How to Keep Our Memory Sharp

5 Tips to Keep Your Memory Sharp

Health News Updates! Do you ever forget the name of someone you've just met? Where you put those keys? Whether you locked the door on your way out? Your girlfriend's birthday? Sure you do, we all do, occasionally. But what if your memory loss and inability to focus progress and become more and more frequent?

Unfortunately, memory loss and aging go hand in hand. As of one's early 20s, the brain begins losing neurons, and the body starts to make less of the chemicals that the brain requires to work properly.

Fortunately, there's a lot that you can do to slow down this process. Below are some tips to keep your memory sharp.

1. Eat healthy meals

Maintaining a well-balanced diet is not only important for your body, it's also essential for your brain and memory. According to the American Academy of Neurology, eating fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants, such as berries, oranges, spinach, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes, can reduce the risk of stroke by 11 percent.

Another study has shown that antioxidants and polyphenols in blueberries, cranberries and grapes can help improve the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other, and lessen the brain's susceptibility to injury.

In addition to fruits and vegetables, elements such as curcumin and B vitamins such as niacin and folic acid may also help prevent memory loss, and may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease

2. Lay off the booze

Some people don't remember anything about the previous night's party after binge drinking. Luckily for them, in most cases, this alcohol "blackout" or memory loss is temporary.

Scientists used to think that blackouts affected only hardcore alcoholics. Studies, however, have shown that this is also a common phenomenon in social drinkers. In a study of about 2,000 male social drinkers, researchers found that 35 percent of them had experienced at least one blackout in the year before the survey.

Alcohol can interfere with the ability to form new long-term memories, even after just one or two drinks. Some studies have suggested that there is a relationship between the severity of the memory impairment and the amount of alcohol consumed; the more you drink, the worse your memory loss is.

3. Exercise your body

We all know that we need to exercise to keep our muscles in shape. But did you know that working out can also help your mind?

Cardiovascular exercise can help prevent memory loss. Doctors think that this is because exercise can improve blood circulation to the brain and reduce aging-related loss of brain tissue. Brain scan studies have demonstrated that the gray matter of older men who are physically fit is in better shape than those who didn't exercise.

You don't have to run a marathon to keep your mind sharp. Mind-body exercises can also help you in the battle against memory loss. Another study showed that aging men who regularly perform Chinese exercises, such as tai chi and qi qong, have much better learning and memory capabilities compared to those who do not.

Note, however, that it's important to not overdo that aerobic routine. Exercising to the point of dehydration can actually harm memory functions.

4. Exercise your brain

Giving your mind a workout can literally help your brain grow. By keeping your brain active, you are encouraging neuronal brain cells to make new connections, which allow the cells to communicate with one another. This can help memory storage and prevent memory loss.

There are many things you can do to exercise your mind; some of them are activities as simple as doing a crossword puzzle, playing chess, reading, and staying active. There are also benefits to learning to do new things, such as playing a musical instrument, learning a foreign language or starting a hobby. The key is doing so regularly. When it comes to matters of mind and memory, it's use it or lose it!

5. Take memory-boosting supplements

Science has long acknowledged the benefits of some nutritional supplements such as zinc and folic acid, in brain development. Cutting-edge research has identified other nutrients that may help boost brain functions and prevent premature memory loss in men. These nutrients are found in Anchor Health's BrainFlex, a natural supplement for boosting memory and concentration.

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