Age-Proof your Memory

Forgetfulness, lack of mental clarity, slowed response time and poor ability to recall facts, figures and useless information are not inevitable as we age. These vary from person to person and there are various causes of this unwanted mental decline. Fortunately, there are many different things you can do to maximise your memory’s potential, improve brain function, slow down the silent cognitive decline and keep your mind in peak condition at any age.

What is Memory?
Memory is more than an ability to recall certain things. Even though we rely on it every day to get us through our daily life, the human memory is a complex ingenious apparatus linked to our understanding and perception of the world around us. Memory is the complex landscape of information we learn, emotions we experience, faces and places we see and associations we get with these. With age, the landscape changes.

The reason is that as you get older, the brain chemistry goes through different transformations and interaction between your genetic composition, the levels of chemical messengers and hormones in the brain, change as well. Overall, the mechanisms of memory are not well understood, but most agree that daily life habits may help preserve it into old age.

Just by manipulating certain factors, such as eating a well-balanced nutritious diet, limiting exposure to toxins, getting sufficient body and mind exercise, reducing stress and assisting yourself in sound sleep will enhance your brain function and improve your memory.

Memory Boosters
Phosphatidyl Serine (PS) is a phospholipid that is present in every cell membrane in the body, though it is most prevalent in brain tissue. PS readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and shuttles glucose to the nerve cells so they are well fed and energised. PS is present in trace amounts in foods, but to obtain optimal amounts through the diet, you would have to actually eat animal brains. PS is actively involved in the repair and maintenance of each cell’s structure in the body and the nervous system. Its benefits include memory improvement, improved learning, alleviation of Alzheimer’s symptoms and early dementia, greater attention span, mood enhancement, fighting depression, and combating stress.

Note that PS should be avoided while using prescription anti-coagulants such as Coumadin or Heparin.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) is another vital nutrient for brain health. L-Carnitine is a nutrient consisting of the amino acids lysine and methionine, which has shown to help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and protect the heart. Additionally, ALC enhances concentration and has potential benefits in treating early stages of memory loss rather than advanced states of cognitive decline. ALC has many other benefits, such as fighting depression and brain aging, improved learning and stress management, as well as regulating sleep/wake cycles and improves long-term memory.

Anyone with a seizure disorder should avoid ALC, as it is questionable whether or not it will overly stimulate the nervous system. ALC can be extremely energising, so be sure to take it before 4pm.

Ginkgo Biloba is a remarkable herb that has demonstrated to improve many symptoms associated with memory loss, possibly by enhancing blood and oxygen circulation to the brain and enhancing cellular nutrient utilisation.

Ginkgo exerts a profound protective effect on brain tissues scavenging damaging free-radicals. More than 300 studies have demonstrated that ginkgo helps protect and promote memory and relieve signs of senility.

Ginkgo should be used with caution in patients taking anti-platelet drugs such as Warfarin (coumadin) or aspirin, antidepressants (tricyclics) and certain duretics, because the effect of platelet aggregation inhibitors may be increased. If you are taking any of these drugs, talk with your doctor before taking gingko.

Folic acid, famous for reducing the occurrence of neural tube defects in newborns, has found application in the treatment of depression in adults. By lowering levels of artery-hardening homocysteine in the blood, folate may be able to prevent memory loss and protect nerve cells thus enhancing overall brain function.

Diet and Brain Power
Bear in mind that while all of the aforementioned supplements are remarkable, no supplement in the world can ever compensate for a poor diet. Excess sugar in the form of refined carbohydrates, poor-quality hydrogenated oils, trans fats and excessive intakes of alcohol and inadequate protein can also compromise mental acuity.

So if you feel like you’re eating healthy but can’t seem to generate good mental power, then you may need to take a closer look at your diet. Eat more brain-boosting foods, such as berries, brussels sprouts, broccoli, beetroot, oranges, capsicum, fish and seafood, organic eggs, flaxseed, legumes and unprocessed whole grains. These are rich in anti-oxidants, natural anti-inflammatory agents and many other vital nutrients important not only for the brain, but for all body cells and tissues.

Exercise Mind and Body
You know how great you feel after taking a walk outside. No wonder daily exercise helps improve blood circulation and assists brain function, helping you recuperate from mental exhaustion. Stretching and turning, as seen in a variety of exercise formats such as yoga and tai chi, brings the head below the hip level. This principle shifts more blood to your head and also gives your mind and memory a boost.

Keeping your brain active is a must. Research indicates that intellectually stimulating exercises, such as crosswords, reading, and playing music is excellent in keeping brain cells and memory well-protected.

Elena Voropay is a professional health and fitness writer and science journalist with a passion for Natural Health, Sports and Fitness. She is a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Nutritionist specialising in Sports Nutrition, holds qualifications is Iridology and Herbal Medicine. With degrees in Journalism and Marketing, Elena Voropay has conducted training sessions and presentations in USA and Australia and is currently writing a book and managing websites at www.AustralianFitness.com, www.AustralianNaturopathy.com