Memory Loss and its prevention....

by **Afra** 29th June 2010, 6:02 pm

For most people, memory lapses are a normal part of aging, not a warning of serious impairment. There are many ways you can improve your cognitive skills and keep memory loss from disrupting your daily life.

Preventing memory loss

The same practices that contribute to healthy aging also contribute to healthy memory.

Regular exercise

*It gets more oxygen to your brain.
*It reduces the risk for disorders that lead to memory loss, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
*It may enhance the effects of helpful brain chemicals and protect brain cells.

Healthy Diet

*Antioxidants literally keep your brain cells from “rusting.”
*B vitamins protect neurons and help reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases.
*Avoiding saturated fats and trans fats helps cholesterol levels and reduces risk of stroke.

Managing stress

*Cortisol, the stress hormone, can damage the hippocampus if stress is unrelieved.
*Stress makes it difficult to concentrate.

Good sleep and enough of it

*Sleep is necessary for memory consolidation.
*Sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea leave you tired and unable to concentrate during the day.

Not smoking

*Smoking heightens the risk of vascular disorders that can cause stroke and constrict arteries that deliver oxygen to the brain.