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Our Members Asked:
Do any supplements, foods or lifestyle modifications help with brain function, like memory and cognition?
Answer:
There is preliminary evidence that certain supplements modestly improve various aspects of memory or cognition. These benefits include boosting memory in people who do not have memory problems as well as improving memory or cognition in people with age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of dementia. At the same time, several supplements have not been shown to help with memory or cognition.
In addition, certain foods, diets, and lifestyle changes have been associated with improvements in cognition or a decreased risk of dementia.
Sign in as a member to find out if any of the following supplements help with brain function: Acetyl-L-carnitine, apoaequorin (the main ingredient in Prevagen), ashwagandha, bacopa, benfotiamine, beta-alanine, choline, cocoa flavanols, coenzyme Q10, coffee or coffee extracts, cranberry, curcumin (from turmeric), fish oil, ginger, Ginkgo biloba, grape seed extract, green tea, huperzine A, inositol-stabilized arginine silicate, iron, ketones, L-arginine, lion's mane, lithium (low dose), lutein and zeaxanthin, magnesium, magnolia bark extract, medium chain triglycerides (MTC), melatonin, multivitamins, nicotinamide riboside, phosphatidylserine, plasmalogen, PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone), prebiotics (such as Sunfiber), probiotics, soy isoflavone genistein, spermidine, sulforaphane, vinpocetine, and vitamins B-12, D, and E.
Also find out which foods (such as eggs), diets (such as the Mediterranean and MIND diets) or lifestyle modifications may be beneficial, and learn about ingredients promoted for memory and cognition that are not permitted to be sold as supplements.
In addition the results of its expert testing, ConsumerLab uses only high-quality, evidence based, information sources. These sources include peer-reviewed studies and information from agencies such as the FDA and USDA, and the National Academy of Medicine. On evolving topics, studies from pre-print journals may be sourced. All of our content is reviewed by medical doctors and doctoral-level experts in pharmacology, toxicology, and chemistry. We continually update and medically review our information to keep our content trustworthy, accurate, and reliable. The following sources are referenced in this article:
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A recent study compared the effects of Prevagen on memory and cognition in older men and women with a plasmalogen supplement, which is also promoted for brain benefits. Find out if either helped in our article about plasmalogens and our article about Prevagen.
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Do afternoon naps improve cognitive function and sleep among people with mild cognitive impairment? Find out what a recent study showed in the Lifestyle Modifications section of our article about memory and cognition.
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Diet & Dementia
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Does following a healthful diet help prevent cognitive decline among older people? Find out what a recent study showed in the Diet Modifications section of our article about supplements, foods or lifestyle modifications for memory and cognition.
PPI Use & Dementia?
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Does the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) that reduce stomach acid, like omeprazole, increase the risk of dementia? Find out what research suggests in our updated CL Answer about supplements and brain function.
Spermidine for Memory?
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Higher intakes of the compound spermidine from the diet have been associated with a lower incidence of cognitive decline, but does taking spermidine have this benefit? Find out in our article: Do any supplements, foods or lifestyle modifications help with brain function, like memory and cognition?
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Walking and tai chi both improved cognition in men and women with mild cognitive impairment in a recent study, although one was better. Learn more in our article about supplements and lifestyle interventions for memory and cognition.
Exercise for Memory?
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Does regular exercise, alone or combined with mindfulness meditation, improve memory and cognition in older men and women? See what a recent study found in our updated article about supplements, foods, and lifestyle modifications for memory and cognition.
Soy Isoflavone for Alzheimer’s?
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Can supplementing with genistein, a soy isoflavone, improve cognitive function in people with Alzheimer’s disease? Find out what a recent study showed in our CL Answer about supplements for memory and cognition.
Alzheimer's and Oral Care
October 25, 2022
A recent study suggests that enhanced oral care may help slow cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Get the details in the Lifestyle Modifications section of our article about Supplements, Foods and Lifestyle Modifications for Cognition.
Broccoli Compound for Brain Health?
August 23, 2022
Can supplementing with sulforaphane (obtained from broccoli) improve cognitive function and memory in older adults? Find out what a recent study showed in our updated CL Answer about supplements for cognition.
Less Centrophenoxine in Supplements Than Stated
August 19, 2022
Centrophenoxine, a drug that is prescribed in some countries to treat dementia, is also in supplements in the U.S., but a study found that most don't contain what they claim. Learn more in our article about supplements for memory and cognition.
Spermidine for Memory?
June 14, 2022
Find out if taking spermidine improved memory or cognition in older men and women in a recent study in our article about Supplements for Memory and Cognition.
Arginine for Mild Cognitive Impairment?
April 15, 2022
Can supplementing with L-arginine help elderly people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)? Find out what a recent study showed in the What It Does section of our L-Arginine Supplements Review.
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