Health Research & Information Blog

Boost Your Brain Function At Any Age, and Protect Against Memory Decline

If “senior moments” are occurring more frequently than you’d like, take heart. A unique, effective herbal formulation can help you protect against—and even reverse—memory loss and cognitive decline.

As we age, loss in mental ability occurs very slowly, over many years, as neurons gradually die and the brain shrinks. By age 60, however, even healthy people notice a decline in mental function. And, astonishingly, tests show that even by young adulthood most of us have already lost one-half of our brain cell connections![1]

 

 

New Memory-Boosting Formula

MemoryWise is a breakthrough formulation featuring three powerful herbal ingredients to boost your brain power:

  • Ginkgo Biloba Extract,
  • Vinpocetine, and
  • Huperzine A.

Ginkgo and Vinpocetine work by increasing blood flow to the brain, but new research shows that Huperzine A (extracted from the herb Huperzia serrata) greatly strengthens this effect.[2]  Research also verifies that Huperzine A is safe, well-tolerated, and could significantly improve brain function and activities of daily living. [3]

Keep Brain Cells Communicating

Why do we lose mental function as we age?  Researchers believe it is due to declining levels of acetylcholine, the brain’s #1 memory neurotransmitter. This decline makes it more difficult for brain cells to communicate.

Alzheimer’s disease symptoms are primarily linked to a decrease in available acetylcholine in brain cells, as evidenced by biopsies.[4]  Huperzine-A helps keep acetylcholine in brain cells longer by slowing down the action of AChE (acetylcholinesterase), an enzyme which breaks down acetylcholine in the brain. [2,5]

Results of Studies with Huperzine A

Memory Disorders & Dementia: In placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind studies, Huperzine A significantly improved memory in patients with simple memory disorders, as well as senile dementia patients. [6,7]

Nerve Cell Protection: In laboratory tests, Huperzine A reduced nerve cell death caused by toxic levels of excitatory neurotransmitters, which indicates that it may protect against nerve cell injury from stroke or epilepsy along with multiple diseases caused by over stimulation of brain cells. [8]

Brain Cell Protection: Huperzine-A also protects against damage caused to brain mitochondria (organelles that produce cellular energy), reduces oxidative stress and has anti-inflammatory effects in the brain. 9,10,11]

Alzheimer’s Treatment: Huperzine A has shown statistically significant improvement compared to placebo in Alzheimer’s disease patients.[12]  It has also been found to work better than the two drugs currently approved by the FDA for treating Alzheimer’s.[13]  Many patients taking the FDA-approved drugs stop treatment because of severe side effects, including nausea, vomiting, salivation, sweating, tearing eyes or liver poisoning.[14]

In contrast, Huperzine A has no significant side effects.[12,14] One study demonstrated that Huperzine A’s effects lasted nearly 5 hours–more than 14 times longer than the drug physostigmine.[5] In short, Huperzine A has effectively improved memory and brain function, and has displayed good curative effects in those with organic brain diseases. [15]

Ginkgo Biloba Increases Blood Flow to the Brain

Ginkgo Biloba Extract (GBE) is the most commonly prescribed medicine in France and Germany for improving blood flow to the brain, arms and legs.[16] Standardized GBE has been widely studied for its overall memory and brain function benefits.

Results of Studies with Ginkgo Biloba

Alpha-Wave Activity: GBE improved brain function, increasing alpha-wave activity on a par with drugs that improve mental performance.[17]

Chronic Arterial Insufficiency: In more than 50 double-blind clinical trials, both patients with chronic cerebral (brain) arterial insufficiency and peripheral arterial insufficiency have responded favorably to standardized Ginkgo biloba extract.

Improved Mental Performance: In a year-long randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study of more than 200 patients, the ginkgo group “had twice as many patients whose mental performance improved and half as many whose social functioning worsened” compared with the placebo group.[18]

Antioxidant Protection: An outstanding antioxidant, GBE neutralizes free radicals that can seriously damage cells and may contribute to Alzheimer’s and other diseases of aging.

Improved Alertness & Test Scores: GBE stimulates better oxygen and glucose uptake[16] and people taking it report definite improvements in alertness, mood and vigilance.[19]  Even healthy young people have shown “significantly improved” scores on tests of memory. [20]

Protection from Stroke Damage: New research has shown that patients could protect the brain against the effects of a stroke by taking standardized GBE. Animal research at the Johns Hopkins Institutions in Baltimore, Maryland, found that standardized Ginkgo biloba extract reduced stroke damage by 50%. Researcher Dr. Sylvain Dore said: “Our results suggest that some element or elements in Ginkgo actually protect brain cells during stroke.” [21]

Vinpocetine: A Safeguard against Senility & Forgetfulness

Vinpocetine, derived from the plant constituent vincamine, has been prescribed for over 20 years by European doctors for brain disorders and age-related forgetfulness.[22] Its action is so predictable that vinpocetine is used as a reference standard for brain research studying the effects of poor circulation and lack of oxygen.[23]

Results of Studies with Vinpocetine

Rapid Memory Improvement: Preliminary studies in the 1980s showed that healthy people experienced rapid memory improvements with vinpocetine.[24]

Senility Reversed: Vinpocetine dramatically, consistently and significantly improved brain function in people with senile dysfunction.[25]

Anti-Aging: In animal studies, vinpocetine turned back the clock, slowing aging by boosting the activity of biochemical messengers. [26]

Stroke Treatment: In a recent study of chronic stroke patients, a single dose of vinpocetine was found to significantly improve glucose transport through the blood brain barrier to the whole brain.[27]  Vinpocetine also reduces a risk factor for stroke.[29]  In subjects who have already suffered a stroke, cerebral arteriosclerosis and transient ischemic attacks, vinpocetine has brought slight to marked improvement.[28]

Antioxidant Action: Vinpocetine combats oxygen starvation (hypoxia), which often causes cell death. Its antioxidant action also helps protect and possibly repair damaged nerve cells.[29]

Increased Cerebral Blood Flow: Significant improvements in cerebral blood flow were seen in nearly all brain regions analyzed.[30]

Improved Overall Brain Function: According to a meta-analysis of international studies which evaluated clini

cal efficacy, oral administration of vinpocetine is associated with a significant improvement in brain function and performance, patients become livelier, and their daily activities are enhanced.31   No significant side effects or drug interactions have been noted.[32]

What Makes MemoryWise Unique?

MemoryWise is an exclusive, research-based formula which combines the following ingredients (per capsule):

  • 50 mcg natural Huperzine A. The natural Huperzine A in MemoryWise is three times more potent than a synthetic mixture. [33]
  • 60 mg guaranteed potency Ginkgo biloba extract. MemoryWise is formulated with the highly-standardized Ginkgo biloba extract used in research studies, providing24% flavoglycosides with 6% Ginkgolides-bilobalide.
  • 2.5 mg Vinpocetine.

The suggested dosage for MemoryWise is one capsule taken twice daily with meals.

 

Related Articles:

 

References:
1.    Dharma Singh Khosla, MD, Brain Longevity, The Medical Breakthrough that Improves Your Mind and Memory, New York: Warner Books, pp 146-59, 1997.
2.    Old Chinese herbal medicine used for fever yields possible new Alzheimer Disease therapy, Skolnik A, JAMA, 277(10) : 776, 1997.
3.    Efficacy and safety of natural acetylcholinesterase inhibitor huperzine A in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: an updated meta-analysis, Wang BS, Wang H, Wei ZH, Song YY, Zhang L, Chen HZ, J Neural  Transm, 116(4):457-65, Apr 2009.
4.    The cholinergic hypothesis of Alzheimer’s disease: a review of progress, Francis PT, Palmer AM, Snape M, Wilcock GK, J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 66(2):137-47, Feb 1999.
5.    Bagchi D and Barilla B, Huperzine A: Boost Your Brain Power, New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing; 1998.
6.    Pharmacokinetics of tablet huperzine A in six volunteers, Qian BC and Wang M, et al, Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao,16(5):396-98, 1995.
7.    Drug evaluation of huperzine A in the treatment of senile memory disorders, Zhang RW and Tang XC, et al, Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao, 12(3):250-52, 1991.
8.     Pharmacology of Huperzine A, an Alkaloid Isolated from Huperzine Serrata, a Novel Cognition Enhancer with Dual Cholinergic and NMDA Action. Implications in Schizophrenia and Dementia, Chiu S, Lalone S, Goble L, Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Vol 4: Issue 1, Article 1, 2007.
9.    Huperzine A attenuates mitochondrial dysfunction after middle cerebral artery occlusion  in rats, Zheng CY, Zhang HY, Tang XC, J Neurosci Res, 86(11): 2432-40, Aug 15, 2008.
10.    Non-cholinergic effects of huperzine A: Beyond inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, Zhang HY, Yan H, Tang XC, Cell Mol Neurobiol, 28(2): 173-83, Feb 1, 2008.
11.    Potential therapeutic targets of huperzine A for Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, Zhang HY, et al, Chem Biol Interact, 175(1-3): 396-402, September 25, 2008.
12.    Efficacy of tablet huperzine-A on memory, cognition, and behavior in Alzheimer’s disease, Xu SS, et al, Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao, 16(5):391-95, 1995.
13.     Huperzine A, a novel promising acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, Cheng DH, Ren H, Tang XC, Neuroreport, 8(1):97-101, 1996.
14.    Hepatotoxic effects of tacrine administration in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, Watkins PB, et al, JAMA, 271(13): 992-98, 1994.
15.    Huperzine A for improving the memory and cognitive function in patients with organic brain diseases,  Ye Q, Wu RZ, Li HL, Chin J Clin Rehab, 9(36): 128-9, September 28, 2005.
16.    Murray Michael T, ND and Pizzorno, Joseph E Jr, ND, Textbook of Natural Medicine, 3rd Edition, Ginkgo biloba, St. Louis: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; pp 975-86, 2006.
17.    Central nervous system effects of Ginkgo biloba, a plant extract, Itil TM, et al, American Journal of  Therapeutics, 3(1): 63-73, 1996.
18.    A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial of an extract of Ginkgo biloba for dementia, LeBars PL, et al, JAMA, 278(16):1327-32, 1997.
19.    Ginkgo Biloba Extract: A Long-Term Study of Chronic Cerebral Insufficiency in Geriatric Patients, Vorberg G, MD, Clinical Trials Journal, 22:149-57, 1985.
20.    Activity of Ginkgo biloba extract on short-term memory, Hindmarch I, Presse Med,15(31), 1592-4, 1986.
21.    Ginkgo biloba extract neuroprotective action is dependent on heme oxygenase 1 in ischemic reperfusion brain injury, Saleem S, Zhuang H, Biswal S, Christen Y, Doré S, Stroke, 39(12):3389-96, Dec 2008.
22.     Mechanism of action of vinpocetine, Kiss B, Karpati E, Acta Pharm Hung, 66:5, 213-24,    Sept 1996.
23.    Psychopharmacological effects of vinpocetine in normal healthy volunteers, Subhan Z, Hindmarch I, Subhan A, Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 28(5):567-71, 1985.
24.     Psychopharmacological effects of vinpocetine in normal healthy volunteers, Subhan Z,
Hindmarch I, Subhan A, Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 28(5):567-71, 1985.
25.    A double-blind placebo controlled evaluation of the safety and efficacy of vinpocetine in the
treatment of patients with chronic vascular senile cerebral dysfunction, Balestreri R, Fontana L,
Astengo F, J Am Geriatr Soc, 35 (5): 425-30, May 1987.
26.    Effect of Nootropic Drugs on Age-Dependent Changes in Transmitter Release, Schmidt J, et
al, Drug  Dev Res, 14:293-95, 1988.
27.    Cerebral effects of a single dose of intravenous vinpocetine in chronic stroke patients: A PET
study, Szakall S, et al, Journal of Neuroimaging, 8(4): 197-204, 1998.
28.    Comparison of vinpocetine with ifenprodil tartrate and dihydroergotoxine mesylate treatment and results of long-term treatment with vinpocetine, Otomo E, Atarashi J, Araki G, et al, Curr Ther Res Clin Exp, 37(5): 811-21, 1985.
29.   Mechanism of action of vinpocetine, Kiss B, Karpati E, Acta Pharm Hung, 66(5): 213-24, Sept
1996.
30.   Beneficial Effect of Vinpocetine on Cerebral Blood Flow, Measured with 1231-IMP SPECT, and
Clinical Symptoms in Patients with Chronic Cerebral Infarction, Yutaka N, et al, Japanese
Pharmacology & Therapeutics
, 25(12): 2977-84, 1997.
31.    The Role of Vinpocetine in the Treatment of Cerebrovascular Diseases on the Base of Human
Studies, Bagoly E, Feher G, Szapary L, Hungarian Medical Journal, 1(4): 1788-6139, November 2007.
32.    Dean, Ward, MD, Smart Drugs & Nutrients, Santa Cruz, CA: B&J Publications, pp 71-75, 1990.
33.    Comparison of the effects of natural and synthetic huperzine-A on rat brain cholinergic function in vitro and in vivo, Tang XC, Kindel GH, Kozikowski AP, et al, J Ethnopharmacol, Dec; 44(3): 147-55, 1994.

NOTICE: The information herein is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat or prevent any disease or endorse any brand or product. For medical advice consult a health care professional.

Copyright 2010 by Nutrition Information Services

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