Here's some food for thought!
18/11/2007
From our 20s onwards, we lose brain cells a few at a time and our bodies also make less of the chemicals that the brain cells need for top mental performance. Memory loss is part of the normal ageing process and doesn’t in itself mean that dementia is developing. Scientists have estimated that memory lapses (of anything from about 6 up to 30 a week by the most absent-minded) are probably on the rise, as people lead busier, more stressful lives.
Often short-term memory is most affected. If this is starting to present problems with everyday life, a combination of dietary improvement, physical and mental exercise and selective supplementation can make a significant difference in reducing ‘senior moments’.
Alex Shalet, Senior Nutritionist from The Nutri Centre has these tips for maintaining mental agility:
-
Keep lists, a detailed calendar and follow a routine
-
Make associations to connect things in your mind, such as using landmarks to help you find places
-
Put important items, such as your keys, in the same place every time.
-
Repeat names when you meet new people
-
Run through the alphabet in your head if you are struggling to remember a word: often "hearing" the first letter will jog your memory
-
Give your brain a regular workout with things like crossword puzzles and sudoku.
If memory problems are seriously affecting your life or your memory suddenly worsens, consult your doctor who will look at other causes of memory loss which could include depression, dementia, the side effects of drugs, strokes, head injury and alcoholism.
Ensure your diet includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables for their antioxidant content, and that it is rich in Omega 3 essential fatty acids, the building blocks for brain cells. Good dietary sources include oily fish, flaxseed, and walnuts or for convenience take a good quality supplement.
Alex Shalet recommends a highly concentrated EPA chewable food supplement MorEPA. It is available in a choice of pleasant citrus flavours – perfect for people who don’t like a fishy taste or have difficulty swallowing capsules and tablets. One of the richest and purest sources of Omega 3 EPA fish oil that you can buy, just one 1000 mg capsule per day gives you an unbeatable 580 mg EPA and 88 mg of DHA of pure essential Omega 3 fatty acids; all the Omega 3 EPA you need.
Keep sugary foods to a minimum, as research has shown that glucose intolerance - where a person cannot regulate sugar levels in their blood - can lead to poor memory. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables for their antioxidant content.
Caffeine based stimulants should be kept to a minimum as these act as diuretics depleting important mineral and nutrient reserves in the body. Whilst there is no evidence that drinking water improves memory, we know that even a small amount of dehydration can cause confusion so don’t wait to drink.
Apples and apple juice as part of a balanced diet should satisfy a sweet tooth and may, according to research, help protect the brain from the effects of oxidative stress which encourages cell damage and contributes to memory loss. Strawberry lovers will be pleased to hear that this fruit contains an antioxidant called fisetin which enhanced the brain power of mice in lab tests.
The brain requires a wide variety of chemical elements to function at its best, including minerals and amino acids. Modern diet can be characterized by over-processed and convenience foods which may lack essential nutrients for maintaining healthy brain tissues and fuelling biochemical activities. To make sure you are not missing out on essential brain food try Mental Edge® by Source Naturals.
This is an advanced nutritional formula to help you meet the demands of a challenging world; a multivitamin designed specifically for brain health. This bio-aligned formula combines nutrients, herbs and special ingredients to address multiple, interdependent body systems.
Ingredients in balanced proportions such as brain boosting B vitamins, pantothenic acid, magnesium, zinc, manganese, potassium, L glutamine, L pheylalanine, L pyroglutamic acid, taurine, tyrosine and DMAE help support neurotransmitter production, antioxidant defence, energy generation, stress response and myelin sheath generation. Take 4 tablets daily between meals and if any digestive irritation occurs, take with food.
Wise Precautions
Mental Edge contains phenylalanine and tyrosine. It should not to be used by phenylketonurics, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or with antidepressant drugs containing MAO or SSR inhibitors. If you have chronic high blood pressure or epilepsy, consult your health care professional before using this product.
Click on the link below to order the supplements recommended by The Nutri Centre or call 0207 436 5122 for free advice from a qualified nutritionist.
Recommended Products
Mental Edge by Source Naturals costs £8.79 for 30 Tablets
MorEPA Smart Fats £18.99 for 50 capsules in orange and lemon flavour.