Memory Link ™ helps support healthy mental
processes, including the complex functions of memory and
cognition.
Ocean fish and fish oils are dietary sources of the omega-3 fatty acids,
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Supplementing with coldwater ocean fish oils
ensures an adequate dietary supply of these two key fatty acids. Although
they can be
made in the body from dietary linolenic acid, the amount of conversion is
dependent
upon general health status and favourable metabolic conditions. Omega-3
DHA comprises
up to 50% of the vital fatty acid content of the brain.(1)
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is an integral part of brain cell structure and
function. It is used
principally as a trophic enhancer of memory, as well as for other
cognitive deficits and for
depression.(2, 3, 4) Approximately 70% of neuronal tissue is comprised of
the phosphatidylserine
phospholipid.
* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description
The principal reason people supplement with fish oil is to increase the intake of ready-made omega-3 EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (eicosahexaenoic acid), bypassing natural endogenous production from alpha-linolenic acid as shown in the biotransformation flow chart below. EPA and DHA are the most physiologically important members of the omega-3 family of fatty acids.
Essential fatty acids are basic building blocks of neurons and are used as fuel substrates for brain metabolism. (10) DHA is very important for optimal functioning of the brain, retina, testes, and adrenal glands. DHA is the predominant structural fatty acid in the cerebral cortex, in the membranes of synaptic communication centers, mitochondria and photoreceptors of the retina. Almost 50% of the weight of neuronal membranes is accounted for by DHA.(1) Deficiency in DHA is associated with cognitive decline and is thought to be an important contributing factor in conditions including depression, dementia, Alzheimer disease, attention deficit disorder and dyslexia.
Cross-sectional studies have linked low DHA levels with dementia, while prospective studies have linked all-cause dementia and Alzheimer disease with decreased fish intake. The Framington Heart Study followed 899 men and women who were free of dementia for nine years, for the development of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer disease. At follow-up, subjects that had an average DHA intake of 0.18 g/d and a mean fish intake of 3.0 servings per week, had a significant 47% reduction in the risk of developing all-cause dementia.(11) Patients with dementia due to Alzheimer disease have been reported to have 30% less DHA in brain tissue than do age-matched controls.(12)
Research has drawn a possible connection between DHA and arachidonic acid (AA) and some childhood learning and behavioral problems seen in the early pre-school or elementary school years, and even in early adolescence. These problems include dyslexia, attention deficit disorder (ADD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They are associated with learning, psychological, and social disruptions in the normal life quality and development of a child or young person, with possible life long repercussions.
This brain research suggests new nutritional ways to address these difficult learning and behavioral problems with the neurologically active fatty acids of the omega-3 category, namely docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and of the omega-6 category, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and arachidonic acid (AA).
Researchers have found that the fatty acids DHA and AA are highly concentrated in the synaptic membranes, where neurons exchange and process information, where learning and behavior are forged. Researcher Laura J. Stevens, PhD, and her fellow scientists at Purdue University have shown that DHA levels in the blood of 53 boys suffering from ADHD was significantly lower than DHA levels found in 43 matched boys without ADHD.(13) This has been interpreted to mean that ADHD sufferers may not make DHA well enough to facilitate the optimal construction of the synaptic membranes, thereby impairing the brain's management of childhood control over responses to environmental stimuli, leading to hyperactivity, inattentive, and impulsive behavior. The researchers concluded that supplementing with DHA and arachidonic acid may be useful in treating or managing ADHD.
British researcher Jacqueline Stordy, PhD, found that supplying DHA to young adults with dyslexia improved learning disabilities.(14) Parents can use brain-active DHA and AA from food sources and supplements to address learning and behavioral problems, hopefully providing a beneficial impact on brain function over time.
Some of the learning and behavioral problems of children are thought to stem from a lack of prenatal DHA and/or AA. Pregnant women should consider eating salmon or other ocean fish three times per week, or supplementing with 3 grams of salmon oil daily, particularly during the third trimester. (Do not supplement with other fish or shark liver oils, because they supply too much vitamin A for a pregnancy, which can cause birth defects.)
Human breast milk contains adequate DHA to complement the prenatal supply of DHA following birth, if the mother diligently continues to consume ocean fish or supplements with salmon oil capsules. Breast milk DHA is so important to early newborn brain development and subsequent educational outcomes, that nursing should be pursued, and adequate DHA content should be assured if formula feeding is necessary.(15)
Phosphatidylserine is the central phospholipid in the brain, helping to determine the integrity and fluidity of the cell membrane.(9) PS is a constituent of fatty membranes surrounding the mitochondria where energy production occurs, and it plays an essential role in the process by which brain cells receive and transmit chemical messages.(10) The brain normally produces adequate amounts of phosphatidylserine via S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as a methyl donor. Since methylation chemistry can be impaired as we age, due to depletions in folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, supplementation with PS may support long term cognitive function.
A number of clinical trials have documented the usefulness of PS in treating normal age-related memory problems, dementia, depression, and in modulating the advance of Alzheimer's Disease. There is no clinical evidence that PS will arrest or reverse AD, but it does seem to slow the onset of debilitation.(1,2)
Arachidonic acid, EPA and DHA along with other smart micronutrients like vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin E, iodine, iron, zinc, copper, taurine and choline etc. are crucial for brain development, integrity and functionality.(1)
User Group Forum
Share your questions and information with the ZooScape community!
Be the first to post!
Directions
Initially: Use 2 softgels, 3 times daily with meals for the first month (providing 300mg of PS).
Maintenance: Use 2 softgels daily thereafter (providing 100mg of PS). Alternatively, use as directed by a physician.
Cautions
Adverse Side Effects
Ocean fish and fish oils have been consumed in significant quantities worldwide for centuries without being associated with adverse effects. Ultra-purified fish oil is generally well tolerated. Individuals with sensitive GI tracts may experience mild discomfort, such as fish after-taste upon burping, belching, nausea, flatulence or loose stools.(5)
Published fish oil intervention studies with healthy subjects do not indicate a greater propensity for inappropriate bleeding, even after daily intakes greater than 6 grams.(5) (EPA is an active anticoagulant agent in fish oils).
This product is not associated with any known adverse side effects, other than potential for soya allergy.
Interactions
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is a natural precursor to prostaglandin mediated blood thinning and in the higher dose range can increase the tendency for blood thinning if other natural products with this tendency are also being used. Other common natural blood thinners include garlic, flaxseed oil, MSM, grape seed extract, cayenne, Ginkgo biloba, and vitamin E greater than 400IU.
Eicosapentaenoic acid will potentiate the action of coumadin and other anticoagulant therapy drugs.(1, 5, 6, 7) EPA can increase the prothrombin time (PT) in certain people on warfarin.
One case was reported in 2004 in which the PT went from 2.8 to 4.3 within one month after the patient increased their fish oil intake from 1 gram per day to 2 grams.(8) This reported effect of ocean fish oil on the prothrombin time in conjunction with warfarin is not consistent with other observations. Bender et al found that fish oil supplementation in doses of 3-6 grams per day does not seem to create a statistically significant effect on the anticoagulation status of patients receiving chronic warfarin.(9)
In general, this interaction should be associated with consumption of cold ocean fish as well as fish oils and could pose a difficulty in maintaining good anticoagulation therapy control.
Those taking fish oils should also be supplementing with natural vitamin E at 200-400IU to protect against fatty acid peroxidation. Phosphatidylserine has not been associated with negative medication interactions. A positive interaction may occur when used with DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), since it also is a major player in neuronal tissue as a fatty acid tail in phospholipids.
Co-use with Ginkgo biloba may magnify PS's tendency to enhance memory. Ginkgo biloba is best known as a memory enhancer, but its action is to improve brain circulation, thus providing greater oxygen and glucose levels. Supplemental PS enhances memory as it is an endogenous neuron membrane component that can improve neuron performance.
Precaution / Cautions
Supplementation with ocean fish oils may predispose a person to bleeding problems following surgery. It is suggested that fish oil use be discontinued one week before surgery and resumed upon the recommendations of a physician. Do not use this product during pregnancy or breastfeeding and keep out of reach of children.
Contraindications
Initiating fish oil supplements after being stabilized on anticoagulant therapy is contraindicated unless prescribed by a physician.
Supplementation of fish oil is contraindicated for at least one week before surgery and for those who have hemophilia.
Additional Information
References
1. Singh, M. Essential fatty acids, DHA and human brain. Indian J Pediatr. 72(3): 239-242, 2005. 2. Kidd, Parris M., Phosphatidylserine: The Nutrient Building Block That Accelerates All Brain Functions and Counters Alzheimer's, Keats Publishing, New Cannan, CT, 1998 3. Crook, Thomas H., et al, The Memory Cure, Pocket Books, New York, 1998 4. Murray, Michael T., Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplementation. Prima Publishing, Rocklin, CA, 1996 5. Vanschoonbeek, Kristof, et al. Fish oil consumption and reduction of arterial disease. J Nutr, Mar. 133(3):657-660, 2003. 6. Simopoulos, Artemis P., Robinson, Jo, The Omega Plan, HarperCollins Publishers, New York, 1998 7. Erasmus, Udo, FatsThat Heal Fats That Kill, Alive Books, Burnaby, BC, 1993 8. Buckley, M.S., et al. Fish oil interaction with warfarin. Ann Pharmacother. Jan 38(1):50-52, 2004. 9. Bender, N.K. et al. Effects of Marine fish oil on the anticoagulation status of patients receiving chronic warfarin therapy. J Thromb Thrombolysis. Jul, 5(3):257-261, 1998. 10. Perlmutter, D. BrainRecovery.com - Powerful Therapy for Challenging Brain Disorders. The Perlmutter Health Center, Naples, FL, 2003. 11. Schaefer, E.J et al. Plasma Phosphatidylcholine Docosahexaenoic Acid Content and Risk of Dementia and Alzheimer Disease. The Framingham Heart Study. Arch Neurol. 2006;63:1545-1550 12. Schaefer E.J. and Johnson, E.J. Supplement: n-3 Fatty Acids: Recommendations for Therapeutics and Prevention - Potential role of dietary n-3 fatty acids in the prevention of dementia and macular degeneration. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 83(6):1494-1498, June 2006. 13. Stevens, Laura J., et al, "Essential fatty acid metabolism in boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder", American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 62 (2): 761-768, 1995 14. Stordy, Jacqueline B., "Essential fatty acids (EFAs) and learning disorders", Holistic Health Journal, October, 1997. 15. Horwood, L.John, Fergusson, David M., "Breastfeeding and later cognitive and academic outcomes", Pediatrics, 101(1):e9, 1998
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
