DMAE Ingredient Review

If you are interested in both feeling and looking younger, Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) products might be a truly holistic answer for your prayers. DMAE is a natural compound that acts similarly to a B-vitamin inside the body, and while supplements of DMAE support the health of your nervous system and emotions, topical treatments such as creams and gels containing DMAE work to prevent and reduce aging and wrinkles. If you want to try one of the most scientifically-approved anti-aging treatments available on the market today, try using DMAE products and see the results.

How It Works

It has been largely suggested that DMAE treatment and supplementation affects choline and acetylcholine throughout the body and in the brain. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter made from the B-vitamin-like compound called choline, and is responsible for activating muscle contraction.

Acetylcholine is also influential in the central nervous system as it plays a role in controlling mood, memory and cognitive function. However, research has so far been inconclusive in this area, with some studies show that DMAE is indeed converted into choline by the liver -- but that the same choline does not travel across the blood-brain barrier and thus cannot be made into acetylcholine.

Other studies have shown that DMAE is a potent anti-inflammatory, and that this may be one of its primary modes of action and the reason for its medicinal benefits. While most studies show that DMAE is efficacious and safe, more research is still needed to determine how and why it works.

Skin Health

DMAE has many mechanisms of action when applied topically to human skin cells.

• First and foremost, DMAE acts as an organic antioxidant, helping to protect skin cells from oxidative free radical damage from pollution, sunlight, chemicals, and from the free radicals produced from your body as it breathes and digests.
• Secondly, DMAE stimulates the function of vitamin C and alpha-lipoic acid in the skin -- two natural compounds which are integral to the production of collagen, which keeps skin firm and strong.
• Thirdly, DMAE appears to have a firming action on human skin when applied.

A review of research published in "The American Journal of Clinical Dermatology" in 2005 confirmed that facial gels containing 3% DMAE reduced the appearance of wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes, improved lip shape and fullness, and reduced the overall appearance of aging skin and wrinkles.

Anti-Aging Benefits

Antioxidants are the crux of anti-aging therapies, with their ability to protect our bodies inside and outside from the damaging effects of free radical molecules. DMAE is an important antioxidant in many respects, as it not only acts to defend our cells, but stimulates the activity of other powerful antioxidant -- such as vitamin C and alpha-lipoic acid, which in turn stimulates glutathione production.

In addition to all of this, studies show DMAE also increases levels of phosphatidylcholine in the human body. Phosphatidylcholine is  an important organic compound required for the health and stability of cell membranes. When cell membranes are firm and strong, they are more resilient against pollution, free radical damage and radiation. This mechanism prevents premature aging of cells, and aids with the integrity of connective tissues throughout the body.

Brain Health

DMAE has an important role to play in the balance of mood and cognitive function. While the jury is still out on the affects of DMAE supplementation and acetylcholine production, it is definite that DMAE has a real effect on brain health. Much of the original research into DMAE was on children experiencing attention-hyperactive disorder (ADHD).

During the 1970's several clinical trials were performed in this area, and showed contradictory results. In a review of research published in 2011 by Ohio State University in the USA, researchers confirmed that DMAE probably was of mild benefit to children with ADHD. Animal studies on rats have shown that DMAE increases both choline and acetylcholine, leading to improved cognitive function and memory. At least one study has confirmed that healthy adults given DMAE supplements experience an improvement in mood and well-being.

Safety Concerns

DMAE is one of the lucky few pharmaceutical ingredients which appears to be both effective and safe. Study participants given DMAE for up to one year noticed that the product was extremely well-tolerated, with almost no difference in risk of adverse reactions between groups given DMAE and groups given placebo.

Oddly, one study during the 1970's on animals has shown that DMAE supplements reduces the life-span of quails. While this is an interesting fact to note, so far human clinical studies have not shown any evidence to suggest that DMAE may have a negative effect on the human life span. Used topically as a skin application, DMAE does not produce adverse reactions, allergies or skin sensitisation, and is safe to use daily.

References

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/850128
http://blog.perriconemd.com/dmae/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15675889
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20095140
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20716435
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12844472
http://www.springerlink.com/content/clj651545132j360/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4619768
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/830732