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How To Improve Your Memory With 5 Easy-to-Find Supplements
How To Improve Your Memory With 5 Easy-to-Find Supplements
Are there memory supplements, memory enhancement drugs,
or memory enhancers, that actually improve memory, lessen
the risk of age-associated memory loss, as well as help
concentration?
In a word, yes.
But...caveat emptor.
In this article, I will give you basic, core information on
memory supplements that actually work as well as vital
information on those so-called memory aids you should avoid like a
telemarketer.
Needless to say, there's been a lot of information, not to
mention disinformation, floating around in this Information Age
regarding dietary supplements and natural health remedies at
large.
It's often difficult to know what's good, what's bad, and who is
just trying to make a fast buck. So, with that in mind, what are
the best memory boosting pills you should take? They
are:
Ginkgo Biloba
Phosphatidylserine
Piracetam
Omega 3 fish oils
Gotu Kola
"What are the ones I should avoid," you
ask?
Vincamine
Phenytoin
Growth hormone
Let's discuss the five legitimate memory boosters
first.
Ginkgo Biloba Herbal Remedy
The popular Ginkgo Biloba herbal remedy is fast becoming
one of the best memory supplements in the world. It is by far the
most popular alternative remedy for memory problems as well as
memory enhancement.
(I've written a lot about Ginkgo Biloba previously and if you'd
like real comprehensive information on it, click this
Ginkgo Biloba Information link. Don't worry,
it'll open to a new browser so you won't lose your spot.
)
In a nutshell, this herbal memory remedy has been shown in
clinical tests to improve memory, concentration, and retention --
even in Alzheimer's patients! It reestablishes and enhances
chemical messaging between neurotransmitters in the brain.
It also increases blood flow to the brain so if you're taking
aspirin or another blood thinner, consult with your doctor before
taking this supplement or any supplement for long-term use.
(If you have a blood clotting disorder like hemophilia or a
vitamin K deficiency, you especially should talk to your doctor
before using any new memory supplement or drug.)
If Ginkgo Biloba's tremendous memory-boosting powers weren't
enough incentive to use it, it's also a potent antioxidant, helping
to slow aging.
This dietary herbal supplement is actually medically prescribed
in Germany and elsewhere in Europe for the memory impaired. It's
good to see that and while its popularity is growing here in the US
as well one wonders what Big Pharma's next move will be.
Recommended dosage for Ginkgo Biloba per day is approximately
120 mg to 240 mg a day. Some prescribe less, some more but that is
a good, general guideline.
Phosphatidylserine
Unlike many supplements, this substance has been tested
extensively on both healthy as well as memory-impaired adults.
Phosphatidylserine has consistently shown itself to both improve
memory and concentration without the serious side effects that so
characterize many drugs today.
This remarkable substance, like Ginkgo Biloba, facilitates
communication between neurotransmitters as well as lowering the
production of cortisol, a stress hormone that researchers believe
interferes with cognitive function.
Piracetam
Piracetam is actually not a nutritional supplement but a
prescribed drug.
It is also among the first memory boosting pills
that was marketed in Europe. It must be prescribed by a doctor but
is available online.
What's remarkable about this drug is that it doesn't have any
serious side effects -- there's very few drugs that can make that
claim.
Originally prescribed as a motion sickness aid, piracetam has
been shown to significantly improve age-related memory problems --
even with those with dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
It also helps
with improving chronic cerebral ischemia, or decreased brain blood
flow.
Mild side effects include insomnia, nausea, headaches, tremors,
nervousness, etc. The severity of the side effects are reported as
mild.
This one's a keeper.
The recommended dosage is 2,400 mg to 4,800 divided in three
separate dosages.
Omega 3 Fish Oils
What about Omega 3 supplements? There are many health benefits of
Omega 3 fish oil supplements including reducing blood pressure,
lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and improved brain
function is one of them.
This versatile supplement is pound for pound the most capable
nutritional supplement in the world. It is also very affordable.
If
your budget is tight and you want to optimize your budget, consider
fish oil supplements.
TIP: Studies have shown the fatty acid DHA as the primary
precursor for improved brain and heart function in Omega 3
supplements. So, make sure your fish oil supplement has DHA over
EPA. In addition, make sure your fish oil pills are molecularly
distilled.
This ensures that it is free of contaminants. Also look
for memory boosting pills that are made from deep-water fish like
the hoki.
Yes, omega 3 fish oils are fantastic. They not only help your
brain function but also limit the severity of manic depressive
episodes in those thus afflicted.
This one's a keeper too.
Gotu Kola Extract
One of the most underrated memory supplements, Gotu Kola extract
comes from an herb that is red-flowered that grows in the southern
US, China, middle and southern Africa, India, Sri Lanka,
Madagascar, and Australia. African elephants have a strong
disposition to this plant, which may help account for the saying,
"memory like an elephant."
But if it's good for elephants, is it good for humans? Yes, it
is.
This versatile herb while helping memory function primarily as
it helps increase blood flow to the brain, it also helps build
connective tissue, soothe burns and wounds, and is believed to
contribute to longevity. It's even been used to help those with
cirrhosis of the liver.
This article thus far has dwelt upon the good, but what about
the bad and the ugly? What scams or feigned memory boosting pills
should you avoid you ask? They are:
Vincamine
Phenytoin
Growth hormone
Let's first talk about Growth Hormone. This is a protein that is
secreted by the pituitary gland.
It promotes cell growth, which of
course is vital to good memory function. However, not only does it
not increase cognitive function, but the risks of using this
supplement are significant.
Growth hormone causes blood sugar issues, fluid retention, and
high blood pressure. Research also shows it stimulating the growth
of cancerous tumors -- even if they're microscopic in size.
Consensus? Avoid growth hormone like you would the Ebola
Virus.
Phenytoin, or Dilantin as it is also known by, is a
anticonvulsant drug prescribed to treat epilepsy. Even though there
are no clinical studies to date to support the claim that this is a
memory boosting drug like Piracetam, it is wrongfully promoted as
such.
Side effects of this drug are substantial and even deadly.
It
harms the liver, blood, and the thyroid causing in some cases
death. It also causes severe insomnia and incites slurred speech.
You should not take this drug unless prescribed by a knowledgeable
physician.
This one's not a keeper -- avoid it like the tax
man.
Last but certainly not least is Vincamine. This is actually an
herbal supplement that is made from the periwinkle plant. It's
purported to enhance concentration, memory retention, as well as
increase blood flow to the brain -- critical to good memory
enhancement.
While Vincamine does increase cerebral blood flow, long-term
usage of this herbal can cause severe sleep problems including
insomnia.
It can also induce life threatening and irregular heart
beats.
In conclusion, while there are certainly fantastic herbals,
nutritional supplements and drugs that enhance mental function,
there are also alternatives that could literally be deadly. Don't
buy the sales hype, think for yourself and don't buy
impulsively.
Glenn Reschke is the webmaster of
Nutritional Supplement Bible, a top 3% website
offering info on general health as well as herbal, sports, and baby
boomer nutritional supplements.
The health site
Nutritional Supplement Bible offers vital
information on
baby boomer nutritional supplements.
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