Welcome once again to the Salengei blog, where we tell you all about how to improve your quality of life, always based on proven scientific information.
In addition, here you receive tips from our add-ons so that you can exploit your best version.
Today we will focus on a topic that interests us a lot and that is memory.

We introduce a curious fact…

When world memory champion Ramon Campayo was asked about his amazing technique for memorizing sequences of 48 binary numbers after watching them for only one second, he answered clearly: I use a very simple technique, the association of ideas.
The truth be told and this Spaniard who holds 28 championships in different countries, has an IQ (intelligence quotient) of 194.
Another gifted man, the German Boris Nikolai Konrad also uses the same technique and explains it on his website: “Our brain is extremely good at remembering what we experience, see and also where something happens. If you can then transform abstract content into an experience, your brain already knows how to save it and the real content is not lost.”

The truth is that the technique is surely quite simple, but if we were just applying it, we could all become like them.
For the rest of us, we are going to explain a little more about the complexity of the reactions that occur within our body and how to get the most out of our diet.

Factors that influence memory

Of course, there are several points to take into account when we talk about memory loss in adults.
Among those researched by Dr.
Gloria Sabater, head of the R+D department of Salengei, there are several groups that we can divide according to their are:

• Genetic: the APOE gene, its relationship with MTHFR (methyltetrahydrofolate reductase) and the generation of Aβ (beta-amyloid) plaques.
• Oxidative stress: the generation of free radicals that cause neuronal damage.
• Vascular: blood pressure and its relationship with homocysteine levels.
• Synapses: the role of phospholipids and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Supplementation: fundamental role of turmeric, omega 3, gingko biloba, bacopa monieri, B vitamins (especially folic acid).
• Lifestyles: benefits of physical activity and brain stimulation or mental exercise.

Long live turmeric

Turmeric is a widely used spice in Asian cuisine and is a fundamental part of curry.
In addition to the well-known anti-inflammatory effects, which we have already talked about in other articles, there is an effect reflected in a scientific study carried out on rats.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mixing curcuminoids and individual components on spatial learning and memory in a rat model of beta-amyloid peptide-infused AD and on PSD-95 expression.
PSD-95 is a postsynaptic density protein that regulates the trafficking and localization of glutamate receptors in brain structures.
This study showed a memory-enhancing effect in rats that showed neuronal loss similar to that suffered in Alzheimer’s disease.

Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.05.078

Our ACTIVE MEMORY incorporates 400 mg of Longvida® (Dry Turmeric Extract).
Specifically, this curuma-seating extract has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier to produce its effects directly on the target organ.

The famous polyunsaturated fatty acids

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential for the maintenance of brain function and the prevention of cognitive dysfunctions.
These include omega-3 fatty acids, such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Specifically, DHA is the most suitable fatty acid for the proper functioning of the brain and for eyesight.
We especially recommend the ACTIVE Ω-3 DHA for its high concentration of this omega 3 or the ACTIVE STRESS CONTROL which in addition to omega 3 DHA contains B vitamins, specifically B6, B12 and folic acid also necessary for the brain.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are found in the diet mainly in oily fish, certain seeds such as flaxseed and in nuts such as walnuts.

As ALA is an essential fatty acid, it has to be obtained from food and from certain reliable sources of food supplements.
In certain extreme situations, ALA can be elongated and desaturated until it is transformed into long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA and DHA), but this transformation only occurs in very small quantities, therefore, the only way to increase the concentrations of these fatty acids in the body is to obtain them through nutrition or through supplements.

PUFAs are found in plant and animal foods, such as cold-water fish and some vegetable oils from certain seeds such as flaxseed; also in nuts such as walnuts.
Consuming moderate amounts of PUFA can have health benefits, since when incorporated into phospholipids they contribute to giving flexibility to membranes, facilitating interaction with enzyme proteins and their function, as well as that of ion channels.

As an additional fact, the level of DHA appears to be an important regulator of glucose uptake in the brain, possibly by affecting the activity of some glucose transporters.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential at any stage of life.

According to a study carried out in Germany,long-chain omega-3 fatty acids may improve brain function and structure in older adults.
Sixty-five healthy subjects who successfully completed more than half a year of fish oil and placebo intake were evaluated.
Before and after the intervention period, cognitive performance, structural neuroimaging, vascular markers, and blood parameters were assessed.
The conclusions were that there was a significant increase in executive functions compared to placebo.
In parallel, beneficial effects were seen on the microstructural integrity of white matter and gray matter volume in the frontal, temporal, parietal and limbic areas mainly of the left hemisphere, and on the thickness of the carotid intima media and diastolic blood pressure.
Improvements in executive functions were positively correlated with changes in omega-3 index and neurotrophic factors, and negatively correlated with changes in fasting peripheral insulin.

https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bht163

The importance of omega-3 fatty acid intake is essential at all stages of life, but especially during childhood, when the brain needs to make major plastic changes and larger amounts are needed.
This is also critical during adolescence since diet suffers a qualitative deterioration related to age-appropriate behaviors.
The same happens in adulthood and especially in old age, since the absorption of these fatty acids is decreased.

The famous APOE

ApoE plays a key role in lipid transport in both plasma and the central nervous system.
Its three structural isoforms differentially affect the risk of developing atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease.

ApoE2 is associated with type III hyperlipoproteinemia, as well as an increased or decreased risk of atherosclerosis.

Today, the eye is mainly focused on the ApoE4 isoform since it is involved with atherosclerosis, altered glucose metabolism, Alzheimer’s disease, deficiencies in cognitive development and decreased mitochondrial function among other alterations.

A little-used marker: homocysteine

Homocysteine is a sulfur amino acid that originates in the metabolism of methionine.
It is a particularly aggressive molecule for the arterial endothelium.
Numerous studies suggest that an increase in plasma homocysteine levels is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart and vascular disease.

Homocysteine is a sulfur amino acid that originates in the metabolism of methionine.

The most common cause of excess plasma homocysteine is folic acid deficiency.
The relationship between folic acid and homocysteine is hyperbolic, so in individuals with high concentrations of folic acid hyperhomocysteinemia is rare.

The deficiency of vitamins B6, B12 and the aforementioned folic acid causes an increase in the plasma concentration of homocysteine.
In many industrialized countries, especially those located outside the Mediterranean area, folic acid consumption is insufficient and is therefore added to certain foods.

Elsevier Journal of Integrative Medicine Vol. 36.
No. 5. pages 179-185 (September 2000)

Folic acid, as its name suggests, comes from the leaves and that is why it is common to find it in green leafy vegetables and cruciferous vegetables.
We can also find it in some fruits such as peaches, avocados, oranges, bananas and strawberries.

As we said earlier, homocysteine has a direct cytotoxic effect on endothelial cells in culture.
An alteration of endothelial function assessed by Doppler ultrasound has been observed in individuals with moderate hyperhomocysteinemia and an improvement in this with a decrease in homocysteine concentration by folic acid treatment.
DOI: 10.1016/s0735-1097(99)00469-6

Deficiency of vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid causes an increase in plasma homocysteine concentration

Remember that both high levels of homocysteine are just as harmful as very low levels of this marker.
Returning to our topic of memory, high homocysteinemia would be involved in impairment of episodic memory (DOI: 10.3233 / JAD-2011-110752), spatial learning (DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2012.07.002), reverse learning (DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2005.07.003) and executive function (DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00343)

Our ACTIVE MEMORY contains 300 μg of folic acid-Quatrefolic®, which is precisely the active form of folic acid.

Physical exercise and neurotrophic factors

Neurotrophic factors (NGFs) are several proteins that include brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-1 (NT-1), NT-3, and NT-4.

When these factors circulate in the bloodstream, they are able to bind to certain receptors to stimulate survival and prevent neurons from initiating apoptosis.

Most of the activities we perform daily consist of a series of routines that make the brain work in autopilot mode, that is, these activities make it always take the neural pathways already built and avoid the production of neurotrophins.

Both mental exercise and physical activity stimulate the synthesis of neurotrophic factors that encourage the brain to function better. This could be seen in a study with rats who were subjected to treadmill exercise five days a week for eight weeks.
The results showed significantly high NGF levels and a significant reduction in apoptosis.
(DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2009.02.024)

There are several exercises that are appropriate for stimulating NGF secretion and very easy to perform even during our daily activities.
Among them we can name trying to shower with your eyes closed to locate the tap, looking for soap and/or shampoo when taking a shower, using your non-dominant hand to write or brush your teeth and finally trying to identify objects that are frequently used but without the help of sight.

To conclude

Again we have been enthusiastic about another article and it has seemed a bit long, but it is our passion for the continuous pursuit of well-being that guides us.
As always, we recommend to our reader friends, a balanced diet, a continuous practice of recreational physical activity and a life with less stress since they are the key to living longer and better.
Our products help in deficiencies and should be consumed within a proper plan where clear objectives have been set.
That is why we invite you to visit us www.salengei.com send us your questions and comments to our email: info@salengei.com.

We hope to meet again in the next edition.
A big greeting.