In a study published in a journal Frontiers of nutritionBritish researchers investigated the effects of 90 days of taking a multi-ingredient herbal supplement on the cognitive performance and gut microbiota of elderly patients with subjective memory decline. Researchers found that although the intervention caused participants to experience memory impairment, it improved their speed on cognitive tasks, while simultaneously increasing urinary tyrosine levels and reducing levels of three types of bacteria in the gut. did.
study: In cognitively intact older adults who experience subjective memory decline, chronic ingestion of multi-ingredient herbal supplements reduces the speed of cognitive task performance along with changes in urinary dopamine metabolism and gut microbiota. Improving: A randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. Image credit: lupvaliu / Shutterstock
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Although the effects of certain individual herbs on brain function have been studied, research on ingesting combinations of herbal compounds is limited. Combination products are typically formulated to enhance the effects of the individual ingredients through potential synergy between all ingredients, which may not be apparent when the compounds are taken alone.
Phytochemicals such as phenols, terpenes, micro- and macronutrients, and polysaccharides potentially confer neuroprotection, interact with neurotransmitter systems, support metabolism, and mediate gut-brain axis communication. Evidence suggests that it may support brain function. Given the lack of research on the combination of these components, researchers in this study aimed to improve cognitive function, urinary metabolome, and gut microbiome in older adults who experience subjective memory decline. We evaluated the effects of multi-ingredient supplements on
About research
This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group intervention trial was conducted for 90 days with 128 participants aged 55 to 75 years. Participants self-reported age-related memory decline compared to those in their 20s, but otherwise said they were in good health.
Participants were randomly assigned to take two capsules of either magnesium stearate (placebo) or an herbal supplement named “Turmeric Brainwave” with their breakfast each day. The supplement was a combination of the following ingredients: bacopa monnieri, Turmeric, Gotu Kola Leaf, Reishi (Full Spectrum), Rosemary, Cardamom, Green Tea, Holy Basil, Sea Green. The first and last doses were administered in the laboratory on the day of the test, and intermediate doses were received by participants at home.
The test was conducted using a series of cognitive tasks that participants performed once on day 1 of treatment (acute), twice on day 90 of treatment (chronic), and once weekly during that time. Mental performance was assessed using a computerized smartphone-based system (Cognim app) in terms of speed and accuracy of attention, quality of memory, episodic memory, speed of memory, and overall speed and accuracy. I did. The gut microbiota was analyzed by examining participants’ stool samples taken within 18 hours of their visit to the laboratory. A library of 16S-ribosomal ribonucleic acid (16S-rRNA) sequences was prepared and analyzed. Shannon diversity and rare bacterial richness were estimated, and statistical analyzes were performed using various tools. The urinary metabolome was characterized using liquid chromatography of collected urine samples before laboratory processing.
Results and discussion
The post-administration compliance range for the intervention was found to be 84.6–112.1%. Compared to baseline, placebo participants showed significantly better attentional accuracy, memory quality, episodic memory, speed of memory, and overall accuracy and speed. Additionally, memory impairment was observed even after 90 days of treatment with the multicomponent supplement. However, the treatment group showed significant improvements in the speed with which they performed cognitive tasks. Specifically, we found significant improvements in choice reaction time, numerical working memory, speed on Stroop tasks, and fewer errors on rapid visual information processing tasks.
Gut microbiome analysis revealed that Shannon diversity was greater in the treatment group than in the placebo group. Interestingly, the gut bacterial load of participants in the placebo group was significantly influenced by age, dietary habits, alcohol and caffeine intake, and concomitant drug use, whereas this effect was not observed in the treatment group. It was. Furthermore, the treatment group showed a significant decrease in the abundance of three enterobacterial species. Genus Anerostipes,, Stellella and Blautia Before and after completion of administration.less amount of Sutera The treatment group showed a simultaneous reduction in constipation and improvement in bowel movements.
Analysis of the relative abundance of metabolites in the urine revealed increased tyrosine levels in the treatment group, indicating a role for dopamine in the observed increase in cognitive speed.
conclusion
In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that the multi-ingredient supplement helped participants improve their cognitive speed, potentially modulated by increased dopaminergic activity, while also improving their defecation experience. However, this study is limited by the uneven randomization of participants into treatment groups before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Further research is needed to explain the unexpected effects of supplements on memory and the potential utility of supplement combinations in improving brain function in older adults.
