Knowledge
Knowledge
Exploring Lion's Mane Mushroom & Its Benefits
by OPTMZ Official
on Jul 23 2019
The Chinese have for long used mushrooms in health foods, as well as in their Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat various ailments. They are revered as ‘spirit plants’ that promote longevity and good health.
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Why You Should Add Berberine To Your Stack
by OPTMZ Official
on Jul 02 2019
Berberine is a chemical found in plants such as Goldenseal, Goldthread, and Phellodendron, that has been used extensively in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.
It is known to control blood sugar in people with diabetes. When taken in the right dosage, Berberine can be as effective as metformin or other drugs commonly used to treat the disease. In addition to diabetes, Berberine is also considered to be a possible remedy for a host of other health problems. Let’s take a look at some of them.
What Makes Berberine HCL An Effective Nootropic
1. Helps Treat Metabolic Syndrome:
Metabolic Syndrome is what is now termed as a ‘civilization disease’. It is a combination of conditions that occur simultaneously, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
According to research, Berberine can help reduce BMI (Body Mass Index) that contributes to obesity, one of the major causes of heart-related ailments. Additionally, it helps reduce systolic blood pressure, the level of triglycerides, along with blood sugar levels - effectively contributing to your overall metabolic health. [1]
2. Normalizes Blood Sugar:
Berberine has been found to reverse insulin resistance and restore the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. Berberine works a little differently when compared to supplements that cause the secretion of insulin. According to some investigations, Berberine’s ability to control blood sugar is linked to ‘its inhibition of the electron transport chain in the mitochondria of the cell’. [2]
Essentially, the intake of Berberince perturbs the cell’s uptake of glucose and doesn’t let insulin resistance occur at all.
3. Helps Women Suffering From PCOS:
PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a hormonal disorder that can cause infertility and increase the chances of being afflicted with other health problems like high blood pressure and diabetes.
Berberine helps counter the consequences of PCOS, by improving fertility, aiding weight loss, and also lowering the risk of metabolic ailments like high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.
4. Improves Learning and Memory:
Berberine works as an anti-oxidant and is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.[3]
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are a bunch of medicines that block the breakdown of acetylcholine, which plays an important role in learning and memory.
Berberine may also help prevent Alzheimer’s disease as well as long-term dementia. It may also provide anti-aging benefits by extending the life of telomeres, which essentially protect DNA from any damage.
5. Helps in Weight-Loss:
Berberine increases adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an enzyme that can be called the master metabolic switch in each of your cells. It is found in the cells of various organs, like the muscles, heart, kidney, brain and liver.
An increase in AMPK levels boosts energy, regulates blood glucose, improves insulin sensitivity, and reduces the level of triglycerides. Berberine supplements along with regular exercise and a healthy diet can help support weight loss amongst individuals.
In one of the studies undertaken on obese individuals for 12 weeks [4], 500 mg of Berberine taken 3 times per day lead to weight loss by around 5 pounds on average. The participants also lost 3.6% of their body fat.
5. Acts As An Antidepressant:
According to a number of studies, Berberine is extremely useful against anxiety and depression. Berberine inhibits an enzyme called monoamine oxidase, which breaks down serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine in your brain, all of which play an important role in regulating moods and have been implicated in depression.
One of the studies in 2008 [5] confirmed that Berberine has antidepressant effects, reversing ‘behavioural despair’ in stressed rats. Berberine also benefits brain health and psychological well-being by increasing key neurotransmitters.
6. Lowers Cholesterol and Risk of Heart Diseases:
Heart disease is one of the most common diseases in the world today, often resulting in premature death. Research has found many factors in the blood associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Berberine improves many of these factors. It helps lower cholesterol levels in the body.
In addition to these, with sufficient research to support its benefits, Berberine may also be used to treat other disorders, like glaucoma, stomach ulcers, trachoma, injuries caused by radiation during cancer treatments, and osteoporosis.
Ideal Dosage Of Berberine HCL
Berberine has a short half-life (time taken for the concentration of the drug in the plasma or the total amount in the body to be reduced to 50%), so it is important to take it several times per day to achieve stable blood levels. It is necessary to take 500 mg, three times per day, before meals, making the dosage a total of 1500 mg per day.
It is ideal to take a doctor’s advice before consuming Berberine, if already on medication for any disorder. Berberine may interact unfavourably with these medicines, and give rise to complications. One important rule is to avoid Berberine during pregnancy as it can harm the fetus. It is also strictly prohibited while breastfeeding an infant.
Berberine is an excellent nootropic supplement with varied health benefits. Consuming the right dose, after having consulted a doctor, can help you live a long and healthy life.
Knowledge
Exploring The Benefits of Agmatine Sulfate
by OPTMZ Official
on Jun 25 2019
To be able to reach one’s full potential, it is essential to have proper coordination between body and mind. Agmatine Sulfate is one such nootropic supplement that helps boost one’s overall state of being and help achieve better coordination. A derivative of the L-Arginine amino acid, Agmatine Sulfate is also a biogenic amine.
Discovered in 1910 by a German biochemist, it took almost 100 years to discover the complete benefits and uses of Agmatine Sulfate as an element. It is one of the important players in improving the functions of the nervous system by working both as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator.
Apart from being naturally present in the brain and spinal cord, Agmatine is also present in food sources like fermented foods, beer, coffee and wine. Dubbed by many as the “Super Arginine”, this powerful nootropic can also be consumed in powder or capsule form as well.
Agmatine Sulfate is extremely beneficial in its nootropic benefits as it helps promote mental clarity and reduce stress levels. It also helps recover from a spectrum of complex diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, drug addiction, mood disorders and cancer.
Let’s understand in detail why including Agmatine Sulfate as a part of your everyday intake may prove to be a great idea for anyone, healthwise.
A Few Benefits of Agmatine Sulfate
1. Helps Fight Depression:
Agmatine has shown antidepressant effects along with promoting an upliftment in the mood. It reduces anxiety and promotes a sense of well-being. It negates depressive behaviour by protecting brain cells from high levels of stress hormone cortisol. Agmatine reduces the levels of monoamines in the brain, which are often associated with depression.
A pilot study done on three patients suffering from depression revealed complete disappearance of depression with the intake of Agmatine supplement.
2. Reduces Pain Sensitivity:
Agmatine is an effective supplement for pain relief. Especially in the case of a condition called thermal hyperalgesia, where the body becomes hypersensitive to heat or cold. In fact, it appears to be a promising supplement in terms of neuropathic pain, drug addiction, stroke protection and even general cognitive health.
It works in synergy with painkillers like morphine and fentanyl.
3. Helps Maximize Performance:
Agmatine is consumed by athletes and bodybuilders to maximize their performance. An essential supplement in sports medicine, Agmatine functions to enhance strength and energy before, during and after a workout.
Agmatine is used by many body-builders to achieve more stamina, improve muscle growth, and minimize pain during workouts. Intake of Agmatine helps increase endorphin levels which in turn may help the pancreas to produce insulin.
More insulin can lead to more glucose being absorbed by the muscles, thereby providing the body with further fuel for exercise and enhancing muscle repair.
4. Helps Relieve Stress:
Agmatine Sulfate is noted to positively influence the production of nitric oxide, increasing levels in your bloodstream, which ultimately improves the delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to your muscles. It is highly valued as a nootropic as it helps promote better cognitive performance and mental function.
It helps fight the effects of stress and minimize anxiety levels through regulating cortisol in one’s body. It is also helpful in improving one’s mood and fight depression, as mentioned above.
5. Helps Lose Weight & Gain Weight:
People who struggle to gain weight can benefit from Agmatine supplements. In some studies, subjects showed signs of increased food consumption rates by 44% to 54% in 24 hours. In certain other studies,
Agmatine shows an increase in fat burning, a decrease in fat composition and an increase in muscle mass.
6. Supports Muscle Growth:
Agmatine helps stimulate the production of luteinizing hormone, increase in which also leads to an increase in testosterone levels. By increasing testosterone levels, Agmatine contributes to an optimal hormonal environment for muscle growth, enhances athletic performance and fastens recovery.
Agmatine also causes a rise in insulin sensitivity and the uptake of glucose into the muscle. Increasing insulin sensitivity leads to improved movement of glucose as well as amino acids into the tissues for growth and repair.
7. Helps Erectile Dysfunction and Infertility:
L-arginine supports cell replication and enhances blood circulation, thereby improving both sperm production and motility. Low levels of Nitric Oxide in the blood leads to erectile dysfunction and other fertility problems. This is because an erection requires the relaxation of smooth muscles, and Nitric Oxide helps achieve this.
A large number of cases of male infertility, almost as high as 92% are treatable with the help of L-arginine supplements. Research shows that stress lowers L-arginine levels in the sperm production pathway. Therefore, taking L-arginine supplements can help men suffering from chronic stress.
8. Helps With Alzheimer’s Disease:
Some very evident signs of Alzheimer’s disease are an increase of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, which are caused by insulin resistance. Agmatine helps during Alzheimer’s disease by preventing cognitive decline by rescuing insulin signalling and avoiding the potential accumulation of those tangles.
9. Acts as a Neuroprotectant:
Agmatine works as an anti-oxidant and is still being tested for its anti-ageing properties. It exhibits neuroprotective effects against oxidative damage and injuries to the Central Nervous System. Because of the various mechanisms through which Agmatine reacts with our body, it helps protect our brain against any damage from stroke.
Agmatine Sulfate is a very effective nootropic supplement that is essential for individuals looking to maximize their performance, especially involved in heavy physical training and for those who want to have a well-functioning mind and body.
Knowledge
Uridine: 5 Benefits You Might Have Missed
by OPTMZ Official
on Jun 18 2019
Uridine plays a very important role as one of the building blocks of RNA, which your brain needs to store memories. RNA is important for various biological roles in the body such as coding and decoding genes and even the regulation and expression thereof.
Knowledge
by OPTMZ Official
on Jun 11 2019
Simply put, Nootropics are supplements, compounds, foods and nutrients with the main function and aim of improving brain health and cognition. Nootropic's aim, in general, is to enhance an individuals attention, mental acuity, short and long term memory and even aspects of right and left brain thinking.
Knowledge
by OPTMZ Official
on Jun 04 2019
It is a modern-day epidemic. Whether the stress is a constant, nagging pain in the gut or a barely-there feeling, it wrecks your body. For some, it’s fistfuls of hair falling out; for others, it’s the entire immune system going haywire.
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Aniracetam: The Nootropic Supplement For Creativity & Cognition
by OPTMZ Official
on May 21 2019
Aniracetam has a fat-soluble compound and is absorbed by the bloodstream in a brief time. Hence, its effects become visible rapidly, even with a small dosage.
Knowledge
by OPTMZ Official
on May 14 2019
No wonder, attaining this elevated consciousness has been the secret sauce of dozens of artists, daredevils and successful people. Now through nootropics and physical activity, you can readily achieve the state of flow to be more productive and inventive in your work!
Knowledge
Tell-All Guide on Benefits of Choline
by OPTMZ Official
on Apr 24 2019
Choline helps your brain, muscles, liver, nervous system and overall metabolism function. It is critical for day-to-day functioning of the brain, particularly in the areas of movement, learning and memory and sleep quality.
Knowledge
Boost Your Immune System The Natural Way!
by OPTMZ Official
on Apr 17 2019
Our immune system helps us stand tall and fight against the bacterias or viruses that try to enter our bodies. So, it’s natural if we would want to boost our immune system and make it stronger than ever.
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Nootropics: ‘Alternative’ Medicines For Neurodegenerative Diseases!
by OPTMZ Official
on Apr 02 2019
As humankind continues to push the boundaries of medical convention, the quest to become mentally better (and quicker) is one that has always led to newer discoveries. And this is truer for endeavours aimed towards the discovery of brain enhancers, and boosters of mental cognition.
Knowledge
Social Anxiety Giving You A Hard Time?
by OPTMZ Official
on Mar 26 2019
Do you feel uncomfortable when obliged to meet new people or asked to address a crowd? Do you find yourself trembling, sweating, or suddenly going blank? You might be a victim of social anxiety! But, fret not… you are not alone.
Knowledge
How To Effectively Increase Neurogenesis?
by OPTMZ Official
on Mar 20 2019
Simply put, Neurogenesis is the term used to refer to the creation of new neurons in the brain. Increased neurogenesis can help support memory, mental clarity, recall, reduce anxiety and even assist with depression. Let’s find out how to increase neurogenesis.
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How Caffeine & L-Theanine Work Together
by OPTMZ Official
on Mar 12 2019
Caffeine and L-Theanine just happen to be one of those ‘perfect’ combinations in the chase of the perfect nootropic stack. Caffeine and L-Theanine is also a great choice for beginner nootropic user as it is very subtle yet a great way to drive focus and cognition during your busy day, either at work or while studying.
Knowledge
Demystifying Coluracetam, Its Uses And Benefits!
by OPTMZ Official
on Feb 26 2019
If the human body is analogous to a system, then tweaking the inputs should achieve a state of optimum wellness. Supplements, particularly nootropics, are one such input that can contribute to biohacking. Let’s explore the value of an individual nootropic, Coluracetam, on enhancing cognition and brain health.
Knowledge
Brain Fog & How To Curb It For Good!
by OPTMZ Official
on Feb 12 2019
You might be suffering from a condition called ‘brain fog’. It is a non-medical term which is also recognized as the clouding of consciousness or mental fog. Though most people suffer from it sporadically, there could also be some more frequent manifestations.
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The Top 10 Nootropics That Ruled In 2018!
by OPTMZ Official
on Jan 30 2019
We had a look at the top nootropics which dominated in 2018. Nootropics stimulate neurons and increase blood and oxygen flow to your brain, leading to improvements in your attention span and other areas of cognitive functioning.
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Why Successful People are Using Nootropics
by OPTMZ Official
on Jan 07 2019
Nootropics, or smart drugs, are gaining popularity with entrepreneurs and executives who need to perform at a high level in the business world.
Knowledge
by OPTMZ Official
on Dec 04 2018
Whether you’re looking for ways to enhance your brain for optimal wellness, or you have important exams coming up and need to optimize your cognitive functioning, using natural nootropics may be your answer. Natural nootropics offer a way of boosting your brain health, so you increase your concentration, focus, and mood, safely and effectively. For peak mental output, here are the best natural nootropics to use, as well as a natural stack you can consume for ultimate cognition.
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Why Is Molecular Hydrogen Good For You?
by Juanita Martingalia
on Nov 13 2018
Molecular Hydrogen or H2 is the new buzz in the medical science world. It is the smallest and most prevalent molecule in existence and works miraculously as an antioxidant health supplement.
This tasteless, odourless gas is in the news for it is able to tackle more than five dozen diseases. It is celebrated for its anti-aging, anti-allergenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects.