The memory problem becomes serious when it affects your day to day work, like trouble remembering how to do things you have done many times before. Memory loss is associated with normal aging. But you should consult your doctor if you forget things much more often than you used to, forget how to do things you use to do many times before, have trouble learning new things, or are unable to keep track of your daily work. The above are the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Improve Memory, Boost Memory
Sharpen your brain, improve memory. Brain or memory improvement by eating plenty of brain super foods that include fruits and vegetables, and take multivitamins, antioxidants. Researchers say that increasing intelligence by inserting genes into humans is a long way to go. In the meantime, what we should do? Read the following and decide your course of action.
Vitamins and Antioxidants for Memory Improvement:
Our brain generates large number of free radicals per gram of tissue, more than any other organ in the body damaging the cells. Antioxidants protect neurons in our brain by keeping blood vessels supple and open, ensuring the flow of nutrients to the brain. Antioxidants like vitamins C and E protect cells from damage by disarming free radicals.
Mental & Memory Tests
Research at University of Sydney, Australia:
Researchers at the University of Sydney tested 117 people in a retirement Village by putting them through a series of mental tests. Those who regularly took vitamin C scored higher than others. The tests included (a) remembering a series of words, (b) listing words that begin with a certain letter of the alphabet, (c) and mental addition and subtraction.
Researchers at Gotenborg University, Sweden:
In tests it was found that the older people were more likely to score poorly on word memory tests if they had low levels of folic acid, reported Journal of Biology and Psychiatry, June 1999.
Fruits and Vegetables to Improve Memory:
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported in 1996 the results of a study on 260 people aged 65 to 90 with a series of mental exercises including memorizing words and mental arithmetic. The top performers were those who consumed the most fruits and vegetables and ate the least saturated fat.
Brahmi:
Bacopa(Brahmi herb), an antioxidant slows brain aging, reports a research finding reported in Indian Journal of Expt. Biol, June 34, 523-526 1996. Brahmi has been traditionally used as an anti-anxiety, anti-fatigue and memory strengthening herb. We need good blood flow to and from our brain to remove wastes and bring nutrients. Due to aging process, lipid peroxidation of fatty substances occurs, including those in brain cells. Brahmi has been found to reduce this damaging lipid.
Blueberries, Strawberries, Jambu Fruit (Jamun) and Spinach for Memory Improvement:
Brain boosters such as these are rich in anthocyanins, formidable antioxidants in deep red and purple pigments. They protect brain cells and the neuron's ability to respond to chemical messengers and discourage the formation of blood clotting. Spinach is an antioxidant powerhouse, bursting with betacarotene, vitamin C and folic acid. These contain betacarotene, vitamin C and folic acid and other compounds that keep blood vessels supple and help transport nerve impulses more efficiently.
Honey
Honey could be used to improve the memory due to its antioxidant properties, says a research study carried on rats and reported in 2007 by New Zealand researchers. During ageing diets sweetened with honey may be beneficial in improving memory. Honey is considered a good antiaging food.
What about Ginkgo Biloba?
Although the Journal of the American Medical Association reported in October 22-29, 1997 issue that Alzheimer's patients who took 120 mg of ginkgo showed small improvements in mental performance, there's no solid evidence that ginkgo can help healthy people improve memory. On the other hand, since ginkgo thins the blood, scientists say that taking too much of it could cause bleeding in the brain.
Conclusion:
The single most reliable way to protect our brain cells as we age is to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables which are rich in antioxidants and nutrients.
Blackberries and blueberries are at the best for brain sharpening because they are exceptionally rich in antioxidants.
Taking extra vitamins could help preserve and improve memory, especially as we age. Vitamin C, beta carotene, iron, zinc, B12 and folic acid link to healthy brain function and memory improvement. Know more about brain power super foods.
Are you in a habit of forgetting things? Genetic engineers may some day help humans learn and remember faster. The single most reliable way to protect our brain cells as we age is to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and take multivitamins, antioxidants.
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