New Survey Shows Americans Fear Mental Deterioration over Physical Decline

NEW YORK, March 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- To bring much-needed attention to Brain Health Awareness Week (March 16 – 22, 2015), Cognizin^® – an ultra-pure, allergen-free form of the brain nutrient citicoline – today released national survey data that sheds light on consumer concerns related to brain health and function. Among the notable results, the survey found that 57 percent of Americans fear reduction in brain function more than physical decline (43 percent).¹ Additionally, more than half (54 percent) of survey respondents admit to having trouble remembering names, while 30 percent admit to not remembering friends' or family members' birthdays. The survey also showed forgetfulness is prevalent in younger Americans. The majority of millennials (59 percent) report frequent forgetfulness during their morning routines, with most forgetting keys (32 percent), cell phones (28 percent), and to turn off appliances (21 percent).¹

Thankfully, there are a variety of ways to combat cognitive decline. According to leading neuroscientist, Dr. Deborah Yurgelun-Todd, diet and exercise are two of the best ways to care for the brain. "Individuals should establish good brain health habits like eating healthy foods with omega-3 fatty acids – monounsaturated fatty acids have been found to deliver nutrients to the brain – and staying active, exercising to reduce stress and tension."

Dr. Deborah Yurgelun-Todd is a leading researcher and professor at the Brain Institute at the University of Utah.  She has more than 20 years of experience leading brain health research, using the most advanced tools in the U.S. In addition to studying healthy lifestyle habits that impact brain health, Dr. Yurgelun-Todd is one of only 5 researchers in the U.S. who has studied the brain nutrient citicoline. In fact, her in-depth citicoline studies account for one-tenth of her total body of published research. Dr. Yurgelun–Todd's most recently published citicoline study found that by supplementing with Cognizin^® citicoline, over the course of six weeks, study participants made 28 percent fewer commission errors during memory recall tests.²  In a separate study, Dr. Yurgelun–Todd saw an increase in the formation of brain membranes by 35 percent and restoration of brain energy by 13.6 percent.³ "This study shows the significant positive effects that Cognizin^® citicoline can bring to healthy individuals who decide to use citicoline as a daily supplement," said Dr. Yurgelun-Todd.  

Citicoline is referred to by the scientific community as a "brain nutrient" because it aids the production of a critical building block in brain cells. While the brain produces its own levels of citicoline naturally – to protect its cell membranes' integrity and help ward off disease – studies show that oral supplementation of citicoline allows for improved transport of critical nutrients and signal-sending neurotransmitters in the brain.

Remarkably, consumer awareness of the brain nutrient citicoline remains low despite years of positive research, including a study published in the international, peer-reviewed journal, Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, which found that citicoline improved memory deficits in the elderly. In the placebo-controlled study, a group of elderly subjects who exhibited memory deficits (without dementia) were observed after administration of 1,000 mg and 500 mg of citicoline. After only a four-week administration period, results indicated that citicoline improved memory in free recall tasks and resulted in significant improvement in word recall. ⁴

In a separate study, also conducted by Dr. Yurgelun-Todd, Cognizin® citicoline, over a 28 day supplementation period, produced improved cognitive scores on attention and performance in the study participants. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 60 healthy adult women, aged 40 to 60, using a daily oral supplement of 250 or 500 mg and was published in Food and Nutrition Sciences.³

Dr. Yurgelun –Todd notes that citicoline supplementation is another way consumers can positively impact their overall brain health. "Cognizin® citicoline is a powerful, well-researched supplement that is already naturally produced in the brain," she said. "It plays a major role in healthy brain function – especially when it comes to boosting memory and concentration."

Although Cognizin^® national survey results reveal Americans' enduring fear of mental decline, this Brain Health Awareness Week, consumers are empowered to support sustained mental effort and boost healthy brain functions like memory, focus and concentration, through daily supplementation of the powerful, naturally occurring "brain nutrient" Cognizin^® citicoline.

About Cognizin^® Citicoline:

Cognizin is a branded form of citicoline, a natural substance found in every cell of the body and especially vital to brain health. Citicoline is broken down during intestinal absorption and, after passing through the blood/brain barrier, is reconstituted in the brain as citicoline. Citicoline is a water-soluble compound that supplies precursors for the synthesis of phospholipids, including phosphatidyl-choline, a major constituent of brain tissue; helps maintain normal levels of acetylcholine, a chemical that regulates memory and cognitive function; enhances communication between neurons; supports visual function; protects neural structures from free radical damage; enhances metabolism and healthy brain activity; and helps sustain healthy cellular mitochondria for sustained energy. Cognizin is also highly stable, GRAS, ultra-pure and allergen-free. For more information on Cognizin, visit http://www.cognizin.com. 

Cognizin^® citicoline can be found at a variety of retailers. To find a retailer in your area, visit http://www.cognizin.com/where-to-find.

About Kyowa Hakko USA:

Kyowa Hakko USA is the North American sales office for Kyowa Hakko Bio Co. Ltd. (Kyowa Hakko Bio), an international health ingredients manufacturer and world leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and food products. Kyowa Hakko Bio is the maker of branded ingredients including Cognizin^® Citicoline, Pantesin^® Pantethine, Setria^® Glutathione, as well as Sustamine^® L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine. For more information, visit www.kyowa-usa.com.

References

¹ Kyowa Hakko, Wakefield Survey, May 2014
² Silveri MM et al., Citicoline enhances frontal lobe bioenergetics as measured by phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy. NMR Biomed. 2008; 21(10):1066-75.
³ McGlade E. et al., Improved Attentional Performance Following Citicoline Administration in Healthy Adult Women Food and Nutrition Sciences. 2012; 3:769-773.
⁴ Alvarez XA. et al., Methods & Findings in Experimental & Clinical Pharmacology. 1997; 19(3):201-10

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