Forgetfulness? - What you can do about it

Veröffentlicht am: August 01, 2024
Irina Fink
Irina Fink

Naturopath

We've all been there: the product we went shopping for is missing again and we can't remember the name of the friend we've just met. We are forgetful from time to time. 

If you forget something from time to time, there's no need to worry - it's normal. But if this happens more often, it's time to do something about your memory and brain health. Regular memory problems can sometimes be a sign of creeping dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

But what can you do if you are frequently forgetful?

➤ Dementia is one of the most common causes of death in Europe!

Questionable brain doping is becoming increasingly popular

To boost their cognitive abilities such as memory and concentration, many people around the world are turning to drugs and medications, according to one of the largest studies ever conducted on this trend. In a survey of tens of thousands of people, 14% said they had taken brain stimulants at least once in the last year. In 2015, the percentage was 5%. 

The use of these products is becoming particularly popular with students, because who doesn't want to be able to concentrate for hours before an exam? 

The problem with this is that, no matter how tempting they may sound, such drugs have many side effects. The consequences can sometimes be serious for our health, as they can lead to appetite disorders, insomnia, depression, palpitations and even suicidal thoughts.

➤ 14% of people in a study stated that they had taken at least one performance-enhancing drug in the last year!

 

Improve memory holistically

There are many ways to support your brain in a natural and, above all, holistic way. You don't have to do brain doping to do this. Meditation, yoga and breathing exercises, for example, are very popular and effective. But regular sleep and taking enough breaks also ensure a rested and efficient brain.

Physical activity can also help to improve cognitive abilities. Preclinical studies show that physical activity triggers some important neuroprotective processes that promote brain health into old age. Studies even suggest that regular physical activity can protect against cognitive decline and dementia.

➤ Order Ginkgo biloba now!

This damages your memory

Do you like eating unhealthy food? Then you should rethink your diet as soon as possible. Because unhealthy food not only causes obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure, but studies have also shown that it can lead to a loss of cognitive function. 

Are you constantly glued to your smartphone? The constant use of smartphones and the like significantly reduces your cognitive abilities. According to a study by the McCombs School of Business, the mere presence of a smartphone reduces brain performance. In addition, constantly using your smartphone leads to mental fatigue and lower performance. So if you stare at your phone every break, you have a very exhausted brain that cannot recharge itself and is therefore less efficient.

 

➤  On average, we look at our cell phones 84 times a day!

 

The brain booster from nature

In addition to holistic measures to strengthen cognitive performance, there are natural brain boosters for mental support. 

  • Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo is probably one of the most widely used natural remedies for promoting brain health and eliminating memory impairment. Research shows that ginkgo can help support brain health and protect against cognitive impairment. 
  • Omega 3: Omega 3 and in particular the fatty acid DHA is essential for a well-functioning brain, as it consists of 60% fats. DHA plays a particularly important role in old age. According to studies, low DHA levels are associated with cognitive decline during ageing. Omega-3 fatty acids have a neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effect. 
  • Curcumin: Chronic inflammation is associated with cognitive impairment and an increased risk of dementia. Curcumin from turmeric can help to counteract this, as it has strong anti-inflammatory properties and can therefore reduce chronic inflammatory processes and counteract accelerated cognitive decline.
  • Ashwagandha: The adaptogenic herb is primarily used to promote stress reduction, restful sleep and more energy. Studies also suggest that ashwagandha can improve memory and brain performance. In a placebo-controlled double-blind study, it was observed that cognitive abilities improved significantly after 14 days of intake.

Our brain is always dependent on an adequate supply of vital nutrients. These include vitamins (B vitamins, vitamin K), omega-3 fatty acids (DHA), as well as nutrients such as potassium, magnesium and fiber.

Conclusion

We all forget things from time to time. To give our memory a boost, you should not resort to harmful substances, but instead focus on holistic measures such as meditation, brain training and exercise. Also try to go without your smartphone more often and reduce an unhealthy diet with lots of sugar and bad fats. Give your brain the nutrients it needs!

 

Sources (in English)

 Jacka, F. N., Cherbuin, N., Anstey, K. J., Sachdev, P., & Butterworth, P. (2015). Western diet is associated with a smaller hippocampus: a longitudinal investigation. BMC medicine, 13, 215. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-015-0461-x

Oregon State University. (2015, June 22). Fat, sugar cause bacterial changes that may relate to loss of cognitive function. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 14, 2020 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150622182034.htm

University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin). (2017, June 23). The mere presence of your smartphone reduces brain power, study shows. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 15, 2020 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170623133039.htm

Rutgers University. (2019, August 19). Need a mental break? Avoid your cellphone: Using a cellphone during breaks led to mental depletion, poorer performance in a recent study. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 14, 2020 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190819132130.htm

Vecchio, L. M., Meng, Y., Xhima, K., Lipsman, N., Hamani, C., & Aubert, I. (2018). The Neuroprotective Effects of Exercise: Maintaining a Healthy Brain Throughout Aging. Brain plasticity (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 4(1), 17–52. https://doi.org/10.3233/BPL-180069

Di Liegro, C. M., Schiera, G., Proia, P., & Di Liegro, I. (2019). Physical Activity and Brain Health. Genes, 10(9), 720. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes10090720

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