Amino Acid
5-HTP
(5-hydroxytryptophan)
5-HTP crosses the blood-brain barrier and is the precursor to serotonin and melatonin.*
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- Shaw K, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;(1):CD003198.
Acetyl-L- carnitine
Derivative of L-carnitine, a compound that facilitates energy production in mitochondria and provides antioxidant protection.*
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- Gulcin I. Life Sci. 2006;78(8):803-11.
- Parnetti L, et al. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1992;42(1):89-93.
- Pekala J, et al. Curr Drug Metab. 2011;12(7):667-78.
Glycine
Amino acid and major inhibitory neurotransmitter that crosses the blood-brain barrier and binds receptors that regulate temperature during sleep.*
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- Kawai N, et al. Amino Acids. 2012;42(6):2129-37.
- Kawai N, et al. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2015;40(6):1405-16.
L-DOPA
(L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine)
L-DOPA crosses the blood-brain barrier and is the direct precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine.*
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- Pardridge W. NeuroRx. 2005:2(1):3-14.
L-histidine
Amino acid precursor to histamine, a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system that has an important role in the release of pituitary hormones and wakefulness.*
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- Krystal A, et al. Sleep Med Rev. 2013;17(4):263-72.
L-methionine
Essential amino acid precursor to S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), an important cofactor in the synthesis of the catecholamines.*
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- Duncan T, et al. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2013;57(4):628-36.
- Mischoulon D and Fava M. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002;76(5):1158S-61S.
L-phenylalanine
Amino acid precursor to phenylethylamine (PEA) and the catecholamines dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.
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- Ng J, et al. Nat Rev Neurol. 2015;11:567-84.
L-theanine
Amino acid that acts as a glutamate receptor antagonist.*
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- Kakuda T, et al. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2002;66(12):2683-6.
L-tryptophan
Essential amino acid precursor to serotonin and melatonin. L-tryptophan provides gentler conversion to serotonin compared to 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) as the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of serotonin is the conversion of L-tryptophan to 5-HTP.*
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- Birdsall T. Altern Med Rev. 1988;3(4):271-80.
L-tyrosine
Amino acid precursor to the catecholamines including dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.
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- Ng J, et al. Nat Rev Neurol. 2015;11:567-84.
N-acetyl-L-cysteine
Precursor to L-cysteine.
L-cysteine is required for the synthesis of glutathione, an endogenous antioxidant.
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- Rushworth G and Megson I. Pharmacol Ther. 2014;141(2):150-9.
- Schmitt B, et al. Redox Biol. 2015;6:198-205.
SAMe
(S-adenosyl-L-methionine)
SAMe is the universal methyl donor in the body involved in the methylation of neurotransmitters.*
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- Duncan T, et al. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2013;57(4):628-36.
Taurine
Amino acid that demonstrates GABA-A agonist activity and protects neurons and mitochondria against glutamate-induced damage.*
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- Kletke O, et al. PLoS One. 2013;8(4):e61733.
- Ye H, et al. Can J Neurol Sci. 2013;40(5):628-34.
Trimethylglycine
Potent methyl donating amino acid that acts similar to choline*
- Olthof M, et al. J Nutr. 2003.
Botanical
Apple cider vinegar
A naturally provided, nutritional, fermented vinegar that contains acetic acid to help balance the microbiota and supports immune health.*
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- Nat Prod Res. 2019 Mar;33(6):906-910.
- Yagnik D. et al 2018.
Banaba leaf extract
(Lagerstroemia speciosa)
Botanical that contains corosolic acid, a compound that selectively inhibits 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1), which is the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of cortisone into cortisol.*
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- Patel H, et al. Arabian Journal of Chemistry. 2015.
- Rollinger J, et al. Bioorg Med Chem. 2010;18(4):1507-15.
Cannabis sativa
Contains precursors for the biosynthesis of arachidonylethanolamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), two naturally occurring endocannabinoids.
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- Freitas H, et al. Nutr Neurosci. 2018;21(10):695-714.
- Petrovic M, et al. Food Chem. 2015 Mar 1;170:218-25.
Cilantro leaf
(Coriandrum sativum)
Botanical peptide that promotes a balanced microbiota and supports liver detoxification.*
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- Zare-Shehneh M, et al. Int J Biosci. 2014;4(6):89-99.
Forskolin
(Coleus forskohlii)
Botanical that stimulates production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), important for the activation of hormone-sensitive lipase, an enzyme that breaks down fat stores.*
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- Godard M, et al. Obes Res. 2005;13(8):1335-43.
- Jeukendrup A and Randell R. Obes Rev. 2011;12(10):841-51.
Green tea leaf extract
(Camellia sinensis)
Botanical polyphenol in green tea that provides antioxidant protection through its ability to scavenge free radicals and metal ions.*
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- Legeay S, et al. Nutrients. 2015;7(7):5443-68.
- Teng Y and Wu D. Pharmacogn Mag. 2017;13(50):326-31.
Huperzine A
(Huperzia serrata)
Botanical compound that slows the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase.*
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- Tun M and Herzon S. J Exp Pharmacol. 2012;4:113-23.
Lemon Balm leaf
(Melissa officinalis)
Botanical shown to inhibit the enzyme GABA transaminase in vitro which may increase levels of GABA in the brain.*
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- Awad R, et al. Phytother Res. 2009;23(8):1075-81.
Licorice root extract
(Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Botanical compound glycyrrhetinic acid (metabolite of glycyrrhizic acid) binds the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11β-HSD2) to inhibit the breakdown of cortisol.*
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- Chapman K, et al. Physiol Rev. 2013;93(3):1139-206.
- van Gelderen C, et al. Hum Exp Toxicol. 2000;19(8):434-9.
Piper nigrum
Naturally occurring isolate from black pepper has been shown in vitro to bind and activate CB2 receptors.
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- Maffei M. Nutrafoods. 2018;17:N12-N23.
Rhodiola
(Rhodiola rosea)
Botanical that is considered an adaptogen because of its ability to increase the body’s resistance to stressors.*
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- Legeay S, et al. Nutrients. 2015;7(7):5443-68.
Turmeric
(Curcuma longa)
Botanical shown to lower levels of TNF-α and IL-6; these cytokines that have a role in regulating the immune response and have been correlated with increased joint discomfort.*
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- Holdsworth S and Gan P. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2015;10(12):2243-54.
- Miller R, et al. Cytokine. 2014;70(2):185-93.
- Usharani P, et al. Drugs R D. 2008;9(4):243-50.
Valerian Root
(Valeriana officinalis)
Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate valerian extracts modulate GABA-A receptors. *
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- Benke D, et al. Neuropharmacology. 2009;56(1):174-81.
- Khom S, et al. Br J Pharmacol. 2010;161(1):65-78.
- Murphy K, et al. Phytomedicine. 2010;17:674-8.
- Becker A, et al. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014;14:267.
Vitamin/Mineral
Calcium
A mineral that is important for synaptic transmission in the nervous system.*
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- Sudhof T. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2012;4:a011353.
Chromium
A mineral nutrient that serves as a cofactor in the action of insulin.*
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- Cefalu WT and Hu FB. Diabetes Care. 2004;27(11):2741-51.
Folate
5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid (5-MTHF)
Necessary vitamin in the development and regulation of the nervous system, including the synthesis of neurotransmitters.*
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- Antoniades C, et al. Circulation. 2006;114(11):1193-201.
- Mattson M and Shea T. Trends Neurosci. 2003;26(3):137-46.
- Stahl S. J Clin Psychiatry. 2008;69(9):1352-3.
Magnesium
Mineral found in the body that is important for neurotransmitter release and energy metabolism.*
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- Fawcett WJ, et al. Brit J Anaesth. 1999;83(2):302-20.
Manganese
Essential metal that is important for energy metabolism and immune activity.*
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- Chen P, et al. J Neurochem. 2015;134:601-610.
Niacin
(B3)
Vitamin in its active form is important for the synthesis of neurotransmitters.*
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- Vrecko K, et al. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1997;1361(1):59-65.
Pantothenic acid
(B5)
Involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters and is the precursor to coenzyme A (CoA), an essential coenzyme for energy production and hormone synthesis.*
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- Ragaller V, et al. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2011;95(1):6-16.
Vitamin A
Fat-soluble vitamin important for retinal health, bone growth, and wound healing.*
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- Duerbeck N and Dowling D. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2012;67(2):122-8.
Vitamin B6
This vitamin is an essential cofactor in the synthesis of neurotransmitters.*
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- Martin D. Cell Mol Neurobiol. 1987;7(3):237-53.
Vitamin B12
This vitamin is essential in the development and function of the nervous system and the formation of neurotransmitters.*
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- Bottiglieri T. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2013;36(1):1-13.
Vitamin B12 (Riboflavin)
Essential for coenzyme cofactor for MTHFR and MTRR, supporting healthy homocysteine levels.*
- McNulty et al. 2006.
Vitamin C
This vitamin acts as an essential cofactor in the synthesis of neurotransmitters.*
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- May J, et al. Brain Res Bull. 2013;90:35-42.
Vitamin D
Fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in bone and immune health.*
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- Prietl B, et al. Nutrients. 2013;5(7):2502-21.
Vitamin E
Mixed tocopherols are a fat-soluble blend of vitamin E isoforms that are antioxidants with free radical scavenging properties.*
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- Mathur P, et al. Clin Cardiol. 2015;38(9):570-6.
Vitamin K
Fat-soluble vitamin required for protein biosynthesis and enzymatic processes important for blood coagulation, cell growth, and bone formation.*
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- Hartley L, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;9:CD011148.
Selenium
Micronutrient that helps to comprise selenoproteins; these proteins are crucial for brain function and for enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase.*
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- Rayman MP. Lancet. 2012;379:1256-69.
Zinc
Essential micronutrient that is important for synaptic plasticity and is commonly found within neurons in the cerebral cortex.*
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- Frederickson CJ, et al. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2005;6:449-462.
Other
Alpha-GPC
(Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine)
Cholinergic compound that is a precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.*
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- Ueland P. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2011;34(1):3-15.
Alpha-lipoic acid
Antioxidant that is able to chelate metals, regenerate endogenous antioxidants, and scavenge free radicals.*
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- Rochette L, et al. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2015;93(12):1021-7.
Astaxanthin
A fat-soluble carotenoid with unique cell membrane activity, antioxidant properties, and neuroprotective effects.*
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- Wu H, et al. Mar Drugs. 2015;13(9):5750-66.
Coenzyme Q10
(CoQ10)
Compound found in nearly every human cell that is essential for mitochondrial function and antioxidant protection.*
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- Garrido-Maraver J, et al. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2014;19:619-33.
Digestive Enzymes
Enzymes that break down common food macromolecules such as proteins, starches, lactose, and lipids in order to improve absorption during digestion.*
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- Tortora, G. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 14thed. 2014
Melatonin
Antioxidant and hormone important for the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle.*
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- Pandi-Perumal S, et al. Prog Neurobiol. 2008;85(3):225-53.
Palmitoylethanolamide
(PEA)
PEA has been found to support endocannabinoid function by increasing the activity of AEA and 2-AG while also decreasing the degradation of those endocannabinoids.
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- Solorzano C, et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2009;106(49):20966-71.
- Maffei M. Nutrafoods. 2018;17:N12-N23.
- Zanettini C, et al. Front Behav Neurosci.2011;5: 57.
- Callen L, et al. J Biol Chem. 2012 Jun 15;287(25):20851-65.
Phosphatidylserine
Component of cell membranes important for receptor-mediated interactions; phosphatidylserine is thought to interact with cell membranes in order to dampen hypothalamic signaling and regulate the stress response.*
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- Glade M and Smith K. Nutrition. 2015;31(6):781-6.
- Monteleone P, et al. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1992;41:385-8.
Probiotics
Living microorganisms that populate the gut to help support gut function, balance immune activity, and improve neurotransmitter synthesis.*
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- Brain Res. 2018 Aug 15;1693(Pt B):128-133.
- Di Cerbo A, et al. J Clin Pathol. 2016;69(3):187-203.
- Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2013 Jul; 6(4): 295–308.
Resveratrol
(Trans-resveratrol)
Polyphenol antioxidant that supports blood sugar management.*
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- Brasnyo P, et al. Br J Nutr. 2011;106(3):383-9
- Magyar K, et al. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc. 2012;50(3):179-87.