We live in an age of over-stimulation. More people are consuming multiple cups of coffee, energy drinks and popping pharmaceutical stimulants (I.e. Adderall, Modafinil, Ritalin, etc.) than ever before. What’s more is that Facebook, Twitter and Instagram consume most of our free time. For every like, comment or follow we see on our Instagram pages, our brain is exposed to a pleasure response that results in excitation of the central nervous system. We are constantly being bombarded by excitation signals from the outside world, and the rate at which we are receiving them is taking a toll on our health. An over stimulated nervous system is causing more adults than ever to report severe insomnia and inability to get a quality night of sleep. Unfortunately, poor sleeping habits are also associated with obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, reduced cognitive function and decline in immune health. Many of us are in desperate need of toning down our nervous system and repairing our cognitive function. This begins with a good night of sleep and is the very reason Defrag was developed.
Relaxing Neuro Support Complex
Gama Aminobutyric Acid (Gaba) is considered to be the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter within the body. In other words, it is our body’s major anxiety and stress reliever. Most research says that oral Gaba supplementation is ineffective, as it does not cross the blood-brain barrier (Galloway et al. 2000). However, when dosed high enough, users report Gaba’s ability to help them calm down and sleep better. Dosed at 1000mg, the Gaba in Defrag will do the trick.
Griffonia Simplicifolia Seed Extract (98%) contains a precursor to another one of our brain’s primary anti-anxiety and inhibitory chemicals, 5-HTP. 5-HTP is necessary for the body to produce Serotonin (Carnevale et al. 2011). Elevating levels of Serotonin should help to relieve stressful thoughts, promote feelings of well-being and help us sleep through the night.
L-Theanine is one of the most versatile compounds we consider to be “nootropics”. L-Theanine increases the production of Gaba and Dopamine in the brain simultaneously (Juneja et al. 1999). Taken before bed, it provides a very subtle relaxation and works synergistically with the rest of the ingredients in Defrag
Melatonin helps to regulate our hormones and maintain the natural circadian rhythm in the body. Our bodies should naturally create Melatonin. However, stress, aging, late-night light exposure and other medications can interfere with our ability to make it (Lewy et al. 1980). Therefore, supplementing with it is one of the most useful ways to make sure we get to sleep and stay asleep.
Anti-Stress & Adaptogen Complex
Reishi Mushroom Powder (Ganoderma Lucidum) is one of the more popular mushroom subtypes used for medicinal purposes. Traditionally, Reishi has been used to strengthen the immune system and prevent viral infections (Jin et al. 2012). The 500mg of Reishi found in Defrag is a much-needed boost for weakened immune systems whilst we sleep.
Ashwagandha Root Extract (Withania Somnifera) or “Indian Ginseng” is quickly becoming one of the more regularly used anxiety reducing and longevity promoting supplements on the market. This plant extract has potent antioxidant properties and has been shown to calm and relax both mind and body by reducing cortisol levels (Agarwal et al. 1999). With effects seen in as little as 200mg, the 300mg found in Defrag will provide you with all this extract has to offer.
Phosphatidyl Serine (20%) is a type of fat that makes up between 2-10% of all the fat cells within our bodies (Pepeu, Pepeu & Amaducci. 1996). At least half of this is located in the cells of the brain, making it a crucially important ingredient for brain function. Supplementation with Phosphatidyl Serine before sleep will rejuvenate neurons in the brain, allowing them to send messages at a faster rate.
Rutaecarpine (Evodia Rutaecarpa) is a plant of which the berries have been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. Its primary benefits affect gut health and reduce pain. Rutaecarpine may help to burn fat, though this needs to be investigated by further research. Interestingly, it greatly increases caffeine metabolism rates (Noh et al. 2011). Therefore, “detoxing” the body of caffeine’s stimulatory effects and preparing us for sleep.
Essential Mineral Complex
Magnesium plays hundreds of different roles in the human body. Magnesium L-Threonate was developed by researchers looking to enhance the bioavailability of supplemental Magnesium. This form of Magnesium has the highest absorption rates and produces positive cognitive enhancement than any other form (Slutsky et al. 2010). It is no surprise that Method Performance chose L-Threonate for Defrag.
Small amounts of Zinc are necessary for optimal brain health and cognitive function and hormone balance in both men and women. In addition, Zinc is an essential nutrient that aids in regulating our sleep-wake cycles. (Ren et al. 2017).
Optical Support Complex
The Marigold Flower Extract (Lutein 5%) used in Defrag has strong antioxidant properties which boost the function of the immune and digestive systems. However, its uses in Defrag support eye health, as it has been shown to reduce ocular inflammation (Bernstein et al. 2001).
Zeaxanthin (5%) is commonly used alongside lutein (found in Defrag) for preserving eye health. This substance helps protect the eyes from light-induced damage and is protective against age-related eye health degradation (Roberts et al. 2009).
- William Wallace PhD(c)
Co-Founder of CreoDigm
References
Agarwal, R., Diwanay, S., Patki, P., & Patwardhan, B. (1999). Studies on immunomodulatory activity of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) extracts in experimental immune inflammation. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 67(1), 27-35.
Bernstein, P. S., Khachik, F., Carvalho, L. S., Muir, G. J., Zhao, D. Y., & Katz, N. B. (2001). Identification and quantitation of carotenoids and their metabolites in the tissues of the human eye. Experimental eye research, 72(3), 215-223.
Carnevale, G., Di Viesti, V., Zavatti, M., & Zanoli, P. (2011). Anxiolytic-like effect of Griffonia simplicifolia Baill. seed extract in rats. Phytomedicine, 18(10), 848-851.
Galloway, G. P., Frederick-Osborne, S. L., Seymour, R., Contini, S. E., & Smith, D. E. (2000). Abuse and therapeutic potential of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid. Alcohol, 20(3), 263-269.
Jin, X., Ruiz Beguerie, J., Sze, D. M., & Chan, G. C. (2012). Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 6.
Juneja, L. R., Chu, D. C., Okubo, T., Nagato, Y., & Yokogoshi, H. (1999). L-theanine—a unique amino acid of green tea and its relaxation effect in humans. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 10(6-7), 199-204.
Lewy, A. J., Wehr, T. A., Goodwin, F. K., Newsome, D. A., & Markey, S. P. (1980). Light suppresses melatonin secretion in humans. Science, 210(4475), 1267-1269.
Noh, K., Seo, Y. M., Lee, S. K., Bista, S. R., Kang, M. J., Jahng, Y., ... & Jeong, T. C. (2011). Effects of rutaecarpine on the metabolism and urinary excretion of caffeine in rats. Archives of pharmacal research, 34(1), 119-125.
Pepeu, G., Pepeu, I. M., & Amaducci, L. (1996). A review of phosphatidylserine pharmacological and clinical effects. Is phosphatidylserine a drug for the ageing brain? Pharmacological Research, 33(2), 73-80.
Ren, L., Pour, M. D., Majdi, S., Li, X., Malmberg, P., & Ewing, A. G. (2017). Zinc Regulates Chemical‐Transmitter Storage in Nanometer Vesicles and Exocytosis Dynamics as Measured by Amperometry. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 56(18), 4970-4975.
Roberts, R. L., Green, J., & Lewis, B. (2009). Lutein and zeaxanthin in eye and skin health. Clinics in Dermatology, 27(2), 195-201.
Slutsky, I., Abumaria, N., Wu, L. J., Huang, C., Zhang, L., Li, B., ... & Tonegawa, S. (2010). Enhancement of learning and memory by elevating brain magnesium. Neuron, 65(2), 165-177.
