Writing samples | Fair Lady Magazine Natural Health Supplement

July 2001 (57 000 words), I wrote the entire supplement, which included roughly 60 ailments. Below is a sample.

MEMORY PROBLEMS

Memory loss becomes a vicious cycle. You lose confidence in your ability to remember and you forget more and more things. If you fear you have early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, this cycle is all the more vicious. The likelihood, unless you are older, is very small. A brain injury or traumatic event usually causes amnesia, which can be permanent or temporary. The amnesiac usually has loss of access to things they used to know, sometimes simple things, such as how to use a knife and fork.

However, your memory should stay alert well into your nineties under normal circumstances. The more likely cause for memory loss, or forgetfulness, is that nutrients are not getting to the brain. This can be caused by, among other things, blood thickened by cholesterol, the action of free radicals in the brain, alcoholism, metal poisoning, drugs, blood sugar levels, allergies, stress and thyroid or circulation problems. Another possible reason why memory fails is 'attitude'. The incentive to remember things changes as you age and you may just be remembering different things to when you were younger because of the change in your perception of what is important.

Aluminium

Although there is no clear link between aluminium and memory loss or Alzheimer's disease, abnormal levels of aluminium have been found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

Aluminium is one of the most common metals and because it is found in water and soil, it can infiltrate into our food. In addition to this we cook and store our food in aluminium. Fortunately, a 'blood-brain' barrier normally prevents harmful substances from entering our bodies and aluminium is routinely excreted from the body. Research has not been able to establish whether or not we should be worried about aluminium, but it may be worth a change in cooking habits if you are experiencing memory loss. You may find it works for you. Baking powder, beer, teas and antiperspirants are some of the places where aluminium 'hides'.

Conventional treatment approach

Focus your attention when you are trying to remember something, a lack of concentration may be your problem. Don't compare your memory to impossible standards, ordinarily only seven things can be retained in the short-term memory for a minute or so. Repetition moves the information to the long-term memory. If you have hooks or a framework of association into which you put a specific new piece of information you can improve your retention. An example of this may be the name of a new baby added to your extended family. Make it a conscious process to build up several associations. Keep your mind active by reading and doing memory exercises. Have your hair tested for metals, you may have lead or aluminium poisoning.

Herbal treatment approach

Ginkgo biloba can be used to slow the progress of Alzheimer's disease, but Alzheimer's cannot be cured. It is important to get this herb from your local health store and not to use it directly from the plant, it contains potent substances that cause allergic reactions. Ginkgo biloba increases blood flow to the brain and may have an antioxidant effect. This means that it removes free radicals from the blood. Free radicals are harmful and unstable oxygen molecules that are produced in the body. Blue cohosh, anise, ginseng and rosemary also improve brain function, but don't take ginseng if you have a high blood pressure condition. Rosemary stimulates circulation and sends more blood to the head, drink a tea made from the leaves three times a day. Don't overdo it, taken in large doses, rosemary can be poisonous. Don't use it at all if you are pregnant.

Nutrition treatment approach

Avoid dairy and wheat products for a month. If your memory does improve, add them back into your diet one at a time to eliminate the one that is affecting your memory. You should cut out refined sugars or at least reduce the amount you eat, they have a negative effect on the brain. Don't cut out other forms of sugar, the brain needs sugar to function. Antioxidants control the free radicals that can cause damage to your brain. Increase your intake of Vitamin C, A, B and E, these may help your memory improve. To get these vitamins into your diet, eat fresh fruits, broccoli, peanuts, soya, eggs, milk, butter and alfalfa. The amino acids found in low fat protein are also vital to brain functioning. Choline, made by the body from lecithin, smoothes the passage of an impulse along a nerve. Foods that contain high levels of lecithin are soya, maize, egg yolks and liver.

When to approach your doctor

Any change in your memory, that you don't feel is a result of an attitude change or a lack of application on your part, should be investigated by a doctor.

Fillers

• Two hormones, which can be taken in supplement form, and which may be helpful, are DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) and HGH (human growth hormone).
• Did you know that short-term memory works better early in the day and long-term memory later in the day?
• Research hints that iron supplements taken in adolescence can increase the memory capacity.
• The most well-researched nutrient-of-the-moment is a brain fat: Phosphatidylserine (PS). It is found in very small amounts in commercial lecithin and organ meat, but has recently been reformulated as a supplement. It is reported to be very useful to memory function in general, and Alzheimer's in particular. It improves the ability of brain cell membranes to absorb nutrients and facilitates the brain nerve impulses.

© MIMS 2006

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