Tips to Prevent Memory Loss

Neurologists, researchers, and non-profit organizations who specialize in age-related memory loss will tell you that prevention is your best defense because there are known cures for Dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's Disease. Here is a list of the most researched preventative techniques that you can easily implement into your lifestyle:

Reduce Inflammation

• Adhere to a Mediterranean-type diet - fruits, vegetables, nuts (walnuts, in particular), seeds, lean protein with an emphasis on fish, whole grains (especially quinoa, brown rice, wild rice, oats, and barley if tolerated), and healthy oils (such as olive). Refer to my Circle of Health
  
  
• Consume Omega-3 fatty acids - supplemental Cod Liver Oil/Fish Oil, and fatty fish
  
  
• Take Magnesium - 75% of the US population is deficient. It is a catalyst for over 300 functions, which affect focus and memory in many ways.
  
  
• Eat & Supplement with Antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress
  
  • Foods - blueberries, onions/garlic, dry wine, apples, turmeric, green/black/red tea, coffee (nothing added)
  • Supplements - Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Beta Carotene (especially in men), CoQ10, and Alpha Lipoic Acid
    

Limit Environmental Risks
Unfiltered water, pesticide and heavy metal exposure are the major culprits (the heavy metals being lead, mercury, aluminum, and arsenic, in particular); read our detailed list of Solutions for Reducing Your Toxic Load.

Meditation
Meditation is a wonderful way to harmonize the brain's energy and reduce stress.

Folic Acid and B12
The importance on these B-vitamins cannot be underestimated, especially in the elderly. What's most important to understand is that just taking folic acid is not good enough for 25 % of the human population because of a genetic abnormalities. For these individuals, all three folates (folic acid, L 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate, and 5-formyl tetrahydrolfolate) must be taken. The form of B-12 should always be methylcobalamin.

Mental Exercise
Crossword Puzzles, Word Searches, or similar fare maintains mental acuity.

Physical Activity
Dancing, walking, and moderate exercise enhance blood flow, mood, and naturally reduces inflammation. Yoga and Tai Chi have wonderful mental and physical benefits. Elderly people can perform Ta Chi well into their 90's (and many Japanese do just that).

Limit Simple Sugars
Many experts call Alzheimer's Type 3 Diabetes because those with the disease have a high frequency of insulin resistance. Limiting simple sugars and refined carbohydrates is essential. Do not consume artificial sweeteners as an alternative. They contribute to memory loss as much or more than sugar.

Personality
Self-disciplined, organized, and achieving personalities seem to protect the brain from mental decline (a recent study showed that autopsies done on elderly subjects had numbers of lesions that would qualify for Alzheimer's, but when alive, never exhibited memory issues). On the flip side, distress-prone personalities were found to be more likely to develop memory problems.

Rule Out Statin Medication
Recently, there has been a strong focus on statins contributing to memory loss. From a scientific standpoint, it makes perfect sense because research shows that very low cholesterol is not good for memory. Fortunately for patients who have gone off statins after exhibiting symptoms of memory loss, many have found that their memory returned.

Obesity
A recent British study showed that the obese are at twice the risk for Alzheimer's or an age-related memory loss condition.

NOTE: All of these suggestions are research-based. For further information about these topics, please perform a quick search at the top left corner of this blog.