The scoop on brain health dietary supplement products containing huperzine A

Abstract

Context: Public health concerns are emerging surrounding huperzine A commonly found in dietary supplements. We sought to determine the actual content of products claiming to contain huperzine A and whether the ingredients on the supplement facts labels matched the analyses.

Methods: We identified and analyzed 22 dietary supplement products listing huperzine A on product labels. We found these products were listed in Natural Medicines and Dietary Supplement Databases and being queried by Military Service Members for enhanced mental focus, alertness and energy. Analyses were conducted by using Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry.

Results: Sixteen (73%) products had at least one ingredient claimed on the supplement facts label not detected through analysis. Compounds not reported on the label were detected in 16 (73%) products analyzed. Nine products (41%) listed ingredients not meeting the regulations for being a dietary supplement ingredient according to the FDA. Ingredients of most concern detected include stimulants: demelverine, 1,5-dimethylhexylamine, 1,3-dimethylhexylamine, N-phenethyl dimethylamine, halostachine, higenamine, noopept, β-PEA, vinpocetine, sulbutiamine; and hordenine, currently on the FDA advisory list. Quantitative analysis showed the presence of huperzine A in the range from detected under the limits of quantification (DUL) to 267.1 µg/serving. Only two supplements showed huperzine A content within 10% of the declared amount.

Conclusions: In a study of dietary supplements claiming to contain huperzine A, we found products that had at least one ingredient claimed on the supplement facts label not detected through analysis. Moreover, some ingredients not on the label could be dangerous and likely do not meet the definition of a dietary supplement ingredient according to the FDA. Quantitative analysis of huperzine A showed the amount detected was not in line with what appeared on the product label. Consumers should be aware of deceptive label claims and warned not to purchase products containing potentially dangerous ingredients.

Keywords:

• Adulterated
• Chinese club moss
• cognitive health
• cognitive performance
• dietary ingredients
• Huperzia serrata

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Ms. Andrea T. Lindsey, Director of Operation Supplement Safety (OPSS.org), for her contributions.

Disclosure statement

The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Uniformed Services University, US Special Operations Command, or the Department of Defense. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine. The authors have no financial interests or relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this work was provided by the Preservation of the Force and Family Behavioral Health Program, Uniformed Services University award number HU0001-15-2-0053 and the Consortium for Health and Military Performance.