Did You Know… that a traditional herbal treatment can forestall…and reverse…memory loss?
If you are concerned about your memory, an obscure herb called bacopa (botanical name Bacopa monnieri) may be the answer. Bacopa has been used by Ayurvedic practitioners to enhance memory, learning, and concentration for generations.
As the baby boomer population enters old age, finding remedies for age-related memory loss has become a pressing priority. In the last decade, a number of scientific studies verified Ayurvedic claims about bacopa’s memory-enhancing powers. This herb is a valuable tool for those seeking to ward off—or turn back—memory loss.
Is Age-Related Memory Loss Inevitable?
It’s common to joke about “senior moments” as a natural side-effect of aging, but when forgetfulness impedes daily activities, action must be taken. Such noticeable memory loss is not natural to growing older and in fact it can, if left untreated, lead to more serious problems, including dementia!
Potential warning signs can be subtle, and require regular interaction to observe, such as…
- Inability to perform routine tasks, such as paying bills
- Neglect of personal hygiene
- Difficulty navigating familiar places, such as the immediate neighborhood
- Repetition of phrases and questions in the same conversation
- Impaired decision making skills
- Displaying inappropriate behaviors in social situations
- Failure to recall recent events
- Misuse or garbling of words
We are not all predestined to live with foggy memories. Nature provides safe… effective… proven ways to retain and improve your memory, no matter what your age.
Research Shows You Can Say Bonjour to Bacopa, and Farewell to Fogginess
A study published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry in 2006 found bacopa can significantly improve memory. For the double-blind, randomized study, test subjects with age-associated memory impairment (AAMI) took either 125 milligrams of bacopa or a placebo control. Prior to participating in the study, subjects reported difficulties such as…
- Memory loss in everyday activities
- Inability remembering names of individuals following introduction
- Misplacing objects
- Impaired memory of telephone numbers
A series of cognitive function tests were administered over the course of the study to monitor subjects’ memory capacity. Both groups performed better on the tests—but the group given the bacopa showed significantly greater improvement. The researchers concluded that bacopa improves mental control and logical memory, and is an effective treatment for memory impairment associated with age.
A separate study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology delved into the mechanism behind bacopa’s ability to sustain and enhance cognitive capacity. The study showed bacopa suppressed oxidative stress—a destructive process linked to Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
The authors wrote that the antioxidants found in bacopa protect neurons in the brain from beta-amyloid-induced cell death. Bacopa’s neuroprotective capabilities make it an ideal candidate for preventing and potentially reversing age-related memory loss.
It’s important to note that bacopa takes time to work. Shorter studies consistently document lessened effects… or sometimes, none at all. But longer studies that rely on multiple measurements show that bacopa’s improvements actually amplify over time. Typically, measurements taken at 8-12 weeks show the true potency of bacopa. Most health practitioners advise beginning with a 225 milligram dose of bacopa taken three times a day. To determine your ideal dosage, you will want to seek out a qualified herbalist. Ayurvedic tradition holds that bacopa be consumed with ghee, a type of animal fat. This is because bacopa is fat-soluble, and requires a lipid transporter to be best absorbed. If you’re averse to adding ghee to your diet, experts say you can simply take your bacopa supplement with a meal containing some sort of fat to receive its full benefits. |
