Efficacy of Common Ingredients in Over‐the‐Counter Memory Supplements

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThe Global Brain Health Supplement Industry Market size was valued at 7.6 billion U.S. dollars. It is predicted to increase to 15.59 billion U.S. dollars by 2030. Memory and enhancement is a segment of the market that comprised the highest global revenue share in 2021.MethodAn extensive review of current supplements on the market was performed by surveying products for sale at local and national pharmacies and grocery stores. A list of 103 supplements was compiled and the most common ingredients in these supplements were identified. Scientific data relative to these ingredients was searched using PubMed and Cochrane library databases.ResultThere is not currently strong evidence that supports the clinical use of apoaequorin, ashwagandha, carnitine, choline, coenzyme q10, coffee extract, ginger, ginkgo biloba, Huperzine A, lion’s mane, l‐theanine, omega‐3 fatty acids, phosphatidylserine, polyphenol, turmeric, vitamin B9, vitamin B12, vitamin D, or vitamin E supplementation for memory improvement.ConclusionDietary supplements geared toward improving cognition are a billion‐dollar industry that continues to grow despite lacking a solid scientific foundation for their marketing claims. More rigorous studies are needed relative to the long‐term use of these supplements in homogenous populations with standardized measurements of cognition.