If you have read any of my other reviews you might have realized that I am partial to a clinical study.
I like science-backed claims. I just can’t help it.
Tell me that you’ve got the research to prove the benefits you are claiming your product has, I will most likely buy it!
So it is with Cognium from Natrol, a nootropic that says it uses the number 1 most clinically studied ingredient for memory among brain health supplements.
Great! I’m hooked. So in this Cognium review, I will dig a little deeper into this claim, find out more about this amazing ingredient, and share with you my findings.
Natrol Cognium First Impressions
The website for Cognium really sucks you in.
I'm immediately drawn in by leading phrases such as ‘A breakthrough in brain health’ and ‘clinical studies that show statistically significant improvements in memory and recall in healthy adults, in as little as four weeks’. So what is this product and how can it have these claims?
In this Cognium review, I’ll take a look at the people behind the supplement, the ingredients, the scientific thinking, and some reviews. I’ll decide for myself whether or not I think the claims are backed up and whether Cognium is, indeed, a bonafide memory support supplement.
Background on Natrol LLC
A leading US-based maker of vitamin, mineral, and broader health-related products, Natrol is now one of the largest ‘Nutraceutical’ companies in the market. Like many such companies, it began as a beauty manufacturer, entering the supplements field in 1982 with weight management products.
Pitching themselves firmly in the ‘natural’ segment, Natrol quickly gained a corner in the newly-emerging supplements sector (following the ‘dietary Supplements Health and Education Act’ of 1994) releasing melatonin products and a slew of vitamins and minerals to enhance beauty, energy and performance (such as products for bodybuilders).
Today, Natrol are the makers of a broad range of supplements, not solely for brain health, but branching into newly-emerging sectors. From melatonin-containing gummies for kids to energy support (B-vitamins), weight management (‘Carb Intercept’), hair care (NuHair), and mood support (5-HTP) there are products for all walks of life.
With the grow in popularity of nootropic supplements now, it comes as no surprise that Natrol would produce such a supplement.
What Ingredients inside Cognium?
The ingredients listing on the bottle of Cognium is very short, that is to say there is only one active ingredient. The others (listed under ‘other ingredients’) are the compounds which bind the active ingredient into tablet form.
So, what’s inside the Cognium formula?
Cognium contains an ingredient called Cera-Q Powder (60% silk protein hydrolysate) which is supposed to be the powerful secret behind the claimed improvements in memory recall.
The makers of Cognium claim that it has been ‘clinically proven’ in ‘multiple randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies and published their findings in peer-reviewed journals’ to ‘improve memory and recall’.
The aspect of this that at the same time seems both attractive and unnerving is that the whole benefit weighting is placed on one ingredient. Is this ingredient one that has been used traditionally for centuries for brain-boosting properties? no. Is this one ingredient a commonly-found food compound that scientists have researched for decades to underpin proven health benefits? no.
Is this, in fact, a compound found in nature but which research has been retrofitted to in order for a manufacturer to sell the benefits to customers?
Possibly.
I need to find out more.
Are There Any Cognium Side Effects?
While the manufacturers are quick to state that the ingredients contain no: milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, yeast, artificial colors, or flavors, it can’t be guaranteed that there are no side effects.
Reviewers have reported sleep issues and side effects to the other ingredients such as croscarmellose sodium.
Does Cognium Actually Work?
As you will see from the ingredients listed above I am already a little unsure about the effectiveness of this one ingredient: silk protein hydrolysate.
The manufacturers of Cognium quote seven clinical trials by Korean scientists who looked at the various properties of silk protein and its applications in terms of improving memory in human subjects.
Unfortunately with a little online research, I found a few sites which debunk these trials and the academics themselves for data falsification. The results aren’t available on PubMed, which is another red flag. At the end of the day it’s down to the consumer to decide whether they want to believe the marketing information on the manufacturer’s website or do their own research.
Natrol claims that Cognium’s active ingredient, silk protein hydrolysate, increases blood flow to the brain, acts as an antioxidant, and increases glucose uptake. This ‘Brain-Factor 7’ or ‘B-F7’ is what has been studied by these Korean scientists.
Reports on another supplements-checking site suggest that the results of these trials are inconclusive as the subjects were either animals or young people with unimpaired cognition, and therefore not an appropriate subject for testing a compound that is supposed to improve cognition in older subjects. (see the full article here)
Cognium Customer Reviews
Amazon carries 270 customer reviews which are a mix of positive and not-so-positive.
It works but give it at least a month to see the results5 stars
Seems to work best when added to other supplements4 stars
Didn’t work for me2 stars
Not worth the money1 star
How to Take Cognium
The dosage for Cognium is 1 tablet per day.
Any Money Back Guarantee?
Because the Natrol site isn’t a shop front there is no money-back guarantee.
Where to Buy Cognium
While all the information on Cognium is available at the official website you need to find a retailer in order to buy. That’s right, their website isn’t a shop.
You can buy online at Walgreens, Target, Walmart, iHerb, and also on Amazon
What’s the Cost of Cognium?
On Amazon, the cost is $18.00 for 60 tablets. This is amazing value for a nootropic but don’t forget it only contains one ingredient.
My Verdict: Cognium
The information on the Natrol website is very compelling. If there was indeed a single-ingredient which could delay age-onset cognitive decline this would look very much like a miracle cure.
It’s a shame that there is so little evidence to back it up. After all, there are products on the market containing ingredients that have undergone numerous studies and rigorous peer-review of those studies (check out Mind Lab Pro for example).
Instead of spending my money on a single compound, I prefer to research products that contain a blend of tested, potent health-giving properties. I look at sites like Examine.com to look into each compound and then look for products that contain a good blend of powerful ingredients to give me a better chance of experiencing the nootropic effects.
Steer clear of products that claim to perform miracles and look at those which are tested and proven to have beneficial brain-health boosting properties.