5 Best Brain Boosting Supplements for Back to School

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After a summer of stress-free days by the pool, it can be hard for kids to get back in "the zone" for school. While out shopping for backpacks, pencils, and notebooks, another school essential to consider is nutrient-packed supplements.

Learn about the top back to school supplements for success, including methylated B vitamins, omega-3s, magnesium, probiotics, GABA, L-Theanine, L-Tyrosine and Acetyl-L-Carnitine. These will help ensure they have the energy, focus, better sleep, lower stress, and overall health they need to excel.

Be sure to consult with your child's physician before adding any new supplements to their routine.

1. GABA & L-Theanine

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a naturally-occurring neurotransmitter that helps inhibit neuron activity. Put simply, GABA helps slow down some of the thoughts running on overdrive and can help provide a calming effect on the brain.

GABA supplementation has been shown to lower stress and improve sleep.

L-Theanine is an essential amino acid (meaning, not produced by the body and we need to get it from food or supplementation), well known for promoting focus, supporting relaxation, and improving sleep. It does this by boosting the production of GABA, and other mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. 

When GABA and L-Theanine are combined, they create a stress-busting, sleep-supporting, focus-enhancing duo! One study of GABA and L-theanine combined supplementation demonstrated decreased sleep latency (meaning the study subjects fell asleep faster) and increased sleep duration. 

Supplement form is important when it comes to enhancing bioavailability of GABA and L-Theanine. That's why we formulated Mood Chews as chewables, rather than capsules or pills. The chewing kick-starts the digestive process and allows the nutrients to be absorbed and utilized more quickly and effectively. Many customers experience a sense of calm within 20 minutes! 

2. Tyrosine and Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Struggling with procrastination and low motivation? Ready to block out distractions and get into flow state with razor-sharp focus? Look no further than amino acids Tyrosine and Acetyl-L-Carnitine!

Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) is an anti-aging nootropic, meaning it helps your brain perform better via its neuro-protective and neuro-enhancing effects. The acetyl group on it lets it pass your blood-brain barrier and reach your brain and nerves, where it can help to improve your mood, learning and memory.

L-Tyrosine is an amino acid precursor to dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine is involved in motivation, reward, and executive functions. Low dopamine levels are associated with difficulties in organization, planning, and impulse control, which are common in ADHD.

L-Tyrosine has been shown in human research to boost cognitive function in individuals who are in stressful situations. People who supplemented with L-Tyrosine had enhanced working memory and mental multitasking in harsh situations including sleep deprivation, extreme cold exposure, and combat training.

Attention Chews were formulated by neuroscientists and psychiatrists with 518mg of Acetyl-L-Carnitine and 54mg of Tyrosine to support cognitive function, energy and focus.

Best of all, Attention Chews are a completely stimulant-free way to boost focus and energy. We intentionally did not add caffeine or adaptogens, which can be over-stimulating and cause anxiousness for some people, and instead used safe, effective and science-backed amino acids.

3. Methylated B Vitamins 

Sick days? Fatigue? They'll be a thing of the past after taking methylated B vitamins!

Caffeine may give a boost of energy, but this energy comes from increasing the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Your kids already have enough stress from school, so why not try B vitamins instead?

B vitamins provide a natural boost of energy by converting the nutrients from food into cellular energy. 

Bonus- they're also crucial for the regulation of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, to help lower stress and anxiousness.

Last but not least, they support the immune system by making red and white blood cells.

Mood B Complete is a methylated B vitamin complex (methylated is more easily absorbed and utilized by the body) plus zinc and vitamin D for an extra immune system and stress support boost.

4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid necessary for the development of the sensory, perceptual, cognitive, and motor neural (nerve) systems during brain development in childhood and adolescence. The DHA-rich parts of the brain are thought to be responsible for activities such as planning, problem solving, and focused attention.

Researchers at Oxford University studied children given 600mg omega-3 daily for 4 months. The results of this study, called the DOLAB study, showed that children in the bottom 20% for literacy boosted their reading age by 3 weeks more than the placebo group and those in the bottom 10%, by 1.9 months

Adding a high-quality fish oil supplement to student's daily routines are a great way to ensure they get the recommended amount of omega-3s, including DHA for brain support.  

5. Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral that is critical in over 300 physiological functions such as behavioral health, mood, and sleep regulation. 

With exams, homework, sports and other extracurriculars, quality sleep can be hard to come by, so adding a magnesium supplement can be a great way to ensure your student is getting optimal sleep!

Magnesium supports nervous system relaxation by influencing neurotransmitters that calm the body down. Research shows that it inhibits the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate while also supporting the release of the calming neurotransmitter GABA.

Magnesium also influences the production of melatonin, which is a hormone that is crucial for sleep-wake cycles.  

Mood Magnesium was formulated with the three most proven types of magnesium for optimal bioavailability, sleep, and stress relief.

Summary

The best supplements for students to boost brain power are methylated B vitamins, omega-3's, probiotics, magnesium, GABA, L-theanine, Tyrosine, and Acetyl-L-Carnitine. These research-backed nutrients have been shown to enhance focus, energy, cognition, sleep, and reduce stress. While shopping for back to school, be sure not to forget these brain-boosting supplements for students!

The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to replace medical advice from a licensed healthcare provider or to diagnose or treat any condition. Please consult with your child's physician before adding any supplements to their routine.