Which are the best supplements for brain health and activity? Tap that question into your Google and you will be presented with a vast array of conflicting answers.
However, we have saved you time and effort by assessing the most reliable sources to come up with definitive details about the best supplements for brain health and activity. Let’s get started!
What Supplements Support Brain Health?
The internet is awash with marketing blurb from supplement manufacturers claiming their products can improve your brain’s health. Much of the scientific evidence is sketchy at best, but here are some of the supplements that many of the leading researchers in the world think are beneficial for your brain.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of unsaturated fat that has a brain-protecting anti-inflammatory effect and helps build cell membranes in the brain. They have also been linked to lower levels of beta-amyloid, a type of protein often found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E also has anti-inflammatory properties, which help to keep DNA functioning correctly while maintaining healthy brain cell membrane structure.
B Vitamins
A trio of B Vitamins – B6, B9 and B12 – are all necessary for normal brain functioning and help to boost the production of neurotransmitters that deliver messages from the brain to the body.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is useful for tackling brain inflammation.
L-Theanine
While L-Theanine is an amino acid that helps to calm neurotransmitters and thus reduce stress.
L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine also improves neurotransmitter function.
Ginkgo Biloba and Bacopa
Ginkgo Biloba boosts memory and Bacopa encourages attention and focus.
What Supplements Improve Focus & Clarity?
How can you improve my brain’s memory and function? One of the key things we discovered while researching this guide is that some supplements offer benefits in more than one of the categories we assessed. The common consensus in the scientific community suggests these are the most effective supplements for focus and clarity.
B Vitamins
The B vitamins are B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, and B12. They play an important role in brain health and may help prevent dementia and boost neurotransmitter production.
Fish Oil
Fish oil is part of the Omega-3 fatty acids family, and supplementary products containing it have been proven to boost thinking skills, memory, and focus.
Ginkgo Biloba
In addition to its memory-enhancing properties, Ginkgo Biloba can improve focus and clarity as it increases blood flow to the brain.
L-Theanine
L-Theanine also has crossover benefits, improving overall brain health and significantly improving clarity of thinking.
Neutein
Neutein is a bit of a slow-burner, with its all-natural plant-based ingredients taking around two hours to deliver improvements in focus and clarity.
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is vital for healthy nerve function and overall body functioning and maintenance, while B vitamins are known for improving focus.
Caffeine and Panax Ginseng
Caffeine and Panax Ginseng are both great for improving focus and clarity, although sticking to the recommended dosage is especially important when taking either as a supplement.
What Supplements Improve Brain Cognition & Memory?
Cognition and memory function naturally deteriorate as people age, but several supplements can help delay this process.
Many of them are proven to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease, particularly if used alongside brain-training exercises such as crosswords or Sudoku. The top supplements are as follows.
B Vitamins
Research by Oxford University’s Department of Clinical Neurosciences found that B vitamins can slow the atrophy of specific brain regions associated with cognitive decline.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Another study conducted at the same institution found that having higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids in the brain boosted the benefits of B vitamins in improving cognitive function.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E and multivitamins also provide cognitive and memory benefits.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba has shown promise in tackling dementia symptoms.
Huperzine A
Huperzine A works similarly to several other Alzheimer’s drugs, while L-Carnitine has been proven to help dementia patients with memory problems.
Panax Ginseng
These ingredients are used in supplements like Ghost Legend Pre-Workout and hydration tablets. Panax Ginseng, which is often used with Ginkgo Biloba, has also shown promise as a cognitive and memory booster. However, most of the scientific research into its effects in this area has been conducted on a small number of study participants.
What are Nootropics?
Nootropics are natural or synthetic substances that can be taken to improve mental performance in healthy people. Many pre-workouts contain nootropics. They are generally used to boost memory, focus, creativity, intelligence, and motivation. Here’s a look at some of the best nootropics.
Caffeine
As the most widely consumed psychoactive substance globally, Caffeine provides several benefits for brain health. It makes you feel less tired by blocking adenosine receptors in your brain, increases alertness, and decreases reaction times.
L-Theanine
L-Theanine is more effective when taken with caffeine. It can increase feelings of calmness and is linked to increased creativity.
Creatine
Creatine is an amino acid that improves short-term memory and reasoning skills, while Bacopa Monnieri enhances overall brain function.
Noopept
Noopept speeds up how quickly the brain forms and retrieves memories by boosting levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a compound that promotes the growth of brain cells.
Piracetam
Piracetam has also been proven to have a significant impact on brain health.
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola Rosea has been proven to have a significant impact on brain health. It is an ingredient in many pre-workout supplements like Shifted Pre-Workout.
How Does Physical Activity Benefit Your Brain?
There is an important point to make before understanding which are the best supplements for brain health and activity. Supplementation alone is not enough.
Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do as it improves brain health. Exercise helps manage weight and reduces the risk of disease. It can also strengthen bones and muscles and improve your ability to do everyday activities. More than 100,000 deaths per year could be prevented in the United States if adults aged 40 and older increased their physical activity by a small amount.
With pre-workout supplementation added into the mix, the health benefits they provide could have a major impact on the health and well-being of millions of people.
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