Brain Health

An FDA panel narrowly voted against warning labels for products with artificial colors, but did urge for more science.

Cognitex Basics contains phosphatidylserine and alpha-glycerylphosphoryl choline, supplied by Enzymotec (Morristown, NJ).

The ingredient complex is intended for cardiovascular, neurological, and other health benefits.

New tests show that Kyowa Hakko’s (New York City) Cognizin citicoline ingredient may improve focus, concentration, and memory, according to new scientific data presented at the SupplySide Science Tour held January 24 in Irvine, CA.

The product uses CereBoost ginseng extract and is intended for cognitive health at all ages.

In fewer than five years, the alertness and relaxation drinks market-a subset of the energy drinks category-has risen to $521 million, according to a new report from Zenith International.

The ingredient has been gaining consumer interest in the brain health category.

The FTC announced on Monday that it has reached a settlement with major children’s vitamins brands to cease healthy-brain and eye-development claims.

The National Institutes of Health’s Biomarkers Consortium has announced the results of a proteomics study to identify plasma-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease.

Results of a study comparing creatine and cognitive function in vegetarians and meat-eaters.

Targeted Weight Loss

Omega-3s May Reduce Incidence of GingivitisSource: A Naqvi et al., “n-3 fatty acids and periodontitis in U.S. adults,” Journal of the American Dietetic Association, vol. 110, no. 11 (November 2010): 1669–1675.Dietary intake of even modest amounts of omega-3s may significantly improve gum care, according to a study published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

It has demonstrated potential cognitive improvements.

FDA has confirmed Blue California’s (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) L-TeaActive l-theanine ingredient as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for use in food and beverages.

Aker Biomarine is making a push towards more research on krill and central nervous system disorders.

Industry lauds results of study on DHA and cognitive decline.

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN; Washington, DC) today voiced its concern over a new Journal of the American Medical Association study, stating that the study did not consider the preventive role of omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in cognitive decline, but rather used DHA to try to treat those already suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA; Parma, Italy) has issued positive opinions for the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) for eye, brain, and heart health.

Verdure Sciences (Noblesville, IN) has launched Longvida, an “optimized curcumin” ingredient that the company says is absorbed by the body up to 65 times better than “non-optimized” curcumin.

Recently, several researchers have discovered the profound influence of vitamin D on brain development.

Chemi Nutra’s (White Bear Lake, MN) SerinAid brand of phosphatidylserine (PS) has been halal certified by the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA), allowing SerinAid products to bear IFANCA’s Crescent M Halal logo.

Cognis Health & Nutrition (La Grange, IL) has exclusively licensed two new active ingredients for weight management and cognitive performance from InterMed Discovery (IMD; Dortmund, Germany).

On February 16, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC; Washington, DC) announced that it sent warning letters to 11 supplement companies in January regarding claims made by the companies that their omega-3 products benefit children...s brain and vision function and development. The letters instruct the companies to review their product packaging and labeling to ensure that they have scientific evidence to support any claims that their products boost, improve, enhance, or support brain and vision function and development in children.

Natural ingredients manufacturer Naturex (Avignon, France) has announced its launch of Cereboost, an American Ginseng extract, for cognitive function.

Alzheimer...s & Dementia, the official journal of the Alzheimer...s Association, has published the results of the first large-scale study to be conducted exclusively on docasahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid. The Memory Improvement with Docasahexaenoic Acid Study (MIDAS) evaluated the effects of algal DHA on elderly individuals with 'age-related cognitive decline,' and found that those supplementing with DHA showed a benefit 'roughly equivalent to having the learning and memory skills of someone three years younger.'