DHA for the Brain: 12 Months Slowed Hippocampus Shrinkage in MCI
A year of DHA slowed shrinkage of the hippocampus, the brain's memory center, in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. In a 240-person randomized trial from China (219 completers), the DHA group also outperformed placebo on Full-Scale IQ, Information and Digit Span. The dose was a 2 g/day supplement, about 0.9 g of actual DHA. The findings may help explain why omega-3 trials in healthy people have been mixed, since the benefit may be concentrated in those already showing cognitive decline. This article covers the numbers, the likely mechanisms, practical tips on dose and sourcing, and the limits of a single trial.
Chicken Breast Dipeptide Anserine Lifted Memory Scores in MCI
A chicken-breast dipeptide called anserine just posted a surprisingly clean result in people with mild cognitive impairment. In a 12-week randomized trial, 500 mg a day lifted MMSE scores by about 1.9 points while placebo stayed flat (p=0.036). The proposed mechanism involves scavenging hypochlorous acid, a reactive molecule tied to neuroinflammation. It fits with earlier carnosine blend studies and a 2024 meta-analysis showing better delayed recall. But with just 30 people analyzed and one cognitive test, here is what the data does and does not tell you.
Salmon Peptides vs Whey: +13% Ferritin in 8 Weeks (14-Person Pilot)
A small Norwegian trial found that 12 g/day of salmon protein hydrolysate lifted ferritin by about 13% and red blood cells by about 7% compared with whey over eight weeks. Secondary results hinted at lower inflammation, better glucose markers and improved body composition. But the study had only 14 participants and was industry-sponsored, so it is a signal rather than proof. Here is what salmon peptides are, what the trial found, how they differ from collagen, and why caution is essential.
Magnesium L-Threonate Lifted Oura Deep and REM Scores in 3 Weeks
A 2024 randomized trial tested a brain-targeted form of magnesium, magnesium L-threonate (Magtein), in 80 adults with sleep complaints. After 21 days at 1 g/day, the MgT group had better Oura deep and REM sleep scores than placebo, along with improved mood, energy and alertness. But the placebo group also got worse, the sleep staging came from a consumer wearable, and the study never compared threonate to glycinate or citrate. Here's what the trial actually shows, what a 1 g dose really delivers in elemental magnesium, and where the caveats lie.
Mushroom 'Longevity Vitamin' Raised NAD+ in Aged Rats via H2S Switch
Ergothioneine, the mushroom compound nicknamed the 'longevity vitamin,' just got a mechanism to match its buzz. In a Cell Metabolism study, aged rats given ET ran farther, gained vascularization and muscle, and showed higher muscle NAD+. The effect traced back to a hydrogen sulfide pathway: CSE, persulfidation, and the enzyme cGPDH. Knock out CSE or cGPDH and the benefits vanished. But this is animal and lab work, and the effective rat dose scales to roughly 10x what supplements typically provide.
