13 Essential Vitamins Good for the Brain

David Tomen
Author:
David Tomen
25 minute read

The best multivitamin on the planet and the one I use and recommend is here: Performance Lab NutriGenesis® Multi for men or women

Have you ever tried a nootropic supplement and been disappointed with the result?

The latest racetam or herbal supplement was supposed to provide better focus and memory. But it was a dud.

At first there is the temptation to blame the supplier for a bad product. Or you may think that nootropic just wasn’t for you.

But chances are the product was pure. And under different circumstances may have worked very well for the benefit you were looking for.

The problem is often a lack of support by simple vitamins and minerals our bodies need every day. Nutrients that are fundamental to our health and how our brain works.

For example, a recommended stack suggests using CDP-Choline or Alpha GPC to provide the acetylcholine your brain needs for a racetam like Aniracetam to work.

But acetylcholine requires Vitamin B1 (thiamine), and Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) for synthesis. And Vitamin C induces the release of acetylcholine from synaptic vesicles on neurons. Which means Vitamin C is required for neuronal signaling transmission.

Aniracetam did not provide the promised benefit because your body did not have an adequate supply of Vitamin B1, B5 and Vitamin C.

Another example, you try tryptophan with the hope of increasing and getting the benefits of more serotonin. But you will not experience the benefit of this nootropic without adequate levels of Vitamin B6 (P-5-P) which is a cofactor and required for the synthesis of serotonin.

In this post we investigate the vitamins that are essential to a fully optimized brain. And why a quality multivitamin may be the key to getting better results from the nootropic supplements you use daily.

And because of the length of this post, you can find all about the minerals your brain needs for optimal function here – 13 Minerals Essential for the Optimized Brain

Here’s the multi I use every day and highly recommend: Performance Lab NutriGenesis® Multi for men or women. It contains all 13 vitamins covered in this post at dosages that your body and brain need every day.

What are vitamins?

Vitamins are a group of organic compounds essential for human life but are not synthesized in your body. So, you need to get adequate amounts of all 13 vitamins from your diet, or as a supplement.

We require four fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. And nine water soluble vitamins which include Vitamin C, and the eight B-Vitamins; thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5)pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9) and cobalamin (B12).

Although most vitamins in your diet are derived from plants, you often get them from higher up the food chain including meat, dairy and eggs.

What vitamins are good for the brain?

Why we need a daily multivitamin

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2008 found over 40% of adults surveyed had inadequate intake of basic vitamins and minerals. A large portion of adults were deficient in Vitamin A, C, D, and E.[i]

But even the most dedicated biohacker would be hard pressed to get the vitamins and minerals needed from their diet. The problem starts with our food supply.

One study evaluated the changes in food composition for 43 garden crops in the USA from 1950 to 1999. The researchers found a drastic decline in the levels of vitamins and minerals we assume we would get from good quality food.[ii]

Our body and brain require replenishment of vitamins and minerals every single day. Especially the water-soluble vitamins that our bodies cannot store.

A perfect, brain-healthy diet demands we supplement with a high-quality multivitamin.

The remainder of this post investigates exactly what each vitamin does in our brain. And why your nootropic stack is not complete without a full compliment of these essential vitamins.

13 essential vitamins for optimal brain health

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin and potent antioxidant. It comes in two forms; pre-formed Vitamin A (retinol, retinyl ester) which is found in meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products and is used directly by your body.

how vitamin A works in the brainPro-formed Vitamin A (carotenoids, beta-carotene) is found in fruit and vegetables and must be converted in your body to retinol and retinoic acid before it can be used.

In your brain, Vitamin A is involved in long-term potentiation which affects memory formation. And long-term depression which affects mood. Retinoic acid is involved in neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, cell differentiation, synaptic signaling[iii] and inhibits beta amyloid deposits.

Because Vitamin A is fat-soluble, your body can store excess amounts. And these levels can accumulate. Excess ‘pre-formed’ Vitamin A can be toxic. But excess ‘pro-formed’ Vitamin A (i.e. beta-carotene) does not seem to be a problem.

Too much Vitamin A can result in memory disruption and depression. Too little Vitamin A may result in dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.[iv]

Vitamin A deficiency is not much of a problem in our Western society because one sweet potato for example offers 28,058 IU’s of this vitamin. And ½ cup of raw carrots provides 9,189 IU’s.

Recommended daily dosage of Vitamin A are given in mcg of retinol activity equivalents (RAE). But every multivitamin I’ve come across lists Vitamin A in International Units (IU’s).

And it is close to impossible to translate RAE from IU’s because the translation depends on the source of Vitamin A (i.e. retinol vs beta-carotene).[v]

The bottom-line for Vitamin A – you absolutely require this vitamin for optimal brain health. But unless you do not eat meat, dairy, vegetables or fortified processed foods, it is highly unlikely you are deficient in Vitamin A.

But you have no reason to get stressed if your multivitamin contains 6,000 IU’s of beta-carotene.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) was the first B Vitamin to be discovered. Hence, its name Vitamin B1. You get thiamine from eating beef, brewer’s yeast, legumes (beans, lentils), milk, nuts, oats, oranges, pork, rice, seeds, wheat, whole-grain cereals, and yeast.

Thiamine is directly involved in the citric acid (KREB) cycle that provides adenosine triphosphate (ATP) energy for your mitochondria.

Thiamine also plays a role in maintaining optimal levels of the neurotransmitters glutamate, and gamma–aminobutyric acid (GABA). And contributes to the production of the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) which is essential in making the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) or Sulbutiamine for brain fog and motivationEven “mild thiamine deficiency” can turn your world upside down. Thiamine supplementation boosts attention, energy, and motivation. And a reduction in brain fog along with increased mental clarity and less anxiety.

Those dealing with fibromyalgia and nerve pain report a significant decrease in pain levels.

Most clinical studies use thiamine doses from 300 up to 1,800 mg per day. The bottom-line is thiamine dosing is completely up to you. No side effects are reported even at higher doses.

Recommended nootropic dosage of Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is 50 – 100 mg per day.

Or you can use Sulbutiamine, a fat-soluble synthetic version of thiamine which is much more bioavailable. Recommended dosage of Sulbutiamine is up to 1,500 mg per day.

Some pre-formulated nootropic stacks use Benfotiamine which is a fat-soluble synthetic S-acyl derivative of thiamine. It is much more bioavailable than the Thiamine HCI found in many lower quality B-Complex vitamin stacks.[vi] Dosage of Benfotiamine is up to 900 mg per day.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) – the two flavoprotein coenzymes from riboflavin, FMN (flavin mononucleotide) and FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide) are essential to most enzyme processes in every one of your cells.[vii]

FAD is required to produce pyridoxic acid from Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) which is the form of B6 your body can use. And is required to convert Vitamin A (retinol) to retinoic acid that your body can use.

FAD is required to convert tryptophan to Vitamin B3 (niacin). FMN and FAD are also cofactors in the metabolism of fatty acids in brain cell membranes, the absorption and utilization of iron, and the regulation of thyroid hormones.

Riboflavin is an essential part of ATP production in mitochondria. And research has shown that migraines are at least in part caused by impaired mitochondrial function.

Riboflavin has been investigated as a potential treatment for migraines. In one study, migraine patients received 400 mg of Riboflavin per day for 3 months. The study found a reduction in headache frequency and duration while using this nootropic.[viii]

The best food sources of Riboflavin are meat, organ meat, cheese, eggs, green leafy vegetable, beans and some nuts and seeds.

Anti-psychotics, and anticholinergic medications interfere with the body’s ability to absorb Riboflavin or reduces its effectiveness. Tricyclic antidepressants reduce Riboflavin levels. And drugs used to treat certain cancers can interfere with how your body uses Riboflavin.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) recommended dose for adults is 1.1 – 1.3 mg per day. It is usually included in multivitamins and B-Complex vitamins. And sold separately in 25, 50 and 100 mg tablets.

Riboflavin is generally considered safe, even at high doses. And does not seem to cause any serious side effects. Very high doses could cause itching, numbness, burning sensations, yellow or orange urine and sensitivity to light.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Vitamin B3 (Niacin, nicotinic acid) is a precursor to the coenzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP).

NAD is needed to catabolize fats, carbohydrates, proteins and alcohol. And NAD is involved in cell signaling and DNA repair.

NAD also converts to NADH which is the primary carrier of electrons in the transfer of food from your diet into energy. This energy is stored as adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

ATP provides the fuel for mitochondria in each of your cells. Not enough NADH leads to ATP depletion, which can eventually lead to cell death.[ix]

Niacin boosts the production of Nitric Oxide (NO) which relaxes blood vessels in your brain increasing cerebral blood flow. And niacin acts as an antioxidant helping to eliminate free radicals that can damage brain cells.[x]

Niacin affects cognitive function by stimulating the production of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin.[xi] These neurotransmitters are involved in memory, learning, cognition, recall and mood.

Niacin increases Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and stimulates growth hormone.[xii]

Niacin naturally occurs in foods like eggs, fish, meat, milk, peanuts, mushrooms, green vegetables, and yeast.

Your body also naturally synthesizes niacin from the amino acid tryptophan you get from food. This synthesis requires Vitamin B6, Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and an enzyme containing iron.

The recommended daily dose of niacin depends on what you are treating. Anywhere from 44 mg – 4 grams of niacin per day. See the full review of Vitamin D3 (Niacin) for complete dosage recommendations.

See the main niacin review for prevention of niacin flushing and preferred forms to use to prevent liver toxicity.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) is the anti-stress vitamin

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) is essential for the synthesis of acetylcholine (ACh). Adequate levels of ACh can boost focus, memory, learning, and reduce brain fog.

Vitamin Bis at the heart of the KREBs cycle and electron transport chain which helps convert nutrients from food into energy which is used to make adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the fuel source within each of your cells. More energy increases mental clarity, alertness, memory and mood.

As a precursor in the biosynthesis of Coenzyme-A (CoA), it is involved in the synthesis of the neurotransmitters acetylcholine, epinephrine, and serotonin. Affecting alertness, cognition, memory and mood.

Pantothenic acid is often referred to as the “anti-stress vitamin”. Your adrenal glands use CoA (made partly from pantothenic acid) along with cholesterol and Vitamin C to manufacture cortisol and epinephrine. Vitamin B5 has a reputation for reducing stress, anxiety and depression.

Foods rich in pantothenic acid include animal organs (liver and kidney), fish, shellfish, milk products, eggs, avocados, legumes, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes. Avocados contain the highest amount of pantothenic acid among commonly consumed foods, with one avocado containing about 2 mg.

As a nootropic, Vitamin B5 is crucial for converting the choline in your nootropic stack into acetylcholine (ACh). Without adequate levels of B5 you will not experience the benefits of using precursors to ACh like Alpha GPC and CDP-Choline.

The recommended dosage of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) is a one-to-two ratio with a choline supplement. For example, 250 mg of Vitamin B5 with 500 mg of CDP-Choline.

When choosing a Vitamin B5 supplement, your basic choice is between Pantethine or Pantothenic Acid. Pantethine is by far the more active choice when it comes to producing CoA. And for stacking with a choline supplement.

Recommended dosage of Vitamin B5 is up to 1,000 mg per day.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine, P-5-P)

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine, P-5-P) is required coenzyme for the synthesis of dopamine, epinephrine, GABA, melatonin, norepinephrine, and serotonin.[xiii]

As a nootropic, Vitamin B6 is crucial for the synthesis of these neurotransmitters. Even mild deficiency results in down-regulation of GABA and serotonin synthesis.

Leading to poor sleep, behavior, cardiovascular function, and the loss of hypothalamus-pituitary control of hormone secretion.[xiv] And increased anxiety, depression, fatigue and pain.

Vitamin B6 has a direct effect on immune function and gene transcription and expression. And plays a role in brain glucose regulation.

Vitamin B6 is needed to regulate homocysteine. High homocysteine levels are linked to inflammation that can lead to blood vessel damage. And possible plaque buildup leading to heart attack or stroke.

Vitamin B6 concentrations in your brain are about 100-times higher than levels in your blood. B6 is critical to the highly optimized brain.

Foods rich in Vitamin B6 include bananas, beef, chickpeas, pistachios, pork, potatoes, and turkey. But the problem is some forms of Vitamin B6 from plants (pyridoxine glucoside) are not very bioavailable.

Recommended dosage of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (P-5-P) form of Vitamin B6 is up to 100 mg per day. P-5-P is the only ‘active’ form of B6 available and preferred for nootropic usage.

Pyridoxine neuropathy (nerve damage) has been reported in doses of Vitamin B6 of 200 mg to 5 grams per day for extended periods. When dosing was stopped, symptoms usually disappeared.[xv]

Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

Vitamin B7 (biotin) is essential for happinessVitamin B7 (Biotin, vitamin H) is a coenzyme for carboxylases involved in the metabolism of fatty acids, amino acids and glucose.[xvi]

Biotin influences the use of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in the synthesis and release of serotonin from tryptophan, and tyrosine from phenylalanine.[xvii]

As a coenzyme, Biotin is required for the synthesis fatty acids for energy production in the brain.[xviii] Lack of adequate Biotin can result in fatigue.

Biotin is required for the formation of myelin which protects axons.[xix] Not enough Biotin can result in reduced brain cell signaling and symptoms such as seizures, lack of muscle coordination, learning disabilities, hallucinations, depression and fatigue.[xx]

Biotin is required for white blood cell development which is needed for a healthy immune system and to protect the brain and body from infections.[xxi]

And Biotin plays a critical role in chromosome structure by attaching to histones, the structure DNA wraps around. Some of the recent research shows how Biotin plays a role in gene expression within your brain cells.[xxii]

You body cannot synthesize Biotin, so you must get adequate amounts daily from your diet, intestinal bacteria or as a supplement.

Biotin is found in foods such as organ meats, egg yolks, some dairy products, and some fruits and vegetables.

We do not have a recommended daily dietary allowance for Biotin. So you see varying amounts in multivitamin and B-Complex formulas.

Biotin is non-toxic and safe to take in reasonable doses. But research has recently shown it wise to stop taking Biotin a few days before blood tests.

Because Biotin raises levels of the thyroid hormones T4 and T3 and elevates levels of anti-thyrotropin receptor antibodies. Mimicking Grave’s Disease (hyperthyroidism).

If you are using Biotin before having thyroid labs done, the lab results may falsely report you as having Grave’s Disease.[xxiii]

Vitamin B9 (Folate)

Vitamin B9 (Folate) functions as a coenzyme in single-carbon transfers in the synthesis of DNA and RNA. And converts homocysteine to methionine which is used in the synthesis of S-Adenosyl-methionine (SAMe).[xxiv]

As a nootropic, folate is also involved in gene expression, amino acid synthesis, myelin synthesis, and is required for the synthesis of the neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine and serotonin.

Folate is used in red blood cell production, helps break down and use proteins, and just about every other process in your body.

Folate deficiency is found in at least a third of those suffering from depression. Folate touches nearly everything happening in your brain.

Green leafy vegetables, or ‘foliage’ are rich sources of folate. And how ‘folate’ got its name. You can also get folate from citrus fruit juice, legumes, fortified foods and liver.

Many neurohackers, including doctors and other health professionals confuse folate with folic acid. They are NOT the same.

For a detailed explanation of why folate vs folic acid is such a big deal, see my full review of Vitamin B9 (folate). It covers how your body uses both compounds. And what happens if you have problems with the MTHFR gene.

Folate is critically important for the fully optimized brain. And research shows that folate levels even in the “normal (RDA) range” may be inadequate for methyl donation and neurotransmitter synthesis.

Supplementing with folate or a multivitamin with adequate levels of folate may help alleviate depression, improve memory and ward off dementia.

Discard or avoid buying any supplement bottle containing folic acid. You need folate or methyl-folate which is the type of this vitamin your body will use.

Recommended dosage for Vitamin B9 (Folate) is 500 mcg.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) is essential for the synthesis of DNA, RNA and neurotransmitters, the maintenance of myelin sheaths protecting neurons, and red blood cell formation.

Vitamin B12 is a cofactor in the synthesis of neurotransmitters dopamine, GABA, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Affecting alertness, cognition, memory and mood.

And Vitamin B12 is needed to regulate homocysteine. High homocysteine levels are linked to inflammation that can lead to blood vessel damage. And possible plaque buildup leading to heart attack or stroke.

Foods rich in Vitamin B12 include fish, shellfish, meat (especially liver), poultry, eggs, milk and milk products. The two best sources by far of B12 are clams and liver.[xxv]

You cannot get adequate amounts of Vitamin B12 from plants. Vegetarians and vegans are especially in danger of B12 deficiency. Regardless of what food and supplement manufacturers say.

Plant foods contain analogs of B12 which are similar to, but not the same as, Vitamin B12. They bind to B12 receptors and block your intake of true B12.

Trying to get your Vitamin B12 from yeast products like Red Star Nutritional Yeast or Marmite is also problematic. These products do not naturally contain B12 but are fortified with it.

Typical recommended dosage for nootropic benefit and optimal brain health is 100 mcg or 0.1 mg of Vitamin B12 per day.

Neurohackers older than 40 and those who have a problem with Vitamin B12 absorption should use 100 – 400 mcg or 0.1-0.4 mg of B12 per day.

If you test Vitamin B12 deficient, recommended dosage is 2,000 mcg daily for a week, then 1,000 mcg doses of B12 once per week for a month. Thereafter, your maintenance dose is 1,000 mcg monthly.[xxvi]

Avoid low quality Vitamin B12 supplements, and B12 found in multivitamins or B-Complex formulas, which is called cyanocobalamin. This form of B12 is not well absorbed and produces a small amount of cyanide in your body (cyanocobalamin).

Higher quality Vitamin B12 comes as methylcobalamin or adenosylcobalamin which are the forms of B12 naturally occurring in your body.

For the B-Vitamins – How Much Is Enough?

The B-vitamins are water-soluble. And any excess you take as a supplement will generally be excreted in your urine.

This means the B-vitamins are safer to take at much higher doses than RDA. But it also means you need to take them every day.

But this advice comes with a caveat …

The upper limit of Vitamin B9 as folic acid is 1000 µg/day because higher doses of this vitamin can mask symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency.

You shouldn’t be using folic acid in the first place. But even excess levels of folate can mask a Vitamin B12 deficiency.

The upper limit of Vitamin B3 (niacin) is set at 35 mg in the USA and Canada. Primarily because doses higher than 35 mg can cause flushing. You will not encounter flushing if you use Inositol hexanicotinate (IH) which is an “extended-release niacin” sold as “Flush Free Niacin”.

And doses of regular niacin (nicotinic acid) above 1,500 mg per day can be toxic to your liver.

The upper limit of Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) is 100 mg per day because higher doses can cause nerve damage (pyridoxine neuropathy).[xxvii]

Vitamin C

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble nutrient and electron donor critically important for the healthy brain. The active form of Vitamin C is L-ascorbic acid.

Your brain contains more Vitamin C than any other organ in your body. Lack of adequate Vitamin C results in cognitive impairment at any age.[xxviii]

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger.  And participates in the recycling of other brain antioxidants including Vitamin E.

Vitamin C induces the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).[xxix] It contributes to myelin formation and brain cell membrane assembly.[xxx]

Vitamin C is a cofactor in the synthesis of norepinephrine from dopamine. It induces the release of acetylcholine (ACh) and norepinephrine from synaptic vesicles on neurons which means Vitamin C is involved in neuronal signaling transmission.

Vitamin C is involved in presynaptic re-uptake of glutamate. And prevents potential neuron damage from excess glutamate at NMDA receptors.

Vitamin C is well-known for its contribution to collagen formation. And is a primary component of the basal membrane in blood vessels contributing to cerebral circulation.

Supplementing with Vitamin C improves mood, lowers anxiety, reduces fatigue and helps combat depression.

Many biohackers take mega-doses of Vitamin C, but studies show increasing your daily dose from 200 mg to 2,500 mg increases blood levels of this vitamin only marginally.[xxxi]

And there is an ongoing debate on the best form of Vitamin C. When it comes to the bioavailability of synthetic vs. ‘natural’ sources of Vitamin C; several clinical trials have shown no difference between the two.[xxxii]

Vitamin D for the brain

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol or calciol) is the fat-soluble steroid hormone form of Vitamin D. The “sunshine vitamin” is considered essential. Your skin synthesizes Vitamin D3 from ultraviolet-B (UVB) sunlight.

Vitamin D3 as a nootropic supplement is critical for optimal cognitive health. It’s an integral part of neurotransmitter synthesis, gene expression, DNA maintenance and repair, and the forms of neuroplasticity needed for memory formation and retrieval.

Vitamin D3 with Omega-3’s is needed for serotonin synthesis, release and function. Regulating executive function, sensory gating, and social behavior.

And Vitamin D3 is involved in the synthesis of GABA, glutamate and glutamine, and dopamine in your brain.[xxxiii]

Vitamin D3 protects against DNA damage through prevention of telomere shortening and inhibition of telomerase activity. And prevents oxidative damage to DNA.

And Vitamin D3 is involved in neuromodulation, regulation of neurotrophic factors, neuroprotection, neuroplasticity, and brain development. All in areas of the brain associated with depression. Supplementation could be an important part of depression treatment.[xxxiv]

Vitamin D is mostly made in your skin from sun exposure. Not primarily from food like most of our other vitamins.

You get some Vitamin D from foods like fatty fish (tuna, salmon, and mackerel), beef liver, cheese, egg yolks, and mushrooms. Some foods in the USA are fortified with Vitamin D. It’s added to breakfast cereals, soy beverages, yogurt and margarine. Check the nutrition fact panel on the food label.

The Institute of Medicine recommends 4,000 IU per day for Vitamin D3Vitamin D is fat-soluble. So, make sure you take it with a meal containing healthy fats. Or a tablespoon of extra-virgin coconut or olive oil.

To achieve optimal blood levels and for specific dosage recommendations, see Vitamin D dosage notes here.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E includes a group of eight structurally-related, fat-soluble, chain-breaking antioxidants: four tocopherols and four tocotrienols: α (alpha), β (beta), γ (gamma) and δ (delta).

α-Tocopherol is the most abundant and bioavailable antioxidant form of vitamin E in human cells. And the form of Vitamin that has received the most research.[xxxv]

But recent research from Karolinska Institute of Stockholm shows that all forms of Vitamin E play a role in brain health. The meta-analysis found that cognitive impairment was lowest in those with the highest levels of tocopherols and tocotrienols.[xxxvi]

Another study funded by the National Institute of Health found that d-alpha tocotrienol is 1,000X more potent that d-alpha-tocopherol in protecting brain neurons.[xxxvii]

As a neurohacker, chances are high that you are deficient in Vitamin E. A study showed that Vitamin E supplementation has fallen from 44% in 2002 to about 20% in 2006. And over 90% of Americans are not consuming enough Vitamin E.[xxxviii]

Vitamin E protects cells from damage associated with oxidative stress caused by free radicals. And even the healthiest brain is highly susceptible to oxidative stress.

High blood levels of Vitamin E have repeatedly been associated with better cognitive performance. And research shows that high levels of a-tocopherol and Vitamin A are found in the blood of centenarians.

Another study of 15,000 women aged around 70 years who used Vitamin E and Vitamin C over the last 20 years had significantly better cognition than those who did not supplement with these vitamins. Taking either of these vitamins on their own showed little evidence of providing better cognition.[xxxix]

Vitamin E is fat-soluble and found in plants, some oils, fruits and wheat germ.

Choosing the right Vitamin E is crucial because using a supplement with only alpha-tocopherol interferes with the absorption of other forms of Vitamin E including the tocopherols and tocotrienol that are needed for cognitive health.[xl]

The vast majority of Vitamin E supplements are synthetic gamma-tocopherol or alpha-tocopherol which are not the type of these isomers found in food. And useless to your body and brain.

Vitamin E can be unsafe when taken in high doses (400 IU or more). Especially if you are dealing with heart disease or diabetes.

One serious side effect of Vitamin E is increased risk of bleeding, especially in the brain.

High levels of Vitamin E increase your risk for heart failure (in diabetics), worse bleeding disorders, increased chance of head, neck and prostate cancer, increased bleeding after surgery, and increased chance of death after a heart attack or stroke.

Your best bet is to consciously get all the isomers of Vitamin E in your diet. If you decide to supplement, recommended daily dose of Vitamin E is less than 400 IU per day.

And look for a Vitamin E supplement that is food-sourced with all 8 isomers if you can find it.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin which got its name from the German word ‘koagulation’. Because it plays a primary role in blood clot formation.[xli]

We have two forms of Vitamin K; K1 (phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinones). The two main types of Vitamin K2 are MK-4 and MK-7.[xlii]

Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of sphingolipids which contribute to the formation of the myelin sheath insulating axons in your brain. Sphingomyelin plays a significant role in cell signaling pathways.[xliii]

Several proteins in your brain are dependent on Vitamin K. For example, protein Gas6 is actively involved in apoptosis, mitogenesis, neuron and glial cell growth.

And the vitamer MK-4 plays a unique role in the fight against oxidative stress and inflammation.

Research into the implication of Vitamin K and brain health is ongoing. But so far it is clear that this vitamin is crucial for the optimized brain.

One recent study showed increased dietary intake of Vitamin K is associated with better memory. Particularly in older adults.[xliv]

You get Vitamin K2 primarily from meat like chicken, pork, beef, egg yolks, milk and cheese. K2 is higher in meat and dairy products from grass-fed animals. And you get Vitamin K1 from green leafy vegetables.

As a nootropic, find a supplement that includes Vitamin K1 and K2 (both MK-4 and MK-7). Natural health professionals recommend at least 2,000 mcg of K2 of which at least 100 mcg should be in the form of MK-7.

Recent research shows that all four fat-soluble Vitamins A, D, E and K work synergistically for optimal health and brain function.[xlv]

Choosing the Best Multivitamin for Brain Health

Most multivitamins contain vitamin and mineral dosages based on the government published ‘Recommended Daily Allowance’ (RDA).

In the USA, the most recent RDA recommendations were published in 1968. But there is an inherent weakness in the RDA. Because it’s like the ‘authorities’ attempting to create a shirt that would fit 95 out of 100 people.

And consider this …

The minimum RDA of each vitamin and mineral is what the ‘authorities’ considered in 1968 to be the minimum of each nutrient to sustain life. Not necessarily to make you feel great. Just to keep you alive.

For the dedicated biohacker working toward optimal health and cognition, we look at the clinical data and how we feel to determine what we need.

See my post “How to Select the Best Multivitamin for Brain Function” on what to look for when it comes to quality.

And here’s the multi I use every day and highly recommend: Performance Lab NutriGenesis® Multi for men or women. It contains all 13 vitamins we covered in this post at dosages that your body and brain need every day.

Use the recommended dosages in this post as a general guide when reading multivitamin labels.

Your body and brain require each of the above 13 vitamins daily for optimal health. Some you will get from a healthy diet; preferably with organic vegetables and fruit, and grass-fed meat products.

The remainder must be supplied by supplementing with the right multivitamin every day. You’ll feel better and your nootropic stack has a more likely chance of providing the benefits you were looking for.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may also contain other affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

[i] Agarwal S., Reider C., Brooks J.R., Fulgoni V.L. 3rd. “Comparison of prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake based on body weight status of adults in the United States: an analysis of NHANES 2001-2008.” Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2015;34(2):126-34 (source)

[ii] Davis D.R., Epp M.D., Riordan H.D. “Changes in USDA food composition data for 43 garden crops, 1950 to 1999.” Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2004 Dec;23(6):669-82. (source)

[iii] Lane M.A., Bailey S.J. “Role of retinoid signalling in the adult brain.” Progress in Neurobiology  2005 Mar;75(4):275-93. (source)

[iv] Fragoso Y.D., Campos N.S., Tenrreiro B.F., Guillen F.J. “Systematic review of the literature on vitamin A and memory” Dementia & Neuropsychologica 2012 Oct-Dec; 6(4): 219–222. (source)

[v] “Vitamin A” National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements (source)

[vi] Haupt E., Ledermann H., Köpcke W. “Benfotiamine in the treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy–a three-week randomized, controlled pilot study (BEDIP study).” International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2005 Feb;43(2):71-7. (source)

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Join The Discussion - 79 comments

wong
January 25, 2021

Hi

Can you advise what kind of vitamins, minerals ( beside biotin ) or nootropics that one should avoid before taking a blood test in order to have a accurate lab test results.

    David Tomen
    January 25, 2021

    Wong, great question and I should probably write a post on this. These should be stopped 3 days before getting lab work done: Vitamin C, Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B7 (biotin), Vitamin B9 (folate), calcium, iron, Vitamin E, fish oil (Omega-3s), Ginkgo Biloba, hops extract, red clover, ginger and garlic, and the Chinese herbs Dan Shen and Chan Su

salem
December 28, 2020

hi david

i take vitamin B2 riboflavin 100 mg a day from NOW FOOD.
and also I take 1 capsule of B-complex from LifeExtension , which has 37mg of B2

so thats 137 mg of B2 per day , is that okay ? or not safe ?
i take them together , should i split time between them ?

    David Tomen
    December 28, 2020

    Salem, Riboflavin is generally considered safe, even at high doses. And does not seem to cause any serious side effects.

    Very high doses could cause itching, numbness, burning sensations, yellow or orange urine and sensitivity to light.

    I don’t consider 137 mg of B2 a “very high dose”. But if you begin to experience any of the above side effects you’ll know you’re personally using too much.

      salem
      December 28, 2020

      when i take the life-extension b-complex yellow capsule, i only experience the yellow urine, is it normal ?

      and i dont experience any of the side effects you mentioned.

      so its fine to take the 137mg , all on one times on daily basis ?

        David Tomen
        December 28, 2020

        Yellow urine is perfectly normal. These B-Vitamins are water-soluble so what your body does not use is excreted in urine.

        And yes, 137 mg is just slightly above the top recommended daily dose of 100 mg for long-term use.

Damian
December 10, 2020

Hi David, I ask for your help again, I would like to know, please. Why didn’t you put vitamin B8 (inositol) on your list of the 13 Essential Vitamins for the Optimized Brain? How many MG of Inositol do you consume per day?

I would also like to know if the Life Extension Two per Day multivitamin is a good choice? and if not, why? (since it has Folate, Methylcobalamin, and the mixed types of vitamin E), because I cannot get the Performance Lab multivitamin in my country

    David Tomen
    December 10, 2020

    Damian, because inositol is not a true B-Vitamin. It acts as a secondary messenger that all your major neurotransmitter rely on. It is important But it’s not a vitamin.

    If you cannot get the Performance Lab Multi in your country that Life Extension is not a bad second choice. Just be aware that is also contains silica, vegetable stearate, calcium silicate, and maltodextrin most of which are toxic to your brain. That’s the type of thing that separates the Performance Lab supplements from the rest of the market because they use zero “other ingredients” other than a capsule.

      Damian
      December 11, 2020

      Thanks for answering David, it only remains for me to know if your daily amount of inositol is extracted from Perfonmance Lab multivitamin or do you also supplement in another way?

      — Finally, I would like to know if Nootropics Depot Magnesium Glycinate powder is as effective as Magnesium Glycinate chelate in Tablets of Dr Best

        David Tomen
        December 11, 2020

        Damian, I don’t use any extra Inositol other than what is in the Performance Lab Multi.

        And Magnesium Glycinate would be the same from both companies. The only difference is “other ingredients” which are best to avoid when you can.

      Bradley Horwith
      December 14, 2020

      Hi David, what are your thoughts on the Life Extension Mix Powder?

        David Tomen
        December 15, 2020

        Bradley, the first half of the Supplement Facts label looks OK or that supplement but they’re missing a couple of minerals. The bottom half of that supplement however is what I personally avoid because it’s not what I’m looking for in a multivitamin/mineral supplement. I think they designed that supplement as a meal replacement formula rather than a multivitamin.

        The other thing the disturbs me is this on the their label, “WARNING: Consuming this product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to P65Warnings.ca.gov/food.”

        That warning is not needed on the Performance Lab Multi for men. And in comparison is a better choice for a multivitamin/mineral supplement than the Life Extension product. The dosage of each ingredient is right and it works. And it’s at least $20 less expensive.

Vice. Fungal
September 6, 2020

Hey David . Quick question. I am 25 years old, have struggled with inattentive ADHD my entire life. I have always felt a moment of clarity and focus after eating. So on top of my MLP I take active b complex by Genesrta. I also take magnesium bis-glycinate 200mg, and zinc 25mg bis-glycinate (CanPrev) with positive effects. I am wondering would I benefit more from replacing the three vitamins above with a high quality multivitamin?
My diet is generally very poor. I like vegetables and fruit but can’t say I eat a sufficient amount, especially day to day.
Its common that I only eat one a meal day. I thought I was “to young” for a multi vitamin, but honestly that might just be dumb.

    David Tomen
    September 7, 2020

    You will absolutely benefit more by using a high quality multi. After reading the post above and the linked post on 13 Minerals Essential for the Optimized Brain it should be clear that missing even one or two of these critical nutrients can prevent your brain from working optimally.

    I use and highly recommend the Performance Lab NutriGenesis Multi which I’ve linked to in the first section of this post above. As well as the last section. This is the only multi I’ve ever used where I ‘felt’ the difference after taking the first dose. It’s that good.

    If you are truly ADHD please take a look at and consider following the stack suggestions in this post for ADHD: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/

Hakan
July 20, 2020

Hi David,

I can’t find active forms of B vitamins in right dosage, their dosages are so little and very expensive in my country.

So i can mostly find the other low bioactive forms like, folic acid, pyrodoxine glocoside etc. So what would happen if i use them?

What is the approximate bioavailability of them for the body? I mean is it so low or useless to take them? Or at least can i get %50 benefit of the active forms with the non bioavailable forms?

Thank you

    David Tomen
    July 20, 2020

    Hakan, the synthetic versions of these vitamins are useless for most people. Because they can’t be converted internally for most people to something your body recognizes as food.

    Can you get Life Extension products in your country? Because if you can the Life Extension BioActive B-Complex (https://amzn.to/2CuKZnc) is a great example of a high quality, bioavailable, and effective B-Complex supplement.

    Your next best option is the Performance Lab NutriGenesis Multi for men if you can get shipped to your country.

      Hakan Erdur
      July 21, 2020

      Thanks but i can’t get anything from outside country, customs are so strict 🙁

      So i have to look for choices…

      Hakan
      July 21, 2020

      I can also find one by one each of the B vitamins in active forms. So which ones are the most important so i can but them seperately?

      Thanks

        David Tomen
        July 21, 2020

        Hakan, all of them are important. If you’re low or missing any one of the vitamins I’ve detailed in this article something will go wrong. It’s why I included “essential” in the title.

Tiago
July 11, 2020

What time is best for taking a b-complex? Do you think it would be a good idea take my b-complex at the same time as my vyvanse in the morning?

    David Tomen
    July 12, 2020

    Tiago, I use the Life Extension BioActive B-Complex which is a 2 capsule daily dose. I take one capsule in the morning and the other at noon. The only reason I don’t take both capsules in the morning is because it contains 100 mg of niacin. And I get a bad skin flushing reaction with niacin above 50 mg.

    Timing doesn’t matter as much as making sure you have adequate levels of each of the B-Vitamins in your system so you an synthesize the dopamine that Vyvanse needs to work with.

      Tiago
      July 14, 2020

      I’m using the same as you.

      What you think about this betacarotene complex from jarrow?

      And this one from natural factors [CarotenAll]

        David Tomen
        July 15, 2020

        Tiago, both of them look like quality supplements. Dosage and form are good and no toxic “other ingredients”. If I had to choose between the two at this point I’d use User Reviews to help me decide.

Ross
April 14, 2020

Hi David:

I am looking at introducing a second multivitamin into my weekly supplement regime.

My intention is to alternate between the two of them.
For Example:
— Multivitamin No1 for Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun
— Multivitamin No2 for Tue, Thu, Sat

Multivitamin No1 :
Life Extension, Comprehensive Nutrient Packs Advanced, 30 packets

Multivitamin No2 :
after seeing your video review, I am seriously thinking of trying
NutriGenesis® Multi for Men

QUESTION-1:
do you think there is any merit in alternating between two different “high quality” multi-vitamins as I have described above ?
( the logic I was using is that I would be taking advantage of the best of “two approaches” )

QUESTION-2:
the dosages are much lower with
NutriGenesis® Multi for Men
compared to
Life Extension, Comprehensive Nutrient Packs Advanced, 30 packets
Why would this be the case ?

QUESTION-3:
in your opinion, does the “whole food” approach associated with
NutriGenesis® Multi for Men
make it significantly superior to
Life Extension, Comprehensive Nutrient Packs Advanced ?
What are your views on this ?
( in summary I am trying to better understand the “significance” associated with the “whole food” approach )

Many Thanks 🙂
Ross

    David Tomen
    April 23, 2020

    Ross, that particular Multi by Life Extension shares the same problems as many other multis. Some of the critical vitamins and minerals are missing. And the “Other Ingredients” list is something you want to avoid because of its toxicity.

    The Performance Lab NutriGenesis Multi is the only men’s Multi I know of that contains clinically proven dosages of each vitamin and mineral. It has no toxic “Other Ingredients”. It’s priced competitively. And I can’t see any benefit to using anything else other than the PL Multi daily.

Anna
January 9, 2020

Hi David!
Greetings from Sweden!
I really Love what you do for us with health problems.

Just i Quick not, vitamine k was discover buy a danish man Henrik Dam and they name “koagulation” comes from Danmark.

Im so thankfull for what you do and have helpt me what The doctors have given up on me.

Looking forward to 2020 on this page and hopefully we all Will get better!

2020 is for us, Love and keep fighting!

Best wishes from Sweden.

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