As we age our brain begins to shrink and lose its ability to make the neurotransmitters necessary for optimal mental function. The #symptoms of this gradual decline vary from one person to another, but can include any of the following:
Difficulty sleeping
Difficulty staying focused
Forgetting where things are
Unexplained changes in mood
Reduced ability to multi-task
Difficulty remembering recent events or people’s names
These initial signs of the mental challenge may be dismissed as part of the “normal #aging process.” But I can assure you they are not a satisfactory explanation for what is happening. These are the symptoms of a brain that has not been properly fed for many years. In fact, these may be the early signs of more serious mental #challenges such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s Disease. If you do begin to experience any of these symptoms it may be very helpful to ask your doctor for a special blood panel to determine if you are starting to show any signs of biochemical changes caused by #nutritional deficiencies.
Here is an assessment tool to determine if this biochemical deterioration is beginning.
Brain Health Survey
ANALYSIS TABLE: (Numbers of Yes Answers)
1 to 5 Mild—Concentrate on improvement in your few areas of concern.
6 to 10 Moderate—Diet changes, specific supplements, and natural therapies like meditation or acupuncture are probably needed.
11 to 15 High—Same steps as moderate above plus talk #therapy and additional medical tests may be needed.
16 to 20 Very high—Same steps as above with the possible need for prescription medications on an interim basis. (After appropriate tests are completed.)
If your score indicates a need for more nutrients for your brain here are some quick and easy ways to start your improvement process. The first step is to begin to eat a Mediterranean Diet of #whole, organic foods including omega-3 fish, range-fed poultry, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Drink lots of spring water and avoid red meat, dairy, sugar, #ProcessedFoods, and #FriedFoods. And, while this will be a good beginning you will need to do more than simply eat a healthy diet. You will need to supplement your diet with some key nutrients in order to reach a therapeutic level of the biochemicals your body is missing.
Here are the six nutrients you can use to regain the youthful brain you need to live a long, healthy, and productive life.
Fish oil
Most people do not eat enough #OmegaRich fish, but they can get much more to this key nutrient from a good quality supplement. Here are the scientifically proven benefits of taking 1000–1200 mg of EPA/DHA omega supplements.
Cell membranes are preserved, which facilitates communication between brain cells.
Fish oil helps to reduce the shrinking of the brain.
Omega-3 oils also improve brain function for memory retention.
The ability to learn new information is also increased.
Existing mental challenges such as depression, anxiety, and ADD/ADHD are also improved with the consumption of #FishOil.
The regular consumption of quality fish oil is known to significantly decrease the likelihood of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s later in life.
Vitamin D3
It has been estimated that as many as 90 percent of adults in North America may be seriously deficient in vitamin D3. This nutrient is crucial to the development of healthy bones and brains, as well as protecting us from cancer, including breast and #ProstateCancer. Sun exposure can help to make some vitamin D3, but probably not enough. Here are some of the benefits of supplementing with vitamin D3.
Deficiencies of vitamin D3 have been linked to Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.
Low vitamin D3 levels have been associated with an increase in cellular damage in the brain (often referred to as free radical damage).
Vitamin D3 increases the level of #glutathione in the body, which helps to reduce the level of free radical damage previously mentioned.
People with low levels of vitamin D3 are more likely to experience cognitive impairment than those with high levels.
Vitamin D3 has the ability to activate over 1000 genes that protect us from many chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, #diabetes, and more.
Vitamin D3 provides protection for the memory and learning functions in our brain.
Healthy vitamin D3 levels are 50–90 ng/mL, and if they fall below that level then it may be necessary to supplement with 2000–5000 IU's of a quality liquid gel supplement until that level is achieved.
Curcumin
Curcumin is derived from the spice turmeric and has been used for thousands of years in both Indian and Chinese medicine. It is well known for its ability to reduce #inflammation, as well as prevent and treat cancer, help treat diabetes, and improve liver health. It also has many well-documented benefits for helping the brain to stay #healthy, including the following:
In one study participants experienced measurable improvements in cognitive and mood performance testing.
The same study also resulted in significant improvements in memory tasks and sustained attention span.
Curcumin also improves memory, concentration, and #cognitive function.
Curcumin reduces systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, while also enhancing cellular antioxidant activity.
Curcumin has also been shown to reduce #neurodegeneration caused by toxins such as fluoride.
A protein called brain-derived #neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is needed to promote the growth and maturation of nerve cells. Curcumin has been shown to significantly increase BDNF levels.
Curcumin has been shown to reduce plaque levels in the brain by up to 50 percent. Plaque is one of the main contributors to the development of #dementia and Alzheimer’s.
All curcumin is not easily absorbed in the body. A more bioavailable form is PC-95, which has more curcuminoids, or one that contains galactomannan, which is a form of fiber to protects curcuminoids from intestinal modifications.
Magnesium Threonate (MgT)
This is a very special form of magnesium, which is able to better break the blood-brain barrier in order to gain access to brain cells. This is important because the brain uses over 20 percent of the #glucose consumed to make energy for brain cells. Magnesium is the transport agent that takes glucose into the cell. Energy cannot be made without magnesium. Magnesium has been proven to produce many benefits for the brain:
Magnesium Threonate is an effective nutrient for treating ADHD and ADD.
It has also been proven effective in the reduction of amyloid plaque by 35 percent.
MgT is also proven effective in the treatment of #anxiety and depression.
Oral dosages of MgT has been shown to be effective to prevent neuropathic pain induced by chemotherapy.
Magnesium is crucial for the production of the energy needed to make all of the brain’s neurotransmitters including GABA, serotonin, dopamine, #acetylcholine, and melatonin.
The best source of magnesium in food is dark green vegetables, however, it is better to buy MgT in supplement form and take it in the evening with a #vitaminB complex supplement. Vitamin B6, B12, and folate are needed to make neurotransmitters. There must be sufficient magnesium available to make the energy for this production process.
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)
NAD is a coenzyme needed for several important biochemical functions. NAD enables the transfer of energy from the foods we eat to produce new replacement cells everywhere in the body. As we age this replacement process slows down due to genetic codes related to our aging process. NAD levels decline with age leaving our cells vulnerable to accelerated cellular aging. By adding NAD in supplement form, we can turn off, or at least slow down, this aging process. NAD also helps to keep our stem cells at a higher level, which helps to make new cells needed to replace aging or damaged cells. NAD accomplishes this cellular rejuvenation by repairing damaged DNA caused by the presence of toxins, strengthening our immune system, and lengthening the telomeres in our chromosomes. Shorter telomeres are one of the signs of cellular aging. NAD helps the brain in many ways.
NAD helps to repair damaged tissues in the brain.
Damaged brain tissues are a key factor in many brain-related illnesses.
NAD has been shown to help control and effectively treat brain fog, cognitive impairment, and “chemo brain,” or #toxin overload.
NAD is not easily absorbed in the body in oral form. Absorption can be improved by adding ingredients such as Bacopa Monierri, Cat’s claw, CoQ10, and other amino acids and nutrients.
Lithium
Lithium has been used for many years as a treatment for schizophrenia, at fairly large doses. Recently it has been found that lower doses provide an excellent treatment for declining memory. There are several reasons why lithium is able to provide these benefits in the new formulations that are beginning to appear on the market.
Lithium helps to protect nerve cells from damage.
Lithium also plays an important role in brain cell regeneration and recovery.
The brain consists of both white and gray matter. Lithium helps to increase both types of “matter” leading to less shrinking, sharper thinking skills, better focus, and better memory.
Lithium increases gray matter by stimulating the brain to generate new cells, which then develop into neurons.
Myelin is made primarily from lipid (fat) and #protein and forms a protective layer around each nerve cell. Lithium adds more myelin around these cells providing increased protection. This process is known as remyelination.
A good formulation has been developed by Life Extension called Memory Protect. Some patients experience memory improvement in just a few days.
WRAP IT UP
There are many #nutrients that have been proven to be helpful in improving brain health. However, scientific evidence clearly points to these six super nutrients as being the best for immediate and long-term brain health improvement for most people. Every person is unique in their biochemistry, as well as their lifestyle and behavior, which means it is imperative that everyone should consult with a qualified functional medicine practitioner before making any changes in their diet, their medications, and their #nutritional supplements.
And, it is also important to monitor your biochemistry by using quality blood testing.
Fish oil can be measured with the Omega3/6 ratio test.
Vitamin D3 should be measured to ensure levels are between 50–90 ng/mL.
Curcumin controls inflammation which can be measured by C-reactive #protein.
Magnesium can best be measured with the RBC Magnesium test.
NAD levels can be measured using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
Lithium levels can be measured using lithium serum blood levels.
Most of these tests are easy to add to any blood panel, with the exception of the HPLC test. It is also possible to find an assessment based on symptoms, which can provide a timely and still very accurate method of determining the impact of the aforementioned #diet and supplement changes. I think you will find this functional medicine #BrainHealth protocol to be safer, more effective, and far less costly than any of the prescription alternatives available.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Charles K. Bens, Ph.D. is an author, speaker, and wellness consultant specializing in the prevention and reversal of #ChronicDisease. He is the founder and president of Healthy @ Work, Inc. a wellness education and consulting company focused on improving the health of employees. The company provides workshops on a wide range of health topics. He has written nine books including, “Healthy at Work: Your Pocket Guide to Good Health” and “The Healthy Smoker: How To Quit Smoking By Becoming Healthier First,” plus over 200 articles. Dr. Bens lectures all over the world on organizational change and improvement as well as wellness and health improvement. And was selected by Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation as the Vail Visiting Professor for 2013. Contact info:
bensck@gmail.com