by Dr Giorgia Baraldo, biologist and R&D Product Specialist at NATURALSALUS
What is the mind?
The mind is often associated with the brain and treated as though it were part of it. However, unlike the brain, the mind is not an organ but rather a series of activities that include cognitive, such as thinking, judging, imagining and remembering, as well as non-cognitive activities such as emotions andinstinct. These activities are mainly carried out by the brain’s neuronal structures, but other body structures are also involved. The mind should therefore be considered a broader concept that includes neuronal cells but is not limited to them.
Mind and brain from a historical and philosophical perspective.
For ancient peoples, the brain was a mystery. Since the time of Aristotle, a person’s character, intelligence and thoughts were commonly attributed to the heart. The brain, by contrast, was thought to be responsible only for cooling the blood circulation and keeping body temperature under control.
Today we know that although the brain does monitor body temperature, this activity does not come close to reflecting all its functions. Pythagoras was the first to link thought with the brain, but his discovery was lost over time and only rediscovered in the seventeenth century, when researchers began to explore this organ in greater depth. It was in 1870 that the English neurologist John Hughlings Jackson first linked thought to the brain.
The biology of the brain.
The brain remains an organ shrouded in mystery, but thanks to research carried out by many people over the centuries, great strides have been made in understanding how it works. Broadly speaking, the brain can be divided into three parts:
• brainstem;
• diencephalon;
• cerebral cortex.
The brainstem is considered the most evolutionarily primitive part and is responsible for basic vital functions. Our emotions and sensations originate in the diencephalon. The cerebral cortex is mainly responsible for thought, imagination and language. These brain regions are interconnected in a complex network of neurons that communicate through electrical impulses, hormones and neurotransmitters. Physiologically, the brain is always active, both when we are awake and when we sleep; consequently, it needs large amounts of energy, obtained mainly from sugars. According to various estimates, it uses around 20% of the carbohydrates we consume. The brain also needs oxygen and, as is well known, a well-oxygenated brain works better. Taking care of this fascinating organ is therefore important if we want to perform all our work and other activities to the best of our ability.
Body and mind: a healthy mind in a healthy body.
Body and mind are closely connected. Mens sana in corpore sano! A healthy mind can exist only in a healthy body. The ancients believed that looking after the body helped develop greater mental ability. Modern research supports this ancient belief. People who exercise regularly and lead a healthy lifestyle, together with getting restorative sleep, improve their cognitive abilities. Even a 10–20 minute walk can improve mood and concentration. Often, however, it is difficult to take even a short break from our activities, especially when everyday life overwhelms us with tasks and commitments. To look after our minds while continuing to work effectively and remain alert and focused, we can turn to a natural solution by bringing nature to us through MSS3 / SUPREMUS MIND.
Energy for the mind: supporting concentration and learning.
To support concentration and learning and help people under physical and mental strain through a positive energy boost, NATURALSALUS developed MSS3 / SUPREMUS MIND.
The ingredients selected for this product are 100% natural and rich in antioxidants and energising compounds.
The key plant in MSS3 / SUPREMUS MIND is Polygonum multiflorum, known in China as He Shou Wu, one of the plants most highly regarded in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Considered legendary, it was used as far back as the Ming emperors because of its reputed revitalising qualities. Today it is still used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for its energising and regenerative properties and its high content of antioxidant phytochemicals. These help strengthen the body, make it more resilient to stress and reduce the perception of fatigue.
The formula also contains Siberian ginseng, also known as eleuthero, which is credited with several beneficial properties. It has an adaptogenic and stimulating effect on the body through neuromuscular mechanisms (increasing central nervous system neurotransmitters as well as physical energy); it stabilises blood sugar levels and can therefore improve endurance during sports activities.
The combination with guarana works synergistically, helping stabilise the stimulating effect of caffeine and sustain the energising phase for longer.
Italian royal jelly, processed fresh just after harvesting while its nutritional potential is still high, is rich in minerals, vitamins and enzymes. These create a synergistic blend of energising, restorative ingredients that support physiological functions.
Finally, there is also honey, sourced from Italian beekeepers, which provides a naturally balanced mix of sugars (glucose, fructose and dextrins). It supplies energy with a lower blood-glucose peak than refined sugar and a more gradual absorption over time, making it healthier for the body.
Expert advice: when to start and how to take the products.
You can take MSS3 / SUPREMUS MIND at any time of year, even continuously, as its active ingredients are processed during normal physiological activity.
Take one 10 ml vial per day.
Research sources: Phiroze Hansotia, A Neurologist Looks at Mind and Brain: “The Enchanted Loom”. Clinical Medicine & Research Volume 1, Number 4: 327-332. Lizhen Tao, Xiaofeng Li, Lingling Zhang, Jiyu Tian, Xiaobing Li, Xin Sun, Xuefen Li, Lin Jiang, Xiaojun Zhang, Jianzong Chen, Protective effect of tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside on 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells through the ROS-NO pathway. PLoS One. 2011;6(10):e26055. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0026055. Epub 2011 Oct 6. Yui Yamauchi, Yue-Wei Ge, Kayo Yoshimatsu, Katsuko Komatsu, Tomoharu Kuboyama, Ximeng Yang, and Chihiro Tohda, Memory Enhancement by Oral Administration of Extract of Eleutherococcus senticosus Leaves and Active Compounds Transferred in the Brain. Nutrients. 2019 May; 11(5): 1142. Published online 2019 May 22. doi: 10.3390/nu11051142 Alexander Panossian, Ean-Jeong Seo, Thomas Efferth, Novel molecular mechanisms for the adaptogenic effects of herbal extracts on isolated brain cells using systems biology. Phytomedicine, Dimitrios Moustakas, Michael Mezzio, Branden R. Rodriguez, Mic Andre Constable, Margaret E. Mulligan, and Evelyn B. Voura, Guarana Provides Additional Stimulation over Caffeine Alone in the Planarian Model. Volume 50, 15 November 2018, Pages 257-284. PLoS One. 2015; 10(4): e0123310. Published online 2015 Apr 16. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123310. Frank Lyko, Sylvain Foret, Robert Kucharski, Stephan Wolf, Cassandra Falcknhayn, Ryszard Maleszka. The honey bee epigenomes: differential methylation of brain DNA in queens and workers. PLoS Biol. 2010 Nov 2;8(11):e1000506. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1000506. Paola Castellani, Come migliorare memoria e concentrazione: il rimedio c’è e funziona! Lifegate 2022 novembre 2017.
