Organ Specific Guide - Raintree Nutrition, Inc

AMAZON BRAIN SUPPORT
Description: A synergistic formula of rainforest botanicals traditionally used in South America to support
memory and brain function.
Traditional uses by organ or system: Brain/CNS: For memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer's.
Ingredients: A proprietary blend of samambaia (Polypodium decumanum), calaguala (Polypodium leucotomos),
tamamuri (Brosimum acutifolium), catuaba (Erythroxylum catuaba), muira puama (Ptychopetalum
olacoides), cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa), suma (Pfaffia paniculata), guaraná (Paullinia cupana), nettle
(Urtica dioica), and sarsaparilla (Smilax officinalis).
Suggested Use: Take 2 capsules 2-3 times daily.
Contraindications: Not to be used during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.
Drug Interactions: None known.
Other Practitioner Observations and Possible Precautions: None.
Synopsis of research: (Please the online Tropical Plant Database for all cited research.)
• Samambaia and calaguala are closely related Polypodium ferns which have demonstrated neuroprotective
actions. In 1997, a U.S. patent was filed on a samambaia extract capable of treating brain disorders
such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The patent and several in vivo clinical studies indicate
samambaia protects against brain cell degeneration, promotes repair of damaged brain cells, and has
a protective effect to brain cells. In a double-blind placebo human trial in 2000, researchers reported
patients with senile dementia improved cognitive performance, increased the blood supply to the brain,
and also increased the electrical impulses in the brain. A calaguala patented product called anapsos is
now used in Spain and Europe for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
• Tamamuri has been documented as a PKC inhibitor. Too much PKC enzyme is involved in a wide variety
of disease processes including brain tumors and brain disorders, cancer, cardiovascular disease,
arthritis, and autoimmune disorders.
• Catuaba is traditionally used in Brazil as a nervine and to enhance memory. In a 2005 study catuaba was
reported to provide dopaminergic-mediated antidepressant actions.
• Muira puama is the subject of eight animal and human studies which reports memory enhancement,
learning enhancement, antidepressant, nervine, and neuroprotective actions.
• Cat's claw contains amyloid-inhibiting compounds which are the subject of three U.S. patents. Amyloid
plaque in brain cells is implicated in Alzheimer's disease. In addition, another study with mice indicated
that cat's claw memory enhancement action was linked to actions noted on 5-HT2 receptors.
• Suma is the subject of two animal studies (in 2004 and 2000) which reported that it promoted an increase
in both learning and memory in aged mice treated.
• Guaraná is the subject of 6 human and animal studies concerning memory enhancement and cognitive
performance. In a 2007 double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose human evaluation study, guaraná
improved secondary memory performance and increased alert and content mood ratings. Lower doses
(75 mg) produced more positive cognitive effects than higher doses.
• Nettle was found to be an effective antioxidant and possible antiapoptotic supplement promoting brain
cell survival in a rat study reported in 2005.
• Sarsaparilla, and several of its chemical constituents, were reported to provide protection of amyloid beta
protein-induced neurotoxicity in several recent studies in rats. One of sarsparilla's main sapogenin
chemicals, sarsasapogenin, was reported to improve memory by elevating the low muscarinic
acetylcholine receptor density in brains of memory-deficit rats. This chemical, as well as others in
sarsaparilla, are the subject of a 2004 U.S. patent which claim they are effective in the treatment of
Alzheimer's disease.