We have long been fans of citicoline for brain health. And here’s why: it’s scientifically-validated by solid research. We’d like to share information about a study that was published earlier this year (2019) in the Journal of Pharmacology.
We found this study particularly interesting because it combined citicoline (as Cognizin™) with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). To us, this makes perfect sense because DHA is an important omega-3 essential fatty acid that has been previously shown to enhance brain health. In fact, according to a 2016 review published in the journal Nutrients, DHA can help with brain development in infancy and early childhood and it has also been shown to help reduce risk of cognitive decline as we age. There are also mental health benefits, such as reduced depression, associated with this essential fatty acid. Combining DHA with citicoline, a natural ingredient known to protect brain health, is brilliant! Citicoline is a precursor to acetylcholine, a critical brain neurotransmitter. Citicoline is also incorporated into the membrane of brain cells improving the ability of our brain cells to send and receive messages, and to resist oxidative damage. Citicoline has also been shown to improve memory.
This most recent study involves animals with a brain injury. The researchers found that the animals who were given the combination of citicoline (as Cognizin) and DHA had significantly improved memory. In addition, fewer brain cells died in the brains of the animals that took the citicoline and DHA combination, showing a protective effect.
It’s important to note that the brand of citicoline used in this study was Cognizin. To ensure that you are using the most well-researched form of citicoline, be sure the dietary supplement label indicates that it contains the Cognizin form of citicholine, which is available in many dietary supplements.
If you’d like more technical information about citicoline, click here to access a free PDF of a research guide written by our colleague Sarah Cook, ND. You can also find more information specifically about Cognizin here.
References
Lauritzen L, Brambilla P, Mazzocchi A, et al. DHA effects in brain development and function. Nutrients. 2016;8(1):6.
Nakazaki E, Yabuki Y, Izumi H, et al. Combined citicoline and docosahexaenoic acid treatment improves cognitive dysfunction following transient brain injury. Journal of Pharmacological Sciences. 2019;139:319-324.