Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is one of the most important herb in Indian traditional medicine. It is traditionally used for its wide ranging health benefits related to anxiety, neurological health and a variety of degenerative processes. It contains chemicals that seem to help reduce inflammation, to maintain blood pressure adequate levels and support the immune system.

Cognitive benefits: Research suggests that ashwagandha is very helpful for neuronal function. Dozens of studies show that Ashwagandha is beneficial against neuritic atrophy and synaptic loss. The constituents called withanolides have demonstrated an ability to restore presynapses and postsynapses, in addition to both axons and dendrites in cortical neurons after induced injury.

Andrographis Paniculata

A powerful herb traditionally used in Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine for supporting upper respiratory, liver, and immune system health. It is a very potent global health enhancer and several studies show that it inhibits aberrant cell growth and promotes apoptosis of cells with damaged DNA. It is also one of the most effective herb in down-regulating excessive inflammation responses. It naturally activates PPAR gamma, thereby inhibiting NF-kappa-beta, deactivating T-cell proliferation and helping reduce pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Andrographis seem to efficiently block T-cell activation in cases of detrimental T-cell responses.

Cognitive benefits: Andrographis P. supports brain integrity, improves learning and memory and seems particularily effective in keeping oxidative stress and neuro-inflammation at normal levels. Clinical studies indicate that Andrographis P. has benefits against the neurodegenerative process. It seems to alleviate the excess neuronal cell loss and it is able to facilitate neurogenesis.

Curcuma

The health benefits of Curcuma are numerous and it is just one of the most useful substances for a wide range of physiological functions. It also possesses anti-oxydant and anti-inflammatory properties and seems to be helpful against some forms of aberrant cells multiplication. Curcuma also preserves and helps the synthesis of DHA content in the brain and liver, it supports heart health to reduce lipid and plaque levels in arteries, and it aids in the maintenance of healthy sugar levels.

Cognitive benefits: Curcuma has shown to alleviate cognitive decline associated with aging. It protects neurons and is able to reduce Beta-amyloid build-up in neural tissue. Studies tend to demonstrate that Curcuma contributes to the regeneration of the brain and help with neurological didfunctions. Curcuma appears to boost differentiation of stem cells into neurons.

Blueberries

Blueberries have a very complex biochemistry and contain many phytonutrients among which very potent anthocyanins and pterostilbene. These constituents fight oxidation and studies seem to reveal the ability of blueberry polyphenols to modulate genes associated with aging itself.

It appears that blueberries delay the aging process through numerous mechanisms. They can be exceptionally good at promoting repair of DNA strands and at optimizing immunity at the cellular level. These functions are essential for preventing senescent and environmental impacts that lead to very serious complications. Numerous studies seem to indicate that blueberry extracts can both prevent DNA damage and promote its rapid and accurate repair. Blueberries can act very quickly and can significantly reduce DNA damage (-18%) just 1 hour after consumption.

Cognitive benefits: Blueberries can improve memory and sustain healthy neuronal function to aged brains. Studies show that blueberries can improve cognition in people undergoing cognitive decline, but evidence suggests that they can do so in healthy young people as well. They may also have a role to play in promoting the growth of nervous tissue and contribute to modulate neurological inflammation. In clinical trials the decline in NMDA receptor function seen with aging appears to be restored to the levels of youthful controls with daily ingestion of blueberry extracts.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is an effective compound that has been extensively studied for its wide array of benefits. Resveratrol is known for its potential ability to support healthy cellular behavior while encouraging cardiovascular health and promoting healthy insulin sensitivity. It also enhances mitochondrial function, promotes a proper inflammatory response, helps in protecting against the effects of a high-fat diet and can be helpful in maintaining cognitive health.

Resveratrol has the ability to stimulate Sirtuin1 (SIRT1), a master gene involved in the regulation of cellular energy metabolism, modulating gene transcription and preventing DNA damage.

Resveratrol stimulates the healthy process of programmed cell death once they have reached the end of their life span, hence reducing the number of dysfunctional cells in the body that would emit pro-inflammatory signals. Resveratrol can support vascular health and can maintain appropriate endothelial function in the elderly.

Cognitive benefits: Resveratrol has the ability to help restore the blood-brain barrier integrity and it can prevent the entry of unwanted molecules that would exacerbate brain inflammation and kill neurons. A study found that taking resveratrol leads to a 50% reduction in matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid. Low MMP-9 levels are required to maintain the blood-brain barrier function and MMP-9 is decreased when sirtuin1 (SIRT1 gene) is activated. Researchers also found that resveratrol increased the level of molecules linked to a long-term beneficial immune reaction involving inflammatory cells that are resident in the brain. Resveratrol triggers an adequate immune response encouraging the removal and degradation of neurotoxic proteins.

Astaxanthin

This carotenoid found in some microalgae, krill, shrimp or salmon posesses exceptional antioxidant properties. It is a broad spectrum antioxydant, meaning that it can target many different types of free radicals and it demonstrated higher antioxidant activity compared to other dietary antioxidants.

But that is not all, antioxidants are generally caterogorized into two groups, water soluble and fat soluble ones. Water soluble antioxydants perform in the fluids outside and inside the cells while fat soluble antioxidants protect the cell membranes. Astaxanthin is unique and it can do both tasks.

Astaxanthin can support a healthy heart and cardiovascular system. One study revealed that taking astaxanthin for two months reduces the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) by 20%. CRP is a very accurate marker of systemic inflammation and linked to heart issues. Astaxanthin is able to cross the blood-retinal barrier and therefore has significant benefits on eye health.

Astaxanthin is also extremely beneficial for skin health. It acts on all layers of the skin and studies have shown over a period of 8 weeks a significant reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as an improvement of elasticity and higher moisture levels.

Cognitive benefits: Because astaxanthin is able to cross the blood-brain barrier is can exert its properties on the brain. Results from the current research "suggest neuroprotective properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant effects, as well as the potential to promote or maintain neural plasticity."*