Learn about brain health and nootropics to boost brain function
Natural Foods That Fight Memory Loss
Everyone is concerned about memory loss. Memory loss is actually the first sign of Alzheimer’s disease. However, bad memory is a normal part of aging.
During this life stage, changes occur in all parts of the body, including the brain. Some people realize that it takes longer to learn new things or don’t remember things as well as they did before.
Causes of Memory Loss
Some memory problems are related to health issues that can be treated:
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Chronic alcoholism
- Tumors
- Infections
- Blood clots in the brain
- Possible dementia
- Head injuries
- Cancer treatments (chemotherapy or radiation therapy)
- Stress
- Anxiety or depression
These problems can make a person become more forgetful and can lead to misdiagnoses of mental illnesses. Another influencing factor is sudden life changes.
Here are some of the most common symptoms of memory loss:
- Losing personal belongings frequently.
- Having a hard time finding the right words.
- Asking the same questions in a conversation, or telling the same story several times.
- Not remembering if you’ve done something, such as taking a drug.
- Becoming disoriented or getting lost in familiar places.
- Not knowing what year or day or the week it is.
- Having trouble remembering appointments or events.
- Having trouble following directions or making decisions.
Short or Long-Term Memory Loss
Short time memory loss consists of forgetting information that, after the bout of amnesia, you remember again.
- If you can’t remember a name but then you do an hour later or waking up not knowing what happened last night after one too many drinks are a couple of examples of short-term memory loss.
On the other hand, permanent memory loss is information that you lose and aren’t able to recover. You can’t remember where you left your keys or forget that your mother visited you a few days ago, even when some one repeats this information to you several times.
How to Prevent Memory Loss
Here are the most effective factors in preventing or slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease or other memory problems:
- Adequate sleep
- A good diet
- Physical exercise
- An active social life
- Cognitive activities
The brain acts similarly to your muscles, so the more you use it, the better shape it’ll be in. However, if you don’t nurture nor oxygenate it properly, it may atrophy. This is why an active and healthy life can be very beneficial for your memory.
Other factors such as sleeping well and reading often keep your brain healthy. You should also quit bad habits like drinking, smoking or doing drugs since this will benefit your memory and your overall health.
When to Get Help and How to Evaluate Memory Loss
Many people don’t notice they have any memory problems, and these problems are usually initially detected by family. Anxious and depressed people tend to focus more on their mistakes, thus making them more forgetful. This makes them think they have a memory problem, although this may not be the case.
However, if the person has trouble doing their day to day activities or if they’re confused and disoriented, it’s time to visit a doctor.
The doctor will make an accurate diagnosis and decide whether the patient has memory problems or not and, if so, what type. When in doubt, it’s always best to see a specialist.
Natural Foods That Fight Memory Loss
Memory problems can be solved with natural remedies to thus make your life more bearable.
Nuts
The natural oils in nuts have anti-inflammatory properties and protective nutrients that help keep your brain in good shape, thus fighting memory loss.
Ingredients
- Almonds (50 g)
- Apricot (30 g)
- Macadamia nuts (50 g)
- Walnuts (20 g)
Preparation
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
- We recommend eating nuts every day.
Carrots
They are rich in carotene, which is important for the nutrition of a healthy brain. Eating carrots helps avoid memory loss and keeps your mind healthy.
What to do
- To optimize your memory, try to eat at least one carrot a day, raw or cooked.
Apple
This fruit is rich in iron and vitamins. Its peel contains quercetin, which helps prevent age-associated memory problems.
What to do
- Eating an apple a day will help strengthen your memory. Remember to add it to your preparations to enjoy all its properties.
Basil
helps the body have an optimal mental and physical performance.
In this case, you can reap the benefits of basil in a tea.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of basil (5 g)
- ½ cup of water (125 ml)
Preparation
- Boil the water, add the basil, and let infuse for 3 minutes.
- Then, remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
- Drink half a cup of this tea after every meal.
Memory is one of the most important functions of your brain, so you must remain vigilant, take care of your memory, and kick everything that can harm it to the curb.
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