Sean Moloughney, Editor10.01.14
Established in 2007, developer of the popular online “brain training” program Lumosity now has more than 60 million members who collectively have played more than 1 billion games designed to exercise core cognitive abilities: memory, attention, flexibility, speed of processing and problem solving.
Meanwhile, the global market for brain health applications of software and biometrics grew from $210 million in 2005 to $1 billion in 2012, according to a report from market research firm SharpBrains, which predicted this figure will reach $6 billion by 2020.
The report also claimed that more than 2 billion people worldwide suffer from “brain-based health and productivity challenges,” resulting in a global economic burden of more than $2 trillion. While that may sound somewhat vague and hard to quantify, consider that one in eight adults aged 60 and older (12.7%) in the U.S. reported experiencing “confusion or memory loss that is happening more often or is getting worse” over the past 12 months, according to 2013 statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among these individuals, only 19.3% reported discussing these changes with a healthcare provider, and 35.2% reported difficulties due to confusion or memory loss.
When you include mental/emotional and attention issues under the wider brain health umbrella, within the context of an increasingly competitive global marketplace and educational landscape, then younger people become an equally important demographic to consider as well.
Our cover story on brain health by Alan Richman presents emerging public health issues and discusses opportunities for natural product solutions. There’s clearly a need at all stages of life to support healthy cognitive development and function, and consumers are hungry for help.
In my mind, with the growing popularity of Lumosity-type brain training programs and the notion of “neurobics,” it’s important that consumers not forget about more traditional health and wellness pillars like meditation/mindfulness, exercise and nutrition. Nutraceutical products that are based on science and deliver tangible benefits can help drive that message home.
Meanwhile, the global market for brain health applications of software and biometrics grew from $210 million in 2005 to $1 billion in 2012, according to a report from market research firm SharpBrains, which predicted this figure will reach $6 billion by 2020.
The report also claimed that more than 2 billion people worldwide suffer from “brain-based health and productivity challenges,” resulting in a global economic burden of more than $2 trillion. While that may sound somewhat vague and hard to quantify, consider that one in eight adults aged 60 and older (12.7%) in the U.S. reported experiencing “confusion or memory loss that is happening more often or is getting worse” over the past 12 months, according to 2013 statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among these individuals, only 19.3% reported discussing these changes with a healthcare provider, and 35.2% reported difficulties due to confusion or memory loss.
When you include mental/emotional and attention issues under the wider brain health umbrella, within the context of an increasingly competitive global marketplace and educational landscape, then younger people become an equally important demographic to consider as well.
Our cover story on brain health by Alan Richman presents emerging public health issues and discusses opportunities for natural product solutions. There’s clearly a need at all stages of life to support healthy cognitive development and function, and consumers are hungry for help.
In my mind, with the growing popularity of Lumosity-type brain training programs and the notion of “neurobics,” it’s important that consumers not forget about more traditional health and wellness pillars like meditation/mindfulness, exercise and nutrition. Nutraceutical products that are based on science and deliver tangible benefits can help drive that message home.