This Controversial Supplement Improves Brain Performance

Summary

This video delves into the cognitive benefits of multivitamin and mineral supplements, focusing on the controversial Cosmos studies that suggest a positive impact on brain performance, despite other studies like the Physician's Health Study 2 showing no such effect. It addresses the recent viral study that found no reduction in disease rates with multivitamin use, and offers guidance on selecting a supplement, emphasizing the importance of appropriate dosing and avoiding excessive intake of certain vitamins.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The script discusses the fear of cognitive decline with age and the importance of protecting brain health.
• 💊 It highlights a popular supplement, a multivitamin and mineral supplement, with evidence suggesting it improves brain performance and may help protect against cognitive decline.
• 🔍 The supplement's effectiveness is supported by the COSMOS study, which includes three ancillary studies with a meta-analysis of over 5,000 people.
• 🤔 The COSMOS studies showed significant cognitive benefits, but there's controversy due to conflicting results with the Physician's Health Study 2, which found no such benefits.
• 👥 The differences between the studies, such as participant demographics and timing of cognitive testing, may explain the contrasting outcomes.
• 🌟 The addition of lutein and lycopene in the COSMOS studies' supplement formula is suggested as a key factor for the observed cognitive benefits.
• 📉 Other studies, including a recent large-scale study involving nearly 400,000 participants, have shown no reduction in cancer, cardiovascular disease, or death rates from multivitamin use.
• ⚠️ The script warns against 'mega-dosing' with supplements, emphasizing that they should complement a healthy diet, not replace it.
• 🛡️ It advises caution with certain ingredients like beta-carotene and vitamin E, which have been associated with potential harms.
• 💡 The creator of the script designed a supplement called Microvi, including specific ingredients like magnesium threonate and TMG for their proposed cognitive benefits.
• 🔄 The Microvi formula is subject to updates based on new research findings, emphasizing the importance of staying informed and adapting supplement choices accordingly.

Q & A

What is the primary concern expressed in the video about aging?

The primary concern is the fear of losing cognitive function, specifically having no recollection of conversations and the brain not functioning correctly.

What is the supplement discussed in the video that is believed to improve brain performance?

The supplement discussed is a multivitamin and mineral supplement.

What were the three ancillary studies conducted as part of the COSMOS study?

The three ancillary studies were COSMOS Mind, COSMOS Web, and COSMOS Clinics studies, all of which focused on measures of cognitive performance.

How were the COSMOS studies designed to minimize bias?

The COSMOS studies were designed as randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies, where neither the participants nor the scientists knew who was taking the supplement or the placebo.

What was the statistical significance found in the combined analysis of the COSMOS studies?

The combined analysis showed a highly statistically significant effect, with a P value of 0.009 for global cognition and 0.007 for episodic memory.

How does the effect of the supplement in the COSMOS studies compare to the placebo group in terms of cognitive aging?

The difference between the group taking the supplement and the placebo group was equivalent to 2 years less cognitive aging.

What was the main finding of the Physicians Health Study 2 in relation to multivitamins and cognitive performance?

The Physicians Health Study 2 found no difference in cognitive performance between the placebo and multivitamin groups.

What are the three main differences between the COSMOS studies and the Physicians Health Study 2?

The differences are: 1) COSMOS included both males and females, while Physicians Health Study 2 only included older males; 2) the cognitive testing in Physicians Health Study 2 started later in the study, potentially missing early benefits; 3) the supplement formulas were different, with COSMOS possibly benefiting from the addition of lutein and lopine.

What is the recent study that has gone viral and its findings regarding multivitamin supplements?

The recent study involved nearly 400,000 participants and found no benefits of multivitamin supplements in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, or death rates.

What are the key considerations when choosing a multivitamin and mineral supplement according to the video?

Key considerations include avoiding mega doses, ensuring appropriate dosing, and including beneficial ingredients like lutein, lopine, vitamin K2, magnesium as magnesium taurate, trimethyl glycine (TMG), and hyaluronic acid.

Why does the video creator choose to update the microvi formula based on the COSMOS studies?

The video creator updates the microvi formula to include lutein and lopine, as these ingredients were part of the supplement in the COSMOS study that showed a cognitive benefit.