7 supplements that help improve intelligence
Much of our mental abilities depend on the nutrients we consume.
The study of intelligence has always been of interest to psychologists, and so a multitude of studies have been carried out to try to understand what this quality really is and how we can improve it.
While most of the efforts by specialists have been focused on the mission to better understand the nature of intelligence and the genetic and educational factors that may influence it, some research has sought to understand which nutrients can improve intellectual performance.
Nutrients and supplements that improve our intelligence
There are many researches that seem to indicate that nutrition influences our intellectual performance. An example of this is a study carried out by Holford and Lawson, in which they observed that there is a strong positive correlation between a diet high in sugar and simple carbohydrates and low intelligence.
In this sense, there are also many studies that have tried to find the relationship between the intake of certain nutrients and the improvement in the performance of some cognitive functions.
In the following lines you can find a list with the nutrients and supplements that can contribute to improve nutrients and supplements that can contribute to improve the intelligence or to preserve it better before the passage of time.
1. Creatine
Those people who are in contact with the world of physical exercise have surely heard of creatine, an organic substance found in the muscles and nerve cells of living organisms.. It has a structure similar to amino acids.
Creatine increases sports performance, especially when working on anaerobic endurance, strength, speed or power. It is also used by those who intend to increase their muscle mass because it retains fluid in the muscle, which allows to obtain a more muscular image.
According to some research, creatine also improves cognitive performance. Data suggests that it improves memory and attention, as well as playing a key role in cellular energy.
2. Caffeine + L-Theanine
Caffeine is a well-known stimulant consumed around the world. It provides a number of benefits for people; for example, it increases wakefulness and reduces fatigue, has a protective effect against dementia, accelerates metabolism and helps to lose weight. It also has a diuretic effect.
Studies suggest, however, that caffeine alone does not by itself does not improve performance in tasks that affect learning and memory, but it does if it is taken alone.However, it does if it is combined with L-Theanine, an amino acid found in green tea. It also produces other benefits such as improvements in working memory, attention, concentration and change of attentional focus, as well as visual processing.
3. Spanish Sage (Salvia Lavandulifolia)
This herbaceous perennial plant is found in Spain and southern France. It is an aromatic herb that increases acetylcholine levels.. Consequently, it produces benefits in memory and improves mood. Scientific studies also conclude that it is beneficial in cases where a person suffers from Alzheimer's disease. It also produces an antidepressant, anxiolytic, estrogenic and Anti-Inflammatory effect.
4. Rhodiola Rosea
This plant grows in the cold regions of the northern hemisphere and belongs to the Crassulaceae family. Scientific data seems to indicate that it improves cognition and memory, as well as producing other psychological benefits such as lower levels of mental fatigue and anxiety. Likewise, its benefits appear in situations in which it is necessary to employ memory, calculation, concentration skills and speed in audio-visual perception..
5. Panax Ginseng (Asian Ginseng)
It is easy to find Ginseng in any country, as it is a very popular supplement that has been used for many years. a very popular supplement that has been used for centuries as part of Chinese medicine, but as part of Chinese medicine, but today it is also used in the West. Studies suggest that it improves working memory and attention span. It also has an invigorating function at the sexual level, reduces fatigue and improves mood.
6. Gingko Biloba
As in the previous case, another of the most popular supplements of our days is Gingko Biloba. It is a unique tree native to China associated with improvements in memory, attention and concentration. Studies indicate that it is effective in use with dementia patients. It also has an anxiolytic effect.
7 Omega-3 fatty acids
Although fats often have a bad reputation, especially saturated and trans fats, because they promote obesity and cardiovascular disease, there are also healthy fats, there are also healthy fats.
Among the healthy fats we find polyunsaturated fats, and one of the best known are Omega-3 fatty acids, which are mainly found in fish, but also in nuts. Their consumption is associated with a lower age-related cognitive decline, thus favoring the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Research indicates that it improves memory, concentration and attention. It also improves mood.
(Updated at Apr 12 / 2024)