Brain maturation is a complex and long-lasting process that occurs, from birth, at different stages of development; the crucial phases of it peak during childhood and are completed at about 25 years of age.
Several scientific studies show that breastfeeding provides long-term cognitive benefits; in fact, there is evidence showing that in the early years of life, the IQ of breastfed infants increases.1 Why?
Brain maturation, mentioned in the beginning, needs certain essential nutrients to take place, which are particularly abundant in breast milk.
Among the key nutrients in cognitive development, N-Acetylneuraminic acid, or sialic acid, has also been identified. Sialic acid is a sugar found in large amounts in both human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and neural tissues, representing an essential nutrient source for neurodevelopment and proper brain function.2
The central nervous system has the highest concentration of sialic acid: most is present in gangliosides (65%) and glycoproteins (32%), while the remaining 3% is present as free sialic acid.3
Gangliosides (the major components of neuronal membranes) are concentrated particularly in the gray matter of the cerebral cortex, with both structural and functional roles in synaptic pathways and nerve tissue functioning.4
The physiological functions of sialic acid are due to its chemical structure that imparts a strong negative charge to the cell membranes containing it (neural cell membranes have 20 times more sialic acid than other types of membranes), in this case in the receptors of many neurotransmitters and hormones. Since most neurotransmitters are positively charged, sialic acid can aid neurotransmission by facilitating the binding of transmitter molecules to the synaptic membrane.
The expression of brain functions is therefore closely linked to sialic acid, which plays a key role in terms of: 5,2
A recent preclinical study has shown that dietary supplementation with sialic acid improves intelligence and cognitive performance at all stages of life. In a dose-response relationship, a correlation was found between increased sialic acid concentration in the brain and improved speed of learning and memory development.7
But in addition to affecting learning and memory, a possible effect of sialic acid is also being investigated on other domains of behavior such as motivation and motor or sensory function, which in turn alter learning ability.7
Moreover, there is emerging evidence that also suggests the neuroprotective potential of sialic acid: imbalances in brain homeostasis involving sialic acid (such as altered metabolism and ganglioside profile) are associated with neurodegenerative mechanisms and age-related cognitive problems. In Alzheimer’s disease for example, one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, sialic acid promotes the incorporation of beta amyloid protein complexes (among the causes of the disease) into microglia cells and subsequent phagocytosis, promoting their elimination.8
Physiologically, however, sialic acid concentrations, although increasing rapidly during the first few years of life, appear to stabilize at about age 50 and then gradually decline.
Thus considering its real and potential role on Brain Health, sialic acid has been incorporated into the formulation of the Brain 5:5® dietary supplement to support the 5 Brain Abilities throughout life.
Brain 5:5® dietary supplement is formulated with natural active ingredients that, based on modern scientific literature, have been shown to be effective in supporting and stimulating cognitive function, contributing to natural mental well-being.
Among them, amiEffect Sialic is a 98% pure sialic acid, biotechnologically obtained through corn fermentation, which can provide an effect support for memory and learning by promoting neuronal communication in adults.
Sialic acid, in its glycosylated form (sialoconjugate oligosaccharides), is normally taken in through nutrition or breastfeeding.
The plus of amiEffect Sialic, compared to sialoconjugate oligosaccharides, is that it does not undergo the digestive process but it is immediately absorbed and available for assimilation.
Sialic acid metabolism in the human body.
amiEffect Sialic is a trademark of Amita Health Care Italia s.r.l.
Bibliography
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