Medizines

Most people eat enough food, but what we eat sometimes lacks the vitamins and minerals for proper memory function. Most Americans believe the food they are eating is enough to maintain good health and brain function, but the fact is we don't get enough brain boosting nutrients. And just because you get the daily recommended values of vitamins and nutrients does not mean you are home free as far as memory loss is concerned.
Some doctors wonder if the daily values of vitamins and nutrients are set high enough to prevent memory loss, it is also possible to consume the right amounts of vitamins and nutrients and still be left short if your body does not absorb them. So a combination of poor nutrition and low nutrient absorption is setting yourself up for memory loss.
Memory power with B12
One study shows that symptoms related to vitamin b12 deficiency are memory loss,disorientation and fatigue. B12 deficiency also causes problems with the nervous system and difficulty with short term memory.
Studies show that almost one third of people over 60 can not get the vitamin b12 from the food they eat because their stomachs do not produce enough gastric acid to turn it into fuel for the brain and body.
Iron and Zinc help you think
It is well known that Iron and zinc are important for the mental development of children, but some research shows that these minerals also help with the memories of adults.
Some studies have found that short term memory loss in women improved by as much as 15 to 20 percent with taking 30 milligrams of iron and zinc for eight weeks.
Although they took only supplements during the study there are foods that are a better source for these nutrients such as steamed clams and oysters, cream of wheat, soybeans and pumpkin seeds are a great source of iron, while whole grains,wheat brand,wheat germ, seafood and meats are the best sources of zinc.
Women who menstruate should be taking 2 or 2.5 milligrams of iron per day to offset the loss. Men need about 1 milligram per day.
Protection at its best
For even more help to avoid memory loss think about thiamin and riboflavin the other important b vitamins, these are usually added to flours and cereals and other grain products.
Mild deficiencies in these vitamins can also have some effect on memory loss and even your everyday thinking.U.S. Department of Agriculture's study showed that people over 60 with low thiamin show some brain activity impairment.
A deficiency of thiamin has also had some effect on mood changes, vague feelings of fear, scattered thinking and other signs of mental depression---symptoms that affect memory.
However it does not take much thiamin to make a difference. Most women only absorb about.33 milligrams per day and this can make someone irritable, fatigued and a bit unsociable. The proper amount should be about 1.5 milligrams per day.
Daily intake of nutrients to avoid memory loss:
B-complex containing:
Riboflavin... 1.7 milligrams
Thiamin... 1.5 milligrams
Vitamin B6... 2 milligrams
Vitamin B12... 6 micrograms
...
Iron... 18 milligrams
Zinc... 15 milligrams

By Paul A Richer