| Does this describe you: You walk into the living room | | | | Germany, and it is the only nonprescription substance |
| to getsomething, only to get there and forget what | | | | considereda treatment for dementia in Canada. |
| you needed? Youoften hear "Yes, you already told | | | | Ginkgo biloba is one extractreadily available. It |
| me about that" or maybe youthought you told | | | | enhances mental efficiency in elderlypatients with mild |
| someone, but you never actually verbalized it. | | | | to moderate memory impairment. It is alsoshown to |
| Someone tells you their name and then ninety | | | | improve cognitive function in patients with dementia, |
| seconds later yousay, "Ok, tell me your name again." | | | | toenhance blood flow to the brain, enhances |
| Perhaps you're not as young as you used to be, you | | | | cognitive performancein patients with Alzheimer's |
| have more onyour plate to keep track of or you | | | | disease. Further it is said toenhance memory in young |
| have a diagnosed or evenundiagnosed medical | | | | individuals. |
| condition. Whatever the reason, you seem tobe | | | | Adaptogenic herbs have been shown to reduce the |
| plagued with a bad case CRS - Can't Remember | | | | negative effectsof stress. Due to the decreased |
| Squat. First andforemost if you haven't had a physical | | | | ability to handle stress and theincreased levels of |
| exam in a while, go seeyour doctor. You'll want to | | | | glucocorticoids associated with aging |
| rule out anything serious that maybe causing your | | | | andneurodegeneration, herbs with adaptogenic |
| CRS. Barring any serious findings, you can takesome | | | | properties may bebeneficial. Ayurvedic herbs such as |
| herbs, vitamins and other supplements to help regain | | | | ashwagandha, holy basil, andbrahmi have a positive |
| some ofyour memory. The vitamins, herbs and | | | | influence on stress response, mentalfunction, and |
| supplements listed belowmay help. | | | | cognition. |
| Essential Fatty Acids, otherwise known as fish oils or | | | | Carotenoids are a class of naturally occurring plant |
| EPA-DHAare well known for their anti-inflammatory | | | | pigmentsthat provide the bright red, orange, and |
| activity. Furthermore, | | | | yellow colors of fruitsand vegetables. A balanced |
| DHA is required for normal brain function in adults. | | | | intake of mixed carotenoids, as foundin a healthy |
| Decreases inbrain DHA content are associated with | | | | diet, provides the best protection against |
| age-related cognitivedecline, dementia, and | | | | oxidativedamage. |
| Alzheimer's disease. | | | | Folate and vitamins B6 and B12 are needed for |
| Studies suggest that Polyphenol found in the skins of | | | | proper brainfunction. Insufficiencies of these nutrients |
| red grapesand various other plants may protect | | | | may result inforgetfulness, memory loss, confusion, |
| against inflammation andcognitive disorders. | | | | depression, dementia, andmood and sensory changes. |
| Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) is also an excellent antioxidant | | | | One study stated that age-relatedimpairment of |
| agent inneurodegenerative diseases due to the fact | | | | cognitive function is likely related to |
| that it can interruptfree radical damage at several | | | | vitamindeficiencies, and is "preventable or reversible |
| points. It has been shown toelevate antioxidants in | | | | with improvedvitamins, especially vitamin B6, vitamin |
| various brain regions and improvesmemory. Further, | | | | B12, and folate." |
| ALA supports healthy blood glucose levels andinsulin | | | | Additionally, scientists searching for a cure for |
| activity. | | | | Alzheimer'sdisease have found a potential ally in the |
| Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant cofactor that has | | | | herb sage. Checkingthe writings of herbalists working |
| been shown toprotect the brain. In addition to being | | | | four centuries ago, scientistsin England found a |
| a potent free radicalscavenger, CoQ10 has proven to | | | | marked improvement in the memory capabilitiesof |
| be effective in a wide variety ofage-related | | | | Alzheimer's patients who took sage oil extract. The |
| conditions. | | | | findingwas consistent with a discovery by |
| Vitamin E is the primary antioxidant found in all | | | | researchers at the |
| tissues. Lowvitamin E levels are consistently | | | | Universities' Medicinal Plant Research Center that sage |
| associated with an increasedrisk and occurrence of | | | | protectsa key chemical destroyed in Alzheimer's. |
| neurological diseases, including | | | | This list is not all inclusive and there could be a |
| Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. In a study of patients | | | | number ofother factors (environment, diet, disease) |
| with | | | | that could be the rootcause of your CRS. However, |
| Alzheimer's, treatment with 2000 IU of vitamin E per | | | | starting with a few supplements mayhelp you |
| day for 2years was beneficial in delaying the primary | | | | remember where you left your car keys! |
| outcome (time to theoccurrence of death, | | | | The information contained in this article is for |
| institutionalization, loss of ability toperform activities | | | | educational purposesonly and is not intended to |
| of daily living, and severe dementia) ofdisease | | | | medically diagnose, treat or cure anydisease. Consult |
| progression. | | | | a health care practitioner before beginning anyhealth |
| Ginkgo biloba extract is an approved treatment for | | | | care program. |
| dementia in | | | | |