Individuals often turn to caffeinated stimulants when they have a need to bolster alertness and focus. But caffeine has some serious drawbacks. Read on to learn about some caffeine-free natural supplements that may help you optimize your productivity without the jitters or addictive properties of caffeine.
Approximately 90 percent of adults worldwide use caffeine, consuming it mainly from coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks. While it can provide a quick boost of energy, people who are caffeine sensitive or excessive caffeine users may experience adverse side effects such as:
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Trouble concentrating
- Anxiety
- Accelerated heart rate
- A rise in blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Poor vitamin & mineral absorption (iron, calcium, and B vitamins)
- Caffeine dependence & withdrawal symptoms.
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Caffeine-Free Natural Supplements to Improve Focus and Productivity is the (SmartDrug&Supplements) article.
Your brain on caffeine = brain disruption
Caffeine is classified as a drug belonging to a group of stimulants called methylxanthines and is a Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant. Caffeine blocks the action of adenosine, a chemical messenger in the brain that promotes sleepiness and fatigue. When caffeine enters the brain, it attaches to adenosine receptors, preventing adenosine from binding to them. This results in anincreased release of dopamine, acetylcholine, and norepinephrine leading to enhanced mood, increased alertness, and improved cognitive function.
Caffeine affects the same area of the brain that cocaine affects, and while it is not as addictive as cocaine, caffeine can be addictive for some people. Over time, some may feel the need to increase their caffeine intake to unsafe levels to achieve the same results.
As an alternative to caffeine, natural supplements can provide similar benefits without adverse side effects. These supplements can help increase energy levels, improve focus, and reduce stress, making them an excellent option if you decide to quit caffeine.
Five natural supplements that energize your brain without interfering with its function
We have narrowed down five natural supplements that encourage your brain to focus and concentrate without disrupting its pathways, enabling you to feel energized, stay clear-headed, and be productive.
#1: Omega-3 Fatty Acids: alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid found in plant-based foods such as flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts. It is an essential fatty acid meaning that your body cannot produce it on its own and must obtain it through diet. ALA is converted into EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) by the body, but only in small amounts. As a result, humans must consume foods containing EPA and DHA or use supplementation to remain healthy. Fish are called “brain food”; due to the EPA and DHA found in fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel. If you’re not a fan of fish, supplementation may be a good option.
Working as a team, ALA, DHA, and EPA can reduce inflammation and possibly prevent age-related cognitive decline. Additionally, they provide nutrition to your brain to improve:
- Cognitive function
- Mood
- Memory
- Sleep quality (essential for brain function)
#2: MCT (Medium-chain triglycerides) oil
Your brain requires glucose (sugar) to function efficiently, and research suggests that it loses its capacity to utilize glucose over time. MCT, or medium-chain triglyceride oil, is derived from coconut or palm oil and is known for its potential brain-boosting benefits. MCT oil is easily digested and quickly converted into ketones, or energy molecules that the brain can use as an alternative fuel source to glucose.
MCT’s brain benefits include:
- Improved cognitive function
- Reduced risk of neurological disorders (2017 human study)
- Anti-inflammatory properties that protect the brain from oxidative damage
#3: Creatine
Creatine is an amino acid stored in your body’s skeletal muscle and your brain; it’s needed for creating a quickly accessible form of energy in the body called Adenosine triphosphate or ATP. Creatine supplementation is often used by both strength-building and endurance athletes because of its wide range of benefits, including increased endurance, high power output, and faster recovery rates between bouts of exercise and training days.
Creatine supplementation can increase phosphocreatine stores in your brain, helping it produce more ATP. Recent research shows that creatine supplementation can improve cognitive function, particularly in tasks requiring short-term memory and intelligence. Studies have found that creatine supplementation improved working memory, intelligence, and reaction time in healthy young adults. Creatine may also help protect the brain from damage by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, which are thought to be involved in developing certain neurodegenerative disorders.
#4: Phenylalanine
Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid that must be obtained outside the body through high-protein foods such as meat, fish, and dairy. A very small percentage of the population has a genetic allergy to phenylalanine, called phenylketonuria (PKU), and must live without the potential benefits of this substance. In the healthy body, phenylalanine is converted into tyrosine, another amino acid used to make the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. These neurotransmitters play essential roles in regulating mood, attention, and other cognitive functions.
There are different types of Phenylalanine; L-Phenylalanine has been shown to benefit brain health and function by:
- Improving mood
- Reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety,
- Enhancing cognitive function and working memory
#5: Trans-resveratrol
Trans-resveratrol is a phytonutrient found in red wine, grapes, berries, nuts, and roots. It’s classified as a type of polyphenol, which are plant-based compounds known for their antioxidant properties. Trans-resveratrol is responsible for many of the health benefits associated with moderate wine consumption.
Research suggests that trans-resveratrol has beneficial effects on the brain, including neuroprotective properties that shield it from damage caused by inflammation, oxidative stress, and other potential harm. Studies have shown that trans-resveratrol can improve blood flow to the brain, which may help to enhance cognitive function and reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline. A 2017 study suggested that trans-resveratrol may increase Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which is associated with increased intelligence, mood, productivity, and memory.
Where can you find these five natural supplements?
All the natural supplements referred to in this article can be found separately in pill, capsule, soft gel, liquid, or powder form. But there is one company, BrainLuxury, that has conveniently combined all five of these natural supplements into one product called GAMMA BrainLuxury™.
BrainLuxury only produces two supplements, one for sleep and one for focus, revealing their dedication to ensuring the quality of their products. They have an in-house Science & Innovation Advisory Board, and their company website states: “With a diverse group of people consisting of scientists, researchers, brand builders, and thought leaders, we want to both educate and revolutionize brain health.” Their mission statement reads: “to help you nourish your brain to bring it back to its best, supporting natural deep sleep, focus, and creativity.”
Caffeine-free natural supplements for the win
If you’re a long-time consumer of caffeine products, consider giving your body a break and trying products that feed your brain instead of exhausting it. Caffeine-free natural supplements offer a pleasant alternative to jitters, anxiety, and insomnia. Calm and focused productivity is an attractive state of being and one that is very achievable with the help of natural supplements.
For further research:
HowStuffWorks: “Caffeine and Adenosine”
National Center for Biotechnology Information: “n-3 fatty acids: role in neurogenesis and neuroplasticity”
Medical News Today: “Phenylalanine: What it is, sources, benefits, and risks”
Health: “Anxiety and Caffeine: What’s the Connection?”
Houston Methodist: “Caffeine & Sleep: How Long Does Caffeine Last & Keep You Awake? | Houston Methodist On Health”
Journal of Neurochemist: “An update on the mechanisms of the psychostimulant effects of caffeine”
Important Note: The information contained in this article (Caffeine-Free Natural Supplements to Improve Focus and Productivity) is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
