Forgetfulness

Something’s wrong! What’s wrong?

• When overworked and stressed individuals suffer from increasing forgetfulness at a young age.
• When overexertion leads to lack of concentration, sometimes even to apathy.
• When “stress dementia” develops due to long-term stress and overwork.
• When the capacity for remembering decreases with advanced age and dementia is to be prevented.

Human life expectancy is continuously increasing thanks to our outstanding medical care. Healthy ageing requires people taking responsibility for their lifestyle.

Forgetfulness increases with age

Occasional forgetfulness is familiar to everyone and entirely normal to a certain extent, especially as we get older. Even young people forget things every now and then. Forgetfulness is not an ex-clusively negative phenomenon, but also an essential function to protect our brain from being flooded with stimuli.

The brain reaches its maximum performance at around 30 years of age. Memory functions gradu-ally decline after than. Just like worn intervertebral discs, forgetfulness is therefore part of the normal ageing process.

The normal breakdown of cell structures begins around the age of 50. Forgetfulness can increase over time. Prevention is essential at an early age with a nutritious diet as well as a healthy work-life balance.

One can also do memory exercises and retain information longer, for instance by using mnemonics. Normal forgetfulness that comes with age is generally differentiated from abnormal forgetfulness, also known as dementia. However, the forgetfulness of old age may also be a precursor to the on-set of dementia.

• “Training” the brain is therefore important. That means staying mentally active by reading and with mental exercises. Crossword puzzles keep the brain cells humming.
• Maintain social contacts and take part in social activities. Contact with other people is im-portant.
• A balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, low in fat and sugar, is vital as well.
• Regular physical exercise improves circulation in the brain and therefore the oxygen and nutrient supply to the brain cells.
• Drink water – hydration is essential! The brain is very sensitive to a lack of fluids, especially water. Not drinking enough leads to dehydration. That has fatal consequences over time: In case of illness and for older people, a low supply of fluids leads to confusion or memory problems.

• Be sure to get enough sleep and try to keep stress as low as possible in daily life.
• Plant remedies such as ginkgo preparations can sometimes improve memory in case of mi-nor forgetfulness due to age.
• Cosmetics containing aluminium should also be avoided, especially deodorant, and alumini-um foil should not be used with high-acid foods. There are indications and statements from reputable scientists that aluminium compounds may play a certain role in the onset of for-getfulness.
• A healthy, active life as you age can also be promoted by Schuessler salts.

Mental decline and the accompanying forgetfulness can be counteracted with a healthy and men-tally active lifestyle.