Supplements for brain health found to have no benefits

For the small handful of dietary supplements that have been well-researched, the results showed no brain health benefit in people with normal nutrient levels. It’s unclear whether people

with nutritional deficiencies can benefit their brains by taking a supplement, because the research is inconclusive. Therefore, beyond a few very specific nutrients taken to replace an

identified deficiency, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of supplements to benefit the brain. Beyond the lack of evidence of effectiveness for brain health supplements,

significant concerns exist about the truth of claims made in their marketing and about their potential lack of safety and purity. Because supplement manufacturers and distributors often make

vague or exaggerated claims about brain health, and dietary supplements are sold without premarket governmental review of their safety and efficacy or the truthfulness of their claims,

consumers should approach claims made on supplement packaging and in advertisement with skepticism. Unfortunately, supplement ingredients are not generally reviewed for purity and content by

government agencies before they are allowed to be sold and the quality of the ingredients can vary widely. Some may contain ingredients that could even harm consumers.   The GCBH recommends

consumers save their money and adopt healthy lifestyle habits instead.  To find out more about dietary supplements, read this article by Kathleen Fifield.