The action of any supplement that purports to improve brain function is based on how its chemical constituents interact with the body's biochemistry. Though many people consider supplements more natural than modern prescription drugs, the substances they contain still have the potential for toxicity, side effects and unwanted interactions with prescribed medications. Use all supplements under the supervision of a qualified health-care professional.
Essential Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are crucial for brain function. Because they cannot be manufactured in the body, fatty acids must be obtained through food or supplements. Oxidative stress from free radicals, the unstable molecules that result from both pollutants and normal metabolic process, causes a decline in the brain's fatty acid concentrations as a person ages. That process may be a factor in Alzheimer's disease. According to the Franklin Institute, consuming a healthy balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids may help to forestall age-related cognitive deterioration. Boosting consumption of docosahexaenoic acid, a fatty acid found in fish, may be especially beneficial. Fatty fish such as salmon or mackerel provide this essential nutrient, as do fish oil supplements. Ask your physician if fish oil supplements are right for you.
Herbs
A number of herbs are traditionally used to improve brain function. Gotu kola, ginkgo biloba and bacopa are used to boost memory and cognition, while kava kava, passion flower, chamomile and valerian are used to soothe anxiety and restlessness. Some herbs, including St. John's wort and mucuna pruriens, may help reduce symptoms of depression by boosting the level of brain chemicals that govern mood and motivation. Let your physician know which herbs you are considering before adding them to your regimen.
Vitamins
A 2004 article in the medical journal "Lancet Neurology" states that intakes of vitamins C, E, B-6, B-9 and B-12 may help provide protection from Alzheimer's disease. Much more research is necessary in order to determine which supplements are best for the aging brain. Until more specific guidelines are developed, the Harvard School of Public Health suggests that a multivitamin/multimineral supplement with an added vitamin D pill will suffice for most people. Ask your physician about the role vitamin supplements should play in your health.
Regulation of Brain Function Supplements
Supplements to improve brain function are regulated more laxly than the prescription medications made for similar purposes. Any drug that is sold to the public must go through a series of clinical trials, and its manufacturer must file proof of its safety and efficacy with the Food and Drug Administration. Supplement manufacturers are not held to the same standards. They do not need to test their products on humans for safety, nor do they have to prove to the FDA that their products actually work. That is why it is important to thoroughly research any supplement you are considering, and to discuss it with your physician first. Do not rely on just the manufacturer's promotional literature.
References
- The Franklin Institute: The Human Brain - Fats
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis Balch; 2006
- Food and Drug Administration: Dietary Supplements
- "Lancet Neurology"; Dietary Factors and Alzheimer's Disease; J.A. Luchsinger et al; Oct. 2004
- Harvard School of Public Health: The Nutrition Source -- Vitamin
