rican Medical Association (JAMA, Oct 22/29, 1997-vol 278, no. 16) even found that, "in a substantial number of cases", this remarkable agent was useful in "...improving the cognitive performance and the social functioning of demented patients for six months to one year." Number two on my list (and it's hard to choose) is phosphatidylserine (PS). This is a naturally occurring phospholipid in all cells of the body that's found in high concentrations in the normal human brain. It's involved in nerve cell formation and seems to be even more useful when combined with Ginkgo biloba. Both European and American studies over the past 20 years have used from 200-800 milligrams/day with an excellent safety record. PS is derived from soy lecithin, an excellent source of phosphatidylcholine. This is another nutrient that's had a long history of use in helping with mental functioning. The Life Extension Foundation has found that lecithin, choline, and the inexpensive DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) are common nutrients for enhancing memory, and I like them all. These agents increase brain levels of acetylcholine, a well-known neurotransmitter for nerve cell communication, and they tend to do it with remarkably low levels of toxicity, since they're all natural to the body, not molecules the body was never "designed" to handle. Remember (!) the term "acetylcholinesterase inhibitor," earlier in the article? The idea is to increase levels of acetylcholine, either by supplying it directly, or by blocking the enzyme that breaks it down (i.e., acetylcholinesterase). That's the connection, but don't throw away the term just yet; we're still not quite done with it. Acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC) has been shown to generate significant improvement in cognitive function and is used in Europe in the treatment of some forms of senile dementia. Studies found that it improved cerebral blood flow, enhanced short-term memory, and even helped with depression. These studies all u...
