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Whether you suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or you simply have memory problems, certain vitamins and fatty acids have been said to slow or prevent memory loss. The long list of potential solutions includes vitamins like vitamin B-12, herbal supplements such as ginkgo biloba, and omega-3 fatty acids. But can a tablet really boost your memory?
Much of the evidence for the popular “cures” isn’t very strong. Here, we discuss what recent clinical studies have to say about vitamins and memory loss.
Scientists have long been researching the relationship between low levels of B-12 (cobalamin) and memory loss. According to a Mayo Clinic expert, having enough B-12 in your diet can improve memory. However, if you get an adequate amount of B-12, there is no evidence that higher intake has positive effects. Promising research does show that B-12 can slow cognitive decline in people with early Alzheimer’s when taken together with omega-3 fatty acids.
B-12 deficiency is most common in people with bowel or stomach issues, or strict vegetarians. The diabetes drug metformin has also been shown to lower B-12 levels.
You should be able to get enough B-12 naturally, as it’s found in foods such as fish and poultry. Fortified breakfast cereal is a good option for vegetarians.
There is some evidence to suggest that vitamin E can benefit the mind and memory in older people. A
Regardless of your age or condition, you should be able to get enough vitamin E from your food. Ask your doctor if you’re interested in additional amounts. Vitamin E deficiency is rare, although it may occur in people on low-fat diets.
The vitamin is found in:
- nuts
- seeds
- dark-colored fruits, such as blueberries, avocados, and blackberries
- vegetables, such as spinach and bell peppers
When it comes to ginkgo biloba, both older and more
There isn’t much evidence to suggest a relationship between omega-3 and memory, either. However, research is currently in progress. One recent study published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia showed that fish oil can improve non-Alzheimer’s-related brain processing. Study results showed that people who took fish oil supplements had less brain atrophy than those who didn’t.
Another
DHA is one main type of omega-3 fatty acid, and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) is another. You can find them naturally in organ meats and fish such as salmon.
For young and older people alike, it’s valuable to get your dietary vitamins from the food you eat. Supplements can fill in the gaps, but check with your doctor before you go over the recommended daily intake.
No matter your age, the best way to combat memory decline is to eat well and exercise your body as well as your brain, advises Marshall. He highly recommends the Mediterranean diet as a good source of all the vitamins your body needs.
The Mediterranean diet has been
- mostly plant-based foods
- limiting (or completely cutting out) red meat
- eating fish
- using liberal amounts of olive oil to prepare meals
Read more: The Mediterranean diet: 21 recipes »
Diets that are similar to the Mediterranean diet include the MIND diet as well as the DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) diet.
The MIND diet, in particular, emphasizes consumption of green, leafy vegetables and plant-based food in addition to the high protein and olive oil recommendations of the Mediterranean diet.
Having a strong support network and being engaged in your local community have been suggested as ways to delay or prevent dementia. Establishing healthy sleep habits can also protect your brain.
You can begin to take care of your brain by simply being more mindful of foods and habits that have been shown to damage it. Fried food has been linked to
Many Alzheimer’s risk factors, such as obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, are in your control. Even changing one of these risk factors