The authors searched the literature for studies on DHA and thinking or behavior in healthy school-age children and found 15 relevant papers. The studies differed widely in purpose and design, and they did not agree on which cognitive tests DHA affects. More than half reported a benefit in at least one area of cognition or behavior, and studies measuring brain activity reported benefits from supplementation.
Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is a long chain omega-3 fat. It makes up about 15% of the fatty acids in the human frontal cortex, and the body converts it from precursors inefficiently, so diet supplies most of it. Animals on low omega-3 diets show learning and memory problems, and typical intakes in children are low. This review asked whether DHA intake, or DHA in blood or tissue, relates to learning, memory, behavior and school performance in healthy school-age children.
This is a PubMed search to November 2012. Eligible studies covered healthy children aged 4 to 18 with no neuropsychological diagnosis or special educational needs, and had to quantify DHA in diet or as a biomarker. Of 38 citations returned, fifteen studies in children aged 4 to 14 met the criteria: three observational, twelve randomized controlled trials. DHA came from fish or algal oil, as capsules, chewables or fortified foods, at 88 to 1200 mg a day. Placebos were usually corn, soy or olive oil. Results were not pooled.
The studies were mixed and often null, with no consistent pattern on any particular cognitive test.
Over half the studies reported a favorable result in at least one area, but the areas differed from study to study.
All four authors were employees of DSM Nutritional Products, which produces and sells DHA, and they declare this. No independent funding is named. The review has a search algorithm but no risk of bias assessment, meta-analysis or correction for the many outcomes measured. The authors note that the original study authors applied multiple comparison corrections inconsistently, and that they kept every study regardless. Individual trials ran from 38 to 598 children over 8 to 52 weeks, used different doses and placebo oils, and none reported the fatty acid content of the background diet.
Read this as mixed and largely inconclusive evidence, not as a demonstration that DHA improves learning in healthy children. The larger trials found no effect on standard cognitive tests. What did show up appeared mostly in children already behind in reading, or in subgroup and per-protocol analyses rather than the main analysis. The brain imaging results show DHA status changes brain activity, which is not the same as changing test scores. Because the review comes from DHA manufacturer employees and does not assess study quality, its conclusion should carry less weight than the trial results it describes.
That depends on the specific medication and formula. A few, like blood thinners with CurQLife or blood pressure medication with MaxiNOs, are worth a direct conversation with your doctor first. Check each formula's own FAQ section for specifics, or ask your health coach.
No, and we'd rather be upfront about it. Bacopa, the plant in BacoZest, has published human studies, though they used other bacopa extracts. OptiNOs and MaxiNOs each have human studies sponsored by their maker, Laila Nutraceuticals, which haven't been published in a journal. CurQLife's research is still early, from lab and animal studies, and we label it that way.
It depends on what you're building your routine around. BacoZest is built around bacopa, which is studied for memory.* OptiNOs supports strength and muscular endurance alongside resistance training.* MaxiNOs was studied for healthy blood vessel function.* CurQLife's research is still at the lab stage. Your health coach can help you pick a starting point.
All four are built around plant extracts. OptiNOs was reported as well tolerated in its human study, and published bacopa studies reported no serious side effects. CurQLife's safety data so far comes from lab and animal testing. Check with your doctor first if you're pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a health condition.
Because the patented ingredients behind our four formulas went through dedicated research, and research costs real money. A generic curcumin or bacopa supplement hasn't been tested in the form you get from us. You're paying for an ingredient with research behind it, not just a label.
Generic ingredients often haven't been studied in the specific form you're buying. Our four core formulas use patented ingredients, and we show you the research behind each one, including where it's still early.
It depends on the formula. In its study, MaxiNOs blood vessel response was higher than placebo 2 to 3 hours after the first dose.* OptiNOs and bacopa were studied over 6 and 12 weeks of daily use, so give them time. CurQLife is meant to be taken daily.
Yes. BacoZest, OptiNOs, MaxiNOs, and CurQLife are built for different goals, and none of them contain stimulants. They haven't been studied together, so ask your health coach how to fit them into your routine.
