Nutrition is important for a healthy and active body, but what about a healthy and active mind? We don’t often think of healthy nutrition outside of weight loss, but the nutrients we provide our bodies with impacts our productivity! Whether you’re looking to step up your game at work, at home, or at the gym, these 5 nutrients will give you the productivity boost you need.

Productivity and Nutrients: The Connection

As an entrepreneur, your days are packed full and you can’t afford to hit low energy periods. If you’ve tried to just “push on through” then you know the feeling of hitting that wall — it’s hard to concentrate, simple tasks feel complicated, and mistakes are popping up left and right. Long story short, there’s not enough coffee in the world to lift that fog and your productivity takes a real hit! But why, exactly, does nutrition mess with your productivity so much?

It’s because your productivity depends on your brain’s ability to receive, send and coordinate signals and these three tasks that require lots of energy and nutrients!

Everything you put into your body affects the way your body functions and how well it’s able to perform, and this is why it’s important that you eat a well-rounded diet of whole foods to provide your body with optimal energy, concentration, and productivity. Of course, little gaps can easily pop up in our diet here and there while we go, go, go and this makes proper supplementation so important for productive days! So, next time your productivity needs a boost, reach for one of these 5 nutrients to get your engine revved up again!

Omega 3s

Headlines may have demonized fats in the past, but your brain is actually a very fatty thing – 60% fat, to be precise! All of that fatty tissue is essential for healthy brain function as fats provide the building blocks for myelin – a fatty, waxy tissue surrounding each nerve cells so signals flow efficiently.

Now, not all fats noirish your brain so don’t think that grabbing fried chicken is going to do you or your brain any favors! Stick with adding good fats such as avocado oil or olive oil to your foods or – even better – consider adding an omega 3 supplement if you don’t take one already!

Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins

Antioxidants are the heavyweights of supporting your brain’s health, and oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are known for their powerful antioxidant properties! They neutralize oxidants and combat free radicals and, while you might not notice an immediate boost, they can even increase your overall brain health if you make an effort to increase your antioxidant intake over time. This can lead to a better memory, improved concentration, and even increased learning ability.

While we’d like to think we’re all eating a well-rounded diet filled with colorful fruits and veggies, the fact is that most of us don’t even come close to the recommended daily amounts. If you aren’t totally sure you’re getting enough OPCs and antioxidants, Isotonix® OPC-3 is a great way to fill gaps!

Huperzine A

This nutrient may not be one we hear much about, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t important! Huperzine A is derived from a type of firmoss known as Chinese Club Moss. Studies on huperzine A have shown it to be effective for improving memory and supporting the neurotransmitter acetylcholine! This neurotransmitter promotes normal learning, memory, cognitive well-being, healthy nerve transmission, concentration, and proper muscle function.

That sounds like a combo we could use when that 3 p.m. slump hits! Now, unless you’re out there eating firmoss on a regular basis, you’re going to need a little supplementation to include this nutrient into your diet! Our favorite? Prime Ultimate Longevity Formula by Isotonix®!

L-Phenylalanine

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and L-Phenylalanine is one of the amino acids essential to the process! It acts as an amino acid precursor, boosting noradrenalin production which increases mental alertness to help keep you productive, without the dreaded crash.

Your body cannot produce L-phenylalanine, so it must be obtained through diet or supplementation. Try including high protein foods into your day by snacking on pumpkin seeds or almonds and including protein into your breakfast + lunch! To help you boost your L-Phenylalanine, you can also sip on MochaTonix® for your afternoon kick without the crash!

Magnesium

The recommended daily value of magnesium for adults is 400mg of magnesium, and that doesn’t sound too impossible to meet with diet alone, right? Surprisingly, a study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that most U.S. adults – especially women and those over the age of 30 – were receiving only 290mg! We don’t hear too much about this nutrient so it’s easy to think “no big deal”, but it turns out that it’s a bigger deal than we thought, especially for cognitive performance.

Inadequate levels of magnesium have been linked to poorer concentration, memory and cognitive function and lower sleep quality which can put a real damper on your productivity the next day (or two!). If you’re looking to boost your magnesium intake, we suggest reaching for Isotonix® Magnesium to ensure your body is absorbing and utilizing the nutrients it needs to keep your brain going!