April 27, 2021 by Mike Roussell, PhD
In this article I share with you some of the research that I collected when I was formulating Neutein. I used this to information to determine what ingredients had strong clinical backing for improving memory and thus should be included in Neutein.
My motto during the development process was: “Let’s just use what works.”
That’s what we did. We used what works and left out what doesn’t.
For me, to be considered something that works, an ingredient needed to have more than one clinical trial showing that it improved various markers of brain function/memory in relatively healthy individuals (preferably of different ages).
The dosing procedure for the supplement (how much and how often) needed to be reasonable as well because it would be unreasonable to ask someone to take 5 pills 4 times a day!
We're going to look at the following supplements and ingredients that are used in memory supplements and then we'll look at how Neutein itself stacks up.
We’ll look at:
DMAE, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, is thought (emphasis on ‘thought’) to provide the brain with the nutrient choline. Choline is used by the body to make acetylcholine, a compound used in communication between nerves and neurons in the brain.
DMAE actually has an interesting history as it was sold in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a prescription drug called Deanol for the treatment of ADHD in children and neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia. It was taken off the market in 1983 due to lack of efficacy(and better alternatives).
Dosages of Deanol used ranged from 400mg-1800mg per day. As a dietary supplement, data for DMAE has continued to show lackluster effects. In one study, 14 senile dementia patients received DMAE for four weeks. The dosage was gradually increased to 600 mg, three times daily, during the first two weeks. This yielded no improvements in cognition function or memory.
Gingko Biloba supplements come from the extracts from the leaves of the Gingko tree (one of the oldest trees in noted world). Gingko Biloba is touted to have a wide range of effects from improving memory to reducing anxiety, improving heart health, and even providing relief for tinnitus.
However, the National Institute of Health says “There’s no conclusive evidence that ginkgo is helpful for any health condition.” In fact the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) partly funded a 3,000 person study to look at the effects of ginkgo in older adults to help prevent dementia or cognitive decline…Gingko didn’t do anything.
A protein originally found in jellyfish. The bio-identical synthetic version of this protein is sold as a dietary supplement to improve memory. In 2009, a clinical study was conducted in order to look at the impact of apoaequorin on various markers of memory and cognition.
The researchers reported that different subgroups of study subjects experience improvements in certain tests. These findings were never validated via 3rd party scientists in what the scientific community calls “peer-review” (where scientific peers review a study and the conclusions for their scientific reasoning and validity). In fact, apoaequorin is the only supplement that was assessed which did not have a peer-reviewed clinical trial.
Gingko Biloba supplements come from the extracts from the leaves of the Gingko tree (one of the oldest trees in noted world). Gingko Biloba is touted to have a wide range of effects from improving memory to reducing anxiety, improving heart health, and even providing relief for tinnitus.
However, the National Institute of Health says “There’s no conclusive evidence that ginkgo is helpful for any health condition.” In fact the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) partly funded a 3,000 person study to look at the effects of ginkgo in older adults to help prevent dementia or cognitive decline…Gingko didn’t do anything.
The reason that blue light is becoming such an issue now has to do with improvements in scientific research and understanding of human biology AND the evolution of the artificial lights that we are using.
Newer, energy efficient, LED and florescent lights are blue light powerhouses!LED lights are require less energy to run, run longer, and can sometimes even be cheaper (although most energy efficient bulbs are still more expensive as your local hardware store). These value add-ons to LED lights over traditional incandescent lights have made them very popular.
But when it comes to your health - a traditional incandescent light is probably better since they emit significantly less blue light. Energy efficient lights aren't the only place where you are exposed to blue light. In fact they probably aren't the major offender in your life.
How often do you stare directly at the light bulb in your living room with your nose 6 inches from the bulb for 30 minutes straight?
Probably not that often :)
But when was the last time you used a phone, tablet, or computer for 30 minutes straight? (I stared at my computer screen for 5 hours researching and writing this article)
Exactly.
Screen based technology is far an away the biggest contributor to blue light intoxication in our lives.
Yes. Exposure to blue light has been shown to improve mood, reaction time, and attention. In modern society we don't have any issues with getting enough blue light to gain these benefits.
Blue light during the day, especially in the morning is a good thing! Our biggest challenge is controlling blue light at inopportune times to attenuate their negative effects on circadian rhythm.
Here is a list of practical things that you can do to control blue light exposure so that you can sleep better and support more robust circadian rhythm for your body.
This is especially important in the winter months when there is less sunlight. Exposing yourself to sun light (or artificial blue light) as soon as you can upon waking will help to sync your circadian rhythm with your morning.
Ideally you'll curtail your exposure to these things 2-3 hours before bedtime. If you can't do 2-3 hours - do the best your can. If you need to, then consider using blue light blocking glasses.
Programs and apps like Fl.ux, Night Shift (iOS or MacOS), and Twilight (Android) work to reduce your blue light exposure from digital devices based on when the sun rises and sets where you live helping keep you inline with your natural circadian rhythm.
We still don't know the exact effectiveness of these programs/apps but they should be something that everyone who uses a phone, tablet, and/or computer have installed and activated (Night Shift comes preinstalled in iOS or MacOS devices).
Red lights have very minimal impact melatonin release. There are a variety of companies that sell 'sleep friendly' reading lights and night lights. These are great for kids as children are also susceptible (potentially more) to circadian rhythm perturbations due to blue light.
This is for the uber committed, but research shows that blue light blocking glasses can essentially eliminate the negative effects of blue light on your brain and body. Walking around at night with funny looking glasses is a deal breaker for many people but if sleep is a big issues I wouldn't discount their effects. It is important to note that glasses used in research studies which show improvements in sleep and metabolism due to blocking out blue light at night are the glasses with an orange/red tint - not the clear ones marketed as computer blue light blocking glasses - these block significantly less blue light.
Neutein contains FloraGLO. FloraGLO is a patented form of the antioxidant lutein. When you take Neutein, lutein is concentrated in your eyes where it has been shown in numerous research studies to filter out blue light. This reduces the amount of blue light that reaches your SCN (and thus reducing the level that blue light can disrupt your circadian rhythm). While Neutein was formulated to improve memory and attention it has the added side effect of helping to safeguard your eyes from blue light exposure often associated with LED screens.
Excessive or inappropriate blue light exposure isn't going away anytime soon. It is part of modern life. You can't avoid it entirely but you can take steps to minimize it later in the day and especially before bed. You'll sleep better and you'll be healthier for it!
Modern life is pushing us to our limits. With every passing day we are pushed harder and further with stress levels continuing to grow. Leaving us with less time focus on what matters, greater expectations around juggling multiple tasks at ounce resulting in increased anxiety, impaired short term memory, and greater trouble following asleep.
Neutein is a the Antidote to Modern Life. Backed by 12 studies and millions of dollars in human clinical research - Neutein is the all-natural plant-based cognitive enhancement supplement that you have been waiting for. Clinically shown to:
...AND protect you from the blue light emitted by screens and devices that is causing eye strain and the premature aging of your eyes.
