Abstract
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Many people take nutraceuticals and supplements in the belief that they
improve alertness or offset cognitive decline. Over the past decade or so there has been a
large increase in the amount of research examining the links between diet, nutraceuticals
and psychological function. This has revealed cognitive benefi ts from a number of
sources. For example glucose administration improves cognitive functioning, and the
mechanisms underlying this effect are increasingly understood. The glycaemic index (GI)
of a food can also infl uence mental performance. There is also good evidence that certain
dietary supplements have cognition-enhancing properties. These include endogenous
substances which support neural structure and function (amino acids and polyunsaturated
fatty acids). Other substances which improve cognitive function appear to do so by
increasing energy availability to the brain either directly (e.g. creatine) or via improving
cardiovascular functioning (e.g. CoQ10). Additionally certain herbal extracts can improve
mood and cognitive function (in this chapter we use Sage and Lemon balm as examples).
These effects are probably mediated by multiple actions including direct neurotransmitter
modulation. Interestingly in the case of herbs, the behavioural effects are often in keeping
with their usage in traditional medicine systems. There are numerous challenges in
understanding the effects of nutraceuticals on cognition. As well as the issue of
standardisation, there is the problem of understanding the mechanisms and underlying
effects which involve multiple processes. These challenges are increasingly being met by
new technologies which enhance our understanding of brain functioning.