Citicoline debuts in first liquid supplement
Kyowa Hakko USA’s ingredient, Cognizin Citicoline, joins lycopene, vitamin E in the product, Nawgan Berry, that comes in caffeinated and non-caffeinated versions.
“Nawgan was developed to support cognitive function over time with ingredients known to be associated with cognitive performance,” said Nawgan founder, Dr Robert Paul.
Studies have indicated citicoline can increase brain metabolites and increase the precursors involved in the production of acetylcholine and providing phospholipid support to brain cells to increase brain energy and help the formation of brain nutrients that regulate cognitive function.
Citicoline is a compound produced in the body that is linked to the production of phospholipids. Kyoka achieved GRAS (generally recognized as safe) for the ingredient in May, 2009.
That approval means Kyowa Hakko can market Cognizin Citicoline for use at levels of up to 250g per serving in food and beverage products, including breakfast cereals, chewing gum, hard and soft candy, pasta, fruit juice and milk products.
The latest study on Cognizin was presented last year at the Society for Neuroscience 37th annual meeting in San Diego. The researchers found significant increases in the brain's energy sources of 16 healthy men taking the supplement for six weeks.
Perry Renshaw MD, PhD, from the Brain Institute at the University of Utah, said at the time: "As we age, the brain's efficiency diminishes. Caffeine affects the whole brain, but Cognizin delivers nutrients to only the regions of the brain that sustain your ability to pay attention, make good decisions, and provide a sense of direction enabling you to get work done."
Citicoline makes a structure/function claim, as research currently supports its use "for improvement of memory and general cognitive function."
Other brain health ingredients include:
- Omega-3, ginko biloba, ginseng (improved memory)
- CoQ10 (slows Parkinson’s disease)
- Phospolipids: Phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl serine – e.g. soy lecithin (fight dementia, cognitive decline)
- St John’s wort, soy lecithin (combat depression)
- Omega-3, PS (phosphatidylserine), Gaba, creatine (brain function)
- Green tea, tryptophan, Gaba, ginko biloba (mood)
- Guarana, caffeine, ginseng (energy boosting)
Only PS has an approved Food and Drug Administration (FDA) qualified brain health claim.
