The 4 best vitamins for memory

Memory: a complex cerebral mechanism

Memory is a complex cerebral mechanism composed of 5 interconnected systems : working memory, semantic memory, episodic memory, procedural memory and perceptual memory (1).

There is no one site for memory in the brain: different parts are activated and interact depending on the type of memory mobilised. Thus the hippocampus, frontal lobe, left and right prefrontal cortices, parietal and temporal lobes and cerebellum are all involved in some capacity in storing and retrieving memories.

However, all these mechanisms depend on synaptic plasticity – the ability of synapses to modify the strength of their connections in response to neuronal activity.

The problem is that as we age, synaptic plasticity diminishes. Not only that but over time, and under the effects of certain lifestyle factors, biochemical processes and neuronal health become compromised by oxidative stress.

Key elements for maintaining your memory

For optimal memory support, it’s essential to get enough sleep, take regular exercise, engage in brain exercises for mental stimulation, and eat a balanced diet. There are also certain vitamins which seem to offer particular benefits in terms of memory.

The 4 best vitamins for the memory and brain

B vitamins and memory

The first such nutrients are the B vitamins. UK scientists have shown that supplementing with B vitamins (specifically B6, B9 and B12) lowers homocysteine levels (3). Blood levels of this sulphur-containing amino acid can rise dangerously with age or in cases of deficiency.

Referred to as hyperhomocysteinaemia, this causes glutathione levels to fall, further exposing the brain to oxidative stress. Having a high homocysteine level is a risk factor for the development of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

In addition, several B vitamins are thought to benefit memory by supporting the brain’s structural and functional integrity (vitamins B1, B3, B9, B12…), DNA repair (vitamin B12) and production of neurotransmitters essential for cognitive function (vitamins B1 and B6).

It’s easy to increase your intake of B vitamins by opting for a dietary supplement in which they are all combined (such as the complex Coenzymated B Formula).

Lack of vitamin D in relation to Alzheimer’s

A 2010 French study highlighted a new avenue of research around the link between vitamin D and memory (5).

Vitamin D has till now been mainly associated with benefits for bone metabolism, muscle strength and the immune system. But in this study, researchers observed a decline in neuron sensitivity to vitamin D in patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Most importantly, the study showed that intellectual function, including the ability to memorise, was lower in (elderly) patients deficient in vitamin D. This vitamin is believed to act by supporting neuroprotection, inflammation regulation and the production of neurotransmitters crucial for neuronal communication, etc.

Although further studies are needed to confirm these findings, vitamin D certainly seems to offer potential benefits for memory (6).

You’ll find vitamin D in oily fish, chanterelle mushrooms, dairy products, egg yolk … as well as in specific supplements (such as Vitamin D3 5000 IU).

Vitamin C, an antioxidant for fighting neurodegeneration?

Current research suggests that low levels of vitamin C in the body may also lead to the development of neurodegenerative diseases.

Vitamin C helps protect cells against oxidative stress, an important factor in this type of disorder. It may also work by helping to regulate neurotransmission and blood flow in the brain. It therefore constitutes a valuable aid in protecting memory (7).

Good sources of vitamin C include citrus fruit, berries, kiwi fruit, peppers … as well as specific supplements (such as Asc2P, a stable and powerful form of vitamin C).

Vitamin E, another potent antioxidant for maintaining memory

Vitamin E is also a powerful antioxidant and therefore excellent for maintaining healthy brain cells and the brain in general.

A recent study showed that elderly subjects with high blood levels of vitamin E were less likely to develop memory problems (8).

Vitamin E is found in fat-containing foods (such as walnuts, almonds, vegetable oils, fish …) as well as in supplements (such as Natural E400).

Other supplements good for the brain and memory

Apart from vitamins, DHA-type omega-3 fatty acids also support normal brain function, and therefore memory. This is because these fatty acids are components of nerve cells and thus support synaptic transmission. DHA is found in salmon, mackerel, herring… and at higher levels in dietary supplements (such as Super DHA) (9).

And finally, certain plants are recognised as providing natural memory support, including Bacopa monnieri, an aquatic succulent native to Asia, and Ginkgo biloba, the maidenhair tree, used for hundreds of years in traditional Chinese medicine. Both are recognised for helping to maintain good peripheral microcirculation which is associated with good cognitive function and memory in particular. That’s why these plant extracts are often combined in synergistic formulations targeting brain health (such as Neurex).