Stress BLUNTING your brain? Keep it sharp… with this Army-researched tool
Your friends or family members might not be TALKING about it…
But we’ve ALL been sharing a pretty similar experience for the last year-and-a-half.
If you’ve felt FOGGED IN… or FUZZY-HEADED… you’re not alone.
Because stressful circumstances can CHIP AWAY at our mental alertness.
But there’s a special “brain nutrient” that could help SHORE UP 2 major aspects of memory…
Ones that could become collateral damage when stress WREAKS HAVOC on nearly every aspect of our health.
This “brain trick” shows SO much potential in helping folks weather the storm…
It’s even been researched as a “secret weapon” in military ops!
Here’s what it could do for you.
I’ve shared with you before right here in eAlert how the amino acid tyrosine is a building block for the production of thyroid hormones…
But it’s also known to BOOST memory!
That’s because it ALSO works to help produce brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters…
Including dopamine, which plays a role in forming memories.
Along with other amino acids, tyrosine also appears to INHIBIT the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO)… which is responsible for DEPLETING your brain of dopamine.
MAO is a potential culprit behind the development of Alzheimer’s disease…
Which is why Big Pharma is looking into using MAO inhibitor drugs (MAOIs, commonly used as antidepressants) for patients with cognitive decline.
Here’s where tyrosine REALLY shines…
It could help you push through stressful situations… which can DECREASE certain neurotransmitters… and IMPAIR your memory!
You know what it’s like when you’re STRESSED OUT… and you have difficulty concentrating on projects, like setting up a new cellphone or putting together a shelving unit.
Those activities rely on what’s called your “working memory”…
And when that takes a hit under particularly DEMANDING circumstances… like when you’re DEPRIVED of sleep… it could really feel like you’re LOSING your edge.
That’s not all…
Because not only do you have a hard time STAYING on task…
But you also can’t seem to efficiently SWITCH between tasks!
That second one is a skill known as “cognitive flexibility”… and stress can really do a number on that, too.
But it turns out that consuming tyrosine could help ENHANCE your cognitive function… and even RESTORE cognitive resources that may be ERODED by stress!
There is, however, a trick to using it…
Because research shows that it WON’T do much for you if you’re ALREADY sharp as a tack… or if you’re completely STRESS-FREE.
That means it really only helps those who need it the most.
In one study, it even worked on cadets in military combat training exercises…
Helping them perform tasks better and even helping STABILIZE their blood pressure.
You can imagine the amount of stress that our combat soldiers are under…
As they could be dealing with EXTREME temperatures… and/or HIGH altitudes… in UNFAMILIAR places.
During sustained operations, they could be going without sleep for DAYS ON END.
And if they don’t maintain their vigilance… or if there’s ANY lag in their reaction time… the consequences can be TRAGIC.
It’s no wonder the Army has been intrigued by the benefits of tyrosine!
Now, tyrosine was first discovered in cheese, where it gets its name – as the Greek word for cheese is “tyros.”
That’s right – your favorite brie or bleu could actually be BRAIN FOOD!
But you can also get tyrosine in capsule form from a quality supplement maker… either as L-tyrosine or a potentially more bioavailable (and possibly more potent) version called N-acetyl L-tyrosine (NALT).
You may find either of these as an ingredient in an amino acid complex… or in a “nootropic” (or brain-boosting) formula.
Look for any of these at your local health food store or online.
There’s a “but”… and it’s a pretty big one.
Don’t combine tyrosine supplements if you’re already taking an MAOI or thyroid hormones… as too much of those activities could be DETRIMENTAL to your health.
To rising above the stress,
Sarah Reagan
