I tested 9 ‘brain boosting’ supplements to fight fatigue – Elle Macpherson and Kendall Jenner are onto a winner
STAYING focused for long periods is something I’ve always struggled with.
After about 30 minutes, something will distract me… my phone, the doorbell, food in the fridge - anything really.
Sound familiar to you? Research has found that focus can last anywhere between 10 and 52 minutes.
Largely, tiredness or fatigue can throw our distraction, making it harder to concentrate.
Luckily, there’s now a whole host of supplements aimed at supporting the brain and improving focus and concentration.
I’ve tried several in a bid to find something that helps me power through the day to help other foggy-brained people.
This stuff works.
It’s thanks to the potent mix of eight ingredients, one of these being a fairly big helping of caffeine - roughly the same as an espresso.
Alongside caffeine is lion's mane mushroom, which Spacegoods describe as the 'brain mushroom', cordyceps mushroom known as the 'energy mushroom' which boosts blood flow, stamina and energy and chaga mushroom, known to help with immunity.
Mushrooms are big business now, with many supplement brands jumping on the ‘shroom bandwagon.
We’re not talking about the psychedelic type of mushrooms; more the ‘medicinal’ type, which studies suggest has an array of health benefits.
There’s also a bunch of ancient medicinal herbs in Rainbow Dust, including ashwagandha, a plant ingredient proven to boost energy, stamina, mood and libido.
Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogenic herb known to reduce stress and improve focus, and vitamin B5 helps optimal brain performance.
I took an 8g serving of this chocolate-coated powder (it is VERY tasty) in my coffee and my concentration peaked about half an hour later.
I flew through work for a good two hours, which is very unlike me as I'm usually distracted every 10 minutes.
CBD is nothing new and although it took somewhat of a backseat in 2023, I do think CBD can help with focus for me, personally.
Aduna Superfood’s Mind blend contains cacao powder, which Aduna says helps to support blood flow to the brain.
It also claims it is proven to have a beneficial effect on cognitive function and neuroplasticity.
So basically, it helps to give the brain a little boost.
As well as cacao, this mix contains reishi and lion’s mane mushrooms, and adaptogens ashwagandha, schisandra and moringa, which help improve cognitive functions including memory, thinking speed and attention.
FYI: Adaptogens are plant substances which help the body to manage stress.
I love a superfood powder that can be thrown into my breakfast.
I added a scoop of this to my morning smoothie three days on the trot. It tastes really good.
Did I notice a benefit? Well, I didn’t need a second coffee before lunch, which is something, however, I wasn’t powering through my work with unbroken focus.
I did get a fair bit of work done and I felt pretty calm.
Regardless, it provides my body with extra nutrients.
I like the fact that this powder contains gut-healthy superfoods such as inulin, a powerful prebiotic and flaxseeds to support a healthy gut.
Tenzing Original 250ml
Energy drinks of course provide a hit of energy, usually thanks to a dose of caffeine and sugar.
But Tenzing, a plant-based drink, contains 60 per cent less sugar than other major energy drinks and is made with just seven natural plant-based ingredients.
One of these is natural caffeine from green coffee.
A newbie on the scene, MUDWTR, makers of a coffee alternative, is popular with the likes of Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner.
So, naturally, I was keen to give it a try.
The brand’s ‘:rise Cocoa’ consists of cocoa, masala chai - the spicy, sweet blend from India - and functional mushrooms including lion’s mane and reishi.
It’s like a healthier hot chocolate
Lucy
A scoop of this contains just a fraction of the caffeine found in your usual morning coffee, however, the blend of ingredients is said to provide focus, natural energy and immune support without those caffeine jitters.
It’s super easy to make and tasty - it’s like a healthier hot chocolate.
I felt uplifted for a few hours post-drink and managed to get through a fair amount of work.
Model Elle Macpherson set up WelleCo and I’m a big fan of the brand’s protein powder thanks to its impressive array of ‘clean’ and natural ingredients.
I’m a big fan of this brand as their nighttime capsules have helped me experience some extremely serene sleep.
So I was keen to try their Brain Fuel supplements to see if they helped boost my concentration and focus.
I’m pleased to say that yes, I did feel sharper than usual, at least for a couple of hours.
Dr Vegan says that this supplement contains 10 scientifically studied vitamins, minerals and traditional botanicals to improve your brain's performance and sharpen your mind.
Plus, Brain Fuel includes BacoMind, a herb shown to improve memory recall and retention among adults and children in five clinical studies.
The patented plant contains powerful antioxidants with nine bioactives for brain health.
I’m a fan, and I also love the fact that the Dr Vegan packaging is plastic-free and compostable, so it’s planet-friendly too.
DIRTEA Lion’s Mane
I know I've mentioned mushrooms a few times; they are after all one of the biggest wellness trends for supporting brain health.
However, this powder is pure lion’s mane with nothing else added.
Each serving contains 2,000mg of lion’s mane. Pure, potent and yes, it works!
DIRTEA says that a daily cup of its lion’s mane could boost your memory, improve focus, and enhance your mood, whilst supporting digestion thanks to its strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-boosting abilities.
I hadn’t heard of Smart Protein until I discovered their nootropic supplement, The Booster, which supposedly supports mental performance and keeps your brain sharp.
Smart Protein explains that their advanced cognitive blend contains 18 active ingredients, including Panax ginseng for elevated mental performance, Bacopa monnieri for further cognitive enhancement, and a full B-vitamin complex for optimal brain health.
I haven’t heard of half of these, either.
But I love that The Booster is caffeine-free.
I took two when I was jet lagged after a trip away and I will absolutely be recommending others do the same if they want to enjoy a few hours of productivity.
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I got a lot done considering my total jet lag delirium and I really noticed a difference.
I also wasn’t craving my usual get-through-the-tiredness snacks which saved me several trips to the kitchen.
Why am I always tired?
Feeling tired or low in energy often - without obvious cause, such as sleep deprivation - could signal a health issue. See your GP if you have any of the symptoms below.
Sleep apnoea
Feeling tired during the day because you keep waking up at night could be a sign you have sleep apnoea.
Symptoms in the night include breathing stopping and starting, making gasping, snorting or choking noises and loud snoring.
Iron deficiency
Low energy during the day with noticeable heart palpitations could mean you are suffering anaemia, which is caused by low iron levels.
Symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia can also include pale skin and shortness of breath.
Diabetes
If you feel very tired and also have a constant thirst and need to pee, you may be suffering from diabetes.
Other symptoms can include sudden weight loss, thrush and blurred vision.
Overactive thyroid
Feeling tired all the time while also struggling to stay still, feeling anxious, nervous or irritable could mean you have an overactive thyroid.
It means the small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck is producing too many hormones, which may also cause swelling in your neck, muscle weakness, twitching or trembling and weight loss.
ME or chronic fatigue syndrome
Suffering extreme tiredness for more than three months is a warning sign you have ME or chronic fatigue syndrome.
It can also cause problems with thinking, memory or concentration and flu-like symptoms.