Whether we like it or not, cognitive aging begins as early as age 30. While cognitive aging varies person to person depending on ­genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors, we can expect some changes. Aging affects memory, processing speed, attention, language skills, executive functioning, and emotional processing.

Don’t panic though! A recent study of over a million people finds that the mind remains agile until age 60 and changes may be subtle after that. In fact, the research finds that healthy brains can maintain their effectiveness and efficiency throughout life.

Conversely, an unhealthy brain can have serious issues and put you at risk for considerable cognitive decline and disease. They key is keeping the brain in optimal health.

In this article, we look at supplements that help keep the brain healthy and their specific protective abilities. Read on to learn more.

Supplements that Help Keep the Brain Healthy

We can’t stop aging, but we can help keep the brain healthy by exercising, staying socially active, sleeping well, eating healthy, and taking supplements. These supplements help protect brain health, cognitive function, memory, mood, and the nervous system.

ENDUR-AMIDE® – With both forms of niacin (or vitamin B3), Sustained-Release ENDUR-AMIDE® is a great choice for healthy aging throughout the body, including the brain. Doctors recommend nicotinic acid (also known nicotinamide) for overall heart health and cholesterol balance. Niacinamide, the amide form of niacin, plays a key role in the nervous system and promotes brain health and cognitive function. It’s also recommended for skin health, healthy cell division, and healthy aging.

Both forms are building blocks for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a critical coenzyme your body needs to live. NAD+ is needed for hundreds of biological processes, including DNA repair, immune response, metabolism, and gene expression (all of which are important for brain health). As we age, our ability to produce NAD+ declines, while our aging muscles need it more.

MAG-AMIDE®️ with Magtein™️ – With sustained-release magnesium L-threonate (an easily-absorbed form of magnesium) and niacinamide, it promotes optimal brain health and cognitive function. This form of niacin (mentioned above) supports healthy nervous system functions including energy, mood, and memory. In pre-clinical studies, Magtein™️ increased magnesium levels in the brain and promoted synaptic plasticity, a function critical for optimal nerve cell communication, memory, learning, and other cognitive processes.

Mixed Tocotrienols with Vitamin E – Mixed Tocotrienols, featuring TOCOGAIA™️ ULTRA full-spectrum mixed tocotrienols (alpha, beta, delta, and gamma forms in the vitamin E family), provides powerful antioxidant protection and promotes healthy aging as well as cardiovascular and immune health.

Tocotrienols can reduce excessive oxidative stress, which damages cells and healthy neurons. The brain is especially vulnerable to oxidative stress and produces very little antioxidants to combat it. Tocotrienols are potent antioxidants that can help protect it.

Pantethine – Pantethine is crucial to our health because it’s a precursor for Coenzyme A, the body’s most active metabolic enzyme. We need vitamin B5 for energy and normal brain function. It’s a neuroprotective that supports healthy cell membranes and nerves as well as healthy cholesterol levels, lipid metabolism, and liver function. It’s sometimes called the “anti-stress vitamin.” Sustained-Release Pantethine features Pantesin®, a highly-absorbable, clinically-researched form of pantethine, an active form of vitamin B5.

Choline - Choline supports our healthy nervous system, liver function, lipid metabolism, and heart health. The body uses choline to make acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter needed in the portions of the brain responsible for memory, mood, and muscle control. Our nerves also use acetylcholine for controlling breathing and heart rate. Choline also plays a vital role in regulating gene expression.

Additionally, choline supports moms during pregnancy and nursing, as choline plays a key role in fetal development, especially brain development in the third trimester.

Omega-3 Phospholipid with 100% Pure Krill Oil - Omega-3 fatty acids and phospholipids are important for keeping our cells, brains, hearts, and immune systems healthy. They support brain health, memory, and cognitive function. Krill oil also contains antioxidants such as astaxanthin and vitamins E and A, which support brain function, learning, and memory.

Omega-3 Phospholipid features Antarctic krill oil, clinically shown to increase plasma EPA and DHA levels (Omega-3 index). DHA is essential for brain growth and development in infants and needed to maintain normal brain function for people of all ages. Plus, there’s no fishy aftertaste with krill oil.

Resveratrol - Resveratrol, features ResVida® Grape Skin Extract, a polyphenol that provides potent antioxidant protection to help combat oxidative stress and premature cellular aging. It helps us maintain healthy blood vessel dilation and blood flow, which is crucial for healthy brain function, getting needed nutrients to the brain, and for the brain to expel waste products. (Healthy vasodilation is also critical for cardiovascular health!) Resveratrol supports brain health, memory, and cognitive function.

While aging continues, these nutrients help our minds stay nimble and healthy. Please talk to your health care provider if you have specific questions on which ones are best for you.