Myths That Could Be Hurting Your Memory

brain health

Amen Clinics believes that the brain is the most important part of your body. The brain is the most impressive, complex and remarkable organ in the universe.

If you are like most people, you have probably heard many myths about your brain, like how it is firm and rubbery, when it is actually squishy, soft, think the consistency of Jell-O. When it comes to brain health, it’s important to know the facts. Here are five memory myths debunked.

MYTH #1: You’re stuck with the brain you have.

FACT: That’s not true at all. In fact, Dr. Daniel Amen’s first brain scan looked worse in his 30’s compared to what it looks like today. Through exercise, participating in mental activities like playing ping pong, eating brain-healthy foods, staying away from drugs and alcohol, getting restful sleep and managing stress levels, you can physically change your brain.

MYTH #2: Once your memory starts to fail, it’s too late.

FACT: Although Alzheimer’s can’t be entirely reversed, there are drug-free approaches that can help improve your memory. For instance, a couple of ways this happens is by watching your diet, challenging your brain with new learning, regular exercise, and paying attention to your gut health. Engaging in these healthy activities can actually increase the size of your hippocampus, the part of your brain associated with memory.

MYTH #3: Young people don’t have to worry about memory loss.

FACT:  The average age of memory loss is 57, but one study shows that memory loss can start as early as 45. The good news: You can start protecting your memory now. You may think that minor problems like forgetting where you placed your keys are not an issue but believe it or not, these are early warning signs that your memory could be in trouble. Think about this—  even though a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at 59, it’s likely they started showing noxious brain changes at 30 that could have been seen by a brain imaging scan.

MYTH #4:  Alzheimer’s only happens to the elderly.

FACT: 50% of people 85 years old and older are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. But that doesn’t mean that these are the only cases. Approximately 200,000 people under the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s disease or a related condition, such as dementia.

MYTH #5: You won’t get dementia if you take care of yourself.

FACT: If you take good care of your brain and body, your risk of dementia can significantly decline. Although, there is no proven way to guarantee prevention of dementia completely. Keep in mind, taking preventative measures is the best way to avoid Alzheimer’s and dementia.

 

Being serious about brain health has no age limit especially when a better brain means it can help improve your mood, health, appearance, memory and body. You can create a brain-healthy life by learning how to love and care for the most important part of your body…your brain.

Amen Clinics is here to help you understand the brain and provide treatment options that address more than just symptoms. Call us today at 888-288-9834 or visit us online to schedule a visit.

23 Comments »

  1. So sorry you and your spouse are dealing with this, yet how blessed he is to have you! May God give both of you endurance and strength for this journey.

    Comment by Dawn Baggett — May 8, 2017 @ 7:49 AM

  2. Thank you so much Dawn for your kind words. You have no idea how much kind words help to sustain me on our journey. God bless you!

    Comment by Donna Thompson — May 8, 2017 @ 7:53 AM

  3. I’m a caregiver 24/7 , my husband has dementia and it’s very hard to not have help. I notice I’m forgetting more & more. I’m 73 years old really don’t need to be doing this alone but have no choice.

    Comment by Faye shepherd — April 25, 2018 @ 7:55 PM

  4. Donna, I’m a new subscriber but have received some good information snd plan on staying with this site for now. I went through radiation and aggressive chemo plan for 4 months for Stage 3 lung cancer and that also puts your brain (and body) through the ringer. Hoping to get information that can hellp undo some of the set backs from treatment.

    Sendind caring thoights to you and your loved one. Remember to take care of YOU the caregiver as well!!

    Comment by Therrds DeLong — April 28, 2018 @ 7:19 AM

  5. I actually think the brain could be the initiating source of many diseases of the body.

    Comment by Avette L Gaiser — May 3, 2018 @ 6:34 AM

  6. I had.. a accident.. i fell.. in… The lobby… And hit.. My head. With a brick wall…and now… I have… Hidrocefalia… Frontal My brain.. and short… Term… Memory loss… I was… 56..now.. I’m 59 year’s old…. And i a’m.. sufering..I a Big Battle.. forma me..Thankyou.. for..you’re Atención…

    Comment by Norma — May 21, 2018 @ 1:36 PM

  7. Hello Norma, we will have a Care Coordinator reach out to you via email to discuss the specifics of your injury and symptoms. Thank you for reaching out to us. If you’d like to reach us, please call 888-288-9834.

    Comment by Amen Clinics — May 22, 2018 @ 1:01 PM

  8. I truly believe the onset of dementia is part of growing older… even though Dementia runs in my family… I have been on a medication for about 4 months now!! The medicine, I do believe has helped, the only issue I have now is I keep repeating myself
    My significant other keeps telling me, you already told me, so whatever! At this point of my life I really don’t care , it us what it is! So be it

    Comment by Danice Foutz — June 2, 2018 @ 5:10 AM

  9. I was diagnosed as having a cognitive decline of ten percent. In earlier life I had been diagnosed as dyslexic, but made it through school and now have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree . I was trying to read from right to left instead of left to right when in grade school.

    Now, there’s “decline” supposedly. I’m aging, and from what I’ve read there are lots of older people who have it. I’m thinking it’s no big deal. I function as a home maker just fine. I do forget small things, but only once in a while, and nothing that important.

    Comment by Carol Gibson — June 6, 2018 @ 5:20 PM

  10. I am married to someone who has Semantic dementia and he is 59 yrs. old. It is tragic for anyone to have to go through this illness. I appreciate any help that is given. My heart broke when my husband saw our son when he came from college and he did not recognize him. Sad beyond words. This is truly the worst disease there is.

    Comment by Mary Stewart — June 7, 2018 @ 6:01 AM

  11. Donna, I do understand what you are going through. I cared for my father in law for 4 years in our home. And, years later I cared for my father for 8 years with Alzheimer’s too. It is very difficult to watch them fade away and become so dependent. I am grateful, I was able to take care of him with the help of my husband and my teenage daughters. I pray God continues to give you the strength and peace that you will need.

    Comment by Shelia E. Brown — June 30, 2018 @ 7:12 AM

  12. Bob, I see a valuable, common denominator here. Oxygen, breath, capacity, value of regular movement….our brains may be starving for more oxygen.
    And, making better choices with nutrition and lifestyle.
    God bless you all on the most important journey of your life…your health..love it!

    Comment by Sandi — July 4, 2018 @ 6:13 AM

  13. Bob, how do you double chest expansion? I am not a swimmer and I have cervical spine damage C1-4 some part of which controls the diaphragm. I simply don’t breathe often enough. If I breathe on purpose, I get light headed. Also, FYI and others, Increasing B-complex and especially niacin has helped my brain immensely.

    Comment by Deborah Rhodes — July 4, 2018 @ 11:56 AM

  14. Faye, I’m so sorry. I went thru it mostly alone too. They say to reach out to the Alzheimer’s Association, but I never seemed to have time! I wasn’t even online back then…and it sure was lonely. Best wishes and ❤ love to you. I hope you find help…meanwhile, the Methodist Church in the next city had some programs that I found out about.

    Comment by Loretta Chandler — July 4, 2018 @ 3:17 PM

  15. Deborah, yes, I’ve read that B-3 Niacinamide every few hours really does help the brain! 🙂 😉

    Comment by Loretta Chandler — July 4, 2018 @ 3:25 PM

  16. The information on chest expansion is very interesting. Are there any medical studies to support this theory? I will certainly look for them. This site is an opportunity for intelligent discourse and social support. My thoughts are with those caretakers who are witnessing their loved ones’ decline. I hope they can get support from the Alzheimers Association. I contacted them on behalf of a friend and they were helpful.

    Comment by Carolyn P — July 6, 2018 @ 2:59 PM

  17. My 86 yr old husband has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s; this is his second year! He has played the clarinet his whole life so I got it out and he played it for quite a while! The big change was his breathing! Instead of short, shallow breaths when sleeping, he took long slow wrath’s after playing the clarinet again!
    He does empty the dishwasher, sweeps and mops the kitchen floor, folds clothes for me! I try to make things fun, laugh at his accidents!
    I try to remind him he is not alone! We do take walks (he uses a cane) and we’re taking a Yoga class together! Our son and his wife have moved in to do housekeeping and helping! They do cooking and keep the kitchen spotless. Joe has been my husband for 58 years, always the athlete,( baseball, tennis, basketball) and sang bass in the church choir and university chorus. He taught school for 30 years! He is the last person I thought would get Alzheimer’s !

    Comment by Carolyn K Taylor — August 31, 2018 @ 6:09 PM

  18. Thx you all
    Keep sending

    Comment by Carol Hewitt — March 3, 2019 @ 8:54 AM

  19. I have been suffering Vertigo around two years now. Neuro doctors at most major teaching hospitals have not been able to help me.
    Further my short term memory is as bad as can be

    Wonder if memory loss has any linkage to the Vertigo that I am dealing with?

    Is there any help for any of the above? can Lyme disease possibly be involved with any of the above.?

    Would deeply appreciate any advise.

    Comment by frances La Brasca — August 12, 2019 @ 7:32 AM

  20. Mine is multifaceted and try as I may I’m just not sure how to proceed. I started by purchasing the Memory Rescue set with dad’s and reading materials that have really opened my eyes.I suffer from long-term ptsd steming from childhood as well as marriage and 2 near death experiences.To add to all this I am pre-diabetic and have hypertension. I have a leaking roof and a black mold problem. I am on ssdi and Medicare so my income is limited. My stress level has been thru the roof due to all this as well as having 2 sons with serious health issues, one had kidney cancer and now has only 1 kidney and other health issues. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Godbless you all ❤

    Comment by Carla Steele — March 31, 2022 @ 2:34 PM

  21. I have notice im not remembering some thingsl lately
    I am 77 years old very scated about it
    Can you help?

    Comment by Jonnie Decir — May 14, 2022 @ 6:39 AM

  22. Hello Jonnie, thank you for reaching out. We’d be happy to give you more information, please contact us here: https://amenclinics.com/schedule-visit/.

    Comment by Amen Clinics — May 16, 2022 @ 6:35 PM

  23. wonderful advice!

    Comment by Doug Morris — November 14, 2023 @ 2:50 PM

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