10 Foods To Save Your Memory, Prevent Alzheimer’s by Dr. Stephanie King Nutrition & Health in San Marino, CA

Friday, August 13th, 2010, 4:21 pm

Almost everyone has frustrating “senior moments” when a name is on the tip of our tongue or we forget to drop by the grocery store for a loaf of bread. But 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer’s, says the Alzheimer’s Association, and the numbers of people suffering from the mind-robbing disease are expected to climb as the U.S. population ages.

The key to keeping your mind sharp is keeping your body healthy, and simple nutritional choices you make now can lower your chances of developing Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia in the future. Here are top 10 foods that can help save your memory.

1. Chocolate

Norwegian researchers showed that the flavonoids in cocoa may help protect against dementia by increasing blood flow to the brain. Flavonoids are antioxidants that help cells, including brain cells, to quickly repair themselves. For the best benefits, buy chocolate with a high cocoa content of 70 percent or more.

2. Fish

Omega-3 oils found in cold-water fish such as salmon contain fatty acids essential for a healthy brain and also for fighting depression. A study from Louisiana State University showed that eating fish helps protect the brain from problems associated with Alzheimer’s disease, and a study from Australia’s Aberdeen University found that fish oil slows the aging process while helping the brain work faster. Many experts suggest eating two portions of fish each week and taking a 1,000 mg fish oil (make sure that the EPA +DHA add up to 1000 mg and that it’s pharmaceutical grade for purity) supplement three times a day.

3. Olive oil

Oleocanthal, a compound that occurs naturally in extra-virgin organic olive oil, can alter the structure of toxic proteins in the brain that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. A study by researchers at Northwestern University and the Monell Chemical Senses Center found that the change inhibits the ability of toxic proteins called ADDLs to damage nerves in the brain.

4. Coffee

Drinking three to five cups of coffee daily during middle age can lower your chances of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease by 65 percent, according to a Finnish study. According to Newsmax wellness expert Vera Tweed, the caffeine in coffee prevents deterioration of memory and overall memory function in aging brains and protects against developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.  Be careful with this if you suffer from Adrenal dysfunction or Heart issues remember with any of these suggestions it is always best to discuss with your nutrition or wellness expert for your body.

5. Garlic

Chinese researchers discovered that a sulfur compound in garlic called S-allyl cystein (SAC) helps prevent degeneration in the frontal lobes of the brain. Other studies have found that memory retention improves after eating garlic, and Eleanor Roosevelt gave eating three cloves of garlic daily credit for her great memory.

6. Wine

Researchers at Spain’s University of Valencia found that moderate alcohol consumption (a maximum of two drinks daily for men and one drink for women) may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. They interviewed 246 healthy people and the relatives of 176 Alzheimer’s patients of the same age and gender mix about their health and lifestyle factors. They discovered that light to moderate drinking had a protective effect against Alzheimer’s disease, especially among women who were nonsmokers.  Remember that drinking too much wine can also lead to weight gain and pre-dispose certain cancers so we’ve taken all the benefits of wine into a great supplement called resveratrol we carry it by Xymogen as Resveratin (equivalent of drinking about 200 glasses of red wine–very potent stuff).

7. Clams

The Oxford Project to Investigate Memory and Learning (OPTIMA) found that seniors with low vitamin B-12 levels quadrupled their risk of developing Alzheimer’s. A 100 gram serving of clams provides 1,648 percent of the RDA. Other rich sources include oysters, mussels, shrimp, and scallops. (To avoid the toxicity issues from too much shellfish sublingual B12 is a great alternative).

8. Apples

We’ve all heard that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” and researchers at Cornell University found that apples contain a powerful ingredient that helps protect the brain from damage and even fights Alzheimer’s. The key ingredient appears to be the antioxidant quercetin. “On the basis of serving size, fresh apples have some of the highest levels of quercetin when compared to other fruits and vegetables and may be among the best food choices for fighting Alzheimer’s,” study leader Chang Y. Lee said in a statement. “People should eat more apples, especially fresh ones.”

9. Spinach

Tufts University researchers showed that spinach slowed and even reversed memory loss in rats. The benefit may be due, at least in part, to its high content of folic acid. Only half a cup of cooked spinach contains two-thirds of the RDA of folic acid. All greens are good for memory, and the darker the green, the better. Aim for at least a cup every day.

10. Grape juice

A study at Vanderbilt University found that people who drank grape juice more than three times a week lowered their risk of developing Alzheimer’s by 76 percent, and research by the University of Cincinnati demonstrated that drinking 100 percent purple grape juice can reduce or even reverse memory loss.

In a study led by Cincinnati researcher Dr. Robert Krikorian, 12 men and women between the ages of 75 and 80 were divided into two groups. All had been diagnosed with early memory loss. One group drank about two glasses of 100 percent Concord grape juice daily for 12 weeks while the other group drank a placebo matched for calories.  Just an added note we get this same great benefit from Resveratrol without all the added sugar.

The participants were given memory tests, such as memorizing lists and placing items in a specific order, at regular intervals during the three months. “While there were no significant differences between the groups at baseline, following treatment, those drinking Concord grape juice demonstrated significant improvement in list learning,” Krikorian said in a statement. “In addition, trends suggested improved short-term retention and spatial (nonverbal) memory.”

Remember how you eat plays a significant role in your memory, how you feel and how you’ll age over time. Supplements, nutrients and proper nutrition also play a huge role in prevention as well as keeping your body in proper balance. To have your body analyzed, put on the road to proper nutrition, eating, and healthy lifestyle talk with Dr. King today.  We have a comprehensive 2 hour session where we look at your entire lifestyle and put together the right foods, supplements, nutrients and natural remedies for your body type, your family history, your current state of health and your goals for life.  Start today with an amazing path to live life to the fullest.

www.advancedhealthconcepts.net for more information

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Tags: Alternative Health Care, Alzheimers, Cancer Prevention, Chocolate & dementia, Coffee & memory, Diet & Nutrition, foods & memory, health care, memory, Nutrition Doctor, Olive oil & dementia

Category: Natural Medicine, Nutrition & Foods, Vitamins & Minerals

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