Sunday, March 27, 2011

When Memory Loss Turns Serious

by Dr. Scott Conard

We all forget things sometimes: where we parked the car, a lunch appointment or why we opened the refrigerator. When these "sometime" lapses become daily occurrences, though, that can be a sign that it's time to consult a healthcare professional. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these questions can help determine if that time has come:

Does the memory loss disrupt daily life?
If tasks that used to be routine, such as balancing a checkbook or bathing, become difficult, action should be taken.

Are lapses becoming more frequent?
It isn't normal to forget where you parked every day, or to forget appointments over and over.

What kinds of things are being forgotten?
It's fairly natural to forget the name of someone you just met, but not the name of a close friend or relative. Other potential tip-offs of trouble could be forgetting entire conversations, frequently repeating yourself or asking the same questions more than once in the same conversation.

Are there signs of confusion?
If someone gets lost in a familiar place (such as your local grocery store), or frequently puts something in an oddly incorrect location (such as car keys in the refrigerator), that could be a sign of a serious memory problem. Most members of the TriVita community won't be surprised to hear that a deficiency of Vitamin B-12 is among the major causes of memory loss. Along with stress, certain infections and sleep deprivation, the FDA cites "nutritional deficiencies" of Vitamin B-12 as one of the culprits behind faltering memory.

Of course, if you've been supplementing with Sublingual B-12, you know why you continue to make this smart health move. You may find that this amazing vitamin helps you stay upbeat and maintain a balanced mood, keep energy levels steady throughout the day, stay mentally sharp and, yes, enhance memory. If you're not among those who help "feed their brains" with B-12, I urge you to consider starting soon, for a host of reasons.

Are you at risk of B-12 deficiency?
If you're over 40, a strict vegetarian, or have thyroid, liver or kidney problems, you're at risk for B-12 deficiency. As we age, our bodies may become less able to absorb some vitamins efficiently, especially in the case of Vitamin B-12. Without enough B-12, other vitamins like folate and B-6 cannot function normally within the body.

As a doctor, I know the importance of maintaining appropriate levels of these essential vitamins, especially Vitamin B-12. That's why I applaud those who supplement their healthy diets with TriVita Sublingual B-12 products, and encourage others to see how they might benefit, too. For years, clinical evidence has been building to show that those who have a B-12 deficiency can experience symptoms caused by decreased mental and nerve functioning. These symptoms can include mental confusion and forgetfulness, mood swings and even psychotic behavior like seeing and/or hearing things.

Because of these associations, one of the first things I do when people complain of these problems is make sure they are getting enough of the essential vitamins like B-12. Unlike injections, or pills that you swallow, Sublingual B-12 dissolves under the tongue. That's the painless, easy way to make sure it gets into your bloodstream to give you maximum absorption and maximum benefit.

If you or someone you care about is showing signs of memory loss, I urge you to consult your healthcare professional to explore the options and resources available. And I also urge you to remember the research-proven benefits of B-12 supplementation. They could make a big difference in so many lives.

No comments:

Post a Comment