http://www.losethebackpain.com/blog/2011/10/25/einsteins-secret/

http://www.losethebackpain.com/blog/2011/10/25/einsteins-secret/

Einstein’s Secret

Albert Einstein

By Al Sears, MD

Albert Einstein had only one thing different about his brain than the brain of everyday folks. I’m going to tell you what that is, and it has to do with the most common thing people worry about as they grow older.

In my experience with anti-aging medicine over the last 25 years, there have been plenty of things my patients worry about: looks, vision, strength, sexual potency, and so on.

But the hands down, number-one thing more people are concerned with over and above anything else is the decline of their brains.

The fogginess. Their loss of memory. The experience they’ve had with elders who can’t remember things. The struggle they’re having trying to keep the same level of mental energy and focus.

They feel mentally fatigued, and that bothers them more than any physical problem. And from what I’ve seen, as you get older, you’re very aware of it and desirous of something to help with memory, attention, motivation and mental focus.

So, what to do? How can you repair your aging brain, and get better as you get older?

One way is to give some extra support to a neglected part of the brain called the “glia.”

Brain researchers always thought of glial cells as neurons’ strange assistants. They believed neurons did all the signaling and all the “thinking.”

But new research shows that glial cells do a lot more than just take up half the space in your “gray matter.” Some act as your brain’s immune cells, some anchor neurons in place, and some clean up waste. Some even signal your immune system for help.

These cells use glioltransmitters to stimulate and fine tune the actions of your neurons. This gives you a faster, more accurate brain with less fogginess and better concentration.

Glia also enhance the brain activity that helps you soak up the world around you. For instance, if you were missing a kind of glial cell called oligodendrocytes, messages would travel through your brain 30 times slower!

And did you know that extra glial cells were the only thing scientists found that was different about Einstein’s brain? He had a lot more of them than most people do.

The best way to enhance this part of your brain is with a group of antioxidants that zero in on helping you sharpen your mind. And they have memory and even mood-enhancing properties.

New research into brain activity shows that flavonoids, the antioxidant nutrients that naturally occur in plants, have a special role in protecting your glial cells.

Flavonoids assist your hard-working glial cells in getting rid of free radicals and other brain-robbers that play the biggest role in:

• memory decline
• slowing of body movements
• mental fatigue

Here are four flavonoids that give your glial cells the most benefit, and help to protect and revitalize the biggest and most underappreciated part of your brain:

Red Wine Rescue

The American Cancer Society sponsored a study that showed the potent flavonoid apigenin was able to kill deadly glial brain cancer cells while at the same time protecting healthy cells.1
And in another study, apigenin not only protected animals against symptoms of Alzheimer’s, but those given apigenin had improved learning and memory capabilities, maintained the integrity of their brain cells, had better brain blood flow, reduced free-radical damage, and improved brain chemical transmission.2
The best sources are parsley, tomatoes, celery, artichokes, peppermint, and the herb basil. Red wine also has a good amount of this flavonoid.

Bees Make a Better Brain

Toxins and pollutants in the modern world assault your body all day with factors that cause inflammation. They can even hijack enzymes your body normally uses to protect your brain. Luteolin can stop this process cold.
In a brand new study, luteolin almost completely protected glial cells from free-radical damage and inflammation.3 It also improves memory and helps ease depression.
You can get each day’s supply of luteolin from celery, green peppers, the herb thyme, and in chamomile and yarrow teas. There’s also a unique source of luteolin… it’s from the resin bees use to make their honeycombs called propolis. You can find it in most health food stores.

Mango Powered Memory Boost

The natural extract from the leaves of the mango tree called mangiferin has been shown to be anti-tumor, can reduce pain, and helps protect against diabetes.
Many animal studies have also shown that mangiferin improves memory. And it protects against excitotoxins from the environment that can harm your brain.4
There is no mangiferin in the actual mango fruit. You must get the extract which is available from many Asian specialty stores and online sellers like 21food.com.

The Brain Berry

The little-known flavonoid called morin can kill cancer cells and protect the kidney from the effects of alcohol. It can also shield your neurons and those important glial cells I mentioned earlier called oligodendrocytes.
In a study from the journal Glia, researchers found that free-radical damage from inflammation was much higher in glial cells not protected with morin.5
Morin comes from the leaves of the guava tree, and from the fruit of a tree that grows on the American prairie called the Osage orange. But the most bio-available source is the delicious Chinese White Mulberry (which is actually very dark purple).

Most Popular:

The End of “Senior Moments”?

References
1 Das, A., Banik, N.L., Ray, S.K., “Flavonoids activated caspases for apoptosis in human glioblastoma T98G and U87MG cells but not in human normal astrocytes,” Cancer Jan. 1, 2010;116(1):164-76
2 Liu, R., Zhang, T., Yang, H., et al, “The flavonoid apigenin protects brain neurovascular coupling against amyloid-β-induced toxicity in mice,” J. Alzheimers Dis. 2011;24(1):85-100
3 Zhu, L.H., Bi, W., Qi, R.B., et al, “Luteolin inhibits microglial inflammation and improves neuron survival against inflammation,” Int. J. Neurosci. June 2011;121(6):329-36
4 Lemus-Molina, Y., Sánchez-Gómez, M.V., Delgado-Hernández, R., et al, “Mangifera indica L. extract attenuates glutamate-induced neurotoxicity on rat cortical neurons,” Neurotoxicology Nov. 2009;30(6):1053-8
5 Ibarretxe, G., Sánchez-Gómez, M.V., Campos-Esparza, M.R., et al, “Differential oxidative stress in oligodendrocytes and neurons after excitotoxic insults and protection by natural polyphenols,”Glia Jan. 15, 2006;53(2):201-11
Related posts:

1. Don’t Let Pain Burn Out Your Brain Imagine that your brain is an engine in a car with a manual transmission. You keep your engine well-oiled and...
2. Exercises for a Young Brain You’ve heard proper exercise is important for your health. It tones muscle, burns fat, and helps keep your heart and...
3. The Secret Reason You’re Still In Pain Have you “tried it all” but missed this pain relief secret? “Nothing works. I just can’t get rid of this...
4. The Ultimate Natural Skin Conditioner By Al Sears, MD When I traveled to India and visited the home of Ayurvedic medicine, the world’s oldest health...
5. 3 Ways to Turn Off Pain And Feel Alive Again Switch off pain… without harming your healing You may not realize it, but adverse drug reactions are the 4th leading...

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http://www.primalforce.net/chph/ (the end of a senior moment)

Kick Start Your Morning Without Feeling Nervous or Jittery

The Amazon herb that kept me alert, yet relaxed, comes from a seed called Paullinia cupana. The active compound is guaranine, a member of the caffeine family. But unlike regular caffeine, it's full of healthy fatty acids.

The good fat gives guaranine a slow release. Its effect will gradually increase over a period of hours. It doesn’t pick you up and throw you down like quick release caffeine. There’s no crash with this stuff… and you don’t get any of the nervous, jittery energy you do with caffeine. Caffeine gets a bad rap sometimes, but it’s the most widely used drug in the world. And it’s a proven mental performance booster. The studies number in the hundreds. One published in Neurology found that three cups of coffee a day cuts your risk of mental decline by over 50%.1

But there’s a catch. Coffee gives you a short burst of energy, but overheats and excites your body. Guaranine has a cooling action that revitalizes and relaxes. The end result is more beneficial to your body. You get all the energy and alertness but remain calm, cool and collected.*
A team of Brazilian scientists studied the effects on rats. Their results were not surprising. Guaranine increased their physical activity, increased their physical endurance under stress and improved their memory.2*
But like I said, the story gets even better...

Give Your Brain the Power of Total Recall and Extreme Alertness

The effect of the Paullinia cupana seed was amazing. It gave me the endurance to trek through the Amazon and left me with a wonderful feeling of clarity. But I was starting to see the bigger picture.
The Rainforest herb works its magic by releasing acetylcholine in your brain.

Acetyl-choline is a neurotransmitter.

It's the brain chemical that lets your nerve cells fire through the synapse or gap that exists between the trillions of neurons in your brain.
If you have lots of acetylcholine, your mind is sharp and your memory is clear. When you drink coffee in the morning, the release of acetylcholine gives you the buzz that gets you going.*
But there's a problem. Coffee will burn you out because it depletes your reserve of acetylcholine. Guaranine is slow acting with none of the caffeine side effects, but it works in the same way. Eventually you lose your reserve of acetylcholine.
But if you trigger a release of acetylcholine and then rebuild your reserves, you can sustain the amazing rush of clarity over the long term.*

That's the Realization I Had While Hiking Through the Forest.

I knew I could get the best of both worlds if I combined guaranine with powerful brain nutrients. One of them is choline, the building block required for the synthesis of acetylcholine. Introduce choline into the mix and you give your body the ability to manufacture this incredibly powerful neurotransmitter. When you combine choline and guaranine you get a bigger release of acetylcholine - even more than taking guaranine on its own. That's what gives you the feeling of energy and mental power. But instead of depleting your reserves and burning out, you build them up.*
That means you can take my formula every day and get the same effect every time.

Getting More Choline is Essential - 
Your Brain Needs it for Thinking and Remembering

Your brain has a huge appetite for choline. It's the primary building block for acetylcholine. You burn it up 24/7 as your brain uses it to maintain clear communication between trillions of neurons.
You need it for all the basics like thought, memory and sleep. It even controls how you move. Your muscles receive commands from your brain via acetylcholine. That means your sense of balance and stability is controlled by this key transmitter. Like many nutrients, your supply of choline drops as you get older. As this happens, you can expect some or all of these symptoms:

• Poor recall and memory loss

• Fatigue or lack of energy

• Brain fog and/or a sense of confusion

• Problems falling asleep, tossing and turning

• Unable to catch on, or learn new things

• Feeling distracted or irritable

• Walking with a wobbly or shaky gait, unable to stay balanced

When Your Brain Doesn't Get Enough Choline
It Starts to Destroy Itself.

To survive, your body will scavenge materials from other sources when it can't get enough from its main supplier. When choline levels drop off, your brain goes on a scavenger hunt and extracts choline from nerve cell membranes. This last resort is called "auto-cannibalism" and it's very dangerous.
In the short term, your brain will use this technique to keep your memory and other functions up and running. But in the long run, your nerve cells end up badly damaged.
In the diagram below, you can see how the nutrients DMAE and choline turn into the key neurotransmitter acetylcholine. DMAE is another powerful brain nutrient I will tell you about a little later. It's also in my formula. First, I want you to see the direct connection choline has to its end product acetylcholine.

As you can see, choline is one small step away from acetylcholine. Put more choline into your body and your brain gets more of the neurotransmitter that keeps your mind alert and your memory fresh.*

Clinical Studies Prove Connection Between Choline and Memory

It's very possible you've never heard of choline. Most people haven't. But it's one of the most important nutrients on the planet. And it's well researched. There are dozens of studies testing both animals and humans.
Here are just a few:

• Researchers who gave rats a choline supplement found they developed a sharper and longer memory than rats that didn't have extra choline. On day one, both groups of rats were performing their tasks successfully. This included avoiding electric shock as they moved through a maze.

On day two, the rats that didn't have the extra choline forgot about the electric shock and got zapped. But the rats that had the extra choline remembered the booby traps and successfully avoided getting shocked.3

• In a human study, researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago tested people with a choline deficiency. They gave them a series of memory tests and found below average scores. In the next stage, they divided the same people into two groups. One group received extra choline, the other didn't.

After 24 weeks, both groups repeated the memory tests. Not surprisingly, the group with the extra choline performed with flying colors and their results showed a dramatic improvement over the first round. The group that received no extra choline performed poorly. Their results showed no improvement over the first round.4*

Burn Through Your Crossword with Lightning Speed…

My unique blend of choline and guaranine is like rocket fuel for your brain. Not only does it give you a better boost than your morning cup of coffee, it gives you the clarity of a mental giant.
You'll notice the lift right away. If you do crosswords you'll finish them in a fraction of the time. Things like organization, recall and comprehension just fall into place.

When you read something, you "get it." When someone is explaining something, you understand what they're getting at before they even get to the point. You move into a feeling of extreme alertness. You're aware of everything and it's all so clear.
The processing speed of your brain gets a twin-turbo boost. It's like stepping up to one of those super-computers NASA uses for space flight.
One of the experiences I appreciate most is the "alert but calm" feeling. Your mind can relax and let go. Your focus becomes almost laser like. And it lasts throughout the day. It's not a short-lived spike like coffee or other caffeine drinks.
I could have stopped there. Choline and guaranine are enough to repair and rejuvenate your aging brain. But there's another key brain booster essential to my formula.*

This Nutrient Works So Well it Even Caught the Attention of the Bumbling Bureaucrats at the FDA.

A little earlier I mentioned DMAE. It's a natural, brain-stimulating nutrient found in anchovies, sardines and other fish. Studies show it increases levels of acetylcholine. As you know, acetylcholine is critical for learning and memory.5

I've been following the story of DMAE for decades. It works so well the FDA finally took notice and planned to approve it.

So what happened? The FDA discontinued it in the late 1970s after the manufacturer didn't agree to the expensive retesting required. Since the manufacturer wouldn't pay, the FDA dropped DMAE like a hot potato.
What a shame. DMAE provides a safe and non-addictive solution to a variety of cognitive and behavioral problems.
DMAE can also support learning and promote a healthy mood.* In one study, 50 kids showed improvement in just 10 weeks.6 In another study, children did better in concentration and skill tests with this nutrient.7 And there were no side effects like jumpiness, or an increase in heart rate.8
It's easy to see why I added DMAE to my formula. It's one of the best memory boosters available. In combination with choline and guaranine, it's unbeatable. It has a synergistic quality that makes the three ingredients more than the sum of their parts.
Clinical studies show DMAE can:9*

• Boost IQ
• Accelerate mental speed and your ability to process thoughts and ideas
• Improve your concentration and eliminate early morning "fogginess"
• Promote a healthy mood
• Decrease irritability and over activity 
• Increase attention without causing drowsiness

Good for Your Heart and Brain,Too

There's one more thing you need to know about this formula. It has a very unique and clinically proven "side effect": It supports your heart and brain health.*

How is this possible?

Boosting the level of choline in your blood has a powerful effect on homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP). These powerful markers are better indicators for heart and brain health than anything else - including cholesterol.

Research has demonstrated that homocysteine causes oxidative stress to the vascular endothelium and that maintaining healthy levels of homocysteine is important for heart health.*

Your body produces C-reactive protein as part of its overall defense. When part of your body is injured, it sends signals to the rest of your body for help. Your immune system then sends out white blood cells and inflammatory molecules including CRP to the injured area.

Once there, the defense cells try to fix damaged areas and fight off the intruder. But this defensive response causes inflammation. The inflammatory response needs energy in the form of oxidative "fire" which can damage surrounding tissues.

Spikes in CRP levels are an early sign of inflammation in your body. That's why CRP is such a good indicator. We can evaluate heart health using CRP levels better than with cholesterol levels.

The New England Journal of Medicine published a massive study on CRP. Almost 28,000 people participated in the trial. Researchers discovered that CRP predicted cardiovascular health better than LDL cholesterol.10

Here's the good news: The choline in my formula brings down your levels of both homocysteine and CRP.* 

• An experiment published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition followed two groups of men. One group ate a diet with no choline. The other group took a choline supplement. The men with no choline saw a steep rise in homocysteine. After just 10 days, their homocysteine went up by 35%.11*
  
• Researchers discovered that people who consume higher amounts of choline have lower levels of homocysteine and CRP. The study followed two groups of people. One group averaged less than 250-mg of choline a day. The other group averaged more than 310-mg of choline a day. The group who averaged above 310-mg saw their CRP drop by 22%.12*

Not only does choline ramp up your mental energy and protect your memory, it helps wipe out the two predictors of coming disaster.*

Here's Another Mental Boost: Confidence

If this is the first time you've heard about choline, you may be surprised to hear it does so much. But once you feel the results for yourself, you'll understand.

After taking my choline formula, many of my patients tell me they feel more confident about the future. Instead of sitting around the house worrying about what might happen, they feel like they're back in the driver's seat. That's what happens when you have real options.
Knowledge is power. But I wouldn't be surprised if sometimes you feel like you're being kept in the dark. Many doctors make their patients feel like children or fools. Or both. They hand out prescriptions and give you an attitude if you ask questions. I've always believed real medicine is about empowerment. Not secrecy.

With this blend of super nutrients, you have the power to keep your mind clear and strong as you age. It keeps your brain young and well fed. And when it's working in peak condition your risk of problems drops dramatically.*

Greet the Morning with a Clear Head and a Warm Smile

Since I've been using my choline formula I haven't touched a cup of coffee. I don't need to. The feeling of "awakeness" I get is far better than anything from Starbucks.
And the effect lasts all day. 
To get your own taste of clarity, just choose your offer below.
To Your Good Health,



Al Sears, M.D.
P.S. Get your quick reply bonus. Order now and get my Special Report: Repair Your Aging Brain in Just 15 Minutes a Day at no extra cost.
In it, I give you dozens of strategies that can sharpen your thinking and prevent you from losing your memory and power of concentration as you age. You'll discover the number one thing you can do right now to preserve and promote your mental clarity.

PLUS...You'll also learn:

• How to beat the brain-destroying effects of cortisol (your stress hormone)
• Tools you can use to reverse cognitive decline
• The best way to protect yourself from age-related memory loss

It's yours for the asking. Even if you ask for a return, you get to keep Repair Your Aging Brain in Just 15 Minutes a Day with my compliments.

Brain foodS that help one concentrate

http://www.medicinenet.com/brain_foods_pictures_slideshow/article.htm

Essential oils

http://healthscents4u.com/EssentialOilStudies.aspx


An essential oil is a highly concentrated, very potent plant extract. 

When you break a leaf or flower petal you see a tiny drop of liquid coming out.  That is the essential oil of the plant.  This liquid appears immediately when the plant is injured and its purpose is to begin the healing process.

This is why essential oils are also called the life blood of the plant.  They carry nutrients, provide cells with oxygen and protect the plant from insects, bacteria and mold. It is “essential” because without it the plant would die. 

The essential oil above is actually blend of essential oils that include Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus and Rosemary

The proprietary Thieves oil blend was created based on research into the recipe used by the thieves of the 15th century. In 1997, studies conducted at Weber State University showed it to have a 99.96% success rate against airborne bacteria.

Screening and disease prevention in women

http://www.medicinenet.com/disease_prevention_in_women_pictures_slideshow/article.htm

Disease Prevention in Women Overview

Good info on breast cancer

http://www.medicinenet.com/breast_cancer/article.htm#

Good info on breast cancer with slide presentation and clear elaboration with good links.

Foods that beat the blues

http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/foods-beat-blues-090000972.html
Foods that beat the blues:

1) Nuts
Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B6, folate (vitamin B9) and tryptopha --> mood-boosting properties.
Brazil nuts are an extremely rich source of the mineral selenium. Low levels of selenium can lead to depression, irritability and anxiety, snacking on Brazils could be the perfect healthy way to boost our mood.

2) Bananas
Bananas are high in natural sugars and a great source of tryptophan, an essential amino acid which boosts serotonin levels, helping to regulate your mood. Furthermore, they are rich in magnesium, which can help you to relax and vitamin B6, which can help to relieve depression.

3)  Chocolate
Research has shown that chocolate contains many chemicals which can help beat the blues, including relaxing magnesium, calming anandamide and pleasure-inducing phenylethylamine.
To up the mood-boosting benefits further, try snacking on chocolate-dipped strawberries for a healthy treat. Strawberries are not only a good source of vitamin C, which helps in the production of endorphins, but they are high in mood-enhancing flavonoids too.

4) Oily fish
Omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish are well known for being good for the heart as well as beneficial for our brain health and mood. A study by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that participants who had lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood were more likely to be moderately depressed and have a negative outlook.
Furthermore, a study has found surprisingly low rates of seasonal affective disorder in Icelanders, where the diet is high in omega-3 rich fish. To follow in their footsteps and help ward off the blues, try eating two portions of oily fish a week, or up to four for men

5) Marmite

If you’re feeling anxious, stressed or depressed, a dose of B vitamins could help to lift your mood. B vitamins are important for normal brain function and producing mood-boosting serotonin, with vitamins B12 and B6 being particularly beneficial for regulating your mood.
To up your intake of B vitamins, try snacking on Marmite on wholegrain toast. As Marmite is fortified with vitamin B12, this is a particularly good choice of food for vegans and vegetarians who may struggle to get their recommended intake.

Vit C and our skin

We can support our skin from the inside with healthy doses of vitamin C from the foods we eat. Eating more vitamin C-rich foods will give our skin the natural antioxidant protection it needs to prevent fine lines, wrinkles and age spots from the inside out.
Vitamin C can be found in foods like:

Give your skin the natural antioxidant protection it needs by eating fruits such as guava, kiwi, papaya and oranges.

• Citrus Fruit: Fruits like grapefruit, oranges and tangerines contain up to 70 mg of vitamin C per serving. This powerful antioxidant will boost collagen, calm inflammation and protect healthy cells from damage.¹
  
• Cantaloupe: Cantaloupe contains 29 mg of vitamin C per serving.
  
• Guava: While citrus fruits may be the most well-known sources of vitamin C, guava packs a powerful punch with 165 mg of vitamin C per serving.
• Kiwi: Kiwi is also an excellent source of vitamin C at 162 mg per serving.
• Camu Camu: Camu Camu is a rich source of vitamin C at 2,700 milligrams per 100 g. It has 60 times more vitamin C than an orange!
• Papaya: Papaya has 62 mg of vitamin C per serving

Source:  Tara Smith, ARNP, NP-C
Ageless beauty secrets newsletter (Monday, October 10, 2011)
 http://www.mypureradiance.com/eat-your-way-to-beautiful-skin/

Eat Your Way to Beautiful Skin
September 13, 2011 by Kamila Fiore ARNP  

• Wrinkles aren’t just about getting older. Wrinkles can be a sign of more serious inner issues, like dehydration or even a vitamin or mineral deficiency.
• When your body isn’t getting the nutrients it needs, your skin will suffer. In many cases, skin begins to wrinkle before its time because it’s starved for nutrition!
  By focusing on your inner health, you can improve your appearance. Instead of searching for the perfect anti-aging product to transform your skin, eating fresh, nutritious, and delicious foods will improve your inner health and the quality of your skin at the same time.
  Here are five good-for-you foods that can improve the look and feel of your skin:
  1. Papaya: Sweet, juicy papaya is an excellent source of magnesium, which creates SOD – also known as superoxide dismutase. SOD is a natural enzyme that helps the body protect against free-radical damage by neutralizing excessive superoxides.
     SOD is a valuable antioxidant that will keep the cells in your body healthy and resistant to damage. This will benefit not only the quality of your skin to keep it youthful and soft, but it will also protect you from disease.
  2. Oysters: Oysters are an excellent source of zinc to support wound healing. Zinc also helps trigger collagen production in the skin. Collagen is the substance in our skin that keeps it firm, springy, and soft – just like the skin of a teenager.
     Although quite a few anti-aging products advertise to contain collagen, applying collagen to your skin isn’t going to do any good. Topical collagen molecules are too big to absorb into the skin. It’s much more effective to eat foods rich in zinc that will boost collagen from the inside out to smooth wrinkles.
  3. Swiss Chard: This delicious green will help beautify your skin since it’s chock-full of biotin. Biotin helps keep skin moist and soft to prevent dryness and rashes, and it also supports thick, lustrous hair growth.
  4. Brazil Nuts: Brazil nuts are an excellent source of the trace mineral selenium, which is essential for beautiful skin. The majority of us don’t get nearly enough selenium in our diets. But a single Brazil nut will pack a powerful punch with a hefty dose of selenium to neutralize outside free-radical damage that can cause wrinkles. Make it your beauty goal to eat one Brazil nut a day for youthful skin.
  5. Olive Oil: Olive oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids at roughly 0.2 g per ounce.¹ The omega-3 fatty acids in olive oil will calm inflammation in the skin to reduce redness and dryness. This will keep your skin moist and hydrated to prevent wrinkles. Drizzle olive oil on salads, veggies, or grilled fish, but don’t fry with it! Frying with olive oil will damage its omega-3 content and negate any beauty benefits it could offer.
  For a delicious, beautifying breakfast or afternoon snack, try a green tea, blueberry, and banana smoothie. Green tea is an antioxidant-rich beverage that prevents heart disease and boosts metabolism. On top of that, the antioxidants in green tea will help neutralize free radicals from sun damage that could cause skin cancer.
  Blueberries contain more antioxidants than almost any other food! And bananas are an excellent source of vitamin B6 to promote a healthy immune system and protect your skin from disease and outside damage.
  Ingredients:
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 green teabag
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 ½ cup frozen blueberries
  • 1/2 medium banana
  • 3/4 cup skim milk
  Steep the green tea in 3 tablespoons of hot water and brew for 3 minutes. Remove the teabag and stir honey into the tea until it is completely dissolved. Blend blueberries, banana, milk, and tea in a blender until smooth. Serve immediately, and enjoy!
  

Alzheimers-remedy

http://naturalhealthdossier.com/2011/09/new-hope-for-natures-dying-alzheimers-remedy/
http://naturalhealthdossier.com/2011/08/can-animals-safeguard-your-brain/

http://naturalhealthdossier.com/2010/12/spice-and-sunlight-combat-alzheimers-disease/

Can a spice found in most Indian curries combat Alzheimer’s disease?
Dr. Milan Fiala and researchers at UCLA say it can.
As we explained on Tuesday, Dr. Fiala is leading research in the field of Alzheimer’s. He’s a graduate of the University of Geneva, Switzerland with an MSc from Harvard. Two years ago he was given the “Alzheimer Award” by the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
He’s convinced that curcumin may fight Alzheimer’s disease. Dozens of studies support his theory.
But his latest research shows it can be even more powerful with the addition of vitamin D3.

Taking Science Forward

Dr. Fiala’s earlier work shows that a protein called amyloid-beta accumulates in our brains, causing plaque to build up over time. This breaks down mental function and leads to Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Fiala was the first to show that curcumin can combat this. He found that the spice helps the immune system remove this protein from our brains.
He took blood samples from six patients with Alzheimer’s disease and from three healthy control patients. He isolated specialized cells called macrophages. These are the “cleanup crew” of the human immune system. They go through the body, swallowing up waste products. Normally, they remove abnormal amyloid-beta protein from brain cells.
But as Dr. Fiala showed… they don’t work well in Alzheimer’s patients. Compared to to those in the healthy control patients, they are almost useless.
He treated these macrophages with curcumin for 24 hours. They dramatically improved. The curcumin boosted their cleaning power, allowing them to remove the protein that leads to Alzheimer’s.
“Curcumin improved ingestion of amyloid-beta by immune cells in 50 percent of patients with Alzheimer’s,” says Dr. Fiala. “These findings demonstrate that curcumin boosts the immune system of specific Alzheimer’s disease patients.”
But what about the other 50 percent? Well, that’s where vitamin D3 comes in.

Powerful Combo
Dr. Fiala and his team have conducted a brand new study to tackle this issue. It shows that Vitamin D3 and curcumin together power up the cleaning crews. They then remove the protein.
They found that curcumin helps bind the protein to the “cleaning crew.” Vitamin D boosts the cleaners’ absorption of the protein – in all patients. That allows the “cleaning crew” to remove the dangerous protein. Just like healthy people.
“Vitamin D3 and curcumin offer new treatment possibilities for Alzheimer’s,” says Dr. Fiala.
He notes that both compounds are completely natural and safe. That means you can take steps today to prevent Alzheimer’s.
The best source of vitamin D3 is through natural sunlight. In summer and spring months you should opt for at least 20 minutes each day. But during the winter you can also get it in your diet.
Wild-caught cold-water fish are perhaps the best dietary sources of vitamin D3. But cage-free eggs and organic yogurt are good sources too.
You can also buy a vitamin D3 supplement in capsule form. The recommended dose is 10 mcg each day for people over 50.
As for curcumin… getting that is easy. It’s found in abundant amounts in Indian food and spicy curry. But you can also buy it in supplement form at most good health stores.
Dr. Sally Frautschy – associate professor of UCLA – says she eats curry four times a week.
She recommends you take one tablespoon or 200mg of curcumin each day.

“Healthy Foods” Now Contain Brain Damaging Excitotoxins

http://www.healthiertalk.com/healthy-foods-now-contain-brain-damaging-excitotoxins-4776

How Excitotoxins Got Into the Food Supply

Right after World War II, researchers isolated monosodium glutamate from the Japanese sea weed kombu. This involved stripping away the healthy components, including enzymes and minerals.
Today, MSG shows up in virtually all prepared foods, including restaurant food, even when their menus proclaim, “We add no MSG.” That’s because they don’t have to add it; it’s already in the food they receive from suppliers.
As for aspartame, that comes from the amino acid aspartate. We take it in through diet sodas, sugarless candy and desserts, and from those little pink and blue sweetener packets.

Nutritional Protection Against Excitotoxins
Eating mostly fresh, whole foods is the best way to avoid excitotoxins. When you do buy processed food, read labels with care. No matter how careful you are, you will ingest excitotoxins as long as you eat in restaurants, at the homes of friends, etc. For this reason you may want to take nutritional precautions against the damage these chemicals cause.
Natural health practitioners, including Dr. David Blyweiss, recommend the following nutrients and supplements:

• Vitamins C and E—These vitamins may neutralize the impact of excitotoxins in the brain. Choose at least 1,000 mg. of vitamin C daily.
• Other Antioxidant Vitamins—Beta carotene, Vitamin K, and Vitamin D are valuable support.
• Minerals—Magnesium, zinc, and selenium also shield cells by protecting glutamate receptors from excessive excitotoxin absorption.
• Vinpocetine—This natural antioxidant from the seeds of the periwinkle plant might safeguard brain cells from the damage induced by excitotoxins like aspartame. Vinpocetine also acts as a vasodilator, which means it increases circulation and helps deliver more oxygen to the cells. “Vinpocetine appears to have an amazing track record for safety up to 60 mg. a day,” says Dr. Blyweiss. “But, since vinpocetine does have blood thinning effects, if you’re currently taking aspirin or any other blood-thinning supplement or drug, or are being treated for a cardiac or vascular disorder, make sure you talk to your doctor before trying this herb.”

5 Tricks To Make Your Memory Sharp as a Tack

http://www.healthiertalk.com/5-tricks-make-your-memory-sharp-tack-4756


5 Tricks To Make Your Memory Sharp as a Tack
By Dr. David Blyweiss on 09/27/2011


Maybe you’ve gone into the kitchen and don’t remember why, or you can’t recall a familiar name during a conversation. You may have even missed an appointment because it slipped your mind. Memory lapses can occur at any age, but we tend to get more upset by them as we get older because we fear they’re a sign of dementia, or loss of mental acuity. The fact is, significant memory loss in older people isn’t a normal part of aging—but is due to organic disorders, brain injury or neurological illness, with Alzheimer’s being among the most feared.

Most of the fleeting memory problems that we experience with age reflect normal changes in the structure and function of the brain. These changes can slow certain cognitive processes, making it a bit harder to learn new things quickly or screen out distractions that can interfere with memory and learning. Granted, these changes can be frustrating and may even seem far from benign when we need to learn new skills or juggle myriad responsibilities. But there’s usually nothing to worry about. That’s not to say you should ignore these irksome symptoms. Here are five strategies you can use to protect and sharpen your mind.



1. Keep learning: Challenging your brain with mental exercise is believed to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them. Many people have jobs that keep them mentally active, but pursuing a hobby or learning a new skill can function the same way. Read, join a book group, play chess or bridge, write your life story, do crossword or jigsaw puzzles, take a class, pursue music or art, or design a new garden layout. At work, volunteer for a project that involves a skill you don’t usually use. Building and preserving brain connections is an ongoing process, so make lifelong learning a priority.

2. Repeat what you want to know: When you want to remember something you’ve just heard, read or thought about, repeat it out loud or write it down. That way, you reinforce the memory or connection. For example, if you’ve just been told someone’s name, use it when you speak with him or her. If you place one of your belongings somewhere other than its usual spot, tell yourself out loud what you’ve done. And don’t hesitate to ask for information to be repeated.

3. Space it out: : Repetition is most potent as a learning tool when it’s properly timed. It’s best not to repeat something many times in a short period, as if you were cramming for an exam. Instead, re-study the essentials after increasingly longer periods of time—once an hour, then every few hours, then every day. Spacing out periods of study is particularly valuable when you are trying to master complicated information, such as the details of a new work assignment. Research shows that spaced rehearsal improves recall not only in healthy people but also in those with certain physically-based cognitive problems, such as those associated with multiple sclerosis.

4. Make a mnemonic: This is a creative way to remember lists. Mnemonic devices can take the form of acronyms (such as RICE to remember first-aid advice for injured limbs: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) or sentences (such as the classic “Every good boy does fine” to remember the musical notes E, G, B, D, and F on the lines of the treble clef).

5. Nourish your brain: Make sure you are eating an antioxidant-rich diet (think blueberries) that is also high in omega-3 fatty acids from fish, flax and walnuts.

I also recommend taking a supplement that supports both memory and cognition. Look for one with an array of B vitamins which reduce homocysteine levels (elevated homocysteine can cause brain atrophy and vascular disease and may be related to the development of dementia and possibly Alzheimer’s disease) and choline, which helps regulate bioelectrical activities in the brain. There are also a variety of brain-boosting herbs on the market that can give you that mental edge.

When it comes to your brain, it’s “use it or lose it.” Exercising it regularly and giving it the nutrition it needs can help keep your brain in top form so you can stay sharp at any age.

 

Related articles of interest:

Heading Off Dementia May Be Easier Than You Thought

Vinpocetine Improves Memory

Is Your Brain Swollen?

Just One a Day Keeps an Aging Brain at Bay

Natural Steps to Protect Yourself from Alzheimer’s Disease

 

References:

Joseph JA. Grape juice, berries, and walnuts affect brain aging and behavior. Journal of Nutrition. 2009;139:1813S-1817S.

Sachdev PS. Relationship between plasma homocysteine levels and brain atrophy in healthy elderly individuals. Neurology. 2002;58:1539-1541.

Silveri MM. Citicoline enhances frontal lobe bioenergetics as measured by phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy. NMR in Biomedicine. 2008;21:1066-1075.