8 Vitamins and Supplements to Encourage Productivity
We all face a mental grind every day. Whether it’s work, housework, or tending to kids, it takes a toll on your mental acuity, and we are often left looking for a pick-me-up to help get through the day. Fortunately, there are natural ways that you can improve productivity and brain function. Specific vitamins and supplements work with different aspects of your metabolism and brain to encourage higher levels of energy and mental sharpness. Below are eight vitamins and supplements that you can use to do just that.
Table of Contents
Vitamins and Supplements
L-Theanine
Theanine is an amino acid that your body does not produce. It’s found exclusively in natural plants like green tea leaves and mushrooms. L-theanine(1) is one version of the chemical compound considered theanine as L and R versions of every amino acid can be found naturally and are mirror images of one another. L-theanine offers more bioavailability than straight theanine because it’s the version that your body naturally processes. This supplement gives you a feeling of calmness and promotes creativity to encourage positivity and Productivity.
Vitamin B12
Vitamins play a significant role in promoting proper chemical function within the body. B12 is a player in improving mood, fighting depression, preventing the loss of neurons, and providing an energy boost. By improving your mood and giving yourself some energy, you can feel a renewed sense of self-motivation and production. Additionally, maintaining neurons helps to keep your ability to remember and do everyday tasks at a level that’s normal to you.
Read: Benefits of Probiotics
Fish Oil
Whether you’re eating fish or taking fish oil supplements, you’re going to get the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. While fish oil is most commonly associated with heart health, these fatty acids build brain cells and assist with learning and memory.
One of these omega-3 fatty acids is called DHA(2), or docosahexaenoic acid, which has been shown to improve attention and cognitive function effectively. Regularly taking fish oil supplements or isolated DHA are a great way to improve your brain’s overall health and improve your Productivity.
Caffeine
It’s well known that caffeine is a stimulant that will make you more alert and awake. Those who drink coffee each morning are well aware of the effects it has on them. This alertness and wakefulness result from a group of natural or synthetic chemicals called nootropics supplements. All have been found to improve focus and attention. Caffeine is no different as it works to keep you awake while providing an added measure of focus on the task at hand.
Magnesium
Sometimes, when we have a hard time focusing or being productive, we have excess energy that needs to burn. Magnesium effectively regulates the stimulation of nerve cells to help maintain a level of energy level. This has proven to be an excellent way to help manage ADD and ADHD, which helps to focus your energy on particular tasks and helps your overall productivity.
Ginseng
Anyone who’s dealt with depression, unstable moods, or constant pain understands how those will affect your Productivity and everyday life. Ginseng is a natural supplement that also falls into the nootropics family. This works to improve your mood and also fights inflammation. When your mood is stable, and you feel good about life, you’re more likely to take on the challenges that the day brings and knock off those items on your to-do list. Additionally, anti-inflammatories will help to manage pain and reduce harmful inflammation in your body that is counterproductive in getting you up and moving for the day.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba(4) has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, which a great way to improve its overall function. An increase in blood flow means that you’re getting more oxygen to your brain, leading to increased cognitive speed or faster thinking. This is more effective in healthy individuals. If you’re not considered healthy, you can still benefit from the antioxidants found in ginkgo biloba.
L-Glutamine
Like L-theanine, L-glutamine is the active form of the amino acid glutamine. While this is an amino acid commonly sought after by bodybuilders, it also has tremendous benefits for your brain. Two of your brain’s most crucial neurotransmitters in glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), are fueled by L-glutamine. Individually, these neurotransmitters have unique effects on brain function from which you can befit. Glutamic acid improves the electrical signal transmission that your brain sends down your nerves to your muscles for a faster response. GABA helps to produce a calming effect throughout your body as it binds to receptors in your brain. This will help you be more focused on your work.
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