Science News Magazine reports, from researchers at the University of Palermo, in Italy, that given intravenously, a molecule found in breast milk can improve mental function in people with dementia and in victims of stroke and traumatic brain injury.
They tested the molecule, called
glycerophosphocholine (GPC), for its effect on neurological functioning in stroke victims. GPC improved the patient's performance by 27 percent compared with patients not given treatment, the scientists reported in the Annals of New York Academy of Sciences.
After reading about GPC, I did some searching, since I have a stroke and Alzheimer family members, and I was interested. I found many studies, but most of them are several years old. That doesn't seem to matter though, since this "nutrient" is still being investigated. One of the studies, from
P.M. Kidd, PhD Science & Ingredients, was from 2005 and had the following in its conclusions, regarding use of GPC:
Conclusions: GPC, Orthomolecule for All Ages
The substantial body of human research reviewed herein, and in my allied
review exclusively for health professionals,47 establishes GPC as a markedly
beneficial orthomolecule (and nutraceutical) for individuals of all age groups.
In many well-controlled clinical trials, GPC improved mental performance in
the healthy young, the middle-aged, and the elderly. In head-to-head
comparisons GPC’s benefits surpassed those of pharmaceuticals (oxiracetam,
aniracetam, idebenone) and nutraceuticals (acetylcarnitine, CDP-choline). Its
capacity to boost growth hormone release9,45-47 further elevates GPC to a
category all its own.
GPC is not a vitamin — human cells have the capacity to produce it. But the
evidence suggests that under stress, the organs can be called upon to rapidly
make new GPC in large amounts, for its protective and other metabolic
attributes. Under such biochemical – metabolic challenge, dietary GPC
availability makes a clinically measurable contribution to quality of life.
GPC’s fundamental importance to life is predicted from its universal
occurrence down to the simplest life forms, and in particular for its relative
abundance in mother’s milk.
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For Homo [sapiens], GPC appears to be important from cradle to old
age. GPC’s diverse benefits as cell membrane fluidizer, choline and
acetylcholine reservoir, osmoprotectant and osmoregulator, fertility support
substance, and brain revitalizer, underscore its benefits for people of all ages.
From the available evidence, dietary GPC supplementation benefits:
1. Development and maintenance of attention, concentration, recall
2. Speed and overall sharpness of mental processing
3. Mood, including positive attitude and sociability
4. Recovery of brain function following circulatory deprivation
5. Revitalization of declining mental function
6. Skeletal muscle integrity, including growth and regeneration
7. Kidney and liver functions, including renewal and detoxification
8. Fertility, both for sperm performance and for fertilization.
The many documented successes of GPC as an injectable nutrient add a
literally lifesaving dimension to its efficacy.47 For patients afflicted with
stroke, cognitive problems that often follow surgery, or traumatic head injury,
GPC offers safe and effective intervention that could make all the difference
to quality of life if not to survival itself. Its promise as a growth hormone
releaser and possible pituitary gland revitalizer remains to be more fully
explored.
Besides its amply proven support for the mind and mental performance via
the brain and nervous system, GPC also supports the body and physical
performance via the skeletal muscles and the autonomic nervous system.
GPC is a truly unique orthomolecular supplement for active living, through
optimal integration of mind with body.
Most of us wish for an active life well into old age, and to experience the
aging process with freedom from crippling disease. GPC may not be an
“anti-aging” panacea, but as a unique mind-body nutrient it points the way to
a healthy aging experience.
Read the entire study, if you're interested:
GlyceroPhosphoCholine (GPC),
Mind-Body Nutrient for Active Living
And Healthy Aging
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GPC seems like a breakthrough miracle for neurological issues.
Most of us know about the benefits of breastfeeding infants for at least six months.
It makes you wonder now if there may be even more long-term benefits.
It 's certainly something to think about.
