Everyone forgets things from time to time. But for some people, poor memory can be a perennial problem. The brain never actually loses a memory. It records each one like a computer.
However, problems with recall begin when we don't practise retrieving this information and so the memories we had become lost. The brain, like other parts of the body, needs physical and mental exercise, together with particular nutrients, to increase the power of memory. Here are 10 things to remember to do in order never to forget anything ...
1 – Eat Soya
According to Professor Sandra File, head of the psychopharmacology research unit at Guy's Hospital in London, isoflavones, the natural plant oestrogens in soya foods, might act on oestrogen receptors in the human brain, particularly those in the hippocampus, a crucial area for memory.
As a result, new nerve connections form more readily. Medical trials revealed that those fed a high soya diet showed improvements in verbal and non-verbal memory and in mental flexibility, all of which are controlled by the brain's frontal lobes. Soya can be added to the diet through natural products such as soya milk or through a recommended daily 50mg soy isoflavone supplement.
2 - Take memory Minerals
Studies at Kings College, London, and the University of Rochester in New York showed that a reduced iron intake can have a detrimental effect on IQ levels and cognitive function.
This is because of lack of iron causes low haemoglobin levels, which affect the supply of oxygen to the brain. Iron also plays an important role in the transmission of signals in the brain. A deficiency of zinc, found in oysters, red meat and peanuts, can also interfere with memory. Take a supplement of 7 to 9mg daily.
3 – Drink Coffee
Caffeine can improve mental and memory performance because it stimulates many regions of the brain that regulate wakefulness, arousal, mood and concentration.
Researchers at the University of Arizona found that older adults who drank half a pint of coffee just before a memory test saw a large improvement in performance compared to those who drank decaffeinated coffee. However, the benefits might be confined to regular coffee drinkers. Others could suffer side effects such as shakiness, anxiety or impaired concentration.
It's still best to drink no more than six cups of coffee a day – those with heart problems should drink less. Too much brewed or percolated coffee can raise blood cholesterol – instant or filter coffee are better choices.
4 – Mental Exercise
Research has shown that mental stimulation keeps the brain healthy and increases the strength of memory.
As we age, it is normal to have changes in memory, but keeping the mind active does diminish weaknesses. Clinical psychologist Ron Bracey suggests using techniques such as puzzles, crosswords and widening cultural and social interests, all of which create different pathways in the brain.
5 – Physical Exercise
Half-an-hour of activity three times a week is enough to bring about significant increase in brain power; says a study at the Duke University Medical Centre in North Carolina.
Exercise improves the heart’s ability to pump blood more effectively. Memory benefits from improved blood flow to specific regions at the front of the brain whose functions include planning, organization and the ability to juggle different intellectual tasks.
6 – Chew Gum
Japanese researchers found that activity in the hippocampus, an area of the brain important for memory, increases while people chew. Recent research suggests that insulin receptors in the brain may be involved too, as chewing releases insulin because the body is expecting food.
But, says Dr Andre Scholey of the University of Northumbria, the simplest reason could be that chewing increases the heart rate, thus improving the delivery of oxygen to the brain and enhancing its cognitive powers.
7 – Take Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo is the world’s oldest living tree. It has been used for memory enhancement in Eastern cultures for thousands of years.
Dr George Lewith, complementary health consultant to Boots, says Ginkgo improves blood circulation to the brain by dilating blood vessels and increasing its oxygen supply.
Ginkgo also mops up harmful compounds known as free radicals, which are thought to damage brain cells. Advised supplement dose is 120mg a day.
9 – Eat oily fish
Omega 3 fatty acids, found in oily fish, are essential components of brain cell membranes, and their role in cell structure is thought to improve the powers of memory. High concentrations of Omega 3 in the brain and nervous system not only boost learning powers and age-related memory, but also greatly enhance mood.
Omega 3 is a particularly important during foetal development, so pregnant women should have a regular supply. Good sources include fish such as sardines, salmon, herring and mackerel. Sardines are also a rich source of the nutrient choline, which is a key brain chemical associated with memory. Try to eat three portions of oily fish a week or take a supplement of 330mg three times a week.
9 – Rosemary and sage
Essential oil made from rosemary and sage can stimulate the memory, strengthen clarity and awareness and help to relieve mental fatigue. Psychologists at the University of Northumbria tested essential oils from rosemary on memory attention and mood and discovered it made volunteers feel more alter and enhanced their long-term memory by around 15%. Some studies have found that volunteers’ ability to remember lists of words improved by more than 10% if they had taken a capsule of sage oil.
10 – Take vitamin B
B vitamins deliver oxygen to the brain and provide protection against free radicals. They help to sharpen senses and boost memory. Niacin or B3 is particularly good for brain enhancement, while B6 is essential for the manufacture of neurotransmitters, especially mood-enhancing serotonin.
B12 is important for overall health of brain cells. B vitamins are also needed to help the body form acetylcholine, a key brain chemical needed for memory – Daily Mail.
I think this is the du'a in Surah Taha that you mentioned? " Then High above all be Allah, the True King. And be not in haste (O Muhammad) with the Qur'aan before it's revelation is completed to you and say: "My Lord! Increase me in knowledge {surah Taha verse 114}
i dunno bout this fish stuff and pills, (that just made me imagine a fish squeezed into a gel cap) and this is the stuff i found out about ginko biloba
Scientific Evidence:
In an assessment meta-analysis of forty clinical studies, it was reported that ginkgo was able to improve the twelve different symptoms comprising "cerebral insufficiency" (difficulties of concentration and memory, being absent-minded, being confused, lack of energy, tiredness, decrease of physical performance, depressive mood, anxiety, dizziness, tinnitus and headache). The authors caution that this evidence was largely based on self-assessment of the subjects involved, and that there is a need for a more objective system of assessment, such as computer based testing, to confirm this promising evidence
This prior study lists the three major pharmacologic features of ginkgo as being: dilatation of blood vessels and resulting increase in blood supply; antagonism of platelet aggregating factor, reducing blood clotting and reduction of membrane damage by enhanced blood flow; and reduction in oxygen free radicals.
Using the Sternberg memory scanning test, two researchers in the 1980's demonstrated a significant improvement in the memory of young, healthy, female volunteers following a single oral dose of 600mg ginkgo.
In a study of eighty-two patients with chronic refractory schizophrenia, the experimental group treated with haloperidol plus extract of ginkgo biloba realized an increase effect of the neuroleptic, especially on positive symptoms, and furthermore demonstrated some evidence of decreased side effects of the haloperidol. The authors posit that this effect may be due to the antioxidant effects of ginkgo.
A alleviation of intermittent claudication symptoms (pain free walking distance) was reported after meta-analysis of eight randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials. Authors emphasize that the effect of the ginkgo was modest, however, and of questionable clinical significance.
Dear sisters :coolsis: n Brothers:brother: , I posted this thread bcz i found it very useful, and most of the ingredients used here i heard about but haven't seen..
I thought maybe someone might be familiar with them
I read all of the replies, jazak ALLAH khairan 4 all of u. :rose:
well maybe u can explain to me what the heck soya is then??
oh and erm.. do u have a gud memory? i mean since u tried out most of these things i wud assume u did.
fi aman Allah
w'salaam
my memory is not perfect but super I need to work on it before i lose it.
soya is an ingredient in food, i am sure u probably had soya u just dont know what u eat.....lol
“If you punish, then punish with the like of that wherewith you were afflicted. But if you endure patiently, indeed it is better for the patient. Endure you patiently. Your patience is not except through the help of Allah." (al-Nahl 16:126-127)
We like being stupid? I don't know about you bother but I like being supeior
knowledge is superior
“If you punish, then punish with the like of that wherewith you were afflicted. But if you endure patiently, indeed it is better for the patient. Endure you patiently. Your patience is not except through the help of Allah." (al-Nahl 16:126-127)
Well I certainly need it cos I'm becomin a haafiz (inshallah)....
Also I have problems rememberin what rak'aat I'm In sallah also if I've read the same surah in the previous rak'aat..So I need 2 go thru all those things...No matter how painful or disgusting it may be!
my grandma of almost 90 years old can still remember phone numbers easily
her memory is just like young people ... only her eyesight got some minor problem
one of her amal is to read Quran as frequent as possible ... and of coz take care of her fardh prayers.
me ??? I dont memorize phone numbers ... just keep all of them in my cell phone
Awesome...! But something tells me Im not going to try all those
A great memory booster is Pomegranate (Rumman)...oh and Honey
Ibn Jurayj said that Az-Zuhri said, "Eat honey because it is good for the memory" from: "Healing with the medicine of the Prophet (peace be upon him)" page 296 (English version)
oh and here are four matters that sharpen mind power:
-Avoiding unnecessary speech, using Siwak, and sitting with righteous people an with the scholars. (page 354)
and Four matters which strengthen the intellect and the mind:
-When the heart is not busy (or concerned), consuming moderate amounts of food and drink, dieting on good combinations of sweets and nutritious foods and getting rid of the harmful substances in the body. (page 357)
All from: "Healing with the medicine of the Prophet (peace be upon him)"
i remember hearing/reading somewhere that the dhikr, the remebrance of Allah is also a way to gain memory......trying to find a hadeeth or any other evidence but can't lol got 2 go and take some exams lol
I had a wrestle with an alligator, i had a tussle with a whale, I handcuffed lightning, thrown thunder in jail! Only last week i murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalised a brick, im so mean i make medicine sick
"If you even dream of beating me you'd better wake up and apologise!"
kay:
What about almonds? I know we've all been told by our elders to eat them to improve our brain functions
"It will be said to the pious believers in Islamic Monotheism: 'Oh you, the one in complete rest and satisfaction! Come back to your Lord well rested and well pleased!
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