Enhance Your Memory Power

by Emma Mathew

Our life is convenient if we have powerful memory. We can easily recall important information without much effort as if knowledge is always at our finger tips. A common myth about good memory: it is a gift that only a few persons have. Many adults believe that they couldn't do anything about consistently forgetting facts and things they should do or should have done. Forgetfulness is not a serious threat anyway, they believe. Enhancing memory performance can be a difficult thing - especially when you need immediate recall for an exam. Here are effective tips to follow to improve memory recall during crunch time.

Nourish your brain with healthy food: It's one of the easiest ways on how to improve memory power. Your brain works better if you feed it regularly with protein-rich foods such as nuts and fish. Hunger can slow down memory and other brain functions, so you'd better avoid skipping meals. Try to include brain food like salmon, mackerel, flax seeds and linseed in your diet, as they are rich in fatty acids. Fatty acids are considered to be good for improving concentration and brain related functions. Foods rich in fiber, like beans, pulses, wholegrain cereals, vegetables and fruits help the brain to function effectively. Vitamin B12, folate and niacin are some of the essential requirements for the brain and they are found in ample amounts in meat, eggs and dairy products. Eggs, in particular contain choline, a nutrient that protects memory loss due to aging. The antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables, like beta carotene and vitamin C are useful for the cognition skills of the brain and also reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases that, in turn help in the proper transportation of blood to the brain.

Feed Your Brain: This means feeding your body of course. Your brain needs a lot of energy, and will generally function better if you eat some good proteins and complex carbohydrates. Trail mix, with nuts and dried fruit works well for some. Fish has been shown to immediately speed up brain function, as well as improve memory and other brain functions long-term improvement if eaten regularly. Also, the distraction caused by hunger can interfere with your concentration and ability to recall things. Any simple carbohydrates can give you "brain fog." Sometimes called the "sugar blues" as well, this sluggish feeling makes it hard to think clearly. It results from the insulin rushing into the bloodstream to counteract the sugar rush. Avoid pasta, sugars, white bread and potato chips before any important mental tasks.

Quit smoking and Avoid Toxins: Smoking is the obvious one here. Although it may actually help a person concentrate in the short-term, the damage smoking does may later hurt brain function in general, including memory. Many prescription drugs and of course illegal drugs can also have a negative effect. Memory loss is an issue that a lot of statin drug users' deal with, and it is one of the complaints that they typically voice to their doctors. Memory loss, along with other neurological side effects, tend to affect those who use statin drugs. Avoid smoking and drinking excessively, as these bad habits hamper the cardiovascular system that supplies oxygen to the brain, thus, making it harmful for memory.

Quit smoking & Reduce brain toxins: Cigarettes are linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and even before there is a diagnosis, there may be reduced blood flow to the brain. This means reduced oxygen to the brain, which decreases brain function in general, and memory specifically. Most illegal drugs are toxic to the brain, but so are many prescription medications. These drugs have been associated with memory loss after prolonged use: Lithium, digitalis, reserpine, Inderal (propanolol), Aldomet (methyldopa), and Tagamet (cimetidine), as well as some high blood pressure medications.

Teach others: Research suggests that reading materials out loud significantly improves memory of the material. Educators and psychologists have also discovered that having students actually teach new concepts to others enhances understanding and recall. Teaching new concepts to others significantly improve our own memory of that particular information .You can use this approach in your own studies by teaching new concepts and information to a friend or study partner. So practice this technique by teaching new things to your study partners or friends.

Author's Contact: Email: sthomas@gdsolutions.us