Over the years as a practicing neurologist, I've seen many patients with poor cognitive health. Although there are several drugs available on the market for cognitive issues, unfortunately none of them are really any good. There is, however, an interesting nutrient called citicoline that appears to have some beneficial effects with cognitive functioning. Citicoline is a nutrient involved in the synthesis of phospholipids, which help in the formation of cell membranes. Scientific research has shown that citicoline consumption supports brain metabolism by helping to improve phospholipid content in the brain.

A study¹ was recently published in the journal NMR in Biomedicine in September 2008. In this study, 16 healthy men and women self-administered 500 or 2,000 mg a day of Cognizin (containing citicoline) for six weeks. These individuals then underwent specialized scanning of the brain. It was found that certain metabolites in the brain were increased, especially in the frontal lobes. The authors of the study indicated that citicoline supplementation may therefore help promote good cognitive health versus typical declines associated with aging by increasing energy reserves and utilization, as well as increasing essential phospholipid membrane components needed to synthesize and maintain cell membranes.

There was also a recent study published on glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate regarding poor joint function. Within this study, it was found that chondroitin sulfate may help knee swelling in patients with poor joint function. In this study about 27% of the patients had knee swelling improved significantly in those given chondroitin sulfate compared to those given placebo.

Another study², published in the November 2008 edition of journal Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers Prevention, consisted of over 100 patients with a history of abnormal cellular growth in the colon that were randomized into two groups. 71 patients were supplemented with 1.5 grams (1,500 mg) of green tea extract (the equivalent of drinking six cups of green tea a day) for twelve months and 65 individuals acted as controls without receiving any supplementation. Follow up colonoscopies were performed twelve months later in these individuals (65 in the control group and 60 who completed the study in the supplementation group).

It was found that those in the placebo group had a 31% incidence of regrowth in these abnormal cells in the colorectal area, whereas only 15% had regrowth of abnormal cells treated with green tea extract. Furthermore, the size of the abnormal cellular growth was smaller in the group that was supplemented with green tea compared with placebo. The authors of the study concluded that green tea extract is an effective supplement for promoting healthy cellular function within the colon rectal area.

Finally, there was a study³ published in the Annals of PharmacoTherapy in November 2008 regarding the amino acid acetyl-L carnitine. A Medline search was conducted regarding the use of acetyl-L carnitine in individuals who had poor peripheral nerve function from elevated blood sugar. A total of 1,679 subjects were included. Individuals who received at least 2 grams a day of acetyl-L carnitine showed decreases in pain scores. Nerve regeneration was documented in one trial. The authors concluded that the data suggested the use of acetyl-L carnitine to promote healthy nerve function.

Nutraceutical Sciences Institute® (NSI®) offers citicoline in a product called NeuroCholine with Cognizin. Each two-capsule serving contains 500 mg of citicoline and 300 mg of choline. NSI carries several different chondroitin products, the most popular being a combination of glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and MSM. We also offer a product that, in addition, has MSM and vitamin C along with double strength formulations. If you have any doubt about the quality and effectiveness of NSI products, read the hundreds of customer reviews on them. The average ratings are typically 4.6 to 4.8 out of 5 stars, with close to 100% recommending them to others.

Likewise, our green tea selection is considerable, and of course, always offered at tremendous savings. One of the most popular is the 500 mg capsule of green tea extract standardized to 98% polyphenols and 45% EGCG, a powerful component of green tea extract. Three capsules per day would provide the level used in the clinical study. In terms of acetyl-L carnitine, we sell it as a stand-alone product, as well as with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and alpha lipoic acid. I prefer the combination product as these three nutrients are more beneficial in combination based on my research and experience with patients.

1. Silveri MM, Dikan J, Ross AJ, Jensen JE, Kamiya T, et. al., Citicoline enhances frontal lobe bioenergetics as measured by phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy, NMR in Biomedicine, Published Online: September 24, 2008.

2. Shimizu M, Fukutomi Y, Ninomiya M, Nagura K, et. al., Green Tea Extracts for the Prevention of Metachronous Colorectal Adenomas: A Pilot Study, Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, 17, 3020-3025, November 1, 2008.

3. Evans JD, Jacobs TF and Evans EW, Role of Acetyl-L-Carnitine in the Treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, Annals of PharmacoTherapy, November 2008; 42 : 1686 - 1691.