Neuroprotective Supplements: A Complete Guide

Neuroprotective supplements might be for you if you:

• Feel like you can’t think clearly 
• Constantly suffer from brain fog
• Seem to take longer to make decisions or react
• Feel as though you’ve lost your “mental edge”

In truth, many adults feel this way and are continually looking for ways to support their cognitive health. Neuroprotective supplements target your brain health and may help support clearer thinking, better memory, and even reduce the risk of cognitive decline. 

Numerous supplements exist that have some neuroprotective benefits, so finding the best one to take can be a challenge. Here, we’ll look at five popular supplements that have extensive research behind them, and see which ones science says are the best for your brain. 

What Are Neuroprotective Supplements?

Supplements that support your brain’s health, function, and structure are neuroprotective. These target the brain and help support the brain’s cells. 

Most neuroprotective supplements also support other parts of the body, including other bodily cells. The supplements we will cover have extensive research that covers the mechanisms by which they directly support the brain and cognition. 

5 Popular Neuroprotective Supplements

Deciding to take a new supplement should not be a snap decision. Supplements are not highly regulated, so it’s important to understand what you are taking, whether or not it does what it says, and what side effects you may experience while taking it. 

These supplements are research-backed and well-established, but you’ll also want to make certain you’re purchasing them from a reputable source. Some supplements are so popular that they are mass-produced, which can lead to issues with purity and even safety. 

Buying from an established brand that uses third-party testing to ensure the accuracy and safety of the supplement. The following supplements can be found from high-quality manufacturers that adhere to strict guidelines to ensure their products are pure.

1. CoQ10

CoQ10 is an enzyme that acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect our cells against oxidative stress that causes them to lose their function and even die. CoQ10 is found primarily in meat, fish, and nuts. Our bodies make CoQ10, but levels of CoQ10 decline with age, prompting some to take it in supplement form. 

As a neuroprotector, CoQ10 is thought to play a role in supporting energy production in cells. The focus of CoQ10 as a neuroprotector has been primarily on a deficiency in CoQ10 levels, which researchers believe is involved in the development of neurological disorders like epilepsy, stroke, MS, and even depression. 

Side Effects

There are some known side effects of taking CoQ10 in supplement form. Primarily, these side effects include gastrointestinal upset, headaches, and loss of appetite. Some people may also experience skin issues and irritability. Taking CoQ10 is usually considered safe, although the safety of CoQ10 for pregnant and nursing mothers has not yet been established. 

2. Creatine

Widely used by gym-goers for decades, creatine is getting new publicity as a neuroprotective supplement. Creatine is a natural compound found in the muscles and brain. The liver, pancreas, and kidneys produce about 1 gram of creatine per day. Creatine is also found in seafood and meat. 

The claims of creatine’s neuroprotective benefits stem from studies of creatine supplementation in older adults and in the treatment of patients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs. Supplementation has been linked to improved memory and cognition in older adults and has been shown to aid in healing the brain and reducing symptoms after TBIs.

Side Effects

The most common side effects people experience from creatine is weight gain, but it’s worth noting that this weight gain is typically a gain in lean muscle mass, not fat. Creatine pulls water into the muscles, which may cause some people to experience bloating, but not actual weight gain. 

3. Caffeine

Surprised to see your DOC (drug of choice) on our list of neuroprotective supplements? Don’t be. It’s widely accepted that your favorite stimulant helps with focus and mental clarity, but it may also be able to help improve your memory. The effects of caffeine on the brain are short-lived, and too much caffeine can have negative health impacts on your body.

Side Effects

If you’ve ever had a little too much caffeine, you’re probably already familiar with the unwanted side effects, like jitters, tunnel vision, headaches, gastrointestinal distress, and even fatigue (for some users). Too much caffeine can also make you caffeine-reliant. For best results, keep your caffeine usage under 200 mg per day.

4. Fish Oil (Omega-3)

Fish oil supplements are wildly popular, popping up on virtually every supplement shelf in every grocery store and pharmacy you enter. Fish oil capsules contain omega-3, the source of some essential fatty acids. Essential means the body needs it to thrive, but can’t make it on its own. We have to get the essentials from diet or supplements. 

There are three omega-3 fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Interestingly, only ALA is considered essential. 

DHA and EPA are not, however, the studies that show the most of the heart-protective benefits of omega-3 focus primarily on EPA (explicitly without DHA). However, in terms of neuroprotection, DHA has more benefits. Some studies show DHA may help calm inflammation in the brain and support improvement in middle-aged adults experiencing cognitive decline.

Side Effects

The most common side effect of fish oil supplements is gastrointestinal upset, including those world-famous “fish burps.” Even so-called “burpless” formulas can’t quite eliminate that fishy aftertaste. Further, independent studies have found that more than one in 10 bottles of fish oil supplements are rancid on store shelves. 

Perhaps most disturbing is the fact that at high doses, omega-3 can lead to low blood pressure, thinning of the blood, increased risk of bruising, and excessive bleeding if an injury were to occur. These side effects are concerning given the popularity and usage of fish oil supplements, but thankfully, science says there’s a better option. 

5. Pentadecanoic Acid (C15:0)

Pentadecanoic acid, or C15:0, is an odd-chain, saturated fatty acid that is the first essential fatty acid to be discovered since the omegas over 90 years ago. Its discovery by a team of veterinary epidemiologists has been followed by more than 100 peer-reviewed studies that support its essentiality and broad benefits to our health. 

C15:0 protects cells by:

• Strengthening cell membranes by up to 80%.
  
  
• Rescuing mitochondria inside cells by increasing ATP production and reducing reactive oxygen species.
  
  
• Clearing damaged cells, which could cause inflammation.
  
  
• Lowering levels of proinflammatory cytokines (a key driver in aging)

In a new study funded by the Office of Naval Research, researchers took a deep dive into C15:0’s potential brain benefits. Conducted by an independent third-party team, the study used a screening panel to look for neuroprotective molecules. 

According to results published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, C15:0 showed two key dose-dependent effects that support cognitive health:

• Fatty15 helps block the enzyme FAAH. Our bodies naturally make endocannabinoids—those “feel-good” molecules that help balance brain health and immune responses. But as we age, FAAH starts breaking them down, which can lead to cognitive decline. Fatty15 steps in to help slow down FAAH, keeping those happy molecules around longer, which is great news not just for brain health, but also for mood, sleep, and joint comfort. We’ll take it!

• Fatty15 helps block the enzyme MAO-B. MAO-B breaks down dopamine, a key player in memory, mood, and overall brain function. As we get older, dopamine tends to dwindle because MAO-B gets more active. Fatty15 helps slow down that breakdown, helping to maintain healthy dopamine levels. This not only supports brain health, mood, and sleep, but it may even help with healthy aging. Research on MAO-B inhibitors has shown lifespan benefits in animals, making fatty15’s potential even more exciting.

What’s even cooler? These findings line up with earlier research showing that people with higher levels of C15:0 tend to have better cognitive function, stronger memory, and better moods. Count us in!

Side Effects

Taking C15:0 is regarded as safe for adults and during pregnancy. Further, there are no known side effects of taking C15:0, which makes sense as it is an essential nutrient that our bodies must have to maintain our health. 

How Does C15:0 Stack Up?

With so many benefits in addition to neuroprotection, you might wonder how C15:0 stacks up against other neuroprotective supplements. In a major study that compared C15:0 to the purest, most effective form of omega-3 (EPA), C15:0 was the clear winner, proving to be better, broader, and safer. 

• Better. C15:0 had 26 more clinically relevant benefits than omega-3. Omega-3 only had 10.
  
• Broader. C15:0 repaired 2.5 times more cell types studied than omega-3, including repairs to immune, gut, heart, joint, skin, red blood cell, and lung health.
  
• Safer. C15:0 was safe for all 12 cell types tested, but omega-3 was toxic to 4 of them, including lung and blood vessel cells. 

This is particularly important for people who take higher doses of omega-3. Science supports that C15:0 may be a safer and better alternative. 

You Can Even Be Deficient

C15:0 is so essential for our long-term health that without it, you can develop a nutritional deficiency syndrome. As published in the scientific journal Metabolites, low body levels of C15:0 (also called pentadecanoic acid) can result in fragile cells that accelerate cellular aging and increase the risk of developing chronic metabolic, heart, and liver conditions. 

This nutritional C15:0 deficiency syndrome has been named Cellular Fragility Syndrome and may be impacting as many as 1 in 3 people worldwide.

Optimal C15:0 levels are between 0.2% and 0.4% of a person’s total fatty acid count. You can have your healthcare provider test your fatty acid count or order an at-home test such as this one here. If you discover you are deficient, you can easily fix and prevent Cellular Fragility Syndrome, with fatty15. 

Fatty15: The Only C15:0 Supplement

Fatty15 is the first and only supplement that contains the pure, vegan-friendly, sustainably-produced, and award-winning version of C15:0 known as FA15. Supplementing your diet may be important because C15:0 is only found in small amounts in whole-fat dairy products like whole milk and full-fat butter. 

Increasing your intake of whole-fat dairy alone means you’d also be taking in excessive calories and an abundance of the pro-inflammatory even-chain saturated fats. Not to mention, drinking whole milk is off the table for vegans. 

Fatty15 is in free fatty acid form and ready to be easily absorbed by your body. It doesn’t involve cow-cooperation, and doesn’t contain any other fats or ingredients. At just one calorie per dose, it’s the easiest way to protect your cells and your brain against Cellular Fragility Syndrome and improve your long-term health and wellness. 

Think Fast

Neuroprotective supplements can be beneficial for anyone who needs a mental boost in clarity, cognition, and memory support. Why not take a neuroprotective supplement that protects and supports your entire body simultaneously? 

Fatty15 is the neuroprotective supplement that supports your brain along with every cell in your body. Taking fatty15 once per day is an easy way to strengthen your cells, prevent Cellular Fragility Syndrome, and reverse aging at the cellular level. 

Sources:

Revealed: many common omega-3 fish oil supplements are ‘rancid’ | The Guardian.com

Creatine | Mayo Clinic

Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Brain Function and Health | PMC

Supplementation with Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Psychiatric Disorders: A Review of Literature Data | PubMed

Dietary intake of fatty acids and fish in relation to cognitive performance at middle age | PubMed

Neuroprotective effects of coenzyme Q10 on neurological diseases: a review article | PMC

Efficacy of dietary odd-chain saturated fatty acid pentadecanoic acid parallels broad associated health benefits in humans: could it be essential? | Scientific Reports

A review of odd-chain fatty acid metabolism and the role of pentadecanoic Acid (c15:0) and heptadecanoic Acid (c17:0) in health and disease

Effect of an Asian-adapted Mediterranean diet and pentadecanoic acid on fatty liver disease: the TANGO randomized controlled trial | ScienceDirect

Pentadecanoic Acid (C15:0), an Essential Fatty Acid, Shares Clinically Relevant Cell-Based Activities with Leading Longevity-Enhancing Compounds

Targeting ageing with rapamycin and its derivatives in humans: a systematic review | The Lancet.com

The Cellular Stability Hypothesis: Evidence of Ferroptosis and Accelerated Aging-Associated Diseases as Newly Identified Nutritional Pentadecanoic Acid (C15:0) Deficiency Syndrome