6 best vitamins for memory

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Physiologists and physicians refer to memory as cognitive function. In addition to memory, the cognitive sphere includes speech, human cognitive activity, intelligence, the ability to acquire and use complex motor skills (drawing, labor, playing musical instruments). Memory can be called the ability of the human central nervous system to perceive, process, store, and, as necessary, reproduce the necessary information. Anatomically, memory is associated with the deep centers of the brain, which is part of the hippocampus.

The most severe type of memory disorder is dementia, with the decay of the human personality. The diagnosis of dementia can only be made correctly if the level of severity of cognitive disorders affects the daily routine of human life, while the patient is in a clear consciousness, and he has any diagnosis of organic brain damage. The most prominent example of severe memory impairment associated with dementia is Alzheimer's disease.

But the purpose of this review will not be to list the serious drugs that doctors prescribe to treat a particular cognitive impairment. Therefore, drugs such as memantine, drugs that affect the NMDA receptor, and other 'real' drugs will not be covered in this review.

Here are listed the most popular and mildly acting vitamins, metabolic agents that are indicated for the prevention of memory disorders, for improving the blood supply to the brain, as well as for improving its metabolism: reducing the severity of oxidative stress, and inhibiting lipid peroxidation. The first group describes vitamins that can be freely used mainly for prophylaxis, and the second group includes substances that, in addition, are included in the approved standards for the treatment of many neurological diseases and functional memory disorders in old and old age.

Rating of the best drugs to improve memory

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best vitamins for preventing memory disorders	1	Glycine	80
	2	Taxifolin Baikal	1 350
	3	Vitrum Memori Plus (Tanakan, Bilobil)	557
The best vitamins for the prevention and treatment of memory disorders	1	Encephabol	823
	2	Cavinton Forte (Vinpocetine)	294
	3	Picamilon (nicotinoyl – GABA)	90

The best vitamins for preventing memory disorders

This group includes dietary supplements, vitamins and mineral complexes that healthy people can take if they have a period of increased mental and psychoemotional stress, for example, during preparation for exams. These vitamins are prescribed for mild relief of residual effects in various neurological diseases and injuries. These 'vitamins for memory' can be used in the complex therapy of concussion, to reduce memory disorders in the initial stages of hypertensive encephalopathy, in age-related cerebral atherosclerosis and in other cases. The rating is opened by a popular popular drug – Glycine.

Glycine

Rating: 4.9

First of all, Glycine is safe. It consists of glycol, and this is the simplest amino acid that is part of almost all proteins in our body. Along the way, this amino acid works in the central nervous system as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. It is able to increase efficiency, improve memory mechanisms, and reduce psycho-emotional stress. Glycine is available in both tablets and lozenges (sublingual).

It is known that any drug absorbed into the vessels of the floor of the oral cavity bypasses the portal circulatory system, and is absorbed immediately into the brain, therefore, sublingual or sublingual administration of glycine has a quick effect. The course of taking Glycine is able to improve memory, concentration, facilitate the process of falling asleep and eliminate mild functional insomnia. Glycine has a mild sedative effect, facilitates human social adaptation, relieves aggressiveness and nervous tension. Also in complex therapy, this brain vitamin is indicated for the treatment of behavioral abnormalities in children and adolescents, with mild memory and attention disorders, with neuroses and with vegetative-vascular dystonia. Glycine is actively used in the complex therapy for the treatment of chronic alcoholic and post-traumatic encephalopathy, for the treatment of stroke ischemic etiology.

It is necessary to take Glycine under the tongue, for prevention – one tablet two or three times a day, for a month. For the treatment of functional lesions of the nervous system, it is recommended for adult patients to use Glycine in the same dosage, which can be increased on the recommendation of the attending physician. To improve sleep, one or two Glycine tablets should be absorbed 20 minutes before bedtime. The domestic company Biotics produces Glycine in tablets for sublingual administration, and a package of 50 such tablets with a dosage of 100 mg each is very inexpensive, on average 30 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

A big plus of Glycine will be its low price, widespread use in pharmacies of different forms of ownership, no contraindications, except for individual intolerance, and many indications for use. In addition to improving memory and concentration, Glycine helps to stop climacteric vegetative disorders, as well as unpleasant conditions associated with the toxic effects of ethyl alcohol. Glycine is a molecule that is part of many tissues of the human body, and therefore it does not have a toxic effect, this agent is the safest and most hypoallergenic.

Taxifolin Baikal

Rating: 4.8

This natural vitamin is ultra-pure dihydroquercetin, which is produced from the butt of the Siberian larch trunk. It is important that it is a natural compound and is not synthesized artificially. Many varieties of dihydroquercetin are sold in pharmacies, but only Taxifolin Baikalsky has an ultrapure composition: at least 97% of the active substance is in a crystalline state. The mechanism of action of dihydroquercetin is to improve the metabolism of neurons and glial tissue, inhibition of the process of lipid peroxidation, it reduces free radical oxidation. These processes also exist in normal brain tissue, but their activation leads to various memory disorders and to the progression of aging of the nervous tissue. But their intensity increases significantly with significant mental stress, with hypoxia, in the presence of various metabolic diseases, after injuries.

Therefore, it is recommended to use Taxifolin Baikal during the recovery period after a concussion, during emotional stress and increased mental activity, for example, when preparing for exams or when writing a dissertation. It is shown in the complex treatment of various neurological disorders in old age. Taxifolin is used in capsules, 1 capsule weighing 300 mg, it contains the optimal dosage – 60 mg of dihydroquercetin, taking this drug is recommended one capsule once a day for 1 month. These vitamins for memory are produced by the Siberian Cedar company, and the cost of one package of Taxifolin of Baikal, designed for a monthly course, ranges from 950 rubles to 1350 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Taxifolin Baikal is a modern natural vitamin, and it is quite difficult to win a niche in the market at the present time. Therefore, the disadvantage of Taxifolin is the low awareness of doctors about it, a rare appearance in pharmacies: it is distributed through a dealer network, it has a rather high price, which is dictated by a complex cycle of purification and refining, and is still produced in small volumes. But in the event that you manage to purchase a package of this supplement, and within a month you take it, the body will be able to withstand the increased load on memory with greater resistance, concentration of attention, intelligence will improve, and the reaction will accelerate. At the same time, Taxifolin is well tolerated, and usually patients notice the effect of taking it after a few days.

Vitrum Memori Plus (Tanakan, Bilobil)

Rating: 4.8

This memory vitamin is monocomponent and contains Ginkgo Biloba leaf extract in one tablet. There are many different additives from this wonderful plant, but only a few ultra-pure drugs really stand the standardized content of flavones and glycosides of this plant according to the pharmaceutical formulation. And this makes Vitrum Memori Plus capable of actively influencing the metabolism of substances in the nervous tissue.

Flavan glycosides, which bear the complex name of ginkgolides and bilabolides, improve capillary blood circulation in the brain tissue, increase the oxygen potential of neurons, and improve the supply of glucose to the brain. Also, Ginkgo Biloba extract helps to improve blood flow and helps to open up the reserves of cerebral microcirculation. The tool expands small vessels and at the same time tones veins of small caliber, this process prevents the formation of blood clots in the vessels of the brain. This plant vitamin is able to fight chronic cerebral hypoxia, improves memory, attention, restores speech function in elderly people with dementia, increases the ability of the nervous system to learn and tolerate stress.

Shown Vitrum Memori plus in healthy people with memory disorders, high exhaustion of thinking, with a decrease in attention, with increased mental stress. You need to take these vitamins for memory one tablet, 2 times a day with meals. The average duration of treatment is 2 to 3 months. It is produced by Vitrum Memori plus the American company Unipharm, and the average cost of one package of 60 tablets, calculated for a month of administration, costs 970 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

An undoubted advantage is the high quality of the original plant raw materials, which allows within 10-15 days after taking to feel the changes that are manifested in improved memory, greater clarity of thinking, increased 'tenacity' of attention, the ability to remember little things. But this tool is still quite expensive, and the duration of the course of 3 months will cost about 3,000 rubles, so not all categories of the population can afford it. This vitamin for memory is contraindicated in the acute phase of stroke and in myocardial infarction, in gastric ulcer, during pregnancy and breastfeeding. But in the event that it is prescribed according to indications, then Vitrum Memori Plus will quickly reduce clinical symptoms, or adapt the body to higher intellectual loads in a healthy person.

The best vitamins for the prevention and treatment of memory disorders

Of course, all natural and metabolic vitamins of the first group, which are used for the prevention of memory disorders, including in healthy people, are quite successfully used for the treatment of various neurological diseases with cognitive impairments. But this group will include several drugs that are very active, and therefore it is necessary to start with them if there are already any symptoms of memory, attention, and thinking disorders.

Encephabol

Rating: 4.9

Encephabol contains one active ingredient – pyritinol. It acts as a mediator, increases the uptake of carbohydrates by nerve cells, accelerates the secretion of acetylcholine at cholinergic synapses, and enhances neurotransmitter transmission. Encephabol has a membrane stabilizing effect and prevents lipid peroxidation. As a result, resistance to oxygen deprivation and the metabolism of nerve tissue improves, and this leads to a decrease in symptoms such as distraction and forgetfulness. The patient's memory and attention are restored, his concentration improves, coordination of movements is normalized, the function of long-term memorization and reproduction of the necessary data is activated.

This nootropic substance is indicated for the treatment of various forms of dementia. In healthy people, Encephabol is used for mental increased stress, this agent is widely used in children with mental and physical retardation. Neurologists prescribe pyritinol for concussions. This vitamin for memory contributes to the rapid reduction of cerebrasthenic symptoms after suffering encephalitis and meningitis, after intoxication, and can be used to treat chronic alcoholism.

It is necessary to take Encephabol in the form of a suspension 3 times a day, 2 teaspoons each. If the patient suffers from insomnia, then it is necessary to take the evening dose as early as possible, but in any case no later than 6 pm, since pyritinol can have an activating effect. Encephabol is produced by the German company Merck, and the cost of one bottle of suspension with a volume of 200 ml, on average, is 1000 rubles. This means that with a daily dosage of 30 ml (5 ml per teaspoon), one bottle is enough for a week. A monthly course will require an expense of 4 thousand rubles, which is far from affordable for everyone.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of Encephabol is the possibility of prescribing in pediatric practice, it can be given, if necessary, even to children, starting from the first day of life. But at the same time, he has contraindications. These are severe, severe liver and kidney disorders, anemia and thrombocytopenia, acute rheumatological and autoimmune pathology, myasthenia gravis. A relative contraindication to use is the appearance of increased irritability, malice, agitation and the development of insomnia against the background of memory loss. In this case, Encephabol can aggravate the symptoms, since it has an activating effect on the brain structures.

Cavinton Forte (Vinpocetine)

Rating: 4.8

Cavinton is an original medicine, and is positioned as a means to improve cerebral circulation. It contains vinpocetine, which is a derivative of the alkaloid vincamine. It is isolated from the beautiful periwinkle plant. Many people are familiar with this beautiful, unpretentious purple flower with shiny dark green leathery leaves that cover the lawn with a solid carpet.

Vinpocetine, just like the previous vitamin, increases the ability of nerve cells to consume glucose and oxygen, and converts the utilization of sugar to an aerobic, more energy-efficient type of metabolism. All this allows neurons to perform their functions as long as possible, even under conditions of long-term hypoxia. In addition to dementia and memory impairment, Cavinton is widely prescribed for tinnitus, neurovascular diseases of the inner ear, Meniere's disease, retinopathy, or retinal pathology. It is indicated for widespread cerebral atherosclerosis and various forms of post-traumatic and hypertensive encephalopathy, because encephalopathy is very often accompanied by memory and attention disorders. Cavinton is prescribed as a symptomatic treatment for the consequences of a concussion.

Cavinton Forte is available in 10 mg vinpocetine tablets, and simple Cavinton in a 5 mg dosage. It is recommended for use after meals, one tablet 3 times a day. But you need to start with a dose – half a tablet 3 times a day, that is, 15 mg. The duration of admission is determined by the attending physician. Cavinton Forte is produced by the Hungarian company Gedeon Richter, and the average cost of one pack of 90 tablets, calculated for a month of administration, costs 740 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of Cavinton will be an active effect on the vascular mechanisms of memory, good tolerance, and the rare development of side effects. But it must be borne in mind that this remedy cannot be prescribed to patients who have special changes in the ECG, manifested in the prolongation of the QT interval. Therefore, before the appointment, a cardiologist's consultation is required, and especially in patients with various cardiac arrhythmias. It should also be borne in mind that the effect associated with improving memory, activating thinking, improving sleep and restoring speech occurs no earlier than after 7 or 10 days. Cavinton is contraindicated for use in the acute phases of stroke, with severe arrhythmias, in pregnant and lactating women, in children under the age of 18. But overall, this memory vitamin is very well accepted by the medical community, and is considered a mild pathogenetic treatment for cognitive disorders.

Picamilon (nicotinoyl – GABA)

Rating: 4.8

Picamilon has won the respect of many neurologists, and is prescribed quite widely: it improves blood fluidity, has an antiaggregatory effect, reduces lipid peroxidation and free radical oxidative stress, and helps to increase capillary blood circulation in the vessels of the brain. The active ingredient of this medication is nicotinoyl gamma-aminobutyric acid, which has a nootropic and psychostimulating effect. Also, Picamilon is able to influence the tone of cerebral vessels, which allows it to be used in the complex therapy of migraine, has a tranquilizing effect and stimulates memory and attention. In addition to dementia and cognitive impairments in various diseases, Picamilon is actively prescribed for the treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia, asthenic conditions, in the treatment of chronic alcoholism, with the consequences of neuroinfections and traumatic brain injuries.

Picamilon is produced in tablets with a dosage of 50 mg. In case of cognitive disorders, with symptoms of memory impairment, you need to take Picamilon one tablet 2 to 3 times a day, without regard to food intake. The course of treatment is 1 to 2 months. Pikamilon is produced by the domestic company Pharmstandard, and a pack of tablets designed for 10 days of administration in the amount of 30 pieces costs only 105 rubles in pharmacies.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of Picamilon is its low cost, mild action, and wide therapeutic application. In some cases, it can cause excessive activation of the patient, therefore, it may be contraindicated for persons with chronic insomnia, and it is better not to prescribe it at all at night. It is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment. A very important indication of Picamilon is its use in pediatric urology; it is prescribed for babies to correct urinary disorders. Picamilon is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women, but only because appropriate research has not been carried out. When administered at the recommended dosage and as indicated, it will significantly improve the quality of life in patients with cognitive impairments.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.