Need More Memory?(memory-boosting supplement)(Brief Article)

Vinpocetine may give you the mind boost you need

I forgot." "It slipped my mind." "It's on the tip of my tongue." "Did you see my glasses?"

If these phrases have started cropping up in your conversation, you may be worried about memory loss. You may feel your mind isn't quite as agile as it always was, and think, "I wish I could do something about this."

A certain amount of memory loss is natural as we age. But that doesn't mean there's nothing we can do about it. Of the many memory-enhancers on the market, vinpocetine, a derivative of the periwinkle plant, is considered a powerful and natural memory-boosting supplement that can improve concentration, attention span, alertness and cognition. What's more, it has recently become available in the U.S.

Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger, specialist in herbal remedies and nutritional supplements and associate editor of the Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association (JANA) says, "According to clinical data [on vinpocetine], consumers will see improvement in memory functions as well as enhancement of learning and recall and overall alertness." And Dr. Michael Hirt, director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center, in Los Angeles Calif., adds "Vinpocetine may make you sharper."

HOW IT WORKS AND WHO SHOULD TAKE IT

Hirt notes that there are three main types of memory loss: Alzheimer's disease, mild dementia and "normal" memory loss in healthy people over 40. It is very important to distinguish among the types of memory loss because vinpocetine is not effective for all three. Hirt emphasizes that it's essential to get an accurate diagnosis of the cause of memory loss so that appropriate steps can be taken, particularly in the case of Alzheimer's. An incorrect diagnosis can delay critically needed treatment. In general, people with Alzheimer's will not be helped by vinpocetine because it does not address the underlying problem.