An official website of the United States governmentDietary Supplements and Cognitive Function, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease
Concerns about forgetfulness and whether it is the first sign of Alzheimer’s disease are common, particularly among older patients. Your patients may also ask questions about use of dietary supplements, which are often marketed with claims that they enhance memory or improve brain function and health.
This issue of the digest summarizes current information on what the science says about several dietary supplements that have been studied for cognitive function, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Although a few trials of natural products for the prevention of cognitive decline or dementia have shown some modest effects, direct evidence is lacking. In addition, research on some mind and body practices such as music therapy and mental imagery, which have shown promise in treating some symptoms related to dementia, as well as alleviating stress among caregivers, is ongoing.
What the Science Says:
Dietary Supplements and Cognitive Function, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease
Dietary Supplements and Summary of Current Research
Ginkgo biloba
There’s no conclusive evidence that Ginkgo biloba is efficacious in preventing or slowing dementia or cognitive decline.
Omega-3 fatty acid supplements
Among the nutritional and dietary factors studied to prevent cognitive decline in older adults, the most consistent positive research findings are for omega-3 fatty acids, often measured as how much fish is consumed in the diet. However, several high-quality reviews have found no convincing evidence for the efficacy of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements in the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
Read more on the research of omega-3 fatty acid supplements.
Vitamin E
Many laboratory and animal studies have investigated the role of vitamin E in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease; evidence from human studies is much more limited.
A 2017 Cochrane systematic review found no evidence that vitamin E given to people with mild cognitive impairment prevents progression to dementia, or that it improves cognitive function in people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. However, there is moderate quality evidence from a single study that it may slow functional decline in Alzheimer’s disease.
Curcumin
Preclinical studies have shown that curcumin targets inflammatory and antioxidant pathways as well as (directly) amyloid aggregation. However, the few clinical trials that have examined the effects of curcumin on Alzheimer’s disease are limited and inconsistent, making it difficult to draw conclusions about potential benefits.
B vitamins
Findings from short-term studies suggest that B-vitamin supplements (B12, B6, and folic acid) do not help cognitive functioning in adults ages 50 or older with or without dementia.
Scientific Literature
NCCIH Clinical Digest is a service of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NIH, DHHS. NCCIH Clinical Digest, a monthly e-newsletter, offers evidence-based information on complementary health approaches, including scientific literature searches, summaries of NCCIH-funded research, fact sheets for patients, and more.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health is dedicated to exploring complementary health products and practices in the context of rigorous science, training complementary health researchers, and disseminating authoritative information to the public and professionals. For additional information, call NCCIH’s Clearinghouse toll-free at 1-888-644-6226, or visit the NCCIH website at nccih.nih.gov. NCCIH is 1 of 27 institutes and centers at the National Institutes of Health, the Federal focal point for medical research in the United States.
Copyright
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