A few tips to keep student on top of their game
By now most students are back in school, either in the classroom or at home. Stress has understandably kicked up a notch, and cold and flu season is just around the corner. It’s definitely time to consider a little supplemental school support to keep studies going smoothly.
The Basics
It’s a well-known consensus that busy brains need omega-3 oils, either from fish or algae. The EPA and DHA contained in those oils are anti-inflammatory and essential for a fully functioning nervous system. Some studies show that DHA can improve ADHD and even Alzheimer’s
Probiotics have long been shown to have multiple benefits, improving immunity, gut health, mood, allergies, and skin conditions. Since many of those conditions worsen under stress, it makes sense for any student to have probiotics on board.
Vitamin D not only helps build strong bones, it helps minimize respiratory infections and has been studied as an aid in fighting COVID-19. Because vitamin D can build up in the body, get your student’s levels checked by a doctor to know how much to supplement.
Last, taking a multivitamin covers a lot of bases. It will contain vitamin C and zinc – known immune boosters – and multiple B vitamins that help with mood and nerve conduction.
Anxiety
Studying for school can produce anxiety and having to do it under unusual circumstances can make it even worse. Consider offering a little magnesium at bedtime to calm frayed nerves and help induce sleep. Beware of taking too much, however, as magnesium can act as a laxative.
If anxiety persists even after taking magnesium, consider the herb lemon balm or the amino acid L-theanine. Both work to calm the brain and encourage a little relaxation without affecting the ability to study.
Immunity
Even if studying at home, students will still be exposed to cold, flu, and COVID-19 season anytime they are out of the house – and maybe even in the house from a family member. Besides doing the Basics above, consider taking additional vitamin C (it’s safe up to bowel tolerance) and zinc (check with your doctor about what’s too much), because multivitamins usually contain only a maintenance level of these substances.
Consider adding a daily Elderberry supplement in the form of gummies, syrup, or capsules. Elderberry is immune modulating, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral. It has studies showing reduced incidence and duration of colds and even flu.
Focus
First in this category will always be the aforementioned DHA from omega-3 oils, but other herbs and supplements can help, too.
Bacopa is an Ayurvedic herb that both reduces stress and boosts neurotransmitters that can help with anxiety and depression. In addition, studies show when given to ADHD students it significantly improved mental control, logical memory, and learning ability.
Phosphatidylserine is a fatty substance that covers and protects the cells in your brain and carries messages between them. It plays an important role in keeping the mind and memory sharp. Studies show it’s helpful with ADHD, memory, and depression.
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