Boost Your Memory Naturally!
Did you know that approximately 40% of Canadians/Americans over age 65 have memory impairment? Memory loss is a very common symptom amongst many of my patients over 50; unfortunately, this topic doesn’t get the attention it deserves.
Cognitive health and memory are often taken for granted – we don’t realize how important it is until it starts to slip away! Memory impairment can affect our job performance and overall quality of life. The good news is there’s a lot we can do to sharpen our focus, improve our memory, and prevent cognitive decline.
Everyone forgets things now and again. Have you ever misplaced your wallet or keys; or forgot someone’s name? We all have. For some, however, these episodes can be more serious and frequent – referred to as “Mild Cognitive Impairment”. Mild cognitive impairment is the stage between expected cognitive decline that we normally see with aging and more serious decline that we see with Dementia.
Here are some signs that you may be suffering from mild cognitive impairment and memory loss:
– Forgetting things more often.
– Forgetting appointments and social events.
– Feeling easily overwhelmed when following instructions or making decisions.
– Losing your train of thought easily.
– Getting lost in familiar environments.
– Becoming more impulsive and exhibiting poor judgment.
– New onset of depression, anxiety, or irritability.
Some of the main underlying causes for memory loss and cognitive decline are:
– Hormone imbalances: Memory loss is a very common symptom of menopause (or ‘andropause’ for men). As hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone decline, this affects brain health, mood, and memory.
– Vitamin/Mineral deficiencies: Minerals (iron, zinc, magnesium), vitamins (B-vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D), and amino acids are essential for brain health, so deficiencies impair cognition and memory
– Essential fatty acids deficiency: Our brains are the fattiest organs in the body – made up of almost 60% fats. If we lack omega 3 fats, this can impair brain health over time.
– Traumatic brain injury: TBIs can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and memory loss. These symptoms typically dissipate over time, but can be persistent in some cases.
– Insomnia: Sleep is so important for brain cell repair and recovery. Consistently low quality and quantity of sleep can impact memory, mood, and cognitive function.
– Lack of exercise: Exercise isn’t only for your muscles and heart health – it’s also very important for brain health! Exercise allows for increased blood flow to the brain, reduces stress hormones, and improves our mood and sleep.
At our naturopathic clinic, we can test for the underlying causes mentioned above. Based on your symptoms and test results, we will put together a natural treatment plan to improve your memory and brain health.
Here are some natural measures that you can implement right now to improve your cognitive health and prevent memory loss:
– Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Healthy fats are crucial for brain health. You can get these from cold-water fish (sardines, mackerel, salmon, tuna) or you can use top quality fish oil supplements.
– Exercise: Aim to increase your daily activity; if you don’t go to the gym, you can still workout at home, go for a walk or run – every little bit of activity helps!
– Puzzles: Our brains need some exercise, just like our muscles. Puzzles are a great way to use our brain in a different way than we’re used to.
– Reading: Reading is a great way to reduce stress and learn new things. Our brain craves this kind of stimulation, so read often.
– Phosphatidylserine: PS is a special type of fat that reduces stress hormones and boosts acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter). PS significantly improves brain health and memory.
– B-Vitamins: Our brain cells require plenty of B-vitamins (especially B12) for proper signalling and energy production. B-vitamin supplements help improve mood, memory, and energy.
– Curcumin: Curcumin, an extract from Turmeric spice, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Studies show curcumin improves memory performance and attention.
– Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy: Hormonal decline in men/women can significantly impact brain health. Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) can restore hormone levels to improve memory and cognition. This therapy requires assessment and testing before commencing.
If you’re experiencing memory loss or other symptoms of cognitive decline, please contact our naturopathic clinic so we can find the underlying causes for your symptoms, and improve your brain health naturally!
Yours in health,
Dr. Michael Morsillo, H.B.Sc., N.D.
Newmarket Naturopathic Doctor
16655 Yonge St., Newmarket, ON
905-898-1844 ext. 135
dr.morsillo@gmail.com
www.drmorsillo.com