Memory Problems

Being unable to find your glasses or car keys, or forgetting the phone number of the relative you rang only last night might be amusing at the age of 20, when you can put it down to having too many things on your mind. When it happens at the age of 60, it is hard not to worry about the possibility of Alzheimer's disease. But most memory problems are not nearly that serious.

Oligotherapy

The main trace elements useful against memory loss are phosphorus in particular, but also magnesium, selenium, and zinc. Trace elements are usually found in the diet, which should be varied and of high quality. In cases of deficiency, they can be given as medicinal supplements.

Dietary sources of phosphorus

The highest concentrations of phosphorus can be found in dairy products ++, but also in bananas, whole-grain , cereals (such as corn-flakes), brewer's yeast cocoa and chocolate, sparkling drinks. green, leafy vegetables (such as artichokes, asparagus, carrots, celery, mushrooms, cabbage, parsley, and soya beans), pulses such as haricot beans, lentils and peas, nuts and dried fruits (almonds, peanuts, dates, figs, hazelnuts, and walnuts), eggs, fish ++, potatoes, and meat (especially poultry ++).

Dietary sources of magnesium

Magnesium is found mainly in citrus fruits almonds, cereals (oat flakes), chocolate, fish and shellfish, figs, nuts (hazelnuts and walnuts), vegetables especially maize), whole-grain bread, and soya beans

Dietary sources of selenium

Selenium is mostly found in animal products such as meat (especially liver and kidney), saltwater fish (herring and tuna), shellfish (oysters), and eggs. Other sources include whole­grain cereals, wheatgerm, brewer's yeast, brazil nuts, and some vegetables (garlic, broccoli, carrots, and mushrooms).

Dietary sources of zinc

Zinc is plentiful in seafood, fish, oysters ++, and other shellfish, but also in meat, egg yolk, cereals, whole-grain bread, brewer's yeast, nuts, and some vegetables (broccoli, mushrooms, spinach, and beans).

• Phosphorus and magnesium treatment is available in various brands and forms such as Organic Minerals (Colloidals), which contains 70+ trace minerals:
  - Available in 946ml bottles
  - Take 1-3 caps just before breakfast and/or evening meal
  - Children 1 teaspoon daily for each 20lbs of body weight

Or Maximol (Ionized colloidals):

- Available in 500ml bottles
- Take 1/2 capful once or twice daily on an empty stomach

• You can also take Citramins@ (Thorne). a citrate-bound multi-mineral formula containing selenium, zinc, magnesium, potassium and others:
  - Available in containers of 90 capsules.
  - One capsule three times daily
• You could also try Soya Lecithin 1100mg (Lamberts), which contains soy lecithin and vitamin E:
  - It comes in containers of 120 capsules
  - One to four capsules daily.

A natural food

Lecithin

Origin: Lecithin is one of the phospholipids, substances that are both water soluble and fat-soluble. Lecithin is manufactured by the liver in order to disperse and dissolve fats. It is present in high concentrations in the vital organs (the brain, the heart, the liver, and the kidneys) and delivers beneficial unsaturated fatty acids to nerve cells. Because it is rich in phosphorus and amino acids, it assists in the development of the nervous system and fulfils a regulatory role in various disorders. It calms the nerves, enhances memory, helps concentration, and promotes good sleep

- It can be found principally in liquid egg yolk, nuts, and soya beans, or in sunflower, safflower, and flaxseed oils

- You can buy it from a herbalist or at a health food shop, most commonly as a soy extract. Take one teaspoonful twice a day

Vitamins

Mainly from the B vitamin complex

Dietary sources of B vitamins

These are plentiful in the outer layer of cereal grains (wheatgerm ++, oat flakes), green, leafy vegetables, legumes (such as beans, lentils, peas), brewer's and baker's yeast, whole-grain bread, fish, meat (especially heart, liver, or kidney), and dairy products.

• You could also try Vitamin B-100 Complex (Lamberts) a mixture of vitamins B1. B2, B3, B5, B6, 812, folic acid, PABA, choline and inositol:
  - Sold in containers of 60 and 200 tablets
  - One tablet to be taken in the morning

Herbal Remedies

Garlic, ginkgo, and meUlot are beneficial for the circulation.

Ginseng and oak are excellent tonics for the body and mind.

Herbal Prescription: ask your herbalist to make up a 30ml bottle of mother tincture of ginkgo or ginseng. Take 25 drops in a little water three times a day for several days.

Melilot (sweet yellow or bee's clover)

Bees love melilot's clusters of yellow flowers - as the name might suggest, for rneli is the Greek word for honey.

Oak

This mythical tree is a symbol of strength and long life, for it has been vital in the history of ship building and it can live for several hundred years. Its bark is known for its astringent properties (i.e. it helps reduce secretions and lessen bleeding), and this has made it a popular remedy for mucous and skin problems.

Ginkgo biloba

Also known as the maidenhair tree, the ginkgo was considered sacred in the temples of Asia. Its leaves have unquestionable benefits for the circulation of the blood, thus also improving memory, helping mood swings and slowing down the ageing of the brain.

• You could also try Pure-Gar (Lamberts) containing garlic powder in 500mg capsules:
  -Available in containers of 90 capsules
  - 1-3 capsules daily for several weeks
• You can take Ginkgo Siloba 6000mg (Lamberts), a high strength extract of ginkgo biloba:
  - Available in containers of 90 tablets
  - One tablet to be taken daily

Garlic

Garlic came originally from the steppes of Central Asia, and was used in Upper Egypt to sustain the builders of the pyramids and protect them from infection. Its one drawback is its smell.

Homeopathy

Acidum phosphoricum and Kalium phosphoricum

- Four 5c tablets of one or both of these remedies, to be sucked like sweets between meals, twice a day for several weeks.

Acidum phosphoricum

- Chemical origin: phosphoric acid
- This is the homeopathic remedy for nervous exhaustion
- A specific indication: lack of mental alertness

Kalium phosphoricum

- Chemical origin: potassium phosphate
- This is the homeopathic remedy for emotional exhaustion
- A specific indication: physical fatigue

• You could also try Nervoheel@ (Heel), containing Acidum phosphoricum D4, Ignatia D4, Sepia D4, Kalium bromatum D4
  - Available in containers of 50 and 250 tablets
  - 1 tablet to be dissolved under the tongue 3 times daily
• Several constitutional remedies (Calcarea phosphorica, Lycopodium, or Phosphorus, for example) are helpful against memory loss, but before taking them you need to have an in-depth consultation with your professional homeopath.

Calcarea phosphorica

- Chemical origin: tricalcic phosphate
- A characteristic indication: tendency to tire very quickly

Lycopodium clavatum

- Vegetable origin: the dust spores of the lycopodium or club moss plant
- A characteristic indication: tendency to be irritable in the late afternoon

Phosphorus

- Mineral origin: white phosphorus
- A characteristic indication: extreme sensitivity.