Although it is true that as we age, we find that we can’t walk quite as fast or play sports quite as hard as we could in our twenties. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and the right dietary supplements can make a huge difference in our health, strength, and mobility. Similarly, we find that we may not think as quickly as we used to, misplacing our keys occasionally and experiencing more losses of words. Although this is an ordinary problem with aging, in a small number of cases, these mental slips can be the first sign of a serious disease of aging such as Alzheimer’s disease. Just like our physical health, we can improve our mental health by eating healthy foods, taking the right supplements, and regularly exercising our minds, we can significantly increase our mental endurance, improve our memory, and increase our ability to focus. Research has proven that specific herbs and vitamins, especially Ginkgo biloba, Bacopa monnieri, folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12, and alpha lipoic acid, have powerful effects on memory and focus. They have been scientifically proven to reduce age-related changes as well as the risk of developing more serious problems like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or other brain diseases later in life.

As we age, our nerve cells need more time to connect, which slows the process of bringing memories and events to mind. Almost everyone middle-aged and older notices this slowdown as memory decline and problems with mental focus are a normal part of aging. Although it is true that the older we get, the greater chance we have of developing Alzheimer’s disease, this illness is not a normal part of aging. Alzheimer’s which is an irreversible, progressive dementia occurs when nerve cells are slowly killed in areas of the brain where memory, learning, thought, and language take place. It first appears when people begin retirement, making the “golden years” a time of loss and devastation as memories vanish, relationships are erased, and independence is gradually lost. After Alzheimer’s disease, the second most common cause of dementia in elderly people is multi-infarct dementia, caused by a series of mini-strokes that damage or destroy brain tissue over time. Usually affecting people between the ages of 60 and 75, men are slightly more at risk, while high blood pressure is the most significant risk factor for multi-infarct dementia. Along with these, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, strokes, Huntington’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and alcoholism can cause progressive and irreversible dementia.

There are some types of memory and focus loss that are reversible. As women enter menopause, they often experience trouble remembering caused by hormone fluctuations, which can affect speech, thinking, and attention. Symptoms of memory loss and poor focus related to menopause include recognizing faces less well, missing scheduled appointments, and misplacing articles. However, once a woman passes through menopause, her ability to remember and focus usually improves. Some medications, including statins, can temporarily interfere with memory. Low vitamin B levels, artherosclerosis, and thyroid disease can cause disruption of mental focus and memory loss as well. There problems are usually resolved with treatment of the underlying problem. Transient ischemic attacks (TIA), which are a certain type of stroke, can cause memory loss that may be reversible. TIAs are brief episodes of stroke symptoms that come quickly and are often referred to as a mini-stroke warning stroke and are caused by a temporary interruption in the blood supply to the brain. Unlike a stroke, a TIA does not cause permanent damage. However, it is likely to occur again if it is not properly managed and can be a warning of a future, more serious, stroke.

If you or someone you know are concerned about your memory, you should contact a health care practitioner and be examined. Once the cause of your memory and focus problem is found, you can begin treatment. Although not all dementias can be cured, all cases of memory loss and mental focus disruption can be treated and slowed, even Alzheimer’s disease.

There have been several herbs and vitamins that have demonstrated improvement in memory and mental focus. Some of these supplements work now to improve memory and focus, while others work to prevent problems that might arise later. Ginkgo biloba, which has been proven to improve memory problems we are having now, has been shown to improve many brain functions such as speeding up memory recall, protecting brain cells from chemical changes and free radical damage, improving blood flow to the brain, and helping nerve cells communicate with each other better. Ginkgo has been proven to improve memory, attention, and clarity of thinking, as well as helping to restore memories lost in a TIA. Ginkgo also has shown effects in slowing down Alzheimer’s disease just as well as prescription drugs with no side effects.

Like gingko, Bacopa monnieri, which grows in India, works on the memory and focus problems that we are experiencing now. A recent study proved that bacopa is able to improve the ability to remember new information in people.

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), a vitamin-like coenzyme which prevents memory and focus problems we might have later on, is an incredibly powerful antioxidant which works especially well with other antioxidants. Alpha lipoic acid has great antioxidant action in almost all the tissues of the body, helps generate energy from food and oxygen, can get directly to the nerves, and plays an important role in the antioxidant network. Research has proven that ALA prevents the free radical damage that occurs in Alzheimer’s disease, as well as regulates protective chemicals in the brain that help to improve symptoms. What makes ALA unique among antioxidants is that it can neutralize free radicals in both the fat and the water of cells. Since ALA is easily absorbed, enters cells and tissues in a highly useable form, performs a variety of antioxidant actions, and is both fat and water soluble, it is labeled as the “ideal antioxidant” by many researchers.

Vitamin B6, an essential nutrient in the regulation of nerve transmissions, is required by the nervous system for normal brain function and may also help with mood. Similar to ALA, vitamins B6 and B12 help prevent memory and focus problems later on. Vitamins B6 and B12 also reduce homocysteine levels, which irritates blood vessels, making it easier for blood to clot and causing cholesterol to become more harmful. Because people with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementias have elevated homocysteine levels, reducing these levels may prevent the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease, or other brain diseases, and improve the symptoms of those already afflicted.

For a long time, folic acid has been recognized as a vital nutrient for the brain and spinal cord. Recent research has shown that folic acid also has significant importance in Alzheimer’s disease, as it lessens brain damage from the disease.

Besides taking these nutrients, if you are having memory and focus problems, you may want to have your health care practitioner measure your B vitamin level in your blood, because many people do not know if they have B-vitamin deficiency. However, this type of lab work is fairly expensive. Because supplements do not replace the need for a healthy diet, make sure to eat more of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids to keep your brain and body healthy. Research has also shown that people who seek opportunities to keep mentally active, have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, make sure to read books, newspapers, magazines, solve crossword puzzles, and play card games with family and friends. Great supplements like alpha lipoic acid and B-6 along with herbs for memory can be found at your local or internet health food store.