Q: Dear Dr. Mao,
Is there any way I can improve my memory? I am 27 and forget simple things constantly to the point that my spouse teases me about being old.
A: Unless there has been head trauma, growth, blockage, or drug-interference, there is no reason for a young person of 27 years to be developing Alzheimer’s or the dementia that is so often associated with aging memory problems. The most likely causes are poor concentration (or attention deficit) due to brain-chemical imbalance, tiredness, depression and anxiety, infections like Lyme disease or another virus, sleep disorder, seizures, or MS.
Here are some simple steps that you can try out to improve your memory:
1. Get uninterrupted 8 hours sleep each night.
2. Do 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise including brisk walking, slow jogging, bicycling, or swimming to improve circulation.
3. Turn yourself upside down for a couple of minutes daily.
4. On a daily basis, perform memory exercises, such as memorizing a set of phone numbers forward and backwards, or focusing on an external object for 5 minutes.
5. Take these supplements: B-complex vitamins, magnesium, CoQ10, alpha-lipoic acid, fish oil or flax seed oil, and herbs like Chinese club moss, ginkgo, and ginseng.
If you still experience no improvement, consult your doctor for some tests to rule out neurological disease.
Additionally, you may try the brain-nourishing herbal supplement “Super Clarity” by Traditions of Tao. Of course, discuss with your physician before beginning any new health regime.
