Page 192 - Mind Games The Aging Brain and How to Keep it Healthy

176 • Chapter 6

SKULL

Blood-brain
barrier
BRAIN

Special molecules
get agents to blood tissue

Figure 6-4 Blood–brain barrier

thiamin (B1) supply is deficient, your brain’s ability to use
glucose is reduced, and less energy is available for your brain
to maintain mental activities.
From these few examples, it is obvious that if deficits ex-
ist because of aging or stress, supplementation improves
cognitive functioning. However, there is no evidence that
any positive results will come from supplements if normal
amounts of the neurotransmitters already exist. And there is
always the possibility that if you self-prescribe supple-
ments, you could overdose, resulting in adverse, possibly
dangerous, reactions. A natural competition exists for ele-
ments crossing the blood-brain barrier in the blood supply.