Nature Knows and Psionic Success

Did you know that coconut oil can help cure piles? We doubt! If you have extra-virgin coconut oil at home, you have the solution for a gamut of common health problems. It is known as the best beauty buddy for your skin and hair, but its benefits and uses go far beyond this. Coconut oil is a superfood and can benefit your health in many ways. Here we have listed 10 unbelievable coconut oil home remedies that you didn’t know about. Also Read – Use CBD oil as a home remedy for pain, depression and more Coconut oil is mainly composed of healthy fats called medium-chain fatty acids, such as caprylic, lauric and capric acids. This oil is also one of the best sources of healthy saturated fat, with almost 90 percent of the fatty acids in it being saturated. Many experts believe that natural saturated fats help increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels in your body and promote heart health. Let’s look at some of the amazing home remedies using coconut oil. Also Read – Use desi ghee to boost digestive health, manage diabetes and more

Improves Thyroid Function

You may not believe this, but coconut oil can support your thyroid function. The fatty acids in coconut oil can promote the production of thyroid hormone. Therefore, it is especially good for people with hypothyroidism, also known as an underactive thyroid. Plus, it increases metabolism and aid weight loss, two common problems faced by people suffering from hypothyroidism. Also Read – Home remedies: How to use baking soda to treat heartburn For thyroid problems, experts suggest consuming 2 or 3 tablespoons of virgin or extra-virgin coconut oil daily. Boosts Oral Health

Oil pulling using coconut oil is considered to be highly effective in improving oral health. Studies suggest that coconut oil can kill bacteria in the mouth and help prevent bad breath, tooth decay, cavities, gingivitis and gum disease. Often associated with Ayurveda, oil pulling involves swishing oil in your mouth to remove bacteria and promote oral hygiene. Take 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin coconut oil and swish it around in your mouth for 15 minutes and then spit it out. Do this daily in the morning before brush your teeth. You can also gently massage a few drops of coconut oil on your gums daily. Fights Alzheimer’s Disease

The medium-chain triglycerides in coconut oil can boost brain health as well as prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease, an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that causes a decline in memory, behavior and mental capabilities. It has been found that coconut oil weakens the effects of beta-amyloid peptides, which are one of the contributing components to neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. Consuming 1 to 2 tablespoons of organic, cold-pressed, virgin coconut oil daily may do the trick. Treats Eczema

For years, coconut oil has been used to treat eczema or atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin condition characterized by patches of dry skin that become inflamed, itchy, red, cracked and sore. Coconut oil has antibacterial and antioxidant properties, which help restore skin health, heal damaged skin and prevent scarring. To treat eczema, apply extra-virgin coconut oil to the affected skin 3 or 4 times a day. Also, you can consume 1 to 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin coconut oil orally once daily. Cures Piles

Piles, commonly known as hemorrhoids, are swollen veins in your anus and lower rectum. Coconut oil has an anti-inflammatory effect that helps soothe the inflamed veins and promotes quick healing. Plus, coconut oil is a natural laxative that can help you get relief from constipation, one of the main causes of piles. To regulate your bowel movements, consume 1 to 2 teaspoons of extra-virgin coconut oil daily, and apply the oil on the hemorrhoid after each bowel movement to reduce the irritation and swelling. Reduces Seizures

Doctors usually recommend the ketogenic diet (very low carbohydrate, very high fat) for people with epilepsy to control seizures. Coconut oil is one of the main components of a ketogenic diet, mainly because it has medium-chain triglycerides. The recommended dosage of extra-virgin coconut oil to reduce seizure is 1 teaspoon 3 times per day, which is to be gradually increased to 2 tablespoons a day.

Read more at www.thehealthsite.com

Introduction

Neurodegenerative disease is the progressive dysfunction and loss of neurons in the central nervous system (CNS), including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) ( 1 ). The mechanisms underlying their progressive nature remain unknown. To date, aging and immunity are closely associated with the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Immunosenescence refers to the gradual deterioration of the immune system brought on by natural age advancement. It involves both the host’s capacity to respond to infections and the development of long-term immune memory, which could accelerate the progression of neurodegenerative diseases ( 2 ).

Despite different triggering events, a common feature is brain inflammation ( 3 ). It is clear that neuroinflammation during compensatory period is beneficial, which help combat infections, promote tissue repair, remove necrotic cells, shape the brain during development and repair following damage. Upon decompensatory period, a vicious cycle of glial priming and release of pro-inflammatory factors promote neuronal damage ( 4 ). On the other hand, chronic inflammation, including chronic intestinal inflammation, diabetes, obesity, and systemic lupus erythema, could cause cognitive impairment, learning and memory deficits, and human depression ( 5 , 6 ). Moreover, long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs would suppress the peripheral immunity and reduce the incidence of PD by about 50% ( 7 ). In PD mice model, intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection combined with intravenous administration of two different recombinant α-synuclein (α-syn) pathogenic strains resulted in overactivation of microglia and further promoted the recruitment of leukocytes toward the brain and the spinal cord ( 8 ). Likewise, inhibiting migration of T cells or B cells into the brain rendered the CNS susceptible to devastating infections. However, the nature of peripheral immune cells in neurodegenerative diseases progression remains unclear. Thus, this review summarized the roles of peripheral immune cells on the pathological progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Roles of Peripheral Immune Cells on Neurodegenerative Diseases

Mononuclear Phagocyte System

Monocyte

Monocyte is the largest type of white blood cell in the peripheral blood that could differentiate into macrophages or dendritic cells (DCs) ( 9 ). Monocyte triggers innate immune responses by regulating Toll-like receptors (TLRs), scavenger receptors, phagocytosis and complement-mediated responses. Recent studies revealed that gut dysbiosis, a primary element behind various gastrointestinal disorders, might augment LPS, pro-inflammatory factors and monocytes, thus leading to increased intestinal and blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability through microbiota-gut-brain axis. Correspondingly, accumulation of axonal damage, misfolded proteins and neuronal demyelination facilitates the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, such as AD, PD and MS ( 10 ).

In AD patients, a higher proportion of monocytes in the peripheral blood was discerned, whereas the interaction between monocytes and platelets in the blood was not altered. Besides, cathepsin D, a major lysosomal aspartic protease, was underexpressed in monocytes, causing the defective degradation of amyloid-β (Aβ) by monocytes ( 11 ). However, the sensitivity of monocytes toward Aβ peptides was decreased, indicating that there might be a critical link between the interaction of platelets and monocytes in AD ( 12 ).

Transcriptomics analysis showed that monocytes isolated from peripheral blood of PD patients conferred pro-inflammatory effects. The increase in the number of classical monocytes in PD blood and the decrease in the number of non-classical monocytes might result from the increased monocyte differentiation or increased migration from the bone marrow ( 13 ). In contrast, monocytes play an important role in repairing of the injured brain. For example, continuous low-dose injections of LPS in the periphery caused chronic inflammation and the tolerance of peripheral monocytes. Once CNS was stimulated again, dopaminergic neuronal damage was reduced ( 14 ). Of note, PD-associated gene DJ-1 deficiency attenuated monocyte infiltration into the damaged brain, which in turn led to delay in repairing of brain injury in mice ( 15 ). Furthermore, the chemotaxis and phagocytosis of aged monocytes were increased or decreased under different conditions. In neurodegeneration, an increase in the number of monocytes and functional changes observed in peripheral blood might be related to immunosenescence, but this change was more obvious in age-matched PD patients ( 16 ).

Currently, the blood monocyte counted in the early phase of MS was robustly associated with the clinical severity of MS, whereas the counts of the other blood cells were not related with MS severity ( 17 ). Moreover, various animal studies carried out that monocytes contributed to MS-associated neuroinflammation. While classically activated monocytes promoted inflammation, type II-activated monocytes could improve the progression of MS. Furtherly, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory alternatives inhibited monocyte secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, and also suppressed the phagocytosis of monocytes and thus slowed down the pathological process of MS ( 18 ). Macrophage

In the inflammatory lesions, macrophages are the dominant cells. Macrophages in peripheral blood can cross BBB to secrete pro-inflammatory factors in brain to further determine the survival of neurons ( 19 ). Production of these inflammatory factors in brain is generally considered to be the primary mechanisms underlying the development of neuronal damage in response to chronic inflammation ( 20 ). Additionally, the renin-angiotensin system acts on macrophages via different signaling pathways. Angiotensin (Ang) II type 1 receptors (ATR) drive pro-inflammatory macrophage responses in neuroinflammation via regulation of chemokines. Interestingly, macrophages could secrete pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors due to the autoimmune actions of inflammation ( 21 ). In CNS, microglia are the resident macrophages and play vital functions for brain development and homeostasis. The phenotypic differentiation between microglia and peripheral macrophages is verified to be age-dependent. Peripheral macrophages might express several most commonly described microglia markers in some developmental stages or pathological conditions, particularly during chronic neuroinflammation ( 22 ). At present, blood-derived macrophages are thought to contribute to brain damage and repair in yet unidentified ways ( 23 ).

A number of studies demonstrated that defects of macrophages interfered with brain clearance of Aβ, including in Aβ phagocytosis and Aβ-induced apoptosis. Macrophages derived from peripheral blood in AD patients were found to possess ineffective phagocytosis of Aβ and low resistance to apoptosis by Aβ ( 24 – 26 […]

Read more at www.frontiersin.org

15 Reasons to Add Walnuts to Your Menu

Walnuts are of the best nuts you can eat. And we don’t mean just for its wonderfully nutty flavor. It’s packed with excellent health benefits, plus it tastes fantastic. It fights against many diseases such as heart disease, cognitive diseases, and even cancer.

While it’s true that walnuts have one of the highest fat contents of all nuts (about 65% of it is fat), this is nothing to worry about. The fat in walnut is heart-healthy alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), which is an omega-6 fatty acid. As long as you stay near the recommended daily amount of healthy fat, you’ll be okay eating these nuts. Here are 15 reasons you should add walnuts to your menu.

Walnuts offer more value than just great taste–here’s what they can do for your body. 1. They contain more antioxidants than any other food.

Antioxidant is a term that people throw around quite often. These substances protect your cells from harm by free radicals (another word that people use without fully explaining). You can think of antioxidants as your cells’ bodyguards.

Free radicals are substances that come from harmful chemicals in the air, such as cigarettes’ smoke and other pollution. If free radicals build up in your body, they can do some severe damage, even as serious as death. You need as many antioxidants as you can get.
Save 2. They have lots of folic acid.

Men and women need folic acid, but pregnant women need it the most. Pregnant women who have a folic acid deficiency can have babies with congenital disabilities. Eating them protects the mom’s and baby’s health.

Some studies have also shown that walnuts can increase the baby’s intelligence as it develops in the womb. While more research is needed on this topic, it still doesn’t hurt to give your baby the best chance possible. 3. They can improve your heart health.

Due to the high content of antioxidants and other nutrients, these nuts are a great cardiovascular booster . They can help to lower bad cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and improve blood circulation. In fact, the more you eat, the better.

It may seem contradictory that eating something with such a high-fat content is right for your heart. However, there has been significant research into omega-6 fatty acids, such as the one from study co-author Frank Hu of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. It shows that consuming fatty acids reduces the risk of heart disease. 4. They are easy to carry around.

For some people, carrying around a quick snack is necessary, so they don’t go too long without eating. People with strict work schedules, specific diet plans, hypoglycemic issues, and more can benefit from having a healthy snack available. They can put the nuts in a sipper-top bag or some other small container and place them in a purse, pocket, or backpack.

Walnuts are an excellent bridge from one meal to the next. That goes into the following reason. 5. They help you to feel full.

Walnuts are the perfect snack between meals because you can eat a small amount and feel satiated till your next meal. The reason for this is that they contain a high amount of fiber per serving. Fiber is what makes you feel full.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that average adults eat around 25 grams of fiber each day. There are five grams of fiber per cup of these delicious nuts. To put this in perspective, there are only 1.9 grams of fiber per slice of wheat bread. 6. You can support local farmers.

Health benefits aren’t the only benefits of eating these nuts. This year, farms have been hit hard. Many farms have shut their doors for good because they didn’t have enough resources to survive the pandemic.

Buying goods from local farms will help boost the economy, not to mention the farmers! You’ll also be getting the freshest nuts you can get since they don’t have to go through the traveling process to make it to a store halfway across the country. 7. They can improve your memory.

Studies linking the nuts to memory improvement mostly focuses on the elderly. These studies show that foods that are rich in polyphenol improve verbal memory in older adults. This research indicates that the nuts can be used to fight off some effects from memory-related disorders. Walnuts have the most polyphenol of all nuts. They contain 1591.5 mg of polyphenol per 100 g of nuts.

There are a few studies done on the effects of the nuts on young adults’ cognitive performance . They show that the nuts have a small positive impact. Save Research explains the many benefits of the Mediterranean Diet, including brain health. 8. They make a great addition to salads.

If you want to spruce up a salad , toss in half a cup of the nuts to give it a crunch and a buttery taste. Apple walnut salads are immensely popular. The apple and walnut chunks give you a healthy dose of fiber, so even though you ate a salad, you’ll feel full for a while.

You can make a walnut salad with any of your favorite berries. Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are all great choices. Top it off with some balsamic vinaigrette dressing, and you’ll have a healthy treat. 9. They improve fertility in men.

If you want your soldiers to march better or to keep marching strong, you should eat the nuts regularly. Sperm is made of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can be damaged by a process called lipid peroxidation . The nuts have a lot of polyunsaturated fatty acids. They essentially protect sperm cells while also replenishing any lost polyunsaturated fatty acids.

If you’re trying to conceive, the nuts will protect the sperm and keep the baby healthy. The walnut seems to be a miracle food for reproduction. 10. They taste good.

What better reason to eat something besides a great taste? Sure, there may be a few people out there who don’t […]

Read more at www.powerofpositivity.com

ISLAMABAD, October 10 (Online): The foods we eat can have a big impact on the structure and health of our brains. Eating a brain-boosting diet can support both short- and long-term brain function.
The brain is an energy-intensive organ, using around 20 percent of the bodyís calories, so it needs plenty of good fuel to maintain concentration throughout the day.
The brain also requires certain nutrients to stay healthy. Omega-3 fatty acids, for example, help build and repair brain cells, and antioxidants reduce cellular stress and inflammation, which are linked to brain aging and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimerís disease.
1. Oily fish
Oily fish are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s help build membranes around each cell in the body, including the brain cells. They can, therefore, improve the structure of brain cells called neurons.
A 2017 study found that people with high levels of omega-3s had increased blood flow in the brain. The researchers also identified a connection between omega-3 levels and better cognition, or thinking abilities.
These results suggest that eating foods rich in omega-3s, such as oily fish, may boost brain function.
Examples of oily fish that contain high levels of omega-3s include: salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring and sardines.
People can also get omega-3s from soybeans, nuts, flaxseed, and other seeds.
2. Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate contains cocoa, also known as cacao. Cacao contains flavonoids, a type of antioxidant.
Antioxidants are especially important for brain health, as the brain is highly susceptible to oxidative stress, which contributes to age-related cognitive decline and brain diseases.
Cacao flavonoids seem to be good for the brain. According to a 2013 review, they may encourage neuron and blood vessel growth in parts of the brain involved in memory and learning. They may also stimulate blood flow in the brain.
Some research also suggests that the flavonoid component of chocolate may reverse memory problems in snails. Scientists have yet to test this in humans.
However, a 2018 study in humans also supports the brain-boosting effects of dark chocolate. The researchers used imaging methods to look at activity in the brain after participants ate chocolate with at least 70 percent cacao.
The researchers concluded that eating this type of dark chocolate may improve brain plasticity, which is crucial for learning, and may also provide other brain-related benefits.
3. Berries
Like dark chocolate, many berries contain flavonoid antioxidants. Research suggests that these may make the berries good food for the brain.
Antioxidants help by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. The antioxidants in berries include anthocyanin, caffeic acid, catechin, and quercetin.
A 2014 review notes that the antioxidant compounds in berries have many positive effects on the brain, including: improving communication between brain cells, reducing inflammation throughout the body, increasing plasticity, which helps brain cells form new connections, boosting learning and memory, reducing or delaying age-related neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline.
Antioxidant-rich berries that can boot brain health include: strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, blackcurrants and mulberries.
4. Nuts and seeds
Eating more nuts and seeds may be good for the brain, as these foods contain omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.
A 2014 study found that a higher overall nut intake was linked to better brain function in older age.
Nuts and seeds are also rich sources of the antioxidant vitamin E, which protects cells from oxidative stress caused by free radicals.
As a person ages, their brain may be exposed to this form of oxidative stress, and vitamin E may therefore support brain health in older age.
A 2014 review found that vitamin E may also contribute to improved cognition and reduced risk of Alzheimerís disease.
The nuts and seeds with the highest amounts of vitamin E include: sunflower seeds, almonds and hazelnuts.
Fully exploring vitamin Eís effects on the brain will require further research.
5. Whole grains
Eating whole grains is another way to benefit from the effects of vitamin E, with these grains being a good source of the vitamin.
Whole-grain foods include: brown rice, barley, bulgur wheat, oatmeal, whole-grain bread and whole-grain pasta.
6. Coffee
Coffee is a well-known concentration aid ó many drink it to stay awake and encourage focus.
The caffeine in coffee blocks a substance in the brain called adenosine, which makes a person feel sleepy.
Beyond boosting alertness, a 2018 study suggests that caffeine may also increase the brainís capacity for processing information.
The researchers found that caffeine causes an increase in brain entropy, which refers to complex and variable brain activity. When entropy is high, the brain can process more information.
Coffee is also a source of antioxidants, which may support brain health as a person gets older. One study has linked lifelong coffee consumption with reduced risk of: cognitive decline, stroke, Parkinsonís disease and Alzheimerís disease.
Caffeine can, however, affect a personís sleep and doctors do not recommend caffeine consumption for everyone.
7. Avocados
A source of healthful unsaturated fat, avocados may support the brain.
Eating monounsaturated fats may reduce blood pressure, and high blood pressure islinked with cognitive decline.
Thus, by reducing high blood pressure, the unsaturated fats in avocados may lower the risk of cognitive decline.
Other sources of healthful unsaturated fats include: almonds, cashews, peanuts, flaxseed, chia seeds, soybean, sunflower, canola oils, walnuts Brazil nuts and fish.
8. Peanuts
Peanuts are a legume with an excellent nutritional profile. They contain plenty of unsaturated fats and protein to keep a personís energy levels up throughout the day.
Peanuts also provide key vitamins and minerals to keep the brain healthy, including high levels of vitamin E and resveratrol.
Resveratrol is a natural non-flavonoid antioxidant found in peanuts, mulberries, and rhubarb. Evidence from a review article suggests that resveratrol can have protective effects, such as helping to prevent cancers, inflammation, and neurological diseases, including Alzheimerís and Parkinsonís.
9. Eggs
Enjoyed by many for breakfast, eggs can be an effective brain food.
They are a good source of the following B vitamins: vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12n and folic acid. Recent research suggests that these […]

Read more at onlinenews.com.pk

Soaring demand means depressed people face a three-month NHS waiting list

Seven million depressed Britons are already being treated by anitdepressants

People who suffer a stroke are at greater risk of developing a depressive illness

It is an idea as concerning as it is intriguing – prescribing a course of antidepressants to perfectly happy people. The medication, already taken by seven million Britons, could, it is suggested, be an effective tool for warding off the ever-increasing tide of mental illness if taken before there’s even a hint of symptoms.

It might seem a ludicrous theory, at a time when antidepressants are believed to already be over-prescribed – but it comes from one of the UK’s leading psychiatrists.

Based on the results of analysis of 28 studies, Dr Saeed Farooq, professor of psychiatry at Keele University, likened the treatment to using aspirin to prevent heart attacks. His report, published in the Journal Of Affective Disorders, found that prescribing the pills to high-risk patients, such as those recovering from severe illnesses, significantly reduced the chances of developing depression – by more than 70 per cent in some cases, the researchers suggest. Dr Saeed Farooq, professor of psychiatry of Keele University suggested using antidepressants to counter depression is akin to taking Aspirin to ward off possible heart disease The results come as Britain’s top psychiatrists warn of a looming mental-health crisis that awaits us post-Covid.

Soaring demand for mental-health support has resulted in a quarter of patients now waiting at least three months for an appointment, according to figures from the Royal College of Psychiatrists released last week.

Isolation, bereavement, financial insecurity and, of course, an increase in long-term illness, either directly or indirectly related to the virus, have been held responsible.

Prof Farooq’s research focused on 3,000 patients with conditions that put them at an increased risk of depression, most notably stroke victims, who are twice as likely as healthy people to develop mental illness.

Two-thirds of Britain’s one million stroke survivors have left hospital with a disability, such as loss of speech or movement, while three-quarters will experience a significant decline in brain function, including problems with memory, attention and language. Often patients are robbed of their independence and grieving for the life they left behind. Soaring demand for mental-health support has resulted in a quarter of patients now waiting at least three months for an appointment, according to figures from the Royal College of Psychiatrists released last week Also included were sufferers of a heart attack, the virus hepatitis C and certain types of cancer.

Patients who took the most commonly prescribed antidepressants were on average less likely to develop depression, with the biggest effect seen in stroke victims.

But giving antidepressants to patients without symptoms is an idea that Professor John Read, a professor of clinical psychology at the University of East London, calls ‘scary’. He adds: ‘We already prescribe antidepressants to one in six adults in the UK, and about half of those struggle when they try to come off them. We should be working to reduce the prescription rate, not inventing a spurious reason to increase it.’

More than 100,000 people in the UK have a stroke every year. It is caused by an obstruction in the blood supply to the brain, which kills off brain cells.

It has long been suggested that damage to the brain could heighten the risk of depression, but according to Professor Martin Dennis, chairman of stroke medicine at the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, the exact relationship is not known.

‘Generally, people who have had depression before get depressed,’ he says. ‘And people who get worse strokes tend to get depressed. And you can see why, because their lives become narrower and more restricted. But it’s very difficult to untangle the exact cause.’

Two decades ago, small studies suggested that using antidepressants as a preventative may help stroke survivors by boosting their mood and possibly even improving physical recovery and reducing disability. But according to large-scale trials, the benefits are less clear than first thought.

A study involving 3,000 stroke patients at more than 100 UK hospitals, led by the University of Edinburgh and published in The Lancet in 2019, found no improvement in physical ability among those prescribed fluoxetine, also known as Prozac, for six months.

Patients given antidepressants were less likely to develop depression during treatment, but the benefit was small and not long-lasting.

‘Our best estimate was you needed to treat 26 patients to prevent one person from getting depression,’ says lead researcher Prof Dennis.

The same applies to studies linking antidepressants to decreased cognitive decline. For every study revealing an improvement, there’s another proving the opposite.

Dr Laura Phipps, of Alzheimer’s Research UK, says some antidepressant are linked to a higher dementia risk due to their impact on chemical messengers in the brain. However, the common overlap between the two conditions means it’s almost impossible to tease apart the natural course of the disease from genuine depression or the effects of medication.

And these drugs do not come without side-effects, which include confusion, severe fatigue, insomnia, sexual problems and, in rare cases, suicidal thoughts. Perhaps most relevant to those recovering from physical illnesses, is the risk of bone breakages. Exactly why is not clear, but evidence suggests that fluoxetine can weaken bones.

In addition, more than half of people on antidepressants will experience withdrawal effects when they eventually try to come off them.

Prof Read says: ‘Because we can’t predict who’ll develop depression, you’d be prescribing these drugs to people who would never have become depressed, exposing them to quite a severe set of adverse effects for no good reason.’

But he believes there is another way. ‘People need to talk,’ he says. ‘We should make sure they know how to access psychological help if they need it, if they start feeling so sad they can’t function.’

Read more at www.dailymail.co.uk

Dementia is a broad category that describes clusters of symptoms associated with brain damage. There are over 200 subtypes of dementia but the leading cause in the UK is Alzheimer’s disease . The earliest indicator is lapses in memory, such as forgetting about recent conversations and misplacing items. Dementia – the simple vegetable cooking hack to lower your risk

Some of the strongest associations are tied to the foods we eat and avoid.

High intake of saturated fats, commonly found in processed meats and sugar foods, may hike your risk of Alzheimer’s.

While unhealthy food items are manifestly bad for the heart and head, others may contain hidden health risks.

According to Dr Deborah Lee of Dr Fox Online Pharmacy , you should add popcorn to your watchlist.

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The compound diacetyl (DA), which is used to give popcorn its buttery taste, has raised concerns due to a possible association with Alzheimer’s, she reported.

“DA is not only ingested in foods, but it is volatile, meaning it produces an aroma – this is the well known buttery popcorn smell when you microwave, or ping open a bag of popcorn,” explains Dr Lee. So, what does the evidence say?

A study in Chemical Research and Toxicology reported that DA is toxic to brain neurons and has the potential to cause long term neurological damage.

Scientists demonstrated that DA was able to cross the blood-brain barrier.

20% of dementia carers give up their careers to look after loved ones

According to Dr Lee, DA is most likely to cause harm if eaten in food that is heated – for example, popcorn.

Other foods that contain DA include: Potato chips

Crackers

Corn chips

Butter, butter spray oils, anything labelled as having “a buttery taste”.

DA is also found in, although in moderation this is not likely to harmful: Chocolate Cookies

Gelatin

Syrup

Frosting

Chewing gum

Ice cream.

The FDA considers the consumption of DA in most foods is generally safe and does not mandate the need for health warnings or labelling on food or drinks.
“However, with a growing trend towards microwaving food, and the fact popcorn contains the highest concentrations of DA compared to other foods, some consumers may prefer to be informed of any possible association between DA and the development of Alzheimer’s Disease,” adds Dr Lee.

Read more at www.express.co.uk