Herbal Ashwagandha Reduces the Risk of Memory Loss

By Kyle J. Norton

Memory is one of the major function of the brain that collects and stores data or information which are retrieved when needed.

In other words, memory is the retention of information over time that have a strong influence on future action.

Memory impairment is a condition of partial or complete loss of memory, depending on the quality of the neuron that has been affected.

Memory impairment other than the physical impact is a progressive disease that can lead to permanent loss of memory due to the gradual loss of neurons in the brain.

Memory impairment can be acute or chronic.

In acute impairment, memory is temporary loss in most cases associated with physical impact on the brain that causes injury of neurons.

Chronic memory impairment is the loss of memory that can get worse overtime found mostly in the elderly with neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia.

In elderly or aging-induced memory loss are associated with the deterioration of a region of the brain involved in the formation and retrieval of memories, the hippocampus, and the reduced hormones and protein that protect and repair brain cells and stimulate neural growth.

The most common risk factors associated with memory loss in the general population are long-term use of certain medications, excessive alcohol drinking, smoking, drug abuse, depression, nutrient deficiency, stroke, and daily stress.

However, some researchers suggested the rise of memory impairment in the elderly probably is correlated to the promotion of the Western diet over the past few decades.

Dr. Scott E. Kanoski, the lead scientist in the review of the risk cognitive impairment in the Western diet consumption wrote, "Intake of saturated fats and simple carbohydrates, two of the primary components of a modern Western diet, is linked with the development of obesity and Alzheimer's Disease".


And, "Western diet intake is associated with cognitive impairment, with a specific emphasis on learning and memory functions that are dependent on the integrity of the hippocampus".

The results clearly stated if you are a Western diet follower, you are at a higher risk of memory impairment compared to healthy diet individuals.

Ashwagandha also is known as Withania somnifera is a nightshade plant in the genus of Withania, belonging to the family Solanaceae, native to the dry parts of India, North Africa, Middle East, and the Mediterranean. The herbal medicine has been considered as Indian ginseng and used in Ayurvedic medicine over 3000 years to treat tumors and tubercular glands, carbuncles, memory loss, and ulcers and considered as anti-stress, cognition-facilitating, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging herbal medicine.

On finding a potent compound for the treatment of brain health, researchers examined the efficacy and safety of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) on memory and cognitive functioning in adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

The prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 50 adults assigned to the treatment of either ashwagandha-root extract (300 mg twice daily) or placebo for eight weeks.

According to the analysis of Wechsler Memory Scale III subtest scores for logical memory,  at week 8, the ashwagandha treatment group exerted significant improvements in both immediate and general memory, compared with the placebo group.

Futhermore, verbal paired associates I (p = 0.042), faces I (p = 0.020), family pictures I (p = 0.006), logical memory II (p = 0.006) scores were also significantly increase compared to placebo.

According to the scores of Eriksen Flanker task (p = 0.002), Wisconsin Card Sort test (p = 0.014), Trail-Making test part A (p = 0.006), and the Mackworth Clock test (p = 0.009), ashwagandha treatment group also displayed a significantly greater improvement in executive function, sustained attention, and information-processing speed also compared to placebo.

Based on the findings, researchers said, "Ashwagandha may be effective in enhancing both immediate and general memory in people with MCI as well as improving executive function, attention, and information processing speed.".

Taken altogether, Ashwagandha may be considered a functional herb for the improvement of the brain health, pending to the result of larger sample size and multicenter study



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Author Biography
Kyle J. Norton (Scholar, Master of Nutrition, All right reserved)
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published online, including worldwide health, ezine articles, article base, health blogs, self-growth, best before it's news, the karate GB daily, etc.,.
Named TOP 50 MEDICAL ESSAYS FOR ARTISTS & AUTHORS TO READ by Disilgold.com Named 50 of the best health Tweeters Canada - Huffington Post
Nominated for shorty award over last 4 years
Some articles have been used as references in medical research, such as international journal Pharma and Bioscience, ISSN 0975-6299.

Sources
(1) Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) Root Extract in Improving Memory and Cognitive Functions by Choudhary D1, Bhattacharyya S2, Bose S. (PubMed)
(2) Western Diet Consumption and Cognitive Impairment: Links to Hippocampal Dysfunction and Obesity by Scott E. Kanoski1 and Terry L. Davidson. (PMC)