5+ Best Supplements for The Brain That Are Safe to Use

Someone in your family has difficulty memorizing things? Here are the best supplements for the brain that were extensively tested for their efficacy. None of these products is overly expensive or falsely advertised: every item we discuss has been known to medical science for decades at the very least.

Vitamin B₁₂

Cobalamin or vitamin B₁₂ has the most complex composition of all vitamins; it is critically important for nerve tissues and the production of red blood cells (RBCs). RBCs bring oxygen to all cells of the body, and the condition when there is not enough of them is called anemia. The symptoms of this condition include tiredness, fatigue, pale skin, headaches, and memory problems. What’s more, the body uses B₁₂ for the synthesis of myelin, a covering that protects the nerves. Lack of cobalamin can do damage to cognitive function.

Cobalamin deficiency might develop in people who cannot absorb it from food sources because of various health issues or genetic inabilities. This condition is very common in vegetarians and vegans as cobalamin can only be obtained from animal food. Cobalamin is one of the best brain supplements for seniors as the older a person gets, the less stomach acid is produced, and cobalamin can no longer be obtained from food.

Even large doses of cobalamin don’t have a toxic effect on the body; this vitamin is virtually impossible to overdose.

Here is one of the most efficient B₁₂ products on iHerb:

Organic Spray with B₁₂ by Garden of Life

• Methylcobalamin is the most bioavailable form of cobalamin
• The spray form is great for kids, the elderly, and people who have trouble swallowing
• Organic, sweetened with stevia, no artificial flavors

Vitamins B₆ and B₉ (Folate)

Just like vitamin B₁₂, these two B vitamins are also important for the health of the nervous system. Our body uses B₆ for the synthesis of five important neurotransmitters: dopamine, epinephrine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Folate or vitamin B₉ is needed for normal production of red blood cells and anemia prevention; together with cobalamin, it is used by the body for the conversion of homocysteine (an alpha-amino acid) into methionine (an essential amino acid). High levels of homocysteine and a low level of folate are related to cognitive impairment and dementia. 

It is often recommended that vitamin B₆, folate, and B₁₂ be taken together for a cumulative effect. When choosing a vitamin complex, bear in mind that vitamin B₆ can be safely obtained from supplements in daily doses that do not exceed 200 mg, and for folate the upper daily limit is 1 000 mcg. 

Here is one of the best vitamin B supplements for brain health:

Methyl Folate, Methyl B12, and Vitamin B6 by Jarrow Formulas

• 1000 mcg of the most bioavailable form of cobalamin
• 680 mcg of methylfolate (a most bioavailable form of B₉)
• 1.5 mg of P-5-P (a highly bioavailable form of B₆)
• Lemon-flavored chewable tablets from a reliable brand

Vitamin D 

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is manufactured in the skin when it is exposed to sunshine. Vitamin D is extremely important for the immune system and bone health as it promotes calcium absorption. What’s more, there was established a relation between low vitamin D levels and the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

It is believed that nearly one billion people worldwide have vitamin D deficiency; this condition is especially common in the elderly and is caused either by inadequate sun exposure or individual genetic disorders that disrupt vitamin D production in the skin. Thus, vitamin D is one of the best supplements for your brain and other systems of the body. Tolerable upper daily intake for ages 9 and older is 4 000 IU.

Give this affordable iHerb product a try:

Vitamin D₃, 2,000 IU by California Gold Nutrition

• No Gluten, GMOs, and soy
• Manufactured in a certified GMP facility
• Safflower oil is used as a carrier

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

There are two crucially important omega-3 fatty acids: DHA and EPA. DHA is an irreplaceable component of the nervous system (including the brain), skin tissues, and retina; DHA deficiency leads to cognitive function decline. EPA can reduce inflammation, has a mild antidepressant effect, and, if required, can be transformed by the body into DHA. 

While flaxseed contains ALA, a compound that is a precursor to EPA, the efficiency of such transforming is very low in some people. Fish oil is an excellent source of readily-available DHA and EPA; it is one of the best natural supplements for brain memory and cognitive functions. Here is one of the highest-rated fish oil supplements on iHerb:

Elite Omega 3 by Carlson Labs

• Naturally lemon flavored softgels
• High omega-3 fatty acids content: 600 mg of DHA and 800 mg of EPA per serving
• Non-GMO, no artificial preservatives, manufactured from wild-caught fish

Coffee

Coffee is a well-known nervous system stimulant that promotes mental alertness and reduces fatigue. It was found to improve concentration and reaction time; this effect reaches a maximum in about an hour after drinking the beverage and lasts for about three or four hours. While coffee can also produce such negative side effects as anxiety, nervousness, headaches, insomnia, and raised blood pressure, it is believed that drinking up to two cups a day (an equivalent to 200 mg of caffeine) is safe for most people.

Coffee is integrated into our culture to the degree that popular opinion does not consider it a supplement. Still, this fragrant beverage is really one of the best supplements for brain function that should not be overlooked.

Coffee, as well as numerous other drinks and beverages, can be bought on iHerb:

Organic Instant Coffee by Highground Coffee

• Fairtrade and certified organic
• 100% Arabica Beans
• Freeze-dried

Organic Ground Coffee, Medium Roast by Chameleon Organic Coffee

• Certified USDA organic
• 100% Arabica

Green Tea

If you want to make use of coffee’s stimulating effect, but want to avoid the nervousness and overexcitement it can provoke in some people, then green tea is exactly what you need. While green tea contains ample amounts of caffeine, its action is made considerably milder by another green tea component called l-theanine. Green tea is extremely unlikely to give you a nervous feeling so you can drink it in any amount you like. While, just like coffee, it is often considered to be nothing but a beverage, it is, in fact, one of the best supplements for clearing brain fog and getting focused.

Here is one of the most popular green tea products on iHerb:

100% Organic Green Tea by Prince of Peace, 100 Tea Bags

• Certified organic
• Made from freshly harvested young leaves
• 20-30 mg of caffeine per cup

Healthy Lifestyle

Even the best supplements for brain performance will have no effect at all if you do not help them by leading a healthy lifestyle:

• Enrich your diet with colorful fruits and dark leafy greens, fatty cold-water fish, nuts, olive oil, and seeds;
• Reduce your alcohol consumption to a minimum;
• Exercise regularly: physical activity is equally important for all organs and systems of your body;
• Have enough sleep: you need at least 8 hours of it a day;
• Do not limit social interaction: the older a person gets, the more important it is that they avoid isolation and socialize as much as possible;
• Do not leave such conditions as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure untreated as they can trigger the onset of cognitive decline and dementia.

Now you know what are the best supplements for the brain. Take care and stay healthy!