CILTEP vs. Alpha BRAIN is a battle between two theory-driven brain booster supplements.
While Alpha BRAIN stands behind their unusual nootropic AC-11®, CILTEP’s spotlight shines on their Coelus+Artichoke blend.
Which nootropic stacking strategy will triumph?
Let’s get to it.
Table of Contents
Tale of the Tape
CILTEP |
vs. |
Alpha BRAIN |
||
Ingredients | Dosage | Ingredients | Dosage | |
Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxal-5-phosphate) | 5 mg | B-6 (Pyridoxine HCL) | 10 mg | |
Artichoke Extract (Cynara scolymus) (head) (5% total caffeoylquinic acids) | 300 mg | Onnit® Flow Blend | 650 mg | |
Coleus forskohlii (root) extract (standardized for 20% forskolin – 4mg) | 900 mg | L-Tyrosine, L-Theanine, Oatstraw Extract (Avena sativa), Phosphatidylserine | ||
L-Phenylalanine | 500 mg | AC-11® (Uncaria tomesntosa Extract)
|
350 mg | |
Acetyl-L-Carnitine | 750 mg | Onnit® Focus Blend | 240 mg | |
Alpha-GPC, Bacopa manniera Extract, Huperzia serrata Extract | ||||
Onnit® Fuel Blend | 65 mg | |||
L-Leucine, Vinpocetine, Pterostilbene |
Round 1: Formulas
CILTEP’s formula promotes Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) for enhanced knowledge, memory & learning.
Their formula isn’t too complex: 5 herbal & premium stacks for brain-cell signaling activity.
But CILTEP is a little unusual, featuring Coleus forskohlii & Artichoke extract as its powerhouse nootropic core.
While it isn’t entirely backed by research, CILTEP at least openly explains how this combination promotes brain-boosting powers.
Coleus+Artichoke seem to boost neurotransmitters in a different way; boosting bio-energetic cAMP and increases acetylcholine and dopamine levels.
In theory, CILTEP’s strategy here will boost memory & mental performance for an outstanding 8-14 hours.
CILTEP uses the superior P-5-P over the basic form B-6 Alpha BRAIN uses. And by including L-Phenylalanine & Acetyl-L-Carnitine the body can keep up with the acetylcholine & dopamine LTP demands.
Alpha BRAIN promises increased processing speeds, memory, & focus enhancements by targeting brain waves.
While Alpha BRAIN keeps their ‘Other’ label simple, CILTEP does it one step better because their entire formula is simple & clean.
Still, Alpha BRAIN’s formula uses 4 out of our Best5 nootropics (Bacopa Monnieri, L-Theanine, Vinpocetine & Phosphatidylserine).
But Alpha BRAIN’s real wild child is AC-11®. This patented form of Cat’s Claw herb is Alpha BRAIN’s alone, but research is limited.
So both CILTEP and Alpha BRAIN are powered by emerging, as-yet-unproven nootropics.
BUT, while CILTEP goes into great detail about their Coelus+Artichoke strategy, Alpha BRAIN doesn’t make a single claim about its AC-11…making Alpha BRAIN’s claims harder to believe.
For a clean and natural stacked formula & hours of brain boosting prowess, CILTEP is more believable, and takes the lead.
Round 1… CILTEP Wins
Round 2: Dosages
The dosages for CILTEP’s Coelus+Artichoke are iffy. Although the combination should supply an intense boost of brain power – and looks good for its promise – the research is still in the early stages.
At least CILTEP gives us background info about Coelus+Artichoke. Alpha BRAIN’S AC-11® prefers giving the silent treatment.
Both P-5-P & L-Phenylalanine dosages are good. But CILTEP’s Acetyl-L-Carnitine sits low at 750 mg.
Alpha BRAIN’s dosages are hit and miss; it just depends on the blend. Although Vinpocetine can work at small dosages, 65 mg in their Fuel Blend is just sad.
Their Focus Blend (240 mg) does better, but it’s still low. Though Hup-A also works in small dosages, Bacopa Monnieri and Alpha-GPC suffer.
Fuel Blend is the highest dosage, but it’s still a prop blend like any other. The only ingredient we know the real dosage of is AC-11®. But again, the potential there is theory based.
In the end, Alpha BRAIN’s dosages don’t hit as hard as CILTEP’s.
Since CILTEP has only 5 ingredients and none hidden in prop blends, with only Acetyl-L-Carnitine slightly missing its mark; we have to hand this round to them.
Round 2… CILTEP Wins
Round 3: Ingredient Quality
CILTEP may only use 5 natural ingredients, but they’re high quality.
P-5-P is the best form of B-6 out there; CILTEP made good use of it, Alpha BRAIN decided on the plain, less powerful B-6 (HCL).
Coelus+Artichoke are exotic and premium herbal ingredients. They also have strong standardizations; Artichoke extract (5% total caffeoylquinic acids) and 20% forskolin (4mg) for Coelus forskohlii.
And CILTEP’s ingredients were chosen to respond well to each other, potentially hitting some synergy.
Coelus+Artichoke are the big brains behind their power. P-5-P, Acetyl-L-Carnitine & L-Phenylalanine back the blend by supplying mood and mental performance enhancements.
Alpha BRAIN’s ingredients work well to target brain waves; and they chose several of the best goddamn nootropics you can possibly hope for (Bacopa Monnieri, Phosphatidylserine, Vinpocetine & L-Theanine).
But Alpha BRAIN does not standardize any herbs except for AC-11. We’ve got potency and dosage concerns with their formula. Plus, their blends have weak links in Alpha GPC and plain B-6.
Round 3… CILTEP Wins
Round 4: Price
CILTEP | vs. | Alpha BRAIN | ||
1 Bottle (30-day supply) | $42.95 | 1 Bottle (15-day supply) | $32.95 | |
Per capsule | $0.72 | Per capsule | $1.10 | |
Per serving | $2.15 | Per serving | $2.20 |
Round 4… CILTEP Wins
Round 5: JUDGEMENT
CILTEP vs. Alpha BRAIN pit theoretical formula against theoretical formula. The winner seems clear but this wasn’t a total smash.
Alpha BRAIN included premium nootropics in each of their blends. The ingredients complement their end goal: Peak “Alpha” performance by targeting brain waves.
But their dosages are a wonder: hidden by prop blends & hitting the low-end of their Focus & Fuel blends. While we like that they keep their ‘Other’ label clean it’s just not enough to pull ahead.
Alpha BRAIN’s star is AC-11®… which is a mystery nootropic.
Purely based on theory, AC-11®’s benefits sound great. The nootropic claims are huge…but no one knows if AC-11® really delivers.
Granted, CILTEP’s main focus Coelus+Artichoke is also theory driven, but we give them points for explaining why it should boost acetylcholine & dopamine to keep us in an LTP state longer; 8-14 hours longer, to be precise.
Even more bonus points are awarded for CILTEP’s squeaky clean label (5 ingredients total), premium herbals and good standardizations.
CILTEP finishes strong.
Stronger than Alpha BRAIN’s less efficient attempt. And so,
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