Try these super brain boosters

 
(NC) Between winding down from summer travel and getting into the back-to-school swing of things, many of us are in need of a boost during the fall. Here are some vitamins and supplements for your brain and body.
Omega-3 fatty acid. Acids like ALA, EPA and DHA play an important role in the human body, with some studies showing a link between the latter two and positive effects on slowing cognitive decline, such as memory and thinking skills, in older adults.
But since the body doesn’t produce them on their own, we have to get omega-3s through diet or supplementation. Fatty fish like salmon and tuna are good sources of EPA and DHA, but most people do not get the recommended amount of omega-3s in their daily diet. If you don’t, fish oil supplements can help.
Vitamin B12. This essential vitamin helps make DNA and red blood cells. But it’s another one you need to get through the foods you eat. Foods that are rich in vitamin B12 include eggs, milk, meat, poultry and seafood. While most of us get enough from our diets, 10 to 30 per cent of older adults may not absorb vitamin B12 properly. If you don’t receive enough from food sources or are over 50, you can get vitamin B12 in a multivitamin or foods that are fortified with vitamin B12.
Melatonin. Getting adequate sleep is important, as it affects almost every type of tissue and system in the body – from the brain, heart and lungs to metabolism, mood and disease resistance. Studies have shown that melatonin supplements can help reduce the effects of jet lag and re-set the body’s sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin can also increase total sleep time in people suffering from altered sleep schedules, such as shift workers, and reduce the time it takes people with sleep disorders to fall asleep.
While melatonin can be helpful in regulating sleep patterns, it is not recommended for use longer than four weeks. The dosage is different in adults and children; consult with your healthcare practitioner about what dose is right for you and your family members.
Head to your local Canadian Health Food Association member health food store to stock up on these brain boosters. Find your nearest location at chfa.ca.