Holistic Review N: nervous system & brain supplements for natural health.

    1. Blood sugar balance is perhaps the most neglected focus for brain health. 

For adults and children alike, consider a 75% reduction of sugars, including natural sugars, and the increased intake of sugar-balancing herbs such as cinnamon. See chapter F for more information.

    2. Currently the most noteworthy supplements to preserve brain function are phosphatidyl serine, ginkgo, DMAE and vinpocetine. 

    *   Phosphatidyl serine is an antioxidant that also supplies choline, a major component of the nervous system.
    *   Ginkgo biloba is an ancient Chinese herbal antioxidant that is especially known for brain support.
    *   DMAE (dimethyl-amino-ethanol) is a natural fish extract, chemically related to the famous European antioxidants Gerovital(R), KH3 and centrophenoxine, also called "anti-nursing home drugs".
    *   Vinpocetine is especially unique for not being an antioxidant. Vinpocetine is a form of a "brain oxygenator" which has been used to protect the brain for victims of near-drowning. Long term use might similarly prevent memory loss due to aging. The pills are small enough to add to others without an extra swallow.

    3. What if you could wake up feeling chipper, no matter how badly things go? 

The most popular "bedtime supplements" are not for help sleeping, so much as to rejuvenate the brain: 5-HTP, St. John's Wort and L-theonine. We suggest Mood Support by Now Foods which contains all three. These all stimulate serotonin to keep the brain young. In addition you may tend to wake up with a positive mood, greatly reducing stress. This also helps in a crisis, with more clear thinking and less panic or despair.

Larger doses are sometimes used in place of psychiatric drugs. The only problem there is when people do not include basic supplements, especially a multivitamin from chapter A and Co-E1 from chapter B. As we often repeat: never take a "special purpose" supplement unless you also take an "all-purpose" multivitamin. This prevents imbalances and lowers the dosage needed. (Sometimes to zero. A psychiatric problem is sometimes just a deficiency.)

Precautions:

    *   "Bedtime supplements" can cause drowsiness so the best time for them is the evening.
    *   Before dental surgery do not take St. John's Wort which may lower the effects of novacaine.

Product guide n1: the most basic natural brain support supplements.

    *   See chapter A for a good multivitamin. 

Never take a "special purpose" supplement unless you also take an "all-purpose" multivitamin. This prevents imbalances and lowers the dosage needed.

    *   5 mg. enteric Co-E1 by Menuco. 

The highest quality form of vitamin B-3, niacin or niacinamide, directly responsible for both mental and physical energy. (We do not recommend the 10 mg. non-enteric or the 2.5 mg. enteric versions.) For details see chapter B.

    *   100 mg. Phosphatidyl Serine Softgels with 60 mg. ginkgo by Now Foods. 

    *   Liquid DMAE H3 by Twinlab. 

Can add to water or apply to skin.

    *   5 mg. Vinpocetine periwinkle extract by Life Extension. 

    *   Mood Support with St. John's Wort, 5-HTP and L-theonine by Now Foods. 

Precautions: Do not take while driving or operating machinery. Do not take before dental surgery. St. John's Wort may lower the effects of novacaine.

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