Memory is the ability to capture and recall information. Memory function may decline for reasons that include head injury, Alzheimer's disease and anxiety. A variety of vitamins may support memory function. They work best when used over a period of years, before the signs of memory loss are noticed. You are encouraged to consult with a healthcare specialist before using any vitamin or herbal or dietary supplement as a treatment option.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect brain tissue from free radicals, which can damage parts of the brain that promote memory. According to a September 2009 issue of "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," researchers at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark concluded from a study that subjects who were deficient in vitamin C showed a reduction in spatial memory as well as cognitive function. Their study was performed on animal subjects who were less than one week old. Although the study was not performed on human subjects, the study speculates the importance of vitamin C for maintaining memory function in humans.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant-rich vitamin. It serves many purposes in the body, including protecting tissues. According to a 2003 study documented by Chinese researchers at the Department of Neurology at PUMC Hospital in Beijing, a small amount of vitamin E may improve memory function. Studies were performed on a rat subject suffering from chronic episodic hypoxia. The results also showed smaller doses of vitamin E were better at improving memory than larger amounts. Further research is required to conclusively determine vitamin E's effect on the memory of human subjects.
Vitamin B-3
Vitamin B-3 is a water-soluble vitamin that is vital in the metabolism of cells. It has many functions in the body, including the promotion of normal brain function, as well as the functioning of the nervous system. According to a report in Life Extension, a November 5, 2008 article in the "Journal of Neuroscience" revealed that vitamin B-3 has been linked to improving memory loss in mice subjects with a condition mimicking human Alzheimer's disease. The study also revealed that subjects who were not given vitamin B-3 showed a significant decrease in memory by the end of the study. Subjects who were given vitamin B-3 showed signs of improved memory function and recollection.
References
- PubMed.gov: Vitamin C deficiency in early postnatal life impairs spatial memory and reduces the number of hippocampal neurons in guinea pigs
- PubMed.gov: Effect of vitamin E on memory and brain monoaminergic neurotransmitter in chronic episodic hypoxia rat
- Life Extension: B vitamin prevents memory loss in animal model of Alzheimer's disease
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