5-HTP is the immediate precursor of serotonin, which is subsequently converted to melatonin.

5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is a naturally occurring amino acid in the body. It is also produced commercially from the seeds of an African plant (Griffonia simplicifolia).

Serotonin: Brain’s Feel Good Neurotransmitter
Builds self-esteem, confidence, optimism and a positive outlook.
Serotonin is the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitter. It is involved in mood, sleep, pain, appetite control, sexual desire, and endocrine regulation.

Adequate brain serotonin levels are associated with feelings of security, social ease, confidence, optimism and well-being. It is essential for optimal brain function.

Melatonin: helps Regulate Mood – Combat Brain Aging
Melatonin helps regulate Circadian rhythms and reset the brain’s biological clock
Melatonin is involved in many vital life processes including of biological rhythms, sleep-wake cycle, mood, pain, and reproductive hormones. It helps synchronize our ‘biological clock’ and restores balance.

Serotonin: Brain’s Feel Good Neurotransmitter

Builds self-esteem, confidence, optimism and a positive outlook

Serotonin is the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitter. It is involved in mood, sleep, pain, appetite control, sexual desire, and endocrine regulation.

Adequate brain serotonin levels are associated with feelings of security, social ease, confidence, optimism and well-being. It is essential for optimal brain function.

Serotonin is naturally made in the brain and body from 5-HTP (also an ingredient in Mood TuneUp).

Serotonin is involved in both learning and memory. Accumulating research suggests that serotonin plays an important role in synaptic plasticity, brain development and function.

Serotonin levels decline as we age.

Serotonin affects much more than mood. Serotonin deficiency symptoms may include

• – Mood disorders
• – Pessimism – see the glass as half-empty rather than half-full
• – Difficulty concentrating
• – Fatigue
• – Sleep disturbances
• – Low self-esteem – lack confidence
• – Carbohydrate & sugar cravings – weight gain
• – PMS
• – Repetitive thoughts and obsessive thinking
• – Perfectionism
• – Anxiety
• – Irritability
• – Shyness, fears, phobias or panic attacks
• – Irritable bowel syndrome

What the Experts Say:

Glutamine – supports Healthy Neurotransmitter Balance

Glutamine is a naturally occurring amino acid. It is found abundantly in the central nervous system (CNS) where it participates in a variety of metabolic pathways. Glutamine is an important source of energy for the brain – It helps improve mental alertness, mood, and clarity of thinking.

In the brain, Glutamine is a precursor for two major neurotransmitters, glutamate and GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid).

What the Experts Say:

“Glutamine is a free-form amino acid widely used to maintain good brain function.”
–”Maximum Memory” – by Ted Broer

“L-glutamine seems to help feed the brain the nourishment it needs.”
–”Get Healthy Now!: With Gary Null” – by Gary Null

“widely used as a memory aid, especially in ageing”
–”Fast Living, Slow Ageing: How to Age Less, Look Great, Live Longer, Get More” – by Kate Marie, Christopher Merlin Thoma

“Glutamine is an important source of energy for the nervous system
–”Principles of Orthomolecularism” – by R. A. S. Hemat

“It’s a major source of energy for the brain and an important building block for several neurotransmitters.”
–”Dr. Atkins’ Vita-Nutrient Solution: Nature’s Answer to Drugs” – by Robert C. Atkins

“It appears to reduce both sugar cravings and alcohol cravings.”
–”Get Healthy Now!: With Gary Null” – by Gary Null

GABA: helps Balance Brain Function & Mood

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) is the brain’s natural calming neurotransmitter. It helps in regulating brain activity and function.

GABA induces feelings of calm, regulates anxiety, reduces stress, increases focus and balances mood. A key neurotransmitter, GABA is required for optimal brain function.

Adequate gaba levels are associated with improved mood and decreased anxiety.

GABA deficiency symptoms may include

– Irritability, Anxiety, panic attack
– Depression
– Sleep disorder
– Muscle tension
– Chronic pain
– Difficulty concentrating
– Butterflies in the stomach
– Irritable bowel syndrome
– Wired but Tired
– Lower sex drive
– Heart palpitations

What the Experts Say:

“GABA helps you to feel calm and maintain control and focus.”
–”Revitalize Your Hormones: Dr. Dale’s 7 Steps to a Happier, Healthier, and Sexier You “ – by Theresa Dale Ph.D, N.D.

“Low GABA levels have been found in patients with depression”
–”Psychiatric Issues in Epilepsy: A Practical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment” – edited by Alan B. Ettinger, Andres

“is essential for proper central nervous system functioning”
–”Movement Disorders: Genetics and Models” – edited by Mark S. LeDoux

“GABA is part of the brain system that allows us to fine-tune our moods, thoughts, and actions with an incredible level of detail.”
–Source: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. “Critical brain chemical shown to play role in severe depression.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 6 March 2010.

“GABA, can improve the clarity of thought and increase mental alertness”
–”Healthy Living Made Easy: The Only Things You Need to Know about Diet …”

“Low GABA states are associated with depression and anxiety disorders”
–“Clinical Manual of Prevention in Mental Health” – edited by Michael T. Compton

“GABA is essential to normal brain function”
–”Quantum Magnetic Resonance Imaging Diagnostics of Human Brain Disorders” – by Madan M Kaila, Rakhi Kaila

The GABA neurotransmitter and its receptors are critical to how humans think and act,
–Source: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. “Critical brain chemical shown to play role in severe depression.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 6 March 2010.

“GABA, which is needed to sustain proper brain function and mental activity.”
–”Prescription for Nutritional Healing” – by Phyllis A. Balch

“Too little GABA is associated with anxiety and anxiety disorders”
–”Psychiatry for Neurologists” – by Dilip V. Jeste, Joseph H. Friedman

“GABA concentration is reduced in children with ADHD compared with typically developing control subjects.”
–Source: PMID: 22752239

“GABA is required for proper neuronal function”
–”Textbook of Medical Biochemistry” – by S. Ramakrishnan

“evidence suggests that deficits in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) functioning are implicated in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD).”
— Source PMID: 20946914

“evidence suggest that dysfunction of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) systems is associated with major depression.”
–Source; PMID: 10565505

“Research suggests that major depression is associated with decreased GABA activity.”
–”Encyclopedia of Depression “ – by Linda Wasmer Andrews

“It is essential for brain metabolism, aiding in proper brain function
–”Prescription for Nutritional Healing” – by Phyllis A. Balch

“GABA is required for normal brain function.”
–Physiological reviews, Volume 48, Issues 2-4 1968

“GABA plays an important regulatory role in the development of the nervous system”
–”GABA in Autism and Related Disorders” – edited by Dirk M. Dhossche

“People with depression tend to have lower levels of GABA in their blood and cerebrospinal fluid than those without depression.”
–”Encyclopedia of Depression “ – by Linda Wasmer Andrews

“Low GABA levels can stimulate binge-eating.”
–”Brain Change Therapy: Clinical Interventions for Self-Transformation” – by Carol Kershaw, J. William Wade

“…GABA levels were significantly reduced in patients with depressive illness.”
–”Pregnancy Blues: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Depression During …” – by Shaila Kulkarni Misri

”Dysfunction of GABAergic neurotransmission has been implicated in many neurologic and psychological diseases”
–”Quantum Magnetic Resonance Imaging Diagnostics of Human Brain Disorders” – by Madan M Kaila, Rakhi Kaila

“When the GABA supply is deficient, your brain suffers and your body is flooded with uncomfortable, life disrupting symptoms”
–”Change Your Food, Change Your Mood: A Nutrition-Based Approach to Reducing …” – by Janet Maccaro

Glutamate:

Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system – It plays important roles in a wide variety of brain functions. At normal concentrations, glutamate is essential for brain functions such as learning and memory.

What the Experts Say:

“glutamate is involved in most aspects of normal brain function including cognition, memory and learning”
–”Excitotoxicity in Neurological Diseases: New Therapeutic Challenge” – edited by Carlo Ferrarese, M. Flint Beal

“ Glutamate is essential for balanced brain chemistry and brain health”
–”Revitalize Your Hormones: Dr. Dale’s 7 Steps to a Happier, Healthier, and Sexier You” – by Theresa Dale Ph.D, N.D.

“Like serotonin, glutamate is a brain neurotransmitter that is vital to optimal brain function.”
–”The OCD Workbook: Your Guide to Breaking Free from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder” – by Bruce Hyman, Cherlene Pedrick

“At normal concentrations, glutamate is crucial for brain functions such as learning and memory. “
–Source: web.stanford.edu – by Stephanie Liou

“Glutamate is essential for normal brain function”
–”Instant Psychopharmacology: Up-to-date Information about the Most Commonly …” – by Ronald J. Diamond

“Glutamate at normal concentrations is crucial for CNS function”
–”Neuroscience: Fundamentals for Rehabilitation” – by Laurie Lundy-Ekman

“Glutamate is essential for brain activity..”
–”Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nursing: A Biopsychsocial Foundation for Practice” – by Eris F Perese

“Research has linked glutamate imbalance to bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)”
–”Revitalize Your Hormones: Dr. Dale’s 7 Steps to a Happier, Healthier, and Sexier You” – by Theresa Dale Ph.D, N.D.

“Glutamate plays a key role in learning and memory formation, among other functions”
–” It’s My Ovaries, Stupid!” – by Elizabeth Lee Vliet

“Glutamate is essential for short-term and long-term memory”
–”Simplicity: Creating Physical, Mental, and Emotional Health Awareness” – by Gord Lund

“Glutamate is essential for learning and memory processes”
–”Neurochemical Aspects of Excitotoxicity” – by Akhlaq A. Farooqui, Wei-Yi Ong, Lloyd A. Horrocks

“Glutamic acid is required for the synthesis of glutathione”
–”Textbook of Medical Biochemistry” – by S. Ramakrishnan

Eleuthero, American Ginseng, Rhodiola, Schisandra, Ginger – Major Defense Against Aging

Renowned for their impressive range of health benefits, these multi-tasking herbs have traditionally been associated with longevity, radiant health and youthful vitality. They are widely used to help memory, mental clarity, focus, motivation and mood.

Extensively studied , these herbs are well known adaptogens — An elite group of herbal compounds known to exert beneficial effects on mood, brain health and support healthy lifespan. They help restore balance and vitality to the body’s organ systems – including the brain and nervous system.

In essence, these adaptogenic herbs give the brain and body a tune-up helping minimize wear and tear that comes with aging and fast paced lifestyle. They may help exert their beneficial effects by several mechanisms, including the following:

Helps Support Neurotransmitter Health
Supports Healthy Levels Of Neurotransmitters – including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine which are necessary for optimal brain function and its long-term health.

Helps balance the cortisol – Support a healthy stress response
These herbs are renowned for their ability to help enhance the body’s ability to combat stress.

Chronic stress disrupts nearly every system in our body.
It can impact our moods, our brain health and our immune system, which lowers your ability to ward off illnesses. Chronic stress is a major contributor to premature aging.

Helps Support Brain’s Anti-oxidant Defense health (See below):

Helps Support Mitochondrial Health (See below):

Mitochondria: a Key Factor in Mood & Brain Vitality

Mitochondria are the little engines inside our cells that generate energy – play a central role in our mental and physical Vitality. They impact our moods, our well-being and our aging process. Mitochondria are considered major regulators of longevity.

Well-functioning mitochondria are essential for optimal brain function and its health. As we age the
mitochondria become less efficient. After age 25, mitochondrial function starts to decline – they produce less energy and more free radicals.

When the mitochondria aren’t functioning properly, an endless variety of things can go wrong in the cell, affecting the brain and the entire body’s ability to perform.

Unhealthy mitochondria are like old car engines – Rusty, inefficient – emitting black smoke
Just as engine problems can affect the performance of a car, causing it to misfire, sputter, or stall,
problems with mitochondria can slow or bring the brain and the body to a halt and cause undesirable symptoms includingslowed mental function, memory loss, learning difficulties, brain fog, fatigue and
mood disorders.

Brain tissue is a major consumer of energy in the body. Progressive loss of energy in the brain and central nervous system affects the activities of all organs throughout the body as well as memory, focus, attention and mood.

What the Experts Say:

Vitamin B6: Critical nutrient for brain development and function

Vitamin B6 plays an important role in the regulation of mental function and mood.

It is involved in the manufacture of several neurotransmitters including serotonin, melatonin, GABA,dopamine and norepinephrine. Deficiencies in any of those neurotransmitters can impact brain function and cause mood problems.

What the Experts Say:

Zinc: Supports Mood, Brain, immune, and Skin health

Zinc is an essential mineral found in abundance in the human brain as well as other parts of the body. It is vital for many biological functions.

Zinc plays an essential role in neurotransmitter function and helps maintain brain structure and health. Zinc deficiency is associated with depression. The blood zinc level is less in patients with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

What the Experts Say: