Page 68 - The Memory Program How to Prevent Memory Loss and Enhance Memory Power

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may diminish the risk of heart attack and stroke (not yet fully proven) and thereby decrease the
likelihood of memory loss. The nutritional supplement dose of vitamin A is 10,000 to 50,000 units
daily, or 10,000 to 25,000 units daily when taken together with 15 mg of beta-carotene. Carrots are
an excellent source of beta-carotene, which is closely related to vitamin A. While vitamin A doses up
to 100,000 units daily are generally safe, megadoses of vitamin A can lead to liver toxicity. Vitamin
A has antioxidant potency that is comparable to vitamin E, and hopefully it will be studied further in
people with memory loss. Until then, vitamin A will remain a second-level intervention in the
Memory Program.

Vitamin C: Was Linus Pauling Right after All?

Linus Pauling, who won two Nobel Prizes, began to be considered a quack after he advocated taking
huge doses of vitamin C to fight the common cold and to tackle a host of other diseases. More
recently, his original arguments have been vindicated as the free radical toxicity theory has taken
hold. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is an antioxidant and potent free radical scavenger, and may be able
to block elements of the aging process, including memory loss. Oranges, grapefruit, berries of all
types, grapes, and other citrus fruits contain lots of vitamin C, so deficiency of this vitamin is
extremely rare. Many people supplement their diet with 1 to 5 grams of vitamin C daily, but its effect
in preventing memory loss remains to be tested in a long-term clinical trial. Nevertheless, vitamin C's
broad antiaging effects make it a useful component of the Memory Program. Its main side effect is
increased stomach acidity and irritation.

Vitamin E: The Best-Studied Antioxidant

Among the antioxidants, vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) has received the most attention. A study of
Alzheimer's patients showed that 2,000 units, of vitamin E taken daily was associated with a six- to
nine-month delay in reaching functional end points such as taking care of personal hygiene or being
placed in a nursing home. Vitamin E is now being tested in people with mild cognitive impairment,
and it may have a positive effect on this group of people as well. My expectation is that the
antioxidant properties of vitamin E will be even more helpful to those who have a good memory but
wish to prevent future age-related memory loss. A daily dose of vitamin E is a central component of
the Memory Program.