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#BRAINPOWER:  8 SUPPLEMENTS FOR FOCUS AND ENERGY

How Supplements Boost Energy

Balancing life should be as simple as getting enough sleep, eating a healthy (in-moderation) diet, exercising regularly, and relaxing.  In a perfect world, this is easy to accomplish but it isn’t always that simple.  Life has plenty of demands, often ones that we can’t control.  It is extremely common to feel burnt out from your everyday routine.  Especially when you feel as if you can’t maintain your energy. 

Fortunately, you don’t have to pretend to be a superhuman.  There are natural supplements that can boost your energy, memory and focus.  More individuals are turning to “brain-boosting” supplements called nootropics, paired with standard healthy lifestyle choices.

What are Nootropics?

Nootropics are natural supplements or drugs that increase brain performance specifically in energy, memory and concentration.  The use of some of these supplements are still relatively recent but there are enhanced studies that have proven the benefits of nootropics when it comes to mental performance and improvements in overall brain health. 

The term might be unfamiliar but nootropics are naturally everywhere.  They are widely accessible in dietary supplements to help harness brain power directly.  There are plenty of options when it comes to consuming nootropic supplements, whether it is capsules, oils, powders or foods. 

Read on to learn more about supplements for focus and energy.

8 Supplements for Focus and Energy

1.  B12

Vitamin B12 helps transform the foods you eat into energy that your cells can use.  It is found naturally in animal proteins, like meat, fish and dairy products.  Some people are already B12 deficient.  This can depend on your location and the type of diet you have (vegans and vegetarians may be at risk due to decreased animal consumption).  B12 supplements can help maintain adequate levels and boost overall energy.  Furthermore, some IV therapy options can include B complex vitamins in their drip services.  Although B12 is a great natural nutrient, there is no evidence that suggests B12 can boost energy in people who already have adequate levels.

2.  Caffeine

The most widely used nootropic, caffeine, works by blocking the adenosine receptor in the brain, which causes you to feel less tired.  It is naturally found in coffee, cocoa beans, tea, and kola nuts.  It is artificially added to sodas, energy drinks, and medications.  A moderate intake of caffeine is recommended as it can increase alertness and attention over time.  Although caffeine is a simple way to combat fatigue, it is easy to overdo it.  Taking caffeine in pill supplements or consuming more than 4 cups of coffee a day can be toxic.  So, make sure you are taking the right amount to avoid negative side effects.

3.  Curcumin

Turmeric is the spice that gives curry a yellow color and is found in most Indian cuisine.  The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, has powerful anti-inflammatory effects.  Additionally, it has been proven to help with memory and focus.  In a study conducted by UCLA, participants who took curcumin experienced significant improvements in their memory and attention abilities compared to those who took a placebo.  Unfortunately, curcumin only makes up about 3% of turmeric and is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream.  Due to this fact, dietary supplements of curcumin are widely available.

4.  Fish oils

The fatty acids from fish oils are linked to many health benefits, including improved heart and brain health.  DHA and EPA are two types of omega-3 fatty acids that can be found in fish oil.  DHA helps to maintain brain function, as it accounts for 90% of the omega-3 fat found in your brain cells.  On the other hand, EPA has anti-inflammatory effects that help protect the brain from damage and aging.  Both are associated with improved mental processes, memory, and concentration.  EPA may also be linked to improved mood in those with depression.

5.  Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba is a herbal supplement from the Ginkgo biloba tree.  This herbal supplement is claimed to improve brain functions like focus and memory.  The Ginkgo supplement can help increase blood flow to the brain, which can help increase overall brain metabolism.  You can find Gingko biloba in either capsule, powder or oil supplement form.

6.  Ginseng

Asian ginseng is one of the most popular herbal supplements in the world.  This herb comes from the Ginseng plant.  Ginseng has been found to help reduce stress, improve brain function and also increase antioxidant support.  It’s popular use is in tea but can be taken in the form of powder, capsule or oil.  Ginseng can also be consumed as a root added to food.

7.  L-theanine

L-theanine is an amino acid that you can find in black and green tea.  A study found that consuming L-theanine can help increase both mental focus and creativity.  Green tea contains L-theanine and caffeine.  In-fact, this amino acid is observed to enhance the mental effects of caffeine while counteracting caffeine jitteriness.

8.  NAD+

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide or NAD+, is a newer nootropic supplement.  NAD+ helps turn nutrients into energy as a key player in metabolism.  It works as a helper molecule for proteins that regulate other cellular functions.  In other words, NAD+ has optimal aging effects that are related to longevity, brain function regulation, and age-associated diseases.  Our natural NAD+ levels begin to decrease over time, and many human diseases are associated with changes in NAD+ levels.  NAD+ supplements are available predominantly online.  You can also request an NAD+ IV therapy drip session.

Consult Professional Guidance

Maintaining your motivation doesn’t have to be hard.  The best maintainable lifestyle changes, as well as, supplements for focus and energy can help.  Due to this fact, the use of certain nootropic supplements without any professional guidance may be unhealthy.  Every supplement has side effects that differ between individuals.  If you have any pre-existing health conditions, or are unsure about your current health situation, please reach out to a healthcare provider for more information on how these supplements may affect you.  Although many of these supplements are readily accessible online and in-stores, we recommend you consult with a doctor before use.

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