There are a lot of herbal supplements on the market that claim to aid with improving memory. Memory supplements and memory pills are experiencing increasing demand as rates of memory loss increase amongst the ever aging population.   

 
One of the latest developments is now to formulate memory pills by combining various herbs and vitamins.
 

Ginkgo Biloba
 

Ginkgo Biloba is a plant thought to be among the oldest living tree species. It has been used as a medicinal tool for almost 5,000 years. One published study found that ginkgo flavone glycosides, a chief component of this nutrient, effectively provides support for the brain and the central nervous system. Specifically, ginkgo biloba may enhance circulation to the brain and may also hold properties for memory and cognitive function. One main component of this nutrient, ginkgo flavone glycosides, is mostly responsible for its antioxidant activity. This component may also be responsible for its benefits for vision, cardiovascular and neurological health. Meanwhile, the other main component, terpene lactones, have been linked with increased circulation to the brain and other areas.
 

Vegetables That Improve Memory
 

A Harvard Medical School study of more than 13,000 women showed that the participants who ate relatively high amounts of vegetables over 25 years had less age-related decline in memory. Leafy green and cruciferous vegetables had the biggest effect on helping women retain their memory during the course of the study. In another study, the phytochemicals, anthocyanin and quercetin, actually reversed some of the age-related memory deficits in lab animals. So it would seem that the more overall fresh produce you eat, the better.

Cruciferous vegetables include Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and bok choy.
Leafy green vegetables include spinach, collard and mustard greens, kale and Swiss chard.
Foods high in anthocyanin include Berries (all varieties), cherries, black currents, eggplant, red, black, and purple grapes, plums, rhubarb, red onion, red apples, red/purple cabbage, and red beets.
Foods high in quercetin include all onions, kale, leeks, cherry tomato, broccoli, blueberries, black currants, elderberries, apricots, apple with skin (Red Delicious), and red, purple, and black grapes.

Folic Acid
 

Folic acid (also known as folate) seems to have a direct effect on memory. A study conducted at Tufts University in Boston showed that high blood levels of homocysteine tend to cause memory decline and its known that folic acid directly lowers homocysteine levels. Some of the best foods for folic acid include fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals, lentils, black-eyed peas, soybeans, spinach, green peas, artichokes, broccoli, wheat germ, beets and oranges.

An Australian study found that eating plenty of foods rich in folic acid was associated with faster information processing and memory recall. After just five weeks of introducing adequate folic acid into their diets, women in the study showed overall improvements in memory.

Fish and Omega-3 fatty acids.
 

A study conducted by researchers at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago followed more than 3,000 men and women for six years to see how diet affected memory. People who ate fish at least once a week had a 10 percent slower decline compared with those who did not eat fish, a difference that gave them the memory and thinking ability of a person three years younger.

Vitamins That Help Improve Memory

Large doses of vitamins C and E are believed to prevent the formation of cell-killing free radicals in the brain due to their antioxidant effect. Thiamine, Niacin and Vitamin B-6 are also good for memory.

Memory Formulas

Memory formulas contain combinations of special nutrients and herbs to help improve and maintain healthy memories. They are usually a combination of the above ingredients so you get a bit of everything.

Memory Boosting Eating Habits

Grazing, eating 5 or 6 small meals throughout the day instead of 3 large meals, also seems to improve mental functioning (including memory) by limiting dips in blood sugar, which may negatively affect the brain.

Phosphatidylserine

Some researchers endorse daily doses of the supplement phosphatidylserine (PS) as a pep pill for the brain. The supplement is thought to improve memory by rejuvenating brain cell membranes to allow information to travel between neurons more easily. Research has shown significant improvement in subjects’ abilities to remember names, as well as cognitive abilities. Thomas H. Crook III, Ph.D., founder of Psychologix (a medical research firm) and author of The Memory Cure, concluded PS prevented up to 12 years of memory decline in test patients over age 50.

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