ARE YOU GETTING MORE FORGETFUL

     “If you seem more forgetful,” explains Andrew Weil, M.D., director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, “you are obviously not getting enough Omega-3 essential fatty acids in your diet.  The architecture of the brain becomes weak, and brain functions, including memory, suffers.  It is not only the amount of omega-3s that is important, but the balance between them it is equally crucial.  Our diets are flooded with omega 6 fatty acids, mostly from processed foods”, says Dr. Weil.  “The more omega-6s you eat, the more omega-3s you need to balance your levels and most of us do not get enough omega-3s and too many omega-6s.”

     A quick review of what you eat is all your doctor needs.  “If there are no fish, walnuts, or freshly ground flax seed in your diet, your doctor will know the fats you eat are mainly from meat and you are not getting any omega-3s, explains Manuel Villacorta , RD, an American Dietetic Association spokesperson in san Francisco. 

     For a food-fix, reduce the amount of refined processed foods you eat and cook with olive and canola oil.  Eat 3 and ½ ounces of herring, sardines or halibut each week.  Use the same amount of wild salmon and herring in another week.  Add 2 tablespoons of fresh ground flax seed to cereal for whole grain side dishes or shakes daily.  Garnish salads or cereal with one tablespoon of walnuts five days a week.  Enjoy two or three almonds four times a week.

    “If your blood pressure has been rising over time, consider the amount of salt you eat, having too little potassium in your diet magnifies the toxic effects of excessive salt intake,” says Dr. Fruge “Most processed foods have added sodium but no extra potassium.  This damages blood vessels, driving up blood pressure.  If your meals come from boxes, you are likely at risk.  When your kidneys try to flush out the salt, you lose more potassium.  Eating better can correct the problem. I’ve seen people drop 30 pounds in three days.  How your doctor knows?  A review of your diet reveals all your general practitioner needs to know.  He can evaluate your cardiovascular function with blood tests to check blood sugar, cholesterol levels and kidney function and stress tests, body fat measurements and ultra sounds of your heart and arteries.  Cut salt consumption to no more than l.500 mg per day.  Eat seven to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day.