Focus-Mate: Your Brain’s Best Partner for Optimum Function

Written by Dr. William Shaw

Do you feel that your mind and brain are frozen in the ice? Consider the actions of an early explorer of North America.

When the French explorer Jacques Cartier and his crew became trapped in the ice for five months in 1535 during a voyage to Quebec, they experienced a wide range of terrible symptoms and many of his crew died from what we know today as scurvy.

Scurvy is caused by a vitamin C deficiency and other symptoms include depression, confusion, nightmares, and hallucinations as hemorrhages of the brain develop in severe scurvy.

The local Iroquois Indians suggested that the crew prepare a tea of the bark and needles of the white pine trees nearby. After drinking, the sailors were better in two days. This finding was so remarkable that seeds of the trees were sent back to France to be cultivated as a treatment for scurvy.

The extract of the bark became known as pycnogenol which contains powerful antioxidants. Although the treatment of scurvy has been attributed to its vitamin C content, it is very likely that the anti-scurvy properties were also due to other powerful antioxidants in the extract. These antioxidants are called proanthocyanidins or OPCs, which are a type of flavonoid.

Pycnogenol has continued to be a remarkable supplement that has been evaluated for the treatment of AD(H)D and overall mental performance. In fact, a review of the literature shows us the power of pycnogenol in the improvement of cognitive function, attention, focus, memory, mood, executive function, mental performance, brain fog, and even hyperactivity. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

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I began thinking, if a single supplement like pycnogenol can assist with cognitive function and improve attention, why not combine other research-proven nutritional factors into one supplement?

Vitamin B6 is an extremely important cofactor for more than a hundred biochemical reactions and works side by side with magnesium (Mg). In a controlled study, children from the ADHD group showed significantly lower blood Mg values than control children (n = 36). In almost all cases of ADHD, a regimen of Magnesium and B6 for at least two months significantly modified the clinical symptoms of the disease: namely, hyperactivity and hyper emotivity/aggressiveness were reduced while school attention was improved. [8]

Magnesium is one of the most important minerals in the diet that is a cofactor for more than 100 different biochemical reactions. But this is also something that many people, including children, are deficient in! In fact, one study found that magnesium deficiency was found in 95% of children with ADHD, most frequently in hair (77.6 per cent), in red blood cells (58.6 per cent) and in blood serum (33.6 per cent). [9] [10]

L-Carnitine is a small water-soluble molecule and has an important role in metabolism as a carrier of activated fatty acids. In a separate study, L-Carnitine treatment also improved the condition of five other children with ADHD, who did not respond to methylphenidate or clonidine or other psychiatric treatment. We use Acetyl L-Carnitine as the preferred form in our Focus-Mate blend for increased utilization and its ability to increase acetylcholine levels in the brain. [11]

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a naturally occurring phospholipid present in all biological membranes of animals, higher plants and microorganisms. In humans, PS is most concentrated in the brain where it comprises up to 15 percent of the total phospholipid pool. PS plays an important role in the functioning of neuronal membranes, e.g., maintenance of the neuron's internal environment, secretory vesicle release, signal transduction, cell-to-cell communication, and cell growth regulation. Another study showed that children with ADHD were supplemented with PS daily for 2 months. After the intervention, ADHD symptoms were significantly improved. Significant improvement was observed both in the inattention and hyperactivity and impulsiveness. In addition, visual perception was also significantly improved. [12]

The studies discussed above were my inspiration for creating this one-of-a-kind, combination product. Focus-Mate is my custom formulation for New Beginnings Nutritionals and one of our most popular products. If you or a loved one want support for attention, focus, or self-regulation, Focus-Mate may be able to help.

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