Make time for Brain Health

First, what’s the difference between turmeric and curcumin? Turmeric contains bioactive compounds called curcuminoids, curcumin being the superstar that makes up 75% of those active curcuminoids.[1] Here are just some of the curcumin health benefits. Doctors prescribe curcumin to Alzheimer’s patients[2], which can help improve memory and concentration by increasing blood flow to the brain.[3] It breaks up plaque found in patient brains while also reducing inflammation, oxidative stress and metal toxicity—all believed to play a role in the disease. Curcumin is a natural antidepressant that increases serotonin and dopamine. Not only can curcumin be safely combined with antidepressant medications, but it may even increase their effectiveness.[4]A powerful anti-aging antioxidant, curcumin protects the brain from free radical damage[5] while also raising the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that stimulates the creation of new brain cells.[6] New research shows that curcumin increases the bioavailability of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an omega-3 essential fatty acid that’s a fundamental building block of the brain,3 while also boosting neuroplasticity throughout your life.[7]

MCT oil is a powerful brain booster found to increase brain energy by 8-9%.[8] It can help repair brain cell damage and delay aging, especially when combined with a high-fat diet. [9] It also increases intestinal flora (all that good gut bacteria) that produces neurotransmitters: the chemicals your brain cells use to communicate.[10]

This intrepid amino acid increases alertness, focus, and cognition while slowing age-related memory loss in the brain.[11] Studies have shown that acetyl-L-carnitine supplements can slow brain decline and may help improve brain function in people with mild dementia or Alzheimer’s.[12] Your body naturally produces Acetyl-L-carnitine, which also plays an important role in your metabolism, helping turn fat into energy.[10]

Fish oils contain the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), essential nutrients associated with improved brain health. DHA plays a vital role in the structure and function of your brain, accounting for 25% of the total fat and 90% of the omega-3 fat found in your brain cells. It has also been shown to help patients with mild brain-function decline, and linked to improved cognition, memory and reaction times.[13] EPA may also benefit people with depression, and its anti-inflammatory effects may protect against brain damage and aging.[12]