MCT/medium chain triglyceride oil has come to prominence in recent years largely because of the exploding popularity of Bulletproof Coffee, and the sustained energy many users claims it gives them. Brain Awake also contains caffeine, and we wondered if the ingredient list would give a Bulletproof Coffee-like experience. We had our testers try Brain Awake to see if it gave a similar boost. Read below to see what we found out.

Brain Awake By Irwin Naturals Label & Ingredients

The Ingredients

• Vitamin B6 – 10 mg
  • Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble essential vitamin, involved in the production of neurotransmitters. Studies show that when taken in conjunction with Magnesium, B6 improved school attention in children diagnosed with ADHD.
• Vitamin B12 – 500 mcg
  • An essential vitamin B nutrient, B12 plays an important role in numerous bodily functions, including neurological function and development.
• Folate (as Quatrefolic) – 200 mcg
  • Another B vitamin linked to brain health and function.
• MCT (medium chain triglyceride) oil – 1000 mg
  • Medium chain triglycerides, normally in the form of refined coconut oils, have become very popular in recent years for numerous health benefits. They’re a primary ingredient in Bulletproof Coffee, and Bulletproof/Upgraded self claims they provide sustained energy to the brain without the crash of stimulants. Research indicates MCT oil creates more ketone bodies when metabolized than most other fats, and these ketone bodies can be quickly utilized by the brain for energy. Their consumption in place of other calories sources has also been linked to increase fat loss.
• Acetyl-L-Carnitine – 500 mg
  • This compound pairs very well with choline; when combined, the two form the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Having both in the same supplement is a good hedge in case the body is deficient in either compound.
• Bacopa extract (50% bacosides)(whole plant) – 300 mg
  • Bacopa Monnieri is an herb used as an antidepressant and a cognitive booster. While performing stressful cognitive tests, subjects taking Bacopa Monnieri experienced the herb’s nootropic effects and reduced both stress and cortisol levels. This is actually the highest concentration of bacosides in the extract we’ve seen in a nootropic product.
• Holy Basil extract (2% ursolic acid) (leaf) – 200 mg
  • A noted adaptogen, Holy Basil extract helps reduce the negative effects of stress. Ursolic acid is one of several active compounds in Holy Basil, with others including ocimarin and the ocimumosides, two substances linked to adaptogenic effects. Note: In high dosages, research indicated ursolic acid may actually be an anti-fertility agent and could reduce reproductive capability in the short term. We’ve had good experience with adaptogens before, but wonder if it would have been a good idea to leave this one out given its potential side effects. We didn’t formulate this supplement, but generally our testers prefer adaptogens like Rhodiola rosea.
• AlphaWave L-Theanine – 100 mg
  • L-Theanine is an amino acid known to support a calm mood without inducing sleepiness. When used in conjunction with caffeine, it has been observed to reduce error rates while performing tasks.
• InnovaTea Natural tea Extract (standardized to 95% caffeine) – 52 mg
  • Caffeine is a stimulant acting on the central nervous system. One of the better-researched mental and physical performance enhancers, caffeine is proven to have acute effects on cognitive function and mood when used in conjunction with L-Theanine.
• Lemon Balm Extract – 30 mg
  • Also referred to as Melissa officinalis, lemon balm extract is linked to inducing calmness and boosting cognition, especially in stressful situations.
• Rosemary extract (3% rosmarinic acid) – 6 mg
  • The active compound in rosemary is Rosmarinic acid, a noted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
• Bioperine Complex – 6 mg
  • BioPerine is a common ingredient in Irwin Naturals products, as well as products from other general supplement manufacturers. Research suggests BioPerine/black pepper extract in the form of piperine helps the body more efficiently absorb a variety of nutrients through the digestive tract. If effective, it’s a good compliment to this supplement’s stack of nootropic ingredients.
• Other Ingredients: Flaxseed oil, gelatin, purified water, glycerin, beeswax, soy lecithin, St. John’s bread, silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide.

Usage Guidelines

Take three liquid soft-gels daily with a meal and a full glass of water. If caffeine keeps you up at night, do not take this product in the evening since it contains natural caffeine. Do not use if you may become pregnant, are pregnant or nursing. State of California Prop 65: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.

What Our Testers Say

“I think the MCT oil gave me a physical boost as well as a mental boost, maybe even more of a physical kick. I felt the energy, but I think it was a shade less than I’ve had when drinking coffee with grassfed butter and MCT oil in the morning.”

“I cycle off and on Bulletproof Coffee, and I was hoping this would give me a similar kick. It did, but in a milder form. Also, one of the capsules must have popped during shipping, because when I opened my bottle everything was covered in a slimy brown film, and it made it difficult to swallow the pills. I’ll probably stick to Bulletproof Coffee if I want sustained energy for a long day or need to go longer than normal between meals.”

“This one caused some nausea for me (I usually take my supplements in the morning on an empty stomach and eat once I get to work). I wasn’t expecting this; I normally have an iron stomach. It gave me more energy throughout the day, but it’s a serving I’d have to time better in the future and plan my morning around.”

“I enjoyed the energy from this supplement, paired with a light breakfast, I felt like I could go until the late afternoon without needing a significant food break. I felt clear headed throughout that time, though I don’t think I was tons more productive than normal.”

BrainWiz Tips

• Take with a full glass of water and/or meal to avoid any stomach cramps; this is often true of MCT or fish oil-containing supplements.
• People have varying sensitivity to MCT oil; if you’ve never tried it before, it might be best to start with a smaller dosage to gauge your digestive system’s response.
• As with any supplement regime, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider before making any changes. This supplement contains an ingredient that’s been associated with reduced sperm fertility in males.

Supplement Summary

Brain Awake did have a similar effect to Bulletproof Coffee, but it wasn’t quite as pronounced, and the focus our testers felt wasn’t nearly as sharp as other supplements in recent memory. We’d suggest gauging your tolerance for MCT oil carefully from the start to avoid digestive issues. The inclusion of Holy Basil extract as the adaptogen of choice also has us scratching our heads a little bit, as there are similarly effective choices in existence without the same potential side effects.

If you like the effects of Bulletproof Coffee but aren’t a coffee drinker, Brain Awake is a zero-prep-required substitute. Overall, our testers reached for other supplements after their trial of Brain Awake was over.

The post Bulletproof Coffee’s Effect In A Pill? Reviewing Brain Awake By Irwin Naturals appeared first on Brain Wiz.

These include Choline Force, Glutathione Force, and CILTEP® (which is actually a Natural Stacks product). Their best-known nootropic, however, is Unfair Advantage, a blend of two powerful brain and energy-promoting compounds. Today, we’re reviewing Unfair Advantage. Read below for our full Unfair Advantage review.

Get the best price on Unfair Advantage by buying directly from Upgraded Self (Bulletproof).

Unfair Advantage By Upgraded Self

The Ingredients

Unfair Advantage comes in 4 mL single-use ampules. There are 30 ampules/servings per container.

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (ActivePQQ) – 10 mg

PQQ is a vitamin-like (or pseudo-vitamin) compound that is thought to have several benefits in the human body. Research suggests it can reduce oxidative stress, thereby acting as a potentially powerful antioxidant and protecting the body’s cells from damage. There’s also evidence (largely in animal trials, though with some limited success in human-based research) that PQQ boosts mitochondrial activity and reduces factors thought to inhibit mitochondrial function. Mitochondria are the sites within cells that produce energy, and by increasing their efficiency, PQQ is thought to have benefits for overall energy production and metabolic systems.

The PQQ in Unfair Advantage is a proprietary form called ActivePQQ, which is comprised of small particles of the ingredient suspended in solution. The manufacturer claims this increases bioavailability of the product (your body’s ability to use and absorb it) while decreasing the likelihood of the PQQ breaking down in your digestive tract before absorption. While no other company is using this particular form of PQQ, the dosage (10 mg per serving) is in line with what you’ll see in PQQ supplements throughout the industry.

CoQ10 (as ubiquinol) – 20 mg

CoQ10 (also known as ubiquinol, technically a reduced form of CoQ10) is another compound that’s tied to mitochondrial production. It’s also been shown to increase blood flow in humans while potentially fighting the buildup and damage caused by low-density lipoproteins (LDL, or LDL cholesterol). The form of CoQ10 in Unfair Advantage isn’t proprietary, but Upgraded Self uses very small particles in order to increase bioavailability and absorption. When paired, ActivePQQand CoQ10 make for a potent combo of mitochondrial and blood flow-boosting compounds.

The amount of CoQ10 in each serving of Unfair Advantage is actually a bit low by industry standards (some supplements offer up to 100mg), but the company claims you don’t need as much when it’s so highly bioavailable. There are also a few other supplements that offer the combo of PQQ and CoQ10, but Unfair Advantage is definitely one of the most popular and the most well-known version suspended in a bioavailable solution. We’ll be reporting on some of those other brands and supplements in the coming weeks.

Other Ingredients: Purified water, xylitol, glycerin, vitamin E (D-alpha-tocopherol acid succinate), natural flavor, gum acacia and stevia.

Usage Guidelines

From the packaging: For mental performance: Take 1-2 ampules per day For sports performance: Take 2-4 ampules per day We had several BrainWiz testers take between 1 and 5 ampules per day. The ampules are easier to take as quick “shots” and have a strongly sweet (there’s a lot of stevia, it seems) taste.

What Our Testers Say

“Unfair Advantage gave me a clean ”˜wave’ of energy. That’s how I’d describe it, a wave. It’s not really a rush, because it sort of flows through you, it doesn’t hit you hard or make you feel like you have to get used to it. It’s very different than the feeling of caffeine, which often gives me jitters even in low dosage. There wasn’t a crash, though the more days in a row I took it, the less pronounced the wave was.”

“I liked this supplement. I actually felt it more physically and had a really great series of workouts. It didn’t hurt mental performance or make me feel cloudy, but what I really liked was how it made me feel heading into workouts. I really liked taking it an hour before I left for the gym. I took three servings before each workout.”

“Some people don’t like the taste of Unfair Advantage, but I didn’t mind it at all. I’ve been taking this first thing when I wake up, and I like that I can take it with another supplement that has caffeine or with coffee. It gave me a slight edge in mental clarity before lunch during the workday.”

“Felt great the first few times I took it, then I stopped feeling the effects. Stayed off it for a few days and tried again, and the boost returned.”

BrainWiz Tips

After comparing experiences and effectiveness, here are our best tips for getting the most out of Unfair Advantage:

• Unfair Advantage contains no caffeine, so it pairs well when you’re already taking in caffeine, like with your morning coffee. The quick energy “wave” our testers felt was also most desirable in the morning.
• Our testers experienced no negative side effects from this supplement. But as with any supplement or nutritional regimen, you should talk to your doctor or medical professional before use.
• Take just before eating to take advantage of an active digestive system and promote absorption.
• Our testers felt diminishing effects after roughly a week of taking Unfair Advantage. After a few days off from the supplement, taking one or more ampules of Unfair Advantage once again produced a good rush of energy. We recommend trying it in a “1 week on, 3 days off” pattern in order to keep feeling the quick, clean energy boost.
• If you’re using the supplement for a physical performance boost, start with one or two ampules per day and work your way up to four.

Unfair Advantage Summary

Unfair Advantage is a great caffeine-free nootropic stack featuring two powerful, popular ingredients in a unique delivery system. In addition to a mental boost, some users feel increased physical energy and stamina during our Unfair Advantage trial.

Though its perceived effects seem to diminish over time, taking a break from the supplement for a few days seems to be enough time for its effectiveness to return.

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