Memory, an intricate and complex function of the brain, requires millions of neurons to operate in perfect harmony. As we age, we experience memory glitches in which spontaneous memory loss occurs, such as when you can’t recall something that is at the tip of your tongue.

Aging causes neuron loss, which can impact your memory of recent events. You might forget where you left your keys or the name of a person you just met. While this is a normal slip due to aging - or even due to an overtaxed mind, there are more serious non-age related types of memory loss. One is when you forget how to do things that you’ve done many times before or are unable to learn new things. Memory loss that gets progressively worse is also serious. Possible causes of memory loss include depression, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurodegenerative brain disorders, side effects from certain drugs, stroke, trauma, and alcoholism.

If you’re experiencing less serious memory loss, like having a few more senior moments lately or you are more forgetful than usual, try these memory-improving tips and tricks. (These tips and tricks for less serious memory loss. If you think you might be experiencing a more serious kind, see your physician.)

1. Don’t forget to be aware
We do so many things automatically: We come home, we throw the keys down, we sit down on the couch, we flip on the television — and many of these actions are done without thinking. Then, the next morning, halfway out the front door, we may suddenly realize we have no idea where the keys are.

This exercise is a helpful memory device: Become aware and be observant of everything. Wherever you put your keys, be aware of it. Be conscious of every little action that you do. And as you’re doing each thing, you can reinforce it by making a mental note to yourself: “I just put my keys on the kitchen table.” When you do this on a daily basis, this will increase your ability to remember things. Sometimes it is not so much that you’re aging, it’s just that you’re too busy to pay attention.

2. Organized in life, organized in mind
When you are organized in your house, you are organized in your mind. Designate a special area for all items. If you take the tool out of the toolbox, always put the tool back in the toolbox where it belongs. Choose a space where you will collect bills or checks — and put them in the same place every time. Having this organization will not only help you remember, it will save precious memory space for you to fill with more important things.

And if you want to not forget to do certain things, make sure you write it down — list-making is another organizational device that helps your memory. Better still, do what you need to do now and don’t procrastinate, because memory is fleeting even to the most brilliant, vital person.

3. Seeing is remembering
Another trick to help you to remember things is to see them. Many people are visual and remember better with a visual reminder. If there are certain things that you need to work on, put the document out where you’re going to see it and remember to work on it. Or leave yourself a note on the breakfast table where you will be sure to see it. Keep what you need within your visual field and you won’t forget!

4. Herbal teas to remember
Many herbs and supplements have been researched and found to help improve your cognitive capabilities. Sit back and let these herbs keep your brain young and your memory sharp:

*      Green tea prevents an enzyme found in Alzheimer’s disease and is also rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that help prevent premature brain aging. Drink two cups a day to get the brain benefits.
*      The leaf of the ginkgo tree is shaped like a human brain, and some believe this is why, in Asia, it has always had a reputation of benefiting the mental processes. A dwindling memory and decreased concentration is largely caused by decreased blood flow to the brain and loss of brain cells; ginkgo has been confirmed to boost circulation to the brain and other organs, improving memory and cognitive functions. If you are taking medications, consult your doctor before taking ginkgo.
*      Western medicine has recently become aware of a nutrient extracted from Chinese club moss that helps to improve learning, memory retrieval, and memory retention. The moss, Huperzia serrata, yields a substance called Huperzine A that is similar to drugs used to control Alzheimer’s disease. The Chinese have used it to boost memory, and it is usually brewed as tea and given at a dose of one or two cups per day. Look for it in a health food store or Asian grocery. You can steep the moss itself in hot water, one teaspoon per cup, and drink as a tea, or you can take 50 mcg twice a day in capsule form. Because of its potent actions, you should only take Huperzine A under the supervision of your doctor.
*      A customized blend of Chinese herbs, featuring some of the herbs listed above, that promotes a clear and focused mind and a sharp memory is Super Clarity.

You can find more information about improving memory — and many other tips for living healthy and happy — in my book Second Spring.

I hope you find your days more memorable for many years to come! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

Problems with basic money management may serve as a sign that an older adult with mild memory impairment will soon progress to Alzheimer’s disease, researchers reported Monday.

The investigators found that among older adults with mild mental impairment, difficulty with routine financial tasks — like balancing a checkbook or using a bank statement — seemed to foretell a greater likelihood of progressing to Alzheimer’s over the next year.

People with mild mental impairments of the kind studied - known as mild cognitive impairment — typically have some memory deficits, but judgment, perception and reasoning skills that are within normal range. The condition does not always progress to Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia, but it’s been estimated that about half of older adults with mild cognitive impairment will develop dementia within five years.

It’s known that people with full-blown dementia lack the ability to manage their own finances. The new findings, published in the journal Neurology, show that such difficulties can start to become apparent in the earlier stages of cognitive impairment.

“If you’re a person who already has mild cognitive impairment and you start showing declines in financial capabilities, it suggests that you’re progressing toward dementia,” said senior researcher Dr. Daniel C. Marson, a professor of neurology and director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The study included 76 cognitively healthy older adults and 87 who had mild cognitive impairment at the outset. Of the latter group, 25 progressed to Alzheimer’s over the next year.

All participants took a test of financial management skills at the beginning and end of the study period — performing tasks like counting change, interpreting bank statements, writing checks and balancing a checkbook.

The researchers found that men and women who later progressed to Alzheimer’s generally showed poorer money management skills from the beginning, compared with both healthy adults and those who were mildly impaired but did not worsen during the study period.

Patients who progressed also showed declines in certain specific skills over the study period — including using a checkbook register to balance their accounts and navigating a bank statement to find specific information.

The memory losses of cognitive decline are often the subject of research. However, Marson told Reuters Health, “it’s these functional changes — in financial capabilities, the ability to drive a car — that in a lot of ways are the core aspects of what patients and their families are dealing with.”

He recommended that families of older adults with mild cognitive impairment try to monitor their financial transactions. That could include keeping tabs on their relative’s checking transactions or contacting the bank to detect any irregularities in payments.

Because cognitively impaired older adults are vulnerable to fraud, family members can also consider becoming a cosignatory on their relative’s checking account. That way, Marson said, checks above a certain amount would require the family member’s signature as well.

Taking these measures can be a “delicate proposition,” Marson noted — as some patients will resist it, while others may not recognize that they are having problems with money management.

He suggested that families talk with their relative’s doctor if they need help in approaching the issue.

Heightened activity in an area of the brain that deals with memory may give a subtle early warning of dementia decades later, UK research suggests.

It was known that carrying a rogue version of a gene called ApoE4 raised the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Now researchers have linked the same mutation with raised activity in an area of the brain called the hippocampus in people as young as 20.

The study appears in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

The researchers, from Oxford University and Imperial College London, believe over-activity in the hippocampus may effectively wear it out, raising the risk of dementia in later life.

They hope their work could be a first step towards developing a simple method to identify people at increased risk of developing dementia.

They could then potentially be offered early treatment and lifestyle advice.

Carrying one copy of the rogue ApoE4 gene raises the risk of Alzheimer’s by up to four times the normal, two copies by up to 10 times.

But not everyone with the rogue gene will develop the condition.

The latest study used scans to compare brain activity in 36 volunteers aged 20 to 35.

In those who carried the rogue gene activity in the hippocampus was consistently raised, even at rest.

Researcher Dr Clare Mackay said: “These are exciting first steps towards a tantalising prospect: a simple test that will be able to distinguish who will go on to develop Alzheimer’s.”

Caution urged

Dr Peter Nestor, a neuroscientist at the University of Cambridge, said: “The findings of this study are of considerable interest but should not be over-interpreted to mean that Alzheimer’s disease is already starting to develop in this young, healthy group of volunteers.

“Whether or not the differences seen in those with ApoE4 can offer a clue to what makes some brains more likely to develop Alzheimer’s is a challenge for future studies.”

Rebecca Wood, of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said the research was a “significant development”.

“It takes us a step closer to accurately predicting who will develop Alzheimer’s before any symptoms become apparent.

“However, we are not yet at that stage; those with the ApoE4 genetic variant - while at a statistically higher risk of developing the disease than others - will still not develop Alzheimer’s in most cases.

“The causes of Alzheimer’s are complex - both genetic and environmental - and if we can understand these better, we can enhance efforts to help people lower their risks.”

Professor Clive Ballard, director of research at the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “This study paves the way for further research that could help us understand how brain function in younger adults may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease later in life.”

1. Unprocessed chocolate has no sugar in it.
2. Unprocessed chocolate has very little caffeine.
3. Chocolate contains healthy omega fats and vitamins and minerals.
4. Chocolate has a powerful ingredient that stimulates the cardiovascular and muscular system.
5. Dark Chocolate is super high in antioxidants and flavonoids.
6. Chocolate contains fiber and protein.
7. Chocolate increases blood flow to the brain, preventing dementia and Alzheimers
8. Chocolate increases blood flow to the skin, giving you healthier, younger looking skin.
9. “Healthy” chocolate is safe for diabetics and actually helps regulate and stabilize blood sugar.
10. Unprocessed chocolate helps stabilize metabolism and actually helps you lose weight

So what’s the prescription for better men’s health? Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen say there are 11 things a man should eat every day –or nearly every day –to keep things running smoothly.

1. Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals that will keep your body healthy. Foods rich in magnesium like beets, raisins, dates and soybeans are especially important because they’ll keep your bowels moving regularly. Dr. Roizen says a man should eat about five handfuls of fruits and vegetables a day.

2. A man should shoot to get about 25 grams of fiber in his diet every day. You can reach this goal through foods like artichokes, lima beans, soybeans, grapefruit, certain berries and whole grains.

Dr. Oz says that eating whole grains isn’t just the latest craze — they offer multiple benefits to health, including achieving proper poop. But first you need to read the label. When you’re buying bread, make sure it says “100 percent whole grain” or “100 percent whole wheat.” If the label says something else –like “7-grain” or “multigrain” — it may not be whole grain.

One of Oprah’s favorite whole grain choices is steel cut oatmeal for its crunchy texture. To reach your goal for fiber, the USDA recommends eating at least three servings of whole grains a day.

3. You can significantly reduce your chances of getting cancer by eating foods rich in folate — you should get about 800 milligrams a day. If you don’t take it as a supplement, you can find folate in orange juice, spinach and other leafy green vegetables.

4. As well as being good for the heart, tomatoes decrease risk of arterial aging, heart disease, stroke, memory loss, impotence and wrinkling of the skin, Dr. Roizen says. And tomato-based products contain lycopene, which has been shown to fight cancer.

But to really reap the benefits, you can’t just put a few slices of an heirloom tomato in your salad. The best way to get the positive effects is by eating 10 tablespoons of tomato sauce a week. “It takes 165 raw tomatoes to equal 10 tablespoons of tomato sauce,” Dr. Roizen says. “So it’s much easier to have tomato sauce.”

Dr. Roizen adds that it doesn’t matter what kind of tomato sauce you have, “as long as it’s cooked, and you eat it with a little olive oil and a little healthy fat because it’s much better absorbed with it.”

5. Walnuts and almonds are excellent for health. And not only are walnuts and hazelnuts excellent sources of heart-healthy omega-3s, but if you eat nuts before sugars (in dishes like pasta or corn on the cob), the fat in the nuts will slow your stomach and help your body most effectively process that sugar. One thing to remember is to keep nuts refrigerated so they don’t oxidize.

6. If there’s a true magic pill could be baby aspirin. “It’s cheap and easy to take aspirin,” he says. “Aspirin has many, many helping elements. It helps your skin, it helps about anything you can imagine. It has some potential risks if people have sensitive stomachs. But for cancer, you’ve got to be on it.”

A man over 35 should take two baby aspirin –or 162.5 milligrams –every day. It can reduce his rise of arterial aging by 36 percent.

7. In recent years, there has been a lot of conflicting information about eating fish. On the one hand, fish is consistently regarded as a terrific source of low-fat protein. On the other hand, there are persistent concerns about mercury and other environmental impurities.

Dr. Roizen says you just have to remember a few great fish — tilapia, salmon, flounder, cod and mahi-mahi –especially if they are wild caught. And not only is salmon a great source of protein, it has the added health bonus of being full of omega-3s, which are important for a healthy heart. According to Dr. Roizen, you should eat a serving of these fish three times a week.

8. It is important to drink eight glasses — or about 64 ounces — of fluid every day. “It helps move the poop and gives you better hydration. It actually cuts down on wrinkles, too, because you hydrate your skin when you take it internally.”

9. Red wine has a chemical in it called rezveritrol, which is a very strong antioxidant that’s also been shown to be heart-healthy

Why red and not white? “Red wine has the material from the skins of the grapes [which provides the rezveritrol]. The white wine has that skin stripped away. So if you’re going to drink wine and you’re going to take the hit on calories, drink red wine.”

10. Coffee is actually good for you in reasonable amounts.

Coffee actually has been shown to reduce liver cancer and to be effective with — or with symptoms of — Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, Dr. Oz says. “So there are a bunch of different places where coffee can play a role. The reason it got a bad name is because it does have side effects, for example, migraine headaches and heart palpitations. But if you’re not having them, coffee is reasonable.”

Did we mention, it’s good for those bowel movements, too? Dr. Oz suggests 24 ounces of coffee a day is a rational amount for one person.

11. The calcium in milk is obviously good for bones — any man with a mother has heard that one. But the other important ingredient is vitamin D, which is a cancer-fighting agent. While your body can actually get this vital nutrient from the sun, if you live north of Los Angeles or Atlanta, you won’t get enough vitamin D in winter and you’ll need to supplement it. A glass of milk or fortified orange juice a day should do the trick.

TOFU

While usually considered a healthy choice, new research shows excess tofu consumption may increase the risk of memory loss in the elderly. A new study out of Loughborough and Oxford universities of more than 700 Indonesian people ages 52 to 98 shows that those who ate tofu at least once a day, particularly those in their 60s, had an increased risk of dementia or memory loss.

CARBOHYDRATES

If you want to stave off Alzheimer’s, consider cutting back on the carbs, says Dr. Vincent Fortanasce, author of The Anti-Alzheimer’s Prescription. Overdoing it on carbs causes your insulin to spike. In doing so you’re also causing the insulin-degrading enzyme that exists in the brain to work overtime removing insulin, rather than getting rid of beta-amyloid proteins, the toxic protein that produces Alzheimer’s disease.

HOT FLASHES

New research out of the University of Illinois at Chicago is finally confirming a link between hot flashes and poor verbal memory among women in mid life. In fact, the more hot flashes a woman has, the worse her ability to remember names and stories. A surge in the stress hormone cortisol, which usually accompanies a hot flash, is believed to be the cause.

SMOKING

Middle-aged adults who smoke appear to be at an increased risk of having poor memory, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in June. As if there weren’t enough reasons to quit already, the research also shows that long-term ex-smokers were less likely to have cognitive deficits in memory and vocabulary.

STATINS

New research out of the University of Michigan School of Public Health shows that people at high risk of dementia who took cholesterol-lowering statins were half as likely to develop dementia as those who did not take the prescription medications. One theory is that statins help lower the high insulin levels in the brain linked to Alzheimer’s.

THYROID DISORDER

Memory loss is a common symptom of an underactive thyroid, according to the May issue of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter. That’s because hormones from the thyroid help control a host of bodily functions, ranging from heart rate to mood and memory. Older people with this treatable condition may exhibit only one symptom, such as memory loss or decreasing mental function.

DEPRESSION, ANXIETY

A study published in the journal Neurology in 2007 shows that those who most often experience negative emotions, such as depression and anxiety, were 40% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment than those who were least prone. A transitional stage between normal aging and dementia, mild cognitive impairment is associated with mild memory or cognitive problems.

CHRONIC PAIN

Chronic pain not only affects a person’s ability to work, sleep and function on a daily basis, it can also impair memory. A 2007 University of Alberta study of 24 patients who had pain lasting six months or longer shows that, when tested, two-thirds showed significant disruption of attention and memory.

MARITAL STATUS

New research out of Sweden suggests for the first time that mid-life marital status is related to late-life cognitive function. A Finnish study of more than 1,400 people in mid life and then an average of 21 years later showed that those who were living with a life partner in mid life were significantly less likely to show cognitive impairment compared to all other categories–single, separated, divorced or widowed.

FISH

People who ate tuna and other fish high in omega-3 fatty acids three times or more per week had a nearly 26% lower risk of having the silent brain lesions that can cause dementia and stroke, compared to those who avoided fish, according to research appearing in the August issue of Neurology.