Ingredients in Focus Factor

While many supplements promise to build up your body and enhance physical ability and appearance, Focus Factor concentrates on your brain. This supplement contains a blend of 40 ingredients, which its manufacturer claims can improve your mental ability and enhance memory. While some of the ingredients in Focus Factor offer benefits, you should research them thoroughly to understand how they work. In addition, you should consult a doctor before taking any supplements, as they may be ineffective or even harmful.

Choline

Choline is a molecule that, according to the website World's Healthiest Foods, is involved with nervous system communication and the function of your cell membranes. Choline is found in egg yolks, peanuts, cauliflower and oats, among other foods. While choline does effect the nervous system, the University of California at Berkeley notes that "there is no evidence that consuming extra choline will do anything for memory."

Vinpocetine

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Vinpocetine is an extract from the periwinkle plant that my have beneficial effects for your nervous system. According to research from the journal Neurochemistry International, vinpocetine displayes neuroprotective characteristics, especially in terms of preventing against damage from excess glutamate. This research also noted that combining vinpocetine with other substances has more significant effects than vinpocetine alone. There is no guarantee the vinpocetine in Focus Factor will protect you from neural damage.

DMAE

DMAE, which is an abbreviation for dimethylethanolamine, is a compound sometimes used to treat depression. As the University of California at Berkeley notes, DMAE helps your body produce choline and has a long list of purported benefits, from increasing intelligence to reducing wrinkles. The university notes, however, that it's "very unlikely that DMAE can do any of this."

L-glutamine

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L-glutamine is an amino acid that is associated with muscle recovery, but it can also have benefits for your brain. Research from the Journal of Nutrition indicates that glutamine is transported to neurons, where it is converted to glutamate, which is necessary for neurotransmission, which is how your brain communicates with your body. Glutamine is included in Focus Factor to provide more glutamate for neurotransmissions, but there is no guarantee of its efficacy.

DHA

DHA, or Docosahexaenoic acid, is an Omega 3 fatty acid that can be found in fish such as salmon. According to research from the journal, Neurobiology of Aging, DHA may be helpful in slowing the decline of cognitive abilities associated with aging. This research suggests that DHA can help reduce the rate of memory decline, though it was not effective for slowing reductions in cognitive abilities of older individuals.