Brain health is important and you can support it by providing it with the necessary nutrients and anti-oxidants. The effectiveness of your brain supplement will depend on its components and the benefits offered by them. Several natural herbs, spices, dairy food products, and daily food items have been traditionally used for enhancing brain health.
Herbs like Gingko Biloba or Bacopa Monnieri or Ginseng are known to have a positive impact on the functioning of the brain; especially boosting memory. Realizing the potential of these natural herbs and products, the manufacturers of some of the best brain supplements in the world have included these herbs as key ingredients in their formulas. Let us find out more about these ingredients that are included in various pills to improve memory.
Did you know that Bacopa Monnieri, a perennial creeping herb is a major component of some of the best brain supplements in the World? Also known as water hyssop, brahmi, thyme-leafed gratiola, herb of grace and Indian pennywort, it is widely used for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD, along with boosting memory and management of anxiety issues.
Prevagen and Alpha Brain, known to be the best supplements for memory, focus and concentration, have included the herb in their special formulas aimed at boosting brain health. This essential herb is known to work on brain in two ways. Firstly, by increasing certain brain chemicals involved in the process of thinking, learning and memory and secondly by protecting brain cells from any kind of damage.
The extract of Bacopa Monnieri is generally safe for adults when taken by mouth for a period of up to 12 weeks. However, in certain cases, side effects such as increased bowel movement, stomach cramps, nausea and fatigue may be witnessed.
Phosphatidylserine
Extracted from soy and cabbage, Phosphatidylserine is a fatty substance that covers and protects the brain cells, besides ensuring message transmission between them. The presence of this compound is important for keeping one’s mind sharp and memory strong. Although present naturally in the brain, the quantity of this fatty substance declines with age and thus needs to be supplemented.
Some of the supplements that have included this essential component for the brain in their blends include Prevagen, Alpha Brain and LumUltra. Highly useful for adults who are looking for ways to prevent memory loss and mental decline, supplements including Phosphatidylserine are highly safe. However, over dosage and allergic reaction to soy may lead to side effects such as gas and stomach upset.
Another thing to remember is that phosphatidylserine can interact with certain other medicines that you may be taking. So people who take any type of blood thinners or anti-inflammatory medicines or performance enhancing, should consult a doctor before taking pills to improve memory with this ingredient.
Ginseng
Avanse’s LumUltra supplement not only boosts memory and cognition but also enhances the ability to focus besides keeping a person’s anxiety levels in check. This supplement has another natural ingredient called the Panax Ginseng, a perennial plant that grows in the mountains of East Asia. Studies have shown that, ginsenosides and Compound K in Ginseng can protect the brain against damage caused by free radicals.
Caffeine
We all are familiar with the stimulating effect of a cup of coffee on our brain. It can not only increase alertness and well-being, but also improve mood and enhance concentration. However, in some cases it tends to disturb sleep. Several supplement manufacturers include moderate amounts of caffeine in their brain health formulas to boost memory. Prevagen includes natural caffeine extract from green coffee beans to its focus blend for boosting focus and concentration. The energy blend of LumUltra includes Guarana, a natural source of caffeine that acts as a stimulant.
Amino Acids
Another important ingredient that makes supplements like Prevagen, LumUltra and Alpha Brain highly useful is an amino acid like L-Tyrosine. Although naturally found in human body, this ingredient can also be sourced from cheese, chicken, turkey, fish, dairy products and several other high-protein foods. The amino acid is highly effective for the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and thyroid hormones and melanin. It improves a person’s ability to deal with stress and thus is an ideal ingredient for best supplements for memory, focus and concentration.
Gingko Biloba
Brain supplements that focus on boosting memory generally include the extract of the Gingko Biloba tree, which contains high levels of antioxidants. The extract of this living fossil tree, which can survive for thousands of years, offers protection against oxidative cell damage from harmful free radicals. It also promotes cognitive functioning of the brain. LumUltra’s memory blend aims to strip waste products and toxins from the body, enhances the blood flow to the brain and improves the mood.
Reviews Are Important
In addition to checking the ingredients of a supplement, one should also have a look at the customer reviews to find out about the effectiveness of the various products available in the market and their side effects. Also important, is to check whether the chosen product is suitable for people of all ages, pregnant and lactating women and if it interacts with any kind of prescription medicines being taken by a person. Spend some time to analyze the ingredients and their effect on your brain to zero in on the best supplements for focus, memory and concentration.
