Microalgae extract may slow cognitive decline in older adults: Study
The study, published in Nutrients and funded by the French microalgae supplement company Microphyt, aimed to expand on the cognitive and health benefits in older adults.
Researchers from Texas A&M University and Microphyt conducted a randomized controlled trial to assess the effect of either 1,100 mg/day Phaeodactylum tricornutum containing 8.8 mg of fucoxanthin, or placebo in 43 male and female participants over 12 weeks.
They reported that three months of supplementation with the extract was associated with improvements in working and secondary memory, vigilance, attention, accuracy and executive function. They also found some evidence that fucoxanthin had positive effects on sleep quality and insulin sensitivity.
“Fucoxanthin supplementation may play a role in mitigating early signs of cognitive decline in healthy, older individuals,” the researchers wrote.
Cognitive decline
Cognitive decline is a normal part of the aging process. Experts suggest that cognitive decline is prevalent among people over the age of 60 and present in 67% of people by age 70. From age 20 to 80, the ability to use current information and circumstances to make decisions and solve problems declines as the brain's size reduces.
Normal age-related cognitive decline does not usually affect daily activities except driving; however, if cognitive decline becomes more severe, it may lead to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia, which are not inherent aspects of aging.
Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid extracted from marine brown seaweed and microalgae. Animal studies show that fucoxanthin has antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects in the brain.
Previous research at Texas A&M University found positive cognitive effects in gamers when combining fucoxanthin extract from the microalgae variety Phaeodactylum tricornutum with guarana. In a second study, the researchers reported that the same extract preserved bone mass and density and promoted adherence to an exercise and diet program in overweight pre-menopausal females.
“Reducing oxidative stress and inflammation as we age has been suggested as a primary way to help maintain cognitive function and delay the onset of memory and cognitive decline,” the researchers on the present study wrote.
Study details
The study enlisted participants with perceptions of cognitive and memory decline, collecting blood samples and cognitive assessments at the start and after four and twelve weeks.
They found fucoxanthin supplementation was associated with significant or tendencies towards significant effects on word recall, picture recognition reaction time, Stroop color-word test, choice reaction time and digit vigilance test variables. The supplement also showed positive effects on sleep and insulin sensitivity.
“Exercise, nutrition and cognitive stimulation cannot only slow the aging process, but they can also improve performance such that there are less noticeable effects of aging,” author Richard Kreider, director of the Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab and at Texas A&M, told Nutraingredients.
Source: Nutrients
2024, 16(17), 2999; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16172999
“Effects of supplementation with a microalgae extract from Phaeodactylum tricornutum containing fucoxanthin on cognition and markers of health in older individuals with perceptions of cognitive decline”.
Authors: C. Yoo et al.
