Does "FocusFactor" actually improve concentration?

[ArcticFox]

I'm watching another brilliant episode of the X-Files and have seen now 2 ads for this "FocusFactor" drug, spouting unsubstantiated claims (so far) about improving concentration and stuff like that. Anyone tried it? I'm always looking for stuff to improve myself - figured this is the miracle drug we've been waiting for.

[JacobM5727]

i dont know, but
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/nutrition/vital.html

[ArcticFox]

HOLY HELL! That is the absolute worst I've seen to date!

Thanks for the heads-up.

[JacobM5727]

the commercials seemed pretty shady to me, plus the guy who said he had been using them since they came out looked kind of insane...

[ArcticFox]

Yep.

[osprey4]

Focus Factor is a cocktail of 40 ingredients (half of them found in a basic multivitamin/mineral pill), including the following:

• Choline. This nutrient is a type of fat that is plentiful in foods. Yes, choline is important for the brain and nervous system, and yes, the developing fetus needs it, but there is no evidence that consuming extra choline in adulthood will do anything for memory.

• DMAE. This brain chemical helps the body produce choline. As a supplement it is sold for everything from reducing facial wrinkles to making you smarter. But it’s very unlikely that DMAE can do any of this.

• DHA. This is an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish. The idea that eating fish and its oil is good for the brain persists, and may-be there’s some truth in this. But DHA in a pill is not likely to help (see our October 2001 article).

• Vitamins, such as C, E, B6, B12, and folic acid. Elderly people with low blood levels of B vitamins are more likely to be mentally impaired. That may simply reflect their poor diets, as well as reduced absorption by the body. It’s unlikely that well-nourished people can improve their memory by taking vitamins.

• An herbal bouquet, including huperzine A, vinpocetine, and others. Huperzine is under study as a potential Alzheimer’s drug. There is as yet no solid evidence that it works. It is sold for memory enhancement in Europe, but there’s no proof that it, or any of the other herbs in Focus Factor, is effective.

From http://www.berkeleywellness.com/html...ocusFactor.php

[RayH]

BOGUS FACTOR????

When CNET radio was around, the first time I heard the commercial I told a host that such advertisement might detract from the overall impression of the radio station!

The station was trying to be tech and hustle quackery?

[CraigK]

At the most it's a placebo. It may have all the stuff osprey quoted it to have, but in the end it's all just in your mind. Why anyone would want to purchase this is beyond me. Not everything has a quick fix. Memory has to be worked on over time, not a pill a day.

[osprey4]

The sales help the marketing people keep focused, I'm sure of that!!

[ArcticFox]

I agree - one pill doing something like this is far-fetched. But even if it was a miracle drug, charging excessive amounts of money to your account unauthorized is not acceptable.