Nutrition

Integrative Medicine

What is your favorite supplement for better focus, attention, and alertness?

Top Picks for Better Focus: Brain MD and Alpha Brain Supplements

So the question is, what is my favorite supplement for better, focus, attention and alertness. So I'm going to answer this in two ways, on a regular basis along with my other 50 vitamins and supplements and potions. That I take on a daily basis, are two products by brain MD. By the way, the things I'm going to mention I have no financial interest in whatsoever. Get them on Amazon. I do know, Daniel, Amen. He's a psychiatrist. He's the real deal. I've known in 20 years. And these are elegantly formulated supplements. I take focus and energy. I don't know if you can see that. If it's reversed and brain and memory power boost, those are my daily kind of maintenance for the brain formulas, but I think what you're talking about is like what gives you an instant hit. And I got another one for that. That's a completely different product. These are, this is called Alpha Brain, and it's made by a company called on it. 0n nit also one that I I have absolutely no connection with its founded by a guy named Aubrey Marcus who I have heard speak at conferences that I've spoken at. And he's very impressive and none of that matters. Except for the fact that I tried this on a whim on a whim, they had them at the counter at Whole Foods and it's seen Alpha Brain. What could it possibly be? And I have to tell you this this absolutely it's an elegant formula and it does give you a boot of alertness. I Use this. Now, before I go on a podcast to be interviewed, I always have a hit of that and I keep I'd buy them in 30 packs and get them from Amazon. So, I like that for focus and energy, like, if I got a, you know, zoom in, whether it's a tennis game or writing an article, I usually use that and I on a daily basis, I use the products from brain MD, which again, is all the stuff that's been formulated by dr. Daniel Amen.

My favorite supplements for better focus, attention and alertness are BrainMD Focus and Energy and BrainMD Memory Power Boost (which I take on a regular basis) as well as Onnit Alpha Brain (which I use for an instant boost of alertness).

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My favorite supplement for better focus, attention, and alertness is a two-part answer. On a regular basis, along with my other daily vitamins and supplements, I take two products from Brain MD - Focus and Energy, and Brain and Memory Power Boost. These are well-formulated supplements created by Dr. Daniel Amen, a reputable psychiatrist. They are part of my daily brain maintenance routine.

However, if you're looking for an instant boost, I have another recommendation. It's called Alpha Brain, made by a company called Onnit. I have no affiliation with them, but I stumbled upon this product at Whole Foods and decided to give it a try. It's an elegant formula that provides a noticeable increase in alertness. I personally use it before podcast interviews or when I need a focused burst of energy. I purchase it in 30 packs from Amazon.

So, in summary, for daily maintenance, I rely on Brain MD products, and for immediate focus and energy, I turn to Alpha Brain by Onnit.

What’s your favorite fish oil without any orange citrus flavoring? - ie: liquid (so kids could take)

Delicious Key Lime Fish Oil: A Kid-Friendly Solution

Hi, this is dr. John a the question that came in was what's my favorite fish oil? That kids will take and it's a pretty easy answer. Full disclosure. I've been on the scientific Advisory board for this company for over 17 years. I know them very well. I don't make any money if you buy their product, but I do know enough about it and have used it for many, many years. And I know that it works on kids and this is bar liens. Seriously delicious omega-3 and it comes in various flavors. This one, which is my favorite is the high potency omega-3 in key lime, and it comes in other flavors, mango just great stuff and it's in a kind of fruit compote. That's that's emulsified. And interestingly enough. I've done some research on this. The emulsified fish oil is actually slightly better absorbed than actual plain fish oil, so you All the absorption is no sugar in it. It tastes really good. At least for fish oil. It's like it does not taste anywhere like fish oil and kids will eat it and it does go in smoothies. And this is what I've used with all the kids in my family or in my Orbit, ever since it came out. It's won so many prizes and consumer surveys, and things like that at natural products Expo and play. It is like that continually wins prizes wins accolades and it really deserves it. It's high potency. There's literally 1500 mg of fish oil, and one spoonful of this, and you keep it in the refrigerator. You give it to kids either by itself or frozen yogurt, if you want, I mean, they really goes with everything and it is the answer to, what do you give kids? That won't take fish oil and believe me. That's maybe one of the most Most important supplements you can give to a kid. So the fact that Berlin's solved this problem for us is is quite a contribution. That's what I recommend. I hope that helps.

I recommend Bar Lien's Seriously Delicious Omega-3 in Key Lime as it is my favorite and has been used by me for many years. It is a high potency fish oil with 1500 mg of fish oil per spoonful, and is emulsified so that it is slightly better absorbed than normal fish oil. It tastes good, is great for kids and can be added to smoothies or frozen yogurt.

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My favorite fish oil without any orange citrus flavoring, specifically in liquid form for kids, is Barlean's Seriously Delicious Omega-3. I have been on the scientific advisory board for this company for over 17 years, so I am very familiar with their product. Although I do not make any money from recommending it, I can confidently say that it works well for kids.

Barlean's Seriously Delicious Omega-3 comes in various flavors, but my personal favorite is the high potency omega-3 in key lime. It is an emulsified fish oil, which means it is slightly better absorbed than plain fish oil. Despite being sugar-free, it tastes great and does not have the typical fish oil flavor. Kids find it enjoyable, and it can be easily added to smoothies or consumed on its own. It has won numerous prizes and accolades in consumer surveys and natural products expos.

Each spoonful of Barlean's Seriously Delicious Omega-3 contains 1500 mg of fish oil. It is recommended to keep it refrigerated. This product is an excellent solution for kids who may be resistant to taking fish oil, which is an important supplement for their health. I have personally used it with the kids in my family and highly recommend it.

Personal Review: Athletic Greens - Worth the Investment!

The question is, is athletic greens worth it? So for those of you who might not know, athletic greens is a Formula comes from New Zealand. It's kind of pricey and it's very, very good. I use it myself. I met these guys when they first came out with this, I was on their podcast. I thought it was Australia but I guess it was New Zealand and I was impressed with them their integrity their passion and their Angela and they sent me one of the original canisters and I used it. But to be honest, I forgot about it for a while. And then, it started cropping up popping up on all the podcasts. I listen to it, it's highly endorsed by people that I respect, so I took another look and I wanted to subscribing to it so for me, it's worth it. It's I keep it in the refrigerator all the time. I don't drink it every single day. I sometimes stop the shipment for a month, so I can catch up or if I'm traveling. It's a very easy subscription to Energy a very consumer friendly, but I keep it in the refrigerator like this every day. And I sometimes I just go in and take a few steps instead of water. And I find it to be very, very useful and I can highly recommend it. Now, if you only budget for nutrition supplements is a hundred bucks. I probably wouldn't spend it on letter greens, because I want to make sure everybody, I counsel is getting fish oil magnesium, high dose, vitamin D by which I mean about 5,000, IU's. A multiple that has, at least 25 or 30 grams of zinc, milligrams of zinc, and 200 micrograms of selenium and maybe a probiotic. So I, if I had a hundred bucks, only, I probably concentrate on those five Essentials. If I had a second hundred, I'd probably get athletic greens

Athletic Greens is worth it for me because I keep it stocked in my refrigerator, the subscription is consumer friendly and I find it to be very useful. However, if you have a limited budget for nutrition supplements, I would recommend stocking up on essentials such as fish oil, magnesium, high dose vitamin D, zinc, selenium and probiotics instead.

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Is Athletic Greens worth it? Well, let me share my experience with it. Athletic Greens is a formula from New Zealand that is known for being a bit pricey but highly regarded. I personally use it and was initially impressed with the integrity, passion, and authenticity of the company when I first encountered them on their podcast. They sent me one of the original canisters, which I tried and liked. However, I forgot about it for a while until I started hearing endorsements for it on various podcasts I listen to. These endorsements came from people I respect, so I decided to take another look and ended up subscribing to it.

For me, Athletic Greens is worth it. I keep it in the refrigerator and although I don't drink it every day, I find it to be very useful. It's a convenient subscription service that is consumer-friendly. I sometimes take a few sips of it instead of water throughout the day. However, if your budget for nutrition supplements is limited to a hundred bucks, I would prioritize other essentials like fish oil, magnesium, high-dose vitamin D, zinc, selenium, and a probiotic. But if you have additional funds, then Athletic Greens could be a worthwhile investment.

Ultimately, it depends on your personal preferences, budget, and priorities when it comes to nutrition supplements.

Can you explain why fish oil is one of your "go-to" supplements for most people?

Unlock the Anti-Inflammatory Power of Fish Oil for Optimal Health

So the question is, can I explain why fish oil is one of my go-to supplements for most people? Sure. I think number one with a bullet is that omega-3s from fish are among the most anti-inflammatory molecules on the planet. And all of us have more inflammation than we know what to do with. So we can use all the anti-inflammatory help we can get. And omega-3s from fish and omega-3s in general, but the ones that are found in fish particularly are very anti-inflammatory and therefore very helpful for human health. A second reason is that a lot of research has examined the ideal ratio of the omega-6s to the omega-3s in the diet. An entire book of research was published just addressing this question. And the general findings have been that the ideal ratio in paleolithic man was maybe four to one in favor of the omega-6s, more likely one to one, equal amount of omega-6 and omega-3. We consume now here in America somewhere between 16 to one and 25 to one in favor of the pro-inflammatory omega-6s. So we're like funding our inflammatory army and starving our anti-inflammatory army, which is another reason why fish oil is one of my three go-to supplements for most people.

Fish oil is one of my go-to supplements for most people because it is highly anti-inflammatory, and research has shown that the ideal ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s in the diet should be closer to one to one, while Americans typically consume a ratio of 16 to one to 25 to one in favor of the pro-inflammatory omega-6s.

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Fish oil is one of my go-to supplements for most people because it offers several benefits. Firstly, omega-3s from fish are highly anti-inflammatory, making them valuable for combating the excessive inflammation that many individuals experience. Inflammation is a common issue, and incorporating anti-inflammatory molecules like omega-3s can be beneficial for overall health.

Secondly, research has explored the optimal ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s in our diets. Studies suggest that the ideal ratio, as observed in paleolithic times, was either four to one or even one to one. However, in modern America, our ratio is significantly imbalanced, ranging from 16 to one to 25 to one in favor of pro-inflammatory omega-6s. By supplementing with fish oil, we can help restore a healthier balance between omega-6s and omega-3s, supporting our anti-inflammatory defenses.

Considering these reasons, fish oil is one of my top three recommended supplements for most individuals.

How much Vitamin D do you take? What advice can you give to others about Vitamin D?

Vitamin D: Expert recommends 5,000 IU for optimal health

The question was, how much vitamin D do I take? And what do I recommend to other people? Which are really two separate questions. I personally, take seven thousand a day. I've long been taken a 5000 IU supplement which comes with 180 micrograms of vitamin K2, which is exactly how I suggest people do it. But I have a very high potency multiple which also contains two thousand and I didn't really think it meant that much different. So I take seven. Day. And let me point out that I am an avid tennis player. I play two hours a day. I live in Los Angeles and I play in the Sun, so I probably get way more than that. 7,000. What do I recommend people do for years? I was so nervous about going over any recommendations. That doctors talked about. Of course, that's before I realized doctors know nothing about nutrition, but the fact is so I would always recommend for the average person. Person 2000. Knowing that there was absolutely nothing that could ever go wrong with taking 2,000, IU's a day, your body makes 10,000 with an hour in the Sun but I stop being such a wuss about it. I believe very firmly that most people in America would benefit from at least 5,000 IU's a day. There's never been a research study that I've ever seen the chose any problem or toxicity at that amount or even considerably more than that. So my general go to recommendation for the average person today. In the United States were about 70 percent of people are not getting optimal 2nd levels. Even to begin with. My recommendation is 5,000 IU's and a combo with vitamin K2.

I personally take 7,000 IU of vitamin D a day because I am an avid tennis player and live in Los Angeles, but I recommend the average person take 5,000 IU with 180 micrograms of vitamin K2.

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Regarding how much vitamin D I take and my advice for others, these are two separate questions. Personally, I take 7,000 IU (International Units) of vitamin D per day. I have been taking a 5,000 IU supplement with 180 micrograms of vitamin K2, which is how I suggest people approach it. However, I also have a high-potency multiple vitamin that contains an additional 2,000 IU, so my total intake is 7,000 IU per day. It's worth noting that I am an avid tennis player in Los Angeles, where I spend time in the sun, so I may already be getting more vitamin D from sun exposure.

As for my recommendation to others, for a long time, I was cautious about exceeding the recommended amounts suggested by doctors. However, I have come to realize that doctors often lack knowledge about nutrition. I used to recommend 2,000 IU per day for the average person, as there is no harm in taking that amount. Our bodies can produce 10,000 IU of vitamin D in an hour of sun exposure. But now, I firmly believe that most people in America would benefit from at least 5,000 IU per day. There is no research study that I have come across showing any problems or toxicity at that amount or even higher. Considering that around 70% of people in the United States do not have optimal vitamin D levels to begin with, my general recommendation is 5,000 IU in combination with vitamin K2.

It's important to note that individual needs may vary, and it's always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist to determine the appropriate vitamin D dosage for your specific situation.

For collagen supplements do you recommend powder, liquid, or pill?

Choose collagen powder for better dose and source

So the question is for collagen supplements, do I recommend powder liquid or pill will definitely not pill. Remember, collagen is a protein and you want in a protein supplement, whether it's College, you know, whey protein or whatever it is, you want what? 10 to 20 grams per serving and how much you think you can fit into a pill and half a gram maybe? So it's just on dose alone. I'm not going to go with the pill. So the difference is between the liquid and the powdered basically dose and Source, you will get a bigger dose with the powder. The liquid ones rarely have more than 10 10 grams of protein, per serving and the powders can easily be 15 or 20. So, for a better dose, I'd go with the powder. Remember, as far as the source of the college and goes, I am the same way about college and supplements. As I am about beef, it's got to be grasped It, it's just got to be grass-fed or all the products that come from, it are junk. So you need grass-fed bovine collagen. If you're getting it from animals, which I think you are and it's important to remember that. There are three different types of collagen this type 1, which is all over the body except for the cartilage to is basically in the cartilage and 3 is in the skin muscle and blood. So they overlap but the liquid collagen to likely to come from Marine collagen and that's likely to be just one. 22, whereas bow Ving growth. Both in growth bovine, collagen is likely to be one in three, which is a very nice blend for just overall health. So for all those Reasons, I'm kind of a fan of the protein, once the liquid ones also are going to be flavored, that sounds great, but that means chemicals and sweeteners, which you don't get in the powder. So for the reason of dose Source, more likely to get grass fed and everything, but poor Ability. I'm a big fan of powdered collagen supplements.

I recommend powder collagen supplements over liquid or pill supplements due to higher doses, better source of protein, and lack of chemicals and sweeteners.

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When it comes to collagen supplements, I do not recommend pills. Collagen is a protein, and pills cannot provide the necessary dosage, usually containing only a small fraction of a gram. So, let's focus on the differences between liquid and powder options.

In terms of dosage and source, powdered collagen supplements offer a higher dose compared to liquid ones. Liquid collagen supplements typically contain around 10 grams of protein per serving, while powders can easily provide 15 to 20 grams. It's important to consider the source of collagen as well. I prioritize grass-fed bovine collagen, as I do with beef products. Avoiding collagen from animals that are not grass-fed is crucial to ensure quality.

There are three types of collagen: type 1, found throughout the body except in cartilage; type 2, primarily in cartilage; and type 3, in the skin, muscles, and blood. Liquid collagen often comes from marine sources, which is typically type 1. On the other hand, bovine collagen, commonly found in powder form, is likely to be a blend of type 1 and type 3, offering overall health benefits.

Another factor to consider is flavoring. Liquid collagen supplements are often flavored, which may contain chemicals and sweeteners. Powdered collagen supplements, on the other hand, do not have these additives.

Considering the dosage, source, grass-fed quality, and absence of additives, I am a proponent of powdered collagen supplements. They provide a better overall experience and effectiveness.

Neither AnyQuestion nor its Experts provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment or otherwise provide professional healthcare services.

Physician disclaimer

Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS answers your Integrative Medicine questions. See all the advice Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS has and get answers to your own Integrative Medicine questions.

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Jonny Bowden began his career as a jazz musician, studying under Herbie Hancock and at Juilliard before earning degrees in music & psychology from NYU. He found his passion for nutrition while working as a pianist for Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre. Bowden changed careers and earned 6 personal training certifications, a psychology masters, and a nutrition PhD. He was the Dean of the Equinox Fitness Training Institute for 4 years and became a board-certified nutritionist. Bowden has penned 15 books, including best-sellers "The Great Cholesterol Myth," "Living Low Carb," and "150 Healthiest Foods on Earth”. He's a worldwide speaker, has appeared on every major network (ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, Fox, MSNBC), has been interviewed on dozens of podcasts, and featured in The NYT, Men’s Health, Woman’s World, Forbes Online, GQ, Cosmo, Self, Prevention, InStyle, Shape, and O, The Oprah Magazine. Known as The Nutrition Mythbuster™, Bowden is committed to debunking health myths and speaking truth to power.