About the brain cells

The nerve cells (neurons) in the brain are the cell than do the logical work. These have a n extreme number of connections between each other through interconnecting branches.

The nerve cells (nevrons) in the brain have little capasity of dividing and restoring lost cells. For a long time scientists thought that the brain nerve cells had no such capasity. This has been proven to be wrong, but the divisjon process in brain cells is slow. Therefore the brain tend to loose neurons as one ages.

The cells dividing and replacing lost brain cells are not mature brain cells, but stem-cells found throughout the brain. Those can divide and mature to new brain cells.

However, the brain has a great surplus of cells from the beginning, and each brain cell has a great capasity of growing new connections and those connections can also replace the function of lost cells.

The other type of cell in the brain are the glial-cells og glions. These cells lay between the neurons and their branches. The glions protect, nourish and isolate the neurons electricaly. Thus they are necessary for the life, function and speed of the neurons.

Aging processes in the brain

Both neurons and glial-cells can die of many reasons. The branches connection the neurons can also be destructed. When factors increase cell death and structure destructions, or if factors decrease the process of making new cells and reoair connections, the brain will suffer an impairment or loss of function.

Since neurons are not replaced very rapidly, the brain especially tend to loose neurons as a person ages.

One factor destroying neurons, glia-cells and the connections between the neurons, and thus impair brain function are free radicals and other oxidative agents.

Free radicals are groups of atoms with an odd number of electrons. Free radical form from chemical reactions within the brain tissue. Some of these reactions are unavoidable because they are a part of the life processes, others are cauced by poisons. Once free radicals begin to form, they set off a chain reaction which can result in damage to DNA in brain cells by stealing electrons from the DNA molecules, and the cell is then injured or killed.

However, if the brain tissue contains enough anti-oxidants, the level of oxidating agents in the brain tissues will be low. Anti-oxidants react with the oxidative agents before these can attack the structures in the brain. Vitamins, minerals and many natural compounds found in fruit and vegetables function as anti-oxidants.

Enough nutrients of the right kind will also make the brain more capable of replacing lost cells and repair damages structures.

Lack of vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients will therefore accelerate the destruction or brain structures and decrease the repair processes and thereby gradually impair the thinking and memory process.

Vitamins, minerals and other nutriens are also  important working substances in the brain. Therefore lack of important nutrients will also impair the brain function directly, even if no brain cells were destroyed.

Another cause of brain cell death and brain function destruction is Altzheimer's disease. By this condition fragments of proteins make entangled deposits in the brain  cells that eventually destroy the cells. This disease is probably caused by some virus, probably herpes virus, in combination with genetic factors. But also by this disease rapair processes will counteract the destruction and the immune system will to some extend impair the actions of the viruses. A good nutritional status will therefore also help against this disease and a bad nutritional staus will accelerate it.

How to protect the brain from aging

Vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids are all nutrients important for the brain function, for the defence against brain structure destruction and for the repair processes in the brain. Anti-oxidants of other chemical nature found in all kind of fruit and vegatables, and especially in colored fruits and berries are also very useful for the protection of the brain.

Lecitine, a sort of fat substance, is a very important building block in the brain cell membranes, and the isolation substance between brain cells. Lecithine also contains ingredients used as signal substances in the brain processes. Lack of lecitine will therefore seriously impair brain function.

Another important way of protecting the brain is by using it to learn new tings and solve problems each day. These activities directly stimulate the growth of new connections between the brain cells and repair processes.

By means of these measures, it is possible to make the brain more effective as one grows old, instead of less effective.

ABOUT MEMORY

Memory can be defined as the ability to incode information, save the incoded information and re-obtain the stored information and de-code it for immediate use.

It is common to distinguish between short-term memory and long-term memory. All phases of memory may be influenced by emotions. Remembered information can also be changed consciously and sub-consciously all the time.

It is common to classify information and memory functions in declarative memory and procedural memory. Declarative memory memory refers to memories that we primarily know (eg. That Paris is France's capital, that 2 plus 2 equals four, etc.). Procedural memory is reminiscent of things we can do (eg. Cycle or carpentry).

It is also customary to distinguish between episodic and semantic memory. Episodic refers to memories that are set in the autobiographical context in terms of incidents and episodes (eg. To remember a specific dinner with grandma). Also memory about specific objects belong here. Semantic refers to the general knowledge we have about the world, without that we can put it in an autobiographical context (eg. what animals are or what different terms mean).

The remembered information are of various nature, like auditory sounds and sound patterns, pictures, abstract geometrical patterns, abstract logical patterns, feelings and sensorial experiences. The different kinds of memory types are stored at least partly in different regions of the brain and are at least partly manipulated with different nerve paths.

The different kind of memory modes are however connected so that different kinds of memoriy that tell something about the same object or happening are knit together.

 

Short-term Memory
Short-term Memory (STM) occurs at the stage where we for the first time get a conscious perception of incoming information. Research shows that STM has a capacity of approximately 5.9 informatique units, that we can recall without repeating of up to 20 seconds.

Until the 1970s it was believed that STM was a passive storage site where the information temporarily stayed until it was either taken up for permanent storage of long-term memory or was forgotten.

Pioneering research done by the  British psychologists Alan Baddeley, Graham Hitch and others, however, has demonstrated that STM is a more complex and sophisticated phenomenon than previously thought. Among other things, that short-term memory itself consists of several components and can edit, assemble and manipulate information. Because of short termn memory's active role, many scientists prefer to call it working memory.

Long Term Memory

Long Term Memory (LTM) refers to our lasting memories and have been divided into many different systems out what kind of memories they seem to represent.

The German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus (1850-1909) was one of the first to study memory empirically. He discovered, among other things, a systematic change in forgetting of learned information and the effect of learning again. He discovered the so-called curve of forgetting, expressed by the following formula:

R = e - t / S
where R is the re-calling, S is the relative strength of memory, t is time.

A typical graph will show that most of the forgetting will occur the first few hours and days after learning. After this period, it is relatively little information that is forgotten.


 

ABOUT THE NUTRIENTS CONTAINED IN CYNTOL

Iodine- Studies are showing that children with iodine deficiencies are struggling in school whereas children with normal iodine levels are performing better in spelling and reading. (1)

Zinc- Zinc is a trace metal that is prevalent in the brain. It appears that a zinc deficiency may result in decreased neurologic functioning, activity, which therefore would interfere with cognitive function. (2)

Acetyl L-Carnitine HCI- Research suggests that acetylcholine may improve the functioning of the cells in your brain. (3)

Methylcobalamin- A type of Vitamin B12 that may be helpful for nerve fibers and regenerating damaged neurons.

Phosphatidylserine- By supporting the structure of the brain, Phosphatidylserine may be able to improve memory, learning, mood, and concentration in those with decreased cognitive function. (4, 5, 6)

Choline- Choline is helpful for making acetylcholine, which is the brain chemical that is involved with memory and thought processes.

Gingko Biloba- Can act as a tonic to the circulatory system by increasing blood flow to the brain, which brings more nutrition to the brain. (7)

Bacopa Ext.- Has been used since the 6th century A.D. by India as a medicine to improve cognitive function and help with the nervous system. Has be reported to be effective for enhancing memory, improving brain function, and also improving mental performance.
Cyntol Contains: 5mg

Korean Ginseng Ext.- The main ingredients in Ginseng are ginsenosides, which are thought to work in the brain to help increase the release of the hormone ACTH. This helps regulate and ease stress. (8, 9) It has also been reported to help with learning disabilities and improve stamina.

Vinpocetine- Has been reported to improve brain circulation and oxygenation, helps the brain when there is a lack of oxygen, and slows down clot formation. (10)

Huperzine A Ext.- Has been shown to be beneficial to memory and learning. (11, 12)
Cyntol Contains: 50mcg

Lecithin- Research suggests that lecithin may improve symptoms of Alzheimer's. (13)
Cyntol Contains: 50mg