According to a recent study conducted by the American Psychological Association(APA), one-third of Americans are living with extreme stress and nearly half of Americans (48 percent) report that their stress has increased substantially over the past five years. In this fast-paced, “multi-tasking” world we live in today, stress is taking a toll on all of us…contributing to health problems, lack of energy, and difficulty keeping mental focus and concentration.
As a result, tens of millions of people are turning to energy drinks and energy shots as a means to obtain that “get-up-and-go” mentality which is critical to keep up with today’s demands.
Unfortunately, the majority of these popular energy drinks are packed with sugar,artificial colors and flavors and unhealthy stimulants. They give youa temporary boost of energy only to leave you “crashing” a few hours later. When consumed regularly, these beverages can take a negative toll on our body.
The“Fab Four”:
There are several unique and powerful nutrients that improve brain function at every age. Here, you’ll learn about four nutritional ingredients you can use to improve your ability to meet each day’s multiple challenges. These are also the same ingredients that you’ll find inthe world’s first “pure energy think drink” by Xooma –FocusUP.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine: Pure Energy In A Bottle
Scientific studies have found that acetyl-L-carnitine improves memory, mental energy, and cognitive ability. It does so by promoting better function of mitochondria, the “engines” that create energy within brain cells.
Each one of your trillions of body cells contains microscopic organs called organelles. Mitochondria are sausage-shaped organelles that transform carbohydrates and fats into energy, “burning” fuel to create ATP—the universal energy currency of living things. Tissues with high energy needs contain lots of mitochondria: one-third of the heart, for example, is composed of mitochondria, and each brain cell contains thousands of them. Acetyl-L-carnitine is instrumental in both maintaining the organelles themselves and in the production of the cellular energy needed to maintain sharp, clear thinking and physical and mental energy.
This nutrient stimulates the growth of new, healthy brain cells and acts as an antioxidant, protecting existing brain cells against the ravages of oxidation (a process known to strongly affect brain aging and function). It enhances the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is instrumental for learning and memory, by speeding up the neurons’ ability to move the nutrient choline to where it can be combined with acetyl-coA to make acetylcholine. This enables faster, more efficient nervous system function.
In experiments where acetyl-L-carnitine is administered to aging animals, the animals behave, in every way, like much younger animals, with doubling of activity levels and improved performance on cognitive tests. Under the microscope, researchers have documented that mitochondrial function actually improves with an infusion of this nutrient. Human studies show improvements on tests of memory, attention, and verbal fluency with this nutrient.
Green Tea: Superlative Neuroprotector
In parts of the world where green tea is consumed regularly, incidence of cancer and heart disease is lower. Growing evidence suggests that the protective benefits of green tea extend to prevention of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Green tea is loaded with polyphenols, catechins, and flavonols, which are some of the most broad-spectrum, effective antioxidants known to man. Green tea polyphenols have been found to prevent the death of brain cells (neurons) in a wide array of cellular and animal models of neurological diseases. These polyphenols are neuroprotective, with some studies finding that they can rescue neurons in peril from free radical stress and inflammation. Green tea polyphenols appear to reduce free radical damage to brain cells through several mechanisms: by chelating iron (binding to excess iron, which accelerates oxidation, and moving it out of the body), binding to and neutralizing damaging free radicals, and reducing inflammation.
Rhodiola rosea: Adaptogenic Enhancer
The adaptogenic herb Rhodiola rosea has been used medicinally for centuries in Europe and Asia. Like other adaptogens, Rhodiola balances the functioning of the immune, endocrine (hormonal), metabolic, and nervous systems, promoting improved mental performance, energy and stamina. Decades’ worth of scientific investigation has been done on this herb, and it’s no surprise that with this level of validation, Rhodiola remains a favorite in many nutritionally oriented physicians’ offices.
This herb demonstrates a remarkable ability to enhance cellular energy metabolism. Studies published thus far show that this herb benefits physical and mental performance, mental energy, and resistance to fatigue, particularly during periods of stress. It protects the nervous system against oxidative damage and promotes balance of the neurotransmitters acetylcholine, dopamine, and serotonin, especially in aging people.
DMAE:A Natural Brain EnergizerFish are rich in this nutrient, which helps explain why it’s widely touted as “brain food.” DMAE is one of the best-researched brain-boosting nutrients available; research studies on DMAE date back four decades. It raises levels of the amino acid choline in the brain, which in turn increases the brain’s ability to produce acetylcholine. The result: an increase in focus, concentration, and memory. Short-term studies have demonstrated improvements in alertness, vigilance, attention span, concentration, and academic and learning performance. DMAE has also been found to improve mood, mental energy, and reaction speed.
Additional DMAE benefits include:
- Improves attention, concentration and academic/learning performance
- Improves mental energy and mood
- Improves test scores and speed of reaction
Convenience and Value:
If you purchased these high quality ingredients individually, you’d spend a substantial amount of money and be forced to swallow numerous pills on a daily basis to get those clinical dosage levels. However, Xooma makes it very easy to get these powerful ingredients and their benefits in our refreshing, great tasting energy drink, FocusUP (also available in capsule form). Best of all, FocusUP costs LESS than those unhealthy energy drinks and shots and delivers REAL health benefits to the body and brain.
*** Originally published online in the February 2013 issue of Xooma HEALTHBEAT.
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