The Best Supplements for Mental Agility, Concentration, Stamina & Focus

What are the best foods and supplements for optimal brain health? Based on research and the discussions with doctors, nutritionists and neurologists, these are the best vitamins and brain supplements.

1. Water. Dehydration raises stress hormone levels, causing serious brain damage. Drink at least ten glasses of water a day.

2. Fish. DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish, is the main component of brain synapses. A lack of omega-3 has been shown to diminish intellectual performance and is linked with dementia. If you don’t eat fish, omega-3 is also found in walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and flax seeds. In addition, you can take DHA as a supplement; 1000 mg a day is recommend.

3. Antioxidant-Rich Fruits and Vegetables. The best of these, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, strawberries, spinach, raspberries, brussel sprouts, plums, broccoli, beets, avocados, oranges, red grapes, red bell peppers, cherries, and kiwis. Five servings a day of fruits and vegetables is recommended. You can also supplement green foods if you are not getting enough through diet alone.

4. Complex Carbohydrates. For energy, your brain needs fuel, and the best choice is glucose. Complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, starchy vegetables and fruits digest slowly, providing a steady supply.

• Bran
• Wheatgerm
• Maize
• Buckwheat
• Barley
• Cornmeal
• Oatmeal

5. Green Tea. Ingredients in green tea (and to a lesser extent, black tea) slows the build-up of plaque in brains from amyloid deposits. Drinking tea is associated with mental alertness.

6. Eggs. Eggs are rich in choline, a fat-like B vitamin, which has been shown to enhance memory and minimize fatigue.

7. Alpha Lipoic acid (aLa). This powerful supplement is both water and fat soluble, meaning it enters all parts of cells to neutralize free radicals. It is the only antioxidant supplement that can easily get into the brain. There is some evidence it is useful in the prevention of strokes.

8. Acetyl-L-Carnitine. This is an essential contributor to the production of the neurotransmitter “acetylcholine,” which is required for mental function. Double-blind clinical trials suggest acteyl-L-carnitine delays the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and enhances the overall performance of people with the disease.

9. Phosphatidyl Serine (PS). Stimulates cells in your brain to make new dendrites and axons. People who take PS remember more names, faces, phone numbers, and written information.

10. Nattokinase. Derived from fermented soybeans, Nattokinase facilitates better blood flow throughout the body and brain.

American Nutrition also stocks some of the most popular nootropics like Piracetam, Aniracetam, and Idebenone.

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Piracetam & it’s Effects on the Brain

Piracetam (2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide) is a derivative of the neurotransmitter GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid). Interestingly it is chemically related to the amino acid Pyroglutamic Acid (Pyrrolidine Carboxylic acid), which occurs in cerebrospinal fluid and plays an important role in cognitive functioning.

Piracetam positively supports healthy cognitive & cardiovascular functioning by a multifaceted means of action.

Supports Overall Brain Health
Increases Blood Flow to the Brain
Boosts Memory & Concentration
Reduces Hyperactive Behavior

Piracetams’ effects on the brain:

• Piracetam increases Glucose Utilization, Blood & Oxygen Flow to the brain.  This helps boost mental energy & cerebral circulation and enhances brain metabolism.

• Piracetam increases Cerebral Phospholipids & Cellular Membrane Fluidity by interacting with the polar head moieties of the phospholipid bilayer. This helps support healthy neuron communication & structure.

• Piracetam supports the health of Cognitive Receptors in the brain. By amplifys the density of the Muscarinic Cholinergic (Frontal Cortex, Striatum, & Hippocampus), NMDA (NMethylDAspartate) [Hippocampus], & AMPA (Alphaamino3hydroxy5Methyl4isoxazolePropionic Acid) 

• Piracetam supports healthy Cerebral Cortex Receptors and strengthens neurotransmitter receptors involved in memory and neuroprotection. 

• Piracetam stimulates the Corpus Callosum, an area of the brain that controls communication between the left and right hemispheres (Increases communication between both hemispheres) Thease are Involved in speech and the creative thinking process.

• Piracetam stimulates the Locus Coeruleus, (specialized neurons) Involved in information processing, attention, cortical/behavioral arousal, learning and memory.

• Piracetam also, Inhibits Platelet Aggregation (By increasing RedWhite blood cells & Platelet deformability, inhibiting thromboxane A2 synthetase or antagonism of thromboxane A2, reducing von Willebrand’s factor & fibrinogen levels) which supports Healthy Blood Flow to the Brain.

• Piracetam secreases EEG complexity (Increases cooperatively of brain functional processing) which positively effects NeuroElectrical Functioning.

• Piracetam has a significant antioxidant effect on the brain and memory.

Piracetam has been approved & used since 1970’s worldwide (Europe, Asia, and South American) for various health conditions. It is recommended by many healthcare professionals and health organizations as a Nootropic.

Omega-3 and Vitamin E VS. ADHD & Autism

In a recent article produced by NHI on Demand, they explain how Omega-3 and Vitamin E Combined can be beneficial for children with ADHD and Autism.

Omega-3, though not supported by science, has been used in treatment of such developmental differences or disorders as ADHD and Autism. Omega-3 contains essential fatty acids in it’s fish oils and proteins which the body needs to function properly. ADHD children and those effected by Autism cannot produce all the necessary proteins their bodies need to balance themselves and in turn result in abnormal behavior, hyperactivity, and aggression.

The fish oils in Omega-3 have been found to reduce hyperactivity and aggressive behavior. Fish oil has membrane-enhancing capabilities on brain cells, which can also help improve overall brain activity including cognitive function and memory. Omega-3 is also commonly known as an Immune System Booster, it can Improve Brain Health and help reduce Cardiac Risk significantly.

Vitamin E is a powerful natural antioxidant. One of the most beneficial properties of Vitamin E is that it is effective in preventing the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. It can also assist in the prevention of oxidation in the lungs. Vitamin E protects white and red blood cells, which helps boost the body’s immune system.

Our body only recognizes the d form of Vitamin E. Although the l form has antioxidant activity, it may actually inhibit the d-form from entering cell membranes. Therefore, natural vitamin E (the d form) has greater benefit than the synthetic (dl). You should, therefore, take the natural (d-) form of vitamin E and avoid the synthetic version at all costs.