Page 209 - The Memory Program How to Prevent Memory Loss and Enhance Memory Power

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First-Level Medications
Nonprescription Prescription

vitamin E donepezil (Aricept)
phosphatidylserine estrogen (Premarin)

Second-Level Medications
vitamin A and vitamin C selegiline (Deprenyl)
aspirin ginkgo biloba

First-Level Medications: Doses, Actions, Side Effects

My primary or first-level nonprescription choices are vitamin E and phosphatidylserine, with
donepezil and estrogen (for women only) making the prescription list.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E's broad antioxidant and antiaging properties vaulted it to the top, particularly as a long-
term preventive measure against future memory loss. Vitamin E should be taken as a single daily
capsule of 400 to 800 IUs, but you can go up to 1,200 IUs (a maximum of 2,000 IUs if you're very
adventurous). There is a very small risk of bleeding if you also take anticoagulants like Coumadin;
for the same reason, be cautious about combining vitamin E with aspirin or ginkgo biloba.
Fortunately, in the very rare instances of bleeding caused by taking vitamin E, it is likely to begin
gradually, so there will be time to reverse the problem by just stopping vitamin E.

A Reminder about Vitamin E

Vitamin E is present in high-fat foods like vegetable oils, germs, nuts, and seeds.
It is impossible for you to get more than 200 IUs daily through diet alone.

Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine is the one medication that has been consistently shown to be superior to placebo
in treating age-related memory loss, though all studies have been short-term. It should be taken as
300 mg daily for six to eight weeks followed by 100 mg daily thereafter, based