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Experimenting With Brain Vitamins

In a previous article, I talked about brain nutrition and how to get the most out of that big sponge that sits between your ears.

I mentioned in the article what I consider the "big three" supplements (shown above). These three vitamins have been researched and shown to improve cognitive brain function and improve focus and concentration in test subjects.

But you can't believe everything you read right?

I decided to put these supplements to the test. To find out, first-hand, if they really do work and if I notice any difference in my ability to concentrate.

The experiment wasn't too scientific. It involved taking one or two pills, then rating one through ten how focused I felt. One, being a complete waste of life.

And ten, meaning as focused and hyper as I could possibly imagine. Also, I'm considering a score of five to be my regular, standard-focused self.

So what kind of results did I get?...

*Graph Notes* ALC means Alpha Lipoic Acid (100 mg). ALA means Acetyl L-Carnitine (250 mg). "no work" means that, for whatever reason, I didn't get anything done during that time.

Date (2009)	Brain Vitamin	Morning Effectiveness	Afternoon Effectiveness
March 23	2 ALC in morning	8	7
March 24	2 ALA in morning	7	5
March 25	2 ALC in morning	8	6
March 26	1 ALA/ALC/Fish oil in afternoon	no work	8.5
March 27	2 ALC/1 ALA/1Fish oil in morning	8.5	9
March 28	1 Fish oil /2 ALC/1 ALA in afternoon	no work	9
March 29	1 Fish oil in morning 2 ALC/1 ALA in afternoon	8	9
March 30	1 Fish oil in morning 2 ALC/1 ALA in afternoon	7	8.5
March 31	1 Fish oil in morning 2 ALC/1 ALA in afternoon	8.5	8
April 1	1 Fish oil in morning 2 ALC/1 ALA in afternoon	8	8

As you can see, I definitely noticed an increase in brain performance. Which is amazing because (besides fish oil) I had never heard of these supplements before!

In college, it's common to hear students taking things like Ridalin or Adderall to boost brain performance. But you never hear about anybody taking any brain vitamins such as ALA or ALC. Those crazy kids!

A Natural Diet

Despite my early succeess with these supplements, I doubt I will ever become overly dependent on taking these pills every day. The reason is because there have not been any long term studies on these supplements.

Even though everything I could possibly read on these brain vitamins has been all positive, that's no reason to think that these supplements don't have long term effects.

I would encourage you to think along these lines as well. My rule of thumb when putting anything in my body is, "How natural does this seem?"...

Take fruits and vegetables for example. Very natural! People have been growing fruits and vegetables and eating them for thousands of years. There's also been countless long term research, so chances are, these things are pretty healthy and you should feel comfortable eating them.

On the contrary, I don't know this for a fact but I don't think in biblical times people were popping pills of ALA and ALC. So on my "natural scale", these brain vitamins are more towards the bottom on naturality.

Fish oil (in my opinion) is a little better, even though it's in pill form. Basically, it's taking some of the health benefits of fish (very natural) and putting it into an easy-to-consume pill form. I'm a little less worried about taking a fish oil supplement every day. Although, trying to fit in real fish on a consistent basis is probably the best way to go.

Risk Worth The Reward?

Even though these brain vitamins don't have any long term research done, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't completely blow off the thought of ever taking these supplements.

You simply have to ask yourself, "Is it worth the risk?"

For me, I think it is. But only as an occasional boost, and only taking the absolute minimum recommended dose.

The only reason I say that is because of the strong positive short-term research that has been done already. Years down the road, I may re-evaluate my thinking to either continue/discontinue using these. Depending on the new research that I find.

If improving your focus and concentration is your main goal, there are many ways to accomplish that without taking brain vitamins. Such as developing a focus process or learning to stay on task.

Also, you may want to pick up a book such as Self Discipline In 10 Days or The Power Of Less. These books really helped me stay focused and get more things done.

Finally, if you do decide to give these brain vitamins a try, be sure to contact me and let me know how it went. I'm interested to hear what results you had.

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