Garlic

According to University of Tokyo researchers, garlic extract has affects spatial memory. Mice performed better on a maze test (and had longer lives, too!) when fed aged garlic extract. (Goldman, Klatz, & Berger, 1999, p. 55)

Sugar

Concentrated glucose (sugar) can improve short-term memory and reduces age-related memory loss. Dr. Paul Gold at the University of Virginia, asked students to drink lemonade when their stomachs were empty and then to read an article. Forty-five minutes later, they were tested on how many facts they could recall from the article. The experiment was done twice. When the students were given lemonade with sugar in a subsequent trial, they remembered 30 percent more than when they were given lemonade with saccharin, a sugar substitute. (Goldman et. al., 1999, pp. 55-56).

Unsaturated Fat

The human body breaks down unsaturated fat into essential fatty acids to "feed" brain cell membranes, so that our brain can function properly (Goldman et. Al., 1999, p.56). Unsaturated fat can be found in fish oil and vegetable oil.

On the other hand, saturated fats, such as animal fat, butter, or fat from fried foods, actually slow down the process. Canadian researchers report that a diet high in saturated fat impair memory function.

You should avoid too much animal fat in your diet, because this can clog your arteries, causing Arteriosclerosis. This can be dangerous for the heart and cut down blood supply to the brain, resulting in dementia. (Kurland and Lupoff, 1999, p. 103)

Pasta

Eating pasta stimulates the production of serotonin, which in turn can improve memory . An amino acid called tryptophan helps generate more serotonin, a neurochemical that improves quick-thinking and ability to concentrate. When you eat pasta, which contains no tryptophan, your brain senses an imbalance and increases the amount of tryptophan it uses to generate serotonin. (Goldman et.al., 1999, p. 57)

Minerals

• Boron can be found in apples, peaches, pears, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, and leafy green vegetables. According to the results from the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center found that 3 milligrams a day improves alertness and learning ability.
• Magnesium, found in whole wheat, almonds, cashews, and leafy green vegetables, helps blood circulate in the brain, which undoubtedly assists mental abilities.
• Zinc, found in shellfish, beans, peas, and dark turkey meat can improve the ability to remember words and visual patterns. 12-15 milligrams a day are recommended. (Goldman et.al., 1999, p.59)

Vitamins

Vitamins are usually considered to be substances that the body needs in small amounts but cannot produce for itself. Therefore, then need to be consumed daily. Some vitamins, such as thiamin (vitamin B1) and vitamin C are vital to survival. Others are necessary to maintain good health. A well-balanced diet should ensure the minimum daily requirements for all vitamins (Kurland and Lupoff, 1999, p. 105-107).

• Vitamin B

  • Vitamin B1 - also called thiamine
    

    What it does: Converts carbohydrates - starches and sugars - into "brain food" (metabolism) (Kurland and Lupoff, 1999, p. 109)
    Found in: whole-grain cereals and breads, dried beans, dried peas, peanuts, eggs, most vegetables, lean pork, organ meats (i.e. liver) ("Thiamin.," 2000)
    Without it: Possible depression, fatigue, and insomnia (Kurland and Lupoff, 1999, p. 109)

  • Vitamin B3 - also called Niacin
    

    What it does: helps improve memory, lowers blood cholesterol
    Found in: salmon, swordfish, trout, and a few other fish, peanuts, chicken, liver
    Possible side effects: skin flushes, itching; liver damage with large doses
    

  • Vitamin B6 - also called pyridoxine
    

    What it does: produces neurotransmitters
    Found in: whole grains, sunflower seeds, brewer's yeast, some meats, most vegetables

  • Vitamin B12
    

    What it does: helps produce acetylcholine , a neurotransmitter which is needed to improve memory
    Found in: dairy products, meat, fish

• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

  What it does: As an antioxidant , it seeks and neutralizes "free radicals"-- atoms that try to combine with oxygen in the blood or tissues,-- before they can do harm.
  Found in: most vegetables, citrus fruits, red and green peppers. (Goldman, et al., p.63 )
  Without it: memory problems, inattention, fatigue
  How much: One 8 oz. glass of orange juice provides the minimum daily requirement of vitamin C. However, many nutritionists will recommend a supplement of 200-500 mg a day.
  Notes: It has not been proven that increased amounts of vitamin C will improve memory. Although our human bodies cannot make our own Vitamin C, all mammals except primates and guinea pigs make their own Vitamin C internally.(Kurland and Lupoff, 1999, p. 107).
  

• Vitamin E (tocopherol)

  What it does: An antioxidant, vitamin E also ends dangerous chain reactions of oxidation in body tissues by seeking out and neutralizing free radicals.
  Notes: Vitamin E is thought to aid in the prevention of heart disease, Alzheimer's Disease, and several other diseases.
  Found in: green vegetables, vegetable oils, and eggs.

• Folic Acid (folate)

  What it does: helps produce catecholamines, a specific class of neurotransmitters.
  Found in: whole grains, black-eyed peas, beans, and broccoli
  Without it: Anxiety, depression, and trouble concentrating can be a problem
  Notes: Folic acid can also help lessen memory loss and fuzzy thinking. Women who plan to get pregnant may take Folic acid to prevent brain and spinal cord defects in the baby.

Water

Water is important for the body's health. Dehydration, or lack of water, can cause confusion and memory impairment. (Cardoso, 2000.p.2) Insufficient water intake can cause a drop in blood volume, with the result that enough nutrients reach the brain.

Commonly taught in elementary school that either 2 quarts (1.89 liters) of water daily are a recommended amount, individual needs for water vary.

Yet, most people do not enough water daily. If everyone were to have enough clean water to drink, we would all recognize and remember its many benefits. Average consumption in the U.S. exceeds daily needs. However, the people aren't drinking enough, but are using it for other purposes! Most of the world's population does not have access to enough clean water for daily health needs. This is bound to be a disadvantage to their memory functioning.

Because of her chronic fatigue syndrome and food allergies, Emilie's memory is affected by many of these nutritional factors. For example, she needs to drink at least six liters of water a day and take several dietary supplements just to meet minimum recommended levels.