Memory Improvement: A Dietary Supplement Support Program

References

As we age, our brains don’t always seem to function as well as they did when we were younger. Difficulties with short-term memory are often common, a phenomenon called age-related memory impairment (AMI). In contrast, there are times when younger individuals are particularly concerned with impaired memory, such as prior to and during scholastic exams.

Causes of age-related and non-age-related memory impairment include poor circulation and reduced production of neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers between nerve cells. Since nerve cells are not connected, neurotransmitters are absolutely necessary for conveying information from one cell to another. An inadequate level of any neurotransmitter, especially acetylcholine, can create a breakdown in communication, whereby thought processes can become unclear and memories difficult.

The use of key herbs and natural substances may do much to improve cerebral circulation, enhance neurotransmission, and ultimately improve memory and cognitive function.

Ginkgo biloba is probably the granddaddy of all cerebral support supplements. One of ginkgo’s primary benefits is its ability to significantly improve circulation. Since improved circulation means more nutrients and oxygen are being delivered to the brain, improved brain function also occurs. Meta-analyses document ginkgo’s effectiveness in improving memory and other cognitive functions.^1,2

One review indicated patients with dementia were more likely to experience greater results than healthy volunteers.³ Another review stated significant results could be obtained in Alzheimer’s disease patients with 120 mg/d to 240 mg/d of Ginkgo biloba, but over a period of three to six months.⁴ Yet another review suggested ginkgo may help people who are just beginning to experience deterioration in their cognitive function by delaying deterioration and enabling these subjects to maintain a normal life and escape institutionalization.⁵

There has also been some research that was not conducted over a period of weeks or months, but rather hours. In these cases, however, the effective dose was higher than the standard 120 mg/d. In one study, both 240 mg/d and 360 mg/d of the extract improved the ‘speed of attention’ factor in subjects.⁶ In another study, short-term memory was very significantly improved following 600 mg/d of Ginkgo biloba extract.⁷

The phospholipid phosphatidylserine (PS) is an integral component in the structure of the brain. As a dietary supplement, PS has been found effective in improving memory, learning, concentration, word recall and mood in middle-aged and elderly subjects with dementia or age-related cognitive decline.⁸ PS has been used by the Alzheimer’s Prevention Foundation in Tucson, Ariz., as part of an integrated medical approach to prevent memory loss.⁹ It has also been used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.¹⁰ One study found PS had a positive effect on different measures of brain function in Alzheimer’s patients.¹¹ In another study on Alzheimer’s patients, treatment with cognitive training and PS showed a significant glucose enhancement during the stimulation tasks in various brain regions, and an improvement in cognitive functioning compared to groups not using PS.¹² Researchers have concluded PS may be a promising treatment for the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.₁₃

Cognitive benefits from PS supplementation are not limited to Alzheimer’s patients. A double blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study on cognitive decline in the elderly found statistically significant improvements in the PS-treated group compared to placebo, both in terms of behavioral and cognitive parameters.¹⁴ In addition, clinical evaluation and laboratory tests demonstrated PS was well tolerated. In another study, the effects of PS were studied in a group of elderly subjects with depressive disorders.¹⁵ PS induced consistent improvement of depressive symptoms, memory and behavior. In yet another study, patients with age-related memory impairment were treated with PS, resulting in improvements in performance tests related to learning and memory tasks of daily life.¹⁶ The researchers concluded, “The results suggest that the compound [PS] may be a promising candidate for treating memory loss in later life.”

Huperzine A is a natural substance derived from an extract of Huperzia serrata, a Chinese moss. Most of the research conducted on Huperzine A demonstrates it is a promising new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. The reason for this has to do with its effect on acetylcholine. The role of acetylcholine in the central nervous system relates to memory and cognitive function. There is, however, an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE) that prevents acetylcholine from performing its cognitive functions. When AChE is released in the body, it inactivates acetylcholine within 1/500 of a second.¹⁷ Although this is a normal activity, AChE production can sometimes get out of hand. When this happens, it can adversely affect cognitive functions. This is where Huperzine A comes in. Huperzine A is a selective AChE inhibitor, allowing the body to maintain higher levels of acetylcholine.¹⁸ The cognitive benefits of this were demonstrated in a double blind study where a statistically significant improvement was achieved in patients with multi-infarct senile dementia and pre-senile simple memory disorder.¹⁹ Similar research has shown memory, cognition and behavior improvements in Alzheimer’s patients.²⁰ Other research has shown Huperzine A has the ability to reduce neuronal cell death caused by exposure to a toxin,²¹ and has been used in patients with myasthenia gravis, a debilitating disease associated with wasting of muscles.²²

Vinpocetine is a natural substance derived from periwinkle seeds. Research in Europe has demonstrated vinpocetine can help improve cognitive function and short-term memory in both animals and humans.^23,24 Other research indicates vinpocetine is effective for patients with cerebrovascular disease.²⁵

Two of vinpocetine’s identified mechanisms of action are improvements in brain circulation and oxygen utilization.²⁶ Improved brain circulation enhances delivery of essential nutrients for neuronal function, while improved oxygen utilization benefits the brain’s production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the “energy currency” of the body. Vinpocetine effectively elevates cerebral concentrations of ATP,²⁷ as well as ATP concentrations in red blood cells.²⁸ More ATP means more brain energy, enhancing concentration.

In addition to its circulation and oxygen enhancing properties, vinpocetine also works as part of the cholinergic pathway, which involves the production of acetylcholine.²⁹ Specifically, vinpocetine increases the firing rate of certain nerve cells.³⁰ Finally, vinpocetine is a remarkably safe substance. There is no accumulation or auto-induction of vinpocetine at doses up to 30 mg/d.³¹ In addition, vinpocetine apparently has no serious side effects³² and may, in fact, serve as an effective antioxidant against free radicals and other toxic substances.^33,34

Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (alpha-GPC) is an acetylcholine precursor derived from soy. Research has demonstrated alpha-GPC increases acetylcholine release.³⁵ Not surprisingly, it is used for the treatment of cognitive disorders of aging. Alpha-GPC was found to produce definite symptomatic improvement and showed good tolerability in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate vascular dementia.³⁶ Similarly, the administration of alpha-GPC resulted in significant improvements among patients with probable Alzheimer’s dementia.³⁷ In patients with acute cerebrovascular disease, alpha-GPC helped promote functional recovery of patients with cerebral stroke.³⁸ Likewise, in a study involving more than 2,000 patients suffering from recent stroke or transient ischemic attacks, alpha-GPC was administered on a daily basis after the attack.³⁹ As a result, 71 percent of the patients experienced “no cognitive decline or forgetfulness.”

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is also used in the treatment of various cardiovascular conditions.⁴⁰ In fact, rosemary may promote heart contractions and increase coronary blood flow.⁴¹ Its circulatory enhancement effect may also lend support to cognitive function.

It is always best to use individual nutrients along with a good general multiple vitamin-mineral supplement and a nutrient-rich diet; sugar, white flour and refined and processed foods rob the body of important nutrients, while chemicals added to the food supply put a strain on the body’s detoxification systems. For best possible brain health and general health, eat as many whole, unprocessed foods as possible. Also, watch the fat intake, especially saturated fat intake, as a high fat diet has the potential to “sludge up” the circulation. Healthy blood flow is vital to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the brain for good memory and cognitive function.

April 2005 Health Supplement Retailer
"Memory Improvement: A Dietary Supplement Support Program" References

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