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Brain Juice!

by Michael Lovitch

Hello,

If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know I am a big-time “brain performance” guy.  This is probably why I got into the hypnosis publishing area, as I’m always looking for ways to achieve peak performance. In my opinion, the brain is the key.

I’ve written about neurofeedback, brain entrainment, brain software, and neuro-plasticity, but I’ve never written about supplements that improve your brain’s performance.

There is a reason, and it’s this:
Until recently, I just have not been able to find a formula that is both affordable and effective.

Until about four months ago, I made my own “brain cocktail” by going to the bulk manufacturers and ordering each ingredient in powder form in large quantities. This makes my cocktail affordable, but it tastes terrible, is very inconvenient, and can cause some stomach issues.

What’s in my “brain cocktail”?

1. Acetyl-L-Carnitine: This amino acid crosses the blood-brain barrier and has been proven to have all kinds of benefits to the brain.  It is also used in Europe to treat depression, and to help repair the damage caused by alchoholism.  Unfortunaely, most supplements with this ingredient have the dosage significantly too low. You need about 2 grams a day to get the real benefits.  This is a pretty expensive ingredient if not bought in bulk, and it tastes extremely bitter in  powder form.

2. Phosphatidylserine:  This form of lecithin has a lot of clinical research showing its effectiveness. It serves two functions: it’s both a cortisol reducer (the stress hormone that causes all kinds of negative effects), and it helps to strengthen memory. The form on which most of the research has been done is called Leci PS, and you need about 400mg a day at 20% to get the results below:

  • Increase vigilance and attention,
  • Increase mental acuity,
  • Intensify your concentration,
  • Relieve depression and improve mood, and
  • Inhibit exercise and stress-induced increases in cortisol.

Leci PS is very expensive, and tastes pretty bad!

3. Finally, I take L-alpha-glyceryl Phosphatidyl choline, also called Alpha-GPC.  This is a relatively new compound that’s hard to find.  The main benefits of Alpha-GPC are:

  • Improve memory and learning ability 1
  • Counteract brain aging by increasing cholinergic receptor sites 2
  • Increase nerve growth factor receptors in the brain 3
  • Slow down undesirable structural changes in the brain 4
  • Increase growth hormone secretion in both the young and the old 5
  • Increase the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine 6
  • Improve memory and cognitive performance in patients with Alzheimer’s dementia 1

So yes, for some time now I have been “gutting” these compounds in powder form.  It’s been worth it, but I will admit that I would sometimes skip a day (or three) because it was inconvenient, and it tastes so-o-o-o bad!

Why not buy these as individual pills?

Pills would have been more convenient, and less vile-tasting, but they can be costly. I did some shopping online to figure the cost of these ingredients in pill form.

For the Leci PS, you are looking at $60 for 400 mg a day at 30 days. Acetyl-L-Carnitine has gone down a lot in the last year. If you look around, you can get the 2 grams a day in pill form for about $10 a month. (It used to be very pricey.)  For L-alpha-glyceryl Phosphatidyl choline in pill form, I was able to find a decent supplier where you could get 1,000mg a day for about $40 a month.

So if you were to try to get these three ingredients in pill form at the right dosage, we are looking at over $100 a month, and you do have to wonder about the sources.

So why did I stop mixing this power cocktail about four months ago?

At that time, I was introduced  to Dr. Dave Woynarowski, a well-known anti-aging doctor.  He was previously Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Dave has a thriving anti-aging practice, and through this practice he has developed some origninal supplements.

Knowing I was a “brain guy,” Dave challenged me to try his “Instant Brain Power” formula (not the most creative name in the world) for a month, and to see if I noticed any results.

I immediately looked at the ingredients. Turns out I was already taking three of the ingredients (as described above) in powder form, so of course I was interested.

Dave was generous and sent me a 3-month supply.

The results are in - especially in terms of mental endurance

I did definitely notice a difference in performance.

My memory is already good, but what I noticed most was an increased mental endurance, even exceeding the effects of the three main ingredients which I was talking before. Dr. Dave’s formula also contains Vinpocetin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, and mixed Natural Tocotreinols (vitamin E analogues), which might account for the increased effectiveness of his formula over my cocktail.

How you can get it

Dave normally charges $85.95 for a month’s supply.

This seems pricey, but if you think about how much mental clarity is worth, I think $3 a day is a steal.  Plus this product has a lot of brain protection value, which is priceless.

I know a lot of people who make supplements, and I know the traditional profit margins they build into their business. Let’s just say that Dr. Dave’s margin is not even approaching that of most supplement companies. Because of this, most of his marketing is word-of-mouth. He doesn’t have the margin for heavy advertising.

Anyway, I know the price seems high, so I did ask Dr. Dave for a discount for our readers. The most he could give and still make a small profit is $10, so for a limited time you can get a month’s supply for $75.95.

We at The Hypnosis Network don’t get a cent.  It’s just a really good product at a really good price.

So if you are into peak brain performance, this is a no-brainer!

http://www.hypnosisnetwork.com/recommends/instant_brain_power

Regards,
Michael Lovitch

References:

1. Parnetti L, Abate G, Bartorelli L, Cucinotta D, Cuzzupoli M, Maggioni, M, Villardita C, Senin U. Multicentre study of l-alpha-glyceryl-phosphorylcholine vs ST200 among patients with probable senile dementia of Alzheimer’s type. Drugs Aging 1993 Mar-Apr;3(2):159-64.

2. Amenta F, Liu A, Zeng YC, Zaccheo D. Muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the hippocampus of aged rats: influence of choline alphoscerate treatment. Mech Ageing Dev 1994 Oct 1;76(1):49-64.
Abstract

3. Vega JA, Cavallotti C, del Valle ME, Mancini M, Amenta F. Nerve growth factor receptor immunoreactivity in the cerebellar cortex of aged rats: effect of choline alfoscerate treatment. Mech Ageing Dev 1993 Jun;69(1-2):119-27.

4. Amenta F, Ferrante F, Vega JA, Zaccheo D. Long term choline alfoscerate treatment counters age-dependent microanatomical changes in rat brain. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 1994 Sep;18(5):915-24.

5.  Ceda GP, Ceresini G, Denti L, Marzani G, Piovani E, Banchini A, Tarditi E, Valenti G. alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine administration increases the GH responses to GHRH of young and elderly subjects. Horm Metab Res 1992 Mar;24(3):119-21.

6.  Trabucchi M, Govoni S, Battaini F. Changes in the interaction between CNS cholinergic and dopaminergic neurons induced by L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, a cholinomimetic drug. Farmaco [Sci]. 1986;41(4):325-34.

Here’s the link again:

http://www.hypnosisnetwork.com/recommends/instant_brain_power

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New Research on Splenda - Scary Stuff

by Michael Lovitch

SPLENDA IS SCARY STUFF

A new  study done at Duke University and published this past week in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A has some frightening news about Splenda (sucralose).

According to the study, the use of Splenda:

  • Reduces the amount of good bacteria in the intestines by 50%.
  • Increases the pH level in the intestines.
  • Contributes to increases in body weight.
  • And affects the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in the body in such a way that crucial health-related drugs could be rejected.

The study, authored by Drs. Mohamed B. Abou-Donia, Eman M. El-Masry, Ali A. Abdel-Rahman, Roger E. McLendon and Susan S. Schiffman, was conducted using male rats over a period of twelve weeks.

You have probably heard of some downsides to artificial sweetners, especially Nutrasweet.  A lot of the complaints had some merit but were not conclusive, but this one seems especially damning and outright scary!

There’s a lot of talk about lack of oversight in banking. Looks like the FDA needs some help big time.

Source: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, Volume 71, Issue 21 January 2008 , pages 1415 - 1429.

An update:  I have received emails from people saying that this study was sponsored by the sugar lobby and that we should the results above with a “grain of salt” (sorry to mix small white stuff).  So I had to do some digging.

According to an article in the New York Times:

The study was in fact funded by the Sugar Lobby.  It turns out that there is a serious feud going on between these two lobbies.  Splenda was sued by the Sugar Lobby back in 2004 for saying,

“made like sugar, so it tastes like sugar.”

They have sinced changed the tagline.  Anyway, getting back to the main issue, one has to decide if scientists at Duke University would actually create false data for the Sugar Lobby.

Wierder things have happened, but this would be serious stuff.  One of the lead researchers of the study, Dr. Mohamed B. Abou-Donia, said Monday that the Sugar Association had “no input” into the study’s findings and conclusions.

My recommendation - stay away from sugar and sucralose, and while you are at it stay away from NutraSweet too!

Almost all of the most recent research (even excluding the research above) indicates that they cause weight gain at the very least.  Our weight loss psychologist says that it takes four days of staying away from these substances to end the cravings.

If you need help with weight loss, you can download Dr. Temes’ free ebook here:

Scientific Weight Loss Secrets Revealed

It is a great read.

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Internal Parasites in a "First World" Country

by Michael Lovitch

Here’s a short article about the 9-foot tapeworm lawsuit I mentioned in my email:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/08/19/tapeworm.suit.ap/index.html

Who would have thought that eating salmon could be so risky?

Without going into who should be blamed for this particular incident, it’s crazy to think that this could actually happen in the United States.

How can you prevent intestinal parasites?

Well, one thing you can do to prevent this from happening is to cook your food well!

The Centers for Disease Control says that you can prevent parasite exposure by cooking salmon at a temperature of 130 to 133 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes, or by freezing it at –4 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 days before eating.

(Source: http://www.cdc.gov/NCIDOD/EID/13/1/169.htm; temperatures converted from Centigrade temperatures cited in article.)

But this won’t help with restaurants or places where you’re not in control of the food preparation.

Parasites are widespread

I did some more digging on this. Although there are conflicting reports, it seems that a lot of us have parasites and don’t even know it.

According to some sources, there are over 100 different types of parasites that can reside in the human body, causing issues like:

  • allergies,
  • anemia (worms leach nutrients from bodies, causing anemia),
  • constipation,
  • diarrhea,
  • fatigue,
  • lack of concentration,
  • bloating,
  • immune dysfunction,
  • anxiety, and
  • restlessness.

I really had no idea about this, and although some of this stuff can be overblown by certain health practitioners, I think there’s a lot of truth here.

What can you do to make your body inhospitable to parasites?

Aside from cooking your food, and staying away from unsanitary conditions (like walking barefoot through sewage), there are certain conditions that make it more likely you will be a good host for parasites.

These conditions that predispose you for parasitic invasion include: too much mucus, an intestinal flora imbalance, chronic constipation, and a toxic internal environment.

A healthy gut helps fend off parasites

This whole discussion reminded me of a product I reviewed a couple of years ago that helps people maintain a healthy colon. (It’s also a great weight loss starter, by the way.)

What I remembered is that it also includes parasite removal as part of this cleanse. So I called the manufacturer, and it does kill fish tapeworms and their eggs (if you’re still thinking about the scary salmon!).

I’m more interested in the fact that it promotes a healthy gut, removes a lot of old (fairly disgusting) fecal matter from your system,  and just gives you a “fresh start” in so many ways.  Sometimes being backed up like this can hamper your weight loss efforts, even if you’re doing everything else right.

Ultimate Colon Cleanse

The product is called Ultimate Colon Cleanse, and for full disclosure I have been close friends with the founder for over 3 years now.  I personally use the system once a year. It really provides a boost of energy (kind of like cleaning your pipes).

Because of the fish story and my research, I asked the founder if he would give you guys a special deal on the program. Here’s what we came up with:

He’ll let you try it for 30 days as a trial, and won’t even charge you for the shipping.

If you don’t like it, just send it back, with no damage done to your wallet.  (Please don’t take advantage of him on this, though, if you aren’t serious.)

Here’s his special link:
http://www.hypnosisnetwork.com/recommends/ultimatecolon

NOTE: enter coupon code HNETWORK at checkout and you’ll get an extra 10% off.

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