By Community Relations Director, Emeritus at Sandy Springs Place, Posted Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Memory & Nutrition
There is evidence that nutrition can impact brain function and memory In most cases, a specific deficiency can result in loss of healthy brain function. Generally, supplements do not improve memory when that deficiency isn't present.
Vitamin B12 helps maintain nerve cells and red blood cells. A deficiency of the vitamin can cause memory loss. This is seen in older adults and vegetarians and a supplement can help in these cases. Without the deficiency, the vitamin does not help memory loss in people with Alzheimer's disease. You can get vitamin B12 naturally from fish, meat and poultry and many breakfast foods are fortified with it. Talk with your doctor if you think vitamin B12 might be a problem for you.
Like vitamin B12, a deficiency of folic acid can cause memory problems and taking a supplement in that case can improve memory. There is no indication that folic acid will improve memory outside of the deficiency.
There are lots of ads promoting ginkgo biloba to enhance memory, but scientific studies show mixed results.[18] A large study published in 2008, however, indicated that it does not prevent memory loss or slow worsening of dementia. In addition, it can be dangerous if it is used with blood thinners such as Warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin and other medicines that can cause bleeding (Advil, Motrin and others). Talk with your doctor before trying gingko biloba. [ Read more ]
By Melody DeSanctis, Concierge, Emeritus at Sandy Springs Place, Posted Monday, March 12, 2012
I remember noticing that Mom’s apartment was messy and cluttered. She had never done that before, being an extremely neat person. When I asked her about it she said she did not have to clean like she used to clean her house. I believed her.
Then, I noticed the mail began to pile up. After letting this go on for a while, I looked through the mail and discovered unpaid bills. I mentioned this to Mom and she said she was getting to it. I believed her.
As time went by I began to take Mom to the grocery store. Just to be sure there was fresh food to eat. I would check to find the food would expire. She was still driving and going to the store for chocolate, cookies, & Hawaiian Punch and bourbon. I discovered that was her diet. I had believed she was eating the food I had brought until I had looked. [ Read more ]
