Top 5 Antioxidant Extracts that are Great for memory problems and when to get help

Antioxidants are one of the essential nutrients for a healthy body. There is a ton of scientific evidence that proves the benefits of including antioxidants in the diet.

Antioxidants help to protect the body from some toxins and chemicals as well.

Consuming high-quality antioxidants can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and even Alzheimer’s.

So, how exactly do these antioxidants work, and can they help you improve your memory and brain function? Let’s begin by understanding a bit more about antioxidants themselves and then discuss when to get help for memory problems.

What exactly are antioxidants?

Well, to put it simply, antioxidants are small molecules that can prevent the oxidation of crucial biological molecules.

Now, we all know that the body’s cells, including neurons, contain vital molecules such as enzymes and nucleic acids (genetic material) essential for survival.

Oxidation of these molecules causes problems and may result in diseases.

Antioxidants can prevent the oxidation of these important molecules and hence can keep us healthy.

How do antioxidants work?

During the normal metabolic process, the body generates some reactive chemicals containing oxygen. These compounds are called reactive oxygen species or ROS.

As the name suggests, ROS are very reactive and can oxidize important biological molecules. This can damage the neuronal cells and prevent them from functioning properly.

Antioxidants can chemically react with the ROS and neutralize them before they are able to cause damage. This protects the body from these ROS.

The body has its supply of antioxidants to handle this situation. But, the pollution and junk that we expose our body to puts additional stress on the body.

This generates excess ROS that the body is not equipped to handle. As a result, we age prematurely and succumb to memory and cognitive impairment.

We need to supply our bodies with additional antioxidants to fight off these ROS to combat this situation.

What can you do?

The ideal thing to do is to avoid putting stress on the body in the first place. But, it is impossible in the modern world where pollution is unavoidable, and everything we eat is not good for us.

In that case, the only thing we can do is supplement the body with enough antioxidants to take care of the additional stress.

Increasing the amount of antioxidant-rich foods is one way. But, to get the most antioxidants, you will have to chew down a lot of them.

Also, cooking destroys most of the antioxidants in food. So, what can you do?

The answer lies in supplements. Nature is full of herbs and plants that are rich in antioxidant properties.

These herbs can supply all the antioxidants you need. Luckily, there are some extracts of these herbs available in the market in a pill or a capsule that you can take.

These supplements are designed to provide you with the best antioxidants that nature has to offer.

Here is a list of some of the best antioxidant herbal extracts that you can take.

1. Green tea extract

I am sure you must have heard about green tea extract. It is an extract from the plant called Camellia sinensis, better known as tea. Green tea is loaded with some nutrients, including antioxidants.

It contains a group of chemicals called catechins that have potent antioxidant effects.

Green tea extract is great for your heart, and immune system, and even losing fat. It has also been shown to improve your brain’s cognitive function and help with memory loss. Most people using green tea extract (GTE) experience energy and vigor.

The combination of catechins and caffeine can help stimulate metabolism and help you get rid of fat.

2. Grape seed extract

Grapes and grapeseed have been traditionally used in many cultures around the world for their medicinal properties. Grapeseed extract has been shown to help people with some heart conditions.

Supplements containing grapeseed extract improve circulation in the brain and elsewhere in the body and can even lower your cholesterol levels.

This extract is also a rich source of antioxidants. There is some evidence that grape seed extract can even prevent premature aging and memory loss.

Although this extract has no recommended dosage, you can safely take about 100-300 mg a day.

The grape seed extract is natural and well-tolerated, but some side effects include headaches, nausea, and dizziness.

If you are planning to start taking grapeseed extract supplements, let your doctor know.

3. Goji berry extract

Goji berries are small red-colored fruits obtained from the plant Lycium barbarum. It has a long history of medicinal use in ancient Chinese medicine.

It is widely used for its stimulating effect on the immune system, and liver and even for increasing longevity.

The extract is rich in many nutrients and antioxidants. Goji berries have the most potent antioxidant effect of all-natural extracts. The extract contains a high amount of carotene, one of the more potent antioxidant compounds available in nature.

This antioxidant can be easily absorbed by the body and exerts powerful antioxidant effects.

Some scientific studies have confirmed that goji berry extract has a potent ROS-neutralizing effect.

It has been shown to help prevent many diseases such as early-onset Parkinson’s disease and even some heart diseases.

4. Blueberry extract

Not only are blueberries delicious, but they are also packed with some amazing antioxidant compounds. The blueberry extract contains phytochemicals called anthocyanins and

Pterostilbene is one of the most potent antioxidants known to man. Numerous studies concluded that blueberry extract could improve memory and cognition as well.

The antioxidant effect of blueberry extract can help maintain healthy neuronal function and help in many neurodegenerative diseases.

The blueberry extract is available in a capsule containing a concentrated extract of wild blueberries for the most potent antioxidant effect.

5. Acai berry extract

Acai berries are used all across South America for their excellent medicinal properties. These berries are obtained from an acai palm tree and are commonly consumed as food in Brazil.

Acai berry extract is rich in a class of phytochemicals called polyphenols. These compounds are potent antioxidants and can protect the cells from damage due to ROS.

It also contains many other compounds such as anthocyanins and flavonoids that also have a powerful antioxidant effect.

The extract is known to improve the immune system and neuronal health. Many people consuming acai berry extract also rave about the stimulating effects of the extract.

When to get help for memory loss

Many people experience occasional memory lapses, such as forgetting where they parked their car or forgetting a friend’s birthday.

However, more serious memory problems can interfere with daily life and may be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

If you or someone you know is experiencing intellectual and memory impairments that are affecting daily life, it is important to seek professional help.

Normal aging

It is normal to experience some memory changes as we age.

For example, it is normal to have some trouble remembering the names of new people or to forget where you put your keys from time to time.

Mild cognitive impairment

However, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is more than just normal aging.

MCI is memory impairment that is greater than what would be expected for a person’s age and education level.

MCI can affect memory, language, visuospatial skills, and executive functioning (such as planning and organization).

People with MCI are at an increased risk of developing dementia, but not all people with MCI will go on to develop the condition. Such memory impairment should be work up by a medical professional.

Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is the next level of memory loss and is characterized by significant memory impairment and difficulty with performing activities of daily living (ADLs).

ADLs are everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning, paying bills, and driving.

How Prime MD Plus can help

Prime MD Plus is a medical clinic that can help to evaluate memory loss and all of its possible causes.

Our board-certified geriatrician can help to identify the causes of memory loss, whether it is due to illegal drugs, brain infections, head injury, vascular events like TIA and transient global amnesia, depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders.

We can provide the appropriate treatment for the underlying condition, and help to improve the patient’s memory.

In the rare event there is a structural problem that requires brain surgery, our team will send you to a qualified neurosurgeon that can help.

Prime MD Plus is committed to providing the highest quality of care for our patients, and we would be happy to help you with your memory loss.

Final words

Antioxidants are vital for the body. They protect the body against many toxins and free radicals.

Supplementing your diet with herbal extracts containing antioxidants can help you get the daily dose of the antioxidants your body needs.

However, as with any nutritional supplements, consult with your doctor before you start on these.

Remember, too much of anything is bad, and that is true with supplements as well. Make sure you are not overdoing them.

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 help diagnose and manage any memory problems you may have.