Supplement Support: Brain Health

Sometimes feeling better isn't as easy as just wishing it would happen. We are complex beings that rely on nutrients to maintain health in all areas of our bodies. There are many nutrients that can be derived from food and supplements that have been proven to aid in supporting our brain. Here are some top picks by IPC Naturopathic Physicians Xan Simonson and Cindy Romero.

If you’re wanting to support your mood, you might want to look more deeply into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). New research has confirmed it’s positive effects on mood even more so than docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA is a potent anti-inflammatory, which is what we want for our body and our brain, while DHA contributes to the fluidity of cell membranes. IPC offers three supplements featuring both EPA and DHA. They are Pro Omega 3, Omega Pure EC and Omega Pure Krill.

Probiotics play a crucial role in keeping your digestive system in good shape - your brain is only as healthy as your gut. The nerve cells in our gut manufacture 80 to 90 percent of our body's serotonin, the neurotransmitter we need to stay sane. IPC offers Pro Biotic Plus with a formula that contains 17 different strains of probiotics.

Vitamin B-12 has been proven to improve mental health. A study by the American Journal of Psychiatry found that 27 percent of severely depressed women over the age of 65 were deficient in B-12. IPC offers several supplements with Vitamin B12: liquid form or sublingual.

Dr. Levitt is a fan of Dr. Perlmutter, who champions Turmeric’s impact on your brain because of its ability to activate genes to produce antioxidants. IPC offers Curcuplex CR as a great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory supplement, and because it also contains black pepper which increases the bio-availability (or absorption) of curcumin. Curcumin is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier. That means it gets put to use more effectively for our brain health and anti-inflammation needs.

Amino acids are the special building blocks of protein, some of which gets transformed in our bodies into neurotransmitters. Without adequate amino acids, your brain can't work and you get sluggish, foggy, unfocused, and depressed. L-Glutamine Powder might be a great option.

Other recommended brain boosting supplements include Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Calcium and Melatonin. And we always recommend you speak with your provider before starting a supplement to ensure there are no contraindications and to insure your regime is established appropriately.
 
Feel free to visit our office to learn more about the featured supplements or ask your IPC provider for more details at your next visit. You can place an order through our website or by calling us at 480.776.0626. Payment is required at the time the order is placed.