Nutrition, natural products and supplements

alzdiscovery.org/cognitive-vitality/nutrition-natural-products-and-supplements

Diet can have a major impact on the health of your brain. Supplements, traditional herbs, nutraceuticals and other
natural products can also affect your health. Could they protect your brain? Are they safe? Here, we rate the
scientific evidence and give you the info.
* See the Evidence guide for color legend and more information.

Vinpocetine
November 19, 2015

Chemically synthesized from a plant extract, vinpocetine may improve memory and increase brain blood flow and
metabolism. Although considered safe for most people, it poses a risk to some people and its long-term effects are
not well-studied.
EFFICACY Possibly

prevents dementia based on

Very limited EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Probably

Coffee and Caffeine

September 29, 2015

Some studies report that people who drink caffeine or coffee in moderate doses have less risk of cognitive decline
or dementia but the results are inconsistent and high doses might harm. The safety of caffeine or coffee intake
should be considered separately for each individual.
EFFICACY Possibly

prevents dementia based on

Limited EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Very likely

Fish and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, DHA & EPA

September 04, 2015

1/8

DHA and other long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are found in fatty fish and fish oil. Supplementation
does not improve cognition in most elderly people but could benefit people with cognitive impairment that is less
severe than dementia. Although the evidence has surprising discrepancies, people who have more of these fatty
acids in their blood appear less likely to develop Alzheimers.
EFFICACY Likely

prevents dementia based on

Limited EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Very likely

Cinnamon
July 29, 2015

Cinnamon might theoretically protect against Alzheimers but the evidence is based solely on animal and test-tube
studies that have not been verified in humans. In at least one clinical trial, cinnamon did not elicit anti-aging benefits
suggested from laboratory research. A handful of small clinical trials suggest that cinnamon might improve
metabolism in diabetic patients. Cinnamon is safe for general consumption but allergic reactions can occur and high
doses can carry risks.
EFFICACY Possibly

prevents dementia based on

Very limited EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Probably

Bacopa monnieri
July 29, 2015

Used for centuries as a medicinal herb, bacopa may slightly improve scores on some cognitive tests in some
people. Scientists are exploring other claims that it can protect against a variety of diseases but the evidence so far
is very minimal.
EFFICACY Possibly

prevents dementia based on

Very limited EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Very likely

Huperzine A
2/8

June 28, 2015

Huperzine A might modestly improve memory and global cognition in patients with vascular dementia and
Alzheimers disease; however, many caveats prevent clear conclusions. Huperzine A appears safe for short-term
use but evidence for long-term safety is lacking.
EFFICACY Possibly

prevents dementia based on

Very limited EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Probably

Berberine
June 28, 2015

No evidence suggests berberine can promote brain health in humans or treat cognitive decline or dementia.
Berberine might help to manage diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure for some people. Although it
may be safe for short term use, berberine interacts dangerously with some medications and evidence for long-term
safety is lacking.
EFFICACY Possibly

prevents dementia based on

Very limited EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Probably

Astragalus
June 02, 2015

Astragalus is a large group of herb species used in traditional Chinese medicine. Currently there is very limited
evidence from human research suggesting neuroprotective benefits and improved learning and memory effects, and
limited evidence for reduced age-related disease. Astragalus appears safe for short-term use but evidence for longterm use safety is lacking.
EFFICACY Unknown

ability to prevent dementia based on

No EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Probably

3/8

TA-65
June 02, 2015

TA-65 is a commercially available nutraceutical that may activate the enzyme telomerase. Very little evidence exists
to suggest any health benefits. TA-65 appears safe for short-term use but evidence for long-term safety is lacking.
EFFICACY Unknown

ability to prevent dementia based on

No EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Probably

Lithium: Dietary and Supplement Doses

May 01, 2015

Lithium is a mineral naturally found throughout the body. Lithium at dietary or supplement doses between 0.3 to 5
mg per day could theoretically protect the brain but the evidence is limited to one pilot clinical trial. Although higher
doses of lithium (eg. 150 to 200 mg per day) may cause serious side effects, doses below 5 mg per day from most
supplements or from tap water are unlikely to cause harm in most people.
EFFICACY Possibly

prevents dementia based on

Very limited EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Probably

Curcumin
April 13, 2015

Curcumin, found in the spice turmeric, may benefit the brain and even protect against dementia, but the evidence is
weak, partly due to the fact that most past clinical trials used a form of curcumin that wasnt easily used by the
human body. Both dietary curcumin, often found in curry, and curcumin supplements appear safe for most people.
EFFICACY Possibly

prevents dementia based on

Limited EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Very likely

4/8

High-flavanol Cocoa or Chocolate

March 10, 2015

Flavanol-rich cocoa or chocolate might improve cognition function in elderly people but potential benefits are
selective to specific aspects of cognition. Whether it can protect against dementia itself is less clear. On the plus
side, safety concerns are generally limited to the caffeine and theobromine content, as well as the high caloric
content.
EFFICACY Possibly

prevents dementia based on

Limited EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Very likely

Vitamin C and E Supplements

December 10, 2014

Vitamins C and E are essential for proper health. Some people with Alzheimers disease and dementia have low
levels of these vitamins, although it has not been proven that the lack of vitamins caused their disease.
Observational studies suggest that increasing dietary intake of vitamins C and E might protect against dementia
although vitamin C and E supplements may not offer the same protection. Both vitamins are generally safe for
supplementation in healthy people, although some studies have linked vitamin E supplementation with an increased
risk of dying. Maintaining healthy levels of vitamins C and E in the diet may be better than supplementation for most
people.
EFFICACY Possibly

prevents dementia based on

Very limited EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Some risks

Vitamin D
December 10, 2014

Vitamin D is essential for human health and may be important in aging and age-related cognitive decline. People get
vitamin D from food and from their skin, which produces vitamin D when stimulated by sunlight. Many animal
studies and observational studies in humans suggest low vitamin D levels are associated with age-related diseases,
lifespan and mortality but these studies do not prove that vitamin D deficiency actually causes these diseases.
Vitamin D supplements are generally considered safe when used correctly by healthy people. Large randomized
trials are now needed to clearly define the role of vitamin D in human health.
EFFICACY Possibly

5/8

prevents dementia based on

Limited EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Very likely

Magnesium Supplements
December 04, 2014

Magnesium is critical for brain health and is mostly obtained through a healthy diet. Some research has shown lower
magnesium levels in patients with Alzheimers disease, but there is little evidence that supplementation can prevent
or treat dementia. Magnesium supplementation in moderation appears to be safe for most people, with some
notable exceptions (including a warning for people with compromised kidney function).
EFFICACY Possibly

prevents dementia based on

Very limited EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Some risks

Dietary Magnesium
December 04, 2014

Magnesium is normally obtained through food and is essential for brain health. High dietary intake of magnesium
has been linked to a lower risk of dementia while some Alzheimers patients have low blood and brain levels of
magnesium. While dietary magnesium is very likely safe, magnesium supplements carry their own risks.
EFFICACY Possibly

prevents dementia based on

Limited EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Very likely

Cerebrolysin
December 04, 2014

Cerebrolysin is a mixture of peptides purified from pig brains and is approved in many European and Asian
countries for the treatment of stroke, traumatic brain injury and dementia; however it is not approved for use in the
United States. It appears safe for short-term use (up to 3 years) and results from several clinical trials suggest it
might offer small improvements to symptoms of Alzheimers disease and vascular dementia. It remains unknown if
Cerebrolysin might prevent dementia, slow aging or lower risk of mortality.

6/8

EFFICACY Possibly

prevents dementia based on

Very limited EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Probably

Resveratrol
June 13, 2014

Resveratrol is an antioxidant found in foods such as grapes, berries, peanuts, chocolate and red wine. Although it is
still unclear whether resveratrol has any benefits in healthy people, some small clinical trials suggest that it may help
those with certain health conditions. Taking resveratrol supplements is generally regarded as safe although longterm use has not been studied.
EFFICACY Possibly

prevents dementia based on

Very limited EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Probably

Rhodiola
May 20, 2014

Extracts of the plant Rhodiola rosea are traditional herbal medicines intended to enhance performance and reduce
fatigue. They have also been hypothesized to alleviate a wide range of conditions including altitude sickness,
depression, influenza, and cancer, but the evidence for all of these claims is weak, contradictory and inconclusive.
Rhodiola supplements are considered generally safe for healthy people.
EFFICACY Unknown

ability to prevent dementia based on

Very limited EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Probably

Fullerene C60
April 10, 2014

Buckminsterfullerene (C 60) is a molecule with unusual properties that was discovered in the late 1980s and is being

7/8

investigated for cancer treatments, skin care carbon nanotubes, and other applications. Several laboratory studies
suggest that the water-soluble form of C60 may have neuroprotective properties and the non-hydrated forms
dissolved in olive oil might extend lifespan. However, these claims have never been tested in humans. Similarly, the
safety of C60 and its derivatives have never been tested in humans.
EFFICACY Possibly

prevents dementia based on

Very limited EVIDENCE
TYPICAL SAFETY*

Unknown

8/8