5 Causes of Poor Memory

Forgot an important appointment? Can’t remember where you put your car keys? If you have a poor memory, the causes may surprise you.

1. Poor Diet

It may surprise you to know that your gut and brain health and very closely connected. If you eat a diet high in processed foods and fast foods, you’re consuming a lot of trans fat and omega 6 fatty acids. Trans fats have been associated with brain shrinkage while and excessive amount of omega 6 fats have been shown to cause chronic inflammation throughout the body, including the brain.

2. Gluten Intolerance

Brain fog and poor memory are common symptoms associated with gluten intolerance. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. A person with gluten intolerance is unable to digest this protein, which leads to abdominal cramping, chronic diarrhea, muscle aches, fatigue, irritability, sinusitis, and brain fog.

According to an article published in The Huffington Post, gluten intolerance can have a profoundly negative impact on the neurological system. This is because it causes the release of chemicals called cytokines that cause chronic brain inflammation.

Cutting all gluten products for a period of at least one month and then reintroducing gluten back into the diet on the 31^st day is the best way to tell if gluten is causing your bad memory.

3. Chronic Candida Infection

Chronic candida infection goes beyond a typical vaginal yeast infection. It is a systemic condition where candida, the naturally-occurring fungus found in the intestinal and vaginal tract, grows out of control and gets into the bloodstream. This can cause myriad symptoms including learning difficulties, bad memory, irritability, muscle aches, low libido, depression, chronic gastrointestinal problems, multiple food and chemical allergies, and more.

4. Adult ADHD

According to statistics, 4-5% of the adult population suffers from adult ADHD. Symptoms include poor memory, low self-esteem, chronic boredom, frustration, and difficulty holding down a job. Adults with ADHD may also exhibit unusual social signs. They seem to either want to be around people all the time or don’t want to socialize at all.

5. Aging

A bad memory may also be a sign of aging. Starting at age 50, cognitive function begins a slow decline as brain cells start to die off. Memory decline also occurs due to loss of synapses (connections) between the brain cells. Senior citizens can stave off age-related cognitive decline by continuing to stay active, eating a healthy, well-balanced diet filled with omega-3 fatty acids, and keeping their brains sharp with challenging puzzles and games.

No matter what the cause of your bad memory, it is fixable. Eating healthy and staying active are the two easiest ways to ensure lasting health, both physical and mental.