As athletes push their bodies to the limit, mental clarity and sharpness matter just as much as physical strength. From split-second decision-making to maintaining concentration during long games or practices, brain health influences performance at every level.
Founded by former football players Aaron and Garrett Wdowin, Cover Three draws from firsthand experience to create a supplement designed to protect and support the brain from multiple angles.
The Wdowin brothers’ journeys through the demands of football — from grueling practices to the relentless impact of games — gave them direct insight into the mental and physical toll that sports take on the brain.
Our founders recognized the gap in accessible, all-in-one brain health supplements for athletes. As a result, they made it their mission to fill that void.
This blog explores how brain-boosting supplements can benefit athletes, the science behind Cover Three, and how our brain health supplement can support peak performance.
Why Do Athletes Need Supplements to Support Optimal Brain Health?
Athletes, especially football players, face significant challenges when it comes to brain health. Repeated head impacts, high-pressure decision-making, and intense physical exertion can contribute to both immediate and long-term cognitive issues. Brittle brains and sports simply do not mix well.
But it is not just about staying safe. It is also about gaining an edge.
In the "game of inches," every decision, reaction, and moment of focus makes a difference. The athlete with better mental clarity, quicker processing speed, and stronger cognitive resilience often comes out ahead.
Whether it is soccer, baseball, lacrosse, water polo, equestrian, or mountain sports like skiing and snowboarding, mental performance matters just as much as physical ability.
You play to win. Having a healthier brain can be the difference between winning and losing.
Think about the greats. Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Tom Brady, Derek Jeter, Muhammad Ali. What set them apart was not just physical skill but mindset.
Mental sharpness, focus under pressure, and the ability to stay locked in when it mattered most. That is what elevates good athletes to legendary status.
Supporting brain health with the right nutrients is about protecting your future and showing up with full strength, mentally and physically, when the moment calls for it. That is exactly why Cover Three was created.
The Science of the Cover Three Brain Defense Supplement
The name "Cover Three" isn’t just a nod to football strategy. It represents a three-pronged approach to brain health: defending neural function, supporting recovery, and promoting long-term resilience.
This three-level support system is built on science-backed ingredients known to aid cognitive function and brain defense, including:
(1) Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Research published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience highlights the role of omega-3s in maintaining cognitive performance and reducing inflammation. These essential fats are crucial for cell membrane integrity and aid in neural repair.
Athletes subject their brains to repeated stress, whether through physical impact or mental strain, making omega-3s a critical nutrient for preserving mental clarity and long-term neurological health.
Additionally, omega-3s contribute to joint health by reducing stiffness and soreness in the human body, as shared by the Arthritis Foundation. This can help athletes maintain mobility and recover more comfortably after intense training sessions.
(2) Curcumin
A powerful compound found in turmeric, curcumin is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Multiple studies have indicated that bioavailable curcumin offers therapeutic benefits across different stages and causes of cognitive decline, improving working memory and fighting neurodegeneration.
As such, regular supplementation with curcumin may help mitigate the effects of chronic inflammation, which is a common issue for athletes enduring intense training regimens.
(3) Transresveratrol
This potent antioxidant, commonly found in grapes and berries, offers significant benefits for athletes' brain health. Transreserveratrol is the more biologically active and readily absorbed form of resveratrol, and it’s therefore thought to have more powerful benefits in supplement form.
Just recently, a 2024 study found that cognitive function and cerebral blood flow could be maintained or improved with long-term intake of oral resveratrol.
This boost in circulation can sharpen reaction times, sustain focus, boost mental speed, and improve endurance during long games or grueling workouts. Furthermore, its neuroprotective properties help mitigate oxidative stress, reducing the risk of cognitive decline and supporting faster neural recovery after head impacts or intense physical exertion.
(4) Alpha-GPC
Alpha-GPC (Alpha-glycerophosphocholine) is a natural compound that acts as a source of choline, an essential nutrient. It is often used as a supplement to support brain health and cognitive function.
Alpha-GPC is a more bioavailable form of choline, meaning it can be more easily absorbed and utilized by the body compared to other forms like choline bitartrate. It can support athletes by enhancing both cognitive function and physical performance. Alpha-GPC also has the potential to boost mental focus, reaction time, and endurance, all of which are valuable during intense training or competition.
Additionally, Alpha-GPC may increase growth hormone secretion, aiding muscle recovery, reducing soreness, and improving overall strength and power output.
(5) Uridine
Uridine plays an enormous role in the synthesis of phospholipids, which are vital for building and maintaining healthy brain cell membranes.
For athletes, this means enhanced synaptic plasticity — the brain's ability to adapt and form new neural connections. Research has long indicated that uridine, especially when combined with omega-3s and choline, can potentially generate learning and memory improvements and support mental clarity under pressure.
This makes it an invaluable component for athletes looking to stay mentally agile during games and accelerate cognitive recovery post-competition.
(6) Vitamin C
Beyond its well-known immune-boosting properties, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects the brain from oxidative stress.
Athletes generate high levels of free radicals during intense physical exertion, which can damage brain cells and impair cognitive function. Research shows that vitamin C can counteract this damage, promoting faster recovery and reducing mental fatigue.
In fact, some studies have indicated that vitamin C can play protective roles in both acute brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases.
Additionally, it supports neurotransmitter synthesis, aiding in mood regulation and helping athletes maintain mental clarity, resilience, focus, and emotional balance throughout demanding seasons.
Athletic Performance & Internal Benefits
Athletes often deal with intense physical impacts and mental stress. Football players, for example, face repeated collisions that can lead to long-term cognitive challenges.
In 2019, a study in the Journal of Athletic Training explored the Omega-3 Index (the erythrocyte content of DHA and EPA) in NCAA Division I football athletes, assessing their risk of cardiovascular disease. It found that 34% of athletes had an Omega-3 Index considered high risk for cardiovascular issues, while a significant portion had lower levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.
When athletes are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids and other critical nutrients, everything from their hearts and brains to their mental wellness can be put at risk. That’s why we developed Cover Three.
In addition to physical protection, our supplement helps athletes stay present and sharp during games. By reducing oxidative stress and promoting healthy brain function, players can make faster decisions, retain complex strategies, and maintain focus through every quarter.
Mental fatigue is a common hurdle, especially during long seasons or back-to-back competitions. This is an especially prevalent challenge among students who are athletes. Up to 2 in 5 student-athletes report feeling overwhelmed every day, according to a 2023 NCAA study.
The nutrients in Cover Three work collectively to counteract cognitive exhaustion, supporting sustained concentration, mental clarity, and excellent reaction times when they matter most.
A Holistic Approach to Brain Health & Mental Clarity
Aaron and Dr. Garrett Wdowin built their dietary supplement with the athlete’s full experience in mind — the adrenaline of the game, the exhaustion of practice, and the long-term effects of intense physical exertion.
Their supplement is a direct reflection of their commitment to helping athletes protect what matters most: their minds and mental clarity.
Cover Three addresses immediate cognitive function but also emphasizes long-term resilience and optimal brain health. Think of our sports supplements as your neural safety net, defending against wear and tear so you can stay sharp, focused, and mentally powerful long after the final whistle blows.
Learn More About Cover Three Dietary Supplements
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a professional competitor, supporting your brain health and overall cognitive function is just as valuable as training your body.
Cover Three offers a reliable way to stay sharp, recover faster, and build a foundation for lasting mental strength — both on and off the field. The Wdowin brothers’ commitment to optimal brain health bridges the gap between athletic ambition and long-term cognitive wellness, giving athletes the tools they need to feel great at every stage of their journey.
Take Your Mental Game to the Next Level
Explore Cover Three’s Brain Supplement and give your brain the support it deserves — so you can perform at your best, every play, every practice, and every season.
If you have questions about the supplement or its ingredients, feel free to reach out to the Cover Three team today. With over 30,000 papers in the US National Library of Medicine backing up our patented formula, you can trust that we’ve done our research.
