Even in a strange year like this one, the holiday season is when we make some of our most precious memories.
My family has been managing to make the best of it. With the help of video calls, we’ve been creating lots of fun new stories to tell in the years to come. And I hope you’ve added a memory or two, too your own list, despite the circumstances.
Now, the mission is to PROTECT those precious new memories of yours. Plus, ensure they’re always on hand to bring a smile to your face when you need it most.
Unfortunately, that can sometimes be an uphill battle. Because as we get older, if we’re not careful, our memory can start to fade like an old photo on cheap paper.
Soup up your brain with these memory tricks
So today, let me share with you the secret to giving your mental hard drive an upgrade. Because it turns out there are natural ways to help preserve your memory.
And these same simple tricks may even help ward off cognitive decline… dementia… and Alzheimer’s disease, too.
Take a sniff:
Did you know that even a SMELL can stimulate your brain?
It’s true – and in one study, one of my own favorite herbs… rosemary… led to an almost immediate and measurable effect.
One whiff delivered a 15 percent jump in both working memory and long-term memory within 20 minutes. You can try sprinkling rosemary into your own dishes.
And if you’re not a fan of the evergreen-like flavor… or you’re just looking for a bit of extra oomph… rosemary supplements are available online or anywhere nutritional products are sold.
Keep choline levels up:
This essential nutrient is critical for brain health. Studies show folks who get higher choline levels from their diets tend to have a better overall memory.
But a funny thing happens as you age. Your levels of a choline-blocking chemical start to rise, so your body can’t use the nutrient as effectively. And that can lead to memory struggles.
Lucky for us, a natural compound found in Salvia officinalis, or sage as you and I would call it can block that blocker. Incredibly, in one study, it led to an 81 percent improvement in memory in just one hour.
You’ll find choline-friendly sage extracts and capsules anywhere supplements are sold. Or you can add more of this savory spice to your favorite meals. It’s a perfect match for most poultry, pork, and fatty meat dishes.
Pick polyphenols:
Polyphenols are compounds found inside various foods, including tea, chocolate, and wine. These potent nutrients are proven to help protect the heart, fight cancer, and more.
And it turns out certain polyphenols found in grapes and blueberries are especially effective at enhancing memory.
One blend of these compounds reversed the equivalent of 10 years of aging in the brains of seniors in one study. In another, this same blueberry and grape extract blend improved short-term memory by 57 percent and long-term memory by between 38 percent and 52 percent.
Another supplement, made with Mediterranean grape extracts, delivered a whopping 1,145 percent improvement on one test over 12 weeks compared to volunteers taking a placebo.
You can find a variety of grape and blueberry brain-enhancing supplement blends online.
Bring the B COMPLEX:
A simple mix of B vitamins, available in ANY vitamin shop, can do something pretty incredible. It can help slow “brain shrink.”
That’s a key marker of aging inside the brain. We ALL have some shrink over the years. But the more that melts off, the higher the odds of memory problems and cognitive struggles.
A straightforward blend of B6, B12, and folic acid has been proven to help slow that shrink. And emerging evidence suggests it may even help delay the onset of dementia, too.
GO FOR A BRISK WALK:
No brain-saving solution could be easier than strapping on a pair of sneakers and stepping out for a walk. The problem is, many folks find it hard to get motivated.
But one recent study made it crystal clear why you DON’T want to be a couch potato. Seniors with memory problems who did an aerobics program had improved blood flow into the brain and a whopping 47 percent jump in memory.
Oh, and that brain shrink I just mentioned? This same action… a brisk, heart-stimulating walk… significantly slowed the loss of that essential gray matter.
The key word here, of course, is “brisk.” It won’t work as well if you’re out for a slow stroll.
You need to pick up your pace a bit. You don’t have to run or even jog, but a brisk walk will get your heart pumping so you can enjoy all the memory-saving and boosting benefits.
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