Having difficulty remembering details? Losing your ability to focus or concentrate? To help keep your memory strong and your brain healthy, consider these nutritional changes and proven herbal supplements.
First, and perhaps most important, is a diet high in antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants help counter oxidative stress, a process which can damage cells and accelerate the aging process. Fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, and organic green tea are the best dietary sources of antioxidants.
Second, eat foods rich in vitamins C and E. These two vitamins have been shown to have protective effects against inflammation which is linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Good sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, lacto-fermented foods, buckwheat, camu camu and parsley. Good sources of vitamin E include oats, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, and whole unrefined grains.
Consuming turmeric and ginger in foods and in supplement forms will also help protect against inflammation and the damage it causes in the brain.
Third, try adding a few herbs to your daily supplements. Ginkgo has been shown to support mental alertness, enhance vitality, and improve circulatory and blood vessel health. Its high antioxidant activity is valuable in fighting age-related conditions. Gingko works by increasing blood flow to the brain and throughout the body’s network of blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the organs. It increases metabolic efficiency, regulates neurotransmitters and boosts oxygen levels in the brain (which uses 20 percent of the body’s oxygen).
Other herbs which help combat the aging process and improve mental capacity include Panax ginseng, Siberian ginseng and gotu kola.
As always, before using any herbal supplements, consult with your doctor, and/or a qualified herbal practitioner.
In combination with a healthy lifestyle, high quality herbs and supplements, and acupuncture, a qEEG brain scan may be valuable in supporting your brain health.
Article by Mimi Tagher, LAc, LMT
Mimi Tagher is Nationally Board Certified in Acupuncture, Chinese Herbology, and Oriental Medicine. She received her Masters Degree from The International Institute of Chinese Medicine. Mimi is also a Biodynamic Craniosacral teacher and practitioner, and a licensed massage therapist. Her specialty is combining acupuncture with craniosacral therapy to help balance the body physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
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