Memory, Supplements and Age: Know the Facts

You probably already know that health, diet and nutrition plays a key role when it comes to memory development and retention.

And if you didn’t know already, now you know. 😊

A survey conducted by the National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) uncovered that Americans struggle when it comes to health literacy.

Understanding the Health Literacy of America Results of the National Assessment of Adult Literacy.

So if you don’t feel very educated when it comes to health literacy…

…No worries, you’re not allow and we’re here to help.

We’re about to educate you on the foundations of memory, then guide you through how supplements and age influence memory.

Let’s dive right in.

Why is declarative, non-declarative, and procedural memory the key?

memory

Whether you’re studying for an exam, trying to learn a new skill, or fighting dementia, the common denominator here is memory.

We believe that knowledge, self-education and a passion for healthy-living is the key.

Learning – Gaining and acquiring new skills and knowledge

Memory – Retaining and remembering what you learned

Let’s get started with the different types of memories which exist.

Declarative or explicit memory

memory loss

Declarative or explicit memory is characterized by having a conscious component which allows storing events and facts; it is associative, it is to know what. 

It enables the individual to have clear intentionality to remember everything learned at home, studies, or events of interest. 

For example, it remembers the date of birth or telephone number of loved ones, others.

Declarative or explicit memory is categorized such as the following:

Semantic – Facts and knowledge

Episodic – Memory for events in yor life

Spatial – Memories from how to get around

Non-declarative or implicit memory

Non-declarative and procedural memory is unconscious, automatic, and involuntary.

It is the one used when learning to perform a specific task, it is to know-how. 

It includes memories of skills or habits such as riding a bike, driving a car, getting dressed, performing simple cooking tasks, brushing teeth, others.

Non-delcarative memory can be categorized such as the following:

Priming – things in your environment that trigger unconscious response

Procedural – how to do things, carrying-out task, riding a bike

What is the best way to improve memory?

Rest is the most basic way to improve memory, particularly short breaks that help improve spatial memory, scientifically proven. 

Take advantage of resting and thus help consolidate in your memory what you have recently learned. 

Overnights cause the opposite, avoid doing it.

how can you improve memory

The above, accompanied by a good discipline of exercises, complement each other in improving the memory. 

There are more and more benefits for the brain associated with sports.

Especially looking into aerobic exercises, which help increase the size of the anterior hippocampus and enhance spatial memory.

This key, rest plus exercise, is the best way to improve memory.

How can foods and supplements help improve memory?

Shortages of certain vitamins and minerals can cause degeneration and become severe.

All nutrients are necessary and essential, but only a good diet can ensure that you get the nutrients you need to improve your memory. 

These will help with the following:

  • Prevent cognitive decline
  • Protect neurons
  • Improve neuron connections
  • Improve the flow of messages between neurons
  • Fix memories
  • Improve long-term memory

Eat a good diet and consume these minerals and vitamins: 

  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin B1
  • Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Calcium
  • Zinc
  • Magnesium

 

Ensuring that these vitamins and minerals are in your diet will help improve your ability to retain and remember the skills and knowledge you’ve gained through memory.

How can nootropic supplements help improve memory?

These substances are found naturally in some foods and plants.

Synthetically, they are also found in some dietary supplements, helping to amplify cognitive abilities. 

Nootropics are substances that we have consumed in some way throughout our lives to improve concentration, enhance alertness, and improve memory.

memory green tea

They activate multiple neurotransmitters, causing effects on behavior and mental capacity. 

Additionally, they increase blood supply and actively function against brain cell damage and cognitive decline.

Here are some nootropic foods that help improve memory: 

  • Coffee
  • Green tea
  • Turmeric
  • Blueberries
  • Cocoa

How does age affect memory?

An article published on Harvard Health discussing what you can expect when it comes to memory and aging.

The natural ability to create new neurons does not degenerate with age; it remains almost intact; this is called neurogenesis.

The thing about age is that as you get older, there are changes. 

There is a tendency to focus more on safety.

The speed of thought is no longer essential and offsetting itself with the security of decisions, which increase as we age. 

Young people make faster decisions but fail more.

memory aging

There are simple exercises to help exercise the memory. 

For example, imagine, if you imagine the journey from one place to another.

You activate the mechanisms of orientation and memory, just as if you were walking along the path. 

Others examples include:

  • Playing sudokus, chess and mind-toggling games
  • Reading books and literature
  • Learning 7 words of a new language a day
 
Read more on elderly care and what you can do further to provide the best possible health care to our elderly population.

More To Explore

Table of Contents

Live Long Blog

Subscribe to our newsletter

Join our email list and receive exclusive content where we dycrypt the scientific literature on trending health topics