We start building our Bioavailability Blend with Vinpocetine... A low dose of Vinpocetine is typically considered to be 5 mg 3 times a day, and a high dose as 20 mg 3 times a day.

Vinpocetine is derived from Vincamine which is an indole alkaloid extracted from the lesser periwinkle plant (Vinca minor). While Vinpocetine is alterred slightly from the original botanical compound, it is preferred for therapy because it is three to four times more potent. This is significant because of the high cost of these compounds (over $1000 per kg)...

Vinpocetine side effects reported in the literature are rare, usually minor, frequently disappear with prolonged use, and rarely require discontinuance of the product. The disappearance of symptoms with continued use is a typical cleansing reaction seen with many therapies that increase circulation and flush out stored toxins...

The rare and generally mild side effects that have been observed in less than 2% of people include:

• Upset stomach

• Dry mouth

• Rapid heartbeat

• Low blood pressure

• Skin rash or hives

In some controlled studies, more side effects were reported in the placebo group than among those taking Vinpocetine.

Side effects are more likely with higher doses than low doses, but even higher doses are very safe.

Based on animal studies, the toxic LD-50 dose for a 150-pound human is estimated to be around 30,000 mg.

(That would be the amount in 30,000 capsules of our formulas that contain Vinpocetine)

Note that even water has an LD-50 dose.

LD-50 means lethal 50% of the time.

No one has ever died from Vinpocetine, while occasionally someone drowns from forcing themselves to drink too much water, usually under the influence of drugs such as Ecstasy.

Vinpocetine is a nootropic and a vasodilator that increases blood flow to the brain and eyes.

Its reported benefits include:

• Enhances metabolism

• Enhances cerebral blood flow

• Oxygenates nerve cells

• Improves blood flow by preventing platelet aggregation

• Activates the locus coeruleus in the Reticular Activating System, which regulates attention... Locus coeruleus is Latin for "blue place" because it is a spot in the brain that is blue in color and produces norepinphrine.

• Enhances vigilance while normalizing the EEG (electroencephalogram)

We include 1 mg dose of Vinpocetine in our Bioavailability Factors in a number of our Functional Formulations™, so if one is taking several different formulations at the same time which include these factors, the total dosage is still below even the low dosage range, but enough to enhance the delivery of all the other ingredients to the eye and brain.

Because of Vinpocetine's high potency and high cost, it is at the base of our Fibonacci sequence of Bioavailability Factors...