Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you went there? How about those keys you keep putting down and forget where you put them?
Research has shown that the biggest halth concern for aging baby-boomers is cognitive dysfunction, mainly dementia and Alzeimers disease.
This article explains reasons why our memory starts to falter as we age. In the mean time, here are some supplements that may help.
The B vitamins play an important role in maintaining memory, especially B6 and choline. I recommend about 150mg/day of B5 and B6. Choline is the message carrier in the brain and a dose of 100mg three times per day has been very effective in helping memory. Vitamin C has an important antioxidant effect with all our cells and a dose of at least 1000mg is recommended.
A phospholipid known as Phosphatidylserine improves communication among brain cells. The dose for this lipid is 100mg three times daily. Ginkgo biloba has also been used to improve memory loss, brain function and depression.
Another interesting supplement that is gaining more popularity is Vinpocetine from periwinkle leaves. It is a powerful antioxidant but its main action is enhancing blood flow to the brain. Poor brain circulation is a cause of poor concentration, cognitive decline, poor memory and the inability to think clearly. Many of my patients describe this as “brain fog”. The dose is 10mg three times daily with food. Taking it with food increases absorption and reduces any side effects of nausea. Check with your health practitioner if you are taking any blood thinners, although one study showed no negative effects on blood clotting.
There are many health reasons for memory loss, so make sure you check with your health practitioner if you find your symptoms are worsening.
A Reason Why Memory May Falter With Age:
(Via WebMD Health Headlines.)