Many people believe that a decline in the ability to remember is inescapable as we age. However, there has been a good deal of research performed over the years to examine the brain chemistry concerned in a good memory and the way it differs from the biochemistry in the brains of people whose ability to remember is faltering. Using this groundwork, scientists have looked at ways to halt this decline and even of improving memory through the use of so-called smart prescription drugs, smart memory hormones, smart food supplements, food itself, and a number of combinations of these.
In all of our brains and nervous systems, there are systems of neurons which have practically endless opportunities for inter-connectedness. One may think about this as a sort of wiring, and different connections will be set up when we learn something different, by means of neural activity throughout the network. It is theorized that recall is experienced by revisiting these neural pathways. These activities are triggered by neurotransmitters which are chemical messengers derived from the food we eat in addition to what we drink. Consequently scientists have been studying the effects of nutrients on mental function, which includes the ability to remember.
The main neurotransmitter of memory formation and recall (not to mention other essential physical functions) is a compound known as acetylcholine. To be able to create this particular chemical, the brain needs the nutrient choline (derived from phosphatidyl choline) plus vitamin B5. Scientists have found that levels of acetylcholine in the brain have a tendency to reduce as we grow old and this has been demonstrated to result in poor ability to remember in addition to various other ?ssues. So this had led scientists to look for ways to increase its levels to help with improving memory .
Looking towards memory enhancement, the pharmaceutical drugs trade has naturally opted for trying to develop drugs to do the trick, due to the fact that as artificial compounds, they can be patented and earn substantial profits. The industry has researched the effects of smart drugs for both sufferers of Alzheimer’s and for the much larger market of men and women afflicted with so-called age-associated memory decline.
Two tactics have been put into practice. The first is to produce prescription drugs which decelerate or prevent the breakdown of neurotransmitters. In this group, the drug Piracetam has been well tested and found to have broadly favorable outcomes on memory performance. The medication belongs to a drug group known as nootropics, connected to pyroglutamate, which is one of the amino acids. Yet another drug called Deprenyl (a mono-amino-oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) is employed to combat Alzheimer’s.
In the short-run, the benefits look good, yet the long-lasting results have not been calculated and it is possible that these types of drugs will lead to biochemical imbalances, as they are man-made compounds, and are therefore not flawlessly designed for our bodies’ biochemistry.
The second category is smart hormones which are offered over the counter in the USA. The smart hormone that has received the most attention is melatonin (chiefly regarding reducing the problems of jet-lag), which is a hormone generated by the pineal gland. Not without controversy, various people suggest that it should be considered to improve your memory. Nevertheless, the trouble is that, even if it is a natural substance, there is a subtle equilibrium of hormones in our bodies, which is very easily upset and could bring on all sorts of harmful side effects.
Nevertheless, if like some scientists, we return to basic principles and look at the food substances mandatory to generate acetylcholine (mostly choline and vitamin B5), then there is a second method for everyone to build and maintain balanced levels of this compound. Investigations have suggested that providing that we have the necessary daily allowance of foodstuff, food supplements and vitamin supplements to provide you the essential nutritional building blocks, will most certainly produce memory enhancement in lots of individuals. Hence, essentially we need to consume a healthy and balanced diet regime with plenty of fruits and vegetables, and oily fish 3 times a week. It would certainly be a good idea to check with a nutritionist or some other qualified health professional to counsel you on your unique needs for memory vitamins. The effects will not take place overnight, yet you will undoubtedly be making good progress towards putting down the foundations for improving memory .
Tags: food, health, improving memory, memory vitamins, self-help
