Supplements That May Be Helpful to Enhance Memory

Supplements That May Be Helpful to Enhance Memory

Of course, the first step in enhancing memory is fix any of the problems listed above if possible. There are as number of important supplements that have been shown to be helpful to enhance memory, including gingko biloba, phosphatidylserine, vinpocetine, huperazine A. Medications that have been found to help memory include Namenda, Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl.

NeuroMemory

Huperazine A

Huperzine A is a remarkable compound that has been studied in China for nearly 20 years. It appears to work by increasing the availability of acetylcholine, a major memory neurotransmitter in the brain, and preventing cell damage from excitotoxins. It has been shown to be effective in improving patients who suffered with cognitive impairment from several different types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Huperzine A has also been shown effective to help learning and memory in teenagers. Researchers divided 34 pairs of junior high school students complaining of memory problems into a Huperzine A and placebo control group. The Huperzine A group was given 2 (50 microgram) capsules of Huperzine A twice a day, while the placebo group was given 2 capsules of placebo (starch and lactose inside) twice a day for 4 weeks. At the end of trial, the Huperzine A group ‘ s memory abilities were significantly superior to that of the placebo group.

At the Amen Clinics we make a product called NeuroMemory that contains Huperazine A, plus folate and mixed tocotrienol Vitamin E for memory supprt.

Gingko Biloba

The prettiest brains I have seen are those on gingko. Gingko biloba, from the Chinese gingko tree, is a powerful antioxidant that is best known for its ability to enhance circulation, memory, and concentration. The best studied form of Gingko biloba is a special extract called EBG 761. It would be best if this was the form you use. EGB 761 has been studied in blood vessel disease, clotting disorders, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease. A comparison in 2000 of all the published, placebo-controlled studies longer than six months for Gingko biloba extract, EGB 761, vs.Cognex, Aricept, and Exelon showed they all had similar benefits for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease patients.

The most widely publicized study in the U.S.of gingko biloba was done by Dr. PL Le Bars and colleagues from the New York Institute for Medical Research, which appeared in JAMA in 1997. EGB 761 was used to assess the efficacy and safety in Alzheimer disease and Vascular Dementia. It was a 52-week multicenter study with patients who had mild to severe symptoms. Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with EGB 761 (120 mg/d) or placebo. Progress was monitored at 12, 26, and 52 weeks, and two hundred two patients finished the study. At the end of the study the authors concluded that EGB was safe and appears capable of stabilizing and, in a substantial number of cases, improving the cognitive performance and the social functioning of demented patients for 6 months to 1 year. Although modest, the changes induced by EGB were objectively measured and were of sufficient magnitude to be recognized by the caregivers.

Consider taking gingko if you are at risk for memory problems or stroke or suffer from low energy or decreased concentration.

Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a naturally occurring nutrient that is found in foods such as fish, green leafy vegetables, soy products, and rice. PS is a component of cell membranes. There are reports of the potential of PS to help improve age-related declines in memory, learning, verbal skills, and concentration. PET studies of patients who have taken PS show that it produces a general increase in metabolic activity in the brain. In the largest multi-center study to date of phosphatidylserine and Alzheimer ‘ s disease, 142 subjects aged 40 to 80 were given 200 milligrams of phosphatidylserine per day or placebo over a three-month period. Those treated with phosphatidylserine exhibited improvement on several items on the scales normally used to assess Alzheimer ‘ s status. The differences between placebo and experimental groups were small but statistically significant. Effective doses of PS have been reported to be 300 mg per day. The types of symptoms that have improved in placebo-controlled studies of cognitive impairment or dementia include loss of interest, reduced activities, social isolation, anxiety, memory, concentration, and recall. Milder stages of impairment tend to respond to PS better than more severe stages. With regard to depression in elderly individuals, Dr. M Maggioni and colleagues studied the effects of oral PS (300 mg/day) vs. placebo, and noted significant improvements in mood, memory and motivation after 30 days of PS treatment.

At the Amen Clinics we make a product called Brain Vitale that contains gingko, phosphatidylserine, acetyl-L-carnitine for brain support.

• Types of Memory
• Memory Problems
• Understanding and Treating Memory Loss
• Medical Tests to Consider to Evaluate Memory Problems
• Supplements That May Be Helpful to Enhance Memory