What's Inside Youthful Brain: A Look at Every Ingredient
If you have looked at the label on a bottle of Youthful Brain, you may have noticed two things. First, there is a full list of every ingredient in the formula. Second, four of those ingredients are grouped together as a "proprietary blend" instead of listed with their own milligram amounts.
We get questions about this, so here is a plain-language look at what is actually in each two-tablet serving, why the blend is grouped the way it is, and what each ingredient is included to support.
Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin), 1,000 mcg per serving
Vitamin B12 is listed on its own because it is not part of the blend. It helps fuel healthy nerve function and normal brain activity. As we get older, our bodies often become less efficient at absorbing B12 from food, so getting a well-absorbed form matters.
Youthful Brain uses methylcobalamin, a form of B12 the body can use directly, at 1,000 mcg per serving.
Our 370 mg Proprietary Blend
Four ingredients, Bacopa Monnieri, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Phosphatidylserine, and Huperzine A, are combined into one blend that totals 370 mg per serving. We disclose the total amount of the blend, but like most supplement makers who use a combination formula, we do not break out the exact milligram amount of each individual ingredient inside it. This protects the specific ratio of the formula, which is not listed anywhere else.
Here is what each ingredient in the blend is included for.
Bacopa Monnieri
Bacopa Monnieri is an herb that has a history of use in traditional wellness practices and has been studied in modern clinical research. In a 12-week, placebo-controlled trial of adults age 55 and older, people who took a Bacopa monnieri extract performed better on tests of word learning and delayed memory recall than people who took a placebo (Morgan & Stevens, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010). You can read the study summary here: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20590480.
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Ginkgo Biloba is a well-known herb traditionally used to support healthy blood flow to the brain. Good circulation helps carry oxygen and nutrients to the areas of the brain that need them.
Phosphatidylserine (PS)
Phosphatidylserine, or PS, is a natural fat compound and a building block of brain-cell membranes. PS is the only ingredient in Youthful Brain that carries an FDA-qualified health claim. The FDA requires this exact wording alongside the claim: "Consumption of phosphatidylserine may reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction in the elderly. Very limited and preliminary scientific research suggests that PS may reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction in the elderly. FDA concludes that there is very little scientific evidence supporting this claim."
Huperzine A
Huperzine A is a compound derived from a type of moss called Huperzia serrata. It is included to help support healthy levels of acetylcholine, a natural brain chemical involved in memory and learning.
How the Full Formula Works Together
Put simply: Phosphatidylserine and Vitamin B12 support healthy brain-cell membranes and nerve function. Ginkgo Biloba supports healthy blood flow to the brain. Bacopa Monnieri and Huperzine A support acetylcholine, a key messenger involved in memory. Together, these five ingredients make up the full Youthful Brain formula. If you want to see the full ingredient list alongside our other memory and focus support products, visit our Brain & Memory collection.
A Note on Safety
Youthful Brain is not recommended if you are taking blood pressure medication or blood thinners. Please talk with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or managing a medical condition.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.