Brain Food
By: Gretchen Bolander
Updated: April 28, 2011
It's remembering a name, or a phone number or even just your shopping list. Easier for some people than others. And it all starts with chemicals.
Ozark Center Psychiatrist Michael Collins said, "Chemicals are released in the brain that causes changes so that a person will remember something. For short term memory, those chemicals are released then slowly dissipate over several seconds or minutes or hours. In long term memory, those changes become more permanent."
Collins added diet, exercise, sleep and stress reduction can help your brain. "Certain foods such as blueberries and nuts have antioxidants and other chemicals that improve and maximize the brain function."
Collins said getting 7 - 9 hours of sleep a night also helps. And, try to lower stress levels. "That leads to distraction, decreasing concentration. So if you notice that you're having problems remembering someone's name, something that could be important that could be a sign."
