Brain Booster in a Bottle? Don’t Bother? Or…Do Bother Learning the Facts

What helps slow cognitive decline?
Several recent newspaper articles have challenged the effectiveness of nutritional supplements for brain health. These articles have criticized the scores of brain-supplement products claiming to treat dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
There is good reason to doubt the effectiveness of memory supplements; any product that claims to be a cure for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease – the Holy Grail of medical longevity – is pure snake oil. No supplement has this superpower; only a very select few can rightfully and realistically state that they boost cognitive performance.
The best ways to avoid age-related cognitive decline are to be born with the right genes and maintain the ideal lifestyle, including eating only a healthy diet, avoiding all stress, getting the right amount of sleep every night and exercising regularly like a sport professional. Add in a pollution-free environment and a large dose of luck, and you have the recipe for preserving your mental and physical well-being. If these qualities describe your life, read no further; this article is not for you.

Now, back to reality – for those of us who are not superhuman
A balanced diet can contribute a lot to maintaining health, especially for diseases like high blood pressure or diabetes which can be caused by nutritional imbalances. Some people who have changed their eating habits and lost weight no longer needed treatment for these conditions. Our brains work this way as well, but only when cognitive decline is related to nutritional deficiencies.
It is important to emphasize that if you or a loved one have been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, consult your doctor and consider prescription medication for your condition.

Buying the right bottle is like finding a needle in a haystack
Many lifestyle factors, not just what you consume, can contribute to deficits in brain function. Still, you can save a lot of money by NOT buying memory pills that purport to boost brain function, but show no clinical proof. Keep in mind that it’s not just that these “wallet lighteners” haven’t been proven to work, it has been proven that many DON’T work. So, how do you know? It’s simple; if the product claims to improve dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, stay away. This claim is against FDA regulations.
Supplements advertised this way are widely available and appear legitimate when sold by major U.S. retailers. Don’t be tempted even if a large company is behind the product; a prominent company doesn’t guarantee that it is selling a quality solution.
In fact, the FDA has specifically recognized only one compound for its clinical proof for improving cognitive function for people with dementia. This compound is Phosphatidylserine (PS), which has a Qualified Health Claim from the FDA. A QHC is a claim supported by scientific evidence that must be have language to accurately communicate the scientific evidence supporting the claim.

Why are shelves and websites still stocked with products that promise brain health?
The answer is because consumers don’t always understand the difference between great marketing and true science. If you’re looking for a brain supplement, a small smart decision can make a big difference. Don’t fall for marketing hype; get a formula that’s been clinically proven and demonstrates results. How do you find this type of formula with the proven dose? It’s quite simple: Go to the database of journals with published results in the official U.S. National Institutes of Health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/. Enter: “Positive Effects of Soy Lecithin-Derived Phosphatidylserine plus Phosphatidic Acid on Memory, Cognition, Daily Functioning, and Mood in Elderly Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia.” The nutritional supplement company that developed this published formula has invested heavily in research and development (hundreds of thousands of dollars) – to find solutions that actually work, to prove their effectiveness and to perfect these solutions each step of the way.

Setting the record straight
Some articles say that no known dietary supplements prevent cognitive decline. We beg to differ. One product proven to prevent cognitive decline is Lipogen PS Plus (aka PAS). Clinical results are published in the journal Advances in Therapy clearly laying out the positive effects of the Lipogen PS Plus formula according to several standard measures of brain function.

Don’t get outwitted by small but large deceptions
An unethical but popular supplement sales technique is to hint that supplements have proof by claiming they have been “clinically tested” or “studied,” – not necessarily “proven.” Other marketing tactics to give the impression that products work are supplements that say “may” improve, or “has been used by people what want to improve” their memory.

Don’t fall into the marketing trap
This leads to the obvious question: Who would you rather buy from – a company that has invested heavily in R&D or a company that pours money into marketing, deceptive practices and expensive spokespeople? This may be why you have not heard of Lipogen. Lipogen spends where it counts most – in R&D. Lipogen advertises modestly, relying on word of mouth and successful outcomes to drive interest.
Most companies use testimonials to boost consumer influence. Hundreds of people who swear by a product don’t replace scientific evidence. Even the U.S. Federal Trade Commission says so in its guidelines for supplement sellers. In fact, the FTC and FDA just issued warnings to over a dozen companies for making false or unsubstantiated health claims about treating Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other serious illnesses.

Get the full potency
Some supplement companies use a trick as old as putting your thumb on the scale – they dilute the effective ingredient to save money. Any supplement vendor can list a compound on their bottle, but make sure that the active ingredient is a clinical dose and not just a token for appearance’s sake. This is also why you should look for a complete proven formula, not a “blend” or individual ingredients.
We think it’s time to help consumers make educated decisions. Supplement sellers should be transparent, adding scientific evidence to support their claims, including the effective dose.

There are no shortcuts to good health
By nature, we as consumers are inclined to take the easy way out. We tend to believe that we can disregard the important tenets of maintaining health, while preserving or restoring cognitive powers simply by swallowing a few pills a day. It doesn’t work that way for most of us.

Choose wisely
There is no substitute for a healthy lifestyle and nutrition. There are no miracle cures, no silver bullets to keeping your memory and concentration sharp. At best, as with many medical disciplines, there are a few proven solutions that can help with nutrient deficiencies that you may have. It’s up to you to make the right choice.

Click here to find evidence of a test, analysis, research, or study describing the benefits, performance or efficacy of Lipogen PS Plus based on the expertise of relevant professionals.

 

 

Representations regarding the efficacy and safety of Lipogen PS Plus have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA only evaluates foods and drugs, not supplements like these products. These products are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease.