Question: Do “brain supplements” work?
June 22, 2016//
———-
Answer: Unless directed to address an identified deficiency, growing evidence shows that supplements do not seem to bring any sustained cognitive or brain benefits.
Keep reading 20 Must-Know Facts To Harness Neuroplasticity And Improve Brain Health over at The Creativity Post.
2 Comments
About SharpBrains
SHARPBRAINS is an independent think-tank and consulting firm providing services at the frontier of applied neuroscience, health, leadership and innovation.
SHARPBRAINS es un think-tank y consultoría independiente proporcionando servicios para la neurociencia aplicada, salud, liderazgo e innovación.
Unfortunately, there are no easy, yes/no, answers to questions such as this; nor will there ever be. Further, I’m unclear as to what category of supplements this question refers to. There are a host of supplements in the areas of blood sugar handling, inflammation, neuro-protection, etc. that have a great deal of research behind them and their efficacy; and they have the capacity to change lives in many cases. I love the info on SharpBrains, although these types of blanket opinions do not serve the consumer well, in my opinion.
Michael, thank you for the kind words and thoughtful comment. I agree that there’s no easy yes/ no answers to many questions, but the post above captures well the essence of much research in the last 10 years around so-called “brain supplements” (any non-FDA-regulated supplement making brain-specific claims, be it Omega‑3 or Gingko or else). I invite you to take a good look at the multiple studies and meta-analyses we’ve been sharing over the last few years. What works is nutrition, not isolated supplements–unless they are addressing a clear, identified deficiency. (Beyond the placebo effect, of course)