Remember When You Could Concentrate Better?

By SUZY COHEN

Q: I can’t remember names and trivia as well as I used to. I feel like my memory is slipping, but otherwise I’m healthy. At 47, aren’t I a little young for this to be happening? — P.T., Vancouver, B.C.

A: Look in your medicine cabinet first. A lot of drugs can make your brain fuzzy: acid blockers for heartburn, cold medicine, prednisone, statin cholesterol drugs, blood pressure pills and antibiotics.

Too much cortisol (a stress hormone) can make you hold onto belly fat and become forgetful. Since we make cortisol in response to stress, high credit card bills and problems in life, it’s easy to see why so many people have excessive cortisol. Reduce stress in your life and you will reduce cortisol, then you can enjoy clear thinking. It’s a no-brainer. Consider exercise, massage, yoga, a better job (or spouse).

As we age, levels of estrogen and testosterone decline, making you do bizarre, forgetful things like race all over the house looking for your sunglasses when they’re on top of your head. These two hormones are needed to produce our good mood chemicals, as well as acetylcholine — a major memory molecule. People with Alzheimer’s are deficient in this substance. You can boost levels of it with a supplement called Acetyl L-Carnitine. As for hormones, find a doctor who specializes in bio-identical hormone replacement.

Supplement or drink rosemary tea. It helps increase circulation, sparks energy, improves alertness and improves hair growth. It can fight bad breath and supposedly stop flatulence, so it’s got you covered at both ends. I believe rosemary can reduce your breast/ prostate cancer risk too. Seriously, I don’t have one drug at my pharmacy that can do all that!

This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Suzy Cohen is the author of “The 24-Hour Pharmacist.” For more information, visit www.tulsaworld.com/dearpharmacist.

Originally published by SUZY COHEN Dear Pharmacist.

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