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Since the brain is such a small
percentage of body weight, with insulin present it must compete with the other organs and
muscles which weigh 50 times as much as the brain, for blood sugar (glucose). This results
in too little fuel to the brain, and is intensified if there is not enough chromium to
bind insulin with the cellular membrane. The results are low energy, and a craving for
even more sugar.
Interestingly, a healthy non-diabetic person's
circulating blood contains less than one teaspoon of sugar. With a modern high sugar diet,
to pour twenty teaspoons of simple sugar into the bloodstream is easy at one sitting!
Hypoglycemia, diabetes, mental confusion, and behavioral problems are at epidemic
proportions and are the outcome of unsuitable blood-sugar levels.
Complex
carbohydrates, vegetables, grains, legumes, and nuts are a timed-release form of sugar not
requiring a large release of insulin to the system, not forcing the brain to compete with
other organs for sufficient energy and oxygen.
Aging and the environment's effect on the brain
To burn sugar in the cell's mitochondria (power plant), neurons require
adequate oxygen and other nutrients. The red blood cells deliver fresh oxygen with a
chemical exchange of waste products. If the red blood cell loses its shape and elasticity,
(most probably due to exposure to environmental chemicals or pollution or aging), the cell
is unable to be squeezed through the small diameter of the capillary to the remotest parts
of the brain. Also, as we age, the blood vessels supplying the brain tend to clog up
(arteriosclerosis), reducing the brain's oxygen and nutrient supply, causing some forms of
senility.
Oxygen is further reduced when it combines with fats, rather than with
sugar, creating cellular garbage called lipofuscin. Lipofuscin deposits damage and even
kill neurons. Free radical fighting nutrients such as C, E, beta- carotene, zinc,
manganese, selenium, cysteine, glutathione and methionine reductase prevent the build up
of lipofuscin. A study done with rats showed vitamin E deprivation resulted in higher
lipofuscin accumulation in all areas of the brain and a significant impairment in
learning.
Sugar is burned to produce the crucial ATP energy, on which the brain
depends for its very life. ATP (Adenosine Tri Phosphate) molecules release stored energy
to generate neurotransmitters, to transport proteins to cells, to conduct electrical
impulses, to extend and rebuild brain cells.
Most brain ATP energy is produced through two interlocking metabolic
cycles: the glycolitic cycle and Krebs cycle. The enzyme spark plugs required are B1, B2,
B3, B5, Biotin, Magnesium, Manganese, iron, copper, lipoic acid, and CoQ10.
Nutrients and the brain-blood-barrier
Neurons are the only major cells that never reproduce and are one of the
most toxin sensitive. The brain regulates every aspect of our lives and has a unique
protective barrier called the "brain-blood-barrier" (BBB). It protects against
metabolic wastes, drugs, bacterial poisons, and other mostly water soluble toxins.
However, the BBB also interferes with absorption of most major brain nutrients such as C,
B-vitamins, minerals and amino acids, which are also water soluble.
Therefore, one may often need nutrients beyond the RDA levels.
Scientific studies show various mental or mood abnormalities are often the earliest signs
of nutrient deficiencies, such as: apathy, depression, paranoia, anxiety, irritability,
memory loss, etc.
One neuron equals one micro-computer
Usually, one thinks of the brain as a computer, but modern research is
now showing the extreme complexity of the cell. Each of the brain's neurons is in a sense
a micro-computer. Inside each neuron, nerve impulses are conducted electrically and when
information is exchanged between neurons, chemicals called neurotransmitters enable the
cells to talk to each other.
Neurotransmitters and nutrition
So far 60 neurotransmitters have been discovered, 10 of which are
considered the major conductors. Here are seven common ones:
-
Acetycholine is essential for memory and controlling movement. It is made
from pantothenic acid, choline, and the energy compound ATP, produced by coenzyme COQ10.
- Adrenaline and noradrenaline promote activity, alertness and mood
elevation.
-
Dopamine is essential for initiating the coordinating movement and sexual
arousal.
-
GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter for aiding concentration and
chronic anxiety and used for patients with Parkinson's disease.
-
Glycine is also an inhibitory transmitter, which with GABA, helps to
prevent epilepsy.
- Histamine aids sensory integration in the thalamus of the brain.
-
Serotonin is a calming counterbalance for adrenalin and
noradrenalin, and
induces sleep.
All of the major neurotransmitters are made from amino acids except
acetycholine. For example, glutamine is important as the precursor for GABA, helping with
intense focal concentration and the disposal of waste ammonia which is harmful at low
levels. Tyrosine is a precursor of noradrenalin, adrenalin and dopamine, and has been used
successfully in treating stress from overload or burnout. Tryptophan is a precursor of
serotonin, and is converted to niacin if the body needs niacin. (Tryptophan is not
currently available for sale in stores.)
Myelin sheath and lecithin
Certain nerve cells enclosed by myelin, an insulation made chiefly from
fatty acids and cholesterol, are capable of transmitting impulses at incredible speed.
Myelin production requires linoleic acid, as found in lecithin, along with amino acids,
B2, B3, and especially B12, copper and manganese. I've experimented with most of our
products
My own experience with brain nutrients has been very exciting. I have
experimented with flower essences, brain power formulas, herbal extracts, glandulars, gem
essences, singular nutrients, and foods. I have found Alive Energy's Calm Mind, Bach
Flowers Rescue Remedy, B12, GABA, and niacin very effective for handling stress, and
mental strain. Ginkgo biloba, L-glutamine, Alive Energy's Intelligence, Country Life's
4Thought, KAL's Deep Thought, TwinLab's Super Choline w/DMAE plus, Source Naturals' Mega
Mind and bee pollen work wonders for me when I need extra mental concentration and energy.
I also have great success with Jade Medicine's liquid extract Mind Peak.
One favorite I often use is Jarrow's PS-100 Phosphatydl Serine. Brain
phospholipids, the primary constituents of the cell membrane, make the cell less rigid,
more viscous and enhance the transport mechanism for neurotransmitters. In the evening I
often use them with extra magnesium, zinc, B6, and B12 for enhanced dreaming in vivid
colors with high recall.
Customers, especially students, have had very good results with
phosphatidyl choline(PC), especially Twin Labs PC55 and Choline Cocktail, telling me their
ability to learn and retain what they have learned significantly improved. (Alzheimer's
disease patients who were considered hopeless, in terms of treatment, had higher scores on
learning tests, improvement in memory, speech and daily living when given lecithin and
phosphatidyl choline.)
Other nutrients that customers endorse strongly are
spirulina, liver
tablets, nutritional yeast, GTF chromium, chlorella, octacosanol, and raw brain glandular
extracts. I have used all of these and found they work very well. Other general nutrients
that are especially important are potassium, magnesium, zinc, the B complex, and C.
Every mental state is affected by brain chemistry, from sleep to
euphoria. Supplying ourselves with brain nutrients is an excellent way to enhance and
improve our own performance.
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