Do you often forget where you left your keys? Have you ever searched around your home looking for your sunglasses, only to find they’ve been sitting on your head the whole time? Have you ever gone to the mall and walked out unable to remember where you parked your car? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we have some tips to help you improve your memory.

A study published online in the Alzheimer’s Association journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association called the MIDAS Study found healthy adults (55 years of age and older) with mild memory complaints who took 900 mg of algal DHA capsules for six months had almost double the reduction in errors on a test that measures learning and memory performance, versus those who took a placebo, providing a benefit roughly equivalent to having the learning and memory skills of someone three years younger.

Dr. Majid Fotuhi, chairman of the Neurology Institute for Brain Health and Fitness in Baltimore and assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, says the mind is like a muscle and can improve with exercise and proper nutrition. Dr. Fotuhi provides several tips to improve brain health to his patients, including nourishing the mind, mental engagement, physical activity and staying socially connected:

• Nourished Mind: Dr. Fotuhi encourages adults to consume DHA found in fatty fish such as salmon or consumed via a supplement or food/beverage products fortified with the nutrient such as Good Cacao Coconut Omega-3 chocolate bars, Finest Natural DHA Algal-900 Dietary Supplement Softgels, and Minute Maid Enhanced Pomegranate Blueberry Juice.
• Mental Engagement: Keep your mind active by engaging in brain-stimulating activities – take a class, read a book or do crossword puzzles.
• Physical Activity: Dr. Fotuhi says exercise significantly improves brain health by maintaining good blood flow to the brain and encouraging new growth of blood cells. Try to engage in physical exercise for at least 30 minutes each day whether it be walking, playing a sport or using the stairs rather than the elevator.
• Social Well-Being: Research shows social interaction has a significant effect on long-term brain health and function. It will make your life more meaningful and fun while stimulating and protecting your brain. Stay socially connected so you feel like you’re a part of something — the workplace, clubs, a network of friends, a religious congregation or a volunteer group.