Page 204 - The Memory Program How to Prevent Memory Loss and Enhance Memory Power

Page 193

Vitamin B12 Poor concentration, memory loss Physician consultation
deficiency Generalized weakness, fatigue Tests to evaluate anemia, B12
Abnormal gait, unsteadiness on feet blood levels, intrinsic factor in
Stomach, gastrointestinal complaints the stomach
Vitamin B12 injections
Ministrokes Risk factors of smoking, obesity, high Diet: reduce saturated fats,
cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart cholesterol
disease, diabetes, family history Control diabetes, blood pressure
Sudden or stepwise cognitive decline Stop smoking
Fluctuations in course of cognitive decline Physician consultation
CT or MRI scan of the brain
Aspirin, ticlopidine,
anticoagulants

chug along for years with minimal memory loss induced by a specific, reversible cause like
depression or medication toxicity, because it is too subtle to affect daily functioning. Then the
process of age-related memory loss, which has been progressing slowly but steadily in the meantime,
catches up and adds an extra wallop that leads to clear-cut memory loss. In other words, the two
types of memory loss may each be very mild, but when added together, memory loss becomes
obvious.

Step 2: Take Sound General Health Measures

General health measures are of great importance in the prevention of age-related memory loss. Diet,
exercise, and memory training are the linchpins of these measures to prevent memory loss due to the
aging process.

The Essential Promemory Diet

Decrease intake of saturated fats such as red meat, pizza, desserts.
Cook with canola, sunflower, corn, or olive oil, which are all high in ‘‘good” unsaturated fats.
Fish has high protein and unsaturated fat content, which lowers the risk of heart attacks and
strokes.