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Do you have a lot of work or studying to do which requires your concentration?

What foods can you eat which will help with your concentration without hyping you up too much – like too much caffeine from cup after cup of coffee?

There are definitely things that can be done to improve your ability to concentrate. First, try to avoid refined carbohydrates (and even all simple carbs, such as fruits and fruit juices) on days when prolonged gray-matter usage is expected. The variations in blood sugar levels generated by carbohydrate metabolism can cause remarkable "ups" and "downs," and often the downs can come when you need them the least.

High-protein foods cause more sustained blood sugar levels, permitting easier concentration for longer periods. Nuts, seeds, cheese, eggs and meat do this.

For nutrients, start with a good multivitamin and mineral supplement. That will ensure that the specific supplements you try will have a better chance to work, relying on interactions with the basic "team" you've got aboard. For concentrating on concentrating, try the following:

1. L-glutamine: This amine nutrient converts to glutamic acid in the brain, which is directly usable as fuel, along with glucose. (Glutamic acid itself has difficulty crossing the "blood-brain barrier.")
2. Phosphotidylserine: This is a newer nutrient but has been found to have specific applications for concentration.
3. Ginkgo biloba: This herb has long been thought to improve the ability to concentrate. It has been shown to help retain memory of longer strings of numbers for longer periods of time, so it should be helpful for any memory problems.
4. A B-12 shot can work wonders.
5. Ginseng: This is another herb that is a general non-stimulant uplift for the body.

Try these suggestions and see what works best for you, start with these and pick the ones that work the best for you (or a combination). Get a good night's sleep (if you have trouble in this department try valerian, kava or tryptophan), and don't go into the mental stress hungry.

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