Pro-active healthcare by Finbar Magee

You have seen the advertisements – “Improve Your Memory Now!” – so you cut out the ad but you forget to post it.

Seriously though, it must be very frustrating to lose your memory and the causes can be quite broad.

As we age the blood flow to the brain reduces and if we have vascular disease then the brain is more likely to start falling earlier.

Diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension and stress can all accelerate vascular disease. The accumulation of a protein called Beta-Amyloid, which deposits in the brain as a result of inflammation, is a common finding in Alzheimer’s disease.

Exposure to environmental factors can help accelerate degeneration of the brain e.g. heavy metals, carbon monoxide and certain bands of microwave radiation. Alcohol and other drugs can seriously damage the brain.

It is important to have a proper diet in order to supply a good range of nutrients to keep the central nervous system healthy. We have heard of fish being called “brain food” and indeed this is true. Fish, especially sardines supply natural substances that have very long names. In fact you would need a lot of brain food even to try to remember the names of the substances. One which is referred to as DMAE for short, crosses easily into nerve cells where it is made into choline and thus helps to make a nerve transmitter called acetycholine which will help the brain to function.

Pyroglutamate is an amino acid found in fish, which is also in high concentrations in the brain and the fluid around the brain. Researchers believe that this substance may help the nerve cells to repair.

Nutrients such as the B vitamins, vitamins A, C and E, folic acid and essential fatty acids (especially rich in omega 3 (e.g. fish and flax oils) are all necessary to maintain a healthy brain.

Omega 3 fatty acids have several uses including an anti-inflammatory effect which may help reduce the deposition of Beta-Amyloid and also help reduce the accumulation of calcium within the cells.

It is also worth noting that Alzheimer’s sufferers are often low in these nutrients.

Some argue that this could be the effect of self neglect i.e. they don’t eat properly, but more naturopaths favour the logic that poor nutrition is a predisposing factor to dementia in general.

There are several supplements that are worth a mention in addition to the above. Assuming that your digestion is in good shape and has not been over run with bacteria or yeast then taking the following should help –

1.Phosphatidyl Serine has been found in clinical trials to improve memory and concentration.

2.Phosphatidyl Choline gives an absorbable form of choloine which helps make the transmitter acetylcholine.

3.Hawthorn and Ginkgo Biloba both help to improve blood circulation and so bring more nutrients and oxygen to the brain. They also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

4.Chelation Therapy provides nutrients, helps improve circulation and remove heavy metals from the body. There are specific chelating agents that work in the central nervous system.

For further information call 0845 6061301 or for an appointment with Dr Magee contact 028 90 709300