Natural Mental Enhancement
http://www.solgar.com/nutrition_library/healthy_living/mental_enhance=
ment.html

by Stephen Terrass

The field of natural medicine has uncovered benefits to nutritional a=
nd
herbal supplementation which pertain to countless different health ne=
eds.
There are programmes for boosting the immune system, strengthening th=
e
cardiovascular system, treating allergies, correcting joint and skele=
tal
disorders, and so on. Many people will seek the help of such programm=
es
should they have a problem in a particular area, but there is one cat=
egory
which most everyone is interested in whether they have a problem or n=
ot -
improving mental performance. Improving memory; increasing alertness;
enhancing intelligence; preventing senility, and so on. Many people s=
eek
these goals due to the demands of their career or lifestyle. Others a=
re just
curious to see whether their mental functioning can be enhanced.=20

While to many this area may seem like nothing but a gimmick, the trut=
h is
that there is an enormous quantity of medical and scientific research=
 which
proves that age-related loss of mental abilities can be prevented or =
even
reversed under certain circumstances. Research also shows that one's
existing mental function can be enhanced even while they are still yo=
ung.
Even better is the fact that this can be accomplished without the use=
 of
harmful drugs or severe side effects.=20

The ability to improve mental functioning, also known as cognitive
enhancement, can involve various mechanisms such as:=20



=95increasing circulation to the brain =95providing precursors to
neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain) =95providing usa=
ble
energy to the brain =95improving neuron function =95preventing free r=
adical and
oxidative damage to brain cells and others=20



Over the last few years, a great deal of publicity has surfaced about=
 a
group of pharmaceutical medicines which have reputed cognitive enhanc=
ing
effects. These agents, often called smart drugs have since become the=
 object
of much research - and with astoundingly impressive results. What is =
less
known is the fact that at the same time, a great deal of impressive r=
esearch
was being published into the benefits of non-drug therapies for cogni=
tive
enhancement which involve the use of various nutrients and herbs.=
=20

Much of the activity of the brain is initiated and regulated by chemi=
cal
messengers called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters play a part in
alertness, memory, sleep patterns, mood, concentration, reflexes,
co-ordination, general nerve and muscle function, cardiovascular func=
tion,
and so on. As a result, both mental and physical function can be hind=
ered by
a lack of neurotransmitters or improved by an balanced supply. Some
neurotransmitters are classed as stimulatory. This type triggers a hi=
gher
rate of nerve cell activity in the brain. Others are known as inhibit=
ory
neurotransmitters, which reduce the level of nerve cell activity.=
=20

Although the administration of certain neurotransmitters has been use=
d as a
drug treatment for mental or psychological disorders such as depressi=
on,
this approach is not without side effects and risk of dependency. On =
the
other hand, the use of the dietary compounds which convert into
neurotransmitters are generally considered very safe and non-habit fo=
rming.
Various amino acids are converted into certain neurotransmitters as a=
re
combinations of vitamins and other nutritional factors.=20

l-phenylalanine and l-tyrosine

The amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine are dietary precursors to =
the
important stimulatory neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline. Among =
other
functions, this neurotransmitter is partly responsible for an elevati=
on in
mental alertness, mood and ambition. Deficiencies in these amino acid=
s would
result in impaired mental and psychological functioning, and indeed,
research has shown these amino acids to have anti-depressant effects.=
 In
addition, researchers have reported the potential of these amino acid=
s to
improve memory and suppress the appetite. It should be noted that vit=
amin B6
(pyridoxine) is needed in order to convert these amino acids into the=
ir
corresponding neurotransmitters. Although the use of l-phenylalanine =
and
l-tyrosine is considered very safe, it is generally recommended to av=
oid
supplementing these if you have high blood pressure.=20

l-glutamine

L-glutamine is another example of an amino acid with substantial bene=
fits to
mental functioning. Other than glucose, a stimulatory neurotransmitte=
r known
as glutamic acid can be used as an energy source by the brain. Glutam=
ic
acid, which is sometimes called a 'brain food' is derived from dietar=
y
l-glutamine. The conversion of glutamine to glutamic acid is made in =
the
brain itself after successfully passing the blood-brain barrier. Asid=
e from
generally providing an energy source for the brain to function at a h=
igher
level, glutamic acid is thought to play a role in mental alertness an=
d
perhaps even memory enhancement. It is logical to assume that it woul=
d be
more effective to use the active substance itself, glutamic acid, rat=
her
than its precursor, l-glutamine; however, there is evidence to show t=
hat
glutamic acid does not readily pass through the blood-brain barrier, =
while
glutamine is passes through very easily. As with phenylalanine and ty=
rosine,
vitamin B6 is needed for the utilisation of glutamine.=20

phosphatidyl choline

The nutrient phosphatidyl choline is a component of the phospholipid =
known
as lecithin. Phosphatidyl choline is needed in order to make another =
vital
stimulatory neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine play=
s a
major role in many functions of the brain such as memory and learning
abilities as well as alertness. In addition to these properties,
acetylcholine is needed for proper nerve and muscle control throughou=
t the
body. Although the basic form of choline can be used to make acetylch=
oline,
phosphatidyl choline is more efficient in this purpose. The B-vitamin
pantothenic acid is needed for the conversion of phosphatidyl choline=
 into
acetylcholine. Phosphatidyl choline is very safe, but large amounts s=
hould
be avoided by those suffering with manic depression.=20

acetyl l-carnitine

One of the most exciting discoveries in the area of cognitive enhance=
ment is
the natural substance known as acetyl l-carnitine. This is a derivati=
ve of
the amino acid-like nutrient l-carnitine. Carnitine is well known as =
a
beneficial nutrient for the cardiovascular system, especially due to =
its
ability to strengthen the heart and reduce cholesterol and triglyceri=
des.
Carnitine facilitates the entry of fats into the mitochondria of cell=
s to be
burned for energy.=20

The acetyl form of l-carnitine has these attributes, as well as remar=
kable
effects on mental function. Among other benefits, many dozens of clin=
ical
trials have found acetyl l-carnitine to reverse age-related memory lo=
ss;
successfully treat depression in the elderly; improve blood flow to t=
he
brain; and even to successfully treat symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease=
.
Although most of the research has been on elderly patients, acetyl
l-carnitine has been shown to improve mental performance and reflex s=
peed in
young, healthy adults as well.=20

In general the results of the research has been very impressive, and
although the dosages used were generally quite high, the acetyl l-car=
nitine
did not have a high risk of side effects or toxicity.=20

phosphatidylserine

Research has shown that a nutrient called phosphatidylserine also enh=
ances
mental abilities in both young and old. Phosphatidylserine is a phosp=
holipid
found in brain cell membranes. Phosphatidylserine is a very heavily
researched substance, and much of the research relates to its role in
cognitive function.=20

Memory enhancement and improvement of learning abilities have been sh=
own
with administration of phosphatidylserine in healthy, normal adults. =
In the
elderly, reversing depression and symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease hav=
e been
noted, as well as a general increase in mental capabilities.=20

There are a few actions of phosphatidylserine which appear to account=
 for
these benefits. First of all, it seems to increase the number of
acetylcholine receptors in the brain. As mentioned earlier, acetylcho=
line is
very important in memory as well as alertness and learning.
Phosphatidylserine also enhances glucose metabolism (the brain's main=
 energy
source), and acts as a 'detergent' which helps prevent adverse change=
s in
the constitution of cell membranes and lipids.=20

Even in very high doses the only occasional side effect reported was =
mild
nausea, however it is noted that it should not be combined with presc=
ribed
anti-coagulants.=20

DMAE

A natural substance which has been shown to increase the production o=
f
acetylcholine is the nutrient DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol). DMAE occur=
s
naturally in certain types of seafood. When supplemented in higher do=
ses,
been found to enhance memory and learning capabilities. It has also b=
een
shown to improve mood and improve sleep patterns. DMAE appears to pro=
vide a
mild stimulant effect which does not cause a noticeable 'let down' if=
 one
stops taking it.=20

Although DMAE is generally considered to be very safe, excessive dosa=
ge can
cause headaches, tenseness and insomnia. Supplemental use of DMAE sho=
uld be
avoided by manic depressive individuals.=20

ginkgo biloba

One of the most talked about herbs of this decade is ginkgo biloba. A=
n
extract of ginkgo containing 24% flavone glycosides (the herb's activ=
e
flavonoids) has been found to enhance mental functioning both in the =
young
and old. There are several mechanisms by which ginkgo exerts its bene=
ficial
effect on mental functioning.=20

First of all, ginkgo is known to improve circulation to the brain. It
appears to initiate vasodilatation (opening of the blood vessels) in =
the
capillaries, which accounts for the increased blood flow and thus an
increased levels of oxygen and nutrients to the brain cells. Lack of =
brain
oxygen is one of the main contributors to loss of mental performance,
especially in the elderly. Nerve transmission sites (neurons) are esp=
ecially
harmed by lack of oxygen (hypoxia). Ginkgo extracts enhance nerve
transmission in the brain and improve the production and usage of
neurotransmitters within the brain. There is a particular benefit in =
the
case of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, as ginkgo facilitates its
receptors in a particular portion of the brain called the hippocampus=
. The
damage to brain cells and ultimately to mental performance can occur =
due to
many influences, but one of the most detrimental is the destruction c=
aused
by free radicals, highly reactive molecules or fragments of molecules=
 which
interfere with cellular functions. Ginkgo components are known to act=
 as
powerful antioxidants in the brain, thereby scavenging free radicals =
which
otherwise would cause premature death of cells. In addition, ginkgo b=
iloba
promotes the more efficient metabolism of glucose, the brain's major =
source
of energy. These are just some of the benefits attributed to this inc=
redible
herb.=20

The end result of these actions means an improvement in the performan=
ce of
the brain. There are many studies published in scientific journals wh=
ich
confirm these effects. It is generally understood that the use of gin=
kgo
would have the most profound effects in those with age-related declin=
e of
mental functioning. Indeed, clinical trials with the elderly showed
significant improvement in alertness and general mental performance. =
It was
noted that these benefits were reflected in the behaviour of those ta=
king
part in the research trials. Interestingly there is a study which sho=
wed
that reaction time in a memorisation test was greatly enhanced in you=
ng
women after ginkgo administration.=20

There are many other nutrients and herbs which have attributes which =
are
beneficial to cognitive performance, but the above are some of the mo=
st
heavily researched. Because so many different substances are needed f=
or
optimal function of the brain, it is advisable to ensure adequate int=
ake of
all essential nutrients.=20

It should also be noted that it is not only important to know what yo=
u can
take to improve mental function; it is also important to avoid those =
things
which have adverse effect of cognitive performance. Poor diet in gene=
ral
must be the main focus, but with a special emphasis on avoidance or r=
educing
the intake of alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and sugar. Many people are =
aware
of the adverse effect of alcohol on the brain, but this is not just s=
hortly
after drinking. Even in what some would consider moderate quantities,=
 the
regular use of alcohol may have lasting negative effects on mental fu=
nction.
Although stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine and sugar appear to en=
hance
mental activity, this effect is only temporary and is strictly stimul=
ant in
nature. They do not improve overall mental strength, nor general
intelligence. In the long term they may even be detrimental by causin=
g the
depletion of important brain nutrients and by exhausting the supply o=
f
certain neurotransmitters.=20

For the best results in enhancing cognitive function, a combined appr=
oach
appears to be the most sensible. This might involve an overall improv=
ement
in dietary habits; avoiding or reducing the intake of alcohol and
stimulants; basic supplementation to provide more optimal levels of
essential nutrients; and the sensible use of any cognitive enhancing =
agents
mentioned above which are appropriate for one's individual circumstan=
ces.=20

copyright 1995 VITAM - Barcelona, Spain 1995=20

http://www.solgar.com=20

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