Can Fish Oil Improve Your Memory?
Sometimes a cup of hot chocolate is just the thing to counter the effects of a cold winter day. I don't drink it very often, but I just love it and it always perks up my mood.
I used to get the same feeling when I would see my exam scores, back in medical school. But once you knew where you stood, you just found the nearest bed and passed out. This is completely different. You drink the hot chocolate, and then get motivated to get something accomplished.
I was reading my local paper yesterday when I came across a story that piqued my interest. Strange how you can sometimes find interesting news items in local rather than national newspapers.
I read about a a competition called the USA National Memory Championship, which was started in 1997 by Tony Dottino, who runs the Dottino Consulting Group. The article detailed the ways in which the consulting group was able to apply neuroscientific concepts to business applications. The conclusion was that most people do not comprehend the astonishing things that their brains have the potential to achieve.
As Tony's group presented their findings to people they consulted with, he was surprised to discover that most people really did not want to address the subject at all, particularly if the topic was about memory.
Their number one concern: That as you get older, you'll lose your memory.
Tony and his group were determined to get their message out: "Brains are like muscles -- they need exercise. When you exercise your brain it gets stronger, no matter what your age."
Tony had a friend named Tony Buzan, who ran a competition in a English pub where patrons were pitted against each other to test their memories.
The partnership between Tony Dottino and Tony Buzan resulted in the creation of the USA Memory Championship.
So what's Chester's secret?
Just wait and I'll tell you.
Contestants in the Memory Championship compete in events like this:
1. Memorization of 99 names and faces
2. They are required to memorize the order of a shuffled deck of cards.
3. Poetry
4. They must memorize numbers that are given out very fast.
5. They are required to memorize 1000 random numbers or a list of 500 words.
Hell...I was humbled by just the list.
Chester is the defending National Memory Champion, and has competed for the last seven years.
Chester does 3 hours a day of memory exercises, and he also takes fish oil, which he swears enhances the functioning of his brain. He also takes a B-complex vitamin, which he believes goes a long way towards enhancing his concentration.
So why does fish oil improve Chester's memory? The brain consists of at least 30% DHA, which is one of the omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish oil. DHA enhances brain power and helps maintain brain cell membranes. So we can't be too surprised to learn that Chester counts on fish oil to help him improve his memory.
If you eat a proper diet, get a good amount of physical exercise and take a daily dose of high-grade fish oil, your brain will reward you by working at an optimal level, just like Chester's. Taking pharmaceutical-grade, ultra-pure fish oil manufactured from fish that are taken from the clean arctic waters of Norway will most definitely give a boost to your brain.
The prime health concern of Baby Boomers is the possibility of developing Alzheimer's and experiencing memory loss. To alleviate their anxiety, Baby Boomers should be eating right, exercising consistently, and of course, taking a pharmaceutical-grade fish oil. These lifestyle choices can greatly assist in keeping their minds clear and focused as they age.
So while we may not win the National Memory Championship, we have an excellent chance of remembering where our car is parked in the shopping mall.