Do you ever have trouble remembering names? Is losing your keys or misplacing your glasses a problem? Have you ever walked into a room and wondered why you were there or lost your train of thought in the middle of sentence? Everybody has there share of memory lapses but if you feel you are having more than your share you may want to consider taking steps to improve your memory.

With proper nutrition, diet and memory exercises the mind should remain sharp well into one’s nineties. Many people experience memory loss because of an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain. The brain has a protective barrier which only allows certain substances into the brain. If the blood is thick with triglycerides and cholesterol the amount of nutrients that can pass through decreases.

Over time this leads to a malnourished brain. Lack of nutrients to the brain also inhibits the production of neurotransmitters. If the brain doesn’t have an adequate supply it can’t function properly. This would equivalent to a computer short circuiting or experiencing temporary power failures. If you find your mind goes blank when trying to recall information it’s likely you are experiencing a short circuit.

Their are many causes of memory loss. Free radical damage due to lack of proper nutrients, environmental toxins such as pollution, personal and home care products. Alcohol and drug use, stress, allergies, candidiasis, thyroid disorders and lack of exercise. Hypoglycemia may cause memory loss because in order for the brain to function properly, blood sugar levels need to be within a certain range. High blood sugar levels in healthy individuals have an impact on memory.

A recent study showed that elderly people on high sugar diets had smaller memory centers in the brain than normal.Many believe that memory loss increases with age. The fact is that memory loss has nothing to do with getting older. If it isn’t due to some type of physical trauma or health condition, memory loss can be caused by a number of other factors. Regular consumption of a number of foods and beverages, have been found to contribute to memory loss, because they interfere with the body’s vitamin and mineral balances, which affects one’s ability to remember and learn. The following foods should be limited or avoided if possible: fatty animal foods, processed sugars, white flours, coffee, alcohol and tobacco.

These foods do not have essential fatty acid and Co Q10, which are needed by the brain for the memory to be effective. If they aren't present in adequate amounts the brain will draw fat from other sources such as hydrogenated fats. When these types of fats are absorbed by the brain it creates a brain fog instead of improved memory.

Foods that have been found effective in improving memory are brown rice, nutritional yeast, dark leafy greens, soy beans, soy milk, raw sunflower and pumpkin seeds, orange, green and yellow vegetables, tofu, miso and eggs. Supplements that are most effective at directly or indirectly improving memory are Vitamins A, B complex, C, E, zinc, acetylcholine, omega 3 fatty acids, boron, manganese, garlic capsules, lecithin granules, phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl serine and DMAE.

The most effective herb for improving memory is ginkgo biloba. It is effective at increasing blood circulation in the brain. Spirulina has shown good results with attention deficit. Low thyroid has a huge affect on memory and concentration. To improve low thyroid take at least 70 mcg iodine daily. In Japan, they traditionally consume three times this amount on a daily basis.


Long term inactivity has a profound impact on memory. Aerobic exercise has been found effective at increasing oxygen to the brain and producing significant memory improvement. Massage is a great way to work out tensions in your neck and shoulder area which will improve the brain’s functioning abilities.


To keep our bodies in shape, we need to exercise them. This also applies to the brain. People with jobs that provide no mental stimulation are more likely to develop some form of dementia as they age. Mental exercise is necessary for maintaining a powerful memory. Challenging your brain daily causes more blood flow into different regions of the brain which develops new connections. Like any exercise it takes effort but the rewards are great.