The 13 Best Supplements to Power Boost Brain Function!
An old friend asked me if I knew the best supplements to take to power-boost brain function. I asked her if she wanted to improve her memory and focus.
She said both. I told her I’d write an article on the topic and send it to her if she promised to take some of the supplements and tell me how they made her feel, and she agreed.
Here’s that article, which I call the 13 best supplements to power boost brain function.
Okay, assuming you’re healthy, there are many natural supplements that are beneficial to and can affect brain function in a positive way.
I emphasize the word “natural” and would even add NON-GMO and organic supplements because I believe it’s in your best interest to support your brain function.
Although, you should do it by always utilizing only the best quality natural herbs and nutrient supplements. Overall, these natural supplements, which are often referred to as nootropics, can boost overall executive and cognitive capacities such as memory, focus, motivation, creativity, and alertness.
Now given the unbelievable torrent of technology all of us deal with every day, I’d say we not only have to live a healthier lifestyle by eating right, “Juicing Super Green juices, and smoothies.” But all of us need to support and rejuvenate our brains and nervous systems by taking supplements daily.
If you read my last article called:
“The 5 Criteria for a Healthy Juice,” then you’re aware that I promote using only the best possible fruits and vegetables for making smoothies and juices. I’d also like to add to the list that you should use the best products possible when taking supplements for better brain health.
So, as a rule, if you want to optimize your efforts and get and stay healthy. You must use only the best possible brain products and produce for overall health.
For example, as a reminder, here are the five criteria for making the healthiest juices and smoothies!
Only buy local, fresh, NON-GMO, chemical-free, and organic produce. All supplements must be, Gluten-free, and independently tested for purity, quality, and potency.
All of the supplements in this article I have personally used at one time or another at the suggested dosages and have never had any negative side effects.
1 Fish Oils or Omega 3 fatty acids
Fish oil supplements are a rich source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosatetraenoic acid (EPA); both of these are omega-3 fatty acids which have been linked to improved brain health.
DHA helps to maintain the structure and function of your brain; it accounts for around 25% of the total fat, and 90% of the omega-3 fat found in your brain cells.
Research has shown that DHA supplements improve cognitive ability, memory, and reaction times in healthy people who are low in DHA.
It has also shown that DHA benefited people experiencing a mild decline in brain function and that low levels of omega-3 are linked to vascular dementia and depression.
The omega-3 fatty acid EPA has anti-inflammatory effects that protect the brain against damage to the cell membranes, it also has anti-aging properties and it’s been found to improve mood.
So what’s the best way to get the recommended amount of omega-3 fatty acids that contain both EPA and DHA to help you maintain and boost brain function health?
Just eating two portions of oily fish per week or take 1 gram per day of a supplement that has combined both DHA and EPA.
I would also recommend other sources like flaxseed oil, linseed, lignan, and evening primrose oil daily. Here’s a link to my favorite product.
Omega-3: Spectrum Organic Flaxseed
Turmeric/curcumin is a curry spice used in India for thousands of years. If you haven’t tasted it, its rich flavor is very distinct and not easily forgettable. It also has medicinal properties that are associated with many healing protocols.
The active compound found in Turmeric is Curcumin (diferuloylmethane.) which is a yellow pigment that gives the spice turmeric its unique color.
It has long been known as a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, and antibacterial compound, which is why it had to be one of the 13 best power boost brain supplements.
I have always taken it because it’s a powerful anti-inflammatory that has helped me recover quickly from muscle soreness and joint pain after long workouts.
But the most important reason I’ve taken Turmeric/Curcumin is that it increases blood flow to the brain and helps stimulate new brain cell growth.
A typical dosage is twice a day at 500 mg. Here’s a link to my favorite product: Turmeric/Curcumin:
I also buy the root at my local health food store and juice it three times a week or more depending on how I am feeling.
Resveratrol is a plant compound that has the ability to act as an antioxidant. Antioxidants are the compounds that inhibit oxidation or the chemical reactions that produce free radicals that damage cells.
Reducing oxidation is the name of the game if you want to prevent cell damage because cell damage puts you at a much higher risk of getting things like cancer, and heart disease.
The good news is that most of us eat resveratrol every day without realizing it indirectly when we’re eating.
For example, it can be found naturally in purple and red fruits like grapes, raspberries, mulberries, and blueberries.
It’s also found in chocolate and peanuts, so eat those fruits as much as you desire. I’ve been juicing fruits for over 24 years now, and it seems to be working for me.
Resveratrol is known as a stilbenoid, which is a natural phenol, (which are organic compounds characterized by a hydroxyl.)
Phenols produce *phytoalexin, an antimicrobial and often antioxidative substance that’s synthesized de novo by plants that accumulate rapidly at areas of pathogen infection.
Translation plants can produce these powerful substances when they are under attack by bacteria, fungi, and pathogens in general to protect themselves. That’s cool, right?
*Phytoalexins are antimicrobial and often antioxidative substances synthesized de novo by plants that accumulate rapidly in areas of pathogen infection.
They are broad-spectrum inhibitors and are chemically diverse with different types of characteristics of a particular plant species. Wikipedia sourced
The research that I’ve done suggests that resveratrol supplements can prevent the decline of the hippocampus, which is a vital part of brain and memory function.
It also seems to restore the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier is critical for brain health.
Keeping this barrier healthy or restoring it, can reduce harmful immune molecules secreted by immune cells that could infiltrate the body and end up in brain tissues.
Again, I mostly take resveratrol for the plant-derived polyphenols it produces, because they’ve been shown to increase memory performance and focus.
The dosage recommendations I’ve seen for resveratrol supplements are 250 to 500 milligrams. I usually take around 2 grams of resveratrol (2,000 milligrams) or more a day.
Here’s a link to my favorite product: Resveratrol
One last point, resveratrol has poor bioavailability because oral administration undergoes extensive metabolism in the intestine and liver.
Phosphatidylserine is a fat compound called phospholipid, which is a component of the cell membrane and is found in high concentrations in brain tissue, e.g., lecithin.
Research has shown that it promotes normal binding between neurotransmitters and cell membranes and when taken in combination with DHA it can help keep brain cells remain healthy.
Phospholipid or (PS) plays an important role in a host of cellular functions including mitochondrial membrane integrity, presynaptic neurotransmitter release, postsynaptic receptor activity, and activation of protein kinase C in memory formation
Research has also shown that taking 100 mg, three times a day can help reduce the decline of age-related brain function. Upping the dosage to 400 mg per day can improve thinking skills and memory, although the recommended dosage is 100 to 200 mg taken orally twice per day. I usually take 250 twice a day.
Here’s a link to my favorite product: Phosphatidylserine.
Overall research has shown that phosphatidylserine has anti-aging properties.
I take this supplement as part of my maintenance program for better brain health, and if you add lecithin to your brain regimen, you can also improve nerve health.
Astaxanthin is a carotenoid that produces a pinkish pigment in crabs, lobsters, salmon, and shrimp. It’s an antioxidant that has many health benefits which include healthier skin, endurance, heart health, reducing joint pain, and may even be used in the field of cancer treatment.
If you know anything about vitamins and supplements, you know that most water-soluble antioxidants circulate throughout your bloodstream quickly and are urinated out.
Astaxanthin is *fat-soluble, which means it can integrate itself into every cell, tissue, and organ in the body where it can neutralize the inflammation-causing free radicals.
It can do this because Fat–soluble vitamins are stored in the fat tissue in our bodies and are excreted slowly.
*A vitamin that can dissolve in fats and oils. Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed along with fats in the diet and can be stored in the body’s fatty tissue.
They come from plant and animal foods or dietary supplements. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble.
Here’s what Wikipedia says about Astaxanthin. It is a keto-carotenoid that belongs to a larger class of chemical compounds known as terpenes built from five-carbon precursors, isopentenyl diphosphate, and dimethylallyl diphosphate.
Research has shown it helps fight oxidative stress and enables neurons to stay pliable. The more cutting-edge research has shown that it acts as a detoxifier flushing out poisonous substances while at the same time promoting the growth and development of new cells known as neurogenesis tissue.
I’ve personally used this supplement for brain fog, along with Samsara Biofilm and Nature Restore Stevia leaf, all combined, and have obtained excellent results.
*Disclaimer, please consult a medical professional.
Note, there are side effects to taking this chemical compound; although non-toxic, these can include:
- A decrease in blood pressure.
- Increase in skin pigmentation.
- Additional hair growth.
- Changes in hormonal balance.
- Lowered calcium levels in the blood.
- Decreased libido.
I take this supplement in a limited way, I usually take 6 mg once a day, but at times I also take as much as 12mg once a day. Here’s a link to my favorite Product: Astaxanthin
It also helps to take 1000 mg of Omega-3 from Spectrum Organic Flaxseeds as well as one tablespoon of olive oil when taking the supplement. And if you add lecithin, you can also boost nerve health.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine is an acetylated form of L-carnitine that is an amino acid produced naturally by the body, although it is often taken as a dietary supplement. It plays an important role in your metabolism, particularly in energy production.
The latest human research studies have shown that taking acetyl-L-carnitine supplements may be useful in slowing the decline in brain function due to aging and could also increase learning capacity. Suggested dosage ranges from 1000 to 2000 mg per day.
Here’s a link to my favorite product: Acetyl-L-carnitine
NAC (N-Acetyl-cysteine,) is an amino acid derivative that has been shown to protect nerve cells by controlling excessive levels of *Glutamate.
NAC also helps replenish the antioxidant Glutathione which helps with age-related oxidative damage to brain cells and helps the body’s overall ability to function, especially by helping maintain healthy lung tissue.
*Glutamate: The most abundant neurotransmitter in our brain and central nervous system and is a metabolic precursor for GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) another neurotransmitter.
I take NAC (N-Acetyl-cysteine) daily at a dosage of 1000 mg once a day, and sometimes twice a day.
Here’s a link to my favorite product:
NAC with selenium and *molybdenum
*Molybdenum is an essential nutrient. Its main function is to remove toxins, particularly from the metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids.
Molybdenum is involved with at least 3 enzymes: Sulfite oxidase, xanthine oxidase, and aldehyde oxidase.
Ginkgo Biloba is an herb that’s a derivative of the Ginkgo Biloba tree and I’ve been taking it for years.
The research on this, 200-million-year-old medicinal herb, claims that it can improve blood flow to the brain, and improve our focus and memory.
It’s best known for its restorative effects and seems to also help with anti-stress activities and has exhibited protective effects against certain injuries because of its antioxidant activities.
I would say give Ginkgo Biloba a try in a tincture or powdered form if you’re curious.
I take Ginkgo Biloba daily at a dosage of 100 mg twice a day, with a meal.
Here’s a link to my favorite product: Ginkgo Biloba
9. Bacopa Monnieri or water hyssop
Bacopa Monnieri is an aquatic herb native to India and is used in Ayurveda.
It is said to enhance focus and memory by promoting proper neurotransmitter balance, while also improving mental processing abilities.
I have taken this herb because it buffers the brain against stress and can even help relieve anxiety and depression.
I take Bacopa Monnieri from time to time at a dosage of 450 mg twice a day, with a meal.
Here’s a link to my favorite product: Bacopa Monnieri
Huperzia Serrata is a plant known as a firmoss, that is a species native to India and southeast Asia. It contains the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor Huperzine A.
It’s widely distributed over the counter as a nootropic and dietary supplement and is also used in traditional Chinese medicine.
It has the unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier quickly and works as soon as it enters the bloodstream, which takes about 15 minutes.
It can boost levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter crucial to mental focus, cognitive function, and memory.
I would say research this supplement before taking it because it may be harmful to people with certain conditions.
I take Huperzia Serrata sometimes at a dosage of 300 mcg twice a day, with a meal.
Here’s a link to my favorite product: Huperzia Serrata
Alpha-lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant that can enhance other antioxidants. Some of which I mentioned earlier like glutathione and vitamin E.
ALC has been shown to have anti-aging properties by reducing the loss of neurotransmitters and cell receptors and can even protect nerves against damage from high glucose levels.
I have used it for many things including memory improvement.
It has been used for anti-HIV activities both in-vitro and in-visto.
I take Alpha-lipoic acid sometimes at a dosage of 600 mg twice a day, with a meal.
Here’s a link to my favorite product: Alpha-lipoic acid
12. PPQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone)
PPQ also called methoxatin, is a redox cofactor. It is found in soil and foods such as kiwi fruit, parsley, green pepper, papaya, tofu as well as human breast milk. PQQ also stimulates growth in bacteria.
PQQ acts very much like an antioxidant as well as B vitamin. It benefits the brain by promoting cognitive health and memory by fighting mitochondria impairment.
It has the unique quality of being able to protect never cells from oxidative damage. It also helps the body’s cellular structure produce energy by supporting metabolism. It can also stimulate nerve growth factor, which is also critical for cognition, learning, and memory while supporting healthy aging.
I take PQQ sometimes at a dosage of 10 to 20 milligrams per day, with a meal.
Here’s a link to my favorite product: PQQ
Rhodiola is a medicinal herb that I’ve taken for many years and I’ve definitely felt the difference in terms of balancing my mood and reducing my stress levels.
This powerful stress adaptogen herb is known as an artic root or golden root and grows in the cold mountains of Europe and Asia.
This amazing root has more than 140 ingredients and has been used to treat anxiety, fatigue, and depression.
It can reduce stress and improve brain function, which is why I’ve taken it for years.
Reminder. If you’re going to take this herb, always take brands that have USP or NSP seals on them.
The supplement should contain 3% rosavins and 1% salidrosides, which are the naturally occurring proportions in Rhodiola root compound.
I’ve taken Rhodiola in a tincture form most of the time when I felt I needed an extra boost, usually on an empty stomach. But do not take it before you go to bed as it is a stimulant.
The recommended dosage is 400-600 mg a day. I usually take it in a tincture form, usually 12 drops, three times a day using the tincture Pipette.
Rhodiola is very safe so don’t worry, but please follow the dosages that are recommended.
Here’s a link to my favorite product: Rhodiola
In conclusion, my comprehensive list of the 13 best supplements to power-boost brain function will surely help you move towards better focus.
And certainly, there exists a plethora of options to support cognitive health and vitality beyond this list, but this is a good start.
Your job is to ask questions, read, research, and be curious.
I recommend trying each supplement separately and keeping a journal to monitor your results. I only covered the ones I’ve tried and gotten excellent results with.
Regardless, these are worth experimenting with if you want to try to power-boost your brain function a bit.
However, it would be a good practice to remember that the quest for enhanced brain function through natural supplements is a journey, not a destination.
The importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, coupled with the use of high-quality, natural supplements, cannot be overstated in today’s fast-paced world.
By incorporating these supplements into your daily regimen, you might just optimize your cognitive abilities, perhaps enhance memory and focus, and promote overall brain health. It has helped me on my journey towards better cognitive focus.
But remember, it’s essential to approach supplementation with caution and consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your routine.
Each individual may respond differently to these supplements, and it’s vital to monitor your body’s reactions closely.
Ultimately, by prioritizing your brain health and adopting a holistic approach to wellness, you can embark on a transformative journey toward maximizing your cognitive potential and achieving optimal mental clarity and vitality.
Note. I am not a doctor, so please consult your health practitioner before taking certain supplements.
Okay—Peace, Health, and Juice!
Bobby Zapp the founder of the PassiveWorkout.com/
And the Holistic Healing Program.
And the author of: Bobby Zapp’s PassiveWorkout and
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