Citicoline is a potent brain-health nutrient that enhances focus, attention and memory. It is the key ingredient in Performance Lab’s nootropic supplement Cognizin, clinically studied to support mental energy and cognitive health.
It’s also used to treat glaucoma, lazy eye (amblyopia), Alzheimer disease and other brain disorders. It works by promoting the synthesis of phospholipids (a building block of nerve cell membranes) and improves learning, memory, judging and thinking abilities.
Improves memory
Citicoline is a compound that occurs naturally in the body, but it was developed as a pharmaceutical drug and has been used to treat stroke, head trauma or injury, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and glaucoma. It increases the amount of a brain chemical called phosphatidylcholine and helps the transmission of messages between neurons. It is also a powerful antioxidant that protects the brain against free radical damage.
Taking citicoline supplements can help improve memory and attention in middle aged people. A study published in The Journal of Nutrition found that participants who took citicoline improved their episodic and composite memory compared to those who took placebo during the 12-week trial.
This is because citicoline increases blood flow to the brain, which stimulates glucose metabolism and fires up the mitochondria in brain cells. It also supports the structure and function of neurons by increasing phospholipid turnover. It is included in mbg’s premium cognitive health formula, LYMA, alongside other key ingredients such as ashwagandha and KSM-66(r) shilajit.
Improves concentration
Cognizin, the patented form of citicoline in this product, is clinically proven to boost mental energy and improve concentration without causing the “crash” associated with artificial stimulants. It increases the levels of acetylcholine in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory, information processing, and muscle contraction.
Citicoline helps prevent the deterioration of brain cells in conditions such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, and vascular dementia. It also helps regenerate nerve cells by stimulating phospholipid synthesis, a key component of brain cell membranes.
Every brain cell has a semipermeable membrane that allows in nutrients, oxygen, and water while filtering out metabolic waste, heavy metals, pathogens, and other undesirable invaders. However, this membrane can become leaky over time and allow toxins and other unwanted substances to enter the brain. In studies, citicoline has been shown to stabilize these membranes and reduce oxidative stress.
Improves mental performance
Cognizin is a branded form of citicoline, a nutrient that’s clinically proven to boost mental alertness and energy. It helps you focus better and maintain your edge without the jitters or energy crash associated with artificial stimulants like caffeine.
Every brain cell has a semipermeable membrane that lets in the nutrients, water and oxygen your cells need to survive while filtering out metabolic waste, heavy metals, pathogens and other unwanted intruders. But these membranes can become leaky, allowing harmful substances into the brain. Citicoline is a natural cell membrane stabilizer and precursor to the phospholipid phosphatidylcholine, which supports healthy brain cells and enhances cognitive function.
One study using brain imaging to follow the effects of citicoline on attention and psychomotor speed found that participants who took citicoline made fewer mistakes on a test of concentration and psychomotor performance than those taking a placebo. Moreover, a study combining citicoline with KSM-66 Ashwagandha showed that the combination improved focus and reaction time.
Improves attention
The brain is constantly working, requiring mental energy to perform routine tasks and excel at competitive levels. It cannot store this energy, so it needs a continuous supply to meet the demands of a busy life.
The natural nutrient Citicoline is essential for healthy brain function. It stimulates the production of phospholipids that make up 30% of the brain’s membranes, and is a precursor for acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter that enhances attention. It also helps to protect the brain against free radical damage and promotes a healthy mitochondrial function.
Conclusion:
Several studies indicate that citicoline can improve attention and focus. It does so by increasing the availability of certain key neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine and dopamine. In addition, it boosts ATP energy in the cells, which is critical for brain cell metabolism and cognitive function.