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 all right 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?
For Tier 1 individuals Dr. Perlmutter recommends taking up to 2 capsules per day - one in the morning and one in the evening, for Tier 2 individuals, Dr. Perlmutter recommends taking up to 4 capsules per day - two in the morning and two in the evening, and for Tier 3 individuals. Dr. Perlmutter recommends taking up to 8 capsules per day - four in the morning and four in the evening.

Each capsule of NeuroActives provides the following:

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, Coenzyme 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 person's 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 suggests taking two capsules in the morning and two capsules in the evening.

Are your products Yeast free? What about corn and gluten?
BrainSustain powder, Kids BrainSustain powder and the NeuroActive capsules are yeast free and do not have any corn or gluten.

How long before I notice the effects of taking BrainSustain?
Some may notice a change as little as 3-4 days – but most people take 6-8 weeks (varies for each individual) – you may notice memory improvement, clarity –increased energy... but even if you feel nothing... you are being provided the best protection against free radicals.

Can I mix BrainSustain in advance?
No, it is best if you do not mix BrainSustain in advance. Do not put BrainSustain in the refrigerator or let it reach excessive heat.

Is BrainSustain Kosher?
Our ingredients are considered Kosher – however the manufacturing facility has not been “blessed”.

Can I take BrainSustain with meals?
Yes, you can take BrainSustain with meals – we recommend that it not be taken with meals containing protein (to avoid the possibility of competition for absorption of amino acids). It will be absorbed better when taken with meals without protein.

How much DHA can I give my child?
Dr. Perlmutter suggests that children 6 months to 2 years can take 100 mg of DHA for Kids. Children 2-5 years can take 200 mg per day.

If you have any other questions, please contact us »