We live our lives surrounded by neurotoxins. From cleaning products to food additives, neurotoxins exist in substances that are difficult to avoid. Although you can limit your exposure to protect your brain health, there’s no fool-proof way to guarantee you won’t deal with neurotoxins at all. Neurotoxicity reducing brain health vitamins are one of the best ways to combat neurotoxins, and they’re also some of the best brain supplements for adults. Even if neurotoxins are unavoidable, you can still combat them. We have a few recommendations on the top brain supplements to keep your mind safe from harmful toxins.
How Brain Health Vitamins Interact With Neurotoxins
Neurotoxins are known to have an effect on progressive neurodegenerative disorders (i.e., Parkinson’s, dementia, and multiple sclerosis). This effect is caused by a slow degradation of brain health via dying neurons and brain cells over time, ultimately leading to a condition of neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicity may progress into the neurodegenerative disorders, in extreme cases, and other side effects:
- Limb weakness
- Numbness
- Loss of memory
- Loss of vision
- Loss of intellect
- Headache
- Cognitive and/or behavioral issues
Brain health vitamins, or brain supplements, are a way to combat the detrimental symptoms of neurotoxicity. The best brain supplements for adults will strengthen the brain’s response to neurotoxins, improve its defenses, and help regenerate neurons.
Best Brain Supplements for Adults Fighting Neurotoxicity
Although this list is not exhaustive, it’s a good starting point for brain supplements to improve your brain health in several respects. Each brain health vitamin or supplement has its own strengths, so consider what your current issues may be when reading about your options.
- Quercetin
Quercetin, a plant polyphenol, is well known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps alleviate these issues within the body and brain. Accordingly, it’s a highly neuroprotective supplement that fights toxins and free radicals attempting to harm brain cells. It is naturally found in various berries and green tea.
- N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC or N-acetylcysteine)
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine, or NAC for short, is in charge of your body’s glutathione levels. This regulatory system is important because of the role glutathione plays in your brain’s health: learning processes, memory, and behavior. NAC and glutathione both have antioxidative properties, which means they’re excellent at maintaining the brain’s elasticity and reducing the oxidative damage that often comes with the brain’s aging. Otherwise, this oxidative damage would lead to loss of memory and overall cognitive abilities.
- Bacopa
Bacopa monnieri is another neuroprotective brain supplement. It is one of the most historic neuroprotectors out there and is linked to the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)
ALA is a brain supplement that helps slow down neurological degenerative diseases. It’s actually one of the components of omega-3s, which are excellent at helping the brain develop and protect itself. ALA works hard to stop free radicals from damaging the brain and instead increases a person’s levels of lipoic acid. More lipoic acid helps people improve overall cognitive function and lowers their risk for neurodegenerative diseases.
- Phosphatidylserine (PS)
PS is simply a phospholipid that helps strengthen the brain’s protective membrane. It lends a hand when it comes to nutrient, oxygen, glucose, enzyme, chemicals, and protein transfer between brain cells. PS takes neural support a step further, too. It actually helps with neurogenesis, restoring a person’s neural power, memories, energy, alertness, mood, and attention.
- Huperzine A
This brain health supplement improves acetylcholine levels in the body. Acetylcholine simply affects how a person thinks and recalls information. Huperzine A itself is often derived from Chinese Club Moss, a supplement that has been around for thousands of years and believed to be a strong neuroprotector.
- L-Theanine
Research is emerging on L-theanine’s role in protecting the brain’s health. L-theanine, a naturally occurring supplement often found in tea, has actually been linked to protection against neurotoxins, especially those linked to neurodegeneration.
- Folate
Actually a part of the B-complex vitamin family, this supplement keeps the brain safe from environmental neurotoxins. Folate deficiencies have been linked to higher susceptibility to lead poisoning, among other cognitive decline or neural performance issues.
Why Are Neuroprotectors Good for the Brain?
Neuroprotective vitamins and supplements are one of the best sources of protection against neurotoxins and free radicals, both of which aim to damage the brain and the way that it functions. Oftentimes, these neuroprotective supplements will not only protect and encourage the brain’s natural processes, but it will heal those processes as well.
To put it simply, having no defense system for your brain doesn’t make sense. Your neurons and new brain cells are only produced up to a certain age. After that, these harmful toxins will begin attacking neurons and cells that cannot reproduce themselves, making their effects even worse. It’s best to get into the habit of supplementing your diet now and help your body perfect its system of defense.
Still need help deciding the best brain health vitamins for you? BIPRI is here to help! Call us during normal business hours at 615-933-5188 or leave us a message on our website.