A Memory Supplement can go a long way in giving your brain the nutrients that it needs to stay sharp through your golden years.
Herbs
There are many herbs that tout the ability to help improve and optimize memory. One of the most commonly used herbs is gingko biloba. This Chinese supplement has been used for thousands of years to help improve memory. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find a naturally-oriented memory supplement that does not include gingko as a main ingredient. Gingko biloba has few side effects and has been studied in Alzheimer’s patients, showing mild clinical results. It is thought to work by increasing blood flow to brain, making it more able to perform at its best.
Several other ingredients have their roots in natural and herbal sources. These include Huperzine A, which comes from club moss and vinpocetine, which is extracted from a periwinkle plant. These are thought to stimulate proper cell communication, as well as increase blood flow. While preliminary studies are quite promising, the safety of these herbal preparations has not been studied extensively, so care should be taken; they should only be used at the advice and under the supervision of a doctor.
Vitamins
Truly, you are what you eat. While that cliche has been around for years, scientists are just now getting a handle on the evidence that shows that diet, and vitamins, can really affect your health. While eating whole foods can optimize your ability to maintain memory, a memory supplement with the following vitamins may fill the gaps left by a diet that leaves something to be desired.
Omega fats are extremely important to memory and aging. Both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are found in many memory supplements, and for good reason. These fats, sourced mainly from fish products, are well-known to benefit your brain health, especially if you consistently consume them throughout your life. It’s no old wives tale that fish feeds the brain, and the omega fats are the reason why fish is so effective.
Another important memory vitamin that should be included in the supplement of your choice is folic acid. Folic acid has a distinct relationship to both memory function and aging. Doctors and researchers are not entirely sure about how and why this is the case, but the connection is quite clear.
Your brain is the largest and most important organ in your body. It consumes upwards of 20% of your body’s oxygen. Like all other body systems, that oxygen is delivered via your bloodstream. In addition, proper cellular function is enhanced with things like antioxidants. For the best memory supplement, look for herbs and vitamins with a track record of enhancing memory, such as the ones discussed above.