Focus and concentration supplements -
There is a lack of high quality research and evidence to support the use of B vitamins as a supplement to improve focus and attention. Polyphenols are micronutrients that are naturally present in plants. People can include them in their diet through fruits, vegetables, spices, and teas. Studies in a review show mixed results on whether polyphenol supplements could preserve or enhance memory.
About half of the 66 studies in the review found that polyphenol supplements improved performance. There is a lack of reliable evidence to support using supplements to improve focus.
Aside from caffeine, research on the efficacy of supplements as cognitive enhancements provides mixed and inconclusive results. Supplements may not be necessary for people who are already achieving a balanced diet.
Consuming supplements on top of a balanced diet may put people at risk of adverse side effects and overdose. Where possible, a person should try to include a variety of nutrients and vitamins as part of a balanced diet rather than in supplement form.
Learn more about the benefits of supplements versus a balanced diet. The FDA does not approve supplements for effectiveness, safety, or labeling before sale. The companies that produce dietary supplements are responsible for ensuring their products are safe and labeled accurately. Because the FDA does not regulate supplements for safety or efficacy, there may be no guarantee that a supplement product is effective or safe for the individual who takes it.
They may interact with medications or cause interference in laboratory tests or during surgery. People should discuss taking supplements with their doctor or a healthcare professional, such as a nurse or registered dietitian, to ensure they are not endangering themselves. People may be at higher risk of side effects if they are:.
Researchers in a article associate vitamin B12 deficiency with impaired memory and cognition. Similarly, evidence in a systematic review suggests that vitamin C deficiency could be related to cognitive impairment and depression.
A mini-review associates a variety of other nutritional deficiencies with cognitive impairment, poor mental health, and other functional impairments.
If a person is concerned about a nutritional deficiency, they may choose to speak with a healthcare professional. If someone experiences certain symptoms in addition to difficulty concentrating, they should contact a healthcare professional as a matter of urgency.
These symptoms include:. There is currently not enough reliable evidence to support the use of many supplements to improve focus and concentration. While the ingredients in a variety of supplements have properties that researchers link to better cognitive function, the evidence of their efficacy in supplement form is often inconclusive.
The FDA does not regulate the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements, and people should discuss any supplements they intend to take with a healthcare professional, such as a doctor, nurse, or registered dietitian.
Where possible, a person should try to include a variety of nutrients and vitamins through food in their diet. In an age of constant stimuli and distractions, it can be almost impossible to concentrate.
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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Can supplements improve concentration and focus? Medically reviewed by Dominique Fontaine, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, HWNC-BC — By Caitlin Geng on July 7, Ginkgo biloba Ginseng Caffeine Omega-3 fatty acids B vitamins Polyphenols Efficacy Vitamin deficiency Contacting a doctor Summary Supplements such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and caffeine may improve focus.
Ginkgo biloba. Omega-3 fatty acids. B vitamins. Do focus supplements actually work? One of its main selling points is as a memory enhancer. However, as with other brain health supplements, the science doesn't support the claims. One of the largest clinical trials that explored the possible link was the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory GEM study.
Everyone was given either milligrams of ginkgo or a placebo twice a day for almost six years. This amount was chosen based on previous research. The results found that ginkgo biloba did not lower the overall rate of developing dementia. So, the question remains: with no evidence, why do people still buy in to brain health supplements?
A major reason, it's easier to take a pill than to make lasting lifestyle changes. Instead, invest in doing more exercise and following a plant-based diet. These can help with memory and brain health in the long term more than any supplement.
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. By age 60, more than half of adults have concerns about their memory. This report, Improving Memory: Understanding age-related memory loss , describes these normal age-related changes and other more serious causes of memory loss — and how to distinguish between them.
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Beyond the usual suspects for healthy resolutions. August 8, Forget about those over-the-counter products that promise better memory. The problem? There's no solid proof any of them work.
A combination of nutrients Many brain supplements focus on omega-3 fatty acids such as those found in fish oil , vitamin E, various B vitamins, or various combinations. Here's a summary of what science has found so far and what it means. Omega-3 fatty acids fish oil There are three types of omega-3s: eicosapentaenoic acid EPA and docosahexaenoic acid DHA — which are found mostly in fatty fish like salmon and mackerel — and alpha-linolenic acid ALA , which is found in leafy green vegetables Brussels sprouts, spinach , vegetable oils canola, soybean , and nuts and seeds walnuts, flaxseeds.
What the leaves say about ginkgo biloba The fan-shaped leaves of the ginkgo tree are used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat all kinds of ailments.
Certain supplements supplememts have this effect. Some Focus and concentration supplements compounds, vitamins, concentrarion, and synthetic compounds are nootropic. These Znd fish oil, caffeine, resveratrol, Rhodiola roseaand bacopa monnieri. Fish oil supplements contain omega-3 fatty acids. Research suggests these acids have several cognitive benefits. One review indicates that supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids can improve mental performance by enhancing blood circulation in the brain.
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