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A new pill that claims it can ‘significantly boost’ your memory is being launched in the UK this month.
It’s a dream for many – better brain power just from a tablet.
In fact, people are so keen to improve their memory, supplements offering to do just that are part of a multi-million pound industry in the UK alone.
From ginkgo biloba to a range of vitamins, pharmacy shelves are lined with products offering memory in a bottle.
But are these brain supplements really the secret to a better memory?
The latest addition, Green Bioactives’ GBL-Memory, contains two plant extracts, Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and L-Theanine. It was taken by healthy volunteers over two months, and found to improve memory function by up to 10% in a scientific study.
However, Professor Sanjay Manohar, from the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, warned against jumping to conclusions.
‘The results look promising, but it is a sample of only 60 people from the team who developed the product,’ he said, speaking to Metro.co.uk.
‘It would be premature to recommend a supplement until multiple studies have confirmed the benefits and they have tested it in thousands of people.’
Can supplements really improve your memory?
One popular supplement is the ancient Chinese extract ginkgo biloba, claimed to ‘help maintain memory with age decline’.
However, researchers from the University of Oxford assessed thirty-six trials – known as a meta-analysis – and found there was ‘inconsistent and unreliable’ evidence that gingko was beneficial in people with dementia or memory problems, although admitted that taking the tablets resulted in no overt side effects.
Another research trial found that taking twice-daily ginkgo biloba supplements in those over 75 had no effect on memory decline. Which means if you’re hoping for a memory boost, it’s time to hedge your bets elsewhere.
Fish oil
Fish oil supplements have taken off in popularity too. They contain the fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which have an important role in developing brain and nerve cells.
This has led many to believe they may also boost memory power.
But a review by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that omega-3 supplements had no impact on cognitive function in older people, although pointed out longer-term future studies could change their conclusion.
Still, a large clinical trial in 40 countries which looked at thousands of adults with abnormal blood sugar found that omega-3 fatty acid pills just do not boost memory as claimed.
Dr Natalie Rout, a London-based GP, said: ‘We do know that omega-3 is essential for brain health, but many people are able to get enough from their diet, so the benefit of taking further supplements is debatable.
‘I usually recommend [eating] oily fish twice a week instead of buying supplements.
‘If you’re vegetarian or vegan then chia seeds, flaxseeds and walnuts are great – even a tablespoon of these can provide good amounts of omega-3.’
Vitamins
Vitamin D supplements might be recommended for everyone over the winter months, but the jury is still out over their effect on memory – particularly for those who are not already severely deficient.
GP Dr Thusiyan Nandakumar, also based in London, said: ‘Taking daily vitamin D supplements are generally okay in line with NHS recommendations, but with any supplement over the counter, I would be cautious if it states it is specifically targeted for memory.’
A supplement that might have some promise though are vitamin B tablets.
Researchers from the Centre for Dementia Studies in Brighton found one trial they assessed showed that healthy volunteers taking B vitamins over two years had a slower rate of brain atrophy – the loss of brain cells and connections between the brain cells.
However, another review from Germany suggested vitamin B supplements did not prevent a loss in thinking abilities.
Dr Rout added: ‘I always check vitamin B12 levels in patients presenting with memory issues because many people are deficient without realising.
‘Replacing the loss can help with cognition and can also help with fatigue, so is definitely worth testing for.
‘But as an NHS GP I am very mindful of recommending supplements which can be extremely expensive when the benefits aren’t entirely clear.’
Professor Manohar agrees.
‘There is no doubt that the human mind has capacity to be improved, but there is very little evidence supporting most supplements you can buy over the counter,’ he said.
So if we can’t buy our way to a better memory, what can be done?
As is so often the case, it seems a healthy diet is key, including when it comes to more severe memory issues.
Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research and innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘Sadly, there is no single behaviour that is guaranteed to prevent dementia, but we do know that some steps to improve your overall health can help to reduce your risk of developing dementia.
‘It’s important to have a healthy, balanced diet, particularly as we know that what’s good for your heart is good for your head.
‘No single ingredient, nutrient or food can improve health by itself. Instead, eating a range of different foods in the right proportions is what makes a difference.
‘There are steps we can all take to reduce our risk of dementia and it’s never too late to start.
‘Rather than rushing out to buy a supplement that claims to prevent or treat dementia or memory issues, Alzheimer’s Society would urge anyone who is concerned about their memory to speak with their GP in the first instance.’
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