“What Can I Do For Short Term Memory Loss?”

“I am 30 years old and my memory seems to have noticeably deteriorated over the last couple years. I played rugby growing up and I competed in amateur kickboxing and MMA as an adult. What do you think I should do?”

I can only speak in generalities. Every person with memory loss will have different causes and underlying factors.

First it may be due to past concussions, it may be due to something else, or a combination of those things.

The above is very important because you can not assume your memory loss is from past concussions. It very well may be but it can be something else that could be very serious.

Here are a few things to give a better perspective on how to move forward and reduce your risks of a very serious problem.

Getting evaluated by a healthcare practitioner that understands:

• the brain – not only understanding pathology like a stroke or tumor but also really understanding function,
• memory (specifically),
• how to evaluate different regions of the brain/nervous system – starting with a full history and examination followed by appropriate imaging, labs, and testing as necessary,
• underlying metabolic factors – anything that reduces energy production is a problem that needs to be improved. For example, blood sugar/insulin abnormalities (even beyond diabetes), various anemias, various breathing problems, underlying inflammatory problems and autoimmunity (low thyroid as a prime example – but any) are all critically important among others. This is absolutely critical that the metabolic abnormalities be improved if present and it’s not always immediately evident.
• Sometimes medications or drugs can be causing the problem. You can read the product information if it’s a prescription medication. If it’s an illegal drug then I would highly recommend developing a plan to stop using it.
• Optimizing ALL lifestyle factors is important – diet, exercise, sleep, stress reduction, and socialization among others.
• Neuro-degenerative changes can be occurring in people due to neuroinflammation, abnormal immune activation, metabolic problems, and more.
• Early intervention is MUCH better than late.
• Appropriate neuro-rehabilitation by a doctor that understands the above might be appropriate to build better connections in the brain.

Some general recommendations assuming that there are no other significant problems.

It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway – try to avoid any additional head trauma!

Diet is very important. A ketogenic diet specifically is a fantastic way to improve metabolic factors and reduce inflammation in the brain (and the body).

Certain supplements may very well be appropriate although it would vary from person to person.

Read Dale Brednesen’s books – especially The End Of Alzheimer’s.

No, I’m not saying you have Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s does begin symptomatically with memory loss so the information is relevant for brain health – not just dementia.

Take memory loss very seriously. Try to address the underlying problems. You can not just take some magic supplement and think you’re good.