Should you Buy Huperzine A Tablets for Memory & Cognition?

Huperzine A (Huperzia serrata), is a sesquiterpene alkaloid and reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). It is a natural compound extracted from a type of club moss.

Used by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners to treat fever, blood disorders and edema, Huperzine A has more recently been researched for its effects on cognitive function and memory. It may offer neuroprotective effects and has been studied in people with Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia or nonspecific memory issues.

Recent placebo-controlled, double-blind studies on Alzheimer’s disease resulted in patients experiencing “significant improvement to cognitive function and quality of life”. Human and animal safety assessments also demonstrated that Huperzine A may be “devoid of toxicity,” however other studies have found some risk of side effects. [1]

You can buy Huperzine A online as a dietary supplement, without a prescription. It can be purchase in single-ingredient supplements, or in combination products such as the Alpha Brain stack from Onnit Labs.

Huperzine A

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor

Brain Function

Memory

Focus

How It Works:

• Inhibits the Acetylcholinesterase enzyme
• Supports memory, focus & cognition
• Promotes neurogenesis & neuroplasticity

Dosage:

Between 50 - 200 mcg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Huperzine A Tablets Research

Huperzine A is an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, which means that it prevents the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine when it is released from neurons in the brain.

Acetylcholine plays an important role in cognition, memory, attention and other processes that occur in the brain. Levels of this neurotransmitter begin to decline as we age, which may be related to the loss of memory function in elderly individuals.

Drugs used to treat Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive decline often include ingredients that act as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

Huperzine A has been researched for its effects on Alzheimer’s, dementia and age-related memory loss. However, this dietary supplement has not been approved by the FDA as a treatment for any medical conditions.

A review of 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving over 1800 subjects taking Huperzine A supplements found that this alkaloid “showed beneficial effects on improving cognitive functioning ” at eight weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks.

Several standardized tests were given to subjects to evaluate cognitive functioning, such as the Wechsler Memory Scale and the Hastgawa Dementia Scale.

However, one trial included in the review demonstrated “no change in cognitive function as measured by the ADAS-Cog”. Other RCTs comparing Huperzine A against subjects receiving psychotherapy, medication and no treatment exhibited similar findings.

Authors of the review report that although Huperzine A appears to provide some benefits for people suffering AD or impaired cognitive function, these results should be “interpreted with caution due to poor methodological quality of reviewed trials”. [2]

Huperzine A May Reduce Iron Levels in the Alzheimer’s Brain

Neuroscientists suspect that misregulation of iron levels in the brain may be one of the primary reasons behind rapid brain cell death seen in neurodegenerative disorders like AD.

A study investigating the effect of Huperzine A supplements on brain iron in mice found that HupA not only reduced activity of proteins implicated in the development of AD, but also presented an inhibitory effect on brain iron in mice with AD. [3]

Clinical trials carried out in China appear to demonstrate Huperzine A’s ability to improve memory problems in aged subjects, people with AD or vascular dementia and patients diagnosed with benign senescent forgetfulness.

Researchers completing clinical trials attribute HupA’s neurognerative properties on its ability to weaken oxidative stress while regulating expression of AD-related proteins. [4]

Huperzine A May Not Improve Mild to Moderate AD Symptoms

A study supported by the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) evaluated the efficacy and safety of Huperzine A supplements in people suffering mild to moderate AD.

Seventy subjects were given 200 mcg of HupA, 70 were given 400 mcg of HupA and 70 were given 600 mcg of HupA. Other subjects were given a placebo. Results found that subjects given 200 mcg showed no improvement with their AD.

The 400 mcg group showed a slight improvement at six weeks compared to a negligible decline in cognitive functioning in the placebo group.

Authors of the study concluded that the “this study provides Class III evidence that Hup A 200 mcg has no demonstrable cognitive effect in patients with mild to moderate AD”. [5]

Despite this finding, many still use Huperzine A tablets as a nootropic supplement, designed to enhance cognitive function in healthy individuals. In one study, oral doses of Huperzine A resulted in impoved memory function in healthy adolescent students.

The Natural Medicines Database also rated Huperzine A as Possibly Effective for Dementia, but says that there is insufficient reliable evidence to rate its efficacy for cognitive impairment.

Where to Buy Huperzine A Online

Anyone can purchase Huperzine A supplements online in the U.S. as tablets or capsules containing 50, 100, 200 and 300 mcg of HupA. This supplement is available over the counter, without a prescription from your doctor/

Source Naturals Huperzine A 200mcg offers HupA tablets free of artificial flavors, colors, preservatives and gluten.

When buying HupA online, consumers should be aware that Huperzine A has not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and should not be expected to cure, prevent or treat any disease or disorder.

Since dietary supplements are not regulated by the U.S. FDA,, some manufacturers of Huperzine A supplements may include ingredients not specified on product labels. In fact, some supplements may actually contain little to no Huperzine A.

It is important to purchase supplements from companies that manufacture their products in cGMP compliant facilities, perform adequate quality testing and have a trusted reputation among consumers.

Consumers should take the time to read reviews from the website they wish to purchase Huperzone A supplements as well as peer-reviewed studies investigating Huperzine A’s health benefits. Avoid websites without disclaimers or sites that make claims about HupA without scientifically supported facts to back up their claims.

Although no serious side effects have been reported in clinical trials involving human subjects taking Huperzine A, adults wanting to try this supplement should always consult with their physician first.

Before you buy Huperzine A supplements, it is important to learn about possible drug interactions or if certain chronic health problems may be negatively affected by this product.

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