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14 ingredients for healthy cognition, stress and sleep supplements
Healthy brains mean healthy cognition, stress and sleep. But how to develop a supplement that works? Here’s your road map for formulating the next great innovative supplement to help consumers age gracefully.
4 Min Read
At a Glance
- Stress affects sleep.
- Lack of sleep is stressful.
- Poor mental wellness affects all aspects of aging.
[Editor’s note: This formulations feature is part of the Natural Products Insider digital magazine on healthy aging -- “your toolbox for better business” -- that goes deep on everything of interest to formulators, marketers and executives interested in producing products to target the healthy aging supplements shopper. Download it for free here.]
When discussing neurological health, three primary areas apply to aging: Cognition, emotional (stress) and sleep. All three of these areas are interconnected:
• People may have issues with sleep, yet stress is why they are having trouble sleeping.
• A person may be stressed due to a lack of sleep.
• A person may struggle with cognitive function, not realizing that worry (stress) or sleep problems are causing them not to remember something.
Poor mental wellness isn’t just bad for mental health, as it can influence all aspects of aging, such as cardiovascular health, immune health, weight control, elevated blood sugar and pain management.
Cognition
Cognitive health has been one of the hottest areas in the natural health field for the past few decades. The thought (no pun intended) of declining abilities to think clearly, remember and learn is a scary proposition. This fear drives most to seek natural solutions to slow the process or improve their cognitive health. Some of the clinically studied ingredients are:
American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius, as Cereboost from Naturex) was tied to enhancing acetylcholine levels while providing neuroprotective benefits.
Bacopa (Bacopa monniera, as BacoMind from Natural Remedies) has multiple mechanisms of action that support neurotransmitters involved in cognition. Of these, dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and serotonin are on the list. Bacopa is often looked at for its neuroprotective benefits, too.
Wild Canadian blueberry/French grape (Vaccinium angustifolium A./Vitis vinifera L., as Memophenol from Activ’Inside) extract studies showed to positively affect dopamine and norepinephrine levels impacted by stress. It also provides benefits in neuronal signaling. Research also showed berry fruits to be neuroprotective.
Green oat (Avena sativa, as Cognitaven from Anklam Extrakt GmbH) research indicated it positively impacts PDE (phosphodiesterase)-4 and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). PDE-4 supports both norepinephrine and serotonin, while MAO-B supports dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine and serotonin.
Red grape (Vitis vinifera, as Cognigrape from BIONAP) was shown to improve cognitive functions such as attention, language, and immediate and delayed memory.
Sage (Salvia, as Cognivia from Nexira) studies demonstrated its impact on acetylcholine by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down this neurotransmitter. The research also pointed to its high content of polyphenols and their neuroprotective benefits.
Stress
People exposed to chronic stress age rapidly. The telomeres in their cells of all types shorten faster. Inflammation is another important feature of stress that, along with aging, accounts for the phenomenon of inflammaging.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is well-known and recognized as the “king of adaptogens.” Adaptogens help the body adapt to physical or emotional stress. One study with ashwagandha demonstrated its ability to help reduce stress and anxiety and positively affect the stress hormone cortisol.
Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum, as Holixer from Natural Remedies) is also known as an adaptogen. A study completed with Holixer showed improvements in hair cortisol levels (chronic stress indicator), perceived stress and acute stress.
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), in studying its mechanism of action in rodents, involves the neurotransmitters influencing stress by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Healthy adult studies with affron (from Pharmactive Biotech) showed it increases mood, reduces anxiety and manages stress.
Sleep
More evidence suggests that habitually short or disturbed sleep may significantly affect long-term health and longevity. Short sleep duration (e.g., sleeping five or fewer hours per night) is associated with increased risk for the premature development and progression of age-related conditions (e.g., type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease).
GABA (as PharmaGABA from Pharma Foods International) targets GABA receptors, thereby increasing REM (rapid eye movement, also known as the deepest level of sleep) by 99.6% and NREM (non-REM, but still a positive part of the sleep process) by 20.6%.
L-theanine (as Suntheanine from Taiyo International) studies confirmed improvements in the time it takes to fall asleep (stage 1) and stage 4 of the sleep cycle.
PEA (as Levagen+) research showed improvements in sleep latency, number of awakenings and time to feel awake. Throw in the fact that it also helps with pain (a contributing factor for poor sleep) and no wonder it’s a good option for slumbering.
Saffron (as affron) studies supported its impact on occasional sleeplessness, as well as improved sleep quality and restorative sleep.
Valerian is known to increase stages 3 and 4 of the sleep cycle while decreasing stage 1 (the time to fall asleep).
To investigate formulation ingredient insights that target cardiovascular, skin and the structural components of bone, joints and muscle, download the free Natural Products Insider digital magazine on healthy aging here.
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