Foods That Improve Memory: Key Nutrients for Brain Function

It happens to us all as we get older – memories of our youth get hazier, we start to forget appointments and commitments, and we begin to misplace common (but important) items like our keys, wallets, and coats.

There are some people who suffer from disorders of the executive function of the brain, such as depression and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) that have grappled with subpar memory function as long as they have suffered from their particular malady.

Unfortunately, there aren't any prescription drugs that can help improve memory, but there are key nutrients in certain foods that can help. Here is a list of five that can help improve your memory:

1.       Coconuts-It can be fun buying coconuts and splitting them open at home with a hammer, but the most common way to access the benefits of coconuts is by cooking with its oil. Coconut oil has a great balance of energy-producing nutrients and glucose for the brain. Studies suggest that it may be beneficial in preventing Alzheimer's and dementia.

2.       Nuts-Nuts are one of the best foods that improve memory because they are chock full of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, as well as vitamins B6 and E, all of which can help sharpen your memory. One word of caution: peanuts aren't actually nuts! Rather, they are legumes like beans or peas. To get the best memory boost, stick to almonds and walnuts.

3.       Spinach-Spinach is one of nature’s super foods. It prevents damage to cells and DNA, inhibits the growth of certain kinds of tumors, and can prevent or delay dementia. It's an excellent source of vitamin E and folate, and it helps to keep your brain young, flexible, and spry.

4.       Rosemary-The common herb, Rosemary, that is so delicious with pork and chicken, is a powerful member of the group of foods that improve memory. It has been shown to confer brain benefits just in people who smell it – they don't even have to eat it! It helps the brain get the blood it needs, helps regulate your mood, and detoxifies your system.

5.       Tomatoes- These ripe red fruits are packed with an antioxidant called lycopene that has been shown to fight dementia.

Of course there are other foods that improve memory besides the five listed above, but if you are looking for a quick brain boost, you can't go wrong with this list. For the best results, try combinations of these foods! A bit of whole-grain pasta with tomato sauce sprinkled with rosemary and a spinach salad with walnuts and a coconut oil-based dressing? It's not just a delicious meal, but it's made entirely out of foods that improve memory - try it tonight!

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR MEMORY LOSS

How Likely Am I to Develop a Memory Loss Disease?

Diseases that cause memory loss tend to be neurodegenerative diseases, which are characterized by progressive deterioration within the brain. Three common neurodegenerative memory loss diseases are Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease. Of these, Alzheimer’s is by far the most common. 

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a tragically common memory loss disease; one in three people will develop Alzheimer’s before they die. Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease associated with plaques and tangles that develop in the brain. It is marked by cognitive and memory impairments that progress in severity over time. Alzheimer’s generally arises later in life, and its early stages are easily confused with normal memory impairment due to aging.

Risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease include:

·         A family history of the disease

·         Mild cognitive impairment

·         Certain genetic factors

·         Existing cardiovascular disease

·         Traumatic brain injury

·         Lack of regular mental stimulation and low level of education

As you grow older, you become increasingly more likely to develop the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. One in nine people age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s disease; among people 85 and older, one in three has Alzheimer’s. Statistically, women are more likely to have Alzheimer’s than men; however, this may have to do with the fact that women generally tend to live longer. 

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the death of dopamine-generating cells in a region of the brain called the substantia nigra. The earliest and most obvious symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are motor symptoms such as shaking and rigidity, but Parkinson’s is also among the most well-known memory loss diseases and is likely to affect a person’s ability to recall learned information.

The cause or causes of Parkinson’s disease are not yet completely known, although evidence suggests it has a heritable genetic component.

As many as one million Americans have Parkinson’s disease. Worldwide, there are between seven and ten million people with this disease.

Risk factors for Parkinson’s disease include:

·         Advanced age

·         Family history of Parkinson’s

·         In women, declining estrogen levels

·         Exposure to environmental toxins, such as in the course of agricultural work

·         Genetic factors

·         Low levels of Vitamin B Folate

·         Head trauma 

Huntington ’s Disease

Huntington’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that affects muscle coordination and leads to cognitive decline. It can impair a range of memory functions, including long-term memory, short-term memory, episodic memory, and procedural memory. Huntington’s disease is more common in people of Western European descent than those of African or Asian descent and can affect both women and men. Huntington’s disease affects an estimated three to seven out of every 100,000 people of European descent.

Unlike Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease is caused by a known genetic factor, the dominant form of a gene called huntingtin. Because this gene is autosomal dominant, only one parent has to have the dominant allele of the gene for a child to inherit the disease.

Three prevalent memory loss diseases are Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease. Huntington’s disease is caused by a dominant allele in a known gene, whereas the causes of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are less understood. Alzheimer’s is by far the most prevalent of these diseases, and is the most likely to affect a given individual. Depending on how long you live, the chances are that you will eventually develop some degree of Alzheimer’s. 

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR MEMORY LOSS

Degenerative Neurological Diseases as Memory Loss Causes: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s

There are numerous diseases, disorders, and injuries that are known to be memory loss causes. Memory loss can be related to aging, can be an effect of disease processes, or can result from injuries to certain areas of the brain.

Three diseases that involve the deterioration of the brain and can cause memory loss include:

·         Alzheimer’s disease

·         Parkinson’s disease

·         Huntington’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease and Memory Loss

Alzheimer’s disease is unfortunately common among older people. It is a progressive, degenerative disease best known for causing dementia. It also causes pronounced short-term and long-term memory loss. As the disease progresses, afflicted persons often lose more and more of their memory.

One of the most common early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is short-term memory loss. People with incipient Alzheimer’s may begin to show difficulty learning new facts and remembering recently learned information. There is also sometimes impairment of semantic memory, which is subtler; a person with early Alzheimer’s may lose memories involving meanings and relationships between concepts.

In the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s, short-term memory is most strongly affected. Episodic memory, the memory of events in the person’s life, is less strongly affected, as is procedural memory, their memory of how to perform learned tasks.

As Alzheimer’s progresses to the moderate level of the disease, deficits in long-term memory may begin to manifest. The person may even fail to recognize close family members. Individuals over a certain age who are beginning to experience problems with short-term memory may want to be evaluated for Alzheimer’s disease.

Parkinson’s disease and Memory Loss

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system; it involves the death of cells that generate dopamine, an important neurotransmitter, in a region of the midbrain called the substantia nigra. The most obvious and well-known symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are its motor symptoms, including shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement, and difficulty walking; however, it is also among the diseases that cause memory loss.

Cognitive disturbances, such as difficulties with memory and executive function, can occur in the initial stages of Parkinson’s disease, and become more severe as the disease progresses. In terms of memory loss, Parkinson’s is most likely to impair the ability to recall learned information. There may also be difficulties with working memory; for example, people with Parkinson’s disease may find themselves having increased difficulty holding multiple items in their short-term memory simultaneously.

Huntington’s disease and Memory Loss

Huntington’s disease is a degenerative neurological disorder with a genetic basis. It is more likely to occur in women, and often manifests itself in the 30s or 40s. During the progression of Huntington’s disease, deficits in memory and cognition begin to appear. Memory loss in Huntington’s disease can vary in nature and intensity and can include:

·         Short-term memory loss

·         Difficulties with long-term memory, including loss of episodic memory

·         Loss of procedural memory

·         Deficits in working memory

Causes of memory loss include a number of progressive, degenerative disease processes, which affect regions of the brain responsible for different types of memory. These diseases include Alzheimer’s disease, which is a tragically common cause of progressive memory deterioration in older adults, and Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease, which are two other neurodegenerative diseases that can cause memory loss.