Many of us will have personal experience of Alzheimer’s disease, be it through a close relative or an elderly neighbour. Alzheimer’s is characterised by memory loss, losing track of time and difficulties speaking and writing. In Ireland, approximately forty thousand people suffer from the disease and related forms of dementia and although there is no known cure or failsafe method of preventing the onset of the disease, certain lifestyle changes are thought to reduce your risk of developing it.

Mental Stimulation

Exercising your brain by doing mentally stimulating activities not only improves your mental capacities, it also reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Consider taking a foreign language class or a university course to keep your brain cells buzzing. Other forms of brain stimulation that might be easier to incorporate into your everyday life include crosswords, Sudoku and even cooking. In general, it’s a good idea to shake things up every now and then by changing the way you do things as this forces the brain to keep active rather than relying on learnt habits.

Reduce Stress

Reduce your stress levels. Stress can ultimately cause damage to brain cells, so try whenever you find yourself getting stressed, take a minute to breathe and calm down. Put a sticky note with the word “Breathe” on it by your computer or on the fridge and whenever you see it, take a deep breath. You’ll find that this simple measure will have you feeling more relaxed in no time.

Regular Exercise

Regular exercise is another important way of preventing Alzheimer’s. Exercise reduces your stress levels, improves your memory, increases your energy levels and keeps you in shape. With so many benefits, it’s hard to justify a sedentary lifestyle. Choose an activity you enjoy and make it a part of your routine. Some people like the social element of group sports, so look into what sports clubs are in your area. If sports aren’t your thing, make an evening walk part of your routine.

Diet

As with all aspects of your health, heavy drinking and smoking are extremely damaging, so if you are a heavy smoker or drinker, consider cutting down or quitting entirely for the sake of your health. Your diet, too, plays a role in mental health and should include good amounts of fruit and vegetables, as well as healthy fats and protein. Green and white teas are thought to keep your brain active and alert as well as helping you de-stress, so take to relaxing with a cup of tea when you  have the time.

If you are worried about your mental health or that of a loved one or think you recognise the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s, it’s best to consult a professional.

This article was written by health professional Muriel Noonan on behalf of a firm specialising in providing home care for the ill and the elderly.

Dancing has been promoted as being good for both body and soul for centuries, we know that it can be beneficial for our physical health as it provides us with a cardiovascular workout, and we know that dancing makes us feel good through the endorphins that are released during exercise, but we have never really considered how dancing could be making us smarter too. Some of the latest research around dancing for health has shown that stress reduction is also a benefit and the pleasure we get from dancing raises the serotonin levels in the brain, making us feel good. But have we ever been told that dancing makes us smarter before now?

Holding Off The Aging Process

Research is now telling us that dancing is a way of fighting the aging process, holding the march of time at bay and allowing us to retain all of our cognitive abilities for a good while longer. It has long been known that continued stimulation of the brain can help us to hold off dementia and debilitating illness such as Alzheimer’s Disease, but it seems that dancing not only stimulates our physical health and well being, it also stimulates the mind. The latest study, carried out in the United States was designed to highlight the effects of dance on the changes in mental acuity brought on by aging.

Dancing Against Dementia

This was not a flash in the pan study, results were gathered over a period of twenty one years, and involved studying people aged seventy five and over. The basis of the study was to show whether there were any specific recreational activities, either cognitive or physical that had more of a benefit to overall health and wellbeing than others. Other recreational activities taken into account involved reading, creative writing, crosswords and Sudoku puzzles, card games and access to musical instruments. Included in the physical side of the study was a range of more physical past times such as tennis, swimming, golf, cycling, walking and of course dancing. One result that was not expected was that most of the physical activities, though providing benefits for physical health did nothing to improve cognitive ability even when good levels of coordination and forethought were required, with one exception – dance.

Dementia Reducing Statistics

The results of the study show a percentage value in dementia risk reduction.

• Reading – Dementia risk reduced by 35%
• Swimming & Cycling – Dementia risk reduced by 0%
• Crosswords (4 days a week) – Dementia risk reduced by 47%
• Golfing – Dementia risk reduced by 0%
• Dancing Regularly – Dementia risk reduced by 76%

Dancing provided the greatest dementia risk reduction of any other activity which was studied. This is freestyle dancing where the mind has to make split second decisions as to where to move the body, not regimented, or memorised dances. This form of dancing keeps the brain active on so many more levels than any other recreational activity studied. In essence it doesn’t matter whether you dance well, as long as you dance often.

Are you looking to take dancing lessons online? Visit imovesdance.com now, for all of the best dance lesson plans.

Being a scatterbrain happens to persons regardless of age, due to various reasons. Always losing things and forgetting names and words are frustrating at times, especially if you are still young and you know that having Alzheimer’s is least probable. You feel helpless when these happen and it can be embarrassing as well. It is embarrassing when somebody greets you by your first name and you can’t even remember his surname. Losing things can also be a demonstration of your ineptitude to organize your personal paraphernalia. If you are a professional, it could be used to classify you as incompetent and unreliable.

The importance of staying focused and not forgetting names and words is significant to your success in every aspect of your life. Always losing things is a bad habit you should also do away with. That’s why you should strive to overcome these “unfortunate” habits.  Here are some amazingly simple methods to “zap” you out of it.

Hone your memory

A keen memory is a skill you can achieve through practice. Play mind games or do activities that would help you exercise your mental ability. Word games like scrabble, text twist or crossword puzzles are excellent ways to exercise your neurons. You may also want to play memory games like “Memory Match” where you match two similar pictures. These games are not for kids only; they are also meant for those who would like to sharpen their memory skills.

Learn the principle of association

The principle of association is the concept of using all your senses to remember something. When you are introduced to a person, try to remember anything that would help you recall his name.  A mole perhaps? The person’s scent? The environment? The time of day? Your mood? There can be numerous things you can associate with that particular person and name.  If you were ecstatic because of some personal event, when you were introduced to Susan, then you can remember her as “jolly Susan.”  In the same manner that you can remember Dave Walker by remembering the way he swaggers when he walks. These are all simple methods that would help you a lot in recalling names.

You can associate acronyms with words too. For example, one student remembered a medical word like “pneumolith,” which means “calculus or stones in the lungs,” by assigning the acronym, PML. P for pulmonary, M for moo, and L for Lah. To the student, MooLah means “stone.”  PML had also helped him remember the word itself, “PneuMoLith” and its meaning. Each individual should construct his own acronym based on data that he could easily recall.

Take brain supplements

Brain supplements would enhance and greatly increase your progress in improving your memory. Products like Happy Calm & Focused could nourish your brain with essential nutrients and maintain its integrity for proper and normal brain function. Selecting a brain supplement that would work well with your normal body functions is vital, to get the most out of it. It should also be non-toxic to your major organs.

Click here to get a FREE 90-capsule supply of Happy Calm & Focused for only the price of shipping!

Aside from these three methods, the following are basic tips you can utilize as well.

• Get enough sleep every day. Your brain cells or neurons may be indefatigable but sleep is needed if you want your brain to stay sharp and alert. The axons and the dendrites won’t be able to function normally if you lack sleep because your brain receptors will not be able to respond promptly.

• Eat more of fruits and vegetables than fats. Fruits and vegetables have anti-toxin properties that get rid of harmful substances to the brain and the whole body. Good fats (high density lipoprotein) like soy bean fats are good for the brain, but avoid bad fats (low density lipoprotein) like meat fat, because they are unhealthy.

• To avoid forgetting names and words, you can carry with you a small notebook and pen to jot down important things you want remembered.

All of these methods and tips could enhance your memory skill. With brain exercise, use of association and proper brain supplements, you can easily do away with the bad habit of always losing things and of being forgetful.

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IQ150 Overview

The average IQ is 100, and an IQ of 150 would be five standard deviations above average. So, you could say they are the less than 1%! IQ150 is manufactured and marketed by a company called SomaLife, presumably named after the Ancient Indian drink that was said to confer immortality. These are the qualities that IQ150 promises to imbue. The company claims their product was formulated by scientists at Oxford and Yale and is compared to products including FocusFactor, SmarterFocus, Procera AVH, and BrainAlert. To find out if the product might work for you, continue reading.

IQ150 Ingredients

The product contains nine key ingredients, and their website highlights six in particular.

Cognizin citicoline is a precursor to several important brain neurotransmitters. In addition to increasing neurotransmitter levels, this ingredient is supposed to increase adenosine triphosphate levels (the brain’s energy currency).

Bacopa monnieri, Green tea, and Spanish sage act in different ways to have the same outcome: boosting acetylcholine levels in the brain.

Turmeric is the plant used to make curry powder and protects the brain against oxidative insult.

Gingko biloba works to increase blood flow in the brain. This helps deliver nutrients and carry away waste, which maximize brain function.

IQ150 Benefits

IQ150 is purported to improve memory, enhance focus, make your thoughts clearer, optimize neurotransmitter levels, and combat oxidative stress that is produced as a natural byproduct of brain metabolism.

Based on the active ingredients, the primary way the product improves brain function is by increasing acetylcholine levels in the brain. This is scientifically sound, hundreds if not thousands of peer-reviewed research papers describe the loss of acetylcholine-containing neurons in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

Secondly, turmeric has well-known antioxidant properties and is a hot new topic in dementia research. Neurons aren’t replaced over time, so by the time we reach 50 or 60 years old, they are chock full of reactive oxygen species that are the natural byproduct of energy metabolism in the brain. These can damage proteins and lipids that make up cells, so neutralizing them is important.

Finally, the ingredient list contains a traditional Chinese medicine leaf suggested to improve blood flow. ‘Cerebrovascular insufficiency’ is known to be a problem in the aged brain; this can cause strokes or milder, general dysfunction.

Collectively, the components that comprise IQ150 should be able to optimize function in the aging brain. But does IQ150 live up to the company’s claims?

IQ150 Reviews

­Amazon.com contains exactly two reviews for IQ150. Five stars and one star!

Positive

Michael G. wrote the following on May 15, 2012:

I have been skeptical of many products on the market and about a month ago I tried IQ150. All I have to say is wow what a difference it has made in my life. I couldn’t be happier. It really stimulated my thinking process, I have always thought I may have ADD, however, never was tested. This product is a wonder cure and has really helped me stay focused on many tasks. I would personally like to thank the person who came up with this product and would recommend it to everyone I know.

Neutral or negative

Art lover wrote a less glowing review on May 11, 2012:

I purchased this supplement in hopes that it would work as advertised. I’ve tried other “brain power” supplements before, without success, but the advertisement for this product was very compelling. So compelling were the ads, that I also purchased an extra bottle. After taking IQ150 for about two months, I noticed absolutely no difference in my concentration, memory recall, focus or any other cognitive improvement. By the way, if you go for the free trial directly from SomaLife/IQ150, you will automatically receive, and be billed for a follow-up, 30-day supply. You will continue to be billed, until you request an RA from the company and return the bottle. Try eating blueberries and hazelnuts every day. They’re natural and a lot cheaper.

Other reviews are harder to find, but a TV news reporter named Sarah Ackerman that focuses on Health & Fitness tried IQ150 and the online brain training program Lumosity together for 4 weeks. She found that even after 1 week, her energy level was up and she was more focused with greater concentration. By the end of the review, she was convinced that she had improved her memory, focus, and mental energy.

IQ150 Dosage & Directions

The recommended dose is two capsules per day. This can be either two before breakfast, or one before breakfast and one before lunch.

IQ150 Side Effects

Searching the Internet does not give any indication of possible side effects associated with taking IQ150. Although there are numerous mentions of all-natural, high-quality ingredients, no one reported feeling any discomfort following IQ150 use.

IQ150 Cost

At two capsules a day, one bottle should last 30 days. It is sold on amazon.com for $59.95. The IQ150 website doesn’t list a price until you give them your information! However, based on the Amazon price, the cost is about $2 per day.

Should I Try IQ150?

IQ150 is marketed toward senior citizens as a way to stave off Alzheimer’s disease, but in actuality, anyone who wants improved memory, shaper focus, and a more positive outlook could benefit from taking IQ150.

The website offers a free 10-day trial to customers in the U.S. if you would like to try their product.

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Looking to try a brain training program without shelling out any cash? Well, you’re in luck, Lumosity is currently offering a free trial on their amazing brain training system (no credit card required).

After you click the link below, you’ll see a green “Get Started Now” button, click it, then fill out the short multiple choice questionnaire, this is to determine what areas you need help in. You’ll then get instant access to a training program catered to you and your problem areas.

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BodyQuick Overview

Maybe you’ve heard of a little book called the The 4-Hour Workweek, by Timothy Ferriss. Based on a popular blog, this semi-autobiographical self-help book proposes the hiring of virtual assistance to free up valuable time. This same fellow is the mind behind the company BrainQuicken, which developed the BodyQuick supplement.

BodyQuick is sold as a ‘neural accelerator’ and is particularly popular among professional athletes and the fitness-obsessed. However, it is also used by busy students and overwhelmed professionals to improve short-term memory, boost concentration, and increase mental and physical endurance.

What Ingredients Are in BodyQuick?

The ingredient list for BodyQuick is not short. It contains cobalamin, niacinamide, folic acid, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, pyridoxine HCl, pantothenic acid (calcium pantothenate), and proprietary Cognamine™ Complex, which includes phosphatidylserine, choline bitartrate, vinpocetine, Salix Alba, Thoctic Acid, L-Tyrosine, Ciwujia, and other “synergistic” compounds (18 in total).

According to the manufacturer, this select group of ingredients includes compounds that have been cited in over 4,000 scientific studies and all of them are included on the GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) list maintained by the U.S. government.

BodyQuick is produced in a U.S. FDA-inspected facility and has an independent third party verify product purity. Although the ingredients do not include any animal products, the capsules do contain gelatin.

What Are The BodyQuick Benefits?

It should be mentioned that maximum effects are not noticeable until you have taken BodyQuick consistently for 1 or 2 weeks. Still, the company claims that you will notice some results within 60 minutes of taking the first dose.

Benefits include: faster neural transmission, greater information processing and memory storage, and better recall ability. These are supposed to last for 2-6 hours after each dose, making BodyQuick attractive for those studying for a big test.

BodyQuick Reviews and Testimonials 

Positive

Jfuson85 wrote the following on bodybuilding.com: I’m cycling off stimulants, since my adrenals are burned out and this product somehow managed to give me focus and energy. It didn’t make me feel wired at all &amp; it’s not overwhelming, so there’s no crash–more of a strong resolve to finish the task at hand.

Neutral or negative

Khanon had less favorable things to say on a bodybuilding.com forum: First of all, I purchased this product for studying for the bar, to mainly increase focus and alertness. I used the product for a few weeks and didn’t notice any increase in focus or alertness. First, I started taking three pills at once- I didn’t notice anything. After a few days of no effect, I took the recommended maximum dosage of four pills in one sitting for about a week or so- Once again, no effect on focus or alertness. Two more things I didn’t like about it: 1) you can’t consume any caffeinated substances, such as coffee or tea, while on this product, and 2) the price is outrageous.

BodyQuick Dosage & Directions

­ Users can take between one and four capsules every 8 hours. One online article claims that 80% of people will not experience any effects with just one or two capsules. However, this varies from person to person, it is better to start with one capsule than four! Some users adopt a 2-1 or 5-2 cycle, where they take BodyQuick for 2 or 5 days, and then take 1 or 2 days off. This is done to prevent your body from becoming accustomed to the regimen, which can cause the positive effects to wear off over time.

BodyQuick should be taken with juice, a protein shake, or a small meal to prevent upset stomach. However, try to avoid tryptophan-contain foods (turkey, cheese, milk) within an hour of taking BodyQuick. This particular amino acid competes with one of the active ingredients for access to important neuronal receptors!

The product does contain gelatin, and vegetarian customers can empty the capsule into a class of water to avoid ingesting any animal products.

Are Their Any Side Effects From Taking BodyQuick?

All of the ingredients on the list are on the U.S. governments Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list. Although the company claims that their full-time staff members take the product at least 4 times a week and have been doing so for the past 6 years, there have not been any scientific tests regarding product safety.

While it does not contain ephedrine or ephedra, BodyQuick does increase alertness and should not be consumed before bedtime. It may be wise to decrease consumption of coffee, tea, soda, or other stimulants (at least near the time you take BodyQuick).

Diabetics should only use BodyQuick under the supervision of their doctor. The capsules contain alpha-lipoic acid, which may alter insulin sensitivity.

How Much Does BodyQuick Cost?

BrainQuicken is available for $49.95 on bodybuilding.com, which currently has an offer to buy 2 bottles of BrainQuicken BodyQuick for $20 off. That means that $79.90 for 180 capsules. Based on the dosage recommendations listed above and using an average of 4 capsules per day, that is $1.78 or $2.22 a day, depending on whether you qualify for the $20 off.  Shipping is an extra $5.98 per order (regardless of how many bottles you buy).

Should I Try BodyQuick?

The ingredients in BodyQuick don’t raise any red flags, but the company has done no scientific of their own. If you read the information carefully, you’ll realize that although there are lots of scientific studies backing up the INGREDIENTS (read: individual ingredients, probably administered at high doses). However, there are no studies that look specifically at BodyQuick.

That being said, they do seem to have happy customers that felt it made a difference for them. Unfortunately, most of these reviews are on one website (bodybuilding.com). The product has minimal social media presence and is not sold on Amazon.

Like many of these products, the best way to find out if BodyQuick works for you is to try it. After all, bodybuilding.com offers and unconditional 100% money-back guarantee during a 60-day trial period.

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Posit  Overview

My husband and I enjoy watching a popular raunchy cartoon about a certain Rhode Island family. We’ve seen every episode. Yet, without fail, my husband will sit down and say, “I’ve never seen this one!” He’s 5 years older than me, so I like to give him a hard time about his early senility. At 32, he’s in no danger of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. But scientists are learning that subtler decline starts much, much earlier. In fact, at 27, I’m just starting to lose brain speed, reasoning, and visual puzzle-solving ability. Posit Science is one of several companies that sells brain training software to stall the slow slide!

Posit Science was started by Dr. Michael Merzenich, a professor emeritus in neuroscience at the University of California, San Francisco. His pioneering work in primates was instrumental in demonstrating the different areas of the brain surface map to specific areas in the body (somatosensory maps). In the course of his work, Dr. Merzenich and others began to realize that the brain is “plastic.” That is, it can change over time with training. This is evident in babies, who start with a blank slate and learn to walk and talk within the space of a few years, as well as stroke patients, who must relearn certain tasks after cerebrovascular accidents. The good news is that everyone can take advantage of this amazing brain capability. You can hear Dr. Merzenich talking about how the brain can rewire itself in his TED talk from February 2004.

Who does Posit Science Brain Fitness help?

On average, memory stays intact until age 37, and vocabulary and accumulated knowledge continue to grow until the age of 60. The training modalities target different aspects of brain fitness for every age.

Scientists recommend the best way to stave of decline is to start early. Therefore, Posit Science Brain Fitness can help anyone who wants to improve their mental functions, regardless of age or other factors.

Special Posit Science programs have been designed to help traumatic brain injury victims strengthen their cognitive function.

What does Posit Science Brain Fitness do?

The three dozen or so scientists at Posit Science are developing programs for five key mental modalities than tend to decline with age. The difference between their programs and others, is that the stimuli are provided in a specific order with a certain timing, both of which are designed to drive plastic change. They study the most efficient ways to brain train by developing games that can be applied to real life.

A clinical trial called the IMPACT study determined that people who regularly used the Brain Fitness Program experienced a 131% increase in auditory processing speed. Three out of four people said they had improvements in their daily lives, including better memory, hearing conversations more clearly, and feeling more confident.

Posit Science Games

Some of the reviews for Posit Science games found online are less than dazzling. Many users feel they are not as interesting as similar programs. However, they are backed by real science, and they offer some novel options.

For instance, some of the games are listening exercises that that are supposed to improve auditory memory. It may not be terribly exciting to listen to slowed down speech sounds, but by doing so you actually rebuild the brain’s basic ability to process sound. It helps older adults differentiate between background noise and signal.

Others are visual processing exercises that involve searching for various objects on the computer screen.

Some exercises engage the frontal lobes, which are important for “executive” functions like working towards goals and making decisions.

There are even games for fine and gross motor control, both of which decline with age.

The results of studies on Posit Science games have been published in highly acclaimed, peer-reviewed journals, like the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA. After training on the auditory memory program for an hour a day for 8-10 weeks, 70-year-olds performed like 40-60-year olds! Neuroscientist Peter Snyder of Brown University reviewed 20 scientific studies for Scientific American and determined that the Posit software really helped brain function.

The Posit Science Brain Training Fitness Programs are offered in different bundled packages. These include: Auditory, Visual, Auditory & Visual (bundled together), and Driving.

Posit Science Reviews

Positive

Gina Sileo on Amazon.com: “I have used the Brain Fitness Program for over three years and continue to enjoy my brain workout . I started using this amazing product while working at a Retirement Community in Northern Ca. I initially started the program because I was going to be coaching seniors going through the program. To my surprise there were sounds I could not hear . I am 48 years old and did not expect that at all. I started reading about the science behind this program and the validated proven results it has and did not want to stop. This program is extremely engaging and you do your daily brain exercises fully knowing that you are choosing to help yourself. The program is designed to work with each individual person. The results I saw with the seniors were awesome. Every resident who started the program wanted to finish and did.”

Specialist Orlando Gonzalez, who is recovering from a combat sustained-injury, was quoted in a story in the New York Times as saying he “could barely remember things at all” but has improved by using the program.

S. Mark, a cancer survivor from San Francisco, had also gave a glowing review on Amazon.com: “I started using the Brain Fitness Program (BFP) at age 35 in an effort to combat chemobrain and I’m still impressed by it’s effectiveness. Within just a couple of weeks of starting the program I noticed that I was better able to recall words in conversation, follow a train of thought, and remember appointments. I also found that it lengthened my attention span, which had been reduced to that of a two year old! I was so impressed by the program that I got a copy for my parents, age 67, and have recommended it to many other young cancer survivors.”

Neutral or negative

The Wall Street Journal tested different types of brain exercise software and deemed Posit’s programs “basic” and “boring” but backed by real science.

MelNel88 wrote the following on Amazon.com: “I used the Brain Fitness Program (“BFP”), which focuses improving auditory abilities and also the Insight Program, which targets visual abilities. The BFP was boring but seemed well-focused on the skills it claimed to help. Insight was much more sophisticated and fun and pretty. But neither one seemed to help me one iota. So I asked for my money back, and they were true to their money-back guarantee and did give me a full refund, so at least they’re honest in that regard.”

Richard Palmer complained of technical issues on facebook: When will Posit Science Products again work on the Macintosh. None of my products which I purchased work. To ask Macintosh users to not upgrade just for Posit Science is not reasonable.

What does Posit Science Cost?

The programs aren’t cheap. At the time this reviews was written, they were being offered at 50% off ($197.50 instead of $395 for the individual package, $345 instead of $690 for the auditory and visual bundle). They do come with a 90-day guarantee, and user reviews suggest that the company does stand by their full refund policy. Be sure to save the packing slip or confirmation e-mail because you need the original order number and Product License Code to process the refund request.

Should I Try Posit?

The Posit website has demos of some of the games and training programs available on their website. They include memory, word and mind games, and brain teasers like optical illusions. There are also brain games specially designed for kids. They also have a Brain Fitness Questionnaire to determine which program is best for your specific needs.

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Prevagen Overview

What do you know about calcium? If you’re like most people, the first thing that probably pops into your mind is bone health. And while that is certainly true, recent research demonstrates that calcium ions are also important in the brain. However, with neurons, it’s not a problem of too little calcium.

Neural signaling that underlies memory is dependent on calcium. When glutamate (a excitatory neurotransmitter) binds to specialized receptors on neurons, channels open and allow calcium to enter, which turns on signaling cascades that lead to the formation and maintenance of memory. Unfortunately, too much calcium is toxic to cells and leads to the initiation of apoptosis, which is a type of cellular suicide.

Based on this knowledge, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a supplement that is designed to combat dangerous levels of calcium in neurons using a unique jellyfish protein called aqoaequorin.

How Does Prevagen Work?

Apoaequorin is a small, calcium-binding protein isolated from a species of jellyfish that lives in Washington’s Puget Sound. We have our own versions of calcium-binding proteins, but they decrease as we age. This leads to increased intracellular calcium. As mentioned above, this can interfere with neuronal function and may even be neurotoxic.

The version of apoaequorin in the Aequorea victoria jellyfish is nearly identical to the proteins encoded in our genome. The makers of Prevagen claim that taking an apoaequorin supplement protects neurons from calcium-induced toxicity.

They performed studies on cell cultures to demonstrate that Prevagen prevented cell death during calcium overload. Although these experiments are striking, it is not completely clear whether the apoaequorin in the oral supplement actually makes it into the brain.

Prevagen Benefits

The makers of Prevagen claim that regular use of their supplement will protect memories, help you remember more, and promote greater focus and clearer thinking. The underlying reason given for all these benefits is decreased neuronal death.

Although some question the usefulness of an oral supplement, Quincy Bioscience, the company that makes Prevagen, has conducted double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in 40-90 year old subjects. They claim that participants who had previously reported experiencing memory problems showed significant improvements in learning, short-term memory, and word recall following a three-month, once-a-day Prevagen (10 mg) regimen. It is important to note that these results were not published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. They are, however, available as a PDF on the Prevagen website.

Prevagen Reviews

Prevagen was voted the #1 Brain Health Supplement in the 2011 Vity Awards, which are sponsored by Vitamin Retailer magazine. This award is based on U.S. health food store retailers’ feedback. Reviews posted online by actual customers seem to be mixed.

Positive

Glen von Skal (G. Skal “rpcv”) wrote the following amazon.com review on 5/10/2010:

I originally purchased prevagen for memory issues. I have used it for about 40 days or so and my memory might have improved marginally. What I have noticed is that the frequency of my migraine headaches and intensity has dropped by about 50%. I also happen to feel more at easy, more relaxed. Is it due to Prevagen? Not sure, but it certainly coincides with the time frame I have been taking it.

Heather Fleming hung in there and noticed a difference after 3 months. She described her experience in a 4/13/2011 amazon.com review:

I have taken Prevagen for 4 months now. At first I was skeptical because nothing seemed to change. However by the third month, not only did I begin to remember and use words I haven’t used in years, but now I can multi-task again too (without distraction)…….like I use to in my 20′s, 30′s, and 40′s. I find if I decide to skip a day or two (now) without taking them, I notice a set-back in the clarity of my everyday thinking, and in the amount of work I can accomplish. I am back online purchasing and reviewing stocks in the stock market, and making great judgment calls once again (because that deeper thought process is back). Don’t give up after a month or two. It takes a while to rebuild and replace the damaged cells in your brain and to get the synapse firing at a quicker pace once again. It helps in more ways than just memory!

Neutral or negative

Marilyn Inturias actually experienced increased headaches while taking Prevagen, and wrote about it on amazon.com on 7/1/2010:

I really don’t know what to say, I’ve been taking this for about 30 days now and I haven’t noticed a difference in my memory etc… in fact the only change in me was headaches, every night exactly 8 hours after taking it. I quit taking it and the headaches ceased! Maybe it’s a coincidence but the price was a lot to get headaches!! Jeesh!

Craig Sandager complained about the cost on amazon.com on 7/31/2009:

This product is way way to expensive. Try getting down around $20.00/mo. and you might actually sell a few bottles, but of course the manufacturer probably demands a 100% profit so could you take a 5% profit and sell it for $21.00. Seriously, I have used this product and the bang is simply not as big as the buck.

Prevagen Dosage & Directions

A bottle of Prevagen contains 30 capsules (10 mg each) and is enough for a  month. There is also a Prevagen Pro formulation available that has four times the amount of apoaequorin (40 mg). The makers of Prevagen recommend taking 1 capsule per day in the morning, with or without food.

In addition to the active ingredient (apoaequorin), the capsules contain white rice flour, sodium chloride (salt), and magnesium stearate. They are free of gluten, yeast, dairy products, corn, sugar, artificial coloring, preservatives, and flavoring. They are also made in the U.S.A.

Prevagen Side Effects

There is little discussion of side effects on the company’s website, but the most commonly reported complaint in user forums and reviews is headache. Others include dizziness, nausea, allergic reactions, and even increased libido. Toxicity studies showed Prevagen to be safe, and no serious adverse effects have been reported in humans.

Prevagen Cost

Prevagen is available at Walgreens and Rite Aid, as well as many health food and vitamin stores. It can also be purchased through the company’s website. A one-month supply is $59.95 (+ $5.95 shipping). The buy 2 get 1 free deal gets your 3 boxes for $119.90 (+ $9.95 shipping). You can also choose to buy 4 and get 2 free for $239.80 (+ $9.95 shipping), but aside from a slight discount on shipping, it’s the same price as buy 2 get 1 free. A one-year supply costs $479.60 (+ $9.95 shipping). Finally, Prevagen offers a “Preferred Customer Plan” where they will ship you a bottle every month for $15.00 off the single-bottle cost ($44.95 + $5.95 shipping every month). Many websites offer cheaper prices than those listed on the Prevagen website.

The professional formulation is considerably more expensive. A single bottle is $89.95, and the discounts for multiple bottles are not as high. If you buy 2 you get 50% off the third bottle ($224. 85 for 3 bottles). Four bottles can be purchased for $269.85.

So, the cost of taking Prevagen is between $2-3/day depending on the formulation you choose.

The company offers a 100% money back guarantee when you purchase through them. If you are not satisfied with the performance of the product, you can return it within 30 days for a full refund (not including shipping and processing).

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