Sage is becoming a popular topic in longevity research. Most of us know it from the kitchen, but it has also been used traditionally for memory and concentration for a very long time. More recently, researchers have started looking at whether sage may actually help support focus, recall and mental sharpness as we get older.

One of the more researched forms is Sibelius™:Sage, a standardised extract of Salvia officinalis developed specifically for cognitive support. Unlike throwing a few sage leaves into a roast dinner, this extract is standardised for compounds such as rosmarinic acid, which are believed to contribute to its neurological effects. The interest around sage largely centres on its potential to support memory, attention and mental performance.

One of the key ways sage may work is through its effect on acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter heavily involved in learning and memory. Sage compounds appear to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine. This matters because many pharmaceutical drugs used in Alzheimer’s disease work through a similar mechanism, although much more strongly. Sage also contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that may help protect brain cells from oxidative stress over time.

Several human studies have looked at sage and cognition. A well-known placebo-controlled crossover trial published in Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior found that Salvia lavandulaefolia improved immediate word recall in healthy young adults. Researchers observed improvements in memory performance within hours of administration, suggesting that sage may have acute effects on mental processing and recall¹.

Research involving Sibelius™:Sage itself has also produced interesting findings. In a double-blind placebo-controlled study involving adolescents and young adults, researchers assessed memory, attention and mood after supplementation with the sage extract. While not every cognitive test reached statistical significance, the study found improvements in immediate word recall performance in young adults, supporting the idea that sage may particularly benefit aspects of verbal episodic memory ².

Another clinical assessment involving older adults aged 65 to 90 reported improvements in secondary memory, recall accuracy and attention speed within an hour of supplementation. These findings are especially interesting because ageing brains often experience slower processing speed and reduced recall ability ³.

The research is still developing and sage is certainly not a magic fix. Yet the growing evidence suggest that it may play a useful role in supporting focus, memory and mental sharpness and healthy brain ageing.

For more information about Sibelius sage, drop into Go Vita, Your Health Shop at 5 North Street, Batemans Bay. You can also call us on (02) 4472 9737 or visit us online at www.govitabatemansbay.com.au. Don’t miss our weekly segment on 2EC radio, where Marianne and Go Vita's Nutritionist Sofia chat about health and wellness with Kimmi Saker every Wednesday after 12.30pm.

References

1.      Tildesley NTJ, Kennedy DO, Perry EK, et al. Salvia lavandulaefolia enhances memory in healthy young volunteers. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2003;75(3):669–674.

2. Edwards KD, Dubberke A, Meyer N, et al. Assessment of the effects of a sage (Salvia officinalis) extract on cognitive performance and mood in adolescents and young adults. Am J Phytomedicine Clin Ther. 2021.
3. Scholey AB, Tildesley NTJ, Ballard CG, Wesnes KA, Tasker A, Perry EK, Kennedy DO. An extract of Salvia (sage) with anticholinesterase properties improves memory and attention in healthy older volunteers. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2008;198(1):127–139. doi:10.1007/s00213-008-1101-3
4. Sibelius Natural Products. Sibelius™:Sage product and clinical overview.