Baby Names: Wild Blueberry Extract

Blueberries are one of the most powerful antioxidants for enhancing memory and preserving brain function. It has been demonstrated that blueberry anthocyanins are capable of crossing the blood-brain-barrier and become localized in the memory and learning centers of the brain (including the hippocampus, cerebellum and cortex).

Memory Enhancement. Blueberry facilitates neurogenesis (the creation of new neurons) in the hippocampus (memory) region of the brain. The hippocampus is the area responsible for short-term memory. This study focused on blueberry supplemented diets of aged rats. The study found a direct correlation between the increase in proliferation of new neurons and the ability of the aged rats to perform in maze navigation studies.

Better control of body movements. Aged research rats fed blueberry extract were found to have higher levels of brain neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine is the chemical in the brain responsible for controlling body movements. This was reflected in the fact that the blueberry fed animals had much better neuromotor control.

Targets oxidative stress and inflammation. Aging of the brain is accelerated by conditions of oxidative stress and inflammation. Bilberry is both a potent antioxidant and has also been shown to significantly reduce the release of inflammatory enzymes associated with neuroinflammation. Oxidative stress and inflammation are toxic to neurons and can lead to the death of the brain cells.

Enabling “normal” memory functioning in mice with amyloid brain plaques. Blueberry fed mice with brain plaques performed maze maneuvering tasks as effectively as mice without plaques. Mice with plaques which did not receive blueberry supplementation fared much worse. The research group discovered that blueberry increases the levels of two enzymes (kinases) in the brain related to converting short-term to long-term memory.

Nutrition. 2011 Mar;27(3):338-42. Epub 2010 Dec 18.
Short-term blueberry-enriched diet prevents and reverses object recognition memory loss in aging rats.
Malin DH, Lee DR, Goyarzu P, Chang YH, Ennis LJ, Beckett E, Shukitt-Hale B, Joseph JA.

Source
University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, Texas, USA. malin@uhcl.edu

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
Previously, 4 mo of a blueberry-enriched (BB) antioxidant diet prevented impaired object recognition memory in aging rats. Experiment 1 determined whether 1- and 2-mo BB diets would have a similar effect and whether the benefits would disappear promptly after terminating the diets. Experiment 2 determined whether a 1-mo BB diet could subsequently reverse existing object memory impairment in aging rats.

METHODS:
In experiment 1, Fischer-344 rats were maintained on an appropriate control diet or on 1 or 2 mo of the BB diet before testing object memory at 19 mo postnatally. In experiment 2, rats were tested for object recognition memory at 19 mo and again at 20 mo after 1 mo of maintenance on a 2% BB or control diet.

RESULTS:
In experiment 1, the control group performed no better than chance, whereas the 1- and 2-mo BB diet groups performed similarly and significantly better than controls. The 2-mo BB-diet group, but not the 1-mo group, maintained its performance over a subsequent month on a standard laboratory diet. In experiment 2, the 19-mo-old rats performed near chance. At 20 mo of age, the rats subsequently maintained on the BB diet significantly increased their object memory scores, whereas the control diet group exhibited a non-significant decline. The change in object memory scores differed significantly between the two diet groups.

CONCLUSION:
These results suggest that a considerable degree of age-related object memory decline can be prevented and reversed by brief maintenance on BB diets.

Side Effects

Blueberry can act as a diuretic and can affect iron absorption. Blueberries contain small amounts of tannin. In large amounts, tannins have been associated with liver and kidney damage. Consumption of high tannin supplements can also lead to esophageal or mouth cancer.

Drug Interactions

Blueberry may interfere with the effectiveness of insulin, oral drugs for diabetes, and herbal products that affect blood sugar levels. It may also block the absorption of drugs and nutrients.

Dosage

There are currently no scientific recommendations as to the amount of blueberry to consume to achieve positive health benefits. Blueberries can be purchased in capsule form or extracts, teas, or in their natural state. If using the capsule form, follow the dosage advice on the container. Jett's bottle says 1,000 mg a day for an adult (assuming that's for 150 lb. adult) that's 500 mg for 75 lb. child, 250 mg for 37 lb. child, 125 mg for 19 lb. child

Sources

http://www.memoryaction.com/content/Ingredient_Research.htm
http://www.blueberryextract.com/herbal-remedies/blueberryextract/blueberry-cautions

References

Andres-Lacueva C, et al. Anthocyanins in aged blueberry-fed rats are found centrally and may enhance memory. Nutr Neurosci. 2005 Apr;8(2):111-20.
Barros D, et al. Behavioral and genoprotective effects of Vaccinium berries intake in mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2006 Jun;84(2):229-34.
Joseph, James. Nutrition and brain function food for the aging mind. USDA-Agriculture Research Services. August 2007.