Description
Ingredients
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba extract is the most well-studied botanical for cognitive support. In addition to protecting overall neuronal function, ginkgo increases cerebral blood flow, and protects neurons from a variety of hypoxic conditions and oxidantinduced damage. In addition, ginkgo scavenges nitric oxide species (NOS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), supports mitochondrial function, and inhibits NMDA receptor activation by reducing the overstimulation of neurons that cause brain fatigue. Ginkgo has also been found to antagonize the platelet activating factor (PAF), a vasoconstrictor, and stimulate the release of NOS, increasing cerebral blood flow. Ginkgo has been shown to support memory in animal and human models. In a 14-day, double-blind study on the cognitive effects of a nutrient compound containing ginkgo biloba among 24 normal adults, a reliable 50 ms response time decrease was observed between the placebo and ginkgo biloba testing, suggesting that ginkgo supports short-term working memory processing in normal adults.
Vinpocetine
Synthesized from tabersonine, a natural extract from the seeds of the West African plant Voacanga africana, vinpocetine has recently been the subject of research related to cognitive health because of its neuroprotective mechanisms, including its antioxidant, and vasodilating activities. Vinpocetine has the ability to cross the blood brain barrier, and has vasorelaxant effects on cerebral smooth muscle tissue. In one 12-week study, a significant improvement was found in cognitive functions after subjects were given oral vinpocetine therapy using psychometric tests.9 Specifically, vinpocetine has also been shown to improve oxygen-release from hemoglobin, helping to maintain red blood cell flexibility, allowing the cells to pass more easily through tiny capillaries. Furthermore, studies have shown vinpocetine moderates the excitotoxicity of neurotransmitters, enhancing nerve cell health by inhibiting sodium channels and reducing intracellular calcium levels.
Huperzine A
A purified component derived from Chinese club moss, huperzine A has been found to support healthy cognition in a range of animal models, and phase IV clinical trials demonstrated its promotion of improved recall and cognition in elderly subjects. As a potent and selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, huperzine A helps to improve memory and support optimal cognitive health. A multicenter, prospective, doubleblind, placebo-controlled and randomized study gave 50 patients 0.2 mg of huperzine A and compared them to a group given a placebo for eight weeks. They found that 58% (29/50) of patients treated with huperzine A showed improvements in their memory, cognitive and behavioral functions.13 A second double-blind and matched pair study looked at 34 pairs of middle school students complaining of memory inadequacy and divided them into two groups by psychological health inventory (PHI), similar memory quotient and same sex and class. After four weeks, the huperzine A group, (50 mcg twice a day) showed twice the improvement of the placebo group.
References
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- Ahlemeyer B, Krieglstein J. Neuroprotective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2003 Sep;60(9):1779- 92.
- Ahlemeyer B, Krieglstein J. Pharmacological studies supporting the therapeutic use of Ginkgo biloba extract for Alzheimer’s disease. Pharmacopsychiatry. 2003 Jun;36 Suppl 1:S8-14. Review.
- Ponto LL, Schultz SK. Ginkgo biloba extract: review of CNS effects. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2003 Jun;15(2):109-19.
- Sierpina VS, Wollschlaeger B, Blumenthal M. Ginkgo biloba. Am Fam Physician. 2003 Sep 1;68(5):923-6.
- Polich J, Gloria R. Cognitive effects of a Ginkgo biloba/ vinpocetine compound in normal adults: systematic assessment of perception, attention and memory. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2001 Jul;16(5):409-416.
- Vinpocetine monograph. Alternative Medicine Review. 2002 Volume 7, No. 3.
- Bagoly E, Fehér G, Szapáry L. [The role of vinpocetine in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases based in human studies]. Orv Hetil. 2007 Jul 22;148(29):1353-8. [Article in Hungarian].
- Bonoczk P et al. Role of sodium channel inhibition in neuroprotection: effect of vinpocetine. Brain Res Bull. 2000 Oct;53(3):245-54. Review.
- Valikovics A. [Investigation of the effect of vinpocetine on cerebral blood flow and cognitive functions]. [Article in Hungarian] Ideggyogy Sz. 2007 Jul 30;60(7-8):301-10.
- Tohgi H, Sasaki K, Chiba K, Nozaki Y. Arzneimittelforschung. 1990 Jun;40(6):640-3.
- Sitges M, Nekrassov V. Vinpocetine selectively inhibits neurotransmitter release triggered by sodium channel activation. Neurochem Res. 1999 Dec;24(12):1585-91.
- Wang R, Yan H, Tang XC. Progress in studies of huperzine A, a natural cholinesterase inhibitor from Chinese herbal medicine. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2006 Jan;27(1):1-26. [PMID: 16364207].
- Xu SS et al. Efficacy of tablet huperzine-A on memory, cognition, and behavior in Alzheimer’s disease. Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao. 1995 Sep;16(5):391-5.
- Sun QQ, Xu SS, Pan JL, Guo Hm, Cao WQ. Huperzine- A capsules enhance memory and learning performance in 34 pairs of matched adolescent students. Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao. 1999 Jul;20(7):601-3.
Warnings
Always be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before starting any new nutritional supplement when pregnant or nursing. For children, we recommend speaking with your child's pediatrician regarding proper dosing. Store away from children.
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