationship to apoptosis. Double-blind trials of phosphatidylserine have shown enhanced learning and recall capabilities in older and middle-aged subjects with cognitive decline related to aging. In addition to the phosphatidylserine, Brain Boost-Rx™ also contains 70 mg phosphatidylserine isolate per serving (2 capsules). Soy-PS treatment on elderly people with AAMI improved their Wechsler Memory test scores, especially in the components of the test that evaluated visual memory. [Gindin J., Novikov M., Dedar D., Walter-Ginzburg A., Naor S., Levi S. The effect of plant phosphatidylserine of age—associated memory impairment and mood in the functioning elderly. The Geriatric Institute for Education and Research, and Department Geriatrics, Kapran Hospital. Rehovot; Israel: 1995.]

MCT Oil

We definitely felt as though there is enough scientific evidence to include MCT Oil in our formula. For example, in studies conducted on animals, MCT Oil supplementation can improve brain cell function, reduce Alzheimer’s-like pathology, and enhance learning in older animals.

[Page, K.A., et al. (2009) Medium-chain fatty acids improve cognitive function in intensively treated type 1 diabetic patients and support in vitro synaptic transmission during acute hypoglycemia. Diabetes 58(5):1237-44.] [Pan, Y., et al. (2010) Dietary supplementation with medium-chain TAG has long-lasting cognition-enhancing effects in aged dogs. Br J Nutr 103(12): 1746-54.]

One clinical trial is currently recruiting volunteers to study how MCTs may affect ketone body production and cognitive function in healthy adults (NCT01702480). Theoretically, the brain’s ability to use glucose becomes impaired many years before a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. In these people, MCTs might slow the onset of the disease but this idea remains untested.

In two small clinical trials, MCT treatment improved cognitive function in some patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease over 90 days [1] or in people with mild cognitive impairment or probable AD (one dose) [2]. However, almost half of the patients experienced gastrointestinal side effects [1] and the memory benefit was seen only in patients who lack the APOE4 genetic risk factor [1,2]. In other words, MCT treatment may eventually be the right choice for some people, but may not benefit everyone. Longer-term clinical trials with larger patient populations are underway to test the effect of treatment for longer than 90 days.

1. [Henderson, S.T., et al. (2009) Study of the ketogenic agent AC-1202 in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. Nutr Metab (Lond) 6: 31]
2. [Reger, M.A., et al. (2004) Effects of beta-hydroxybutyrate on cognition in memory-impaired adults. Neurobiol Aging 25(3): 311-4.]

Several ongoing clinical trials are testing the long-term effects of MCT dietary supplements, including their effects on brain health (NCT01122329) and overall patient health (NCT01538212) in people with Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment. One trial is also underway to examine the effect of MCTs on cognitive function in healthy adults (NCT01702480). A trial currently recruiting at University of South Florida is studying coconut oil (which contains a high percentage of MCTs) as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (NCT01883648). Additionally, participants are being recruited for clinical trials to study MCTs as a treatment for multiple sclerosis (NCT01848327) and type I diabetes (NCT01315171). More information about these and other trials can be found at clinicaltrials.gov (U.S.) and at clinicaltrialsregister.eu (Europe).

Vinpocetine

Vinpocetine is reported to have cerebral blood-flow enhancing and neuroprotective effects, and is used as a drug in Eastern Europe for the treatment of cerebrovascular disorders and age-related memory impairment. Vinpocetine supports cerebral circulation and oxygen utilization, which can result in improved cognitive function. In double-blind trials conducted with subjects experiencing cognitive decline, vinpocetine benefited speech, language, memory, learning, and other measures of cognitive performance. [Dézsi, L.; Kis-Varga, I.; Nagy, J.; Komlódi, Z.; Kárpáti, E. (2002). “Neuroprotective effects of vinpocetine in vivo and in vitro. Apovincaminic acid derivatives as potential therapeutic tools in ischemic stroke”. Acta pharmaceutica Hungarica 72 (2): 84–91.] [“Vinpocetine. Monograph” (PDF). Alternative Medicine Review 7 (3): 240–3. 2002. PMID 12126465.]

Vinpocetine provides vasodilation and nootropic properties for the improvement of memory and cerebral metabolism. Vinpocetine has also been identified as a potent anti-inflammatory agent that might have a potential role in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.[ Jeon, K. -I.; Xu, X.; Aizawa, T.; Lim, J. H.; Jono, H.; Kwon, D. -S.; Abe, J. -I.; Berk, B. C.; Li, J. -D.; Yan, C. (2010). “Vinpocetine inhibits NF- B-dependent inflammation via an IKK-dependent but PDE-independent mechanism”. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 107 (21): 9795–9800.][ Medina, A. E. (2010). “Vinpocetine as a potent antiinflammatory agent”. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 107 (22): 9921–9922.]

Next we take a look in more detail at our Herbal Brain Booster Formula.

Bacopa monnieri , Holy Basil, Ginger Extract, Lemon Balm, L-Theanine, and Rosemary Extract have a synergistic relationship that combine effects like mental alertness, circulation in the brain, and cognitive function measured by markers such as (1) level of attention (obtained from reaction times of simple reaction time, choice reaction time, and digit vigilance tests), (2) the continuity of attention or accuracy of attention (indicated by the elevation of % accuracy of the parameters mentioned above), (3) the speed of memory (indicated by the reaction time of simple reaction, digit vigilance, choice reaction, numeric working memory, picture recognition, and spatial working memory), and (4) quality of memory.

Bacopa monnieri

An Ayurvedic herb, Bacopa monnieri is neuroprotective and has been shown to support memory and learning. Bacopa results in a relaxed-yet-focused effect by enhancing levels of the inhibitory (relaxing) neurotransmitter GABA. Bacopa monnieri displays in vitro antioxidant and cell-protective effects. In animals, it also inhibits acetylcholinesterase, activates choline acetyltransferase, and increases cerebral blood flow. Several studies have suggested that Bacopa monnieri extracts may have protective effects in animal models of neurodegeneration. [Dhanasekaran, M.; Tharakan, B.; Holcomb, L. A.; Hitt, A. R.; Young, K. A.; Manyam, B. V. (2007). “Neuroprotective mechanisms of ayurvedic antidementia botanical Bacopa monniera”. Phytotherapy Research 21 (10): 965–969.] Small clinical trials in humans have found evidence supporting improved free memory recall. [Pase MP, Kean J, Sarris J, Neale C, Scholey AB, Stough C (July 2012). “The cognitive-enhancing effects of Bacopa monnieri: a systematic review of randomized, controlled human clinical trials”. J Altern Complement Med (Review) 18 (7): 647–52.] Additionally, six studies were conducted that met the final inclusion criteria and were included in a review. Trials were all conducted over 12 weeks. Across trials, three different Bacopa extracts were used and all reviewed trials examined the effects of Bacopa on memory, while other cognitive domains were less well studied. There were no cognitive tests in the areas of auditory perceptual abilities or idea production and only a paucity of research in the domains of reasoning, number facility, and language behavior. Across studies, Bacopa monnieri improved performance on 9 of 17 tests in the domain of memory free recall.

Bacopa monnieri is a perennial, creeping herb native to the wetlands of southern India, Australia, Europe, Africa, Asia, and North and South America. Bacopa is a medicinal herb often used in Ayurvedic medicines. The best characterized compounds in Bacopa monnieri are dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins known as bacosides, with jujubogenin or pseudo-jujubogenin moieties as aglycone units. Other saponins called bacopasides I–XII have been identified more recently. The constituent most studied has been bacoside A, which was found to be a blend of bacoside A3, bacopacide II, bacopasaponin C, and a jujubogenin isomer of bacosaponin C. These assays have been conducted using whole plant extract, and bacoside concentrations may vary depending upon the part from which they are extracted. In one Bacopa monnieri sample, Rastogi et al. found this bacoside profile—bacopaside I (5.37%), bacoside A3 (5.59%), bacopaside II (6.9%), bacopasaponin C isomer (7.08%), and bacopasaponin C (4.18%).

Holy Basil

Experimental studies on albino rats reported that leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum and Ocimum album (holy basil) had hypoglycemic effect. To explore further evidence we studied the effects of treatment with holy basil leaves on fasting and postprandial blood glucose and serum cholesterol levels in humans through randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover single blind trial. Results indicated a significant decrease in fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels during treatment with holy basil leaves compared to during treatment with placebo leaves. Fasting blood glucose fell by 21.0 mg/dl, confidence interval of difference -31.4 – (-)11.2 (p < 0.001), and postprandial blood glucose fell by 15.8 mg/dl, confidence interval -27.0 – (-)5.6 (p < 0.02). The lower values of glucose represented reductions of 17.6% and 7.3% in the levels of fasting and postprandial blood glucose, respectively. Urine glucose levels showed similar trend. Mean total cholesterol levels showed mild reduction during basil treatment period. The findings from this study suggest that basil leaves may be prescribed as adjunct to dietary therapy and drug treatment in mild to moderate NIDDM. [Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1996 Sep;34(9):406-9. Randomized placebo-controlled, single blind trial of holy basil leaves in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Agrawal P1, Rai V, Singh RB.]

L-Theanine

L-theanine may modulate aspects of brain function in humans. Evidence from human electroencephalograph (EEG) studies show that it has a direct effect on the brain (Juneja et al. Trends in Food Science & Tech 1999;10;199-204). L-theanine significantly increases activity in the alpha frequency band, which indicates that it relaxes the mind without inducing drowsiness. However, this effect has only been established at higher doses than that typically found in a cup of black tea (approximately 20mg). The aim of the current research was to establish this effect at more realistic dietary levels. EEG was measured in healthy, young participants at baseline and 45, 60, 75, 90 and 105 minutes after ingestion of 50mg L-theanine (n=16) or placebo (n=19). Participants were resting with their eyes closed during EEG recording. There was a greater increase in alpha activity across time in the L-theanine condition (relative to placebo (p+0.05). A second study replicated this effect in participants engaged in passive activity. These data indicate that L-theanine, at realistic dietary levels, has a significant effect on the general state of mental alertness or arousal. Furthermore, alpha activity is known to play an important role in critical aspects of attention, and further research is therefore focussed on understanding the effect of L-theanine on attentional processes. [Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17 Suppl 1:167-8. L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state. Nobre AC1, Rao A, Owen GN.]

Lemon Balm

These results constitute novel findings in a prospective observational chronic human trial, complementing a previous study on the attenuation of induced stress after acute administration of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) extract. In this prior study, the authors suggested that the botanical improved stress-induced adverse effects and increased the speed of mathematical processing, which was linked easily to a decrease in intellectual disturbances. [Singh AN. Recent advances in the psychopharmacology of psychosomatic medicine. Int Congr Ser. 2006;1287:206–212. doi: 10.1016/j.ics.2005.11.095.]

Rosemary Extract

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) has traditional reputations that justify investigation for a potential role in reducing widespread cognitive decline in the elderly. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, repeated-measures crossover study was conducted to investigate possible acute effects of dried rosemary leaf powder on cognitive performance. Twenty-eight older adults (mean age, 75 years) were tested using the Cognitive Drug Research computerized assessment system 1, 2.5, 4, and 6 hours following a placebo and four different doses of rosemary. Doses were counterbalanced, and there was a 7-day washout between visits. There was a biphasic dose-dependent effect in measures of speed of memory: the lowest dose of rosemary had a statistically significant beneficial effect compared with placebo (P=.01), whereas the highest dose (6,000g) had a significant impairing effect (P<.01). There were significant deleterious effects on other measures of cognitive performance, although these were less consistent. Speed of memory is a potentially useful predictor of cognitive function during aging. The positive effect of the dose nearest normal culinary consumption points to the value of further work on effects of low doses over the longer term.   [J Med Food. 2012 Jan ;15(1):10-7. Epub 2011 Aug 30. PMID: 21877951; Short-term study on the effects of rosemary on cognitive function in an elderly population. Andrew Pengelly, James Snow, Simon Y Mills, Andrew Scholey, Keith Wesnes, Leah Reeves Butler; Herbal Medicine Department, Tai Sophia Institute, Laurel, Maryland 20723, USA.]

Ginger Extract

Therefore, the current data suggests that the Ginger extract (Zingiber officinale) could improve working memory in all domains including (1) power of attention (obtained from reaction times of simple reaction time, choice reaction time, and digit vigilance tests), (2) the continuity of attention or accuracy of attention (indicated by the elevation of % accuracy of the parameters mentioned above), (3) the speed of memory (indicated by the reaction time of simple reaction, digit vigilance, choice reaction, numeric working memory, picture recognition, and spatial working memory), and (4) quality of memory (indicated by the % accuracy of the parameters mentioned in 3). All participants completed the trial for the whole period. Moreover, no adverse effects after substance administration were observed.   [Evid Based Complement Alternative Med. 2012; 2012: 383062; Published online 2011 Dec 22. doi: 10.1155/2012/383062, PMCID: PMC3253463; Zingiber officinale Improves Cognitive Function of the Middle-Aged Healthy Women; Naritsara Saenghong, Jintanaporn Wattanathorn, Supaporn Muchimapura, Terdthai Tongun, Nawanant Piyavhatkul, Chuleratana Banchonglikitkul, and Tanwarat Kajsongkram.]

These two amazing formulations are then combined with supporting ingredients that creat the perfect environment for brain boosting activity.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine, B-Vitamins, L-Theanine, Green Tea Extract, and Calcium all work symbiotically to create the chemical environment necessary to allow the synapses in the brain to work at the best of their ability.

Acetyl-L-carnitine

Acetyl-L-carnitine or ALCAR, is an acetylated form of L-carnitine. It is naturally produced by the body, although it is often taken as a dietary supplement. Acety-L-carnitine is broken down in the blood by plasma esterases to carnitine which is used by the body to transport fatty acids into the mitochondria for breakdown. Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) definitely helps support cognitive health in various mechanisms. Acetyl-l-carnitine is derived from carnitine and is described as having several properties, which may be beneficial in dementia as well. This includes activity at cholinergic neurons, membrane stabilization and enhancing mitochondrial function (although these results have not been confirmed by the FDA). In one double-blind trial conducted with former alcoholics ages 30-60 with cognitive decline, 2 g ALC daily for three months enhanced memory, visuo-spatial capacity, and vocabulary recall. In controlled trials, Acetyl-L-carnitine has even been reported to improve cooperation, sociability, and attention to personal appearance in elderly subjects.

Acetyl-L-carnitine is an acetylated derivative of L-carnitine. During strenuous exercise, a large portion of L-carnitine and unused acetyl-CoA are converted to Acetyl-L-carnitine and CoA inside mitochondria by carnitine O-acetyltransferase. The Acetyl-L-carnitine is transported outside the mitochondria where it converts back to the two constituents. The L-carnitine is cycled back into the mitochondria with acyl groups to facilitate fatty acid utilization, but excess acetyl-CoA may block it. Excess acetyl-CoA causes more carbohydrates to be used for energy at the expense of fatty acids. This occurs by different mechanisms inside and outside the mitochondria. Acetyl-L-carnitine transport decreases acetyl-CoA inside the mitochondria, but increases it outside. Glucose metabolism in diabetics improves with administration of either Acetyl-L-carnitine or L-carnitine. Acetyl-L-carnitine decreases glucose consumption in favor of fat oxidation in non-diabetics. A portion of L-carnitine is converted to Acetyl-L-carnitine after ingestion in humans.

It has been claimed Acetyl-L-carnitine is superior to L-carnitine in terms of bioavailability. [Jane Higdon, Ph.D. (October 2002). “L-Carnitine”. Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University]. Early research which seemed to suggest Acetyl-L-carnitine had potential as a treatment for dementia were not strongly substantiated by later research, but Acetyl-L-carnitine may have some neuroprotective benefit that was discovered when being researched in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. [Beal MF (2003). “Bioenergetic approaches for neuroprotection in Parkinson’s disease”. Annals of Neurology 53 (Suppl 3): S39–47; discussion S47–8.] It has also been suggested Acetyl-L-carnitine may have potential to support the body’s ability to reduce peripheral neuropathic pain. [ Chiechio S, Copani A, Gereau RW, Nicoletti F (2007). “Acetyl-L-carnitine in neuropathic pain: experimental data”. CNS Drugs. 21 Suppl 1: 31–8; discussion 45–6.] Acetylcarnitine has also been shown to reduce alcohol-induced neurotoxicity in mice.[ Rump TJ, Abdul Muneer PM, Szlachetka AM, Lamb A, Haorei C, Alikunju S, Xiong H, Keblesh J, Liu J, Zimmerman MC, Jones J, Donohue TM, Persidsky Y, Haorah J (2010). “Acetyl-L-carnitine protects neuronal function from alcohol-induced oxidative damage in the brain”. Free Radical Biology & Medicine 49 (10): 1494–504.]

†These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This Product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.