Many people over 40 have some experience of memory loss. Our memory depends on chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. As we age the levels of these chemical transmitters are lowered which in turn produces a mild slowing down of the memory and thought processes. Sometimes physiological changes in the brain can be brought on by hormonal changes, reactions to environmental toxins, too much stress, too little sleep, emotional stress or when plaque narrows the blood vessels.
On the other hand, Alzheimer’s disease is much more serious than run –of-the mill forgetfulness. Microscopic examination shows that nerve cells in the thinking parts of the brain have died and disappeared. The signs to look for are forgetting how to do things that you’ve done many times before, unable to learn new things, or memory gets progressively worse. When these occur it is time to have tests to confirm the problem.
However, you do have some ways to improve memory that you can incorporate into your lifestyle.
- Eat brain foods rich in essential amino acids, omega oils, minerals and vitamins. Some examples of these are brown rice, oatmeal, lentils, whole beans, fresh veggies such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, yams and squash, salmon, tuna, halibut, trout, mackerel, sardines, almond oil, fish oil, flaxseed oil, olive oil, blue green algae, spirulina, walnuts, pine nuts, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds dried apricots, and dried blueberries.
- Stay Social by having a vibrant varied life outside the family with friends who are positive and energetic.
- One simple amino acid called L-carnitine helps to hang on to your memory but is only found in meat so vegetarians may find it worthwhile to take supplements for age-related memory loss.
- Phosphatidylserine(PS) is a compound made by the body from the amino acid serine. Taken in supplement form it lowers stress response and promotes the release of neurotransmitters in the bran that facilitate thought, reasoning and concentration.
- Drink green tea since studies have shown it is packed with phenols which are anit-oxidants that have been found to increase cognitive acuity and learning ability. Green tea has 4 times the amount of catechin (the phenol responsible for all the brain effects) than black tea.
