Last Updated on November 7, 2022 by
There are many vitamins that may help boost your brain power. The best vitamins for brain health and memory include omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, vitamin D and folate.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish and some plant sources. These fatty acids are essential for brain function because they affect cell membranes and the production of substances that regulate nerve signals.
Vitamin B12 is one of the most important nutrients for a healthy brain. It is needed to make new cells, especially myelin, which insulates and protects neurons. Low levels of this vitamin can lead to memory problems, confusion, depression and dementia.
Vitamin D helps with calcium absorption in the body, which is necessary for proper neuron signaling and communication between cells. Vitamin D also helps prevent cognitive decline by preventing inflammation throughout the body.
Folate or folic acid is another key nutrient for healthy brain development during pregnancy as well as later in life when it helps protect against dementia by lowering homocysteine levels in the blood stream, which can cause damage to blood vessels leading to stroke or heart attack
The best vitamins for brain health and memory are:
B12
Vitamin B12 is essential to the formation of red blood cells, DNA synthesis and neurological function. It also acts as a protective antioxidant in the brain. B12 deficiencies can lead to neurological disorders such as depression, paranoia and dementia.
Low levels of vitamin B12 may be caused by a diet low in animal products or digestive problems that prevent absorption of this vitamin, such as pernicious anemia or Crohn’s disease. A lack of B12 can also be caused by alcohol abuse or long-term use of antibiotics.
The human brain is one of the most complex organs in the body. It is responsible for processing information and sending messages to other parts of the body.
Your brain needs vitamins and minerals to stay healthy and strong. The best vitamins for brain health include vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, choline, L-carnitine and others.
Vitamin B12 may help improve memory function in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It may also help prevent memory loss from aging-related changes in the brain.
Vitamin D may protect against age-related cognitive decline by increasing levels of serotonin — a chemical messenger in the brain — as well as nerve growth factor — a protein that helps nerve cells grow and survive.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish oil supplements and some foods like seafoods and walnuts. They are important for normal brain development during pregnancy and infancy, but they also may help prevent age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
Our brains are constantly changing and growing, as we learn new things and develop new skills and habits. But what about when our brains start to change for the worse? What can we do to keep our minds sharp as we get older?
To find out, we asked the experts: Dr. Gary Small, director of UCLA’s Memory & Aging Center; Dr. John Ratey, associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School; Dr. Joel Salinas, a psychiatrist who works with veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); Dr. Michael Fossel, author of “The Telomerase Revolution”; Dr. Dean Sherzai, a neurologist at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles; and Dr. Daniel Amen, author of “Change Your Brain Change Your Life.”
Here are their top recommendations for improving brain health:
1) Vitamin E: Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect neurons from damage caused by free radicals. It’s particularly beneficial for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia because it has been shown to slow cognitive decline in those conditions. The recommended dose is 100 IU per day for healthy adults; people who have had bypass surgery should take 400 IU daily
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from free radical damage. It’s also been shown to improve memory and reduce the risk of dementia. One study found that people with Alzheimer’s who took vitamin E supplements for four months had significantly less brain shrinkage than those who did not take the supplement.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat that you get from eating fish, nuts, and some vegetables like spinach and kale. Omega-3 fats can improve blood flow by dilating blood vessels and may help protect against cognitive decline and dementia by preventing blood clots and reducing inflammation in the brain. Studies have shown that taking omega-3 supplements can improve memory function in people with Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Other research has found that eating fish at least once a week reduces your risk of developing dementia by 30%!
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 helps maintain healthy nerve cells, which are critical for learning new information and forming memories. Studies have found that low levels of vitamin B12 are associated with increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults, especially if your diet does not include meat or dairy products
Best vitamins for brain health and memory
Taking vitamins can sometimes be a hit-or-miss affair. Supplementing your diet with high-quality vitamins can provide a wide range of health benefits, especially for the brain and nervous system. But it requires a bit of research. The best vitamins for memory listed here will make it easier to improve your mental performance and remember more of what you need to every day.
There is no conclusive research on the specific vitamins that improve memory or the brain.
Juicing is also a very cost effective way to get your vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Juicing is a very healthy choice. Juices provide us with essential enzymes, vitamins and minerals that are essential for leading a healthy, disease free life. It is a powerful natural antioxidant and anti inflammatory. The antioxidants found in juices help prevent cell damage that can cause cancer. Juicing also helps keep our blood pressure under control and helps keep our body alkaline.
Memory is a funny thing. When you’re younger, you can remember practically everything that’s going on, and it feels like your memory is like a steel trap—once something gets in there, it never goes away. But as time goes on, most of us forget things more frequently. This isn’t necessarily abnormal—it happens as we get older. As people live longer, healthier lives and have more access to better healthcare, they’re more likely to remember more into their later decades.