As you get older, you could fall victim to one of four types of memory loss including dementia and Alzheimer's. According to the Roena B. Kulynych Center for Memory and Cognition Research at Wake Forest University, about 25 percent of people over 75 suffer from memory loss and other cognitive difficulties; this number climbs to 40 percent for the over-80 population. However, some nutritional supplements can ward off memory loss.
Luteolin
Luteolin is a flavonoid, which is a compound that is abundant in citrus fruits, celery and green peppers. It has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that enables it to prevent age-related memory loss. Antioxidants help combat free radicals that destroy cells throughout the body.
Anti-inflammatories prevent or reduce inflammation, which contributes to mental problems and plays a key role in neurodegenerative diseases characterized by loss of structure or function of the neurons, according to researchers from the University of Illinois who conducted a study on luteolin. They found it was able to dramatically reduce inflammation in the brain.
Blueberries
Blueberry supplements are available in powder, capsule, liquid concentrate or extract form. Blueberries contain anthocyanins, which improve neuron signaling in the brain and influence memory function. They also enhance glucose metabolism thereby helping to prevent damage to neurons or nerve cells.
In a 2010 study published in the "Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry," researchers assessed older adults with early symptoms of memory problems who drank wild blueberry juice daily. After 12 weeks, the participants had better word recall, glucose levels and paired-associative learning---a technique used in learning to count, read, or to learn a new language. They also had better memory function than the group that took a placebo beverage.
DHA
Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is the main type of omega-3 fatty acid found in the brain, states the Alzheimer's Association. Older people who experience cognitive decline or Alzheimer's tend to have lower levels of DHA. A 2009 study published in the "Alzheimer's & Dementia" journal revealed that adults with age-related cognitive decline who took DHA for six months had better memory function and displayed learning and memory abilities normally associated with a younger age.
If you're considering taking an herbal supplement to prevent memory loss, keep in mind that more studies are needed on the effectiveness of these treatments. Also, some herbal supplements may cause adverse reactions. Consult your doctor first, especially if you have a health problem or you're pregnant.
References
- Roena B. Kulynych Center for Memory and Cognition Research at Wake Forest University: Research
- Roena B. Kulynych Center for Memory and Cognition Research at Wake Forest University: Types of Memory Loss
- Wake Forest University: Alzheimer's Disease
- University of Illinois News Bureau: "Plant flavonoid found to reduce inflammatory response in the brain
- Ray Sahelian: Luteolin
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