Say Goodbye to Brain Fog

Cloudy thinking, poor concentration, and mental fatigue are common signs of brain fog.¹

Certain biological factors may contribute to it, including inflammation, excess levels of the chemical histamine, and imbalances of nerve messengers.^2,3

By seeking compounds that address these underlying mechanisms, scientists identified a fast-acting duo to help clear away brain fog.

Clinical trials showed that mango leaf extract rapidly reduced fatigue and improved focus, performance accuracy, and reaction time.^4,5

In a separate clinical trial, peppermint oil counteracted mental fatigue while boosting attention and working memory soon after taking it.⁶

Together, these ingredients may help quickly increase mental sharpness.

Understanding Brain Fog

Brain fog refers to feelings of “fuzzy” thinking, difficulty concentrating, and mental fatigue. It tends to come and go and is not the same as progressive cognitive decline or dementia.⁷

Anyone can have brain fog. But it tends to be more common in people with allergies, food or chemical sensitivities, immune and inflammatory disorders, and some conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.^8-15

Scientists analyzed the biological changes associated with these conditions and identified several possible causes of brain fog, including:

• Neuroinflammation. Inflamed nerves make it harder for brain cells to communicate.^16,17
• Excess histamine release. Too much histamine (the chemical that causes allergy symptoms) can disrupt neuronal activity.^2,18
• Neurotransmitter imbalances. When nerve messengers, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, are out of balance, it can derail brain signaling and information processing.⁴

Scientists searched the plant kingdom to find caffeine-free options that could prevent or reverse these changes and potentially combat brain fog.

This led them to mango tree leaves and peppermint.

Mango Leaf’s Benefits

Mango tree leaves have traditionally been used in Asia and Africa to support respiratory health, blood sugar control, and energy levels.^4,19-21

The leaves are especially rich in health-promoting polyphenols with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.¹⁹

A top polyphenol in mango leaves is mangiferin.²⁰ The leaves contain far more of this beneficial compound than any other part of the plant, including the fruit.⁴

Preclinical research has shown that mangiferin can cross the blood-brain barrier in sufficient amounts to support cognitive activity.^4,22

Mangiferin can inhibit COMT, an enzyme that degrades the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. This action could support optimal brain signaling and function.

Preclinical research suggests mango leaf extract supports healthy histamine levels.^4,23,24

Clinical Trial Results

In two small placebo-controlled trials with healthy adult participants, scientists tested a mango leaf extract standardized to contain 60% mangiferin.

In the first trial, the mango extract reduced self-reported fatigue by 47% within 90 minutes of taking it.⁴

In the second trial, mango leaf improved reaction time by about 5% in just 60 minutes.⁴

Brain activity recordings showed that taking mango leaf extract increased brain activity in regions associated with  attention, complex cognitive processing, and memory.⁴

In another study, 70 healthy adults took 300 mg of mango leaf extract or a placebo, then completed cognitive tests over five hours.

Taking the mango leaf resulted in significantly better attention, working memory, and performance accuracy on cognitively demanding tasks.⁵

The extract group also reported improved feelings of calm and relaxation throughout the testing day.

By contrast, caffeine, the go-to brain aid of many people, can sometimes cause jitters and anxiety in susceptible individuals.²⁵

Peppermint’s Bio-Active Compounds

Peppermint contains compounds called mono-terpenes, which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. These include menthol and menthone.²⁶

Preclinical research suggests that peppermint monoterpenes can help regulate GABA and acetylcholine in the brain.⁶ These neurotransmitters are important for cognition, mental alertness, and mood.^27,28

In a small study, university students who drank peppermint tea daily for a month had significant reductions in anxiety and perceived stress compared to those who didn’t drink the tea.²⁹

The peppermint group also had significant improvements in memory, including the ability to recall past events and things they needed to do in the future.²⁹

Peppermint Oil and Cognition

Standardized peppermint oil may promote cognitive improvements.

In a clinical study, scientists gave 24 healthy young adults oral peppermint oil standardized to provide 60% monoterpenes or a placebo.

What You Need To Know

Outsmart Brain Fog

• Brain fog, a feeling of “fuzzy” thinking, can make it hard to focus and stay mentally alert.
• Effective solutions address possible underlying causes of brain fog, including neuroinflammation, excess histamine release, and neurotransmitter imbalance.
• In clinical trials, mango leaf extract reduced fatigue by 47% and improved reaction time, attention, working memory, and performance accuracy.
• Peppermint oil improved mental fatigue, attention, and working memory in a separate clinical trial.
• Combining mango leaf extract and peppermint oil may optimize their support for mental sharpness and overcoming brain fog.

Participants then took mentally demanding cognitive tests to assess brain function. One to three hours after taking peppermint oil, the participants had significantly:⁶

• Less development of mental fatigue,
• Improved accuracy in a test of attention, and
• Better working memory.

After taking the placebo, participants had more fatigue, inattention, and forgetfulness as cognitive testing went on.

Combining peppermint oil with mango leaf extract may help improve alertness, focus, and attention while decreasing feelings of brain fog.

Summary

Brain fog symptoms like difficulty thinking, focusing, and staying alert are very common.

Soon after taking standardized mango leaf extract or peppermint oil, clinical trial participants saw a boost in brain function, including reduced fatigue and improved attention and memory.

Combining these two plant-derived compounds could maximize their benefits against brain fog.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

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