Page 69 - The Memory Program How to Prevent Memory Loss and Enhance Memory Power

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Vitamin E is known to boost T cell function, which is important for the proper functioning of the
immune system, which defends the body against bacteria, viruses, and toxins. Vitamin E may also
indirectly protect against heart disease and cancer. It is present in soy-bean oil, margarine, nuts,
wheat germ, and seeds, but the amounts contained in these natural foods are insufficient to produce a
strong antiaging or promemory effect. You need to take vitamin E capsules to get this added kick.
The Alzheimer's study utilized 2,000 units of vitamin E daily, but this is a high dose that may
increase the risk of bleeding, because vitamin E is an anticoagulant. Until systematic studies are
conducted to compare different vitamin E doses in the prevention and treatment of memory loss, I
suggest that you stick to a daily capsule of 800 units (400 units if you want to be more conservative).
I myself follow this strategy.

Multivitamin Tablets

These are good for health generally; check labeling for amounts of specific vitamins contained in
each tablet or capsule.

Vitamins C and E: separate supplementation well above daily FDA requirements is needed for
a strong antioxidant effect
as part of the Memory Program.

Trace Metals in Your Diet

Selenium is a trace element that has antioxidant properties and is claimed to be an antimemory-loss
agent, but it has not been tested rigorously in people who have memory loss. There are other
elements— magnesium and zinc in particular— that are necessary for normal brain function in small
quantities, or traces. Until more solid evidence is forthcoming, and given the potential toxicity of
these metallic elements and compounds, I don't recommend taking supplements of any trace metals.
The amounts of these various substances present naturally in foods (and most multivitamin tablets)
easily reach the FDA minimum daily requirement guidelines, so nutritional deficiency states are
extremely rare.

Promemory Diet Action Steps

Decrease intake of saturated fats such as red meat, pizza, desserts.