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Are you taking supplements for brain health? The verdict is OUT--Huge waste of money!
- For most people, the best way to get your nutrients for brain health is from a healthy diet.
-Vitamins and minerals that are essential for health in small doses may be harmful if taken in excess. More is not necessarily better.
-In general, there is insufficient evidence that multivitamins will improve brain health. Multivitamins are not a substitute for a healthy diet in promoting and maintaining brain health.
-Very few supplements have been carefully studied for their effect on brain health. For the handful that have been researched, several well-designed studies of supplements for brain health found no benefit in people with
normal nutrient levels. It’s unclear whether people with nutritional deficiencies can benefit their brains by taking a supplement, because the research is inconclusive.
-Aging is linked with health conditions such as failure to absorb nutrients and poor dental health that may increase risk of vitamin deficiencies that could result in poor brain health. Use of multiple medications can also increase risk of vitamin deficiencies.
-Problems with cognitive function, including thinking skills and memory, have been associated with deficiencies in certain nutrients (e.g., vitamin B12); however, there
is no convincing evidence to recommend daily dietary supplements for brain health in healthy older adults.
-Vitamin B12 deficiency and folate deficiency (also known as vitamin B9 deficiency) may negatively affect your brain health; therefore, supplementation may be beneficial for people with lower-than-recommended levels of these B vitamins.
-Consumption of fatty fish, as well as other types of seafood, may benefit cognitive function. This may be due to their omega-3 fatty acid content, in particular DHA, but this is not proven. Overall, there is insufficient evidence to recommend taking a fish oil-derived omega-3 supplement for brain health.
-VitaminD deficiency can be an issue for older adults, and your health care provider may recommend vitamin D supplementation to correct low levels for general health. However, there is insufficient evidence that vitamin D supplementation benefits brain health.
-Supplement manufacturers and distributors often make vague or exaggerated claims about brain health. Because dietary supplements are marketed without premarket governmental review of their safety and efficacy or the truthfulness of their claims, consumers should approach claims made on supplement packaging and in marketing materials with skepticism.
-The quality of the ingredients in supplements can vary widely. The ingredients in supplements are not generally reviewed for purity and content by government agencies before they are allowed to be sold. Some may contain ingredients that could harm consumers.
**Best things for optimal brain health: Glucose (your brain utilizes up to 50% of your ingested glucose), oxygen (improve breathing-reduce stress, meditate, deep breathing, bag breathing), stimulation (nature, dancing, movement, music, etc.)
www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-2019/report-brain-supplements-ineffective.html
Experts: Supplements for Brain Health Have No Benefits
aarp.org
Widely used supplements for brain health are ineffective according to a consensus statement in a report from AARP collaborative Global Council on Brain Health.