Health supplements are consumed by different people to fulfill their individual health requirements. Just like for physical and mental well-being, supplements can prove to be equally good for your brain.
Although scientific research has shown mixed results on the effectiveness of health supplements in supporting brain health and function. Therefore, it is recommended to consult your doctor before taking any health supplements. A person doesn’t need health supplements that support brain functioning if he/she gains vital nutrients from a regular diet.
For example, a plant-based diet might leave a person to be vitamin B12 deficient as this nutrient comes from animal-based products. Then a person can talk to his doctor and ask for health supplements that can boost brain functioning.
Since the FDA doesn’t approve of the benefits of health supplements, the responsibility lies solely on the manufacturers. FDA only checks a supplement to determine its safety and stops the sale if it comes with false claims.
Some evidence shows that taking dietary supplements can benefit a person’s brain health. The three types of most important supplements include Omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and antioxidants supplements.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are the three main types of Omega-3 fatty acids that have been researched to identify the potential health benefits. Studies suggested that these omega-3 fatty acids might be beneficial for brain health as well.
One older study found a positive impact of consuming omega-3 fatty acids from fish in middle-aged individuals. It concluded that omega-3 acids in fish reduce the risk of impaired cognitive function.
Another later study showed although people with neurodegenerative conditions have lower levels of DHA and EPA still DHA might benefit older adults with no neurodegenerative conditions.
Supplements with B Vitamins
A 2016 review suggested that most of the scientific studies focused on three vitamins namely, Vit. B6, B9, and B12 when talking about the benefits of B vitamins on brain health.
It also stated that B vitamins are significant in carrying out every brain function. Most of the population in developed countries are vitamin B deficient which may negatively affect their brain as well as overall health.
That is why people need to take health supplements that include all vitamins in limited amounts instead of just focusing on these two or three vitamins.
Antioxidants Supplements
A 2012 study conducted on animals suggested that health supplements with antioxidants might prove beneficial against cognitive decline due to aging. It was found that as the animals aged they experienced increased reactive oxygen species(ROS) causing oxidative stress. The researchers noted that health supplements containing antioxidants reversed the buildup of ROS in the brain.
Choosing the Best Supplements for Brain
It might prove to be dangerous if you take the health supplements incorrectly. The most important thing is to choose the supplements carefully before including them in your daily routine.
Given below are a few suggestions to make a well-informed purchase-
- You should take help from non-commercial sites such as FDA, NIH, and other government bodies to find out authentic information about the supplements.
- You should always leave the products that promise better results than other brands and claim zero side effects.
- You must understand that even if a supplement is made up of natural ingredients that don’t make it safe.
- You should avoid taking health supplements that promise false claims such as miracle results, instant outcomes, or drug-like claims.
After consulting your doctor, visit www.doctorgula.com to find the widest range of organic health supplements to fit every individual need.