By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me) was a 1964 song released by Tony Bennett. The song was recorded again as a duet in 2011 with Queen Latifah and a second duet in 2012 with Gloria Estefan. Many of Tony Bennett’s songs became popular again with the help of Lady Gaga and their 2014 album and tour titled Cheek to Cheek. 

Tony Bennett passed away on July 21, 2023 leaving behind a wonderful legacy. He won 20 Grammy Awards. He set a Guinness World Record by being the oldest person to release an album with new material at the age of 95. 

Tony Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016, but continued to perform until 2021. His final stage performances were at Radio City Music Hall. 

Although new medications have recently been approved by the FDA to manage Alzheimer’s disease, it is still a difficult condition to treat. We have no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but we do have evidence for ways to slow cognitive decline. 

 So why, “Who Can I Turn To?” as a title?

The television and the Internet are full of commercials about how to improve your memory and to reduce cognitive decline. So, what are the pitfalls and where lies the evidence?

I am concerned when actors and chefs are recommending memory supplements. Why are they not being supported by pharmacists, nurses, physicians and other healthcare providers? You don’t see me recommending cooking techniques or the best screenplay to adopt. Why do we trust these individuals for medical and health knowledge? 

It is important to note in these ads they are pure testimonials including those with individuals who are not famous. They do not cite studies or evidence. The small print includes the required statement that these claims have not been evaluated by the FDA. 

In 2017, the state of New York in conjunction with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged the manufacturer of Prevagen® with clear-cut fraud in their claims of memory improvement in 90 days with a protein derived from jellyfish. As with most misinformation, the ads showed graphs appearing very scientific. The Prevagen® ads now rely on testimonials. 

Prevagen® reports in their ads they are the number one supplement recommended by pharmacists. Let me give you a little insight into this survey. You have to pick one of the 4-5 listed. There is no “none of the above”!

Cognitive decline is a significant issue within the United States. Over 10 million Americans have mild cognitive decline with another estimated 7.2 million with decline, but not diagnosed by a healthcare professional. The CDC estimates about 10.7% of Ohio’s population has some form of mild cognitive decline. So, these numbers explain why so many individuals are looking for answers. 

What type of evidence is available to help reduce or slow the development of cognitive decline?

Interestingly, Centrum Silver® has advertisements for memory improvement on the Internet and television. The claims are backed up with evidence. A May 2023 study published in Nutrients evaluated older men who received 6 months of the multivitamin versus older men who were given placebo tablets. The study showed improvement in nutritional deficiencies and biomarkers.

A second Centrum® Silver study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition evaluated the multivitamin versus placebo in 3,562 participants. The subjects were evaluated for memory changes over a 3-year period. The multivitamin group had improved memory at 1 year compared to the placebo group. This is the study being cited in the ads. 

Exercise, sleep, and diet are important components to improve brain health.

A study in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society demonstrated 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night is best and this is supported by the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8TM lifestyle habits for a healthy heart. 

Another study published in 2023 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed a 64% reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease with long-term ingestion of omega-3 fatty acids. The average age of the participants was 73 years of age. The benefit was seen with both dietary contribution of omega-3 fatty acids and with commercially purchased omega-3 supplements. 

Some foods high in omega-3 fatty acids include fish such as mackerel, salmon, herring and sardines. Other sources include walnuts, soybeans, oysters, chia seeds, and flaxseed. The nonprescription supplement of cod liver oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids. 

A study from the United Kingdom published in JAMA Neurology reported the benefit of walking each day to reduce cognitive decline. The authors reported between 9,000 to 10,000 steps per day was ideal. An April 2023 study found tai chi to be superior to walking in individuals older than 60 years of age. 

Other important ways to stimulate the brain include games, puzzles, improved hearing and seeing. A May 2023 study reported the importance of hearing aids to reduce cognitive decline. It is important to hear to stimulate the brain. The British Journal of Ophthalmology reported an improvement in cognitive performance with cataract correction. 

Turn to your healthcare professionals to learn about the evidence and leave the cooking to the chefs!

ONU HealthWise is offering bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Please call the pharmacy for more information. 

ONU HealthWise Pharmacy
419-772-3784