Naturally Smart

by Mike Straus | March 2, 2026

Lifestyle strategies and natural ingredients that promote cognitive support.

Cognitive health has come into sharp focus for consumers in recent years, with younger patients looking for solutions that can help them in the office and older consumers seeking remedies to help maintain cognition as they age. But cognitive health is a complex domain with many interconnected pieces; that’s why a holistic approach to maintain cognitive performance is critical. Natural and alternative health practitioners can help their patients stay cognitively fit in a variety of ways, from suggesting natural remedies to helping patients make lifestyle changes. Here are just some of the latest and greatest natural remedies and lifestyle approaches that can give your patients a brain boost.

Natural Remedies That Support Cognitive Function

There are several different natural remedies that natural health practitioners can recommend to patients to assist with cognitive health. Cheryl Myers, chief of scientific affairs and education for EuroMedica in Green Bay, WI, said that some of the key villains that can result in poor brain health include chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, toxic exposure and interference with how the brain works structurally. There are several key interventions that can address these challenges, including curcumin, red ginseng, bioactive B vitamins, vitamin D3, omega-3 fatty acids from cold-water fish, Greek mountain tea and bacopa.

Stacey Smith, DC, a senior medical affairs liaison with Gnosis by Lesaffre in Milwaukee, WI, noted that cognitive health isn’t just a single function; rather, it’s a dynamic, interconnected system that includes memory, focus, learning, mood, processing speed and executive function. From childhood through to older adulthood, cognitive performance is shaped by nutrition, lifestyle habits, stress physiology, inflammation and cellular energy metabolism.

“One important mechanism underlying cognitive aging is oxidative stress, which accumulates over time and damages neurons, lipids and DNA,” Dr. Stacey Smith explained. “Natural compounds with antioxidant activity might help neutralize reactive oxygen species and support neuronal integrity. These mechanisms are particularly relevant in older adults, where oxidative stress is closely linked to mild cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases.”

Dr. Stacey Smith noted that oxidative stress is also linked to elevated homocysteine levels, which are a recognized risk factor for cognitive decline. Folate, she said, has been shown to lower the buildup of homocysteine, which may provide cognitive health benefits.

“Another critical dimension is epigenetic regulation, which governs how genes involved in memory, synaptic plasticity, inflammation and neuronal survival are switched on or off,” Dr. Stacey Smith said. “As we age, global DNA hypomethylation and altered histone methylation contribute to reduced cellular fitness and cognitive decline. SAMe, the body’s universal methyl donor, plays a central role in maintaining methylation capacity. Nutritional strategies that include SAMe and B-complex vitamins may help preserve cognitive function, especially in individuals with impaired one-carbon cycle activity or elevated homocysteine levels.”

Other important nutrients for brain health include magnesium L-threonate and magnesium acetyl-taurate. Michael A. Smith, MD, director of education and spokesperson for Life Extension in Fort Lauderdale, FL, explained that these forms of magnesium can reach the brain by penetrating the blood-brain barrier. One randomized, placebo-controlled trial found improved cognition among adults aged 50 to 70 who consumed magnesium L-threonate for 12 weeks.1

“Nutrients that support the brain’s cholinergic system are also important,” Dr. Michael A. Smith said. “DMAE is a nutrient that is used in the body to make choline, which occurs in eggs and other foods. Choline, in turn, is used by the body to make phosphatidylcholine, which concentrates in the brain and in the manufacture of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which helps facilitate the transmission of information between neurons.”

With several nutrients demonstrating efficacy in promoting cognitive health, a variety of supplement brands are pouncing on this opportunity to help consumers give their brains a boost. Pürblack Chief Marketing Officer Mark Simmons in Spring, TX explained that shilajit resin has cognition-boosting properties; this compound has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years.

“High-quality shilajit resin supports cellular energy production and nutrient delivery, which are foundational to brain function at every age,” Simmons said. “Its adaptogenic compounds help the brain manage stress more efficiently, preserving focus and mental clarity over time.”

Another natural remedy that Simmons noted is popular for use in cognitive health is natural peptides, such as collagen peptides. Emerging peptides, he said, can target brain tissue specifically and upregulate or downregulate certain genes involved in brain functions.

Endurance Products Company President Joe Brunner in Sherwood, OR noted that there’s no shortage of cognitive health products on the market, which can make it a full-time job to find the right products for your patients. Practitioners, Brunner said, can find quality products by choosing companies that use third-party certifications, that have solid research backing their ingredients, and that use full-disclosure labels listing the exact amount and form of each active ingredient.

“Our practitioner-exclusive EndurPro supplements check all of these boxes,” Brunner said. “Each product provides clinical-strength, research-backed ingredients with strong safety profiles and full disclosure labels.”

Some of EndurPro’s cognitive health supplements include 5-HTP SR, a 5-hydroxytryptophan supplement designed to promote serotonin production, and TauroMag-SR, a sustained-release magnesium N-acetyltaurinate supplement that supports neuronal synaptic plasticity and boosts brain magnesium uptake.

Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, is a Natural Practitioner Advisory Board member and a board-certified internist specializing in sleep, pain, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Dr. Teitelbaum noted that micronutrient support is one of the most important strategies for promoting brain health that practitioners can use.

“The standard American diet loses 50 percent of its vitamins and minerals in food processing, while keeping all of the calories,” Dr. Teitelbaum said. “This is why, for the first time in human history, we are seeing people being both malnourished and obese at the same time. These micronutrient deficiencies have been shown to markedly accelerate brain aging.”

Thankfully, there are natural remedies that patients can use to slow brain aging and preserve cognitive function:

“The NIH (National Institutes of Health)-supported COSMOS-Mind trial showed that even a basic daily multivitamin was associated with slower cognitive decline and improved memory in older adults. Many other nutrients contribute to brain protection and improved cognitive function, including B vitamins, folic acid and magnesium.”

Dr. Teitelbaum added that curcumin is a valuable brain health supplement, as studies have consistently shown that curcumin reduces both beta-amyloid plaque and tau protein accumulation in the brain.

Of course, no discussion of brain health supplements would be complete without mentioning omega-3 fatty acids. Simo Echchafai, senior vice president of human health ingredients for North America at Aker BioMarine in Oslo, Norway, noted that omega-3 fatty acids like EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are key brain health ingredients that can support cell membranes, improve neuronal communication, increase myelination and promote cellular repair.

“Preclinical research demonstrates that EPA and DHA in LPC form cross the blood-brain barrier far more efficiently than traditional triglyceride or phosphatidylcholine forms,” Echchafai said. “Animal studies consistently show that LPC-bound omega-3s lead to higher brain levels of EPA and DHA, reinforcing their potential for meaningful cognitive support.”

Aker BioMarine offers LPC-bound DHA and EPA in the form of Lysoveta, a unique dietary ingredient that delivers EPA and DHA directly to the brain via the MfsD2a transporter. Aker BioMarine’s first clinical trial of this ingredient is currently underway, with results expected in late 2026.

Another key cognitive health product that natural health practitioners can recommend is red ginseng. Myers noted that ginseng has been used in traditional practice for thousands of years, helping people feel more focused, alert and energetic. EuroMedica’s HRG80 red ginseng is hydroponically grown without pesticides; the plants are provided with appropriately timed stresses that help them develop beneficial compounds called noble ginsenosides.

“This has been shown to be a key difference compared to many standard ginseng supplements,” Myers explained. “Noble ginsenosides are better absorbed than standard or classic ginsenosides found in most supplements. In fact, the noble ginsenosides in this ginseng have been shown in an in-vitro scientific study to be up to 17 times better absorbed compared to classic ginsenosides.”

One clinical study examined the effects of HRG80 red ginseng on individuals who worked in social services, as teleoperators, IT personnel or as engineers. These individuals were regularly overloaded with cognitive tasks and heavy demands. In this three-armed study, each group took turns comparing HRG80 red ginseng to a placebo. Subjects were assessed on a timed d2 Test of Attention to assess their ability to focus and concentrate.

The study found that administration of HRG80 red ginseng resulted in Test of Attention scores that were five points higher than baseline, with this result starting on the very first day. In contrast, the placebo group’s d2 accuracy rate fell by 11 points below baseline.

Lifestyle Factors to Discuss With Patients

There are several lifestyle changes patients can make that can improve their cognitive capacities. Protocol for Life Balance Senior Scientist Celine Torres-Moon in Bloomingdale, IL noted that some of the key lifestyle modifications to discuss with patients include managing stress, maintaining good sleep hygiene and playing games that require mental agility, logic and strategy.

“Puzzles, crosswords, chess, card games and even some video games (can all help with cognitive support),” Torres-Moon said. “Several studies have also shown that maintaining a strong social network may help support cognitive function.”

Simmons noted that exercise is also a key factor in promoting cognitive health:

“There are numerous studies that show the importance of physical activity each day to get the blood flowing in the brain,” Simmons said. “But also, the time spent exercising gives the brain a much-needed break from cognitive overload that comes from work, study and screen time. And don’t forget that the brain is working quietly away in the background while we are exercising, and that’s often when the best ideas pop up.”

Simmons also explained that sleep hygiene is one of the strongest predictors of cognitive health and mental performance. Sleep, he said, helps the brain take a break from constant stimulation and enables patients to consolidate the day’s activities into memories.

Finally, Simmons noted that avoiding or managing stress is key to avoiding cognitive overload. Breathing exercises, journaling and talk therapy are all potential solutions that can help patients address unresolved stress.

Dr. Michael A. Smith, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of a Mediterranean or MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet in delaying cognitive decline. A Mediterranean diet, he said, is characterized by a high intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and healthy fats like olive oil, with a moderate intake of dairy and lean protein, and little red meat. The MIND diet combines the Mediterranean diet with the DASH diet, which was designed to lower blood pressure by decreasing salt intake.

For Dr. Stacey Smith, social engagement is a key lifestyle factor in maintaining cognitive health. Cognitive and social engagement, she said, help to build and maintain cognitive reserve, which is the brain’s ability to compensate for age-related changes or pathology. Lifelong learning, intellectually stimulating activities, social interaction and meaningful engagement can all strengthen neural networks and delay the clinical expression of cognitive impairment.

“Finally, cardiometabolic health must not be overlooked,” Dr. Stacey Smith said. “Midlife obesity, hypertension, smoking and physical inactivity significantly increase the risk of cognitive decline later in life. Addressing these factors early, particularly in the 40s and 50s, to support a healthy gut-brain axis to influence neurotransmitter production and immune signaling represents a proactive approach to long-term brain health.”

Myers noted that one of the most important factors impacting brain aging is blood sugar balance. “Higher than normal blood sugar is very damaging to neurological health,” she said. “The higher the blood sugar, the more harmful it becomes. In fact, some experts are calling Alzheimer’s disease ‘type 3 diabetes.’”

Jenelle Kim, DACM, author of The Korean Art of Living Well, explained that lifestyle changes are more powerful than any single supplement when it comes to supporting cognitive function; she recommends physical activity to stimulate brain-derived neurotrophic factor, deep sleep to consolidate memories, and mental stimulation to keep the brain adaptable.

“From an emotional and spiritual perspective, chronic stress, fear and overstimulation exhaust the nervous system,” Dr. Kim said. “Daily practices like meditation, breathwork, time in nature and limiting digital overload help regulate the stress response and preserve mental clarity.”

Cognitive Health Isn’t Just Memory

While memory supplements are popular among patients and practitioners, cognitive health is more than just maintaining a sharp memory. Simmons explained that cognitive health is a combination of several systems that all work together. This includes cellular energy production, neurotransmitter balance, stress regulation and sleep hygiene.

“Brain cells are incredibly energy-hungry, so anything that supports good circulation and efficient energy production helps with clarity, focus and mental stamina,” he said. “When energy is low, everything feels harder: Concentration slips, decision-making slows, and even simple tasks can feel overwhelming.”

Another key piece of the puzzle, he explained, is neurotransmitter balance. Too much stimulation can lead to anxiety, distraction and mental fatigue, while too little stimulation can result in brain fog or low motivation. Healthy cognitive function sits somewhere in the middle, characterized by alertness but also calmness.

“Stress regulation plays a huge role as well,” Simmons noted. “Short bursts of stress can actually sharpen thinking, but chronic stress does the opposite. Over time, chronic stress can interfere with memory, learning and emotional regulation. A brain that’s constantly in fight-or-flight mode doesn’t have the space to think clearly or creatively.”

Finally, sleep hygiene is one of the most underestimated areas of cognitive health. Simmons said that sleep is when the brain repairs itself, clears metabolic waste and turns daily experiences into long-term memories.

“What’s interesting is how interconnected all of this is,” Simmons said. “Poor sleep makes stress harder to manage. Chronic stress affects neurotransmitter balance. Low energy makes it harder to focus or learn new things. When we support these systems together, cognitive health becomes much more resilient.”

Staying Smart in Old Age Matters

Dr. Stacey Smith noted that cognitive health isn’t a single outcome, but rather, a lifelong process that requires sustained molecular support. Myers, meanwhile, said that continually learning new skills and exploring new hobbies is a great way to keep the brain young. Furthermore, social support, Myers said, is a strong aspect to mental well-being and cognitive health. Natural and holistic health practitioners can help their patients maintain cognitive health by prescribing natural treatments like magnesium or omega-3 fatty acids, helping patients deal with stress, giving patients sleep aids when appropriate, discussing the importance of a Mediterranean diet, and encouraging patients to play cognitively stimulating games with friends.

Reference:

1 Liu G et al. “Efficacy and safety of MMFS-01, a synapse density enhancer, for treating cognitive impairment in older adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.” Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, vol. 49 no. 4 (2016): 971-990.

Healthy Take Aways

• Some of the key villains that can result in poor brain health include chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, toxic exposure and interference with how the brain works structurally.
• Natural remedies for supporting cognitive function include shilajit resin, red ginseng, curcumin, vitamin D and B vitamins.
• Cognitive health isn’t just memory—it is also problem-solving, attention and logic.
• Too much brain stimulation can lead to anxiety, distraction and mental fatigue, while too little stimulation can result in brain fog or low motivation.