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BrainMD: 10 Years as the Leader in Brain-healthy Supplements
As we celebrate our 10th Anniversary, we want to take this opportunity to thank YOU for supporting our company over the years. Without you, there would be no BrainMD. Now that we’ve reached the decade mark, we want to pause and reflect on our history, our unique positioning in the supplement industry and why we do what we do. Our Why At BrainMD, we realize the last thing the world needs is another line of high-priced, cheaply-made supplements. From the start, we’ve committed ourselves to providing ultra-pure, clinical-grade, ethically sourced dietary supplements that can supply you with the nutrients you need to lead a brain-healthy life. We believe in a whole person approach to physical and mental wellness. We’ve dedicated ourselves to helping people feel better by creating the highest quality, brain-healthy supplements and nutritional products on the market. The integrity of our work, and our belief in the importance of helping people, inspires our commitment to excellence. Solid Foundation One of the things that makes BrainMD unique is that we’re backed by the combined knowledge, clinical experience and guidance of a MD and a PhD. Our Founder: Daniel G. Amen, MD Dr. Amen is a double board-certified psychiatrist, clinical neuroscientist, brain-imaging specialist, and multiple New York Times bestselling author. He is the visionary behind Amen Clinics, Amen University, and the numerous products and services offered by BrainMD. Our Chief Science Officer: Parris M. Kidd, PhD Dr. Kidd earned his PhD at the University of California at Berkeley and has been active in integrative medicine for over 35 years. He has focused on the brain for over 25 years and has pioneered awareness of phosphatidylserine (PS), omega-3s and numerous other ingredients. Backed by Science Would it surprise you to know that many of the supplements in the marketplace today have little or no backing from human clinical studies? Our clinical research team incorporates the latest scientific findings into creating a wide array of specialized formulas that promote optimal brain function and brain-body integration. We want you to be as fully informed as possible. That’s why we’re committed to providing you with educational resources on the clinical research behind our products and the science that supports our choice of ingredients that comprise our superior grade nutritional formulas. Our supplements are formulated with exacting standards and are developed from numerous clinical trials and other studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Brain Directed We recognize that the health of your brain¹ is central to your overall success. Feeding your brain properly is essential for optimal fitness and can be the first line of defense in preserving your mental and physical well-being.² With the use of brain SPECT imaging, Dr. Amen discovered that some prescription medications can damage the brain. He sought out non-toxic solutions for his patients and developed dietary supplement formulas targeted to memory, mood, focus, and other specific brain functions. Those early formulas were so effective, they eventually led to the creation of the first supplement company solely dedicated to brain health, BrainMD. Rigorously Tested Our products are developed to promote brain-healthy living, and their ingredients, combinations, and dosages are always grounded in science. During the formulation process, our product development team may be required to review hundreds of clinical trials and other scientific studies to make sure we’re aware of all the research relevant to the product. We work tirelessly to ensure that the ingredients (and the levels of each ingredient) in our products are shown to be both effective and safe. When it comes to ingredients, we know which ones to include in our products and which ones to leave out. We have stringent standards for selecting the raw materials for our products and work hard to verify that our ingredients are free of heavy metals, pesticides, solvents, bacteria, mold, glutens, sugar, egg, dairy, and any other unnecessary additives. Our ingredients undergo extensive testing to establish their identity, purity, and potency. We partner with the highest-quality manufacturers, which conform to the current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) as required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We use independent labs to further verify the manufacturer’s quality test results. You can be confident that with each serving you take of any of our products, you’re getting the nutrients promised on the label. Array of Products Over the last 10 years, we’ve developed products essential for everyone’s nutritional needs: our premium multivitamin, NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin, ultra-concentrated EPA and DHA fish oil, Omega-3 Power, and high-purity Vitamin D3 5000. Our line of 30 supplement products was developed to support a wide range of individual needs, including: [wc_box color="inverse" text_align="left" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" class=""] Brain support (supplement systems Brain & Body Power, Brain & Body Power MAX) Memory (Bright Minds Memory Multivitamin, Brain & Memory Power Boost, NeuroPS) Mood (Serotonin Mood Support, SAMe) Focus (Focus & Energy, Attention Support) Relaxation and stress (GABA Calming Support, Everyday Stress Relief) Sleep (Restful Sleep, Magnesium Chewables) Brain neurotransmitter balancing (NeuroLink, Tyrosine) Gut-brain health (ProBrainBiotics) Prenatal (Smart Prenatal) Children (Kids’ NeuroVite, Coromega Omega-3 Squeeze) Drink mix (Brain Boost On-the-Go) Plant-based protein powder (OMNI Protein – Vanilla and Chocolate) [/wc_box] BrainMD = Brain-healthy Supplements This extraordinary group of products is the only line of dietary supplements available today that is specifically developed to address the full spectrum of brain health concerns. As BrainMD moves into its second decade, we look forward to continuing to serve you while developing new products to help you enjoy all the benefits of a brain-healthy life. 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. Gorelick, P. B., & Sorond, F. A. (2023). What is brain health? Cerebral Circulation - Cognition and Behavior, 6, 100190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cccb.2023.100190 2. Firth, J., Teasdale, S. B., Allott, K., Siskind, D., Marx, W., Cotter, J., Veronese, N., Schuch, F., Smith, L., Solmi, M., Carvalho, A. F., Vancampfort, D., Berk, M., Stubbs, B., & Sarris, J. (2019). The efficacy and safety of nutrient supplements in the treatment of mental disorders: A meta‐review of meta‐analyses of randomized controlled trials. World Psychiatry, 18(3), 308–324. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20672
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Is the Health of Your Brain a Priority?
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, 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. Way of the Warrior Bushido (Japanese for “way of the warrior”) was the code of ethics adhered to by some ancient warriors. Those warriors constantly focused on self-improvement in an effort to protect themselves and the ones they loved. Are you that dedicated to your health? Since you only have one brain, you must do everything you can to nurture and protect it. If you’re ready to maximize your health, consider becoming a brain warrior. Brain Warrior Basics Every martial artist, athlete, or musician remembers how awkward it felt when they first started learning the basics of their craft. Gradually, the physical movements got easier until they became second nature. There’s no shortcut to success. It takes time for the brain and body to adapt and make new neuronal connections. Just as it is when anyone learns a new skill, becoming a brain warrior can feel a bit overwhelming at first. But the rewards of living a brain healthy life can have far-reaching implications for you and even future generations. 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. It’s also for those who want to leave behind a legacy of health rather than illness. If you want to become a brain warrior, here are 5 practical, natural ways to maximize your health… 5 Easy Steps to Becoming a Brain Warrior 1. 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, eat right, 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. 2. Avoid Toxic Food Seems like everywhere you go (stores, schools, work, shopping malls, movie theaters, airports, ball parks, etc.), someone is trying to sell you food that is harmful to your health. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is filled with toxic foods that increase your risk for physical problems as well as issues with your focus, mood, and memory. Many of these unhealthy foods are: Highly processed Pro-inflammatory Pesticide sprayed Artificially colored and sweetened High glycemic Low fiber Laden with hormones Tainted with antibiotics 3. Find a Healthy Community Who you spend time with matters. Social connections can significantly affect your brain, mood, and physical health. The health habits of the people you spend time with can have a dramatic impact on your own health and habits. To maximize your health, surround yourself with people who are happy, upbeat, kind and who challenge you to be the best version of yourself. 4. Focus Your Mind 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 refresh your mind. Clearing your mind and slowing your breathing can help restore inner calm. Repeating simple words like “May I be safe and secure” can increase positive emotions and decrease negative ones. Loving Kindness Meditations (LKM) can reduce pain and improve other mental health challenges. 5. Get Nutritional Support One of the best ways to maximize your health is with brain directed supplements. At the foundation of every supplement regimen should be ultra-pure, clinically proven vitamins and nutrients that are essential for your health and can help improve energy, focus and memory. At BrainMD, we’re proud to recommend… Brain & Body Power MAX Brain & Body Power MAX is recommended for those who want a truly powerful dietary supplement system that provides superior memory and brain support nutrients.* It provides clinically significant levels of vitamins, minerals, omega-3s, herbal extracts and other nutrients that support, promote and enhance the brain.* This all-in-one supplement system makes it easy to stay healthy on the go with easy-to-carry packets for your purse or pocket.* Each convenient daily packet contains the same supplements as Brain & Body Power, plus 2 additional capsules of Omega-3 Power and 2 additional capsules of Brain & Memory Power Boost. For optimal benefit, we recommend taking 2 packets each day. Each packet of Brain & Body Power MAX contains: NeuroVite Plus (2 capsules) Over fifty vitamins, minerals and plant extracts (all in their most active forms) combine to give you the clinically proven groundwork for your supplement regimen in NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin.* NeuroVite Plus is also the only way to get Dr. Amen’s proprietary Brain Boosting Blend of brain-supporting nutrients. Omega-3 Power (2 capsules) To operate at peak performance, a healthy brain, heart, and body require plenty of omega-3s.* MAX gives you greater levels of EPA and DHA with its double dose of Omega-3 Power. It provides a much higher potency than the typical fish oil product and undergoes the most advanced purification process in the industry to ensure safety.* Brain & Memory Power Boost (3 capsules) Brain & Memory Power Boost contains brain directed nutrients, grounded in solid clinical science to support healthy brain and memory performance.* With its all-star lineup of potent ingredients, Brain & Memory Power Boost promotes the brain’s basic functions including its energy, connectivity, and overall performance.* At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about Brain & Body Power MAX 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.
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Vitamins for Kids: Top 7 Nutrients to Keep Kids Healthy
Thanks to the dramatic amount of growth and development they are experiencing, children need a generous allowance of vitamins and minerals. They are critical for their healthy growth, activity, learning, and behavior. Not getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals can lead to serious health problems. To help you make sense of the alphabet soup of vitamins for kids, here are a few vital standouts when it comes to healthy, growing bodies and minds along with good dietary sources of each. 7 of the Best Nutrients to Help Your Kids Stay Healthy 1. Vitamin A Vitamin A serves a variety of purposes in kids and adults. It promotes the growth of the cells and tissues of the body, assists the eyes in adjusting to dim and bright lights, keeps skin healthy, works to prevent infection, and is crucial for the maturation of the intestinal and lung linings. Unfortunately, vitamin A deficiency is a major public health problem worldwide. Good Sources of Vitamin A: Carrots Sweet potatoes Squash Apricots Spinach Broccoli Cabbage Fish oils Egg yolks 2. Vitamin C Vitamin C does more than just boost the immune system to help keep infections at bay. It also helps form and repair red blood cells, bones, and tissues; promotes healthy muscles, connective tissue, and skin; helps the body heal wounds; is important for building strong bones and teeth, and is an essential cofactor for enzymes that make neurotransmitters for the brain. Good Sources of Vitamin C: Citrus fruits Strawberries Tomatoes Melons Papayas Mangos Cabbage Broccoli Cauliflower Spinach 3. Vitamin D Vitamin D promotes bone and tooth formation and helps the body absorb calcium. Additionally, it also functions as a hormone with roles in immune system health, insulin production, and regulation of cell growth. Vitamin D is called the "sunshine vitamin" because the body can produce it when the skin is exposed to sunlight. But your child's body isn't able to make vitamin D when covered with clothing or sunscreen to block the sun's rays. Therefore, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that if there is any doubt that your child is eating enough Vitamin D, then you should consider supplementation. Good Sources of Vitamin D: Fatty fish, like tuna, mackerel, and salmon Foods fortified with vitamin D Beef liver Egg yolks 4. Vitamin E Vitamin E is a major antioxidant protector for cell membranes, the sites of most cell activities. It also boosts the immune system, helps the body fight germs, and is important for DNA repair and other metabolic processes. Good Sources of Vitamin D: Almonds Spinach Sweet Potato Avocado Wheat Germ Sunflower Seeds 5. Calcium Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the body, is essential in helping to build a child's healthy bones and teeth. Osteoporosis, a brittle bone disease that affects older adults, begins in childhood if diets are not providing adequate calcium-rich foods. It also promotes healthy nerve, heart, and muscle function helps blood clot and helps the body convert food into energy. Good Sources of Calcium: Milk and other dairy products Spinach Kale Okra Collards White beans 6. Magnesium Magnesium is a very important nutrient that most people don't get enough of. It is required by over 300 enzymes, most of which are involved in energy generation and utilization. Magnesium also balances calcium for a healthy heartbeat, nerve transmission, brain connectivity, skeletal and smooth muscle contraction, and various cell processes. Good Sources of Magnesium: Dark leafy greens Nuts Seeds Fish Beans Avocados Bananas 7. Zinc Zinc is needed by more than 70 enzymes that aid digestion and metabolism. It is also essential for DNA structure, sexual maturation, immunity, behavior, skin health, and hair renewal. Good Sources of Zinc: Oysters Beef Lamb Spinach Wheat Germ Nuts Seeds Beans The best possible source of vitamins and minerals for kids is high-quality, organic, locally-grown, unprocessed food. However, for most time-crunched families, eating home-cooked, well-balanced meals made from these ingredients 100% of the time just isn’t possible. BrainMD’s Kids' NeuroVite Multivitamin Chewables were designed to bridge any nutritional gaps and take the guesswork out of what multivitamins to give your kids. Kids' NeuroVite out beats other conventional brands in both potency and high-quality ingredients. Compared to other leading supplement brands, Kids' NeuroVite has nearly 3 times more ingredients than the average kids' vitamin, all of them optimized for the highest absorption in kids. It’s concentrated, naturally derived and made with integrity. Its diverse set of over 50 nutrients makes it the best vitamin for kids to take to keep them healthy and give you peace of mind. We’ve scoured the clinical research to document which nutrients are best proven for kids over the long term. And your child will LOVE the taste of the orange-flavored penguin chewables which are free from sugar, dairy, gluten, wheat, eggs, and artificial colorings or flavorings. “Get kids started right with the support they need! Kids' NeuroVite was developed for my own children and grandchildren. It can help yours too.” – Daniel G. Amen, MD
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5 of the Best Natural Ways to Get Restful Sleep
If there was a free and easy way to improve your energy, mood and well-being, would you do it? Would it surprise you to learn that you already do it every night? Sleep is essential to your overall health and ability to function in life. But are you getting enough sleep? If not, it’s time to focus on your sleep as if it’s one of the most important things in your life…because it is! The Risks of Sleep Deprivation According to the Institute of Medicine, (US) Committee on Sleep Medicine and Research, as many as 70 million Americans have ongoing sleeping problems which interfere with their daily routines. Unfortunately, sleep issues are only getting worse with the prevalence of busy schedules, devices, energy drinks, video games and Netflix. The list of reasons why people pass up a good night’s sleep is extensive. Skimping on sleep can negatively impact your health in more ways than you might imagine. Getting less than 6 hours of sleep a night has been associated with lower overall brain activity, which can adversely affect your: Weight Energy Mood Athletic, school, and job performance And most importantly, decision-making It should come as no surprise, then, that many sleep-deprived individuals struggle to maintain a healthy mood, memory, and lifestyle. When you miss out on sleep, your brain pays the price. The good news is that there are many ways to naturally improve the quality of your sleep. Here are just a few… 5 Ways to Improve the Quality of Your Sleep 1. Write It Down The process of journaling gives stressful thoughts a place to live other than your brain. Once those concerns have been expressed, they often lose their intensity and urgency, which will allow you to relax mentally. Writing in your journal 10 minutes before you go to bed can help release the stresses of the day and put you in a restful state of mind. 2. Energizing Exercise Although not an obvious choice when considering practical sleep aids, vigorous exercise can assist the body in establishing and maintaining a healthy sleep cycle. Physical activity boosts blood flow and with it the delivery of oxygen and other needed nutrients to the brain. It also stimulates neurogenesis, the ability of the brain to generate new brain cells, and neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain to adapt to challenges, self-regulate, and calm the body down in preparation for sleep. Helpful tip: since physical exertion late in the evening may energize you and keep you awake, don’t exercise within two hours of the time you go to sleep. 3. Turn Off the Tech It’s not unusual for parents to limit their kids’ TV or tablet time to help them calm down before bedtime, so why shouldn’t adults adopt the same rule? Establish a time when all devices in the household will be turned off for the remainder of the evening. It’s also a good idea to remove all electronics from your bedroom since they emit light that can stimulate the brain and keep you awake. A tech-free bedroom can also reduce electromagnetic frequencies, which might also interfere with your sleep. Creating a relaxing environment, free from the distractions of the outside world, may help facilitate better sleep. 4. Just Breathe Diaphragmatic breathing is an effective and simple method for overcoming stress and quieting your mind. It’s also ultra-convenient since it can be done anywhere, anytime. When you take shallow breaths, it limits the amount of oxygen that reaches your brain cells and reduces your overall brain function. Taking deep breaths relaxes your muscles, relieves tension, and helps your brain function better. Here’s where you can learn more about the basics of deep breathing. 5. Get Restful Sleep If you aren’t getting the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, you’re setting yourself up for a host of issues.* When you fall behind on your sleep, blood flow to your brain decreases and you are much more likely to make bad decisions.* Scientists have discovered that the brain has a special waste management system that works to get rid of toxins while you sleep.* Without healthy sleep, the cleaning crew doesn’t have enough time to do its job and trash can build up, potentially causing brain fog and memory problems.* BrainMD’s Restful Sleep contains melatonin to help you get to sleep, sleep throughout the night, and wake up feeling rested.* It also includes the calming neurotransmitter GABA, as well as magnesium, vitamin B6 and valerian.* Together, these nutrients produce a soothing effect that can ease you into a peaceful sleep.* 5 Key Ingredients of Restful Sleep Restful Sleep uses a combination of nutrients that naturally support healthy regulation of your circadian rhythms, which promote quality sleep and reduce daytime fatigue.* Restful Sleep’s 5 ingredients can help you fall asleep, stay asleep and enjoy a better quality of sleep*: GABA Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter produced across the brain to naturally inhibit excessive firing of neurons, resulting in a sense of calm.* It supports the body’s other natural mechanisms for quieting the mind and gradually falling asleep.* Magnesium Sometimes called the relaxation mineral, magnesium is actually profoundly important for practically all the body’s functions.* It’s essential for making energy, some of which is necessary to prepare the body for sleep.* It plays important roles in muscle relaxation, calming of racing thoughts, and in promoting overall sleep quality.* Melatonin Melatonin is the main hormone the brain produces to naturally regulate the body’s 24-hour rhythms and sleep/wake cycle.* Staying up too late, working swing or graveyard shifts, traveling through time zones, taking certain medications, and the aging process itself, all can affect melatonin production and wreak havoc on your sleep.* Melatonin is central to all the body’s mechanisms for promoting restful sleep and healthy sleep patterns.* Valerian For centuries, the herb valerian has been used for its calming and sleep-inducing properties.* Valerian may work through the GABA receptors, which calm brain activity when activated.* It supports deep, restful, quality sleep.* Vitamin B6 Also known as pyridoxine and pyridoxal-5-phosphate, vitamin B6 helps with the production of neurotransmitters (serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and GABA), which need to be balanced for healthy sleep.* It helps promote relaxation and enhances your mood.* Restful Sleep FAQ How do I take Restful Sleep? Start by taking one capsule 60 minutes prior to your desired bedtime, and if you’re not feeling drowsy after 30 minutes, take another one. A few individuals may find they need a third or even fourth capsule each night. If you think you might benefit from an even higher intake, consult a nutritionally informed physician. Will Restful Sleep make me feel groggy the next day? No. Restful Sleep is specially formulated to be safe and non-habit-forming.* It won’t make you wake up drowsy or irritable the next day.* Instead, you’ll feel awake and refreshed.* Will Restful Sleep work for children? Children aged 4 and older can benefit from this supplement. Start with one capsule then gradually increase, if necessary, up to a maximum of 4 caps per day. Can I take Restful Sleep if I’m nursing or pregnant? Restful Sleep isn’t recommended for women who are nursing or pregnant.* What Others Are Saying Works Great “I have trouble sleeping for a variety of reasons, but whenever I take this supplement I fall asleep easily with no groggy feeling the next morning.” -Jill Great Sleep Aid “I can sleep better than I have for many years. Prior to learning about Restful Sleep, I always woke up at night – and then had trouble falling asleep. Now, if I do wake up, I fall back asleep pretty quickly.” -David Restful Sleep has helped countless people get peaceful, quality rest and may be able to help you too. 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.
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The Most Proven Nutrient for Memory and Brain Health: PhosphatidylSerine (PS)
Trying to make your brain work better? Tired of hearing about “miracle memory cures” that don’t work and may not even be safe to take? How about a nutrient that’s concentrated in the human brain and has extensive research proving it works? PS (PhosphatidylSerine, pronounced fos-fa-tie-dil-see-reen) isn’t a miracle memory cure but it can make a noticeably positive difference to your memory and overall brain health. What is PhosphatidylSerine? PhosphatidylSerine (PS) is a chemically unique nutrient that is an essential building block for all known forms of life, and it’s most highly concentrated in the human brain. Our brain cells – all of them – need PS to generate and manage the high energy, complex electrical activity, and intense information processing that makes our brains work. PS has been put through more than 30 years of gold standard clinical research involving randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials. It consistently improves memory for words, faces, names, and numbers, as well as learning, attention, and overall mental sharpness, even in children. After all this clinical experience with PS, not one serious side effect was reported. How Does PhosphatidylSerine Work? Chemically, PS is a phospholipid, a type of substance that the body needs for making cell membranes. These are thin sheets of highly dynamic structures that power most of the life processes in all known living things, including in every single human cell. From its strategic positioning in the membranes of our brain cells, PS facilitates key cell activities: Energy generation by the membranes of the mitochondria located within all these cells. Utilization of this energy by the nerve cells to generate electrical activity. Conversion of this electrical activity into information transfer at the trillions of junctions between the nerve cells (synapses). Here PS functions closely with omega-3 DHA. Information transfer at the synapses by brain messenger substances (neurotransmitters). Packaging of these neurotransmitters within the cells, and their release at the synapses. Sensitivity to nerve growth factor, which supports nerve cell renewal and brain maintenance. These fundamental contributions of PS to our brain cells cannot be substituted for any other substance, and their effects at the individual brain cell level scale up into the impressive brain benefits observed with PS in double-blind clinical trials. In one such trial, PS partly restored declining memory in healthy over-50 volunteers (see Further Reading, below). PS has also been found to improve learning and attention in children with such challenges. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, after 2 months PS had improved attention, impulsive actions, learning of numbers, and school behavior in children aged 4-14 years (see Further Reading). The credentials of PS as a safe and effective brain nutrient are established from 29 double-blind clinical trials, hundreds of other clinical studies, and thousands of basic science research papers, all published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Though not allowed to endorse its use, the U.S. FDA granted PS not just one but two prestigious qualified health claims for its brain benefits. What Foods Contain PhosphatidylSerine? Technically, PS is not a vitamin since the body can make it. And it is available in small amounts from the diet: though plants provide very little PS, eggs (yolk), muscle meats and organ foods do provide some. But a high-grade PS supplement can double or triple your dietary intake and improve your brain function within weeks. BrainMD’s PS is non-allergenic and is all-natural since it derives from sunflowers. How to Take PhosphatidylSerine for Memory? To help ensure you can get help from PS, BrainMD provides PS via several supplement products, including the NeuroVite Plus enhanced multiple vitamin supplement (try finding PS in any other multiples on the market!). We also provide PS in our popular Brain & Memory Power Boost and in our Attention Support product. If you want to try a high-potency PS, it’s available as NeuroPS in a 150 mg capsule. BrainMD’s powerful supplement systems Brain & Body Power and Brain & Body Power MAX provide capsules from 3 of our core brain supplements in convenient to use packets. Capsules of NeuroVite Plus and Brain & Memory Power Boost provide a generous amount of PS, which is complemented by ample omega-3 DHA and EPA from our ultrapure, high-potency Omega-3 Power softgels. For those who prefer not to take capsules, the BrainMD team developed BRIGHT MINDSTM Memory Powder with the full clinical dose of 300 mg PS per serving and a wide array of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients for brain health. PS, along with our other leading brain supplements, assist the Amen Clinics’ comprehensive Memory Rescue program, which includes breakthrough SPECT functional imaging of the brain. Is PhosphatidylSerine Safe for Brain Health? I’ve worked with PS for 25 years to establish it with consumers and physicians in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It’s extremely safe and I take it every day for my brain. I urge you to try it too. If you want to improve your mental focus and your memory for words, faces, names and numbers, try adding PS to your supplement regimen. Further Reading Crook TH, others. Neurology 1991;41:644-649. Double-blind trial with over-50 volunteers. Hirayama S, others. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics 2014;27 (Suppl. 2):284-291. Double-blind trial with children having attentional and behavioral issues. BrainMD Product Description: BRIGHT MINDSTM Memory Powder.
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7 Ways To Keep Calm While Preparing For Vacation
Now that summer is officially here, it’s that time of year again…VACATION! You’ve worked hard all year so it’s time for a break and time to relax. Time off is essential to personal wellbeing, professional success, business performance, and more, but nearly half of American employees don't use all of their vacation days each year! Research has even demonstrated that taking a vacation can have similar biological benefits to your health as meditating. In short, vacations are good for your health. So why don’t more people take vacations? Often the reason is that planning and preparing for a vacation is too stressful an experience. It sounds like extra work, having to prepare for vacation. It can be easy to get caught up in the stress of everyday life, even in the summer. How do you transition from a stress-inducing life to relaxation mode? It’s difficult to get into the right mindset, but you can more calmly prepare yourself for vacation if you follow a few simple steps: 7 of the Best Ways to Keep Your Vacation Prep Stress-free 1. Have Realistic Expectations Resist the urge to plan every minute of your vacation and maintain realistic expectations about your trip. Your flight could be delayed. It might rain the afternoon you plan to go jet skiing. Mishaps and meltdowns happen, but they don’t have to ruin a trip. If you expect that things will go less than perfectly, you will be better prepared to handle whatever does happen. 2. Focus On The Positive This can feel "easier said than done," but it's very effective. As mentioned above, a lot can go wrong when you travel. However, as with life in general, negative things won't feel like they have as much power when you notice the silver lining of the situation. For example, if your flight is delayed, focus on how you have extra time to catch up on reading a novel you enjoy. 3. Plan Ahead There is nothing more stressful than realizing the day before you leave that you still haven’t checked the oil level of your car, gone to the bank, bought the extra socks you needed, set up the timer for your house lights, or had your mail held. There are countless vacation preparation checklists available online – download one ahead of time and check items off to reduce your preparation stress. 4. Pack In Advance This might sound overwhelming, since you’re already stressed and still trying to get into the vacation mindset. However, it’s important to remember to work toward your goal of relaxation in advance or you might never get there! Make or download a packing list and begin to assemble necessary items with plenty of time to spare. That way you won’t find yourself running around like crazy the night before trying to get everything together. 5. Get Plenty Of Rest Speaking of the night before your vacation, make sure to get plenty of sleep so that you do NOT travel tired. Certainly, rushing to get everything done before your vacation can leave you worn out. However, navigating unfamiliar roads or airports will be much more difficult and stressful when you are sleep deprived. 6. Know What Works For You You may have heard the tip to clean your house while you’re packing for a vacation so that you aren’t stressed about a mess when you return. While some people might benefit from a little prep work beforehand, it won’t necessarily make re-entry easier for everyone. For others, the prep only adds more stress. The same goes for work. Many folks stress about doing extra work before leaving in hopes of cutting down on the amount they have when they come back. But it seems like there’s always a lot of work when you get back, no matter how you prep. Prioritize and focus on those tasks that have a deadline while you’re gone and put non-pressing items on the back burner. 7. Supplement To Manage Stress Natural relaxation substances can be incredibly effective in helping you manage your stress and feel more calm. Drink some spearmint or chamomile teas. Put dried lavender in a vase near your bed. Use calming essential oil aromas such as clary sage, bergamot, or ylang ylang. Try BrainMD’s Everyday Stress Relief – a nutritional supplement that can help promote a tranquil mind and body while supporting healthy adrenal and cortisol levels. It includes well-studied herbs and nutrients to support your body’s response to stress on multiple levels.
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Is It Better To Take Single Supplements Or A Combination Formula?
Twenty years ago, my sister, Joanne, brought my 7-year-old niece, Jennifer, to see me because she was struggling in school and had emotional outbursts. When I scanned Jen, I found she had a brain that was working way too hard. I tried many “traditional” interventions without any success, and my sister was calling me three times a week, upset about Jen’s behavior. Through my research, I discovered a combination of natural supplements that could help calm the brain and put her on them. Four months later I realized I hadn’t heard anything from my sister, so I called her and said, “Hey, don’t you love me anymore?” Joanne said, “Of course I do, and you won’t believe how much better Jennifer is doing. She’s getting straight A’s in school and she is MUCH easier to be around.” This was a very compelling experience that had a lasting impact on me. Now 20 years after Joanne brought Jennifer to see me, Jennifer graduated from law school and is doing great. There is no question in my mind that supplements can have powerful, positive effects. Initially, I recommended specific supplements and had my patients get them from their local health food stores. Over time, as I learned more about them, I wanted my own combination of ingredients and decided it was essential for us to have our own high-quality line. Most people don’t realize that your brain gets sick or ages in many different ways. The supplement industry is sort of famous for, “Take this one thing, and it’ll revolutionize your brain.” The latest thing is a jellyfish extract. And I came to realize over time, the brain doesn’t get sick in one way. And it won’t get better in one way. Single mechanism interventions, such as just taking single supplements like ginkgo or vitamin E by themselves, have NOT consistently worked in large scale studies to effectively promote and enhance optimal brain health. Therefore, in order to support your brain, it is absolutely critical to use multiple interventions that target different processes like blood sugar levels, gut health, inflammation, blood flow, and more. When we use smart combinations to fight the war for brain health on multiple fronts our effectiveness significantly improves. One such combination formula is BrainMD Brain and Memory Power Boost. This is the supplement formulated to help in our brain enhancement work with active and retired NFL players. When used in conjunction with a brain healthy program, we demonstrated significant improvement in memory, reasoning, attention, processing speed and accuracy. It was so effective that I take it every day. Brain and Memory Power Boost is formulated with seven brain boosters which help promote brain energy, support important neurons, and defend against free radical damage to the brain. Together they help power up mental sharpness and cognition so you can think fast on your feet again. Here’s what you get with Brain and Memory Power Boost: PhosphatidylSerine – a natural building block for cell membranes that supports healthy cognitive function Acetyl-L-Carnitine – an amino acid which helps protect against mental fatigue and can enhance mood N-AcetylCysteine – an amino acid that supports healthy cognition and mood as well as enhancing coping Alpha-Lipoic Acid – a potent antioxidant that protects against cell damage Ginkgo Biloba Extract – helps ensure reliable and sufficient blood flow to the brain Vinpocetine – works with Ginkgo to support healthy brain blood flow Huperzine A - improves the actions of the acetylcholine neurotransmitter system, which plays a central role in memory and behavior As you can imagine, if you purchased each of these supplements separately, it would cost you an astronomical amount! Not to mention the amount of time it would take to separate out and take each daily dose. The science behind using natural supplements grows stronger every year, but we must stop looking for single bullet treatments, and instead help the brain in all of the ways it struggles. This multiple-mechanism approach is what we used in our published brain rehabilitation study with football players, and it’s what we use to help the people who come to our clinics. “After a month on this supplement I noticed a difference. I have more clarity, focus and recall. This supplement really helps.” - Lisa “I love this product! I can notice the difference in my thoughts when I take the recommended dose and when I don't. My thoughts are clearer and sharper.” - Peggy “This is a great product to help me stay sharp when seeing patients. As a sports medicine physician, I need to be focused when injuries happen and be able to think quickly on my feet. Brain and Memory Power Boost is part of my pre-game.” - Dr. Z
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Omega Fatty Acids – Proper Ratio Is Key
The EPA - DHA Ratio Considering that on any given day, about 60% of the solid weight of your brain is fat – giving your brain plenty of healthy fat is kind of a (excuse the pun) no brainer. Your brain loves healthy fat and here’s why: fat plays an important structural role in your brain cell membranes as well as a vital role in how your cells function. For example, the omega-3 essential fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) makes up a full quarter of all brain fat, and it’s the brain’s favorite fat for building membranes! Another omega-3 essential fatty acid called eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) helps support mood and emotional balance. In fact, in a new research paper by Daniel Amen, MD and associates, researchers found that for patients with high omega-3 levels, blood flow in specific areas of the brain is increased. This indicates an association between higher Omega-3 index scores and overall better brain and cognitive health. Your brain NEEDS fat – just the right kind of fat. What Are Fatty Acids? Fatty acids are the building blocks of the fat in your body and in the food you eat. They have a variety of roles in the body. In addition to being the primary component of stored fat and serving as important building blocks of cell membranes, they also regulate inflammatory processes. Your body can synthesize most of the fats it needs from the diet. However, some necessary fatty acids cannot be synthesized in the body and must be obtained from food – these are called essential fatty acids. Only two fatty acids are known to be essential for humans: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the parent fatty acid of the omega-3 series, and linoleic acid (LA), the parent fatty acid of the omega-6 series. Having optimal omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids lead to many healthy benefits. Omega-3 Fatty Acids The family of omega-3 fatty acids is comprised of at least 11 different types with complicated names like hexadecatrienoic acid (HTA), stearidonic acid (SDA), and eicosatrienoic acid (ETE). However, the three primary ones involved in human physiology are ALA, DHA, and EPA. ALA is mostly found in plants, while EPA and DHA are mostly found in animal foods like fatty fish. ALA, the most common omega-3 fat, is not biologically active in the body. It needs to be converted into EPA and/or DHA to become active, but this conversion process is VERY inefficient in humans. Research has found that omega-3 fatty acids are essential for optimal brain and body health. For example, according to researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, having low levels of omega-3 fatty acids is one of the leading preventable causes of death. Deficiencies in these vital fatty acids have been shown to be associated with age-related cognitive decline, psychological disturbances, mood swings, and neuropathy (tingling in hands and feet). Similarly, these critical fatty acids are necessary for optimal immune response and supporting cardiovascular health, joint health, skin quality, vision, and wound healing. Omega-6 Fatty Acids Although omega-6 fatty acids are necessary, they can be harmful when you eat them in excess, so they’re both good and bad for your health. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in most vegetable oils (soybean, sunflower, safflower, corn, and canola), as well as in many fried foods, cereals, and whole-grain breads. Some of the benefits of omega-6 fatty acids are that they contribute to muscle health, support bone health, help reduce nerve pain, and act as a transmitter of nerve impulses. However, these health benefits are only realized when omega-6 fatty acids are eaten in moderation. Why You Need Both Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids Appropriate ratios are key. Eating too much of omega-6 fatty acids is a problem because they cancel out the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids when the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 is too high. The optimal ratio is 2 to 1 (omega-6 to omega-3), and not higher than 3 to 1. However, most people who eat the standard American diet, which contains high levels of omega-6-rich vegetable oils, have an appalling ratio of 20-50 to 1! Think of omega-6 as an accelerator—it hastens the creation of inflammation. Omega-3 is like the brake—it decreases inflammation. You need to be able to create inflammation, sometimes, in the right amounts and at the right times, such as when you are hurt or sick. However, if it goes too far and inflammation becomes chronic, it’s like having a slow-burning fire in your body that never goes out. It begins damaging the immune system, arteries, nerve cells, and organs. The best way to balance the ratio is to eat fewer foods that contain omega-6 fatty acids and more that contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, and seaweed. Unfortunately, even if you are eating a diet rich in foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, you are likely still not getting sufficient amounts of these crucial fatty acids that your body needs for optimal health (including creating an optimal ratio with the amount of omega-6 fatty acids you are consuming), so it will be important to supplement your diet. BrainMD Omega-3 Power provides highly purified omega-3 fatty acids at optimal dose levels from the most advanced production and detoxification.
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How To Choose Fish Oil That Will Help, Not Hurt You
What Does Fish Oil Do & Why is it So Important? Recently, it was determined that, after vitamin and mineral supplements, fish oil was the most popular complementary health product used by adults in the United States. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), more than 18 million people spent more than $1.3 billion on fish oil in the year 2012, the most recent year for which they have statistics. What Does Fish Oil Do? Most people know that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are good for their health and are likely aware about the benefits to circulatory health. But not as many people may know that omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for brain health. Fish oils, are oily fats found in fish, particularly cold water fish, and in marine oils from other sea life such as krill. These oils are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, one type of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) that are crucially essential for health. Are Fish Oil Supplements Good for You? In your diet, you will come across omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, Both are important for your overall health, and and you should find the right fish oil ratio for each one. The two most studied omega-3 fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These are essential for our health and well-being—our bodies need them for a diverse range of essential life functions. Though the body can make them from smaller omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA are practically like vitamins in that the conversion efficiency is very poor. Though every cell in our body needs them, the only practical way to ensure we get the amounts of EPA and DHA that we need is through foods or supplements. Unfortunately, surveys indicate most people get far too little omega-3 fatty acids in their diet. The research consistently indicates that most Americans are not getting the EPA and DHA in their tissues that they likely require for optimum brain and body health, with some studies demonstrating that as many as 90% of adults have suboptimal levels. Many turn to fish oil supplements to help correct this deficiency. However, what they don’t realize (and this includes many health care practitioners) is that not all fish oils are created alike. How Do I Choose the Best Fish Oil? While the desired omega-3 fatty acids reside in the fatty tissue of fish, so do environmental contaminants. Therefore, oil derived from these tissues often contains high levels of these contaminants. This is why it's dangerous to consume fish caught in ocean zones that are contaminated. Fish (especially longer-lived species, and higher-level predators that consume other fish) will "bioaccumulate" heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead that originated from industrial sources and reached the watery environments in which they feed. These contaminants often end up in the fish oil derived from these fish. Adverse effects to humans from ingesting heavy metals can include brain damage including memory loss, blindness, deafness, loss of coordination, irreversible liver and kidney damage, even death. In addition to heavy metals, there are also other toxic compounds that bioaccumulate in fish. Some of the most toxic chemicals known to science, including hundreds of different PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), PBBs (polybrominated biphenyls), dioxins and furans, can bioaccumulate in fish and have been linked to problems with the functioning of the brain, liver, immune system, endocrine and reproductive systems, and essentially all the organs. The PCBs, which have been extensively studied, besides causing the organ problems listed above, when bioaccumulated in humans even at very low levels can cause brain and other nervous system disorders, muscle spasms, skin problems, and chronic bronchitis. So, when looking for a fish oil supplement, it is critical that you find a product that has been highly purified. Sourced from short-lived fish species (anchovies, sardines, and mackerel) that are pelagic (don't feed on the bottom and therefore pick up less contaminants), the fish oil in BrainMD’s Omega-3 Power undergoes the most advanced purification process in the supplement industry. Fish Oil to Help Memory & Heart The ultra-high quality fish oil that goes into BrainMD’s Omega-3 Power is produced in a facility that is licensed to make both pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements. This facility is recognized by the FDA and certified for its cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) by the rigorous USP (United States Pharmacopeia), NSF and other agencies. To ensure purity, BrainMD’s Omega-3 Power is tested to ensure lack of rancidity and for 450 potential environmental contaminants, including mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and other heavy metals; PCBs, PBBs, dioxins, furans; and a diverse range of other organic pollutants. Fish Oil Reviews Here’s what our customers are saying: “The only fish oil I found that I can take because you take the care to purify it so well. Thank you so much!” by Carol “I think this product is great! I've compared the EPA and DHA amounts to other fish oils and this one has more than most that are out on the market.” by Steph “Effective & high quality! I've tried other omega-3 supplements & they've never quite settled well & didn't do much for my mood or energy. I feel a difference with these! Definitely worth the price.” by Elizabeth
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3 Part Series: How to Identify the Best Quality Supplements
In the previous post (Part 2), we discussed what you need to know about how your supplements are formulated and developed. But how much do you really know about the manufacturing programs and processes? In the third and last part of this blog series, we’re going to share with you the important features of supplement manufacturing and testing. Manufacturing Is that product you are considering manufactured in a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) certified facility? GMPs are the legal requirements for a sophisticated production system to ensure a dietary supplement product has the correct ingredient identity, strength, purity, safety, and process documentation that matches the content of its label. The processes for producing the product must be followed down to the finest details, testing must be conducted at various stages of the production process, and the documentation must be sufficient to be able to trace and isolate any problem that may occur. The cGMP (current GMP) regulations were developed by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure that dietary supplements are manufactured to the highest quality possible from the available technology. You often hear people who are biased against dietary supplements say that dietary supplements aren't regulated, but FDA's stringent cGMP regulations are proof that supplements actually are thoroughly regulated. The FDA is the government agency that enforces GMP requirements all along the chain of custody of a dietary supplement product: from raw material suppliers through the manufacturer to the packager, and on through to the retailer, all are responsible for the quality of the product. FDA does unannounced inspections of all these parties. While they do not offer certifications for cGMP, they will issue warning letters and will shut down a party that fails to conform to cGMP requirements. Independent groups can be hired by a company to inspect their facilities and processes and provide GMP certifications. Among the services they provide are reviewing facility cleanliness and standard operating procedures, monitoring equipment calibration and operation, checking the production line for sources of contamination, verifying quality control overall and generally making sure the finished products' labels meet FDA specifications. When the FDA themselves perform an unannounced inspection of a facility that handles dietary supplement products and finds a GMP or other product quality problem, or inaccurate or otherwise illegal labeling, they typically give the facility 15 days to correct the problems. If the required changes are not made, the facility can be shut down and individual staff who knowingly defy the rules can be criminally charged and even go to jail. And FDA is not the only agency that regulates dietary supplements. Responsible parties in the dietary supplement industry must follow the legal requirements not just of the FDA but of the FTC (Federal Trade Commission, tasked with protecting the consumer against fraudulent marketing or other illegal trade representation), state public health departments, environmental protection agencies, and even California's Proposition 65 with its long list of toxic substances to avoid. All these regulatory agencies further help protect the public against unsafe or other illegal dietary supplement products. Testing It’s important to know that your supplements are tested for identity, purity, and potency. Testing is most effectively done on the raw material ingredients before they enter the chain of production. But in-process testing is also necessary, and the finished product must also be tested to ensure the integrity of the entire manufacturing process. Both ingredients and finished products must go through identity and potency verification, heavy metal testing, and microbial testing. All of BrainMD’s products undergo these testing processes, and we employ independent laboratories to do our testing. We also audit our manufacturers, packagers, and testing labs to ensure they have adequate quality control and processing standards in place. To protect your health and wallet, and to be confident you are getting the highest quality supplements, make sure you are buying products that are manufactured in cGMP certified facilities. Be vigilant! Be knowledgeable enough to sort the good from the bad. Supplements are an important part of your health regimen and you should be as well informed as you can be about what you're putting in your body. Your health and safety depend on it.
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3 Part Series: How to Identify the Best Quality Supplements
In the previous article (Part 1), we promised that we were going to teach you everything you need to know to buy the best quality supplements. In that first post, we explained some of the most important tips and insights on how to look at labels and claims made by supplement companies including ingredients, cautions and warnings, even marketing messages. In this post, Part 2, we discuss the science of how supplements are formulated and developed and what you should look for. Science-Based vs Fad Supplements If you want safety, efficacy, and reliability in your supplements, it’s important to know who created them — whether expert doctors, scientists, lab formulators or other individuals — and are they reputable? It’s also important (and legally required) that they have the data to back up the products they make. What studies have been done on the ingredients and formulation? Are they real human clinical studies, especially controlled clinical trials, or are they just animal or cell culture studies? If clinical trials were done, were they actually published in reputable, peer-reviewed scientific journals? Does the company use the ingredients that were actually researched in the clinical trials, or just cheap substitutes? Also, it’s important to know how the ingredients in a supplement work together because certain combinations can have positive or negative effects on digestion, absorption, and effectiveness. For instance, studies have shown that betaine (trimethylglycine) can increase the effectiveness of SAMe (s-adenosylmethionine). Look for references to studies done on the specific ingredient combinations. Then there are the fad supplements. Unfortunately you often see them on TV, claiming to have trials, though no such trials have been published. The makers of fad supplements can even stoop to adding drugs (pharmaceuticals) into their products labeled dietary supplements, even though this is expressly prohibited by the FDA and can cause serious harm. If the supplement maker can't show you controlled clinical trials published in peer-reviewed journals, proceed with great caution. Formulation Just because a product has a certain ingredient in it, doesn’t mean there is enough of that ingredient in each dose to feel the benefits. If you're interested in a product for some particular need you have, or even if you've already been using it, get yourself educated about its active ingredients and the minimum doses that are recommended by informed experts. These will be - should be - the doses that were effective and safe in the clinical trials. It's an open secret in the dietary supplement industry that many products have smaller-than-recommended amounts of ingredients, especially with ingredients that are expensive; to make it seem like the consumer is getting more for their money than some competing product. Some in the industry call this “dusting” with "Fairy Dust." Take fish oil supplements, for example. Many if not most of them don't provide sufficient omega-3 EPA and DHA for the consumer ever to get to levels in their cells that are going to be truly protective. Good dietary supplements provide safe and clinically effective ingredients in doses that have reasonable probability of creating benefits for people who take them. Reviews Online reviews can be extremely beneficial. When they're honestly done they can help you find out the good and bad experiences of actual customers who have already tried the product. Look for high numbers of reviews that seem to reiterate the claims on the product. This can give you great insight on the efficacy of the product. But do be aware that some websites, including well-regarded ones, pay people to create positive reviews. It can be a good sign to see some average or negative reviews, since one supplement won’t have the same effect for every person. Be aware when looking for independent reviews that there are also many blog sites that pretend to be impartial or even critical of supplements, but sometimes they just make veiled endorsements of supplements for which they get kickbacks. When you’re shopping for supplements, knowing how they are developed is a key factor in knowing if they are quality products and if they will make a difference in your health. Be sure to look out for Part 3 of this blog series, where we will discuss supplement manufacturing programs to help you determine which products have the best quality.
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3 Part Series: How to Identify the Best Quality Supplements
Are you wasting money on low-quality supplements? Or worse, is your supplement routine just not doing anything for you? Did you know that not all supplements are created equal and not all supplement makers can be trusted? It’s true! Americans love vitamins. More than half of all American adults take a vitamin or supplement. It’s a $27 billion-dollar industry in the U.S. With thousands of choices, it can sometimes be overwhelming to choose the right one for you. Plus, how do you know if you’re getting your money's worth or if you’re just getting ripped off? Unless you’re part of the development of a supplement, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to know if you’re getting trusted, quality products or if they’re delivering everything they claim. In this 3-part blog series, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know to identify the best-quality supplements. So you can get the maximum benefits from your supplements and reach your health goals. The 3 parts of this series are: Labels & Claims Supplement Development Manufacturing Programs Now let’s dive right into labels & claims: Claims Some labels make extravagant claims, but all too often the claims are a little hard to swallow. Before you buy a supplement, read the label, especially the Supplement Facts box that by law must list the ingredients. Carefully read the directions for use, and any cautions or warnings that follow them. Read the packaging, and any claims for efficacy and/or safety that are on the label. Be forewarned, supplement claims can be easy to misread and many supplement makers play games with the content of their labels. According to the Food & Drug Association (FDA), supplement makers are not legally allowed to make claims that their products treat, diagnose, prevent or cure diseases. The FDA does allow claims that a product affects the body's structure and/or function, nutritional status, or general health and wellbeing. But the product's maker is supposed to have proof to support all the claims they make. Ingredient lists The Supplement Facts box is the heart of the dietary supplement label. It's supposed to accurately list all the active ingredients, in specified order and with specified names for the various nutrients, herbals or other ingredients. Read this very carefully. You may notice, for example, that vitamin A is listed as beta-carotene, which many people do not efficiently convert to vitamin A. Or that magnesium is listed as magnesium oxide, which happens to be very poorly absorbed and is an inferior ingredient compared to magnesium malate, citrate or glycinate. Sometimes there'll be ingredients listed that aren't proven for use in humans. If you have doubts, contact the supplement maker, who by law have to provide their contact information on the label. It’s important to understand that outside the Supplement Facts box, companies have a lot of room to make vague claims on their labels. For example, the phrase “natural flavors” still allows for the product to contain sugars and other hidden and potentially harmful additives. At BrainMD, we ensure that our natural flavors are as pure as possible. We refuse flavors that use sugar or other high-glycemic ingredients, or hidden additives that are potentially unsafe. Another challenge for you is to detect and become knowledgeable about undesirable additive ingredients in your supplements, especially in the binders or coatings of tablets such as unnecessary sucrose, titanium dioxide which has questionable safety, hydrogenated oils, heavy metals including lead and mercury, and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) or dioxins. Cautions and Warnings While it may seem counter-intuitive, cautions or warnings on products can be a good thing because they show that the company understands their ingredients and how they can affect the body. Cautions and warnings also indicate that the company places concerns about their customer's health and safety above making another sale. The caution or warning both prevents the sale of a product to someone that should not be taking it and allows the product to get into the hands of consumers who can safely take it. Marketing You’ve almost surely heard the saying, “Don’t believe everything you hear.” Well, that rings even more true for the supplement industry. We can start by asking ourselves some common sense questions. Does the supplement company make reasonable promises or do they make claims that are too extreme to believe, for example that a supplement can cure Alzheimer's or cancer? Outlandish claims in marketing materials can be an indication that the company is over-promising to try to gain sales. Look for realistic statements about a product for “supporting”, "promoting" or "enhancing" specific structures or functions. People’s bodies work differently, so supplements are rarely one size fits all. A supplement that works wonders for one person, might not work for another. Therefore it's important to examine the product's label or support documentation for evidence that it's ingredients (some of them, at least) have been put through controlled human clinical trials, which are the highest level of proof that they possibly could work for YOU. That’s also why a company’s return policy is important. If a supplement company allows returns and even guarantees their products or your money back, that is a good sign of trust. Look out for free product trials. The sponsoring company will say this shows their confidence in their product’s effectiveness. But read the fine print and make sure they are being upfront about what kind of arrangement you’re getting into. Most free trial programs automatically turn into a membership program unless you cancel, but some companies don’t put that information upfront and don't take measures to make sure you agree to the deal in advance. To make better buying decisions about dietary supplements, and to have the best chance the products you purchase will improve your health and well-being, you need to know first, that what the company claims on the label is accurate and reasonable; second, that the ingredient list is transparent and clearly understandable; and that they stand behind their products enough to make you feel safe and confident to shop with them.
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