Brain Health

The plant extract of Hypericum perforatum, or St. John’s wort, is grown on nearly every continent in the world, but has only recently been scientifically cited as a potential gatekeeper for depression. The study, reported in the Cochrane Systematic Review (United Kingdom) in October, included reviews of 29 trials with a total of 5,489 patients prescribed with symptoms of “major depression.”

Researchers supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, MD), will conduct a nationwide clinical trial to invesigate whether omega-3 fatty acids slow Alzeimer's disease.

Exposure to just one stressful episode can damage nerve cell generation in animals, potentially leading to depression, according to new research supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH; Bethesda, MD).

Lack of communication between doctors and patients poses a serious problem for the healthcare industry, especially when it comes to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM; Bethesda, MD), only about 12% of Americans who tried CAM between 1997 and 2004 consulted a licensed healthcare practitioner.

  Two recent studies from the Archives of Neurology suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may be helpful for people suffering from cognitive decline. The studies, while not definitive, add more support to the theory that the omega-3s docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are important elements of cognitive health and well-being.

As the body of peer-reviewed research on cognitive-function ingredients continues to grow, omega-3 is just the tip of the iceberg for natural alternatives to prescription drugs, say industry experts.

In their quest to create tasty foods and beverages enriched with omega-3s, food technologists, like salmon, have had to swim against the current. The taste of omega-3 fatty acids has been a key stumbling block. Recently, however, manufacturers have been employing several strategies to develop new products.

The more consumers learn and remember about brain and memory support supplements, the more likely they are to turn to them for a mental boost.

Two new studies are shedding some light on how omega-3s affect the developing nervous system. These studies, along with many others, are part of a growing body of evidence suggesting that the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) provide significant benefits to the eyes and brain.

Dietary supplements cannot improve memory or mental acuity, but several new products offer support for those hoping to keep their faculties sharp for years to come.