Category Archives: Brain

Glycine

Posted on March 20, 2024 by Robert Barrington

Glycine is the simplest and smallest amino acid and is the only amino acid in human nutrition that does not show chirality. Glycine plays a number of important roles in human metabolism, including as a substrate for the cellular antioxidant … Continue reading →

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The Best Antioxidant for Your Brain?

Posted on March 11, 2024 by Robert Barrington

The human brain is composed of a high concentration of lipids, many of which are phospholipids and their derivatives. Diets rich in essential fatty acids improve brain function and efficiency. However, the essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated, and this increases … Continue reading →

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Mental Function and Dehydration

Posted on March 6, 2024 by Robert Barrington

A reasonably large body of evidence from the literature shows a correlation between the hydration level of the subject and physical performance. As dehydration reaches about 5 %, performance drops off significantly. Athletes have known this for some time, and … Continue reading →

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Glycine and Sleep Quality

Posted on February 5, 2024 by Robert Barrington

Glycine is a non-essential amino acid in human nutrition. This means that the cells of the body are able to synthesise glycine from other amino acids and in this regard there is no requirement to provide a dietary source. The … Continue reading →

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Acetylcholine and Choline

Posted on December 7, 2023 by Robert Barrington

A number of dietary substances are required for the synthesis of neurotransmitters in humans, and this links the diet to the brain. Choline is a dietary factor that is present in a number of foods including eggs, meat, fish and … Continue reading →

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L-theanine: Psychotropic Effects?

Posted on December 6, 2023 by Robert Barrington

L-Theanine (N-ethyl-L-glutamine) is a non-essential non-proteinaceous amino acid that is found in its free form in tea. Evidence suggests that L-theanine from tea or in supplements is able to cause relaxation by induction of alpha wave states in the brain. … Continue reading →

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Effects of Fruit on Mental and Cognitive Health

Posted on November 14, 2023 by Robert Barrington

Fruit consumption has been shown to confer a number of health effects to the consumer. This may relate to the beneficial phytochemicals within fruit which includes high amounts of fibre and antioxidants. One particular health effect that may occur with … Continue reading →

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Spirulina and Brain Health

Posted on November 13, 2023 by Robert Barrington

Spirulina is a filamentous cyanobacterium which inhabits fresh water, and following harvesting it is freeze dried and manufactured as a food supplement. Evidence suggests that spirulina has significant therapeutic effects. One interesting aspect of spirulina is evidence that supports its … Continue reading →

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Choline for Memory

Posted on October 27, 2023 by Robert Barrington

Choline is an essential deity component sometimes grouped with the B vitamins. Choline and its metabolites are required for normal cell signalling, and choline can be metabolised to betaine, which is required for homocysteine metabolism and is an important methyl … Continue reading →

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Glycine and Glutamate Bind to the N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor

Posted on October 20, 2023 by Robert Barrington

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is present in the central nervous system where it has an excitatory effect on neuronal activity. A number of ligands exist for the NMDA receptor, and two of these include glutamate and glycine. Glutamate can bind … Continue reading →

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