One common ingredient is ginkgo, an extract from tree leaves that has shown some success in improving mental functioning among the elderly who are already impaired.
COTC users reporting adverse events were significantly more likely to have used COTC products for musculoskeletal pains, sleep problems, weight loss, cardiovascular conditions, and improving mental functioning.
Environmental enrichment does improve mental function in laboratory animals.
A study by Dr. Paul Solomon of Williams College and his colleagues found that a six-week course of ginkgo did not improve mental function in healthy elderly subjects.
In another study, Dr. Lachman showed that adults, particularly men, with low levels of education could also improve mental function by using a computer.
Over all, the results indicate that the techniques are most likely to improve mental function when used in conjunction with other types of training, such as learning new systems for remembering names.
In one, people older than 60 who were forced to exercise regularly for six months showed improved mental function, changes on brain scans and growth in the white matter parts of their brains, the area that deals with higher thought processes.
There are now a number of investigations showing improved mental function with broad spectrum multi-ingredient formulations of vitamins and minerals, as well as research on single ingredients.
One paper suggested regular cocoa intake led to improved mental function in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment, a condition which is often a precursor to dementia, he recalls.
Both blackberries and blueberries are best known for its antimicrobial and anti-oxidant activities and are being marketed in the form of processed extracts to improve mental function, reduce the risk of cancer, as anti-aging agent, and overall improvement in health.
