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.