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Do You Remember? by Janet Lynas, PhD., N.H.D.

We’re told as we age, our memory will decline. Therefore, the supplement industry for brain health is booming! So, what is the truth concerning brain health and good memory?

As you age, the brain goes through changes that can slow down your thinking. It loses volume, the cortex becomes thinner, the myelin sheath surrounding the fibers of your neurons begins to breakdown. And to make it worse, your brain receptors don’t fire as quickly!

In your mid thirties, we find that at times things we know begin to escape our recall. You try to remember a new acquaintance name, it’s on the tip of your tongue, but it escapes you.

Next, you’re told that as you enter your 40s to 50s that the reasoning skills begin to drop off. One begins to experience fading sharpness of mind and we can’t seem to think of a certain word we want to use. It’s frustrating! However, our moral compass is improved! You are better able to control outburst of emotions.

Then, in our 60s our brain begins to shrink! As a result, it’s harder to access knowledge that has been accumulated over the years. We’re told it’s harder for us to learn new things. Really?

Lastly, in our 70s and above, we can expect to lose our minds! That is to say, it’s  because of inflammation and a build-up of deposits in areas like the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for forming new memories.

Building New Neurons

People don’t make new brain cells as we age.There’s nothing you can do! It’s hopeless! Or is it?

The hippocampus actually does produce new brain cells during adulthood. This information was controversial for decades. Finally, scientist agree that the brain does make new neurons.

Scientist have learned new neurons in the hippocampus are important in certain types of learning and memory. These new neurons tend to regulate emotional processes like anxiety and depression.

Therefore, the question that arises is: Why is this handful of new neurons (about 1400/day) so important for brain function?

Having said this, new neurons in the hippocampus behave differently from old neurons. These new neurons are hyper-excitable, like a kid on a sugar high! Our mature neurons are more restrained in their reaction to a given situation.

How Do We Incorporate New Neurons?

For example, adding new neurons is like adding pieces of a puzzle. It takes time to figure out how the new pieces fit in with the old ones. As you know, the pieces have to fit together. Random placing just doesn’t work.

In other words, it’s still a mystery how these new neurons will assimilate in with the current story going one. But, somehow they find their place and work well with the existing neurons.

As a result, researchers are studying how new neurons are added into our existing brain circuits. Furthermore, this is an exciting new field of study.

How Can We Make New Neurons?

Good news! It’s not that hard! I used to have a tee-shirt that said, “I’m flexible”. I had it made when I was a trainer for new Girl Scout Leaders. It was to remind these women to expect the unexpected and to adapt. You never know what’s going to happen when you’re working with children.

Stay curious and interested in life. Be proactive and learn about many different things! Get involved in life and join in on new activities. Meet new people! You don’t know their stories and you learn from others.

That is to say, get out of your rut! Avoid the mundane! Having the same routine day in and day out makes us dull and mindless. To clarify, doing the same thing over and over does make us mindless.

My mother used to say, “God gave you a brain. Use it!” Likewise, remember the saying, “Use it or lose it!” Use your brain, create new pathways. Use your non dominate hand at times. You learn something new when you do.

On the other hand, doing the same thing over and over not only dulls the mind, but it creates a stress of boredom. Unfortunately, isolation contributes to stagnation. Make sure you stay involved with people. Get out in nature and connect with God’s creation.

Make your brain plastic! Plasticity is what scientist tell us makes our brain adaptable. Therefore, being plastic is making new neurons. It’s amazing isn’t it?

What Else Can We Do?

Activated vitamin D receptors increase nerve growth in your brain. Get a good dose of vitamin D by being outside in the sunlight. Go out before the UV rays are at their peak. Or go out late in the day as they are decreasing. You can supplement with vitamin D capsules, but remember, natural vitamin D is best.  Researchers have also located metabolic pathways for vitamin D in the hippocampus and cerebellum of the brain. These are the areas that are involved in planning, and with the processing of information. As a result, the formation of new memories are made.

Next, we know brain cells do regenerate. Dr. Fred Gage and his team at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California along with doctors at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden, have proven new neurons do develop throughout life.

Other supplements can help with remembering. One area of current study is with luteolin. Luteolin is classified as a citrus bioflavonoid. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties allow luteolin to look for reactive compounds containing oxygen and nitrogen. These combined properties can cause cellular damage. Importantly, lutelolin acts as an antioxidant. Luteolin can also stimulate activation of the dopamine transporter.

Foods High In Luteolin

  1. Dark Leafy Greens (Spinach)
  2. Green Peas
  3. Summer Squash
  4. Pumpkin
  5. Brussels Sprouts
  6. Broccoli
  7. Asparagus
  8. Romaine Lettuce
  9. Carrots
  10. Pistachios

If you read my blog, you know I advocate for organic foods and getting your vitamins and minerals from heathy eating. Research the different supplements on the market for yourself. Keep in mind that natural supplements are readily available to the body for processing. If you want to add a supplement look for natural ingredients not synthetic. Look for organic ingredients. Next, research for supplements with no additives or fillers.

Closing It Out

Lastly and foremost, know that walking is one of the best if not the best exercise for brain health. However, there are other activities that promote a healthy mind.

  • Exercise – just move your body! Walking, swimming, dancing, skipping! It doesn’t really matter what the movement is, just do it!
  • Diet – healthy eating is imperative! I don’t advise one diet over the other. I believe eating a big variety of vegetables and fruits is the best approach. Eat less meat and grains. If you eat grains, eat the stripped down version. Yes, whole grains are proven to affect gut health.
  • Mediation – meditation is proven to improve brain activity. It’s a great form of stress reduction and improves overall health
  • Lifestyle is important – stay involved. Be creative, be curious about life and explore new thoughts and interest in life.
  • Get enough sleep – good quality sleep helps improve not only the brain, but the entire body.
Ok Enough! In Conclusion

Above all, do your own research! When you do, you’re creating new neurons.

Therefore, you’re becoming smarter. Certainly, smarter is better. However, just have more fun in life. For example, take up a new hobby. Continue to learn and seek out new activities. But, most of all, remember life is a journey. Therefore, there are many routes you can take.

Most of all, remember to take the path least traveled!

 

 

What is Bacopa Extract? by Janet Lynas, Ph.D., N.H.D.

I have recently found a product line that actually measures up to my standards on quality and living up to the promises they make.  That in itself is no easy feat for a company to do as far as I’m concerned.

One of the products that I have been using is their coffee.  This is not ordinary coffee by any means.  This coffee has health benefits that I have not found in other coffee products.

Focused Ingredient

I want to focus on is one ingredient in this coffee.  The ingredient is called Bacopa extract which comes from the Bacopa monnieri plant.  This herb has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries.  The common English name is “water hyssop”.

Use

Bacopa extract is most often used for memory enhancing.  Numerous clinical studies have determined that people who were given 125mg of Bacopa extract for 12 to 16 weeks showed memory improvement.  Studies also showed improvement in reduction of anxiety and depression in elderly test subjects.

Conclusion of the studies

The conclusion of the researchers was that Bacopa extract yielded significant improvement in mental control, logical memory and paired associated learning during the 12-week drug therapy.  It is efficacious in subjects with age-associated memory impairment.  Researchers found that  Bacopa monnieri is a potentially safe herb to enhance cognitive performance in the aging process and support of cognitive activity.

The side effects experienced by some test subjects were limited to gastrointestinal difficulties such as increased stool frequency, abdominal cramps, and nausea, none of which was proved to be significantly debilitation.  A few listed dry mouth and muscle fatigue.

Overall, research reported that Bacopa extract is safe and appears to be effective toward improving memory.

Enjoy your cup of coffee!

You can contact me through my email for more information on this healthy coffee.

 

 

Do You Have A Dirty Mind? by Janet Lynas, Ph.D., N.H.D.

Is your mind dirty?  Or should I say, “Is your brain dirty?”

Little is known about natural support of the brain and how to rid the brain of damaging toxins.  Unfortunately few doctors of allopathy medicine have little or no understanding on the natural approach to brain health.

Toxins That Target The Brain

Toxins in our environment are the leading cause of neurological illnesses. We do have a built in monitoring system that has the purpose of protecting our brain.  This system is designed to eliminate these toxins from our vulnerable brain.  However, the regretful reality is that we do live in a toxic environment.  Your brain has been saturated with them on a daily basis.  With this exposure over time, the effects begin to rob us of our memories and is slowly killing us.  To top it off, there is no stopping this exposure in the near future.  Evidence on the effects of toxins robbing our brains of precious health continues to stack up.

Current Alzheimer’s Research journal published a recent study on the devastating effects on the cellular level.  Research reviewed the available data connecting environmental toxins to Alzheimer’s.  The review indicated the terrifying path these toxins take.  Toxins alter the metabolic pathways associated with the development and progression of dementias.

Studies have confirmed the root cause of the frightening disease!  If this is true, why has this not gone viral throughout the news media.  Money!  Industries who are developing the toxins we are exposed to have a high stake in keeping this information out of the media.  Not only are toxins destroying the environment and our brains, but heavy metals are also contributing to these neurological diseases.

The Heavy Metal Mayhem

You’ve seen the commercials on television about mayhem (produced by an insurance company).  Imagine the mayhem caused by mercury, aluminum and copper on the brain.  The big three heavy metals lead to neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques.  Did you know that the mercury level in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients is at least three times higher than the rest of the population?

Where are we getting mercury?  Mercury is found in certain seafoods and fish, such as tuna.  These high levels of mercury are taken in when we eat seafoods and fish that are contaminated with it.  This is why pregnant women are told to avoid seafoods.

What you may not realize, is that you are being exposed to high levels of coal-burning toxins in industries burning coal.  A staggering 48 tons of mercury is pumped into our air every year.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that we ingest 7-9 mg of aluminum daily.  Aluminum is found in antiperspirants, cooking utensils, some medications and vaccines.

Now add to that the growing concern of copper.  High levels of copper destroy essential detoxifying nutrients such as vitamin C, the B vitamins and zinc.  Birth control drugs can increase the level of copper.  You might want to rethink wearing that copper bracelet or jewelry. The copper is absorbed through the skin.

You can ask your physician to test you for heavy metals with a blood test.

What Is The Key To Beating Alzheimer’s?

Did you know that your brain has a natural way of protecting itself from the onslaught of heavy metals and other toxins?  The amino acid glutathione is referred to as the master antioxidant.  Glutathione is produced and regenerated in a process called methylation.  Methylation is responsible for immune system function, brain chemical production, organ protection and detoxification.

This is what happens when the process works according to plan.  However, if the body is overloaded with toxins and heavy metals, the system fails to protect the body and brain.

The good news is that once you eliminate the toxins and heavy metals from you body, you can start to rebuild the support system your body needs.  One piece to the puzzle is a prescription for Cerefolin NAC.  This prescription only medication is pricy and insurance will not pay for it.  Your physician may not write a prescription for the drug either.

You can combine natural ingredients by adding glutathione, vitamin B vitamins, NAC, alpha lipoid acid, zinc, and selenium.  These ingredients will help to protect your brain cells and the rest of the nerve cells throughout your body.

If you are planning on doing a detoxification of any kind, remember that you may feel worse before you feel better.  As the body is releasing these toxins, you may experience what is called a “healing crisis”.  What this means is that as your body is releasing the toxins, you may feel “flu” like until the toxins are flushed out of your body.  A healing crisis response during detox is a good sign.  This will pass in a few days.

Summary

First step is to eliminate the toxins from your home as much as possible.  Read labels.  Buy products without aluminum in them.  Don’t cook with aluminum cook wear.

Second step is to eliminate foods that may have toxins such as certain seafoods and fish.  Eat organic as much as possible.

Give your body the supplements it needs for support.

We can not eliminate all the exposure from toxins, but by eliminating as much as we can, we are on the right road to health.