HEALTH SCIENCE LEXICON
Huperzine A
What is Huperzine A?
Huperzine A is a compound that comes from a type of moss. It’s primarily known for its ability to help block the breakdown of acetylcholine, the chemical messenger in your brain that’s vital for memoryMemory is how your brain stors information for recall, later. It’s your own special filing system where it keeps information you’ve learned and experiences you’ve had. Sometimes you can recall this information easily, and sometimes you might find it hard… Continue to full entry and learning. By slowing down this breakdown, it allows the acetylcholine to work longer and more effectively, which is thought to boost mental function, especially memory and focus.
Huperzine A is a naturally occurring plant alkaloid that acts as a potent, reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh). By inhibiting AChE, Huperzine A effectively increases and prolongs the action of ACh at cholinergic synapses, offering a neuroprotective benefit. It readily crosses the blood-brain barrierThe blood-brain barrier is like a security guard for your brain. It’s a special wall made up of cells that protects your brain from harmful things in your blood, like germs or poisons. But it also lets good things, like… Continue to full entry and has been studied for its potential to improve aspects of memory and cognition in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Preclinical research also suggests it has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and may promote the production of nerve growth factor (NGF).
Synergistic or Compounding Nutrients
- Alpha-GPCAlpha-GPC, or Alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine, is a natural compound that works by delivering choline to your brain. Choline is the raw material your brain uses to make a chemical messenger called acetylcholine, which is important for learning and memory recall. Supplementing with… Continue to full entry
- CDP-CholineCDP-Choline, also known as Citicoline, is a compound that works to defend and support your brain health. Your body breaks it down into two key parts: choline and cytidine. Choline helps make the memory and learning chemical acetylcholine. Cytidine is… Continue to full entry
- Bacopa MonnieriBacopa Monnieri is an herb used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, where It’s often called Brahmi. It is commonly taken as a supplement to help with memory and thinking skills. It may work by increasing certain brain chemicals, like… Continue to full entry
- Acetyl-L-CarnitineAcetyl-L-Carnitine, or ALCAR, is a modified version of the amino acid L-carnitine that the body can use for energy production. It’s special because it can get into the brain more easily than L-carnitine. Once there, it plays a role in… Continue to full entry
- Phosphatidylserine
Top Benefits of ‘Huperzine A’
- Supports memory and cognition
- Inhibits the breakdown of acetylcholine (AChE inhibitor)
- Offers neuroprotective benefit
- May increase cerebral blood flow
- Supports Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) production
- Exhibits anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Evidence-Based Nutritional Research Sources for ‘Huperzine A’:
- Alzheimer’s Drug → Huperzine A – Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation
- Cochrane Database → Huperzine A for Alzheimer’s disease
- PubMed → Huperzine A: a potential therapeutic agent for Alzheimer’s disease
- WebMD → Huperzine A: Uses, Side Effects, Dosing
