How Can I Improve My Short-Term Memory?

I want to do everything possible to improve my mind. I can remember things that happened in my childhood and the distant past, but recent things and people I meet are very difficult to remember. Is there more I can do? I'm no spring chicken, but do I have to just live with this problem, as I’ve been told?

Maybe not. Because your problem involves mainly your short-term memory, you may have a need for RNA (ribonucleic acid). RNA is a molecule that has been shown to be a big factor in cellular memory, and some researchers believe that it is a key essential in short-term memory.

Dr. George Goodheart has devised an easy test to determine if RNA might improve your short-term memory. All you have to do is record the length of time you can stand on one foot with your eyes closed. (I would recommend having someone help you—don’t take the chance of falling.) He has hypothesized that short-term memory is required to maintain orientation in space.

People who need RNA can maintain the one-legged stance for only a short time, and it doesn’t seem to improve with practice.

If you seem to need RNA, chew one tablet and then try the test again. Continue to chew a tablet and retest until you see improvement. According to Dr. Goodheart, the number of tablets it takes for you to see improvement is an appropriate guideline for your daily RNA dosage.

As your short-term memory improves, you can repeat this test to see if you can adjust your dosage downward.

RNA can be purchased at health food stores. It is part of the B-vitamin family, and the most common source is from yeast. If you take brewer’s yeast it may be listed as one of the ingredients—but for its use here, it would be best to get it as a separate tablet either by itself or in combination with a bran substance.

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