Take your vitamins

Almost everyone is looking for that "magic bullet" pill to lift their mood, boost their memory, or help them excel at school or work.

You may be surprised to learn that taking a brain or memory supplement is not the best place to start to boost your brain power. There are two core supplements that almost everyone can benefit from instead. First, take a high-quality multivitamin and mineral supplement. It's not as sexy-sounding as taking the latest "smart pill," but the research is clear -- taking a multivitamin alone can improve your mood and overall brain function.

All vitamins and minerals play a role in brain health.

Vitamin C, for example, protects your brain from free radical damage, toxins, and ageing, and acts as a natural antidepressant.

Without adequate amounts of vitamin B6, folic acid, and magnesium, you can't synthesize the "happiness" neurotransmitter serotonin.

Yet surprisingly, nutritional deficiencies are not a thing of the past. Deficiencies of vitamin B12, vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3s are common, yet all are essential for brain health and mental well-being.

Taking a multivitamin/mineral supplement as nutritional insurance can help you be healthier, happier, and may even help you live longer. The other foundational supplement is an omega-3 supplement.

One omega-3 fatty acid, in particular, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), is a major structural component of the cerebral cortex, the part of your brain responsible for memory, language, creativity, emotion and attention. DHA can be found in fish oil, krill oil, or a DHA supplement. Take a high-quality multivitamin and omega-3 supplement every day, but check with your medical provider to make sure that this is what is best for you.