How to Decrease Forgetfulness

The process of aging affects us physically and mentally. Forgetfulness is a normal aspect

of aging, but in some individuals may progress to a more advanced disorder known as

dementia. Dementia is a neurological disorder that affects the ability to speak, reason,

remember, and move.

Alzheimer's Disease is the most common form of dementia and as it progresses may

affect language, reasoning and understanding. The first sign of Alzheimer's Disease is

usually forgetfulness. The exact cause of Alzheimer's is unknown, but affects about 10

percent of the population over age 65 and half of those age 85 and over.

Keeping your mind healthy is an important part of delaying the aging process. A healthy

mind is important for performing normal activities of daily living, balancing your

checkbook, calculating the tip at a favorite restaurant, and communicating with friends

and family.

Exercise has been shown to be beneficial for the mind as well as the body. Exercise

decreases stress, anxiety, and depression. Exercise will improve blood flow to the brain

and other organs. This will improve memory, creativity, problems solving skills and overall

conditioning of your body. Relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation have also

been found to be beneficial to the brain.

There are different techniques and exercise that have been found to be beneficial to

optimizing brain power.
Over-learning is one such technique in which a topic is repeatedly studied more than

would be normally required to assist in learning. An example would be repeating the

names of people you meet. Another method is the short story or linking method. This can

be used by making up a short story or linking together items you want to remember.

Utilizing the aforementioned strategies can help combat age related changes such as

dementia.

The following tips should be useful to help slow down the aging of your mind and improve

the quality of your life as you age:

1. Stay involved in daily activities and learning new things.
2. Encourage attendance of lectures, plays, meetings.
3. Play games that require thought.
4. Work crosswords or other puzzles.
5. Continue to obtain further education of any kind.
6. Practice memory exercises, routinely.

Maintaining a healthy diet and supplementing your diet with the following vitamins,
may also be beneficial.

Vitamin E- functions as an anti-oxidant. Found in almonds, green leafy leafy vegetables

and whole grain flour.

Vitamin B- preserves brain function and sharpness. Declining memory and trouble focusing

have been linked to low folic acid and B12 levels.

Vitamin C- eating broccoli, legumes, oranges, potatoes and strawberries will help keep

your brain healthy.

Magnesium- taking approximately 300 milligrams one to three times per day will help

protect the brain from some substances that can cause nerve damage.

You can slow down the aging of your brain and improve the quality of your life starting

today. Follow simple steps to exercising your brain and supplementing a balanced diet

with the appropriate vitamins.


Curtis E. McElroy, D.O.
http://www.drcurtmcelroy.com