Learn about brain health and nootropics to boost brain function
Ant Brains Grow Proportionally to Communal Responsibilities
A new study suggests behaviorally limited army ants have proportionately smaller brains than their worker counterparts. Like other social insect colonies (think bees), ants are divided into castes—classes of individuals that play distinct roles. Army ants in particular feature three or four diverse body types, each built to perform different jobs. Soldiers, with their large, muscle-filled heads and long, powerful mouths, defend their community by biting and stinging enemies. And … that’s about it. They can’t carry the young during emigrations, hunt, or kill prey; they can’t even feed themselves. So it’s no surprise that the latest data points to a reduced brain size. As described in a paper published by the journal BMC Zoology , scientists measured the head size and brain region of several species of Eciton army ants, comparing workers and soldiers. “Even though worker brain volume increased with body size, that increase slowed or stopped in the soldiers,” lead study author Sean O’Donnell, a professor at Drexel University, wrote in a BioMed Central blog post . “Even though soldiers were larger than the workers, their brains were similar in size.” They also discovered that two key brain regions were smaller than expected, based on soldiers’ overall brain size. One processes chemical information (the insects’ sense of smell), the other is critical for learning and memory. This research supports the idea of evolution favoring reduced brain size in castes with limited behavioral demands. (i.e. The less work an ant does, the smaller its intellect. Or is it the other way around?) “These findings are exciting,” O’Donnell wrote, “because they support the idea that natural selection for colony efficiency can favor the evolution of reduced brain investment in some group members, when a caste has limited behavioral demands. “It appears Eciton soldiers give new meaning to the […]
Nootropic Products Market to Witness Comprehensive Growth by 2024
Nootropic Products Market: Overview The term Nootropic is derived from Greek word noos and tropein which means mind and towards respectively. In general Nootropic products are natural and synthetic compounds that can enhance memory, alertness, attention and other cognitive abilities. Nootropic products are alternatively coined as cognitive enhancers and brain boosters for their ability to produce positive effects on brain performances. Nootropic products are gaining a lot of acceptance in recent years as mood enhancers due to growing prevalence of depression and mental fatigue among youths across the globe. Obtain the Report Brochure @ www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag… Nootropic Products Market: Trends and Developments Nootropic products are a newly emerging category of supplements called as smart drugs aimed at enhancing brain functions and performances. Many students and researches are not only experimenting on the efficacy of the drugs and its probable side effects but are also using some of the approved products such as Modafinil which by 2013 is unfortunately the only available product by prescription. However, there are varieties of other products which can be obtained as supplements without any prescription. These include CDPCholine, Piracetam and either pyritinol or sulbutiamine just to begin with. Some of the other commonly and widely used nootropic products in 2014 encompass Noopept, Pramiracetam, Modafinil, Adrafinil, Aniracetam and Phenylpiracetam among others. Noopept is one of the long considered supplements primarily used to gain number of effective benefits related to synaptic plasticity. Other benefits of Noopept include improved reflexes, mood enhancer, improved logical thinking and controlled anxiety level. This supplement works by stimulating NDMA and APMA receptor sites within the brain that improve the activity of neurotransmitters such as Dopamine, Serotonin and Glutamate among others. Modafinil on the other hand by now the strongest nootropic and must be used with caution. Though it was originally developed for […]
Memory Contest Comes To MIT, Where Brain Scientists Explain Why Training Works
Repeat memory champ Nelson Dellis, new record-breaker Xuanxi Yang of Hershey Middle School, and USA Memory Championship founder Tony Dottino (Courtesy of USA Memory Championship) For the last few months, 13-year-old Claire Wang of Los Angeles has been training her memory with playing cards, phone numbers, software — "whatever I can get my hands on," she says. She’s been buffing up her skills to compete in an annual sporting tournament where the athletes are not physical but mental. Known as the USA Memory Championship , the competition is in its 20th year and hosted for the first time this Saturday at MIT, which is also home to one of the biggest collections of brain scientists in the world. USA Memory Championship competitor 13-year-old Claire Wang of Los Angeles (Courtesy). "The point is, memory is a skill, it’s not an innate capacity," says Robert Ajemian, a research scientist at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT. "And that’s the message that we want to get out, both to the scientific community and to the lay community." Particularly, he adds, "since all of us would want to improve our memory in our own lives, and also, with the scourge of various forms of dementia, this needs to be investigated as a possibility to maybe ward it off." The evidence is inconclusive on whether memory training can help prevent dementia but it’s worth researching, Ajemian says; long-term studies could find that memory training helps defer cognitive decline just as physical exercise protects against heart disease, he says. Thus far, neuroscientists have paid little attention to the kinds of super-memorizers who compete in championships. But last year, a study in the journal Neuron scanned the brains of some of these "mental athletes" and did pick up some differences. It also found that […]
Even ONE HOUR of social media can contribute to poor sleep in teens, according to research
( Natural News ) With social media becoming increasingly popular, various issues have since been linked to its usage. The most recent of these was uncovered by Canadian researchers: They found that spending at least 60 minutes on social media could negatively impact your sleeping patterns . The more you used Facebook, Snapchat, or WhatsApp, the higher your odds of not getting enough sleep . To arrive at this conclusion, the researchers collected data from 5,242 Canadian students participating in the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey . Included in the data were details on how many hours the students slept each night and their duration of social media use. The researchers then compared the participants’ sleep duration to the recommended hour ranges (e.g. nine to 11 hours a night for those in the 11-to-13 age group, and eight to 10 hours a night for those in the 14-to-17 age group). Going by these standards, it was revealed that only 36.4 percent of the participants met or exceeded the recommended hours of sleep, while the remaining 63.6 percent were getting less sleep than they should. Moreover, 59.6 percent of the boys (who composed 51.4 percent of the respondents) were sleeping too little, whereas 67.9 of the girls (who made up 48.6 percent of the respondents) said the same. (Related: Consequences of sleep deprivation for teenagers .) Of the students surveyed, the researchers also noted that 73.4 percent said that they used social media for at least one hour each day. With these figures, the researchers estimated that going on social media for an hour every day placed the odds ratio of shorter sleep duration at 1.82. Hiking it up to at least five hours a day significantly raised the odds ratio to 2.98. Support our mission and protect […]
Being outdoors can improve your well-being
According to Forbes, “at our core, humans have a biological connection to nature. This phenomenon is called biophilia. First introduced by Edward O. Wilson in 1984, the term describes how humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other living things. It helps explain why we enjoy a sunny spot at the windowsill, a lush garden, or an ocean breeze.” The latest research confirms what we all instinctively know – that being outside just makes us feel better. Here are five science-backed benefits of spending time outside according to Forbes: • Increased happiness. Many studies show that our moods take a positive shift when we spend time outside. Research also suggests that spending time in nature can also reduce the risk of depression and anxiety – and may even help improve symptoms. • Reduced inflammation. Spending more time outside could help naturally reduce pain. A 2012 study found that students who were asked to spend time in the forest had lower levels of inflammation than their peers who spent time in the city. • More energy. A series of studies published in the June 2010 issue of the Journal of Environmental Psychology reveals that being in nature makes people feel more alive. “Nature is fuel for the soul,” said Richard Ryan, lead author and a professor at the University of Rochester. “Often when we feel depleted, we reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energized is to connect with nature.” • Improved memory. Studies have found that spending time in nature can help improve memory functions – especially short-term memory. Research from the University of Michigan found that walking in a park or even viewing pictures of nature helped improve both memory and attention span. • Stress relief. Spending […]
Four ways to get more omega 3s without taking fish oil capsules
( Natural News ) A few years back omega 3s had their time in the limelight as the latest and greatest nutrient you should focus on, with specific attention to fish oil capsules. Although certain types of fish can yield a beneficial amount of omega 3s, there seemed to be a complete black out on other sources that were equally, if not more potent. Now that the omega 3 hysteria has faded a bit, it’s time to take a practical look at the most effective omega 3 food choices you can make today. After all, the health benefits of cardiovascular, muscle, joint, brain, immune, skin, and digestive support is worth getting it right. Chia seeds Chia has become popularized in recent years, thankfully, for it’s nutritional power and not the gimmicky chia pet. Chia is an excellent source of omega 3, and provides about 60 percent of your daily needs in 1 tablespoon. To make sure you absorb the omega 3s efficiently, soak your chia for at least 15 minutes and up to an hour prior to use, or you can also grind your chia seeds as well for maximum freshness. You can use chia in smoothies, kefir, kombucha, cereal, baked goods, salads, and yogurt. A popular and delicious way to enjoy it is to make chia seed pudding. For organic chia seeds and a coconut chia pudding recipe, go here . Flaxseeds Flax is an excellent source of fatty acids, most notably omega 3s, with about 39 percent of your recommended daily intake being achieved in 1 tablespoon of flax seed. For proper bioavailability, consider ground flax, cold pressed flaxseed oil, or even making a flaxseed tea, which extracts all the nutrients of the flax into a highly bioavailable liquid. You can easily make a flaxseed tea by […]
Lifestyle Changes to Boost Mental Well-Being
Shutterstock.com There is constant talk about mental health being as important as physical health, but are we really doing anything to boost our mental well-being? While many of us at least try to fit exercises into our busy schedules, we don’t really focus on our mental health. Luckily, it only takes a few simple lifestyle changes to boost mental well-being . Lifestyle Changes for Mental Well-Being While regular exercises and a balanced diet can support our mental health, it is essential to give it a little more attention. Here are some ways in which you can improve your mental well-being: Embrace fragrances: Our olfactory senses can detect nearly a trillion fragrances and may actually benefit mental health. The smells we experience move through the nose to reach the brain, specifically the hippocampus and amygdala that are involved in controlling and storing memories and emotions. When we smell a familiar aroma, it tends to take us back to a specific memory and the happy thoughts linked to it. Fragrances can be soothing, and aromatherapy with natural essential oils may be able to help you de-stress, enhance your mood, help you sleep better and reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Embrace Mindfulness and Yoga: Mindfulness comprises simple meditation techniques that can support both physical and mental conditions. It is said to help reduce the symptoms of anxiety, stress and more serious conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression . It can also improve the immune system, reduce blood pressure levels and enhance sleep. Exercise Well: Regular exercise is necessary for being physically healthy, but have you considered its benefits for mental health? Research shows that simple low-intensity activities like walking could reduce the risk of depression . It may also support the mental well-being of people suffering from conditions […]
5 things that can ruin your summer (and how to avoid the repercussions)
( Natural News ) Summer is a great time of the year, one where we can get outdoors more often, enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, get some much needed vitamin D, and take that long awaited vacation. Those things alone are a cause for celebration. However, with any season there are the pros and cons and summer is no exception. There are a few pitfalls with this season that could impact you immediately and in the future, but the good news is that if you know the risks of the summer and prepare for them accordingly, you can make this season the most blissful one yet. Improper hydration Yes, you’ve heard it over and over again — make sure you are properly hydrated during the summer! But before you go filling up your water jug from the tap there are details you need to consider that can make sure your hydration goes much more effectively. First of all, very few people drink hydrating (clean and highly mineralized) water. The difference between a poorly filtered (or not filtered at all) water and a clean and highly mineralized water just might shock you, with respect to hydration. For example, clean spring water is the most hydrating water you can consume, whereas tap water pales in comparison. The absence of added chemicals, and the addition of minerals are two keys to hydrating your body at the cellular level, keeping your body and it’s 70 percent water content well nourished. If you can’t access spring water (from an actual spring, NOT in a plastic bottle), then make sure your water is clean then add minerals and electrolytes to it for excellent hydration, especially when exerting yourself or spending a lot of time in the hot sun (ideal for athletes). You can do that […]
Nootropics: the Supplement Epidemic Sweeping US Universities
It is no secret college students balance many roles in the quest for a college diploma. They are students, teachers, fraternity members, club Presidents, athletes, interns, employees, and many other things. In this juggling act, students pull all-nighters, coordinate group projects, and work hard in pursuit of an “A.” While tests and projects require significant energy and focus, college students everywhere are finding ways to optimize their brain power and optimize performance in the classroom. Binge drinking coffee is a thing of the past as university students use nootropics, a brain supplement that boosts focus. Nootropics include vitamins, nutraceuticals, and other health products. Nootropic supplements have also been called “smart pills” or “brain boosters.” The name itself means mind (noos) and growth (tropos). Benefits for Students When exams and quizzes begin flooding in, the worries of students begin to rise. Nootropics can help mitigate these worries with many different benefits. They allow students to think under stress, track information, and stay alert for longer periods of times. Supplements can increase individual performance and provide a competitive edge. Students at universities across the nation utilize nootropics for its ability to operate as a memory enhancer and anxiety reducer. These supplements aid in focus and concentration while boosting energy levels. Intelligence enhancement is also listed as a benefit. These benefits are excellent for students when finals week arrives. These supplements can aid in memorizing technical terms, focusing when writing essays, and maintaining endurance during long study periods. Pressure piles on, but nootropics can help manage these feelings. A high-quality supplement will have an efficient and fast effect. Students are provided with fast results under the aid of nootropics . Don’t Get Scammed The marketplace is flooded with many nootropic supplements . Just like any product, there are some worth the price […]
Bilingual people are better at sensory perception: Study
( Natural News ) A study published in the journal Brain Sciences has found that learning a second language can alter how the senses work together to interpret speech . The study, carried out by researchers at Northwestern University , has established that bilingual individuals are better at putting together sight and hearing to perceive speech. In particular, when people hear speech sounds that contradict with what they see, they will often perceive an entirely different sound. This illusion is referred to as the “McGurk Effect,” which was discovered to occur more likely if you speak more than one language. This indicates that language experience can influence how the world is perceived. “Our discovery is that bilinguals are more likely to integrate across auditory and visual senses,” said Viorica Marian, one of the researchers of the study and a professor at Northwestern University . “A bilingual and monolingual listening to the same speaker can hear two completely different sounds, showing that language experience affects even the most basic cognitive process,” explained Sayuri Hayakawa, a co-author of the study. Bilinguals find it more difficult to understand what they hear because multiple languages compete with each other in the brain, according to earlier research. Because of this, bilinguals tend to depend more heavily on visual input to interpret sound. Bilingual experience can affect domains ranging from memory to decision making, to cognitive control. However, these findings indicate that studying a second language can even affect basic sensory experiences. The benefits of knowing how to speak foreign languages Here are seven benefits of knowing more than one language : You become more clever – Speaking another language enhances the brain’s functionality by challenging it to identify and negotiate meaning and communicate in various language systems. Moreover, people who study foreign languages are […]
Eat more brown rice for a healthier brain
( Natural News ) Consuming brown rice ( Oryza sativa ) has been found to improve cognitive health and prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease . The animal study, published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine , used a high-pressure technique to increase the digestibility and absorption of brown rice in order to prevent the development of dementia. Even though brown rice contains nutrients and protective components against the development of dementia, the body cannot properly absorb these because brown rice is difficult to digest. Therefore, a team of researchers at the Doshisha University , Shimane University , and Shimane Institute for Industrial Technology in Japan pressurized brown rice at 600 megapascals (Mpa) to produce highly-pressurized brown rice. This was done as an attempt to improve digestibility and absorption of brown rice without affecting its nutrient content. Then, the research team fed it to an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model, senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8), to look at the effects of the treatment on dementia prevention. They analyzed the working memory of the mice using the Y-maze test at the beginning of the brown rice treatment and then once every month. The mice were allowed to move freely in the maze for eight minutes. In comparison to the wheat-fed control mice, the mice fed with highly-pressurized brown rice exhibited a higher rate of spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze test. Brown rice also reduced the level of amyloid beta, which is the main cause of Alzheimer’s disease, in their brains. These findings suggested that the highly-pressurized brown rice improved the cognitive dysfunction of the mice by reducing the amount of amyloid beta. The mice treated with brown rice also showed better motor functions than the control and polished rice-fed mice. In turn, this contributed to the preventive effects of […]
Food.news offers a wealth of information on healing foods and harmful ingredients
( Natural News ) Getting the latest scoop on healthy eating can be a chore — especially given how deep industry influences seem to run. Whether it’s covering up toxins hiding in food, or denying the dangers of common ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, the mainstream media has suppressed the truth about food (and what’s actually in it) long enough. For many people, learning more about what’s in food, and how food can be used as both a preventative and a medicine, is growing increasingly important. What if you could find stories on all the latest research on food, nutrients and toxic ingredients to avoid all in one place? At Food.news , you can get all the details you need on the benefits of superfoods and healing foods, how food can help prevent disease, and more — and you can learn about the hidden dangers lurking on grocery store shelves, too. Learn what heals and what harms To say that food is medicine shouldn’t be a controversial statement, but under Big Pharma’s rule, anything that you can buy without a prescription is “anti-science,” or something to that effect. But the truth is that ignoring the benefits of good nutrition and healing foods is what goes against virtually all available science. While conventional medicine will admit that poor diet can cause disease, how often do you see medical professionals recommending foods like nuts to reduce heart disease risk , or herbs like turmeric to help prevent cancer? In a recent study, scientists looked at the health benefits of fermented turmeric . While its already known that turmeric contains immensely beneficial compounds like curcumin, which have been shown to fight cancer, fermented turmeric seems to be a whole new “animal.” The Korean research team ultimately found that fermented turmeric helped […]
The benefits of MCT oil
( Natural News ) You may have heard of the many benefits of coconut oil, especially to your skin. But what you may not know is that coconut oil also has potent antibacterial properties , thanks to its medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) content. Clostridium difficile is a hardy bacteria known to survive even the onslaught of antibiotics. However, it apparently is nothing when treated with coconut oil . The only caveat is that you need to have fully digested the coconut oil for its full antibacterial effects to manifest. What this suggests is that it isn’t the oil, but what’s in the oil – its medium-chain fatty acids – that inhibits the growth of the bacteria. The antibiotic effects of MCT have also been proven effective against other types of disease-causing bacteria and even fungi. For instance, one study determined that medium-chain fatty acids are effective against Neisseria gonorrhoeae , the pathogen behind – you guessed it – gonorrhea . MCT has also been tested and proven effective against Geotrichum candidum , a common species of yeast which, although mostly harmless , can infect different human body parts. It also fights common pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli . But the health benefits of MCT do not stop there. Different studies have indicated benefits – both proven and potential – that can be had from MCT. Weight loss Several studies indicate weight loss benefits from consuming MCT or food items that have high concentrations of it. It works in two ways. First, one study reveals that MCT can increase the amount of fat and the number of calories that overweight men burn. Second, it increases the production of hormones that reduce appetite and induce the feeling of fullness, as another study found, compared to longer-chain fatty acids. Support our […]
6 Shocking Ways Weed Can Affect Your Brain
Most people know that smoking marijuana can make you feel spaced out or trigger the need for some munchies, but it also can have some other, lesser obvious consequences on your mind as well. There are a number of shocking ways weed can affect you and your brain, and these changes might not be side effects you have heard before. Although marijuana can have medical benefits , it’s also important to be aware of the different ways it can impact your brain. " Cannabis contains chemicals called cannabinoids that act on receptors in the brain that affect pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, appetite, and coordination," Dr. Larissa Mooney , Medical Director at CAST Centers , tells Bustle. "There are also naturally-occurring cannabinoids in the brain called endocannabinoids that act on the same receptors. The primary active chemical responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis (such as pleasure, euphoria, relaxation or in some cases anxiety, panic or paranoia) is THC — tetrahydrocannabadiol." Although THC can be responsible for these changes in your body, there are also some cognitive risks as well, and these can include everything from memory loss to risk of psychosis. Here are six shocking ways that weed can have a lasting effect on your brain, according to experts. 1It Can Impair Your Memory Smoking weed can impair memory, attention, and concentration. "For example, impairment in memory occurs because cannabis alters information processing in the hippocampus, which is an area of the brain responsible for memory formation," says Dr. Mooney. Unfortunately, marijuana’s impact to the brain is cumulative, and THC has been found to influence structures associated with concentration, memory, response time, and thought. 2It Can Interrupt Your Brain’s Reward System "Daily cannabis use can disrupt reward circuity, making cannabis use even more desirable to users," Dr. Aimee Chiligiris, […]
Is your brain getting enough blood flow? Natural ways to improve brain circulation
( Natural News ) It’s no secret that the brain does a lot of work. Since this little part of our body is responsible for ensuring that everything works just fine, it’s important to make sure that it gets an adequate amount of blood flow day in and out . Accomplishing this isn’t even as complicated as it sounds and here’s how you can do it: Regular exercise — Regularly engaging in physical activity can do so much for the body and for the brain as well. Experts say exercising should be the priority if the goal is to improve circulation in the brain. It doesn’t matter whether it’s yoga, circuit training, or simply walking, so long as you enjoy what you’re doing that you can actually commit to doing it regularly. Getting the heart pumping is good, but over-training isn’t really the answer. (Related: Yoga can increase blood flow, aiding in repair and regeneration of tissue .) Listening to music — With the help of tools like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), researchers were able to find out that music can actually increase the blood flow to the brain. By constantly listening to music, blood supply increases, which helps you become smarter, happier, and more creative. This technique works best if you actually listen to music that you like. Becoming a bilingual (or even a multilingual) — It is said that multilingual people have bigger and better-connected brains. They are also able to receive better blood flow as compared to those who only speak one language. Learning a new language remains to be one of the most effective ways to boost brain power. Neurofeedback — This is a technique wherein you train your mind and body to control automatic body functions — like heart rate — by consciously […]
Comprehensive study confirms the cardioprotective effects of blueberries and strawberries
( Natural News ) If you’re concerned about a heart attack, there are lots of steps you might take to reduce your risk. Perhaps you’re already exercising and eating a healthy diet, but you’d like to give your efforts that extra edge. Before your doctor convinces you to start taking a long-term regimen of risky medications that may or may not actually be effective, why not turn to nature for an alternative that is as delicious as it is powerful? A study carried out by researchers from Harvard Medical School revealed just how much two particular berries can help reduce a person’s risk of heart attack : strawberries and blueberries. They looked at health data from more than 93,000 women aged 25 to 42 who participated in the Nurses’ Health Study, which included information about their diet and health over the course of 18 years. They discovered that the women who ate the fewest blueberries and strawberries had the highest risk of having a heart attack, while those who ate the most of these berries were 34 percent less likely to have a heart attack. Consuming the berries regularly brought about the positive health benefits, and those with the healthiest hearts tended to eat at least three cups per week of the two fruits combined, on average. These benefits came about regardless of other risk factors like alcohol intake, smoking, exercise, family history of heart attack, age and high blood pressure, which means you can increase your risk even further by combining a boost in your berry intake with other healthy changes. Studies in mice have also shown blueberries’ value in heart health . Researchers from the University of Maine found that mice who were fed a blueberry-rich diet had significant improvements in how easily their veins expanded and […]
The truth about painkillers: They do more harm than good
( Natural News ) When you’re in a lot of pain, your first instinct is often to do whatever is necessary to make it go away. You might normally prefer natural treatments, but when a throbbing headache or excruciating backache sets in, you can’t reach for that pill bottle fast enough. Unfortunately, however, painkillers of all varieties – including the seemingly-harmless over-the-counter varieties – do more harm than good . In fact, once you learn more about the damage they can cause, that pain you’re having might not seem so bad after all. The dangers of prescription opioids are in the headlines on a daily basis, with 44 people dying each day in the U.S. from these toxic medications. Even those who don’t have a fatal overdose experience side effects such as nausea, constipation, vomiting, dizziness, sedation, and respiratory depression. Physical dependence can set in quickly, and when prescriptions run out, some people are already so addicted that they turn to street opioids like heroin to get their fix. In many cases, opioid painkillers are being prescribed carelessly – and without just cause. Perhaps one of the most disturbing aspects of the opioid problem is the fact that studies have shown that they work no better than non-opioids in treating certain types of pain , such as leg or arm pain due to sprains, fractures, and dislocated shoulders. While non-opioids do have their own set of side effects, they don’t destroy lives and kill people at anywhere near the level that opioids do. Unfortunately, many patients and doctors alike are under the false impression that stronger pills are always better when it comes to addressing pain. Get CLEAN FOOD and help support our mission to keep you informed : The Health Ranger Store lab verifies everything we sell with […]
Seaweed prevents Parkinson’s disease, according to new study
( Natural News ) Research has shown that certain seaweeds have the potential to prevent the onset of Parkinson’s disease . The study, published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine , looked at the ability of antioxidant-rich seaweeds to protect brain cells from the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, also known as oxidopamine), a chemical used to simulate Parkinson’s disease . In the study, researchers from the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria in Portugal tested this theory using the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y, including its associated intracellular signaling pathways, and conducted an MTT assay to determine cell viability. In addition, the group assessed the intracellular signaling pathways hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) production, changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential, and Caspase-3 activity. These parameters determine how healthy the SH-SY5Y cells are. Changes in these parameters affect cell viability. The team used seaweeds known to have potent antioxidant activity in the study, including peacock’s tail ( Padina pavonica ), Japanese wireweed ( Sargassum muticum ), furbellow ( Saccorhiza polyschides ), velvet horn ( Codiu m tomentosum ), and green alga ( Ulva compressa ). From the assays, the researchers noted that cell death occurred after being exposed to oxidopamine. The presence of oxidopamine caused an increase in H 2 O 2 production, the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, and the increase in Caspase-3 activity, decreasing cell viability. Oxidative stress, mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunctions, neuroinflammatory processes, and the formation of pathologic inclusions add to nerve cell death in Parkinson’s disease. Support our mission and enhance your own self-reliance : The laboratory-verified Organic Emergency Survival Bucket provides certified organic, high-nutrition storable food for emergency preparedness. Completely free of corn syrup, MSG, GMOs and other food toxins. Ultra-clean solution for years of food security. Learn more at the Health Ranger Store . In […]
Are you taking these prescription drugs that cause memory loss?
( Natural News ) Get your pens out, ladies and gents — we’re describing the three most common prescription drugs that increase the likelihood of memory loss. Memory loss, which is often interpreted as one of the early signs of Alzheimer’s, can actually be a side effect of standard prescription drugs . Worse, most people remain unaware of these risks and assume that their inconceivable forgetfulness is a symptom of ageing. Dr. Armon Neel, a geriatric pharmacist with the AARP, disagrees, “scientists now know that memory loss as you get older is by no means inevitable [emphasis added]. Indeed, the brain can grow new brain cells and reshape their connections throughout life.” So if you find yourself suddenly forgetting things you normally wouldn’t, one of these prescribed drugs may be the culprit . Anticholinergics Otherwise known as the “anti” drugs, these include medicines like antihistamines, antipsychotics, antibiotics, and antihypertensives. These “anti” drugs affect the levels of acetylcholine, a primary neurotransmitter associated with memory and learning. Neurologists have found that people with low levels of acetylcholine have difficulties concentrating or finding the correct word. In fact, deficiencies in this neurotransmitter are often linked to dementia and Alzheimer’s and the medications for these disorders “work” by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain. What your doctor won’t tell you though is that the side effects of anticholinergic drugs are more severe among seniors. This is due to the natural reduction of the neurotransmitter as we age. Seniors who take anticholinergic drugs increase their risk of developing dementia by around 30 percent , according to conservative estimates. Get CLEAN FOOD and help support our mission to keep you informed : The Health Ranger Store lab verifies everything we sell with accredited testing for heavy metals, microbiology and food safety. Certified organic […]
Food for thought: Brown rice reduces cognitive dysfunction linked to Alzheimer’s
( Natural News ) Researchers in Japan have found that Oryza sativa (commonly known as brown rice) can prevent the development of dementia. In the study, published in the BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine , researchers used a high-pressure technique in order to increase the digestibility and absorption of O. sativa . Although O. sativa contains nutrients and protective components against the development of dementia, the body cannot properly absorb these because O. sativa is difficult to digest. Because of this, researchers at Doshisha University , Shimane University , and Shimane Institute for Industrial Technology in Japan aimed to improve digestibility and absorption of brown rice without affecting its nutrient composition using a high-pressure technique. For the study, they pressurized brown rice at 600 megapascal (Mpa) to produce the highly-pressurized brown rice. After that, they fed it to an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model, senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8), to look at the effects of the treatment on dementia prevention. They assessed the working memory of the mice using the Y-maze test at the beginning of the treatment and then once every month. The mice were allowed to move freely in the maze for eight minutes. Compared to the wheat-fed control mice, the mice fed with highly pressurized O. sativa exhibited a higher rate of spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze test. The amount of amyloid beta was also lesser in the mice fed with highly pressurized brown rice. Amyloid beta production is the primary cause of Alzheimer’s disease. These results indicated that the highly-pressurized O. sativa improved the cognitive dysfunction of SAMP8 mice through the reduction of the amount of amyloid beta. The treatment group also exhibited better motor functions than the control and polished rice-fed mice, contributing to the prevention of dementia. In conclusion, the improved cognitive function and […]