by Niceguy

Created on: December 24, 2006   Last Updated: October 26, 2011

Most of us expect to lose our ability to remember as we age. However, the aging process has little effect on the ability to recall information. With proper diet and a sufficient supply of nutrients, the memory should remain sharp and active throughout one's life.

When our brains receive an insufficient supply of nutrients, such as B vitamins and amino acids, many people will suffer from memory loss.(1) Blood is responsible for delivering nutrients to the brain, so if it becomes clogged or thickened with cholesterol and triglycerides, the amount of blood and the nutrients it delivers is decreased.

Proper brain function is also dependent on neurotransmitters, which are responsible for all of the functions of the body. If the brain does not have enough neurotransmitters, or enough nutrients to create them, it develops a biochemical version of a "short circuit". This is evident when your mind goes blank when trying to recall specific information or it remembers something irrelevant in its place.(2)

One of the most important factors affecting the deterioration of the memory is free radicals. Free radicals can also create a great deal of damage resulting in more extreme memory gaps. Nutrition factors also affect memory as they contribute to the nutrients available in the blood.

Research has shown that aged garlic extract (AGE) significantly improves both memory and learning performance.(3) Ginkgo Biloba has been proven to aid in circulation(4) and to enhance memory. In addition, diets high in antioxidants have been shown to reverse age-related decreases in brain function.(5) The University of Texas also demonstrated in a study that Zinc deficiency impairs brain function, so it is an especially critical nutrient during development.(6) B Vitamins have also been shown to improve cognitive function (brain activity).(7) There is much powerful research reinforcing how critical these nutrients and others are for optimal brain function.

1. Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing, 3rd Edition. p. 506.
2. Ibid.
3. Moriguchi, T., Nishiyama, N. et al., 1994B. Biol. Pharm. Bull. 17(12):1589-1594.
4. Koltringer, P., et al. Microcirculation in parenteral Gingko Biloba extract therapy. (in German) Wein Klin Worchenschr. 1989, Mar 17; 101 (6): 198-200.
5. Gemma C, Mesches MH, Sepesi B, et al. J Neurosci. 2002; 22: 6114-6120.
6. Harold H. Sandstead, Christopher J. Frederickson, and James G. Penland. Journal of Nutrition. 2000; 130:496S-502S.
7. Am J Clin Nutr 2002, May; 75(5): 908-13.

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