Worried about forgetting things? How vitamin B12 can help, plus 4 other tips to help boost your memory.

Have you forgotten your keys? Can’t remember people’s names? Many of us worry when we have trouble remembering. Usually everything is normal and there’s nothing to be concerned about. Learn how everyone, both young and old, can support their memory.

Memory problems?

Often forgetting things may be concerning, however, it’s normal and happens to everyone. It can be caused by:

• rushing
• tiredness
• stress
• insomnia

Often we forget things due to lack of focus rather than a poor memory. For example, if your partner asks you to remember something you may forget because your attention is on something else, like work. In many cases, when life is calmer then bad memory is no longer an issue.
Older people may notice that their memory doesn’t work like it used to, especially when something specific needs to be remembered.
This also is part of life and completely normal.

To help your memory – challenge your brain

 The same rules apply to people of all ages – the brain needs to stay active!

When you challenge your brain and lead an active social life, you are exercising the nerves in your brain which in turn has a positive effect on your memory.

• Chat about life often with your friends.
• Try puzzles, chess, or sodoku?
• Break daily routines, try cooking a new recipe.
• Learn something new - whether it's a foreign language or using a computer program.

The important thing is that you regularly give your brain something to do - and you enjoy life’s challenges.

The brain responds well to essential fats and leafy greens

When you eat a varied, balanced, and wholesome diet, your brain gets everything it needs.
A diet which contains enough vegetables, fruits, essential fats (which can be obtained from algae supplements) and vegetable oils can be considered brain healthy. This type of diet contains nutrients and vitamins which protect the cerebrovascular system.
The brain craves fats, but the type of fat is important.
It need essential fatty acids which can be obtained from nuts and seeds, avocados, olive oil, and algae supplements.
A diet with lots of different colored berries, fruits and vegetables may also help maintain memory. This may be due to the flavonoids they contain.
It’s good to aim to eat at least six servings of fruits and vegetables a day. 

Good balance between exercise and rest

As you move, the blood flow to the brain improves and the connections between brain cells are restored. This is important for the formation and preservation of memories.
Any exercise that gets your heart pumping is worth it! So mop the floor, try new sports, take a run with your dog, or walk in the countryside.
To counterbalance an active life, the brain loves rest.
Adequate and high-quality sleep is helpful for memory. While you are asleep, what you have learned during the day is stored as memories. It becomes difficult to remember when you lack sleep, and persistent lack of sleep can cause memory problems.
So enjoy downtime in the evenings, and ensure your bedroom is equipped for a good night’s sleep.
The brain also needs rest breaks during the day. Try to take mini-breaks for a few minutes at work during which you do nothing.

Vitamin B12 - To support memory

Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin for brain function. It promotes the normal functioning of the nervous system and assists psychological functions.

Stress, celiac disease, pregnancy and breastfeeding, for example, can increase the need for vitamin B-12.
Vitamin B12 deficiency mainly affects the elderly as its absorption decreases with age. As B12 is found mainly in animal products, those who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet should ensure an adequate intake of vitamin B12.
To ensure your memory is supported by vitamin B12, you can take B12 as a dietary supplement. In the OmniVegan series, you can find B12 as a sublingual tablet with a refreshing taste of raspberry, strawberry and blackcurrant. Each tablet contains 1000 μg of vitamin B12 from methylcobalamin. Methylcobalamin is the biologically active form of vitamin B12, which does not require conversion and can therefore be absorbed directly in the body.