As you age, you may find yourself having lapses of memory, which can be frustrating and alarming. But you can support your brain and protect your memory function just by adding certain foods to your diet. Two foods that contribute to a healthy, robust brain are spinach and eggs.

Spinach is loaded with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that slow brain aging and preserve memory. It's one of the few food sources of the powerful brain-protecting antioxidant alpha lipoic acid. A study in the Journal of Experimental Neurology showed that rats eating diets enriched with spinach and blueberries lost far fewer brain cells after a stroke. And they recovered much faster.

Egg yolks are one of nature's richest sources of choline, a B vitamin. Choline is a building block of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is vital for memory, learning, and thinking. Not for nothing is choline called the "memory vitamin." More than 90 percent of Americans are choline-deficient. Choline is particularly important during pregnancy, because it's necessary for brain development in the fetus. The choline in egg yolks helps maintain the flexibility of brain cell membranes, which is critical for the quick transmission of thoughts and impulses.

Try combining these two powerhouses in a spinach salad with hard-boiled eggs. The combo maximizes your ability to absorb the nutrients in both foods.

This article appears courtesy of Early To Rise, the Internet's most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com.

Spinach and Cheese Omelet with Hashbrown Potatoes and Toast

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