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Health

How Do I Choose the Best Vitamins for Concentration?

By A.M. Boyle
Updated May 17, 2024
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Sometimes, age, stress, or other factors can affect your ability to focus on particular tasks. Although there is no definitive evidence, research suggests that taking certain vitamins might help improve your ability to concentrate. Furthermore, some of these vitamins, such as B6, B12, and C, might be more effective than others. Studies also indicate that omega 3 fatty acids might also be a good choice if you are interested in restoring and improving focus. In addition to taking vitamins for concentration, some experts also recommend herbal remedies such as ginkgo biloba and ginseng.

Numerous health care professionals advocate taking B vitamins for concentration. These vitamins, and particularly B6 and B12, help fortify the neurons in the brain and shield them from certain toxins, which in turn can improve brain function. Further, B12 assists in the formation of new red blood cells and therefore can help increase blood flow to the brain, thus improving memory and attentiveness.

Vitamin C is also considered one of the best choices for improving your memory and concentration. Known as an antioxidant, it helps protect against free radicals that can interfere with neurotransmitters in your brain. When this interference is reduced or eliminated, your brain can process and retain information more efficiently.

You might also want to consider omega 3 fatty acids when choosing the best vitamins for concentration. Although not technically a vitamin, omega 3 fats are “good fats” necessary for proper health and nutrition. Various studies show that omega 3 is essential for healthy brain development and function. Consequently, if you are having difficulty with concentration, foods and supplements that contain omega 3 can generate a noticeable improvement in both focus and comprehension.

Aside from vitamins for concentration, you might also want to consider various herbal remedies that have shown positive results in that regard. Ginkgo biloba, which is a powdered supplement made from the bark of the ginkgo biloba tree, is one such choice. Available in capsule form, this herbal remedy has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, thus improving both memory and concentration. Ginseng, another herbal remedy derived from the root of the ginseng plant, is said to improve mental balance and clarity. It is often paired with ginkgo biloba is capsule form, and a supplement containing both might greatly improve your concentration and mental stamina.

Aside from taking vitamins for concentration, you might also want to consider certain lifestyle changes. For instance, individuals who are chronically overtired are more prone to experience lapses in memory and focus than people who get adequate amounts of sleep. Consequently, it might help you to get more rest by going to bed earlier if possible. Also, the endorphins released in your body during exercise can also deepen your concentration and mental acuity, so committing to some type of physical activity every day might help improve your brain power. You should also strive to stay hydrated. Studies show that many people don’t drink enough fluids throughout the day and thus experience fatigue and a decrease in mental alertness.

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Discussion Comments

By doctorJP — On Jun 07, 2014

There are two actions to take that will start you on the path to better concentration and less "cloudy thinking" -- both of which I dealt with personally.

The first: reduce the amount of sugar in your diet. If you're like most people, you are probably consuming a whole lot of sugar. The average person consumes 170-plus pounds per year from many different sources, compared to around 7 pounds per year in the late 1800s. Sugar is hidden is a large percentage of the some 350,000 different foods, and is responsible for too many of the health problems we are facing in the US, and seen growing in other nations as well.

It may sound counterintuitive to brain function to drastically reduce your sugar consumption, but as you may quickly deduce, too much of anything starts to have negative consequences. Sugar is no exception. It puts your brain on overload. Many studies suggest that the ADD and ADHD epidemic has more to do with our over-consumption of sugar than any other cause, genetic or otherwise.

Regardless, try it for two weeks. How? Get rid of soft drinks, potato chips, sweets, and most of the foods you find that in a wrapper, box, bag, or in a window (drive-through).

Step 2: Replace what you are reducing/eliminating with the healthy stuff. That means start adding some fruits, vegetables, and berries to your diet. If you can focus on a variety and trying to add just as many vegetables as fruits (50-50), then the benefits will be noticeable and significant.

Now since most of us don't get adequate nutrition from those plant-based sources, I would suggest adding a daily nutritional supplement that covers an array of nutrients, as opposed to one source that many people may say is good for concentration. The truth is you need nutrition from a variety of good sources because it's not just your concentration with which you should be concerned. When your overall health is functioning at its optimal level, you will find your concentration is optimal as well.

Think of it this way: you're only as good as your body's weakest link. If your health is suffering in some other area, it's not as though it is acting on its own. You will be distracted because of it, whether consciously or subconsciously, and therefore your concentration will not be the level you want.

Here's what to look for when choosing that ideal daily nutritional supplement: The product is made using the whole food; it is comprised of mostly (if not all) organic foods; it includes superfoods -- those foods we know to contain relatively very high levels of nutritional content.

The three companies I found that make a product (a daily nutritional supplement) that fits these three criteria are: Barleans, AKEA Essentials and Green SuperFoods by Amazing Grass.

I have personally tried all three, but opted for using the AKEA because I love the taste and the addition of pre- and pro-biotic enzymes and fermented foods, all of which aid in the digestion and health of the intestinal tract.

I had the same problem with "cloudy thinking" and concentration and memory issues, and these two steps and the supplement addition has been a life-saver. Having to read a paragraph over and not having good recall is frustrating when you read close to 100 books a year and you want to remember all the important points. Hope this is helpful.

By literally45 — On Dec 25, 2013

Taurine is another vitamin that improves concentration. It's actually not a vitamin, it's an amino acid.

I would like to warn people about taking mega doses of vitamins though. I once took large doses of magnesium for my anxiety and concentration problems. A few hours later, I was dizzy, nauseated and spent half of the night vomiting. I found out later that these are symptoms of magnesium toxicity.

Vitamins and minerals can be toxic in large doses. It's not a good idea to take a bunch of vitamins without even knowing if we are deficient in them or not. Most of us do get enough vitamins from our diet.

By serenesurface — On Dec 24, 2013

@ddljohn-- I've tried ginseng for concentration and didn't notice much of a difference. But I know people who say that it works great for them. So it might work for you.

I personally prefer taking a multivitamin and an Omega 3 supplement. Omega 3 is excellent for brain function. It regulates neurotransmitter activity. And most of us are deficient in Omega 3 so it helps to take an Omega 3 capsule.

I also think that vitamin C is very helpful as the article said. I always feel better and have more concentration when I drink a lot of orange juice.

By ddljohn — On Dec 24, 2013

Some energy drinks contain ginseng. It's supposed to help with concentration. Has anyone taken ginseng supplements to concentrate better? Does it work? Are there side effects?

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