A Miracle Nutrient for the Brain

By Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., CNS

Ask any baby boomer for his top five health concerns, and one of them is sure to be preserving his memory. At our age, it's easy to start forgetting things, and easier still to worry that those common "senior moments" are the beginning of something more serious. But there are things you can do to power up your brain. And one of those things is as easy as taking a supplement.

Glycerophosphocholine (GPC) is in the class of biochemicals known as phospholipids, which are critical for the health of your cell membranes. It's also available as a powerful supplement that has been extensively researched for its effect on mental performance, attention, concentration, and memory formation. It's found in abundant quantities in mother's milk - which tells us something about how important it is. But there are only tiny amounts in food.

In one study, researchers gave volunteers either GPC or a placebo over the course of about 10 days. Volunteers then took a chemical called scopolamine, which is known to cause almost complete (but temporary) amnesia. Subjects who had taken the GPC had much less (and delayed) amnesia and performed far better on difficult memory tests. The researchers concluded that GPC protected the brain's attention and memory capacity.

The recommended dose for GPC is 300-1,200 mg taken in the morning. For best results, take it along with 500-1,000 mg of essential fatty acids, such as any widely available fish oil supplement. Both fish oil and GPC can be found in most health food stores. GPC is also available on www.jonnybowden.com.

[Ed. Note: Dr. Jonny Bowden is a nationally known expert on weight loss, nutrition, and health.]

It's Fun to Know: The World's Oldest Restaurant

Who says the restaurant business is a tough one? Casa Botin in Madrid has been operating continuously since 1725. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Casa Botin is the oldest operating restaurant in the world.

Some of its centuries-old culinary traditions? Whole roasted suckling pig, baby eels sauteed in olive oil, and baby squid in their own ink.

(Source: The Travel Channel's "Bizarre Foods" with Andrew Zimmern)

Word to the Wise: Apocryphal

Something that's "apocryphal" (uh-POK-ruh-ful) is fictitious - of questionable authenticity. The word is derived from the Greek for "to hide away."

Example (as used by Suzanne today): "Do these companies actually offer excellent customer service? Maybe. Or maybe the stories are apocryphal."
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These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise [Issue #2280, 02-16-08], the Internet's most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com/.