Feeling flat? Unmotivated? Struggling to think clearly? Can’t sleep at night?

Modern life has a lot to answer for when it comes to low mood and sluggish brain function.

Every day, we’re exposed to harmful oxidative stress that can wreak havoc on our cells - especially our brain cells. This damage can lead to depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and “brain fog”.

Over the last decade, numerous studies have demonstrated that oxidative stress and chronic, low-grade inflammation are major risk factors in brain ageing. Neuroinflammation is now increasingly recognised as a risk factor and a key aspect in the pathophysiology of mental health disorders, and depression is known to be a pro-inflammatory state.[1]

The age of neuroinflammation

Let’s explain how oxidative stress affects the brain by disrupting the mitochondria.

Mitochondria are the ‘powerhouse’ of cells. They are responsible for generating energy for the cell’s biochemical processes, cellular signaling, and many other processes that contribute to whole body function. 

However, environmental exposure to free radicals can cause substantial mitochondrial dysfunction by damaging the mitochondrial respiratory chain and changing mitochondrial membrane permeability and structure. This has been linked to neurodegeneration: the slow and progressive loss of brain cells.

The glymphatic system

As a highly active system, the CNS produces substantial metabolic waste. This waste can be toxic if not cleared promptly. However, because the brain lacks the lymphatic vessels used in lymphatic drainage, it relies instead on the glymphatic system.
The glymphatic system is a network of vessels that clear waste from the brain and CNS, mostly during sleep. This is why healthy sleep patterns are crucial to cognitive function. 
Disruption to the glymphatic system results in poor clearance of waste products and neurotoxic burden, which has been linked to neuroinflammation, immune deregulation, glial anomalies, disruption of cerebral bioenergetics, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress.  

Often, those experiencing low mood and/or mental health issues are prescribed medication. 
But new research suggests neuroinflammation may be treated with phyto-active compounds derived from plants.

The power of plants 

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7327519/ 
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6078194/ 
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6456907/ 

Certain plants contain psychoactive properties that can modify the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS).

These substances are known as plant secondary metabolites: chemicals that support the plant’s response to environmental stresses and strengthen its defense against pathogens and pests.

Scientists have now found that these metabolites can also benefit human brain function and counter the neuroinflammation that causes neurodegenerative disorders.

Some of the most promising of these are polyphenols, which are abundant in citrus fruits. 

What are citrus bioflavonoids?
Citrus bioflavonoids are compounds derived from citrus peel that are biologically active in the human body. As well as providing antioxidant benefits, these specific compounds have been shown to traverse the blood-brain barrier and exert powerful neuroprotective effects.  

These plant-derived chemicals protect the neurons by modulating the mitochondrial membrane potential and maintaining cell integrity. They also shield neurons from damaging toxins, suppress neuroinflammation, and promote memory, learning and cognitive function. 

To date, citrus bioflavonoids have been shown to:

• Reduce the buildup of neurotoxic amyloid-beta peptides (a major cause of Alzheimer’s disease)
• Reverse N-methylD-aspartate receptor hypofunction (prevalent in schizophrenia)
• Ameliorate the impact of ischemic injuries such as blood clots
• Prevent damage to specific brain cells involved in physiological function 
• Support proper communication pathways in brain cells 
• Protect against neurotoxins
• Maintain calcium homeostasis and mitochondrial function

Some researchers have suggested that phytochemicals may assist in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. 

German chamomile is also shown to exhibit potent neuroprotective activity against oxidative stress in the brain, along with important carminative benefits for the CNS.  Cocoa polyphenols provide further neuroprotection and act as a potential preventive agent for neurodegeneration by activating the BDNF survival pathway, resulting in the counteraction of neuronal dystrophy

  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28474543/ 
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2775888/ 
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28474543/ 
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28474543/ 
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21599496/ 
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4170833/ 

Now, these combined benefits are available in the form of Voluntastrols. 

Voluntastrols are the result of decades of scientific research and extensive experience in the identification, optimisation, and application of natural phyto-active compounds derived from plants. 

Using advanced technology and world-leading expertise, these botanical extracts have been transformed into a high-performing, research-based product engineered for brain health and vitality.

Voluntastrols are a proprietary blend of isolated secondary plant metabolite extracts from Theobroma cacao (Cacao) Citrus bioflavonoids (extracted from Citrus reticulata, Citrus aurantiifolia, Citrus sinensis, Citrus limon) Chamomila matricaria (German chamomile). These extracts support the brain by:

• Modulating neuro-inflammation by preventing chronic overactivation of microglia (a type of cell located throughout the brain and spinal cord). 
• Preserving the solubility of proteins to allow for better elimination, reducing the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles
• Reducing the impact of stress
• Improving sleep quality: crucial for effective glymphatic system function
• Neuro-protective and supporting repair after brain injury
• Increased energy and motivation to exercise, which supports glymphatic flow. 
• Preventing calcium ion overload (a cause of neuron death)
• Restoring healthy mitochondrial membrane potential 
• Increasing and supporting brain resilience, neuronal protection, function and regeneration 

When taken daily, Voluntastrols may offer extensive benefits for mental health, brain function, and healthy ageing. 

Learn more about Voluntrastrols and whether they may be right for you at Salvacare Biotechnologies.