FUEL YOUR BRAIN FOR SUCCESS
Many believe that success is driven more by persistence than IQ.
Even Albert Einstein once said, “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”
I can personally relate.
When I reached Major League baseball (MLB) in 1978 for good, it took immense persistence. I had spent seven seasons in the minors before I played ten seasons with the Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, and Kansas City Royals.
I am very proud that I was a member of the 1985 World Champion Kansas City Royals. I wrote a book about my career at www.baseball.town.
Playing infield in MLB demands exceptional persistence, concentration, and mental energy.
While I focused on training and healthy eating during my career, I only discovered after retiring how powerful certain nutrients can be for brain function.
Had I known then what I know now about neurotransmitters, my MLB stats might look much better.
In 1991, four years after I retired from MLB, I attended a seminar in Dallas, TX that featured the world-renowned nutritional research scientists Durk Pearson & Sandy Shaw®, co-authors of the New York Times bestseller Life Extension: A Practical Scientific Approach.
You may have read articles written for To The Point News under the name, Skye, who was Durk Pearson.
The Life Extension book, published in the late ’80s, sold over 2 million copies and was written to educate doctors on how specific nutrients can have a very positive effect on the body, especially for the brain.
Durk and Sandy developed specialized formulas for personal use, which they called Designer Foods®.
That same year, I became a customer of Pearson & Shaw’s Designer Food® formulas.
These brain-boosting supplements changed my life. Two formulas in particular, LIFT™ and MIND™, had a profound impact on my energy levels and mental clarity.
Inspired by their effectiveness, I began offering them to others through my company, Life Priority, Inc. at www.lifepriority.com.
The Power of Neurotransmitters
Everything that happens in your brain—every memory, thought, emotion, and inspiration—is the result of neurotransmitters.
The three most important neurotransmitters are acetylcholine, noradrenaline, and dopamine.
Acetylcholine: The Memory and Focus Booster
Acetylcholine plays a key role in memory, organization, focus, and concentration.
It is synthesized from choline and vitamin B5 (pantothenate), which enhances its production.
As we age, our ability to transport choline into the brain declines significantly. By the time most people reach their 60s, they have only 20–30% of their youthful ability to absorb choline.
Supplementing with choline can help maintain cognitive function.
Noradrenaline: Nature’s Energy Source
Noradrenaline is your natural “get up and go” neurotransmitter. Unlike synthetic stimulants, it doesn’t cause harmful free radical damage.
When your noradrenaline levels are sufficient, you feel energized, motivated, and confident.
Low levels, however, can lead to fatigue, lack of motivation, and even depression.
Phenylalanine, an amino acid found in the diet, serves as a precursor to noradrenaline.
However, competition with other amino acids for absorption can limit its effectiveness.
To optimize noradrenaline production, phenylalanine should be combined with cofactors such as vitamin B6, vitamin C, folic acid, and copper.
Interestingly, chocolate is one of the richest food sources of beta-phenylethylamine, a neuromodulator that enhances emotions linked to noradrenaline and dopamine.
When paired with a small amount of caffeine, phenylalanine can provide a sustained mental boost without the jittery crash of caffeine alone.
Dopamine: The Key to Motivation and Coordination
Dopamine is crucial for emotional well-being, perception, and motor control.
It’s also the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of reward and pleasure.
Unlike addictive substances that artificially increase dopamine, phenylalanine and tyrosine naturally support healthy dopamine levels.
These amino acids have been part of the human diet for millions of years, so the body regulates their use safely.
A dopamine deficiency can lead to cognitive decline, lack of motivation, and disorders like Parkinson’s disease.
Since these issues develop gradually, proactive nutrient support can be essential for long-term brain health.
Fuel Your Brain for Success
Proper nutrition isn’t just about physical health—it’s essential for brain function, too. By providing your body with the right nutrients, you can optimize neurotransmitter production and enhance focus, energy, and mental clarity.
As the co-owner of Life Priority, Inc., I work closely with dietary supplement ingredient manufacturers and research scientists to bring high-quality, research-based formulas to the marketplace.
To learn more about Life Priority products, visit www.lifepriority.com or email me at [email protected].
Success isn’t just about talent—it’s about persistence and fueling your brain with what it needs to perform at its best.
Durk & Sandy’s MIND and LIFT formulas are available at www.lifepriority.com.
TTPers can use the code word, DURK, to receive a 10% discount on all orders.