Brain Health
Each of the products on this page support healthy brain function, all by different mechanisms of action. There are fascinating findings on each of these supplements in regard to the processes behind Alzheimer's disease. We urge you to read all of these in our book "Alzheimer's, Memory Loss and MCI: The Latest Science for Prevention and Treatment", available on this website or at www.Amazon.com. To order from Amazon, just enter the title in the Amazon search box.
Click on each product for a detailed description complete with scientific references, but here is a very brief overview:
Brain Synergy™ provides the ingredients to support healthy levels of neurotramsmitters, the compounds critical for communication between brain cells.
CoQSol is a highly absorbable form of coenzyme Q 10, an important antioxidant and cofactor for energy production within cells.
DHEA is a hormone made in the adrenal gland that drops by about 2% annually beginning at age 29. Multiple published studies show how DHEA helps support optimal brain health as we age.
Homocysteine Processor™ Homocysteine is an amino acid that accumulates in the blood if we're not taking in the nutrients to process it. Higher levels of homocysteine are clearly associated with a risk of Alzheimer's disease. Homocysteine Processor, N-Acetyl Cysteine and Trimethylglycine all support healthy homocysteine levels. You can easily verify the efficacy of these three supplements by measuring your homocysteine level, taking one or more of them at the recommended dose, then remeasuring homocysteine after 4 weeks. At the Leonardi Institute, our goal for homocysteine is below 7 umol/L.
Melatonin is an important hormone made in the pineal gland in the brain. By the time we're 35 years old, melatonin levels have dropped by 80% from their peak, which occurs at approximately age 13. Melatonin has a very strong influence on brain function.
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) Higher blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine have been shown to increase cardiovascular and dementia risk. NAC aids in both heart and brain health by binding to homocysteine and delivering it to the kidneys for excretion via the urine. We recommend keeping your homocysteine level below 7, even though normal is up to 11.5! NAC is also a potent antioxidant and helps maintain healthy liver function. Click the photo for more information with references.
PRE-NAD+® (NR) is nicotinamide riboside (NR). This newly available B-vitamin alters cellular metabolism toward a more energetic, youthful and disease resistant physiologic state. The key to NR's benefits is that it increases NAD+ levels in the cell nucleus. NAD+ is a natural compound in all of our cells that is integral to the cell's ability to produce energy. As cellular NAD+ levels rise, a chain reaction of gene expressions and protein activations occur beginning with the activation of SIRT 1, an information regulator in the cell that alters gene expression, mimicking the metabolic effects of caloric restriction. Caloric restriction is the only intervention ever shown to extend lifespan in multiple organisms from single-cell yeast up to non-human primates. Scientific references for these statements can be found in the detailed description of NR by clicking on the product photo.
Omega Essentials™ (with EPA and DHA) is backed by strong published data to support healthy brain function, as is resveratrol (see product description below).
Statin Sidekick™ is a uniquely formulated and proprietary blend of coenzyme Q 10, a specially buffered creatine, and vitamin D3. Statin Sidekick™ is critically important for anyone taking a statin medication along with anyone physically and mentally active and interested in insuring a steady supply of energy to muscle and brain cells.
Trimethylglycine (TMG) helps maintain a healthy heart and brain by aiding in the processing of homocysteine. An excellent compliment to our Homocysteine Processor and NAC, TMG provides methyl groups (key molecules used by the body to process homocysteine into healthy byproducts such as S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe)). If you’re finding it difficult to get your homocysteine level below 7, we recommend consuming less animal protein in favor of soy or whey protein, along with use of a combination of Homocysteine Processor, NAC and TMG.
