If you've ever wanted to think faster on your feet, you're not alone. Millions of Americans are looking for a way to stay alert, remain focused, learn faster and generally promote their cognitive abilities to better navigate the world around them. These three nutrients have impressive data to support exactly those brain functions.

Lutein and zeaxanthin carotenoids

Because they are heavily concentrated in macular pigment, lutein and zeaxanthin are associated with eye health—but they are also found in the brain. This is significant because three, year-long, independent studies indicate that these carotenoids can also encourage improved spatial memory, reasoning skills and complex attention scores.^1-3

These positive cognitive results appeared regardless of age: healthy older adults taking lutein and zeaxanthin saw increased measurements of their ability to filter out irrelevant information while multitasking—as well as increased activity in the left prefrontal area of the brain involved in understanding verbal information, forming long-term memories, focusing on challenges and more.^1,2

Young people (ages 18 to 25) taking these carotenoid nutrients for six months also showed improved cognitive performance, as well as healthy levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor—a neurotransmitter modulating compound essential to healthy learning and memory formation.⁴

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica)

Gotu kola has been the subject of extensive research. Eleven different studies showed that C. asiatica can help improve both alertness and mood health.⁵ However, it's important to understand that traditional gotu kola extracts aren't standardized—and this makes a big difference when you look at the results.

A two-month study had healthy adults either take a gotu kola extract standardized to a naturally occurring compound called, “asiaticoside," or a placebo. The first group showed significant improvements in their working memory, word recognition, spatial memory and alertness. They also reported feeling calmer.⁶

Water hyssop (Bacopa monnieri)

Bacopa monnieri extract is a very popular study aid, and for good reason. In one study, a group that ranged between 18 and 60 years old were given bacopa, daily. After only three months they beganprocessing visual information faster, had better learning rates and easier memory consolidation—and even reported worrying less.⁷

Several studies of adults between the ages of 45 and 65 also indicated improved working memory, attention, and memory quality—in as little as four weeks. Additional improvements included visual processing speeds, verbal learning, as well as memory retention.^8-11