Supplements That Can Help Boost Brain Power
By: Gary Ruplinger
Introductory comments by Royane Real
Author of “How You Can Be Smarter - Use Your Brain to Learn Faster, Remember Better and Be More Creative”
There are thousands of articles and products on the Internet claiming they can tell you what foods and supplements your brain needs to stay healthy and to keep your memory working well.
I have been searching through many of these articles and products to decide which ones I should include on my site. Too often I find that these articles simply recycle misinformation and I want to keep the information on my website as accurate as possible so that you can trust it. That is why I decided to make additional introductory comments on many of these articles.
If you want to boost your brain power and improve your memory, which supplements and substances should you take?
Many studies have been done to verify the brain-boosting power of Gingko biloba which is recommended in the following article by Gary Ruplinger. Most of the studies on gingko show a very moderate amount of improvement, but it’s important to note that some studies showed no improvement at all.
I was surprised to read in this article that green tea and black tea have now been found to help boost memory. I did a quick search on the internet to discover what evidence exists to prove this claim. I found several interesting articles on reputable websites that back up this statement.
For example, at the site: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2004/oct/26/research.science , there is an article by the science correspondent Ian Sample, who works for the Guardian newspaper in Britain. Mr. Sample reports that a study conducted by Dr. Ed Okello and others at Newcastle University in England found that drinking green or black tea can help protect levels of the memory chemical acetylcholine in the brain. Dr. Okello states that drinking five to ten cups of tea a day could boost memory in those people who are suffering from a slight deficiency in acetylcholine.
I was also surprised to read that rosemary and sage are supposed to be helpful in preserving and enhancing memory. In this case, I was not able to find any substantiating evidence to prove the beneficial effects of rosemary and sage on the brain, but I did find many examples of writers on the internet claiming that these two spices are “reputed to be beneficial to the brain” However, I was not able to find any actual evidence or studies to prove this.
Does this mean that you shouldn’t bother to use the herbs sage and rosemary in your diet? If you decide not to use sage and rosemary, you would be depriving yourself of two of the most delicious and flavor enhancing herbs on the planet. In my opinion, you should continue to use these herbs simply because they make food taste so good. Whether or not they provide any additional health benefits for your brain, you will enjoy your life more if you include these two delicious herbs in your diet.
( The above introductory comments were written by Royane Real.
If you would like to improve the way you think and the way your brain works, get my popular book " How You Can Be Smarter - Use Your Brain to Learn Faster, Remember Better and Be More Creative” You can download it http://www.lulu.com/real )
Feature article:
Supplements That Can Help Boost Brain Power
By: Gary Ruplinger
Would it not be great if you could just pop a pill and remember everything for an exam? Realistically, there are no supplements that can boost your brain power to such astounding levels. But, studies have shown that regular intake of certain supplements increases the ability to memorize.
There are many herbs, supplements and foods that can improve your brain; the effect of which can mean improvement of memory, learning, concentration, attention, reasoning, social skills, decision making, and focus. If you can combine these ‘brain foods’ with sufficient rest and exercise, you will have boosted your brainpower in no time.
The brain requires a variety of nutrients to produce neurotransmitters – these are substances that control mood, behavior, and mind. Studies have proved beyond doubt that nutritional supplements increase IQ and enhance learning ability. ‘Smart nutrients’ (cognitive enhancing supplements) are natural substances that improve human intelligence.
Ginkgo Biloba:
This substance has been used for thousands of years in Eastern cultures and is perhaps the most well-known of all memory enhancing herbs. It works by dilating the blood vessels in the brain and enhancing blood flow to the brain; thus supplying lots of oxygen to the brain.
It also gets rid of harmful free radicals that damage brain cells. However, the results are not immediate. Taking the supplement continuously for a few weeks will start yielding results.
Green Tea and Black Tea:
Recent research has shown that these common constituents of the kitchen are very effective in combating the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease. The most significant result seems to be that these prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine. This is a key chemical involved with memory and is lacking in Alzheimer’s patients. The effect of green tea is more lasting than that of black tea, which lasts only for a day.
Sage and Rosemary:
A recent study shows that students who took sage performed better at a memory recall test. Scientists believe that sage contains substances that may increase levels of a chemical that transmits messages to the brain. Rosemary also helps stimulate the memory and alleviate mental fatigue. It also strengthens mental clarity. How exactly these substances help the brain remains ambiguous.
Vitamin B Supplements:
A healthy diet should provide you with all the vitamins that are needed by the body. But at times of stress and fatigue, the body gets depleted of Vitamin B. This deficiency prevents the functioning of acetylcholine.
Some natural foods like liver, eggs, soybeans, lentils, and green beans are rich in Vitamin B. Vitamin B Supplements also help to boost the level of these vital vitamins in the body.
Iron deficiency:
The most common deficiency in most parts of the world is linked to iron deficiency. Poor concentration, diminished intelligence, and a short attention span are all attributed to iron deficiency.
Iron helps carry oxygen in the blood and its deficiency leaves the brain sadly lacking in oxygen. Iron deficiency can be detected by a simple blood test. Iron-rich food like lean meat, beans, iron-fortified cereals, and iron supplements help raise the levels of iron. But absorption of iron becomes possible only in the presence of vitamin C. Garnishing iron-rich food with lime juice is one of the most effective and natural ways to ingest Vitamin C with iron.
Water:
Water is an often overlooked but important necessity of the brain. The brain is 70% water, and a dehydrated brain works at a slower pace. Therefore it is necessary to keep the brain hydrated with plenty of water.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author: Gary Ruplinger is a featured writer for RareGenius.com. To learn about how to increase your intelligence and improving your memory, visit us.
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