Boost your memory
Want to prevent memory loss? We look at the supplements and dietary aids that can improve your memory
B vitamins
The B vitamins are one of the most important groups of nutrients for the brain. Vitamin B is proven to have a positive impact on brain function and the nervous system, with memory loss one of the first symptoms of a deficiency.
Folic acid, along with vitamins B6 and B12, has been shown to counter raised levels of homocysteine that has been linked to memory loss and dementia.
Folic Acid 400mcg, from £3.75 for 100 tablets, The Nutri Centre (020) 7436 5122; nutricentre.com
Boots Everyday Energy, £7.99 for 30 one-a-day capsules, contains 100 per cent of the RDA of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and B12, boots.com
Omega-3 essential fatty acids
Controlled studies indicate that omega-3 can slow down the ageing of the brain and possibly delay the onset as well as slow down the progress of Alzheimer’s disease.
BioCare Mega EPA 1,000 Fish Oil Concentrate, £7.95 for 30 capsules, biocare.co.uk
Higher Nature Omega-3 Fish Oil 1000mg, from £8.10 for 90 capsules, The Nutri Centre (020) 7436 5122; nutricentre.com
Ginkgo Biloba
This has been used in Chinese medicine for a very long time and is good for improving circulation. Research shows that it enhances blood flow to the tiny vessels in the brain and can benefit the memory in people suffering from Alzheimer’s and age-related memory problems.
Ginkyo One-A-Day costs £15.99 for 30 tablets, £19.99 for 90 tablets, boots.com
Amino acids
Cebrium is a supplement designed specifically to enhance mental agility. It contains amino acids in the form of peptones, the substances your brain needs for optimum performance. These include glutamic acid for rapid brain function; tyrosine, necessary for the production of some neurotransmitters; and phenylalanine which promotes alertness and aids memory and learning.
It costs around £40 for a month’s supply, from cebrium.com
Sage
This has long been the traditional folklore remedy for poor memory. Scientific study shows that sage acts as a cholinesterase inhibitor. Cholinesterase is a substance that increases levels of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that is involved in both memory and judgment. Three of the licensed drugs for Alzheimer’s disease are cholinesterase inhibitors.
There are many types of sage and the sage tested in the study wasn’t kitchen sage (salvia officinalinis), which would be toxic in large amounts but Spanish sage (salvia lavendulaefolia).
Sage extract, £7.95 for a 50ml bottle, organicnutrition.co.uk
Phosphatidyl serine
A substance that’s in all the body’s cells, but found in greater concentration in the brain. It’s vital for many nerve cell functions which provide the basis for brain activities, including memory, name and face recognition, information recall and concentration. It’s only found in small quantities in food, which is why supplements that offer a concentrated dose are increasingly popular.
Cognito Energy, £9.99 for 30 one-a-day tablets; health-perception.co.uk
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