Brain Injury: Nutritional Supplements to Consider

To facilitate the best healing of your brain injury you need rest, hydration and proper nutrition.  Eating well provides a strong foundation; adding a well-designed nutritional supplement plan can make a positive difference by giving your body the specific tools it needs to repair what damage it can, as well as enhance various aspects of mental performance.

Always remember, your brain injury is as unique as you are.  You should never embark on any new therapies or nutritional programs until you have reviewed your options with a trusted medical professional.

After my severe traumatic brain injury, my brain simply didn’t work like it should any more.  For a number of reasons, most medical professionals stray away from recommending anything other than FDA approved drugs for any condition.  I got a referral for cognitive therapy from my doctor, and the advice to be patient because some parts of my brain injury might heal over time.

Unable to function acceptably well on either a professional or personal level, I needed a better answer than waiting to see what healed through the coming years.  Out of desperation, I started researching what kind of supplements might be helpful for memory and cognitive function.  I then presented a list to my neurologist, who took a few days to research my findings in the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (a paid subscription service for medical professionals) before giving me his thoughts, along with a cautionary note shared below. 

Here’s where it all landed…

• Omega 3 Fatty Acids (WebMD discussion)
  • Studies of Omega 3 fatty acids have shown significant improvements in brain injury survivors and the marked reduction of oxidative stress after a TBI. 
  • Omega 3 fatty acids contain EPA and DHA, strong antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that are known to improve both memory and learning ability. 
• Alpha GPC (WebMD discussion)
  • Shown to improve memory, thinking skills and learning ability, attributed to increased acetylcholine in the brain.
  • Alpha-Glyceryl Phosphatidylcholine is prescribed as a treatment for dementia and to promote better recovery for stroke survivors.
• Citicholine CDP (WebMD discussion)
  • Research evidence suggests taking this may improve memory, learning and speaking ability in brain injury survivors.
  • Precursor to phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidyl-ethanolamine, each of which are linked to brain health.  Developed in Japan to treat stroke survivors, later introduced in European countries as a prescription drug prescribed for its cognitive benefits, marketed as a nutritional supplement in the US.
• Phosphatidylserine (WebMD discussion)
  • Shown to significantly improve memory, executive functions, mental flexibility, as well as increasing total learning and immediate recall.  Also shown to reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
  • This fatty substance is a phospholipid, a protective covering for your brain cells that modulates synaptic receptors and the release of neurotransmitters.
• Huperzine A (WebMD discussion)
  • Shown to improve memory and cognitive function.
  • Inhibits cholinesterase, helping to prevent the breakdown learning and memory neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, also shown to help protect brain cells against oxidative damage and neurodegenerative disorders.
• Tyrosine (WebMD discussion)
  • Increases cognition and working memory.  Research also shows improved memory and mental performance under stressful conditions, as well as improved alertness following loss of sleep.
  • This is one of the “conditionally essential” amino acids, meaning that it becomes essential during times of illness or stress because these factors limit your body’s ability to synthesize it.
• Vinpocetine (WebMD discussion)
  • Taking this may improve overall memory function, as well as short-term memory when taken in conjunction with gingko.  Early research suggests possibility of reduction in tinnitus in combination with physiotherapy.
  • Used by healthcare providers to treat seizure disorders and stroke, evidence suggests reduced brain damage due to acute ischemic stroke, improvement of neuroplasticity and brain cell protection through reduction of inflammatory response.

Along with vitamin C and a quality whole food Multivitamin, this is my core supplement list, which I still take regularly.  My neurologist said these should be safe for me but did caution me on sticking to the recommended dosing rather than thinking that more of a good thing might be better.  Because I can’t self-perform a double-blind study, I can’t tell you what would have been different had I not added these to my recovery regimen.  What I can tell you is that our bodies perform better when they have the nutrients that they need to heal and function well. 

Talk to your medical professional about what supplements are right for you and what your specific dosing should be before starting any new supplement.