Living in modern times is a double-edged sword. Technology has increased the pace of life, stress, and pressure. At the same time, advances in medical knowledge and nutrition have enabled us to keep up with the demands we face far better.

One area of exciting growth is in supplements that support the brain. But with a dizzying array of supplements on the market, how do you know what the best supplements for the brain are? We’ve done a lot of the legwork for you and rounded up some of the best brain supplements available, as well as provided insights into what makes them effective, reviews, and price.

But before we dive into what we believe are the best supplements for the brain, it’s worth noting that a high-performance brain starts with good nutrition, proper hydration, healthy sleeping habits, and regular doses of exercise. With a solid foundation set, you can then look to supplements to provide the micronutrients, trace minerals, and other essential elements that will take your brain function to the next level.

Think of it this way: supplements are called “supplements” and not “replacements” because they’re not a silver bullet. If you’re lacking in basic nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits, a supplement is not going to magically transform your life.

Having said that, it’s particularly challenging to try and include a wide enough variety of foods in order to meet the demands of a high-performance brain. We know that vitamin C comes from citrus fruit, broccoli, and kale, to name some examples, but do you know what foods to eat to get a sufficient amount of vitamin B9?

And this is where technology gets really exciting, too. Even with sufficient knowledge of A to zinc and where to find them in foods, advancements have brought us new insights into nootropics, which are scientifically developed compounds that enhance memory and cognitive functions. Yes, you can find nootropics in foods like blueberries and turmeric, for example, but the quantities you’d need to consume to have the same effect as a supplement are simply unsustainable and unaffordable. And why would you want to ruin blueberries for yourself anyway? What if you don’t even like blueberries?

As such, it’s really effective to incorporate brain supplements into your daily brain and healthcare routine. With the help of science and technology, you can ensure your brain is being supported and you’re stacking the odds in your favor for healthy brain development, consistently high function, and a resulting competitive edge.

Let’s check out some of the best brain supplements on the market and what they can do to help give you the performance edge you’re looking for!

The 10 Best Supplements for the Brain – Products Comparison

Best Brain Supplements – Product Reviews

Top 10 Brain Supplements out there

Best Brain Supplements – Buying Guide

The brain is the most important organ of the human body. If it is supplied with the right nutrients, its performance will increase multifold. With so many supplements on the market, it can get a bit difficult to find the best brain supplement.

Here, we have listed a few essential ingredients to look for when choosing a brain supplement. So, without any further ado, let’s get started. 

• Omega 3

Our brains depend heavily on Omega 3 for proper functioning. Before understanding why it is necessary, we need to understand what it is and how it works. Omega 3 is a polyunsaturated fatty acid. 

Three of these fatty acids are EPA, or eicosapentaenoic acid or docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, and alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA. All three of these fatty acids are essential for optimal growth of the brain. EPA and DHA serve as building blocks for brain cells and, therefore, help in the production and proliferation of memory cells. 

These fatty acids are also linked to a healthy nervous system and eyesight. Out of the three fatty acids, DHA is the most commonly known and is essential for the strengthening of memory and learning.

ALA, on the other hand, is different because it doesn’t act directly. ALA is converted into either DHA or EPA inside the body via a desaturase enzyme. EPA and DHA have many positive functions within the body. These functions include cognitive growth in the body. 

Since omega 3 has been known to science for quite some time, scientific research on its benefits is numerous. A well-known fact of not getting enough omega 3 is that it can lead to disruption in normal chemical functions in the brain. This can lead to several issues such as anxiety and depression.  

• Uridine

Science students will know the importance of uridine and its role in RNA structures. Uridine is a glycosylated pyrimidine, but its function in the body is what makes it special: Uridine is known to be able to improve learning and stimulate memory cells. Uridine is used as an initiative precursor for the development of a brain cell enhancer, known as choline. 

Exciting right? These results have been found in lab rats and we’re not quite there yet in testing uridine in human trials. But what has been observed is that uridine monophosphate acts with choline and DHA to enhance the cognitive function of the test rodents. It was also seen to strengthen the synapses and enhance the efficacy of phospholipids for better brain development.  

In short, uridine has been seen to help strengthen memory by promoting the growth of new neurons and the development of synapses. 

• Choline

Choline is a nutrient compound found in quite a few foods and vegetables. Choline is important for the proper functioning and growth of the brain and nervous system. In fact, a recent study found that most toddlers aged between one and two years old are not getting enough choline along with other nutrients including vitamin B.

One of the main things we need to be aware of is the broad benefits of choline. Choline is necessary for the formation of cell membranes and to coordinate messages between the nerves. There has been significant research to establish that choline is essential for brain growth and development, however, it’s yet to establish quantities for different ages and sexes.

• Anthocyanin

Anthocyanin is another very important chemical compound, flavonoids to be exact, that is needed in the body for proper functioning. Anthocyanin is quite commonly known as a purple color pigment found naturally in fruits and vegetables such as cabbage and blueberries. 

But, that’s not the only function they perform. A few published studies have shown that anthocyanin is used to improve learning capabilities and improved brain functioning. A research study conducted in 2012 showed how anthocyanin from blueberry can help improve learning capabilities and cognitive functions in the body. 

• Zeaxanthin and Lutein 

Speaking of plant pigments, we have 2 more to share. Both zeaxanthin and lutein are chemicals present in the plant and are responsible for the colors of the plant. But, how are they beneficial for us? These chemicals are really good anti-oxidants. 

However, most of the research work done on these chemicals shows that they need to be taken together to make sure we are getting the full benefit. Now, what is the benefit? Scientists, after years of researching and experimenting, were able to deduce that both these chemicals can help in better learning, better focus, and improved efficacy. 

• Vitamin E

Vitamin E is one of the most effective and strong antioxidants. Although the intake of vitamin E is so easy with all the sources of fruits, veggies, and dairy available, it is very easy to develop vitamin E deficiency. 

Vitamin E has quite a few important functions to perform in the body. It affects 3 out of 5 of our senses, sight, smell, and hearing. It has also been seen to enhance and improve our learning capabilities and brain development. 

Now, how does it improve our learning capabilities? Easy. By improving our attention span and stimulating more memory cells. With better focus, we can access the situation better. And with more memory cells, we will be able to easily store what we learned. 

One of the main sources of Vitamin E is green veggies. Now, no matter how much you hate it, your body needs it. However, those who cannot eat vegetables, fruits, or nuts due to allergies or picky nature should opt for supplements. 

As mentioned above, developing vitamin E deficiency is very easy, this is because all these foods don’t quite get you the best amount of vitamin E that you need, this is where supplements come in. 

• Curcumin

Ancient medicine from natural herbs and plants have been around for a really long time. One of the many plants used for many many years is turmeric. Now, it is not the whole plant that we need, it’s just one chemical that we need which is curcumin. 

Curcumin has been seen to trigger a protein in our body, called abrineurin. This protein is responsible for the growth and maturation of neurons. Now, a little bit on the neurons. Neurons send and receive messages and build communication between the body and the brain. 

Many focusing and attention problems arise from not having neurons or neurons not being strong enough to carry messages. You can never go wrong with curcumin. Not only does it have brain development properties, but also has quite a few health benefits as well as it is good for the immune system and respiratory system, etc. 

• Vitamin B and C

First off, vitamin B. Vitamin B performs a few important functions in our body to make sure that we are in our best health. The main function of vitamin B is to help convert the food that we eat into energy. 

Although all vitamin B is necessary, vitamin B6 is more special as it helps in the proper development of the brain.. Vitamin B6 has also been seen to have an effect on sleep, moods, and stress management. 

By triggering the body to maintain a healthy serotonin, they can manage moods. Similarly, the presence of another hormone called norepinephrine triggers fight and flight responses to deal with stress.

As for vitamin C, it is a good anti-oxidant and it helps in reducing stress-causing chemicals in the body. Quite a few research papers have highlighted the vast dangers of a vitamin C deficiency.

A paper published in 2014 studied whether vitamin C deficiency will have any bad effects on cognitive health and development. Vitamin C deficiency not only affects the learning capabilities and healthy perception properties but is also directly related to age-related cognitive decline. This leads to memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia early on. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Are brain supplements safe?

Yes. Supplements are safe for everyone. They are just minerals and vitamins that are good for you. 

Q. Isn’t food enough to get all the nutrients?

A proper and well-calculated balanced diet is definitely enough. But, in today’s hectic world, it is very easy to miscalculate the amount of nutrients that you require. Therefore, brain supplements are a great way to ensure that your body is getting what it needs.

Q. Where to get brain supplements?

All of our recommendations have their respective websites mentioned. When buying online, make sure to buy from their original website or official retailers to ensure genuine products. 

Conclusion

We all should think about our health early on in life. Proper nutrients, in the proper amount, are very much needed from an early age for healthy brain development. Brain supplements not only help you perform better in your professional life, but are also of great help in keeping your personal life on track.

With so many products available in the market, it can be quite cumbersome to decide which is best. With the above-mentioned list of ingredients, hopefully, you’ll be able to manage just fine. Choose the best brain supplements that we have reviewed above and you would be good to go!

Stay safe and healthy, folks!