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Over the Counter Supplements for Memory: A Review of Available Evidence.

CNS drugs
September 1, 2023
Haley Hersant et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the scientific evidence for coffee extracts' effectiveness in memory enhancement, as part of a broader review of common ingredients in memory supplements.

Results Summary

The study found no compelling evidence supporting the use of coffee extracts for memory enhancement. It was listed among ingredients with insufficient evidence for cognitive benefits.

Population

Not specified (general review of existing studies on supplement ingredients)

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (21)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
apoaequorin
no change
memory
-
no compelling evidence
no compelling evidence for use
#1
coenzyme Q10
no change
memory
-
no compelling evidence
no compelling evidence for use
#2
coffee extracts
no change
memory
-
no compelling evidence
no compelling evidence for use
#3
L-theanine
no change
memory
-
no compelling evidence
no compelling evidence for use
#4
omega-3 fatty acids
no change
memory
-
no compelling evidence
no compelling evidence for use
#5
vitamin B6
no change
memory
-
no compelling evidence
no compelling evidence for use
#6
vitamin B9
no change
memory
-
no compelling evidence
no compelling evidence for use
#7
vitamin B12
no change
memory
-
no compelling evidence
no compelling evidence for use
#8
ashwagandha
increase
memory
-
some evidence
some current evidence for memory benefit
#9
choline
increase
memory
-
some evidence
some current evidence for memory benefit
#10
curcumin
increase
memory
-
some evidence
some current evidence for memory benefit
#11
ginger
increase
memory
-
some evidence
some current evidence for memory benefit
#12
Lion's Mane
increase
memory
-
some evidence
some current evidence for memory benefit
#13
polyphenols
increase
memory
-
some evidence
some current evidence for memory benefit
#14
phosphatidylserine
increase
memory
-
some evidence
some current evidence for memory benefit
#15
turmeric
increase
memory
-
some evidence
some current evidence for memory benefit
#16
carnitine
neutral
memory
-
mixed results
mixed results regarding the benefit
#17
gingko biloba
neutral
memory
-
mixed results
mixed results regarding the benefit
#18
Huperzine A
neutral
memory
-
mixed results
mixed results regarding the benefit
#19
vitamin D
neutral
memory
-
mixed results
mixed results regarding the benefit
#20
vitamin E
neutral
memory
-
mixed results
mixed results regarding the benefit
#21
Abstract

In 2021, the Global Brain Health Supplement Industry Market size was valued at US$7.6 billion. It is predicted to increase to US$15.59 billion by 2030. Memory and its enhancement are a segment of the market that comprised the highest global revenue share in 2021. In the USA alone, dietary supplement sales reached US$18 billion in 2018. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have the authority to approve dietary supplements' safety, effectiveness, or labeling before products go on the market. The FDA often does not even review supplements before they go to market. Supplement manufacturers are thus responsible for ensuring their products are safe and that their claims are truthful. An extensive review of current supplements on the market was performed by surveying memory products for sale at local and national pharmacies and grocery stores. A list of 103 supplements was compiled and the ingredients in these memory supplements were reviewed. The 18 most common ingredients in these supplements were identified. Each of the supplements included at least one of the 18 most common ingredients. Scientific data relative to these ingredients and their effect on memory was searched using PubMed and Cochrane library databases. Currently, there is no compelling evidence for use of apoaequorin, coenzyme Q10, coffee extracts, L-theanine, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, or vitamin B12 supplementation for memory. On the other hand, there is some current evidence for memory benefit from supplementation with ashwagandha, choline, curcumin, ginger, Lion's Mane, polyphenols, phosphatidylserine, and turmeric. There are current studies with mixed results regarding the benefit of carnitine, gingko biloba, Huperzine A, vitamin D, and vitamin E supplementation for memory. Dietary supplements geared toward improving cognition are a billion-dollar industry that continues to grow despite lacking a solid scientific foundation for their marketing claims. More rigorous studies are needed relative to the long-term use of these supplements in homogenous populations with standardized measurements of cognition. Health care providers need to be aware of any and all supplements their older adult patients may be consuming and be educated about their side effects and interactions with prescription medications. Lastly, the FDA needs to take an active position relative to monitoring marketed supplements regarding safety, purity and claims of efficacy.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
United StatesHumansAgedDietary SupplementsCarnitineDrug-Related Side Effects and Adverse ReactionsBrainCholine
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy20/10
Quality65/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations6
Citations/Year3.0
Relative Citation Ratio1.97
NIH Percentile74%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.40
Normalized Score0.41
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