A host of degenerative health concerns face the aging U.S. population, including an epidemic of dementia; however, nutraceuticals may play an important role in staving off cognitive decline and bolstering mental function. In an article for Nutraceuticals World, Casey Adams, Ph.D., outlines not only markers of cognitive decline, but the state of the research behind a host of different compounds.
Among one of the key classes is antioxidants, which prevent oxidative damage to the lipid-rich brain and nerve tissues. Further, he noted, such oxidative damage is linked to chronic inflammation, which can further adversely impact memory and cognition. On the front line of addressing this issue are antioxidants, from colorful fruits and vegetables to the individual phenolic and bioactive compounds found in nature. Although a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been shown to reduce the risk for cognitive dysfunction, most adults likely need augmentation. Such options for phytonutrient intake can include green foods—themselves a rich source of many nutrients—into fortified or functional foods with added ingredients such as resveratrol, mixed tocotrienols or multiple carotenoids.
Botanical ingredients have a strong history of use in cognitive health, Adams said. Bacopa monnieri, for example, is a traditional Ayurvedic remedy for memory and cognitive dysfunction that has been shown in recent trials to have positive effects. Other traditional herbs Adams mentioned include Polygala tenuifolia (used in Chinese medicine for cognitive difficulties); periwinkle, Vinca minor, a European botanical in the area; and cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) from the Amazon rainforest.
Also important to consider are the healthy lipids including essential fatty acids (EFAs) and phospholipids. Adams called out phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylcholine (PC) and glycerophosphocholine (GPC) for their support of energy production and synapse integrity; studies support their use in enhancing mental performance, and FDA has allowed two health claims for PS related to dementia and cognitive dysfunction. EFAs, particularly the omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are a key building block of brain cells.
Adams finally cited several other nutraceutical ingredients with positive research in this area, including citicoline, acetyl L-carnitine, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and alpha-lipoic acid.
