Nootropics for Mental Acuity

If you study Mathematics, Medicine or any other Rocket Science-like course in college, you will agree with me that it is highly imperative to maintain your brain at its prime at all times. Either supplied as synthesized products or pure isolates of medicinal plants, nootropics can help a great deal at enhancing your mental acuity. However, it still helps to note that some nootropics, such as Modafinil and Picamilon have lost their popularity because of potentially harmful side effects which include overstimulation of the cardiovascular system;  hence they have banned by many sporting organizations.

As you strive to improve your intelligence, memory, motivation, concentration and attention, consider giving the following nootropic compounds a try. 
1. Vitamin D

This vitamin is known to be essential for the development of strong bones and improving hormone levels. However, most people know very little about the Vitamin D receptors that exist in the CNS and hippocampus brain regions. In these zones, it protects neurons while also regulating the brain and cerebrospinal fluid enzymes that help in the biosynthesis of neurotransmitters and growth of nerves. Two recent studies confirmed this vitamin's significance in brain functioning; one found out that individuals with low amount of vitamin D intake process information slower that those with high intake levels. The other study determined that the lower an individual's vitamin D intake, the poorer they perform in mental tests.

2. Creatine

To an ordinary medic, creatine helps to boost and individual's power and strength. Fortunately, it was recently determined that creatine also has neuroprotective properties. It increases glutamate (a neurotransmitter) levels while also reducing the death rate of neuronal cells. Creatine will thus help improve memory and learning while also relieving depression. If you regularly take it, a daily 2g load of creatine will help maintain your creatine stores. If you don't, 0.3g per kg of body weight will provide you with a effect dosage..

3. Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs)

During fat breakdown in your body, Acetyl-CoA is produced as the end product of MCTs, which is further metabolized to form ketones; the preferred fuel for the brain. The more ketones produced, will improve the level of your mental activity. MCTs are a very fast way of attaining the effective ketone levels in the body. Liquid MCT oil will give a concentrated and highly purified form of the fats. Coconut oil also contains MCTs but the purity is slightly lower.

4. Fish Oil

Fish oils are rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as Docohexanoic acid and Eicosapentanoic acid. These are essential components of nerve cell walls through which memory, thought and processing signals pass as they transfer from one neuron into another. In fact, 20% of these cell walls are made up of the essential fatty acids. The more of these fatty acids, the more flexible and elastic the membranes become; thus hastening the rate of signal transmission which translates to higher information processing speeds. A daily consumption of 2 g of triglyceride based fish oil alongside cold-water fish such as herring and mackerel will do you a lot of good.

5. Vitamin K 2
When your brain is in intense activity, the neurons are highly vulnerable to damage by the free radicals produced from metabolism. Vitamin K 2 protects you from this by facilitating the formation of a securing "myelin" sheath around the neurons. You can abtain this vitamin from natural sources such as fermented dairy products, grass-fed beef or fermented soybean derivatives.

6. L-Threanine-Caffeine Combination
If you are eager to improve your focus and energy simultaneously, then Caffeine coupled with L-Threanine is the most suitable nootropic combination for you. It has been scientifically proven that this combination helps to improve short-term memory, focus and vigilance and also cognitive capabilities. Caffeine, as a stimulant, works by inhibiting adenosine receptors in the brain. Since adenosine tends to reduce alertness, caffeine increases both mental (focus) and physical (strength) performance. L-Threanine will bring a soothing effect to ensure a durable energy boost without nervousness, tremor, etc. This combination can be found in the nootropic supplement Steady Focus.