Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri L.)

The effect of Bacoba (Bacopa monnieri L.) on memory and cognition has been extensively studied, and many excellent review articles describe its nootropic functions [1-4]. The activity has been attributed to the saponin mixture consisting of bacosides A, B and other saponins [5]. The major chemical entity shown to be responsible for the memory-facilitating action of Bacopa, are the bacoside A. It has been suggested that Bacopa, like Ginkgo biloba L., exhibits neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing effects, in part due to its capacity to modulate the cholinergic system and to contrast oxidative stress in the brain [6-9]. The brain is especially susceptible to oxidative stress because it is metabolically active, possesses high levels of pro-oxidant iron, and is composed of unsaturated lipids (prone to lipid peroxidation) [10].

The cholinergic system is composed of organized nerve cells that use the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the transduction of action potentials. These nerve cells are activated by or contain and release acetylcholine during the propagation of a nerve impulse. The cholinergic system has been associated with a number of cognitive functions, including memory, selective attention, and emotional processing [11].

Other important property of Bacopa is its antiinflammatory activity in the brain. Neuroinflammation is thought to play a role in many central nervous system disorders including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, and psychiatric diseases such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Long term neuroinflammation is detrimental and can lead to neurodegeneration, as seen in diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Multiple sclerosis [12]. Bacopa has been shown in animal models to inhibit the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) [13]. Moreover, it was observed that alkaloid extracts of Bacopa, as well as bacoside A significantly inhibited the release of TNFα and IL-6 from activated N9 microglial cells in vitro and inhibits enzymes associated with inflammation in the brain [12].

The extract of Bacopa monnieri of MINFIRE is obtained using the last technology in plant extraction, what allows obtaining a highly pure extract and with a high concentration in bacosides. To produce our extract, a whopping 30 kilograms of Bacopa needs to be used to produce just a single kilogram of the extract. As a result, our Bacopa extract is standardized to 50% in bacosides, higher than the usually founded in other food supplements (25%-45%). Our extract meets all the quality requirements in food supplements industry, and the highly demanding criteria of Nutribiolite products.

Hericium or Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus Bull. Pers.)

Hericium erinaceus, also known as Lion’s mane, is a very unique mushroom that is widely distributed though North America and Asia. Lion’s mane, as the name might suggest, looks like the mane of a lion. Lion’s mane has a long history as a medicine [14] and has been found to promote positive nerve and brain health. It has great potential in treating neurological disorders as it contains neurotrophic bioactive compounds that can pass through the blood–brain barrier [15, 16].

The mushroom is abundant in bioactive compounds including β-glucan polysaccharides and hericenones and erinacine terpenoides:

β-glucan polysaccharides: The β-glucan polysaccharides have been of particular interest because of the bioactivities that have been attributed to them. For example, extracellular and intracellular β-glucan polysaccharides showed a protective effect on oxidative hepatotoxicity in mice [17]. Neuroprotective effects of β-glucan polysaccharides were observed in an in vitro model of cells that were toxic from amyloid β plaque formation. β-glucan polysaccharides also promoted cell viability and protected cells against apoptosis induced by amyloid β plaque formation [18].

Erinacine terpenoides: The erinacine terpenoids of Lion’s mane can easily cross the blood-brain barrier and have demonstrated induction of nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis [16, 19]. The NGF is essential for the development and phenotypic maintenance of neurons in the peripheral nervous system and for the functional integrity of cholinergic neurons (from the cholinergic system) in the central nervous system [20].

In MINFIRE, the Lion’s mane mushroom is treated with a hydroalcoholic mixture ethanol:water in order to obtain a higher amount of organic soluble molecules like the erinacine terpenoides. This shift the character of its benefits due to concentrating the cognition-supporting ethanol soluble terpenoides compounds in lion’s mane mushroom. To produce our Lion’s mane extract, a whopping 10 kilograms of raw lion’s mane mushroom needs to be used to produce just a single kilogram of extract.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.)

With age, the body experiences a decrease in elasticity and tonicity in the blood vessels, which limits blood’s fluidity. Insufficient blood, oxygen, and nutrients in the brain can lead to impaired cognitive function. Ginkgo biloba extract exerts constrictive and dilatory effects on blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the brain, and consequently its levels of glucose and ATP, resulting in an improvement in mental function [21]. In vivo experimentation has shown that its phytoactive compounds (flavonoids glycosides and terpene lactones), easily cross the blood-brain barrier, acting directly in the brain, producing the beneficial effects mentioned above [22]. According to the studies, its mechanism of action is through its antioxidant and anti-platelet-activating factor (PAF) activity, in addition to its modulatory effects on cerebrovasculature tone, receptor/transmitter activity, glucose metabolism, and electroencephalographic activity [22-26].

Recent studies have suggested that the Ginkgo, similar to Bacopa, also has direct effect on the cholinergic system by increasing the ability of acetylcholine to bind to a synaptic receptor site, which might explain both its acute and chronic cognitive enhancing effects [27].

The standardized Ginkgo extract present in MINFIRE, containing > 24% flavonoids glycosides and 6% terpene lactones, is one of the most widely used herbal remedies for dementia and cognitive impairment, and remains one of the best evaluated and characterized extracts [21]. To prepare our ginkgo extract, 50 kilograms of raw ginkgo leaves needs to be used to produce just a single kilogram of the extract.

Green tea (Camellia sinensis L. Kuntze ) – caffeine-free

Green tea (Camellia sinensis L. Kuntze) and its main ingredients, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG, also known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate) and L-theanine, can enhance cognition, neuropsychology and brain functions, as the majority of the reviewed studies suggest [28]. Most of the authors attribute the beneficial effects of green tea to the high levels of EGCG and other antioxidants [29].

The polyphenolic EGCG protects cells from damage associated with oxidative stress and suppresses the activity of pro-inflammatory chemicals produced in your body, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) [30]. This protection can help reduce brain damage that could lead to mental decline and brain diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Studies based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) also found short-term benefits in memory and attention as well as an increase in the activation of a brain area responsible for mediating working memory [29, 30].

The green tea extract used in the MINFIRE formula is of premium quality and uses an advanced extraction process that eliminates the caffeine and retains the antioxidant polyphenols (95% of its total content). Of the total polyphenols in our extract, 80% are phenolic catechins and 50% are pure EGCG. To prepare our green tea extract, a whopping 100 kilograms of raw green tea leaves needs to be used to produce just a single kilogram of the extract.

Choline L-Bitartrate

Choline it is neither a vitamin nor a mineral, but it is often grouped with the vitamin B complex due to its similarities. In fact, this nutrient affects a number of vital bodily functions like liver function, muscle movement, metabolism, healthy brain development and nervous system function [31].

As mentioned above, the cholinergic system is modulated by the neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. The synthesis of acetylcholine largely depends on dietary choline intake [32]. Although our body is able to produce choline, we need to get it from the diet to avoid a deficiency. Indeed, many people are not meeting the recommended intake for this nutrient [31]. Example of foods that are source of choline are: liver, egg yolks, meat, fish, broccoli and cauliflower. An alternative for overcoming a possible choline deficiency is through supplementation. Supplementing with choline L-bitartrate is an excellent choice, as it has a much higher bioabsorption rate than plain choline when taken orally in capsules or tablets.

Researchers have been investigated extensively the long-term effects of dietary choline availability on brain and memory. Studies in vivo with rats concluded that the brain’s acetylcholine concentrations increase after an enriched choline diet [33] and memorization of food locations improve after rats were administered with choline either prenatally [34-37], around birth [37, 38] or later in life [39, 40]. In humans, studies show that choline supplementation may help the elderly to recover from moderate Alzheimer’s dementia  and other memories impairments [41-44].

L-tirosina

L-Tyrosine is an aromatic amino acid and essential component for the production of compounds with high physiological activity, such as the catecholamines dopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and epinephrine (adrenaline) [45]. These compounds are called neurotransmitters and constitute the so-called catecholaminergic neurotransmitter system [46].

There is a strong relation between L-tyrosine intake and the enhancement of brain catecholamine synthesis in humans [46, 47]. In relation with that, two clinical studies on patients with depression and healthy volunteers have demonstrated that L-tyrosine supplementation  positively supports depression management [48]. Moreover, as L-tyrosine increases dopamine levels in the brain, it can improve mental performance in stressful situations. Indeed, one clinical study asked 22 healthy adults to switch between two different tasks rapidly. Compared to the control group, L-tyrosine positively promoted cognitive flexibility (a brain function assumed to be regulated by dopamine) [49].  

Other important function of tyrosine is the production of thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and the triiodothyronine (T3). T3 and T4 regulate the body’s metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, directing how the body uses these compounds to produce energy.  The thyroid gland cannot produce these two hormones without the presence of the amino acid L-tyrosine and the mineral iodine. Thus, a deficiency of either the amino acid or the mineral or both can contribute to low thyroid hormone levels. Studies have found L-tyrosine can be beneficial for treating fatigue, a common symptom of low thyroid or adrenal hormone levels [50].

Tyrosine also helps produce melanin, the pigment responsible for hair and skin color [51]. It helps in the function of organs responsible for making and regulating hormones, including the adrenal and pituitary glands. It is involved in the structure of almost every protein in the body.

Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid, a high biological quality fat, essential as a nutrient for the body. Although it is distributed throughout the body, it is in the brain where it accumulates in greater quantity, especially in the cerebral cortex or gray matter [52]. Phosphatidylserine regulates nerve impulse conduction, improves nerve cells function and memory, is involved on ATP metabolism and is featured in the apoptosis [53, 54].

Phosphatidylserine includes two fatty acids that can vary from saturated or monounsaturated to polyunsaturated omega-6 and omega-3 versions like docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) [53]. The DHA is the major polyunsaturated fatty acid in the central nervous system and accumulates particularly in phosphatidylserine. A correct supply of DHA is essential for the synthesis of phosphatidylserine in the body [55].

The concentration of phosphatidylserine in our brain tissues decreases as the years go by and this decrease is related to the deficit of mental capacity and memory [53]. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial study concluded that phosphatidylserine supplementation produce significant improvements in Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), short-term auditory memory and working memory and mental performance to visual stimuli [56]. The effect of the combination of phosphatidylserine and DHA was evaluated in another study in vivo. Such study concluded that this combination can reduced the concentration of damaging reactive oxygen species in brain and liver and may improve learning and memory [57].

The fist scientific studies evaluating the beneficial effect of phosphatidylserine treatment in patients with dementia, were published in the in the early 90’s and were employing bovine brain-derived phosphatidylserine [58]. However, due to concerns regarding bovine spongiform encephalopathy, the most recent studies have based their findings using phosphatidylserine from a vegetal source, mainly obtained by the enzymatic conversion of soybean lecithin (according to the European regulation, only the non-bovine brain-derived phosphatidylserine is allowed in food supplements). Because phosphatidylserine is found in soy lecithin at about 3% of total phospholipids, our ingredient is treated enzymatically in a process called transphosphatidylation to increases its content in phosphatidylserine to 20%.

DHA is one of the components of another amazing Nutribiolite’s product, the OMEGA 3 + VIT K2 + VIT D3. This food supplement has 1000 mg of pure OMEGA 3 fatty acid standardized to 50% of EPA (500 mg) and 25% in DHA (250 mg).