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
move in cleaning service Glencoe ..ABC News has recently focused on the possible anti-aging benefits... Read More
Media coverage of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has incited... Read More
LIFESTYLE WELLNESS = An Adventure of Health + Vitality!Not a... Read More
Toxic metals exist in our environment as pollutants in our... Read More
Female and male athletes respond to training in a fairly... Read More
Being vegetarian is one of the greatest things in the... Read More
There are numerous diets out there that guarantee that they... Read More
In this newsletter we will discuss the current controversy about... Read More
Almost every woman suffers with premenstrual syndrome at one time... Read More
Some say they don't or can't buy organic foods due... Read More
If you want to build muscle, lose body fat or... Read More
How is it that we can't seem to think that... Read More
Your face turns flush and your skin starts to itch.... Read More
To many people, this may seem a simplistic answer to... Read More
There seems to be fairly poor tracking by any formal... Read More
Salt does Not Cause High Blood Pressure. Some things you... Read More
Following a diet program of any sort can sometimes be... Read More
Ambrotose? - the Nutritional Alphabet of the "Sweet Language of... Read More
Fibromyalgia is a chronic and potentially life-altering disorder with symptoms... Read More
Unfortunately, the words "diet" and "cheating" go hand in hand.... Read More
Can You Lose Weight Through Eating?You get fat when you... Read More
After we have eaten a meal -- and often we... Read More
Fat burning compatible foods seem to be a popular topic... Read More
I am going to share with you possibly the most... Read More
Better sleep = better metabolism. I have been saying it... Read More
disinfecting cleaning services Winnetka ..Quick Overview- I think the most important thing for people... Read More
(Part 1 of a Special 5 Part Series on Body... Read More
Your healthOrganically grown fruit and vegetables are not covered in... Read More
Factory FarmingThe big names in American agriculture would like you... Read More
Constipation is the passing of dry, hard faeces fewer than... Read More
You can trust me that I make sure to take... Read More
Constipation is a condition whereby the fecal matter traveling through... Read More
Ionized minerals, colloidal minerals, chelated minerals . . . What... Read More
You would probably think that I was writing a lot... Read More
What is Cholesterol?Before we go into how to reduce your... Read More
Acid reflux disease, or GERD, is a common compliant of... Read More
How To Have A Healthy ThanksgivingEnd of the year holidays... Read More
Wow! Is it just me or? Wait! Let me start... Read More
Meal sizes and frequency are very important. Over the years... Read More
Eating out when you are on a restricted diet always... Read More
As a low carb dieter, your diet is undoubtedly high... Read More
Many of us, probably even you, want this thing called... Read More
Vitamin EThere has been a lot of controversy about vitamin... Read More
Heart disease results when plaque builds up inside the arterial... Read More
Ambrotose? - the Nutritional Alphabet of the "Sweet Language of... Read More
When it comes to food, we can't ignore the facts... Read More
Glucosamine is readily produced in the human body and is... Read More
1. Look for high quality, crystalline, free-form, amino acids (AAs)... Read More
Here's something you probably don't know. The fruit and vegetables... Read More
Who suffers from Eating Disorders?Eating Disorder sufferers are male and... Read More
Nutrition |