Brain Overview

Most complicated organ

Neurons and glial cells

Energy Source ：Carbohydrates

Neurons

100 billion neuronsInformation processing and transmitting

Use or lose it

Intelligence Development

Development peak between 0-5 years old

85% of intelligence developed by age 5

Repeated positive experiences is critical

Brain Health and Nutrition

Energy Supply

Structural Components

Cognition & Memory

Certain Diseases

Energy Supply for Brain

• Represents only 2% of the body weight• 25% of total glucose utilization• 20% of total oxygen consumption• Does not store any glucose

Brain utilizes glucose

Structural Components

Structure Determines Function

Brain-Grey Matter

• major component of the central nervous system

• consisting of neurons, glial cells and capillaries

• involved in muscle control, sensory perception.

Grey Matter

Brain-Grey Matter

DHA is the major part

High content of lipids in Grey Matter

Folic acid’s function

• DNA’s synthesis and repair• Performed as co-factors for many biochemical reactions.

Multiple Benefits

• Protect against a number of congenital malformations• Reduce the risk of preterm delivery• Reduce the risks of infant low birth weight and fetal

growth retardation

Pregnancy / infancy period

Cognition & Memory

Cognition is a group of mental processes

Includes attention, memory, learning, reasoning, problem solving, and decision

making

Age-related cognitive decline is one of the main challenges of mental health

Ginkgo Biloba Extract

Improve blood circulation

Improve neurotransmission

Fight against free radicals

Research update about Ginkgo

University of Bordeaux ， France,

A 20-Year Follow-Up Study in ~3500 participants

Cognitive decline was reduced in participants using Ginkgo

Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

Dementia isn't a specific disease

Intellectual and social abilities impaired

Risks that you CANNOT change

Age Genetics

Risks that you CAN change

Alcohol Cardiovascular condition Blood Pressure

Blood Lipids Diabetes

Nutritional Factors

Fish Oil Antioxidant Vitamin D

Ginkgo Vitamin B

Antioxidant

• DNA ， RNA• Proteins• Lipids

Free Radical Damages

DNA /RNA DamageDamage DNA template

Produce “wrong”protein

Mislead transcription / translation

Protein/ Lipid DamageMisfolding Protein

Damage Cell Membrane

Vitamin D

• Linked to certain Neurodegenerative Diseases

• Affect calcium’s absorption

Inadequate Vitamin D Intake

Vitamins

• Positive effects on memory performance in women

B Vitamins

• Reduce cognitive decay in the elderly

Vitamin E