5 Foods That Can Improve Your Memory and a Memory Disorders Test to See Where you Stand

Several factors are responsible for a good memory, including the level of your physical activity, lifestyle, and genetics. However, diet also plays a crucial role in your brain’s cognitive function and memory.

While no superfood will magically improve your memory or the cognitive function of your brain, certain food types can help provide the essential nutrients needed by your brain to perform better.

Including these memory-boosting foods in your daily diet can improve your brain function and protect it from the effects of aging as well.

In this article, we will discuss the foods that can help with memory and when to consider seeing a doctor for memory testing.

Fish

If you think of brain food, fish, especially fatty fish, easily rise to the top. The type of fish we are talking about includes salmon, tuna, herring, and trout.

These fatty fish are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, considered one of the best natural antioxidants.

Fat is an important constituent of your brain and constitutes about 60% of the weight of your brain. The omega-3 fatty acids help your neurons to function better and stimulate the learning and memory centers of the brain.

It has also been shown that the inclusion of omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the deterioration of neurons in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Some studies also found that people who eat more fish in their diet have more gray matter than people who don’t eat fish.

The gray matter of your brain is responsible for intelligence and memory. So, having more gray matter may be correlated with higher intelligence in people eating fish.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a dark yellow-colored spice that is used in many cuisines around the world. The biologically active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, and it is considered one of the best plant-based antioxidants.

Curcumin can directly enter your brain by crossing the blood-brain barrier and can exert its positive effects there.

It can reduce inflammation and acts as a neuroprotective agent.

Studies indicate that having curcumin in your diet can significantly improve memory in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Curcumin can exert its neuroprotective effect on the neurons in these patients and decrease the amyloid plaques formed in the brain.

Curcumin has also been shown to increase the secretion of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor. It is a protein that helps heal damaged brain cells and improve the brain’s functionality.

Remember that the amount of curcumin used in all these studies is very high, and you can’t get to those levels from diet alone.

Therefore, adding turmeric to your food can be beneficial, but don’t expect to see a drastic improvement in your memory anytime soon.

Nuts

Nuts such as cashews, almonds, and walnuts have been known to help the brain function for centuries.

Many traditional systems of medicine of the east have recommended nuts as a source to sharpen your focus and improve memory. Modern research also seems to concur with these suggestions.

Nuts are a rich source of several vitamins like vitamin E and antioxidants.

These nutrients exert a neuroprotective action on the brain, improving its functionality and memory.

Vitamin E from walnuts has been shown to protect against age-related neurodegeneration and slow down memory loss in older individuals. Walnuts also contain a very potent antioxidant in the form of omega-3 fatty acids as well.

All in all, eating nuts can help boost your brain function and sharpen your memory.

Eggs

Eggs are great for your brain as well. They have several essential nutrients that your brain needs, including B vitamins, folate, and choline.

The most important component present in the egg yolk is choline, a precursor for a neurotransmitter in the brain called acetylcholine (Ach).

Ach is known to mediate the communication between neurons responsible for memory and cognitive function. Hence, the consumption of eggs can help you improve your memory. However, the choline is present only in the yolk of the egg and not the egg whites.

So, if you want to have the memory-boosting effects of eggs, ensure that you are eating them whole.

Each egg contains about 112 mg of choline which is roughly about 25% of your daily requirement.

Another benefit of eating eggs is the folate present in them.

Folate has been known to stimulate blood formation and improve memory in people with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

The vitamin B12 found in eggs is also responsible for synthesizing essential brain chemicals that help regulate your sugar metabolism.

It is important to remember that egg yolk which contains the majority of these nutrients also contains cholesterol.

So, if you have high cholesterol levels and your doctor has asked you to limit the consumption of yolks, it is better to find alternatives to eggs from this list.

Green tea

Green tea contains two active ingredients that can have significant memory-boosting effects- caffeine and polyphenols.

Caffeine is a neuro-stimulant that can stimulate your neurons and increase your alertness and attentiveness. It has been shown that drinking green tea can improve your focus, memory, and cognitive function in general.

Another great nutrient present in green tea is called L-theanine. It is a small molecule that can increase the activity of a specific messenger in your neurons called GABA. When neurons secrete more GABA, you feel more relaxed and less anxious.

The polyphenols in green tea can have a potent antioxidant effect that stimulates your brain and protects it from the free radicals generated. Hence, the polyphenols of green tea can exert a neuroprotective influence on your brain.

When to see a doctor

Many people experience mild memory loss as they age, and it’s often nothing to be concerned about.

However, there are some situations where it’s important to see a doctor. If you’re experiencing memory loss that’s interfering with your daily life, or if you’re noticing a sudden or dramatic decline in your memory, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor.

These could be signs of mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, if you have other symptoms such as confusion, difficulty speaking, or problems with balance, these could also be red flags.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor for guidance.

Memory disorders testing

Memory disorders can be concerning for both individuals and their loved ones.

Often, memory loss is one of the first signs that something is wrong, and it can be difficult to determine the cause.

Memory testing can be an important step in finding the cause of memory loss. Memory tests can help to assess memory function and identify any areas of concern.

Blood tests can also be helpful in determining if there is a medical condition that is causing memory loss.

If memory testing and blood tests do not provide a clear answer, further evaluation by a geriatrician or neurologist may be necessary.

Ultimately, memory testing can be a valuable tool in helping to find the cause of memory loss.

How Prime MD Plus can help

At Prime MD Plus, we understand how difficult this can be, which is why we offer a range of services to help.

Our board-certified geriatrician will conduct a thorough evaluation, which will include taking vitals such as blood pressure, medical history to evaluate for dementia symptoms, and other diagnostic tests.

Based on the results of the evaluation, our team will develop a personalized treatment plan.

This may involve lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, and cognitive therapies.

We will also provide support and education for family members whether we are working with Alzheimer’s disease-diagnosed patients or patients with memory loss from other causes.

Our goal is to help our patients regain their memory and live fuller, happier lives.

Conclusion

Eating the right foods can help you sharpen your memory and boost your intellectual capabilities.

While most foods discussed above are great for your brain, it will take time to see the positive effects of these foods on memory and cognitive function.

Hence, no food on this list will work like a magic pill. You have to be consistent with your diet to see the positive effects.

It is crucial to follow a healthy lifestyle along with a diet that is rich in brain foods. Regular exercising and staying away from alcohol and other recreational drugs can also go a long way in increasing your brain functionality.

Consult a specialized doctor for any kind of memory issues with Prime MD Plus, where you can connect with a board-certified geriatrician in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to get cognitive tests and manage any memory problems in the early stages.

Check out primemdplus.com for more information.