New studies bring to our attention that high levels of cholesterol might make the brain cells more prone to dementia. The heart and brain are connected to long term health - many things that heart patients do are good for all of us to keep our brain healthy, too. So by preventing a heart attack, you can avoid brain drain.
1. Take B Vitamins.
B vitamins can help stifle homocysteine, an amino acid that damages blood vessels. A new study of seniors from researchers at the Chicago-based Rush Institute found in 2004 that seniors with low levels of niacin were more likely to suffer from Alzheimer's. Get in the habit of taking a quality B Complex every day.
2. Try Ginkgo Biloba.
Extracted from the ancient ginkgo tree, ginkgo biloba is considered the best of all brain-boosting supplements on the market. Studies of people with Alzheimer's disease show that ginkgo enhances blood flow to the brain and improves memory recall. In addition, ginkgo is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Ginkgo does thin the blood and can clash with some medications, especially blood thinners; so check with your doctor before taking and make sure not to take before a surgery.
3. Avoid inflammation.
Chronic inflammation, whether from an irritated bowel disease, inflamed gums, or an autoimmune disease, weakens the arteries in both the heart and the head. Inflammation makes the arteries more vulnerable to rupture and increases the danger of heart attack and stroke. Keep an eye on early warning signs of inflammation.
4. Exercise your brain.
Older folks who are readers stay sharp while those who watch TV melt into the couch. When researchers compared those struck by Alzheimer's and their activity level, 47% are less likely to develop the disease than those who taxed their brains the least. Do crossword puzzles, read, play cards, write detailed and interesting e-mails to all your friends, surf the web, and just plain stay busy.
Supplements of the Month:
Ginkgo Biloba
The ginkgo is the oldest living tree species, geological records indicate this plant has been growing on earth for 150 - 200 million years. It was first brought to Europe in the 1700's and it is now a commonly prescribed drug in France and Germany.
In the last 30 years, more that 300 studies have given clinical evidence that ginkgo prevents and benefits many problems throughout the entire body. Ginkgo is gaining recognition as a brain tonic that enhances memory because of its positive effects on the vascular system, especially in the cerebellum.
Ginkgo may help to counteract the effects of aging, including mental fatigue and lack of energy.
Ginkgo works by increasing blood flow to the brain and throughout the body's network of blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the organ systems. It increases metabolism efficiency, regulates neurotransmitters, and boosts oxygen levels in the brain which uses 20% of the body's oxygen.
Ginkgo has been used to relieve tension and anxiety and improve mental alertness, elevate mood and restore energy.
Ginkgo also acts as a powerful antioxidant and contributes to the oxidation of free radicals which are believed to contribute to premature aging and dementia. Antioxidants also protect the eyes, cardiovascular system and central nervous system.
Ginkgo may also help control the transformation of cholesterol to plaque associated with the hardening of arteries, and can relax constricted blood vessels.
Studies have confirmed that ginkgo increases blood flow to the retina, and can slow retinal deterioration resulting in an increase of visual acuity.
Flush-Free Niacin
Vitamin B 3 - (Niacin) is used in the process of releasing energy from carbohydrates, forming fat from carbohydrates and to metabolize alcohol. Vitamin B3 comes in two basic forms - niacin (also called nicotinic acid) and niacinamide (also called nicotinamide). Inositol hexaniacinate, a "flush-free" niacin, is also available and has many of the same benefits of niacin, and is becoming increasingly popular. Dietary niacin and niacin formed within the body from the amino acid tryptophan are converted to niacinamide. Niacinamide is the biologically active form of niacin.
The RDA for men and women is in the range 14-18mg, and is easily achieved. Prescribed doses of the supplement go as high as 3gm per day and sometimes even higher.
The best food sources of vitamin B3 are peanuts, brewer's yeast, fish and meat, and fortified breakfast cereals. Some vitamin B3 is also found in whole grains. Vitamin B3 is found in most vitamin supplements, but additional supplementation is needed to achieve many of the proven health benefits.
Food sources (mg per 100gm):
Rice bran (18.5)
Tuna (11.6)
Chicken liver (9.3)
Chicken, white meat (8.1)
Wheat germ (5.6)
Brown rice (4.7)
Broccoli (0.8)
Dried figs (0.4)
Niacin is one of the most stable of the B-vitamins. It is resistant to the effects of heat, light, air, acid and alkali. A white crystalline substance that is soluble in water and alcohol, niacin and niacinamide are both readily absorbed from the small intestine. Small amounts may be stored in the liver, but most of the excess is excreted in the urine. The only appreciable loss of niacin occurs when it leaches into cooking water.
Caution:
Niacin, taken orally as nicotinic acid, can produce redness, warmth, and itching over areas of the skin; this "niacin flush" usually occurs when doses of 50mg or more are taken and is a result of the release of histamine by the cells, which causes vasodilatation. 'Take Your Vitamins' brand of Flush Free Niacin can be taken, as it will not produce this reaction.
As with any vitamin or supplement, please consult your doctor before taking.
Author Beverly Terhune speaks from 35 years of living with Rheumatoid Arthritis and shares her experience, strength & hope on how to lead a healthy, substance-free life.
Are you looking for ways to improve your memory, energy level or fight depression? Purchase our all natural vitamins, minerals, herbs and teas at wholesale prices. Subscribe to our free health tip newsletter.
Baron Import & Export: 'Take Your Vitamins' - Natural Products -Wholesale Prices - Fast Delivery Visit us at: http://www.vitaminbaron.com Phone: 602-942-0118 ? Fax: 602-863-9020
Mercedes Benz s500 rentals Willowbrook .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare1. Water. If you're thirsty you're already dehydrated. The majority... Read More
If you are like most people, you don't enjoy the... Read More
Please feel free to comment, so that the article may... Read More
Fat burning compatible foods seem to be a popular topic... Read More
Your fiber intake is a critical factor in weight loss... Read More
So, what is new about this that you already don't... Read More
The Food Pyramid, first introduced to the US in 1992,... Read More
First some terminology.Fructose ... a five carbon sugar that occurs... Read More
While packages of the artificial sweetener Splenda claim, "made from... Read More
The subject of health care itself often seems plagued with... Read More
We sometimes hear about ways that we can take care... Read More
Almost every woman suffers with premenstrual syndrome at one time... Read More
Because all of us have been brought up eating junk... Read More
Some experts consider carbohydrate craving and addiction as something more... Read More
"You are what you eat."Does it sound familiar? You probably... Read More
How is it that we can't seem to think that... Read More
You're always hungry right? The last thing you have time... Read More
I read a lot about the topics of health and... Read More
Essential Fatty Acids are oils, omega-3 and omega-6, that you... Read More
Picture yourself in one of the following scenarios.You're cruising along... Read More
Sprouts not only taste good, but they are also a... Read More
Did you know that there might be poison in many... Read More
Calcium helps reduce constipationUsing calcium and magnesium in the right... Read More
For a natural and tasty way to improve your health... Read More
It is shocking how many people are not taking advantage... Read More
wedding limousine Lake Forest ..The factors that affect the nutritional requirements of an individual... Read More
Some of the things you think you know that just... Read More
Whenever possible, we should try to get our antioxidants and... Read More
Last year I had a number of clients who started... Read More
What ancient tribes and people of the Amazon have known... Read More
For a considerable amount of time, nutrition has not played... Read More
Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for... Read More
Have you ever thought about where your drinking water comes... Read More
Media coverage of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has incited... Read More
It's 5:30 p.m. and you're heading home after a long,... Read More
As any student of chemistry will assure you, acids and... Read More
The sugar industry and the food manufacturers are capitalizing BIG... Read More
Dieters who dejectedly complain they are figuratively "stuck" with their... Read More
The Zone Diet has been around since around 1995, when... Read More
Eating orange mean absorbing vitamin C to our body, is... Read More
When I hear the word fat I usually think of... Read More
Incorporating these fat loss tips will improve your nutrition program.... Read More
One of the most common questions I am asked is... Read More
Niacin, also called nicotinic acid, is a member of the... Read More
With all the news about Splenda of late and the... Read More
There are a lot of very good reasons to eat... Read More
Bye Bye HolidaysHoping everyone had a fun, fantastic, exciting and... Read More
Spring in New York City is a really magical time.... Read More
1. Look for high quality, crystalline, free-form, amino acids (AAs)... Read More
THE RISKNo doubt you've heard of the increasingly popular "raw... Read More
Nutrition |