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The Best Vitamin to Take for Educational Enhancement

Proper nutrition and vitamin intake is important for overall health. Deficiencies affect the body in negative ways, and a good balance can increase performance of your muscles or cells. While searching for vitamins to enhance brain function in an educational setting, researchers learned that vitamin C boosts overall brain ability and vitamin E protects brain cells against damage, but B vitamins have proven most effective for brain health. Intake of adequate amounts of B vitamins, particularly B6, may boost educational abilities.

  1. Central Nervous System

    • All B vitamins affect the central nervous system, made up of the spinal cord and the brain. Fluid functioning of the central nervous system allows more oxygen to be carried to the brain, creating better cognitive function. A blend of B vitamins are found in foods like liver, green beans, lentils and eggs.

    Energy

    • Many of the B vitamins also aid in converting blood sugar into energy. Fatigue affects brain function, so including enough B1 or thiamine, B2 or riboflavin, B3 or niacin and B5 or pantothenic acid, may help with educational enhancement. Over-the-counter supplements typically include a good blend of these nutrients.

    Vitamin B6

    • Studies show that vitamin B6, pyridoxine, enhances memory. B6 helps the body produce neurotransmitters, the chemicals that help the brain cells send information to each other. This transference is essential for memory. In one study, participants who added 75mg of B6 daily to their diet showed increased brain function, particularly in memory (See Reference 3).

    Deficiency

    • Low levels of B vitamins, particularly B6, have been connected with Alzheimer's Disease and other memory impairment in older subjects. Supplementation of B6 before problems arise may therefore help prevent cognitive difficulties and so increase memory in younger subjects, as well.

    RDA

    • The recommended daily allowance of B6 ranges from just over 1mg for teens to 1.3-2mg for adults depending upon age, gender and general health. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends intake below 100mg daily unless a doctor suggests otherwise; doses over 200mg may cause neurological problems. A B-complex vitamin is sufficient for most adults in good health. B6 is also found in proteins such as fish, chicken, turkey and beef; potato skins; fruits such as watermelon and bananas; whole grains and soybeans.

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