The brain is the one part of the body that often gets forgotten about. We take for granted that this amazing organ inside our heads is controlling every single thing that we do and when we feel stressed, anxious, foggy or unable to unwind, we never think to take care of our brain, even though the more we look after it, the more it looks after us. Often people only start to worry about their brains when it’s too late and they notice symptoms of cognitive decline, such as increased confusion and memory loss. The good news is that there are brain health supplements available that may help protect against cognitive decline. So what should you look out for when sourcing the best brain supplements?  

Let’s first look at the reasons why your brain health may be suffering. 

What causes cognitive decline? 

When we talk about cognitive decline it is important to remember that it comes in many forms.  Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is quite often the initial diagnosis, but it may have many root causes and can be temporary or permanent. 

If memory loss starts gradually, the diagnosis of MCI may be the precursor to Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease. But these degenerative conditions only account for around half of people diagnosed with or being treated for cognitive impairment. The remaining half will have MCI that has developed as a result of a wide variety of illnesses affecting the brain or bodily organs, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney disease, hypothyroidism, diabetes, epilepsy or infection. It can also be brought on by stress, anxiety or the use of certain medication. In many of these cases, the cognitive impairment will be temporary and treatable. 

Any signs of cognitive impairment will generally be monitored over a period of time, as if not caused by another illness, medication or circumstance, they may develop into dementia, and in particular Alzheimer’s disease.  

Though brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s cannot be cured or prevented, ongoing research is improving understanding and inspiring natural solutions such as brain health supplements to enhance memory and slow cognitive decline. 

How to choose the best brain health supplements 

If you’re interested in finding out more about brain health supplements to protect against cognitive decline, then you’re probably wondering where to start. With new products popping up on the market all the time, how can you be sure you are choosing the right supplement that is really going to help you take care of your brain? Well, there are a few things to look out for that might help influence your decision. 

• Choose products that are backed by science and contain ingredients that have been well researched for their use in supporting brain health. If you don’t know what something is, Google it. That’s the great thing about the internet, it brings the power of understanding to your fingertips. 
• Choose brain supplements that have been developed by doctors and look for the story behind the brand, as this will give you an understanding of the care and attention that has gone into formulating the products. 
• Choose natural brain booster supplements – i.e. those which use natural ingredients such as vitamins, minerals and botanicals, as these harness the power of nature and are often deep rooted in traditional medicinal use. 
• Check the list of ingredients and make sure there are no additives, colourings, preservatives or fillers.   

Tips to help prevent cognitive decline 

There are also other ways in which you can help to protect your brain from cognitive decline including: 

• Getting good quality sleep – we rely on sleep for our brains and bodies to function properly, and it is also the time when memories and learning are consolidated. Getting enough sleep each night is therefore good for your brain and your overall health. 

• Exercising regularly – the power of regular exercise cannot be underestimated as the list of benefits is vast, including protecting you against heart disease, lowering your risk of certain cancers, helping you to maintain a healthy weight, supporting positive mental health and helping to prevent cognitive decline and dementia. 

• Eating a mediterranean diet – eating plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains, beans and olive oil has been shown to slow the progression from MCI to dementia. 

• Getting plenty of mental and social stimulation – you’ve got it so use it! The more we use our brains and challenge them, the more we can improve them. Reading, writing, puzzles and games can help to give your brain a workout and protect against cognitive decline. Social interaction can also help fortify neural networks and slow age related decline. 

Even if your life hasn’t been touched by brain impairment, it doesn’t mean you can’t do something to support it going forward. By acting now and investing in your brain health today, you can help protect it in the future. 

Noggin is on a mission to improve the cognitive health of the nation. On the Noggin website nogginbrain.co.uk you’ll find plenty of helpful information about the brain, together with their range of brain health supplements to support it.