The ability to focus can influence memory retention. Focusing can be inhibited by anxiety. Managing stress is so important as most of the time we can’t eliminate stress.
Diet is very important too. It’s not only foods or additives that can impair memory or concentration but also the nutrients which we lack. Our body and mind requires a variety of foods including healthy fats, from nuts and other plant fats. The brain functions on about 20 to 25% of glucose from the diet, and therefore if a child or an adult is not eating well, the brain can’t function.
A diet of processed foods and artificial flavourants are essentially chemical compounds that can also bind to different receptors within the nervous system. And that’s where we see that interplay can happen, and the result is a child or an adult who isn’t able to concentrate.
Water intake is something we take very much for granted, but without being properly hydrated you actually cannot concentrate.
Tips to enhance memory retention:
- Management of stress
- A very nutritious diet
- Sleep is exceptionally important
- The use of other nutritional supplements
- Hydration and water intake.
USING SUPPLEMENTS FOR MEMORY RETENTION
You can use supplements acutely or chronically. Often it depends on how bad the person is feeling (e.g. completely exhausted or mentally fatigued), or their ability to take in information and hold onto it. It also depends on age.
Bacopa monnieri
Bacopa monnieri is popular because of the increase in clinical data which shows how effectively it can function as a cognitive enhancer. The reason it’s ideal for a younger person is its safety profile. You can really make a significant impact in academic or work performance without a big side-effect profile. The way it works within the nervous system is to improve focus by keeping the patient calm, a good anxiolytic effect. This works on the processes within the brain and nervous system to support and facilitate learning and memory. Bacopa also supports REM sleep and Rem sleep is ideal for memory consolidation – the conversion of your short- to long- term memory. Bacopa is especially helpful to an A type personalty or to those feeling overwhelmed.
Omega 3
Your brain uses omega-3’s to build brain and nerve cells, and these fats are essential for learning and memory. Omega-3s also offer several additional benefits for your brain. For one thing, they may slow age-related mental decline and help ward off Alzheimer’s disease
Himalaya mentat tablets / syrup
This wonderful supplement contains Thyme-Leaved Gratiola (Brahmi) · Indian Pennywort (Madhukaparni) · Winter Cherry (Ashwagandha). Mentat is well known to assist with memory and learning capacity, anxiety, depression and assists with ADHD. Mentat is available in tablets or syrup.
For a more in depth analysis of your stress, speak to Sister Cindy in our pharmacy clinic. Cindy will give you a stress questionaire which will give her specific information about which supplements will be best suited to your mental status.
