Brain Nutrients for Memory and Cognition

Cognition keeps us human. Memory, learning, attention, comprehension, judgment, perception, information sorting, planning and conceptualization are cognitive abilities, grounded in the brain and highly adaptable. The human brain’s “neuroplasticity”—its dynamic capacity to replace damaged circuits and make new ones—depends on nutrients to satisfy its gas-guzzling nerve tissues.

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is the most consistently effective brain nutrient. PS is a phospholipid nutrient found in all cells and most concentrated in the human brain. Membrane systems manage the vital life processes in our cells, and PS is a universal building block for membranes. PS is therefore a “vital lipid.” Its benefits for memory, mood and stress are documented by 26 double blind trials. As a dietary supplement, PS is very well tolerated, even by children.

Many of the brain’s PS molecules naturally have the omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) integral to their structure, and sometimes also the omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). EPA and DHA are crucial for cognition, and help with behavior/aggression management, mood swings and depression, pain management, and as natural anti-inflammatories. Authentic krill carries DHA and EPA tied into phospholipids, as they occur naturally in the brain, and delivers them more effectively to the nerve cells. Such omega-3 PS recently became commercially available and is undergoing further clinical validation.

Glycerophosphocholine (GPC) is another phospholipid and a vital lipid validated by controlled clinical trials. Like PS, GPC is an orthomolecule, naturally found in all our cells. Functionally, GPC is located in the cell water-phase and complements PS as a reservoir to make new cell membranes. In double blind clinical trials, GPC boosted attention, concentration, memory and mood.

GPC also can speed recovery of stroke patients and patients with traumatic brain injuries. Biochemically, GPC is a highly bioavailable source of choline and acetylcholine, and a unique protectant for the brain and other organs. In a meta-analysis of several clinical trials, GPC was judged more effective against severe memory loss than the approved drug donezepil. GPC is pleasant tasting, well tolerated, and amenable to many dosage forms.

The orthomolecule citicoline is a precursor to phosphatidylcholine (PC), another cell membrane phospholipid. It was not found effective in two double blind trials against Alzheimer’s disease, but has shown modest benefits for stroke recovery. In three comparison trials on vascular dementia, citicoline was less beneficial than GPC. The fact that citicoline requires more energy for its utilization than does GPC may help account for its less spectacular clinical performance.

Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) is another orthomolecule, and an important cofactor for making biological energy. ALC provides the acetyl group to make acetylcholine (ACh). Its benefits against memory loss have been modest in double blind trials on Alzheimer’s patients, and it was outperformed by GPC in one controlled trial; but, ALC may help with less severe memory loss. Taking ALC very late in the day may delay onset of sleep.

On the botanical side, one finds Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), an herbal preparation that is antioxidant, protective and improves blood flow to the brain. GBE’s memory benefits typically are very modest, but a new preparation that combines GBE with PS may enhance the speed of memory task performance. In the study, GBE alone and GBE+PC were significantly less active than GBE+PS.

Bacopa (Bacopa monniera, Indian water hyssop) is a traditional Ayurvedic herbal memory tonic. In controlled trials, bacopa improved attention, long-term memory and anxiety. The standardized bacopa preparation is very safe to take and is well tolerated by children and adults alike.

Disorders of memory, learning, mood and behavior are epidemic in North America. Nutrients that have proven benefits and safety for brain support afford excellent opportunities to make the healthy brain more productive and give the challenged brain a second chance. Proven brain nutrients can be used individually and in combination, as well as adjunctively with the modest drugs so far approved for severe memory loss.

Parris M. Kidd., Ph.D., is the founder of PMK Biomedical and Science & Ingredients Inc., located in Carlsbad, Calif. For further information, contact the author at [email protected].

References on the next page.

References for "Brain Nutrients for Memory and Cognition"

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5. Kidd P. PS, Nature’s Brain Booster (2^nd Edition). 2007.

6. Parnetti L. “Cholinergics overview.” J Neurol Sci. 2007;257:264.