note: not all of these recommendations are suitable for everybody. Discuss these with your healthcare professionals.
LEARNING AND ATTENTION:
- If focus is an issue, DMAE can be taking to improve the ability to focus on a topic. DMAE improves choline and acetylcholine. It comes in powder and pill format. Doses is 100 mg.
Brand: any health food store or www.LEF.org
- Zinc has been known to improve focus. Doses is 30 mg. Zinc, which is found in vesicles of the mossy fiber system of the brain's hippocampus, interacts with other chemicals to send messages to the sensory brain center, enhancing memory and thinking skills. Zinc is also crucial for proper learning, and task and behavioral performance in children. Research has shown that zinc deficiency causes poor growth and maturation of the cerebellum and impairs the development of brain cells, which may contribute to learning disorders or emotional and behavior problems. Most people who take a multi-vitamin should get enough zinc.
Brand: www.thinkingadvantage.com (they carry organic zinc) or www.LEF.org
- Huperzine A is derived from a moss. It inhibits the breakdown of acetylcholine. It has been shown to increase learning and memory, increases dopamine and norephinephrine and improves brain circulation. Do not take if diagnosed with psychotic disorders. Doses 50 mcg.
Brand: any health food store or www.LEF.org or www.beyond-a-century.com
- Folic Acid (B9) and Cobalamin (B12). Folic Acid has also increased the ability to focus as it participates in nerve cell growth. The advantage may be derived from the role folic acid plays in reducing blood levels of homocysteine, which causes inflammation. Inflammation causes damage and does not allow the nerve cells to repair the damage. Recent research indicates that folic acid is also helpful in the prevention of Alzheimer disease and used to make DAN, as well as increases the chance of getting pregnant. Folic acid has also been used with abnormal pap smears as it aids in removing the homocysteine. Low folic acid causes atrophy in the cerebral cortex. Doses is usually 800 mcg. Cobalamin (B12) most important in brain function and memory. Also needed for normal nerve cell activity and DNA. Deficient B12 levels causes confusion, disorientation, homocysteine. Sometimes B12 cannot be absorbed through oral intake and it has to be taking with injections. H Pylori stomach disease prevents normal absorption of B12. Normal doses 500 mcg.
Brand: any health food store or www.LEF.org
- Vinpocetine is an extract of the periwinkle plant and it dilates blood vessels, speeds up the use of glucose and oxygen in the brain, and enhances brain function. Doses 5 mg. This remedy is sold at www.LEF.org as a combination remedy Cognitex and has many other useful ingredients for the mind. It is sold in both the pregnolone and non-pregnolone version.
Brand: any health food store or www.LEF.org or www.beyond-a-century.com
- Ginko Biloba improves focus and blood flow. It decreases strokes and tinnitus (ringing in the ear). Doses 120 mg.
Brand: any health food store or www.LEF.org
- There are essential amino acids and non-essential amino acids. Essential amino acids cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained through diet or supplements. The non-essential amino acids can be formed by conversion from the essential amino acids. There are at least two essential and one non-essential amino acid that appear to play a role in learning and attention. Here are just a few of them:
Methionine (for focus) is an essential amino acid. Methylation is a biochemical process that starts with methionine (found in meat and dairy). When methionine reacts with ATP (the basic building block of cells), SAMe is formed. SAMe (can be taking for depression, liver problems, and arthritis) contains the "methyl groups" (CH3) necessary for methylation. In methylation, these groups break off from SAMe to catalyze other reactions. The leftover product eventually becomes homocysteine, which can be toxic if not converted. B vitamins are necessary for the conversion of homocysteine. Homocysteine can also be converted by betaine, a product of choline (see DMAE). If taking methionine, ensure a appropriate amount of vitamin B is taking as well. Doses 700 mg.
Brand: any health food store or www.LEF.org
Phenylalanine (for memory) is an essential amino acid which can be converted to L-tyrosine (for alertness), a non-essential amino acid, by a complex biochemical process which takes place in the liver. Phenylalanine can be found in meat, fish, diary, and beans. L-tyrosine can be converted by neurons in the brain to L-dopa, dopamine, and norepinephrine (noradrenaline), hormones which are depleted by stress, overwork and certain drugs. By replenishing norepinephrine in the brain, mental energy levels are enhanced and a feeling of contentment often occurs. Because of the liver conversion necessary for L-phenylalanine to have these effects, L-tyrosine is often faster acting. In addition, the conversion step from L-tyrosine to norepinephrine may be enhanced if the cofactors (vitamins B6 and C) are included in the diet and/or supplements. Phenylalanine converts to L-Tyrosine which converts to L-Dopa to Dopamine to Norepinephrine to Epinephrine. Doses for D,L – phenylalanine and L-tyrosine is 500 mg. Take in the morning on empty stomach. Twin Labs has l-tyrosine with Vitamin C & B6. Do not take if current suffering from cancer or have had cancer in the past or have had or currently have Phenylketonuria. May raise bloodpressure.
Brand: any health food store or www.LEF.org (plain l-tyrosine)
Take Cellfood in some water every day. It contains most important amino acids.
Disclaimer: this information is not evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please visit your health practitioner for specific information. Herbs might alter prescription drug doses.