A double-blind, randomized clinical trial of dietary supplementation on cognitive and immune functioning in healthy older adults

Abstract

BackgroundDeclining cognitive function is relatively common and increasingly prevalent. Studies have shown that different nutrients (e.g., Ginkgo biloba and vitamin E) appear to be effective at improving memory and concentration, while less is known about their effect on immunity.MethodsThis study investigated the effect of Ginkgo Synergy® plus Choline (n = 33) and OPC Synergy® plus Catalyn® (n = 31) versus placebo (n = 33) in a 6-month, randomized, double-blind trial on cognitive and immune functioning among English-speaking, non-smoking, healthy older adults. The Stroop Color and Word Test, Trail Making Test A and B, Controlled Oral Word Association, Hopkins Verbal Learning, Mini-Mental State Exam, and Digit Symbol were administered at baseline and 3 and 6 months follow-up to assess cognitive functioning. Cytokines and growth factors were measured at baseline and 6 months to assess inflammation and immune functioning. Data were analyzed with linear mixed modeling.ResultsNo serious adverse events were noted in this study. According to time on the Trail Making Test-B, the Ginkgo Synergy® plus Choline arm showed improvement from baseline to 3 months follow-up (mean difference = 24.2; SE = 6.4; 95% CI: 8.6, 39.7; p = 0.01). On the Controlled Oral Word Association Trial-S, the scores significantly increased for the Ginkgo Synergy® plus Choline arm from baseline to 6 months follow-up (mean difference = 2.1; SE = 0.8; 95% CI: 0.2, 3.9; p < 0.05) and for the OPC Synergy® plus Catalyn® arm from baseline to 3 months follow-up (mean difference = 2.1; SE = 0.8; 95% CI: 0.2, 4.0; p < 0.05). Epidermal growth factor significantly decreased from baseline to 6 months follow-up for the Ginkgo Synergy® plus Choline arm (mean difference = 120.7; SE = 28.4; 95% CI: 62.6, 178.8; p < 0.001).ConclusionsOur study showed isolated and modest effects of a Ginkgo biloba plus choline-based formula on cognitive and immune functioning among healthy older adults with no history of significant cognitive deficits. Our trial was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT01672359). This study was supported by a grant from Standard Process, Inc.

Effects of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. on cognitive function and mood related outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…However, for studies of combination products, four studies reported mild adverse events of C. asiatica -containing products. Two studies reported adverse event rates comparable to the placebo rate 31 , 34 , while another two studies reported lower rates of adverse event for C. asiatica -containing products 30 , 33 . Common adverse events were gastrointestinal discomfort, flatulence, nausea, headache, decreased appetite, sedation, and rash.…”

“…The combination of C. asiatica with other herbs also showed non-significant improvements in overall cognitive function. However, the combination products in other studies have revealed that there arepossible effects on attention and concentration 30 , executive function 34 and information processing speed 30 . The improvement in cognitive function from the combination products might be due to the synergistic effects of C. asiatica with other herbs or the effects of other herbs in C. asiatica -containing products such as G. biloba 31 , 34 .…”

A double-blind, randomized trial on the effect of a broad-spectrum dietary supplement on key biomarkers of cellular aging in healthy adults

“…We previously showed improvements in cognitive and immune functioning and inflammation in persons with Alzheimer's disease in response to a dietary supplement containing multiple nutrients, such as polysaccharides, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, among others [19]. We also found that the combination of gingko biloba and choline produced modest improvements in cognitive functioning and inflammation in a sample of healthy elderly adults [20]. Thus, the continued investigation of multi-component formulations is warranted inasmuch as these studies provide the opportunity to evaluate a model of synergism among a complex of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and co-factors.…”

The essentials of a global index for cognitive function

“…Incorporating cognition, immunity, metabolism and psychological functions into this global index may be meaningful for dietary supplements with multifaceted effects. For example, supplementation with a blend of phytochemicals and choline, altered epidermal growth factor (EGF), an immune function marker, along with improvements in cognition [ 52 ]. Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids enhanced cognition and cerebral blood flow, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, in comparison to the placebo assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy during cognition testing [ 53 ].…”