Memory loss or poor memory is a very common complaint, which primarily affects older people, but can affect anyone who is under a lot of stress or is suffering from underlying physical and/or mental health conditions. Thankfully, there are a range of practical tools and supplements available, which can be used to help prevent memory loss and improve memory.
How to Prevent Memory Loss
The best way to prevent memory loss is to ensure one eats a healthy, nutritious diet and takes regular (ideally daily) exercise from a young age. Something as simple as reading a daily newspaper and doing the crossword or Sudoku puzzle will make a real difference. In The Essential Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and Herbal Supplements, Brewer (2010) highlights some practical ways to help prevent memory loss, to include the following:
- Read demanding books.
- Tackle jigsaws, number puzzles, word searches.
- Play Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Memory.
- Learn fast facts, quotes or poems.
- Take daily multivitamins.
- Write post-it notes and cue cards.
Natural Ways to Improve Memory
There are many different ways to help improve memory, which can help people of any age who struggle with poor memory problems. According to Goulart (2009) in Super Immunity Foods, taking soy lecithin will help improve cognitive function. In 1,001 Home Health Remedies, Browne et al. (2007) identify some simple ways to help improve memory, as follows:
- Take rosemary/basil oil.
- Drink caffeinated drinks.
- Eat regular meals and snacks.
- Include good fats in the diet, such as avocados, nuts, seeds, oily fish.
- Drink around eight glasses of water a day.
- Limit intake of saturated fats.
- Take up a musical instrument.
- Listen to various types of music.
- Learn a second language.
- Find ways to reduce stress such as yoga, meditation and exercise.
- Take the gotu kola herbal supplement.
Further approaches to improve memory, as recognised by Brewer (2010), typically involve the following methods:
- eating fortified breakfast cereals
- taking vitamin B1
- taking ginkgo biloba
- taking phosphatidylserine
- taking folic acid
- taking isoflavones
One of the most popular and effective ways to improve memory loss is to take regular doses of the herbal supplement ginkgo biloba. This herbal remedy has been tried and tested in various research studies, which have indicated that even taking ginkgo biloba for as short a time as a few days can help improve short-term memory. However, before taking any new herbal remedy, it is important to discuss any possible side-effects with the family doctor.
As highlighted above, poor memory or memory loss can affect anyone, with those under regular stress, eating a poor diet and failing to exercise regularly at high risk. Key ways to prevent and/or treat memory loss include; vitamin B1, multivitamins, ginkgo biloba, folic acid, gotu kola, stress reduction tools and eating regular, nutritious meals.
Sources:
Brewer, S (2010) The Essential Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and Herbal Supplements London: Constable Robinson
Browne et al. (2007) 1,001 Home Health Remedies London: Reader's Digest
Goulart , F. (2009) Super Immunity Foods New York: McGraw-Hill
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
Join the Conversation