According to data from Allied Market Research, the global brain health product market is expected to reach $5.81 billion by 2023. In the post-pandemic era, emotional and sleep health issues in the field of brain health have gained significant attention. In the past year, health problems caused by emotional issues accounted for 53%, while sleep problems constituted 42%.
In this article, we’ll explore popular brain and emotional health ingredients currently trending in the market.
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid): DHA, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, is the highest omega-3 fatty acid content found in the brain and retina. Rich sources include fish oil, microalgae, and the fungus Schizochytrium.
Phosphatidylserine (PS): An essential membrane phospholipid found in bacteria, yeast, plants, and mammalian cells. It plays a vital role in cognitive enhancement, anti-depression, and assisting in kinase activation.
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN): A derivative of niacin, NMN can be utilized by humans to generate Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH), crucial for cellular energy.
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ): Another cofactor in addition to niacin and riboflavin, PQQ is often obtained in the form of PQQ disodium salt.
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA): Also known as amino butyric acid, GABA is a natural non-protein amino acid. It serves as a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system, playing a crucial role in various brain regions.
Astaxanthin: A ketocarotenoid, lipid-soluble red pigment found in microalgae and yeast.
Crocus sativus L. Extract (Saffron Extract): Derived from the Crocus sativus flower, saffron extract contains active components such as crocin, safranal, flavonoids, and carotenoids.
Probiotics: Microbial communities in the gut regulate neuroinflammation, neurodevelopment, and neuroendocrine stress responses, influencing brain physiology, psychological responses, and ultimately behavior. Probiotics such as Rosell®-52, Rosell®-175, Lpc-37, and PS128 play a regulatory role in the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
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Main Functions and Mechanisms:
- DHA: Supports infant brain development and is crucial for lifelong healthy brain function. It enhances cellular membrane fluidity, facilitating easier transmission of signals between neurons.
- PS: Supports brain health, enhances cognitive function, and improves attention and focus. It increases the fluidity of brain cell membranes and facilitates communication between cells.
- NMN: Improves mitochondrial bioenergetics and dynamics in the mouse brain. Studies suggest that NMN can enhance brain blood vessel dilation, improving cognitive function.
- PQQ: An effective antioxidant with a significant role in cognitive function and memory. PQQ protects against oxidative damage, promotes mitochondrial and neuronal generation, and improves mood.
- GABA: The main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, GABA prevents or interrupts chemical messages, reducing stimulation to brain neurons. It produces a calming effect, aiding in anxiety, stress, and fear relief.
- Astaxanthin: Shown to delay or improve age-related cognitive impairments, astaxanthin can pass through the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex.
- Saffron Extract: Exhibits antioxidant effects, interacts with cholinergic, dopaminergic, and glutamatergic systems, improving neurodegenerative diseases. Studies suggest its effectiveness in improving mild to moderate depression.
- Probiotics: Various pathways in the gut-brain axis include the vagus nerve, HPA axis, neurotransmitter synthesis, neuroimmune system, and blood-brain barrier. Specific probiotics regulate emotions by reducing apoptosis, preventing neuronal inflammation, modulating the HPA axis through cortisol/ketones, and adjusting neurotransmitter levels.