What causes memory and concentration problems?
Memory lapses, flagging concentration, difficulty finding words: these difficulties rarely have a single cause. Several factors influence memory and concentration, often simultaneously.
Sleep comes first. It is during the night that the brain consolidates information learned during the day. Nights that are too short or interrupted therefore reduce the ability to memorize.
Stress also plays an important role. During periods of prolonged tension, cortisol levels can remain high and disrupt both attention and memorization.
Age also plays a role: cognitive functioning changes gradually over time, much like sight or hearing, at a rate unique to each individual.
Diet and hydration also matter: insufficient hydration or low nutrient intake can impair alertness and mental clarity.
Finally, a sedentary lifestyle plays a full role: spending long hours sitting, even if one also engages in physical activity, is associated with a greater risk of cognitive decline.
These factors often combine: it is their accumulation that affects memory and concentration, rather than a single isolated cause.
For whom is a memory and concentration supplement beneficial?
A memory and concentration supplement is intended for people whose cognitive functions are particularly strained, whether by their lifestyle, age, or a significant mental load. Three profiles are particularly concerned.
Students during exam periods
Intensive revisions, shorter nights, and a significant mental load put memory and concentration to the test. Lack of sleep and stress weaken attention when it is most needed.
In this context, a memory supplement for students based on magnesium and B vitamins can support revision periods, as these nutrients contribute to the normal functioning of the nervous system and help reduce fatigue.
Seniors concerned about preserving their cognitive functions
With age, memorization and concentration naturally evolve, at a rate specific to each individual. A varied diet, regular physical activity, and intellectual stimulation remain the primary reflexes for maintaining cognitive functions; a memory supplement for seniors then accompanies these habits, without ever replacing them.
Professionals with a high mental workload
A demanding job, the constant demands of family life, and mental fatigue that accumulates day after day can put concentration to the test. During these periods of high mental load, iron and magnesium, both of which help reduce fatigue, can support the body, in addition to sufficient sleep and real breaks throughout the day.
What are the memory and concentration supplements?
Among our selection of memory and concentration supplements, here are our four flagship products, those whose active ingredients most directly affect cognitive function:
Our Zinc Bisglycinate provides 15 mg of zinc in chelated TRAACS® form, chosen for its good absorption, as well as vitamin B6. Zinc contributes to normal cognitive function (1)(2).
Our Fer Bisglycinate Ferrochel® combines 14 mg of highly absorbable iron with 100 mg of Quali®-C vitamin C. Iron contributes to normal cognitive function and helps reduce fatigue, which is why it can make a difference during periods of high mental strain (1)(3).
Our Omega-3 Epax®, derived from purified fish oil, provides 600 mg of DHA per dose, well above the 250 mg per day threshold recognized by the EFSA as contributing to normal brain function (1)(4)(5).
Our Multivitamin formula brings together several B vitamins, which contribute to the normal functioning of the nervous system and normal psychological functions. It also contains pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5, which contributes to normal intellectual performance (1).
To choose the right supplement, start with your main need: cognitive function, fatigue, or more global nervous system support.
Which vitamins for memory and concentration?
Vitamins for memory and concentration are mainly those of the B group. Vitamins B1, B6, B9, B12 and biotin contribute to the normal functioning of the nervous system and normal psychological functions. Pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5, contributes to normal intellectual performance. These vitamins play complementary roles.
They are present in many foods, such as whole grains, legumes, green vegetables, eggs, fish, and dairy products, depending on the vitamin. A varied diet therefore remains the primary source for meeting needs. You will find all these vitamins in our Multivitamins if you wish to increase your intake.
In the popular ingredients section often mentioned on this topic, there are also plants such as ginkgo, bacopa, or rhodiola, traditionally used to support periods of intellectual strain.
What habits should you adopt to support your memory daily?
Beyond supplementation, lifestyle remains the primary lever for supporting memory and concentration. A few simple habits can really make a difference.
- ✓ Regular and sufficient sleep: it is during deep sleep phases that the brain sorts and consolidates what it has learned, a sorting that is poorly done when nights are too short or irregular.
- ✓ A diet that supports brain needs: oily fish rich in omega-3s, red berries, and nuts like walnuts provide nutrients useful for brain function.
- ✓ Stress management: when stress is part of daily life, the brain operates more in survival mode than in learning mode. Heart coherence and breathing exercises can help restore a state more conducive to concentration.
- ✓ Physical activity: regular practice is associated with better maintenance of cognitive functions with age, particularly thanks to better cardiovascular health.
- ✓ An active social life: maintaining connections requires attention, exchanges, and memories.
- ✓ Intellectual stimulation: reading, learning a language, or practicing logic games are also good ways to stimulate memory.
These good habits produce their effects mainly when they are maintained over time. Occasional or irregular efforts are not enough.
Why choose Novoma memory and concentration supplements?
At Novoma, each formula is based on rigorously selected ingredients and branded forms recognized for their quality, such as TRAACS® zinc, Ferrochel® iron, or DHA from EPAX® oil.
All our memory and concentration supplements are manufactured in France, without controversial additives, with a clear composition, displayed transparently on our website.
This demand for quality and transparency, central to our commitments, guides the design of each of our formulas, from the choice of active ingredients to the manufacture of the finished product.
Scientific references
1. European Commission (2012). Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods. Official Journal of the European Union, L 136. EUR-Lex CELEX:32012R0432.
2. EFSA NDA Panel (2009). Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to zinc, including cognitive function (ID 296). EFSA Journal 2009;7(9):1229.
3. EFSA NDA Panel (2009). Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to iron, including cognitive function (ID 253). EFSA Journal 2009;7(9):1215.
4. EFSA NDA Panel (2010). Scientific Opinion on DHA and maintenance of normal brain function. EFSA Journal 2010;8(10):1734.
5. Shahinfar H. et al. (2025). A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of omega-3 supplementation on cognitive function. Scientific Reports, 15:30610. DOI 10.1038/s41598-025-16129-8.
In case of pregnancy, breastfeeding, or medical treatment, consult a healthcare professional before any supplementation. In all cases, do not exceed the recommended daily dose.
