SUPPLEMENTS FOR BETTER FOCUS, MEMORY, AND CONCENTRATION

WHILE LIFESTYLE FACTORS LIKE SLEEP, DIET, EXERCISE, AND STRESS MANAGEMENT ARE FOUNDATIONAL FOR COGNITIVE HEALTH, CERTAIN SUPPLEMENTS CAN PROVIDE A SIGNIFICANT BOOST IN FOCUS, MEMORY, AND CONCENTRATION. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT SUPPLEMENTS SHOULD COMPLEMENT A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE RATHER THAN SUBSTITUTE FOR IT.

SUPPLEMENTS THAT DON'T WORK

For starters let's focus on what you see on a day to day basis online, on your TV sets with advertisements of brain boosting supplements or what is commonly referred to as "Brain Boosting Supplements". To begin your journey, one fact about the brain is that it's the most complex organ in the body. So feeding it a supplement with just one or two ingredients will not have any effect. Our brains need a chemical cocktail of synergistic supplements that actively work to empower each other. One huge advantage of this strategy is that supplements with these types of synergistic nootropic supplements often have a lower dose of each ingredient. This means unintended consequences of side effects of any one of these nootropic supplements is dramatically reduced.

So, lets first explore the ones that don't actually work;

1. FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AS A NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT DO NOT WORK

The experts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and FDA recommend 8 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, with each serving about 4 ounces.

That means you need 32 ounces or 2 pounds of it every day. This translates to about 900 grams of fruits and vegetables per day. Since all of them contain 70-90 percent water (lets say an average of 80 percent), the actual content minus the water is about 20 percent of that or about 180 grams. If we were to extract the water content, we are left with the powder form, this means you would need about 180 grams of powder consumed every day.

Supplements that proport taking 3 capsules (the largest capsule less than one gram) of the powdered form of fruits and vegetables, are telling you that taking it will improve your health. But what does that mean? 

• You need at least 180 grams of the powdered form of fruits and vegetables
• Each capsule of fruits and vegetables contain only 1 gram of the powdered form
• You will need to take at least 180 capsules per day to satisfy your daily intake of fruits and vegetables

If we were to consider the daily intake of just 3 grams would compare to the 180 grams the health experts at the NIH  are saying is necessary, there seems to be a disconnect here. That's 60 times less than what is recommended. Do you think it's worth throwing away your hard earned money into something that is only a meager amount of the substance recommended? We didn't think so. So it is best to stick to what we know and along the way you save some money as well.

SO, FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN THE FORM OF A SUPPLEMENT OF 3 GRAMS PER DAY IS NOT IN FACT BENEFICIAL AT ALL.

2. JELLYFISH AND SEAWEED AS A NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT

So lets say that studies prove that one individual substance, will provide a cognitive boost to individuals that consume them. That is one substance like extracts from Jellyfish or other sea faring animals. Even existing studies available only provide a 5-10 percent increase in cognitive abilities, which is generally very close to the threshold of the the error rate of 3-5 percent with these studies. So, essentially it is an educated guess at best and at worst a waste of money. With the preponderance of advertisements purporting that a significant improvement will occur by taking this one substance, we feel that it is misleading.

SO, JELLYFISH EXTRACTS OR SIMILAR SUBSTANCES AS A NOOTROPIC NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT FALLS WAY SHORT OF THE CLAIMS THAT ARE BEING MADE AND WE RATE THIS CLAIM TO FALL WAY SHORT OF THE BENEFITS BEING CLAIMED.

 

NOOTROPIC SUPPLEMENTS THAT DO WORK

Again to reiterate; We are not claiming any one substance outlined below is the holy grail of multivitamins that benefit the brain and body. The following list is only a reference to help you better decide which combinations of these ingredients are the right ones for you individually. The key is the combination and synergistic effects of these ingredients together. Sort as the saying goes; "The Whole is Better than the Sum of it's Parts".

The key here is that no one ingredient by itself has much of an effect on our cognition. It is how they are combined and whether or not they multiply each others effects, essentially being synergistic.

You can find a multitude of these ingredients in our MindSense1 Nootropic Brain Supplement. They have been carefully dosed, so that different ingredients have a synergistic effect of cognitive health, meaning that each ingredient increases the effect of other ingredients in the formula, allowing us to reduce the dosage to that there are minimal side effects as a result.

1. OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are essential for brain health. They can be found in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines. Omega-3 supplements are often recommended for their cognitive benefits, including improved memory and concentration. They help maintain the integrity of brain cell membranes, support neuroplasticity, and reduce inflammation.

2. BACOPA MONNIERI

Bacopa monnieri, also known as Brahmi, is an herb traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for enhancing cognitive function. Studies have shown that Bacopa may improve memory, attention, and cognitive performance. It is thought to work by enhancing the communication between nerve cells in the brain.

3. GINKGO BILOBA

Ginkgo biloba is a popular herbal supplement that has been used for centuries to support cognitive function. It is believed to enhance memory and concentration by increasing blood flow to the brain and promoting better oxygen utilization. Ginkgo biloba is often recommended for individuals looking to combat brain fog.

4. RHODIOLA ROSEA

Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogen that helps the body adapt to stress and maintain optimal cognitive function. It is thought to reduce fatigue, increase mental alertness, and improve focus and memory. Rhodiola may also have a positive impact on mood and overall mental clarity.

5. PANAX GINSENG

Panax ginseng, also known as Korean ginseng, is an herbal remedy believed to improve cognitive function. It may enhance memory, attention, and overall mental performance. Ginsenosides, the active compounds in Panax ginseng, are thought to have a positive influence on brain health.

6. CAFFEINE

Caffeine is a well-known stimulant that can enhance focus and concentration. It works by blocking adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and sleepiness. However, it's important to consume caffeine in moderation and be aware of its potential side effects, including jitteriness and sleep disturbances.

7. L-THEANINE

L-Theanine is an amino acid found in tea leaves, particularly green tea. When used in combination with caffeine, it can improve attention and focus while reducing the jitters and anxiety associated with caffeine alone. L-Theanine promotes relaxation without drowsiness.

8. VITAMIN B COMPLEX

Vitamins in the B complex, particularly B6, B9 (folate), and B12, are essential for brain health. They are involved in processes like neurotransmitter production and the maintenance of myelin, a substance that insulates nerve cells. A deficiency in these vitamins can lead to cognitive impairment.

9. ANTIOXIDANTS/MINERALS

Antioxidants, including vitamins C and D, as well as compounds like resveratrol and curcumin, can protect the brain from oxidative stress and inflammation. By reducing cellular damage, antioxidants may help preserve cognitive function. Iron and Copper provide the energy and oxygen to cells for proper interaction and should also be a vital part of any nootropic nutritional supplement.

10. PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE

Phosphatidylserine is a naturally occurring phospholipid found in high concentrations in the brain. It is thought to enhance cognitive function, particularly memory and attention. Some studies suggest that phosphatidylserine supplementation can be particularly beneficial for individuals with age-related cognitive decline.