Exploring Health

Throughout the last couple of months I've been researching vitamins and supplements that improve memory and then trying them out. What I found were a variety of pills that drastically lowered my stress levels, improved my energy levels, and one that actually improved my memory. These were things I wasn't intending and didn't know were possible, but now that I know they've drastically improved my life.

While this is all my personal antecedents with these vitamins and supplements I thought it would be worth sharing. There's so many options out there now a days that people might want to experiment more to find something to help them be the best them that they can be. (Also I'm not a doctor so don't sue me if these don't work for you, thanks.) 


Evening routine
NAC - This was the first one that I tried. The literature I read said that it would improve memory and brain function. The first time I took one right before bed and the next morning there was less stress in my shoulders than I've had in years. I've been taking it since then and it's absolutely been helping my stress levels. It's also improving the health of my neck and back, which is where I keep my stress. My massage therapist has said that I have one of the top 10 most messed up backs she's ever seen, so anything that can help that is good in my book.

GABA - This is a new one that I found out about quite recently. It's also an amino acid like the NAC. This one is supposed to be particularly good for sleeping, though I haven't had a problem taking it in the morning as well. Since I started to take it I have been having more dreams, though I have not been sleeping particularly less than my normal 8-9hours a day. I do feel more well rested in the morning. This has also helped reduce the tension in my middle back. While that sounds oddly specific for me it's stress reducing affects are noticeably different than NAC, and when combined they reduce my tension headaches considerably. 

Chelated Magnesium - The body's processes for using those amino acids involves the use of magnesium. Thus I wanted to make sure that my body had enough to get the results from both of those consistently every night. I had been noticing inconsistencies in their affects until I added this into the mix.


Morning routine 
CoQ10 - This is a nutrient that also should occur naturally in the body and the foods that we eat. When I started to take this I noticed a drastic improvement in my energy levels. It also keeps my energy consistent throughout the day meaning I don't need the afternoon cup of coffee. 

Vitamin D - Because living in NY during winter we are prone to having very low levels of vitamin D, which can lead to a multitude of health issues.

NAC again - Twice a day is the right amount to keep my stress levels low. 

GABA again - Twice a day is the right amount to keep my stress levels low. 

DHA -500 - This compound is the active part of fish oil. This is the only vitamin or supplement that I've noticed to actually improve my memory and recall. 


Didn't work
Alpha-Lipoic Acid - Not much to say, I took it for a week and didn't notice any differences. 

​PQQ - I also tried this one for a week and didn't notice any change.

Melatonin - I've tried this on and off many times throughout the years, particularly when I worked nights. Sometimes it's helped more than others, but considering the drastic changes I've seen from the vitamins and supplements recently I don't think that it's ever been enough of an improvement to bother with again. 

What do you take that helps you?