The phrase "short-term memory" refers to your ability to store information for brief periods of time, up to a few minutes in duration. A number of supplements show potential in preserving or strengthening short-term memory, but more research is needed to confirm the link between these supplements and memory. Consult your doctor before taking any of these supplements.
Vinpocetine
The plant known as lesser periwinkle, or Vinca minor, is the source of vinpocetine, which is synthesized from a constituent found in its leaves. Vinpocetine increases blood circulation and metabolism in the brain. According to M.A. McDaniel of the Department of Psychology of the University of New Mexico, three placebo-controlled studies revealed significant improvement in memory, attention and concentration in older adults with memory problems who took vinpocetine. McDaniel's findings were published in the November/December 2003 edition of the journal "Nutrition."
Huperzia Serrata
Huperzia serrata is an herb that is also known as Chinese club moss. Its active ingredient, called huperzine A, is used by some in the United States as a memory aid. Huperzine A has the potential to cause significant improvements in cognitive performance in Alzheimer's patients, according to researcher Bai-song Want, of the Department of Pharmacology and Biostatistics at the Institutes of Medical Sciences in Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine.
Carnosic Acid
Carnosic acid is a compound found in Rosmarinus officianalis, the plant that provides the culinary herb rosemary. A study conducted by the Faculty of Engineering at Iwate University in Japan and published in the February 2008 edition of the "Journal of Neurochemistry" found that carnosic acid might have neuroprotective properties. Carnosic acid may help in preventing short term memory loss associated with aging. It appears to protect brain cells from damage caused by free radicals and may help ward off Alzheimer's and the general effects of aging, according to Women's Health.
Bacopa monniera
Bacopa monniera in an herb popular in Ayurveda, a traditional healing system widely practiced in India. Bacopa monniera extract was found to significantly improve working memory performance in a study conducted by Con Stough of the Brain Sciences Institute at Swinburne University, and published in the December 2008 edition of "Phytotherapy Research."
Phosphatidylserine
The dietary supplement phosphatidylserine may improve cognitive abilities and behaviors according to MayoClinic.com. It has been shown to produce temporary improvements in memory. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests a dosages of 100mg three times daily, but warns that supplements vary greatly in terms of quality, and that better quality comes at a higher price.
References
- Springerlink.com: Efficacy and Safety of Natural Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor Huperzine A in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: An Updated Meta-analysis
- MayoClinic.com: Can Phosphatidylserine Improve Memory and Cognitive Function in People with Alzheimer's Disease?
- PubMed: "Brain-Specific" Nutrients: A Memory Cure?
- Perspectives on Neurophysiology and Neurogenic Speech and Language Disorders: Herbal Contributions to the Management of the Multi-Factorial Cognitive Disorders---Alzheimer's Disease and Vascular Dementia
- Brainpower.org: Huperzia Serrata Benefits
- PubMed: Carnosic Acid, A Catechol-Type Electrophilic Compound, Protects Neurons Both In Vitro and In Vivo Through Activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 Pathway via S-alkylation of Targeted Cysteines on Keap1
