Feed your Brain Something You’ll never Forget

Ever walk into a room and instantly forget what you were looking for?  Do you find that you have to scribble notes to yourself just to remember short-term errands or short shopping lists?  Short term memory loss, although usually age-related, can also be a sign of stress and vitamin deficiency.  Treatment can be found in a variety of herbs, supplements and dietary changes.

• Eat more berries.  Blueberries are rich in polyphenols which keep your brain cells busy and according to studies delay memory loss associated with aging.  According the the Journal of Neuroscience, strawberries aid in preventing short term memory loss, in addition to improving motor skills.  Indulge in a berry-yogurt smoothie for breakfast.  No fresh berries in your area? Frozen fruits are just as nutritional as the ones you find in the farmers markets’.
• Spinach contains alpha lipoic acid, an antioxidant which protects the brain from aging and memory loss.  Picky about cooked spinach? Fresh spinach leaves have a smooth buttery taste that complement tossed salads well.  Toss in some orange wedges and candied pecans for a sweet twist.
• Turmeric, a deep yellow-orange spice popular in many Indian dishes, has a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, curcumin, which was the focus of a study on preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Turmeric has a very mild flavor and if often added to basmati rice and soups.
• Fish dishes are the ultimate brain food, thanks to their Omega-3 oils, which are closer in composition to the fats found in our brain tissue and are thus more easily absorbed and utilized than any other type of oil.  Salmon and tuna are excellent sources, but fish oil supplements are also recommended for prevention of ADD and short term memory loss.  Include a dose of Phosphatidyl Serine for compounded prevention.
• Egg yolks are an important source of the B vitamin choline, which is essential for building up acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter which is necessary for healthy brain function.  Pregnant women are advised to include eggs in their diet for normal brain development in the fetus.  Avoid all-white omelets and opt instead for some nearly-white scrambled eggs with at least one yolk included in the mix.
• Chewing gum may improve your memory, at least that’s what scientists concluded after studying teenagers who chewed gum while sitting in class and studying for tests.
• Ginkgo Biloba extract contain glycosides and terpenoids, ingredients which nutritionists believe help to prevent memory loss, encourage brain activity and increase circulation to the brain.