As we age, it's natural to experience forgetfulness. Many will seek professional help, alarmed by the degree of what they eventually will be told is normal, expected memory loss. Suggestions for improving and preserving your memory include challenging your brain with mentally stimulating activities, getting plenty of sleep, and exercise regularly.
Forget where you put your glasses? Can't remember why you walked into a room? Pretty typical experience as we age and not likely a reason to be concerned. When should you seek a professional opinion? When your "memory loss affects your ability to complete your usual daily activities," according to the Mayo Clinic. Read their seven tips for improving your memory,
here.
We maybe can add a quick and rather simple step to enhance our memory. The Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition has published a
study, led by Meei-Shyuan Lee, which suggests that adding the spice
tumeric to your food will help. A little less than a quarter teaspoon (one gram) worked for a group of people who experienced memory problems due to pre-diabetes.
I can't remember if I own any tumeric, but if I do, I will add them to my personalized blend of chai tea spices. Not long ago I read that a variety of
spices can provide health benefits. So I made up a little concoction of my own, using what I already had in my spice cabinet: cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, and ginger. Sprinkle on my tea and milk. Delicious. And masks the bitterness of less expensive tea blends. Not to mention, helps keep my spices fresh. Because other than cumin in their TexMex and cinnamon on their sopapillas, my family wants no part of the more exotic spices I keep.
Disclaimer: If you are considering adding any spices, herbs or supplements to your diet, please consult your physician or health care provider to be sure it is safe for you. For more advice on seeking nutritional supplements as mental health aids, please check out my previous post for suggestions,
here.
--Sandy Andrews, PhD
CBT Psychologist
Located in South Austin, Texas
