The Best Supplements for Focus

Have you ever found yourself sitting at work, completely unable to focus on the files on your computer screen? Do you ever sit at home facing tasks that need to be done with a complete inability to handle them?

Or maybe you occasionally open a book and read the same paragraph over and over without processing the sentences? If so, you’re not alone.

Focusing on daily tasks often gets harder with age, especially if you aren’t getting enough sleep – another common problem as middle age sets in. You may think that you’re doomed to a less productive existence, but this doesn’t have to be the case.

Taking the right supplements can help you boost concentration and attention to detail, improving your performance at work, at school, at home – and everywhere in between.

Why Concentration and Focus Becomes More Difficult

Your brain is sharpest and most effective when you’re young. That’s why learning languages is best started around eight years of age, when the brain is still young enough and malleable enough to retain new information like a steel trap.

As time goes by, however, staying focused for hours on end can be draining and, in some cases, almost impossible – but the natural aging process isn’t the only culprit to blame for poor attention to detail or concentration.

In reality, numerous different conditions can contribute to an overall lack of focus, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Times of great stress
• Insomnia or lack of sleep
• Hunger
• Hormonal changes
• Poor diet and nutrition
• Lack of exercise
• Dementia and Alzheimer’s
• Severe mental, physical, or psychological stressors

While some of these conditions may require professional medical assistance, others can be addressed through lifestyle changes, like adding supplements to your daily routine.

What Are the Best Supplements for Focus?

For those hoping to improve concentration and mental performance, proper supplementation can make a noticeable difference. The best options offer short-term boosts without long-term side effects, providing an immediate enhancement in focus and attention to detail without crashes or any complications later on in the day.

Vitamins, herbs, and minerals can be taken on a standalone basis, or as part of a combined supplement targeted at overall brain health. Supplements for brain health come in many different shapes and sizes, but some are better than others.

Here are some of the best supplements to improve your focus.

Vitamin B

A critical component of overall good health, vitamins that fall under the B umbrella offer major advantages for your brain. Vitamin B3 in particular can be essential for memory and focus, helping your brain to continue functioning at full capacity.

It is commonly included in supplements for mental energy and often prescribed to patients suffering from depression, anxiety, and even Alzheimer’s. Found in foods like asparagus, eggs, and cheese, most people get enough Vitamin B3 in their diets, but supplementation up to 35 mg a day can offer an added boost.

Vitamin B12 has also been linked to strong brain function. An essential element in the development of red blood cells, Vitamin B12 can support cell growth in virtually every part of the body, including the brain.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause problems like fatigue, tiredness, and lethargy, so be sure you’re eating enough dairy or supplementing your diet to stay on top of your game.

Other B Vitamins may also have effects on memory and information retention, including Vitamin B6 and B1.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Known as a brain super fuel, Acetyl-L-Carnitine can help your brain reach its full potential. Also known as ALCAR, Acetyl-L-Carnitine is an amino acid that is tied to focus and brain productivity.

ALCAR is known to increase oxygen in the brain, improving key functions naturally and safely. It is frequently used as a way to address Alzheimer’s and dementia in other countries, and one study found that ALCAR supplementation in adults can help to reverse the negative effects of technology on concentration and focus.

Gingko Biloba

A key part of Eastern medicine for centuries, Gingko Biloba supplements are derived from the leaves of the Gingko Biloba tree native to China. Similar to Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Ginkgo can increase oxygen levels and blood circulation in the brain, improving functioning in a sustainable way.

Recent studies in both the US and Europe have tied Gingko Biloba to brain health, with scientists determining that regular use of Gingko Biloba in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise can improve overall memory recall and brain reaction performance.

Dimethylethanolamine

Also known as DMAE, Dimethylethanolamine is a popular choice in brain health supplements for its ability to improve focus significantly. In fact, DMAE is often used as part of supplement cocktails for ADD and ADHD – two conditions that can severely affect the ability to hold focus over a long period of time.

According to scientific study, DMAE blocks specific enzymes within the brain that target and break down acetylcholine. Acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, is responsible for the communication of information across the brain’s synapses.

Higher levels of acetylcholine in the brain can improve this process, leading to an increased ability to focus and retain information.

L-Theanine

L-Theanine is an amino acid most commonly found in green tea that may offer amazing benefits for brain function. Unlike many other brain-boosting supplements, L-Theanine can cross the blood-brain barrier for maximum impact.

It acts on both GABA and dopamine neurotransmitters, improving mood and energy. Some studies have determined that L-Theanine is most effective when combined with coffee, with the combination of caffeine and increased neurotransmitter activity greatly advantaging overall mental abilities.

When used in conjunction, L-Theanine and coffee can result in alertness, improved focus, and enhanced depth and quality of thinking. In contrast to caffeine alone, L-Theanine has no negative effects after doses wear off, making it the perfect addition to your regimen.

Nootropics

Nootropics are a class of drugs and supplements used to enhance brain function and cognitive health. These products may contain proprietary formulas specifically targeted at increasing brain activity, and typically combine a combination of ingredients like those listed above, among others.

Nooptropics work by stimulating brain function, including things like critical thinking and creativity. These products have a large assortment of benefits and are taken by people from all walks of life for different reasons – from students and employees at high-paced jobs, to the elderly.

Basically, nootropics increase brain function and promote an increased ability to think and problem-solve. It’s not uncommon for people taking these supplements to say they “feel more like themselves”, or like “a better version of themselves”.

See Also: The Best Multivitamins for Men

Conclusion

The mind of your younger years may be gone for good, but with the right approach to supplementation, it’s possible to focus as effectively as ever. With these supplements as a part of your routine, you can face upcoming challenges at home, at the office, or in your personal life with uncompromising concentration.