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What is B.R.N and Why should you have Nootropics in your Supplement Regimen

Writer: Healthy FoxHealthy Fox
Feb 44 min read

Updated: Feb 8

“Nootropics (Products for memory or other cognitive functions) have become both popular and in demand. B.R.N is my take on a Clinical-Grade quality product for students, work professionals or those wanting to prevent age-related brain dysfunction. I use the highest quality and proven acetylcholine accelerators to enhance long term and short term memory as well as cognitive processing. I was very excited to also include a unique ingredient to jump start your brain called Citicoline. Not only does it support your “Happy Neurotransmitters” Serotonin and Dopamine levels, but has neuroprotective qualities that have been shown to even regenerate damaged brain cells!” 




B.R.N is designed to optimize brain function and support healthy cognition, mood, and memory. It contains a comprehensive array of brain-supportive nutrients, including acetyl‑L‑carnitine, glycerophosphocholine (GPC), phosphatidylserine, Ginkgo biloba (standardized to contain 24% ginkgo flavonglycosides), coffee fruit concentrate, and citicoline. B.R.N provides the building blocks for brain phospholipids and certain neurotransmitters.



Neurodegeneration is a complex process involving risk factors such as age, genetics, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain vitamin deficiencies.


Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have been associated with underlying states of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. AD is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, and epidemiological research suggests that as many as 3 million cases of AD worldwide could be prevented with a reduction of known modifiable risk factors in midlife.¹‑³ B.R.N is formulated to assist with various aspects of brain health, such as cell energy production, mitochondrial support, neuronal regeneration, and antioxidant status.


Key Ingredients


Acetyl‑L‑Carnitine


Acetyl‑L‑carnitine (ALC) is the acetyl derivative of L‑carnitine, which passes through the blood-brain barrier. ALC facilitates cholinergic neurotransmission directly and by providing an acetyl group for acetylcholine synthesis.⁴ ALC has antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anti‑inflammatory properties.⁵ Studies note disturbances in carnitine metabolism and biosynthesis in neurodegenerative diseases like AD, with low plasma and tissue concentrations of ALC observed in many cases.⁴


ALC supplementation has been shown to improve mitochondrial function, increase dopamine levels, and prevent tau protein hyperphosphorylation induced by homocysteine.⁴,⁵ A meta-analysis concluded that ALC supplementation significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared with a placebo.⁶


Citicoline


Citicoline, or cytidine‑5’‑diphosphocholine, serves as a precursor for phosphatidylcholine and has neuroprotective properties. It supports cerebral metabolism, inhibits apoptosis associated with cerebral ischemia, and promotes neuroplasticity.⁷ Citicoline has been shown to improve cognitive function, motor performance, and depression in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.⁸


Coffee Fruit Concentrate (NeuroFactor™)


Coffee fruit extract (Coffea arabica) contains polyphenols that have neuroprotective properties. Clinical trials have shown that supplementation with 100 mg of coffee fruit extract significantly increased plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, supporting synaptic plasticity, memory formation, and neuronal growth.⁹,¹⁰


Ginkgo biloba


Ginkgo biloba is a botanical known for its cognitive benefits, particularly in individuals with mild-to-moderate dementia. A meta-analysis of clinical trials demonstrated improvements in memory function, concentration, anxiety, and overall cognitive function.¹¹ This formula contains standardized levels of ginkgo flavonglycosides and terpene lactones, the primary active compounds.



Why Choose B.R.N?

  • Supports Brain Function: Includes essential ingredients to promote cognitive health and neuronal repair.

  • Enhances Memory and Mood: Ingredients like ALC and citicoline improve neurotransmitter activity and emotional well-being.⁶,⁸

  • Promotes Brain Antioxidant Status: Protects against oxidative stress with components like Ginkgo biloba and coffee fruit extract.¹⁰,¹¹



  1. Dos Santos Picanco LC, Ozela PF, de Fatima de Brito Brito M, et al. Alzheimer's disease: a review from the pathophysiology to diagnosis, new perspectives for pharmacological treatment. Curr Med Chem. 2018;25(26):3141-3159. doi:10.2174/0929867323666161213101126


  2. Hill E, Goodwill AM, Gorelik A, Szoeke C. Diet and biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurobiol Aging. 2019;76:45-52. doi:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.12.008


  3. Tipton PW, Graff-Radford NR. Prevention of late-life dementia: what works and what does not. Pol Arch Intern Med. 2018;128(5):310-316. doi:10.20452/pamw.4263


  4. Ferreira GC, McKenna MC. L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine roles and neuroprotection in developing brain. Neurochem Res. 2017;42(6):1661-1675. doi:10.1007/s11064-017-2288-7


  5. Kepka A, Ochocinska A, Borzym-Kluczyk M, et al. Preventive role of L-carnitine and balanced diet in Alzheimer's disease. Nutrients. 2020;12(7):1987. doi:10.3390/nu12071987


  6. Hoepner CT, McIntyre RS, Papakostas GI. Impact of supplementation and nutritional interventions on pathogenic processes of mood disorders: a review of the evidence. Nutrients. 2021;13(3):767. doi:10.3390/nu13030767


  7. Que DS, Jamora RDG. Citicoline as adjuvant therapy in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review. Clin Ther. 2021;43(1):e19-e31. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2020.11.009


  8. Jasielski P, Piędel F, Piwek M, Rocka A, Petit V, Rejdak K. Application of citicoline in neurological disorders: a systematic review. Nutrients. 2020;12(10):3113. doi:10.3390/nu12103113


  9. Cotter J, Fawkes N, Shah N. Coffee fruit extract — a nutritional stimulator of endogenous BDNF [published online ahead of print, April 15, 2021]. Nutr Neurosci. 2021;1-3. doi:10.1080/1028415X.2021.1913953


  10. Reyes-Izquierdo T, Nemzer B, Shu C, et al. Modulatory effect of coffee fruit extract on plasma levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in healthy subjects. Br J Nutr. 2013;110(3):420-425. doi:10.1017/S0007114512005338


  11. Liu D, Wang H, Zhang Y, Zhang Z. Protective effects of chlorogenic acid on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury rats by regulating oxidative stress-related Nrf2 pathway. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2020;14:51-60. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S228751


  12. Kandiah N, Ong PA, Yuda T, et al. Treatment of dementia and mild cognitive impairment with or without cerebrovascular disease: expert consensus on the use of Ginkgo biloba extract, EGb 761®. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2019;25(2):288-298. doi:10.1111/cns.13095


  13. Donoso F, Schverer M, Rea K, et al. Neurobiological effects of phospholipids in vitro: relevance to stress-related disorders. Neurobiol Stress. 2020;13:100252. doi:10.1016/j.ynstr.2020.100252


  14. Schverer M, O’Mahony SM, O'Riordan KJ, et al. Dietary phospholipids: role in cognitive processes across the lifespan. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2020;111:183-193. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.01.012


  15. Kay JG, Fairn GD. Distribution, dynamics and functional roles of phosphatidylserine within the cell. Cell Commun Signal. 2019;17(1):126. doi:10.1186/s12964-019-0438-z


  16. Baumeister J, Barthel T, Geiss KR, Weiss M. Influence of phosphatidylserine on cognitive performance and cortical activity after induced stress. Nutr Neurosci. 2008;11(3):103-110. doi:10.1179/147683008X301478


  17. Lee SH, Choi BY, Kim JH, et al. Late treatment with choline alfoscerate (l-alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine, α-GPC) increases hippocampal neurogenesis and provides protection against seizure-induced neuronal death and cognitive impairment. Brain Res. 2017;1654(pt A):66-76. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2016.10.011

 
 
 

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