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Vitamins for Mental Alertness

The B vitamins niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6), folic acid and B12 are essential for good mental health and alertness, along with vitamin C and vitamin E. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can prevent and may even reverse age-related memory loss. Ginkgo biloba is used widely in Europe for mental problems such as lack of concentration, poor memory, confusion, depression and anxiety.

  1. The B vitamins

    • The B vitamins B3, B6, B12 and folic acid are the most brain-friendly vitamins around. They enhance the brain's natural neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline. These are the communicators that send messages from one brain cell to another. A deficiency in these vitamins can cause an inability to think straight, as well as anxiety attacks, inner tension, mood swings and delusions. If you have any of these symptoms you could try supplementing with a multi B vitamin.

    Vitamin E

    • An anti-aging antioxidant, vitamin E can reverse the signs of aging and help keep your brain cells young. Animal and test-tube studies have shown that in some cases it works better than prescription drugs to delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Vitamin E helps to destroy free radicals that can attack brain cells. The New England Journal of Medicine reported that vitamin E can help slow the progression of Alzheimer's when doses of 200IU a day are taken. The study followed 341 supervised men and women over 440 days.

    Vitamin C

    • Vitamin C works in conjunction with vitamin E and plays an important role in the production of brain chemicals including norepinephrine and dopamine. The brain has higher concentrations of vitamin C than any other body tissue which makes it an important vitamin for proper brain function and health.

    Ginko Bilboa

    • Ginko bilboa may be the ultimate brain booster. It is commonly used in France and Germany for those suffering from mental fatigue. Also an antioxidant, ginko improves blood flow to the brain, thereby increasing oxygen uptake. Scientists in the UK conducted a trial on 30 people, aged 50 and over, who had mild memory loss symptoms. They found that those who took 40 mg of ginko three times a day over a period of between 12 and 24 months showed better mental clarity than those who had not taken it.

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