by Leanne McCrate, RDN, LD
Dear Readers: One of my favorite pastimes is watching the game show "Jeopardy!". I will never be a contestant on the show, but it boosts my ego when I answer five or more questions correctly. As a middle-aged Gen Xer, life has brought about education, so I have increased my competence in the game. However, there are many times I know the answer, but I cannot think of it in time! You may have experienced the same. It's likely to happen to all of us at one time or another. It may get worse and likely won't get better. Sadly, it's part of the aging process, a memory that just isn't as sharp as it once was.
We can exercise, eat healthily, and have an annual physical, but is this enough to keep our minds sharp? Nowadays, there are many supplements on the market to help with memory. They're called nootropics, a term from the Ancient Greek "noos," meaning mind, and "tropein," meaning to turn. Nootropics are substances that specifically affect the mind.
One such nootropic is apoaequorin, which is made from a protein found in jellyfish. In a small study of 218 adults aged 40-91 years, apoaequorin was found to improve cognitive function in elderly adults (1). However, the study was criticized for not using standardized methods of testing. The study was also sponsored by a company that produces the supplement, which often leans toward bias in favor of the product.
The Federal Trade Commission charged a manufacturer of apoaequorin with false advertising....
Federal authorities say a California vascular practice and its physician agree to pay more than $6.73 million to resolve allegations that unnecessary interventional procedures were billed to Medic...