You may wonder if brain vitamins and supplements are effective in supporting brain and overall health, or if they are just a waste of money. Scientists have found that special nutrients are needed in order for the human brain to function optimally. Your brain will survive without those nutrients, but you may suffer from a wide range of symptoms including depression, anxiety and trouble remembering things.

The special nutrients necessary for optimal brain function include SAMe, Vinpocetine and Phosphatidyl Serine. Two extracts are particularly beneficial. Those are ginkgo biloba and bacopa extract. They contain unique phyto-nutrients not present in the foods you eat.

Nutrients that Support Brain Health – SAMe

S-Adenosyl methionine, also known as SAM-e of just SAM, is involved in reactions that occur throughout the body. It is produced in the liver through a complicated process involving ATP, various enzymes and the amino acid methionine. Apparently the complicated process does not always work optimally.

When a nutrient or compound is produced by the body, it is not normally necessary to consume it. Scientists usually refer to the nutrients as non-essential. SAM is not something that is present in foods. There is no recommended daily allowance for the nutrient, but scientists have found that many people have lower than normal levels of the compound in their blood and the brain’s fluids.

In fact, very low levels of SAM have been found in the brains of all Alzheimer’s patients tested. The hope is that brain supplements may help prevent Alzheimer’s and the mental deterioration that accompanies it.

How Does SAMe Benefit the Brain?

Research indicates that SAMe benefits people suffering from Alzheimer’s and it may help prevent the disease. Preliminary research has shown that it helps to prevent oxidative damage, what is often referred to as free radical damage. Free radical damage to the neurons and neurotransmitters is believed to be the cause of age-related memory loss and mental decline.

In Europe, S-Adenosyl methionine is a prescription drug used to treat depression, liver disease and arthritis. In the US, it is a dietary supplement. No prescription is required to purchase it.

The main problem with the supplement is that it must be well designed, because it is unstable and not well-absorbed. In order to get the SAMe benefits, you will need a supplement with an enteric coating to protect it from stomach acid.

If it is exposed to stomach acid, it will be broken down into the individual components instead of being absorbed through the intestinal wall. Once through the intestinal wall, it can enter the bloodstream and eventually find its way to the blood-brain barrier. It must be able to pass through the barrier in order to be beneficial.

Passing the blood-brain barrier is a problem for most brain supplements. The better manufacturers use special techniques to ensure their customers get the most benefit from the nutrients.

If you are interested in the SAMe benefits, you can take a single-ingredient supplement or a multi-nutritional supplement. Multi-nutritional brain vitamins may be the best choice for many reasons. You may not really need specialty brain supplements if you take a good multi-nutritional one on a daily basis.

Ginkgo Biloba and SAMe for Brain and Memory Protection

Ginkgo biloba memory supplements have been popular for years. They contain flavonoids called ginkgolides and bilobalides. Flavonoids are a specific group of antioxidants found in plants. They were at one time referred to as “vitamin P”.

Ginkgo biloba memory supplements work for some people, but not for others. The difference probably has to do with the quality of the supplement. There is also the factor of whether or not other ingredients are included.

Precautions for Gingko Biloba Usage

The main precaution with this herb is connected to its blood thinning effect. People who are on some type of blood thinner like aspirin or a prescription medication blood thinner should consult their health care provider before using supplements containing ginkgo.

Featured Product

After many years of researching and using nutritional supplements, we believe the supplements made by New Zealand based Xtend Life natural products to be some of the highest quality products on the market.

Their multivitamin formula, Total Balance contains many brain boosting nutrients confirmed by research, such as SAMe, Bacopa extract, ginkgo biloba, green tea and many more – over 75 powerful vitamins, herbs and nutrients which work together to support optimal health and specifically brain health.

Wishing You Good Health

The Editors – antiinflammatory supplements.net