Phosphatidylcholine Spotlighted for June’s Brain Health Awareness

Phosphatidylcholine Spotlighted for June's Brain Health Awareness

LOS ANGELES, May 31, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — BodyBio , the leader in cellular health research for the last 40 years, is highlighting significant findings around Phosphatidylcholine (PC)’s effect on brain health in time for Brain Health Awareness Month in June. The scientific research conducted by BodyBio over the last 45 years demonstrates that when our cells are healthy, we are healthy. The underlying function of PC exists in the fact that 60% of our brain is fat. The membranes of every cell in the body contain large amounts of PC. The brain must have generous amounts of PC for good health, as it is the major phospholipid in the body and brain but the brain takes in less PC as we age. PC is not a vitamin, it is a supplement comprised of pure phospholipids; the exact same phospholipids that serve as the membrane to protect cells. When the membrane is damaged, the cells are vulnerable. Studies show the decrease in PC in the brain may play a role in the development of age related memory loss. Countless studies have been conducted on the benefits of PC supplementation and there is evidence that PC is important for brain health across the lifespan. PC has shown to significantly improve memory and cognitive skills in several studies and low levels of PC have been observed in individuals with congnitive impairment. Levels of acetylbholine, a neurotransmitter of significant interest in settings of cognitive function, are supported by sources of PC. " PC is structural as well as functional. Structural body parts are constantly being worn down and rebuilt," notes Dr. Thomas Wnorowski, PhD, CNCC. "As we age, endogenous PC manufacture is minimal and becomes more so as the years pass. When looking to supplement for quality longevity, i.e. brain longevity, I recommend […]

Nootropics: Do These Supplements Actually Boost Brain Functioning?

Nootropics: Do These Supplements Actually Boost Brain Functioning?

It seems a bit far-fetched for someone to claim that a supplement could improve your cognitive function, memory, and other aspects of your mental performance. We probably tend to take these claims with a grain of salt. But some research suggest that certain components of these supplements may enhance cognitive functioning. However, it’s still best to take precaution. The research on brain-boosting supplements is ambiguous itself. While some of the ingredients in brain-boosting supplements have shown to be beneficial, the studies have been inconsistent, explained Dr. Michael Genovese, a clinical psychiatrist and chief medical officer of Acadia Healthcare. Dr. David J. Puder, medical director of the behavioral health outpatient program at the Loma Linda University, puts it a little more bluntly: “The people making these supplements are not doing randomized controlled trials to determine if they really work,” he said. “They mostly use data about what might work, throw it together and add a bunch of excellent marketing.” A few ingredients that usually come up in these supplements are caffeine, Omega-3 fatty acids, Bacopa monnieri, and Ginkgo biloba to name a few. You may check out here what some studies say about the possible outcomes of these ingredients. (Image credit: Pietro Jeng/Pexels )

How Your Nutritional Needs Change as You Age (& Why You Should Care)

How Your Nutritional Needs Change as You Age (& Why You Should Care)

Aging is not something we like to speak about South of the Mason-Dixon. If anything, we’re raised doing just the opposite. Asking a woman her age is a faux-pas, and night creams are used to erase wrinkles. Many of us have stories about our grandmother’s once-a-week visit to the hair salon up she religiously made up until she passed. To put it simply, we know we can’t outrun aging, but we try our darndest to evade it. However, what if we pause and think about how to embrace aging instead of how to cover it up? What if we examine what nutrients, supplements and basic needs our bodies require to age gracefully? That’s where Dr. Nicole Avena comes in. An assistant professor of Neuroscience and a visiting professor of Health Psychology, Dr. Avena’s specialty is this very topic. She explains, “My lab studies nutrition and the brain. I’m interested in how our food choices are impacted by our food environment and how the brain plays a role.” To say she knows her stuff would be an understatement. RELATED: The Essential Skincare Routines for Every Age According to Dr. Avena, it’s not about waking up, realizing you’re 35 (or 45, or 55, or 65 … ) and modifying a lifetime of habits then and there. Instead, she suggests implementing slowly. “Make one small change and then make another and another. Eventually, you will get to where you want to be,” she says. In fact, she discourages us from any immediate shifts. Why? It’s stressful! “Trying to change too much at once will not work because it is overwhelming psychologically and too much to handle,” she asserts. Understanding how your nutritional needs change as you age is crucial to maintaining your optimal health. So how do we make adjustments to our […]

5 Powerful Alpha-GPC Benefits + Dosage & Side Effects

5 Powerful Alpha-GPC Benefits + Dosage & Side Effects

When you think of natural brain-protective remedies – think alpha-GPC. It boosts mental and physical performance, and it releases choline to protect your whole nervous system. This article goes into the crux of alpha-GPC benefits and side effects. Alpha-GPC (L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine or choline alphoscerate) is a phospholipid essential for brain health. It provides choline for cell membranes and myelin production, and thus nourishes the nervous system [ 1 , 2 ]. Choline from alpha-GPC also builds acetylcholine , a neurotransmitter that maintains your cognitive and muscle functions [ 2 , 3 ]. Natural sources contain only trace amounts of alpha-GCP, but your body can make it from choline. Foods rich in choline include [ 4 , 5 ]: Beef liver Eggs Chicken Whole grains Soybean Supplement manufacturers usually derive alpha-GPC from egg or soy lecithin [ 6 , 7 ]. Let’s start with the basics. CDP-choline or citicoline is made of choline (with two phosphate groups) and cytidine, while alpha-GPC is made of choline (with one phosphate group) and glycerol. This may sound pretty similar, but it gives rise to some interesting, distinct effects in the body [ 8 ]. For one, alpha-GPC raises choline blood levels to a much greater extent than CDP-choline. As a result, it has a more powerful impact on age-related cognitive decline and physical performance. Secondly, alpha-GPC may stimulate fat burning and growth hormone production , giving it an edge over CDP-choline among bodybuilders [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. On the other hand, CDP-choline is essential for the production of phosphatidylcholine . It has a broader range of active metabolites and benefits, such as combating mental disorders and drug addiction [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Boosts Cognition Supports stroke recovery Enhances athletic performance May cause headaches and […]

How Sleep Deprivation is Destroying Your Productivity, and How to Counter It

Expressions such as ”burning the midnight oil” sure do look good on a nice shiny plaque, however, they hold little in terms of practical application, especially considering what we now know about sleep deprivation and its impact on our productivity and overall health. Yes, there are rare instances which require us to push past midnight; however, continuously depriving yourself of quality sleep will literally drive you into the ground. Within this article, we will discuss why a lack of sleep does a lot more harm than good and what measures you could take to improve your sleeping habits . 1. It messes with your memory. When we aren’t well rested, it does a lot more to us than just make us feel groggy. From helping us navigate everyday life to excelling at our work, our memory is pretty much the most important part of the equation. And chronic lack of sleep can quite literally bring our progress and life to a grinding halt. To understand how sleep deprivation impacts our memory, it’s important to first explore how our memory functions. There are 3 key phases of human memory. Acquisition, this is when we acquire new knowledge. Consolidation, when information becomes a part of our neural database. Recall, as the term implies, is when we pull out the stored information for our use. Sleep deprivation impacts all three phases. To start with, we won’t be able to focus, which means our brain’s retention capacity will be significantly handicapped. hippocampus is the part of our brain that’s responsible for new memory formation. For new information to “consolidate”, it must be transferred to the prefrontal cortex, where new information is housed. Sleep deprivation disturbs this process by preventing most of the newly acquired information from reaching the prefrontal cortex. Here’s a comprehensive […]

The Crucial Role of Brain Simulation in Future Neuroscience

The Crucial Role of Brain Simulation in Future Neuroscience

“Do we have a chance of ever understanding brain function without brain simulations?” So asked the Human Brain Project (HBP), the brainchild of Henry Markram , in a new paper in the prestigious journal Neuron . The key, the team argued, is to consider brain simulators in the vein of calculus for Newton’s laws—not as specific ideas of how the brain works, but rather as a programming language that can execute many candidate neural models, or programs, now and in the future. When viewed not as a vanity project, but rather as the way forward to understand—and eventually imitate—higher brain functions, the response to brain simulation is a resounding yes . Because of the brain’s complexity and chaotic nature, the authors argue, rather than reining in simulation efforts, we need to ramp up and develop multiple “brain-simulation engines” with varying levels of detail. These “general purpose” simulators, when distributed globally on a cloud-based platform, will not just provide neuroscientists with an indispensable tool to test their hypotheses about various functions in the brain—how we make decisions, memories, and emotions. They may be the crux in finally linking the individual components of human intelligence, neurons, to functional neural circuits, and finally, to behavior or even consciousness—that is, how our experience of “self” emerges from seemingly random chattering in millions of neurons. First, Why Not? When Markram announced in 2009 that we would fully simulate the human brain in the next decade, he was either heralded as a visionary or condemned as a madman. Despite controversy , he subsequently skyrocketed to fame as the creator of the HBP, the European Union flagship aimed reconstructing entire brains as “digital replicas” capable of learning and memory, inside supercomputers. In other words, true AI. The project raised eyebrows from the start, both in its […]

A Powerful Duo: Study Shows Kyowa Hakko’s Cognizin® Citicoline and the Omega-3 DHA Support Brain Function

Improved learning, memory highlights synergy of two ingredients. NEW YORK (PRWEB) May 30, 2019 A Japanese university study showed in mice that suffered cognitive impairment and then consumed a combination of Cognizin® Citicoline and docosahexaenoic acid, better known as DHA. Researchers at Tohoku University administered a variety of tests to determine how citicoline and DHA impact brain activity following cerebral ischemia. Not only was the ability to learn and recall information improved, the combination may help prevent further brain cell death following a stroke brain infarction. “DHA is a well-known ingredient that fights free radicals and is an important part of healthy brain development. Clinical studies show Cognizin® provides vital nutrients that -supports brain function by -helping brain communication, maintain healthy neurons and protect them from free radicals,” said Danielle Citrolo, PharmD, Registered Pharmacist Scientific & Regulatory Affairs Director, Kyowa Hakko USA. “The study showed that combining the two helped prevent further loss of brain cells and improved cognitive functions often damaged following celebral ishcemia. Pairing Cognizin® and DHA bridges good with good or the combo looks like it could have potential synergy and further research would be interesting.” Cognizin® is a branded form of citicoline, a naturally occurring nutrient produced by the brain. Citicoline is critical for healthy brain function and is proven to increase alertness, as well as boost energy. Numerous clinical studies of Cognizin® Citicoline reinforce the ingredient’s ability to help improve focus, concentration, memory, and overall brain health. The full Tohoku study was published Feb. 20, 2019, in the Journal of Pharmacological Sciences. For more information, visit https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1347861319300234 . About Cognizin Cognizin® Citicoline, manufactured by Kyowa Hakko Bio Co., Ltd., is a clinically studied and patented form of Citicoline, a natural substance made naturally in the body and especially vital to brain health. Citicoline is […]

4 Mushrooms You Need To Know

4 Mushrooms You Need To Know

When you stop to think about it, mushrooms are remarkable. They’re closer to animals than plants on the tree of life. They can break down plastic and petroleum. The single largest organism on the planet is an underground honey fungus spanning almost 3 miles in the the state of Oregon. They carry messages along their underground fungal networks using neurotransmitters that are very similar to the ones our brains use. They’re a kind of “forest internet” which plants and trees use to communicate with each other. They’re delicious. And, as it turns out, they possess and confer some very impressive health and therapeutic effects. Several years ago, I highlighted the culinary varieties and explored their considerable health benefits . Go read that, then come back here because I’m going to talk about the different types of adaptogenic mushrooms today. These are the real heavy hitters, the ones that appear to supercharge immune systems, stimulate neuronal growth, improve memory and focus, pacify the anxious mind, increase the libido, and enhance sleep quality. Let’s go through the most important adaptogenic mushrooms and the evidence for each. I’ll primarily stick to human studies, but may relay some animal studies if they seem relevant. Reishi Reishi has been used in traditional Asian medicine for hundreds of years to treat diseases of the immune system. (Reishi is its Japanese name; in China, it’s called lingzhi and in Korea, it’s yeongji.) Other folk uses include all the regular stuff you expect—aches, pains, allergies, “qi”—but the majority of modern clinical evidence focuses on immunity, cancer, and inflammation. But the interesting thing to remember is that inflammation figures into pretty much every modern ailment. Even conditions like depression and anxiety are often characterized by a surplus of systemic inflammation. If reishi can soothe the inflammation, it could […]

Citicoline Market Solid Analyzed Segmentation, Demand, Recent Share Estimation and Growth Prospects by Regions to 2022

Citicoline Market Solid Analyzed Segmentation, Demand, Recent Share Estimation and Growth Prospects by Regions to 2022

citicoline market is estimated to surpass US$ 550 million in 2019. Citicoline demand is driven by a range of factors, notably increasing geriatric population and growing use among eSports players. The study offers in-depth and incisive insights on key factors influencing the global demand for citicoline. Supplement Consumption Among eSports Players: A Lucrative Opportunity Growing popularity and increasing investments in eSports is helping the market go mainstream which, in turn, is opening an assortment of opportunities for various industries. Players participating in eSports tournaments are seeking cognitive enhancing supplements which can help them concentrate, plot strategies, and improve working memory. Additionally, a ban on the use of other nootropics such as Ritalin and Adderall in eSports leagues is creating demand for ‘permissible’ supplements. Citicoline’s negligible toxicity and its organic nature is making it an appealing prospect for eSports players. With regulations allowing the use of citicoline in functional food and supplements, manufacturers are increasingly focusing towards including the compound in their products to capitalize on the bolstering demand for cognitive-enhancing supplements in eSports. Request Sample Report @ https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=2868 Citicoline’s Role in Ischemic Stroke Treatment Creating Opportunities The adverse and often fatal impact of ischemic stroke on human health, coupled with increasing prevalence is bolstering demand for effective treatment of the condition. According to WHO, stroke is the second leading cause of death in the world and the third leading cause of disabilities in adults. Additionally, the lack of a standard procedure of treatment for different ischemic stroke patients is influencing healthcare researchers to focus on the development of acute therapy for all patients. According to Fact.MR’s study, citicoline is being viewed as a potential treatment option by researchers and healthcare providers. These factors are vital to citicoline market growth and are expected propel proliferation during the forecast period. The […]

Why AI and Machine Learning Will Redefine Software Testing in 2019

Why AI and Machine Learning Will Redefine Software Testing in 2019

We’ve reached a tipping point that’s prompted CIOs to start actively exploring how AI can help them achieve their digital transformation goals. With the advent of DevOps and Continuous Delivery, businesses are now looking for real-time risk assessment throughout the various stages of the software delivery cycle. Although Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not really new as a concept, applying AI techniques to software testing has started to become a reality just the past couple of years. Down the line, AI is bound to become part of our day-to-day quality engineering process, however, prior to that, let us take a look at how AI can help us achieve our quality objectives. Day after day, QA Engineers face a plethora of difficulties and waste a lot of time to find a proper solution. When it comes to making new additions, the existing code which has already gone through the testing process may stop working. Every time the development team expands on existing code, they must carry out new tests. While regression testing cycles can grab a long time, undertaking them on a manual basis is bound to overwhelm QAs. With software development life-cycles becoming more complicated by the day and delivery time spans reducing, testers need to impart feedback and evaluations instantly to the development teams. Given the breakneck pace of new software and product launches, there is no other choice than to test smarter and not harder in this day and age. Releases that happened once a month, now occur on a weekly basis and updates are factored in on almost every alternate day. Thus, it is quite evident that the key to streamlining software testing and making it more smarter/efficient is Artificial Intelligence . By assimilating machines which can meticulously mimic human behavior, the team of testers can move […]

6 Amazing Benefits Of Black Raisins

6 Amazing Benefits Of Black Raisins

If you add black raisins only to your oatmeal cookies, it is time for you to familiarize yourself with more options to include them in your diet. That’s right! Black raisins are a nutrient powerhouse, helping enrich your overall health. Find out their benefits and how you can add them to your meals. What are Black Raisins? Black raisins are a popular variety of dried grapes . The scientific name of the grapevine is Vitis vinifera and it is native to the Mediterranean region, central Europe, and southwestern Asia. These raisins generally do not contain seeds and they are sweet in taste. It is because of this natural sweetness that they are used in a wide variety of baked goods like cookies, cakes, and pies. Black raisins also have been used in many traditional medicinal applications like treating cough and inflammation in the respiratory tract. Black Raisins Nutrition According to the USDA National Nutrient Database , raisins are a rich source of natural sugars , fiber , and carbohydrates. They also contain protein in a notable amount. The mineral wealth in raisins includes potassium , phosphorus , magnesium , calcium , iron , and sodium . When it comes to vitamins , raisins are also a source of vitamin C and folate. Let us find how these nutrients help in improving overall health. Benefits of Black Raisins Black raisins help prevent cavities and gum diseases , manage diabetes , boost cognition, regulate digestion , and maintain healthy blood pressure as well as cholesterol levels . Protect Cardiovascular Health Eating black raisins regularly can be extremely helpful for you. They are a significant source of dietary fiber and polyphenols, which may protect your heart health. A research paper in the Lipid in Health and Disease journal suggests that adding raisins […]

Making your own hemp milk is easy and the health benefits beat store-bought cow’s milk

Making your own hemp milk is easy and the health benefits beat store-bought cow’s milk

( Natural News ) Growing up, children are bombarded by dairy advertisements and the constant message that cow’s milk will make them grow “big and strong.” Subsidized and popularized, cow’s milk is affordable and convenient, served up in cartons with every school lunch and splashed in cereal bowls morning after morning. What if, after all these years of dairy brainwashing, there was a drink that didn’t cause lactose intolerance, a drink that could be more readily digested? What if there was a drink that could provide a more complete spectrum of protein, amino acids, healthy fats, dietary fiber, and minerals? Hemp milk is becoming a popular alternative to cow’s milk and for good reason. Hemp seeds provide healthy fats and amino acids for proper heart and brain development Hemp milk is not really “milk” at all. This product does not come from an animal. Hemp milk is made by blending the seeds of Cannabis sativa with plain water. The seeds of Cannabis sativa do not contain the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), so you won’t get “high” after drinking hemp milk, but hemp seeds do contain a high concentration of healthy fats that help build the brain and the heart. In fact, hemp milk contains more protein and healthy fat per ounce than every other plant-based milk, including almond milk. In its rawest form, hemp milk is a plant-based water infusion. Many commercial varieties contain sweeteners, salt, or thickeners to make the product appear and feel more like “milk.” It’s nutty flavor and creamy consistency is a delicious alternative to cow’s milk; therefore, hemp milk is great in smoothies, cereal, and coffee. Mother Nature’s micronutrient secret : Organic Broccoli Sprout Capsules now available, delivering 280mg of high-density nutrition, including the extraordinary "sulforaphane" and "glucosinolate" nutrients found only in cruciferous healing […]

LED device could increase memory retention among astronauts

LED device could increase memory retention among astronauts

Hanli Liu, a professor of bioengineering at The University of Texas at Arlington, is working to improve memory and cognitive function in astronauts during space missions by directing light onto their brains. Hanli Liu Liu is co-primary investigator on an $800,000 NASA grant with Jacek Dmochowski, assistant professor of bioengineering at City University of New York, that will deliver a light-based technology to increase the energy available to brain cells and improve astronaut performance. UTA’s share in the grant is $321,608 for two years. Liu researches how to use lasers to deliver near-infrared light to the human brain to detect traumatic brain injuries and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Her recent work has broadened to investigate the neurophysiological principle of non-invasive delivery of near-infrared laser light to improve human cognition. This research has led to an understanding of how light can stimulate mitochondria, which are the powerhouses within cells, into creating more oxygen in the brain to increase cerebral metabolism and mitigate memory loss. With the new grant, Liu will investigate whether light-emitting diodes, or LED, can replace lasers as the delivery method for near-infrared light. Specifically, she will find the wavelength range and duration necessary to produce the desired effects. In general, lasers are heavy and bulky and would take too much space in the cramped quarters of a spacecraft or space station. LEDs are lighter and smaller and could be attached to a headband or similar device more easily stowed. Also, light delivered by LED is safer to human eyes than light from lasers. LED light in the red and near-infrared range is already in widespread use for relieving pain and treating acne, although few researchers have rigorously investigated its feasibility and limitation for boosting and stimulating brain metabolism. “Researchers have evidence that memory can be improved […]

What Happens During a Session with a Spiritual Advisor?

What Happens During a Session with a Spiritual Advisor?

Two forces come together as one during a spiritual healing. Benjavisa/Getty Images What Is An Energy Clearing? How Does It Improve Your Life? Spiritual advisor Judit Ronai answers your questions. I’m well aware that it’s not the simplest task to describe what I do as a Spiritual Advisor to help people live a happier, improved life. If you have felt confused about the methods and Spiritual Response Therapy techniques used by a spiritual consultant, and are considering healing with SRT, then this longer, comprehensive blog post that covers everything I discussed in just ONE free, live video session is for you. What Is An Energy Clearing? How Does It Improve Your Life? I work with clients from Canada, the United States, Singapore, and more. No matter where new clients are from, many tend to feel a bit nervous when they first start Spiritual Response Therapy with me. I always assure them that there’s no need to feel scared because energy clearings do not hurt, and perhaps sound more mystical than they truly are. I go by many names—energy clearer, spiritual advisor, highly intuitive person—but at the end of the day, I am simply a person learning through life’s challenges just like you. As your Spiritual Advisor, my aim is to gently guide you using SRT techniques toward becoming more mindful about your energy level. Whatever energy we give our attention to, that is the energy that will grow. If your energy is positive above a neutral state of mind, fantastic! I teach you how to maintain high energy, as well as mindfulness techniques to consciously choose a different, better mindset. But if your energy is low and negative, then I help you understand why certain situations are happening in your life, and how to raise your vibration toward more […]

Do humans have a ‘religion instinct’?

Do humans have a ‘religion instinct’?

(Credit: Getty Images) When I was in grade school, there was an anti-drug commercial that regularly came on television. There were a few different versions of it but the gist was, an egg would be shown to the camera as a voice said, “This is your brain.” And then the egg would be smashed by a frying pan and the voice would say, “This is your brain on drugs.” We all got the point: drugs did something to your brain. At my Pentecostal Church, drugs were talked about somewhat differently. We didn’t need them, we were told, because we could get high from God. God could do the same thing to our brain – give us a rush, a sense of euphoria – but our brains wouldn’t end up scrambled. God provided all the “positive benefits” of heroin with none of the damaging side effects. (Of course, when we consider the amount of religious violence throughout history, it’s impossible to claim that there are no damaging side effects to some beliefs in God. More on that later.) I long ago left my childhood church and often feel embarrassed about the “God as a drug” theology. But the more I think about religion as an emerging phenomenon, the more I wonder if, for all their sloppy Pentecostal vocabulary, my youth leaders were onto something: God does something to your brain. “This is your brain. This is your brain on God.” From a very young age, our minds may be primed for religious belief (Credit: Getty Images) Andrew Newberg, a neuroscientist who studies the brain in light of religious experience, has spent his career following this hunch. “If you contemplate God long enough,” he writes in How God Changes Your Brain, “something surprising happens in the brain. Neural functioning begins to […]

Natural treatment for ADHD: Saffron may be as effective as medical stimulants

Natural treatment for ADHD: Saffron may be as effective as medical stimulants

( Natural News ) If you or a loved one suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or perhaps some undiagnosed variation of such that simply makes it difficult to focus on the task at hand, don’t reach for the Ritalin just yet. New research out of Iran suggests that saffron ( Crocus sativus L. ), one of the world’s most intriguing medicinal spices, works just as effectively as, if not better than, the many FDA-approved methamphetamine pharmaceuticals peddled by Big Pharma as “legal” treatment. For their research, Drs. Sara Baziar, M.D., and Ali Aqamolaei, M.D., of Tehran University of Medical Sciences looked at 54 ADHD-diagnosed children and teenagers ranging in age from 6-17, all of whom were instructed to take either saffron or methylphenidate (Ritalin) for six weeks. At the end of this evaluation period, Drs. Baziar and Aqamolaei evaluated the participants to see which treatment worked more effectively. Publishing their findings in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology , a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., the duo found that there was no significant difference in outcomes between the children and teenagers who took saffron compared to those who took Ritalin, which suggests that saffron might be a safer and more natural alternative treatment for ADHD. “This is a very interesting study and an intriguing finding,” commented Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D ., the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology , and President of the Child Mind Institute in New York. The power of the elements : Discover Colloidal Silver Mouthwash with quality, natural ingredients like Sangre de Drago sap, black walnut hulls, menthol crystals and more. Zero artificial sweeteners, colors or alcohol. Learn more at the Health Ranger Store and help support this news site. “It is worthy of replication and […]

Childhood Exposure To Air Pollution Linked To Cognitive Problems, Anxiety: Studies

Childhood Exposure To Air Pollution Linked To Cognitive Problems, Anxiety: Studies

New research suggests that exposure to air pollution may can increase the likelihood of children suffering from anxiety and reduce cognitive function. Two new studies were published this month, which focus on air pollution exposure during childhood, and highlight the impact it may have on a child’s thinking and ability to reason. The first study, published May 9 in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives , includes data from the Brain Development and Air Pollution Ultrafine Particles in School Children (BREATHE) Project. Researchers estimated residential exposure levels of particulate matter 2.5 during a woman’s prenatal period and the first seven years of a child’s life. This included more than 2,220 children from Barcelona, Spain. Participants completed computerized tests assessing working memory, attentiveness, and conflict network during four visits in 2012 and 2013. Researchers noted exposure to higher levels of PM 2.5 were linked to a decrease in working memory and a reduction in attention and focus. PM 2.5 is made up of ultra-fine particles of soot, dirt, and dust smaller than 2.5 micrometers. In comparison, one strand of human hair is roughly 70 micrometers. Increases of PM 2.5 by 10 μgm3 resulted in a 20-point reduction in working memory. It also led to an increase in the conflict attentional network of 11 milliseconds, which is an indicator of poor cognitive performance. The second study, published in the journal Environmental Research , focused on air pollution from traffic, examining exposure over the lifetime of 145 children with an average age of 12. Recent exposure in the past 12 months before testing was also conducted. The children underwent an MRI and brain metabolites were measured. Anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale. The data indicated an association with recent traffic air pollution exposure and increased myo-inositol with heightened anxiety […]

Breaking the Ultrasound Barrier to Fight Disease

Breaking the Ultrasound Barrier to Fight Disease

May 29, 2019 — When David Schorr was 56, the then-mortgage consultant in Columbus, OH, noticed some changes in his memory and thinking. Three years later, the 59-year-old searches for the words to describe it. “It wasn’t sudden, but over time, I knew in my mind that something was different. I wasn’t able to manage some of the stuff that I had been doing before.” He speaks slowly and carefully. “I found that people were seeing what was going on with me. As that went on, it came to a head. I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.” David Schorr and his wife, Kim, went to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center for treatment. David Schorr got medications to ease some of the symptoms. But without medicines to cure or slow the progress of the disease, their only other option was experimental treatments. “They asked us from the beginning if we were interested in clinical trials ,” says Kim Schorr. This year, they found a match. But the treatment, Kim says, sounded intense. Researchers would shave David Schorr’s head, then use ultrasound waves to try to open his blood-brain barrier — that’s the shield made of blood vessels that protects the brain from any germs or other threats that may be circulating in the bloodstream. The blood-brain barrier mostly keeps the brain healthy by keeping infection out. But when a disease like Alzheimer’s is in the brain, that barrier can prevent helpful medicine from getting in. Ultrasound to open the blood-brain barrier in Alzheimer’s disease is the latest in the growing field of focused ultrasound. Most people think of ultrasound as a way to take fuzzy black-and-white pictures of a fetus in the womb. But with focused ultrasound, doctors use the sound waves to actively treat a condition rather than […]

New study: Exercise improves memory in heart failure patients

New study: Exercise improves memory in heart failure patients

Share this article About 5.7 million adults in the United States have heart failure (HF). One in nine deaths in 2009 included HF as contributing cause, and about half of those who develop HF die within five years of diagnosis. HF is associated with frequent hospital admissions, reduced quality of life, significant morbidity, and increased mortality. Cognitive impairment is a common adverse consequence of HF and is characterized by deficits in one or more cognition domains, including attention, memory, executive function, and psychomotor speed. These deficits may affect patients’ decision-making capacity and interfere with their ability to comply with treatment requirements as well as recognize and self-manage disease worsening symptoms. The incidence of cognitive impairment varies widely from 25% to about 70%-80%, depending on the characteristics of the sample and of the disease, instruments used to assess cognition, and study design. Research presented at EuroHeartCare 2019 , a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology, indicates that two-thirds of patients with heart failure have cognitive problems. According to Professor Ercole Vellone of the University of Rome Tor Vergata, although it has previously been shown that HF should be treated with diet and exercise to improve quality of life and length of life, there is no direct evidence that physical activity improves cognition. Professor Vellone and colleagues used data from the HF-Wii study , which enrolled 605 HF patients (average age, 67 years, 71% male) from six countries. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment test was used to measure cognitive function, and exercise capacity was measured with the six-minute walk test. HF patients who walked further in a six-minute test, which shows better fitness, as well as those who were younger and more highly educated, were significantly less likely to have cognitive impairment. The results suggest that fitter patients have healthier […]

Do Brain-Boosting Supplements Actually Work?

Do Brain-Boosting Supplements Actually Work?

Can a supplement really make you smarter? A quick online search for “mental clarity supplements” will turn up tons of products, such as Neurohacker Collective’s “Qualia Mind,” WTHN’s “Fully Charged,” and Bulletproof’s “Unfair Advantage, ” just to name a few. These supplements claim to improve focus, sharpen thinking, boost productivity and fight fatigue. It all sounds like something straight out of a gimmicky infomercial ― just another quick-fix product to buy to improve your health. But as it turns out, there is some science that supports the brain-boosting power of some (yet not all) of the ingredients in mental clarity supplements. And, of course, there’s also a catch (there’s always a catch). Here’s what you should know before you purchase them, according to experts: Which Ingredients Work and Which Need More Research The more scientific classification of these supplements and their ingredients is called nootropics. The term, coined by psychologist Corneliu E. Giurgea in 1972 , describes natural or man-made substances designed to support cognitive functioning and improve mental performance. Other terms you may have heard for them could include “smart drugs” or “cognitive enhancers.” They range from familiar substances — such as caffeine or turmeric — to complex blends of many different herbs and other ingredients sold online. Best Deodorant to Stop Body Odor How to Decrease LDL Cholesterol Now, for the million-dollar question: Do they work? Well, yes and no. The reason for this ambiguous answer? The research on brain-boosting supplements is ambiguous itself. While some of the ingredients in brain-boosting supplements have shown to be beneficial, the studies have been inconsistent, explained Dr. Michael Genovese , a clinical psychiatrist and chief medical officer of Acadia Healthcare. Plus, “unlike other medications, the [Food and Drug Administration] does not regulate the distribution of so-called ‘nootropics,’ so there is […]

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