TerraBella Newton Blog

What Supplements Are Good for Brain Health? A Guide for Aging Adults

Written by Terrabella Newton | Jan 12, 2026 5:00:00 AM

What supplements are good for brain health? Some of the most beneficial brain-boosting supplements include omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and L-Theanine. Taking supplements during your retirement in Newton, NC, may offer senior mental clarity.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, the number of people with Alzheimer's disease could reach 13 million by 2050. About one in nine people aged 65 and older has Alzheimer's. Despite this increasing prevalence, not many people realize that supplements may offer cognitive health support.

A few memory support nutrients include vitamin C, vitamin D, and magnesium. Taking supplements may improve your mental clarity, focus, and memory.

Unsure if taking memory support nutrients is right for your retirement in Newton, NC? Read on to learn more about supplements for aging and cognition today!

What Supplements Are Good for Brain Health?

People with low levels of certain vitamins and minerals may benefit from taking brain-boosting supplements, including:

  • L-Theanine
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin D
  • B vitamins
  • Magnesium
  • Omega-3 fatty acids

These supplements may help offer mental clarity while improving your concentration. Make sure to consult a doctor before adding new supplements to your routine. They'll help you avoid potential interactions with medications you're taking for any underlying conditions.

Here are a few supplements that may offer cognitive health support.

L-Theanine

L-Theanine is an amino acid found in green tea. Amino acids are molecules that help the body produce proteins to function properly. Taking an L-Theanine supplement may help:

  • Improve sleep quality
  • Reduce stress and anxiety
  • Boost mental clarity and alertness

GABA is a naturally occurring chemical messenger in the brain. Together, GABA and L-Theanine may help improve sleep quality and duration. Getting enough sleep may improve your ability to function during the day.

Stress and anxiety may affect your memory or ability to think clearly. L-Theanine supplements may help elevate GABA, serotonin, and dopamine levels, which reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.

According to the same study by Hidese et al. in Nutrients, L-Theanine could help improve your ability to stay focused and verbal fluency. It could boost alertness and senior mental clarity.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C plays a role in cognitive performance. It aids in the synthesis of neurotransmitters and converts dopamine into serotonin. Vitamin C also ensures blood vessel integrity (a factor in cognitive capacity).

High levels of vitamin C in the blood are linked with lower levels of cognitive impairment.It could help prevent neural loss that typifies dementia.

As an antioxidant, vitamin C helps the body fight off free radicals, reducing oxidative damage. Otherwise, oxidative stress could impede the clearance of debris from brain cells, leading to the buildup of toxins, inflammation, and cell death. Vitamin C could help reduce beta amyloid (a protein linked with Alzheimer's disease).

Vitamin D

Having a vitamin D deficiency could contribute to brain fog and depressive symptoms. It may cause memory problems and poor concentration.

Taking a vitamin D supplement may improve your overall mental health. It could boost your mood, ease negative thoughts, and reduce anxiety and depression symptoms.

B Vitamins

B vitamin deficiencies may cause symptoms of brain fog, including difficulty concentrating and memory problems. According to a study by Jatoi et al., published in Cureus, people with cognitive impairment and low B12 levels experienced improved cognition with supplements. For 78% of participants, memory and attention scores improved with supplementation.

Magnesium

Magnesium aids the body in energy production, blood pressure regulation, and nerve function. A deficiency may cause brain fog, including difficulty concentrating. It could also increase your susceptibility to stress and anxiety symptoms.

Consult a doctor to determine if you have any vitamin deficiencies. They can help you determine which memory support nutrients you need most.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids may help support brain health, including your:

  • Mood
  • Attention
  • Working memory

Taking an omega-3 fatty acid supplement may help improve your mood, reduce depressive symptoms, and ease brain fog.

What Foods Contain Memory Support Nutrients?

Brain-boosting foods that offer senior mental clarity can include:

  • Fatty fish like salmon (which contain omega-3 fatty acids)
  • Green, leafy vegetables (containing lutein, folate, vitamin K, and beta carotene)
  • Berries (containing antioxidants that fight free radical damage)
  • Tea and coffee
  • Nuts and seeds (which are high in healthy fats and protein)

Consider switching to the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet, which prioritizes whole foods. You can find healthy, nutritious dishes made with brain health in mind through your community's dining program.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Fastest Way to Improve Brain Function?

To improve brain function, try:

  • Exercising
  • Challenging the brain
  • Socializing
  • Eating healthy, nutritious meals
  • Getting enough sleep

Check your senior living community's events and activities calendar to discover new hobbies. Engaging in hobbies can stimulate the body and mind, potentially slowing cognitive decline.

Try making new friends through your Newton senior living community. Socializing can stimulate the mind and enhance your sense of belonging.

You can find fun exercise classes through your community's fitness program. Exercising increases blood flow, which can benefit the mind and body.

What Are the Signs of Poor Brain Health?

Signs of a deteriorating brain may include:

  • Dizziness or vertigo
  • Depression
  • Poor memory
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Trouble learning complex concepts
  • Slow and less powerful muscle movements
  • Mental sluggishness

Consult a doctor if you experience these symptoms. They can offer resources for cognitive health support.

Otherwise, lean on your senior living community's exclusive lifestyle programs. Making changes to your routine may benefit your overall health and longevity.

Prioritize Healthy Aging and Cognition in Newton

To recap, what supplements are good for brain health? Prioritize B vitamins, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids. Consult a doctor before adding new supplements to your routine to avoid interactions.

Remember, you can find more resources for cognitive health support through your Newton senior living community. TerraBella Newton is a part of the Discovery Senior Living family of management companies, which ranked number one in customer satisfaction among assisted living and memory care communities in the JD Power 2025 US Senior Living Satisfaction Study.

Enjoy our exclusive senior lifestyle programs, including Celebrations Activities & Events like Matinee Movie Nights or Sensations Dining for chef-prepared meals. Contact us now to schedule your tour.