As we age, it is easy to notice changes in our bodies. After a certain age, it is more challenging to walk or climb stairs or even to carry a heavier load. But such changes connected to our physical activity are easy to notice – what about the changes in our mental capacity?
Many people start dealing with a decline in brain function after some time. This could be because of some underlying illness, or it could be due to a steady decline with age. But there is no reason to worry – you can always take supplements to improve brain health!
If you want to learn more about the best brain boosting supplements to ensure you have a healthy brain, you have come to the right place. Let’s get right into the topic and learn more about it!
What Are Supplements? Why Should You Take Them?
One thing that we often forget about our diets is that they should be diverse enough to give us all the nutrients that we need to stay healthy. By healthy, we do not mean only physically and mentally healthy. A healthy brain is also very important, especially after turning 30!
But the thing about our diets is that they can sometimes be less diverse than we need them to be. With our fast-paced lives, we eat a lot of fast food and snacks and forget to think about vitamins and minerals.
Whenever we feel like we lack some nutrients, we can change our diets or take supplements!
Supplements are extra nutrients that you give your body. They can come in tablets, capsules, powders, or even gummies. Many companies produce them, so they can come in various shapes and colors, and have different flavors.
You pair them with your meal, or you take regular supplements that you would use as standard medicine – once or twice per day, depending on the recommended dose.
Yet another way to divide supplements is into categories, depending on their intended use. Some people take workout supplements, and others take weight loss supplements. Some take vitamin, mineral, or herbal supplements, whereas others stick to specialized or targeted supplements.
It all depends on what your body and brain need. But before you take anything, you must consult a health care provider. They will advise you on the best supplements to take, the appropriate dose, and the ingredients, as well as help you determine whether you need the supplements or not!
What Are Brain-Boosting Supplements?
Brain-boosting supplements are specialized supplements people use to improve brain function. You can find many such brain boosters, all of which are based on minerals and vitamins. They are a great way to prevent cognitive decline, especially once you enter your 30s.
This is not to say that 30 is old, but it is the perfect age to start taking brain boosters. Certain diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s do not appear until a more advanced age. Still, they can be prevented, kept in control, or postponed if the person in question takes brain supplements from a young age.
Brain health supplements are also great for people who do not have serious illnesses, but want better cognitive health, the ability to remember more, and easily communicate. These supplements can aid in curing forgetfulness and avoiding brain fog. So, taking supplements for brain health is excellent on many levels!
Still, there is one thing you must keep in mind!
Taking such supplements will not solve all your problems. You must treat your body as a temple and be careful with it. This means you must maintain a healthy diet that will provide you with all the nutrients you need.
Avoid eating food that can harm you – fast food, sugary food, etc.
Then, remember that physical activity is also critical and can help you clear brain fog and keep your entire body balanced. Try to be as active as you can. Take regular walks, hike, and maybe even go out for a swim.
Finally, avoid harmful substances, like illegal or unapproved drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol. These things can do you more harm than you would ever think, so avoid them at all costs.
Top 10 Best Brain Boosting Supplements
As we mentioned before, many companies create supplements of all kinds. Some are available in certain countries and not others. Some are too expensive, while others have yet to undergo serious testing.
To avoid recommending brain-boosting supplements that people would not be able to find or afford, we decided to stick to supplement ingredients that are great for improving brain function. Here are the best brain-boosting supplement ingredients you should get if you want to prevent cognitive impairment and keep your brain healthy for longer:
1. Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane is a type of mushroom used in many brain supplements because of two beneficial ingredients it contains – hericenones and erinacines.
They are known to give people certain cognitive benefits like better memory and mental clarity, as well as relief from anxiety and depression. Some research proves they can also help protect against illnesses like dementia or Alzheimer’s, which is excellent!
2. B Vitamins
The group of B vitamins includes eight different vitamins: thiamine or B1, riboflavin or B2, niacin or B3, pantothenic acid or B5, pyridoxine or B6, biotin or B7, folate or B9, and cobalamin or B12.
Of these eight, only three have been connected to improved cognitive function – B6, B9, and B12. When taken in the form of supplements, they help prevent dementia and keep the brain from fogging.
3. Bacopa Monnieri
One of the best nootropic supplements you could take is Bacopa monnieri, also known as Brahmi. This herb is known to be a great cognitive enhancer, while it can also improve memory and alertness.
People dealing with some mental health problems can also take it, as it is excellent at improving mental health and boosting mental energy.
4. Omega-3s
Eating fatty fish can be more beneficial for your brain than you think. Fish oil contains two omega-3 acids that can improve brain function. These are DHA and EPA.
Eating fish or taking Omega-3 fatty acids as supplements will prevent cognitive decline and keep the brain healthy and young. You will also have a great memory and learning ability.
5. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a herb used in many brain supplements, mainly because it can help the brain in many ways. It positively impacts mental health, helping deal with depression, anxiety, and stress.
Furthermore, ashwagandha is also known to improve cognitive performance and function, attention, reaction time, and decision-making abilities.
6. Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba is a plant used in some brain supplements as it is believed to have many beneficial effects for people. Thus far, research has proven that it can help reduce stress and anxiety, while it is also great for preventing cognitive decline.
However, some of the research results have been inconsistent, so more research needs to be done before we can recommend Ginkgo Biloba supplements to people with decreased brain activity.
7. Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola Rosea is a plant whose roots are used in many supplements. There are approximately 150 active ingredients that can also prove helpful in improving brain capacity and mental activity.
Aside from helping reduce stress and depression, Rhodiola Rosea is also great at improving memory function and learning skills. We are yet to learn more about its abilities as further research is done.
8. Resveratrol
Resveratrol is an ingredient found in red wine, peanuts, the skin of red grapes, berries, and so on. It is used in supplements because it is known to protect nerve cells, which means it can prevent or keep Alzheimer’s disease in control. Further research on its benefits for the brain is yet to be conducted.
9. L-Theanine
As for amino acids, the one we recommend the most is L-Theanine. This acid is used in supplements for brain health because it can increase attention span and improve focus. It is best when paired with caffeine.
10. Caffeine
Caffeine is an unlikely ingredient, but it is great for brain stimulation. Some research has confirmed that caffeine as a supplement can help improve concentration, memory, mental clarity, mood, and creativity.
However, it would be best if you used caffeine in healthy doses. Otherwise, it could have harmful effects on your body. Stick to a single daily dose and see if it improves your brain wellness.
Wrap Up
Thank you for reading this guide on the best brain boosting supplements to improve mental performance and prevent cognitive decline. If you know any other excellent brain health supplements, do not hesitate to share their names in the comments below!
Remember that supplements help you maintain your overall health and avoid serious diseases. Before you take any supplements, consult a healthcare provider and get their approval. Once you do that and you start taking your supplements, we do not doubt that you will be pleasantly surprised by the results!
