Katie Emerson, MS, RD, LDN, is senior supervisor of scientific affairs for Kyowa Hakko USA, and a registered and licensed dietitian and analysis scientist. She is at present pursuing her PhD in train science. Emerson earned her grasp’s diploma in vitamin and dietetics, specializing in sports activities vitamin from Nova Southeastern College. Emerson additionally holds a bachelor’s diploma in science schooling. She is a extremely certified skilled with an in depth vary of licensures and certifications, together with a Scientific Analysis Coordinator Certification, a registered dietitian license, and an authorized sports activities nutritionist. Emerson is lively in skilled organizations together with Girls in Nutraceuticals, the Worldwide Society of Sports activities Vitamin and the American Society of Vitamin, the place she shares her insights in areas resembling sports activities vitamin and nootropics. (Altern Ther Well being Med. 2025;31(3):6-9).
Katie Emerson Discusses the Well being Advantages of Cognizin® Citicoline
Different Therapies in Well being and Drugs (ATHM): Present an summary of Cognizin® and citicoline for our well being skilled viewers.
Ms. Emerson: Cognizin® is the branded and patented type of citicoline from Kyowa. Some get confused, however Cognizin is citicoline. I typically use Cognizin and citicoline interchangeably. For probably the most half, once we speak about citicoline, it’s Cognizin, which has been clinically researched and examined and gives a number of roles all through cognitive operate. It has superb advantages for psychological vitality, reminiscence, focus and a spotlight. We’re beginning to see new analysis open up new undiscovered avenues resembling oxidative stress, processing velocity, and response time. The talents of Cognizin are limitless at the moment as we proceed to analysis it additional. It has nice properties for neurotransmitters and the phospholipid bilayer. Each cell has a bilayer, for instance, the neuronal cells have a phospholipid bilayer which helps to take care of the integrity of the cell and helps different cells talk which makes our mind’s communication just a little extra fluid. The distinction between Cognizin citicoline and generic citicoline is the fermentation course of that Kyowa makes use of in Japan. That course of makes it pure which boosts the standard of the ingredient. It’s trusted extra and is the next high quality ingredient. Once we check that type of citicoline we’re capable of finding the outcomes have higher significance than if you happen to used an ingredient that possibly isn’t as prime quality. That’s why we encourage our prospects to make use of the branded type of citicoline and never the generic type discovered in the marketplace.
ATHM: You talked about the science of Cognizin. There was a latest research that highlighted the mechanism of citicoline on the genetic stage and its neuroprotective results. Speak about that research and what was concerned.
Ms. Emerson: We’re nonetheless unraveling that knowledge. Workers from Japan did a beautiful presentation on the ASN convention (American Society of Vitamin) on this metabolomic knowledge that’s fairly fascinating, and we’ve solely scratched the floor of what’s being expressed on a genetic stage. Some individuals might not notice that neuroscience analysis is troublesome, you may’t simply go taking items of mind tissue from people for testing as a result of each bit of your mind performs a special position. Are you able to think about if the researcher wished to discover the frontal lobe and simply plucked some tissue out. The person may expertise deficits with controlling feelings, problem-solving and decision-making, since that is the middle for all of these capabilities. We now have to be inventive within the lab. We take pluripotent stem cells and translate these stem cells into what we need to check resembling neuronal cells or mind cells. It’s known as mind mapping. We’re trying on the genes which might be being expressed, whether or not they’re being upregulated or down regulated. It’s giving us an thought of the mechanism of motion, and what’s taking place on a mobile stage. Citicoline is already current in each cell of our physique, not simply in our mind. What’s actually attention-grabbing in regards to the knowledge that we’re nonetheless analyzing is the place it’s working and what it’s doing, in addition to what pathways are being stimulated. Is it in different aspects of the physique different than simply cognition? We will’t get into an excessive amount of element as a result of we nonetheless are going by way of our findings. However there are some actually fascinating mechanisms which might be taking place right here. Some that we’ve already explored on a human scientific facet, which is sort of attention-grabbing. It’s like we’re going backwards. Usually, you begin on a mobile, in vitro or animal mannequin, and then you definately transfer it right into a human scientific mannequin to check its efficacy with numerous advantages. This has already been performed and we’ve seen this by way of MRI research the place it sparks the frontal lobe, after which that interprets to raised recall, reminiscence, and a spotlight. We now have additionally noticed higher phospholipid turnover when uncovered to Cognizin. Because of this, we all know that it’s engaged on completely different mechanisms. However then to see it on the mobile stage and to have the ability to affirm it’s so a lot enjoyable. I really like operating analysis and exploring that science additional. For me it’s like a large puzzle. As we proceed to analysis, we’re slowly piecing issues collectively and creating this superb story of what Cognizin does. It’s actually fascinating.
ATHM: Would you additionally say Cognizin is mind cell restore and mind gasoline.
Ms. Emerson: Sure for mind gasoline. Cognizin is completely stimulating a psychological vitality element by way of the mitochondria. Once more, we’re nonetheless unfolding the info from the metabolomic research that’s exhibiting us that that is true, however we even have an MRI research exhibiting B-NTP the mind’s ATP is being stimulated as nicely. The items are beginning to come collectively and inform the story. I’m a sports activities dietitian, so I’ve at all times understood ATP and its position inside the physique for muscular vitality. I naturally assumed that was the identical type of vitality within the mind, nevertheless it’s completely different. Because of this science is so fascinating. The extra we analysis, the extra we find out about our personal our bodies. It’s such an intriguing idea to have the ability to clarify to those who not solely can we preserve their mind refreshed and going with Cognizin, there’s additionally a element of well being that’s serving to to maintain the integrity of the neuronal cells intact. So, sure for mind cell restore. It’s that phospholipid element and bilayer, as we age, and it begins to degrade. It begins to lose its construction. When you lose the construction, you get widened synapses, and that causes some congestion with communication from these synapses which might be receiving and distributing indicators to different cells. Some might name it forgetfulness or mind fog however finally it’s a slowing of our neurotransmitters and the way our mind cells are receiving and utilizing these indicators.
ATHM: Are there higher advantages for an aged particular person or an older particular person utilizing Cognizin versus a youthful demographic.
Ms. Emerson: What we’ve seen with Cognizin is that it helps to take care of the structural element of our mind cells in order that restore course of is healthier. That’s the now element. However what’s taking place months-to-years down the highway that’s protecting our mind cells wholesome and the way is Cognizin exhibiting results in these a number of areas? What’s attention-grabbing is we’ve research in adolescents from 13 to 18 years of age. We even have research within the aged inhabitants all the way in which as much as individuals of their 80s. What we do know is that there’s a pure cognitive decline as we age. So, when you’ve gotten a teenager that has a wholesome mind, no mind fog, no points forgetting what they did final week, as a researcher you suppose that there’s no room to enhance as a result of they’re already acting at such a excessive stage. So, how is that this going to assist them? However we’re capable of see in a scientific setting that it does enhance many areas like response time, processing velocity and focus. It’s fascinating as a result of we anticipated to see that change within the aged inhabitants who’re experiencing fast decline of their cognitive operate however not essentially the youthful demographic. Curiously, we noticed enhancements in each teams. Once we are capable of generalize the advantages of men and women, all demographics and backgrounds, it makes the ingredient extra complete and extra universally pleasant. I really like that it really works in all age teams. We now have a number of different clinicals research with middleaged people. It’s like each single age group is exhibiting advantages ultimately, which isn’t typical of all components in the marketplace. I really like Cognizin for that.
ATHM: Are there different advantages from including Cognizin to meals and drinks? Is it completely different or higher?
Ms. Emerson: Sure. There’s this phenomenon known as capsule fatigue. I didn’t fairly perceive it however then I began to comprehend as I used to be getting extra into the complement business. I didn’t need to have a large field of drugs. It very a lot was pharmaceutical like. It felt like I used to be taking drugs, and it took away the facet of that is good for me. There’s an experiential connectiveness that we are inclined to have once we eat meals or drink versus taking a capsule. As a dietitian, we prefer to say eat your meals in a social setting as a result of that creates actually good recollections and experiences. It actually does play an enormous position in your well being. While you take a complement in capsule type it’s completely different than if you happen to put it into, for instance, a lollipop as a result of it removes a few of these ideas of it being drugs, or a chore, or job while you inform your self you must bear in mind to take a capsule earlier than you go to mattress. When you’ve gotten it in a beverage it turns into extra pleasing. The Mosh protein bars are a fantastic instance. I need to get additional protein, however now I’m additionally getting my Cognizin and it’s simpler for me to take it. If I need to get 500 milligrams a day, I can get it in a number of purposes all through the day. It doesn’t really feel like a chore anymore and turns into extra pleasing, and I do know I’m doing one thing good for myself.
ATHM: Cognizin has proven to be a profit for the older demographic.
Ms. Emerson: From a mechanistic stance what we’re studying, particularly seeing this metabolomic knowledge and pairing it with knowledge from the nine-month research within the aged inhabitants utilizing a mini psychological state examination, is that for the aged it’s having a optimistic affect. We’re going to see cognitive decline as we age. It simply occurs, and it occurs to all people. It’s unavoidable. However if you happen to can decelerate that development just a bit, what does that imply for longevity? In the event you’ve ever met somebody with dementia, and many individuals have, it’s unhappy, and it occurs so quick. Simply to see they’re functioning in the future and a month later they’re not. However to know that there may very well be a complement in the marketplace that would assist in that space is so vital. What the mobile knowledge was exhibiting was that on a projection mannequin primarily based on in vitro knowledge and human knowledge all put collectively, if you happen to begin to take Cognizin in your 30s and into your 70-plus years you can see that cognitive operate maintains for 2 to a few years. It’s nearly providing you with an additional two to a few years of higher reminiscence or recall operate generally. Our brains are the epicenter of who we’re. You could possibly have one of the best bone well being and muscular power as you age, however if you happen to don’t have the operate of your mind, you lose the essence of who you might be as a human being. Cognizin could possibly assist preserve long-term reminiscence. It’s fascinating, and we’re going to maintain conducting our research. Lengthy-term research are so troublesome as a result of you’ve gotten dropouts and compliance points. However it’s vital to grasp how this ingredient works and having the ability to present that it’s needed for our mind as we age and for the long-term. I’m excited to conduct extra research in that space.
ATHM: What are you hoping to find in future research?
Ms. Emerson: We’re at present operating a research on motor operate. We now have two extra research that we’re on the point of begin as nicely. My position at Kyowa is to facilitate the analysis division and to supply extra research in a well timed method. Now that I’m right here, you’re going to see much more research popping out in lots of extra areas together with ladies’s well being, sports activities vitamin and eye well being. The latest one was performed in 2023 and might be revealed quickly. It’s at present out there as a poster and summary by way of ASN. As soon as we get by way of that knowledge we might be publishing a full article. It will take a while as a result of the info report is exhibiting over 700 genes which might be firing. That’s numerous knowledge to type by way of however we’re going to pinpoint the principle genetic pathways and go from there.
ATHM: Are you able to focus on the nootropics market, and the way Cognizin matches into that class?
Ms. Emerson: That’s a singular market. Nootropics are all the craze which give attention to avid gamers, enterprise professionals and kids. My nephews are 10 and 15 years previous and they’re tremendous focused on nootropics, however what they need is completely different than what a middle-aged or an aged particular person needs or wants from these merchandise. I really feel like nootropics are extra for the youthful crowd. For instance, they need higher focus and a spotlight to assist in giving them higher response time for both athletics or sport enjoying. However our advertising and marketing division must affirm that client knowledge. The most important factor for on-the-go and vitality has at all times been caffeine, however there’s numerous negatives related to it. You do get these jitters relying on how a lot caffeine you’re consuming. Chances are you’ll get a fast coronary heart fee and elevated blood strain that may intervene along with your job that may have an effect on your each day duties. Folks don’t take into consideration that. My husband is a surgeon and as it’s possible you’ll think about he has a really aggravating job. While you’re reducing individuals open it is advisable have regular arms, however you additionally have to be alert and targeted. Caffeine isn’t at all times the only option, however typically it’s the one selection. As a surgeon you want one thing to assist preserve hand stability and focus with out inflicting shaking arms. Cognizin is opening as much as a brand new period of having the ability to get what you need with out these undesirable uncomfortable side effects. Are you able to think about if you happen to noticed your surgeon earlier than surgical procedure slamming down a 300 milligram vitality drink. I might be involved that would have an effect on their hand stability and irritability to carry out the job at hand. Caffeine has been recognized to have an effect on an individual’s nervousness ranges which has a direct correlation to their efficiency. Sadly, these drinks are what physicians have entry to in hospitals. They aren’t given many different choices. I’m hoping we will faucet into new markets with Cognizin, particularly with all the brand new purposes together with meals and drinks.
ATHM: Does Kyowa nonetheless supply complement schooling to well being professionals?
Ms. Emerson: Sure, completely. Myself, together with my different healthcare skilled colleagues right here at Kyowa together with Karen Todd, RD and Danielle Citrolo, PharmD, are concentrating on our fellow healthcare professionals by way of webinars, blogs and podcasts. We need to construct belief and credibility with our components however on the similar time it’s troublesome. While you’re taught one thing your complete profession after which we are available saying dietary supplements aren’t dangerous, in truth, there’s a position for them in our on a regular basis life they usually supply superb well being advantages. To get individuals to be receptive to that message is just a little troublesome as a result of it’s the reverse of what they have been all taught at school. I’ve been doing the identical factor with my husband from the doctor’s facet. Docs get little or no dietary coaching and nil complement coaching however you’re beginning to see extra medical doctors focused on dietary supplements and vitamin in relation to longevity, anti-aging and restoration. I’ve seen much more medical doctors doing analysis and being diligent and receptive to what’s out there in the marketplace. We at present converse at skilled summits and conferences, however we have to do extra. We’re beginning to write extra papers concentrating on the well being skilled space. I personally really feel that sooner or later we should always assist formulate a Cognizin product for medical doctors to suggest to their sufferers. Getting such info to medical doctors is so vital and our advertising and marketing workforce is doing a improbable job concentrating on these people.
ATHM: Are there developments that you simply’re seeing within the mind well being class?
Ms. Emerson: To be trustworthy, I want let’s imagine that Cognizin is the brand new various supply of vitality as an alternative of caffeine, however caffeine is rarely going away and can at all times be in its personal class. Due to this fact, I feel the present pattern is getting away from capsules. Gummies are clearly enormous. Everyone seems to be making a gummy lately. Earlier, I referenced that we’ve lollipops and for me that is probably the most revolutionary and enjoyable space that dietary supplements are being put into. The lollipop contains 250 milligrams of Cognizin which is the scientific efficacious dose they usually style nice. They’re straightforward to make use of for adults and kids. I preserve them helpful on my desk and may attain for one midway by way of the day for a pleasant choose me up. My children can seize one whereas they’re doing homework, There’s a chocolate bar created with Cognizin with the assistance of Joey Savage the previous formulator from Glaxon. He integrated 250 milligrams of Cognizin into the chocolate and it went to the area station. Cognizin is the primary nootropic to enter outer area. So, in a means it’s a brand new astronaut meals. These steps simply present the place we’re going and the way we will open up new doorways for the ingredient.
ATHM: Cognizin was launched about 20 years in the past and now possesses the market share of mind well being components.
Ms. Emerson: Sure. I imagine we proceed to dominate that area. Our advertising and marketing workforce and gross sales workforce are producing actually good content material that’s relatable to the business and shoppers and we’re persevering with to develop new scientific knowledge. For instance, we’ve doubled the variety of claims we will make on Cognizin simply this 12 months. With these new claims and future analysis, I do know Cognizin might be a family title that everybody turns to for cognitive operate and mind well being.
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