7 supplements that help improve intelligence
The study of intelligence Psychologists have always been interested, and for this reason many studies have been carried out to try to understand what this quality really is and how we can improve it.
While most efforts by specialists have been focused on the mission to better understand the nature of intelligence and the genetic and educational factors that can influence it, some research has sought to know what nutrients can improve intellectual performance .
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Nutrients and supplements that improve our intelligence
There are many investigations that seem to indicate that feeding influences our intellectual performance. An example of this is a study carried out by Holford and Lawson, in which they observed that there is a strong positive correlation between a diet with high sugar content and simple carbohydrates and low intelligence.
In this sense, there are also abundant studies that have tried to find the relationship between the intake of certain nutrients and improve the performance of some cognitive functions.
In the following lines you can find a list with the nutrients and supplements that can help improve intelligence or better preserve it over time.
- Related article: "Nootropics: what are they and how do they enhance your intelligence?"
1. Creatine
Those people who are in contact with the world of physical exercise have probably heard about creatine, an organic substance found in the muscles and nerve cells of living organisms . It has a structure similar to amino acids.
Creatine increases sports performance, especially when working with anaerobic resistance, strength, speed or power. It is also used by people who want to increase their muscle mass because it retains fluid in the muscle, which allows a more muscular image.
According to some research, creatine also improves cognitive performance. The data suggest that it improves memory and attention, in addition to playing a decisive role in cellular energy.
2. Caffeine + L-Theanine
Caffeine is a well-known and consumed stimulant throughout the world. It provides a series of benefits for people; for example, it increases wakefulness and decreases fatigue, has a protective effect against dementia, accelerates metabolism and helps to lose weight. It also has a diuretic effect.
However, studies suggest that caffeine by itself does not improve performance on tasks that affect learning and memory , but it does if it is combined with L-Theanine, an amino acid that can be found in green tea. It also produces other benefits such as improvements in working memory, attention, concentration and attention focus change, as well as visual processing.
3. Spanish Salvia (Salvia Lavandulifolia)
This perennial herbaceous plant is found in Spain and in the south of France. Is an aromatic herb that increases acetylcholine levels . As a result, it produces memory benefits and improves mood. Scientific studies also conclude that it is beneficial in cases in which a person suffers from Alzheimer's. It also produces an antidepressant, anxiolytic, estrogenic and anti-inflammatory effect.
4. Rodiola Rosea
This plant grow in the cold regions of the northern hemisphere and belongs to the Crassulaceae family. The scientific data seem to indicate that it improves cognition and memory, in addition to producing other psychological benefits such as the decrease in the levels of mental fatigue and anxiety. Also, its benefits appear in situations in which it is necessary to use memory, calculation, ability to concentrate and speed in audio-visual perception .
5. Panax Ginseng (Asian Ginseng)
It is easy to find Ginseng in any country, it is a very popular supplement that has been used for centuries as part of Chinese medicine, but which is also used in the West today. Studies suggest that it improves working memory and attention span. It also has an invigorating sexual function, reduces fatigue and improves mood.
6. Gingko Biloba
As in the previous case, another of the best-known supplements of our days is the Gingko Biloba. It is a unique and native tree of China associated with improvements in memory, attention and concentration. Studies indicate that it is effective in use with patients with dementia. It also has an anxiolytic effect.
7 Omega-3 fatty acids
Although fats tend to have a bad reputation, especially saturated and trans-saturated fats, because they favor obesity and cardiovascular diseases, there are also healthy fats .
Among the healthy fats we find the polyunsaturated fats, and some of the best known are the Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found mainly in fish, but also in nuts. Its consumption is associated with a lower cognitive decline related to age, which favors the prevention of Alzheimer's. Research indicates that it improves memory, the ability to focus and attention. It also improves the mood.
