An Introduction to Memory Loss

Memory loss is normally associated with aging. As a person grows old, the brain tends to become malnourished and this results to partial or total memory loss. Progressive memory loss can be caused by the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease. This is a medical condition common to people nearing or within the age of senility.

Parkinson’s disease is a health condition that results to severe memory loss linked to a specific genetic defect. Huntington’s disease, on the other hand, is also genetic and the condition can be inherited. Other factors that cause memory loss are chemotherapy treatment with the use of cytotoxic drugs, sudden brain injury caused by physical or psychological trauma, alcohol abuse, severe infections, drug abuse, stress and some mental illness like dissociative identity disorder.   Any damage in the area of the brain responsible for retrieving and storing memory can lead to memory loss instantly or over time.

It’s difficult to totally stay away from all the things that can cause memory loss. Aging, for example, is inevitable and the risk of developing dementia is high on people aged 50 and above-- and the risk continues to rise as the person grows older. Poor eating habits and lack of exercise also have significant influence over memory loss. The deficiency of certain nutrients needed to maintain proper brain function and the insufficient circulation of blood in the brain caused by lack of physical activities can cause damage to the brain responsible for memory retrieval. Conditions associated with memory loss like Alzheimer’s disease have been linked to certain pathological factors.

Plant Nutrients against Memory Loss

A group of researchers from the University Of Illinois’ Division of Nutritional Sciences observed the effects of a specific plant compound in reversing memory loss and brain inflammation in laboratory mice. The plant compound was luteolin, which is naturally found in several plants including chamomile, rosemary, peppermint, olive oil, celery, peppers and carrots. The study was led by Rodney Johnson, a science professor and director of the Division of Nutritional Sciences.  The researchers concluded that luteolin can reduce the brain inflammation in subject mice which is said to be the cause of memory loss and impaired memory function. The plant compound directly targets and reduces the release of molecules in the brain that causes inflammation. Long-term supplementation of the plant compound can reduce the risk of age-related memory loss and help maintain healthy memory function.

Johnson and his colleagues dedicated their study on the observation of microglial cells. These are immune cells that are found in the spinal cord and the brain. As a reaction to infection, microglial cells release cytokines, signaling molecules which can cause a series of brain changes. This process is responsible for sickness behavior like depression, loss of appetite, sleepiness and other mental conditions normally associated with getting ill. Johnson said that brain inflammation caused by different factors including the effects of cytokines contribute to age-related memory loss.  He added that they have previously found that during the process of normal aging, microglial cells produces excessive amounts of inflammatory cytokines. He added that the unregulated behavior of the microglial cells contributes to the development of neurodegenerative diseases.

A Long-Term Study

The researchers spent almost 10 years in discovering natural compounds from plants in reversing and preventing the inflammation of the brain, and luteolin was found to be most promising. The bioactive plant compound was previously found to have anti-inflammatory effects to the body. Their study is first to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of luteolin to the brain and in improving cognitive function by reducing the release of cytokines by microglial cells.

In a separate laboratory study, the researchers found that microglial cells produce cytokines when exposed to toxins and bacteria. Cytokines can kill neurons and affect the healthy communication in the brain. But when the microglial cells were exposed to Luteolin before encountering any toxins, the neurons managed to survive. Johnson said that the neurons’ survival is primarily caused by the production of neurotoxic inflammatory mediators stimulated by luteolin. This proved that luteolin does not directly influence the behavior and survival of neurons but creates its benefits to the brain by influencing the microglial cells.

Luteolin in Action

Once the effects of Luteolin in reducing the inflammation of the brain was already established, they began studying its effects on the behavior and brains of adult and aged mice. The mice were fed with luteolin supplements for four weeks. They were then examined to determine any significant change in spatial memory and levels of inflammation in the brain, specifically in the hippocampus, the region of the brain responsible for spatial and memory awareness. The mice, aged 2 years, will normally have higher levels of inflammation and more impaired memory compared to the adult mice aged 3 to 6 months. But the aged mice who received luteolin supplements have better performance in memory tasks and similar levels of brain inflammation with the adult mice. Johnson said that the results of their study suggest the supplementation of luteolin in daily diet to reduce the inflammation in the brain and to maintain and improve a healthy memory and overall brain function.

Foods to Boost Memory

The methods of preventing memory loss can become more affordable and easier than it seems. Memory boosting nutrients can come from plants and other natural sources. One popular supplement that enhances memory by promoting healthy circulation of blood to the brain is Gingko. Vitamin B complex promotes proper brain function while bioflavonoids and vitamin c improves blood circulation and removes free radicals from the body which cause brain damage and other health conditions that indirectly results to gradual memory loss.

Here is a quick reference list of memory-boosting foods:

• Eggplant
• Broccoli
• Onions
• Red Beets
• Spinach
• Cherries
• Blueberries
• Grapes
• Apples
• Chocolate
• Almonds
• Eggs
• Fish
• Fish Oil
• Tea (black/green)
• Coffee

The goal primarily is to reduce any damage to the brain which may lead to memory loss. The most important requirement in keeping the brain healthy is by maintaining the circulation of blood to the brain and by supplying it with sufficient nutrients to maintain proper function. Exercise improves blood circulation to the brain. Different studies have shown that exercising in most days of the week does not only lower the risk of developing dementia but also the risk of other chronic and degenerative diseases. Understanding the nutrients that the brain needs in order to function naturally can help determine which foods to eat to avoid memory loss.

Medical experts will advise the use of proper diet as a means of obtaining the nutrients the brain needs to maintain a healthy memory over taking processed food supplements. So eating healthy and exercising regularly can have great benefits in avoiding memory loss.

Sources
news.illinois.edu
msnbc.msn.com
healthdiaries.com
news.softpedia.com