Do you suffer from brain fog, poor concentration and difficulty remembering people’s names? Or maybe you come home exhausted, only to find out there is yet another errand on your daily list that you forgot about? It happens to the best of us, given the crazy schedules and busy lives we live nowadays.
There is a remedy to all of these conditions, and it is to be found in nootropics. If you wonder what the heck that is, you can find out at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nootropic. Now that we have that covered, how do you know which nootropic supplement or brand to go for? It is so easy to be overwhelmed by merely walking into a drugstore and seeing dozens of rows full of all sorts of pills with exotic names and obscure ingredient list. Let’s take a look at a few simple tips that will hopefully help you find the right supplement for you.
A Word On Brand Names
When it comes to supplements, it is a general rule to avoid department store, drugstore and supermarket brands, if you want to buy a quality product. None of these produce supplements as their main line of business, so neither can guarantee what’s in the bottle, or even less so what the quality of the product is.
When you are considering a specific brand, make sure you check out their website and read the “About” page. Try to find out about the company story and the philosophy behind it. It’s also extremely important to check the quality of their customer service, in case of a question or complaint. The lack of ways to reach the company and get help on an issue or enquiry is a warning sign that quality might be questionable.
Lab Tests, Quality Assurance And Customer Reviews
You can also check if lab tests and other kinds of quality analysis were carried out, as well as certificates issued that vouch for product purity. Verified customer reviews on sites such as iherb, eBay and Amazon can be another way to find out what customer opinion about the brand and specific product is.
The country of origin is also an aspect to consider. While there have been US products with suspicious source and side effects, quality issues and toxicity are more likely to be found with supplements from Asia and South America. This is true for both supplements and prescription drugs. In case you have any doubts, you can always check FDA’s list of tainted supplements and The Nootropics Review. Go for reputable companies who provide detailed information about the product from source to the end consumer.
Beware Of “Inactive” Ingredients
Every supplement has a list of so-called “other” or inactive ingredients, usually represented with their chemical names, which often don’t mean anything to the regular person. These ingredients are usually present in order to guarantee a longer shelf life, serve as a binding agent, add bulk or flavour to the capsule or simply increase resistance to moisture.
If you are concerned about picking a safe product, start by trying a popular, one-ingredient nootropic. You can find a list of the most common ones here. Because, while most “inactive” ingredients are considered safe in small quantities, regular nootropic users might ask themselves the question about consequences with long-term use. One usually sees silica, rice flour, cellulose or magnesium stearate, but another common substance, used as colour-enhancer is titanium dioxide, which is known to lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, induce oxidative stress and subsequently impair brain health and cognition. Ironically, it can often be found on the ingredient list of many brain boosters.
Bioavailability Matters
Not every food or supplement we take is fully absorbed for use by the body and brain. Some forms are better utilized than others, and bioavailability sometimes depends on the addition of another substance or supplement in order to achieve the desired effect.
When you are considering a certain brain booster, research suggestions on supplement forms and recommended dosage. Check for positive and negative interaction with other vitamins, supplements and prescription drugs, in order to maximize your results and stay on the safe side in terms of possible adverse effects. After all, you want to get the most benefit for your investment, and steer clear of ineffective, unhealthy or downright dangerous stuff, right?
Have you felt the need for a brain booster?
Have you tried nootropics?
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