Top 10 Best Memory Supplements

About Top 10 Best Memory Supplements

Best Memory Supplements Reviews

The market is flooded with dietary supplements that may improve brain function and overall cognition. We're breaking down some best-selling products to help you get a better idea of what's available out there. Want more information? Hop on down to our in-depth buying guide below our reviews.

Best Overall (Meat-Based)

This meat-based dietary add-on from Ancestral Supplements tops our list of the best memory supplements. Made of beef brain and liver from New Zealand, Ancestral Supplements claims their Grassfed Beef Brain will help promote brain function in humans. The cows themselves are pasture raised and grass fed. Those concerned about mad cow disease should know that there is currently no recorded case* of this condition in New Zealand.

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PROS

• Grass-fed brain and liver
• May support brain function
• No pesticides, hormones, or GMOs
• No  recorded case of mad cow disease in New Zealand*

CONS

• Price

Best Plant-Based

Those who want a plant-based alternative can find that with this NeuroStim supplement from Dr. Emil Nutrition. This add-on is not only free of GMOs but also gluten and caffeine. These veggie capsules are loaded up with lots of vitamins, such as vitamin A, C, and several types of vitamin B. There's also choline, which studies suggest improve cognitive function (see more in the Buyer's Guide below).

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PROS

• No GMOs
• No gluten
• No caffeine
• Lots of vitamins and minerals

Best Price

Mind & Memory Matrix from Natures Craft is the best-priced supplement on our list. It contains plant-based ingredients like green tea and L-glutamine that may promote mental clarity and memory function.

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PROS

• Great price
• Made in the USA
• Many plant-based ingredients
• Made in GMP-certified facilities

Best Memory Supplements in 2019 Buying Guide

Older adults who want to improve their memory have a variety of methods to try. There are plenty of entertaining exercises that many do to help keep their minds sharp. Thanks to the Internet, games designed to help improve and maintain good memory are right at our fingertips! There's also a great deal of traditional board games, such as chess and checkers, that are simple and cheap ways that many say helps their memory remain as sharp as possible. Of course, memory supplements are another option many people turn to in the hopes of maintaining clear memory and an overall healthy mind, no matter their age.

People from all walks of life take memory supplements. People with failing memory, either due to age or conditions like Alzheimer's disease, may find these dietary add-ons useful in helping slow down the progression of their memory loss. Even those with relatively good memory still claim that memory supplements have been useful for them. As such, it's no wonder older adults who want to continue to remember everything quickly and clearly turn to these items.

Why Memory and Cognition May Decrease Over Time

There are many a memory supplement on the market today. But before looking into those specific items, it is important to understand why both memory and overall cognition can decline.

Non-Age-Related Factors

There's plenty of reasons why someone might feel particularly sluggish or their memory foggy, and not all of them involve disease or aging. Natural ways to potentially boost brain function and potentially even short term memory could include activities like exercise, which can improve blood flow in the brain.

A Natural Part of the Aging Process

It's common knowledge that your memory declines as a natural consequence of the aging process. Approximately 40 percent of older adults over 65 have to deal with some kind of memory loss simply because of aging. Temporary lapses in memory—like forgetting exactly where you put something or an acquaintance's name—are understandably frustrating. However, they are normal signs of aging.

Cognitive Conditions like Alzheimer's Disease

Conditions like Alzheimer's disease are other reasons why memory and cognition could decline. Rather than temporarily forgetting a few things, older adults with advanced Alzheimer's could fail to recall the faces of those closest to them, much less remember acquaintances. Perpetual poor memory and frequent lack of recollection are telltale signs of dementia caused by Alzheimer's. Another critical distinction between this disease and standard aging? If you forget something because of old age, you will know that you forgot. People suffering from conditions like dementia often aren't even aware that they forgot something in the first place.

What Are the Benefits of Memory Supplements?

There are a number of possible reasons why supplements for improved brain function could prove helpful. Many people turn to these items because many are made with natural ingredients.

Another important benefit is their affordability. Many prescription drugs are incredibly expensive; this price tag puts them out of reach for many people who could benefit from them. Thankfully, memory supplements are available often for much cheaper prices. It is also much simpler to get these dietary add-ons because most do not require a prescription from a physician.

What Are Some Common Ingredients in Memory Supplements?

So just what can people do to help protect their cognitive abilities? One of the ways memory supplements supposedly benefit you is that they can slow the decline of your cognition. Okay, so what ingredients help with that?

Choline

Choline supplementary intake may help people improve cognition and promote cardiovascular health. So, how is Choline supposed to benefit your memory? Well, one study showed that people scored higher on memory tests after receiving steady doses of choline. This suggests a link between healthy choline levels and improved memory function. Regardless of your age, choline may provide several tangible benefits for both your overall cognition.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Some research indicates that taking vitamin B-12 along with omega-3 fatty acids may help those with early Alzheimer's retain their cognitive functions for a longer period of time. Thankfully, it is quite easy for most people to get enough B-12; you can find it in both chicken and fish, among other places. Of course, it's also possible to get over-the-counter B-12 supplements as well.

Omega-3 fatty acids are actually one of the most popular memory supplements out there, being essential fatty acids. It is important to know exactly what omega-3 fatty acids are before discussing their effectiveness as a potential dietary add-on. Many people consume fish oil to get omega-3 fatty acids (which are polyunsaturated fats). These fatty acids provide many incredible benefits, including promoting heart health. So, many people may find omega-3 supplements beneficial because the majority of people don't eat enough fish. Aside from meeting recommended fish intake on a regular basis, taking fish oil supplements is a great way to potentially enjoy all of the mental benefits of omega-3 fatty acid.

Ginkgo-Biloba Extract

It is impossible to have a thorough discussion of memory dietary add-ons without bringing up ginkgo-biloba extract. Ginkgo-biloba extract comes from the ginkgo tree. This tree is capable of living for more than 1,000 years, and some of these trees in China are believed to be over 2,500 years old! Ginkgo-biloba extract is purported to provide a wide range of physical and mental benefits. Some of the alleged benefits of taking ginkgo-biloba extract include improved cognition and better memory.

One specific extract of ginkgo-biloba, EGb 761, was suggested to be effective for treatment of Alzheimer's disease in a certain study. Other research into ginkgo biloba found that it is safe for dementia patients to use and possibly improves overall cognitive function among these people. This is just one reason why someone might look into taking ginkgo biloba as a dietary add-on.

Acetylcholine and Galantamine

If you are searching for a memory supplement, you probably came across acetylcholine in your research. Acetylcholine is vital for various qualities of healthy cognition, including memory, concentration, focus, and more. Acetylcholine is important for memory more specifically because it is critical in helping us connect various parts of our memory, like matching a name with a face. In fact, memory loss is a very common symptom of an acetylcholine deficiency.

Acetylcholine supplements may help support healthy levels of acetylcholine in the brain. Galantamine is one memory supplement that claims to support acetylcholine levels. Galantamine has been used for some time to treat mild and moderate symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Galantamine gets in the way of the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, therefore making it more concentrated in the brain.

Other Factors to Consider When Buying Memory Supplements

Since memory supplements can improve your overall mental health, knowing what to look for in these add-ons is critical. The first thing you should look for in any product is at least some scientific studies supporting its supposed benefits. The vast majority of memory supplements claim that they provide various benefits; it is always best to double-check such claims. If a certain memory supplement that interests you has demonstrable benefits, you will discover some evidence of this when you investigate it.

Another important consideration, aside from effectiveness, is to check that it does not interact dangerously with any prescription drugs you are currently taking. Introducing new items to your diet—even approved supplements—poses a risk of harmful interactions with something else inside your body. Researching products' effects and consulting with a physician about taking supplements alongside current prescription drugs can help you determine the risk factors of potentially harmful interactions.

Deciding What Memory Supplements to Buy Requires Plenty of Research

If you are looking to buy memory supplements, you will quickly discover that there is a large market out there flooded with products that all claim to be the best solution to any number of situations. That can make your purchasing decision much harder than you might have originally thought. So, just how do you go about finding something that may work for you?

The first step is to thoroughly research products that interest you. This can help you determine if certain memory supplements really are helpful or if they are simply non-harmful (but not necessary effective) placebos. It is also beneficial to look into what kind of specific benefits each dietary add-on provides. Another important factor to consider is the price of the supplement. Knowing your budget will help you narrow down your options. All in all, buying memory supplements requires a great deal of research. However, it is still important to do it so you can have a better idea of what you are getting. You only have one body; doing what you can to protect it should be a priority!