C'mon, focus - For Mental Acuity

What are the symptoms of memory loss?

Symptoms of memory loss include the inability to remember events in the short or long term, memory loss that gets worse over time, confusion, irritation and difficulty completing tasks.

Memory loss, such as misplacing the keys or forgetting something when grocery shopping, is a natural part of life and occurs in most individuals at almost any age.

If you are seeking a memory improvement system, or trying to improve your memory skills, with proper nutrition your memory should stay sharp and active well into the nineties and older, but sometimes memory loss is a symptom of some other problem, such as midlife Depression, Arteriosclerosis, or Alzheimer’s disease.

The brain needs a sufficient supply of nutrients, such as B vitamins and amino acids, to function properly. If the blood contains high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, there is a reduction in the amount of blood and nutrients reaching the brain. Over time the brain can become malnourished affecting one’s ability to remember and process information.

Free radicals from overexposure to toxins, such as alcohol and drugs, may also contribute to memory lapses. Allergies, candidiasis, stress, thyroid disorders, hypoglycemia and diabetes may also affect memory.

Many people believe that as we age, our memory naturally deteriorates, but this is not necessarily true. Aging has little to do with memory loss. The aging process itself plays a small factor in memory loss; more often it is the occurrence of other illnesses and poor nutrition that deteriorates our memory over time. Arteriosclerosis is a debilitating disorder that may reduce brain nutrition and therefore memory. Alzheimer’s Disease is a most debilitating condition that affects some older people and starts with some defects in memory and behavior, yet most memory lapses have nothing to do with this disease.

Most people notice subtle changes in their cognitive abilities as they get older. It may take longer to think through a problem or make a calculation. Memory may also be affected. Older adults often report having increasing difficulty with short-term memory, again, such as forgetting where they left the cars keys. They also may falter as they try to recall someone’s name or a familiar word that is “on the tip of the tongue.”

Normal aging appears to affect our ability to store new facts so they can be recalled later, to briefly hold onto facts in our mind – like a person’s phone number – even before they are stored, and to rapidly process information. On the other hand, we retain knowledge of our selves, our world, and our vocabulary. Indeed, the accumulation of life’s experiences, and retention of known facts, and new strategies to handle this information might contribute to the wisdom that may come with older age.

Clearly, diet can have a tremendous effect on cognition and the brain, as there are many necessary nutrients that must be consumed for optimal brain function. However, other substances have been linked to certain benefits.

Nutraceuticals, like those that make up the formula of GEM, C’Mon Focus, are considered to be “Nootropics.” Nootropics are also referred to as memory and cognitive enhancers and are purported to improve mental functions such as cognition, memory, intelligence, motivation, attention, and concentration.

Stress, depression, and depressed mood negatively affect cognitive performance and therefore working toward counteracting depression and stress is a reasonable and effective nootropic strategy, with adaptogens playing an important role. The term “adaptogens” applies to specific herbs used to reduce stress. GEM, C’Mon Focus contains a proprietary blend of co-extracted adaptogens.

What are the causes of memory loss?

Like the body’s muscles, bones and other vital organs, the brain feels the effects of aging. Through years of constant use and biological wear and tear, the brain gradually loses some of its sharpness in processing information and in relaying the multitude of signals essential to day-to-day functioning.

It is important to note that normal age-related memory loss does not indicate diminished intelligence or ability to learn. The brain may simply need more time to recall information from memory or to learn new information. Simple forgetfulness is not a disease.

Studies on learning and memory constitute an active area of research for many neuroscientists. In general, how the brain selects and stores information falls into three categories. Each category serves a distinct purpose and is generally independent of intelligence or level of education. Memory categories include:

1. Short-term/temporary recollection. If you are calling a florist, for example, you look up the phone number and remember it long enough to place the call. Once you have finished the call, the information vanishes. If you were interrupted before making the call, you may lose this material.

2. Long-term (recent). This category preserves the recent past, such as what you had for breakfast today, or the outfit that you wore a few days ago.

3. Long-term (remote). This records the distant past. These memories learned 10 to 20 years ago, from your knowledge base. This category can include pieces of a conversation or a tune from your high school fight song. Other information in this memory store shapes your personal history, such as what you were doing the day President John Kennedy was assassinated.

Aging does not generally affect short or long-term (remote) memory. These functions are well-preserved. However, long-term (recent) memory often declines with age. To store and retrieve recent information from long-term (recent) memory, the brain performs a complex chain of chemical and electrical functions involving nerve cells. As one ages, some of these cells may deteriorate and function less efficiently.

We hope people of any gender and age will love GEM™ C’mon focus because it can help enhance your brain memory and prolong concentration. The active ingredients neutralize free radical activity and slow the normal memory loss associated with aging. We combined Choline, Blueberries, 5’-UMP and our proprietary blend of Adaptogens (antioxidant herbs) in a natural healthy, great tasting beverage.

5’ – URIDINE MONPHOSPHATE
uridine-5-monophosphate, UMP, is a building block of RNA and DNA and important to brain health. UMP is the usual dietary source of uridine, found in the milk of mammals. Recent research is increasingly showing that uridine is essential for growth and development throughout life.1… In the 1960s, it was discovered that uridine is an essential ingredient for adult brain functioning. It was also found that uridine is the dietary source of cytidine, a building block of the cell membrane component and signaling agent, phosphatidylcholine, which is necessary for memory and is a major component of cell membranes. 2 In 2000 it was shown that human brain cells when exposed to uridine for 4 days had increased neurite outgrowth and neurofilament expression… showing that uridine was responsible for the neural regeneration. 3
References:
1. Wurtman RJ, Regan M, Ulus L, Yu L. Effect of oral CDP-choline on plasma choline and uridine levels in humans. Biochem pharmacol. 2000 Oct 1;60(7):989-92.
2. Smith JR. Distribution of 3H-uridine-5 in rat brain areas after exposure to various training tasks-an autoradiographic analysis. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1975 May-Jun:3(3):463-70.
3. Wang L, Pooler AM, Albrecht MA, Wurtman RJ. Dietary uridine -5-monophosphate supplementation increases potassium-evoked dopamine release and promotes neurite outgrowth in aged rats. J Mol neurosci. 2005;27(1):137-45.
4. VITAMIN RESEARCH PRODUCTS WEBSITE, (2009) http://www.vrp.com

BLUEBERRY EXTRACT
When scientists analyze fruits and vegetables for their antioxidant capability, blueberries rank among the highest in their capacity to destroy free radicals.1 Rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and inflammation, blueberry extracts not only help preserve youthful cognitive function, but also help maintain healthy blood flow via several mechanisms, including maintaining already normal LDL levels and endothelial function.
The two most active constituents found in blueberries are anthocyanins and pterostilbene. Blueberry anthocyanins are considered one of nature’s most potent antioxidants.2 Blueberry supplemented diet is known to reverse age-related decline in hippocampal HSP70 neuroprotection. 3
References:
1. J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Jun 16;52(12):4026-37.
2. 2. J Agric food Chem. 2005 May 4;53(9):3403-7.
3. Neurobiol Aging. 2006 Feb;27(2):344-50
4. Life Extension Magazine Website, 2009 http://www.lef.org

CHOLINE
Losing your mental faculties is one of the greatest fears we face as we get older. Forgetfulness, poor memory, confusion, difficulty concentrating maybe due to inadequate blood and oxygen supply to the brain. Recent studies suggest that dietary factors play an important role in supporting and maintaining healthy brain function throughout life. Choline is responsible for synthesizing phosphatidylcholine (PC) or lecithin.1, which plays a role as a structural element in cell membranes. Choline also synthesizing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. 2 Acetylcholine is essential for cognitive function, it is essential for storing and recalling memories, and is vital to communication between neurons. A deficit is linked to a number of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease—in which there is a 90% reduction.
Choline levels decline as we get older and it is unable to get into the brain very efficiently.3,4. Choline also appears to prevent age-related memory and decline in focus and concentration. Although there is no cure for debilitating cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, nutritional supplements hold promise for supporting brain health, and at least delaying the onset of degenerative diseases believed to be caused, in part, by free radical damage. 5
References:
1. Zeisel, S.H., et al., Concentrations of choline-containing compounds and betaine in common foods. J Nutr, 2003. 133(5): p. 1302-7.
2. Blusztajn, J.K. Choline, a vital amine. Science. 1998; volume 281: pages 794-795.
3. Wurtman RJ. Choline metabolism as a basis for the selective vulnerability of cholinergic neurons. Trends Neuroscience. 1992;15 (4):117-22.
4. Mooradian AD. Blood-brain barrier transport of choline is reduced in the aged rat. Brain Res. 1988;440(2):328-32.
5. Whole Health Website, www.wholehealth.com “Choline” (2009)