ABOUT
台灣第一家促智 (Nootropics) 保健品牌
起源於 2020 年初，倫敦第一次封城。本來就對人類意識與腦神經科學感興趣的我們，擁有了更多時間思考、研究與嘗試。
著迷於植物的奧秘與大腦的可塑性，最終我們決定開發屬於自己的促智膠囊。天然植物萃取，加上一點我們龜毛機歪的個性。
這就是 EgoTree 了。
Create Focus, not Smart Drugs
一顆完美的促智膠囊，專注、沉靜，不多不少。
我們只想讓健康的人過得更好。
SCIENCE
Under the Science Section, we try to answer the following questions:
① 為什麼我們選擇這些成分？
② 關於它們，目前的研究知道了些什麼？
③ 它們對人有哪些影響？
④ 如何證明？
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What is Guarana Seeds?
Paullinia cupana (Guarana) 是一種原產於亞馬遜的果樹，它的種子被磨成粉末運用在傳統的亞馬遜醫學中。
Why we use Guarana Seeds?
咖啡因是最廣為人知的中樞神經系統刺激物，能提供體力、耐力及精神刺激。我們選用瓜拿納作為主要咖啡因的來源，因其內除咖啡因外，還含有兒茶素、單寧和原花青素...等化合物。(1) 瓜拿納或能幫助記憶及認知，似乎與其其他化合物組合較爲相關，而不單純只是咖啡因本身的功勞。(2) (3)
The research on Guarana Seeds
❶ https://examine.com/supplements/paullinia-cupana/
❷ Haskell, C. F., Kennedy, D. O., Wesnes, K. A., Milne, A. L., & Scholey, A. B. (2007). A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose evaluation of the acute behavioural effects of guaraná in humans. Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England), 21(1), 65–70. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881106063815
❸ Moustakas D, Mezzio M, Rodriguez BR, Constable MA, Mulligan ME, et al. (2015) Guarana Provides Additional Stimulation over Caffeine Alone in the Planarian Model. PLOS ONE 10(4): e0123310. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0123310
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What is Taurine?
是一種β-氨基酸，廣泛存在於哺乳類動物的中樞神經系統(CNS)
Why we use Taurine?
如果你是能量飲料的愛好者，可能對牛磺酸並不陌生。牛磺酸作為一種 GABA 受體的激動劑，得以提升 GABA 水平，抑制過激的神經元，進而調節焦慮感受。牛磺酸與咖啡因的組合，似乎比單純咖啡因帶來更好的感受。(1)
除了與咖啡因的共同作用，牛磺酸本身對於人類認知功能的影響越來越受到重視。除了上述參與 GABA 的機制外，還有尚未被證實的機制如減緩神經炎症、激活神經突觸等待被發現。(2)
The research on Taurine
❶ Lin, F. J., Pierce, M. M., Sehgal, A., Wu, T., Skipper, D. C., & Chabba, R. (2010). Effect of taurine and caffeine on sleep-wake activity in Drosophila melanogaster. Nature and science of sleep, 2, 221–231. https://doi.org/10.2147/NSS.S13034
❷ Chen, C., Xia, S., He, J., Lu, G., Xie, Z., & Han, H. (2019). Roles of taurine in cognitive function of physiology, pathologies and toxication. Life sciences, 231, 116584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2019.116584
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What is Rhodiola rosea?
紅景天是紅景天屬（景天科）中的一種草本植物，是一種適應原（Adaptogen）。(1) 其藥理複雜，含有大量活性化合物，如黃酮類(flavonoids)、單萜類(monoterpernes)、苯丙烷類(phenylpropanoids)、三萜類(triterpenes)、酚酸類(phenolic acids)、苯乙醇衍生物(phenylethanol derivatives)等。
Why we use Rhodiola rosea?
紅景天，廣泛出現於傳統東歐及亞洲，近年來可說是國外biohackers的新寵。
在越來越多研究顯示，它似乎能調節壓力造成的疲勞(2)、工作及表現。 (3)其精神藥理作用可能包括血清素和多巴胺的激動劑特性，以及對阿片肽(opiod peptides)的影響。(4)
The research on Rhodiola rosea
❶ https://examine.com/supplements/rhodiola-rosea/
❷ Darbinyan, V., Kteyan, A., Panossian, A., Gabrielian, E., Wikman, G., & Wagner, H. (2000). Rhodiola rosea in stress induced fatigue--a double blind cross-over study of a standardized extract SHR-5 with a repeated low-dose regimen on the mental performance of healthy physicians during night duty. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 7(5), 365–371. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0944-7113(00)80055-0
❸ Olsson, E. M., von Schéele, B., & Panossian, A. G. (2009). A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of the standardised extract shr-5 of the roots of Rhodiola rosea in the treatment of subjects with stress-related fatigue. Planta medica, 75(2), 105–112. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0028-1088346
❹ https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/rhodiola-rosea#:~:text=Its root%2C also known as,phenolic acids%2C and phenylethanol derivatives.
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What is Phosphatidylserine (PS)?
PS是一種存在於人體類的化學物質，是細胞結構的一部份，也是維持細胞功能的關鍵，尤其是在大腦中。身體可以自行製造PS，但大部分所需來自食物。(1)
Why we use Phosphatidylserine (PS)?
健康的神經細胞膜和髓磷脂需要PS。人腦的老化與神經傳遞的損壞及結構退化有關。 目前有許多研究探討外源性PS在人體的吸收，及相關的記憶功能。(2)(3)
The research on Phosphatidylserine (PS)
❶ https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-992/phosphatidylserine
❷ Glade, M. J., & Smith, K. (2015). Phosphatidylserine and the human brain. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.), 31(6), 781–786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2014.10.014
❸ Kato-Kataoka, A., Sakai, M., Ebina, R., Nonaka, C., Asano, T., & Miyamori, T. (2010). Soybean-derived phosphatidylserine improves memory function of the elderly Japanese subjects with memory complaints. Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition, 47(3), 246–255. https://doi.org/10.3164/jcbn.10-62
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What is Ashwagandha?
南非醉茄是一種適應原（Adaptogen），用於印度傳統阿育吠陀的植物，現代補充劑主要是提取其根部。
Why we use Ashwagandha?
有研究針對其調整皮質醇（又稱壓力賀爾蒙）水平及對壓力與生活質量的影響。(1)(2) 南非醉茄的藥理作用尚未完全明瞭，只是其似乎含有能模擬GABA活性的成分。(3)
惟須注意，服用過高濃度的南非醉茄可能會導致副作用（如腹痛、腹瀉）。且依據衛福部食藥署規定，其每日攝食限量250mg以下，並須加標「嬰幼兒、孕婦、老年人及腸胃功能不佳者不宜食用」之警語。
The research on Ashwagandha
❶ Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J., & Anishetty, S. (2012). A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 34(3), 255–262. https://doi.org/10.4103/0253-7176.106022
❷ Salve, J., Pate, S., Debnath, K., & Langade, D. (2019). Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. Cureus, 11(12), e6466. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.6466
❸ Mehta, A. K., Binkley, P., Gandhi, S. S., & Ticku, M. K. (1991). Pharmacological effects of Withania somnifera root extract on GABAA receptor complex. The Indian journal of medical research, 94, 312–315.
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What is Magnesium?
鎂是人體中的酶催化劑，存在於調節人體生化反應的300多種系統中，從控制肌肉組織生長到能量水平，幾乎參與了體內所有的反應。
Why we use Magnesium Citrate?
鎂以其在人體內的多種作用而聞名。從神經學的角度來看，鎂在神經傳遞和神經肌肉傳導中起著至關重要的作用。它還具有防止過度興奮的保護作用，過度興奮會導致神經元細胞死亡（興奮性毒性），並與多種神經系統疾病有關。(1) 鎂缺乏症（Magnesium Deficiency）可能會導致食慾不振、疲勞虛弱、頭痛、渴望糖與咖啡因、便秘⋯⋯等等。(2)
檸檬酸鎂，是比氧化鎂(Magnesium Oxide)更易吸收的形式，劑量較高時有通便作用。(3) 氧化鎂常見於各種便宜的保健品中，吸收較差，總體質量較低。
The research on Magnesium Citrate
❶ Kirkland, A. E., Sarlo, G. L., & Holton, K. F. (2018). The Role of Magnesium in Neurological Disorders. Nutrients, 10(6), 730. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10060730
❷ DiNicolantonio, J. J., O'Keefe, J. H., & Wilson, W. (2018). Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis. Open heart, 5(1), e000668. https://doi.org/10.1136/openhrt-2017-000668
❸ Lindberg, J. S., Zobitz, M. M., Poindexter, J. R., & Pak, C. Y. (1990). Magnesium bioavailability from magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 9(1), 48–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.1990.10720349
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What is Zinc?
鋅僅次於鐵，為體內最豐富的微量礦物質。參與人體中酵素催化作用，有助於維持能量及正常代謝。鋅缺乏症會導致神經元凋亡，影響學習與記憶。也被認為是抑鬱症、阿茲海默症與其他神經退化疾病的危險因素。(1)
Why we use Zinc Gluconate?
相比其他形式，葡萄糖酸鋅的人體利用率更佳，更適合用於補充劑。(2)
The research on Zinc Gluconate
❶ https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2013.00033/full#:~:text=Indeed%2C zinc deficiency has been,aging%2C and other neurodegenerative disorders.
❷ Sapota, A., Daragó, A., Skrzypińska-Gawrysiak, M., Nasiadek, M., Klimczak, M., & Kilanowicz, A. (2014). The bioavailability of different zinc compounds used as human dietary supplements in rat prostate: a comparative study. Biometals : an international journal on the role of metal ions in biology, biochemistry, and medicine, 27(3), 495–505. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-014-9724-9
