I have tried pretty much all the nutrients available for improvement of mental cognition. The standard fare of well know brain function enhancers like ginkgo, choline, lecithin and DMAE. I have found them somewhat effective, but have never really been all that impressed with any of these nutrients.
A year or so ago I was discussing these brain function nutrients with a colleague of mine that represents a major high end vitamin line that I carry. I asked him what he felt was the number one brain nutrient on the market today. He told me that he felt hands down that phosphatidylserine.
The body can make phosphatidylserine, but gets most of what it needs from foods. Phosphatidylserine supplements were once made from cow brains, but now are commonly manufactured from cabbage or soy. The switch was triggered by a concern that products made from animal sources might cause infections such as mad cow disease. But now that the cow brain concern is eliminated phosphatidylserine is free from health concerns.
Phosphatidylserine is now commonly used to help treat Alzheimer's disease. It is also used for age-related decline in mental function, improving thinking skills in young people, depression and preventing exercise-induced stress and improving overall athletic performance.
I have been using phosphatidylserine for around 6 months know pretty much daily and must say that I really like it. I just find it gives me a little better focus and mental clarity. It is very good in the afternoon when you get that after lunch energy lull. But the time when I like it and use it the most is right before I go to the gym to exercise. It just really helps my intensity level and allows me real concentration and focus during my workout. I have recommended this nutrient to many people over the last 6 months and have received very positive feedback from the majority of these customers.
David Oromaner is a vitamin, herb, and nutritional supplement specialist with over 25 years experience in the health and wellness industry. He is a certified personal fitness trainer and bodybuilder with 25 years of experience in these areas of health and fitness. He owns a company called Guaranteed Supplement Designs that specializes in development and distribution of cutting edge natural products such as the natural sleep aid GuaranteedToSleep.
If you like this article you can read more at his Healthy Notes blog.