FOCUS – Explanation of 2 of its ingredients
‘’We received a testimony from a 39-year-old woman who has ADHD and who, thanks to this supplement, can finally concentrate, moves less, and no longer has noise in her head... for the first time. How to explain? She also takes 3 omega/day.
To respond, Jean-Yves presents two of the ingredients in this supplement, good for both ADHD and memory loss over time?''
Do you know about citicoline?….
Citicoline, also known as CDP-Choline, is a nootropic. A nootropic is a compound that could help improve cognition, or the ability to learn.1
Citicoline helps produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is involved in memory. It is the major intracellular natural precursor of the membrane phospholipid, phosphatidylcholine. 2 So, it could help protect the neuron membranes and our brain cells.
In patients with mild vascular cognitive disorders, citicoline has activated the repair of neuronal membranes, increased cerebral metabolism, norepinephrine levels,dopamine in the central nervous system, and has neuroprotective effects during hypoxia and ischemia (lack of oxygen to the brain). 3
In people who complain of slow intellectual performance, citicoline has helped improve processing speed, working memory, verbal learning, verbal memory, and executive functions. On the other hand, no effect was observed in those who already have good speed. 4
It would also have a neuroprotective effect that could be useful in preventing brain damage following a stroke.5
An interesting study focused on attention. A group of 60 women aged between 40 and 60 took either 250 mg of citicoline, 500 mg, or a placebo for 28 days. The two groups that consumed the product saw their number of errors decrease during standardized assessment tests compared to the placebo.10
Similar results were obtained in a group of young men (13 to 18 years old). They had better attention, greater accuracy, and an improvement in their psychomotor speed (reaction time).9
Dosages: According to the documentation, the dosage ranges from 100 to 1,000 mg per day.6.7
Side effects: Administered orally or by injection, citicoline is non-toxic and very well tolerated.2
... and vinpocetine?
Vinpocetine is an alkaloid from the periwinkle plant (Vinca minor).1
It is a multi-action agent with numerous pharmacological targets that can be classified as a nootropic. It helps improve blood circulation to the brain and the ease of nerve conduction. 2
It has a neuroprotective effect against hypoxia (lack of oxygen) by increasing blood flow.1 In a clinical study conducted in Nigeria, vinpocetine improved dementia symptoms.3 It also has an antioxidant effect.1 In a Chinese study involving 610 patients after a stroke, the patients took Vinpocetine (30 mg IV) combined with CDP Choline and ASA or Clopidogrel (469 patients) vs the same substances without Vinpocetine (141 patients) for 7 days. Vinpocetine improves cerebral blood flow, cognitive quality, neurological functions, and quality of life. 5 For healthy and younger individuals, vinpocetine seems to help with memory and reaction time. (40 mg per day for 2 days).6
Dosage: 10 to 40 mg per day.
Side effect: the only significant side effect is the appearance of flushing in some individuals, which is inconsequential.1
References (citicoline):
1. wikipedia.org/wiki/Nootrope
2. Grieb P. Neuroprotective properties of citicoline: facts, doubts and unresolved issues. CNS Drugs. 2014 Mar;28(3):185-93. Doi: 10.1007/s40263-014-0144-8. PubMed PMID: 24504829; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3933742. .ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3933742/
3. Cotroneo AM, Castagna A, Putignano S, Lacava R, Fantò F, Monteleone F, Rocca F, Malara A, Gareri P. Effectiveness and safety of citicoline in mild vascular cognitive impairment: the IDEALE study. Clin Interv Aging. 2013; 8:131- 7. Doi: 10.2147/CIA.S38420. PubMed PMID: 23403474; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3569046. .doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S38420
4. Knott V, de la Salle S, Choueiry J, Impey D, Smith D, Smith M, Beaudry E, Saghir S, Ilivitsky V, Labelle A. Neurocognitive effects of acute choline supplementation in low, medium and high performer healthy volunteers. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2015 Feb 12;131C:119-129. Doi: 10.1016/j.pbb.2015.02.004. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 25681529. .ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25681529
5. Putignano S, Gareri P, Castagna A, Cerqua G, Cervera P, Cotroneo AM, Fiorillo F, Grella R, Lacava R, Maddonni A, Marino S, Pluderi A, Putignano D, Rocca F. Retrospective and observational study to assess the efficacy of citicoline in elderly patients suffering from stupor related to complex geriatric syndrome. Clin Interv Aging. 2012; 7:113-8. Doi: 10.2147/CIA.S29366. PubMed PMID: 22654511; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3363302. .ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3363302/
6. Hurtado O, Lizasoain I, Moro MÁ. Neuroprotection and recovery: recent data at the bench on citicoline. Stroke. 2011 Jan;42(1 Suppl): S33-5. Doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.110.597435. Review. PubMed PMID: 21164125.
7. García-Cobos R, Frank-García A, Gutiérrez-Fernández M, Díez-Tejedor E. Citicoline, use in cognitive decline: vascular and degenerative. J Neurol Sci. 2010 Dec 15;299(1-2): 188-92. Doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2010.08.027. Review. PubMed PMID: 20875651.
8. McGlade E, Locatelli A, Hardy J, et al. Improved Attentional Performance Following Citicoline Administration in Healthy Adult Women. Food and Nutrition Sciences Sciences Vol.3 No.6, June 2012 doi: 10.4236/fns.2012.36103 PaperInformation.aspx?paperID=19921
9. McGlade E, Agoston AM, DiMuzio J, Kizaki M, Nakazaki E, Kamiya T, Yurgelun-Todd D. The Effect of Citicoline Supplementation on Motor Speed and Attention in Adolescent Males. J Atten Disord. 2019 Jan;23(2):121-134. Doi: 10.1177/1087054715593633. Epub 2015 Jul 15. PMID: 26179181.
10. Patel K et al. CDP-choline. Examine.com 6 octobre 2021. https://examine.com/supplements/cdp-choline/
References (vinpocetine):
1. Vinpocetine. Monograph. Altern Med Rev. 2002 Jun;7(3):240-3. Review. PubMed PMID: 12126465. https://altmedrev.com/blog/resource/vinpocetine/
2. Zhang YS, Li JD, Yan C. An update on vinpocetine: New discoveries and clinical implications. Eur J Pharmacol. 2018 Jan 15; 819:30-34. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.11.041. Review. PubMed PMID: 29183836; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5766389. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5766389/
3. Ogunrin A. Effect of vinpocetine (cognitol™) on cognitive performances of a Nigerian population. Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2014 Jul;4(4):654-61. doi: 10.4103/2141-9248.139368. PubMed PMID: 25221724; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4160700. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4160700/
4. Patyar S, Prakash A, Modi M, Medhi B. Role of vinpocetine in cerebrovascular diseases. Pharmacol Rep. 2011;63(3):618-28. Review. PubMed PMID: 21857073. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21857073
5. Zhang W, Huang Y, Li Y, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Vinpocetine as Part of Treatment for Acute Cerebral Infarction: A Randomized, Open-Label, Controlled, Multicenter CAVIN (Chinese Assessment for Vinpocetine in Neurology) Trial. Clin Drug Investig. 2016 Sep;36(9):697-704. doi: 10.1007/s40261-016-0415-x. PubMed PMID: 27283947. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27283947
6. Subhan Z, Hindmarch I. Psychopharmacological effects of vinpocetine in normal healthy volunteers. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1985; 28(5):567-71. doi: 10.1007/BF00544068. PMID: 3899677. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF00544068
Warning: Maison Jacynthe disclaims all responsibilities. The information contained on this page does not seek to substitute a justified allopathic treatment nor to dismiss the expertise of the medical profession. It is up to each individual to take charge of their health, to inform themselves, and to make the necessary changes to improve their condition. Therapeutic supervision by a qualified healthcare professional is obviously recommended.
