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This Is Why You Need More Than 9 Ingredients in Your Multivitamin
Americans love vitamins and other dietary supplements. More than half of all American adults take supplements,¹ and multiples are more popular than any other supplement category. This is good because scientific surveys consistently find that vitamin and mineral deficiencies are widespread. Degraded soil quality, excessive processing and other chemical manipulation of our foods deplete their vitamins, minerals and other nutrients important for our health. Taking a scientifically-designed multiple can be nutritional health insurance. How to Select a High-Quality Supplement The dietary supplement marketplace can be confusing, though. With thousands of supplements to choose from, it’s difficult to know if you’re getting truly high-quality supplements that can actually deliver on what they promise. After all, how can you know for sure that you're not wasting money on supplements that won't improve your health? The simplest answer to this question is that not all supplements are created equal. When you shop for supplements, you definitely will get more healthful products if you're better informed. Try to develop reliable criteria for choosing a supplement brand. Here are some of the top factors to keep in mind: Additives First, the additives. Many supplements have agents added only for cosmetic reasons, titanium dioxide for example. Others have artificial dyes, some of which are linked to cancer. Some supplements, including many being marketed to children, even have substantial amounts of sugar added. Many products that contain minerals have revealed lead contamination when tested. Absorption Next, there’s the issue of absorption. Many ingredients are known to be poorly absorbed yet are used simply because they are cheaper or take up less space in the tablet or capsule. BrainMD's product development team know that it's impossible to make a truly healthful multiple in one capsule or tablet per day. Even two per day are going to be far short of being optimal or even just sufficient. One common example is magnesium oxide, found in the majority of multiples yet known to be not as well absorbed as magnesium citrate, malate, or glycinate. Calcium or zinc oxides are similarly bad, and the sulfates and carbonates of minerals are also inferior. Safety Another crucial issue is whether the particular ingredient has been verified safe and effective in well-designed human studies. The very commonly used folic acid form of the folate B vitamin is a synthetic substance very rare in nature and known to negatively interfere with the body's healthy utilization of folate. The common cyano-cobalamin form of vitamin B12 actually contains cyanide, which is not safe for smokers, women taking certain oral contraceptives, or for anyone, really. The BrainMD supplements use methylfolate and methyl-vitamin B12, the most active forms of these vitamins and naturally occurring in the body. Testing Then there are the "whole foods" promoters, who premix vitamin ingredients into dried foods and claim they're better absorbed that way. This is nothing more than aggressive marketing with very little, if any, science behind it. The best supplement ingredients are those which are actually tested in double-blind trials and found to relieve deficiencies while improving the functioning of the brain and other organs. Deficiencies These are some of the factors that will help you develop your personal, well-informed criteria for choosing a multiple. What's at stake is no less than your survival: research has established that for humans, long-term deficiencies in vitamins and essential minerals can result in loss of energy, the breakdown of bodily functions, and eventually death. For example, vitamin D deficiency is on the rise in some U.S. states.² And that's not all. Every few years the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducts a large national survey, which identifies widespread deficiencies in the population. Besides more than 93% of the population not getting enough vitamin D, over 90% aren't getting enough vitamin E, over 54% not enough magnesium, even 36% not getting enough vitamin C! A glass of orange juice doesn't come close to supplying enough vitamin C for good health (besides being loaded with sugar). With vitamin and mineral deficiencies on the rise, think of supplements as nutritional health insurance to help maintain health and optimize brain and body function. In a market inundated with multivitamin supplements, BrainMD is proud to offer its advanced, proprietary formula... NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin The BrainMD product development team has over 60 years of combined dietary supplement experience. We follow the clinical research very closely and rely on objective scientific findings to develop and upgrade our supplement products. We are focused on the brain, but it's a reality of cell biology that the vitamins and essential minerals that help our brain cells also help all our other cells, and consequently maintain our whole-body well-being. Vitamins and essential minerals are the "nuts and bolts" of human biochemistry — they are indispensable to the structure and functioning of the enzymes that generate and use the life energy that keeps us alive, alert, mental and physically competent. BrainMD's NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin combines more than 50 vitamins, essential minerals, conditionally-essential nutrients and plant extracts, in their most active forms to provide you with whole body-mind nutrition that far exceeds the quality of drugstore multivitamins.* Conditionally essential nutrients don't get a lot of respect, yet (as the term implies) can be as essential for survival for some individuals under some conditions.* 5 Key Benefits of NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin Though the benefits of this dynamic, broad-spectrum multivitamin are numerous, NeuroVite Plus can support your daily health by: Nourishing your body’s cells, tissues and organs with a wide range of essential and conditionally essential nutrients, all very important for energy, health and survival.* Going beyond other multiples to further promote optimal brain function with important phytonutrients that help sustain brain cells.* Supporting the health of ALL the body's organ systems with the full range of vitamins, the essential dietary minerals (except iron and copper-see below), lutein and zeaxanthin for the brain and eyes, resveratrol and hesperidin for the brain and circulation, coenzyme Q10 ("CoQ") for the heart.* Shoring up the body's antioxidant defenses with the antioxidant vitamins C and E, the essential minerals zinc, selenium, and manganese, the conditionally essential alpha lipoic acid, CoQ along with lutein and zeaxanthin.* Further including a careful selection of beneficial food concentrates, as well as digestive enzymes to help ensure digestion and absorption.* Head-to-Head Supplement Comparison In head-to-head comparisons, here’s how the ingredients in NeuroVite Plus measure up to the ingredients of other leading multiple supplements: [wc_box color="inverse" text_align="left" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" class=""] Vitamin D Vitamin D used to be known just for building bones. But within the last decade, a surge of research established that this vitamin is converted by the liver and kidneys into a hormone that regulates practically all our organs, not least the brain. Vitamin D promotes the health of the brain, heart and circulation, immune system, bones, joints, muscles and other organs. Vitamin D promotes attention, socialization, memory and learning, positive mood, and brain function overall, while generally enhancing health and well-being. Other Brands: 500 - 1000 IU on average* NeuroVite Plus: 2000 IU of vitamin D3 (superior to vitamin D2) Methylfolate Folate is crucial for supplying methyl, a deceptively simple chemical group essential for everything from making our DNA to producing key brain neurotransmitters, and for recycling homocysteine which is a potentially lethal toxin naturally made in the body. All but a few really sophisticated multiples provide folate as folic acid. This synthetic substance doesn't occur in plants or in any of our foods and is so chemically different from natural folates, it gunks up our folate enzymes and impairs our natural folate utilization. Growing numbers of Americans have high levels of unconverted folic acid in their blood, linked to adverse health effects. By providing methylfolate, NeuroVite Plus promotes smooth and efficient folate metabolism for those who need it most: women of reproductive age, the elderly, the high proportion of individuals who carry folate enzyme mutations.* Other Brands: 100 to 400 mcg of folic acid* NeuroVite Plus: 400 mcg of methylfolate as the glucosamine salt, stable and well absorbed Vitamin B12, as Methylcobalamin Our arrays of enzyme systems that use methylfolate to obtain methyl and recycle homocysteine also need vitamin B12. Plants don't make this vitamin, so vegans and vegetarians can have low levels. Also, its absorption is highly complicated and vulnerable to blockade by antacids, histamine type 2 receptor blockers, and proton pump inhibitors. Certain antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and metformin also can deplete B12. Rather than use cheap and potentially harmful cyanide-laden B12, BrainMD uses methylcobalamin (methyl-B12), the best dietary form of vitamin B12.* Other Brands: Typically cyano-cobalamin, as low as 8 mcg up to 150 mcg on average* NeuroVite Plus: 500 mcg of methyl-B12, known to be absorbed when taken by mouth Choline This conditionally essential nutrient is practically a vitamin since some people need to get it from their diet. It supplies methyl groups as an important backup for those coming from methylfolate and methyl-B12. It also supports the production of acetylcholine, our most abundant nerve transmitter, both within and outside the brain. Choline is crucial for healthy liver function and is very important during pregnancy. Other brands: Very rarely present* NeuroVite Plus: 25 mg Vitamin C This vitamin is widely known as an antioxidant. But it doesn't get sufficient recognition for being highly concentrated in the brain and essential for brain enzymes that regulate the neurotransmitters acetylcholine, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Vitamin C is a crucial brain antioxidant, an important cofactor for the production of nerve cell electrical insulation (myelin) and helps ensure healthy blood flow to the brain. During the age of sea exploration, sailors who developed vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) often went insane. Other Brands: 50 - 100 mg (many only contain 60 mg, which is 100% DV on average)* NeuroVite Plus: 200 mg Vitamin E This vitamin is the major antioxidant protector for cell membranes – where our most dynamic enzyme assemblies are located. NeuroVite Plus provides the full spectrum (alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopherol) of vitamin E forms present in a healthy diet.* Other Brands: 10 IU on average* NeuroVite Plus: 30 IU alpha-tocopherol, plus another 30 mg beta + gamma + delta tocopherols. Boron Though not formally proven as a dietary essential, boron supports the body's utilization of vitamin D and magnesium, and there's other clinical evidence it promotes health. In a human study, controlled lowering of dietary boron intake impaired memory and attention functions. Other Brands: Many multivitamins don’t include Boron – those that do usually contain 1 mg or less* NeuroVite Plus: 1.5 mg Lutein and Zeaxanthin These two carotenoid nutrients are practically vitamins since the body cannot make them. They are the yellow-orange pigments of the retina, protecting it against light damage and facilitating glare discrimination. But recently they were discovered to be actively accumulated by the brain, and clinical findings suggest they are involved in memory and likely other cognitive brain functions.* Other Brands: Very few have them, and in very small amounts* NeuroVite Plus: 3 mg lutein, 300 mcg zeaxanthin [/wc_box] Brain-Boosting Blend NeuroVite Plus supplies substantial daily doses of key nootropic nutrients.* These are all costly ingredients, but we included them to make NeuroVite Plus a more fully brain-directed multiple.* These ultra-pure, high-potency ingredients include: PhosphatidylSerine (PS) has the best clinical track record for memory, and as a major cell membrane building block works closely with the omega-3s to maintain nerve cell connections.* Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) is fundamentally important for our cells' mitochondria to generate energy, as well as for gene regulation, and production of the major neurotransmitter acetylcholine.* Like PS, ALC facilitates nerve growth factor actions to sustain nerve cell survival.* Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) is required for two major enzymes that generate energy, and besides being a powerful antioxidant also helps maintain blood sugar within healthy range.* Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ) is centrally involved in mitochondrial function in addition to being antioxidant; numerous clinical trials document its importance for the brain, heart and circulation, immune system, and other organs.* But wait, there’s more... 2 Additional Blends Some leading supplement companies claim that less is more and only include 9 or fewer ingredients in their multivitamins.* At BrainMD, we believe that more is more and that’s why we’ve included over 50 essential nutrients in our multivitamin-mineral. In addition to high doses of core ingredients, NeuroVite Plus rounds out its formulation with: The Fruit and Vegetable Blend that emphasizes antioxidant versatility.* The Digestive Enzyme Blend to support healthy digestion.* NeuroVite Plus is the most essential dietary supplement for everyone to take.* NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin FAQs [wc_box color="inverse" text_align="left" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" class=""] 1. What Makes NeuroVite Plus Unique? NeuroVite Plus is a highest-quality, multifunctional dietary supplement that surpasses conventional brands in its range and potency.* Compared to other leading supplement brands, NeuroVite Plus has nearly 3 times more ingredients than the average multiple, all of them optimized for their applications.* It’s concentrated, naturally derived and made with integrity. Its diverse set of over 50 nutrients makes NeuroVite Plus the dietary supplement of choice for anyone seeking optimal physical and mental fitness.* 2. Can Children Take NeuroVite Plus? NeuroVite Plus is fine for older kids to take if they're okay with capsules. For kids aged 9 or younger, we developed a sugar-free multiple called Kids’ NeuroVite Multivitamin Chewables. It has a delicious orange flavor in its penguin-shaped, chewable tablets that kids love. 3. Why Doesn't NeuroVite Plus Have Omega-3 Fatty Acids? The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are conditionally essential nutrients, building blocks for healthy cell membranes, which are vital for all our cells and mandatory for our brain cells to make the trillions of connections that enable peak memory, mood, behavior, and even personality.* From the clinical research, it's clear that the cheap, basic "18/12" fish oil doesn't come close to supplying enough EPA+DHA.* Rather than risk destabilizing the powder ingredients of NeuroVite Plus with a mass of sticky oil, BrainMD supplies an ultra-high-powered fish oil called Omega-3 Power.* Two Omega-3 Power soft gel provides 860 mg of EPA and 580 mg of DHA, sufficient to raise your omega-3 cell membrane levels into the optimal range after a few months.* [/wc_box] The Multi with More The modern diet isn’t providing sufficient average intakes of various essential nutrients. While failing to get enough of these vitamins and essential nutrients may lead to serious, long-term health issues, feeding your brain and body with healthy foods and high-quality supplements can provide tremendous nutritional health support for you and everyone in your family. Nutritional research³ makes clear that everyone can benefit from taking a multiple vitamin-mineral supplement that’s concentrated, naturally derived, and made with integrity. For all the above, take NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin daily.* At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin and our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen. References: 1. Mishra, S., Stierman, B., Gahche, J. J., & Potischman, N. (2021, February). Dietary supplement use among adults: United States, 2017–2018 (NCHS Data Brief No. 399). National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db399.htm 2. Tangpricha, V. (2007). Vitamin D deficiency in the southern United States. South Medical Journal, 100(4), 384–385. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.smj.0000209229.90862.03 3. Fletcher, R. H., & Fairfield, K. M. (2002). Vitamins for chronic disease prevention in adults. JAMA, 287(23), 3127–3129. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.287.23.3127
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Here Are Some of the Best Ways to Repair and Renew Your Brain!
A blow to the head from a fall, car accident, football tackle (or other sports trauma), domestic violence or combat injury can muddle your mind and memory. Your brain is very delicate, like the consistency of soft butter, and is protected by a hard skull with multiple sharp, bony ridges. Even a minor blow to the head, without a loss of consciousness, may result in a brain injury that can negatively impact the rest of your life. Suffering a head trauma can significantly decrease your brain function. Even though a damaged brain can be rewired¹ over time, a brain that’s never been damaged is the best option for living a high-quality life. However, should anything happen to your brain, the road to recovery will be shorter if you start off with a healthy brain. Warning Signs While some people display warning signs immediately following a hit to the head, others don’t develop symptoms until weeks or even months later. The result of this delay is that the underlying cause of the complaints is often forgotten. Here are some of the most common complications associated with mild to moderate head trauma: Confusion Difficulty with concentration and paying attention Memory problems Difficulty with word finding Mental and/or physical fatigue Sleep problems Sensitivity to noise and/or light Moodiness Anger outbursts Social isolation Vision problems Balance problems Nausea Nutritional Support Many people who’ve experienced a head injury will try almost anything to get help for their brain. One of the best ways to promote the healing process is with brain directed supplements. At the foundation of every vitamin regimen should be a high-purity, clinically researched multivitamin. At BrainMD, we’re proud to recommend… NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin Vitamins and essential minerals are the nuts and bolts of human biochemistry – they are indispensable to the structure and functioning of the enzymes that keep us alive, alert, and mentally competent. BrainMD’s NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin combines more than 50 vitamins, essential minerals, conditionally-essential nutrients and plant extracts, in their most active forms to provide you with whole body-mind nutrition that far exceeds the quality of drugstore multivitamins. 5 Benefits of NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin Though the benefits of this dynamic, broad-spectrum multivitamin are numerous, NeuroVite Plus can support your daily health by: [wc_box color="inverse" text_align="left" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" class=""] Nourishing your body’s cells, tissues and organs with a wide range of essential and conditionally essential nutrients, which are vital for energy, health and survival. Going beyond other multiples to further promote optimal brain function with potent phytonutrients that help sustain brain cells. Supporting the health of each organ system with the full range of vitamins, essential dietary minerals, lutein and zeaxanthin for the eyes, resveratrol and hesperidin for circulation, coenzyme Q10 (“CoQ”) for the heart. Shoring up the body’s defenses with the antioxidant vitamins C and E, the essential minerals zinc, selenium, and manganese, the conditionally essential alpha lipoic acid, CoQ along with lutein and zeaxanthin. Including a careful selection of beneficial food concentrates, as well as digestive enzymes to help ensure proper digestion and absorption. [/wc_box] Here Are 6 of the Best Ways to Repair and Renew Your Brain Practice Brain Safety Since there’s an increased risk associated with multiple hits to the head,² do everything you can to take care of your brain. Even though protecting your head should be a no-brainer, it’s helpful to be reminded of some practical brain safety tips that can reduce your risk of head trauma, such as: avoid high-risk sports where you can hit your head, remember to wear a seatbelt when in a vehicle and always wear a helmet when on a motorcycle, bicycle, skateboard, snowboard, skis or rollerblades. Step It Up Exercise is perhaps the single most important thing you can do to keep your brain healthy. Physical activity can boost blood flow and other positive nutrients to the brain, increase your levels of dopamine and generate new brain cells. Walking can help clear your mind, improve your mood and burn some calories all at the same time. Stay Hydrated Every system in the human body needs water to function. Your brain is 80% water, so avoid anything that dehydrates it – such as caffeine or alcohol. Being dehydrated by just 2% impairs performance in tasks that require attention, immediate memory skills, and physical performance. Avoid Alcohol Alcohol is not a health food and should be used in moderation. Even one glass of beer or wine per day can negatively affect the brain and body. Never drive under the influence of alcohol. This also applies to prescription medications, which can impair your ability to drive. Balanced Blood Sugar Keep your blood sugar balanced throughout the day with healthy snacks, green tea, and vitamins and nutrients. Low blood sugar levels are associated with lower overall blood flow to the brain, poor impulse control, irritability, and bad decisions. Quality Sleep Good sleep is essential for optimal brain and body health. Sleep helps repair and renew all the cells in the body. It gives the brain a chance to wash away toxins³ that build up during the day. It’s recommended that you get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Avoid Head Injuries Protecting your head is crucial in ensuring your safety and well-being. It can safeguard you from potential injuries, prevent long-term health consequences, and can even save you from financial setbacks. Since it only takes one unexpected incident to change your life, be sure to take every precaution in protecting your most valuable asset – your brain. At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin and our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen. References: 1. UC Health. (2022, March 18). Brain injury: The road to recovery. UC Health. Retrieved January 9, 2025, from https://www.uchealth.com/health-library/brain-injury-the-road-to-recovery 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 16). Traumatic brain injury & concussion. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved January 9, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/index.html 3. National Institutes of Health. (2013, October 17). Brain may flush out toxins during sleep: NIH-funded study suggests sleep clears brain of damaging molecules associated with neurodegeneration. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved January 9, 2025, from https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/brain-may-flush-out-toxins-during-sleep
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Helpful Ways to Cope with Grief and Loss During Hard Times
Are you dealing with a loss? Maybe you've recently lost a job or lost someone close to you. Identifying and processing your feelings can help you cope with a personal, relational, or financial tragedy. If you’re struggling with a loss, there are steps you can take to begin the healing process. The first is to identify which stage of grief you’re in and what that means. The Stages of Grief Grief can leave a lasting imprint on the brain and can cause many physical and mental problems. It can make people feel sad, moody, unfocused, edgy, or irritable. It can even cause sleep issues. Although models vary, many counselors follow the 5 Stages of Grief (Kubler-Ross Grief Cycle) to help their patients. The 5 Stages are: [wc_box color="inverse" text_align="left" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" class=""] Denial – This is typically the first stage (some quickly proceed to Anger). When faced with an unexpected or tragic situation, many people resist the facts or enter a state of disbelief. Anger – As the reality of the situation sets in, many people become outraged and may even start to blame others. This is especially true when an avoidable or senseless tragedy has occurred. Bargaining – When people feel helpless and vulnerable, they may try to regain control with “If only” statements like, “If only we’d gotten that second opinion.” Depression – Depression may manifest itself as mourning, sadness, regret, helplessness, or hopelessness. Acceptance – People who arrive at this stage have come to terms with what happened and are trying to figure out how to move forward with their lives. Some reach this stage only after extreme effort. Sadly, some never fully reach this stage. [/wc_box] If you’re in the process of grieving, working through this cycle can be a huge help. Here are 6 additional strategies for how to deal with loss and recover from grief… 6 Helpful Ways to Cope with Grief and Loss 1. Don’t Avoid Your Feelings A healthy way to deal with grief and loss is to allow yourself to express painful emotions. In a private place, let out your feelings: cry, pound pillows, and even scream if necessary. Avoiding painful thoughts, feelings, and memories can do more harm than good in the long run. Research has shown that avoidance increases the likelihood of a host of psychological issues¹ that can lead to mood problems, binge eating, persistent pain, low academic performance, and more. 2. Write It Down Suppressing your feelings (negative emotional energy from grief, guilt, anger, etc.) can lead to harmful behaviors and coping methods. Whenever you have a bout of grief, write down your feelings in a journal or notebook. This can help bring perspective, which often gets lost during emotional crises. The process of journaling gives mournful thoughts a place to live other than your brain. Once those concerns have been expressed, they often lose their intensity and urgency, which will help you mentally relax. Writing in your journal 10 minutes before you go to bed can help relieve worries and put you in a restful state of mind. 3. Overcoming Painful Memories A helpful way to overcome emotional trauma or grief involves breaking the bonds of the past. This exercise is based on the belief that negative feelings and behaviors are often motivated by memories that are either inaccurate or unhealthy. Whenever you have a painful or disruptive memory or feeling, write down the answers to the following 5 questions: When was the last time you struggled, had the disruptive memory or feeling, or emotional pain? Give details. What were you feeling at the time? Describe the predominant emotion. In your mind, imagine yourself on a train going backward through time. Go back to a time when you had the feeling. Write down the incident in detail. Can you go back even further to the moment you had the feeling for the first time? Write down the details of the original incident. If you’ve identified the origin of your feelings, can you disconnect them by reprocessing them through an adult or parent mindset? Consciously disconnect the emotional bridge to the past with the knowledge that what happened in the past belongs in the past, and what happens now is what matters. This technique has helped many people who’ve struggled with grief and loss. Keep in mind that this process can dredge up painful memories. 4. Volunteer When you’re emotionally ready, consider volunteering at a homeless shelter, food bank, or animal refuge. Serving others can help alleviate sorrow, increase health and happiness, and make you feel grateful for the positive things in your life. Volunteering² for a cause you believe in can give you something to look forward to and is a great way to find like-minded friends. Doing any of these activities with a partner or in a group can promote bonding and make the experience even richer. Also, by sharing your experiences, you might be able to help someone else who’s dealing with loss. 5. Don’t Rush Recovery It’s important to realize that people react differently to loss. Some quickly rebound from a trial or trauma. Others may require more time to get back on their feet. Try to remain patient during this difficult time. Though the natural tendency is to accelerate the recovery period, there’s no set time limit. Just as grieving is a process, so too is recovery. 6. Reach Out for Help Though isolating yourself during tough times may seem like the safest option, closing yourself off from the world can intensify your feelings of grief and loss. Resist the urge to shut out the individuals who can offer you encouragement and support. Reach out to friends and family and let them know when you’re emotionally overwhelmed. Seek professional help if necessary, but don’t fight your battles alone. Where to Find Help Many people receive guidance and emotional support from talk therapy. Speaking with a trained therapist or counselor can make a significant improvement in your outlook and ability to bounce back from life’s challenges. During these uncertain times, your mental well-being is just as important as your physical well-being. If you’re dealing with anger, guilt, sadness, or mood issues, you don’t have to continue struggling alone. Amen Clinics offers in-clinic and telehealth (via telephone and video conferencing) services. To learn more about the full range of services at Amen Clinics or to set up an appointment, please call 866-347-6076. At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen. References: 1. Fernández-Rodríguez, C., Paz-Caballero, D., González-Fernández, S., & Pérez-Álvarez, M. (2018). Activation vs. experiential avoidance as a transdiagnostic condition of emotional distress: An empirical study. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1618. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01618 2. Coren, E., Phillips, J., Moore, J., Brownett, T., & Whitfield, L. (2021). An examination of the impacts of volunteering and community contribution at a community festival through the lens of the five ways to wellbeing. International Journal of Community Wellbeing, 5(1), 137–156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42413-021-00154-2
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These Are Some of the Top Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet
Plant-based eating is quickly becoming a phenomenon among health experts, consumers, and even some of the world’s foremost environmental researchers. While there are no official statistics as to how many Americans eat a plant-based diet, a recent survey found that about 6% of Americans consider themselves vegetarians (no meat products),¹ and 3% consider themselves vegans (only plants, no animal products). The rise of plant-based eating also can be measured by the increasing demand for plant-based alternative meat products. A 2023 market research report predicts the plant-based meat market to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 24.9% from 2023 to 2030! What Is Plant-Based? There’s no exact definition of a plant-based diet – but it generally means a diet mostly or entirely consisting of plants. While more people use the term to refer to a 100% plant diet, some people use the term to describe a diet made up predominantly of plant-based foods with small amounts of animal products, such as red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy. A plant based-diet that includes small amounts of animal products can make getting certain nutrients such as high levels of protein, vitamin B12, iron, calcium, magnesium, iodine, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D easier. While you can get them all from plant sources or supplements, animal products offer them more readily. With all that in mind, a plant-based diet consists of whole or minimally processed fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and herbs and spices. Since the focus of a plant-based diet is on health, it also minimizes processed foods, refined sugars, and grains. A plant-based diet is also valued for being more environmentally friendly as cultivating plants is far less resource intensive than livestock productions (which accounts for roughly 15% of greenhouse gas emissions annually). Although plant-based diets were born out of the scientific community, many people who follow it appreciate that it doesn’t contribute to animal cruelty. For those who follow a plant-based diet and eat minimal amounts of animal products, those products are usually ethically sourced and organic, if possible. Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet The myriad health benefits that come from eating a diet nearly or completely made up of plants are truly remarkable. Below are several highlights, backed by facts and research. 7 Health and Environmental Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet 1. Increases Your Fiber Intake An estimated 95% of U.S. children and adults don’t consume the recommended daily amounts of fiber.² Guess where nature keeps its fiber stores? In plants! Consuming a plant-based diet will help ensure you get more than enough fiber – both soluble and insoluble – which can do wonders for your health. Adequate fiber supports a healthy microbiome, which is foundational to overall brain and body health. It also helps to support healthy blood sugar levels in the body, regular elimination, and healthy digestion. 2. Boosts Your Immune System Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains, and legumes are loaded with vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. They’re treasure troves of nutrition that can fuel your body’s cells and keep them working optimally. This allows your body to fight off infection as the abundance of nutrients strengthens your immune function too. In fact, nutrients from plant-based eating have been proven to improve the quality of health and immune responses. Scientific evidence indicates that simply increasing your vegetable intake can decrease the occurrence of virus-driven illnesses. 3. Fights Inflammation Whole plant foods are loaded with phytonutrients that have anti-inflammatory properties. These nutrients can help your body heal more quickly and keep inflammation levels down. Plant-based diets are simply low in inflammatory triggers. That may be why plant-based diets are so beneficial to people dealing with serious health issues. One study showed that when an entirely plant-based diet was adopted for 8 weeks by a group of participants, their levels of C-reactive protein – a marker for inflammation – were 32% lower compared to the control group.³ 4. Helps Mitigate Climate Change This is a big one. Choosing to eat only plants or mostly plants – especially if done collectively across the world – is part of the climate change mitigation strategy proposed by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Additionally, a review study concluded that the adoption of vegetarian diets could reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 35%, land use by 42%, and fresh water use by 28%.⁴ What’s more, an entirely plant-based diet would cut GHG emissions and land use to half what it is with current dietary patterns. 5. Reduces Risk of Serious Health Issues The health benefits of plant-based eating are undeniable. Numerous scientific studies show marked, transformational health outcomes in individuals struggling with degenerative health issues relating to heart health, blood pressure, blood sugar, bone health, and excess weight. Research shows that adopting a whole-food, plant-based diet is truly one of the best things you can do for your health. 6. May Brighten Your Mood Some research indicates that eating plants may be good for your mood. One study found that when patients suffering from low mood ate a prescribed diet high in whole grains and plant foods – and low in animal-based foods – they were more likely to be relieved of their symptoms compared to those who consumed a diet high in processed foods and low in plant foods. Interestingly, the mood benefits were independent of weight loss and physical activity. Those who improved their diet the most had the greatest reduction in symptoms of low mood. 7. Prevents or Lessens Animal Cruelty Although pasture-raised and grass-fed meat, poultry, dairy, and eggs are more available than ever, roughly 99% of animals are still raised on factory farms, many suffering horrific conditions. Eating more plant-based meals, of course, lowers demand for these animal products and dramatically reduces animal suffering on factory farms. Even if you aren’t 100% plant-based, choosing to replace meat, dairy, or eggs just one day a week can make a difference. Take It Slow and Easy Moving towards plant-based eating is a lifestyle change, not a diet. Experts suggest starting slow. Maybe introduce more vegetables to your diet gradually – or adopt a meat-free, dairy-free day once a week to start, and then build on it. Generally, the more vegetables, fruits, and whole foods you eat, the more you will start to enjoy them! At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients and standardized herbal ingredients to support your energy, focus and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen. References: Bedford, J. L., & Barr, S. I. (2005). Diets and selected lifestyle practices of self-defined adult vegetarians from a population-based sample suggest they are more 'health conscious'. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 2(1), 4. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-2-4 Quagliani, D., & Felt-Gunderson, P. (2017). Closing America’s fiber intake gap: Communication strategies from a food and fiber summit. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 11(1), 80–85. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827615588079 Shah, B., Newman, J. D., Woolf, K., Ganguzza, L., Guo, Y., Allen, N., Zhong, J., Fisher, E. A., & Slater, J. (2018). Anti-inflammatory effects of a vegan diet versus the American Heart Association–recommended diet in coronary artery disease trial. Journal of the American Heart Association, 7(23), e011367. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.118.011367 Craig, W. J., Mangels, A. R., Fresán, U., Marsh, K., Miles, F. L., Saunders, A. V., Haddad, E. H., Heskey, C. E., Johnston, P., Larson-Meyer, E., & Orlich, M. (2021). The safe and effective use of plant-based diets with guidelines for health professionals. Nutrients, 13(11), 4144. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13114144
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This Is Why You Need To Take Liposomal Vitamin C!
Are you getting enough vitamin C? In centuries past, sailors on long voyages could become malnourished and depleted in numerous essential vitamins and minerals. Many would develop scurvy, a life-threatening vitamin C deficiency. Did you know that vitamin C deficiency is also a problem for many people today? It’s almost unthinkable that in the land of orange juice and SunnyD, many Americans are deficient¹ in this essential vitamin. Truth is, these types of beverages often are loaded with sugar (which blocks vitamin C absorption), and many have less vitamin C than you think. Tablet or chewable supplements also can contain sugar, and many provide minimal or no vitamin C benefit to the consumer. Recently the recommended Daily Value for intake of vitamin C was raised to 90 mg per day,² and sugary drinks or foods are unlikely to provide that much functional vitamin C. Unless you have a well-balanced diet rich in citrus fruits you may be at risk of not obtaining sufficient vitamin C. So, how can you ensure that you’re getting sufficient amounts of this essential nutrient? To protect against vitamin C deficiency and to fuel better brain health, neurotransmitter production, and antioxidant protection, try BrainMD’s new Neuro-C Liposomal Vitamin C.* Neuro-C Liposomal Vitamin C BrainMD developed Neuro-C Vitamin C, a breakthrough nutraceutical formula that was scientifically designed to promote advanced brain and immune defense.* A versatile and powerful nutrient that provides major antioxidant defense, vitamin C is crucial for immunity, circulation, skin quality, peak mental performance, and overall well-being.* Neuro-C delivers vitamin C more efficiently than tablets, capsules, or powders.* 6 Benefits of Vitamin C Supplements Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is essential for human life. The body needs it but cannot make it, so we must get it from our diet. U.S. Govt surveys indicate a substantial percentage of Americans aren’t getting adequate amounts of vitamin C. Vitamin C is the best-studied and understood antioxidant: a substance that readily donates electrons to neutralize potentially damaging oxidative free radicals. When our cells use oxygen to make energy they create free radicals, which can destroy DNA, proteins, and other key cell components. As one of our major natural antioxidant protectors,³ vitamin C helps to defend against free radicals and the many toxins that can enter the body via the air, water, or foods. 1. Crucial for the Brain Several important human enzymes need vitamin C in order to function. This is most evident in the brain, where C is more highly concentrated than in any other organ. Our nerve cells need C to make the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, along with carnitine, creatine, tyrosine, and the myelin that electrically insulates the nerve cells. Vitamin C is vital for enzymes that make collagen, which is essential for strengthening the walls of the brain’s blood vessels. 2. The Collagen Connection Collagen is a family of large proteins that provide strength to the body’s connective tissues. Collagen is a major structural component of this connective tissue “glue” that holds our cells in their assigned locations within our tissues and organs. The body needs vitamin C to make collagen for healthy circulation, skin, joints, bone and other hard tissues, and all the body’s organs. 3. C is for Circulation The body’s miles of blood vessels need vitamin C to maintain the collagen that builds the structure of their walls. Sufficient availability of C helps the blood vessels maintain their strength and functional flexibility. The circulating blood relies on vitamin C for its antioxidant, anti-free radical capacity. Immune cells that circulate with the blood are particularly reliant on C. 4. Added Immune Protection Much of our immune system consists of mobile single cells that circulate with the blood or patrol our tissues looking for hostile invaders. They need high levels of vitamin C to power their movements, but without enough C, they are unable to do their job. Also, many of the circulating immune cells actually produce highly toxic free radicals to destroy bacteria, viruses, or other harmful agents and need internal C to protect them against self-destruction. The solid tissues of the immune system also need C for optimal function. 5. Adrenal Gland Support The adrenals are small glands positioned like caps on each of our kidneys and are loaded with vitamin C, second only to the brain. They make much of the body’s necessary steroid hormones, as well as hormones important for managing stress, and both these functions depend on enzymes that require vitamin C. By supporting the adrenals’ key life-sustaining functions, vitamin C is a major asset against stress. 6. Increasing Blood Vitamin C with Liposomes Liposomes are tiny molecular spheres with hollow interiors, and outer shells made of phospholipids like those that make up our cell membranes. The hollow interior can be loaded with a substance that isn’t normally well absorbed – in this case, vitamin C – then made into a dietary supplement ingredient. When Neuro-C is taken by mouth, its liposomes help protect their loads of vitamin C molecules from being broken down by the acidity of the stomach.* After the liposomes reach the intestine, their shells are dissolved by digestive enzymes.* This releases the vitamin C molecules to be absorbed across the intestinal wall and into the blood.* The specific liposomes used in BrainMD’s Neuro-C were shown to be an effective molecular vehicle for increasing vitamin C levels in the blood.* Neuro-C Vitamin C FAQ How do I take Neuro-C? We recommend adults take 1 tablespoon (15 ml) with food, one to three times a day, or more as desired. Can children take Neuro-C? Yes. Children ages 4 and up can take 1 tablespoon (15 ml) with food, one to three times a day or more under parental supervision. Does this supplement contain allergens? It is free from dairy, glutens, corn, eggs, yeast, and artificial flavorings or colorings. Is Neuro-C suitable for vegans? Yes. BrainMD’s Neuro-C is suitable for vegans, and for anyone seeking to improve their mental performance, immunity, and overall well-being.* Is it chalky or unpleasant tasting? No. Neuro-C is a liquid and doesn’t have the powdery or tart taste of many vitamin C tablets or chewables. It has a delicious citrus vanilla flavor. Our C Gets An A Getting adequate amounts of vitamin C is a great way to improve overall brain and body well-being.* Support your immune system, circulation, adrenal glands, collagen production, and total well-being with BrainMD’s Neuro-C Liposomal Vitamin C.* At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients and standardized herbal ingredients to support your mood, focus, and overall well-being. For more information about Neuro-C Vitamin C and our full list of supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen. References: 1. Reider, C. A., Chung, R.-Y., Devarshi, P. P., Grant, R. W., & Mitmesser, S. H. (2020). Inadequacy of immune health nutrients: Intakes in US adults, the 2005–2016 NHANES. Nutrients, 12(6), 1735. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061735 2. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Daily value on the nutrition and supplement facts labels. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved January 9, 2025, from https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/daily-value-nutrition-and-supplement-facts-labels 3. Frei, B., England, L., & Ames, B. N. (1989). Ascorbate is an outstanding antioxidant in human blood plasma. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 86(16), 6377–6381. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.86.16.6377
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3 of the Best Ways to Become a Brain Warrior
The war for your health is won or lost in your brain. When your brain works right, your decisions are more likely to have a positive effect on your life. When your brain is troubled, your decisions are more likely to have a negative, even catastrophic,¹ impact on your life. As the executive control center of the entire body – and the supervisor of every thought, mood, memory, and action – your brain makes you you. That’s why you must do everything you can to take care of your brain. Brain Warrior Basics Becoming a brain warrior is for those who, either out of desire or necessity, are serious about their health. It’s for people who want to look and feel their best for as long as possible and for those who want to excel at work and school and in their relationships. Being a brain warrior is also for those who want to leave behind a legacy of health rather than illness. But the rewards of living a brain-healthy life can have far-reaching implications for you and even future generations. If you want to become a brain warrior, here are 3 effective ways to maximize your health and sharpen your brain… 3 Practical Ways to Become a Brain Warrior Train Like a Warrior To be a warrior, you need to train like a warrior. The war for your health is very real, which is why you should stretch, train, exercise regularly, and prepare every day for the battles that lie ahead. Consistent training will prepare you for the obstacles you may face on your way toward optimal well-being. Maintaining a strong mind and body can help equip you to handle possible crises or health problems in the future. Being an effective coach means being a good example for those you lead, so model a healthy,² active lifestyle that others can follow. High-quality Nutrition When it comes to getting healthy, losing weight, or preventing illness, the quality of your food makes a huge difference. Be sure to eat foods packed with the nutrients your body needs and can effectively absorb and digest. Be serious about high-quality nutrition, which provides nutrients that can help supercharge your brain. Engage in New Learning When you learn something, new neural connections are created, which improves your capacity to remember. On the other hand, when you stop learning, cognitive performance suffers as the internal connections in your brain begin to break apart. Regardless of your age, mental exercise has an overall positive effect on your brain – the more you use it, the stronger it gets. One of the best ways to keep your brain agile is with the online, self-improvement courses at Amen University. Brain Health Licensed Trainer Course Are you looking for ways to better serve your clients by incorporating brain health into your coaching? Do you want to improve your clients’ ability to successfully reach their goals by coaching them to better brain health? If you answered yes to those questions, Amen University’s Brain Health Licensed Trainer Course is for you! The Brain Health Licensed Trainer Course is ideal for coaches, consultants, and educators of all specialties. What You Get: 6 hours of in-depth video training from Dr. Daniel Amen Teaching slides for 4-hour workshop for lay organizations License to teach this course in organizations from Amen University Companion workbook with assessments, worksheets Tips on how to use what you learn to synergize your business and transform lives 25% affiliate commission on all BrainMD products purchased by your clients Bonus Content: Brain Thrive by 25 – a 12-part course to help secondary and college students develop healthy brains Memory Rescue – an in-depth course to improve learning and memory at any age With forethought and a clear plan, the Brain Health Licensed Trainer Course can help you boost your brain and improve every area of your life and the lives of those you serve. Are you ready to take your first step in becoming a Brain Warrior? Enroll today! For more information about the Brain Health Licensed Trainer Course, click here or visit Amen University. References: 1. Berg, S. (2023, May 26). What doctors wish patients knew about stopping catastrophic thoughts. American Medical Association. https://www.ama-assn.org/news/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-stopping-catastrophic-thoughts 2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n.d.). Changing your habits for better health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diet-nutrition/changing-your-habits-better-health
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A Guide to the 5 Stress Languages and How to Find Yours!
Are you exhausted from dealing with stress? Have you ever wondered why two people faced with the same stressful situation can react completely opposite? Like a unique dialect, each of us has our own “stress language” – a set of behaviors and responses that reveal how we cope with life’s pressures. Understanding this secret code can not only help you navigate challenging situations but also empower you to manage stress more effectively. Discovering your personal stress language may be the first step towards reclaiming your peace of mind. Below, we’ll explore the distinct types of stress languages and provide insightful tips on how to identify yours. Prevalence of Stress Stress has become commonplace in our fast-paced lives. Whether it’s the pressure of work deadlines, family responsibilities, or the constant influx of information from social media, many of us feel overwhelmed. The impact can be profound, negatively affecting our mental and physical health¹ in ways we often don’t realize until life becomes unmanageable. But did you know that how you respond to stress is unique? Understanding your stress language can be a game-changer. It allows you to identify not just how stress manifests for you, but also gives insight into healthier coping strategies. This exploration of the different types of stress can offer guidance on your journey toward self-discovery and well-being. What Are Stress Languages? Stress languages can be defined as the way individuals experience and react to stress. The notion here is that just as we have different spoken languages, our responses to stress can vary greatly. The origin of this idea comes from the understanding that emotional and psychological responses are often influenced by personality traits, upbringing, and past experiences. Numerous therapists and mental health professionals have sought to identify distinct patterns in how people cope with pressure. These patterns can help us recognize our own reactions better. They also provide insights into how others might respond when faced with stressful situations. Understanding these differences can foster greater empathy towards ourselves and those around us during challenging times. The 5 Types of Stress Languages There are distinct types of stress languages, each reflecting specific traits and behaviors. Understanding these types can help you navigate your own stress responses. Here are the 5 Stress Languages: Physical Language People with this type often experience bodily reactions like headaches or fatigue during stressful times. Emotional Language Those belonging to this group may feel overwhelming emotions such as anger or anxiousness when stressed. They might cry easily or express their frustrations openly. Cognitive Language This type is characterized by racing thoughts and overthinking things. Those who belong to this category may find it hard to focus, dwelling on problems rather than seeking solutions. Behavioral Language Individuals who exhibit changes in behavior under stress – like withdrawing from social interactions or overeating – may belong to this group. Verbal Language Those fluent in this form tend to articulate their feelings clearly but may come off as overly critical of themselves or others during tense moments. How to Identify Your Stress Language Identifying your stress language starts with self-awareness. Be mindful of how you react during stressful situations. Do you withdraw, become aggressive, or overanalyze things? Your initial response can reveal a lot about how you handle stress. Next, reflect on your thoughts. Are they filled with negativity, fear, and worry or focused on problem-solving? Journaling may help clarify these thought processes and help relieve stress. Emotional cues are also telling indicators. Notice if you feel overwhelmed by sadness or frustration when under pressure. These emotions can relate directly to the way you express and cope with stress. During stressful times, be aware of physical manifestations² like muscle tension or fatigue. They might help clarify your specific stress language. Each clue can paint a clearer picture of how you experience and respond to stress in your life. Is Your Stress Level Normal? So, how much stress is too much? The answer varies, depending on individual tolerances to different kinds of stresses. However, while stress is a natural part of life, it shouldn’t control your life. If you want to learn how to tackle stress with personalized strategies and expert recommendations tailored just for you, consider taking... BrainMD’s Stress Quiz Having helped hundreds of thousands of patients over the past 35 years, Amen Clinics has identified 5 different Stress Types: Anxious Negative Overloaded Tense Worried Which type are you? Take the quiz and get a personalized stress reduction plan (for free) Benefits of Taking the Stress Quiz BrainMD’s Stress Quiz offers… Science-Backed Stress Solutions Based on Proven Psychiatric Methods Tailored Stress Management Strategies and Personalized Recommendations A Deeper Understanding of Your Stress Triggers Improved Mental Health and Well-Being* Customized Supplement Recommendations Unlock the secret to better stress management with our FREE 5-minute quiz.* "Our Stress Quiz is an expert-backed tool rooted in insights from over 250,000 brain scans. It’s designed to help you uncover your unique Stress Type and receive personalized recommendations. If you want to better understand and manage stress, this quiz offers science-based insights that can truly make a difference.” -Daniel G. Amen, MD Don’t let stress hold you back. Take the free Stress Quiz now! At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about the Stress Quiz and our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen. References: 1. Yaribeygi, H., Panahi, Y., Sahraei, H., Johnston, T. P., & Sahebkar, A. (2017). The impact of stress on body function: A review. EXCLI Journal, 16, 1057–1072. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2017-480 2. Attia, M., Ibrahim, F. A., Elsady, M. A.-E., Khorkhash, M. K., Rizk, M. A., Shah, J., & Amer, S. A. (2022). Cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral stress-related symptoms and coping strategies among university students during the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 933981. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.933981
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3 of the Best Ways to Avoid the Winter Blues
It’s the season of crisp air, warm beverages, and dazzling light displays. For many people, it’s the most wonderful time of year. For others, it’s the beginning of a period of prolonged sadness and lethargy. The winter season seems to be filled with unrelenting stress, unrealistic expectations, and unforeseen pressures that can cause mood and sleep issues. Unaddressed, these factors have the power to steal your joy, sabotage your health, and trigger unproductive behaviors…which can ruin your holiday. Winter Blues There are several reasons why the winter months can negatively affect a person’s thoughts and feelings. Due to the shorter days, colder weather, and scarcity of sunshine, many people stay inside where it’s warm and hunker down for the winter. This can trigger the winter blues, which affects about 14% of American adults.¹ Spending more time indoors, due to work or seasonal conditions, can create physiological changes in the brain. These can have a significant impact on attitude and outlook. They also can lead to the onset of low mood. Signs of Low Mood Though they might not even realize it, many people struggle with low mood. Whether initiated by the demands of work, relationship challenges, or excessive stress, anxious or depressive thoughts can come on without warning. Low mood can contribute to adverse physical consequences and can also lead to possible psychological concerns. Low mood may include: Negative or guilty thoughts Mental fogginess Purposefully avoiding social interaction Overeating and emotional eating Periods of low appetite Difficulty with concentration and memory Since many people dismiss these issues as just feeling down, they may not get the help they need, which can result in serious mental or emotional difficulties. To avoid the devastating effects of low mood, implement these 3 strategies to help keep your spirits bright this winter season. 3 of the Best Ways to Brighten Your Mood & Avoid the Winter Blues Take Sunshine Vitamins The body needs sunlight to make vitamin D, which is sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin.” Getting necessary amounts of vitamin D can be particularly challenging during the winter season when there are fewer hours of sunlight and the sunlight itself is less intense. The lower your vitamin D levels, the more likely you’ll be to feel blue rather than happy. Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with higher incidences of anxiousness and mood issues. The current U.S. Daily Value recommendation is 400 IU, but experts agree this is well below the physiological needs of most individuals and suggest 2,000-10,000 IU daily. Good Mood Foods Since your brain uses more than 20% of your body’s total energy, it requires high-quality food with specific vitamins and nutrients to use as fuel throughout the day. What you eat can greatly affect your brain’s overall performance. Making healthier choices in your diet will not only help control your waistline, it can also help lift your mood and provide a long-lasting increase in energy and focus. Add these mood-boosting foods to your next grocery list. Supplemental Light Source Daily exposure to appropriate levels (even just 10 to 30 minutes a day) of direct sunlight can boost vitamin D3 levels, which can help improve your mood. If getting enough natural light proves to be a challenge, consider investing in a therapy lamp for your home or work desk. Known for their effectiveness in helping to alleviate low mood, therapy lamps even can help with mood problems that aren’t related to the seasons. Clinical research shows they also can improve mental focus (especially for those with attention challenges), and sometimes overall energy and well-being as they improve the body’s sleep patterns. If you’re looking for a safe and natural way to boost your energy and mood, BrainMD proudly recommends the Bright Minds Therapy Lamp. Bright Minds Therapy Lamp Light is essential for life and has a direct effect on how the brain and body function. The Bright Minds Therapy Lamp creates a suitable replacement for natural sunlight.* This is especially crucial during the winter months when fewer hours of sunlight can negatively affect mood. Known for their effectiveness in helping to alleviate winter blues or seasonal affective disorder (SAD),² light therapy lamps have also been shown in research to help with focus, mood, energy, and to promote healthier sleep.* The Bright Minds Therapy Lamp is ideal for home or office use as a supplemental light source.* There are many potential benefits to using an indoor lightbox, including: Boosted energy* Sharpened focus* Enhanced mood* Improved sleep quality* Verified safe and efficient indoor light source* Bright Minds Therapy Lamp Benefits The Bright Minds Therapy Lamp is a full spectrum LED light that’s sleek and ultra-safe.* It offers up to 10000 LUX brightness and includes 2 light modes: White and Blue. With so many features and potential health benefits coming from such a small, portable device, the Bright Minds Therapy Lamp can help bring more joy and energy to your life.* What others are saying about Bright Minds Therapy Lamp: “Love this lamp! I enjoy the many settings of time, type of light, and intensity. I have used it almost daily for a month and feel such a difference.” – Marni “This lamp helped elevate my mood while stuck indoors.” – Lilly Note: We’ve taken every precaution in producing this safe and effective indoor lightbox. If you experience eye strain or have an existing eye condition, please consult your physician before using this lamp.* At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing high-quality supplements and devices to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about Bright Minds Therapy Lamp and our full list of products, please visit us at BrainMD. *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen. References: Targum, S. D., & Rosenthal, N. (2008). Seasonal affective disorder. Psychiatry (Edgmont), 5(5), 31–33. https://doi.org/10.1007/springer.19727250 Melrose, S. (2015). Seasonal affective disorder: An overview of assessment and treatment approaches. Depression Research and Treatment, 2015, Article 178564. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/178564
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10 of the Best Ways to Have Emotional Stability in an Uncertain World
On a scale from 1 to 10, how anxious are you feeling right now? Do you feel like everything’s up in the air and you can’t make any solid plans? Are you living in a constant state of worry and stress? Perhaps a crisis at home or work has completely disrupted your daily schedule, creating a variety of lifestyle changes that have impacted your focus, sleep, and mood. Or, maybe the unique stressors of these uncertain times have impaired your ability to cope, making you feel completely overwhelmed most of the time. Though you can’t stop what’s happening around the globe, you can change what’s going on inside your brain to prevent fear from dominating your life. If you need some relief from all the chaos or uncertainty in your life, here are 10 helpful ways to dial back the stress and fear… 10 Ways to Help You Find Emotional Stability & Overcome Fear in an Uncertain World 1. Start Out Positive Begin each morning by saying something like, “Today is going to be a great day!” Such a simple sentence can cause your brain to look for ways to fulfill that hopeful statement. It also establishes a healthy thought pattern that you can continue throughout the day. When you focus on positive affirmations, your brain can help you discover ways to turn them into reality. This simple strategy can make a significant difference in your life, so do it first thing in the morning to set the tone for your entire day. 2. Mental Hygiene While physical cleanliness is extremely important, many fail to realize that it’s just as important to practice mental hygiene. Letting your fears run wild in your mind can leave you feeling stressed or worried, so be proactive at curbing negative thoughts. You can disinfect your thoughts by exterminating the ANTs (automatic negative thoughts) that steal your happiness. Anytime you feel sad, mad, nervous, or stressed, write down what you’re thinking and then challenge that ANT. When you stop believing every fearful thought you have, you can start to regain control of your life. 3. Healthy Fears During hectic, tragic, or unpredictable seasons of life, it’s completely normal to feel stressed or worried. It’s also natural to have fears or occasional feelings of anxiousness. Not all fears are bad; appropriate levels of worry can keep you sharp and safe. In fact, having a healthy fear of potentially harmful things can save your life. That may be why the “don’t worry, be happy” types – like those who crowd Florida’s beaches during Spring Break – tend to be the earliest to die from accidents and preventable illnesses. 4. Just Breathe Whenever you feel worried, frustrated, angry, or tense, consider doing a deep breathing exercise. Take a deep breath, hold it for one to two seconds, and then slowly exhale for about five seconds. Do this 10 times and you should start to feel very relaxed, perhaps even a little sleepy. It sounds so simple, but breathing is essential to life. When you slow down and become more efficient with your breathing, you may find that your problems aren’t as dire as you thought they were before you started the exercise. 5. Visit a Haven Choose a haven – a place you can imagine with all your senses. If it’s the beach, visualize the ocean, feel the sand beneath your feet, and the warm sun on your skin. Your haven can be any real or imaginary place where you feel comfortable. Begin to envision yourself not as you currently are, but as you want to be. Spend at least 20 minutes a day on this refueling, life-changing exercise. You’ll be amazed at the results. 6. Avoid Alcohol Frequent consumption of alcohol is associated with lowered brain volume. The functional consequences of this effect can be life-altering in their scope. Many people use alcohol to calm their worries, but this coping strategy can significantly backfire. Alcohol’s impact on health is serious: though well known to harm the liver, it also can damage the heart, lungs, and pancreas. It also affects mood, which can make what’s going on in your life or the world seem even gloomier. 7. Outdoor Activities Engaging in outdoor activities is important for everyone. Exercise can increase blood flow¹ to deliver oxygen and other positive nutrients to the brain. Physical activity has also been associated with improved mood and a more optimistic outlook on life. Whether you enjoy hiking, biking, or horseback riding, being outdoors has an overall positive effect on vitality. Walking can help clear your mind, improve your mood, and burn some calories all at the same time. 8. Tea Time Drinking a cup of warm tea can help relieve stress and lift your spirits. Many teas are low calorie, sugar-free, high in antioxidants, and low in caffeine. Some decaffeinated teas can help you feel more at ease. For centuries, chamomile tea has been hailed for its calming effects. This herbal tea helps promote relaxation and can help alleviate the stresses of the day, so you can turn off your brain and get some quality sleep. 9. Turn Off the News When news channels present unsettling projections and shocking images, the fear centers of the brain may be activated. News can induce a state of FOMO (fear of missing out) that keeps you riveted to each new alarming or controversial event, which can make you feel even more on edge. Obsessively scrolling through news sites on the internet also can fill you with fear. In fact, watching negative news can increase both anxious and sad moods. Minimize your exposure to the news by establishing time limits and stop watching TV at least an hour before you go to sleep at night. 10. End the Day Well At night, ask yourself, “What went well today?” Even if you’re struggling with emotions, worried about finances, or having relationship issues, there’s sure to be at least one good thing that happened earlier in the day. Right before bed, write down 3 things that went well during the day. Train your brain to review the positive events of the day and create your own nightly highlight reel. It will help you sleep better, which will enhance your mood and energy levels the next day. Research has shown that people who did this exercise were happier and less depressed at 1-month and 6-month follow-ups than at the study’s outset. In a 2017 study,² this simple exercise was found to help people in stressful jobs develop a more positive sense of well-being. This easy activity can help you end each day on a positive note. Found, Emotional Stability These are just a few of the proven techniques you can use to reduce the stress and fear in your life. Try these tips and see which ones work best for you. Then, feel free to share them with your friends and family. At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen. References: 1. Mulser, L., & Moreau, D. (2023). Effect of acute cardiovascular exercise on cerebral blood flow: A systematic review. Brain Research, 1809, Article 148355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148355 2. Rippstein-Leuenberger, K., Mauthner, O., Sexton, J. B., & Schwendimann, R. (2017). A qualitative analysis of the Three Good Things intervention in healthcare workers. BMJ Open, 7(5), e015826. https://doi.org/1. /bmjopen-2017-015826
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10 of The Best Ways to Practice Gratitude
With the holidays rapidly approaching, it’s time to focus on family and friends. It’s also the season to celebrate the many good things that have taken place in your life over the past year. Even if you’ve experienced disappointments or setbacks, there are still plenty of things to be grateful for in life. Concentrating on the positive can have a huge impact on your outlook and success. The Power of Gratitude Did you know that practicing gratitude actually makes your brain work better? It causes significant changes to occur in your brain that can enhance function and make you feel better. Research¹ suggests that focusing on gratitude helps to calm the deep limbic areas and enhance the other judgment centers of your brain. People who express gratitude on a regular basis are healthier, more optimistic, make better progress toward their goals, have a greater sense of well-being, and are more helpful to others. Living in a state of gratitude is more than just thanking someone for opening the door for you – although that’s a good thing to do. It’s about having an attitude of gratitude regardless of the circumstances. Practicing these 10 habits can help you remain grateful during the holidays and throughout the year: 10 Ways to Practice Gratitude Every Day 1. Compliment Others Find something nice to say to family, friends, coworkers or even a stranger in an elevator or at the grocery store. Complimenting someone on their outfit, hair or backpack pin will make them feel better about themselves. Kind words can create a positive feedback loop; the person giving the compliment often ends up feeling just as uplifted as the receiver of the compliment. Getting in the habit of complimenting others is a great way to nurture existing friendships while cultivating new ones. 2. Be Mindful In our “take care of number one” society, our focus tends to be on ourselves rather than on others. Try to be more mindful of those around you. If they have a need, try to meet it. Force yourself to stay attentive in every conversation. Be an active listener and make eye contact with the person talking to you. Chances are, they’ll appreciate you taking the time to really listen to them, which in turn will make you grateful for being able to participate in a meaningful conversation. 3. Pitch In Are you the type person who jumps up after a meal and helps clear everyone’s plate off the table? Taking the initiative in running errands or tackling the hard jobs can lighten someone else’s load, which will make them thankful for the support. Pitching in can also make you feel good about yourself, so actively look for ways that you can help other people with their chores or challenges…without burning yourself out, of course. 4. Send Notes Many people are good at sending birthday or holiday cards. Some are even good at giving thank you cards to express gratitude for a favor, gift or kind word. Writing notes to recognize the little things is a great way to show appreciation to those who matter most in your life. Make sure to handwrite your note to give it that personal touch. 5. Pay It Forward Has a stranger ever done something nice for you? Did those good feelings motivate you to help someone else? When you’re in line at a restaurant or coffee shop, purchase a meal or beverage for the next person in line. This act of generosity will create gratitude in that person and hopefully inspire them to pay it forward to someone else. Giving to someone who can’t repay you can give you a tremendous feeling of satisfaction. 6. Say Sorry Perhaps there’s something in our DNA that makes us want to be right all the time, but many people have a hard time saying sorry. Even if you feel like you’ve been wronged, say you’re sorry to the other person. Offering an apology can help build a bridge in a relationship, and the other person might be grateful that you took the initiative in trying to resolve the disagreement. Since compromise is part of life, it’s better to apologize than hold a grudge. 7. Volunteer If you find a few spare hours in your schedule, consider volunteering at an animal shelter, food bank or mission. Serving others can be personally gratifying and can help alleviate stress while increasing health and happiness. Also, assisting others can make you feel more grateful for the good things in your life and give you a different perspective on the struggles that many people face each day. 8. Count Your Blessings One of the best ways to stay in a grateful state of mind is to take a few moments to write down the positive things that you’ve experienced that day. Keeping a “Blessings Journal” can be an enjoyable hobby as well as a great way to unwind after a stressful day. If you need regular reminders to write in your journal, there are many gratitude apps you can download on your phone. Perhaps the best part of journaling comes when you look back at earlier entries and see the many blessings you’ve enjoyed in your life. Jot down three things that you’re grateful for every day. Then experience the bliss that gratitude can bring. 9. Be Generous Although many people give to charities during the holidays, it’s important to remain generous year-round. Giving to others in need can produce feelings of fulfillment and happiness.² In addition to donating money, be generous with your time. Spending time with the sick or elderly can fill them with gratitude and a sense of hope. A small investment of your time can make a big difference in someone else’s life. 10. Remember the Basics In the busyness of life, it’s easy to slack on pleasantries. Always remember to say thank you to someone who has served or helped you. Many people feel like they work a thankless job, so hearing someone thank them can make their day. Also, remember to smile. Smiles can be contagious, so do your part in spreading the happiness wherever you go. Taking these simple steps can help you feel the power of gratitude during the holidays, and every day. At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen. References: 1. Kyeong, S., Kim, J., Kim, D. J., Kim, H. E., & Kim, J.-J. (2017). Effects of gratitude meditation on neural network functional connectivity and brain-heart coupling. Scientific Reports, 7, Article 5058. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-05451-6 2. Blanding, M. (2023, August 15). Why giving to others makes us happy: Giving to others is also good for the giver. Working Knowledge. Harvard Business School. https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/why-giving-to-others-makes-us-happy
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Best Self-Care Tips to Help You Commit to Your Goals
Changing seasons of life can produce a variety of reactions and emotions, ranging from excitement to worry. Those in the latter camp may be struggling with how to get back into the flow of everyday life after a transition. Others, who readily embrace change, may be eager to establish a new routine. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, it’s normal to feel a certain amount of uncertainty or uneasiness as you enter a new phase of life. Here’s how people with different personalities might react to their new normal: 2 Main Types of Temperaments Extroverts Extroversion is usually linked to higher coping skills, which can translate to better resilience. Extroverts typically thrive in social situations and savor personal interactions with others. However, their busy lifestyle may prevent them from slowing down long enough to enjoy some of life's simple moments. Introverts Introverts may need time to recharge their batteries after socializing with others. This doesn’t necessarily mean they dislike people, just that they need their space. The challenge for many introverts is to gradually populate their social calendar with meaningful experiences without sacrificing the alone time they cherish. Regardless or your personality type, adapting to a new routine or phase of life can present many challenges, as well as opportunities. Here are several ways to maintain your physical and mental well-being in the midst of life's changes... 10 Ways to Get Back Into the Swing of Things 1. Start on a Positive Note An effective routine is to begin each morning by saying something like, “Today is going to be a great day!” Such a simple sentence can cause your brain to look for ways to fulfill that affirmative statement. It also establishes a healthy thought pattern you can continue throughout the day. Focusing on positive thoughts helps your brain discover ways to turn them into reality. This simple strategy can make a significant difference in your life, so do it first thing in the morning to set the tone for your entire day. 2. Change Your Perspective Perhaps something has recently disrupted your daily schedule, creating a variety of lifestyle changes that have impacted your focus, sleep, and mood. Or maybe the unique stresses of these uncertain times have impaired your ability to cope, making you feel completely overwhelmed much of the time. You can’t stop what’s happening around the globe, but you can change what’s going on inside your brain to prevent fear from dominating your life. Training your brain to think about the things you can control, and not about the things you can’t, can help relieve anxiousness and provide a more optimistic outlook. 3. Just Breathe Whenever you feel worried, frustrated, angry, or tense, do a deep breathing exercise. Take a deep breath, hold it for one to two seconds, and then slowly exhale for about five seconds. Do this 10 times and you should start to feel relaxed. It sounds so simple, but breathing is essential to life. When you slow down and become more efficient with your breathing, you may find that your problems aren’t as dire as you thought they were before you started the exercise. 4. Continue Self-Care Continue to practice self-care with brain healthy habits such as exercising, eating right, meditating, getting good sleep, and challenging negative thoughts. Taking care of yourself is one of the best things you can do to get back into the swing with a new routine. Make time for yourself every day. Taking breaks for meditation and relaxation provides benefits for both your physical and mental health. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may give you a fresh perspective. Clearing your mind and slowing your breathing can help restore inner calm. Repeating a simple Loving Kindness Meditation like, “May I be safe and secure,” can increase positive thoughts and decrease negative ones. 5. Practice Mindfulness One of the best ways to achieve a state of calm is with mindfulness. Yoga, tai chi, and other mindfulness practices can help reduce anxious and depressive thoughts and increase focus. Some studies¹ show that daily mindfulness can help improve your brain. 6. Smile and Laugh The simple act of smiling can help trigger the release of the feel-good transmitters dopamine and serotonin. Smiling may trick your brain into believing you’re happy, which can produce feelings of happiness. Laughter can help relieve stress, especially in difficult situations. Humor can lighten the mood and make things feel a little less tense. In fact, having a good laugh can give you a much-needed mood boost. 7. Outdoor Activities Engaging in outdoor activities is important for people of all ages, and is a great way to get back into the swing without the added stress of being in a crowd of people. Exercise can help boost blood flow to deliver oxygen and positive nutrients to the brain and other organs. Physical activity also has been associated with improved mood² and a more optimistic outlook on life. Whether you enjoy hiking, biking, or horseback riding, being outdoors can have an overall positive effect on vitality. Walking can help clear your mind, improve your mood, and burn some calories all at the same time. 8. Stay Connected Social connections are incredibly important to your overall well-being. Focusing your time and energy on positive people can have a dramatic impact on your everyday life and longevity. Set up a lunch date with a friend and eat your meal outside if the weather is nice. Having a one-on-one conversation with a friend or family member is a great way to get back into the swing of things socially. 9. Pamper Yourself Getting a massage can do more than just improve your physical function. Clinical studies indicate that a massage is beneficial for improving mood and coping with stress.³ Massages may help to reduce the stress hormone cortisol and increase the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. 10. Go Slow It’s important not to overdo it as you get back into the swing of things. Establishing a new routine can be stressful for you and everyone in your family. It’s recommended to take things one step at a time. Gradually add activities or social events back into your schedule. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, remove activities from your calendar until you, and your family, find the sweet spot. We hope these self-care and stress-reducing techniques help you – and your friends and family – get back in the swing so you can live your best life. At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen. References: 1. Keng, S.-L., Smoski, M. J., & Robins, C. J. (2011). Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: A review of empirical studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(6), 1041–1056. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2011.04.006 2. Mahindru, A., Patil, P., & Agrawal, V. (2023). Role of physical activity on mental health and well-being: A review. Cureus, 15(1), e33475. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.33475 3. Meier, M., Unternaehrer, E., Dimitroff, S. J., Benz, A. B. E., Bentele, U. U., Schorpp, S. M., Wenzel, M., & Pruessner, J. C. (2020). Standardized massage interventions as protocols for the induction of psychophysiological relaxation in the laboratory: A block randomized, controlled trial. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 14774. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-71173-w
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This Is How to Choose a Multivitamin That's Right For You
Are you taking a multivitamin daily? If not, perhaps you’re unsure about the health benefits of multivitamins. Or maybe you’re overwhelmed and don't know how to choose a multivitamin from the veritable sea of supplements that exist in the marketplace today. So how can you really know if you’re getting a high-quality supplement or just a fancy label with cheap ingredients? Here are five criteria you’ll want to look for and how to choose a multivitamin that's right for you: 5 Things You Need to Know About Multivitamins 1. Absorption The digestive system converts the vitamins and nutrients from your food and supplements into tiny, molecule-sized dispersions, which then must be absorbed across your gut lining into the blood. This absorption process can be affected by many factors. For example, sugar interferes with the absorption of vitamin C. Alcohol and many medications also interfere with nutrient absorption.¹ Certain ingredients in supplements themselves (such as magnesium oxide) are known to be poorly absorbed, yet are used simply because they’re cheaper or take up less space in a tablet or capsule. 2. Formulation Just because a product has a certain ingredient in it doesn’t mean there’s enough of that ingredient in each daily serving to benefit people. A dirty little secret of the dietary supplement industry is that many products have less-than-proven amounts of ingredients – especially when those ingredients are expensive – to make it seem like the consumer is getting more for their money than with a competing product. Some in the industry call this adding in “Fairy Dust.” Effective dietary supplements provide safe and clinically proven ingredients in daily doses that have a reasonable probability of creating benefits for those who take them. 3. Quantity The number of ingredients in dietary supplements widely varies, which is especially true of multiple vitamins. Some leading supplement companies take a minimalist approach, claiming that less is more. At BrainMD, we believe that more is more. Not only are we concerned with the number of ingredients, but also the quality of those ingredients. 4. Quality Quality ingredients are those that are most efficiently utilized by the body. Many supplements have ingredients that are not utilized for any health function, such as titanium dioxide, which is frequently added to make tablets or capsules white. Others have artificial dyes for coloring, or artificial flavors, many of which may not be safe to consume long-term. Some supplements, including many being marketed to children, have substantial amounts of sugar added. Many supplements containing minerals have revealed lead contamination when tested.² 5. Testing Testing is most effectively done on the raw material ingredients before they enter the chain of production. But in-process testing is also necessary to ensure the manufacturer has effective control over the manufacturing process. The finished product must also be tested to safeguard the integrity of the product. Many companies cut corners, so make sure your supplement has gone through identity and potency verification, heavy metal testing, and microbial testing. Bottom line: always conduct thorough research on dietary supplements before adding them to your daily regimen. BrainMD’s supplements routinely meet or exceed all the above standards. We’re proud to offer an ultra-pure, high-quality multivitamin…NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin. NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin combines more than 50 nutrients and plant extracts in their most active forms to give you whole body-mind nutrition in a way that drugstore multivitamins cannot do.* It contains three of Dr. Amen’s proprietary nutrient blends: The Brain Boosting Blend of clinically researched brain health nutrients.* The Fruit and Vegetable Blend with antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetable powders (no sugar added).* The Digestive Enzyme Blend to support the body’s digestive enzymes. NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin delivers health and wellness in 5 key ways: Nourishes your body’s cells, tissues and organs – NeuroVite’s wide range of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients provide your cells with the key nutrients they need.* Promotes high-level brain functioning – NeuroVite’s uniquely diverse array of nutrients help protect, energize, and renew your intensely active brain cells.* Supports the health of all the body’s major organ systems – PS (phosphatidylserine) for the brain, lutein, and zeaxanthin for the eyes (and brain), resveratrol and hesperidin for the heart and circulation, and vitamin A for the immune system.* Protects against free radical damage – with an array of antioxidants, such as vitamin C, d-alpha vitamin E, mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols (7 other vitamin Es), CoQ10, alpha-lipoic acid, and the minerals zinc, selenium, and manganese.* Easily absorbed and tolerated – due to the careful selection of its ingredients.* NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin was formulated to feed our trillions of cells with the vitamins, minerals and conditionally essential nutrients they need to keep the body alive.* The current research on brain and body nutrition demonstrates that everyone can benefit from taking a multiple vitamin-mineral supplement that’s naturally derived, science-based, brain directed, and made with integrity. For all the above, take NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin daily.* At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin and our full list of supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen. References: 1. Butts, M., Sundaram, V. L., Murughiyan, U., Borthakur, A., & Singh, S. (2023). The influence of alcohol consumption on intestinal nutrient absorption: A comprehensive review. Nutrients, 15(7), 1571. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15071571 2. Buettner, C., Mukamal, K. J., Gardiner, P., Davis, R. B., Phillips, R. S., & Mittleman, M. A. (2009). Herbal supplement use and blood lead levels of United States adults. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 24(11), 1175–1182. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-009-1050-5
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