Keeping your brain healthy isn't just about avoiding memory problems as you get older. Your mood, focus, sleep, and daily energy matter too.

Dr. Daniel Amen, a well-known psychiatrist and brain health expert, believes that certain supplements can help support these functions alongside healthy lifestyle habits.

His recommendations include omega-3 fatty acids, multivitamins, vitamin D, magnesium, and several other nutrients. But how much of this advice is backed by science?

Here's a closer look at Dr. Amen's supplements, their potential benefits, and what research says about them.

Key Takeaways:

• Dr. Amen recommends omega-3s, multivitamins, vitamin D, probiotics, and other nutrients for brain health.
• His supplement brand, BrainMD, offers formulas targeting memory, focus, mood, and mental energy.
• Some ingredients have promising human research, but evidence for preventing cognitive decline remains limited.
• Supplements may help address nutritional needs, but they cannot replace a healthy diet, exercise, and good sleep.

Who Is Dr. Daniel Amen?

Dr. Daniel Amen is a psychiatrist, bestselling author, and founder of Amen Clinics and BrainMD.

He is known for promoting a brain-centered approach to mental health, including nutrition, exercise, sleep, and targeted supplementation.

Through BrainMD, he offers nutritional products designed to support memory, concentration, mood, and healthy brain aging (1).

His recommendations focus on providing nutrients involved in normal brain function. However, it's worth remembering that Dr. Amen also owns the supplement company, so his product recommendations have a commercial connection.

What Supplements Does Dr. Amen Recommend?

Dr. Amen's foundational brain health lineup includes omega-3 fatty acids, multivitamins, vitamin D3 + K2, probiotics, and creatine. BrainMD also offers targeted formulas containing saffron, magnesium, and other nutrients (2).

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3s are among Dr. Amen's main recommendations for supporting brain health.

Two important omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, help maintain cell membranes and support normal brain function. DHA is particularly concentrated in the brain.

Dr. Amen recommends BrainMD Omega-3 Power, which provides these fatty acids in supplement form.

However, research on cognitive protection is mixed.

A review of 38 randomized trials involving 49,757 participants found that increasing long-chain omega-3 intake had little or no effect on preventing cognitive impairment or other new cognitive disorders (3).

Omega-3s remain important nutrients, but taking fish oil doesn't guarantee better memory or protection against dementia.

2. Multivitamins and B Vitamins

Dr. Amen recommends multivitamins to help fill nutritional gaps that might affect brain function.

His BrainMD NeuroVite Plus contains vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins involved in nerve function and energy metabolism.

There is some encouraging research here.

A 2024 analysis from the COSMOS trial examined cognitive outcomes in more than 5,000 older adults across three related studies. Researchers found that daily multivitamin supplementation produced modest improvements in global cognition and episodic memory compared with placebo (4).

The estimated benefit for global cognition was equivalent to about two years less cognitive aging.

Still, these findings don't prove that every multivitamin, including NeuroVite Plus, produces the same results.

3. Vitamin D

Vitamin D supports normal nerve function and plays several roles in brain health.

Dr. Amen includes Vitamin D3 + K2 in his foundational supplement recommendations.

Low vitamin D levels have been linked with several health concerns, but that doesn't mean taking extra vitamin D will improve memory in someone who already has sufficient levels.

The National Institutes of Health notes that research has not established clear cognitive benefits from vitamin D supplementation in well-nourished adults (5).

Correcting a deficiency may be useful for general health. Taking unnecessarily high doses, however, can cause harmful calcium buildup.

4. Saffron and Magnesium

Dr. Amen also recommends targeted supplements for mood and stress support.

BrainMD Happy Saffron Plus contains saffron as a key ingredient, while Smart Magnesium provides several forms of magnesium.

Saffron has attracted attention for its possible effects on mood.

A 2026 meta-analysis involving 1,769 participants across 34 randomized trials found improvements in some self-reported depression and anxiety scores. However, clinician-rated measures did not show significant benefits (6).

Magnesium, meanwhile, supports normal nerve signaling and muscle function. It may be helpful when intake is inadequate, although evidence for improving cognition in otherwise healthy adults remains limited.

Neither ingredient should replace prescribed treatment for depression or anxiety.

5. Probiotics and Creatine

Two other supplements in Dr. Amen's foundational lineup are ProBrainBiotics MAX and Smart Creatine+.

Probiotics are being studied for their influence on the gut-brain connection, including possible effects on mood and cognitive function. However, benefits depend on the bacterial strains studied, and research remains developing.

Creatine helps cells maintain energy availability. Although it's best known for supporting exercise performance, researchers are also investigating its possible effects on memory and mental fatigue.

These are interesting research areas, but there isn't enough evidence to recommend either supplement as a proven way to prevent age-related cognitive decline.

Do Dr. Amen's Supplements Really Work?

Some ingredients Dr. Amen recommends have scientific support, but the strength of evidence differs considerably.

For example, multivitamin research has shown modest cognitive benefits in some older adults, while omega-3 supplementation has produced less convincing results for preventing cognitive decline.

There's another important distinction: research on an ingredient doesn't automatically prove that a branded supplement works.

A formula may contain clinically studied nutrients without having undergone a randomized clinical trial itself.

The National Institute on Aging also states that no vitamin or supplement has been proven to prevent Alzheimer's disease in humans (7).

That doesn't make supplements useless. It simply means their benefits should be judged by the specific ingredient, dose, health goal, and quality of available research.

Are Dr. Amen's Supplements Safe?

Many vitamins and nutrients are well tolerated at appropriate doses, but combining several supplements can create problems.

For example, taking a multivitamin alongside separate B-complex and vitamin D products may lead to unnecessary intake of certain nutrients.

Some supplements can also interact with medications. Omega-3 products deserve extra consideration for people taking blood thinners, while mood-support formulas containing ingredients such as 5-HTP may interact with antidepressants.

Before starting a BrainMD supplement, check the complete ingredient list, serving size, and any overlap with products you're already taking.

A healthcare professional can also help identify nutritional deficiencies instead of relying on guesswork.

Can You Support Brain Health Without Supplements?

Absolutely. Supplements are only one part of Dr. Amen's broader approach to brain health.

Regular exercise, adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and managing cardiovascular risk factors all play important roles in maintaining cognitive function.

For example, Mediterranean-style eating patterns emphasize vegetables, fruits, whole grains, olive oil, nuts, and fish. Research has linked these dietary patterns with better cognitive outcomes (7).

Staying socially connected and keeping your mind active may also support healthy aging.

For many people, improving these daily habits is a more practical starting point than purchasing several supplements at once.

Final Words

Dr. Amen's supplement recommendations center on giving the brain nutrients that support normal function, from omega-3 fatty acids to vitamins and minerals.

Some have encouraging research behind them. Others still need stronger human studies, particularly for long-term cognitive benefits.

If you're also exploring supplements for cellular health and healthy aging, Omre NMN + Resveratrol offers a different approach. Its formula combines NMN, a precursor involved in NAD+ production, with resveratrol, a compound being studied for its role in cellular aging pathways.

It's an option worth learning about, although neither ingredient has been proven to prevent brain aging or dementia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What supplements does Dr. Amen recommend taking daily?

Dr. Amen's foundational recommendations include omega-3 fatty acids, multivitamins, vitamin D3 + K2, probiotics, and creatine. The right combination depends on individual nutritional needs and health goals.

What vitamins does Dr. Amen recommend for brain health?

Dr. Amen recommends multivitamins containing B vitamins and other nutrients, along with vitamin D. These nutrients support normal nerve function, although additional supplementation may not benefit everyone.

Does Dr. Amen recommend omega-3 supplements?

Yes. Omega-3 fatty acids are central to his brain-health recommendations. His BrainMD brand sells Omega-3 Power, a supplement containing EPA and DHA.

Are BrainMD supplements backed by scientific research?

BrainMD uses ingredients that have been investigated in scientific studies. However, research on individual nutrients should not be confused with clinical proof that every finished BrainMD formula provides the same benefits.

What supplements does Dr. Amen recommend for memory?

His recommendations include omega-3s, multivitamins, and targeted brain-health formulas. However, no supplement has been conclusively shown to prevent Alzheimer's disease or age-related memory decline.

References

1. BrainMD. About BrainMD and Dr. Daniel Amen.
2. BrainMD. Healthy Brain Aging Supplements.
3. Brainard JS, et al. (2020). Omega-3, Omega-6, and Polyunsaturated Fat for Cognition: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials.
4. COSMOS Research Group. (2024). Effect of Multivitamin-Mineral Supplementation Versus Placebo on Cognitive Function.
5. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Dietary Supplements and Cognitive Function, Dementia, and Alzheimer's Disease.
6. Mahmoudi R, et al. (2026). Effect of Saffron on Depression, Anxiety and Mood Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
7. National Institute on Aging. What Do We Know About Diet and Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease?.