Page 227 - The Memory Program How to Prevent Memory Loss and Enhance Memory Power

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functions of zinc and all the other metallic trace elements in the brain.

The FDA recommended daily requirement for zinc is 15 mg for men and 12 mg for women, and
this is easily obtained through a wide range of foods. Rarely, elderly people who suffer from general
mal-nutrition can develop zinc deficiency, for which the main symptom is lack of taste and poor
appetite. In high doses, zinc can cause stomach irritation, so if you plan to use zinc supplements, do
so in moderation.

Iron

What about iron, one of the most common metals in your body? Iron is an essential component of
hemoglobin, which is a big molecule inside red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body,
including the brain. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, which in severe cases can cause weakness,
fatigue, and secondary cognitive impairment. The treatment is iron replacement (tablets). In the
absence of iron deficiency, taking iron supplements will not boost your memory. I do not
recommend iron supplementation in the absence of anemia, because excessive iron intake can
damage the liver and other internal organs, as well as predispose you to a heart attack.

Trace Elements: To Take or Not To Take Them

Except for iron, all the heavy metals described in this section come under the category of “trace”
elements because they are needed in microscopic quantities for normal bodily function. These metals
can become toxic if taken in high doses. You may recall my earlier story about how my father's
Parkinson's disease was going to be treated with an Ayurvedic heavy metal concoction, and I put a
stop to it because of the potential for toxicity. Traces of lead, mercury, or arsenic, which are
indistinguishable to the naked eye when mixed with other metals, can be extremely dangerous and
even fatal. Therefore, if you plan to take a metallic supplement of any type, you must buy it from a
reputed manufacturing source, preferably one with a national or international reputation.

As you've noticed, none of the trace metals made it into the Memory Program, largely because of
the lack of systematic controlled studies with any of them.