Consumers are becoming more aware that there is a tight link between stress and cognitive function. High stress crowds out the ability to think logically, or even think at all, except for repeated blasts of “Oh S*&#!”
So, first thing’s first: persuading the increasing numbers of stressed-out consumers to engage in daily adaptogenic therapy along with nourishing brain function (ie, cognition).
HP Ingredients provides a triple-play that brand partners can use in combination or with other ingredients.
For stress management, Adapticort® Tongkat Ali is a solid ingredient. Nervousness tends to increase cortisol production. Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) has been shown in a human clinical study to significantly reduce cortisol levels at a daily dose of 200 mg. An earlier randomized clinical study on moderately stressed adults demonstrated calming effects from supplementing with Tongkat Ali. The subjects experienced reduced tension, anger and confusion; the latter two are characteristics of stress-induced tension and nervousness in many individuals.
To support more desirable cognitive functions, IQ200® (Persicaria minor; also known as Polygonum minus) provides potent antioxidant protection, and is marketed to help improve learning and memory, as per several pre-clinical studies.
For IQ200®, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated the effects of 6 months supplementation with P. minor extract supplement (IQ200®) on cognition, mood, biomarkers, and brain activation among older adults.
A total of 30 older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) were randomized into IQ200® and placebo groups. Each subject consumed one capsule of IQ200® (250 mg/capsule) or placebo twice daily for 6 months. Cognitive function and mood were assessed at baseline, 3rd, and 6th month using neuropsychological tests and Profile of Mood State (POMS) questionnaire.
According to the study authors, 6 months of IQ200® supplementation potentially improved visual memory, negative mood, BDNF, and triglyceride levels among older adults with MCI. Further, significant improvements were observed in most of the negative mood status particularly tension, anger, confusion, and total negative subscales in the present study.
Their results were in line with a previous study that also demonstrated significant improvements in tension, depression, anger, and total mood disturbance among healthy middle-aged women with mood disturbance.
Also for brain structure support, NeuroActin® is a proprietary extract of Andrographis paniculata, standardized to andrographolide, 14-deoxyandrographolide, and neoandrographolide. NeuroActin® has shown five mechanisms of action for brain health support: NeuroActin® activates both canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling; inhibits GSK-3β; reduces tau hyperphosphorylation; induces postsynaptic proteins and synaptic function (LTP); and stimulates neurogenesis. These actions correlate to improved cognitive function and memory.
Unfortunately, times are tougher now than they have been in years — and consumers really need to prevent the stress they are feeling from impairing their mental capacity to work and to learn. Combining quality, proven adaptogens with brain-support can help them do just that.
Please contact me with any questions, and to review the studies mentioned here.
