Page 224 - The Memory Program How to Prevent Memory Loss and Enhance Memory Power

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women, who also risk losing scalp hair and developing a bass voice. Proper medical monitoring is
essential. Daily doses of DHEA cover a range from 25 to 200 mg daily, with an average of 50 mg
daily. This range is wide because some physicians adjust the dose to maintain high blood levels of
DHEA, a scientifically unproven practice.

Hormone and Peptide Therapy

If thyroid deficiency causes memory loss, can giving thyroid hormone to people without this
hormone deficiency boost memory? The answer is no: the body's internal regulatory system
maintains a fine balance in the levels of thyroid and most other hormones, quickly getting rid of the
excess hormone that is ingested. An additional factor weighing against these hormones is that they
cause a variety of side effects (differs markedly among different hormones) when given in high
doses, thus reducing their potential utility as a long-term preventive strategy against age-related
memory loss.

Vasopressin, also called antidiuretic hormone, is produced by cells that lie just above the pituitary
gland in the brain. Studies in mice indicate that vasopressin improves learning and memory, but
clinical results have been disappointing. Vasopressin is difficult to use because it needs to be given
intravenously or via a nasal spray, and its effects on blood pressure and the kidneys make it
potentially dangerous when used in high doses.

Other hormones, and some peptides that are similar to hormones, have each been proposed as
potential antimemory-loss agents, but no scientific basis has been found for these claims. These
include melanotropin, atrial natriuretic peptide, and substance P.

Metallic Elements Are Present in Trace Quantities

Metallic elements like chromium, magnesium, and selenium are essential elements that are normally
ingested only in trace quantities. These elements hold some promise in the fight against memory
loss.

Selenium

Selenium is an integral part of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which protects cell membranes.
Selenium is a strong antioxidant, and therefore may work against memory loss, but this has not been
tested