9 surprising things which effect memory!

Here are nine surprising things which effects our memory:

1> Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates adds negative impact on memory. Extra carbohydrates or only carbs in the diet increases the risk of Alzheimer. Dr Vincent Fortanasce, author of The Anti-Alzheimer’s Prescription suggests cutting back on the carbs to avoid this disease. Excess carbohydrates causes your insulin to spike which results over activation of the insulin-degrading enzyme that exists in the brain. This activity make the enzyme busy in degrading insulin rather than getting rid of beta-amyloid proteins, the toxic protein that produces Alzheimer’s disease. Hence take a proper balanced diet for a good memory.

2> Statins: A recent study revealed that statins helps in preventing dementia. A research out of the University Of Michigan School Of Public Health shows that people at high risk of dementia who took cholesterol-lowering statins were half as likely to develop dementia as those who did not take the prescription medications. It is said that statins help lower the high insulin levels in the brain linked to Alzheimer’s. But it is not known exactly which statins help in this activity hence it is not recommended to take statins by its own without doctor’s prescription.

3> Depression, Anxiety: People who remain in depression and experience more negative emotions are more likely to experience an early memory loss. A study published in the journal Neurology in 2007 shows that those kind of people were 40% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment than those who were least prone. A transitional stage between normal aging and dementia, mild cognitive impairment is associated with mild memory or cognitive problems.

4> Fish: Fish is a protein rich diet and it is found that people who ate tuna and other fish high in omega-3 fatty acids three times or more per week had a nearly 26% lower risk of having the silent brain lesions that can cause dementia and stroke, compared to those who avoided fish. According to research appearing in the latest issue of journal Neurology studied on more than 2,300 people age 65 and older has found this fact.

5> Thyroid Disorder: According to the May issue of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter states that memory loss and thyroid activity are linked together. Under active thyroid give rise to memory loss. Thyroid hormones control many bodily functions, ranging from heart rate to mood and memory. Older people with this treatable condition may exhibit only one symptom, such as memory loss or decreasing mental function. Hence a low thyroid activity disrupts these functions.

6> Hot Flashes: Women in mid life can have a poor memory according to new research out of the University of Illinois at Chicago which confirms a link between hot flashes and memory among women. A surge in the stress hormone cortisol, which usually accompanies a hot flash, is believed to be the cause. More the hot flashes worse will be the ability to remember names and stories etc.

7> Smoking: Smoking increases risk of memory loss. According to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in June, middle-aged adults who smoke appear to be at an increased risk of having poor memory. The research also shows that long-term ex-smokers were less likely to have cognitive deficits in memory and vocabulary then others.

8> Chronic Pain: Chronic pains also have a negative impact on memory. According to University of Alberta study of 24 patients the pain along with affecting a person’s ability to work, sleep and function on a daily basis also impairs memory. The study says that among people with chronic pain lasting six months or longer showed that two-thirds have significant disruption of attention and memory when tested.

9> Marital Status: Mid-life marital status is related to late-life cognitive function. A Finnish study of more than 1,400 people in mid life and then an average of 21 years later showed that those who were living with a life partner in mid life were significantly less likely to show cognitive impairment compared to those living without their spouse. Singles, separated, divorced or widowed are at more risk of memory loss.