A Beautiful Mind – HEALTHY COGNITION
Here's the latest update of current trials as reported at a conference facilitated by Professor Kerry Bone, a well known and respected expert in Herbal Medicine an Natural Therapies.These trials have again validated a number of herbal medicines that continue to be acknowledged as having beneficial effects on cognitive function. Some nutritional, diet and lifestyle recommendations have been included.
Cognitive Function includes:
- memory (acquiring, retaining, and retrieving information)
- attention, concentration and vigilance including reaction times
- information processing
- executive functioning (planning and prioritising)
- verbal fluency
- visuospatial functioning
Ginkgo Biloba
A current review has found that there is consistent evidence from studies in healthy young and/or elderly volunteers … “that Ginkgo improved selective attention, some aspects of executive functioning and also long – term memory” ...“one study described in press releases as a 'landmark clinical trial' found that this significantly enhances mental performance in healthy, middle aged people”
Ginkgo was combined with Korean Ginseng one study reported and “the results were remarkable”. Apparently there was again significant improvement in cognitive function particularly memory regarding speed and accuracy. Professor Bone describes this positive effect as “Einstein for a day” - particularly notable as beneficial for student examinations.
This is interesting in view of the fact that use of caffeine for study or alertness speeds us up but decreases accuracy...as well as having has other detrimental affects on our health particularly our adrenal health ultimately contributing to tiredness. Perhaps an alternative combination to coffee.
Bacopa Monniera is also known as Brahmi in India as is Gotu Kola.
“Several clinical trials have found that various Bacopa extracts...improved cognitive function in healthy volunteers... This seemed significant to reduce forgetting of new information” - 'the students friend'. In addition, depression and anxiety scores and heart rate significantly decreased over time...”
Sage
Recently a team scientists investigated Sages' traditional reputation as a tonic for the nervous system and memory. For example, a 16th century English herbalist wrote about Sage: “It is singularly good for the head and brain and quickeneth the nerves and memory.” Scientists found “ a significant enhancement of secondary memory at all testing times”. Sage also inhibited a substance called Cholinesterase – implicated in the treatment of Alzeimers disease. Interestingly we say – a wise old sage!
Schisandra
In two sets of experiments using young telegraph officers “it was concluded that Schisandra prevented or reduced exhaustion – related errors”.
Rhodiola, Siberian Ginseng and Schisandra were tested as a combination and it “significantly increased the mental working capacity of healthy volunteers (computer operators on night duty)”. And in another study using young healthy doctors on long shifts, Rhodiola “improved 5 different tests of cognitive function.”
The role of a healthy diet and lifestyle is well established in terms of effective cognitive function.
Omega -3 Fatty Acids (Fish oil)
The evidence that maternal fish oil supplementation during pregnancy and lactation improves cognitive development in children is reasonably strong as well as its role in ADHD and for general wellbeing.“Several studies have shown reduced rates of cognitive decline in cohorts without dementia for increasing fish or fish oil intake”.
Folate (folinic acid) and Vitamin B 12
It was demonstrated in the NHANES study “that among people over 60 with adequate vitamin B12 levels and Folate are associated with better cognitive function.” And in another aged group trial “changes in memory and information processing speed were significantly better in the folinic acid group”. The critical role of B vitamins (and more now of folate) in general wellbeing and stress management is well understood and extensively documented.
A Healthy Diet and Longevity Plan
Participants who included 5 small meals a day to manage blood sugar levels, plus memory exercises like crosswords, and took daily walks “exhibited improved verbal fluency.” We know how very important a healthy diet is in healthy ageing.
The Blueberry Man
“Research suggests that all fruit and vegetables, mainly berries and spinach and especially blueberries are able to reverse the mental deficits associated with ageing”. He attributes this to the anti oxidant potential of the blueberries. It is noteworthy that herbal Bilberry contains more and higher levels of these anti ageing antioxidants and is also associated with eye health.
Stress and the Brain
Cortisol, a hormone released during times of stress is know to negatively affect cognitive function by contributing to neuro (nerve) degenerative changes in the brain. Stress associated memory impairment is a growing complaint amongst patients 40 years or older. “A clinical study has shown that herbal Rhodiola “reduces waking Cortisol (a stress hormone) levels in fatigued patients and improves their cognitive function across a range of tests when compared to the placebo group”
As Professor Kerry Bone concludes - “the evidence for several medicinal plants in maintaining and enhancing cognitive function is particularly good. When their use is supported by key nutrients they can play a safe and valuable role in a variety of modern challenges, such as studying, giving presentations, functioning under sustained stress and the normal decline with ageing”
Very exciting times for optimising cognitive function.
All references available on request and have been taken from a presentation byProfessor Kerry Bone. 2010.