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Boost Your Memory
by Otilia Tiutin

Do you worry about how bad your memory is getting as you age? Think fast: Where are your car keys? When is your mother’s birthday? Who invented the light bulb? If you stumbled, don’t worry. All experience occasional memory lapses and as age, some weakening in recall is normal. However, sharpen mental skills is possible at any age.

Exercise your brain
When it comes to brain power, think "Use it or lose it." So keep reading and doing those crossword puzzles. Or try something new that uses another part of your brain. If you sit at a computer all day, try sculpting; if you build houses, try a game of chess. New mental activities can stimulate nerve cells to grow and interact.

Mix it up - Following the same logic, it takes different activities to exercise different types of memory. You can’t rely on just one to do it.


Challenge yourself - Read more complicated novels or do more difficult jigsaw puzzles than what you do regularly. If you keep the level of challenge up, you have a greater chance of maintaining your ability.


Fill up calendar - In addition to choosing activities that give memory workout, be sure to keep the mind engaged and stimulated. Read engrossing books, see interesting movies, go to exhibitions and lectures, join new groups and talk to new people. Though a true cause-and-effect relationship has yet to be proven, many studies link an active life to a well-functioning memory.

How to keep the brain healthy
A healthy lifestyle can benefit ones memory. The brain works best when the body is healthy, so be sure to get enough sleep. Address any medical concerns such as chronic pain and depression, which can affect memory. Exercise and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can also strengthen your memory. Common health concerns associated with aging such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol can also have a negative impact on your memory if they aren't well controlled. All of these conditions contribute to a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the brain.

Can supplements help?
You might consider complementing your diet with Gingko Biloba. Studies suggest it increases blood circulation, which in turn aids brain function. Scientists are exploring the possibility that Gingko slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. While Gingko is a natural substance, it still can have an adverse effect if taken in combination with certain medications such as Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors and anticoagulation drugs such as Coumadin (whose generic name is Warfarin). Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking Gingko or any other herbal supplement. Studies have linked consumption of foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids to a lower incidence of depression and dementia (loss of intellectual function). One type of Omega-3, called DHA, may help improve nerve cell function in the brain. Good sources include anchovies, tuna, herring and salmon (not the smoked varieties). Your goal should be one or two servings a week.

When to see the doctor
If you are concerned that your memory has taken a sudden turn for the worse, see your doctor for a complete assessment. Some things the doctor will consider are your medications (memory loss can be a side effect of some medications), your life style (eating and sleep patterns), hearing and vision problems, depression and any recent head injuries. Pregnant woman sometimes have short term memory problems as well. Less common causes of memory loss may include stroke and Alzheimer's disease.

Tips to outsmart common "memory blips"

You can’t remember a name
Ask where, not who. Often we have trouble remembering people when they are in the "wrong place." Figure out where you know them from and you usually can recall their names. We tend to forget words or names we don’t use often, so repeat the new information to yourself to help cement it into your memory. It’s very effective to repeat the name when the person is in front of you. That’s why salesmen use your name in just about every sentence.

You can’t find your car keys
First, calm down! Looking for missing keys is frustrating, which can make you more tense. But the more tense you become, the less effective your memory will be. Take a deep breath and then retrace your steps from the last moment you had your keys in your hands. Re-creating the situation puts it into a clearer context, so your memory will work better. Try keeping your keys in one place; on a hook, in a box, in your pocket, around your neck. Put the keys in one place as soon as you get home - every time.

You can’t remember where you parked
Check your "snapshot" of the parking lot. One of the things humans are very good at is remembering what they see. So you should ask yourself what you saw as you parked in the lot, walked away from your car and walked toward a building. You might also look at special landmarks such as a sign or a light standard. This should give you a clue as to where your car is parked.
You know the word – but it’s stuck on the tip of your tongue.
Sounds like...? Your brain stores words by the way they sound as well as by their meaning. Run through those similar-sounding words out loud and the right one may pop out. How can you prevent this? Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to head off this all too common phenomenon. However, you can take comfort in the fact that your vocabulary is probably better than it ever was – and improving every day. Why? Because we don’t lose our memory of old words, even as we learn new ones.