Memory Poisons to Avoid
Saturated fats: They reduce the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain.
Stress: It creates a cascade of chemicals that kill brain cells.
Alcohol: It breaks down chemicals in the brain that are vital for communication between cells.
Caffeine: In more than moderate amounts can overexcite the brain and make concentration and learning difficult. A little caffeine is a good brain stimulus; moderate amounts work to the detriment of memory.
Emotional turmoil: When the brain's emotional centers are highly activated, concentration and learning are difficult.
Medication: Medications that sedate or calm can also slow memory and learning. Drugs known to impair memory include tricyclic antidepressants, litrium, antihypertensives, antibiotics, and analgesics.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: In very high doses, drugs like ibuprofen, that are used to reduce inflammation, have been linked to memory loss, particularly immediate word recall.
Adapted from "Brain Fitness" by Robert Goldman.
Stress: It creates a cascade of chemicals that kill brain cells.
Alcohol: It breaks down chemicals in the brain that are vital for communication between cells.
Caffeine: In more than moderate amounts can overexcite the brain and make concentration and learning difficult. A little caffeine is a good brain stimulus; moderate amounts work to the detriment of memory.
Emotional turmoil: When the brain's emotional centers are highly activated, concentration and learning are difficult.
Medication: Medications that sedate or calm can also slow memory and learning. Drugs known to impair memory include tricyclic antidepressants, litrium, antihypertensives, antibiotics, and analgesics.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: In very high doses, drugs like ibuprofen, that are used to reduce inflammation, have been linked to memory loss, particularly immediate word recall.
Adapted from "Brain Fitness" by Robert Goldman.
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