"Ginkgo Biloba remains one of the most highly-touted nutritional supplements to encourage healthy mental clarity," imparts Klee Irwin. This herb-which comes from the world's oldest living tree species-has been used as far back as 2800 B.C.E. Ginkgo experienced a revival of sorts when research suggested that those who took it experienced enhanced memory and mood. For example, a recent Ginkgo study conducted at the University of Adelaide in Australia found that adults aged 55 to 79 years old showed improved longer-term memory during associated learning tasks (Burns, 2005).

Klee Irwin has learned that for years researchers have suspected that Ginkgo aids mental functioning because it helps encourage blood flow to neurons and other brain cells and tissues. However, recent studies suggest that Ginkgo may also help counteract the mind-numbing effects of stress. Initial studies with rats found that Ginkgo helped lessen cognitive deficits brought on by an injection of a stress hormone (Walesiuk, 2005). Meanwhile, a study with young human volunteers suggests that a single use of Ginkgo may ease stress-induced changes in blood pressure and may also influence cortisol release (Jezova, 2002). Plus, French researchers recently found that Ginkgo may affect the expression of specific genes implicated in the stress response (Soulie, 2002). In addition, Klee Irwin has discovered that new research highlights other "smart nutrients" that can be used as part of a healthy natural supplement program (see "Emerging Nutrients").

Thanks to cutting-edge research on how the brain functions and memory storage, you can have a better understanding of ways to enhance your own mental abilities. "In light of the new information about how stress can compromise cognitive clarity, it makes sense to seek out a dietary supplement featuring smart nutrients," advises Klee Irwin. When combined with a healthy diet and some stress-relieving strategies, this natural approach can dispel the fog and help make you feel sharp once again.

DMAE: Fire It Up

This amino acid seems to influence the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved with the "firing" of brain cells within a neuronal net. A study in the journal Medical Hypothesis explored the fact that DMAE encourages lucid dreaming, which may involve memory storage and retrieval (Sergio, 1988).

Choline: Clear Signals

Like DMAE, Choline is associated with the production of neurotransmitters. When the brain does not receive enough Choline from the diet, the body may extract acetylcholine from nerve cells in a process called auto-cannibalism (Greenwell, 2000). Unfortunately, the richest food sources of Choline include eggs, red meat and organ meats. A Choline supplement offers a wise alternative.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine: Boosting Mental Energy

This amino acid contributes to neurotransmitter production and seems to facilitate neuron health (Harsing, 1992). It also may enhance the mitochondria, the elements of human cells that produce energy (Ames, 2004; Binienda, 2003).

Emerging Nutrients for the Healthy Brain Identified by Klee Irwin, Formulator of Dual Action Cleanse and Neuracta 7, a new "smart formula," that provides nutraceuticals to bolster mental clarity and function.

• Ames, B.N. & Lui, J. (2004). Delaying the mitochondrial decay of aging with acetylcarnintine. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1033, 108-116.
• Binienda, Z.K. (2003). Neuroprotective effects of L-carnitine in induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 993, 289-295.
• Bremner, J.D. & Narayan, M. (1998). The effects of stress on memory and the hippocampus throughout the life cycle: Implications for childhood development and aging. Development and Psychopathology, 10, 871-888.
• Burns, N.R. et al. (2005). Ginkgo biloba: No robust effect on cognitive abilities or mood in healthy young or older adults. Human Psychopharmacology, [Epub ahead of print].
• Greenwell, I. (2000). Enhancing cognitive function: Keeping your memory in tip top shape. Life Extension Magazine. May. Retrieved online from http://www.lef.org/LEFCMS/aspx/PrintVersion.aspx?CmsID=31578.
• Harsing, L.G. et al. (1992). Acetyl-L-carnitine releases dopamine in rat corpus striatum: An in vivo microdalysis study. European Journal of Pharmacology, 218(1), 117-121.
• Howe, M.L. (1998). Individual differences in factors that modulate storage and retrieval of traumatic memories. Development and Psychopathology, 10, 681-698.
• Ingvar, D.H. (1985). Memory of the future: An essay on the temporal organization of conscious awareness. Human Neurobiology, 4, 127-136.
• Jezova, D. et al. (2002). Reduction of rise in blood pressure and cortisol release during stress by Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761) in healthy volunteers. Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 53(3), 337-348.
• Kapur, S. et al. (1995). Functional role of the prefrontal cortex in retrieval of memories: A PET study. NeuroReport, 6, 1880-1884.
• Lombroso, P.J. & Sapolsky, R. (1998). Development of the cerebral cortex XII: Stress and brain development-I. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 37, 1337-1339.
• McEwen, B. (1999). Development of the cerebral cortex XIII: Stress and brain development-II. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 38, 101-103.
• Rolls, E.T. & Treves, A. (1994). Neural networks in the brain involved in memory and recall. Progress in Brain Research, 102, 335-341.
• Sergio, W. (1988). Use of DMAE (2-dimethylaminoethanol) in the induction of lucid dreams. Medical Hypotheses, 26(4), 255-257.
• Soulie, C. et al. (2002). The Ginkgo biloba extract EGB 761 increases viability of hnt human neurons in culture and affects the expression of genes implicated in the stress response. Cellular and Molecular Biology, 48(6), 641-646.
• Walesiuk, A. et al. (2005). Ginkgo biloba normalizes stress- and corticosterone-induced impairment of recall in rats. Pharmacological Research,