Get FOKUS on your everyday life

What was I supposed to do now? Often you have to ask yourself that very question several times a day. We lose focus and can not remember what we were doing. Instead, we need to check the calendar on the phone and computer. To get through those kind of days and get things done, we often end up drinking too much coffee and get to postpone tasks.

 

Postponement and skipping actions are often the result of lack of concentration and focus. Some people think it's because you're not motivated enough, but science says otherwise.

Postponement is the constant struggle between two parts of your nervous system: the limbic system also known as the "unconscious zone" (including the pleasure center) and the prefrontal cortex also known as the "Planner and Decision Maker". (1). When the limbic system wins, which happens most often as it is a more developed part of the nervous system, we give in and postpone (2).

Here at PremindBiotics, we care deeply about the health of your brain, and we are frontrunners in nature-driven gut and brain support and improved health solutions.

Our background is research, and scientific research shows that our brain health and gut health are closely related. These two organs are connected to the vagus nerve, which constantly sends messages from your gut to your brain and vice versa. The messages sent help your brain make important decisions, such as starting to digest food, evoking the feeling of satiety or releasing anti-inflammatory drugs. Some of these messages are sent via metabolites (small molecules) produced by intestinal bacteria, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), e.g. butyrat (3). The intestinal microbiota is also involved in the production of neurotransmitters, our brain's chemical messengers, such as serotonin, GABA and acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is known to play a role in this regard. the ability to concentrate, and lack of acetylcholine can therefore have negative effects on your ability to focus (4).  

To help you unleash the potential of your brain and support cognitive functions, we at PremindBiotics carefully developed our new range of products with specially selected nootropics, prebiotics and vitamins. Many herbs and plants are rich in phytochemicals such as polyphenols, terpenes and saponins, which our research has shown have a prebiotic effect. The content of our products is based on our innovative research conducted at our laboratory in Copenhagen. In our patent pending research, we have designed, tested and functionally validated the PremindBiotics products. Our supplements are packaged in acid-resistant, taste-neutral capsules that protect the ingredients and ensure they reach the gut, where they can unleash their full potential.

To help you improve your ability to stay focused, our product is FOKUS filled with botanical plants known for their nootropic, cognitive-promoting properties, as well as their prebiotic powers that help your gut microbiota stay healthy and balanced. Below is an overview of the science behind some of the key ingredients in FOKUS, and how they can help you increase your concentration and mental well-being.

Bacopa Monnieri

Bacopa Monnieri, also known as Brahmi, is a base plant in Ayurveda that can help increase your brain power. It is loaded with antioxidants and adaptogens, which means it can help prevent the physical and chemical effects of stress. It is also a nootropic with cognition-promoting properties. Studies show that its cognition-supporting super effects are mainly due to its ability to induce dendritic arborization. (5). Dendrites are a type of nerve that is closely linked to learning and memory, so dendritic arborization basically means an improvement in the rate at which these nerve endings grow, increasing our learning and memory capacity. (6, 7). Other studies also show that Bacopa Monnieri interacts with dopamine and serotonin systems involved in regulating cognition and attention. (8).   

Gingko Biloba

Gingko Biloba, a plant commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, is known for its cognitive enhancing power. It is rich in flavonoids and terpenoids, potent phytochemicals with antioxidant properties (9).Research shows that Gingko promotes good blood circulation and helps vital oxygen reach your brain. A clinical study showed that when patients ingested Ginkgo Biloba, they showed a 12% increase in levels of circulating nitric oxide, a compound responsible for dilating blood vessels. (10). In addition, studies show that Gingko may increase cognition in older people suffering from dementia (11). New experiments suggest that Gingko Biloba may be a promising candidate for the treatment of depression. One study found that supplementation with Ginkgo biloba reversed depression-associated intestinal dysbiosis (imbalance) and increased levels of Lactobacillus species seen to relieve depressive symptoms. (12).

Panax ginseng

Panax ginseng, also known as real ginseng, is one of the most popular and commonly known botanical plants and has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. Ginseng is rich in ginsenosides and gintonins, phytochemicals that appear to regulate inflammation and have potent antioxidant properties (13). Ginseng is also a well-known adaptogen that has the ability to fight fatigue and improves the body's ability to withstand external stressors. (14). In addition, Panax ginseng can promote energy and reduce fatigue. Clinical studies show that people suffering from chronic fatigue after consuming Ginseng experienced less physical and mental fatigue (15, 16). In addition, Panax Ginseng has a positive effect on our mood. Researchers have seen ginseng inhibit the reuptake of serotonin, our happiness neurotransmitter (17). Many pharmaceutical antidepressants are also serotonin reuptake inhibitors, confirming the mood-altering properties of Panax Ginseng. Health between brain and gut is very interconnected, and studies show that Panax ginseng is not only good for your brain, but also your gut. Research suggests that ginseng intake improves intestinal metabolism and increases the incidence of Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, Bacteroides, Blautia and Faecalibacterium, bacteria known for their health-promoting properties (18, 19). 

Along with a healthy lifestyle helps FOKUS you to exploit the full potential of your brain. To get the complete experience, consider combining FOKUS with RO. Taking FOCUS in the morning, helps you increase your concentration and ensures focus throughout the day, while taking RO gives you peace of mind and body. Together, they give you the perfect synergy of gut-brain power.

Read more about FOKUS.  
   

 

Sources

 

1. Zeng et al. (2016): Identifying the Neural Substrates of Procrastination: aResting-State fMRI Study. Scientific Reports; 6, article number: 33203

2. Wu et al. (2016): Individual differences in resting-state functional connectivity predict procrastination. Personality and Individual Differences; (95): 62-67

3. Tribanek et al. (2012): Efficacy and tolerability of a once daily formulation of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761® in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia: results from a randomized controlled trial. Pharmacopsychiatry; 45 (2): 41-6.

4. Galland (2014): The Gut Microbiome and the Brain. J Med Food; 17 (12): 1261–1272.

5. Vollalaet al. (2011): Enhancement of basolateral amygdaloid neuronal dendritic arborization following Bacopa monniera extract treatment in adult rats. Clinics (Sao Paulo); 66 (4): 663-71.

6. McCann et al. (2017): A Fragile Balance: Dendritic Spines, Learning, and Memory. Biol Psychiatry; 82 (2): 11–13.

7. Stough et al. (2001): The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera(Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects. Psychopharmacology (Berl); 156(4): 481-4.

8. Aguiar et al. (2013): Neuropharmacological Review of the Nootropic Herb Bacopa monnieri. Rejuvenation Res.; 16(4): 313–326.

9. Wu et al. (2008): Ginkgo biloba extract improves coronary blood flow in healthy elderly adults: role of endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Phytomedicine; 15(3): 164-9.

10. Wu et al. (2008): Ginkgo biloba extract improves coronary artery circulation in patients with coronary artery disease: contribution of plasma nitric oxide and endothelin-1. Phytother Res; 22(6): 734-9.

11. Ihl et al. (2012): Efficacy and tolerability of a once daily formulation of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia: results from a randomised controlled trial. Pharmacopsychiatry; 45(2): 41-6.

12. Chen et al. (2019): One water-soluble polysaccharide from Ginkgo biloba leaves with antidepressant activities via modulation of the gut microbiome. Food Funct; 10(12): 8161-8171.

13. Lee at al. (2011): Effects of Panax ginseng on tumor necrosis factor-α-mediated inflammation: a mini-review. Molecules; 16(4): 2802-16.

14. Liao et al. (2011): A preliminary review of studies on adaptogens: comparison of their bioactivity in TCM with that of ginseng-like herbs used worldwide. 13:57.

15. Kim et al. (2013): Antifatigue effects of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. PLoSOne; 8(4):e61271.

16. Barton et al. (2013): Wisconsin Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) to improve cancer-related fatigue: a randomized, double-blind trial, N07C2. J Natl Cancer Inst; 105(16): 1230-8.

17. Hou et al. (2020): Effects of Ginseng on Neurological Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci. ;14: 55.

18. Zhou et al. (2016): Gut microbiota-involved mechanisms in enhancing systemic exposure of ginsenosides by coexisting polysaccharides in ginseng decoction. Scientific Reports; 6, Article number: 22474.

19. Song et al. (2014): Influence of Panax ginseng on obesity and gut microbiota in obese middle-aged Korean women. Ginseng Res; 38(2): 106-15.