Best Supplements for Brain Health

The right nutritional support is key when you want to stay sharp and keep your brain healthy as you age. That’s where the best supplements for brain health come in. Along with a core foundation of healthy diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management, brain health supplements may help provide the additional benefits of specific, targeted support for your brain. 

What Experts Say About Brain Health Supplements

Supplements for brain health can help close nutritional gaps for those who struggle to meet all of their nutritional needs through diet alone. Even for those who eat a well-rounded diet, brain health supplements often provide a boost of certain vitamins, minerals, or botanicals that further support memory, focus, and overall cognition.

In a recent CNBC article, neuroscientist Dr. Marc Milstein shared what he’s learned throughout his career, including 15 years of studying the brain and five years working as a medical director of a residential memory care facility. While he recommends always talking with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements, he says there are some ingredients he nearly always recommends to anyone looking for the best supplements for brain health. 

Supplements for Brain Health: Ingredients to Look For

Nootropics

Nootropics is an umbrella term for substances that support cognitive health. Rather than a single ingredient, nootropics are typically a blend of vitamins, fats, amino acids, herbs, and (in some cases) caffeine.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are known for their anti-inflammatory properties; they’re believed to reduce inflammation-related problems, from lowering heart disease risk to reducing neuroinflammation. The more omega-3s available in the bloodstream, the more they can be incorporated into cellular membranes. When omega-3s enter brain cells, they help keep them healthy, promoting learning, memory, mood, cognitive well-being, and blood flow.

Probiotics

Probiotics help improve your gut, which is directly linked to a healthy brain. Gut-friendly bacteria like probiotics help stimulate the production of neurotransmitters, chemical messengers that affect mood, focus, mindset, and much more. Neurotransmitters have even been shown to significantly affect dementia risk.

Digestive Enzymes

The link between brain and gut health is known as the gut-brain axis. That’s why keeping your gut healthy is just as crucial for cognitive health as it is for digestive health. Along with probiotics, digestive enzymes are another ingredient to look for in supplements for brain health. 

With age, our bodies start producing less hydrochloric acid, the acid that helps break down food so that we can access its nutrients. Dietary supplements with digestive enzymes can help your body break down different types of foods so that you can access the nutrients you need for your brain and overall health. 

Best Vitamins for Brain Health

What vitamins for brain health should you look for on a supplement label? Keep an eye out for the ones below.

Vitamin E 

The brain is particularly susceptible to damage caused by free radicals, known as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress increases with age and is a key contributor to cognitive decline. As an antioxidant, vitamin E protects cells from damage caused by oxidative stress.

B Vitamins

When it comes to vitamins for brain health, remember the three Bs: vitamin B6, vitamin B9, and vitamin B12. All three are required for healthy brain functioning, and deficiency is linked to an increased risk of memory loss and other forms of cognitive decline.

Vitamin D with K

Higher vitamin D levels are associated with better cognitive function, and sufficient vitamin D seems to be associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline. Vitamin K works alongside vitamin D in this process.

Best Supplements for Brain Health

If you’re looking for the best supplements for brain health, start with the ones below, all available from Professional Supplement Center.

Brain & Body Power by BrainMD

BrainMD Brain & Body Power uses a potent blend of brain-boosting ingredients, including a high dose of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, C, E, D3, E, K, B6, B9, B12, and many other vitamins, minerals, nootropics, antioxidants, and more.

MagMind Magnesium L-Threonate by Jarrow Formulas

Jarrow Formulas MagMind Magnesium L-Threonate is a vegan, non-GMO dietary supplement that supports brain health and function. Based on promising research, it delivers 2 grams of magtein per serving, which may help improve nerve signal transmission and support relaxation.

MycoBotanicals Brain by Host Defense

MycoBotanicals Brain by Host Defense uses a blend of mushrooms and herbs known to support the brain and nervous system, ensuring optimal cognitive performance.

Now that you know more about the best supplements for brain health, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider to form a health regimen that’s best for you.