The Best Brain Supplements for Brain Fog

Written by Lori Jo Vest

Fact checked by The Brain Blog Team  

When considering which brain supplements are best to address your brain fog, it pays to really dig in and do your research. Many popular nootropics manufacturers make claims that aren’t based on science, or at least not on good science, so look to see what types of research they’re using to back up their claims of improved clarity, focus and memory. To get you started, here are some nootropic ingredients that pass the credible research test for addressing brain fog: 

Carotenoids are the yellow, orange, and red pigments that are synthesized by plants. The most common carotenoids in the American diet are carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene. There is strong research backing up the claim that these nutrients enhance cognitive function.

DHA, a group of Omega-3 fatty acids, supports both overall brain health and boosts cognitive functioning. It’s easily found in cold water fish, flaxseed and chia seeds. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to get enough DHA in our diets to make a difference. 

Known best for its use in supplements for eye health, Lutein is an exceptional brain supplement for brain fog, too. It’s linked to cognitive improvement, long-term brain health, and helping reduce the risk, and address the symptoms, of dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. This plant-based pigment cannot be created by the human body, so optimal results require supplementation.

Omega-3s are probably the best known nootropic there is, considered “brain food” by many enthusiasts. These essential fats, which can't be produced by the body, must be ingested. They’re proven to be vital nutrients that fight inflammation in the brain.

Zeaxanthin and Meso-Zeaxanthin are two antioxidant carotenoids that are found in leafy green vegetables like spinach and broccoli, or, for Meso-Zeaxanthin, in fish like trout. With our current industrial food processing, it’s virtually impossible to ingest enough of these nutrients to benefit our brain health, so supplementation with these nootropics is an absolute necessity for optimal brain health.