Anyone here use supplements for memory or focus?

NOTE: MODS, I'M NOT LOOKING FOR MEDICAL ADVICE, JUST ANECDOTAL EXPERIENCES FROM DUers WHO MAY USE SUCH SUPPLEMENTS. IF THIS IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE THREAD, HOWEVER, PLEASE LOCK. Thanks.

Anyway, I have been having the hardest time focusing on things, or concentrating for very long. I think a lot of it may have to do with going through menopause, and thought I'd try some of the supplements that are supposed to help with memory/concentration/focus. Just wondered if anyone here has used them, or is using them, for whatever reason, and how they worked, or didn't work, for you.

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Fresh Bee Pollen Often referred to as natures perfect food. With 96 known nutrients, it is a rich dietary source of zinc, calcium, magnesium and iron. It can energize you, give you a sense of well being, increase your intellectual capacity and close any nutritional gaps in your diet

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I'm somewhat familiar with the qualities of bee pollen, and with Royal Jelly, but didn't know about the imported v domestic types, so I appreciate the information very much.

I think b complex may help, too.


Heya, doll! :hug:

Thanks, u4ic!

:hug:

I find that if I write it down it gets done. If I don't, it doesn't.

(I'm only half teasing)

which is very helpful. It also has Snake and Space Invaders, which somehow cancel out the "to do list" function.

Mine doesn't have any games on it, but it does have a calendar function where I can record things on it. I don't use it though; I write things down in my Day Timer.

Problem I have is focusing long enough to get the stuff done.

I agree, though, if I don't write it down, it often doesn't get done, because I FORGET to do it! :blush:

A good stack of these might work wonders for you (and yes, science backs both).

What is AKG?

I assume one can find them either at a grocery store or at a natural foods store?

I'm not interested in this getting deleted (my past experience).

Don't take it from me, though. Google, then ask your doctor about it. I'll be happy to provide links, etc off-list.

:hi:

what was the question?

:spray:

I keed, I keed! :rofl:

:rofl:

you sure this is a good idea?... :shrug:


:evilgrin: :rofl:

:rofl:

:7


What? I don't know why there's an elephant and a circus tent in your back yard... *screams to leftofthedial* I think she's on to us! Run for it!! :yoiks:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

That has done wonders for my mood and mental faculties.

I now what Omega 3 is, but not sure what DHA is.

And thanks, btw!

Kinda important, I found out. It's naturally deficient in our diets. You can get it in Vitamin E supplements, but the concentration of DHA in other supplements, like cod liver oil, is much higher. And if you've been deficient in it for a long time, you'd probably be better off getting a big bottle of cod liver oil (I prefer Nordic Naturals brand because they have made an effort to scour as much mercury out of their products as possible and mercury toxicity is bad news, especially for brain function, memory function, sexual function, etc.) and using it daily.

Other things I'm doing lately to improve brain health by the by, include a so-called heavy metal cleansing process, because, among other issues, I still have those bad kind of fillings with mercury in 'em. I can't make arrangements to have them yanked yet, so I'll just be trying to get the mercury/heavy metals out of my body in other ways first.

I'd talk to you docs about all this before taking any supps, of course, especially because it's possible to get too much of things like Vitamin E (which you don't want, as it can create blood clotting issues). I definitely wouldn't be screwing around with ginko billoba or ginseng or other herbs that people pop like candy these days without even thinking about it a lot of the time. Ginko and ginseng are both on my herbal "no nos" list from my docs because they caused estrogen fluctuations which messed up my blood pressure. Many herbs in the same families can do that, even in the allegedly "harmless" amounts they are sold in OTC. I'd think you'd want to be particularly careful to avoid the use of supplements that could cause or exacerbate hormone issues if you are peri-menopausal or menopausal.

But yeah, DHA. If you can make sure how to get enough of it in the right amount for you, it could be helpful for the memory stuff.

As I said, I'm mostly wanting to gather info right now from people's experiences with different things. I will see my doc next month, and can talk to her about this, what has been recommended here, and what she might recommend. Fortunately, she is big on going the natural route if at all possible, but at the same time, she doesn't buy into the "if it's natural, it has to be good" meme either, as she knows that too much of anything, or the wrong thing, even if natural, is not good.

everything listed on this thread i have tried in vain, sorry

the AKG and Rhodiola Rosea stack as I suggested. I'd also like to know if you were taking anything else with it, or if you had changed your diet at/around the same time.

Thanks.

if you don't know what you're talking about, stop talking

"i have in the past, they don't work

everything listed on this thread i have tried in vain, sorry"

Please back up what you said.

I'll take "I know a shitpile more than you do about what I'm talking about for $1,000, Alex."

if you don't know what you're talking about, stop talking

It's not necessary. Thanks.

My sister reached point where menopause discomfort was messin with quality of life. So many night sweats that she was becoming quite accident prone do to sleep loss.

Goes to a new GYN, has all that paperwork & medical history/symptoms to fill out. Gets into examination room to meet the doctor. He looks at her history and symptom check-list. Asks her if she is noticing any memory problems.

"Oh, yes! In fact, out in the waiting room, filling out your forms, I had to pull my drivers' license out of my purse to fill in the spot for my address!"

Memory does seem to have some surprises when menopause comes along. But I wonder how much might be due to poor sleep when some many annoyances mess up our rest.


edited for typo

Totally kidding.

:spank:

:rofl:

didnt work..

That's one thing I was thinking about trying. I suppose it may work for some, and not for others. Appreciate your comment.

and E... Dont forget calcium <with vit. d> since you mentioned menopause upthread..

Other then that, I donno.. :shrug:

Our old friend Ritalin. It's picked up a bad reputation courtesy of overprescription among rambunctious anklebiters, but the stuff actually does work. It has some side effects, both positive (it's a hell of an appetite supressant) and negative (sleep disruption, wear-off headaches).

Another of my menopausal symptoms is a screwed up sleep pattern.

Well, as a 40 y/o male, I can't speak to the menopausal angle, but when I took Ritalin, my doc also prescribed a sleep aid in case there were any problems. In my case, it really didn't cause a problem. With some folks, it helps to have a scrip for something like trazadone or ambien.

For a brief period, I used Concerta, which is the osmotic release form of methylphenidate. It works much better, and avoids a lot of "crash" and lingering effects. Unfortunately, it costs a small fortune (something like $90 a month), while generic ritalin goes for 15 bucks.

keeps your mind sharp, improves memory and reflex. Helps with language skills too. hint: in some papers they get harder as the week goes bye, Foregt finishing the Friday NYTimes

It's pretty well known that doing things like crossword puzzles, memory games, and many other activities that require focus and such can really help keep one's mind sharp.

.... I still think the heroin route is better.

:)

No making fun of this old lady! :rofl:

actually proven to support brain function, and increase the effectiveness of psychoactive medications. helps your cholesterol levels, also. take a good multi with it, as it uses up several vitamins. Q10 has been proven to work well with this, also. part of my daily handful o' pills.

:hi:

I'm not sure if it's a placebo effect or not; but my brain seems to be less scattered since I started using them.

I've heard lots of good things about Omega 3s.

Brain fog was a major problem for me prior to takng them.

install a lighthouse in my head! :crazy:

makes my brain run better. No pauses trying to think of answers. Everything runs top speed.

Another one to add to the list of things to look up and discuss with my doc. Appreciate it!

anecdotal evidence. It may be possible to get all the amino acids you need from the foods you eat. I take a large tablet that has 18 amino acids in it, and could be that one or all of them may be required for proper brain function. All I know is that if I take one every day, I am never at a loss of words in conversations, and composing letters or e-mail is much easier. I have no explanation why, I just know it works for me. One of them in the pill is l-phenylalamine, which is possibly harmful for phenylketonurics (the same warning appears on packets of Equal and diet sodas which contain NutraSweet). Strangely, I can't use Equal or NutraSweet, because it gives me headaches. But I have no problems with taking the amino acid supplement.

...those...ah..

:spray:

Just get a little peeved at all the high-octane drinks out there for energy. Instead of some Gurana and god knows what breed of Ginseng and what all else, why not try a bed and a pillow? :shrug:

along with Cognitex from Life Extension. Loaded with nutrients for the brain. I have noticed quite a difference when I take the Cognitex regularly - in alertness, focus, and memory.

http://www.lef.org/newshop/items/item00922.html

I'll look into it.

I cant remember if I take them or not..........:shrug: :shrug: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :hi:

Also, please insist on a thyroid screening with your doctor and don't let your doc brush you off due to stress or menopause. Ask for a copy of the results even if he/she says they are normal and go online with them. You may be surprised.

http://thyroid.about.com/

My best friend bought a bottle of some sort of herbal memory supplement. I have no idea if they work because he can't for the life of him remember where he put them. :P

They increase intelligence by +3, as well as perception but they are highly addictive

(Fake prize for anyone who know what I'm talking about)

They're ALWAYS telling me what I haven't done lately.......