Your memory gives you the ability to store information and events for later recollection. It is the cognitive procedure where your past, or things, people and actions from it are remembered.

Your ability for concentration allows you to focus on one item or thought without being distracted for a particular period of time.

When you experience memory loss you forget things that under normal circumstances you would automatically and easily recall

Problems can occur at any age, although due to increased fragility and vulnerability in age, the over 40s, and especially the over 60s show more severe symptoms if not prevented or treated by nutritional rebalancing.

Symptoms of alertness, orientation, memory and attention may seem to malfunction or become more difficult to perform with security.

There are 2 main types of memory: Short-term memory and Long-term memory.

• Short-term memory involves recalling details that have happened or been given to you only very recently. Such details may include telephone numbers, names, or perhaps a shopping list.
  
  The things you learn initially in your short-term memory have to somehow convert to long-term memory information in order for long-term memory to be made possible.
• Long-term memory recalls experiences from further in your past. Events when you were a child for example, what you did on a particular date, things you learned to do years ago…

There are also different types of long-term memory: Semantic, Episodic and Procedural.

• Semantic memory relates to facts you have memorized, e.g. names and places.
• Episodic memory relates to different experiences you have had.
• Procedural memory relates to your learning, e.g. how you drive or swim.

Memory also has 3 procedural steps: Acquisition, Consolidation and Retrieval.

• Acquisition - before information can be recalled it must first be learned and stored. Once acquired is stored in the nerve-cell pathways of the brain, otherwise known as your short-term memory.
• Consolidation - nerve pathways are strengthened and reinforced creating a more permanent memory ‘file’. This process is where your short-term memory becomes your long-term memory, your long-term storage of information.
• Retrieval – information is recalled from those reinforced nerve pathways, your long-term memory.

Memory loss, deficiency and dementia

Memory and concentration problems are common with age, including difficulties in focussing and in maintaining attention. It becomes hard to ignore outside interference or noise and tricky to make sense of what you are reading, watching or doing.

Some problems are more serious than others. People with more serious memory lapses may be suffering from one of a series of conditions of the brain known as dementia, e.g. Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia affects your ability to carry out normal and usually easy daily activities.

A memory problem is serious when it affects your daily living and tasks you have performed a million times before that now seem more difficult or require more thought.

• On average 1 out of every 10 people has a serious memory problem
• An estimated 4.5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease
• 11-16 million Americans will be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease by 2050
• 43 - 70% of people with MS are affected with various cognitive problems.

Chemical imbalance in your body, nutritional deficiency through diet and system malfunction, and environmental and food pollutants are the most significant causes of problems with memory and concentration.

As well as a less than optimal diet, medical conditions such as those listed below can produce imbalance and deficiency:

• Alzheimer's disease and dementia
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stroke
• Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Toxicities
• Hypothyroidism
• Menopause
• Candida infection
• Fatigue
• Sleep problems
• Stress.

Other contributors include:

• Aging
• Barbiturates and other prescription medications, including high-dose steroid abuse and general medication side effects or drug interactions
• Deficiency or low body levels of vitamins, including:
• Thiamine deficiency
• Deficiency of niacin, which is vitamin B3
• Low serum folate
• Chronic exposure to metals, such as lead or mercury, and to dyes, such as aniline
• Alcohol abuse
• Heat
• External distractions.

Medications can also contribute:

Side effects of various medications, including those from the following drugs and toxins, are some other causes of memory and concentration loss:

• Psychotropic drugs
• Tranquilizers
• Hypnotics
• Benzodiazepines
• Alcohol
• Sedatives
• Anxiolytics.

If you have simple memory loss that happens only once in a while then this is usually nothing to worry about and doesn’t normally require further investigation or treatment.

If memory loss is more severe and progressive however it is wise to investigate why this is happening. In severe cases conditions like Alzheimer's disease must be considered.

To determine if other medical conditions are present or responsible tests may be requested. These may include:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Memory testing EEG (electroencephalogram) to measure brain waves
• ECG (electrocardiogram) to measure electrical heart activity

A thorough physical, neurological and psychiatric evaluation should be covered and a complete medical history taken, including any prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking, your diet, past medical problems and general health.

Basic signs that are more than the occasional normal lapse in concentration is occurring can include any of the following:

• If you have difficulty performing normal everyday tasks
• If you misplace things frequently
• If you find it difficult to hold or follow a conversation without your mind wondering
• If your behaviour changes noticeably, with irritability, tiredness or aggression.
• Dementia signs and symptoms

In dementia changes in brain function occur through chemical imbalance, usually caused by nutritional deficiency or overload.

Symptoms include asking the same questions over and over, becoming disorientated in familiar places, being unable to follow instructions, losing time and date, forgetting people and places and neglecting personal safety, hygiene and nutrition.

Medical conditions may also cause symptoms like those seem in dementia. These can include a high fever, regular dehydration, vitamin deficiency or poor nutrition and bad reactions to medicines or problems with the thyroid gland.

Like most ‘diseases’ the longer treatment is delayed or preventative measures postponed, the harder it is to successfully combat the condition.

Conventional medicine uses prescription drugs to stem the symptoms of memory loss.

Commonly used drugs include:

Tacrine (Cognex)

It works by slowing the progression of memory loss by increasing levels of neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Due to potential side effects regular blood tests may need to be performed to ensure correct liver function. It is also known that many people are unable to take the maximum dose due to the discomfort of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, drowsiness, muscle cramps, heartburn, muscle aches, loss of appetite and loss of balance.

Donepezil (Aricept)

Works by raising the level of the chemical acetylcholine in the brain, slowing progression of some types of dementia. Side effects include gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness and drowsiness.

Rivastigmine (Exelon) and Galantamine (Reminyl)

Both work by increasing the levels of acetylcholine in the brain. Side effects include gastrointestinal discomfort, abdominal pain, anxiety, aggression, confusion, constipation, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, fainting, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, gas, headache, high blood pressure, increased sweating, indigestion, inflamed nasal passages, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, tremor, urinary infection, vomiting, weakness and weight loss.

Memantine (Akatinol)

An NMDA(N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor agent promoting nerve cell viability. Only having had limited trials, but with known side effects of restlessness, insomnia and nervous energy.

Selegiline (Eldepryl)

Raises the levels of certain neurochemicals and promotes nerve cell viability. Side effects of Selegiline include allergic reaction, headache, irritability, sweating, constipation and/or diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, insomnia and anxiety.

A balanced diet, exercise, mental stimulation and high quality daily nutrition will help you to maintain overall good health and protect yourself against risks of memory and brain malfunction.

A diet high in antioxidant-rich foods and adequate daily exercise have most beneficial effects on your brain and memory and show significant improvements in your reaction times and concentration.

Also, scientists now recognise the importance of mental ‘exercise’. The old adage ‘if you don’t use it you will lose it’ applies equally to the brain and mind.

World experts agree that the below individual ingredients show promising effects on memory and brain enhancement… 
 

.…along with important vitamins.
 

.…and herbal extracts....
 

Although you may gain some benefit from these ingredients individually, they cannot reach their full potential in the true meaning of prevention and/or curative terms unless combined in a formula that can balance them synergistically, with each ingredient complementing and enhancing the other’s abilities. Being able to do this naturally without the side effects of conventional medicine would be a bonus.

Xtend-Life has successfully developed such an advanced formula and has named it Neuro-Natural Memory. Not only will it help to protect you against brain cell degeneration and memory loss, but it will also help to improve your concentration levels enabling you to reach your full mental potential.

Xtend-Life Neuro-Natural Memory has been designed for both young and old. When young you can improve clarity and speed of thinking. When elderly, suffering any form of dementia, or simply having slight memory lapses Xtend-Life Neuro-Natural Memory can help.

For the first time ever it is now possible to 'feed' your brain with potent, balanced nutrients. Xtend-Life Neuro-Natural Memory is detailed in our recommended natural protocol.

Xtend-Life Neuro-Natural Memory is recommended in conjunction with a healthy balanced lifestyle, with plenty of mental stimulation and adequate physical exercise:
 

NB: Please note that we develop our formulas in a way that minimizes possibilities of interaction. However, as with all natural supplements there is still potential for ingredients to interact with prescription drugs. You are advised to either check with your physician or Contact Us with details of your medicines so that we can check our databases for potential problems. Please also check our legal notices found in About Us.