FAQs
What is the best way to take BrainSustain?
Most people take two scoops (one in the morning and one in
the evening) of BrainSustain on a daily basis. Blend, shake
or briskly stir into 8 oz. of liquid. Depending on taste
preference, individuals may use water, juice or a fruit smoothie.
Be sure to check out our recipes
page.
How many scoops of BrainSustain should be taken daily?
Generally Dr. Perlmutter’s protocol is two scoops per day.
Is BrainSustain safe to use with children?
Kids BrainSustain™ provides the most potent and comprehensive
formula of clinically proven ingredients to enhance children's
brain performance and development in a delicious chocolate
flavor. BrainSustain has been used successfully with
children as young as four years of age.
To adjust recommended amounts of BrainSustain Whey & Rice powder for adults to that of children the rule of thumb is to divide the child's weight by 150 to get the percent of the adult amount. For example, if the recommended amount of vitamin C for an adult is 3 tablets per day and the child weighs 50 pounds, 50 divided by 150=1/3 of the adult amount, or 1 tablet per day. This formula is a standard medical method of calculating children’s dosages for medicines. If the child is close to an adult weight then typically the adult dosage is prescribed. There may be exceptions for certain pharmaceuticals due to differences in liver function between adults and children of similar weights, however with nutritional supplements the above formula should be sufficient.
Can I take the BrainSustain formula with my current medications?
Unfortunately, we are unable to answer any questions related
to interactions with your personal medications. Please check
with your pharmacist, physician, or other health care professional.
Is BrainSustain designed to be a complete nutritional supplement?
BrainSustain is not a complete nutritional supplement,
but contains nutrients specific to various neurodegenerative
disorders. Depending on lifestyle and other factors the
formula may or may not contain those pertaining to your
specific needs. You may wish to take a daily vitamin such as
Basic Nutrients III in addition to BrainSustain powder or
NeuroActive capsules.
We are vegetarian. Is it necessary to take CoQ10 with a certain type of food?
CoQ10, a fat soluble bioflavonoid, is absorbed more efficiently
if taken with a meal containing other fats. Healthy sources
of concentrated dietary fats include vitamin E, flax seed
oil, olive oil, borage seed oil, currant seed oil, and
cold water fish oils such as salmon. Fats are also found
in dairy products, tofu, and avocado. While the best way
to absorb CoQ10 has not been definitely established some
nutritionally-oriented physicians propose that taking lipase,
a fat digesting enzyme, is another way to improve absorption.
Is glutathione available as a dietary supplement?
Glutathione (GSH) is available as an oral nutritional supplement, however research
indicates taking oral glutathione is not the most effective way to increase
circulating glutathione levels. This is because glutathione is likely to break down in
the digestive tract before absorption is complete. Dr. Perlmutter therefore uses
intravenous glutathione for his patients and for oral supplementation he uses a
compound called NAC (N-Acetylcysteine, a Glutathione precursor), which is well
absorbed and has been shown definitively to increase the natural production of GSH in
the body. Oral NAC however does not provide the high levels of GSH needed for
Parkinson’s, which is why Dr. Perlmutter uses the IV preparation. SAMe
(S-Adenosylmenthionine) is another oral antioxidant which increases GSH in the body,
but it is much more costly than NAC. Much of this information is presented in Dr.
Perlmutter’s books, BrainRecovery.com or The Better Brain
Book, available through iNutritionals.
Where may I obtain injectable glutathione?
Injectable glutathione may be obtained through Wellness Health
and Pharmacy by calling 1-800-227-2627 or 205-879-6551 (www.wellnesshealth.com).
Wellness also maintains a nation-wide listing of physicians
presently using glutathione therapy. You may be interested
in knowing that IV Glutathione has recently been approved
for study through the National Parkinson’s Foundation
at the University of South Florida.
When should I take vinpocetine - at meals or between meals? What about NADH?
Vinpocetine may be given with or between meals. With NADH
however, it is necessary to take it on an empty stomach,
which is considered to be from 2 hours after a full meal
or until 1 hour before the next full meal, for maximal
absorption. Except NADH, all the other supplements may
be taken together.
May I use both vinpocetine and coumadin?
According to Dr. Perlmutter, a board certified neurologist,
Vinpocetine should not be used by people taking coumadin.
Does Dr. Perlmutter have a public practice and if so, where?
Dr. Perlmutter does see patients in Naples, Florida.
You are invited to make appointments by calling the Perlmutter
Health Center at 239-649-7400. Dr. Perlmutter also consults
with licensed health care professionals.
My husband is taking aricept at 10 mg daily. Is it alright
to take aricept and BrainSustain (with gingko biloba)
at the same time?
According to Dr. Perlmutter, BrainSustain may be taken
with aricept. While ginkgo does have blood thinning properties,
the amount present in BrainSustain should not be great
enough to interact with medications, but you should check
with your personal health care provider.
How many NeuroActives should I take per day?
Dr. Perlmutter recommends taking four capsules per day -
two in the morning and two in the evening.
Just four capsules of NeuroActives provide the following:
- N-Acetyl-Cysteine 400 mg
- Phosphatidylserine 100 mg
- Acetyl-L-Carnitine 400 mg
- Lipoic Acid 80 mg
- Coenyme Q10 60 mg
- Ginkgo Biloba extract
- (leaf - 24% Ginkgo Heterosides) 60 mg
How does the NeuroActives formula differ from the BrainSustain formula?
NeuroActives does not contain the vitamins, minerals, flavoring,
and sweetener found in the BrainSustain formula. NeuroActives
contains only the six brain nutrients: N-Acetyl-Cysteine,
Phosphatidylserine, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Lipoic Acid, Coenyme
Q10, and Ginkgo Biloba extract.
Why did Dr. Perlmutter create NeuroActives?
This formula is especially designed for those people
with diet restrictions as associated with such things
as diabetes. Also, because NeuroActives does not contain
any vitamins and minerals, it allows the freedom to choose
a daily vitamin and mineral program designed specifically
for each persons individual needs.
I have been taking BrainSustain for several months now and
have found it to be very helpful to me. I would like to
take the NeuroActives when I travel because of the convenience
of the capsules. I take two scoops of BrainSustain per
day - how many capsules should I take in order to get the
same amount of brain nutrients?
Two capsules are equal to one scoop of BrainSustain's neuroactive
components. Dr. Perlmutter would suggest taking two capsules
in the morning and two capsules in the evening.
Are your products Yeast free?
BrainSustain powder, Kids BrainSustain powder and the NeuroActive
capsules are yeast free.
If you have any other questions, please contact us.