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
Chances are you may have had a food product that... Read More
Diets concern especially Americans as they do have a "national... Read More
What if there was a combination of foods that were... Read More
Most digestive disorders develop because of the bodys inability to... Read More
People are obsessed with dieting and weight loss! Don't believe... Read More
For a natural and tasty way to improve your health... Read More
Whether you're concerned about cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or simply... Read More
They sit left behind on relish trays. They're often by-passed... Read More
Oats (botanical name Avena sativa)An oat is a grass that... Read More
Evidence for the importance of fruit and vegetable intake to... Read More
Eating out when you are on a restricted diet always... Read More
It's 5:30 p.m. and you're heading home after a long,... Read More
Having a large amount of such "visceral fat" is associated... Read More
You must add some fresh cherries, which are now in... Read More
Post nasal drip is a sensation of mucous build up... Read More
Unfortunately, it has been proved beyond doubt that a large... Read More
Eating grain products - breads, cakes, cereals - have long... Read More
Incorporating these fat loss tips will improve your nutrition program.... Read More
One must always keep in mind that copper is not... Read More
Americans are literally running out of time. Achieving a work-life... Read More
Approximately 30 years ago, food manufacturers were competing against the... Read More
Is the thrill gone? Has the thrill gone out of... Read More
With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little... Read More
Nutrition is extremely important for any young person, especially an... Read More
Heart disease results when plaque builds up inside the arterial... Read More
In today's world, there's a definite need to be proactive... Read More
Dr. Arthur Agatston, the cardiologist who developed South Beach Diet... Read More
In health circles there has been much recent talk about... Read More
With today's time constraints, stressful jobs, and "thin is in"... Read More
Modern life can be stressful. There are so many concerns... Read More
It is always amazing to me when I find a... Read More
The best weight training and cardio workouts will do very... Read More
The egg, the symbol of birth, of life and, therefore,... Read More
I would like to raise a question: Is Rejuvenation possible... Read More
Chances are you may have had a food product that... Read More
Whatever diet you choose to live by, the food you... Read More
Eating right to suit your blood type" is a subject... Read More
In order to eat fewer calories than you need, you... Read More
The nutritional support in critically ill patients can be explained... Read More
Many people complain that organic foods are more costly than... Read More
Remember the old adage, you are what you eat? The... Read More
Are You Half The Man Your Father Was?It is a... Read More
One way to combat the boredom many people complain accompanies... Read More
When you take your food next time, take care of... Read More
One of the biggest mistakes many new bodybuilders make is... Read More
Endurance Sports are like music concerts. They start at a... Read More
The Human Body is in a constant flux with the... Read More
Post nasal drip is a sensation of mucous build up... Read More
THE RISKNo doubt you've heard of the increasingly popular "raw... Read More
Eating orange mean absorbing vitamin C to our body, is... Read More
"Organic" has some quite specific legal definitions in most developed... Read More
The concept isometric has been a part of the health... Read More
There are basically four major components, or essential molecular components... Read More
An American culture that is marked by a chronic lack... Read More
The best weight training and cardio workouts will do very... Read More
With so many people concerned about natural and organic foods... Read More
About 12.6 million Americans currently have heart disease.1.1 million Americans... Read More
Here's food for thought! Did you know the average restaurant... Read More
Aging occurs when the body's cells die at faster rates... Read More
Many people avoid avocados thinking them to be fattening, but... Read More
If you have high cholesterol, the American Heart Association's low-cholesterol,... Read More
Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who's the healthiest of them... Read More
The problem with sugar is that it doesn't contain any... Read More
Media coverage of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has incited... Read More
In this fast paced world, good nutrition may sound very... Read More
Every where you look you see articles or news or... Read More
Nutrition |