Dear Health Conscious Reader,
They say forgetfulness is a sign of old age. But when “old age” starts may be earlier than you ever thought.
In fact, I just saw a study the other day that said, as a normal part of aging, memory starts to decline at 37 on average, and things like reasoning, speed of thought, and spatial visualization start to go even earlier – at age 27. 1
But there are some things you can do. If you feed your brain the nutrients it needs, you can help maintain and possibly even improve your brain function – no matter how old you are.
Here are my top four brain boosters that I’ve used with my patients for years and have found to be very effective.
Vinpocetine. Vinpocetine expands your blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the brain.
One study gave 42 patients 10 mg of vinpocetine every day for 30 days, then 5 mg for 60 days. Those taking it scored consistently better on various mental tests compared to the half taking a placebo.2
Other studies show it can help to maintain healthy brain function as we age, as well as enhance memory.3,4
I suggest you start out with about 2 to 5 mg with meals daily to make sure you’re not hypersensitive to it. You can increase the dose from there until you start to see results. To try my formula, go here now.
Choline. Your brain has a huge appetite for choline. Your brain uses it to maintain clear communication between trillions of neurons. And you need it for basic brain functions like thought, memory, and sleep.
It is important to get enough choline-rich foods in your diet. Your best sources are eggs, chicken and turkey livers, pork, almonds, cauliflower, artichokes, green peas, and spinach.
Men need more choline than women need per day, about 550 mg compared to 425 mg for women. But as you as age, you’ll need more. I usually put my older patients on as much as 1,500 mg per day to get the maximum brain-boosting benefit.
Choline is the key ingredient in my Choline Punch formula. You can add it to your favorite smoothie or juice and help keep your mind sharp all day long.
Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is a key nutrient for maintaining good memory function. It helps create and maintain the brain’s protective coating, called myelin. Myelin helps neurons in conducting their messages and protects them. Keep your B12 levels up and you will help strengthen myelin’s effectiveness.
What’s more, B12 helps prevent the brain from shrinking. A study published in the journal of Neurology found that people who had higher levels of vitamin B12 in their blood were six times less likely to experience brain shrinkage compared to those who had lower levels.5
Lean meats, particularly grass-fed beef, and organ meats are rich in B12. You can also find it in fish like salmon, haddock, tuna, and trout. Plus, look for a supplement with at least 500 mcg of B12. My vitamin B12 spray delivers 1200 mcg, and it gives you a nice boost of energy as well.
Acetyl L-carnitine (ALC). ALC helps maintain abstract reasoning, focus, and memory. As you age, your body may not make enough of it. Supplementing may make up the difference. However, let your doctor know you’re taking ALC, especially if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
I recommend 500 mg of ALC per day. To try my formula, go here now.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD
- R. Stickney, “Old Age Begins at 27”. MSNBC.com. 3/18/09
- Balestreri, R : Fontana, L : Astengo, F. J-Am-Geriatr-Soc. 1987 May; 35(5):
- Vinpocetine. Monograph.” Alternative Medicine Review. 2002. (3):240-3.
- Possible memory-enhancing properties of vinpocetine.” Drug Development Research. 2004. 14(3-4):191–193; and McDaniel et al. “‘Brain-specific’ nutrients: a memory cure?” Nutrition. 2003. 19(11-12):957-75.
- University of Oxford, “Vitamin B12 may protect the brain in old age”. 9/9/08. http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_release_for_journalists/090908.html