It really is very common to forget someone’s name or walk into a room and forget why you went in there. But when it happens to you when you’re between 40 and 60, that’s when you might start getting nervous and maybe even a little scared.
It’s true that physiological changes in the body make for more marked lapses in memory. But the brain is capable of producing new memory cells at every age. The grey matter in your brain doesn’t have to wilt like the graying hairs on the outside of your head. In fact, “use it or lose it” is a common mantra that may help you stay sharp and focused — that and some recommended vitamins and supplements from your friendly compounding pharmacist in Asheville.
Common Reasons for Memory Loss
Sure, you’ll face normal changes in chemical structure and brain function as you age. But just like with the thinner skin on the backs of your hands or the fine lines on your face, lifestyle factors can play just as big of a role in maintaining memory function as age does.
Depression and stress take their toll. Distractions make it more difficult to learn and remember new things. And just as sunbathing causes fine lines on aging faces, so other lifestyle choices and situations can lead to memory loss, including:
- Taking medications such as antidepressants, pain medication and even certain over-the-counter drugs
- Drinking and taking drugs, even in moderation
- Smoking cigarettes
- Being obese
- Untreated underactive thyroids glands
Infections and auto-immune diseases such as HIV, if left untreated, can affect your brain and cause serious health issues, and nutritional deficiencies deprive your brain of the healthy fats and vitamins that it needs to function properly.
Vitamins and Supplements to the Rescue
Memory loss is not inevitable. There is hope. Nutritive supplements like omega-3 fish oil can have a significant impact on memory loss. Sometimes a simple thing like staying hydrated can make all the difference too, since dehydration leads to confusion and memory loss in even the healthiest adults.
It can be a little overwhelming trying to figure out what supplements might work best for you, so having a vitamins and supplements store nearby with knowledgeable pharmacists can make a huge difference. The experts at Ashville Compounding Pharmacy take pride in keeping up with the latest products on the market. Our approach to nutritive supplements is a refreshing custom experience.
Ask us about nutritive supplements that specifically target improved memory, such as:
- Omega-3 fish oil that’s nothing like your grandmother’s old cod oil. Today’s versions are super pure, and painstakingly refined. The pharmacist at your Asheville vitamins and supplements store can help you select the omega-3 fish oil product that’s right for you.
- Phosphatidyl serine is a chemical that’s naturally occurring in your body. New synthetic versions are made from cabbage and soy. It contributes to the maintenance of cellular functions in your brain.
- Ginkgo biloba increases brain circulation and enhances your brain’s energy production, which is essential for memory.
- Vitamin B-12, often cited as a major contributing factor to memory loss when there’s a significant deficiency, should be on your list of go-to brain boosters.
Stay Informed
With so many alternatives touted as “miracle memory cures,” or sure-fire sources of memory loss prevention, you have to be careful about what you take. Some herbs, for example, may interfere with the absorption of important meds you may be taking. For example, phosphatidyl serine can cause insomnia and stomach problems and ginkgo biloba can lead to headaches and nausea.
Because of the high risks and potential benefits of taking vitamins and supplements, it’s vital that you build a relationship with a pharmacist knowledgeable on the pros and cons of any nutritive supplements you’re considering. And when your pharmacist also prepares your prescriptions, he knows when to offer caution and when to recommend helpful additions to your daily health regimen.
When to See Your Doctor
Improving your diet, exercising regularly and adding vitamins and supplements to fill in for deficiencies all can help you maintain a level of cognitive sharpness that you’ve known for most of your life. There are times, however, when you should bring your concerns to your doctor for evaluation.
Signs and symptoms that you may have a more serious underlying condition that requires medical intervention may include:
- Having trouble remembering names of ordinary things in your life
- When your forgetfulness is accompanied by bouts of depression, confusion or mood swings
- Feeling sluggish with difficulty concentrating
Your doctor can work with the pharmacists at Asheville Compounding Pharmacy to create a regimen of nutritive supplements and custom prescriptions to target your specific symptoms. At the same time, you must be particularly vigilant about taking your medications as prescribed and continuing with recommended nutritive supplements, especially if you have:
- Diabetes
- Diarrhea
- High blood pressure
- Arthritis
- Gastrointestinal problems
Proactive and Preventative
Short-term memory loss and forgetfulness are aggravating factors that interfere with the flow of your life. A vitamins and supplements store nestled in the heart of Asheville is a good place to find nutritive supplements to augment any prescriptions and other lifestyle change recommendations your doctor may give you.
There’s a wealth of information available on the market today and pharmacists like those at Ashville Compounding Pharmacy pride themselves on keeping up with the latest products, their potential side effects and their abilities to help you maintain a fulfilling life for a very long time.
There are a number of amazing nutritive supplements available that can really make a difference. Certain vitamins and supplements like omega-3 fatty acids actually can help prevent memory loss, while others slow the progression of age-related diseases to keep you healthy longer.
