Nitrosigine Found to Boost Cognitive Performance in Active Adults

31 Jan 2017 --- The results of two placebo-controlled human studies, published in “Nutrients”, have indicated that Nitrosigine – bonded arginine silicate (ASI) – significantly improves cognitive acuity, including processing speed and executive functioning.

Nutrition 21, the creator of Nitrosigine says that the supplement can help athletes to improve their performance and avoid injury.

“Enhanced cognitive acuity and focus allows athletes to adjust their “game” faster than their peers,” commented nutrition researcher Douglas Kalman, PhD, the lead author of the Nutrients published study.

The benefits of better mental acuity are especially evident in field sports, where quick decisions and faster adaptations give competitors an edge. More efficient multi-tasking also benefits athletic performance by helping athletes save energy.

He added that the improvements in complex processing speed with Nitrosigine (ASI) supplementation suggest that the self-affirmed GRAS nutritional ingredient may have specific benefits in sports, competitions and other athletic activities.

Speaking with NutritionInsight, James Kahn, Executive Director of Sales, Nutrition 21, explained a little more about who the Nitrosigine audience are, what applications the supplement will be found in and its efficacy claims.

“Nitrosigine has received FDA new dietary ingredient notification status. It is self-affirmed GRAS, available for nutritional bars, beverages, and supplements,” said Kahn.

“We have substantiated efficacy claims that have been deemed by a competent and reliable scientific evidence (CARSE), unbiased, expert review process.”

Kahn added, “Nitrosigine is targeted at strength trainers, endurance athletes, and weekend warriors in the sports nutrition space.”

“In addition, Nitrosigine is targeting consumers interested in cognitive health, including students, athletes, and older populations, by providing a non-stimulant, jitter-free ingredient, which provides significant improvement in processing speed and executive function.”

Two studies evaluated Nitrosigine’s cognitive effects. In two double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover studies, investigators used parts A and B of the Trail Making Test (TMT) to assess healthy participants’ ability to perform cognitive tasks before and after taking 1500 mg of Nitrosigine or a placebo. TMT is a widely accepted neuropsychological assessment of cognitive processing speed and executive functioning.

“Faster times in TMT B are associated with enhanced visual search, speed of processing, mental flexibility and executive functions under performance demands,” explained Kalman.

In the first study, which lasted 14 days, TMT B performance improved 28 percent over baseline, among those supplementing with Nitrosigine. In the second study, evaluating shorter-term effects, TMT B performance improved 33 percent among those supplementing with Nitrosigine (a decrease of 17.6 seconds over baseline time of 52.7 seconds), compared to a decrease of 4.9 seconds in the placebo group.

This improvement was significant versus the placebo.

“Effects were seen in as little as 10 minutes after dosing and there was continued benefits with ongoing use,” Kalman explained.

He added that enhanced cognitive acuity may offer that “edge” that many athletes seek

By Hannah Gardiner