Study Supplements For A Modern Mind

Technology increases the way that we learn and retain information. Because of this, study supplements are growing in popularity. Today, we have more access to information than ever before and because of this we are required to process greater amounts of it than in previous generations. As this access and demand for knowledge continues to exponentially increase, it can be more and more difficult for our brains to retain what we learn.

Why Take Study Supplements?

Study supplements can do many things for many different types of people. Not just high school and college students benefit from study supplements but everyone from new moms to grandmas, those suffering with Alzheimer's or an array of other mental diseases and disabilities, and of course people with desk jobs can all benefit their bodies by taking these study supplements.

The supplements listed below have many different advantages from assisting against dementia or cognitive decline, preventing, slowing down and treating Alzheimer’s to improving general memory and alertness.

Having an punctual and alert brain has countless benefits. People that are taxed with critical thinking, memorizing or intense math and/or writing in their professions can may find that these brain supplements for studying make the process easier.

First, let’s take a look at some solid brain supplement choices that are commonly used by people that have cognitive function, memory and information problem difficulties.

• Omega 3 fatty acid – Lowers risk of Alzheimer's and is said to prevent depression and ADHD
  • DHA- A more specific omega 3 fatty acid that is linked to decreased risk for dementia, Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases
• Resveratrol – Expands blood flow to the brain and endorses a healthy heart and immune system
• B Vitamins – These have countless biological functions that help maintain brain function
  • Vitamin B6 & B12 – Looked at for their effects to the central nervous system a deficiency in these vitamins can have devastating neurological effects. Supplementing these vitamins can avert dementia, psychosis, nerve damage and even aid in the recovery from Bell’s palsy.
  • Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) – Arguably the most important Vitamin in pregnancy if a pregnancy lacks folic acid the infant being born may have birth defects ranging from spina bifida or anencephaly. Which relates to the brain or spinal cord being developed outside the body.
• Turmeric – Has anti-inflammatory qualities and helps glucose metabolism while guarding the mitochondria each pivotal in reducing risk for brain disease.
• Probiotics – Influences the way the brain behaves and can level the effects of stress, anxiety, and even depression.
• Vitamin E – Being a strong antioxidant it is shown to slow down dementia, and more specifically, Alzheimer's while at the same time aids in the brains thinking abilities.
• Coconut Oil – Can repair memory offsets caused by Alzheimer’s or drugs
• Alpha-lipoic Acid – This effective antioxidant protects brain and nerve tissue
• Vitamin D – Aids in the absorption of other vitamins and minerals. Increases cognitive ability when supplementing a person that has a deficit of Vitamin D, as well as reduces the risk of brain diseases.

Medication vs. Supplements

A supplement is much different than medication or prescription drugs which can have many side effects and possibly addictive qualities. A supplement is many times a herb, oil, vitamin or mineral which are all naturally occurring. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the standard for which prescription drugs must meet in order to be deemed safe for the public. So perscription drugs are essentially assumed to be unsafe for consumers until deemed safe by the Food and Drug Administration.

Supplements however, do not have to be regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Considering they are not drugs and are assumed safe until otherwise is proven, they also do not have the same rigorous requirements that many prescription drugs do. The reason is that they are considered brain supplements and not medication. Most have general requirements based on independent studies and generally are seen to be so safe that the Food and Drug Administration only spot checks 1 percent of the supplements supplied in the United States.

Not only are supplements more natural than medication but many turn to supplements when the price of their medication starts climbing, and can even find it more effective than the expensive medicine they had been buying anywhere from yearly to weekly. So if you’re looking to possibly switch to a more natural aid you can look forward to it being easier on your wallet too.

America broke a record in 2014 filling 4.3 billion prescriptions and spending almost 374 billion on them. Compared to only 28 billion in the same year on vitamins and supplements. That is an astonishing 346 billion dollar gap, with the average prescription cost at 84 dollars in 2011 and the average cost of vitamins are around 30 that is less than half of what the average prescription is.

Supplements Can Actually Repair Damage Done by Prescription Drugs

Many prescription drugs can be addictive and harmful to the body. These include OxyContin, Hydrocodone, Morphine, Xanax, Vicodin, Adderall and Ritalin. Examples of supplements helping with damage done by a couple of these prescription drugs include abnormalities caused by the abuse of prescription drugs such as adderall or morphine being offset by Alpha-lipoic Acid or Vitamin E.

Many side effects of the abuse of prescription drugs can also be helped by the supplements. Paranoia, depression and decreased cognitive function are all at risk for developing when prescription drugs are abused. Study supplements such as Vitamin B6, B12 and probiotics could aid in the recovery with a brain suffering from those ailments. It is not suggested to switch out regular medication for traumatic brain injuries or diseases without consulting with a doctor.

The number of recalls in the prescription drug industry may lead you to supplements as well, many supplements have been used for a number of years and have said to be more tried and true than prescription drugs. Each year there are numerous prescription drugs that are recalled despite the rigorous process of becoming FDA approved.

This means wasted money and a potential risk on taking something that is supposed to be good for you and make you better.  The number of recalled supplements the FDA has from 1999 to now is just a fraction of what the FDA had already approved was safe for the public then later reclaimed as unsafe.

Find the Right Study Supplement

Now that we have gone over these study supplements we can get to the dosage and take a more personal or social look at each one. Listed below are some brief suggestions about each supplement that were listed above. These are typical guidelines and are not to be replaced with an expert's advice. Please note that as with any dietary or health changes you should consult with a physician before changing or starting a supplement plan.

Here is more in depth information for those looking for brain supplements for studying.

Alpha-lipoic Acid

Being another great antioxidant, Alpha-lipoic Acid is a helpful brain supplement for studying that is commonly suggested to take 600 mg each day. Alpha-lipoic acid is great for those that want to biologically protect their brain many demographics would benefit for supplementing this antioxidant of course the largest that comes to mind would have to be again students or people involved in some risky behaviors. This specific antioxidant protects the actual nerves themselves which are essentially the passageway to anything you think, feel, or do. Protecting these is pivotal to protecting things like memory and/or refluxes.

B Vitamins

Required for neurological function there are a handful of B vitamins that would help an array of demographics. We will start with vitamins B6 and B12 these both benefit the general public and those who have a deficiency in these two vitamins as well. It is suggested to get blood work done to understand a personal deficiency in the vitamins side effects of low B6 and B12 can range from moderate to severe the more severe include neurological and psychological problem. If you happen to be over the age of 40 you may be at a higher risk of a Vitamin B12 deficiency than younger adults. The mg amount daily is based on what your personal deficiency reflects but a baseline would be around  400 mcg a day.

Physicians almost always suggest taking Vitamin B9 also known as folic acid while pregnant when the pregnancy will result in birth. The risks of human deformity out weight any opposition any new mother might have in taking supplements for their child's health. The suggested amount of folic acid would be around 800 mcg a day.

Choline

The maximum recommended dosage per day of this brain supplement for studying is 3,500 mg per day. Be careful with Choline you take too much, there are negative side effects including increased production of saliva, low blood pressure and changes in personal body odor. However, within sufficient and healthy doses, Choline can be helpful for studying because it both increases cognitive function and enhances memory.

Coconut Oil

1-2 tablespoons inter-worked with your diet daily is suggested many recipes you would use normal vegetable oil in can be replaced with coconut oil for a healthier substitute. This is a great supplement for again students and anyone who strain their brain on a daily basis. Coconut oil has a unique quality of feeding the brain, making it a great supplement for enhanced thinking, metal energy, productivity and can even put you in a better mood.

Coconut oil is unlike anything else with smaller chains of triglycerides than anything else we eat that are easier to break down by our bodies and are used as backup energy, so when you are halfway through your day and still have a list of things to get done you will be happy you supplemented with some coconut oil to get you through the rest of it. Infact the smaller chains of triglycerides are so unique the only other place they are found is in human breast milk.

DHA

It is suggested to take around 1,000 mg each day. Decreasing the risk for dementia, Alzheimer's and other brain disease this omega 3 fatty acid is a great supplement for just about anyone. Whether it’s a stay at home mom with a family history of Alzheimer’s or an office official who wants to keep his brain sharp for the years to come many people could benefit from taking a DHA supplement.

GABA

There is no set amount of how much to take of GABA because it is naturally produced in the body. The average dose is around 400 mg and it is recommended to not take more than 800. Too much of a good thing, is not a good thing!

GABA encourages the production of Human Growth Hormone (HGH), which has a dramatic and direct effect on the development of new brain cells. It is also helpful for repairing damaged cells. While it is not a miracle, it is helpful if you are trying to keep learned information accessible in the brain. This is especially beneficial for teenage and younger students, who are still susceptible to the beneficial effects of HGH.

Ginkgo Biloba

While there is no standard dosage of Ginkgo Biloba, studies have shown that between 40 mg to 150 mg(taken three times daily) is the most efficient way to take this supplement. It is wise to start with a small dose and then increase in your system slowly in order to see long term benefits.

Not only does Ginkgo Biloba work as a holistic MAO inhibitor, which can level out depression and anxiety levels that may cause difficulties when one is trying to retain information, it also actually increases the amount of blood flow to the brain. This can help to increase memory, support information retaining functions and promote concentration abilities.

Picamilon

Picamilon is available in a powder and it is suggested to start with a smaller amount such as 500 mg and then increase to up to 750 mg over time. Picamilon is a strong nootropic, it requires you to build up and then maintain levels within the body. As your body adapts to this brain supplement, you’ll find that you have increased focus and a stronger attention span.

Picamilon is so effective because it is a combination of two helpful brain supplements, niacin (Vitamin B3) and GABA, both of which work wonders on brain function. However, normally, GABA cannot cross freely from the blood to the brain, yet niacin can. The two work together, essentially piggy backing GABA with the niacin to get increased effects of GABA by crossing the blood barrier for efficient metabolization.

Probiotics

Supplements that contain at least 10 billion active cultures from at least ten separate strains for example lactobacillus, acidophilus and bifidobacterium are the most effective. Anyone suffering from chronic stress, anxiety or even depression can benefit from supplementing probiotics as they can detoxify your body and increase general overall functionality. In regards to study, this supplement is essential to have your mind focused because you will feel better. Additionally, because it can help with depression and anxiety, it can calm the thought process, giving you the ability to think more clearly.

It is estimated that around 18% of the population is an adult suffering from either depression or anxiety, that is a lot of people probiotics could help. Even if you aren’t one of the 40 million adults with depression or anxiety if you just have the typical stress that comes from daily life you may benefit from taking this supplement.

Resveratrol

Found in many red wines it is suggested to ingest 100 mg twice a day.  Students and the working class who can’t really afford getting sick and taking time off work or school may benefit from taking this supplement. While protecting the immune system this supplement also increases blood flow to the brain making your focus and ability to get things done have an edge they otherwise wouldn’t have.

Turmeric

A helpful brain supplement for studying and a powerful antioxidant, Turmeric should be taken twice a day at 350 mg each serving. This antioxidant is another great one for the general public with its ability to quite literally protect our brain. Mitochondria are the energy of the cell and turmeric’s antioxidant properties protect this energizing side of the cell meaning your brain has more energy to do what it needs.

Vitamin D

It is best to start with 5,000 units of Vitamin D3 a day this is of course after you have a blood test done to see exactly where your Vitamin D deficiency is at, it is also suggested to get tested every three months and to adjust your supplementing with the correlating blood tests. This vitamin is very important for those who have a deficiency in the vitamin, those who don’t benefit from it especially in the vitamins ability to help with the absorption of other vitamins and minerals.

Word to the Wise About Dosages

The recommended dosages in this guide have been included are for the average student based off of general guidelines. If you are having cognitive difficulties with not being able to focus, lack of concentration, reduced memory or difficulties with critical thinking then there can be a number of contributing factors that can cause this.

It is always best to consult a healthcare provider about doses and to discuss the best combination of brain supplements for studying for you.

Which Study Supplements Will You Choose?

Now it is time to choose the supplements and talk to your primary care provider for them. So long as there are no underlying conditions or ailments, chances are that there are a number of brain supplements for studying that you can incorporate into your lifestyle that can give you the edge you need to succeed.

Consider starting out slow and getting started with brain supplements that directly work with the problems that you are facing when you are trying to retain information.