Clinical trials show that supplementing with either B vitamins (to lower homocysteine) or omega-3s alone has little effect on cognitive decline. However, when combined, they significantly improve brain atrophy rates. Adequate methylation, supported by B vitamins, is required for DHA to be incorporated into brain cell membranes.
To create a fair evaluation, Mark Burnett deliberately maintained his sedentary lifestyle and diet. This ensured any improvements were directly attributable to his supplement, making the product viable for patients unable or unwilling to change their habits.
The standard 5-gram dose of creatine is effective for muscle performance but insufficient to saturate the brain. To leverage creatine's neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing effects—such as improved function when sleep-deprived or aging—a higher daily dose of 10 to 15 grams is necessary.
Physical activity stimulates the release of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), crucial for neuron growth, via two mechanisms. Muscles release a protein (a myokine) and the liver, in response to exercise stress, releases a ketone (beta-hydroxybutyrate). Both cross the blood-brain barrier to stimulate BDNF production.
Alzheimer's can be understood as a vascular disease rooted in nitric oxide deficiency. This decline impairs blood flow, glucose uptake, and inflammation regulation in the brain. Therefore, strategies to restore nitric oxide address the physiological root causes of the disease, not just the symptoms like plaque buildup.
The Omega-3 Index, a measure of omega-3 levels in red blood cells, is a powerful predictor of longevity. Observational data shows that individuals with an index of 8% have a five-year longer life expectancy compared to those with a 4% index, a level common among people on a standard American diet.
While BDNF is associated with exercise's brain benefits, the BDNF produced in muscles doesn't readily cross into the brain. Instead, lactate produced during intense exercise enters the brain and acts as a signaling molecule, stimulating local BDNF production and improving hippocampal function.
To significantly slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness, a surprisingly modest diet change is effective. Consuming just two servings of oily fish and 2.7 servings of green leafy vegetables per week reduces the risk of the disease advancing by 41%.
The brain's glymphatic waste clearance system works best at night. Mark Burnett suggests taking his supplement in the evening and sleeping on an incline using a wedge pillow to physically assist this natural drainage process, potentially boosting the supplement's effects.
Ketones are a more efficient energy source than glucose, producing less metabolic “trash” (oxidative stress). Crucially, they can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and fuel brain cells even when they've become resistant to insulin, directly combating cognitive decline and brain fog.
Each workout releases a cocktail of neurochemicals, including dopamine, serotonin, and the growth factor BDNF. This "bubble bath" for the brain directly stimulates the growth of new cells in the hippocampus, making it larger and more resilient, which improves long-term memory and can delay dementia.