Reversible Causes and Age-Related Memory Loss: The Domino Effect
Returning to an earlier point, some people develop mild memory loss for the first time in their sixties and seventies. Many of these people chug along for years with minimal memory loss induced by a specific, reversible cause like depression or medication toxicity, because it is too subtle to affect daily functioning. Then the process of age-related memory loss, which has been progressing slowly but steadily in the meantime, catches up and adds an extra wallop that leads to clear-cut memory loss. In other words, the two types of memory loss may each be very mild, but when added together, memory loss becomes obvious.
Step 2: Take Sound General Health Measures
General health measures are of great importance in the prevention of age-related memory loss. Diet, exercise, and memory training are the linchpins of these measures to prevent memory loss due to the aging process.
The Essential Promemory Diet
Decrease intake of saturated fats such as red meat, pizza, desserts.
Cook with canola, sunflower, corn, or olive oil, which are all high in ‘‘good” unsaturated fats.
Fish has high protein and unsaturated fat content, which lowers the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
At least two daily helpings each of fruits and vegetables: citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruits; drinking juice instead of eating the actual fruit is okay) and berries are important sources of antioxidants, and green leafy vegetables have essential vitamins.
Maintain your nonalcohol fluid intake of at least three to five glasses of water daily (more if you do heavy exercise).
Take a multivitamin tablet daily to boost the promemory effect of a healthy diet. A multivitamin tablet is a supplement, not a substitute, for a healthy diet!
Supplement with vitamin E, consider taking vitamins A and C as well.
A saturated fat-rich diet is the worst dietary culprit. It can lead to memory loss because high cholesterol levels and plaques begin to block the brain’s arteries. Eventually, blood clots can lead to ministrokes and cognitive deficits, depending on which specific part of the brain has been damaged. If hippocampal or frontal cortex nerve cells, or the pathways connecting these regions, are destroyed, memory loss is the result. High levels of saturated fats also generate toxic free radicals, which can damage brain cells even further. Lowering saturated fats boosts the antioxidant potency of your diet, which is beneficial for memory and the aging process more broadly. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables will prevent vitamin deficiencies, promote memory, and reduce the risks of cancer, heart attacks, and stroke.
For further details about the components in the promemory diet, refer back to the table in chapter 5.
Taken From: The Memory Program How to Prevent Memory Loss
and Enhance Memory Power
