Dr. Lesslie, I have a cousin who’s recently been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. There doesn’t seem to be much he can do about this. Do you have any suggestions? I don’t want to go down that path.
None of us want to go down that path, and yes, I have a few suggestions. First, I need to once again beat the old drum of “lifestyle choices.” If you’ve read my blog in the past, you know it’s all about being physically active, smoking cessation, controlling your weight and blood pressure and blood sugar, moderate alcohol consumption (if at all), proper diet, and adequate sleep. Having addressed that, there is in fact some good news to share regarding the prevention of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and possibly forestalling or preventing the full-blown development of dementia. I came across a review article that examined the use of a once-daily drink that over a trial period of three years demonstrated significant reductions in cognitive decline when started early during the onset of MCI. It’s something called Fortasyn Connect (Souvenaid). While not available in the U.S. at this time, its components are readily obtainable. They include B complex vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, choline, uridine, and selenium. My take on this? In reasonable amounts, these supplements are safe and inexpensive. And if there is a chance that MCI can be improved or prevented, this is something we should consider. For additional information, including the amounts of these components, a helpful site is https://www.souvenaid.com.au/consumer/support-resources/souvenaid-fact-sheet/.
In another related question:
I’m thinking about starting Gingko Biloba to improve my memory. Heard it can help prevent dementia. Any thoughts?
I once heard a comedian remark that he had started taking Gingko, and when asked if it was helping, he responded, “Yes, when I remember to take it.” Save your money here. There’s no solid evidence that Gingko Biloba helps with memory or with any of the claims made about its use. In fact, it’s associated with several significant side effects, including bleeding problems and interactions with several commonly used drugs—coumadin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. So for me, this is a “no.”
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