Question 332 of 433
Are there memory supplements you consider reasonable to try?
The short answer
A few have small human studies, but none of these products is established dementia prevention. Low risk is not the same as no risk.
Bacopa, an herb from Indian traditional medicine, improved memory recall slightly in several small trials over about twelve weeks.
Lion’s mane, a mushroom, has small studies suggesting a benefit in mild cognitive complaints.
Ginkgo I do not recommend: it failed in a large prevention trial and can increase bleeding.
Alpha-GPC and huperzine A act on brain chemistry in ways that warrant caution, particularly with other medications.
If you try one, try one at a time, for three months, with a clear way to judge whether it helped. Then stop if it did not.
“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
SMALL HUMAN STUDIES — Specific memory complaints: modest signals; no established dementia prevention or lifespan effect.Evidence grade (draft mapping)BLimited or small human studiesPart 22, Q332 · 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.