If you’ve ever wanted to think faster on your feet, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans are looking for a way to stay alert, remain focused, enhance learning and generally promote their cognitive abilities to better navigate the world around them. These three nutrients have impressive data to support exactly those brain functions.

Lutein and zeaxanthin carotenoids

Because they are heavily concentrated in macular pigment, lutein and zeaxanthin are associated with eye health—but they are also found at high levels in the brain. This is significant because clinical studies indicate that these carotenoids enhance brain function, encouraging improved composite and verbal memory, reasoning skills, processing speed, and sustained attention scores.¹

In a clinical study, young people (ages 18 to 25) taking these carotenoid nutrients for six months showed improved cognitive performance, as well as healthy levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).² BDNF is required neuronal plasticity: your brain’s ability to learn by growing new connections and reorganizing old ones—a process which is essential to healthy learning and memory formation.³

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica)

Gotu kola is a perennial herb that has been the subject of extensive research.

A two-month study had healthy older adults take different doses of a gotu kola extract standardized to the active compound asiaticoside or a placebo. At the low dose of 250 mg/day, the group showed significant improvements in reaction time and accuracy of their working memory and subjects also reported feeling calmer.⁴

Water hyssop (Bacopa monnieri)

Bacopa monnieri extract is a very popular study aid, and is especially touted for supporting memory. Numerous clinical studies indicate that bacopa extracts can improve cognition and attention.⁵