Question 170 of 433
Do brain supplements work?
The short answer
Most do not have convincing evidence for preventing dementia. Correcting a documented deficiency is a different and important task.
Vitamin B12 deficiency causes memory loss and is common after 60, in vegans, and in people on metformin or acid-blocking drugs. Test it.
Omega-3s from fish are linked to better brain aging; capsule trials are mixed.
A daily multivitamin produced a small memory benefit in older adults in the COSMOS trial.
Creatine is being studied for memory, especially under sleep loss. Early.
Ginkgo failed in a large prevention trial.
Products advertised on television for memory generally rest on company-run studies, and regulators and courts have challenged the memory claims of at least one best-selling brand.
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
MIXED HUMAN EVIDENCE — Treat documented deficiencies; most memory-product prevention claims lack convincing trial support.Evidence grade (draft mapping)BLimited or small human studiesPart 12, Q170 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.