Aiding your memory the natural way

By Lisa McNiven, Special to the Sherwood Park News

Do you find that your memory is failing you? Are you having difficulty remembering what you were supposed to pick up at the market? Are you forgetting names more frequently? If so, then you may want to try a few of these things. 
Before I give you some ideas, I would like to say that there are many conditions which can affect your memory, such as thyroid problems, hormone imbalances, being inactive, having side effects to medications, genetics and nutrient deficiencies. 
Some herbs you may want to begin reading about include ginkgo biloba and ginseng; essential fatty acids (fish and omega oils); and aromatherapy oils such as rosemary, peppermint and basil. 
The aromatherapy oils can be put in air diffusers or added to carrier oils to make massage oils (research proper dilution). Homeopathic remedies are available as well, however a proper workup is required for a particular remedy by your homeopath or an naturopathic doctor who practices homeopathy. 
There are specialized supplements to aid in memory, however a proper assessment is required to evaluate the specific needs. Minerals are very important in one’s diet, so be sure to add lots of vegetables to your diet or take a multi-mineral supplement.
Naturopathic doctors enable their patients to reach optimal health so that the imbalances do not cause memory problems. Try doing puzzles daily (such as crosswords), read more and exercise more, as this increases circulation to the brain. Be sure to take a good multi-vitamin, as these contain trace minerals required for many cellular tasks.  


Dr. Lisa McNiven, N.D., is an Alberta-licensed naturopath doctor based in Sherwood Park. She can be reached at info@healthworksnutrition.ca for column suggestions, comments and questions.