Category Archives: Brain

The Best Antioxidant for Your Brain?

The human brain is composed of a high concentration of lipids, many of which are phospholipids and their derivatives. Diets rich in essential fatty acids improve brain function and efficiency. However, the essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated, and this increases … Continue reading

Posted in Brain, Essential Fatty Acids, Tocopherols, Tocotrienols, Vitamin E | Comments Off on The Best Antioxidant for Your Brain?

Mental Function and Dehydration

A reasonably large body of evidence from the literature shows a correlation between the hydration level of the subject and physical performance. As dehydration reaches about 5 %, performance drops off significantly. Athletes have known this for some time, and … Continue reading

Posted in Brain, Water | Comments Off on Mental Function and Dehydration

Glycine and Sleep Quality

Glycine is a non-essential amino acid in human nutrition. This means that the cells of the body are able to synthesise glycine from other amino acids and in this regard there is no requirement to provide a dietary source. The … Continue reading

Posted in Brain, L-glycine, Sleep | Comments Off on Glycine and Sleep Quality

Acetylcholine and Choline

A number of dietary substances are required for the synthesis of neurotransmitters in humans, and this links the diet to the brain. Choline is a dietary factor that is present in a number of foods including eggs, meat, fish and … Continue reading

Posted in Brain, Choline | Comments Off on Acetylcholine and Choline

L-theanine: Psychotropic Effects?

L-Theanine (N-ethyl-L-glutamine) is a non-essential non-proteinaceous amino acid that is found in its free form in tea. Evidence suggests that L-theanine from tea or in supplements is able to cause relaxation by induction of alpha wave states in the brain. … Continue reading

Posted in Brain, L-theanine, Neurodegeneration | Comments Off on L-theanine: Psychotropic Effects?

Effects of Fruit on Mental and Cognitive Health

Fruit consumption has been shown to confer a number of health effects to the consumer. This may relate to the beneficial phytochemicals within fruit which includes high amounts of fibre and antioxidants. One particular health effect that may occur with … Continue reading

Posted in Brain, Fruit | Comments Off on Effects of Fruit on Mental and Cognitive Health

Spirulina and Brain Health

Spirulina is a filamentous cyanobacterium which inhabits fresh water, and following harvesting it is freeze dried and manufactured as a food supplement. Evidence suggests that spirulina has significant therapeutic effects. One interesting aspect of spirulina is evidence that supports its … Continue reading

Posted in Brain, Spirulina | Comments Off on Spirulina and Brain Health

Choline for Memory

Choline is an essential deity component sometimes grouped with the B vitamins. Choline and its metabolites are required for normal cell signalling, and choline can be metabolised to betaine, which is required for homocysteine metabolism and is an important methyl … Continue reading

Posted in Brain, Choline | Comments Off on Choline for Memory

Glycine and Glutamate Bind to the N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is present in the central nervous system where it has an excitatory effect on neuronal activity. A number of ligands exist for the NMDA receptor, and two of these include glutamate and glycine. Glutamate can bind … Continue reading

Posted in Brain, L-glutamate, L-glycine | Comments Off on Glycine and Glutamate Bind to the N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor

Shilajit: Cognitive Effects

Shilajit, also known as salajit, shilajatu, mimie, or mummiyo is a black powder that excudes from rocks in high mountain regions. A number of organic substances in shilajit have been identified including the compound called fulvic acid, which may give … Continue reading

Posted in Brain, Shilajit | Comments Off on Shilajit: Cognitive Effects