Medical Questions » Mental Health Questions » Question No. 1569
| Question: | What can I do to improve my memory? |
| Answer: | The main ' memory molecule' in the brain is acetylcholine. If the brain makes enough of it, your memory and concentration will be sharp. Many drugs designed to treat Alzheimer' s try to promote this effect. Acetylcholine is made directly from phosphatidyl choline, which is found in eggs and organ meats such as liver. A precursor of phosphatidyl choline, called DMAE, is abundant in sardines. Also vital is phosphatidyl serine, which improves the brain' s receptivity for acetylcholine. Phosphatidyl serine is the first nutrient the US Food and Drug Administration have allowed claims for, stating that it may reduce risk of dementia in the elderly. These three nutrients certainly help to support normal memory. Another brain-friendly nutrient is the omega-3 family of fats, found in fatty fish and fish oil supplements as well as flax seeds.
I believe memory need not decline as you get older, provided you are optimally nourished. Try supplementing 300mg of phosphatidyl serine a day, or adding a tablespoon of lecithin, which is rich in phosphatidyl choline, on your cereal. Also supplement an omega-3-rich fish oil capsule - about l,000mg of EPA/DHA a day is effective. And finally, keep your brain active. Read, write, think, create, paint, play or compose music, even do the crosswords: whatever it is, use it or you really will lose it. |
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