Product Reviews and Information for Dementia

4/08/2022

Vitamin B-12 Deficiency and Dementia

Correcting B-12 deficiency may improve cognition in people with dementia, according to a recent study and case reports. Get the details in the Memory, Cognition, and Alzheimer’s Disease section of our B Vitamin Supplements Review.

3/29/2017

Vitamin E/Selenium & Alzheimer's

A long-term study among men in the U.S. found that giving high doses of vitamin E and/or selenium did not significantly affect their risk of developing dementia. The study was part of a larger study which found that these supplements increased the risk of prostate cancer, type 2 diabetes, hair loss, and dermatitis. For details, see the "Alzheimer's disease/dementia" section of the Selenium Supplements Review >>

8/20/2016

Calcium Supplements & Risk of Dementia

Taking calcium supplements is associated with an increased risk of dementia in certain elderly women, according to a new study. Get the details in the "Cautions and Concerns" section of the Calcium Supplements Review >>

8/27/2017

Does Lithium Prevent Dementia?

A new study found the risk of developing dementia to be significantly lower in areas with higher levels of lithium in the drinking water. This finding is consistent with a study that found low-dose lithium to stabilize patients with Alzheimer's disease. Details about these studies are in the "What It Does" section of the Low-Dose Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among low-dose lithium supplements.

9/23/2017

Magnesium and Dementia

A recent study found an association between magnesium levels in the blood and the risk of developing dementia. See the details in the "What It Does" section of the Magnesium Supplements Review >>

11/19/2019

Magnesium for Memory

There is growing evidence that getting the right amount of magnesium reduces the risk of developing cognitive decline and dementia. For details, including results of a new study, see the Dementia and cognition section of the Magnesium Supplements Review. Also see our Top Pick among magnesium supplements.

5/26/2020

Lower Risk of Dementia Through Foods

A 20-year study showed that the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia was 76% lower in people who ate more of certain foods. Find out what they ate and learn if supplements can help in our answer to the question: Do any supplements really help with brain function, like memory and cognition?

10/14/2017

Reducing Dementia With Magnesium?

In a recently published study, investigators looked to see if taking a magnesium supplement reduces the risk of dementia. See what they found in the "What It Does" section of the Magnesium Supplements Review >>

6/27/2020

Factors For Lower Risk of Dementia

Diet and lifestyle factors were associated with up to 60% reductions in the risk of developing Alzheimer dementia according to a new study. Learn about these lifestyle factors in the updated answer to the question: Do any supplements really help with brain function, like memory and cognition?

7/21/2021

Magnesium & Memory

Does supplementation with magnesium (as magnesium L-threonate, Magtein) improve cognition in people with dementia? Find out in the Dementia & Cognition section of our Magnesium Supplements Review.

8/03/2021

Coffee and Dementia?

Can drinking coffee increase or decrease the risk of dementia? A cause-and-effect relationship has not been established but some striking associations were recently found based on consumption levels. We've added the details to the Safety section of our article about Coffee and Heart Health.

4/18/2023

Centrum for Preventing Dementia?

Can supplementing with Centrum Silver reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia among older people? Find out what a recent study showed in the Memory and Cognition section of our Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements Review, and see our Top Pick multivitamin for people 50 and older.

Also find out if supplementing with cocoa flavanols helps with cognition in older people.

5/19/2023

PPI Use & Dementia?

Does the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) that reduce stomach acid, like omeprazole, increase the risk of dementia? Find out what research suggests in our updated CL Answer about supplements and brain function.

12/08/2023

Dementia & Folic Acid

Taking folic acid without getting enough B-12 has been linked to increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Learn more in the Folate section of our B-Vitamin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among B-Complexes.

Also see: Do any supplements, foods or lifestyle modifications help with brain function, like memory and cognition?

6/18/2016

Green Tea & Cognition

Green tea consumption has been associated with a lower prevalence of cognitive impairment in older adults. However, a recent study evaluating the effects of a green tea powder on older adults with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia failed to show a benefit. For more information, see the "What It Does" section of the Green Tea Review >>

9/16/2015

Adequate Vitamin D May Lower Risk of Alzheimer's

A study showed that men and women with adequate levels of vitamin D in their blood were less likely to experience declines in cognitive functioning associated with Alzheimer's dementia than those with lower levels. More about the study, including the vitamin D level considered adequate, as well as our reviews of supplements, is found in the Vitamin D Supplements Review >>

9/30/2012

Does Ginkgo Improve Memory?

The evidence for Ginkgo biloba in preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease and other dementias has become fairly negative. But is there still hope for its use in improving memory in healthy individuals? The answer seems to be in, according to a new analysis of 10 placebo-controlled trials in healthy people. Get the answer in the update to the Ginkgo Supplements Review.

10/04/2011

Fish Oil's Impact on Cognitive Decline

Cognitive decline may be a normal part of aging, but a new study suggests that high-dose fish oil particularly rich in DHA may provide some benefit. In people over age 65 with mild cognitive impairment, fish oil was associated with improved verbal skill. Perhaps as important, fish oil also reduced depressive symptoms, which can be a risk factor in the progression to dementia. Get the details, including how much DHA and EPA was used in the study, in the Fish Oil and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplement Review. More >>

9/09/2012

Ginkgo Fails Alzheimer's Trial

Over two thousand people with memory complaints were given Ginkgo biloba extract or placebo as part of a five-year study. The results, published this week, showed no difference between the groups in the percentage who eventually developed Alzheimer's disease or dementia. See how this compares to other studies of ginkgo in the updated Ginkgo Biloba Supplements Review, which includes our tests and reviews of ginkgo products. More >>

8/07/2021

COVID Vaccination in People With Neurologic Conditions

Should people with neurologic conditions – including dementia, Alzheimer's disease, MS, and epilepsy – get vaccinated? Find out what experts recommend.

11/23/2019

Magnesium-L-Threonate for Memory?

What is the evidence that a special form of magnesium helps people with memory and concentration impairment? Find out in the Dementia and cognition section of the Magnesium Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among magnesium supplements.

5/26/2018

Do We Really Need More Lithium?

Studies have shown higher rates of mental illness and dementia in areas with the lowest levels of lithium in the water, suggesting that people supplement with lithium. However, a new study raises doubts about this. For details, see the What It Does section of the Low-Dose Lithium Supplements Review.

11/27/2018

Can Vitamin D Boost Cognition?

Middle-aged people with low levels of vitamin D were given high-dose vitamin D for four months. Find out if this boosted their cognitive performance in the Alzheimer's disease, dementia, memory and cognitive decline section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Picks for vitamin D.)

4/08/2017

Omega-3s for Age-Related Cognitive Decline?

A recent study found DHA and EPA from fish oil did not slow cogntive decline in older adults with cognitive difficulties. However, other studies suggest there may be a benefit if taken before the onset of cognitive decline or dementia. For details, see the "Age-Related Cognitive Decline" section of the Fish Oil and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements Review >>

7/19/2022

Vitamin D & Alzheimer's Caution

Although several studies suggest that maintaining an adequate level of vitamin D may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's, a recent study provided a cautionary note. See the details in the Alzheimer's and Dementia section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review.

8/19/2022

Less Centrophenoxine in Supplements Than Stated

Centrophenoxine, a drug that is prescribed in some countries to treat dementia, is also in supplements in the U.S., but a study found that most don't contain what they claim. Learn more in our article about supplements for memory and cognition.

9/02/2022

Lithium for Dementia?

Does low-dose lithium stabilize or improve cognitive function in people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of cognitive decline? Find out in the What It Does section of our Low-Dose Lithium Supplements Review.

Also see our CL Answer about supplements for brain function.

7/28/2023

Diet & Dementia

Does following a healthful diet help prevent cognitive decline among older people? Find out what a recent study showed in the Diet Modifications section of our article about supplements, foods or lifestyle modifications for memory and cognition.

3/12/2024

Low-Acid Coffee for Reflux?

Are “low-acid” coffees easier on the stomach or less likely to cause reflux than regular coffee? Find out now in our article about coffee.

Also find out how coffee affects:

• Heart attack risk
• Cholesterol levels
• Blood pressure
• Atrial fibrillation
• Dementia risk
• Cancer risk

5/07/2024

Magnesium Threonate for Memory?

Is magnesium threonate (found in Magtein) better than other forms of magnesium for memory and cognition? Find out in the Dementia and cognition section of our Magnesium Supplements Review.

Also see our Top Pick among magnesium supplements.

7/22/2024

Near Infrared Light for Cognition?

Find out if near infrared (NIR) light therapy improved cognitive function in healthy people or those with dementia in our article about red and NIR light therapy.

Also, learn whether red light therapy is beneficial for actinic keratosis (scaly patches on the skin caused by long-term sun exposure).

8/08/2014

Up To a Point, Alzheimer's Risk Falls with Vitamin D

A new study shows that, up to a point, the risks of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia fall with higher blood levels of vitamin D. However, the research also clarifies that exceeding a certain blood level of vitamin D provides no further benefit. In fact, additional research suggests that too much vitamin D can have negative effects. The message: Make sure you have a sufficient, but not excessive level of vitamin D. For details about these levels, as well as results of our tests of vitamin D supplements, see the updated Vitamin D Supplements Review >>