Berberine, a compound extracted from various plants used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. While most dietary supplements have subtle effects, berberine is an outlier in this regard. By influencing key metabolic regulators, berberine has a powerful ability to lower blood sugar that is comparable to some pharmaceutical drugs. Berberine also has other metabolic effects that may aid weight loss, such as improved cholesterol balance and a reduction in triglycerides.

Research suggests that blood sugar plays a central role in the ageing process and that many blood sugar-lowering diabetes drugs can slow ageing and extend lifespan in healthy mice. Another goal of berberine supplementation is therefore to mimic these effects in non-diabetic humans.

Citicoline, also known as CDP-choline, is a naturally occurring compound used by the body to produce phosphatidylcholine, an important component of cell membranes. After consumption, citicoline provides choline and cytidine, which can be used to support the maintenance and renewal of brain-cell membranes. Choline is also required for the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in attention, learning and memory.

Human studies suggest that citicoline may support aspects of cognitive performance, including attention, vigilance and memory. Research in older adults has also shown that supplementation can influence markers of phospholipid synthesis within the brain. Although the evidence is still developing and results are not completely consistent between studies, the aim of citicoline supplementation is to support concentration, working memory and long-term brain function.

Lion's Mane is an edible mushroom with a long history of use in East Asian food and traditional medicine. It contains distinctive compounds, including hericenones and erinacines, that are being investigated for their effects on nerve growth factor and other pathways involved in the maintenance, repair and communication of nerve cells.

Early human studies suggest that Lion's Mane may support certain aspects of cognitive performance and may also influence mood and mental wellbeing. However, the evidence is still developing, and results are likely to depend on the part of the mushroom used, the extraction process and the concentration of active compounds. The aim of supplementation is to support day-to-day cognitive function and long-term brain health.

Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant found in coffee, tea and several other plants. It works primarily by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain. Adenosine gradually accumulates while we are awake and contributes to feelings of tiredness, so reducing its activity can increase wakefulness and mental alertness.

Caffeine is one of the best-researched ingredients for supporting cognitive performance. Studies suggest that it can improve reaction time, attention and vigilance while reducing the perception of mental fatigue, particularly during demanding tasks or periods of insufficient sleep. The aim of including caffeine in the morning formula is to support energy, focus and motivation during the day. Individual responses vary considerably, however, and taking caffeine later in the day can interfere with sleep.

Guarana is a natural stimulant originating from the seeds of a tree native to the Amazon. It is rich in caffeine as well as multiple plant compounds with antioxidant effects. Guarana is primarily taken for its stimulant properties, with studies suggesting it improves cognitive performance in certain tasks while reducing mental fatigue. By reducing fatigue, guarana may also help improve motivation and focus during physical activity, which is further enhanced by the stimulant properties of caffeine.

Much like green tea extract, the antioxidants present within guarana may have some beneficial effects with regard to the ageing process by enhancing the body’s defences against reactive oxygen species.

Green tea is known to be particularly rich in catechins (a group of plant compounds that are under investigation for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties) as well as containing other beneficial plant compounds. Antioxidants are compounds that scavenge and neutralise harmful byproducts of human metabolism called reactive oxygen species (ROS). Green tea also contains caffeine, which seems to act synergistically with catechins to raise fat metabolism and promote weight loss.

Additionally, most scientists studying ageing believe that ROS are at least partial contributors to the ageing process. One goal of supplementation with powerful antioxidants like green tea extract is to increase the body’s defences against ROS and thereby slow age-related damage.

L-Carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in meat, and plays an important role in fat metabolism. It transports fatty acids into mitochondria (the power plants of the cell) where they can be used to generate ATP, the cell’s universal fuel. L-Carnitine also boosts cells’ ability to neutralise reactive oxygen species, which are harmful byproducts of ATP production in the mitochondria. The aim of supplementation with L-Carnitine is to support fat metabolism and weight loss while protecting the cell against damage from toxic metabolites.

L-Carnitine may also be useful for optimising exercise, not only because of its ability to enhance physical performance, but also because it appears to protect against muscle damage and soreness following exercise.The L-Carnitine used in our Optimum formula is derived from vegetarian sources.

Magnesium is an essential mineral, meaning we cannot survive without it. Magnesium is required for the extraction of energy from nutrients, for the regulation of blood sugar levels, for the production of proteins and DNA, for the conduction of electrical signals along nerve fibres and more. There is evidence that magnesium supplementation can improve multiple aspects of metabolic health, especially in people who are not consuming enough of it. There are also some early indications that magnesium supplementation can reduce the sleep disruptions that occur during ageing.

Ashwagandha is a herb used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, primarily for stress and anxiety relief. The available research supports these effects. Mental stress has very real and negative chemical effects throughout the body that negatively impact health and longevity. Supplementation with ashwagandha dampens these effects by influencing levels of the ‘stress hormone’ cortisol, with the goal of improving stress resilience and general wellbeing.

Though ashwagandha is not the ‘cure all’ it is sometimes claimed to be, it does seem to have wide-ranging general health benefits. Studies suggest that ashwagandha may enhance sleep, physical performance, immune health and sexual health. These could be related to stress suppression or other unknown mechanisms.

Apigenin is a naturally occurring flavonoid found in a range of plants and foods, including chamomile, parsley and celery. It is one of the compounds often discussed in relation to chamomile's traditional use as a calming evening drink. Laboratory studies suggest that apigenin can interact with signalling systems involved in relaxation and sleep, including GABA-related pathways, while also displaying antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

Lavender is an aromatic flowering plant with a long history of traditional use for relaxation, nervousness and sleep. Lavender contains several biologically active compounds, including linalool and linalyl acetate, which are thought to influence signalling pathways involved in emotional regulation and the body’s response to stress.

Clinical studies using specific standardised oral lavender preparations suggest that lavender may reduce feelings of anxiety, tension and restlessness. Improvements in sleep have also been reported, particularly when sleep disruption is associated with stress or anxious thoughts. The aim of including lavender extract in the evening formula is therefore to support relaxation and help the body transition into a calmer state before sleep.

L-Theanine is an amino acid found naturally in the leaves of the tea plant, particularly green tea. Unlike caffeine, it is not considered a conventional stimulant. Research suggests that L-theanine influences brain activity associated with attention and relaxation, including changes in alpha-wave activity, which is commonly linked to a calm but mentally alert state.

Human studies suggest that L-theanine may help reduce perceived stress and support certain aspects of sleep quality and cognitive performance. It does not appear to act as a powerful sedative; instead, the aim of supplementation is to promote a more relaxed mental state while helping to reduce the persistent thoughts and tension that can make it difficult to settle in the evening.