From Proyar Laboratory, we want to share with you the 2nd part of an exclusive article for our clients, written by Dr. Jorge Alonso, MD, MN 67,640, Director of the Postgraduate Program in Phytomedicine at U.B.A., and President of the Latin American Society of Phytomedicine.
Natural Products for Memory (Part 2) See first part
Continuing with medicinal plants, without a doubt we must mention the leaves of Ginkgo biloba, an Asian tree with a legendary reputation that improves blood circulation at the cerebral level, stimulates memory, has antioxidant properties, and thus perfectly complements the activity of phosphatidylserine.
The benefits of ginkgolides, which are present in its leaves, even led to the awarding of a Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Dr. Elias Corey of Harvard University in 1990, for his research on the cognitive benefits of ginkgolide B in Alzheimer’s disease.
Ginkgo biloba is marketed in the form of capsules or tablets, administered at a dose of 80 to 240 mg daily. Other benefits are related to its activity at the ophthalmic level in retinopathies, at the auditory level (vascular hearing loss, tinnitus), at the neurological level in cases of vertigo, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children (ADHD), and at the peripheral circulation level (varicose veins, intermittent claudication syndrome).
In the same role appears vincamine, obtained from the leaves of the lesser periwinkle (a plant widely used as an ornamental, which can be found in any nursery). The benefits of vincamine have been known since the late 1970s, when a product called Vincapan® was available. Over time, a hemisynthetic derivative called vinpocetine was developed and marketed under the name Cavinton®. Both products are no longer marketed in Argentina. Vincamine has the particular characteristic of producing an arterial antispasmodic effect, being beneficial even in cases of coronary artery disease.
An interesting compound is CDP-choline. It is an intermediate metabolite in the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine, a key factor in neuronal integrity in situations of injury, ischemia, or trauma. It is a precursor of acetylcholine and betaine. Betaine is involved in the conversion of homocysteine into L-methionine, thus reducing the progression of amyloid plaques in the brain. Clinical trials have shown improvements in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Along the same line of activity, we can mention folic acid. A daily intake of 800 mcg has been shown to improve memory in middle-aged individuals. Elderly people with a diet rich in folates have been shown to have a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (reduces elevated levels of homocysteine).
Another plant that has been extensively studied recently is Huperzia serrata, an Asian species whose active compound, huperzine A, has been shown to inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, thus allowing a higher concentration of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is vital for the neuronal circuit related to cognition in Alzheimer’s patients. This mechanism of action is shared by galantamine, present in Galanthus nivalis, from which pharmaceutical products are available on the market by prescription. It is dosed at 12–24 mg of galantamine per day.
Among medicinal and edible mushrooms, one that stands out in this area is the so-called “lion’s mane” (Hericium erinaceus), which grows in the Holarctic region of the planet. It is usually found associated with the wood of trees (since they are symbiotic organisms with their hosts), especially American beech. In Chinese medicine, it is used for its benefits in diabetes. In laboratory studies with cultured brain cells, it was discovered that the hericenones present in this mushroom activate in our body a protein called nerve growth factor (NGF). NGF facilitates communication between the brain and nerve cells and promotes healthy neurological function. In fact, it plays a key role in the protection, repair, regeneration, and restoration of brain cells against the damage caused by aging and the environmental threats faced every day. At present, it is only marketed in compounded formulations.
Moving away from botanical species, it is worth mentioning the importance of certain amino acids, among which L-tyrosine stands out, with excellent studies in the area of cognition, being a precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine; tryptophan (a precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin); and L-theanine (present in green tea and associated with the generation of relaxation without loss of wakefulness). There are several products available on the pharmaceutical market.
In order to achieve better results, it is often recommended to combine several of these components in the same formulation to obtain synergistic effects, which help optimize the desired response and facilitate patient adherence to taking a capsule containing them. Since most of these are natural components found in foods, it is recommended to take these products during main meals, at the dose recommended by a healthcare professional.
